Tag: comfort

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Carry the Load

I know there are so many hurting people in the world and those who are friends and family need us to help them with our prayers and encouragement. But as hard as we try, we can never really know the pain they are going through.

We can empathize and sympathize with them, but we are limited in truly understanding their grief, sorrow and personal battles.

However, there is One who knows the depth of the pain and has come to carry it.

“He was hated and men would have nothing to do with Him, a man of sorrows and suffering, knowing sadness well. We hid, as it were, our faces from Him. He was hated, and we did not think well of Him.

4 For sure He took on Himself our troubles and carried our sorrows. Yet we thought of Him as being punished and hurt by God, and made to suffer. 5 But He was hurt for our wrong-doing. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so we would have peace. He was beaten so we would be healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 NLV

In one version of these verses it says, “He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”.

Christ came to carry the load. We are limited in our resources and understanding to help in life’s most trying times but not Jesus. He knows the depth of the hurt and He doesn’t want us trying to handle it on our own. He wants us to let Him carry the load.

“ Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ERV

We can become weary, exhausted and emotionally drained from “trying” to do it all on our own. Our own efforts will fall short every time. But there is a place of rest and that is found in Jesus.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 CEV

Jesus grieved the death of His friend Lazarus. He wept. His heart was broken over the calloused ways of humankind. He wept. He was moved with compassion over those suffering with sickness and disease and also those who were ridiculed and considered social outcast.

He came to bring comfort and healing. He promises to be our help.

“ We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him…16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

When we come to Him, He promises to carry the load.

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Living Hope

Things are so grand on the mountain – the ponderosa pines tower over our campground, the rocks are huge, the elk are massive and the trout are trophy size! I love being here to experience all of this but there is another side to it as well.

When we walk through the forest we are constantly reminded that nothing on this earth lasts forever. There we find trees that have succumbed to fire, lightning or even a fungus or an insect. They lay in a state of decay across the forest floor.

On one of our walks we even found a carcass from a winter past. The bones were whitened by the elements – the rain, the snow and the sun. Life ends and new life comes.

Loss is heartbreaking!

I was reminded just yesterday that Jesus wept at the loss of his friend. He knows the anguish we experience with loss and He provides us with a new and living hope.

“Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. 4 God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear.” I Peter 1:3-4 CEV

Christ died but the story doesn’t end there. He didn’t face the decay of death but He rose victoriously from the grave. He defeated death so that we might have new life and new hope.

“Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins. 18 And those people who died after putting their faith in him are completely lost. 19 If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else. 20 But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. 21 Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ.” I Corinthians 15:17-21 CEV

It would be easy to become discouraged when loved ones die and we are left with emptiness and heartache. Jesus knew what that would be like for His own disciples when they went through the anguish of His death. These are His words:

“Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am.” John 14:1-3 ERV

If you have experienced the lost of a friend or loved one take heart – the separation that we feel here on earth will soon be replaced with an eternity of joy in heaven!

We have that living hope!

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Healing A Broken Heart

Right now, I have three people I love dearly who are dealing with broken hearts! In the natural, we can bring comfort and love but we can’t heal the hurt. Only God can do that!

As I was praying for each of them this morning, I felt a bit helpless. “Lord, I want to do more but don’t know what more I can do”. The answer came clear – keep praying, keep loving and let Me love them through you.

Bringing God into the situation is never futile; it’s never a waste of time. God’s love is the great healer.

This morning, my words are few because the best thing I can do for you if you are broken hearted is bring you God’s word.

“I will always praise the Lord.
2 With all my heart,
    I will praise the Lord.
    Let all who are helpless,
    listen and be glad.
3 Honor the Lord with me!
    Celebrate his great name.

4 I asked the Lord for help,
    and he saved me
    from all my fears.
5 Keep your eyes on the Lord!
You will shine like the sun
    and never blush with shame.
6 I was a nobody, but I prayed,
    and the Lord saved me
    from all my troubles.

7 If you honor the Lord,
    his angel will protect you.
8 Discover for yourself
    that the Lord is kind.
    Come to him for protection,
    and you will be glad.

9 Honor the Lord!
    You are his special people.
    No one who honors the Lord
    will ever be in need.
10 Young lions[a] may go hungry
    or even starve,
but if you trust the Lord,
    you will never miss out
    on anything good.

11 Come, my children, listen
    as I teach you
    to respect the Lord.
12 Do you want to live
    and enjoy a long life?
13 Then don’t say cruel things
    and don’t tell lies.
14     Do good instead of evil
    and try to live at peace.

