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Monday, June 1, 2015

All, Every, and Always - Completely, Without End


Trials are not fun, but as we walk through them, we find that our main source of strength is always there. God is with us.  And maybe He tells us to welcome trials because He loves to shower us with His love and presence, especially during the hard times of life.

Last month our sweet granddaughter went through a much-needed kidney transplant, and our oldest daughter (Crystal's Aunt Amy) was the very generous donor. We were blessed to be able to travel to TX and be by our family's side through the two weeks of transplant and initial recovery. 

The days were quite intense as we walked through transplant with our family. And one of the lifelines I held onto were some verse cards that I had made up ahead of time. Verses that I had collected over the years, as we had walked through multiple hard times in the past. The words that I read were life-giving, and just what I needed each day as I would pull out a card to hold with me throughout whatever the coming day would bring.

All, every, and always ... unending. 

These words ... all, every, always, unending ... these were some of the words that called my heart to peace, words that were in verse after verse.  Verse card after verse card, filled with these all-encompassing words of comfort. I had never noticed this before, how often these words were used ...

O my people, trust in Him at all times.
Pour out your heart to Him,
for God is our refuge.
(Psalm 62:5-8)

Give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you
in Christ Jesus.
(I Thess. 5:18)

Praise be the God and Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of all compassion
and 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.
(II Cor. 1:4)

I didn't notice during the first few days of transplant and recovery how very often these words were in the verses of comfort that I had collected, but then, as the days went on, it became very clear to me. They were everywhere, in almost every verse. And these words are there for a reason ... for we are never alone, never without help, without comfort. We have our source of comfort with us, always and completely.

And my God will meet all your needs
according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)

 He who did not spare His own Son
but gave Him up for us all,
how will He not also with Him
graciously give us all things.
(Romans 8:32)

I pray that from
His glorious, unlimited resources
He will empower you with inner strength
through His Spirit.
(Ephesians 3:16)

As the days went on, the words continued even more, taking my breath away ... we were completely surrounded by His care, His unending all-encompassing love and presence with us ... always.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Always be joyful.
Never stop praying.
Be thankful in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for
who belong to Christ Jesus.
(I Thess. 5:16-18)

Now may the Lord of Peace Himself
give you His peace
at all times and in every situation.
(II Thess. 3:16)

In one verse right after the other, reminders that God is always with us. Each individual verse, and collectively, so many verses. He is the all, every, always, completely, without end. There was (and is) no fear of ever being alone without His love and care. We can be filled with complete peace and trust as we go through our days. Our good days, and our harder, painful days. God with us ... always.

And we know that God causes everything
to work together for the good
of those who love God
and are called according to 
His purpose for them.
(Romans 8:28)



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Bonnie at Beloved Brews

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