Silence

There are times when we pray and pray and pray and we hear nothing.  No yeses, no noes, no waits....just nothing.  No definitive signs one way or the other, no steps to take, no desire or nudging to cease praying....just silence.  It can be very frustrating and discouraging.  Sometimes I begin to feel as if God isn't even listening to me, as if my prayers bang against a steel ceiling and fall back to earth, un-received and unheard.  But I know that is not true.  He always listens and He is always with me.  The Bible promises! 

What do we do then?  Where do we go with our prayers, our hopes?  As I was praying again for a solution to my situation (I'm really starting to have a hard time with my job, physically it's becoming more and more difficult, but I'm not in a position to leave or retire), the only thing that rose up in me was the parable of the persistent widow.    

Luke 18:1-8   One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”  6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

So there was my answer.  "Keep praying."  This is where that "active faith" comes in.   Praying, believing and trusting, never doubting God's plan even though we are not hearing answers, the road is long and difficult and heaven seems to be closed to our prayers.   

This morning I woke up with Mercy Me's song "Even If" in my head.  And as I sit and listen to it now, the tears flow freely, but hope and faith rise in my heart.  He is faithful and He is good.  It is truly well with my soul.  I may not see answers, or solutions, I may not even get the answers I want.  I may feel unheard, but I'm not.   And neither are you whatever your circumstance, whatever you are facing.  God hears, God loves and God has the best plan.  Our job is persistent  prayer and  persevering  faith.  

"Jesus,. I will cling to You come what may."  This is my cry.  Lord, You are good.  I trust You.  I know You have good plans for me.  Thank You that You answer and work things out in just the perfect time.  And thank You for growing my faith.  

Spend time praising and thanking the Lord for unanswered prayer, actively give Him your trust. 

Examine Yourself

1 Corinthians 11:23-30  For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.  27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.

Sunday morning, as I stood listening to the communion meditation, conviction grew in my heart.  I had been judging someone without knowing their heart. I was playing "God."  I needed to repent, and fast!  

An individual has recently come into my life that has caused me to be somewhat uncomfortable.  Certain things they do and say have left a disquiet in my soul.  Now, I believe instincts and discernment are given by the Holy Spirit to warn us and prepare us to be watchful, but judging is NOT a part of that gifting.  And I was judging.  Over the last couple of weeks I had been thinking ill thoughts toward this person, wondering when and if I was going to be confronting and what I would say and should I tell another my concerns.....

So I stood at the communion table convicted by the Holy Spirit.  I was led to ask forgiveness for my attitude and given the instructions to pray for this person.  I distinctly felt the Lord "say" to me, "You do not know this person's heart.  Pray for them."    It's funny, in that Sunday morning's Bible study we were just discussing what the Holy Spirit's leading looks like.  We are in the book of Acts and as we have seen in that book, the Holy Spirit was very active in His guiding the apostles and the early church. 

 

This was a very strong and enlightening moment for me.  I don't know a person's heart, what has gone on in their life, what their story is or what brought them to the place they are.  Only God knows all those things.  My job is to share the love of Jesus.  That's it.  Are there sometimes boundaries we need to set for safety or propriety?  Yes.  But even that can be done in kindness without judging and condemning.   I'm always so grateful for these God visits!  

Thank You Lord for teaching me again.  I have so much to learn!  Help me change my heart towards others in my world, so that instead of be judge and jury, I become their prayer warrior and great encourager.  Lead me in ways to lift up, not harm.  Lord, let us all be looking for ways to help instead of ways to condemn.  And thank You for the forgiveness that is so readily available whenever we ask.  In Jesus most loving Name.  Amen.

Examine your heart today.  

It Works!

Yesterday as I was driving to work, I was heading to that down place.  I wasn't feeling good, sinusitis...ugh!  Many people at work are retiring.....and I can't yet...so I was feeling a bit sorry for myself on that account as well.  Physically my job can be difficult and my body is feeling it.  And I was fighting with my printer for what seemed like the hundredth time.  Depression has been something I've dealt with for many years, and it seems to be plaguing me again lately.   So off I went to work with this sadness.   But it wasn't the final answer!  But God....

I started to remember that God has a good plan.  I started to remember that in His Presence there is joy and love.  I started to remember that I am loved and God can be trusted completely.  As I reminded myself of these truths, the dark cloud lifted.  It's amazing how just reminding ourselves Who God is and what He is like can really be the perfect medicine to a downcast soul.   Savior.  Redeemer, loving Father, the lifter of my head.  And He is!

David knew that sometimes we need to encourage ourselves and remember Who our God is.  Psalm 42:5-6a  Why am I discouraged?  Why is my heart so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise Him again--my Savior and my God!    

Whatever we face...we are not alone.  Our loving Father is always with us, His Presence always surrounding.  We have a future and a hope.  He has the best plans for us.  And we are always and forever loved.  Be encouraged!

Lord, thank You once again for the encouragement You give us.  The Holy Spirit within to be our comforter and helper.  Thank You for the Scriptures that You give so that we can remember them as we go through our days.  Thank You for Your love, for Your hope, and for Your Presence.  In Jesus Name, amen

Encourage yourself today with the Promises of God! 