15 If you obey the Lord,
he will watch over you
    and answer your prayers.
16 But God despises evil people,
    and he will wipe them all
from the earth,
    till they are forgotten.
17 When his people pray for help,
    he listens and rescues them
    from their troubles.
18 The Lord is there to rescue
all who are discouraged
    and have given up hope.” Psalm 34:1-18 CEV

If you are discouraged, hopeless and broken hearted the Lord is here to help! Give Him your heart, He’ll heal it!

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A Place of Comfort

I’ve been up for several hours now, in fact, it was just about 2 am and I knew I needed to get up and spend time with my Father. I went to bed last night after learning our governor had set a statewide crew extending from 8 pm to 5 am. This is to continue for at least the next week.

Communities all across this nation are in a state of turmoil and fear. I only know one way to maintain inner peace and that’s by reading God’s word and talking with my heavenly Father. I have been praying for my family and loved ones but I have also been praying for those of you reading this. I may not know you by name but God does and He desires to be your protection and your peace.

What was the first thing on your mind this morning? The kids, your job, health, finances, a relationship, the world crisis – whatever it is, the Lord has a solution. He cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

His lap is big enough to have room for us to cuddle up and draw strength from Him. I love this picture I’m using this morning. That’s me sitting in my dad’s lap and yes, that’s an open Bible there too. This may be the reason that I find it so easy to imagine that I am always welcome in my heavenly Father’s lap. In times of joy and sorrow, triumph or tragedy, victory or defeat I find great solace in knowing that I am always welcome in my Father’s presence.

His Word is powerful enough to change the course of rivers and set the boundaries in the sky; so at His word our world can change from disorder to order. We shouldn’t let anything hold us back from enjoying the Father’s presence, His power and His word.

“You will teach me the right way to live.  Just being with you will bring complete happiness.
  Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

In our Father’s presence there is joy, peace, kindness and help. Rest in Him!

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Lessons From Glory

Those of you who have been reading my blog any length of time have heard me refer to Glory on a number of occasions. She is my morning buddy and has sat with me through countless hours of Bible Study and prayer. Yesterday, Dave and I had to make the hard decision to let her go. Her little heart had given up; the vet said it was used up.

So, this morning for the first time in a very long time I’m at my computer alone. I just had to re-share one of the many lessons the Lord taught me when Glory was here…

It was a typical Saturday morning. Dave was busy working on things outside and I was getting the house cleaned. Somewhere in all that our little dog Glory got very nervous and unsettled.

She wasn’t a dog to jump up on people but she was that day. Jumping up on Dave and then on me. She was obviously upset. Her world wasn’t as she thought it should be and the only way she knew to do to make it safe was to be with one of us, on our lap.

It made me think, what do I do when my world seems to be wrong? Do I get upset and just work harder, not smarter? Do I hide myself away from family and friends? Do I try to escape the situation by running away – into the television, on a vacation, a shopping trip? Or do I go to the Father, jump up in His lap and let Him assure me things will be alright?

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

This morning I am spending time in my Father’s lap and letting Him dry my tears. It’s where I am finding the comfort I need. It’s the best place to be!

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Joy Comes in the Morning

How did you sleep last night?

Were you blessed with restful, peaceful sleep? Be thankful, so many weren’t. There are those who were up standing watch over their cities; firefighters, police, EMT’s, hospital staff. Then others were assigned to their posts of protecting our Nation; Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Border Patrol. They all have a daunting task to perform in keeping us safe and they do it willingly.

Others I know were up half the night grieving over the recent loss of a loved one. The sadness, the loneliness covers them like a roaring wave, crashing on the shore. Last night, for many, was filled with travel; a flight taking them home to family and loved ones or taking them too some exciting destination. Then there were those who sat beside a dear precious soul getting ready to leave this earth for their heavenly home.

“The night may be filled with tears, but in the morning we can sing for joy!” Psalm 30:5b ERV

Over twenty years ago, I began each morning by reading Psalm 143 and Psalm 145. No matter what had happened the night before, I greeted each day focusing on God’s love and provision. I felt compelled to share this with you today. I have no idea what your night was like but God does. His purpose is to bring you joy this morning, lasting joy.

“Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For I trust in You. Teach me the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. 9  Rescue me, O Lord, from my enemies;
I take refuge in You. 10  Teach me to do Your will [so that I may please You], For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11  Save my life, O Lord, for Your name’s sake; In Your righteousness bring my life out of trouble. 12  In your lovingkindness, silence and destroy my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my life, For I am Your servant.” Psalm 143:8-12 AMP

“The Lord lifts up people who have fallen. He helps those who are in trouble. 15 All living things look to you for their food and you give them their food at the right time. 16 You open your hands and give every living thing all that it needs. 17 Everything the Lord does is good. Everything he does shows how loyal he is. 18 The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help.” Psalm 145:14-18 ERV

I hope your day is joy-filled. The Father is reminding you of His lovingkindness.

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I Learned Something New!

