Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Psalm 84:1-2: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

Psalm 91:1-2. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Where would be your place of sanctuary? Think of the most peaceful retreat, shelter, hideaway, oasis, refuge, and safe place you can go. What picture comes to your mind? Is it laying on the sand at the beach? Or sitting in your favorite chair reading a great book? Maybe rocking in a hammock, or sitting on your patio with a cup of tea or coffee? Or taking a leisurely hot bath with a candle burning?

Mine is taking a walk or being in my office. I enjoy getting to take a stroll or hike and look at the beauty of the clouds in the sky and think to myself that God is up there above those puffy clouds and is looking down right at me. Right now the red fuzzy Bottle Bush trees are in full bloom along our paseo paved walking paths in our city, which are an amazing display of God’s creation.

My office is the room where God and I have serious conversations together. I still keep a sign on my red leather office chair that says: Reserved. God’s chair. This is the room in our house, where I go to be alone or just want some privacy in order to talk things out with God.

In Psalm 84: 1-2 the writer longed to get away from the chaos of the world to meet God inside God’s dwelling place, his holy temple. We can now meet God anywhere and at any time. But there is something special about receiving the joy of worship and fellowship within the church’s building (another description of a sanctuary), in getting to partake in the music, prayers, sermons, and fellowship.

When feeling intensely intimidated or threatened in those “sticky” times, be reminded of Psalm 91:1-2. God is a shelter and our refuge. Recognize the fact that Satan knows how to work at putting in place division and strife with the people that are the most important to us. Trade all of your fears for faith in being in the presence of our Almighty God, who is the ultimate confidant.

So have you felt you have done something stupid and wished you could undo it? I have. Or maybe you just wish you could undo a situation and start over again and do it differently instead? We all do stupid stuff. No one is perfect. It says in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Satan’s arrows aimed at the target on our back, are feelings of guilt, shame, frustration, and failure. Yes, he uses all of them to make me want to give up and just hide and not talk to anyone for a while. How about you? Do you realize you have just fallen into his trap of defeat and discouragement while living through those circumstances? Stop. Pray through it. It takes some time. Then rest in God’s shelter. Relax in His peace. Rejoice in the fact that nothing can overpower God. He can provide and do so abundantly all that we could ever ask.

Need a few minutes of tranquility and peace? Read the Psalms. Isaiah is another favorite Old Testament book of mine that gives me reassurance of God’s power and protection.

Has your exasperation button been pushed recently?

What about your most recent trouble? Was your pride effected?

Give God the opportunity to demonstrate His power in your life for such a time as this.

What verse brings back God’s peace and eternal perspective to your heart and mind?

Remember, feeling less than, is Satan’s lie. Take hold of who God has called you to be and look for someone who needs encouraging words just from you today.

My prayer: Oh God, how I hate making mistakes. I beat myself up so often with my feelings of being a failure, and then guilt, shame, and frustration take hold. You are my resting place and a shelter for every storm. I, like Asaph, in Psalm 73, get a fresh and eternal perspective on life from spending time alone with You, and Your word. Then I get it. Great is your faithfulness!

Listen to Graham Kendrick’s, “To You Oh Lord I Lift Up My Soul.”

 

 

 

Psalm 62:1-2 (NLT): “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.”

Back during the week of April 2015, I was in a period in our life of yet again, being in a waiting situation for an outcome. My husband, Steve, woke me up at 4 AM and alerted me that he saw double on our radio alarm clock. Other physical problems were also present. I quickly maneuvered us to the emergency room at our hospital, which is only three blocks away.

How I remember, when I returned home that first night, from Steve’s hospital room, the quietness in our house was so comforting. The emergency room setting is very noisy. Monitors are running, various doctors and nurses coming in to ask questions over and over and over again. Various medical situations going on with so many people.

