When we follow Jesus, we can rest confidently in His promises.  Jesus is a keeper.  He is the Good Shepherd.  

Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus prayed for His disciples- those present with him, as well as those of us who would follow him in the generations to come. Jesus prayed for us! 

If there has ever been one who could be sure to get an answer to a prayer, it is Jesus!  We are the living proof of His answered prayers!

While the world is in an uproar and the nations rage, Jesus has prayed for us!  We are confident.  We are unafraid. We are kept in perfect peace because Jesus prayed for us!

Jesus bears this record:

“I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”^*  

John 18:9

He did not lose a single one… not a single one! Jesus has not forgotten, or forsaken you, and He never fails!

Remember that!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Trouble and trials are certainties in this world.  Tragedies and temptations are unavoidable. Jesus promised it!

When we think of God’s promises, most of us key on those that sound good to us – power, provision, protection, presence, and peace – and rightfully so. We cling to and covet these promised blessings so tightly that we lose context and perspective.

The promise of power implies that something will be required of us…

The promise of presence suggests that we may often be lonely and afraid.

The promise of protection means that we will encounter danger.

Provision assumes at least the threat of poverty and lack.

And, the promise of peace from God reminds us that we must all endure struggles and conflicts…

Jesus promises us… problems!!

Not exactly what you wanted to hear? I certainly understand.

But we must not allow trials, troubles, temptations, or trauma to trap us in a cycle of bitterness and despair!  In fact, as followers of Jesus, we should be among the most well-adjusted, well-prepared, well-balanced folks in the world, because we’ve all been warned of what is to come, while also being witnesses to God’s faithfulness!

Jesus said,

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  

John 16:33, NLT

Don’t let trials and troubles define your disposition, distract you, or disrupt your peace.  We knew there would be days like this, but we also know who is with us and who is working on our behalf!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Yes, we are facing some enormous challenges right now.  Yes, we are flooded with bad news and misinformation.  And, yes, the devil is still and always a liar!  

But, guess what else?

God is able. God is faithful. God is present with us. 

Over and over again, when God’s people are in trouble, the record of scripture reminds us that God provides for, preserves, and protects his people!  

Even when enemies surround us, we can be encouraged.

Our ancestors embodied this testimony…

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,so why should I tremble?

² When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

³ Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid.

Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

(Psalm 27:1-3 NLT)

Be encouraged, brothers and sisters!  God is still in control!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Information Overload?

Thanks to technology, we have access to more information than ever before.  We walk around with a super computer in our pockets and a library full of information at our fingertips.

Sadly, this access to so much information has not made us better human beings. Instead, we end up overwhelmed, apathetic, or distracted.  We are overloaded with information and we lack the capacity to process or do anything constructive with it. We are amid an information overload!

And then there are the issues of sources and the integrity of the information we are ingesting. While we flood our eyes and ears with a steady flow of nonsense, we waste precious hours of the day doom-scrolling through dungheeps of disinformation that only lead to despair and anxiety.  

We are overstimulated, we are overwhelmed – we are experiencing an information overload!

At this point, with all this information you’d think we were better, wiser, and more compassionate.  Sadly, again, we are not!

We don’t need more information but better information!  We don’t need more immediate access to greater repositories of information.  We need the wisdom to use what we already have! 

We don’t need more information, per se, but we need better information.  We need the ability to discern, the skill to interpret, and the wisdom to use what we already have!

Interestingly, I know just where we might begin…

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 

James 1:5

Good morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

In our culture, we’ve become such good consumers that we even reduce our relationships to transactions.  

We hold on tight when we have needs or desires.  We reach out in the storm, but when the weather is fair, we become forgetful. Sadly, we do this to both God and one another.

We’ve learned to use and exploit others and also accept being used by others in the name of mutual consent. Sadly, for many of us, this is our modus operandi, but it doesn’t need to be.

Today, I want to challenge us.

Remember them!

Remember those who are a blessing to you.  Remember those who’ve helped and encouraged you.  Remember those who invest in you without strings or expectation of return.  Remember them!

Those who are generous and kind are not machines or tools for us to manipulate. Shame on us for treating them as such.  We gotta do better, huh? 

Remember Joseph’s cellmates? The dreamers who needed an interpreter? How they came to Joseph in a time of need, and how they took advantage of his gifts?

Remember how when the cupbearer was freed, Joseph’s only request was to be remembered? Remember how he was forgotten?

Unfortunately, this forgetfulness endured for fourteen years… fourteen years… fourteen years! Until another crisis arose, Joseph was forgotten… 

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 

Genesis 41:9

Today, I want to challenge you to remember those who’ve helped you and showed up for you!  Reach out and at least say, ‘thanks.’ Don’t let some need or crisis be the only motive for maintaining the relationship!  

Remember them!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

You would think that with all

of the amazing technology we have, we would be more informed and more connected than ever before.  

Unfortunately the very opposite is true. This new media has become a new type of mask and, in some ways, a greater burden than it has been a blessing. 

Our screens and profiles, with our carefully curated images, do not bring us closer to one another.  Instead we are more inclined to compare, compete, and covet… We find more conflict than we do actual meaningful connection.

I know it’s ironic that I am sending you this message via text, but don’t miss my intentions…

Pay attention to what’s going on and who’s around you! Look people in the eye. Acknowledge their humanity.  See and be seen.  Sight opens the door to connection and compassion.  And, we sure need some of that right now huh?

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

Close your phone today, open your eyes, and open your heart!

Good morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

There’s no avoiding the constant onslaught of bad news from Gaza to Sudan, and from Ukraine to right here at home.  

Everywhere there is trouble. There’s meanness and cruelty, and worst of all there is apathy.  Decent folks are tired.  Those who were once deep wells of compassion are threatening to dry up.  Once hopeful people are exhausted and given in to despair, as it seems like wickedness is prevailing unchecked.

So what do we do to guard ourselves against hopelessness and cynicism?  How do we address the evil that is seizing the day without succumbing to bitterness?  Where do we find light amid the present darkness?

Spend quality time with those whom you love and who love you.  Make time to do something for someone else – just because.  Pay attention to those within arms reach. Stay present.  Savor little things – those things that we are tempted to overlook and take for granted. Express gratitude when you encounter kindness. Be good to yourself and generous toward others. And, do not retreat to cursing the darkness while there is light in you! Let it shine, and then brace yourself for the surprising joy that follows!  

Arise, shine, and give God the glory!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Scripture teaches us that God hears and answers the prayers of His children.  God hears and answers our prayers. What a wonderful and comforting truth!

We can ask and expect to receive, seek and anticipate finding; we can knock and gain access! Prayer is powerful, indeed! But prayers are not wishes. Wishes reflect our whims and desires, while prayers are defined by their alignment with God’s will and God’s desire.

So prayer doesn’t just change things, prayer changes the ones praying!  Prayer changes us.  Prayer aligns and realigns us with God’s will and God’s purposes.

Inasmuch as we seek change in the world and in our circumstances – lasting changes come when there is a change in us!  

So we pray, as Jesus prayed;

Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Luke 22:42

So be it.  Let it be so… or in a word… Amen.

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam