If you can, imagine nothingness.

When we read that “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made…” to fully grasp this reality is impossible for you and me. Think about it; from absolutely nothing, everything we see, hear, or even imagine is possible only by the voice of God. The reality of this powerful truth leads me to wonder, what is going on in the realm of what we cannot experience through the human senses?

We hear much today about “trusting science.” With all the wonders upon which humankind has embarked, every discovery, invention, and cure are a byproduct of what God has already created.

To try and illustrate my point, the next time you cook or bake something from scratch and retrieve the necessary items for the finished product from the pantry or refrigerator, think of “creating from scratch” as a misnomer. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, one noun definition of “scratch” is “from a point at which nothing has been done ahead of time.” Therefore, every underpinning for a Nobel prize, every generation of technology, and every science discovery in the world, including the perplexing AI (Artificial Intelligence) is the result of using the substance of what God already spoke into existence.

By the same Sovereign Authority who commanded the stars to align and the sun and moon to hang in their heavenly places, so does He direct our path. How awesome is this thought!

Lord God, in these days of uncertainty, when I feel so little control over what is happening in the world, help me trust in You, the One who holds all things together “by the breath of His mouth.” Amen.

For deeper thought, read Psalm 33.

Almost every morning, my daughter calls me on the phone; generally, we have no agenda, only a desire to hear each other’s voice. For example, today she called and while we spoke for over two hours, I could not tell you what kept us engaged for that length of time. We simply enjoyed visiting.

The Book of Psalms is mostly a compilation of “calls” from King David to God. God referred to David as “a man after My own heart.” (Acts 13:22). So, what was so special about David that God referenced him in such an endearing way? David’s life, while God chose him to lead the people of Israel, was splattered with sin and poor judgement at times. But David always spoke to God, even when, and perhaps especially when his actions were darkest, and the outcome looked bleak. God loved David because David loved God enough to trust Him with everything, good or not so good; they shared a real relationship.

In the year 2024, ask God to show you how to be a person “after [His] own heart.” Using David as our example, let us include God along with the other daily relationships we nurture by talking to Him and then, to hear from Him read His Word. Like all relationships, growth and depth are the results of time spent together through both good and bad circumstances. Talk to God. Tell Him everything and experience a friendship like no other in this world. He loves you, lavishly!

For deeper understanding, read: Psalm 139:1-18.

A children’s activity that seems to have stood the test of time is one I really enjoyed playing growing up. In fact, my grandchildren also had one of these toys and maybe you did too. Unlike many of the 21^st century toys, this timeless gadget required no batteries, no plugs or cords, and no electricity. Simple by design, it consisted of three parts, a small paddle, a one inch in diameter rubber ball, and a long thin elastic band. The elastic band was stapled to the wooden paddle and extended about three feet where it attached to the ball. The idea was to hit the ball with the paddle, then repeatedly hit it when the elastic brought the ball back. I loved practicing that skill.

Like the game of retrieving the ball to the paddle, I find many of us have practiced and perfected the same “skill” when giving our concerns to God. Anxiety in every form, be it worry, fear from the past, fear of the present, or fear for the future is like the ball; we “cast all [our] cares on Him…” only to retrieve them, time after time.

In the new year, 2024, when it comes to giving our cares and concerns to God, I invite you to join me in practicing the skill of another game called baseball. The “game” goes something like this: when Satan pitches the ball (every anxiety and concern) and it comes hurling toward you, swing the bat as hard as you can (speak God’s Word of truth), striking the ball firmly, then watch as it disappears into the clouds, where our compassionate and awesome heavenly Father catches every word. His love will sustain us until He brings us “home.”

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NKJV).

When the angel, Gabriel, revealed God’s divine plan to Mary, that as a young virgin, she would give birth to a son, God’s Son, we can only assume her perplexity of mind and heart at such an outrageous announcement, a miracle, in fact. Given the world of science in the 21^st century, the idea of just about any feat being accomplished by human ingenuity seems almost reachable. But the odds of being “almost reachable” versus “nothing [is]…impossible” with God are vastly different.

Sometimes, perhaps, oftentimes in life you and I must face the reality of human frailty. Death, sickness, failure of character, mine, yours, or someone else’s, financial instability, fill in the blank, and the list goes on and on. We try hard to face our circumstances with courage to either accept or change whatever sense of futility challenges us, only to be met with new and more difficult challenges. Ask me how I know. If the world continues from today for ten thousand years, no matter how intelligent or clever humanity strives to become, only God can be credited with perfection and a record claiming one hundred percent achievement in His goals.