Don’t you enjoy learning new things? I learned something new yesterday and I just had to share it with you. We were listening to a teaching by Pastor Tim Ross. He was using the first chapter of the book of Ruth as his foundational Scripture.

I love the book of Ruth! It’s one of the Bible’s best love stories. It’s short and easy to read. In a nutshell, it’s about two women and their relationship and it ends with a marriage and a child that effects the course of Jewish history.

Naomi is a Jewish woman who is widowed and also experiences her two sons deaths. She decides to return to her home country; her family had left years ago because a famine. Her widowed daughters-in-law make plans to go with her. However, Naomi tells both women to stay with their families and that she will return home alone. The women argue with their mother-in-law, who is in a real state of depression and at Naomi’s insistence one of the women decide to stay in their home country of Moab.

“But Ruth said:

“Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
17 Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.”

18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. 19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem…” Ruth 1:16-19 NKJV

I have heard Ruth’s reply used at weddings to express the commitment between the bride and the groom. It has been used on jewelry charms shared between friends. It is a true expression of loyalty that has come through the ages.

Ruth would not let her mother-in-law go through this time of sadness alone. Ruth was experiencing her own grief, she had lost her husband, but her concern for her mother-in-law overrode her own need for comforting, she needed to the be comforter.

Isn’t that what we were talking about in yesterday’s blog. Jesus said he came to be a servant and not to be served?

Now, I’ve known this story and it touches me each time I read it – the love between these two women. The depth of their friendship and commitment to one another goes deep. But this is the new part – Pastor Tim asked how many have ever felt alone in their time of grief and disappointment. He wanted to know how many had ever been “ruth-less”.

Ruth- less! The definition of ruthless is this: “having or showing no pity or compassion for others”. Merciless, cruel, hard hearted, pitiless are just a few words that can be used as synonyms for ruthless.

But did you know that “ruth” is a word that can be used as a noun and it means a feeling of distress or grief? It’s synonyms are compassion, condolence, regret, sympathy, understanding and sadness. We have all needed “ruth” in our lives at one point or another and we have all felt ruthless at other times. I had never known this before. This was a very new understanding to me. Of course, I knew the meaning of ruthless but I had never put it in this light.

Ruth was a companion, a friend of true depth to Naomi. In going back to Bethlehem with Naomi Ruth met Boaz, her husband and they had a son. Ruth is King David’s great grandmother. King David is in the ancestral line of Jesus. A woman with a servant’s heart, a heart of compassion, created a legacy of compassionate people.

I pray you never know ruthless days! We have the promise of God that He will never leave, abandon or desert us. He brings ruth to our lives just like He brought Ruth to Naomi’s life.

My prayer is that I will always be able to see those who need me to be ruth to them.

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It’s Important to Cuddle

We knew our kids would be heading home right after lunch yesterday. We visited and played for most of the morning and then it was time to gather things up and start moving them out to the car.

I was putting out lunch in the kitchen, the little ones were playing, Kaci was packing and Stephen was loading out. Kristine was doing fine until her Daddy carried out her shoes. She followed him to the door but she had to stay inside. Her Daddy was gone and so were her shoes.

Kaci picked her up and put her in the high chair so she could eat before they left. Brother Sam was already eating. She wanted nothing to do with that, she just kept looking at the door and then the tears started to fall. It’s hard to imagine what might have been going through her little mind – I’m tired and I just want a nap; are they going to leave me; why can’t I go outside too.

I lifted her out of her high chair and began to rub her back. She started to calm down and cuddle in. I held her as her Momma and Daddy sat down to eat their lunch with brother. She snuggled in more as I sat down and then she fell fast asleep.

This scene replayed in my head this morning. And then I read this verse as part of my morning reading.

“You know that we treated each one of you the way a father treats his own children. 12 We encouraged you, we comforted you, and we told you to live good lives for God. He calls you to be part of his glorious kingdom.” I Thessalonians 2:11-12 ERV

We could almost replace that word “comforted” with the word cuddled. Paul had learned from the Lord the importance of comforting and encouraging. That’s what the Father does for us – He doesn’t abandon or desert us. When we feel vulnerable He is there to lift us up and give us peace.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

Maybe you need a good cuddle today, come boldly to God’s throne. He’ll pick you up and provide peace. Or maybe there is someone you’ll encounter today who is having a rough go of it; God might use you to act in a “fatherly” way to bring them comfort and encouragement.

Just remember, sometimes we could all use a good cuddle!

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Wipe Away The Tears

Not So Happy Day…I woke up this morning and asked the Lord what I should write. I remembered an article I wrote several years back to Mothers’ with broken hearts.

There are woman all around me who aren’t happy about Mother’s Day but instead are dreading it.

This is for those of you who have recently experienced the death of a child either as an unborn, infant or even an adult. You’re not having a good day, you want to stay in bed with your head under the covers and avoid all who are celebrating.

