Be Still And Ponder

But I have calmed and quieted myself,

    I am like a weaned child with its mother;

    like a weaned child I am content.Psalm 131:2 NIV #Bible Gateway

Sometimes things in life make you sad or cause you to enter the ‘stinking thinking’ zone and before your mouth or your texting gets you deeper into trouble you need to just be still, grab a coffee or tea, and ponder. 

This past week I had a day like that and so as the day drew to a close I sat, with coffee, on my back patio and as the sun got lower and lower on the horizon just was still in my soul. I could’ve tried to figure out ‘things’ but instead I knew what needed to be done.

God knows what is going on in your heart. Many people have internal pain due to losses, misunderstandings, disputes, separation from a beloved family member, being overwhelmed by a life situation, and other things you can probably add to the list. Today take time and make time to just and ponder things in your heart. Pray, which is simply chatting with the Almighty and know life will go on and you will be ok. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord every hour. When I am mistreated, misunderstood, belittled, called ugly names, it hurts inside and you are my comforter and will help see me through. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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The Keep

“Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men who have purposed to trip up my feet.” Ps. 140:4

There is a subdivision on a hill in nearby Meridian, Idaho called ‘The Keep’ and I am always puzzled when I drive by why it was named that. Anyway I never found out but alas another wonderful title for this devotion writer because God is our ‘keeper’.

If you do a word search in the Bible on the word keep you will discover lots. He keeps our foot from falling, he keeps us in the shadow of his wings, he keeps us in perfect peace, we keep his words in our hearts, and on it goes. Search the word keep and see for yourself.

Do you keep God’s word hidden in your heart?(Psalm 119:11). To do this means you have to read it and memorize it and there will be times you will need it when no Bible is handy. Take a prisoner of war for instance who needs peace and comfort and it is hidden in his heart if he studied it prior to getting caught by the enemy. Now today make it a point to let God indeed be your keeper as you keep his commandments and love Him.

PRAYER: Thanks again Lord for my life. Thanks for keeping me safe in times when I could have been seriously hurt. Help me as I seek to keep moving forward for the kingdom and sharing your love and blocking out any mind games from the enemy that would seek to shut me down. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Refreshment Needed?

You caused men to ride over us. You brought us through fire and water, but you led us to abundance.Psalm 66:12

Do you feel worn out, tired, confused, sad, lonely, forgotten, belittled? The same feelings Jesus felt. You press on keep your chin up and try to not slip into self pity. 

Do you know there is always someone worse off than you or your situation even though you may find that hard to believe. Perhaps you get up and don’t feel like praying. You know you need to and you know it is Satan keeping you from doing it. 

There is not a formula for having the joy of the Lord other than waking up and seizing the day and saying Lord help me today. Maybe you feel guilty cause you read devotions where someone attested to praying daily for a particular thing or person and you meant to but forgot. Now what? Don’t beat yourself up. Perhaps the thing you are dealing with hurts your heart so bad you don’t know where to turn next. As I wrote this a Christian song came on at coffee shop I was writing at and I start sobbing trying to hide it. Anyway each and every brother and sister in Christ has things that weigh heavy on their heart. Go into this day and run with Jesus the race to win. You can do it. 

PRAYER: It’s me again Lord with a heavy confused heart needing to tell Satan and his little squirt demons to back off as you are Lord not him. Thanks for helping me go on day after day remembering others hurt too. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Discontent?

 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. Ezekiel 34:11-12 ESV

Do you ever feel really messed up emotionally? You try to stay within ‘boundaries’ or just keep your thoughts on things other than places like taking back a prayer request you already gave to God. 

You really mean well and try but sometimes the tears just come. Of course you can’t share with anyone or they think you are a royal nut job or you break trust.You pray and continue to pray but are frustrated with yourself. 

Do you mean it when you say you want your ‘good Shepherd’ Jesus to take your problems and you know he knows your feelings, your confusion, your broken heart?He is your Shepherd and cares for his ‘sheep’ and you are one of those sheep. Go to Him and be rescued. 

PRAYER: This day and every day are yours. When I don’t keep my mind fixed on above and let it wander like a lost sheep I get into trouble emotionally and need you to gently guide me back to the fold. I trust you Lord. Help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a song of worship and listen closely to the lyrics: 

https://youtu.be/9PugD11k3JU

Getting A Grip On Your Emotions

 

 “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle” (Psalm 56:8, ESV). 

Satan likes to push buttons and get you to react without thinking. I had an afternoon recently where a heart breaking issue in my life started to get the best of me and I knew better than to pick up the phone and call the party involved cause it would mess up God’s timing and plan. 

Oh waiting is so very difficult. In the fictional faith based movie ‘Redeeming Love’ the main character Michael Hosea was tested a lot by waiting and not intervening. It is hard! You pray, you wait, you be still. God has a plan. He has not forgotten you. 

Are you dealing with something very heart wrenching today that you have no control over? Trying to play God is never a good idea. Those little tear ducts God designed when he made the human body are exactly where we need to let our emotions flow from. Holding stuff inside will contribute to health issues. If you have a good cry often you feel better and can think and pray more efficiently. Now go trust God and let Him know your heart. 

PRAYER: Many are suffering from emotional isolation from family or are going through unimaginable pain trying to restore and rekindle a relationship. Help them Lord. Help me too. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Where Did I Put It?

 





We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him. the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NIV Bible Gateway

Have you ever lost your keys, your phone, a neck pillow on a plane, a credit card, your drivers license, your passport? You can probably add an item or two not listed. 

Maybe you have lost your way when it comes to walking with the Lord. He loves you, forgives you and wants you to love Him back. He wants first place in your life. So much in this world captivates humans things like fame, being popular, alcohol, partying, fancy car, Times Square, bright lights. 

You can only wander away from God so long. I have heard there is a God shaped hole in everyone’s heart that was only meant to be filled with Him. Being good, or being nice are not prerequisites to entering Heaven upon your death. Only one thing and that is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and a passion for following Him. You never know when your last day will be. Airplane crash, Car wreck, medical diagnoses, bike accident, motorcycle accident, choking during an asthma attack, sports related accidents, skiing, rock  climbing, getting hit crossing the street,  hiking, terrorist attack,  there is no way you can predict when your final day will be. So once again the question is ‘Are You Ready’. 

PRAYER: This is the day you made and I know there is a purpose for me on this Earth. If I gain fame keep me humble. If I do good also keep me humble. Help me let my virtues speak for themselves and show me how to make a difference in another’s life and tell them about Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for powerful song of worship:https://youtu.be/o2hC-RR5GXQ

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Standing In The Gap

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.Ezekiel 22:30

I had never really given much thought of what ‘watching the gap’ meant until I heard a message by my former pastor Allen Pedram of Church of the Highlands, Huntsville, Alabama.He mentioned in England on trains the signs that warn people that there is a huge gap between the walk and stepping over the gap onto the train. The British said ‘mind the gap.’

In your life are you a gap stander for someone, meaning do you stand in the gap with prayer lifting up concerns for children, grandchildren, schools,  neighbors, church friends, strangers, and oh yes your spouse if married?

You be the go to person for prayer and if you agree to pray don’t forget. Prayer is a lifeline and we all need it. Satan wants nothing more than to have people we pray for fall right in the ‘hole’ and not be able to get out. Brother and sister be the gap stander for those you love in your life. 

PRAYER: Lord I want to be able to pray when I promise to pray. Just now a friend told me about a need so I will pray. Help me remember every day to pray unceasingly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.