Don't Get Separated From God's Truth in Your Trials

“What shall separate us from the love of God?”

I woke up early this morning after having a bad dream. In the dream my daughter and I were driving through a town and for some reason left our little granddaughter on the sidewalk. As we drove away it seemed unimportant but down the street I realized the enormity of what we’d done. I insisted we go back and get her. I was furious with my daughter and she couldn’t drive fast enough. I imagined my little granddaughter wailing outrageously and us finding her and grabbing her up. There was no finality to it – I just woke up.

Life can be terrifying. All the night terrors we experience are not bad dreams. They are real life situations of life and death and many things in between. We step into the situation, or rather we are drug into it. Nobody wants to leave a child on the street and nobody wants to go into hard times. We often start out thinking this is no big thing, but the enormity of it all crashes in on us. We want to go back. We want to find out if we could change it. We want to escape the fear, the tragedy, the worry, the horrendous situation of our lives or the life of our loved ones. We want to wake up from the dream, but we also want closure. We are so wrapped up in our hurt that we begin to insist that something be done. If we’re not careful, we will begin to blame others. 

You could say I had separation anxiety in the dream. In my mind my granddaughter had that same anxiety as well. Beloved I know that some of you are going through unbelievable hardships. When we go through a hard place, we are often so intent on the trouble, so focused on the wrong, so humiliated by the rejection that we forget what we know. 

We forget God. We begin to feel condemned. “Couldn’t I have done something to prevent this?” and “Can’t I do something to fix this?” We wrangle and wring our hands and walk the floors and try to blot out the bad dream. We feel separated from God as well. We forget that He is with us, that He is helping us, that He will never leave us. We get separated from our Savior because we are looking at circumstances and believe that those circumstances are all we have. 

Oh beloved, you need to know this day, regardless of your situation or your bad dream you are living through, that God is with you always. He is saying to you “no condemnation”. He is reminding you of things you have gotten separated from. “Nothing will ever separate you from My love”. And the verse just before that one holds another nugget of importance, just for you – “Jesus intercedes for you”. You are not walking alone and you don’t have to live by your own strengths. You don’t have to face the situation of your life unaided. You have not been left alone on the street to fend for yourself. 

Don’t let the circumstances you are presently in become your truth. You can ask your Heavenly Father for His peace and live in the truth of what the Word has to say. Whatever you have need of to make it through this day, you can have it from God the Father as Jesus is ever interceding for you at the right hand of the Father. Precious one, just as my bad dream was over, you can be assured that these present troubles will not last forever. 

God loves you and He’s for you. Keep the Truth close to you and let Him guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:34-35 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Acts 2:25 King David said this about Him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.’

A Marriage Made in Heaven

When I married Danny I got a new name. I also got a bank account. I got a house, fully furnished. And I got a car. You could say I racked up!  But I didn’t marry him for the things I got, I married him because I loved him.

What if he had just given me two sets of keys, a checkbook and his name and then gone off to do his own thing? Would that have made me happy? Stuff? I remember us talking. Many conversations revolved around “When we get married…”  We looked forward to sweet and uninterrupted fellowship with one another. We became one person, no longer two.  I readily admit I became one who liked what he liked, did what he did and went where he went. I followed him and he led the way.

When we are born again, betrothed to the Lord, we too get a new name. All the old us is washed away as we become a new creation. We are very blessed as well to have all our needs met in Christ – better than a bank account because money can’t buy everything we really need, but Jesus purchased everything for us.  We also have a new home. The old digs don’t work for us anymore because we’re no longer single. We need space to fellowship with God, to entertain our faith in Him and to be furnished for everything God has planned for us.  God’s heart is our new home and our heart is in Him, so complete and lovely.  He leads us and we follow him.

God doesn’t just furnish what we need for everyday living. He furnishes the purpose for our lives. He who has called us is plenty able to get us where we need to go to fulfill that purpose.  He has furnished the Word of God to show us His ultimate plan for us – to become like Him.  He also gives us the unction of His Spirit – we sense His heart leading – to go where He leads us, whether it is pastoring, evangelism, teaching, missionary service, parenting, caregiving, befriending and more.

