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An encouraging truth... February 11, 2020 |
February 11, 2020 Issue #167
The most encouraging truth of all time
As we approach yet another Valentine's Day, I want to remind you of something you often forget in your jam-packed, hectic life: Jesus loves you.
This may be the single most important truth of all time. We know it intellectually, but we rarely appreciate it emotionally. When things go wrong, and I know they're going wrong for many of you right now, it helps to tell yourself, "No matter what, Jesus loves me." It's empowering. The co-creator of the universe knows your name. He follows your every move. He is acutely aware of what's going on in your heart and has chosen you for special attention. He wants to guide you onto the right path. Jesus loves you, and he proved it on the cross. Don't be fooled by your circumstances. You may be at a low point in your life right now, but know this: Jesus' spirit lives within you, pouring out love with your every heartbeat. This is your compass for life. When you're confused and hurting, it points
you in the right direction. This month's feature article explains exactly how Jesus loves you.
God giveSometimes I'm invisible.Nobody pays me heed. On days when I drift by unseen, God give the strength I need. I don't fit in with charlatans The illusion of reality I'd rather be a nameless fool, ~ Jack Zavada, www.inspiration-for-singles.com, 2020 ~
"This book can't work miracles…"
Let's leave the miracles to God. What Hope for Hurting Singles can do for you is help you avoid problems in the future and show you how to deal with the problems you have right now.
I'm talking about
Hope for Hurting Singles is packed with the same hard-headed, real world advice you read in this newsletter every month, and on www.inspiration-for-singles.com. Jack Zavada drew on his 45+ years in the single life, writing about the boneheaded mistakes he made (so you don't repeat them) and his wisest choices (so you can learn from them). As you make progress, you'll feel solid, confidence-building hope. In turn, that will encourage you to reach out, seize opportunities, and become a more peaceful person. No more being at the mercy of your emotions. No more fear of what others think. No more shrinking when you should be growing. Jack did it in his own life. He shows you exactly how you can too. Just 'cause Hope for Hurting Singles can't work miracles doesn't mean it isn't powerful stuff! Get your copy today from amazon.com. The paperback edition is $10.99 and the Kindle version is $3.99.Who said February's QOTM? I don't know!I don't know who said February's Quote of the Month, but I liked it so much, I thought you would too:to be loved by God is the greatest of blessings. ~ Author Unknown ~ You've heard me say it many times: Frequently life stinks. The bad things that happen to believers and the good things that don't happen to us are a mystery. Still, God gives life meaning. Atheists can bask in the glow of their supposed superior intelligence. I prefer to bask in God's love. On the lousiest day, it's still an amazing feeling. I don't understand it; I just enjoy it. You are blessed in many ways, single friend, but the ultimate blessing is God's love for you. It's a reminder that your story is going to turn out well in the end. You will have justice and vindication and more love than you could ever imagine.
What will change your life, starting this minute?You hear a lot of far-fetched promises on the Internet about things that will change your life, but here's a simple act that truly delivers:It's simple, no doubt, but I didn't say it was easy. If you want easy, keep looking at things the way you have been. Be pessimistic. Think you can't get a break. See yourself as a bad luck person.
Here's another example. I'm an elder at my church, and one of my duties is to help take up the collection. There's a single man in the congregation who puts in 10 or 25 cents. I know why he does it. He's angry at God. I felt the same way about my singleness for years. I blamed God and was totally miserable. It wasn't easy, but it did turn my life around. I stopped blaming God, because that was wrong and it didn't do me any good. I began appreciating what I do have and thanking God for it. I stopped being grouchy and started enjoying my life again. Did changing my attitude get me married? No, but peace returned to my life and I became the happy guy I used to be. We may not be able to control our
circumstances, but we can control how we respond to them. Changing your attitude is the single most powerful life-changing act you can accomplish. To give you some more encouragement, here are some terrific quotations on attitude.
Jesus Christ is not a consolation prize!There. I said it. But that's how we treat him sometimes, especially on Valentine's Day. We singles act as if we don't have someone special right now, so we'll have to make do with Jesus.Let's have some more blunt truth. Nothing substitutes for the companionship and touch of a human being who loves you, even Jesus. Remember this verse: The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18, NIV) God was with Adam, but God himself said Adam was alone. Adam needed someone of his own kind, just as every species of animal had a mate. Well, friend, I've been pondering my singleness for nearly 50 years, and I haven't figured out the "why" of it yet. I'm getting the hint that I may not get an answer to that question. Sometimes I can be a little thick.
What will they be like? Will you and I find the companionship and love we want there? My belief is that we will. I base that on the truth that God is love. He knows what we need and he will supply it. Oh, and if you'd like to send me a Valentine email or a digital onion, use our no-hack contact form. and it will funnel right into my personal inbox, quick as a sneeze! On this Valentine's Day, remember your material blessings, and don't forget our Quote of the Month: To be loved by God is the greatest blessing of all. There's a
future for you, fellow singleton, as sure as God is good.
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I know all those things are easy because I did them for decades. But they didn't do a %X#& thing to change my life. This is experience talking here, so please listen.
In the midst of my frustration and confusion, I have the unassailable belief that God has something incredible planned for me, and it's not in this world. I don't know what heaven holds, but I know who will be there: Jesus. The book of Revelation holds out the hope of the New Heaven and the New Earth.
