I’ve been thinking a lot about our condition. Our drought. The other night, a storm blew in – high winds, dark clouds, the deep roar of thunder, and SUCH a lightning show! ALL the components of a great storm……..except rain. That’s right, in our little area of our big metropolitan area, we got not ONE drop of rain! It was such a tease! I was so ready for this great storm, and nothing. ever. came……..When you’ve gone as long as we have without rain, you long for it. You need it desperately. And nothing else can satisfy. nothing.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved the other components of the storm. Took so many pictures. Ran from window to window, porch to porch. Stayed glued to radar. But I missed what I had been truly longing for. the rain that I so needed to hear on my roof failed to fall.
Folks, let’s not do this in our spiritual lives! Let’s pinpoint NOW the One Thing that will satisfy our drought, and chase after Him day after day after day. Let’s soak in His Word. Let’s surround ourselves with others who love Him too. Spend time in prayer. And let’s participate in worship services that help us to feed that need as well. You know, gathering with others in corporate time of worship and study. Chasing after anything else will leave us wanting.
I’ve talked to you about this before, but my morning devotional called Jesus Calling has been one thing God has used to focus my eyes on Him each morning. I love it, and love the verses that are mentioned for each day, too. I usually in my time with Him, look those up in the Message, for a change from my regular ESV, or NIV Bible. So, here is the word that I got this morning from that very book. enjoy. and drink deeply……
“Trust Me in the midst of a messy day. Your inner calm – your Peace in My Presence – need not be shaken by what is going on around you. Though you live in this temporal world, your innermost being is rooted and grounded in eternity. When you start to feel stressed, detach yourself from the disturbances around you. Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My Peace.
Seek My Face, and I will share My mind with you, opening your eyes to see things from My perspective. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid. The Peace I give is sufficient for you.”
John 16:33-(really 31-33) Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Psalm 105:4 Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered—
O seed of Abraham, his servant,
O child of Jacob, his chosen.
John 14:25-27 - I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
peace to you, my friends…..
Oh, wow! Did I need that! I’m a little sad about my babies growing up! We’ve entered the world of junior high school, or are about to. Technically school hasn’t started yet, but Jeremiah’s been playing football for the last week, and he doesn’t want me to drive him to school on the first day. He also didn’t want me to follow him around to his classrooms and to find his locker last night at orientation. I did anyway. I told him his other choice was, not only me driving him to school, but following him around all day and sitting through his classes with him, as well.:) He settled for me following him around last night. He and his friend Tucker had both heard that they modified the lockers last year, so that a human being could not be stuffed in them! They had to test this and see if they indeed could not be stuffed in their lockers! They couldn’t! Hilarious! However, Jeremiah’s little sister’s could be, he was delighted to discover. No average sized junior high student could be stuffed in the lockers, but little sister’s can be!! I’ll remind the girls they don’t want to visit their brother at the junior high, cause they might have to live in his locker all day!:) This is the boy who sent me with his stuffed penguin to the ladies retreat last year to remember him by! Talk about changing drastically in just a few months!! This is a shock to mama’s system, but I’ll get over it. I won’t have a choice! I know from reading “Boundaries For Teens” that this is normal and healthy, but just for the record: mommy doesn’t like it!!! I loved what the school principal said at the orientation last night, and of course, it made me realize I’m pretty normal, too. He said something to the effect of he knows that the parents of the new 7th graders are scared, because of the adjustments they know their kids are going to have to make, so 7th graders, be sure and give your parents lots of comfort! LOL He knows we’re more nervous than our kids are! That was funny, cause I remember thinking the other night that I seem more nervous about him entering junior high than he is, and the principal reminded us that’s because we remember junior high way too well! How HARD it was! I realized last night it’s probably a good thing he doesn’t realize what all he’s going to go through in the next few years, or he’d never survive it!!!! So here goes nothing!!!! I just keep thinking I wish he didn’t have to go through it! I’d gladly do it for him and we can just skip to college, which is awesome!!!!
NM–needed this today. am so grateful.
God’s peace to you my sweet friend.
Love,mw