Marydean Draws: hope

Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts

If you spend any time at all on Instagram or Pinterest (as I do), you'll scroll past lots of cute saying about life--what matters, what it's supposed to be like, and how it's supposed to be lived.

"I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become."
"Your only limit is you."
"Be your own kind of beautiful."
"You are enough."

We scroll and absorb and then when real life smacks us in the face, we wonder what in the world is wrong with us, or the people around us, or with God even.

Dallas Willard, in his book, The Divine Conspiracy, says about trying to live your life by cute slogans and mantras: "Absurdity and cuteness are fine to chuckle over and perhaps to muse upon. But they are no place to live. They provide no shelter or direction for being human."

That's why Jesus says to build our lives upon the rock of the Word of God, on how HE says a human life is to be lived (Matthew 7:24).

I was reading these verses in 2 Corinthians this week and encouraged in what I should expect of life:

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh . . . So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." (2Cor. 4:7-12, 16 ESV)

"For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2Cor. 5:2-8 ESV)

Do you see here the paradoxical (I like this word which means something that seems contradictory, but is actually true) nature of our life in Christ?

For a follower of Jesus, full of the treasure of the life of Jesus through the Spirit, it is normal to be:
afflicted
perplexed
persecuted
struck down
carrying in the body the death of Jesus
given over to death for Jesus' sake
wasting away outwardly
groaning
burdened

For a follower of Jesus, full of the treasure of the life of Jesus through the Spirit, it is also normal to be:
not crushed
not forsaken
not driven to despair
manifesting the life of Jesus in our bodies
renewed inwardly day by day
prepared for glory
filled with the Spirit as a guarantee
always of good courage

This tension of real life in Christ doesn't fit easily into a slogan, does it?

Scripture affirms both our struggle and our hope. And these two we hold in tension until we're "at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).

If I expect to achieve some magical state of non-struggle in this life, I'll (paradoxically) struggle even more:

I'll question my standing before God--"What am I getting wrong?"

I'll doubt His goodness--"What is He withholding from me?"

I'll judge you in your struggles--"Why can't she just be okay?"

Also (paradoxially), if I accept this ongoing tension, I find I can better deal and experience God's peace right in the middle of it--and not lose heart.

In Christ, there is daily both life and death. I don't understand it all, but knowing this truth encourages me today, and I hope it does you too.

Please use this month's screensaver to remind yourself to not lose heart. You can click on the image below and save it to your phone.

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August 3, 2018

Life isn't cute, but Jesus is life + 2 Corinthians 4:16 screensaver

Happy June everyone!

I can't believe my kiddos will be out of school for the summer after Friday! To celebrate the new month, I'm sharing a little burst of color and truth for your phone. A friend gave me this verse recently as encouragement and it paired well with this painting I had done, so I put them together for you!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13 ESV)

I know hope can be hard to find sometimes. I know that joy and peace can seem pressed down deep in your heart. But I've also seen God work miracles of joy and peace beyond my understanding, through the power of the Holy Spirit, as I continue to believe Him.

You can save the image below to your phone! Also, look for a simple summer Bible memory plan coming to the blog later this week (hopefully).

You can buy a print of this art here and a printable cards and watercolor templates here!

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June 4, 2018

Romans 15:13 Phone Screensaver

Today's the day! I'm so excited to share with you my my coloring book! It's called Coloring the Word: Comfort and Hope, and I hope that it's the first of many.

God has been so faithful to comfort me through Scripture, and I'm so excited to share a little of that comfort with you through my art.

This is a book for those who are fearful, confused, tired, anxious, and feeling weighed down and alone. I find that when you combine art and Scripture, you're better able to rehearse the truths in the dark times because the images are linked to truth. And remembering truth is light in the darkness.

I hope this book can be a little tool you can use yourself or pass on to a friend who may need encouragement.

Today I'm sharing with you one of the pages from the new book. I love this proverb because it reminds me to tend to my soul, to pay attention to the "thoughts and intentions" of my heart (see verse below), because out of my heart flows my life. I find the heart is where the biggest battles are fought.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Heb 4:12 ESV)

The book has 30 pages of winsome, fun, and meaningful black and white Scripture illustrations that speak comfort and hope. All Scriptures are in the ESV version (you can learn about this translation here).

For a look at the whole coloring book, you can check out this video HERE.

You can buy the book HERE. If you order one, I'd greatly appreciate you leaving a review so that I can be found in results when people search on Amazon!

I'd love to see your colored pages, so feel free send me an email at mary@marydeandraws.com or tag me on Facebook or Instagram. I'd also love to hear any suggestions or feedback!

If you prefer a digital version, I've added that to the shop HERE. I plan to add printed color card sets of this same art to the shop soon, so stay tuned!