The double vision was the hardest to have to wait for going away for Steve above anything else. Coordination came back within a few weeks and his physical therapist was so kind and helpful. Eventually Steve had complete recovery. But I remember it was the quietness of our home that was the peaceful and safe setting that was so needed at that precise time. The lack of noise was comforting and produced tranquility. So was Psalm 62:1-2.

Did I ask God why? No, because the why was not important. It was just another season of learning from God what he wanted to teach us through another seminar on endurance, faith, hope and trust in God’s apparent plan He had for our life at that particular time. Life stood still for a few days.

But I did ask, “What is the reward in this trial Lord?” Hebrews 10:36 states: “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” I did ask God to tell me what that was.

I put my faith in Proverbs 1:33: “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” I told God I was listening. In the quietness, in the stillness, I knew He was there.

In reading Psalm 62:1-2, I pictured David, sitting at the feet of Jesus and not saying anything. He was waiting for God to speak and no one else. God was his help and his shield of protection. David trusted in God and believed that He would surely protect him because a “fortress” (“. . . my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken”) is any place of exceptional security or a stable place. God was David’s fortress in protecting him from any harm. Once again the lesson to learn is our sufficiency is found in our heavenly father. God holds it all.

Psalm 37:7 (NASB) states: “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for him . . .”

Something is soothing about total quietness without any chaotic noise. How every sunset proclaims the beauty of creation! What sound comes to mind from a sunset? Nothing. There is none. Silence. What about when you look up at the stars at night? Silence. God created the sunrise, sunsets, and each and every star in the dark sky majestically shining for us to see, and yet we often worry about how we are going to pay an outstanding bill.

Often times we just need to shut out all the noise around us. Get alone with God’s word, and ask: “God, what do you want to say to me? What do you want me to learn?”

Inhale a cleansing breath of God’s salvation. Exhale a breath of God’s hope and peace.

God often works in quiet ways to bring about his long-range purposes, while we are watching and waiting for a miracle. Elijah recognized the sound of a gentle whisper was God’s voice in 1 Kings 19:11-13. It takes a humble heart to be able to hear God’s guidance quietly.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) states: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Take time to be quiet before God. Wait patiently at his feet.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 (ESV) declares: “The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”

Have a need on your heart?

• Wait quietly, patiently, but expectantly, before God.
• Ask God to speak to you through His word.
• Listen as He sustains you.
• God does not need any fanfare to work everything all out for your good in the end.
• Now echo back your praises to God and give Him praise for His loving kindness and compassion that is new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).
• Morning by morning God dispenses His justice and every new day He does not fail (Zephaniah 3:5)!

Listen to Hillsong United’s song “Still”

 

 

 

 

 

Ambitions and desires all compose our dreams for our life. Are you accomplishing your goals for your life? Or are they changing through various seasons of life?

My earlier aspirations have changed. I used to think I would live in a large house with extensive square footage to spread out lovely furniture with all the right color schemes. How I remember what fun we had as kids, when we would go to my Uncle Pete and Aunt Alice’s house for Thanksgiving. They had a very large home that overlooked the golf course, located in a small town in northwest Iowa. This house had a clothes shoot that we kids used in playing hide and seek. We would climb into the clothes shoot in the upstairs level, and ride all the way down to the main floor laundry room, where the ride ended. It was amazing. My uncle Pete built this house to have their church’s youth group meet there. The basement had a large full kitchen, a player piano with various rolls of music to play,  a regular piano, and an old pump organ that provided hours of fun. Pete and Alice used their home for a place for the youth group to have somewhere to go for fellowship on the weekends.

Gone are the days of popularity of the newest decorating ideas from Better Homes and Garden magazines. Now it is Pinterest, where we can find all of those perfectly decorated rooms with all the just right pops of color, décor, and knickknacks to save and pine over.

But accumulated stuff does not have lasting value. It doesn’t comfort a hurting friend. It doesn’t give solutions to life’s hard knocks. Material possessions are fun and do give pleasure. They are not wrong in themselves. But decorating color schemes come and go. That “popping red” color is not the continuing popular accent color of today or next year. Wallpaper used to be very popular. Now it is out, but I hear it may be coming back somewhat. Decorating color trends are just that – trends that come and go.

