02212026 Forgives and Restores

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our gentle, forgiving God. In this final segment of the focus on the gentleness of God toward us, God assures, “I would rather forgive and restore you than destroy you.”

The previous entry had to do with the false perception of a distant and impersonal God. This entry takes that mindset one step further. Through the years there have been trends and emphases (expressed through denominations, churches, or pastors) that have featured the harsh judgment of God. While it is right to examine every aspect of God’s character, a lack of balance has caused some Christians to grow up with a misunderstanding and wrong impression of God. They can have an unjustified (and resentful) dread of God. They can see Him as angry, unpredictable, volatile, vengeful – raining down destruction and judgment without warning and disproportionate to the offense. This constant fear of God’s pouncing on them for the smallest offense leads to an unhealthy view of an impersonal and uncaring God who doesn’t try to help His followers. But God compassionately understands human weakness. He sees the heart of earnest Christians, and He says . . .

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions” (51:1).

“But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again” (78:38-39).

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (103:10).

“Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption” (130:7).

God says, “My dear child, I do hate sin, and I do not like to see you walk in it. However, I do love you, and I am completely aware of the frailty of your human flesh. Because of My great love and because of My compassionate understanding, I have restrained My responses of judgment toward you more times that you can imagine. I have suffered long, giving you many opportunities. If I wanted to harshly judge you, trust Me that you would no longer be alive. It is never My desire to destroy you but always to correct you, restore you, and strengthen you. I always want to see you take steps forward in your journey with Me, and it pleases My heart to encourage and support you in that process. If you confess, I will forgive. I will restore. I will continue to use you. When you fail, don’t hesitate to come humbly to Me.”

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

02142026 Close to God

Dear Missionary Lady,

On this day devoted to love, there is a gentle God who loves us deeply. His tender heart assures us, “I want to be close to you so that you know Me.”

Many people have the impression that God is cold and distant, remote and unapproachable. They think He is so big and important and so focused on the task of running the earth and doing the universal things that He has no time or attention to give to individuals. Anyone with a reasonably accurate understanding of the greatness of God might have thoughts that run along those same lines. But God says . . .

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek” (27:8).

“I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings” (61:4).

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts” (65:4).

“Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly” (138:6).

“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (145:18).

God says, “You can find Me and be near to Me, because I want you to find Me and know Me. I invite you and call you. I notice you – yes, you individually – in the midst of everything else. I am not too high or exalted to see you. I am very near, and I want you to live in close relationship with Me. Seek Me. Call on Me. I will bring you near.”

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

02072026 Supports Hurting Souls

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our gentle God, who cares deeply for us. He cares in every way, including the ways that matter most. God declares, “I care when your spirit is hurting.”

There are different kinds of pain. Even in the realm of physical pain, there are varying levels; a heart attack or traumatic accident rank higher than a paper cut or a common headache. Beyond the levels, some pain is easily perceived by others, while other pain is overlooked and perhaps misunderstood. People can see a broken bone or a bleeding wound, but the pain of some illnesses is internal and hidden. Physical pain, however, is not the worst pain. There is pain that can exist deep in the spirit where no one can see it. Often people cannot understand it even if it is described to them. This pain of the spirit can be agonizing and crushing, even making someone feel that he cannot survive it or go on. When it comes to this kind of pain, God says . . .

“My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake” (6:3-4).

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (23:3).

“Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul” (25:1).

“Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses” (25:16-17).

“I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities” (31:7).

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about” (32:10).

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (34:18).

“Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul” (54:4).

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (55:22).

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” (56:8).

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (61:2).

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us” (62:8).

“My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me” (63:8).

“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue” (66:16-17).

“Because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me” (86:17).

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul” (94:19).

“Like as a father has pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (103:13-14).

“Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant” (119:76).

“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthedst me with strength in my soul” (138:3).

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path” (142:3).

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (147:3).

God says, “I see your tears and your anguish. I see when your heart is crushed and broken. I know your pain, and I know when that pain increases to a level you feel that you can’t withstand. I know your weakness, and I have great compassion for you. Lean on Me. Talk to Me about it. I am ready to hear you. I will support and uphold you. I will comfort you with My lovingkindness. I will strengthen you inside where you feel so weak and give you boldness to carry on. I will heal your pain and restore your soul. Lift up your wounded soul to Me. Cling to Me, and let Me sustain and restore you with My love and support.”

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA