Tag Archive | truth

Rocking Chairs and Tornadoes

Oct3

 

With all the news as of late about natural disasters, it is really difficult to

“Be not afraid.” or “Fear not.”

Some events in our lives may make us feel like we are in those disasters,

even though physically, we may not be.

You know what I mean don’t you?

Are there things going on in your life that have the potential to

strike sorrow and fear into you?

If we compared these disasters, what would we find they have in common?

 I never gave this question much thought until I heard Nate Berkus recount his experience  of being swept away in a tsunami.                       

In the water with him were telephone poles, barbed wire, parts of trees and people’s homes …. and people.                                                   

All these things were swirling around him and beating his body, all the while he was fighting for his very life.

Is that how you feel right now?

 

        Is the debris of your life beating you while you are struggling to keep                              

your head above it all?

Are sorrow and fear and loss threatening to engulf you?

Do your circumstances feel like they are beating the life out of you?

   Consider this picture.

 

Your life is the tornado.

Debris is flying everywhere and the mayhem of it all is causing you mass confusion.

You are swirling around with this mess and there is no exit.

This is not too much of a stretch, if you are like many of the people you know.

The fact is, you may recognize some of those folks in the havoc, right along with you!

 

              Now push the pause button, and consider a different picture.

                      

The tornado is still there.

The debris is still flying and the mayhem is still circling you.

HOWEVER

 

The difference is that YOU aren’t anywhere to be found in the mass confusion.

YOU are firmly planted in the middle of the eye of that storm.

YOU are seated in a rocking chair.

                                                 What does that mean?????

Firmly seated in a rocking chair, in the eye of the storm?

 

The peace of your Father God is planted deeply in your heart.

 

YOUR heart is full of the knowledge that He is aware and in total control.

To be sure, there still may be sorrow and loss, but YOU do not have to live with fear.

 

How do I know this?

First off, I’ve had my fair share of living in fear. 

Secondly, the Word of God plainly states that if you know Him,

If you receive what His Son Jesus did for you on the cross,

then you need not be afraid.

(If you do not have the assurance of Jesus’ saving grace,

then please visit the “Rescue” page on this blog.)

I believe the word of God to be true. 

Every word.

So when He says not to be afraid (found over 80 times) in the Bible,

I choose to obey.

Notice I said “choose”.  Being afraid is not a sin.  

What you do with it could be.

You get to make that choice.

The only thing you are to fear is God.

That is a different fear.

Not spooky, creepy fear,

but a fear that is defined as being in awe of Him.

 

Here’s the ask.  For today. 

Use the following verses in your circumstances.  Today.

We can truly only do it for today.

Choose to let God be in control of your chaos.  Today.

Choose to sit in that rocking chair and relax while He takes on everything

that would set your heart to fear.  Today.

This is not an easy task.  The world we live in caters to fear.  Its goal is to make us afraid.

Just look at the nightly news.  (No wait, maybe you shouldn’t)

At any rate, giving your fear to God will get easier with practice.

Note: Remember ~ Doctors practice.  Lawyers practice. Athletes practice.

Why do they do so?  To get better at what they do.

I encourage you to practice not being afraid,

to sit and rest on your rocker, while God handles things.

 

Psalm 34:9  (NIV) Fear the LORD; you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

 Lamentations 3:57  (NIV) You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”

Isaiah 41:10  (NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (AMP)  Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

A Word For Christians

Sep30

SO.  You’ve got the fire insurance. Your forever home will be Heaven.

“But I thought that everything would change when I met Christ.

Nothing’s changed.

In fact, it’s gotten worse!”

Psalm 13:1-2 (NIV)  How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day has sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Even the most notable Christian leaders of our time have experienced the same thing. 

It does not matter who you are. 

Well known or unknown, weak or strong, rich or poor.

It doesn’t matter where you are. 

In a house or in a hut, on a boat or in a plane, in a big city or the smallest of towns.

It doesn’t matter whether you are well-educated or not educated at all. 

The same thing is common for all of the types listed above.

Things can get worse after receiving Christ. 

“Why?” you ask.

Simply put, you now have an enemy. 

 He would like to destroy the potential you gained by saying “Yes” to Jesus.

If you have not said “Yes” to Jesus , please see the “Rescue” tab on this blog.

Why would I want to say “Yes” if this is what is going to happen? 

We’ll look at that shortly.

In the following scriptures, you will read what God says about

you and your struggle.     

Romans 8:37-39 (NASB)  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing can separate us from His love.  What can separate us from the love of God?

Nothing.  No thing.  This love is shown to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So how can we ever stand up against this enemy of our souls? 

Ephesians 6:11-13 (NASB) Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:13-15 (CEV)  So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.  Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor.  Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet.

 

OK.  How do I do this?

 

Read God’s word.  He sent this love letter/road map to guide us in our days here on this earth.  It is …. The Truth.  If we read it, we will know what He thinks about all the things that concern us.

Repent.  What does that mean?  The easiest way I’ve ever heard it said is this way.  Recognize your wrong doing, and turn around and go the other way.  A change of   direction.  God’s word is full of directions for this change.                          Righteousness begins here. 

Be obedient.  Submit your will to God (not as in door mat submit, but as in I love You God submit) Reading His word will show us how He thinks. The first thing we’ll notice is that what He thinks and what the world we live in thinks are very much opposite.  This is why this new life with Christ can be so difficult.  His word never promises it will be easy, it does promise however that it will be worth it.         Strength comes from obedience.

Be intentional.  You’ll have to choose to be intentional.  The enemy of your soul won’t like it one bit.  He’ll distract you at every turn.  You’ll need to choose again and again.  As you choose though, you will see that the choosing becomes easier.           We are beginning to be ready, the gospel shoes are beginning to fit. 

Receive God’s peace.  God’s word gives us peace in our heart.  No matter what goes on in our daily lives, the peace of God lives in our hearts.  When we are in the center of His will for us, He will fully provide for us, no matter how things look.   This means that even in extreme circumstances, we can be at peace.

So here we are, regarding to your question about saying “Yes” to Jesus.

Isn’t it a most amazing idea to have a peaceful heart in the middle of, well …. everything?

Right?

Genius

Sep28

Back in the day~

   You couldn’t climb the rope – You could hear them laugh

   You couldn’t hit the ball – You could get picked last

   You couldn’t read out load – You could turn red in the face and feel like throwing up

   You couldn’t sit still – You could stay in from recess all by yourself

   You couldn’t not talk – You could write “ I will not talk in class” 500 times on                                                                                                                            the chalk board

   You couldn’t run fast – You could day-dream and pass on the whole deal

*Each one of those fiery darts pierced your heart.

*Each one told you something about your worth.

*Each one deepened your sense of shame.

*Each one helped you to add another layer of self-defense around your already broken heart.

*Each one re-declared your sense of failure.

*Each one made you more determined to not be hurt again.

*Each one sent to you by the enemy of your soul.

Please allow me to tell you the truth.

      YOU … are worth it

      YOU … have a special gift to share with the world around you

      YOU … don’t need to guard your heart

      YOU … can trust Jesus to do that for you

      YOU … are not a mistake

      YOU … can begin to think better of yourself

Following are some scriptures to help you in your endeavors.

Please consider printing them on a card and carrying them with you.

you can check them periodically throughout the day that way.

1 John 3:1-3 (NIV1984) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV1984) For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

Colossians 3:2 (NIV1984) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Psalm 139:23 (NIV1984) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  (He knows you inside and out)

Proverbs 2:7-8 (NIV1984) He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.