You could say that our relationship with Christ is a marriage made in heaven. And we are entirely blessed that the One who loves us is passionately involved with us. He’s not apathetic, distant or defiant. He’s not cold or insensitive. He loves us, He chooses us, He stays with us always and provides all our needs. Who wouldn’t love Someone like that?

Oh beloved, you may not be feeling the love your heart has wanted for so long. Maybe someone who vowed undying love has disappointed you. The one you thought would be yours forever is gone. It could be that friends walked away or office politics have grown harsh. You could be trying to find love and yet the illusions of love keep vaporizing and you have nothing left to hold onto. Don’t worry. Don’t weep. God Himself has built it within you to find nothing earthly to take the place of His great love. He says He’s a jealous God and that just means that He wants first place.  He doesn’t want you to have crutches or any other plan to fall back on but Him.  Rejoice in this wonderful love! Open up the Word of God and read about it. Ask God to let you experience it in reality.  And then, beloved, live in the light of His love. For it’s only there that you will truly live.

God loves you - really, truly deeply; and He’s for you – always, forever, into eternity. And that’s worth holding on to all the days of your life.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. AMP

Psalm 107:8 Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.

Matthew 10:29-31 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

Isaiah 54:5 For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is His name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth.

Luke 12:27-28 Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet 

Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

John 15:9 I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love.

Rest in God's Covenant Arms

There’s an old book in my hall closet from the 50’s. Inside the pages have been glued old cartoons, old photos and old sayings. My mother and I worked on “making” a book of things I loved when I was a very little girl.  I had forgotten all about it.  We went through magazines together along with the Sears catalog (remember that?) and glued those cut outs on each page. Because of the wonderful white glue of childhood they have remained totally stuck to those pages. It’s a wonderful reminder of my mother’s love in taking time to do this craft with me. I probably wasn’t very still and was easily distracted and did a lot of giggling, but the project went on for more than a day. In fact it was daily for months.

I always loved using scissors and making cutouts. From paper dolls to favorite toys in the catalog I was always cutting things out. I remember pasting some things to furniture which didn’t seem to my mother to be too “artistic” but I rarely heard a harsh voice from her. Generally she just helped clean up my messes and mistakes and concentrated on the pasting book.  We referred back to that book often through the years.

Sometimes you have to cut things out in order to put something in its place. Sometimes we need help cleaning up the messes and mistakes. Sometimes we have to cut reminders out of our memories, our life, our Bibles to remind us where we have been and where we are going.

I find I still like to cut things out, but now I use the computer and print out quotes and Scriptures, especially when I’m dealing with something – just to remind me of who I am, whose I am and where I am.

You may have felt you were cut out of the good life.  You may have been cut down by those you trusted and admired. You might have gotten cut off in mid-stream while trying to express yourself.  People can be self-centered and careless with their words and actions. You once felt real fellowship but now you feel left alone, uncared for and dismissed.

God understands that you aren’t certain where you fit in. He understands your desire to be appreciated and admired. He promises you in His Word that you will never be cut out, cut down or cut off by Him. You are more than a paper doll and He is the One who created you and clothed you with dignity and love. Your picture is always before Him and your heart is always held securely by His all reaching hand. Even if you mess up, make mistakes, feel unworthy He is keeping you securely pasted to Himself.

Oh beloved, run to the Lord this morning and rest in His covenant arms. He is your Redeemer and when you gave your heart to Him He placed your name engraved in His hand and no man can erase it. You are loved forever and cared for eternally and that’s all that really matters.

Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Isaiah 51:11 So the ransomed of the Lord will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

 

 

Love is No Substitute for God, but God is Love

I use sweetener in all my drinks.  That being said, did you know there are lots of different types of artificial sweeteners? Some are said to affect your memory. Others affect my taste buds, that’s for sure! Some are more natural than artificial.  Sweetener came in a little bottle during the 60’s and 70’s and one miniscule drop from that bottle changed the entire taste of the drink. 

