January 6, 2023As we approach the end of the first week of 2023, we can rejoice that the Lord has given us life and new life in Christ. Over the past few days, have you wondered what this year will hold? For many people, last year bought many challenges and difficulties. As the Lord Jesus told His disciples: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Regarding this, Charles Stanley writes: “As Jesus stood to face the cross and defeat the last foe – death (1 Cor. 15:26) – He encouraged the disciples to always have confidence in His ability to lead them to triumph, which was proven at the Resurrection. Although it may feel as if your every desire and security has been destroyed, your true hope – the Lord Jesus – can display His resurrection power in your situation as well. And when He does, you certainly won’t be disappointed.”
Some of you may not know why I named my blog “Aches and Praise.” Besides making a change in a common expression by replacing the last word – “pains” – with “praise,” I wanted to give a new perspective on the word “aches.” Instead of considering our physical life, I wanted to focus on our spiritual life and share matters for prayer. That’s when I realized that “aches” could be our burdens to pray for others.
In Romans 8:26, the apostle Paul wrote: “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Charles Stanley observes: “When we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit teaches us to communicate in a whole new way. He not only soothes our hearts as we lay our burdens at the throne of grace, but also empowers us to become everything we were created to be (Heb. 4:16; Phil. 4:6, 7). He hears our inner cries, guides us by applying Scripture to our lives, and instructs us perfectly about how to do His will.”
Today is the birthday of a lady who was the first person to complete all of the Bible lessons from our ministry. Happy birthday, Carole! If you would like to study God’s Word in a systematic way, please visit our website – www.lavoixdelevangile.ca – where you will find some Bible lessons.
Please pray for a dear friend – Nick – who is in hospital in Montreal. He has been an inspiration to Karen and me over many years when we were in the same church. In recent months his health has deteriorated significantly.
Scripture for the weekend: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASB)
Thought for the weekend: “Human love is often fragile and easily upset. Any number of troubles can impede it. But God’s love is unconditional, and once we accept His love through faith in Jesus, absolutely nothing can ever break our bond to Him (John 10:29).” – Charles Stanley (from “The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible”)