Psalm 3:3  But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

New Fave Alert

Some days are so hard....trouble comes in every form, from every side.  Exhaustion, frustration, discouragement eat away at our hearts and minds. I know.  I've been there many times.  That's why I love this new song I heard by Hillsong called "Not Today."  It reminds me that I can stand and fight.  It reminds me that I have a Savior who loves me and in whose Presence I reside.  I have a future and a hope.  I am not alone.  The battle is already won! 

I love music.  It's as if songs sit inside a file cabinet in my head.   When the day is dark and difficult, I can find songs that help me cry out for God's help, strengthen my heart and comfort my soul.  When the blessings are flowing freely, I have songs of praise and thanksgiving that sweeten my gratefulness.  Christian music is a beautiful tool to communicate with and glorify our Savior.  It's comforting, uplifting, and relatable.  This new song is definitely a new favorite!

The Lord does not leave us weaponless to fight the battles of this earth.  We have His Word, the Holy Scripture which is the Sword of the Spirit and He has gifted talented individuals to bring His heart to life in song.  I am so thankful for these gifts, these weapons to fight the powers of darkness in this world and even the propensity for discouragement and negativity in my own soul. 

1 Timothy 1:7  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power , love and self-discipline.

Psalm 18:2  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.

1 John 4:4  But you belong to God, my dear children.  You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Thank You Lord, for the gift of music.  Thank You for the encouragement and comfort it brings, thank You for the praise it helps us put into words....Only You could design something so soul stirring.  Lord, You have already defeated our enemy.  We need only to stand on Your victory...and say "not today Satan!"  You won't win today!  Hallelujah!!  You, oh Lord, are the lifter of our heads.  Our victorious Savior, our Rock and our loving Father.  Hallelujah!

Listen, and sing along! 

Where I Want to Stay

I'm still on it.  The God's presence thing.  And it's very cool indeed!

There is a compilation of teachings from 17th century monk Brother Lawrence  called "The Practice of the Presence of God."   In it he writes, “He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.”

All day, every day, there are little ways to introduce the awareness of the our Lord's nearness.  And I think that's what it is, it's the awareness of His Presence.  We know He is always with us, but we get so caught up in the day to day living that we forget to bask in the Lord's nearness.

I am so grateful that the Lord has started introducing this to my day.  It's a beautiful way to start the day, the quiet peace of just sitting at the Lord's feet.  And then throughout the day, stealing little moments to look up, be it in thanksgiving, or need, just a breath of peace from our heavenly Father as we acknowledge His closeness and care.

Lord, thank You that You are reminding me more and more to be aware of You.  Not just a quick prayed, complaint, or thanks, but to be focused on You for that moment as I bring myself to You.  I know this will just get better and better, and I pray that for all of us that we dig in deep to this practice.  You are amazing and the more we are cognizant of Your Presence in our life, the more filled with joy and peace we will be, the more available for Your work, the more we will grow in You.  I am so thrilled with this.  And I pray that all who read this will start to get to this wonderful nearness as well.  Lord, it's so easy for us to drift off, to lose focus and forget You are with us.   Lord lead us, remind us and help us!  There is no better place to be!!

Do whatever works for you to remind you of God's Presence in your day....notes, alarms, wristband, and of course, lots and lots of prayer!

“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God; those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it."  Brother Lawrence

Where I Want to Be

There are a lot of great places to be.  On vacation.  With loved ones.  Relaxing in the sunshine on a beach.  Working at something you love.  We could name a million places that bring us happiness, that make us smile just being there...all different because we are different.  But there is one place that all of us can enjoy and all of us can enter and that is the Presence of God.  It's been on my mind on and off for some time now, this entering God's Presence.  Life can be such a whirlwind, so fast paced and frenzied.  Maybe that's why I am yearning so deeply for the peace and rest of being with the Lord these days.  I am feeling a deep, urgent need to just spend time with Jesus. 

Also, I am starting to truly believe that if we want to see any lasting changes in our life, we need to spend time at the Lord's feet.  Studying is great.  Bible time a must.  Prayer is a necessity.   But just quiet fellowship, worship, communion...this is where it all sinks in, all that we learn, read or bring to God's hand.   Being in God's Presence may look a little different to all of us, as we are all different, but the result is the same, changed lives and changed hearts. 

Mary and Martha come to mind.  Luke 10:40-42   But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”   But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”  The one good and necessary thing was sitting with Jesus.  And I want to be there!!

Psalm 16:11  You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalm 37:7  Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Romans 13:14  Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Ephesians 3:12  Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

What an amazing place...It's where I always want to be.  And it's always waiting for us, we just have to turn out minds to the Lord.  Like God visits in reverse!  Lol

Lord, I want to ever be cognizant of Your wonderful Presence in my life...I know we are always with You, but so many times life crowds out that awareness, that pleasure.  I want to be more focused on You.  I want to hear Your voice and see Your face and sit at Your feet.   Lord, as always, I need constant reminding!  And I pray this for all of us.  Draw us in.  We need You!  In Jesus' Name, amen.