Love is a lot like sweeteners. We look for what makes life taste better. We don’t tend to be drawn toward bitter or acrid tastes. Generally we are all looking for love, that perfect, accepting, sweet kind of love. It’s been sung about, it’s been chanted about, it’s been poetically written about and people may even spend their fortunes looking for just the right love.

Love is no substitute for God, but God is love. When we find this Perfect Love, everything changes. That one touch from the Lord changes everything! We’re sweeter! Life is sweeter! Love for others is sweeter! Problems are easier to swallow and sorrow is easier to take. For we know and have experienced true love!

Maybe you’ve been looking into substitutes for the real thing. You may have thought that the love of a man or a woman would be your ultimate gain. Maybe you buried yourself in the love of sports, hobbies or your job. You were thinking that if you gave it your all, truly loved these things, you’d feel fulfilled. Yet here you are, with all the stuff around you and yet nothing seems to make you feel better about yourself. You still feel unloved, hopeless, helpless, discouraged, depressed and dismayed. Life can be great and should be, but finding things to substitute for God’s real love will always leave us lacking.

Oh beloved, God knows your heart this morning! He knows you’ve wanted love to be sweet and good! He knows you’ve looked for your heart’s desire! He knows you’ve been wondering if there’s any way you can find true love! He sees you and He knows that what you wanted to be sweet turned out so bitter. But He knows too that just one drop of His perfect love will change everything in your life! His love covers a multitude of sins, makes all things new, redeems your past, refreshes your present and makes the future bright instead of fearful! He speaks to your heart this morning and beckons you to His banqueting table of love. His love is free, perfect and unending. It is a river of living water that will never run dry! His love will change your troubles into blessings, your heartbreaks into victories and your entire life will be so sweet and blessed, no matter what.

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth drinking in daily!

 

1 Thessalonians 1:4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people.

John 7:38 “Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”

Isaiah 63:9 In all their suffering He also suffered, and He personally rescued them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

Zephaniah 3:17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Ephesians 3:18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.

Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with loving-kindness”.

Every Word of God is a Precious Jewel for You!

When I was a girl, my mother wore lots of jewelry. She loved large beads and dangling necklaces. She also wore earrings all the time. They were the clip-on kind. I still have several pairs of those earrings. As I started wearing jewelry I loved the delicate gold chains and small lockets and pendants. I didn’t like those large “gaudy” kinds that many women wore.



It’s funny but now I love big clunky jewelry! The bigger the better! I like to wear scarves too. I also love dangly earrings! The things I thought were for “older ladies” I now love! I don’t know if it’s age, eyesight or just changing tastes, but I have fun with the pieces of jewelry and scarves I wear. I like my blouses to have “bling” on them as well. I really think it’s a combination of all three things: age, eyesight and tastes. Age, because we begin to value our mother’s things more as we get older. Eyesight, because we need things larger to see them better. Tastes because we want more of what we like.


I’ve kept mother’s jewelry, and even some of Danny’s mother’s jewelry, in a carefully stowed away box. But I find myself wanting to see their pieces more often. As I handle them I remember certain events where they wore each piece. I remember the occasions that we may have given them a piece for a special time. The older I get the more I want to remember things that were important to them.


Whether you are young or old there are a lot of beautiful ornaments you can wear as a Christian. You can wear the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit. The Word of God is your greatest and more valued piece. Most of all I feel God is encouraging us to learn God’s Word and keep it close to us daily. The days are growing colder, darker and shorter. We are going to need the value that comes from knowing Bible verses and Scripture passages more and more.


I find that as a maturing Christian I see my need to wear more jewelry – to invest my heart and mind in more of the Word. It’s not that I’ve given up on life and am settling into an old time religion, but rather that I am finding more strength and vigor from the Word for my daily needs.

