Peace, Be Still

Devotional for July 16, 2011

There’s just something about the calming effect of a strong hand. My son, Garrett, has always had a struggle whenever it came time to wind down. I’ve never before seen a toddler perform so many acrobats in a crib just in an attempt to fall asleep.

Even as an infant, it was a challenge for him. Though we would allow him to cry himself to sleep on a regular basis, sometimes he just needed a little help. His Daddy knew what to do. Slowly yet firmly, my husband would press his hand down little Garrett’s back. Finally, my baby boy would settle down. Can’t you just hear the little newborn sigh? It would confirm that peace had finally arrived and blessed that precious babe.

It could be that the tiny body just didn’t have the strength to squirm under the authority of that mighty hand, but I think there’s more to it. There just happens to be a great feeling of security when you know deep down that you are under the submission of someone so powerful, yet so full of love.

I know that feeling. It happens every time I surrender my will over to God. Come to think of it, that beautiful scene of “Authoritative Father” and “restless child” reminds me of the mighty Hand of Jesus and one wild and crazy storm.

“Peace, be still”

With one simple gesture, and a few words, “Peace, be still,” Jesus calmed the most violent of seas. “Peace, be still,” and one strong hand was all it took and the chaos surrendered. The waters were lulled to sleep.

All it takes is one strong hand to feel safe and sound,

and to rest like a sleeping baby.

There’s just something about the calming effect of a strong hand.

“Peace, be still”

Sleep peacefully, little Garrett…sweet, energetic and restless son, God is with you.

I will lie down in peace and sleep,

for You alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.

Psalms 4:8

Amie Spruiell
Written on 8/15/2002

Jesus, Our Shelter in the Storms of Life

Have you ever found yourself being falsely accused of betraying a confidence? This is a something that I have recently experienced in my own life. I can tell you honestly that there was no intention on my part to betray anything, in fact, quite the opposite was true. Nevertheless, I found myself on the receiving end of somebody’s mistrust, and it was not a pleasant place to be.

There are all kinds of thoughts that go through your head when this happens. There are also a lot of feelings that go through your heart. My first thoughts were of how I could prove that I was, indeed, telling the truth. I wanted to defend myself and hold onto the sense of honor that I feared was being stripped away from me. In my heart I was at first incredulous, then hurt, and eventually I became offended.

I began to try and “reason” the situation out in my own understanding. I thought of how long I had known the people involved, and I found myself thinking about how unfair the situation was. I thought of all the times that I had “been there” for them, and how “this” is what I end up “getting” in return. It didn’t take long for my thoughts of “reason” to begin to reel in all different directions. Soon they were just plain out of control.

This was when I felt an all compassing sense of peace come over me. It was in such sharp contrast with all of the other feelings that I had been having, that it caused me to stop and breath in deeply. I knew it was the Lord. He was quieting me with His love and His peace. All of a sudden I knew that I didn’t have to defend myself. I knew that He knew the truth of all that had taken place. I felt it as He reassured me of this, and I knew that it would be Him Who would stand beside me.

Psalm 57, verses 1 and 2 say, “v.1 Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You: yes, in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed. v.2 I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me (Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them)!”

I cannot tell you how much comfort I received from these verses. I was reminded that it was not in my own understanding on which I could lean, but only on the Lord’s. Psalm 119 verse 130 says, “The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light, their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.” It would be the Lord’s words that would cause my heart and mind to understand, not my own… and not anybody else’s.

I love the fact that the Lord comes to “save” me, and all of us, in these circumstances. He “saves” us from the pain that others inflict on us, and He also “saves” us from ourselves. He keeps us from retaliating towards others and He teaches us to release our pain and anger to Him. It is much easier for us to stay silent when it is He that is quieting our thoughts, comforting our hearts and keeping our spirits in a place of peace.

Although I understand that this situation is not over, I do know that the Lord will be with me through all that there is to come. This alone is what I place my hope in.

Thank you, Lord, for the peace that you give us

which surpasses all of our own understanding.

Thank you that you rescue us, before we do “further” damage

to a situation in which we’ve been hurt. Thank you for teaching us that we can trust in you for all things, in all situations.

Thank you for your infinite wisdom and your endless grace.

 In every way I ask that you would help us to be more like you,

and that ultimately, you would be honored in every area of our lives.

Amen.

Written by Beverley A. Napier

July 13, 2011

Hungry?

I notice his posture first. Standing with his hands in his pockets he has the casual slump of a typical teenager. Dark brown hair pulled to a ridge (called a faux hawk by the trendy) point, it reminds me of silly boy cartoons from the past. Brown eyes intently watch the server filling up his plate with warm and appetizing food. Anticipation clearly marks his face as he waits for his serving.

