My Beloved Letter Series - #2

 My Beloved

Are you hungry and thirsty?
Come to Me, My beloved.
I am the Bread of life.
When you come to Me
you will never go hungry.
Believe in Me and you will
never be thirsty.

Look to Me and I will give you spiritual food
that will endure to eternal life.
Do not settle for crumbs
when I am offering you Myself.

​ I was broken for you so that you could live.
I saved you, not because you were righteous,
but because I am merciful.

Because of My great kindness and love for you,
I have made you alive in Christ
​even when you were dead in sin.

You have been cleansed and made new.
I have poured out My Spirit to renew you.
​
My gift of  salvation has restored your relationship with Me.
You are now an heir to eternal life. I have saved you by My grace. 

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      Confess your sins.
I am faithful and just and will forgive you and purify you from all unrighteousness.
It is My delight to show you compassion and mercy.
I will hurl all of your sin into the depths of the sea.
Because you know me, I will remember your sins no more.
​
So do not hesitate to approach my throne.
Come in confidence, so that I may pour out My mercy and offer grace
​ to help you in your time of need.

    Are you wondering what to offer Me in worship?
I have shown you what is good and what I require of you.
Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Me.

Live your life as a sacrifice of praise and service to Me.
Offer your body as a living sacrifice in light of My kind mercy to you.
Hold nothing back. I held nothing back for you.
I gave my life for you on the cross.

Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Keep your eyes pure.
Offer your hands and feet for the service of My ministry.

Do not worry.
I will teach you how to live a life that is worthy of your calling.
I am your Strength and your Song. Trust in Me.​

I am the gate to eternal life.
I have come so that you may have abundant life.
​
I am the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life
for you, My precious sheep.
I will gather you like a young lamb in My arms
and carry you close to My heart.
I will heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds.
You are one of My sheep, beloved.
Listen to My voice.

Follow Me and I will lead you home to green pastures
and beside the still waters of rest.
For My name’s sake, I will restore your soul
and guide you in paths of righteousness.

There is no need to fear,
for I will always walk with you
and protect you from your enemies.



I have prepared a feast for you. Your cup will overflow with My blessings.
All of your days I will follow you with goodness and mercy.
Come, My beloved, and you will dwell in My house forever.​

John 6:35, 40, 50, 51, Mt. 26:26, Titus 3:4-7, 1 John 1:9, Micah 7:18, 19, Jer. 31:3, 4, Eph. 2:4, 5, Micah 6:6-8, 
Romans 12:1, 2, Romans 5:8, 2 Cor. 10:5, Eph. 4:1, Isaiah 12:2, John 10:9-11, Psalm 147:3, John 10:27, Psalm
​ NIV Bible

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This has been one of the most difficult weeks of my life as I have spent day after day in the hospital and now in hospice with my dear friend Melissa and her family. I have written often of our deep friendship, trips, and adventures in blogs through recent years. She has been my dearest of friends. The cancer she has battled for three and a half years is now taking over her brain. It is a horrific, painful ending to her journey and fight in this life. I have cried out to God for mercy and now I see it is His mercy that will end her suffering soon and bring her home. I have wept buckets of tears as my husband and I have walked through this deepest of trials with her husband and children. This precious family whom we have had the privilege of loving since our girls were babies together in the church nursery. 

This I know, she is His beloved. She has listened and followed the voice of the Good Shepherd.
He is good even when we  don't understand His ways. Now her spirit is hovering while her body struggles.
​Jesus is preparing her for glory.
I know she knows His voice. And while we grieve here on earth, we can rest in the hope that the tender voice
of the great Shepherd whom she knows and loves is calling her home where there will be no more pain.
There she will bow in worship at the throne of the Lamb of God, the risen King of Kings who overcame the power of sin and death.  There in her heavenly home, our sweet Melissa will dwell in glory with the Good Shepherd forever!

In these days of illness, pain, and grief - surely goodness and mercy will follow me....all the days of my life. 
It is 4am as I write these words. In the early morning hours when the Lord wakes me and the waves of grief seem to overtake me, I find my rest in the beautiful promises of His Word. I am His beloved.

Whatever you face in the days ahead, the Good shepherd in your life is there to lead and guide you and be by your side. You too must choose to trust that He is good. You are His beloved.
He will take you by the hand and walk with you through all of your days.

The Lord is My Shepherd, He restores my soul,
Kathy

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Solomon Episcopal Conference Center

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