God has given you a complete book of His precious jewels! He says in His Word to wear them, to bind them around your neck, to tie them to your forehead, to nail them to your doorway. Everywhere you go, He says your best asset, and your most valuable item is His Word. As the days wear on you will find that their value increases, unlike old costume jewelry which tarnishes and fades with time. While you may hesitate to wear antique jewelry, these special jewels of the Lord grow stronger and stronger and build your faith all the way to heaven!


Oh beloved, run to your jewelry chest, the Word of God this morning! Pull out the verses you have so lovingly read all your life. Then look at all of God’s Word and find beautiful new verses you may never have read! Handle them often. Wear them daily! They will only increase in value in your heart and mind as you put them on. God says to you this morning, you are my precious child and I want you to know all about Me. I AM the One who sets the stars in the heavens and your life’s every need is found in My Word. When you take My Word in and live in it’s light you can overcome obstacles and rest in my promises. You may have been told you are of little value, not worthy or used up, but I AM the one who decides your value and I AM the king who gives you all the riches of My kingdom.


Open your gifts today beloved and wear them! For the King of the Universe has given you access to every precious necklace, bracelet, earrings and more. He loves you and He’s for you and His Word will keep you safe and full of wisdom, power and love all the way to heaven.



Proverbs 3:3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.



Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.



Psalm 19:9-10 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb



Psalm 119:72 Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.



Deuteronomy 11:18 So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.

Let God's Word Be Your Mirror

 

Yesterday as our daughter walked across the street to her house, her long dark hair was waving behind her and for just a moment she looked just like she did as a young girl. It was just for a moment but it was there. We have three children. Our two daughters are married with children of their own. Our son is not married yet, but one of these days we’ll probably have a daughter in law and another crop of grandkids. 

 These three children are grownups. If they look in the mirror they see a grown up. But when I look at them I see my children. Each one of them is still and forever my child. Nothing will ever change that.

When we look at ourselves in the mirror we see just what we see. It is what it is comes to mind! We are liable to see our flaws, our wrinkles, a stray gray hair (or more). We’re looking at what we would call “the real us”. But when God looks at us, He sees his child. Each one is His own special creation. He doesn’t look for flaws. He cannot see them. While we think of ourselves as flawed and less than perfect, God sees us as redeemed, beautiful, complete and without spot or blemish.

We see the “real us” but so does the Lord. The only difference is that God is looking at us with eyes of love. He loves us perfectly, completely, without reservation. Since His very essence and nature is love, He sees us with eyes of pure love.

God knows it’s hard sometimes to see yourself as His child. The cares of the world are stressful and lines of grief and worry come. The past and present hurts and mourning what might have been cloud the view and make it hard to see the Truth.

It’s time to trade in the mirror on your wall for the mirror of God’s Word. The real us is described in detail throughout His Word. We must learn to believe that we are who God says we are so that we can live loved beyond measure. When we live loved, then we are able to live life as God’s child and let Him lead us, guide us and direct us always.

Oh beloved, run to the mirror of God’s Word and see your True self. As you were born again into God’s family you have His DNA running through your veins. You’ve been transformed and redeemed. You’ve been saved, sealed and delivered. God says to you this morning that if you will look closely at His word the reflection you see will be Jesus, as He is your covering and your new identity is hid in Him. He says I love you and when I look at you I see perfection. I see a child, growing in grace and knowledge, preparing for heaven, being guided by my Holy Spirit. I see a face that reflects my glory and nothing is more beautiful than that. I will guide you as you learn My Word and take on My nature, for I have redeemed you from the law of sin and death. I have redeemed you for your mistakes, I have redeemed you from your past, I have redeemed you from all that can keep you from seeing yourself as My child. I love you and I AM for you and that’s why I see the real you.

Trust Him as He teaches you the Truth about you. You are beloved, you are beautiful, you are cherished, you are protected, you are being perfected and you are His bride. Rejoice for your Redeemer is drawing closer and closer each day. Let His Word be your mirror and reflect the truth for you always. He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.

