Words from our Lord Jesus

Yesterday as I was able to spend some time with the Lord at my church, my devotional for the day led me to these precious words prayed to the Father by our Lord Jesus. Can I ask you a question? How would it feel for the Lord Jesus to pray a prayer over your life today? How would it feel to know that He was speaking on your behalf to the Father? Well, dear one.......He did.

Many of you are familiar with this passage in John 17, but if you are like me, I always thought that Jesus was praying for His twelve disciples. But, there is a powerful statement that Jesus makes within this prayer in verse 20: "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me because of their testimony."

As I read this, my eyes got big. "Wow...Jesus prayed this beautiful prayer for not only His disciples, but for me. Thank you, Jesus." Tears flooded my eyes. Even before I was able to breathe my first breath, the Lord was already praying protection over me.

Nancy Guthrie had an inspiring view on this portion of Scripture. She states: "Jesus has prayed for you, asking His Father to protect you from the evil one. Satan may win a battle or two in your life, but he will never win the war against your soul. Jesus has prayed for you, and you are protected."

Read these words spoken by our Lord Jesus. I hope that it encourages your spirit today. As you read how your Lord has prayed these words over your life, even before the day you were born, may it provide you with a peace that passes all we may fear. May the words of our Great Protector provide you with healing of a broken spirit, joy in the midst of sorrow, and hope for your journey with Him.

"After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.

For you have given Him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one You have given Him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth. I brought glory to You here on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.

Now, Father, bring Me into the glory we shared before the world began.
I have revealed You to the ones You gave me from this world. They were always Yours. You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from You, for I have passed on to them the message You gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from You, and they believe You sent Me.

My prayer is not for the world, but for those You have given Me, because they belong to You. All who are mine belong to You, and You have given them to Me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are. During My time here, I protected them by the power of the name You gave Me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them Your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth. Just as you sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by Your truth.
I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent me.

I have given them the glory You gave me, so they may be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent me and that You love them as much as You love me. Father, I want these whom You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they can see all the glory You gave Me because You loved Me even before the world began!
O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

John 17

Amen, amen, amen.

Hannah Grace

Before the Day

I found a CD last night that I had been searching for. I really thought that I had lost it, so I was pretty thankful to have discovered it. It is entitled "Rescue" by Newsong.

One particular song on this CD specifically ministered to me about four years ago. It was during my Mom's cancer journey that I heard this song for the first time. I remember sitting in the waiting room as she was receiving one of her chemo treatments. I remember the sight and feeling of that cold and not-so-inviting room. I also remember the fear that was in my heart that day, seeing her walking through the unpleasant door of chemotherapy. But even greater than that fear, I remember feeling God's peace overtaking my heart and mind as I listened to this song. I played it over and over and over again that day. Last night as I heard it again and as I had the privilege of my mom sitting beside me listening as well, I was able to recap the faithfulness of God during that time and since that day. What a blessing...truly a miracle.

This is what I desire to be my prayer each morning that God gives me breath. "Now another day is waiting/For me to make it through/And there's no way that I could face it without You........I'll just be still and know that You are God."


Worship Him with me this morning. For He is faithful to care for us in whatever situation we may face each morning...both now and each day to come.

Trust in the Lord

Today as I was searching for a card at Lifeway for a friend, I came across this beautiful card. I loved it so much that I decided to buy it and save it for someone one day. Who knew that a even just a small card could bring such an encouragement to my heart....almost as if the Lord had spoken the words right into my ears. I wanted to share what I found when I opened it.

Trusting in the Lord

Abraham followed

God's leading without knowing

where it would take him.

Hannah waited

for God's perfect timing

without knowing when.

Mary expected

a miracle

without knowing how.

Joseph trusted

God's purpose

without knowing why

circumstances happened

the way they did.

The Purpose Driven Life

Can you say "Amen" to that? Praise Jesus.

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

He's the one who will keep you on track."

