He will yet deliver Luke . . .

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

 2 Cor. 1:10-11

Indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves,

but in God . . .  2 Cor. 1:9

And we do trust in God.

 

 

He’s got the whole world in His hands,

He’s got the whole wide world in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands.

 

He’s got little tiny Luke in His hands,

He’s got the Mommy and the Daddy in His hands,

He’s got all the Greene children in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands.

 

And how safe is that!! To be in the hands of God, the Father–to rest in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God! Kristen and Josh are resting in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God! Our entire family is resting in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God!

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Cor. 1:20

Will you speak the “Amen” with us? Will you agree in Luke’s healing? To the glory of God. Then we will join to give thanks . . . for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

I take Luke to Jesus.

Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place his hands on them and pray for them . . . Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13,14

I want to take Luke to Jesus. For healing. I want the hands of Jesus on my Luke.

Oh, if I could just touch the hem of his garment~~

if I could only go to Him for healing~~

if I could simply say, “Just say the word, Lord, and my grandson will be healed”~~

But, you see, I can!

I have more power now than those followers had who walked with Jesus. Before He went to the Father, Jesus said, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me . . . I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:11-14

 

Lord, Jesus, bring glory to the Father through the healing of our little Luke.

Our prayers are powerful! All-empowered with the Spirit of God. Taken to the Father by the very one who sits at the Father’s right hand – our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

I ask in your name.

And His name is powerful! It’s the name above all names! It’s the only name by which this healing comes!

 

I have faith in you.

We pray over him.

We trust God for his healing.

God is mending the gaps in his heart.

God is closing the duct.

God is opening the vessels.

And so I take Luke to Jesus. For healing. And the hands of Jesus are on my Luke.

Luke ~~ Bringer of Light

Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name . . . And now the Lord says–he who formed me in the womb to be his servant . . . for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength–“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant . . . I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:1-6

We’ve waited and trusted. In hope and anticipation. Looking for the miracle. Trusting in the miracle. Seeing the miracle. Of healing. Of growth. And of birth.

And now he’s here! Our little(est) baby boy!

His name means bringer of light. Luke Ryan Greene has entered our lives and with him comes the light. The light of life! The light of the future!

This little baby brings light to this Nana!

He is a promise of the faithfulness of God. He is the essence of the continuing heritage God has given our family. He is a reminder of the redeeming nature of an awesome, merciful God who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light!

Little Luke Ryan Greene brings light to my life and to my soul!

She is my Ruth–my Lynette

She wasn’t from Moab. She was from Michigan.

I loved her first – because he loved her.

I loved her next – because she is precious.

She is a giver. She is compassionate. She is talented. She is creative. She can make something beautiful out of a little bit of nothing. And that’s what she’s done in my life. She takes my nothing and makes something beautiful. When I feel like I’m Mara, she reminds me that God has blessed – that God has worked miracles – that we can trust Him.

And she does these things for me.

She is my Ruth — my lovely daughter-in-law, Lynette.

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:16-18

 

 

 

 

. . . to have a daughter like my Kristen

She taught me about true faith.

I saw it in her life.

I heard it in her prayers.

Her baby was sick.

I was overcome with worry.
She trusted.
 
I was frightened.
She believed.
 
I spoke words of fear.
She spoke the Word.
 

When is it? That your daughter grows past you in her relationship with the Lord? That you begin to lean upon her–for strength–to lean upon Him?

 

It is a wonderful thing–to have a daughter like that–a daughter like my Kristen!

 

All your [daughters] will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. Isaiah 54:13,17b

…the joy is in having Him so near!

Wow! In our brief study of Romans 5: 1-5, I was overwhelmed by what God taught me through His Word and my study partners. How can we rejoice in suffering? I’ve gleaned from these honest ladies, and I’d like to share it with you:

Amy commented, “It really is JOY. Is it the happy, skipping, life is wonderful, kind of joy? NO. But.. It is the incredible joy of having that intimate, deep, dependence on, and relationship with HIM. When nothing makes sense . . .  when all is dark . . . when all seems lost . . . that’s when His light of peace and JOY penetrate your soul. Yes indeed, there is joy in suffering. The wonderful, incredible joy of holding hands, and being held by our Great, Loving, Compassionate Father.”

So the joy isn’t in suffering – the joy is in having Him so near.

