COMFORT ABOUNDS

 

JUNE 1, 2023

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

When you consider situations that you and I may find ourselves in that we simply feel we cannot handle, today’s passage gives great insight. 

First it tells us that God comforts us in all our troubles. Now that is good news, isn’t it. Then the passage goes further to say that there is an awesome outcome from our troubled places. It is this that from our receiving God’s comfort, we can then comfort others who are going through the same kind, or similar troubles. “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

What is your deepest hurt, trouble, or obstacle?

And how has God helped you through that?

I have always found such encouragement in these words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. That in my most difficult struggles, God’s comfort is mine, but also that through my experiences of trouble and God’s comfort, God uses that in my life to be a blessing to others who are struggling in life. This is a great honor. 

Today let us consider the following:

Is it possible that there is someone going through something similar to what you have, that you can encourage?

Sometimes, in trying circumstances we feel alone in our suffering. Just knowing that someone has been there and survived can be of great hope and encouragement.

God may very well want to use your suffering to help another through their suffering.

May our response be “Here I AM, Lord …. Send me, Use me.”

The hymn writer captures this well,

I Will Hold The Christ Light For You
In The Night-Time Of Your Fear
I Will Hold My Hand Out To You
Speak The Peace You Long To Hear

Amen

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

 

MAY 31, 2023

Psalm 18:29 

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

Have you ever faced what seemed to be an impassable barrier in your life? One where there seemed to be no way over, under, around or through?

One of the supreme rewards of following our God, who is the Supreme Ruler over all,  is that there is nothing that our God can not do.

Nothing.  Absolutely Nothing.

Perhaps you recall the worship song that goes

Ah, Lord God, Thou has made the heavens

And the earth by thy great power

Ah, Lord God, Thou has made the heavens

And the earth by Thine out - stretched arm

 

Nothing is too difficult for Thee

Nothing is too difficult for Thee

Great and mighty God

Great in counsel and mighty in deed

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing

Nothing is too difficult for Thee

 

Believe that Today and give thanks.

 

If you’re feeling a bit defeated these days in one way or another, perhaps it’s time to stop doing it alone and advance with God.

 

What obstacle(s) are you currently facing that you need to invite God to help you scale?

THE LORD OUR STRENGTH

 

MAY 30, 2023

Psalm 18:1-6, 16-19 

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears…He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.



I do not know how you feel after reading those words above, but for me they describe my experiences and walk with the our Gracious God.

 Psalm 18 has some powerful imagery of what the “slippery slope” that difficulties in life can drag us into. When we face hard times and what seems like defeat. If you have ever been weighed down by the tragedies of life, you know exactly how this feels. I suspect the words of today's Bible reading resonated in your spirit. What were your times when you felt “The cords of death entangled; the torrents of destruction overwhelm. The cords of the grave coiled around you; the snares of death confronted you?”

If you do not fined these words relatable and you haven’t experienced these kinds of spaces in your life, keep this Psalm in mind, for one day you may very well find yourself blindsided by extreme adversity.

Please notice what the Psalmist is saying here, that in such overwhelming times, we need to remember that God delights in us, and that our Maker will be our strength when our strength is gone. When life is beyond what you can handle, this is the moment that God breaks in, and with the Psalmist we say: “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. . . . He “reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. The Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place.” That is when and where the real living begins.

Cry out to Him and allow the one "who rejoices over you with singing"(Zephaniah 3:17), to be your Strength, your Rock, your Fortress, your Deliverer.

 

GOD WON'T GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE (?)

 

MAY 29, 2023

 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

 

Recently I heard in a conversation the following “God won’t give you any more than you can handle."  Have you ever said that?  Had that spoken to you? In my reflection on that phrase, I find that while it is a comforting thought, it may not be exactly true. That’s what we’ll look at and think about this week in our daily devotions.

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul is precisely making that point to the church at Corinth. He describes great pressures and troubles “far beyond our ability to endure." Even going so far to say that they “despaired of life itself," Paul is forthright about the severity of these trials. Doesn’t exactly sound like something they could handle. Does it to you?

The point that Paul is making is clear when he shares what he believes to be the purpose: “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (vs. 9). What if God DOES give us more than we can handle so that we must rely on Him? 

In verse 10 Paul speaks of God delivering them “as you help us by your prayers.”  He shows their dependence not only on God, but on the prayers of the community of believers, interceding on their behalf. The point that strikes me is the Bible message seems to be we need others.

