Safe Haven

   Home is where you are safe. Home is cozy and warm and gentle. Home is where you are free to be yourself. Where you are never rejected or denied companionship. Jesus is Home.
   Whenever I look to Jesus, and really focus in on His glory, I am reminded just how much He loves me. Jesus never abandons me or is hostile. Jesus is kind and loving. He loves us all more than we could ever imagine. Some of us cannot grasp the fact that we are loved, because some of us have never truly received love from other people. But, let me assure you: God doesn't love the way people love. God is Love. We love because He first loved us.
   1 John 4:19 says, "We love each other because he loved us first." You see, no matter how bad you think you are, God still loves you beyond comprehension. Once you understand that He will never stop loving us, you're whole perspective will change. You'll start to realize who you are. You are a child of God. We were created in His image. We are commissioned to unite His people, and to bring as many people home to heaven with us as possible.
   Home is where you go at the end of the day, when you're tired and wanting sleep. Jesus gives us rest. "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gently and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'" (Matthew 11:28-30)
   When we come into the presence of the Lord, we are rejuvenated. He restores our strength and gives us hope. He replenishes us and satisfies our thirty souls. Relaxing in His presence gives us peace. Come and receive the peace unlike anything else.
   "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
   Now, go into the world and be certain. The Lord your God is with you always and He gives His peace abundantly. Never fear, because He will never leave us.

   -The Introverted Evangelist

Jesus Gives Hope

   God is able. There is absolutely nothing He can't do. He is almighty and powerful. He is full of wonder and glory. I am in awe of You, Lord.

   When every hope seems to be lost, God steps in and saves. He never leaves us. It says in Hebrews 13:5, "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" We are never forgotten or left behind by God. Even when everyone else has turned away form you, Jesus stays right next to you. He is holding your hand, keeping you safe. He sustains us all the way.

   Once, I felt so abandoned. I felt like everybody I love had left me. I felt trapped and alone. But, it was during these interminably long two and a half weeks that I felt the presence of God. Every night I'd sit on that uncomfortable bed and read His Word. His Word is what gave me hope for the rough days to come. Having people watch my every move gave me an advantage to be an example. Maybe I could show others how Jesus comforted me. We're all suffering the same, so why not share the hope and faith I have in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

   This past year, I've come closer to Jesus than ever. I've felt the cold grasp of death try to pull me in. I've heard the Lord's gentle whisper. I've been saved from the darkness. Now, looking back, I can see the enemy frustrated and enraged. The enemy is furious because I "just wouldn't die". The enemy has tried nearly everything to destroy me. He wouldn't give up, and he certainly won't stop now. I know that he'll persistently try to discourage me, but I have Jesus.

   When I turn my eyes to the Lord I can't be tangled up in the worries of today. I need to realize that He's taken care of everything. Every time the enemy tries to frighten me, the best thing I can do is give it to God. Give your troubles to God, and you will feel so free.

   "But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

   -The Introverted Evangelist

A Haiku Just For You

   But first, a verse I emailed to myself from my bible app at 2AM this morning. Yes, I really did send this verse to myself at two in the morning. I'm not exactly sure how, but I did.

   "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalms 42:2)

   I actually sent myself two verses, the other being Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore we also, since we are surround by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," But that's beside the point.

   Now for the haiku I had promised. It may be a little silly, but I really feel like this haiku wasn't just intended for me. I think the Lord wanted me to share this with all of you. So here it is:

I have been made new,

What satan says is not true,

Jesus, I love You!

   Short, but meaningful and so very true! Everything the enemy says is a big lie. It is written in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

   Now go and live. Live abundantly and freely. You have been released from the bondages of sin. Sin has zero hold on you! The enemy has no authority whatsoever! Tell him that. Put the enemy in his place. Tell him who you are. You are a child of God. You are righteousness. There is a place for you in heaven, and he can't take that away from you. He knows that, and it infuriates him. He so desperately wants to discourage you and make you miserable. Don't give him that satisfaction. Declare your freedom in Jesus Christ!

   "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

   -The Poetic Evangelist