Be Still

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

As we head into the weekend, I was thinking about the things I wanted to do. One of them is to seek a little silence with God. For me, that probably means my front porch swing. If weather permitted, that would be my prayer closet year round. But it's an open front porch and doesn't permit me to be there in every season. And for me, it probably means early morning. There is something enriching about the early morning silence, my Bible and my God.

Right now, I have some heavy issues that need laid at the throne. They're weighing on my heart and bring tears to my eyes even as I write about them. I'm going to pack them up and take them to the front porch swing and talk to Him. Then I'm going to try not to take them back in the house with me. I'll pray about them whenever I'm in the porch swing, but I can't carry them around with me all the time because it is too heavy a burden.

Try to find some time this weekend, even if it's only a few minutes, to spend some quiet time with God. Drink in His strength and let Him refresh you. No strings attached. Just silent communion with our Savior. Think about all that is contained in the phrase "know that I am God"!

All In One Breath

9 "because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."

I've got this verse circled in my Bible. It has interested me since I first noticed it. All in one breath Paul shares that there is new opportunity opening up for him and people who are trying to prevent him from the ministry God's given him. I know how many times I start to question whether I've heard God's leading correctly when I'm faced with roadblocks in my path. But Paul seems to take it in stride. He takes the good and he takes the bad. That inspires me. When I read about Paul's faithfulness in serving God, I'm always amazed at the opposition he dealt with. His words encourage me to pick myself up (from discouragement, opposition, health challenges, etc...) and get going again.

So, if you find yourself in a place of opportunity today, but you also feel overwhelmed by the opposition, you're not alone. Let Paul's words in verse 13 be your banner today: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men (or women) of courage; be strong."

Remember, with God anything's possible!

"In Your Thinking Be Adults"

20 "...stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but
in your thinking be adults." 1 Corinthians 14:20

Don't you love it? Paul is reminding us not to be childish. Of course, in regards to evil, we should be innocent or childlike. I don't see anything wrong with sheltering our children from knowledge of evil for as long as we can. I think that's what Paul is saying here. Stay away from evil as much as possible. Evil affects each of our lives differently. So I'm not going to be specific here. Let God speak to us about how it might be creeping into our lives. And let's determine to prevent it from getting a foothold.

However, the other side of that is to think like adults. I'm giving that some thought today. I haven't been a young adult for quite some time, yet I'm sure there are some ways I still need to mature. I like how the Bible brings these thoughts to our attention. Otherwise, I think we'd just keep speeding through life, oblivious to a lot of bad habits that we're acquiring.

Lord, show me where I need to be "childish" and where I need to be more mature!

"There Is None Like You"

"Remember the former things, those of long ago:
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me." Isaiah 46:9

This verse reminds me of a song I love. What a fitting verse for Memorial Day Weekend. I researched the origin of Memorial Day because, to be honest, I was confused about what it really meant. It was for decorating the graves of those who gave their lives for our country. It has since come to mean many more things - decorating graves of other people, too....and other significant events.

As I give thanks for family and friends who sacrificed for me, I want to also spend time thanking God for sacrificing His Son to be my salvation. This is a great time to worship Him and remember all He's done for us and for all He's brought us through as a nation and our families, too.

Dear God, there is none like You! Thank You for always being there for me.

"I Will Sustain You"

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalm 68:19

That's an encouraging verse! I've been struggling a bit with my health and then I had internet issues - it's been a crazy week. It's so comforting to know that God has been with me every day as I face whatever comes my way.

For those who've known the Lord for awhile, we acknowledge that God bears our burdens. But I know that I have my "pet" burdens that I keep for myself and don't actually turn them over to God in my mind. It seems easier to release some to God - "Oh, God will take care of that" - but other troubles stay on my mind. My mom once told me that if I thought of a certain problem constantly, then I was worrying about it. I had always thought worry was more hand wringing emotions. But she got me to thinking. I worry when I mull a problem over and over in my mind. But I release it to God's control when I pray about it, then focus on positive thoughts and thanking God.

Dear Lord, thank you for daily bearing my burdens. Help me to release all my worries to You and spend my energy on praising You!