Come Close

“Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” (James 4:7-8 NLT)

Humble yourselves. Surrender your body, mind, and spirit to God. Release your concerns and desires to Him. Submit to His authority. Give of yourself through service. Trust in God and yield to His purposes. 

Resist evil. Pay attention. Examine your weaknesses. Do an audit of all the cracks through which evil may enter your lives. Ask God to seal your soul against anything harmful. Stay alert at all times. 

Come close to God. Pray. Commune with God. Listen. Follow directions. Praise Him for all that He is. Give thanks for all that He has done. Draw closer and closer. Feel the warmth and joy of His presence. 

Relying on Feelings

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

The above proverb is quoted so often that it has become overfamiliar to me. I read it several times a week in my devotional books. I didn’t think there was anything new in it for me to understand. I was wrong. 

As I study and pray, I try to write scripture down in my own words or in a prayer form. As I was rewriting Proverbs 3:5, I changed one word, and it opened up a fresh perspective for me. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not rely on your FEELINGS. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. 

Feelings are important and valid. It is good to express and experience your emotions. However, feelings do not always align with truth; thus, they can be an unreliable tool for navigation. For example, if I am driving to a new place, it would be unwise to decide my route based on feelings. When I am at a crossroad, I do not turn left or right based on what feels good.  I know there is a better way. I rely on maps, directions, or GPS. In the same way, it is good to feel and express my emotions but not necessarily act on them. Instead, I must learn to rely on God in every decision--big or small. 

Lord, teach me to trust in You rather than relying on my feelings. I want to seek Your purpose in everything I do. Show me which way to turn in every circumstance.

What Matters?

 

“Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 3:15 NLT) 

What matters to each of us varies depending on our current needs and circumstances. A starving person may say food. A sick person may say health. An unemployed man may be desperate for a job. A lonely woman may crave a relationship. A bored teenager may want entertainment. What matters to me might not be what matters to you. In fact, what is important to me today might not be what is important to me tomorrow.

Can what is truly significant be this subjective? 

According to the Book of Proverbs, wisdom matters. It is more precious than rubies; nothing else you desire can compare. Spiritual wisdom has nothing to do with intelligence or education. A wise person reverently orients himself toward God. He is willing to examine his character, beliefs, motives, and actions and make the necessary changes to stay on the right path. 

The opposite of wisdom is foolishness. A foolish person can be intelligent but disoriented. He is turned around and moving away from God. He senses that he is lost and unfulfilled, but he doesn’t want to change course. He insists on charting his own path, even if he is headed off a cliff. 

The difference between wisdom and folly is orientation. All it takes is one turn. 

“Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.” (Proverbs 1:7 GNT) 

Awareness of God

“They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore.” (Ephesians 4:18 MSG)

I am vaguely aware that air surrounds me, and without it I could not live. However, I breathe in and out thousands of times without thinking about it. I have felt the air on my skin. I have experienced the absence of air underwater. Theoretically, I know about the chemical composition of air, how it is essential for my body and for all life on earth. Yet, 99% of the time, I am unconscious of its presence. 

I can be similarly oblivious to God’s presence. Theoretically, I know God is all around and sustains all life. Yet, most of the time, I am unconscious of His nearness. Why?

“For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me, and let me heal them.” (Matthew 13:15 NLT)

My mind is clouded with all sorts of things that numb my sensitivity. There are so many important concerns, significant relationships, enjoyable activities, and fun distractions. In addition, I like to imagine that I am self-sufficient and the master of my own destiny. Little details like my dependence on air complicate this narrative.  If I remain in this fog long enough, apathy and ignorance harden my spirit. I lose touch with the reality that surrounds me. 

Spirit of Truth, open all our senses, so that we may perceive you, and you may heal us. 

The Promise to Be Present

“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.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT)

During a difficult season in life, I kept finding verses in the Bible that assured me of God’s presence. 

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15 ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” (Isaiah 43:2 ESV)

 “I am with you, declares the Lord.” (Haggai 1:13)

“Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 ESV)

 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)

The essence of all these verses is the same. 

God’s promise: I will be with you.

