The Nail-Scarred Hands That Hold You

The same hands that created the world and hold it in the palms of His hands, also hold you with His holy nail-scarred hands.

Most of us are familiar with the song, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. 

I’ve always loved the melody and celebrated the powerful lyrics. Because I believe He does indeed hold the world in His hands.

And the Bible confirms this.

“In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.” Psalm 95:4 (ESV)

“My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens.” Isaiah 48:13a (NIV) 

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” Psalm 102:25 (ESV)

And on a more personal level, the Lord’s nail-scarred hands hold us. 

Even if the world seems to stop spinning. Even if dark clouds seem to hijack sunny days. And even if life seems void of another sunrise or sunset. The Son holds the world and me in His hands.

Even if the world seems to stop spinning. Even if dark clouds seem to hijack sunny days. And even if life seems void of another sunrise or sunset. The Son holds the world and me in His hands. Share on X

So let’s look at how Jesus’ hands H-O-L-D His people.

H – Helping Hands Hold You

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)

The Lord cares, protects, and supports us. 

Like a warm hug from a family member or a supporting embrace during hard times from a friend, His nail-scarred hands hold me and you.

We have nothing to fear. Instead, the Lord assures us His helping hands hold onto us. This truth brings me comfort and peace.

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10 Wonderful Reasons to Follow Jesus

Have you ever thought about the wonderful reasons to follow Jesus?

Following Jesus has great reward. Sure, we know there are costs. Such as the call to deny our desires and pick up our cross. 

Family and friends may disown us.

Or, we can suffer persecution and ridicule.

Still, let’s not forget the wonderful reasons. And one is the greatest reason of all. I list ten here and save the best for last.

(1.)  Wonderful Reasons: Eternal and Abundant Life

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

(2.)  Reason of Righteousness

“If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” (1 John 2:29)

We follow Jesus in a foreign culture of unrighteousness. And those who refuse to follow Him have destruction as their end. 

Because “enemies of the cross” make their belly a god and glory in shame. Since their minds are set on earthly things. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (See Philippians 3:18-20)

Do we desire to follow Christ and His righteousness, Sunday through Saturday, 24/7?

True disciples not only want to follow Jesus, but also follow through by seeking to stay on the path of righteousness.

(3.)  Wonderful Reasons: A Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

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Know Jesus Better With The Whole Bible Devotional

I’m so happy to introduce my writing friend, Melissa McLaughlin. We are in an online Facebook Group together for authors and bloggers. Her writing is heartfelt and all about how to know Jesus better.

By Melissa McLaughlin

The yarn lay in a mess on the floor. Our cats had seized it during their midnight marauding. My scarf-in-progress now drooped in an unraveled heap.

With a deep exhale, I leaned down to pick up the tangled mound. My hands tugged and twisted this way and that. To no avail. I could not unknot the giant yarn blob.

Finally, I found a loose end and pulled gently. Bit by bit, the chaos unwound until I discovered one long, uninterrupted fuzzy thread. Thankfully, I could begin again. Stitch by stitch, my crochet needle knitted. 

With the untangled yarn re-woven and intertwined, the once mottled mass now took on its proper shape. A winter scarf soon warmed and wrapped me close. 

When we look back over our lives, most of us can remember situations that became a disordered wreck. What a relief when things got sorted out.  

Know Jesus Better

At times, reading through the Bible can feel like we are left with too many knots or loose ends. We want to know Jesus more, but how does He fit in all the books of the Bible?

At times, reading through the Bible can feel like we are left with too many knots or loose ends. We want to know Jesus more, but how does He fit in all the books of the Bible? Share on X

I remember the first time I read through the Bible from beginning to end.

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10 Things I Want You to Know About Jesus

I love to talk about Jesus and share important things to know about Jesus.

Because He changes lives.

Jesus transforms people from the inside out.

And Jesus embodies God.

Whether I’m talking to fellow believers or those who don’t know much about Jesus, these 10 things are what I want everyone to know.

(1.) Know About Jesus: He is Love

True Love defined means, Jesus. 

Our lack of love from people never makes the Love of Christ less true. 

Instead, we are loved the way He says we are loved.

Love lays down His life for me (John 15:13); perfect Love drives out my fear (1 John 4:18-19), and He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with Love (Psalm 103:4).

I love to talk about Jesus and share important things to know about Jesus. Because He changes lives. Jesus transforms people from the inside out. And Jesus embodies God. Share on X

(2.) Jesus is merciful

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Spiritual Vision That Sees God’s Faithfulness

Growing up, my vision was always great, until it wasn’t. Years ago, I lost distance vision from working at a computer for my job. An eye doctor explained how vision we no longer use, we lose.

Our eyes make the adjustment, Oh this is the distance you’re going to see. Now I’m near sighted and have glasses for when I need to see far away. 

Often, the same holds true in spiritual vision. We wish we could see what God’s doing in our life—how He’s working for our good. And like the saying goes, Hindsight is 20/20.

So we lose spiritual vision because we fail to use it, we fail to trust God is God and on His throne.

And we become near sighted, only putting our faith in God when we can actually see His works come to fruition. 

But the people mentioned in the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, believed God would fulfill His promises even though many of them never “saw” these promises come to pass. 

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

“Assurance about what we do not see” is the hardest part. 

Maybe I can’t see things at a distance, but my faith eyes can have full assurance in God for on down the road and into the future.

Maybe I can’t see things at a distance, but my faith eyes can have full assurance in God for on down the road and into the future. Share on X

Spiritual Vision Helps Us Trust God

Spiritual hindsight is how I’ve learned to trust God. And it’s always 20/20.

“If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet. Having 20/20 vision does not necessarily mean you have perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance.” (Google) 

Even though I’ve lost my vision at a distance, I pray not to lose my spiritual vision at a distance. I want to believe in the Lord’s ability and power and goodness for me.

Because in spiritual hindsight, my faith vision grows to sharper clarity. Since I’m now at a distance where I can see God’s faithfulness through the entire process. 

Spiritual hindsight is 20/20 when we stop and take the time to look back at what God has done and these steps for V-I-S-I-O-N.

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