I am surprised! But why? The food smells good to me, too. Then it dawns on me, he’s just hungry. This youth who may cause his mother to worry about the future, his father to frown, and his teachers to doubt… is …just hungry.

In an instant I feel a bond with this young stranger as I realize that I, too, am … just hungry. Of course, we are all hungry. We all want and need food. But we have other hungers in common, too.

Just to start with WE ARE…

…hungry for love.

…hungry for acceptance.

…hungry for a sense of belonging.

…hungry for understanding.

…hungry to be acquainted with.

…hungry for approval.

…hungry for appreciation.

…hungry for recognition.

…hungry to be known.

…hungry for peace.

…hungry for mercy.

…hungry for forgiveness.

Does God’s Word address our hunger?

• John 6:34-36 Amplified Bible (AMP) “Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time). “

• Luke 1:52-53 (AMP) “He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree. He has filled and satisfied the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty-handed [without a gift].

Should we be doing anything about our hunger?

• Luke 3:10-12 New Living Translation (NLT) The crowds asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

• Romans 12:19-21 The Message (MSG) Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

• Philippians 2:13-15 (MSG) Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.

A teenager, an exhausted parent, a middle-aged woman, a grumpy customer, a stressed man, a doubting believer, a struggling individual, a worn out employee, a tired nurse: we are all hungry. We are all in some mode of survival: pushing, fighting, resisting, clawing, grabbing, reaching, stretching, or grasping. If perchance, you are in rest mode, catching your breath, then you are aware and understand the struggle others are going through. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines compassion as: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

Compassion for us and from us is God’s idea.

• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (MSG) The Rescue “All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.”

Oh God, I am so blessed yet I quickly forget these blessings as soon as my eyes notice some obstacle or the taunting thought that ‘this can’t last’ starts to darken a bright moment. Please help me to remember that YOU will satisfy my hunger and that I will know and feel Your love within as I reach out to others in patience, with kindness, while overlooking offenses, and extending the hand of friendship. Please help me to be strong and do my best and You will do the rest. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

Hallowed!

After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:9

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To hallow God's name means to make it holy or set it apart for holy use, respecting it greatly. We hallow His name by obeying Him in all our conduct. Conversely, prayer without obedience is a form of blasphemy (Matthew 7:21, Mark 7:6-7), as is praise offered to God in the attitude of rebellion against His way. It is vain or vanity—useless and contemptible.

Submitted by: Annie

CONSIDER THE WORD

Devotional for Monday, July 11, 2011

Repost from July 2010

Today there are many different philosophies prevalent in our society. We are threatened by political correctness, afraid to offend anyone with the truth. Laws are being passed which protect immorality. Our children are being taught in schools that they must be tolerant of lifestyles which contradict the principals of our Christian faith. Many times the people we work with, neighbors, and prominent media figures treat our Christian values as if they were archaic and irrelevant in our modernistic society.

We know what we believe to be ethical, logical, honorable and virtuous. Yet, when we are bombarded with the profane, we need validation of our convictions. What better way to center ourselves in the truth than to turn to the word of God. When the attitudes which surround us seem topsy-turvey and we begin to feel like "social dinosaurs" let us be comforted by the words of Jesus. In Matthew 24:35 we are reminded that "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away." (KJV) Also in I Peter 1:25 we find "but the word of the Lord endureth forever." (KJV)

Let us then refuse to be intimidated or swayed by current trends and ideas. Instead let's remember to read and meditate on the Holy scriptures. We experience such peace and stability when we saturate ourselves in God's word. And when we are filled with the truth we will "Always be prepared to gave an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." I Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Written by CF

OUT OF DARKNESS

Repost from Sunday, July 18, 2010


Have you ever felt so down you thought you would never get up again? Or have you had a friend or acquaintance who felt that way and you weren't sure how to help?
There have been times in my life when I was severely depressed. I had depleted all of my resources for living and simply wanted to lie down and never get up again in this world. I had given of myself so much, that I had no more left to give, even for myself. Much of this giving had been to cover up what I felt were major inadequacies in my life. Some of it stemmed from feeling guilty for things that I felt convinced were my fault that happened in my childhood, and I felt I could not live with myself with those memories. I felt I had totally corrupted what God had created when He made me. I even got so far as to write my own funeral, and I wanted this to be read:

"[She] has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns away. Her filthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding; there was none to comfort her. 'Look, O LORD, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed.' " Lamentations 1:8-9

