24-Jan-15

Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever,  for the Lord, the Lord himself,  is the Rock eternal.   Isaiah 26:2-4How easy it is close the gates to life.  We are admonished to open the gates to the Lord.  Do you remember what it is like to go back home and find the door wide open?  And see your Mom at the door with her arms outstretched to give you an “I’m so glad you are home” hug!  There is peace, there is joy, there is trust, because of all that being home means.I thought about this as I drove my husband at 5 am through the streets of our town, making turn after turn.  My husband did not say a word.  He wanted to be HOME more than anything.  Ten minutes later, I turned into our driveway, opened the garage door and announced, “We are home!”  His response?  “Thank the Lord!”  The house we had just left became his sanctuary.  The relief and joy was in his voice.This is our response as we trust our hearts and lives to our God, who is the steadfast Rock of Eternity.  Freedom.  Nothing to fear.  Peace is ours and the gates are open wide, as a person and as a righteous nation.Resist the devil and know without a doubt that the God of all grace calls us to his eternal glory in Christ.  Through Jesus, He restores us and makes us strong, firm and steadfast.  He is our rock, He is our hope for an eternity and forever!Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And 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. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 5:8-11