I genuinely hope this encourages you in the midst of challenging places in your life. The bible’s message to us is that we can’t handle it alone. Maybe we just need to repeat these words I saw recently on a post, “I can’t, God can, I think I’ll let Him.” When the pressure’s on, I invite you to surrender that which is “far beyond your ability to endure” to His gracious provision. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles …” Amen.

 

SOWING and REAPING

 

MAY 26, 2023

Luke 6:38

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

 

Galatians 6:7

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

 

 

O divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

 

Luke, a follower of Jesus writes, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

There are moments in our life, see if you agree, when your agenda is interrupted by a family member or friend who is having a difficult time. Perhaps you are not having the easiest of time either, you are tired, your energy is low. Yet, you let go of your needs and offer yourself to this person. It is a time for consoling. It is a time for understanding them. It is a time to offer love. While you perhaps did not welcome, initially at least, the interruption. You offered what the person needed, to be consoled, to have an experience of being understood, to be in a space where love abounded.

This whole line of the prayer from St. Francis can be linked to the above passage in Luke 6:38 regarding sowing and reaping. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Galatians 6:7 says, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”

I find myself as I write this, bothered by the question “What are you planting, and what are you reaping in your life right now Darrell?”

Take a moment and think about what you are sowing and reaping in your life as well.

It might help to ask the following,

Do you find people are understanding toward you? 

Do you find people are consoling you? 

Do you find people loving toward you?

If they are, you are reaping the benefits of these scriptures. You are receiving the fruit from the seeds you have been sowing.

“The amount you give 

will determine the amount you get back.”

 

 

BE the HOPE, LIGHT, and JOY

 

MAY 25, 2023

Matthew 5:14 

You are the light of the world.

 

Matthew 5:16 

... let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

 1 Corinthians 13:13 

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

 

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

 

Nick Vujcic was born without any limbs. That’s right, no arms or legs. When you see him today, he is a powerful and influential communicator. Nick, travels the world speaking and inspiring people of all ages. 

However, it wasn’t all perfect for Nick. As a kid, as you can well imagine, he was blatantly bullied to the point of complete depression. It was a lonely existence for a child with no limbs, being different made it hard to make friends.  The harsh bullying resulted in Nick at the age of 10, attempting death by suicide. Nick felt he could not take anymore of the abuse of the bullies. He no longer wanted to be a burden to his parents. As he attempted to drown himself, an image and thought came into his mind. The image was of his parents and brother visiting him at his grave.

Nick was interrupted by the thought that the only thing worse for his parents to endure besides a child with no limbs was a child with no limbs “who gave up.” It was a life altering moment in which Nick Vujcic was reminded of his parents love. Nick heard the reminders from his parents, “Nick, you are perfect the way you are. Nick, you are beautiful the way you are. Nick, you are special. Nick, you are loved.”

It was this hope that brought Nick out of his dark depression and gave light and joy to his life.

Thinking about Nick’s story and the love of God present in his parents words and actions, I read the line of St. Francis’ prayer, where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

The hope, light, and love sowed into his life from his parents have been an incredible message for many people around the world. Nick has become a much in demand speaker because of his message of hope, a message that echoes his parents words to him, “you are perfect the way you are. You are beautiful the way you are. You are special. You are loved.”

 

Nick Vujcic’s story causes me to do some real soul searching, maybe it does you too.

I think about my life, and wonder about the seeds I am sowing into others lives each day.

This triggered these questions that I asked myself and now I ask you.

Is there hope you need to sow into someone today?

Is there a light you need to share with someone who is a dark lonely place?

Is there joy you need to share with those around you?

In other words:

What is the Spirit saying to you today? 

Where is He leading you to?

Scripture and the Prayer of St Francis call us, and challenge us to sow hope amidst despair, light in the darkness, and joy where there is sadness.

You are here for a reason and purpose. You matter. You are loved. You are special.

 

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

HERE IS A CLIP with

A LITTLE EXAMPLE OF

Nick Vujcic's message

 

DEMONSTRATING the RULE of LOVE

 

MAY 24, 2023

Luke 6:38 

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Matthew 6:12 

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

1 Peter 4:8

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

where there is injury, pardon (forgive);

where there is doubt, faith;

Some of Jesus’ final hours were spent in the garden praying. You will recall that while he was praying, a Roman regiment of soldiers arrived, along with some Pharisees and his disciple, Judas Iscariot. This was to be the moment Jesus was betrayed. After Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, Peter takes out his sword to fight. My take on this is that Peter was wanting to inflict some heavy damage on someone, perhaps kill someone in the regiment. But he misses and takes off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. (see John 18:10-11)

In these emotionally charged moment, notice what Jesus does. Jesus delivers love in the form of healing Malchus’ ear. It was as if there was too much hatred, anger, violence brewing around him. The rule of love had to demonstrated.