Bayless Conley wrote in a recent devotional of his: “Life does not consist in the abundance of things we possess, but in the riches of the relationships we have.”

Matthew 6:19-21,33 states: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

My greatest treasures are my relationships with friends, my husband, my children and grandchildren, and family. Spending quality time together is a strong communicator of love, where you get to sit and converse and have eye to eye contact.

Genesis 13:2 states Abraham was a very rich man. He had livestock, silver, and gold that made up his wealth. But he was rich in faith (Hebrews 11:8-12). How I want to be rich in faith.

The Proverbs 31 woman wore clothes made of fine linen and purple. Purple was a sign of royalty. She held godliness, holiness, time management, and spending money wisely, in high regard. Her husband praised her for all of her talents and strengths. She was rich in dignity. That is now my dream.

One’s reputation cannot be bought. Proverbs 22:1-2 says: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.” How I want to be known for my integrity and find favor with my Lord.

When my parents had their estate auction, the reality of what items were of high value to them, but not to others was a vivid life lesson. I gave continuous hugs to my mother, during the estate sale, and kept saying: “It is only stuff, Mom. Only stuff,” as the receiving auction prices were so much lower than the worth of my parent’s belongings.

My early dreams from my twenty’s and thirty’s are long gone. Today, my thoughts center more about Christ coming back to this earth, and when I will be spending eternity in Heaven. My heart’s desire is  that my children will truly develop a close relationship with Christ, and grow in the knowledge of God. That is where my lasting desires are now centered, rather than on material stuff.

Paul wanted to pass on his knowledge of God, to younger believers in the faith, and his statement in 2 Timothy 4:7, expresses his last words: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

What are your dreams based on? Have they changed over the years?

“We live in a culture that celebrates fifteen minutes of fame, but God honors a lifetime of faithfulness.” Mark Batterson.

What verses can you nail your life’s goals on?

What scripture verse would you call your signature verse?

What verse has impacted your life in how you should live?

Do you feel like you are in a holding pattern in life and some of your dreams have been shattered? Each season of life presents challenges. I have been there. But try to view each as an opportunity to grow in letting God sustain and teach you something deeper in your relationship with Him. Rest in Him. Relax in Him. Rejoice in Him. God will work it all out in the end.

“It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But, it is absolutely vital to grasp that he didn’t call you there so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace.”  ― Francis Chan, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit

‎”Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people he has made?”  ― Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

My prayer for today: God I want to live my life without regrets. Help me to keep a clear head above everything. You know what my dreams are as I have given them to You. Great are You Lord and greatly to be praised! My hope and satisfaction are in You alone. Fulfill my desires in Your appointed time. Amen.

Listen to MercyMe’s song “Even If.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y

 

I recently found a note I had written in my journal that I had written way in the middle of my book. I left blank pages in-between from where I had left off writing down verses and thoughts for some reason. This is what I found I had written down: There are three thought questions to ask oneself about how God has spoken to you from God’s word.  The three questions to ask yourself are:

• What verse sustains you?
• What verse echoes your praise of thanksgiving to God?
• What verse reminds you God will work it all out?

These are three great questions to ask oneself when reading a section or passage in the Bible when studying God’s word on your own. Or when reviewing verses that you want to remember.

I gathered up my stack of Bible verses that I have written down on four by six cards. These are verses that God has used to speak to me in some specific way throughout the last several years of my life. I want to remember each one, so I have written them down on a card, so that I can remind myself and carry them with me to refresh my heart and mind with the promises from God.

I have now worked at labeling three separate buckets to store my cards with verses written on them, with those three labelled headings.

I challenge you to make your organized list from these three titles that speak of God sustaining – comforting, strengthening, supporting, encouraging, and uplifting you. Then which verses reflect and echoes your thankfulness and praise back to God? We know God will work all things out for our good, but what verses tell you that? Here are a few of mine to share:

What verse sustains you?

