Welcome to this year’s second variety magazine. We greatly enjoy these issues as Activated contributors write about what is on their hearts at the time, which results in a diverse issue with insight and inspiration for all. Because the writers are different ages and live in different countries, the articles are varied and thought-provoking.
Amy Joy tells of growing up in South Africa (page 10); Simon Bishop shares his lessons as both a volunteer worker and father as he raises his family in the Philippines (pages 8–9); Rosane Cordoba in Brazil recounts how she was able to continue an active joyful life as her priorities changed when her children became independent adults (page 12). And please share our joy as Sally and I are approaching our 50th wedding anniversary (page 13).
Our feature article this month addresses what some have called the globalization or pandemic of loneliness and isolation. Indeed, millions of people are suffering from this modern plague that can have harmful consequences. What can we do about it? The problem is both social and spiritual in nature. As Christians, we have powerful tools to combat it. In a lonely world, where individualism reigns, can the companionship we offer be of help? Can we be agents of friendship to those in need? What else can we do to alleviate this malady? The feature article suggests some practical solutions, but best of all, it shows us that the key is to find God’s presence and comfort in knowing that we are not alone in the world, and to help others do the same.
We hope that this issue will help you grow in faith and love as we face the challenges of our 21st century world.
Gabriel and Sally García Activated Editorial Team
For more information on Activated , visit our website or write to us.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13 NIV
The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
HOLDING ON TO HOPE
By Eva Marianne
My son gifted me a beautiful hibiscus plant. It had a lovely pink flower and a few buds. Looking at the plant made me very happy!
After a few days the flower shed its petals, and soon after, the buds began to drop off as well. I researched and learned that hibiscus plants are very delicate. I decided it needed more light, so I moved it outside to my small terrace. The other plants there seemed happy with lots of sunshine, soft breezes, and sometimes even stronger wind and rain. I was hoping that the hibiscus would like it, too.
I checked on the hibiscus daily, gave it plant food, and watered it. It was growing stronger, but still there were no flowers. Then after a couple of months, a few buds appeared and soon a couple of big beautiful pink flowers blossomed. Oh, what a joy! I thanked the Lord and took a few photos to send to my son. Since then, there have been lots of buds and each one has become a beautiful flower. What a miracle of life!
Our lives can be like that, too. Many times, we need some extra care. We might need some time
to rest and to have extra nourishment, and the tender loving care from a loved one or friend or at times doctors and nurses. I can relate to this; it has happened to me a few times, and invariably the care, attention, and prayers of loved ones helped me to come through.
We all experience both joy and struggles. I believe these experiences have helped me become a stronger, more understanding, loving, and caring person.
We also have a loving Father watching over us who hears our prayers, and who will never leave us or forsake us. We have the hope of better things to come—hope that, after a time of rest, new strength and joy will return. Just like my beautiful hibiscus, we will bloom again and bring love and joy to our loved ones, our friends, and our local community.
Eva Marianne is a retired teacher and former missionary to Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan. She and her husband live in Scandinavia. ■
GOD’S Presence in Loneliness
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5 NLT
The Bible tells us that God created humankind in His image, and in doing so, He created us for relationship (Genesis 1:27). He Himself exists eternally in relationship—God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As beings created in His image, we naturally seek relationship, friendship, and community.
God didn’t intend for people to face life alone or to live in isolation from others; His intent was that people would live, love, and share their lives with others (Hebrews 10:24–25). Sadly, however, the great fragmentation of family life and communities that has taken place in contemporary culture has created what has been referred to as an “epidemic of loneliness.”
In today’s world, self-sufficiency and independence are elevated and considered virtues. Popular messaging in media, social media and advertising tells us that individuals should look out for themselves first and foremost and seek self-fulfillment.
Yet we see that loneliness and isolation are some of the great ills of our time. Social isolation and loneliness are a greater risk to human flourishing than in previous periods of history where greater interdependence existed, and community life was the fabric of society. However, Christianity teaches us a better way.
