Under the Circumstances

Too many times people become overwhelmed by the circumstances that surround them. I remember once I taught a ladies Bible Study on “Are You Under the Circumstances or A World Overcomer?”

This was a six week study so suffice it to say that I won’t be doing the full teaching here…

The enemy tries to get us to focus on the circumstances. Daniel had to face lions, David went up against a giant, Peter was in a small boat on a stormy sea, Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, bitten by a poisonous snake, stoned and imprisoned.

However, I continually find myself going back to these verses and principles, putting myself in remembrance of what God says my life should be. The Father wants us to look up, above the circumstances, to His promises, power and peace.

“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4 NKJV

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

So when you are feeling overwhelmed or under the circumstances do what King David said.

“God, hear my cry for help. Listen to my prayer. 2 From a faraway land I call to you for help. I feel so weak and helpless! Carry me to a high rock where no one can reach me. 3 You are my place of safety, a strong tower that protects me from my enemies.” Psalm 61:1-3 ERV

I can almost hear someone say, “that’s fine and good for you but my lifestyle isn’t close to God. He probably doesn’t want anything to do with me and wouldn’t help me if I asked.”

Let me remind you of a young man who felt that way about his father. He had squandered his money – lived with prostitutes, gamblers and didn’t care about anyone but himself. Then when he got to the bottom, he thought he would try to go home and work as a hired hand.

The Father had other plans. He saw his son coming from a long way, ran to him, hugged and kissed him and restored him to right standing. And so, He WILL do it for you too.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the world instead overcome it in Jesus!

Comfort!

This morning the city of Uvalde, Texas is in need of comfort!

We get very little news up here, so I don’t know much about the situation in that town but what I do know is that we need to be praying for them. There is no way to make any sense of what happened.

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

Join me in praying for those who are hurting in such a horrible way.

“Holy Spirit, you are the Comforter. Minister to these families, those who mourn. Wrap them in the Father’s love and ease their pain. Bring peace where there is fear. Bring compassion to the community as they reach out to their hurting friends and neighbors. Do what only you can do, in the name of Jesus”.

It’s hard to know what to say or do, but if we open our hearts to the Lord’s leading, He will show us how we can be used to bring His love and compassion to those who are hurting.

“I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort.” II Corinthians 1:2-3 CEV

We may not know anyone who is personally affected by this recent horror, but we may have people around us who are experiencing their own kind of deep and emotional loss. We need to be aware of those types of situations so we can share the comfort of Christ.

“Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others.” Philippians 2:1 CEV

Orphaned? Not Alone!

In a few days I will commemorate the first anniversary of my mother’s death. I know many of you have already experienced this and understand the feelings of being an adult orphan. I’m hurting but I have also found amazing comfort.

It’s unusual not to have anyone to call mom or dad. I guess that’s one of the reasons my relationship with my heavenly Father is so precious.

“Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Prepare the way for the one who rides on the clouds. His name is Yah. Worship before him with joy.God, who lives in his holy palace, is a father to orphans, and he takes care of widows. God provides homes for those who are lonely. He frees people from prison and makes them happy.” Psalm 68:4-6 ERV

He is a father to orphans – there is nothing that Scripture doesn’t cover. There is absolutely nothing that pertains to us that our Father doesn’t care about.

My morning quiet times gives me the opportunity to cuddle in and feel His loving arms around me. It’s my time to tell Him my hurts and my joys. It’s my time for Him to remind me I’m never alone and He causes my fears to dissipate.

“The Lord is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children. 14 He knows all about us.
He knows we are made from dust. 15 He knows our lives are short, that they are like grass.
He knows we are like a little wildflower that grows so quickly,16 but when the hot wind blows, it dies. Soon, you cannot even see where the flower was. 17 But the Lord has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!” Psalm 103:13-17 ERV

He has always loved me and He will continue to love me forever! He loves you in exactly the same way. All of His kids are recipients of His unconditional love. The comfort we receive from Him is to be shared.

“Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share this same comfort with others in trouble.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 CEV

He molds our hearts; He shapes them to be like His. He wants the world to know of His amazing love and we get to be His ambassadors.

“God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. 19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.” II Corinthians 5:18-19 CEV

Remember when we were kids and mom, or dad did something really special just for us? We couldn’t wait to tell our friends – we bragged on how amazing they were. That’s the feeling I get from the verses above.

Our heavenly Father has been so amazing to take us in and make us His own, I just have to brag about it.

We may have been orphaned; but with God’s love we will never be alone!

Heading Home

Our week of vacation, visiting dear friends has come to an end. We’re flying home this morning and praying for a non-delayed flight. Getting here was certainly a challenge.

This past week we have laughed and visited – just catching up. Secretly I have shed a few tears knowing it will be a while before we see each other again. I cherish the time we have had.

Another happening today will be the celebration of life for my high school bestie, over 50 years of sweet memories. She passed away too soon. Just last winter we were visiting her and her daughter and now she’s gone from this life and enjoying heaven.

It’s important that we relish the moments we have with those who are special to us, friends and family; taking time to tell them how much they mean to us. Encouraging one another, investing our love and kindness, making a deposit of life-time portions.

I’m so looking forward to heaven because there will be no good-byes to be said. It’s hard to imagine eternity. I’ve tried for years to grasp the concept. But what I know is there are no clocks or schedules, we won’t tire at the end of the day and need to say good night because day will never end.

“God did not choose us to suffer his anger. God chose us to have salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him. It is not important if we are alive or dead when Jesus comes. 11 So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing.” I Thessalonians 5:9-11 ERV

I remember saying good-bye to my mother. Her words were very clear, “when I’m gone don’t cry, have a party; I’ll see you soon”.

When we have Jesus as our Savior, we have a heavenly assurance. We’ve been given an amazing inheritance – life with Him.

 Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those who have died. We don’t want you to be sad like other people—those who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died, but we also believe that he rose again. So we believe that God will raise to life through Jesus any who have died and bring them together with him when he comes.” I Thessalonians 4:13-14 ERV

Don’t be sad, have a party!

I am so thankful for all the wonderful family and friends who fill my life. I am richly blessed! I am thankful for each one of you and I pray that the Lord blesses you richly in every facet of life. May you know and experience the depth of God’s love, his mercy, his goodness and his grace.

May you have the assurance of spending eternity with Him. Afterall, we are all on the journey of heading home!