I wonder what you do when you feel you are in the midst of hatred?

When was the last time you observed someone sharing love amid hate?

Was there a time in your life when you delivered love?

Was there a time when you were the one delivering hate?


The next line of St Francis’ prayers says,

where there is injury, pardon (forgive);

The picture of Christ on the cross is a cruel one. He was killed in front of crowds of people and nailed to the cross. While he was bleeding out and near suffocation, he looked to heaven and said, “forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

When you read the line in Francis’ prayer, “where there is injury, pardon (forgive),” what does it speak to you?

Can you remember a moment in your life when you sowed forgiveness amid pain?

Is there a moment when you watched a friend, family member, or stranger sow forgiveness amid pain?

Take time to consider what this would look like in your life today.


In the final line of St. Francis’ prayer for today, he writes,

where there is doubt, faith;

 Have you ever had a moment when someone put faith in you?

What did it do for you?

What did it feel like?

Have you ever been the one to put faith in another?

Do you remember what that felt like?


I believe the challenge that St. Francis left to all of us, is this:

Who can you sow love toward today?
Who can you forgive?
Who can you put faith into?


“Give and you shall receive, good measure, pressed down and running over.” Luke 6:38

Perhaps you do not know much about St. Francis of Assisi, below is a short clip that introduces his beautiful story.

INSTRUMENT of PEACE

 

MAY 23, 2023

Isaiah 26:3

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

The life of St. Francis of Assisi is an outstanding story. It’s a story of a life lived marked by love and sacrifice. His was a life led by the Holy Spirit. Reflecting on Francis’ life will lead you to a deeper love for God’s Spirit and for God’s creation.

I invite you to open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to create a sacred space for God to speak his word and peace into your spirit today.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace

Musician and recording artist Eric Clapton is known as one of the greatest guitar players ever. It was said Eric not only learned the guitar on his own but logged between 3-8 hours a day of practice. He became one of the greats with his instrument through consistency and dedication to it.

With Eric Clapton in your mind, let’s turn to the scriptures and see what they have to say about becoming an instrument of peace.

In 1 Samuel 16:23, it says, “And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So, Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.”

David was not only proficient with his instrument, but he became what St. Francis writes about in his prayer, an instrument of peace to Saul.

 

I wonder, when you read, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” what comes to mind for you?

What does an instrument of peace look like to you?

What might this instrument sound like?

Have you encountered someone who was an instrument of peace to you?

 

If you want to become great at something, with an instrument for example, practice and focus must be part of your routine. Eric Clapton is an example of this. It seems to me that the same drive and focus is required if we want to become an instrument of peace.

Scriptures tell us in Isaiah 26:3, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Don’t just wish for peace, hope for peace, claim the promise that God makes to us in the Bible, and through the Spirit's help, guidance, and strength, become an instrument of peace so you can overflow with God’s peace and extend that peace to others.

CREATION CALLS

 May 19, 2023

Psalm 147:8-9, 15-18

He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry... He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.

Well, the May long weekend is upon us. Generally, on this weekend we begin our season of getting out into God’s creation by camping, hiking, hanging out with family, and friends. We drag the BBQ out, fire it up with burgers or sausages or chicken, steaks maybe even some grilled veggie sides.

Encountering God’s creation is good for us, good for our spirits, good for our relationships.

Song writer Brian Doerksen in his song Creation Calls sings the following lines:

How could I say there is no God
When all around creation calls
A singing bird, a mighty tree
The vast expanse of open sea
Gazing at a bird in flight
Soaring through the air
Lying down beneath the stars
I feel Your presence there

Don’t you find yourself in awe of the beauty and splendor of God's creation! As Doerksen notes in his lyrics, there are signs everywhere in creation that there is a God. All of creation proclaims God's glory, and every season has its own beauty.

When we look up into the night sky and gaze at the millions of stars, there is the glory of God revealed.

Psalm 19:1-2

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 

When we watch the sun set or rise, there is the glory of God.

