Be Stll and Know

 

The hardest practice for modern humans to develop is to sit still! In the old days, once the chores were done, families sat around the porch and talked, sang, played board games and told stories.

We have no time for that anymore. We are overly scheduled with activities that will not matter in eternity. God tells us to be still and to know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Yet, we rarely take the time to obey.

If we will abide in God's presence, He floods our spirit and soul with His attributes and the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). He is under no obligation to give us what we want, but He loves to bless His Saints (Psalm 35:27).

We all have faith in something or someone, even if it is not in God. Our Christian faith inspires our obedience to God's Word and Spirit. The Old Testament, written by the prophets through God's inspiration, teaches us what faith is really all about (Romans 16:26).

If we think, speak or act without faith, we sin (Romans 14:23). Yet, when we live in faith, we are blessed and our conscience does not condemn us (Romans 14:22).

Faith does not depend on emotions or facts. Our faith is renewed and strengthened by hearing the preaching of God's Word (Romans 10:17). This causes us to hunger and thirst for more of God (Psalm 42:1-2, 107:9).

As we still our body and soul, we find our fulfillment in Him alone (Colossians 1:27, 2:10). We have the fullness of Christ in us, just as He had the fullness of our Father in Him (Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6).

Prayer:

Father God, remind us to live in total surrender to Your Spirit within us, living by faith in Your faithfulness and in obedience to Your Word. You heal our body and soul as we dwell in Your presence. You renew our mind and we lose interest in the things of the flesh, the world and the devil. We find our true contentment and rest only in You.

Thank You for giving us the confidence to come to Your throne of grace anytime for any reason (Ephesians 3:12). Thank You for dwelling in our heart and rooting us and grounding us in Your love (Ephesians 3:17). Teach us to sit still in Your presence and to realize that You are God and no one is above You (Isaiah 45:5).

Thought for the Day:

We calm and quiet our soul like a child within us; in God alone will our soul hope as we wait in silence before Him.

- Psalm 62:5, 131:2

Hopelessness

There is a common malady in today’s society, which leads many into addictions and crime. It is called hopelessness. They have tried to make something of their life and they failed at every turn; so, they turn to chemicals and theft to relieve their symptoms. Some have never heard of the hope, which Jesus Christ provides. Others have heard that Jesus makes a difference, but they do not believe it.

 

It is up to those of us, who have first-hand experience with the wonderful love of God, to share the hope we find in Christ in a gentle, informative fashion and to entreat others to trust their life to Christ too. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and He saves all those who are crushed in spirit, if we will simply call out to Him (Psalm 43:18; 147:3). 

Total surrender to God is the key to getting out of our misery. He holds us up when we fall and lifts up everyone who is discouraged. We surrender our family, our future, our worries and our desires to the love and care of God Almighty (Mark 9:23). Then, we leave them in His capable hands.

When our soul is disheartened, we put our hope in God alone (Psalm 43:5). Complete surrender to God’s will in negative circumstance is the only way to stay sane. Even through the loss of a job, spouse, child, pet, home or parent, God cares for us. We walk in obedience to His Spirit, and live victoriously moment by moment throughout the day.

We learn to trust in God and not in our bank account, friends, children, job, the government or our parents. When we take our eyes off our self and put them on Him instead, He keeps us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). We do not fear tomorrow, because God only leads us one step at a time. We obey His Spirit, and find rest in God alone. Our only true hope comes from Him (Psalm 62:5).

Prayer:

Father God, You are my helper, so I will not be afraid (Isaiah 41:10,13-14). What can mere mortals do to me? In my distress, I cry out to You and pray to You for help. You always hear me from Your sanctuary, because my cries always reach Your ears (Psalm 18:8). Thank You that once we put our trust totally in Your miraculous love, we always find a victorious way through every negative circumstance we face (2 Corinthians 4:8; Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11).

Thought for the Day:

God gives us grace for today and hope for tomorrow. - Ecclesiastes 9:4