To download your free Proverbs 4:23 Bible verse page, click here or on the image below.

May 18, 2018

A free page from my new coloring book!

Sometimes it's hard to get on this blog and say encouraging things, whether from a place of my own personal trials or the ones I share with those I love.

And yet, the good news is still good.

I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."

It's hard for me to reconcile the goodness of God and pain. My tendency is to push God away and seek other comforts.

Lord, now indeed I find

Thy pow'r and Thine alone,

Can change the leper's spots

And melt the heart of stone.

We are reading through Exodus for Lent with our community group (with the She Reads Truth plan). Yesterday I read about how the Israelites "turned aside quickly out of the way that [God] commanded them" and made a golden calf in their impatience for Moses to return from his meet-up with God on the mountain. Maybe they longed for a quick-fix God they could touch and feel and understand completely, rather than a God they could both fear and love, who operated on his own timetable (Exodus 32:8).

That is so often me, quick to turn aside from a faithful and patient following.

God is jealous for his glory and for my heart. Over and over, the Bible tells me that He loves me and long to comfort me, longs to save, longs to quiet me with his love.

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

So, back to pain. Running from pain only keeps me from running from His love. Running for other comforts keeps my unquieted by his love.

"Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love" (Jonah 2:8).

And running from our sin, hiding in the shadows, keeps us running from His grace and unfailing mercy.

For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I'll wash my garments white

In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb

As I read through Exodus, I'm again impressed at the details God put into the establishment and creation of the temple in Exodus, and the way it intricately foreshadows and sets up all He planned to do and complete in Christ.

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat.

The patient God who set all that up and orchestrated, down to the very day, our salvation, is the God who knows you and your days. All his promises are "yes" in Jesus. What good would he then withhold from you?

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11).

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

The coloring page I'm sharing today is made up of the intersection of the words of "Jesus Paid it all" (the hymn in italics above) by Elvina Hall and the Scriptures in 1 Peter 3:18 and 2 Corinthians 1:20 intersect. It works a little differently in Spanish (my friend Abby helped me figure it out), but the meaning is the same.

You can download your coloring pages by clicking the images below:

PRAYING the Word

God, forgive me from running from the comfort and grace I could find in you. Thank you that your love is never failing. Mine fails; yours doesn't. Make me a patient, enduring worshipper of only You. Keep me running for, not from, your comfort and your grace.

QUESTIONS to consider:

1. How about you? What do you do with your pain? Where do you go for comfort?
2. What does it mean to you that "all the promises of God find their Yes in [Jesus]" (2 Corinthians 1:20)?

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March 14, 2018

Pain, Good news, and an Easter Bible Verse Coloring Page in English + Spanish

Hello friends!

I've been a little quiet around here, I know, but I wanted to pop in briefly and share this Scripture with you that has been ministering to me:

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." Psalm 91:14

I don't know if you've ever felt the overwhelming weight of anxiety and fear. I sure have. Slowly God is leading me through, teaching me discern between the voice of fear and the voice of faith. Teaching me stillness versus hurry and worry.

"But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me." Psalm 131:2

These are not simple issues. They require a God-sized rescue and consolation of our souls.

One day, I'd love to share more of the ways God is growing me, but for now I am storing these things up in my heart.

"Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He has done for my soul." Psalm 66:16

Also, this song and this song have been sweet encouragement.

Today's printable Bible verse coloring page is from Psalm 94:19. The ornaments in this coloring page were made with the iOrnament app, which the girls and I are loving! You can download your page by clicking on the images below (one in English and one in Spanish)!*

PRAYING the Word

Jesus, in all my distress and anxiety, I cry out to You, the only Comforter and all-wise Counselor. You know me. You see me. Your consolations cheer my weighted soul, and I am blessed when I put my hope in you (Psalm 146:5). Help me quiet and still my soul, content to be under your faithful care.

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November 19, 2017

My anxiety and Your consolations + Psalm 94:19 Bible Coloring Page in English and Spanish

Between homeschool school and co-op, a craft fair and travel over the weekend, all manner of issues swirling around our country, and Fall allergy season kicking in, everything feels a bit "fuzzy" for me right now.

There are things on my heart I'd like to share, but because "fuzziness" of the brain does not a great writer make, I'll share these words from Romans 12 with you today and pray that God speaks truth to where you need it most:

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:1-21 ESV)

To get your Romans 12:12 screensaver, just right click on the image below, save, and then set as your device's lock or home screen! This image is available as an 8x10" printable in the "words of life" set in the shop.

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September 28, 2017

Rejoice in hope Romans 12:12 Screensaver

It's a new month and time for new screensaver art! This is the truth that I've been pausing on for a while.

