Our Firm Foundation

Our spiritual maturity is validated by our ability to rest in God, even when negative emotions overwhelm us. God is never absent or distant.

He simply lets go of our hand occasionally, so that we can take some faltering steps on our own. God is always right there with us; in fact, He never, ever leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5).

When we experience anxiety, sleeplessness, stress, unforgiveness and trials, it does not mean God went somewhere.

We simply stopped dwelling in our spirit and focused instead on our soul - our mind, will and emotions. Considering the needs of our soul is vital to a fulfilled life; but we cannot dwell there.

The tyranny of life keeps us tied up in knots, running in two directions at one time and burning the candle from both ends at once. This is a recipe for destruction.

If we focus instead on the finished work of Christ on Calvary's cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have a solid foundation on which to build our life.

Prayer:

Father God, You meet with us in our spirit and You are with us always, but You help us to grow up into a mature person who lives with faith in Your faithfulness. You occasionally let go of our hand to teach us to walk in Your Spirit.

If we build our life on the instability of this world, storms will demolish all of our best laid plans and foundation. If we wisely choose Christ as our foundation, our life will stand firm regardless of the most torrential circumstance (Matthew 7:24-27).

Thought for the Day:

This world is not our true home; we are simply doing God's will for our life now, as we progress toward our eternal Home in glory.

Beyond Our Control

Life often bombards us with circumstances beyond our control. Each time we find a place of rest, something or someone beyond our control interrupts our serenity. We believe we have to maintain control over every aspect of our life in order to remain safe. Sometimes, we respond to adversity by fighting back or by grumbling and complaining. In resorting to this negative behavior, we actually lose our serenity altogether! Worry takes our mind off the here and now and keeps it either a prisoner of the past or trapped in an imagined future.

Psychiatrists say worry can also cause anxiety, apathy, headaches, decreases in our immune system, increases in blood pressure, insomnia, and even bad habits such as grinding teeth and biting nails. When our heart is in anguish within us, when the terrors of death assault us, when we are trembling with fears that attack us and when the horrors of life overwhelm us, we want to run far away and hide. We wish we had wings like a dove so we could fly away and be at rest. We long for a place of shelter far from the tempest of issues and emotions that storm our life (Psalm 55:4-8).

Since it’s often impractical to hide or fly away, we can patiently accept each circumstance as a new challenge to our faith and an exciting adventure planned for us by the Lord. God’s power manifests in our weakest moments. We can actually boast about how weak we are; because then, instead of showing off our own power and abilities, we live as a demonstration of Christ's power. We can follow Paul’s example and learn to be content in whatever state in which we find our self (Philippians 4:11-13). As we dwell in this secret place of the Most High, He will lead us, guide us and make all things work out for our good (Romans 8:28). God is always with us, working on our behalf. He is all we need.

The less we have, the more we depend upon God (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). If we draw our security from the Son Himself, instead of some weak reflection the world offers us, our rest will last for eternity. We may experience discomfort now and then from a fiery trial, a disappointing loss or a daunting challenge; but we will always have God’s Light, because His Sonshine never fades away. Difficulties come in life, but when we are weak, then He is strong for us. He is constant and always shares His love and wisdom with us regardless of our circumstances.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, when we trust in You, we will never experience the depression of hopes dashed against the cold reality of a faded moon. We will rest in the solid constancy of God’s never changing Son, because You never fail us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5-8). You constantly make intercession to the Father for us every moment of our life (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). Satan may bombard us with doubt and anxiety, but if we look to You, then Your perfect love will cast out all of our fear (1 John 4:18).

Thought for the Day:

Someone said, “Fear knocked. Faith answered the door and no one was there!”

Lord of the Flies

Read: Psalm 92:1-5

“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." - Ps 91:15-16  

The window air conditioning unit mounted into the wall of our miniature, antique cottage home quit working. My husband removed the defective unit and went to purchase a new one. During his absence our house quickly swarmed with flies pouring through the opening! Their constant buzzing got on my nerves, so I commanded them to leave in Jesus’ name. I never doubted they would go because of promises such as Psalm 34:15-17 and Psalm 56:9.

After tucking my husband into bed that night, I went to snuggle into the fluffy couch pillows with a Christian novel. It was not until then that I realized there were absolutely no flies in the house! Humbled that I failed to thank God sooner, I jumped off the couch and joyfully pranced around the living room with my hands raised and loud whispered thanksgiving pouring from my lips to our awesome God. He did not have to answer my prayer, but He abundantly accomplished my request (Ephesians 3:20-21).

God delights in answering the prayers of His Saints (Proverbs 15:8). The perfect antidote for insomnia is to thank Him nightly for His faithful care. Even in the most adverse circumstances, we triumph over every difficulty by waiting on His Spirit’s leading moment by moment throughout the day.

Prayer:

Lord, it is so good to give You thanks. Help me to remember to praise You for answered prayer. Even in the sad times and the mad times, I will sing praises to Your name. Amen.

Thought for the Day:

We relish in God’s constant provision, but we do not really show Him appreciation until we start declaring His loving kindness to our friends, relatives, associates and neighbors.