When we see signs of new life in our gardens in the spring and marvel as the grass turns green and the trees grow leaves again, there is the glory of God.

When we hear the birds singing and observe the beauty of each and every one, there is the glory of God.

All of creation reveals the glory of God!

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, ….”

LET US PRAY

God, we thank You for creating such a beautiful world for us to enjoy. All of Your creation is amazing. May we have eyes to see the wonder and majesty of all that You have created. May we take the time to enjoy Your creation every day. May everyone see Your glory as they look at Your creation, and may they know, without a doubt, that there is a God. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.


Over this long weekend I want to invite you to:

1. Take some time to go out in God’s creation. (leave your phone at home, or turn it off for a time)


2. Ask God what he wants to tell you through his creation. Let "the gardener" speak in whatever way he desires. (WARNING: for this to happen you may have to be still)

NEVER ALONE

 

May 18, 2023

Read these words below and consider what must have been occurring in the life situation, and mind of the author.

I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the LORD’s wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light ... He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains. Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. ... I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.” I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

Let me ask, have you ever felt like this? In what ways can you relate to the words above.

I venture to say most of us have had such moments in our lives that these words describe quite accurately what we felt and thought during a hard place.

Perhaps you recognize those words above, they are from Jeremiah the Prophet that are recorded in Lamentations 3:1-2, 5-8, 17-20. They reveal to us a profound reminder that faithful God followers do sometimes face the darkest of seasons in their lives. There are many examples in our Bible of this. So, if anyone says to you, that a child of God, a faithful follower of Christ should not feel this way. Point them to Jeremiah, or David, perhaps Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane too. You see Jeremiah is just one of the many individuals in Scripture that we have been given a glimpse into their struggle with depression or really dark moments.

What a gift this is when you’re facing your own battle.

Here this truth: You are not alone. That makes a difference doesn’t it?

Jeremiah has more to say to us here.

In Lamentations 3:19-26 he goes on with these words,

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Do you here this? Underneath the shakiness of his emotions is a deep and abiding trust in God’s love and compassion. Jeremiah is deep in distress, yet he is aware that he is not alone. God is with him. God loves him and brings him hope. Jeremiah trusts in the goodness of God, despite where he finds himself at that moment.

In the Prophet Jeremiah’s words, we see the following:

• You can still have hope despite your downcast soul.
• God’s great love is certain.
• God’s compassion never fails.
• He has fresh compassion for you each day.
• God’s faithfulness is great.
• The Lord is your provision.
• The Lord is good to those who hope in Him, who seek Him.
• During your distress, darkest place, or depression, it is good to wait for God.

Those are some very powerful take aways from today’s reading.


Which of these truths do you most need to internalize today?

INTERMISSION

 

MAY 17, 2023

GENESIS 2:4-9

 

4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

JOHN 15:1-8

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Genesis 2, says that God “planted a garden in Eden to the east.” God, the gardener. Here is one of the first passages in the Bible where we are introduced to who God is, and God is not a warrior or a judge or even a sovereign king/ruler, but first, a gardener, a nurturer of life, protector and planter, a designer, keeper, and pruner concerned with life’s flourishing.

Have you considered what it might mean to you to recognize God as a gardener?

When I survey this vast world, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars and all that you have established, what are mortals that you are mindful of us, human beings in whatever state of despair or joy or smallness that you care for us with the loving eye of a gardener? (based on Psalm 8)

For me, God as gardener, reveals a creator whose deepest concern is life’s flourishing.

You see this little intermission in our devotions that have talked so much about hard places, anxiety, mental struggles, dark places, is meant for all of us to turn our eyes to our creator and recognize that in our journey, whatever messy stuff there may be, God cares for you and me, like a gardener cares for those precious seeds and plants that produce beauty and the food we so enjoy. The deep desire for flourishing.

What sort of response stirs in your heart when you think of God carefully tending to you as a gardener would tend to his plants?

I Invite you to offer this prayer today as you consider God’s gardening work in your life.

Creator God, garden my life — turn it over, cultivate it, and make it ready for gospel seeds to take root. And in quiet darkness let the gospel do its work, slow but powerful, stirring up life in my heart, increasing joy, strengthening all your graces until shoots of new life rise and good fruit bursts forth on the branches of my life, a life beautiful for you and a blessing to others. Amen.

IS SOMETHING MISSING?