Psalm 54:4: “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.”

Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:35-36: “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

What verse echoes your praise of thanksgiving to God?

Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”

Psalm 145:1-3: “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”

Ephesians 5:20: “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What verse reminds you God will work it all out?

Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.”

Psalm 41:1 (NIV): “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”

Romans 8:27-28: “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Priscilla Shirer, in one of her books, gave me the idea of writing down the date, next to a verse that God has used to speak to me, besides underlining or highlighting it with a yellow highlighter marker. Putting a date next to the verse helps to be a future reminder of God’s power in His word. Seeing a date will bring back a visual memory, when our eyes came across a verse that God has spoken peace to us, or comfort, or has delivered a challenge at a time when we needed to hear His voice. As Psalm 33:4 declares: “For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.”

Now it is your turn. Start your own organized list with these headings. Do you have more verses under one category more than the other two? I just realized my bucket that now holds –  God sustains is pretty even with what verses remind you –  God will work it out. But, the bucket labelled –  Echoes my praise of thanksgiving to God is less in number of cards, than the other two. I need to fix that. It shows me that I need to spend more time expressing gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all that He has done for me. I need to remember to speak words of praise and thanksgiving to God, when I get up in the morning, go about my day, and then review again when I go to bed at night. I need to verbalize my gratefulness for God’s protection, power, majesty, justice, holiness, mercy, goodness, and steadfast love.

Yes, God will sustain you.

Yes, God will work it all out.

Yes, echo your praises from scripture, to God.

My prayer for today: God, you are so faithful, merciful, and gracious. Your words lift me up when I fall. You are always right there walking beside me. Only lasting peace, joy, and true satisfaction comes from you. I love that You keep astounding me! God, You are mighty. You will fulfill my desires in your perfect plan that you have for me. I praise you for your kindness, compassion, grace, mercy, patience, and unconditional love. Fill me with your presence throughout my day. I will extol you, my God and king, and bless your name forever and ever. There are no boundaries to your greatness. I am calming my mind right now in order to meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty and wondrous works. My heart sings aloud of your righteousness. I give you praise! Amen.

Listen to the Newsboys song: “I Am Committed.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Tn_r-XYWw

 

Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you, he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

I love how David was so honest and lived real life in his prayers to the Lord, throughout the book of Psalms. David spoke about his distress, grief, sorrow, joys, gratefulness, and benefits of life lived in his relationship with God, throughout the Psalms.

There were times David was calm due to his confidence for  protection and peace, as he said in Psalm 3:

• Psalm 3:3:“But you O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.”

David had struggles. He had strong feelings and emotions. If he was angry, he admitted it and told God about it. If he was afraid, he told God he had fear and asked God to bring resolution. David felt trapped and alone many times. But he found his strength in God as his shield, sustainer, provider, and protector.

• Psalm 3:5: “I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.”

David had implicit trust and faith that God would support, uphold, and be his sustainer.

In Psalm 6 David pleads with the Lord to not punish him as he expresses sorrow over some sin. He admitted that he was physically sick. He said he was upset and disturbed and worn out with pain. David was completely honest with God and turned his attention towards God’s mercy.

• Psalm 6:6: “I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.”

David cried and had grief. But David had confidence that God would rescue him, as he said in:

Psalm 6:10: “All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.”

Psalm 40 is David’s testimony of what God was able to do in his life under difficult circumstances.

• Psalm 40:2-3: “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”

David is saying that he had to wait patiently, but God lifted him up so others would look at what God had done in his life in difficult circumstances.

Then in Psalm 55, David says to cast your burden on the LORD.

• Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

So do you pray harder and more frequently when you are sick and in pain, have an impossible situation, or have someone that has hurt you, as David did? I would have to say I pray more often when experiencing any type of turmoil. Don’t we all do that? We pray more when we are going through a trial and have burdens, versus when life is good. But we need to be in a continual state of praising God in the good times and the bad, and keep our mind filled with the knowledge of  God by recalling precious promises found in His word.