Proverbs 3:5-6

Hannah Grace

Hope In Your Rescue

During a busy and somewhat long week, what a blessing it is to feast on the promises that God so freely gives. One of my favorite radio stations of all time is KLOVE. I listen to this station just about every time I get into my car. One morning on my way to work, one of the daily devotionals that come across the air each morning specifically caught my attention. I would love for you to be encouraged with this truth, as well.


This devotional was centered upon the story of Jonah. Having grown up in Christian family my whole life, I am very much familiar with this story.....perhaps so familiar that when I hear it, I fail to really dig deep into the meaning. Perhaps it is the same with you. However, this devotional shed a whole new light on the account of Jonah's "situation."
Jonah, a man called by God for a specific purpose, a man running from what he had been instructed to do, and a man desperately in need of God's forgiveness mercy......endured a seemingly hopeless situation. From this hopeless situation came: a rescue.
A great storm came at sea....Jonah knew it was because of his disobedience. Jonah told the crew to toss him into the water. I imagine that Jonah realized this act would inevitably be his death sentence. How was he to survive? And as his body crashed into the cold, dark water, I wonder what was resounding through his mind? Perhaps he felt hopeless.....abandoned......fearful. Then, what did our God out of His great mercy and unfailing love do out of this situation? Jonah 1:17 tells us: "But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah..." For me, that wonderful word "provided" shed a whole new light on this scene. God did not "happen" to command a random fish swimming by to take a mouth-full of human...He did not just decide at that moment on how He would handle Jonah's situation. God in His sovereign plan and divinely sequenced events provided that fish at just the right moment. But, was this the rescue that Jonah may have prayed for? Hmmm...surely not.


Can you imagine....I mean really imagine what it must have been like to be inside the belly of a fish? What must Jonah have thought? I'm sure he was thinking that he would surely never make it out alive...literally. I'm sure it was at this moment that feelings of hopelessness, fear, anxiety and doubt surrounded Jonah. He must have wondered why God would allow such a horrific thing to happen. Perhaps he even felt like God had given up on Him....abandoned him to die. How could God possibly use this situation for his benefit? I don't know about you but in my eyes being swallowed alive by a fish would not feel like a providential, ordained event meant for my own good. But here is the foundational truth that touched my heart in this well-known Biblical account: without this tragic event in Jonah's life, he would have surely drowned.


Isn't that so neat to think about? What seemed like a horrible, hopeless, and desperate situation was a providential, all-powerful, God-ordained rescue. What situation in your life do you feel as if no good could possibly result? Perhaps it is the loss of a loved one, the failing of a marriage, the loss of a job, the pangs of loneliness, the pain of illness and disease, the fear that paralyzes in the night, rejection from those dear to our hearts, the death of a dream, the failing of life plans......why are these instances sometimes allowed within our lives. Have you ever thought that God has used this unpleasant, undesirable situation in our lives to bring about a magnificant and holy rescue? We, as believers, have the promise which is found in Romans 8:28: "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." I know that I am truly thankful for that promise.


This caused me to think of other accounts in Scripture where out of hopeless situations came a divine rescue by God. I thought of the story of Moses. Moses' mother carried this precious little boy in her womb for nine months, only to find out after he was born that he would be sentenced to death by the Egyptians. What a hopeless situation. In her attempts to save her son, she in essence abandoned this precious little one. She secured him within a basket and sent him down the river, a task that would literally break a mother's heart. Little did she know that her attempts to rescue her son would eventually result in God providing for her own rescue through her son....as well as a rescue of her people. Praise Jesus.


I desire that you and I truly be encouraged tonight. Will we always understand the reason for great trials and suffering? Absolutely not. Can we trust God with each situation that comes our way both now and in the future, knowing that it exists and persists for our own good? Praise God, yes we can! Oh, how our Father is forever faithful. We can truly trust Him. How thankful we should be that He indeed rescues His children. How thankful we should be that He has divinely orchestrated each moment of our lives and that He has already provided for our rescue. That blesses my heart so much. I must admit that I do struggle with the fear of an unknown future. I struggle with the act of trusting God with these things of which I cannot see. It is a daily surrender and choice to walk by faith and fall into the arms of my Father, trusting His perfect and holy will.


