Greg Loves Sarah

Psalm 1:1-3

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Photo: Cherries in my mom’s kitchen.

“God’s grace means that I can rest assured

that I’ll have everything I need

to be what He wants me to be and to do what He wants me to do

in the situation in which He’s placed me.

I’m no longer restricted to the limits of my own strength and wisdom.

By His grace, I’ve a new identity and a new potential.

I’m a child of God; the risen Christ now lives inside of me.

I need no longer fear people or circumstances;

I don’t have to feel weak in the face of suffering or temptation,

because I no longer rest in the resources of my own ability.

I’m in Christ and He’s in me.

This new identity gives me new potential

as I face the realities of life in this bent and broken world.

God’s grace gives me reason to ‘take heart.'”

-Paul David Tripp, “Psalm 27: Take Heart”

“Thou hast made waiting beautiful; Thou has made patience divine. Thou hast taught us that the Father’s will may be received just because it is His will. Thou hast revealed to us that a soul may see nothing but sorrow in the cup and yet may refuse to let it go, convinced that the eye of the Father sees further than its own.” ~George Matheson, in Streams in the Desert

“I don’t know what has you down today, my friend,
but I just had a thought that I hope might encourage you:

Keep in mind, my dearest Sarah, that our enemy does NOT want this to be a victorious day for you. Our foe will do everything he can to discourage, and defeat you, period. No, having a “good” day shouldn’t be easy—especially coming off such a week that we have had. Last week, the enemy lost big. I have no doubt that he wants to change that around for this week. This truly is a battle. We can’t think of each day as a regular day, but as an opportunity to reclaim ground for Christ. Sarah, God has given you an optimism, LOVE and joy that very few people have. Rejoice that you have a day to fight for Christ. Fight hard, claim truth, and win the victory for today through Christ alone. Put on HIS armor—your flesh WILL fail you. And when today is over, even if you don’t FEEL victorious, then give that day to the Lord, and prepare to fight for tomorrow. I’m fighting with you, I’m praying for you, and so are so MANY that love you and support you on all sides.

I love ya,
Mel”

Thank You, Father…for the gift of a friend. I pray that You would use these words, sent to me, to encourage others as well. Be exalted, oh God, in all the earth – and may it start in my heart…