The Reason for Jesus
Charles Martin
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ...” (John 1:12, ESV).
“... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3a, NIV).
“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, AMP)
“So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18, CSB).
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV).
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).
Lord God, we admit that some of the races we are running feel long and exhausting, and we are nowhere near the finish line. Forgive us for the times we want to quit when healing, answers, or breakthroughs take much longer than we planned or expected. We thank You that You do not offer us shallow, easy platitudes, but instead You run right alongside us up every steep hill, matching our pace and offering true strength. Grant us the endurance to press on step by step today, trusting that even when we are far from the destination, we are never far from Your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us" (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT).
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10, ESV).
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5, ESV).
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ...” (John 1:12, ESV).
Jesus, as I feel my emotions, I’m going to choose not to rush through this pain. Because You lived on earth as a human, I know You understand how sadness can make Your heart feel like it’s...
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8, NIV).
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12, NIV).