courage

Precious In The Sight Of The Lord - Psalm 116

10:00 AM


Psalm 116, 2 Corinthians 4:13-15

One of the most well known passages in the Bible is Psalm 23. Often read at funerals, it tells of the lovingkindness, mercy, and goodness of the Lord, bringing comfort to those who are left behind. But just as comforting is Psalm 116. For it too speaks of the lovingkindness, mercy and goodness of God. And expresses just how valuable His children are. Not only in life, but especially in death. For as much as we love the Lord, He loves us even more. And all who belong to Him are so very precious in His sight. 


There is no other pain like the loss of a loved one. It cuts deep, leaving behind a gaping hole of sorrow and emptiness. Yet as much as it hurts to lose the ones we love, we are grateful for the glory awaiting those who love the Lord. Death is just as much a double edged sword for God. Because as our Heavenly Father He grieves at our pain and mourning. Yet at the same time He rejoices greatly at His precious child coming home. 


Once we were like the Psalmist. Enemies of God and eternally separated from Him, “The cords of death encompassed me and the terror of Sheol came upon me. I found distress and sorrow.” But because of God’s righteous compassion, also like the Psalmist, through the name of Lord we have rescue, restoration, and life. Our souls can rest knowing that Jesus forever conquered the sting of death. And He lovingly offers the cup of salvation to all who will drink. 


As believers we know that death is not end. But rather the beginning of a glorious eternal life spent in the presence of God. It’s a natural part of the cycle of life and the wonderful opportunity to be reunited with God. One day, the Lord will call us home. And never again will our eyes shed a tear. Nor will our feet ever stumble. With our new glorified bodies, we will dwell in the house of the Lord. And together with God we will reign forever in perfect love and peace. 


Pause and Reflect -

How can I live my life in a way that honors God and reflects my faithfulness to Him? In what ways can I trust God's plan for my life, including my eventual death? How can I support and encourage others who may be facing death or grieving the loss of a loved one?


Let’s pray together - 

Our dearest Father heaven above, Ruler and Creator of all things, hallowed be Thy name. Father we thank You for the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. And in the comfort of knowing that our death is precious in your sight. Lord help us to live our lives in a way that is faithful and pleasing to You, so that we may be counted among your faithful servants. Give us strength and courage to face death with hope and confidence knowing that it is not the end, but rather a transition to a new and glorious life with You. Father comfort those who are grieving. May they find hope and peace in Your promises, and may they feel Your loving presence surrounding them in their time of sorrow. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen.


Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!


I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💖 Lisa

Corrie ten Boom

Gratitude- Great Is Your Faithfulness {Lamentations 3}

11:00 PM




“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it."...AW Tozer

It’s hard for me to read the book of Lamentations without a lump forming in my throat. It’s pages are filled with the pain of the prophet Jeremiah, who grieves deeply over the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. With its buildings reduced to rubble, its streets barren, and its people taken as slaves, the sorrow Jeremiah feels is immeasurable. Yet somehow in the midst of desolation and despair, the prophet still has a heart of gratitude for the goodness of God declaring, “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail, they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’ (Lam. 3:22-24) 

Gratitude is a powerful tool in overcoming the feelings that ail us. By remembering the goodness of God; His love, grace, and mercy, our hearts will be so overflowing with thankfulness, we too will be grateful no matter the circumstance. God is faithful; His love never ending, and His mercies always in full supply. I was reading an article by Peg Robarchek, and loved it when she said, “Gratitude is the spiritual practice that keeps me grounded in hope, and reminds me that God is my source for all that is good in my life. The Lord is, indeed, my portion. And my portion is abundant.” So how can we practice gratitude? I wanted to share a couple of things that help me when I find my praise and thanks to the Lord beginning to wane.

Make A List-No matter our circumstances, there is always something to be thankful for. Each day take time out to think of at least one way in which you were blessed by God. Whether it be in a journal, a whiteboard, a folder on your laptop, or a note on your tablet, write down whatever comes to mind. At the end of each week, reread what you’ve written remembering to thank God for His many blessings. 

Read The Psalms-No one knew higher highs and lower lows than David. Yet through it all his love for the Lord never wavered. He wrote song after song of devotion and thanksgiving to God. That kind of gratitude is infectious, and by reading a Psalm a day we too can have hearts filled with gratitude for God's work, and lips of worship that sing, “I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” (Ps. 34)

Give To Others-Nothing fills a heart with gratitude faster then helping someone in need. Complaining and unthankfulness can’t help but take a back seat when we see the struggles of those less fortunate. Suddenly blessings once taken for granted, become greatly appreciated. And as a bonus, when we reach out to those less fortunate out of appreciation to the Lord, we bring gratitude into the lives of others; becoming loving ambassadors of God’s grace and mercy.

One more great example of gratitude can be found in Corrie Ten Boom. If you’ve never read her book, “The Hiding Place”, I highly recommend it. Imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Corrie and her sister Betsie were kept in “Barracks 28”. A horrible place where the conditions were beyond inhuman, and death all but a certainty. Yet even in such suffering, Corrie still had a heart of gratitude. She was thankful that she and her sister were together. Thankful they had a Bible in which to study and share God’s Word. And believe it or not, grateful for the fleas in the infested straw bed in which she was forced to sleep. Why? Because as it turned out, the cruel and abusive supervisors who ran the camp were afraid of those fleas. Not wanting to be infested themselves, they left the women alone. “Through those fleas, God protected the women from abuse and harassment.  Dozens of desperate women were free to hear the comforting, hope-giving Word of God.  Through those fleas, God protected the women from much worse things and made sure they had their deepest, truest needs met.”( khouse.org )

Finally, whenever you feel yourself lacking in the gratitude department, remember this. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” (Eph. 1:4) Imagine that! Even before the creation of the earth, God knew and wanted each of us! He formed us, chose us, and because of His love for us, provided reconciliation to Him through the blood of His Son Jesus. And knowing that God calls me His, overflows my heart with such love, praise and gratitude, that I too can cry out, “Great is Your faithfulness!”





2 Samuel

Scripture Saturday~Our Reward

12:00 AM

Saturday, March 10, 2018



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is 2 Samuel 2:6a...

 Now may the Lord show lovingkindness and truth and faithfulness to you.
(Amplified version)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!