When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into God’s family as children of God for eternity
(Ephesians 2:19–22). God is our Father and Jesus has called us His friends ( John 15:15). We belong to His church, the body of believers (Romans 12:5). These inalterable truths are ours as Christians—even if we find ourselves struggling with loneliness and isolation for a season. Our hope is not in this world, but in heaven, where we will be part of the most amazing community imaginable (Hebrews 12:22–24)!
We may experience sadness and despair when we feel alone in the world and that no one cares for us personally or would be there for us in our time of need. David in the Bible experienced a deep sense of loneliness at times and cried out to God in his despair, saying: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16). Later in the psalms, he proclaims: “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home” (Psalm 68:5–6).
God wants us to be in relationship with other people, which is how He designed us as human beings. Jesus taught how important it is to love our neighbors, but the first place in our hearts and lives must be reserved for Him (Mark 12:28–31). Only Jesus can satisfy our soul and will never leave nor forsake us, and nothing will ever separate us from His love (Romans 8:38–39).
There are times when the Lord allows us to experience loneliness for a season, and He empathizes with us during those times (Hebrews 4:15). Sometimes God allows us to feel lonesome to deepen our relationship with Him and help us to focus on our eternal future with Him. We are reminded that, as the old gospel song expresses, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.”
A story to this effect is told of the Christian songwriter, George Matheson (1842–1906). He was deeply in love and soon to be married when his doctor broke the news that he was losing his sight and would be blind within six months. George was heartbroken, but he didn’t think it fair to his fiancée to not tell her the truth and give her the choice whether to go ahead with the marriage.
When he told her the news that he would be blind by their wedding date, he felt her hand quiver and loosen its grasp. She burst into tears and said, “I’m so sorry, George, but I can’t marry you!” Crushed and heartsick, his whole world falling apart, he walked despondently home, and thought about how the only thing that he had left in the world was Jesus. Then he took a piece of paper and his old quill pen and wrote a hymn that has been a comfort to millions:
O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee. I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee. I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be.
The wonderful thing about being a Christian is that you will never be completely alone—no matter what you face in this world—because you will always have Jesus. Even when everything else has passed away, you will still have Jesus. When others forsake you or loved ones depart from this life, Jesus will be with you. He promised, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20 KJV). When it seems like there is nothing left for you in this world, you will still have Jesus—and He is enough.
Another reason why the Lord allows Christians to experience loneliness at times is so that they will reach out to other people with His love and comfort. There are so many people in need of God’s love, as we once were before we were adopted into God’s family. You can step out by faith and speak with someone today about Jesus and help them to find eternal joy—not just friendship and companionship, but the love of God that will satisfy their deepest need forever (1 John 4:8). As you show outgoing love and concern for others and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14), you will find peace and joy and fulfillment in your own life.
So, if you are going through a season of loneliness in life, you can look for ways to reach out to other people in need. Volunteer at the local shelter, hospital, school, or wherever there is a need. Reach out to a neighbor who is housebound or experiencing hard times, tutor a young person, or help a new immigrant to learn the local language. God has promised that as you reach out to give and share with others, He will pour back into your life. “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room
for more, running over, and poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38 NLT).
Every Christian is presented throughout life with many opportunities to bless others. And when we do so, the amazing thing is that the Lord never fails to give back. You can’t outgive God!
“You can extend the range of your love. There are children in your neighborhood who need understanding and friendship. There are aged people near you who are starved for companionship, blind people who cannot even enjoy the television you find so boring. Why not get out and find the joy of helping others?”
—Rev. Billy Graham
When we are experiencing a season of loneliness, as Christians, we know that Jesus alone can satisfy the deepest yearning of our hearts for love, friendship, and community. He is the only one who can truly satisfy that emptiness and loneliness we all experience at certain times in our lives. When we remind ourselves of the beautiful promises in His Word regarding all that awaits us in the next life in heaven, this helps us to remember that the trials and challenges of this present life are not worth comparing to the glory that has been promised to us in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:18).