David poured out his heart passionately to the Lord. He didn’t beat around the bush. David said it the way it was. He prayed hard. Then David waited patiently for God’s answers. He said when he was afraid he put his trust in God.

It all comes down to ultimately casting our anxieties on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7), again and again. We have to let them go. Then give thanksgiving and honor to God that He is sovereign, He is omnipotent, and He is omnipresent. He is God!

Psalm 64:10 declares: “Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!”

What similarities do you see between Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7?

What is Jesus saying we should do in Matthew 11:28-29?

What does David say in Psalm 63:3 is better than life?

Have your emotions been out there lately? Or are you going through a tranquil time right now? We all have different personalities given to us by our creator. Trials will come. Spend time in the Psalms.

Come before the throne of grace in complete confidence that Christ understands. He is in charge of the how! He cares for you.

Christina Fox said in her book “A Heart Set Free. A Journey To Hope Through The Psalms Of Lament: “And this is the place in our journey where we have to work hard at trusting God, we have to exercise our faith, weed out sin, go beneath the layers of our emotions to find the truth, and respond to God in praise and worship for who He is and what He has done.”

Make a list of ten things you are thankful for. Praise God for each one of them. Review them throughout the day. Pray the words of Psalm 145. It is a song of praise of David, and a great Psalm to memorize.

Listen to Casting Crowns song, “Oh My Soul.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn5aq54yu8A

 

In the NASB, there is the Greek word “merimna.” The origin of the word means: Through the idea of distraction. To be troubled with care and anxiety. Its usage occurs for: Worry, worries, anxiety, concern, care. One Christian woman Bible study author and speaker has said that merimna means bringing disruption to the personality of the mind.

There are six verses where this Greek word “merimna” is found in the New Testament in the NASB:

Matthew 13:22: “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

Mark 4:19: “And the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

Luke 8:14: “And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are chocked with worries, and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”

Luke 21:34: “Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap.”

2 Corinthians 11:28: “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.”

1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.”

Fear and stress undoubtedly draw us in different directions. It distracts us. Peter said in 1 Peter 4:12 to not be surprised when fiery trials come. Then in James 1:3, James states: “For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

We have the worries of the world. Then there are the problems of our own life. There is the daily pressure that will always be inevitable. But sometimes we just can’t calm ourselves down while going through another time of anxiousness so worry creeps in.

When my back nerves, discs, and muscles are inflamed, my chiropractor can see it right away by how my walking, sitting, and standing is changed. It changes how I do all three due to the pain. So does anxiety. The feelings of nervousness and stress show in our posture, and on our face. Anxiety causes our muscles to tighten up, and even water retention from undergoing prolonged stress can result.

Hypersensitivity can also develop when undergoing anxiety. Hypersensitivity is when the brain becomes overly sensitive to everything in your body, to the point where even the slightest change or perceived change feels amplified. For example, a person with hypersensitivity knows when their heart beats just the tiniest bit harder – so little that most people won’t even notice – and not only do they feel that increase in heartbeat, it also feels more pronounced when being in an overly anxious state.

Anxiety affects how our brain processes our thoughts.

Are you going through a situation where you feel you are a basket case? Is it finances? Maybe a work situation out of your control? Or a relationship problem? Or an impossible deadline you have been given? There are so many things that simply are unexpected and out of our control that bombard us. Oh, I have been there and more than once!

Satan wants to cause havoc in our lives with guilt, shame, frustration, and feelings of failure. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy our joy, faith in God, and peace. One way he attacks us is with this emotion of anxiety. Fight back with God’s promises. Have verses ready to rescue yourself from fearfulness. You are not meant to carry this burden alone.