This made such an impression on me that I wrote it down on tiny slips of paper and hid it all over the house. I wedged them in cabinets, baseboards, mirror frames, books, under shelf liners, sofa cushions, mattresses, etc. Years later, I still find these little reminders. I am reassured that God is with me, no matter what. 

Staking A Claim

“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” (Romans 4:21 NLT)

Until 1986, people could stake a claim on land in Alaska as long as they met some criteria. They had to live on the premises for five years, build a home, and develop the land for agriculture.  You would expect there would be a rush of homesteaders moving to Alaska to avail themselves of this offer. However, less than 1% of the land in Alaska has been claimed this way. There are very few roads in the remote parts of Alaska. The lack of access, 

the lack of utilities, and the harsh weather conditions discouraged homesteaders from taking advantage of the opportunity for free land.

Similarly, God’s promises are available to all of us, but we have to claim them for ourselves. We have to live on the promises. We must build and develop our trust. This requires patience, practice, and perseverance. Above all, we must have an unshakeable confidence in God.

Take for instance the following promise:

“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (John 14:13-14 NLT)

Jesus said to ask for anything in His name and He will do it. This sounds too outlandish to believe. Yet, if I can manage to truly establish my life on God’s Word, if I can build on faith, if I can develop perseverance, if I can wait patiently for God’s timing--only then will I be able to stake a claim on all that God has promised.

Supernatural Love

“Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious, doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about. There’s no arrogance in love; it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—it’s not self-absorbed. Love isn’t easily upset. Love doesn’t tally wrongs or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight! Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 VOICE)

We all want to be loved unconditionally and be accepted for our true selves. We want others to be patient, kind, humble, and decent with us. Nobody wants a self-absorbed spouse. If anything, each of us would prefer to be in the center. We don’t want to put up with mistreatment, but we would like others to ignore our inequities. We want others to sacrifice for us, but not the other way around. Even when we give of our love, we expect reciprocity. We keep a tally and want returns on our investment. This is natural. 

Supernatural love is patient, kind, selfless, sacrificial, tolerant, and enduring no matter what. This kind of love can’t be dredged up from our natural sentiments. In fact, it doesn’t even make sense from a worldly standpoint. Pouring out love without expecting equal parts back seems unfair. 

Divine love is sacrificial, unconditional, and limitless. Christ loves us this way. He stooped low to assume human form. His humility led to a humiliating death. He suffered sacrificially for our sake. Even though humans are not able to love with the same intensity as God, at times, Divine love pours through us into others. Like a flood, this supernatural love erodes our self-protective boundaries. This spiritual gift can neither be instigated nor controlled by our own power. God’s love is made complete when it is fully expressed through us. 

Lord Jesus, pour out Your love through us. Grant that we may love You and each other supernaturally. 

Transcendence vs Immanence

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23 NIV)

From a theological perspective, transcendence is outside the universe, time, and consciousness, while immanence exists within. When we speak of the transcendence of God, we are saying that this Higher power is beyond everything we experience or comprehend. When we speak of the immanence of God, we are talking about a personal God, an indwelling Spirit.

Most world religions agree on the transcendence of God. It is easier to accept that somewhere out there, beyond human understanding, there is an indescribable Energy. When bad things happen, a distant, detached, uninvolved God makes more sense than a loving God who is nearby but refuses to intervene. A personal, accessible God can be scary to some.  It’s like living with a parent who is unpredictable. Can we trust that His plans will be for our best?  Why would He allow so much suffering and injustice? And if God is immanent, why can’t everyone sense His presence? 

I don’t know the answers to these questions. 

I sense that God is both transcendent and immanent. He is beyond comprehension, but also accessible.  He is bigger than the universe, yet He made himself small for our sake. I am taking God at His word. He is Immanuel. He is with us. He is for us. 

Feeling Good

“God’s presence is my good.” (Psalm 73:28 CSB)

What makes you feel good?

For me, it is a progressive spectrum. 

Sometimes feeling good is mostly pleasurable sensations--a hot shower after a run, eating yummy food, a restful night of sleep, reading a good book, watching a fun TV show, being surrounded by natural beauty, connecting with loved ones...