Psalm 139:17-18 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Psalm 119:5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees!

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Colossians 1:22 Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault.

I Peter 2:9 … for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.

God Sees No Limits on You Because He Loves You

I have lots of “old stuff” in my house. From the antique furniture to timeworn lamps, I try hard to reuse and re-purpose things. My mother was really good at that. She would see a dilapidated castoff piece that no one would want and make it seem brand new. She saw things differently than other people do. She found worth in items that others saw as worthless.  That’s why she loved auctions and estate sales. For little money, she would garner a rickety table and take it home to re-do. With just a little paint and polish it could be made to look absolutely beautiful and a greatly desired piece. Occasionally she would even find something in a roadside pile of junk and make it sparkle. It was her keen eye that saw beyond the flaws and deemed them worthwhile instead of worthless.

We tend to treat people the same way. Many of us, truth be told, are castoffs. We may have been used up, disrespected and overwhelmed. We’ve seen better days, we’re not so young anymore and there is more life behind us than before us. We get told we’re too old and of little use to those who come behind us. Businesses try to retire us, family may well ignore us and we may find ourselves feeling useless and alone. As long as we see ourselves as the world says, we will continue to throw up our hands and retreat. We may even quit doing, quit dreaming, and quit growing as we believe what others say about us. 

There is One Who sees you very differently from the way the world sees you. While the world places limits on you, God sees no such limits. Age to God is simply a number. Man looks on the outside to see the value or declare there is none. But God looks on the heart. Both in youth and in old age, God still moves and uses and blesses. It’s all about being yielded to God that gives each person their true worth. While you may have been pronounced a reject, God pronounces you are re-purposed!  Every day is a new day for God’s grace, blessings and value. 

Oh beloved, run to the Lord’s Book of Truth and find out what He thinks of you. Then look further into His Word as you discover the new things God is doing in your life. Listen closely to what He says so that your life will continue to be in His service. Not only will God’s Word heal your heart, it will give you ways to speak the truth into someone else’s life.  God loves you (period) and He’s for you (period) to give you a life that is everlasting in heaven and purposeful here on earth!

Job 12:12 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.  Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me. 

Acts 2:17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

2 Chronicles 34:1-2 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.

I Samuel 16:7 …The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart

Psalm 92:12-14 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon, for they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit… 

Do You Know the Love that Will Not Let You Go?

Last night as I was texting back and forth with a friend about God’s magnificent wonderful love for her, for me, for us, an old hymn came to my mind. “Oh love that will not let me go!” 

As I heard those words sung into my heart I saw my father and me at the train station in San Antonio Texas in the 60’s.  He had traveled the world over and seen so many things, rode so many trains, taken so many flights. While living in Tyler he decided he wanted to take me on a “real” train ride. So we left Tyler together and traveled all the way to San Antonio, via observation car and had a meal as well from a dining car. I don’t know if you can even experience this type of train trip anymore. It was fantastic! But what comes to mind as I ponder the words to this song is my father himself.

He was a big man, 6’2” and 270 pounds. The station in San Antonio was huge! Many trains going and coming on many tracks. But my father held my hand and kept me so safe! I felt so dwarfed by the sights and sounds of the station and even by my father! But I knew as my father held my hand I was totally kept safe in this crazy place full of hustle and bustle. I was holding his hand all the time, but I can assure you, my father was holding on the tightest. Nothing would have caused him to let go of me.

Oh beloved, this morning as you are waking up, I hope that you know how incredibly loved you are by the Father! I hope you know that regardless of your circumstances, the ones that dwarf you as you look at them, you will  know that the Lord has you by His hand – this hand that says – I will not let you go! I will not let you be harmed! I will not sleep or slumber or leave you! Ever. Others may fall away, others may quit and give up and say enough, but not Me, for I AM perfect love! I AM the One who will lead you forever! I AM the One who has sealed you by My love. Trust Me and together we will make it all the way to heaven! I have you always in the palm of my hand. Oh beloved, you see it is not your hand that has Mine but My hand that has yours and I will never ever let go!