What obstacles are you facing today? Does a solution feel insurmountable? Even downright impossible? God of “the impossible” invites you to tell Him what is on your mind and heart. Oh, yes, He does already know what you’re thinking and the outcome, this is true, because God is omniscient; but He wants to hear from you, and just maybe, you will witness a miracle.

Read the words to one of my favorite hymns, In the Garden.

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing.
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

In the Garden, written by Charles A. Miles, 1913.

Advent season can be a time to think about and consider the true meaning of Christmas. Traditionally, Advent has become more about counting down the days before December 25^th in anticipation of Christmas morning, when Santa has come and gone, leaving behind presents for all. In some families, we light a candle each week, remembering Jesus is the Light of the world bringing with Him Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

When I think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, she did not have traditions to shed light on what must have felt perplexing, when the angel of God, Gabriel said to her, “Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28). Every young Jewish woman throughout history leading up to Gabriel’s visit to Mary, aspired to become God’s chosen vessel through which the Messiah would come; however, “aspiring” and becoming are two very different situations. Mary is speculated to have been just a young teenage girl when the Holy Spirit came upon her and she conceived the One who would become the Savior of the world, Jesus. Much can be said about how this moment in time lingered in the mind of Mary. Indeed, we are told, that she “pondered [these things] in her heart.”

In our current culture, where both people and time feel like they move at the speed of light, and where every person seems to be captivated by some demanding electronic device, do human beings even take the time to “ponder” on the thought of much? During this advent season, may I challenge each of us to slow down and give thought to why Jesus entered the world’s physical realm of time and space, when He could have remained in heaven? Perhaps as God chose Mary to deliver Jesus, He chose Jesus to deliver you**…just something to ponder…

**Mary Did you Know? Song by Mark Lowry.

A young woman posted to a popular social media site her recent purchase of a new house. She explained how long she has been waiting and how hard she had to work to have enough money saved up to buy her first home. Instead of “Congratulations,” the woman received so many hate responses she removed her message from the social platform for fear of retribution that might ruin her reputation, or worse, elicit physical harm. What was the motivation for such a negative response? Envy? Jealousy?

If we live long enough, every person will have ample opportunity to experience both happiness and sadness. When my husband died nine years ago, I lost my best friend since the age of sixteen-years-old. Young Onset Alzheimer’s disease robbed Richard of his brilliant mind and years we had hoped to spend with our children and grandchildren. Family and friends came together to lend their support in my time of grief; a love offering I will never forget. Jesus wept with His friends Martha and Mary when their brother and His dear friend, Lazarus died. At a wedding celebration in Cana, Jesus rejoiced with friends when answering the request of His mother, Mary, to replenish the wine, so that the celebration could continue. Of course, both Bible stories have deep spiritual meaning, but on the surface, we can learn a simple truth: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

The young woman who purchased her first ever home has every reason to find joy in her accomplishment, and wanting others to know should have incurred a joyous response. Envy and jealousy can motivate us to a place of resentment and despair. I have heard it said, “Envy and jealousy are not wanting what others have, rather envy and jealousy are not wanting others to have it.”  May you and I always find enough love in our hearts to meet people where they are in life.

Are you a friend who loves through every season?

For deeper study, read: John 11:1-44 (Lazarus); John 2:1-12 (Wedding in Cana)

On the desk in my office is a drawing of Jesus, depicted as laughing heartily. This picture has always been a comfort to me, especially when life is difficult and human worldly challenges hit hard. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Given the new war taking place in Israel, even as I type and you read these words, “peace” seems a long way off, if not impossible for God’s people, the Jewish nation. I have turned the picture of Jesus laughing upside down, because with thousands of people dead, including women and tiny children, no way is Jesus laughing now. The death toll keeps rising.

How do we find the kind of peace Jesus promised amid such horrific violence and evil, and threats looming all around us? Unlike the “peace” desperately sought in physical wars, peace found during spiritual warfare is not dependent upon our circumstances, bullets, or bombs, rather lasting peace is rooted in the power of God through Jesus Christ; this power crushed death and Satan, when Jesus walked out of the tomb on Easter Sunday. Halleluiah!

Fear is the opposite of peace. Followers of Jesus have absolutely nothing to fear. While news stations and Media always have much to say, they have limited knowledge of what is truly happening in our world. Yet, nothing surprises God Almighty. He is not wringing His hands, wondering what to do next. He wrote the story, so He knows how it ends!

In these troubled days, seek guidance in the Word of God, as He alone holds the keys to the future. He has told us ahead of time what to expect and what to do. Pray for peace. Practice faith. Preach the Good News! Jesus is not laughing as His people are suffering, but in The Day when He returns to gather up His followers, He will be smiling and so will we.

Come LORD Jesus, come!