Adapted from an article in Treasures, published by
THE INNER LIFE
By Uday Paul
I have always thought of myself as a reasonably tidy person, someone who likes to keep things around me neat, clean, and organized. I have heard the adage “cleanliness is next to godliness” and generally agree with it. Cleanliness is a good habit to form. Messy and unkempt surroundings are depressing and do not glorify God.
While the Bible speaks about the importance of good outward behavior and conduct, it gives much more importance to our inner life, our spirit and the attitudes of our hearts, from which our behavior proceeds (Luke 16:15, Hebrews 4:12). Once some Pharisees and Scribes asked Jesus why His disciples did not wash their hands before they ate (Matthew 15:1–2). It was not just a simple question. They referred to more than personal hygiene; they implied that Jesus’ disciples were not spiritual enough because they were not clean enough in the physical. Jesus responded by saying that what truly defiles a person does not come from outside, but from within, from the heart (Matthew 15:18–20).
It is possible to lead a reasonably good life outwardly, while neglecting the inner life. In His rebuke to the Pharisees, Jesus talked about them giving priority to the parts of the Law pertaining to external duties, such as
tithing to God, while neglecting the more important parts pertaining to the inner life, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). He said that they cleansed the outside of the cup, but inside were full of all kinds of evil. He exhorted them to first cleanse their inner life so that the outer would be clean also (Matthew 23:25–26).
In the parable of the Prodigal Son we see the classic example of someone who led an exemplary outer life, but who was consumed with envy and self-righteousness. The elder brother could claim to never have disobeyed his father’s commands, yet he was jealous and angry over his father’s joy at the return of his prodigal brother. He would one day inherit all his father’s possessions, yet he became jealous over a banquet to celebrate his younger brother returning home. (See Luke 15:11–32.)
Scripture tells us to train ourselves for godliness because it holds promise both for the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:7–8). Such godliness springs from a foundation of true devotion to God, which leads to progress in our spiritual lives as we train our hearts according to God’s Word and live lives pleasing to Him.
Uday Paul is a freelance writer, volunteer, and teacher based in Uganda. ■
Putting on CHRIST
By Simon Bishop
I have been thinking a lot about personal growth recently, and have been listening to inspirational talks on the importance of spiritual growth and character development. I am very thankful for the Lord’s unfailing mercy and grace, as I often fall short of the standard that is set for us in the Bible. While thinking about the areas I need to grow in, I was reminded of one of my most challenging growth experiences as an adult. It happened something like this:
I was 35 years old and had been doing volunteer mission work all my life, first with my parents and then
with my own family. I had learned and made an effort to do what was expected of me, both in my behavior and example as well as in my work and ministry. For years I’d worked with teenagers as a guidance counselor and youth leader, and many people had commented on how gifted I was in this area. That all changed when my own children started reaching their teen years.
Around this time, a number of my co-workers moved on, and it was a time of great struggle and readjustment for me. I was trying to keep up with all the work that had previously been shared by more hands. Three of my children had reached their teen years and were going through the growing pains that this season brings. I found myself often becoming upset with them. Unlike my ministry persona of being a kind and patient person, I was frustrated and short-tempered at home. After a day of doing activities for the poor, visiting supporters of our mission, and giving Bible studies, when I would arrive home the slightest thing would set me off, not just with my teens but with my younger kids and my wife as well.
One day, when I was feeling overwhelmed, I prayed and asked God to help me. I felt God speaking to my heart regarding my behavior. I felt ashamed that here I was supposed to be a servant of Christ, but it was like I was putting on a show, acting one way with those I ministered to, and being completely different at home. I sensed God warning me that my children would start to see me as a hypocrite if I continued in this way, and that my greatest responsibility was to be an example of Jesus’ love to my family. This was a devastating realization for me.
I cannot say that I was immediately able to make all the needed changes, but I stopped looking at one aspect of my life as my “job” and the other as my “personal life.” I realized I needed to show consistency in my speech and my actions all the time. It took a lot of effort, prayer, and awareness, but I started to slowly
make small steps of progress. It was a lesson in humility for me, as I realized how much I needed to change and how I had failed in many ways despite thinking I was doing well.