Tonight I leave you with two portions of God's holy Word. May you cease from viewing the difficult situations in life as dreaded, painful, and fear-stricken moments. As you walk in the will of God, may you see each moment as divinely sequenced by your Creator. For He is the only One Who knows exactly what you need. And just as He divinely "provided" for Jonah's rescue, so He will provide for yours, as well. May these words of God provide you with hope for today....hope for your journey.

"The LORD Almighty has sworn this oath:'It will all happen

as I have planned. It will come about according to my purposes. I have

a plan for the whole earth, for My mighty power reaches throughout the world.

The Lord Almighty has spoken--who can change His plans?

When His hand moves, who can stop Him?'"

Isaiah 14:24, 26-27

"Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches

and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand

His decisions and His methods!
For who can know what the Lord is thinking?

Who knows enough to be His counselor?

For everything comes from Him; everything exists

by His power and is intended for His glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen."

Romans 11: 33-34, 36

Hannah Grace

I Surrender All

Sweet surrender. What I long to do each day. A sweet surrendering of hopes, cares, worries, and dreams, a throwing off of the tendency to fear and become anxious about an unknown and somewhat scary future. For I know that in the midst of that surrender, God can and will lead and guide me into the hope of a future, one that is better than one I have even yet to imagine.

As I have mentioned earlier, I am currently reading a book entitled, "Lady in Waiting" by Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones. What an encouraging book! I encourage any single woman to read it. The entire book is mainly focused upon the story of Ruth and her journey to a God-ordained marriage to a Godly man named Boaz. One concept that stood out to me this week was that of being a "Lady of Conviction." In the ever-changing culture that we live in, Godly men and women of conviction are at times difficult to come by. Yet, how important it is to live by the truth's written in God's Word.....not letting our guard down no matter what we might face within this chaotic world. One of my favorite verses, Romans 12:2: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Such a vital part of a believer's life: living set apart, refusing to back down on the standards God has set for His own.

I admire this quality in Ruth's life. Instead of returning to her homeland after the death of her husband, she chose to continue to care for her mother-in-law. More importantly, she chose to continue to serve the one true God, the Most High. She chose to live a Godly life, refusing to turn her back on a "set-apart" life. What was the result? As she lived in faithfulness to God, He blessed her not only with a Godly husband, but also with a child who would be a part of the lineage of Christ Jesus.

A quote in this book really hit home: "Do we lower our standards because we seem out of step with our peers?" How many can relate to this statement? Is it always easy living a life set apart from the world? Most definitely not. Do we sometimes become discouraged and lonely? Absolutely.....at least I can personally say that. Psalm 112:1: "Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in His commands."

PRAISE GOD! What may seem like a lonely place is actually something quite beautiful. The Lord Jesus has placed upon you a calling. A high calling, one that few choose to follow. But dear ones, we have the hope, the promise, the gift of serving Him. What we find in His Word is great joy and blessing for those who follow in His way. But should this be the reason we serve Him? Do we only serve Him in order to receive blessings? Of course not. Even if not one blessing resulted out of living a life set apart for Him, would you do it? Would you trust Him even if every plan fell through, even if each day you felt the pangs of suffering, even if you stood alone for the rest of your life? Trust Him. Aren't you thankful that He has promised the gift of peace...that even if every plan fell through and even if you felt the pain loneliness brings...He would provide the grace and peace to sustain you through every last minute of it? Man...a comfort wells up in my soul at that very thought. One of my favorite Scripture passages comes to mind:

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Psalm 1: 1-3

Beautiful passage. Powerful truth. The highest calling one can ever imagine: a life consumed with living for Christ.

