Quantcast
You are here: Home / Archives for Lord

The Lord is My Rock

April 30, 2012 By 1 Comment

Psalm 18 The Lord is My Rock"I love you, Lord;you are my strength; The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies." Psalm 18:1-3 (NLT)

I was preparing to speak in front of a group of 150 students yesterday. 

Believe it or not, I still get very nervous before sharing my testimony, so I try to find a quiet place where I can pray (and have my husband pray for me), read my Bible, and just ask the Lord to be with me. 

As I was sitting at the table, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Psalm 18. I love that psalm, particularly 1-3. In the past five years, I've turned to those verses, stood on them during difficult or trying situations, been encouraged by the promise that God is always with me.

When I was growing up I considered Proverbs 3:5-6 my "life verse". Psalm 18:1-3 is more accurate to who I am now. 

David was speaking of how God saved him from human enemies, In my own life, the Lord delivered me from spiritual enemies (I.E: the spirit beings I called "guides" ). When I renounced all forms of the occult, God delivered me not only from the influence of those demonic spirits, but their harassment as well.

So it was interesting that the verses I was drawn to read last night were not 1-3, but rather 30-36.

"God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

31 

For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength,
and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.

35 

You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping."
Psalm 18:30-36 (NLT)

Those verses encouraged me. And when I got up to share my story I read those words to them as well. This is our God. He is so good, so mighty, and He loves us so completely!

Today is Monday, and for many people it signals the beginning of a long week, a return to the mundane, or reminders of difficulties to be faced—but take heart, my friend. All of the Lord's promises are true. God arms you with strength. He will guide your path and equip you for what lies ahead this week and the next (whatever it may be).

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Life Stuff Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ears Open, Mouth Shut

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Do you talk more than you listen?  When in conversation do you get so excited about a topic or have a relevant point pop into your mind you simply can’t keep to yourself?  I confess I do. Some times I thoughtlessly blurt out my thoughts or interrupt another speaker because the conversation is interesting or I’m in agreement.  

My interjections are not meant to be rude, but they can some times be ill timed. I find myself "stepping over" people’s words before they’ve finished their sentence. Thankfully this is a personal flaw of which I’m aware and attempt to stop when I catch myself.
 
Ironically, I some times find myself dealing with the same issue when praying.  Jumping in thoughtlessly or interrupting when I’m in conversation with God.  I tend to jabber on about my concerns or desires.  I don’t always take the time to be still and listen for His voice in the conversation.

Listening is a necesssary communication skill.  Applying this skill to our interactions with other people is a hallmark of maturity and self-control. Being able to come before God with an attentive mind and open heart for instruction is wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 5:1(NLT)
"As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut!  It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.

I don’t know about you but when I read this verse the meaning strikes me where I live.  A little harsh, this passage written by Solomon points out the improtance of reverence as we go before God.  We are, after all, in the presence of the Creator of the Universe.  Attention and honor are definitely the order of the day.  How can we learn from God if we never stop talking long enough to recieve instruction?  What blessing can His grace bestow if we are so intent upon our own words we miss God handing a gift to us?  I think some times we forget our Heavenly Father is also Sovereign Lord.  

Foolishly expecting God to be at our beck and call, making promises we cannot keep or bargaining with Him as we pray, is reckless at best.  We are tiny humans tied to the gravity of our planet.  We are made of dust.  God is infinite.  The universe is His playground and He is worthy of great awe.  As The Teacher of Ecclesiastes ( which is how Solomon refers to himself) instructs…when coming before God, "let your words be few".

 

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Prayer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Practicing Patience

August 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I have never been known to be a terribly patient person.  I get annoyed when I have to wait too long at the checkout in the grocery store, or am waiting on the phone after being put on hold by some mechanical answering service.  It’s in those times I quietly grind out "God give me patience!", but I don’t really mean it.  I’m not asking the Holy Spirit for help.  I’m acting in my own flesh and desire to get where I want to go or accomplish a particular goal.

True longsuffering is different.  Honest patience is a response to giving everything in your life to Christ in faith.  And there have been certain times in my life when I’ve discovered "longsuffering" patience has been the only option because I had to put everything in my life at the foot of the cross.  It’s in those moments when I’ve had to take a deep breath, stop trying to control everything or have my way, and give the situaion to God.  Personally, it is this kind of patience I desire to experience in my life when it’s necessary.