Now, 15 years later, I still cannot say that I have arrived. My youngest children are now teenagers, and I continue to be tested in these areas. But, by God’s grace, I am determined to keep making progress, and I am seeking to stay close to Christ and walk in humility.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12–14 NIV
We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. … But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.
Philippians 3:12–13 AMP
Simon Bishop does full-time mission and humanitarian work in the Philippines. ■
MISSION SUCCESSFUL
By Amy Joy Mizrany
I’ve always been somewhat of an oddball. I don’t know why, but I’ve never quite fit in with everyone around me. As a kid I was too full of ideals and energy to really flow with the crowd. As I got older, the differences became more apparent. When I graduated from high school, I pursued online courses; at that time, everyone else was choosing their university. While my peers were discussing what career to pursue to make the most amount of money, I was preparing for a full-time volunteer post. It’s been the story of my life that I don’t follow the “in” thing to do.
I don’t mind it so much. I’m just trying to follow the unique path God has designed for me. Most of my other Christian friends are also considered unusual by the world’s standard. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing, because I’ve come to realize that Jesus was somewhat of a rebel in His time, too. He did not follow all the structured religious and societal norms of His day. He did whatever His Father told Him to do, and He didn’t “fit in” with the mainstream at all.
Many men and women of God throughout the ages were very different from their contemporaries, so this is nothing new. Disciples of Jesus will always stand out, because God’s Word is very different from popular social trends.
If you have love as a priority instead of fame, you’re an oddball.
If you forgive instead of seeking or desiring your enemies’ downfall, you’re unusual.
If you trust in the Lord instead of leaning on and being proud of your own understanding, you’re different.
As Christians, our ideas of achievement and success differ from society at large. Jesus told us that if we live a life in pursuit of Him, He will greet us in heaven with “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Not “Well done, rich and successful lord,” or “Well done, popular and influential celebrity,” but “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
I think that tells us what we need to know about God’s idea of success and the lifestyle God considers worth congratulating.
Amy Joy Mizrany is a full-time missionary in South Africa with Helping Hand. In her spare time, she teaches the violin. ■
THE OTHER DRIVER
By Li Lian
Marilyn was a young adult facing a milestone challenge—getting her driver’s license. Ever since she was a child, the scenes on the highway of monstrous trucks blasting their horns, speeding motorcyclists weaving between lanes, dashing pedestrians crisscrossing the road, and angry drivers shouting at one another always scared her. Her first attempt had ended in an embarrassing failure.
One morning, sitting alone on the rider’s side of a parked car, her recent driving test was replaying in her mind—what she’d done wrong and what she should have done better. Looking over at the steering wheel, she wondered how she would ever be able to work up the confidence to drive.
A movement ahead caught her attention. Coming down the sidewalk was a middle-aged woman. It was hard not to notice her. The woman was about 4 ½ feet tall and one of her legs was significantly shorter than the other. She awkwardly limped down the sidewalk with the aid of her cane.
Marilyn discreetly observed as the woman stopped, turned, and then carefully shifted herself down the sidewalk to the street level. She looked both ways repeatedly before hobbling to the other side.
Filled with mixed feelings of worry and sympathy, Marilyn wondered where the woman was heading. There was a line of boutiques on the other side of the street, but instead of entering one, the woman paused on the side of the road and began fumbling in her purse.
She then approached a gray car, opened the door, and
proceeded with some difficulty to get into the driver’s seat. Then she laid her cane on the passenger’s side, positioned her longer leg to reach the pedals, closed the door, and turned on the ignition. From her window, Marilyn could see that the woman’s chin barely reached the top of the steering wheel.
Marilyn gazed in admiration as the woman smoothly maneuvered the car out of the parking space and onto the road, where she picked up speed and calmly drove away. Right then and there, Marilyn found the courage and made a commitment to try again. This time she went on to succeed and got her driver’s license.
“As you have believed, so let it be done for you” (Matthew 8:13 NKJV).