Philippians 4:6 (ESV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything y prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

• Do not be anxious about anything – ESV
• For nothing be anxious – YLT
• Stop perpetually worrying about even one thing – Wuest
• Dismiss all anxiety from your minds – NASB
• Don’t worry about anything – NLT
• Don’t fret or worry – MSG

Paul is saying stop letting your stomach get all tied up in knots. He is not saying that we will never have things to worry about, but he is saying to avoid this temptation through prayer. Instead, work at giving thanksgiving unto God over and over. Expect His peace to be able to fill those empty places.

One of my go to verses when going through a trial is found in Deuteronomy 23:5 (ESV): “But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you.”

Anxiety is contagious. It is a disruption. It is a trap. We were never meant to have to bear our burdens alone.

What is getting in your way of being free from worry, fear, doubt, and unclear thinking? What is it that is choking you from basking in the freedom of Christ’s abundant love and care right now?

Cast all of your discontentment, discouragement, despair, impatience, and suffering onto the Lord. Trust in Him when you cannot see the outcome.

Chuck Swindoll has said: “I have found that one of God’s favorite methods of preparing us for something great is to send us into the shadows to wait.”

Pray 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) when in a trial that is overtaking you: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Repeat those  words to yourself: restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish me.

Charles Stanley said in one of his sermons about handling difficult times in life to remember: “I am an example of what God can do in my life in difficult circumstances.”

Sometimes the only sacrifice we can offer Christ is to give Him thanks for what He has done for us in the past, the present, and even in the future. Our peace of mind is connected to praising God. Offering up our worship and thankful heart to our Lord and Savior gets us out of the deep pit of handling a heavy burden.

Listen to Psalm 25 sung by Graham Kendrick. It is a little over four minutes. Psalm 25 was a particular comfort to me several years ago when I was going through a very hard time that I just didn’t understand. I didn’t know why. I didn’t like that it kept going on and on. I was in a long wait. As I was searching the Psalms to find God’s comfort and strength, I discovered this YouTube of Psalm 25 (NIV). It was such a blessing and uplift to me as I pray it will be for you as well! God is faithful. Ask Him to lift up your soul. Let God teach you His truth as you cast your burden on Him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQgZAg8QwX4

My prayer for today: God, may anyone in need of your encouragement, love, hope, and reassurance, that is reading this devotional today, receive it from these verses listed. Please restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish steadfastness in yet another season of their life. Lead me in your truth and teach me your way. Thank you for your faithfulness, grace, mercy, and consistent unconditional love when I feel I have blown it yet again. You are my deliverer and I praise you for your sovereign care. Amen.

 

My mother, who is 90 years old told me this week, “The older I get, the more I realize I need to rely on the Lord’s leading. I seem to fully understand that now at my age, more and more. You cannot do it on your own. I now wonder did I get it when I was younger.” I love it when I get to have a great heart to heart conversation with my mother over the phone. She lives in the Midwest, so I cannot just jump in the car and go drive to see her. I am starting to write down her gems of wisdom in quick bits of conversation when she can hear me in our talks over the phone. Sometimes that is a challenge. Our phone conversations are special and are now filled with her wisdom as she looks back to her younger years. I am making memories to pass down to our daughter and daughter-in-law, so they will be able to pass them onto their daughters someday.

When I was younger I used to think I would have it all together when I was older – say in the middle age years at least. I am finding that is not the case. I still make mistakes. I still have struggles in life. I have to confess and humbly ask God’s forgiveness every day. I often wonder if I am making any progress? Each and every trial teaches me new things about God and my relationship then grows deeper still. That is never a negative learning experience of life.

Here Are Ten Verses From the Psalms About Relying on God:

Psalm 62:5: “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”

Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 16:7-8: “I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

Psalm 23:3: “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 28:7: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”

Psalm 34:19: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”

Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Psalm 62:1-2: “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

Psalm 119:92: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”

Is there something you need to trust in God to do? Psalm 62:8 says: “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Lean on Him. God is your strength. He is your shield and deliverer. Place all of your hope in Him and ask for His abundant peace to fill your heart until it overflows.

Listen to “Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle.