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ." (1Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV)

If we belong to Christ, we are no longer "natural" people. Bickering, resentment, and looking out for numero uno is natural. Selfless love, forgiveness, and humility are the work of the Spirit.

Anxiety, frenzied work, and a lack of self-control are natural. Peace, rest, and self-control are fruits of the Spirit at work.

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)

In honest self-evaluation, I still live much like a natural woman, which, despite Aretha Franklin's classic anthem, for a Christian, is not our calling.

When I am in the grips of anxiety, a decision I have to make, or a situation of tension, God has been reminding me that I am not on my own. I am not a natural woman. I have the mind of Christ.

And that in itself, is a witness to God's great grace toward this still-fleshly woman.

To get the image, right click on the image below, save, and then set as your device's lock or home screen.

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August 2, 2017

The Mind of Christ Screensaver

"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David." (Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV)

You know what I am confident that Jesus has to say to you right now?

Come.

That's what I hear Him speaking to my heart these days, and it's the message all over Scripture.

Creator God walks through the garden in the cool of the day, a garden now spoiled for His creatures by their own rebellion. God comes walking, and His creatures hide, thinking their nakedness and rebellious hearts are hidden from His sight (Genesis 3:8-9).

We are hiders, aren't we? We are fearful of His presence and His glory. We are wary of the light because "men love darkness" and light exposes our evil hearts (John 3:19).

I myself have every excuse for not coming:

My prayer life is a wreck. And what devotional life? Where do I even start?

Come. Let’s talk. Learn from me.

My life is chaos. If it would just calm down, then I could come.

Come.
Come poor and needy.

Come weak and wavering.

Come failing and distracted.

Come thirsty and hungry.

God can't possibly speak into this situation. Surely, He can't be what I need right now.
Come to me. Find rest in ME (Matthew 11:28-29). I am the bread of life. I am the living water. I have the words of life that you need.

Even in his dying hours on the cross, the hours that paid our debt and set us free, Jesus was still saying, "Come."

"One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."" (Luke 23:39-43 ESV)

Two men next to my Jesus. One hid from his own sins and hurled hate. One admitted his need and came to Jesus for saving.

Jesus did not equivocate or lecture in response to the asking. Jesus does not withhold Himself from those who ask:

"For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:8-11 ESV)

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

We can draw near to God with boldness and confidence because we know the greatness of the Savior and the finality of His work. Any hesitancy to draw near to God is on our part, not His.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20 ESV)

The deceiver crafts intricate and deceiving lies tailored to our weaknesses to keep us from coming to Jesus. Father, reveal the truth to our hearts through your Spirit.

Oh that we would know the breadth of God’s love for us. I love how this song captures this.

The thief crucified on Jesus' side could have thought of every excuse not to come to Jesus—too little, too late, too shameful, too much pain. But he humbled himself and simply came, and was taken in for eternity.

"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1:24-25 ESV)

"The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price." (Rev 22:17 ESV)

Today's printable Bible verse coloring page is from some of these final words of Jesus on the cross in Luke 23:42-43. You can download your page HERE in English or HERE in Spanish or by clicking on the images below.*

PRAYING the Word

Jesus, you are "the water of life without price." Ruin us for anything but your yourself. May we have "strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:18-19 ESV). Thank you, thank you, that you are always knocking on our wayward and stubborn hearts, always saying come. Glorious Jesus, we love you.

QUESTIONS to consider:

1. What lies keep you from coming to Jesus?

2. What truth does the pattern of Scripture have to say to you?

Other printables you could use for Lent/Good Friday/Easter:
THE MANDATUM NOVUM + LOVE ONE ANOTHER COLORING PAGE (for Maundy Thursday)
EASTER SCRIPTURE PRINTABLE COLORING ACTIVITY PAGE (Isaiah 53:6)

SCRIPTURE COLORING PAGE PRINTABLES: AS IN ADAM & FOR BY GRACE

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March 29, 2017

Come + Luke 23:42-43 Bible coloring page (English + Spanish)

"cloud of witnesses" printable Bible verse coloring page

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

My dad bought our family several missionary biographies for Christmas, and the girls chose to start with Amy Carmichael's story (we are reading this one--a great series for kids). Amy is an Irish women with a heart for bringing the hope of the Gospel to poor and neglected women. We just found out that Amy's poor health has send her back home instead of on her way to work with Hudson Taylor's China Inland Mission, to which she had clearly heard God's call. Little does she know that she will end up in India, working among the very people God has equipped her to reach with His love.

One benefit of reading Christian biographies is the opportunity to see a person's life from start to finish, to realize as you read about the struggles and confusion in Chapter 4, that God is preparing for something in Chapter 15.