I encourage you tonight...to truly life a life set apart for Him. Refuse to let doubt creep in and cause you to wonder if it is really worth it. Continue to remember that God's faithfulness does not depend on the "good things" He allows to enter into your life. Choose to believe that no matter what may come in the future, He has a plan, and He will remain faithful. Living a life sold out to Him is what He desires for each of His own. I am encouraging myself, as well. Even when discouragement threatens to take that peace and even when you wonder if it's really worth all the struggle to live a Godly life......hold on, dear friend. He sees you. Even if the plans you may have made for yourself have evaporated...come undone....unravelled before you eyes, may your heart truly know tonight that He is a faithful God. He has given you a calling.......walk in obedience to Him. In His will and in His timing, the plans He has made for you will unfold. Yes, truly walk in obedience to Him.

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act."

Psalm 37:4-7a

Hannah Grace

He's Not Finished With Me Yet

It is in times like these where I find myself captured and awestruck at the way Father God speaks truth into my life. It is in times like these where I am able to experience first-hand the faithfulness of God shining out of discouraging circumstances. What a humbling thought that the Lord desires to speak to my heart as I seek Him.

This past week God through various ways and over the course of many days has been teaching me a well-known but sometimes difficult to live truth. How is it that at one moment my heart can feel so encouraged as I wait for God's perfect will? Then, the next day anxiety seems to set in…threatening to steal that perfect peace and joy given so freely by the Father. Praise God that His faithfulness does not depend upon my emotions.

Just last Sunday after the evening service, I decided to take a jog/walk outside. Put on the tennis shoes, grabbed my ipod, and headed out behind our house. The sun would soon be setting, and I was soaking up God's beautiful creation around me. My heart was heavy…..mainly feelings of disappointment and guilt consumed me because of the unbelief in my heart. "Why is it so hard for me to just lay it all down and truly trust You, Father?" was the cry of my heart that evening. My ipod had been turned onto shuffle mode, and with each song that played a commonality was heard. Song after song spoke of God's majestic creation. "All Creation Worships You", "Wonderful Maker", "God of Wonders" all spoke of God's handiwork. That morning in church, part of the message was taken from Matthew 6 about how God cares for even the birds of the air. And as the sun was setting, the birds were flying in the air, I felt the presence of God speak a truth into my heart once again: "Hannah, look around you. Look at all I have made. Is there anything too difficult for Me?" Verses came into my head, and I just began to recite them one by one. "Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God" (Phil. 4:6) "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." (Isaiah 40:31) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Tim. 1:7) Such a precious time with the Lord. I could look around at the common things like birds...and the sunset....and really feel God's love and presence radiating down upon me.

Throughout the week, I clung to that promise of God. He will take care of me. What a blessing! On the way to work one morning, a song came across the radio. "There is hope for me yet/ because God won't forget/All the plans He's made for me/I'll have to wait and see /He's not finished with me yet.." (Brandon Heath) It was God-ordained morning to hear this song. As I have mentioned before, the hospital I work at has a morning devotional at 8:00 each day. As I listened to the pastor over the loudspeaker, his words sounded very familiar. He spoke of trusting God even in difficult circumstances/situations. His exact words were: "He's not finished with you yet." His words reminded of this verse: "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6)

This morning at church, a man in our congregation led a devotional about trusting in God's perfect will for our lives....even when our own plans do not always work out. He referenced Isaiah 40, and I wanted to leave you with this passage tonight. It was in this passage that I noticed some encouraging thoughts on God's sovereignty over His creation. Just as He formed each star in the heavens, just as He causes the sun to rise and set, and just as He has fashioned each mountain and valley....He forms each moment of our days. How wonderful is that? May you be encouraged tonight from the words taken from Isaiah 40. May God's peace dwell in your very being, giving you the strength to wait for His perfect will. It is perfect.....it is good.....it is worth the wait.

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars?

