Colossians 3: 15-16 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
We are experiencing a series of days here in Cabo San Lucas where the winds are going from the land out onto the ocean. This phenomenon is called an offshore wind. The water near shore is relatively calm. But not too far offshore there are white caps on the waves. In my mind, that is very much how life is. It all looks good, until you venture out into the deep waters of life.
Often we take a short sighted view of our lives. We look at the next day or the next week and see calm and no struggles on the horizon. But that is an illusion, or a mirage at best. Life will bring struggles. We can and should count on that occurring. Illness or injury, trouble at work and struggles at home with family are just a few examples of opportunities for difficulties to enter into our lives. These troubles can be totally out of our control. They just show up. And we have to deal with them. Fortunately, we are not alone. The Lord is with us always. We also have the cloud of believers that surrounds us (see Hebrews 12:1). We can reach out asking for a hug, a prayer, a kind word or for a hand extended in support. That cloud of believers puts a face and a tangible feel to the Jesus we all love and worship. He is alive and He moves among us using one another as a physical example of His love for all. Today and everyday "let the message of Christ dwell among you richly". Be there for one another. For we do not know when it will be our turn to be in need of that hug sent from Jesus.
Prayer: Father, Your Son lived and died for us poor sinners. He admonishes us to love others as He loved us. That kind of love, that sacrificial kind of love can be daunting and we can fall away from showing that kind of love for others. Help us dear Lord to be the people You would have us be. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
This Is Where Everything Changed
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Restores My Soul
Restores My Soul
Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
At times finding peace of mind can be a challenge. There are so many distractions shouting for attention. Distractions creep up with our family, our jobs, the civic organizations we belong to, and yes, even the church we attend. I know that last one will give many of you pause to think that I have lost my marbles. But hear me out, please.
The church we attend is an environment of what is called corporate worship. We, as believers gather together singing praise to the Lord, hearing scriptures being read, and partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. We participate in group bible studies and projects to serve others. All of this is done in a group setting. This environment can be consuming, if not balanced with a good strong personal time of prayer, worship, study and reflection. Our God deeply desires to have a personal, one-on-one relationship with you and I. Psalm 23:1-3 is all about that deep personal relationship. Hence the use of the singular "me" and "my" terms. It is not we, or as my southern relatives would say, "all y'all". One-on-one time with Our Lord is crucial to a healthy spiritual life. It is in that environment we connect most deeply. No distractions, just you and The Lord. It is in those moments that so much can be revealed. The intimacy of a deep spiritual relationship does in fact bring peace. It does "restore the soul". All other cares are set aside for you and I to embrace the truth of a profound loving God, our Father, who is longing for that continued connection. Take the time, do it today, before it is forgotten or distractions set in. Please, do this for your soul which needs to find rest and to be restored.
Prayer: Lord, as we come to You in prayer, help us to find that peace that surpasses all understanding, that is found in You and You alone. Let Your love and the Love of Your Son flow into us. Let Your Holy Spirit guide us in this journey of seeking Your presence in our lives. Amen.
Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
At times finding peace of mind can be a challenge. There are so many distractions shouting for attention. Distractions creep up with our family, our jobs, the civic organizations we belong to, and yes, even the church we attend. I know that last one will give many of you pause to think that I have lost my marbles. But hear me out, please.
The church we attend is an environment of what is called corporate worship. We, as believers gather together singing praise to the Lord, hearing scriptures being read, and partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. We participate in group bible studies and projects to serve others. All of this is done in a group setting. This environment can be consuming, if not balanced with a good strong personal time of prayer, worship, study and reflection. Our God deeply desires to have a personal, one-on-one relationship with you and I. Psalm 23:1-3 is all about that deep personal relationship. Hence the use of the singular "me" and "my" terms. It is not we, or as my southern relatives would say, "all y'all". One-on-one time with Our Lord is crucial to a healthy spiritual life. It is in that environment we connect most deeply. No distractions, just you and The Lord. It is in those moments that so much can be revealed. The intimacy of a deep spiritual relationship does in fact bring peace. It does "restore the soul". All other cares are set aside for you and I to embrace the truth of a profound loving God, our Father, who is longing for that continued connection. Take the time, do it today, before it is forgotten or distractions set in. Please, do this for your soul which needs to find rest and to be restored.
