Just be still

The Lord speaks to us through his word and, sometimes, if we really listen, we can almost hear the subtlety of a still, small voice. His word instructs us often just to be still.

Be still and know that I am God ~ Psalm 46

It’s not always easy to hear his voice in a world filled with distractions and noise. With all that goes on in our busy lives, taking time to be still is something we need to plan before life’s cares entangle us. Allowing our Creator to take prominence in our hearts and minds as we struggle to silence the chatter is sure to be a balm for whatever ails us.

To be still before the Lord is not always a physical position or something to do in the midst of a silent moment. To be still also means to let your ways yield unto his…to mentally put everything else aside and let the Holy Spirit lead.

As we are only strong in the Lord’s strength, taking the time to consider his ways above and beyond our own can only lead to opening ourselves up to the direction of the Holy Spirit. Isn’t this the place we all yearn to be?

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him ~ Psalm 37

Love the Lord

“But you, my Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy; you are very patient and full of faithful love” ~ Psalm 86:15

 In a worldly sense, we can’t help being endeared to someone who is loving and not a threat to our well-being. Some folks are easily lovable, and others take time. As children of God, we are to love them all the same. It’s easy to love someone who loves you, but God says to love even the unlovable.

As for our God, it is amazing to know that he loved us well before we loved him.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” ~ Romans 5:8

The question we ask is:  How do we love something so ethereal? Something we can’t physically see?

The best place to start getting to know someone is by talking to them, spending time in their world, and finding out what makes them tick. It’s the same for God. His message to mankind—his love letter to us—is all found in the Bible. Along with prayerful meditation and conversing with him daily, by reading His story, we can grow close to him. Becoming familiar with his word, the more we will be acquainted with his marvelous truth. When we become surrendered to him, the more we will grow to love him and allow his Holy Spirit to love others through us.

May we grow into a deeper relationship with our Savior, so that we can grow even closer to him with our entire heart, mind, and soul.

Same yesterday, today, and forever!

It’s a marvelous mystery that in the ages before time began, Jesus was there. In the first chapter of John, we read: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 Under the Old Testament law, the presence of God dwelt in a cloud between the cherubim that covered the mercy-seat, but now it dwells in Jesus, our Redeemer.

In our finite minds, it’s hard to conceptualize the awesomeness of the nature of Christ. It’s not so much a matter to consume and comprehend through logic but more of a respectful apprehending through our faith. For how can the limited mind of a finite being claim with any authority the process of an infinite God? It’s impossible. But with God, all things are possible.

In Hebrews 1:8-12 we find: Of the Son, God says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom… You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain… You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.’

 We serve an awesome God…the same yesterday, today and forever!

Be glad!

Time is so fleeting…Today comes and goes in a heartbeat it seems. We can’t control time, and since it slips away so easily, the world often encourages us to seize the day (carpe diem). But what are we seizing? What’s the purpose?

God’s word tells us that we should rejoice and be glad for each day. Today is one more day to share His love with others in the time he’s given us, for no one is promised tomorrow. It’s a gift.

Both the sinner and the saved are blessed by the time our Creator lends. With every revolution of the earth as it rotates around the sun, our heavenly Father gives us a new dawn and new opportunities. What we do with our time is our choice. Though we know that wasting our hours is not always prudent, and time spent with the Lord is the best way to start our day regardless of how busy we are.

“So, teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” ~ Psalm 90:12

His mercies are new every morning. With each day having enough troubles of its own, let’s cast all of our cares upon him and believe his promise to give us rest as we abide in Him.

“Rejoice in the Lord always…” ~ Philippians 4:4

Fear not

If God is for us, who can possibly be against us? That is, who can thwart God?

When the Israelites were taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years, the words of the prophet Isaiah tell us the Lord God of Israel was right there in their midst. He told them to fear not; he was with them to help and strengthen them and would uphold them with his righteous right hand.

In difficult times of trial and trouble, Jesus—and he alone—is the only healing balm we need. He directs the course of great rivers, and by his power, the very atoms in the nails that pierced his flesh while on the cross were held together with his own mighty strength, yes!  If he created the world, and all of the cattle on a thousand hills belong to him, what is your life’s situation that he cannot make good?

Even on your worst day, the calming peace of Jesus can satisfy like no other. He leads us beside the still waters and restores our souls. His peace is like a river, and it flows as a fountain of blessings to his faithful followers, who put their trust fully in Him.