 

 

I have a red leather chair in my office. I have a card on this chair that says, “Reserved: God’s chair.” This sign reminds me that God is right there with me. He sits or stands right beside me as Psalm 16:8 (NLT) states: “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.”

Two verses that remind me to draw close to the Lord and He will draw close to me are:

Jeremiah 29:12-14a (NLT): “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the LORD . . .”

James 4:8 (NLT): “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”

When our daughter’s two children were toddlers or younger, they would give out what she called a “pat-pat.” These were like hugs but carried the emotion of giving or showing love and admiration but with a stronger sense of empathy. I have had a period of needing several “pat-pats.” How about you?

Sometimes life is filled with days of frustration, exasperation, and feeling deflated. Can you relate? Welcome to my mess.

But God says that when we draw close to Him, He hears us. His door is always open. We don’t have to knock to announce we are standing there waiting to talk to Him. The Lord never tells us, “You already told me that.” He is always on call and standing by when we need to feel His love and compassion and need a “pat-pat.”

Psalm 105:4-5 (NLT) states: “Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given.”

When that someone hurts your feelings with their words, bring it to the Lord. Words can build up or tear down with cutting sharpness and sting. They have the potential to intimidate and attack one’s self esteem. But God will listen and come close to you with His divine compassion in those sticky times. Above all else stand firm in your obedience to God no matter what. Don’t let bitterness and resentment take root. Hold onto Ephesians 4:32 (MSG): “Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and as thoroughly as God in Christ has forgiven you.”

Satan will use any situation to draw you away from God rather than toward him.

We must live by our faith and not by our circumstances. As Amos 5:14 (NIV) declares: “Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.”

Perhaps God is using someone or something to show others that you are an example of what God can do in your life, in difficult and trying circumstances.

Now it is your turn. What has tested you this week? What are your current challenges? Can you let those irritations and feelings of indignation go? Forgive quickly and as thoroughly as God has forgiven you. Remember past answers to prayers God has given. Keep your mind on heavenly things. God’s “pat-pats” are waiting with open arms.

Listen to David Dunn’s song, “Today is Beautiful.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdj_w3MxQXo

 

 

Our Pastor Todd often says, “You are either coming out of a trial or going into one.” Which one are you facing this week?

When you feel like your circumstance may have an adverse outcome remember:

Psalm 121:7-8: “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Proverbs 28:25b-26: “. . . But the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

When your fears are overwhelming you remember:

Joshua 1:9 NIV: “Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

Isaiah 41:13: “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you do not fear, I will help you.”

When your energy is gone remember:

Isaiah 40:28b-29: “. . . The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.”

Isaiah 40:31: “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

When you are afraid of getting bad news remember:

Psalm 112:6-8a: “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid . . .”

Proverbs 1:33: “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

When you feel things will never change for the good remember:

Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us.”

Mark 6:50b-51a: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded . . .”

Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those that love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Yes, I have had circumstances where I could not see they would ever turn around into a favorable outcome. I can not change things that are out of my control, BUT God can. He can see into the future and knows what is best where I cannot.

I still have occurrences of anxiety or worry from time to time. Just because I have written a Bible study on fear, “Taming the Lion’s Roar. Handling Fear in the Midst of a Crisis” does not make me exempt from Satan trying to attack me in this area. I wish that was the case. However, I now have my spiritual armor on hand with the promises of God to strengthen my faith, in His shield of protection over me. This is a workbook and not a cookbook. Sometimes fighting our fears takes effort. It takes work. But Psalm 138:7 states: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.”

Yes, God is in charge of the how. He can remove the apostrophe and letter T in that word “can’t.”

My physical strength becomes drained when my schedule is overly full, or a pressing problem continues for several weeks. Exhaustion is one of the enemy’s ways to tempt us to want to give up. But resting on the promises of God gives me strength. Having a good night’s sleep or a mini-vacation also is in order at times.

