I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a patient person…I’m a mover, so if I have to stop to wait for something, I get anxious. My mind goes into warp-drive, thinking of all the things I could be doing, besides just waiting. But it’s usually then that the Lord will cause me to take the focus off myself and onto something or someone around me. What would be the good pleasure of God at this moment? Thanking Him for the beauty surrounding me…speaking encouragement into the person nearby…praying for my family…all are things that change my attitude from that of impatience to calm endurance. As James said, “Blessed are they that persevere.”
Tag: spirituality
Romans 8: 6 “…But the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Many years ago during the very darkest point in my life, I was in counseling with a very kind and wise Christian pastor. After months of struggling with the trauma caused by someone else, and their resistance to take responsibility for the pain inflicted…I felt overwhelmed and lost. This wise pastor said one simple thing that has stayed with me for decades. He said, ” You can be responsible to someone, but not for them.” We can’t be accountable for the actions of others…and if they are on a self-destructive path, there’s a limit to what we can do. The Lord wants us to live in peace, and sometimes that means giving that person to the Lord, and letting them remain there at the Cross as we back away.
Philippians 4:6-7 ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 minds in Christ Jesus.”
When I start to worry and fret over something, the Lord will interrupt my little party with…”Have you prayed about this?” Then He’ll ask, ” What is the best thing you can do about it?” This will abruptly take my focus off me and put it where it needs to be. By giving the burden to the Lord in prayer, I can then gain calming understanding and discernment over the matter…and with peace and a clear head, I can look at this thing that’s been causing so much anxiety within me and view it much more objectively. Sometimes, the best thing I can do is just pray…but there are times when the Lord will open my eyes to an opportunity where I can make a difference.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”
There are times in our lives when we feel totally powerless…defenseless, helpless, and weak. Many times the situation hinges on someone else, and has nothing to do with us…but that doesn’t make the feelings any less overwhelming. The scripture wants to show that the power of God Almighty Himself is alive and well inside of us, and all we need to do is grasp this vision….and suddenly that feeling of powerlessness will be changed into strength and authority. The situation may not change…but your view of it will.
Exodus 4:13 ” But Moses said, ‘ O Lord, please send someone else to do it.’ “
This was the fifth time Moses had balked when the Lord called him to lead the Jewish people. Each time God called, Moses used every excuse in the book of why he couldn’t. We do the same thing…God calls and we make excuses of why we can’t. But God didn’t ask Moses to do anything other than be obedient…and He does the same of you. God will equip and enable you with everything you need to accomplish the task He has called you to. The next time God tells you to do something, don’t start objecting…just say “Yes”.
Matthew 5:8 ” Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
To be pure in heart means that every motive, desire, and thought is conformed around what the Lord would want of us. It means that our hearts would be free of the pollution and guilt of sin, and our hands clean. And in that bright and radiant state of holiness…we would then see His beloved face and live forever in His presence.
Joshua 1:9 ” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
There are so many times that I think I hear God, but it’s quickly drowned out by doubts and fears that swirl around in my head, and the enemy’s voice whispering in my ear…”You can’t possible think you can do that!” But it’s at that potentially demoralizing time that I take stock in what the Lord has done in and through me in the past. I remember that He has never, ever left me…and never will. Finally, I remember that if I am obedient to Him…I have absolutely no need to fear anyone or anything…ever.
II John verse 6 ” And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands.”
First Service of Church had just gotten over as I made my way down to the area where we usually sat. Turning into the pew I was confronted by this huge biker…complete with black leather, tattoos, piercings and long ponytail. My first startling impression was,” WOW! You must really feel out of place in this square box Church.” He smiled and held out his hand, “Hi!”. We shook hands and started chatting, and as my husband came up behind me he heard me invite this stranger home to share Sunday Dinner. Now I must tell you that it was wholly the Holy Spirit speaking through me, because in my flesh I would never invite a perfect stranger into my home…but what followed was a miracle. For the next few years this man would eat at our home every Thursday evening. Yes, he had lots of rough edges, and his past was quite checkered…from pimping, to prison time for murder, to riding with a well-known biker gang. But despite it all, the Lord had gotten ahold of him, and he was trying to make a new start. Every Thursday night Landy and I would encourage, mentor, and affirm what the Lord was doing in his life…We watered the seed and watched God grow it. Years later, he called us to come and see him installed as pastor of a biker church in town. It was truly a blessing to see what God had done in his life.
Hebrews 12:10-11 ” Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
When they handed me that little bundle of joy in the hospital, I sure wish they’d given me a operator’s manual too! Suddenly you’re responsible for a tiny human’s moral and spiritual nurturing and training. What a huge task to undertake, but with lots of prayer and Godly wisdom from others you do the very best you can. Discipline is hard on both parties…those receiving, as well as those giving, but in the end if that little one has grown up to be an upright, just, and Godly person, it’s all worth it.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 ” And I saw all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Keeping up with the Joneses is certainly not a new thing. Even back in Biblical times people were striving to match or outdo their neighbors in spending and social standing. But this verse looks way beyond the petty jealousy and covetousness to how very difficult it is to maintain that façade and false pretense. It’s like chasing after the wind…useless and meaningless, and laborious to maintain.
Safetypinlove 