What makes a person get this depressed when they have faith in God? I have had people say they don't understand how a Christian could possibly consider suicide. But even Christians can lose sight of what God can do. We can get tunnel vision and not be able to see a way out of our situation. Even if we know God can forgive anything, we may feel we can never forgive ourselves. That is when we need to be redirected back to see that God can handle anything - He is greater than any problems we might face and can turn them around in the most astounding ways. He might be using these situations to help us grow, or to teach us to forgive ourselves, or to help us learn to trust and rely on Him more fully. In fact, these troubles may even be used by Him later in our lives to help others in similar situations. Sometimes we need a good Christian friend to remind us of these things, or just to sit and cry with us and pray for us. We need to hear that someone understands our aching hearts, loves us, and won't abandon us. It is through our relationships like this that we see God's love at work and feel His comforting arms around us. All of us need to remember that we can be God's tool in the lives of others who are suffering and that it might save someone's life.
I thank God that He has helped me time and time again to get up and keep going, and that He has sent amazing Christian friends into my life at just the right times, without which I would not be here today to write this. It does not matter how overwhelmed I get, or how devastated I feel, or even how awful I think I have been, God will help me through it. May we all be ready and willing to be used by Him in the lives of others. He has great things in store for each of us, and brighter days ahead!
"He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains." Psalm 107:14

Written by Jan

Seek, Ask, Knock…And Be Prepared

Repost of  Devotional for 1/29/11


Have you ever found yourself listening to someone ramble on and on negatively about God’s Word? Calling it a “joke”? Spouting off conspiracy theories they got from the internet? Drawing in listening ears entertained by their trivia? And then, caught up in the moment, you lost your ability to draw out of your mind a solid argument because their words were so impressive? Even though you knew they were false?


It’s frustrating and defeating. Many times, I feel that I don’t have solid facts at my fingertips in a moment’s notice, or I at least have something on the tip of my tongue but not enough to even sound intelligent. AHHH!!! Later, I’ll find myself with phrase upon phrase flowing endlessly in my head, but when it’s after the fact, what good does it do?


My friend, these are training moments. We can learn from each and every one of them. When those phrases start plummeting out of your head and through your lips to an absent audience in the privacy of your home, practice them, write them down, and pray over them so that you don’t forget them.


Here’s an example of how to answer someone like that (what I literally wrote out for myself to remember):
“Who are the “they” you refer to? And why would you think that they are trying to stop you from reading those “Gnostic” gospels you refer to? If you think the “they” is the church, I would beg to differ. I am a part of that church, that Body of Christ, and my desire is for all people to know Him, but I’m not going to stop you from reading those gospels.
“If you really want to know the truth, then read them along with the gospels included in the Bible. Compare them for yourself. These excluded gospels are excluded because they’re not endorsed by the Church, not because anyone wants to keep them a secret from you or anyone.


“I would encourage you to do your research, checking carefully your sources to ensure that they are credible. There are plenty out there…good solid, well-documented sources…books that have been around for centuries that give a clear explanation of why some were included and some were not.
“However, I would like to point out that people who spout off what they’ve read from flippant internet websites whose only goal is to stir up controversies because that’s how they get the largest audiences, are usually not really interested in the truth at all. They are instead interested in words that sound fancy and scandalous, and I’m sorry to say, words that are offensive to believers in Christ…and they do it because it’s simply entertaining.
“On the other hand, there are countless cases of highly intelligent, self-proclaimed atheists who set out to prove exactly what you’re claiming. They did it in a way that uses the rules of investigation…gathering solid evidence, utilizing credible sources, and applying intelligence and logic…because they actually cared about the truth.


“These heavily burdened atheists have found the gospels you refer to are indeed false and unreliable, and the ones included in the New Testament stand firm under scrutiny. More often than not, in the end, these atheists have become believers in Christ.”


Well, that was it…that was what I wrote down. I’m not sure if I’ll remember it in a pinch. Maybe it takes even a little memorizing in order to make myself confident to speak out under pressure, but there’s nothing wrong with that as long as I remember something very important. These situations are always an attack. I have no doubt that my confused mind and inability to recall is not an accident. When these situations come up, the players are not only the non-Christian speaker and the Christian listener with the desire to evangelize. There are usually others around whose hearts are being influenced, and with ears pricked by the topic, they’re ready to hear the truth.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone

Who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect…

1 Peter 3:15

What I need to remember is that it’s not about winning an argument and coming out on top with a bloated head after putting another in his place. That’s not the heart of an evangelist. I may not have the facts of an apologist, but I do have the heart of an evangelist. You can catch more flies with honey, likewise, a kind, loving response will entice hearts and minds to look further, ask more questions, and hopefully give their life over to the only One who is the truth. Tell them that if they truly seek, ask, and knock, they WILL find the truth.

Ask and it will be given to you;

Seek and you will find;

Knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

Amie Spruiell 1-28-11