Hebrews 13.8
Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever.

 

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There are many things that have the ability to rob my joy, but one of the sneakiest tactics of my flesh is playing the “what if” game, also known as the “if only” game.  I so easily and naturally want to both armchair quarterback the Lord by dictating to Him what the best plan would be, and then I also want to become His Monday morning quarterback, telling Him what He should have done.

 

I look back at my life, and I have so many areas that I wish were different. There are events or decisions I wish had never happened or that I regret making. “If only” I had done this differently or didn’t make that decision, then life would be so much different. I presume that I would have more joy, freedom, peace, or whatever it might be.

 

I’m quite aware that I make many current situations into idols, but something I’m prone to doing is making my past into an idol. I long for “the good ol’ days,” when things were simpler or easier, before tragedy or trials came, and I often want to return to those days. And though there are many good things I should give God thanks for in the past, I also must take seriously my ability to worship the past as “god.” Those two words, “if only,” can often serve as idol detectors.

 

The human heart
is an idol factory.

-John Calvin

 

Many idols begin as good things, and I am truly thankful for the many good things in my past that I do miss.  I have pictures on my wall and memories on my desk and in my heart, all of which serve as memorial stones for me. But I also know the Gospel reminds me that Christ will walk with me amidst those memorial stones, even though some of those memorial stones are gravestones. He is the Lord of yesterday, but He is also the Lord of today, tomorrow, and forevermore. He wants to help me remember the treasures of yesterday, but He also desires to carry me out of the pit of today’s sorrows and walk with me into the glory of tomorrow’s hope and into eternity’s joy.

 

There is no pit so deep,
that Christ is not deeper still. 

-Corrie ten Boom

 

The Gospel reminds me that God has created good works beforehand for me to walk in (Ephesians 2.10), and that everything in my life has been planned and purposed by God. I can worship and trust His ways even when I don’t understand.

 

Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:

Hebrews 13.8

 

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We Won’t Stop

Britni Radford

 

Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:

Mercy…we cry out for mercy
From Your loving arms, we beg for mercy
‘Cause there’s nothing You can’t do,
      nothing is too hard for You
So when we don’t understand,
      Lord please, help us to sing…

We won’t stop praising Your Name
We won’t stop through sorrow and pain
You’ve proven faithful again and again
Though we are weak,
      by Your strength we still stand
Our hearts are broken,
      but Your Word stays true
So we won’t stop worshiping You

Hope…we look forward with hope
When our mourning turns into joyful dancing
We look forward to that day
      when our tears are wiped away
But until that day comes,
      Lord please, help us to sing…

 

We won’t stop…Praising Your Name
We won’t stop…Through sorrow and pain
We won’t stop…Hoping in faith
We won’t stop…Trusting Your ways

 

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Pray Aloud:

 

Father, be glorified in __________ ,
let Your Kingdom and will be done,
in and through __________
as it is in Heaven.

Give _________ daily bread,
and thank You for Your forgiveness.
Help me to forgive others,
as I know that You have forgiven me.

Keep __________ eyes fixed on You
and Your Word so that _______
may not sin against You.
Thank You for Your sovereign love.