There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. Josh 21:45

Sometimes in life we focus on the here and now, rather than the hope and happiness that is ours. We dwell on the things that we do not have and things desired, more so than what we possess. My friend, how are you possessing the promises of God? God is faithful and His favor is always toward His people. God’s faithfulness and favor toward the children of Israel can be observed throughout the book of Joshua. In the scripture passage we observe God’s faithfulness that “there failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken…all came to pass.” God was faithful to all He had promised to the children of Israel and His good favor is demonstrated by His giving the children of Israel the land He promised them, that He brought them to cease from their years of labors, and He caused them to triumph over their enemies (Josh 21:43-44). God gave them a home, rest, and victory. In His faithfulness and favor to Israel, we see a picture of God’s goodness and kindness toward His people. As a child of God, we too will have a home, a sweet rest, and an ultimate victory. Though in this life we stumble, struggle, and suffer the pains of sin, we have Jesus’ promise of a new home in heaven, peace and rest in Him for all eternity, and victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave. We will fully experience all these things in heaven and fully possess all the promises of God for all eternity through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Jesus promised that we will be with Him (Jn 14:3). My friend, look beyond the circumstances in this life, possess the promises of God, and live in the rest and victory that is yours through Jesus Christ. The fading of this world is not our home. Dear friend, there is a greater hope that is out of this world. It is in heaven. It is in Jesus Christ. Father thank You for Your love and Your faithfulness to Your word. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 1 Cor 15:29

Hope can be uncommon for people in uncertain times. In times of uncertainty people may ask difficult questions that seemed unimportant or seek answers for things never considered. Believers who face death with joy and hope can present a powerful testimony to family, friends, and those of unbelief. The scripture passage reminds us of the testimony of hope that all who die by faith in Jesus Christ have in the resurrection of the dead and eternity in heaven. The believer’s hope is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that through faith in Him, “the dead rise.” The Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the body of Jesus Christ at the moment they believe and place their faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for salvation and forgiveness of their sin. The Holy Spirit baptism is the Spiritual baptism that all believers receive as a gift of God. ““For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). The Christian believer is saved and secured by the blood of Jesus and sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee for the hope of the resurrection from the dead. Believers are to become disciples, obedient followers, of Jesus Christ. Water baptism is one of the first acts of obedience to demonstrate faith in Jesus. Water baptism is a public testimony of hope in the eternal life that Jesus promised to all who believe. Baptism identifies us with Jesus Christ and the resurrection hope for all “which are baptized for the dead.” The joy and hope of the child of God id “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). My friend, for all who hope in Jesus Christ, heaven is the home and eternal life is their guarantee. The believer’s hope in Jesus Christ is a vessel hope poured our on unbelievers by the Holy Spirit to awaken their spirit, alert theirs soul, and arrest their hearts to the conviction of sin and their personal need for salvation. Dear friend, allow your faith in Jesus Christ be a public testimony of hope to all the world. Live and love with the hope of the resurrection, that some might be saved. Father thank You for Your love and the hope of salvation that is in Jesus Christ. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! Ps 139:17

We all want to be known to others. There is a sense of excitement for someone to say, “I know you” or “I remember you.” Relational connections are important. It is amazing to think that God is thinking of us. His has thoughts about us that we don’t even consider or comprehend. The scripture passage reminds us that knowing God and knowing His thoughts of us are a great treasure. “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!” His thoughts are precious because His counsels are true and can be trusted. His thoughts are precious because He cares for His children to guide them, protect them, and yes, even chasten those whom He loves (Heb 12:6). Everything good in life comes from God (Jas 1:17). His love and thoughts are forever towards us and for our good. He demonstrated His tremendous love for us and “gave His only begotten Son” (Jn 3:16), the most precious gift He could ever give. My friend, God thinks about you. He’s interested in you and your life. He wants you to reach out to Him and to get to know Him as He knows you. But you may ask, “How can I know what God thinks of me?” Simply reach out to Him in prayer and say, “I want to know You.” Open His word and listen to Him speak and tell you of His love for you. Simply ask, “Speak to my heart, Oh Lord, I want to know You.” He will comfort your fears. He will visit your loneliness. He will strengthen you with faith and courage to stand against the giants in your life (1 Sam 17:37). Dear friend, you are precious in the sight of God, and He wants to pour Himself into your life to make you new through His Son Jesus Christ. Whether you have strayed, struggled, stumbled, soured in self-pity, or are fallen into despair, God’s thoughts are continually towards you, to prosper you, and do good for you (Deut 30:5). Friend, you are precious to God, His greatest treasure, and He loves you. He delights to hear you say, “how precious also are Thy thoughts unto me.” Father thank You for Your love, Your kindness, and Your goodness. I praise You for Your everlasting love and the promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.