 

May 16, 2023

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

These are great words above, aren’t they? Imagine living and walking a life path of the untroubled heart and without fear. Count me in on that kind of journey!!

Jesus’ words here are filled with promise. Promise of His peace, emphasis on the HIS part. When we think about these words of promise, we must acknowledge that what is promised is the extreme opposite of a troubled heart, weighed down by fear and anxiety. Truth is, we spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to live with anxiety, to combat anxiety, to medicate anxiety, to alleviate it. There are many helpful practices and medications that have been life saving for many people. Breathing exercises, grounding exercises, just exercise, Yoga, to talk therapy, group therapy, all these are tremendously helpful.

In my own journey it occurred to me that I needed a different approach. Instead of trying to somehow control or escape anxious thoughts, I discovered I needed an approach that would lead me to pursue God’s peace. Peace was the one thing I did not have.

What if anxiety or troubled hearts is simply the outcome of the absence of God’s peace? Much like darkness is simply the absence of light. What if when God’s peace floods our spirits, there is no room left for our hearts to be troubled and filled with fear.

What if God’s Peace dispels anxiety, worry, fear, and paralyzing thoughts?

I guess what I am saying is, that I wonder if rather than focusing on the elimination of anxiety and all the associated thoughts, we were to rather concentrate on pursuing God’s peace, what difference might that make in our lives?

How might we pursue God’s Peace? Here are some suggestions

Trust God. Begins with faith
Pray. Trade anxious thoughts for God's peace.
Read God’s Word. Receive God's comfort.
Be grateful. 
Develop Right Thinking (see Philippians 4:8)
Obedience. Follow God's guidance.

I recognize these disciplines are not always easy to do, but remember that we have the Holy Spirit dwelling with us, empowering us, guiding us, helping us, to live God’s best each day.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”                                     

Romans 15:13

SHOW ME THE WAY

 

May 15, 2023

Ecclesiastes 2:22-23

What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.


Solomon, who was known for his great wisdom, concludes that so much of the toil and anxious striving that we put ourselves through is meaningless. The striving that keeps us awake at night. The striving which often brings us grief and pain.

So why do we do it? Why do we suffer so through the pressures of this life?

Jesus offers us an alternative. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

Isn’t that beautiful? Jesus invites us, and lays before us the possibility of a life without the debilitating weight of worry, fear, uncertainty, and anxiety that so many of us carry. Go Back and read those words from Matthew 11:28-30 again. What if that were the reality of our days, to live freely and lightly?

I want to be clear that it’s not an easy fix to walk with Jesus in this way. Walking with Jesus is counter-cultural, it’s going against the flow of what’s “normal” in our culture, it’s a narrow road as the Gospel tells us. But it is a road that leads to an abundant life with meaning. Purpose. Peace. Sounds like a worthwhile payoff to me.

Let us continue, or start today, to walk with Jesus, with our minds, hearts, and eyes focused on him. These steps begin with a prayer of surrender, a prayer that says I want to let go, and let God have his way.

LET US PRAY

God, I surrender to you, and your tender care  my body, my mind, my soul, and my whole life by relinquishing worry over things I cannot control. Amen

“In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.”

Psalm 16

 

THE SAME GOD

 

MAY 12, 2023

2 Chronicles 20:1-12

After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’

“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

15, 17 Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.



I wonder if you have ever found yourself in such a place that you had no idea what you were going to do?

Jehoshaphat and the Judeans over which he was king found themselves in a very uncertain situation, a situation which filled them with great fear and anxiety. Now that’s an understatement eh. A vast army had come against them, undoubtedly one too powerful for them to withstand. We read “we have no power to face this vast army.” King and people admit they do not have the answer to this impending national and political disaster. Can you imagine a political leader today in the face of such impending crisis saying, “we don’t know what to do”? Well, in our reading today that’s what King Jehoshaphat confessed, but wait, did you notice that they knew where to go for help.

Today’s passage tells us they came from every town in Judah to Jerusalem to seek God.

They humbled themselves in prayer, called out in distress, and acknowledged through praise God’s power and His ability to conquer their enemy. And the Lord answered, “the battle is not yours, but God’s. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord with be with you.”

There is a message here for us from this account of Judah’s history. We end our week of reflections with this reminder: The same God that rescued them from the vast army will release us. So, lets seek Him with all our heart and acknowledge Him as our Lord, the One who is able to conquer our enemies. Even the enemy from within.

I invite you listen to the song below called “Same God” and be encouraged today.