A number of years ago, when my husband and I were seperated and my daughters were struggling emotionally, my personal endurance was sorely tested.  More than once I raised my fists to the sky, tears streaming down my cheeks, uncertain I could go on. Crying out to God to "deliver me"…immediately!  Only to find myself exhausted and in the same situation with no end in sight.  It was only when I would listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit I would experience true patience.  Not generated from my own ability, but through God’s grace, as I placed everything at His feet.  Experiencing peace through the act of surrender…and the strength to perservere.

It’s in these proving grounds, when circumstances beyond our control demand an outcome we don’t necessarily desire, we discover the proverbial "time out". Receive a call to wait and stand fast. Endure with longsuffering faith.  It’s in these times we discover growth as a disciple of Christ.  Experience the joy of resting in God’s grace wherever we happen to be.  Even if it’s not an optimal situation by our point of view we learn of God’s provision.  We may be out of work, out of time, out of money, or seemingly out of luck…but we are never out of God’s merciful hand.  We also learn how to be the body of Christ.

Colossians 1:11 (NLT)
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.  May you be filled with joy.  

The church is meant to be a family we can lean on.  We are called as Christians, after all, to bear each other’s burdens and pray for one another.  Especially in hard economic times and people are losing their jobs, homes, their sense of security.  Then the church can come together and pray for each other.  Holding each other up in support and love. Praying for God’s equipping power as we stand together and endure.  Giving a hand to our neighbors, and being a witness of calm in the midst of the storm.

I titled this blog "practicing patience", but honestly that’s the world’s model.  Achieving a kind of composure in the face of adversity.  True patience is the result of placing our trust in God as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit day by day.  Exhibiting humility as we grow in faith by waiting for the Lord to move. By obeying the teaching of Jesus to "seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:33).  

So rather than trying to manufacture a patience that is here today and gone tomorrow as your cut off in traffic by a rude motorist, place your faith in God.  Follow His lead.  Then when the winds of change blow a hurricane into your life, the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart.  Allowing you to stand in the midst of the storm.

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Life Stuff Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Draining the Lake

August 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I have never been a fan of large bodies of water.  Living in Michigan, the Land of the Lakes, I have obviously seen many.  There’s "The Big Lake" (a.k.a Lake Michigan) in addition to the four major lakes that touch our borders.  There are also hundreds of small lakes, ponds, swamps, rivers.

You get the idea…there is water everywhere!

I guess it’s not so much I don’t like the lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds.  They are quite beautiful.  The problem is…I don’t really enjoy being wet.  Water droplets running down your skin, and you have to wear a bathing suit.  Yikes!  Not into water sports either.  I tried water skiing once and believe me it was not a fun experience.  

However, if I’m truly honest, the reason I don’t like to go into the lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds of my beautiful state…there be dragons there.  Okay, so maybe not "dragons"…but definitely snakes.  And fish.  And frogs.  Critters, people!  I’m talking all manner of aquatic life.  Then there is the seaweed and the algae.  You never know what you might step on or what creature could brush against your leg. 

I know there isn’t nearly as much chance of this in Lake Michigan or some of the other lakes that have really nice public beach areas and such.  But every now and then you do feel "something" in the water and it’s not your cousin nipping at your heels trying to pull you under! 

Here is the thing…I miss out on some really great stuff because of this, let’s call it what it is, fear.  A fear of stepping on something gooshy or being touched by some form of water life.  I’m sure I’m not alone in that particular "ew" factor.  Let’s get to brass tacks though, because this blog is not merely about strange water phobias.  

Safe to say most of us experience a fear of something, in some area of our lives that can have an effect on our growth as a person.  Deeply rooted fears of loss, neglect, pain, lonliness, even the opinion of others.  We all have had, at some time in our lives, a "monster" living in the water.  Keeping us land locked. Afraid to go forward, but not wanting to go back. 

You know what though, God is the ultimate dragon slayer.  You got monsters in the lake?  He drains the lake!  Creatures in your black lagoon?  He stomps them out!  Big bad dragon shooting smoke and flames?  God’s got it handled.  By putting our faith and trust in Him,  those fears, those monsters, can be overcome. 

Do I like to go into the water of the Big Lake?  No.  It’s much safer to stay on the beach and admire the view.   But if I always stand on the shore I miss the joy of the experience available in the water. 

The same could be said of those situations in life where other "Creatures of the Black Lagoon" might linger.  Waiting for a chance to creep me out, paralyze me with fear, and hold my life at bay.  God has so much more planned if I will only trust Him to get me through the rough spots.  So look out "monsters", I’m coming in.  And my Lord is going before me, to drain the lake and stomp you out! 

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Life Stuff Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts
This site is protected by WP-CopyRightPro