Disclaimer: This is NOT a political post, but the example I begin with is necessary because it's what started my thoughts going in this direction.
So, a few weeks ago I came across a post on social media; it was actually a news feed - a certain political figure was blaming our president for the coronavirus. I'm sure he spoke out of genuine concern and frustration, but he said if our president didn't do something, thousands of people would die. I actually responded to that news feed with this comment: "Trump is not God. You are looking to the wrong source." Just what do we expect him to do? Wave a magic wand and it will be all over?
After I posted this, my thoughts kept coming back to it. I started asking myself these questions: Who is my source? Who am I turning to during this outbreak? Do I expect the president and our government to stop this pandemic? Do I look to them for solutions when I should be looking to the Lord? Am I looking to the supermarket for my provisions? Am I looking to the government for my financial needs to be met? Am I looking to the stock market to keep my retirement funds secure? Am I looking to outside resources for my sustenance? WHO is my source?
I think we can all agree that this situation is totally out of anyone's control. President Trump can't stop the spread of the virus, neither can we. No scientist, no medical expert, no pastor or even a great man of God, can stop the spread. There are definitely steps that we can and should take to help prevent the spread, but we can't control it. This is something completely beyond our control. And that is what is so frustrating for people. And because of our frustration, we are pointing fingers and demanding that someone, anyone do something about it. But no one can!! We are looking to the wrong source.
I admit I have been through many conflicting emotions in the 32 days I have been in quarantine. I have been angry, worried, judgmental, in denial, wondering about the future. I have disagreed with some of the calls of government officials and in agreement with others. I understand both sides of the issue and right now I'm frustrated thinking things economically will only get worse. Even though the spread of Covid-19 is on the decline and most states are now looking to get back to a new normal, the days ahead still don't look that promising. But then, the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit brings me back to the true Source and the only Source that can give me peace. "He will keep in perfect peace, he whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee." Isaiah 26:3
When I come back to the true Source, I find peace and assurance that God IS in control. This pandemic did not take Him by surprise. I believe He is a good God, so I believe He will create good out of this bad.
If I believe that God is my Source, then I need to trust that He knows my needs and He will provide for them. In this moment in time, I have all I need. And I turn to God and say, "I don't need more at this moment, but when I do, I trust that you will provide at just that moment."
Most of us have cell phones and they come with chargers, but it takes more than just plugging the charger cord into the phone. We have to plug it into the source of electricity in order for it to be charged and usable again. It's not enough to know there's a God; it's not enough to have a charger cord; we have to use it.
Jesus expressed it this way - "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without me you can do nothing." John 15:4, 5
The charger cord cannot produce electricity unless it is plugged into the source and we cannot produce fruit unless we are plugged into our Source - the source that produces the fruit of peace in the midst of anxiety.
May we always seek from our true source. Lord, help me!
Friday, April 17, 2020
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
God's Response to Our Prayer
Do you find yourself praying more these days? I know I do. There are so many thoughts that run through my mind in any given hour. God, at times, floods my heart with Scriptures assuring me of His presence and His peace.
Yesterday I had errands to run and I found myself feeling guilty that I was outside of my house. I kept thinking the "gestapo" was going to stop me at any moment and direct me back home! This morning I got up from my nice warm bed at 6:15am so I could shop Senior Hour at my local supermarket. They open from 6-7am exclusively for Seniors and those with compromised autoimmune systems. As I was driving there, in the dark, I might add, I thought, what kind of a world do I now live in that I have to do my shopping at this time of day? How did I get here, Lord, I wondered?
I awake in the morning and wonder how I am going to fill all the hours of my day. I find myself becoming lazy and undisciplined. The less I do, the less I want to do. How can I go on for 3 more weeks? I realize how soft I've become, how accustomed I've become to the flesh-satisfying enticements of this world.
As I pray, I'm reminded to be thankful. I'm reminded of the blessings I have - a warm house to shelter in, a refrigerator and cupboards full with provision, a soft comfortable bed to lay down in at night, a TV, a cell phone and a Kindle to provide entertainment and blessed connection to those I can't be with right now. My family and I are still healthy and soldiering on. I'm reminded it could be so much worse. It could be so, so much worse!