Deb openly confessed from the depths of her heart, “I’m not rejoicing in my sufferings – I’m still waiting to rejoice.”

Why is it worth the wait? Why is it worth the suffering? Because of the end result.

Our passage shows the steps it takes: suffering > perseverance > character > hope.

The end result is hope!

Please read Deb and Amy’s comments in full – see the Bible Study posting, “Rejoice in Suffering? How?”

And  look for our next brief, online Bible Study soon. “The Word is near you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart.” (Romans 10)

 

You did for me.

The courtroom was full of family and friends–our supporters.
Glenna spoke encouragement.
Jen spoke comfort.
Larry supported my arm as I walked to the car.
Someone prayed.

~~~

Coffee and a long talk with best friends.

Bible study ladies caring, holding, praying.

~~~

We were the least. We were broken.

We were thirsty.

~~~

You received us. You gave us drink.

You were His hands–His feet.

Someone continues to pray.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Jesus. (Matthew 25:40)

And you did for us.

Further Reading: Matthew 10:40-42

More to come on what I must now do.

(Be sure to read my previous post, “God Is Using You.”)

Pick up Those Jars of Clay!

Christmas Blog journal posting

 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

Just imagine it! Imagine those clay jars, which have been placed around you, on the shelf, on the floor, on the table–placed there–for us–for you and for me! They’re free. And they’re filled with treasures.

 

 

I pick up one jar. It’s heavy. I’m hesitant. I’ve heard that the treasures are magnificent, but I’m still hesitant. I lift it and slowly begin to pour the content out! I pour it only on my feet. I’m hurting–it heals me. I’m grieving–it consoles me.

I become a bit more trusting, so I begin to pour it on my legs and arms.

I’m praising–it enables me.

I’m homesick–it comforts me.

~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~

The clay jar is still filled to the brim! But it’s not as heavy now! I lift it up, over my head.  I pour it out.

I’m famished–it fills me.

I’m thankful –it blesses me.

~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~

I don’t want it to end. I’m anxious–it fills me with peace. I’m suffering–it fills me with hope. The content–the treasure–saturates me!

And it never ends.

It never runs out.

~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~

Today, pick up that jar of clay–pour out the treasure–saturate yourself with it–let it fill your mouth and penetrate your heart:

“. . . that is, the word of faith (I) am proclaiming”

Read about it in Romans 10:9-13.

Rejoice in our sufferings? How?

Through him we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings (Romans 5:2-3b)

What?

If you are suffering, for whatever reason, you might join me in wondering

how in the world

can I

 ever

rejoice in my suffering.

In fact, it might even make you cry to think about it. Because when suffering, crying comes

easily

and often

to some of us.

(Crying is coming easily and often to me right now!)

This week, let’s read Romans 5:1-5. Then, in your comments to this short Bible study, discuss the word, “rejoice.” What does it mean?

Use your concordance to find other verses or passages that include the word “rejoice” or  “joy.” In doing so, narrow your findings to those verses or passages that might help explain the connection found in rejoicing and suffering. In other words, what does the Bible tell us about rejoicing (or joy) and suffering?

Please share your findings and ideas – then come back to comment on others.

Today is Friday, November 23. Let’s share and comment throughout the next week; then look for a new posting on this continuing study of Romans 5:1-5 on or about Friday, November 30.

I look forward to reading your comments, verses, passages, and ideas.

ps. When you make your comment (below), be sure to check the box or boxes to be notified when others comment on this same study. It’s all a good part of the study!

Thankful for a Future Hope!

“There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off”
Proverbs 23:18

Thanksgiving! Turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie! Sounds wonderful! Our family usually gathers around the table, and before asking the blessing, one by one, we tell what we are thankful for. But this year was different. We didn’t gather. One family went to Decker, Michigan ; one family went to Richland, Michigan; and one family was separated by . . . well, if you have been reading my posts, you already know.

So on this Thanksgiving, Ron and I didn’t feel like sitting around the table.

But we are still thankful!

We are thankful that our children and their spouses love and honor God.

We are thankful for our nine grandchildren and for the two baby boys on the way.

We are thankful that God continues to be our refuge through our most difficult year ever.

We are thankful that we have hope and a future.

And we are thankful that next year we will once again sit around the table, and before asking the blessing, will all tell what we are thankful for.

Further Reading: Jeremiah 29: 10-14