Friday, February 16, 2018, 11:20

Good morning

My prayer this morning is, "Calm my anxious heart."  Oh, already I have been having to take thoughts captive before His throne. And, that is okay. Because there are some days that come with trials and the temptation to be in a different situation or place or time. 

Father, I confess my wandering. My place is where You have brought me. This cup that I hold in my hands is the one You have provided and filled for me to grow closer to You. Help me to convey exactly what we need to hear from Your heart to ours. In Jesus name, amen.

The news this week of more children killed in school shootings grieves my heart for the families bearing incredible loss. Evil continues to press against our nation. Everywhere the sounds of mothers crying in the dark of their circumstances and probably wishing they had been in a different place, a safe place. But, life does go on. It is the same all over this fallen world is it not?

Maybe you are one who has been surprised by the enemies blows. Something came out of nowhere it seems and preyed upon you and those you love. It doesn't matter where you are in this world. Are you looking for Jesus in all of this? He promises to be Life for you. John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." 

You may wonder...when? I wonder too. Simply, the answer for my life is to cling, cleave to, trust in and rely on the Lord Jesus. He is my breath, my life and He will sustain me. Can you believe too? I have to speak this to my wandering mind so often. I desire old patterns of thought to be replaced with the Truth of God's Holy Word.

When missionary Ella said in her contentment list, "Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else", I think she must be some sort of saint! So, here again, what seems impossible for me is possible with God. In picturing myself someplace else, I do imagine being in heaven, greeted by Jesus personally. We do have to have hope outside of the dirt on our feet! My heart longs to do life right and fly above it all. What Jesus may want for me though is to walk through that valley, holding tight to His hand...not around it.

 Jesus is our Life, our all. So once more Philippians 4:6-7 comes to mind. To be anxious for nothing, no reason, stop fretting over things. In all of these circumstances with everything laid out in prayer and petitions with thanksgiving, continue talking to God about your desires. That is our part. Now, God's part? He brings peace, contentment and a guard over our heart and mind. We come. He takes care of the rest.

The REST. The Calm. Instead of mulling over things and chewing on that celery string over and over again, spit it out. Next time remove the strings, right? I am sure God does simplify these lessons so we can understand them better. Whether it is a picture of celery caught in your teeth or something more reverential. Whatever you need at this time, in this trial...the Lord is with you and you are sealed by His Spirit.

Psalm 139 says...the Lord has searched me and knows me thoroughly. Whether I am sitting or lying down. All my thoughts He understands, even the ones I hardly recognize. My path is planned. He alone knows it altogether, every part, every turn, every climb and every dip in the road. All my words? He already knows those too, before I even speak them. He surrounds me before and behind and His hand is upon me. This is all so infinate that I can't imagine to reach it. Can you pray the words to your life story? Make it personal.

Now, verse 7-..."Where coud I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the place of the dead), behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me."

Are you feeling the calm now? I am. The answer to the age old question of "Why do bad things happen to good people? For me personally, it is here in this Bible I am reading. To know the Lord Who redeemed my life from the pit, really know His heart and fellowship with Him is my place of contentment and calm.

Let's go ahead and read verses 11-12..."If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me and the night shall be [the only] light about me, even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You." My soul magnifies the Lord! I will bless the Lord as long as I live! Glory and honor to His Holy, magnificent name!

I cry everytime I read this chapter, the meaning clings to my heart and surrounds me with unbridled praise. Tears of joy flow freely and wash away my anxiety. The circumstances haven't changed, but, I have been changed by the blessed controller of all things. 

For this day, the gift of the present, can we agree together the truths here? Can we cast all our burdens on the One Who cares for us? I say, "Yes!" 

Abundance is...Finding the calm in the storm


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