Struggles

Comfort, Comfort

September 8, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.
(NIV) Isaiah 40:1-2

Isaiah paints a beautiful word picture of God’s forgiveness in Isaiah 40:1. He begins with the words “comfort, comfort” spoken to God’s chosen people, the Jews. They were returning from 70 years in captivity. Although the Jews had been disobedient to God, He had not forsaken them. The words “comfort, comfort” in verse 1 are in the imperative, meaning that God repeats these words over and over again so that they are never forgotten. Then God speaks tenderly to the Jews showing us His gentleness. It’s as if He’s wooing His people back to Himself. They had completed their hard service, the slavery in Babylon. . . their sins had been paid for. . . and God had forgiven His people.

We receive forgiveness today, not by serving our time to “pay off our sins”, but through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God. And like the Jews, we will not escape adversity but, you can experience comfort in the midst of struggles. For the same God that promised His Jews comfort, promises us comfort. . .

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (NIV) 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Impetuous Peter

July 24, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). (NIV) John 1:42

Of all the books in the Bible, 1 Peter has spoken to my heart the most as I walk through challenging times. Peter, the first disciple called by Jesus is the author. Peter was a fisherman from Bethsaida, near of Galilee. Perhaps he was in partnership with James and John. He had a home in Capernaum, which is on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. His strong north-country accent gave him away as a Galilean (Mark 14:70).

Of all the disciples I relate most to impetuous Peter. . .speaking and acting before thinking.

He declared his allegiance to Jesus without counting the costs.
Typical of Peter’s dominant personality was his readiness to walk to Jesus on the water.
It was Peter who asked Jesus the awkward question of how often he should forgive a sinning brother.
At the transfiguration, he was one of the three disciples (along with James and John) who accompanied Jesus. Instead of worshipping Jesus when Peter sees His glory, Peter asks if he should construct shelters for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.
To Peter’s credit, he was the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
Peter quickly declared just before Jesus arrest: “I will lay down my life for you”. . .only to deny Christ 3 times as Jesus predicted.
Then he fell asleep at Gethsemane as Jesus prayed just prior to His arrest and crucifixion.

Do you feel defeated today? Are you weary of the struggles? Do you think that God could never use you? God used Peter, an ordinary sinful man. That gives me hope. . .hope that He can use an ordinary sinful woman like me. . .ordinary sinful people like you. . .ordinary sinful people who love Jesus just as Peter loved Him. God used Peter in a powerful way. . .just as He wants to use you!

Building A House For God

April 30, 2011 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. 1 Chronicles 17:5

Then David said, “The house of the LORD God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” (NIV) 1 Chronicles 22:1

Over 3000 years ago, a young man named David was anointed king of God’s people. He was a man with a heart after God. Not free from struggles or sin, but he had a tender responsive heart. David achieved more and more success as king. God gave him great wealth as well as peace and rest from all his enemies around him. David saw how God was working among His people and it was his desire to build a house for God to dwell in. After all, David lived in his own magnificent palace. Why should God’s presence reside in a tent? Up until this time, whenever God’s people moved, God moved from place to place with a tent as His dwelling. But, how do you build a dwelling for God?

How do you build a dwelling for the One. . .

Who is the Creator of the universe?
Who breathes life into every man and woman?
Who made a covenant with Abraham declaring that his descendants would be God’s chosen people?
Who delivered the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt?
Who powerfully parted the Red Sea making the water stand firm like a wall?
Who guided His people with a cloud by day and with light from the fire all night?
Who split the rocks in the desert to give the Israelites water as abundant as the seas?
Who led His people into the Promised Land?
Who at the sound of trumpets tumbled the walls of Jericho?
Who empowered David to slay the giant Goliath?
Who gave David the victory over his enemies?
Who anointed David King?

How do you build a dwelling for the One. . .

Who is all present?
Who is eternal?
Whose voice thunders over the oceans?
Who hung the stars like a canopy in the sky?
Who is incomprehensible?
Who is immeasurable?
Who nothing in all of creation happens beyond His ultimate purpose and will?
Who stands before His universe utterly unlimited and immutable?

How do you build a house big enough for God’s presence?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

Holy and Incomparable

March 28, 2009 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. (NIV) Psalm 77:13-19

O Lord,
Through this Psalm, we know that You are holy and incomparable. We know that You are the One who performs miracles and displays Your power among the people. You are the One who has the power and the desire, to redeem Your people. Your power is displayed as incredible power over nature. . the waters obey You. . .the skies resound with thunder. . .Your lightning lights up the world. . .the entire earth trembles and quakes in Your presence.

You were the One who lovingly cared for Your people by parting the waters of the Red Sea to provide deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians. Although You did not leave a visible mark through Your footprints, the people knew You were the only One with the power to deliver them!

O Lord, if You can do all that, why do I doubt Your power at work in me? or Your power at work in others? Help me to see Your power at work around me today. . .and may I continually acknowledge Your glory and dominion over all Your creation! Amen

Struggles

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