Tonight as I was reading my nightly devotions, the Scripture reference was Psalm 18. Psalm 18 is one of my favorite Scriptures. I just wanted to share part of it with you to encourage you as it has, once again, encouraged me. I love the word picture it gives:
Ponder these words:
"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me." vs 6-19
Do you see the picture here? Do you see how God responds when we call out to Him? Do you see that God is angry at what distresses us? He fights our enemies from the heavenlies. He does battle on our behalf; He rescues us - because He delights in us!! This was such a reminder to me of the fact that He does hear and answer my prayer; He is moved into action when I call upon Him. I may not see with my eyes in that moment what He is doing, but I can know that He is responding.
Remember as you spend time in more concentrated prayer during these trying times in our nation, that your prayers are not for nought. God hears, He listens and He responds! Think of this word picture the next time you pray. Whether you are praying for personal concerns, for our government officials, for the church or for the sick in our nation and around the world, God hears and is moved by our cries for help.
Read this entire Psalm when you have time. It is such an encouragement of God's care for us, at all times. Let it inspire you to pray and spend time in His presence.
Yesterday I had errands to run and I found myself feeling guilty that I was outside of my house. I kept thinking the "gestapo" was going to stop me at any moment and direct me back home! This morning I got up from my nice warm bed at 6:15am so I could shop Senior Hour at my local supermarket. They open from 6-7am exclusively for Seniors and those with compromised autoimmune systems. As I was driving there, in the dark, I might add, I thought, what kind of a world do I now live in that I have to do my shopping at this time of day? How did I get here, Lord, I wondered?
I awake in the morning and wonder how I am going to fill all the hours of my day. I find myself becoming lazy and undisciplined. The less I do, the less I want to do. How can I go on for 3 more weeks? I realize how soft I've become, how accustomed I've become to the flesh-satisfying enticements of this world.
As I pray, I'm reminded to be thankful. I'm reminded of the blessings I have - a warm house to shelter in, a refrigerator and cupboards full with provision, a soft comfortable bed to lay down in at night, a TV, a cell phone and a Kindle to provide entertainment and blessed connection to those I can't be with right now. My family and I are still healthy and soldiering on. I'm reminded it could be so much worse. It could be so, so much worse!
Tonight as I was reading my nightly devotions, the Scripture reference was Psalm 18. Psalm 18 is one of my favorite Scriptures. I just wanted to share part of it with you to encourage you as it has, once again, encouraged me. I love the word picture it gives:
Ponder these words:
"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me." vs 6-19
Do you see the picture here? Do you see how God responds when we call out to Him? Do you see that God is angry at what distresses us? He fights our enemies from the heavenlies. He does battle on our behalf; He rescues us - because He delights in us!! This was such a reminder to me of the fact that He does hear and answer my prayer; He is moved into action when I call upon Him. I may not see with my eyes in that moment what He is doing, but I can know that He is responding.
Remember as you spend time in more concentrated prayer during these trying times in our nation, that your prayers are not for nought. God hears, He listens and He responds! Think of this word picture the next time you pray. Whether you are praying for personal concerns, for our government officials, for the church or for the sick in our nation and around the world, God hears and is moved by our cries for help.
Read this entire Psalm when you have time. It is such an encouragement of God's care for us, at all times. Let it inspire you to pray and spend time in His presence.
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
My Christmas Prayer
Dear Faithful God:
The wonder of this season sometimes escapes me. I am too familiar with this story so I often overlook so much that isn't said; so much that isn't part of "the story."
The wonder of this season sometimes escapes me. I am too familiar with this story so I often overlook so much that isn't said; so much that isn't part of "the story."
Friday, March 2, 2018
“The Confrontation We All Must Face”
I've been contemplating this a lot for the past 2 weeks. The title of this blog was taken from a message I recently heard by Billy Graham. He said, “The cross is the confrontation all of us must face…” That phrase stayed with me and I've pondered it over and over.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
One of Those Days
"I feel so discouraged and so "not enough" today! Doubting everything, hating myself, feeling so unsure and guilty!!"
Writing these words in my journal, I move to the computer to process my thoughts. Writing helps me do that.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Love - How and Who?
"In what areas of your life do you need Christ's light to dawn?"
That was the question posed to me this morning from my Advent reading*.
That was the question posed to me this morning from my Advent reading*.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Perfectly Imperfect
There is, it seems, a much greater drive to achieve "perfection" at this time of year. We want the "perfect" tree, we want to buy the "perfect" gift, we want that "perfect" family picture for the "perfect" Christmas card.
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