Some of you have been told you will never have children and your heart is screaming “I’m broken…I ache…I may never recover and I can’t go on pretending everything’s ok.”

Ladies some of you may be dealing with abortion or giving a child up for adoption. Others may be facing life as a single parent because you’ve been abandoned. Some have a special needs child that you love dearly but drain your energy and you are exhausted most of the time.

The last group of ladies I want to include here are those of you who are estranged from your children, those whose children have left and you have no idea where they are or they are living a lifestyle that is far from you and even farther from the Lord. They may be in an addictive lifestyle or they may be in prison.

Mother’s Day is not a good day for you to say the least. You hurt and the thought of facing the day, a day filled with cards and flowers, cheery greetings and gifts is just unbearable.

Because I’m writing this too you, you can know that your Heavenly Father knows your heart, He knows your pain. He wants to comfort you. There are two verses that immediately come to mind

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 CEV

“for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5b-6 AMP

Your Father knows your heart and how it’s breaking, He is here to heal it and to give you comfort. You are not alone!

“God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!” Matthew 5:4 CEV

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I’m Going Fishing

Have you ever been through a time of crisis? I mean the gut wrenching, heart breaking, all hope is gone, kind of crisis.

It could be the death of a loved one; the end of a marriage you were trying to save; an attack that devastated your health and physical well-being or perhaps it was a financial situation that left you destitute.

Seeing the news of the last few days, I find myself praying for those who are losing everything to the floods, tornados, and snow storms. Homes are gone with everything that was in them; the livelihood of farmers and ranchers are lost; entire towns are being evacuated. What to do?!

I hope you will find comfort in this. I want to tell you about a man who had lost all and was fearful that he would be arrested and possibly killed. He went fishing. Yes, fishing! He went back to what he knew before his life was turned upside down. He went fishing. Some friends went with him.

“3 Simon Peter said, “I am going out to fish.”

The other followers said, “We will go with you.” So all of them went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing.

4 Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore. But the followers did not know it was Jesus. 5 Then he said to them, “Friends, have you caught any fish?”

They answered, “No.”

6 He said, “Throw your net into the water on the right side of your boat. You will find some fish there.” So they did this. They caught so many fish that they could not pull the net back into the boat.

7 The follower Jesus loved very much said to Peter, “That man is the Lord!” When Peter heard him say it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself. (He had taken his clothes off to work.) Then he jumped into the water.” John 21:3-7 ERV

You know the background to this story. Peter and the others had been following Christ for three years. They left everything to be one of his disciples. They saw Jesus do miracles; they did miracles. They believed Jesus was the Messiah, God’s Son, and then they saw Him die. The Pharisees and religious leaders hated Jesus and his disciples. They were on the “Most Wanted” list.

Jesus had appeared to the disciples a couple of times after His death and yet, here they were. Floundering from their loss. They were emotionally undone. Where should they go from here? In true Peter fashion he declared “I’m going fishing”. I’m going back to the familiar, back to what I know. I’m finding something that will distract me and I’m going to a place of comfort.

Wow!

Some of us crawl into bed and pull the covers over our heads. Some find comfort in alcohol or drugs, they need to forget. Others find consolation being with others who have also experienced the same type of loss.

I want you to notice something from this story. In their loss and desperation the disciples didn’t go seeking the Lord. They went fishing and the Lord found them. He not only found them, He helped them catch a boat load of fish, cooked them breakfast and served them hope!

“The other followers went to shore in the boat. They pulled the net full of fish. They were not very far from shore, only about 100 yards.[b 9 When they stepped out of the boat and onto the shore, they saw a fire of hot coals. There were fish on the fire and some bread there too. 10 Then Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish that you caught.”

11 Simon Peter got into the boat and pulled the net to the shore. It was full of big fish—153 of them! But even with that many fish, the net did not tear. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the followers would ask him, “Who are you?” They knew he was the Lord. 13 Jesus walked over to get the bread and gave it to them. He also gave them the fish.

14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his followers after he was raised from death.” John 21:8-14 ERV

We can trust Jesus to meet us in our time of crisis. He sees the hurt and brings comfort. He sees our fear and brings peace. He hears our cries for help and comes quickly to our aid.

“Jesus came to Nazareth where He had grown up. As He had done before, He went into the Jewish place of worship on the Day of Rest. Then He stood up to read. 17 Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” Luke 4:16-19 NLV

This was Jesus life mission; healing, saving, restoring and forgiving those who were without hope and purpose.

“For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].” Hebrews 2:18 AMPC

Maybe you have “gone fishing” because of the overwhelming circumstances in your life. If you look around, you’ll find that Jesus is there. He’s come to bring comfort and assistance.

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