I have been afraid of getting unfavorable results from various medical tests for my children when they were young, and now my husband and myself at times. Psalm 112:7-8 and Proverbs 1:33, are now my go to verses when I feel I just can’t hear what I don’t want to hear from a medical professional. But God keeps me secure in His hands. He knows the how.

So often my lack of faith thinks a bad situation is going to last forever and cannot change. Oh, but God has proved Himself faithful, and has shown me He can change hearts. He can change any obstacle and turn it around for our good in the long run. He is our redeemer. It just may not happen in my narrow time frame but can in God’s sovereign plan. I love it when God astounds me!

My prayer for today: Dear God, how I want my burdens to be answered and lifted quickly! Thank you that you are preparing my eternal home in Heaven that is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:4).”  This “stuff” will not matter then! So often I feel I just can’t take it anymore, but You have it all covered under your sovereign plan. When I think I “can’t.” You come along and remove the apostrophe T and it changes to “can.”  I need to walk by faith and not by sight. Teach me your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before and make my testimony reflect its eternal truth. Amen.

Listen to Matthew West’s song “Mended.”

 

 

 

Proverbs 31:25 ESV: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

Proverbs 31:25 NLT: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

Solomon wrote about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. She has moral excellence, honest, trustworthy, diligent, frugal, creative in her gifts and talents, generous, unselfish, and is wise. She has confidence in God’s power and protection in her life which enables her to have a gentle and quiet spirit.

What about her strength and dignity? The Hebrew word for dignity is “hadar.” It means majesty; honor;  glory; beauty; excellency. ”Hadar” occurs 30 times in the Old Testament. Another verse, besides Proverbs 31:25, as an example of this word, is found in Psalm 104:1: “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty.”

Sometimes the smallest irritations in life can catapult me into being highly irritated and upset. The agitation speed on my emotional computer goes to high speed. Anger starts to take hold and self-control of my emotions – not so much. I fail in my patience and am then humbled so many times.

I can still hear my Grandma Helmers voice saying to me: “This too will pass.”

In Proverbs 31:25 it says the virtuous woman can laugh at tomorrow – “without fear of the future.”

• Laughter releases feel-good endorphins which in turn reduces pain and increases pain thresholds.
• Laughter can help protect your heart by increasing blood flow and improving the function of blood vessels.
• Laughter relaxes your body for up to 45 minutes after a hearty laugh.
• Laughter lowers blood pressure and stress levels.
• Laughter has the ability in the brain to increase memory.
• Laughter boosts levels of serotonin and dopamine – the brain’s natural happy chemicals.

Worrying increases activity in the pre-frontal cortex (the rational brain) which is why worrying can make you feel more in control than doing nothing at all.

Don’t you want to be an esteemed woman? Someone who is admired, is calm despite the circumstances, and is considered to be of value? How I want to be that woman! Worthiness and being respected are qualities held in high regard in viewing this virtuous woman in Proverbs 31.

Have you blown it? Do you feel you have lost your dignity over a single inconvenient instance that just pricked your unpleasant reaction that was not the best? I am so often there.

Laughing is free. Doesn’t cost anything. I need to do it more often. I love to listen to Chonda Pierce’s YouTube videos online. She is often billed as “the Queen of Clean” and is a most-awarded female comic. One example to watch is her YouTube video titled, “The Merry Widow:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGmr2ayyXVk.    Watch for your disposition to lighten as you laugh when you watch her. I also recommend checking out another Christian comedian named Michael Jr. He talks about the power of laughter on his DVD, Laughing on Purpose.

My prayer for today: Oh God, You are so worthy to be praised! Both riches and honor come from You. Help me to laugh more at myself and the thistles in my life. Help me to control my expressions on my face better when I am exasperated. It all stems from my heart. You are good. Help me to be of value and benefit to others. May strength and dignity be mine as I laugh and look forward to the future You have planned for me.

Listen to MercyMe’s “Shake.” This song on YouTube makes me smile and laugh every time I watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFA5Bitv7w