Li Lian is a CompTIA certified professional and works as an Office and Systems Administrator for a humanitarian organization in Africa. ■
Finding a New Purpose in Life
By Rosane Cordoba
About 20 years ago, we bought a plot of land and built a comfortable home. Then, we added a volleyball court, and later, a small swimming pool. We had lots of fun and bonding time as a family.
The big house allowed us to have family gatherings, and I reconnected with my three sisters, who joined us for these gatherings. And, for the first time in my life, I had time to plant a flower garden and a small vegetable garden, which brought me great pleasure.
As my children became independent and moved away, I started to feel empty and alone. I couldn’t go out to talk to people about Jesus as I had done in my earlier years, because our home is far from the city, and now that I’m older I can’t walk as much as before.
Then, God showed me that He could still use me if I was willing to write and share my life experiences. I got my first computer and started writing, timidly at first. But, with time, I learned to enjoy it very much. Friends told me how encouraged they had been by my articles, and this filled my soul with delight. I even got the courage to write a short book called Remember Who You
Are about my life story, my world travels as a hippie, and how Jesus searched for me and saved me.
I also joined the local church and volunteered for four years teaching English to adults and children. For the last few years, I have been a volunteer at a therapy group for parents and relatives of people with addictions and behavioral problems. These new activities have brought me happiness, friends, new experiences, and learning opportunities.
I still have two sons living with me, and I do housework, cook, and sew. In the evening, I take a walk among the palm trees, talk with our Creator, and enjoy the beautiful colors of the sunset.
I have been through many changes, but the joy of living has been renewed day by day. I believe that is because I have had Jesus, who changes not, always with me. He is truly the one who gives purpose to our lives!
Rosane Cordoba lives in Brazil. She is a freelance writer, translator, and producer of faith-based and character-building children’s material. ■
THE MOLDING OF A MARRIAGE
By Sally García
My husband and I are nearing our golden anniversary—50 years together. I am trying to figure out if we were made for one another or if we molded together over time. I suspect it’s a bit of both.
For the first few years, our relationship was somewhat awkward. We differed in both our backgrounds and our personalities. He was an exuberant, Don Quixote type Latin, and I was a rather quiet, practical, no-nonsense North American. Yet, I think that we were “made for one another” in that our gifts complement each other. He thinks up the most extraordinary activities, and I am right behind him organizing the events and putting the ideas into motion. So, in the end, I believe we have made a good team. We are best friends.
What has been the determining factor that made our marriage work? I believe that the first and foremost aspect is our faith. My husband’s dedication to the Lord was what most attracted me to him in the first place. We share a common goal: to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to help our fellow man (Matthew 22:37–40).
The more we’ve grown in faith, the more we’ve grown together as well. Through the Bible we’ve learned cornerstone principles of humility, forgiveness, and mutual respect. For example, one of our first and most
valuable lessons was not to “let the sun go down on our anger” (Ephesians 4:26). We saw early on that we couldn’t let little grievances become big issues. Maybe we can’t talk about a conflict in the heat of the moment, but we trust one another enough to know we will be able to work things out.
We also learned that good humor is like medicine (Proverbs 17:22) to ease hurts and keep us from overreacting. As Harold Nicolson said, “The great secret of a successful marriage is to treat all disasters as incidents, and none of the incidents as disasters.” The proverb that says “a soft answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1) also helped to defuse a few potential flare-ups. And above all, we remember that love covers a multitude of faults and shortcomings (1 Peter 4:8).
If you are searching for your “significant other,” I would advise that you look for someone who shares your faith and has the same major goals in life. Talk about topics like handling finances and starting a family. Include God in your marriage and He will take care of the molding process as you commit your union to His care.
Sally García is an educator, writer, translator, missionary, and mentor. She lives in Chile with her husband, Gabriel. ■
Jesus Makes All Things New
By David Bolick
Time magazine reported that “globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls [in 2024] as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union) —representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world—are meant to hold national elections.” Judging from things in my neck of the woods, elections grabbed many people’s attention, fueling discussion, speculation, and emphatic expressions of opinions.
