Peace

 

 

Written for those who have endured emotional or verbal abuse… I know the battle that rages, and I understand the roller coaster that you can’t seem to walk away from. It may not leave outward bruises and scars, but the inward “soul scarring” is a pain that doesn’t just go away with a band-aid and time.

 

Only the One who made us can restore us back to wholeness. In the midst of your raging storm, I pray you look to Him ~ where your release and your peace is found.

Peace

Crashing waves

Bruise my shore

Howling winds

Blow in once more

Torrential rains

Pelt my skin

Lightning bolts

Come again

 

Turbulent waters

Staggered stance

Cycle repeated

In this dying dance

 

Trembling knees

Strike the ground

Eyes glance up

To where help is found

An instant hush

The storm to cease

All at once

A soul at peace…

Are We Walking in the Truth?

We must stop bending the Word to suit our lifestyle and start bending ourselves to the Word. When we don't, we are creating a god in our own image. What a harsh reality to face one day that we served the god of self rather than the God of the Bible.

 

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to being a Christian. We are told in the Word to study to show ourselves approved to God. It's not an option if we truly desire to know the God we say that we serve. If we truly love Him, we will want to do all we can to get to know Him. The Bible is a detailed manual of who He is and His plan for His children.

Time to dive into the Bible. If we lack the desire, what is it that we are loving more than Him? Is it possible we ARE erecting a god that suits us like the children of Israel did in the wilderness? They even worshipped this "god" saying it is the Lord who delivered them out of Egypt! How easily we can be deceived into thinking we are serving Jesus when really we are only picking and choosing Scriptures that suit us.

Let's examine our lives. What parts of our lives are we not surrendering to God's ways? What Scriptures do we skip over because it will force us to face the fact that we are living disobediently in areas of our lives? What traditions do we hold onto rather than challenge our thinking with what the Word really says?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind."

(Exodus 32, 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 2:8, Mark 7:8, Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:1-4)

 

SEEK TRUTH... not your idea of truth, but absolute truth only found within the context of Scripture.

Drop the Cape

Many of us carry a "superman" persona where we feel less of a person if we need others. Being weak is not always a bad thing. It pushes us to look at our humanness that is not wired to carry things alone. Why would God send us the Holy Spirit, our Comforter? Why would He tell us to bear one another's burdens? Why did Jesus send the disciples out 2 by 2? Because we need help! We need support! Time to drop our capes! It's ok, really! :)

Work in Progress

We are a work in progress. The "cracks" in the sidewalk of our life can become a fertile place of growth if we turn our perspective around. The person we are, the circumstances we face, are all part of our journey. It's human nature to get frustrated when our life appears to be producing more weeds than flowers. We need to rejoice in the growth rather than get discouraged that we are not yet in full bloom. :)

Father, You are the Master Gardener. We give You ourselves. We submit to the pruning process so that we can bear the fruit that You desire to see in our lives... Amen.

 

Do You Love Me?

 

 

"Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."

It is an amazing concept that whatever we do to others, good or bad, we are doing to Jesus Himself. Our love and our commitment to God is demonstrated in how we treat others!

Are we kind or sharp tongued? Do we use our words to edify or do we use them to tear down? Do we take time to listen to the hurts of others or do we tune them out? Are we willing to lay down our agenda to lend a helping hand or do we find doing for others to be an interruption to our lives? Do we have a cheerful heart when we serve others or do we grumble and complain when we aren't recognized for our deeds? Are we quick to give when there is a need or do we hoard what we have rather than seeing that we are blessed to be a blessing?

The Scriptures are clear that God takes account of everything - down to EVERY idle word we speak!

We are EXPECTED to exercise self control even when we are offended or irritated by another's actions. Why? Because when we don't we aren't being effective lights for Jesus in a dark world. We aren't representing Him correctly and ultimately we bring shame to His name. It's the love of God that leads men to repentance. If we can't love others with God's love, we cannot reach them for Christ.

"After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love You.”  “Then feed My lambs,” Jesus told him.  Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love You.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.  A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.”

Jesus said, “Then feed My sheep."

Our actions mirror our hearts. Is there enough evidence in how we treat others to convict us of being true lovers of Jesus? Jesus is asking us the same thing, "Do you love Me?"

(Matthew 25:31-45, Matthew 12:36, Matthew 5:14-16, Genesis 12:1-3, 2 Cor 9:8-12, 1 Cor 13, Prov 12:25, Prov 19:17, Prov 25:11, Eph 4:32)

Living Water

 

 

Drawing from a source

That is only temporary

A thirst never quenched

Issues only buried

 

A desire that is craved

But you never truly get

No matter how much you have

The need is never met

Come see what I have to offer

You will never again thirst

It will become a well within you

In which eternal life is birthed

 

If I told you all your secrets

And counted your failed tries

Would you draw from My well

Where you’ll finally be satisfied?

(John 4)

Trust

 

Jesus was speaking to a multitude of people - saying things that didn’t make sense to their natural mind. Much of it seemed quite bizarre, leading some to think that He was a crazy man. At the conclusion of His talk, the Bible says:

“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. "Do you also want to go away?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Notice that Peter doesn’t stop there, but goes on to say, “Also we have come to BELIEVE and KNOW that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:66-69)

When we come to the realization that Jesus is who He says He is, we can fully trust Him when He tells us something or directs us in a way that doesn’t make sense to us. We can trust Him even when the multitude mocks and when those who once followed Him walk away.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

TRUST HIM! And trust that His plans for you ARE good! (Jeremiah 29:11) J