Prayer: Lord, as we come to You in prayer, help us to find that peace that surpasses all understanding, that is found in You and You alone. Let Your love and the Love of Your Son flow into us. Let Your Holy Spirit guide us in this journey of seeking Your presence in our lives. Amen.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Give You Rest
Exodus 33:13-14 “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””
Here I am, sitting in a lounge chair at the condo in Cabo, relaxing and thinking deep thoughts. Our annual trip to Cabo affords me the opportunity to find peace amongst the festivities of the resort where we stay. These trips also give me insight into another part of the world culture I would not have were I to stay in Idaho. This place, Cabo San Lucas, where I find rest for my body and soul is truly a land of haves and have-nots.
So many times I find myself in a state of struggle. The world rebels against any desire to be a dedicated servant of the Lord. The busy-ness of life can seek to displace me from a feeling of being at peace in the Lord. Diversions of this life abound. And there is a temptation, to fill the void of being to busy to stay deeply connected to the Lord, with something that this earth has to offer. This void is self created, and so easily avoided. It was created with my lack of diligence and can only be filled by the Lord. It is truly a God-sized hole.
Each of us has the hard wired longing to be connected with God and in a state of peace only God can provide. Our world diligently seeks to draw us away from that state of peace. Satan wins when we seek to fill the emptiness we create with something other than a connection with the Lord. Exodus 13-14 reveals a truth that is as old as man's time on earth itself. His Presence will go with you. And He will give you rest. When we forget that deep and simple truth, we open ourselves up to the separation from God we must avoid. Friends of the risen Savior, stay connected with God. Take the time today and everyday to keep close in study of His Word and prayer.
Prayer: Father, we are Your rebellious children. We seek to fill our lives with things other than You. We wander and can quickly become lost. Help us dear Lord to stay in Your Presence through Your Word and prayer. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that the faith we need is the faith we embrace daily. These things we ask in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.
Here I am, sitting in a lounge chair at the condo in Cabo, relaxing and thinking deep thoughts. Our annual trip to Cabo affords me the opportunity to find peace amongst the festivities of the resort where we stay. These trips also give me insight into another part of the world culture I would not have were I to stay in Idaho. This place, Cabo San Lucas, where I find rest for my body and soul is truly a land of haves and have-nots.
So many times I find myself in a state of struggle. The world rebels against any desire to be a dedicated servant of the Lord. The busy-ness of life can seek to displace me from a feeling of being at peace in the Lord. Diversions of this life abound. And there is a temptation, to fill the void of being to busy to stay deeply connected to the Lord, with something that this earth has to offer. This void is self created, and so easily avoided. It was created with my lack of diligence and can only be filled by the Lord. It is truly a God-sized hole.
Each of us has the hard wired longing to be connected with God and in a state of peace only God can provide. Our world diligently seeks to draw us away from that state of peace. Satan wins when we seek to fill the emptiness we create with something other than a connection with the Lord. Exodus 13-14 reveals a truth that is as old as man's time on earth itself. His Presence will go with you. And He will give you rest. When we forget that deep and simple truth, we open ourselves up to the separation from God we must avoid. Friends of the risen Savior, stay connected with God. Take the time today and everyday to keep close in study of His Word and prayer.
Prayer: Father, we are Your rebellious children. We seek to fill our lives with things other than You. We wander and can quickly become lost. Help us dear Lord to stay in Your Presence through Your Word and prayer. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that the faith we need is the faith we embrace daily. These things we ask in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.
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