I do think we ought to be informed about the issues that affect daily life in the countries where we live, be concerned about who is elected, pray for our local governments, and vote if we can. But more importantly, we should remember that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). While the prophet Isaiah spoke of God’s chosen people as “elect,”1 he was not talking about the results of a voting process. God is the one who does the choosing, not us ( John 15:16).
While “change” is one of the top campaign promises candidates love to assure us of, it’s also good to remember King Solomon’s assessment: “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). He said that roughly 3,000 years ago, and history has confirmed the accuracy of his appraisal—with one very notable exception.
The Lord Jesus Christ, “while being perfect God, became perfect man and accomplished the newest of all new things, the only new thing under the sun, by which the infinite power of God was clearly shown. For what is greater than for God to become man?”2
What an unspeakable blessing, to be part of the kingdom of heaven, the only one that will stand forever. Jesus is the only one who can say, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5 NKJV), and actually do it.
Let’s continue to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16) and be imitators of God, as beloved children (Ephesians 5:1). “My beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
David Bolick is a language consultant and translator. He lives in Guadalajara, Mexico. ■
So, Where’s Home?
By Josephine Kind
I watched a documentary entitled, “ So, Where’s Home?” It is dedicated to third culture kids (TCK), which refers to kids raised in different cultures due to their parents’ work or missionary service. This was interesting because my children were born and raised abroad in several countries. The young people interviewed in the documentary described the challenges they faced while growing up, but also the strengths and values they were able to acquire along the way. They went from adjectives such as “rootless” and “confused” to “multilingual,” “multicultural,” and “open-minded.” They appeared to be well-adjusted, mature young people as they were able to relate to more than one culture and appreciated the changes and challenges they had faced.
At the end of the documentary everyone noted that home is not limited to a physical location or one particular city or country. Home is where your heart is. Home is your family and friends and community.
That reminded me of when I moved to the Balkans about 27 years ago. I didn’t know the language, and since I had three young children, I spent most of my time taking care of them. After school I would take them for walks in the neighborhood and we’d always meet people and make new friends. Eventually they learned the local language fluently as well as the culture. Even though they were a bit puzzled when asked the classic question, “Where are you from?”, they learned to make
the best of their unusual circumstances and thrived on being a bit unique.
For quite a few years this was home. Now they have all moved away and built lives of their own in other countries. Now they are making their new places their homes. Ultimately the responsibility of each one of us is to strive to build loving homes wherever we are.
This caused me to think about our future home in heaven, when we will truly be home at last! As Jesus said, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you” ( John 14:2 GNT).
Josephine Kind has been active in humanitarian projects in Southern Europe for the last three decades. ■
If you have not yet received Jesus as your Savior and thereby reserved your home in heaven with Him and the Father, you can do so by praying the following prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died for me so that, through Your sacrifice, I can live forever in heaven. Please forgive my sins. I open the door of my heart to You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Guide my life and help me to follow You. In Your name I pray. Amen.
From Jesus with Love
From One Friend to Another
My friend, always remember that I walk with you through every season of life. If you are in a season where you feel isolated or alone, remember that I understand how you feel, and I am moved with compassion for you. I understand every worry and fear that you face, and the loneliness, pain, loss, suffering and struggle that you experience (Hebrews 4:15).
You may feel small and insignificant at times and wonder how the God of the universe could possibly understand you and the things you go through in life. But I understand you completely and know every part of you, down to the tiniest cell in your brain. I have loved you with an everlasting love and have drawn you to Myself with unfailing kindness ( Jeremiah 31:3 NIV).
There will come a time when you will look back and realize the treasures hidden in the darkness that you discovered during this time, and how I used this to draw you close to Me (Isaiah 45:3). Know that these times won’t last forever, and as you cast every burden you are carrying on Me, you will find the strength you need to meet every challenge (Psalm 55:22). I have a plan and a purpose for every season of your life—to give you hope and to draw you ever closer to your eternal future with Me ( Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
