sanctification

woman holding christmas gift

A suffering Christmas with God’s gift of purifying and refining

I’ve been pondering the wondrous truths God reveals about His saving gift. I once asked Him, “What are believers in Christ saved from, exactly?” If anything brings me to my knees in humble gratitude within this year’s suffering Christmas, it’s His answers throughout Scripture. Handel’s Messiah echoes the truth, the very bad Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
person holding silver fork and bread knife

A thanksgiving prayer for Your help to offer thanksgiving

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me (Psalm 50:23 ESV). Heavenly Father, finding heartfelt words of thanksgiving during suffering and loss can sometimes be challenging. We can make lists of things for which we are thankful. It helps. We can sing words of praise to You, sing Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
horseshoe bend photo

Soldier of Christ? Arise in and through our suffering!

In this week’s one-year anniversary of brain surgery, I am in awe of what our Lord and King has done. I’m alive! Hallelujah! Beloved in Christ, it’s far grander than His kind gift of so much physical healing. It’s way more holistic and weighty than that. I can only describe what Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
photo of woman lying in hospital bed

Sweet comfort from God, to endure more suffering

Have you ever wondered how much more you could possibly endure?  I had that moment recently. Hooked up to beeping machines in the hospital, tears welled up. I felt like such a burden to others in my weakness. Stuck, dependent, weary, unable, overwhelmed. In desperate need of our Helper once Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
boat out at sea at dusk

God knows what is best for my suffering loved one

A mighty fortress is our God,a bulwark never failing;our helper he, amid the floodof mortal ills prevailing. (“A Mighty Fortress,” Luther, M., 1529) Mortal ills and storms of life in this fallen world, raging temptations to sin, all of us desperately needing God’s help. Here’s one of the greatest of Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
person holding hand

Keep. Yourself. In. the Love of God. Waiting.

Has God ever slowed you way down as you read His Word? His Spirit gently nudges me into this slow-motion encouragement, many days! One day, I was overwhelmed by my body’s pain alongside the incessantly fear-full noise of the news, the divisive slander of Christians against one another, and the Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
bonfire at night

Finding courage! God is redeeming this suffering, purified gold in the fire

Are your hard days becoming hard years of a hard life? As we both look ahead, let’s find courage as we pray together, for God is redeeming our suffering.  God’s redeeming work of grace Father, I continually cherish Your rescuing gift of saving grace. My blessed Redeemer gave Himself for Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
the book of psalms in the bible

Resisting when Satan tempts us, in our suffering

Suffering is prime time for our enemy to tempt us to sin. We’re tempted to doubt what God says about Himself in His Word. If we’re suffering, how can God be good?  We’re tempted to doubt the gospel is true…are we really saved? If we’re suffering, how could He love Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
grapes

My life has fruit-bearing purpose, even in suffering

As my brain surgery continues to heal, I’ve had moments when I’ve asked God, “Why am I still here? How can I love and serve You if my body can’t ‘do’ what it used to? How can I be fruit-bearing if I’m differently-abled?” I’ve felt worth…”less,” wondering about my purpose, Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
photography of pool near fence

Do you want to be healed?

When Jesus saw him lying by the pool, He asked: Do you want to be healed or “made whole?”  The man at the pool had suffered from chronic illness and disability… for 38 years…  desperately seeking to feel better… likely fighting daily with self-pity and hopeless angst. In such compassion, Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago

Protected by Security by CleanTalk