Reading the life stories of saints who have gone before is one way to surround ourselves with that "great cloud of witnesses" available to us. Hudson Taylor. George Mueller. Adoniram Judson. C.S. Lewis. Elizabeth Elliot. Hannah Hurnard. Who would you add to this list?

They are in addition to the "great cloud of witnesses" from the Bible summarized for us in Hebrews 11:

whose faith and hope were more real than their circumstances

whose God was bigger than their enemies

whose reward was worth the cost

whose desires were bigger than this broken world

who trusted in God, not themselves, for their righteousness

who believed, even when God's timelines of promise was much farther out than was desirable

who despite many, and sometimes monumental, failures, were commended by God for their faith

We're not the first Jesus-follower to live this life of death and resurrection, of suffering and struggle.

You'll hear your voice in the Psalmist's cries and complaints. You'll see your broken way in the life stories of the faithful saints now in eternity.

I just started reading a collection of Puritan prayers called "TheValley of Vision" compiled by Arthur Bennet (this article gives a good explanation of how the book came about) to help me pray "meatier" prayers. What surprises me is that these prayers aren't antiquated or stuffy; they're passionate and spirit-filled; they're densely theological, but poetic. The publisher's website posts a daily prayer if you'd like to try them.

What do the cloud of witnesses have to say to you, their sister or brother? The writers of Hebrews says that Adam’s son Abel, "through his faith, though he died, still speaks" (11:4).

What is it that you need to hear from the multitude who have tried God and found Him faithful and good?

Today's printable Bible verse coloring page is from Hebrews 12:1. You can download your page HERE or by clicking on the image below!*

Bible verse coloring page "great cloud of witnesses" Hebrews 12:1

PRAYING the Word
Thank you Father that I am not alone! I have the constant warmth of your Spirit, I have my church family, and I have a cloud of witnesses surrounding me, encouraging me to throw of my sin, fix my eyes on Jesus, and run with endurance this race you've laid out for me. Help me avail myself of these great resources You have provided.

*I'm so happy for you to enjoy my coloring pages and printables for your personal (not commercial) use! Use for Bible studies, church groups or events, and Sunday school classes are all fine! If you're in doubt, I'm happy to answer any questions. All artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. If you share this, you're awesome (!), and as a courtesy, please link back to this post and not the PDF file. Thank you!!

Scripture is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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January 25, 2017

Surrounded by witnesses + a Hebrews 12:1 Bible verse coloring page

"Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'" 8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 9 "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth." [Zechariah 4:6-10 ESV]

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day here in the States. We're remembering the great task Dr. King felt called and equipped by God to do, the task that demanded his all. The right man in the right place at the right time.

I learned this week (from this account) that Dr. King was in Memphis when he was murdered only because there had just been a violent protest there. City sanitation workers were fed up of working conditions that were both sub-human and dangerous. Dr. King's policy was to always go back and stage a peaceful protest once there had been a violent one.

The night before his murder, he gave a speech at the Mason Temple in Memphis. Behind him, emblazened on a sign, was today's coloring page verse: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, Saith the LORD of HOSTS" (see image below).

Image: thecivilrightsmuseum.org

This verse is from Zechariah 4, an account of a vision of Zechariah, the prophet, containing a message for another man--Zerubbael--who was given the God-sized task of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem after the exile.

There was opposition to the project and much of the work probably seemed like "the day of small things," far removed from the glorious day the "top stone" would be set in place (4:10).

No wonder those in the middle of the Civil Rights movement found hope here.

Don't you think we can find hope here too, no matter the bigness or smallness of our calling?

Hope that accomplishment rests on the work of the Spirit, not our own strength.

Hope that mountains turn into plains before the LORD.

Hope that God, the Lord of hosts, with an army at His command, has His eyes on us (and the whole earth).

Hope that even small things can be built into SOMEthing bigger.

Between the days of small things and the day of the top stone, faithful work in the Spirit and unrelenting hope in the Lord of hosts will be required of us.

I need the reminder today that my task depends on my Jesus, not on me. He is up to it, though I am not. He is committed when I am ready to give up.

Today's printable Bible verse coloring page is from Zechariah 4:6(b). You can download your page HERE or by clicking on the image below!*

PRAYING the Word
We put all our hope in the power of your Spirit to do what you have called us to. We put no confidence in our flesh and our own abilities (Philippians 3:3; Psalm 71:5). Thank you that you are always faithful, always strong, always with us.

QUESTIONS to consider:

1. Do you feel like everything depends on you and what you can do? How does that feel?
2. Do you act as if everything depends on you? How has that worked out for you?
2. What do you need to hope in God for today?

Scripture is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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January 16, 2017