HELP!

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. What or whom do you rely on/seek out in those tough challenges of life? There are many choices we as humans turn to for comfort….money, drugs, alcohol, power, material items, careers/job, sex, a close friend, family, etc. While a close friend and family are vital to a healthy emotional state, we as humans are limited. As Christ followers, we should be seeking Jesus daily, nurturing our mind, body, and soul for the difficult times. God is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present. Why don’t we embrace this truth in both the tough times and offer thanksgiving and praise during the good times. What a blessing we have in being a child of God and trust in His promises. Rely on God, the solid/firm foundation (Matthew 7:24- 29) and our mighty comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3). My challenge to all (myself included) is to seek out God daily for strength, refuge....... and help! Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Silence- a blessing or an enemy?

 As with many reactions/decisions, the Bible demonstrates through many scriptures where being silent can be a good attribute…or perhaps an enemy for a bold, active faith.  Proverbs 10:19, 11:12, 17:28, Psalm 46:10, 62:5 are just a small sample of examples on the wisdom of silence….it can help us avoid sin (in speech, reactions from anger), gain respect, self-control.  Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger-(James 1:19).  However, I would like to notate one circumstance where silence can be detrimental.  I am typically introverted in most situations…not all though, less so as I have gotten older.  I have, many times, let this be a hindrance to developing and having an active and bold faith.  While I do believe being quiet can be of great value in our service, there are times when taking a stand, being firm and boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus to those in our lives should be the action demonstrated.  Here is my confession…I have often lacked faith/trust or perhaps forgotten that God is always with us.  We do not have to feel inadequate or act alone.  We have a helper, a comforter- God provides strength and courage through His Spirit   (1 Timothy 1:7-8; 1 Thessalonians 2:2). Pray for boldness and for the power of the Holy Spirit to give us courage/strength.  May we be silent when necessary…may we speak up boldly proclaiming the Good News daily!  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Excuses……..the weeds of service!

 Are you like me and are well adept at coming up with excuses for tasks we just don’t want to do, or see the benefit/purpose (to us?).  Perhaps a procrastination issue or just uncomfortable with doing/out of the comfort zone?  We are good at excuses and validating our decisions for these situations.  However, James 4:17 states the following… If anyone then knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.  Sure, some of our excuses may seem valid and are creatively designed to justify not doing something that we know we should or could.  These can include a variety of opportunities such as attending church regularly, being involved at church (teaching a class, serving in a leadership role, etc.), helping someone in need, saying no in situations that present temptations,coaching a youth team, volunteering at an event/organization, and so on.  Just like a well-manicured lawn or a beautiful garden, we must do our part to remove ‘weeds’ that can overtake and hinder our service/commitment to God and others.  Excuses, avoidance, skewed priorities, and apathy can all be weeds in our life of service to God and others.  May we get to the point where we never question, dismiss or excuse obedient service/commitment anymore.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Confession

 The eighth chapter of the book, The Pilgrim Heart by Darryl Tippens is about ‘confessing’.  We all are sinners, yet sometimes we only look to the obvious/blatant “bad” sins.  There are of course a varying degree of sin….yet it is sin whether we see them as little/small or big ones. God hates all sin, but loves the sinner and desires us to commit wholly to Him.  The chapter  brings out that a pilgrim heart is a confessional heart, a heart that faces, accepts, and tells the truth…..the whole truth, no ‘little white lies’-- whatever those are believed to be?   Unfortunately, in today’s culture, speaking truth is often defined as being intolerant and judgmental. We must speak and live  truth with compassionate love to be at peace as much as possible (Romans 12:18).  We all have hurt someone and been hurt.  The Bible is filled with scriptures referencing confessing our sin (James 5:16, 1 John 1:8-9, Psalm 32:3-5, etc.).  Doing nothing or being silent can be sinful….that is one of my flaws.  I have used the fact that I am more introverted than outgoing.  Thus, I often say/do nothing, ignore, dismiss, avoid.  Czeslaw Milosz quoted the following:  “In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot”.  Us introverts don’t have to say a lot, but speak firmly, boldly, and truthfully with compassion.  What are your confessions that you are holding on to?  Take them to God in prayer, share them with a trusted friend. If you are looking for a challenging read to help you daily live the life God wants/expects, this is a gut check type book that should transform your heart. Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Bring It

 Oftentimes, we look to things of this world for answers, fulfillment, happiness, etc. God’s word shows us a different venue.  Matthew 14:18 Jesus tells the disciples to bring Him the five loaves and two fish that were available to feed a multitude of people present to hear/see Jesus.   Jesus took these and gave thanks….God provided for this need.   While we don’t always understand and get answers/results we want, God promises the faithful He will take care of us.  On this earth and in our temporary human bodies, there will be struggles, pain, hurts, and disappointments.  Living a faithful life will allow us to proclaim victory when our earthly time is finished. God created us and is all knowing and powerful, so keep in mind the following:  

When I am overwhelmed: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."

When I am angry: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."

When I am hurting: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."

When I am confused: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."  

When you don’t know/are in doubt:  "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."   

Bring it to God, ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8)...trust Him.  Bring everything to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).  Remember, just as a loving parent at times says no to a child because we know what is best for them, God may at times tell us no, or perhaps not now.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Power…..a by-product of Love

Ephesians 3:17b-18 says, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."  The Bible has many examples showing that God is love-to know love is to know God!  There is an attainable power, not on our human abilities, but the power of God working/molding us.  A capacity of strength and empowerment within us via the Holy Spirit.  That is power, power to sustain the pull of Satan/sin.  I must ask myself, how often do I demonstrate godly love to others during the daily grind?  When I do not, I am missing out on a promise and blessing-the power through God’s gift of the Holy Spirit.  When I do show love-I can more effectively share Jesus and be filled with the powerful Spirit.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Shaken but not Broken!

At times, I have felt that abiding peace in the midst of uncertain circumstances. I have relearned the practice of true childlike faith when I don't know what's coming next, and yes, it can be a struggle/challenge.  I’m trying to simply trust. My faith has been shaken but not broken. I realize more now than ever that sometimes each of us needs a shake (in this context, not the milk kind-although that sounds pretty good), otherwise complacency can become our dwelling place. God uses trials to make Himself more real and reachable to us than He was before. Hebrews 12:6-7,  Because the Lord disciplines those he loves  and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  A pathway to a new place we could never have reached if things had stayed the way they were! God uses everything in our lives to draw us closer to Him-even the bad stuff. Situations we never would choose- trials that shake us, that leave us different than before. May we never equate the trials/struggles we face with how God feels about us. He is not indifferent and does hear our prayers. He deeply loves us----always, and that is our ultimate victory! In the end we can be certain of these promises: we will find Him faithful, we will find Him true, we will see what He has done and marvel at His ability to use everything and waste nothing. Isaiah 42:16 says, ‘ I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.’ Read Romans 8:28 and Hebrews 12:11 again. God works for the good of those that love Him.  Discipline is a large part of love......just as a loving parent instructs/nurtures their children.  Sometimes we say yes, others no.....or at least, 'not now'.   As reflected in the poem ‘Footprints’, God does not leave the faithful. Blessings in your pursuit…….TO