From Ashes to Glory

                   God made man from the dust of the earth. 

   Job 8:19 (Paraphrased) "The ungodly will have no joy because they lose everything in life. But out of the earth others will be created (who WILL seek God)."
   
   What's ironic is the devil does his best to crush Christians' faith in Jesus (Who IS God). And many of them feel their hopes and dreams have been destroyed and become ashes. 
   The beauty of God is He WILL NEVER LEAVE NOR FORSAKE US. So even when it seems all is lost, God keeps our dreams 'Alive in His care.' 
   Psalm 113:7 "He raises the poor (crushed and discouraged) out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap."
   
   Isaiah 53:5 says Jesus was "Bruised for our iniquities.." The word bruised here means CRUSHED. Jesus was raised from death and the grave for us, so He knows how to revive the down trodden,  the hurting, the Believers who become miserable in their efforts to follow Jesus.

   Isaiah 61:3 "To ALL who mourn in Zion (Believers in Jesus Christ), He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (the dirt(y) lies of satan) (so) that they may be called trees of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified."

   Jesus is "The Light that came INTO the world, into the our darkness; 
He was the SEED of Light sown in darkness (in earth, in us). 
   All life comes from God. It has been seen and documented that every time a sperm cell penetrates an egg in a mother's womb, A TINY FLASH OF LIGHT OCCURS. 
   
   When a Christian 'sins' they feel 'Soiled' and dirty. However the Truth is, Jesus IS OUR LIGHT AND OUR SALVATION. We no longer walk in darkness, God sees us as "The Righteousness of God in Him (Jesus). God has forgiven ALL our sins and heals ALL our diseases. (Psalms 103:3)

   Take heart, Jesus is NOW lifting you up from your low places and strengthening your heart. "He gives strength to the weak." He loves you and cares for you, more than you can imagine.
   Put on your "Crown of Beauty", apply your "Oil of Joy" and put on the "Garment of Praise."
   He's lifting you out of your despair, out of the dirt the enemy has thrown on you. Take your rightful place beside Jesus. You are "Above and not beneath." You are "The Head and not the Tail."
You are "Blessed and highly favored of God." Give Him praise.!