And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. (Luke 12:29)

My grandmother was a mighty woman of God. From as early as I can remember, she taught me the love of Jesus through the testimony of her life. However, as strong as her faith was, especially where it concerned the people she loved, grandmother was a worrier.  We used to joke lovingly that if grandmother didn’t have someone to worry about she would worry about not worrying.

As much as I like to believe my own faith is strong, there are too many times that I battle with an anxious mind.  I don’t so much worry about the basic needs of life, for surely God provides richly for all my needs, just as He has promised.  No, its the other stuff, the “wants” of life that give me an anxious mind.  Am I good enough, will people like me, will I succeed?  And, its the “what-ifs” – what if I get sick, what if the car breaks down, and so on, and so on, and so on.

I used to believe worry was a lack of faith, but I don’t think that’s necessarily so (just my opinion). I think more often it is a lack of thankfulness.  It just makes sense, if we fill our minds with gratitude, there won’t be any room for the “wants” or “what ifs”.  If we set our thoughts on all that God has done for us, on His unfailing love, then what can there be for us to be concerned about?  I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll give gratitude a try, can’t hurt.

Sandra

Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. (Psalms 36:5)

As far as the eye can see and beyond.  Higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean.  Broader than the expanse of the horizon – this is the limit of God’s mercy.  This is the measure of His faithfulness.

Can you count the times you have experienced the Lord’s mercies?  Can you even begin to name the times has He proven Himself faithful to you?  This one is easier, can you number the times He has failed you? Actually, let me answer that last question for you – never!

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Whatever you are facing today; whatever fears, uncertainty or sorrow, the Lord wants to show you that He is merciful and faithful. Let Him.

Sandra

and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3)

As I read this passage from Isaiah, my thoughts go to the words our Lord spoke (I suspect with great sorrow) in Matthew 23:37:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37)

We know from scripture that it is the Lord’s desire that all should come, yet the people still reject Him.  Just as Isaiah prophesied, Jesus came to teach and to lead and to save, yet so many continue to say “no”.  I don’t know of a single person who doesn’t have at least one loved one – family member, friend, co-worker, who are not willing, and so we pray.  Our world is in a mess and we cry “come quickly Lord”, but for the sake of those who are perishing, He waits.

As we enter the week-end and prepare ourselves for corporate worship, I invite you to join with me in prayer for revival.

“Father, by Your Holy Spirit, bring revival to the hearts of Your children.  Bring salvation to the world.  Bring the nations to the Holy Mountain of the Lord.”

Sandra

This they said to test Him, that they might have some charge to bring against Him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.  So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them… (John 8:6-7a)

Have you ever been falsely accused or had someone try to “trick” you into saying or doing something they could later use against you?  If so, how did you respond?  I will tell you how I respond –

• First, I get defensive – “That’s not what I meant”, “I didn’t do that”.
• Then, I get angry – “how dare they”, “what right do they have”.
• Sometimes, I even try to get even.  “Who do they think they are?”  “I’ll show them”.

Not Jesus.  The KJV translation gives us an even greater sense of what was going on, instead of test, it uses the word “tempt”. This account is not an isolated incident, Jesus dealt with this kind of conflict throughout His ministry.  (See Matthew 19:3, Luke 10:25, Luke 11:53, Luke 11:20). 

But, see what Jesus did?  He ignored their accusations.  He ignored their prodding.  He ignored their words.

I’ll be honest, until now, I’ve spent so much time with this verse trying to imagine what Jesus was writing that I’ve missed the whole point. But, now that I see it, I don’t know how I ever missed it – Jesus is giving us the model for handling conflict.

• First, Jesus stopped. (Jesus bent down)
• Then He reflected. (wrote with His finger on the ground)
• And then He responded. (He lifted Himself up and said to them)

Look what happens next (this is the best part) –

And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one (John 8:8-9a)

Which way do you think is better?  Jesus’ way or my way?  Silly question huh?

My way causes anger and resentment, Jesus’ way results in conviction.  My way gives way to more lies, Jesus’ way reveals truth.  My way passes judgment, Jesus’ way delivers justice.

Its hard enough to own up to what we do wrong.  Its nearly impossible to accept being falsely accused; our only hope is to ask Jesus to give us the strength to surrender it all to Him.  In such times, we must remember that God is our Defender (Psalms 18:1), He is our very present help in times of trouble (Psalms 46:1), that He will fight for us (Exodus 14:14).

We can overcome if we will pause and pray, asking the Lord’s help to keep our thoughts from becoming words and our words from becoming actions until they have been filtered through the word of God.