So that beloved, we can sing with the choirs of heaven and earth, “Oh love that will not let me Go! I rest my weary soul in Thee!”  

Psalm 94:14 For the Lord will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

Psalm 56:4  By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me? (NAS)

Psalm 3:5  I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.

Psalm 107:8  Let them praise the LORD for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.

Drop the Hurts and Pick up the Blessings!

I really enjoy a good cup of coffee.  As we were getting ready to head to our car the other morning, I grabbed one more for the road. It was cold and raining and I was holding onto Danny with one hand and my coffee with the other.  As I took off running to the car, the hot coffee began to splash! I decided the cup of coffee wasn’t worth burning my hand, so I dropped it!  Danny looked at me as I explained my predicament.  I laughed and so did he as we got into the car.

We are told by the Lord that He has given us freely all things to enjoy. But there are times when what we want to enjoy is going to burn us.  We can hold onto it and have the repercussions or we can let it go and get immediate relief. We cannot hope to be all that God has for us if we hold on to bitterness, anger, malice, wrath, or Unforgiveness.  Once we let those things go, we find such sweet relief. But we cannot merely drop them as I did the cup of coffee – we must hand them off to the Lord, where we find complete relief! He will give us something else to hold onto in their place.  Love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness and more.

Oh beloved, it’s a new year! Don’t you think it’s time to drop those things that you can do nothing about? Those things that are burning your heart and giving you more bitterness and sorrow? God knows what you’ve been through. God knows who has hurt you, antagonized you and betrayed you. But He has a plan, through it all! And, if you will hand off your troubles and anguish to Him He’ll make it all good in His time! He loves you, beloved, and because of His great love, He will watch over you and keep you safe all the days of your life. 

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Matthew 6:12  and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

1 Peter 3:9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it.

Don't Sweep It Under the Rug - Give it to the Lord

Blake announced to his mother that Monday was his last day of school.  He no longer wants to go. She asked him to elaborate. He asked her if she remembered him telling her he missed her during nap time the first week? She said she remembered and then he said, “I don’t want to miss you again”.  They had a great time spending 4 days at Iron Mountain CMA Campground.  Out of his usual routine he wasn’t sure he wanted to return to the daily grind.

Again on Tuesday he reminded her that he was finished with school. Nap time bothers him. He says that’s when he misses her the most.  I told his mother that it was probably because it got quiet.  In the rush of playing, working and eating, there’s no time to think about missing his mother or any other problems he has.

We’re like that aren’t we? We have issues. So we get busy. There, like sweeping dirt under the rug, it’s gone again.  We have a problem so we get busier. We’re reminded of hurts, so we try our best to avoid that hurtful thought.  That mound of dirt underneath the rug of our lives gets larger and larger until we can long longer stuff it down, or beat it away. But in the quiet we are forced to review the things that bother us.

Oh beloved, God is speaking into your life this morning and He says Don’t fear the past, the troubles, those things which disappoint, discourage or depress you – I have gone with you.  Don’t fear the present, I am now with you and I will stay with you. There’s no need to fear what’s yet to come for I have gone ahead of you to give you hope and a future.  I AM your spiritual antidote for what ails your heart. I care more about your heart condition than you can imagine and I will heal it for you!

Run to the Lord this morning and open His Book of Healing! Remember always that this amazing book, written by the hand of the One Who loves you and put the stars in orbit, contains everything you need for your past, for your present and for your future! His love and His mercy have come to give you a fresh start for your day and a fresh anointing for your ministry. It’s time to let the Lord have every problem and move on with Him as He gives you His ministry of reconciliation as He reconciles you to Him. He loves you with total abandon and He’s for you forever and that’s truly all that really matters!

Psalm 119:28  I weep with sorrow; encourage me by Your word.

Psalm 119:172  Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

John 17:17 Make them holy by Your Truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth.

Isaiah 58:8  “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.

Psalm 28:7  The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalm 118:15  Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!

Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.