THE CONSOLATION THAT BRINGS JOY

 

MAY 11, 2023

Psalm 94:19

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.




Anxiety is a joy robber. It extracts every ounce of delight and pleasure from our lives. It can come suddenly out of nowhere and initiate what would have been a happy day or experience to be “dashed against the rocks.”

Take notice what today’s passage says. God’s consolation can bring us joy. When we allow the God of the universe to console and comfort us, we can return to joy. I know, I know, that at times, this may seem impossible when we are in the place where fear and anxiety take over. Please, let me remind you what Jesus said, and the Bible teaches that with God, all things are possible. ALL THINGS!!

Here is the problem we encounter, the Bible talks about one “who is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”, that is the enemy (Satan). You see our soul’s enemy wants to use anxiety (fear) in our life to pull us away from others and from God. Just like any predatory animal will do when they are on the hunt. Haven’t you seen those videos where the predator seeks to separate his victim from the safety and security of the pack. Have you ever noticed how fear and anxiety does that? It separates you from God and from others, a community who might be able to help you. Anxiety and the fears and thoughts that go with it drags us into a place of hopelessness.

That’s why it’s so important to understand God’s comfort and consolation, an experience of interior joy, consisting in the knowledge that God’s presence is with you. God, more than any other, has the remedy for that which troubles your soul. It is God who ultimately eases our sorrows.

Will you let Him provide the comfort and consolation you need?



Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

IN EVERY SITUATION

 

May 10, 2023

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Jesus followers in the first-century church had a great deal to be anxious about. While it was true that following Jesus was joyful and brought great freedom spiritually. There was also persecution and threats, even death for some followers of “the way.” It was a very tense period to be a Christian.

It is in such hostile circumstances that the apostle Paul encourages his fellow believers in Philippi with a promise from God that when you submit your anxiety to Him, He brings peace.

Paul, perhaps more than anyone, knew this peace. The peace that rose above every hardship, every difficulty. He would write later to the church in Corinth: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Paul knew that God's peace was not dependent on any circumstance, but could be present even in the most extreme of situations.

“In every situation”, Paul says, bring your requests to God. There is nothing too small for you to pray about, and bring to God. 

Whatever the source of your anxiety (typically rooted in fear), God is greater. It should be stated that it may take time and concerted effort for you to learn to bring your anxiety to Him, but I want you to know, it is worth every effort in order to experience His lasting peace.

STORIES OF HOPE

 

MAY 9, 2023

Job 11:17–19

“And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. “

 

One of the strategies for coping with Anxiety is to develop grounding techniques. Grounding techniques are strategies that can help a person manage their moments of intense anxiety that are triggered by memories or strong emotional experiences. Examples include breathing exercises and focusing on the five senses. For Example: 

·         Acknowledge FIVE things you see around you. 

·         Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch around        you. 

·         Acknowledge THREE things you hear. 

·         Acknowledge TWO things you can smell.

·         Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste.

 

As someone who knows anxiety episodes, I have found these breathing and focus exercises very helpful. Yet, the one practice that I found grounded me and helped me step away from negative thoughts and memories the most  was the Bible.

Often, we think we are alone in our suffering. I believe we know that not to be true, that the reality is the opposite. We are not the only ones. Still there is a loneliness attached to mental suffering, anxiety and fear.

The Bible helps us remember that Christ shares in our suffering, I believe Psalm 23, and the Easter stories bear this out for us. The Bible also reveals to us the many people in Scripture who suffered strong anxiety, overwhelming fear and even what we call today depression. These women and men of scripture persevered, even in dark moments. Their faith carried them when their strength could not. I have found their stories comforting, and today I have selected several of them to offer you hope.

Pick a couple of these passages to read today, asking God before you begin to read, to reveal his promise and hope to you through these “Ancient Words.”

** Click the colored text below**

·         Martha (Luke 10:40-42)

·         Jesus (John 11:32-35)

·         Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:46-48)

·         Jesus (Matthew 26:36-46)

·         Peter (Matthew 26:70-75)

·         Servant of the Prophet Elisha (2 Kings 6:11-17)

·         Jonah (Jonah 4)

·         Job (Job 3:2-11)

·         Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:15-18)

·         Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:1-3)

·         King David (2 Samuel 19:1)

·         Elijah (1 Kings 19:3-4)

·        Mordecai and Esther (Esther 4:1-4)

·        Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 1:8-17)