The next level is feeling good about myself--the sense of accomplishment after a marathon, the satisfaction of writing, the gratification of doing  the right thing, the boost in confidence when someone expresses their love, appreciation, or admiration for me, the excitement of making a positive impact in someone’s life...

What makes me feel good the most? When I feel God’s presence...

These rare moments fill me with joy and peace beyond what I can describe. 

Unfortunately, I can’t orchestrate these moments. Thus, I frequently revert back to the lesser forms of feeling good that are within my power to manage. 

Love and Suffering

“Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, ‘See how much he loved him!’” (John 11:35-36 NLT)

My dog is fascinated by paper towels. If he finds one, he swallows it before we can grab it out of his mouth. This is a harmful habit that could lead to intestinal blockage. We try to keep paper towels out of his reach, because we want to protect our dog from injury. When he is in pain, we suffer along with him. 

Love involves co-suffering. When those we love suffer--whether it is from the consequences of their own choices or through no fault of their own--we suffer alongside them. When we love, we accept suffering as part of the package. 

God loves us. He suffers alongside us when we are in pain. It doesn’t matter if the pain is self-induced or caused by external circumstances. When we weep, Jesus weeps with us. We have a co-suffering, compassionate God. 

Banishing Fear

“Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear.” (1 John 4:18 ERV) 

When I was in ninth grade, there were two girls who made it their mission to bully me. It didn’t help that we were in several classes together. Even outside of these classes, they would follow me around and say things that made me feel awful. I would try to avoid them, but they always seemed to find me in the cafeteria, the gym, and in the hallways. I was relieved when they finally disappeared from my life. 

I have two new bullies that follow me around now. Their names are Fear and Anxiety. They come alongside me and whisper awful things that get to me. I have tried to avoid them, but they seem to pop up out of nowhere. They make me miserable, and I want to get rid of them. 

How can I get rid of fear? God’s perfect love takes away fear. My fear and anxiety are a result of not trusting God’s love. I must learn to manage my emotions. It is hard, but it is possible. Changing circumstances, on the other hand, is not always within my control. Like oil and water, fear and faith do not mix. Prayer that comes from a place of fear is ineffective. I must get rid of fear first and then pray from a place of trust and peace. God is always with me. He is in control of everything. He will strengthen me and help me.  

“Do not be afraid—I am with you! I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.” (Isaiah 41:10 GNT)

Tangible Presence

“May the Lord himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you his peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord’s tangible presence be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 TPT)

Horatio Spafford was a lawyer and businessman. He and his wife, Anna, lived in Chicago with their five children. Between 1871 and 1873, the Spaffords suffered several tragedies. Their four-year-old son died of pneumonia. The same year, they lost many of their businesses in the Great Chicago Fire. Then, in 1873, their remaining four daughters died in a shipwreck. In the midst of horrific suffering, Horatio Spafford wrote the following verse: 

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Surely the Lord’s tangible presence was this man during these moments. How else could he write such a hymn while experiencing this level of sadness? 

Lord, pour your peace into us in every circumstance and in every possible way. Let us feel your tangible peace. Show us how to stay in Your presence at all times. Even when sorrows roll in like large waves, may Your peace wash over us. Whatever our situations, help us to realize that all is well with our souls.

Finding Joy

“The hope of those who do right is joy and celebration, but the only prospect for those who do wrong is futility.” (Proverbs 10:28 VOICE)

 

It was a cold day for a run. The wind chill was well below zero. I was dressed in multiple layers from head to toe. The only part that was not covered was a small sliver of skin on my forehead. As I ran the first mile, I was fixated on the cold wind hitting my forehead. Even though the rest of my body was warm, all I could think about was my forehead. By the second mile, I made a conscious decision to focus on all that was good. I thanked God for all my warm running gear, my health, the sunshine, the blue sky, the safe roads, the solitude, and the quietness of a winter morning. By the time I finished my run, I felt joyful. 