Sandra

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.(Proverbs 10:12)

In this proverb we see two very powerful words, two powerful emotions – hate and love.  No doubt at some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced both. A fact that may surprise you is that love and hatred share some qualities.

•Both are conditions of the heart. Neither love nor hate are temporary or responsive feelings, but rather a chronic condition.  

•Both are self-sustaining.  Each one bears fruit after its own kind.  The heart that is full of hatred has no hope of peace or joy.  It is filled with strife, discontentment, bitterness, anger.  In other words the woman whose heart is filled hate with will be miserable, and so will everyone around her.

From the heart of love flows contentment, promise, peace, humility.  It is the heart of that quiet, gentle spirit that Proverbs 31 talks about.This is the heart of the woman who brings light into the lives of all who have the pleasure of being in her presence.

•Both are self justifying.  Each one turns to its source for strength. Hate abides in  darkness.  It makes excuses for its existence.  Hate lives in a constant state of denial and refuses to accept responsibility for its condition.

The heart filled with love lives in the light.  It seeks out joy, is full of hope, finds fulfillment in serving others.  This is the heart that embraces truth, knowing that only the love of Christ can keep it strong.

As we begin a new week, might this be a good time for a heart check-a self examination?  As the proverb teaches, love and hate can not co-exist, one will always overtake the other.  The choice of which will win is our own. If we ask Him, Jesus, our Great Physician, will remove any hardness from our hearts and and give us a new, healthy heart of love.  And that dear ones, is a very good thing!

Sandra

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! (Psalms 107:21)

Complain.  Complain.  Complain.

Who doesn’t love a good pity party?  But, I have to admit, sometimes I get on my own nerves from all my complaining.

For just a few moments, let’s lay aside our complaints and think about some things we have to be thankful for.  I’ll go first.

Lord, thank You –

• You saved my soul.
• You gave me you word to guide and encourage me on the way.
• You meet my every need – physical, emotional, spiritual.
• You hear my prayers – my prayers for others as well as their prayers for me.
• You receive me into your presence – to worship, to praise, even to hear my complaints.
• You have filled my life with family and friends who love and care for me .
• You give me strength for the demands of life.

I offer this brief list fully understanding how inadequate it is.  There is not enough space on the world wide web nor enough time in eternity to name all the ways the Lord has blessed me.  No list can ever be complete, for God’s mercies are new every morning.

I love to quote my parents; after all these years I have finally come to see how wise they were.  Growing up, when one of us kids wanted to complain, (yes, my complaining goes way back), Daddy would say “no matter how bad off you think you are, you can always find someone who is worse off than you”. But, it is God Himself who gives us the true antidote to our complaining nature – it is a daily dose of thankfulness.  The cure for complaining is day-in and day-out giving praise to God for His steadfast love and wondrous works.

Your turn.

Sandra

When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. (Psalms 94:18-19)

We have all had that one “most embarrassing moment”. As for myself, I’ve have had several in my lifetime.  There is one in particular that came to mind as I read this passage. I was at work, sleet had just started to fall and I walked outside, (for what reason I can’t recall).  No problem.  The problem came when I tried to go back into the building.  The walkway was slightly inclined and during the minutes since I had gone outside, unknown to me, it had become a sheet of ice.  As I stepped on the walk, my arms and legs went in many directions and I found myself laid out flat!  Well, the harder I tried to get up, the more I slipped.  I even tried crawling but that was no good either.  Finally, with great humility, I called out for help, but no one came.  I don’t know to this day if my co-workers didn’t hear me or if they were just enjoying the show too much to see it end (I suspect it was the later as I can only imagine the sight).  After much effort, I managed to maneuver myself to the grassy area next to the walkway, stretch or crawl (again my remembrance is a little cloudy) and finally get to the covered stoop and back inside the building.  Neither myself nor my co-workers ever mentioned the event – thankfully.

Ever feel like you’re on slippery ground?  We’re all vulnerable.  Just like that icy walk, slippery times can come upon us quickly and seemingly without warning.  We hit the ice and flail about trying to regain our footing knowing that a fall is about to come and knowing that we are completely unable to prevent it.

But God is able.

God will hold you up.  You don’t have to hit the ground hard, and you don’t have to wait upon the mercy of others; you can count on the mercy of GOD!

God will cheer you up.  I just love this part, its something I’ve never thought about.  When it gets too hard, not only does God hold you up, He cheers you up!!!!  He reminds you of His goodness, His grace and His mercy.

In those hours of sleepless nights, you can lean on His promises.  You can be assured, in the deepest recesses of your heart, that God is faithful to His word.  In every situation, you can turn to Him and He will console you.

If you believe these words, tell the LORD, and give Him a praise offering.  He is worthy.

Sandra