Start practicing being in God's Presence.  Persevere! 

Obedience, from Mom

My Mom penned a couple of entries on obedience and obeying....one of those oh so necessary but sometimes a bit uncomfortable topics we need to think about from time to time (or sometimes a lot more often, lol).

Deutermony 8:1  Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

We enter the land God gave us by obeying with our heart, our will, our mind, our body, our finances and our future. 

Obeying takes courage.  Acts 4:5-13  The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem.  Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest.  They brought in the two disciples and demanded, "By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?"  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we've done a good deed for a crippled man?  Do you want to know how he was healed?  Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the Man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.  For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.'  There is salvation in no one else!  God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."  The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures.  They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. 

Courage means facing life's challenges with increasing fearlessness, firmness, and calmness in our spirit. 

A blueprint for this life of courageous obedience comes from Joshua 1:7-8  Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you.  Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.  Study this Book of Instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.  

This is a strategy for victory and living in God's loving Presence.

We have all we need for this.  The Word of God, gives us the strategy and commands for living.  Jesus' life illustrates them.  The Holy Spirit, lives within us--teaches us God's way and empowers us.  As we obey, God enables us. 

Colossians 2:11-15  When you came to Christ, you were circumcised, but not by a physical procedure.  Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature.  For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized.  And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.  You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away.  Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins.  He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.  In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities.  He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the Cross. 

Knowing this is the key to spiritual victory, the key to obedience. 

Meditate, the Hebrew word denotes an active recitation, a respeaking of God's Words, thus they shall not "depart from your mouth." 

From me.

These journal entries seem to wrap back around to what we were looking at a couple of weeks ago in Romans 6.  We are dead to sin, alive to Christ, united with Him in baptism.  When we really start knowing and believing these truths, obedience follows.  And where obedience is there is blessing, we occupy the life (or land as the Scriptures put it) that God desires us to have. 

It always amazes me the way God relates His teachings  one to another.  He patiently builds His truth in our hearts one piece at a time, drawing us closer to His heart and renewing the way we think and live.   And when we are slow to understand or implement, He comes back again with the same lessons, encouraging us onward.  He never gives up! 

I love the definition of meditating....the re-speaking of  God's Word, an active recitation! ACTIVE! Speak God's Word out loud.  It's a beautiful thing to fill the atmosphere around us with! 

Lord, in my heart of hearts I desire to obey You.  Sometimes our flesh gets in the way....Help us to remember that the old sinful nature no longer has claim over us, you've "cut it away."   Your Word tells us in Psalm 40:6,8  You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.  Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand--You don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings....I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart."   My heart desires to do Your will.  Teach us to obey.  Empower us to obey.  Lord teach us Your ways.  Thank You for Your patience and Your leading and Your love.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Start speaking God's Word out loud. 

Come Rest

A few days ago I was driving to work and I had a pity party going full swing.  As I'm driving along my mind is going a hundred miles a minute, " I'm so overwhelmed.  I feel like I have to fix everything....car break downs, house issues, tech problems...It's all my responsibility.  I hate my situation....I'm miserable, praying and praying and nothing changes.  Job is getting harder and harder for me to do." On and on and on it went in my head.  And this was only in about a ten minute span of driving.  LOL.  Next thing I know I'm sitting at a stop light only to look over at the sign on a church building that says, "COME REST."  Now, two of the words on that sign were way beyond faded out, but these two words were quite clear..and so was the source of them!  Jesus had a message for me and it was "come rest."  Wow.  That was so amazing!

Fast forward to my study at lunch time.  I'm doing the Joyce Meyer study called "Unshakeable Trust."  And one of the statements she made really struck home, bring earlier God visit into completion for me.  "If He doesn't give you deliverance right away, He will strengthen you if you are willing to be patient and continue trusting Him for the right thing at the right time."  Trust brings rest.  If I want to rest in Jesus I need to continue trusting.   And He invites me there.  To enter His rest.  From the book of Hebrews:  Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.  Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God (3:12).  So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter His rest (3:19).  For only we who believe can enter His rest...(4:4).  

No matter what our situation, Jesus invites us to enter His rest.  And the way into that rest, that place of peace and serenity is through trust.  I had forgotten that as I drove to work, hurting, tired and discouraged.  I had forgotten where my hope was, where my peace lived.   Matthew 11:28   Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

As I woke up this morning I felt so comfortable, just sitting in the Presence of the Lord.  I took some moments to just rest in Him....what a beautiful place.  And it's available all the time, not just in the quiet before we get out of bed, before all the day's turmoil starts. It's ours for the abiding throughout the day, all day, in all things, good and bad.  What a wonderful truth!

Lord, remind us to enter Your rest through trusting You.  Help us to not become discouraged when facing the mountains in life, especially the ones that seem ever present, where we feel no progress.  Let us remember that Your timing is perfect and Your rest is assured.  Thank You for being our loving Savior.

Today, enter the rest of Jesus.  Turn your mind to Him and His love.