He brings them out like an army, one after another,

calling each by its name.

Because of his great power and incomparable strength,

not a single one is missing.

O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?

O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

Have you never heard? Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary.

No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40: 25-31

Two Hallways but One Hope

Life. It is a beautiful concept. Working on a Mother/Baby unit at a local hospital allows me to experience this blessing often. As I sit within the nurse's station on the unit, I have a clear view straight through a large glass window into the well-baby nursery. It is such a joy to see throughout the day newborn after newborn be carried into the nursery right after their birth. I watch as these precious little ones take their first breaths of life....adjusting to this new place called the world. I watch as families stand outside the glass window, anxiously awaiting to meet their precious gift from the Lord. My heart is blessed as I watch this beautiful scene. Life from the Father.

On this Mother/Baby unit we have two hallways. One hallway is filled with new mothers who have just birthed a little one into the world. Life fills the hallway. An abundance of excitement, laughter, and tears of joy can be found in almost every room. Hearts are filled with hope, as a long-awaited gift has finally arrived.

The other hallway is altogether different. This hallway is not filled with new mothers, nor is it filled with the birthing of new life. For many on this hallway, joy can be difficult to even find. Whether it be the result of surgical procedures or complications during pregnancy, many on this hallway have been forced to relinquish the dream of bringing a new life into the world. Disappointment lingers, hearts ache, and for some it would seem as if it they are experiencing the death of a dream.

Two hallways.....two totally different perspectives. Beginnings of life--> death of dreams. But what common theme occurs in both life and death? Hope. Yes, hope is found down each hallway. Circumstances do not determine whether or not hope exists. Isn't it the same in the life of a believer? We have hope in life, and we have hope in death. Not only do we have hope in the physical death, but also in the death of plans and the midst of hurt. We have hope in the birth of plans and desires.....and we have hope in disappointments, heartaches, and the death of dreams. Praise God that our circumstances do not define the lives by which we live.

“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since He is Lord of heaven and earth, He doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve His needs—for He has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him—though He is not far from any one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist."

Acts 17: 24-25, 27-28a

What a blessing. He gives "life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need." Even in the midst of pain, He gives life. He takes care of His children. He provides a hope and comfort, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Wow.....that blesses me. Does it you? While we may experience hurt and disappointment, we are not left without the promise of hope. "He is not far from any one of us."

What hallway do you feel as if you are living on right now? Perhaps some of you even feel as if God has forgotten you way down at the end of the hallway. You long for that feeling of life, and you long for direction. To you, sweet brother and sister in Christ, I would say: "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." (Hebrews 10:25) Regardless of what you may endure, we serve a loving God. He is faithful to provide every step of the way. He gives life. My dad reminded of this scripture a couple weeks ago by writing these words on sticky note and placing it in my car: "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:16-18 Are you living in that thankfulness? Are you thankful that your joy and hope is not dependent upon those not-so-great circumstances in life? I say "Amen" to that!

By no coincidence have my devotions for the past two weeks been speaking of "Life" one week, and "Death" the next week. As I begin a new week in the devotional book, it focuses upon the love of God. The love of God exists in life and in death.

Day after day, I am reminded of the many people in this world who are hurting. Deep pain that accompanies heartache, disappointment, loneliness, and rejection threatens to steal the abundant joy that God has so freely offered.

Precious one of God, I desire that you know today the life that God has offered. Whether you feel that joy in heart or not.....He is faithful. He has His hand over your life, and He is forever in control. The Author of your life story, the Overcomer of death in this world, the Protector of your heart, the Keeper of each one of your desires, the Giver of life, the divine Lover of your soul.....He is near to you. He loves you, and He will never leave you. Do you believe that?

Praise Him for that hope that exists in the midst of life and death. This is my prayer for you today:

"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, Who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."

Ephesians 3:17-21

Amen. Thank you, Jesus. May we be be encouraged in Your love.

Hannah Grace