 

I have a penchant for fixating on the one thing that isn’t going well while taking all the other things for granted. I understand the futility of this habit. Lately I have been trying to redirect my attitude. I consciously cultivate gratitude in my heart. This helps me appreciate all that is good. 

 

I’ve also realized the importance of finding joy in daily routines: the feeling of accomplishment after my daily run, the warmth of a hot shower, the satisfaction of chopping up vegetables for a salad, the comfort of a good book, the softness of my dog’s fur, the gratification of a full stomach, the gladness I feel when getting messages from loved ones, the solace of knowing my family is safe and healthy. If any of these little pleasures were taken away for a day, I would be miserable. Appreciating these daily delights brings me joy.  

 

Inner Fulfillment

 “‘Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.’ Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him.” (John 7:38-39 VOICE)

 

I heard the following anecdote in a sermon by Patricia Shirer. During severe droughts, most of the ponds in her area would dry up--except for one pond that was fed by a natural spring. She used this illustration to make a point. External sources cannot provide true fulfillment. Only an internal spring can continually nourish us. 

 

This story made an impression on me. We have two ponds in our neighborhood that are filled by surface runoff water. These retention ponds were dug at low points in the terrain for the purpose of flood management. The water level goes up and down depending on the weather. The water is polluted by agricultural chemicals and debris from nearby fields and roads. I don’t even let my dog swim in these ponds. 

 

If my life were a pond, what kind would it be? I would much rather be a natural-spring pond than one filled by surface runoff. However, I notice my sense of satisfaction goes up and down depending on my external circumstances. This is a sure sign that I am attempting to fill myself with whatever comes my way. Why do I settle for unsustainable, polluted water when I have access to life-giving water flowing from deep inside of me?

 

Lord Jesus, You promised an internal spring of living water for those who trust in You. Teach me to access the Indwelling Spirit. Fill my soul to overflow. 

 

How Goes the Battle

 “It happened that whenever Moses raised his hand, the battle went well for Israel; but whenever he lowered his hand to rest, Amalek began to win. When Moses became too tired to hold his hands up any longer, Aaron and Hur took a stone and sat him down on it. Then both men stood beside Moses, one on each side, holding his hands up and keeping them steady until sunset.” (1 Samuel 17:11-12 VOICE)

 

A friend of mine texted me the following phrase: “How goes the battle?”

I had never heard this question before. Supposedly, it is a common way of asking how your day is going. I was struck by the idea that every day is part of a battle whether we acknowledge it or not. 

 

How do we fight our daily battles? 

When the Israelites were under attack, the battle was fought on two fronts. Joshua and the soldiers fought with swords on the ground, while Moses and two supportive friends prayed on the hill overlooking the battlefield. As long as Moses continued to lift his hands in prayer, the battle went well for Israel. However, when he gave in to fatigue the enemy gained ground. Fortunately, Moses had supportive prayer warriors by his side to encourage and uplift his efforts. 

 

Lord Jesus, help me to remember that every day is a battle and the battle belongs to You. Teach me to rely on You. Help me to pray persistently and surround me with supportive prayer warriors. 

Troubled Times

 “Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive fails, and the fields produce no food,

Though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there are no cattle in the stalls...” (Habakkuk 3:17 AMP)

 

Are there times in your life when everything seems to be going wrong and you can’t catch a break? A modern day version of the above verses would read something like this: 

 

Though the pantry is bare, and the roof is leaking

Though the cancer is back, and I am unemployed

Though my daughter is in rehab, and my mom is bed-ridden...

 

What are we supposed to do when waves of difficulties knock us down over and over? 

 

“Yet I will choose to rejoice in the LORD; I will choose to shout in exultation in the victorious God of my salvation! The Lord GOD is my strength, my source of courage, my invincible army; He has made my feet steady and sure like hinds’ feet and makes me walk forward with spiritual confidence on my high places of challenge and responsibility.”  (Habakkuk 3:18-19 AMP)

 

 

When adversities pile up like a mountain in front of us, it is natural to feel some trepidation. We have to choose between managing on our own, or depending completely on God. The path of self-reliance usually ends up in frustration and bitterness. The path of trust leads to surrender and unconditional peace.  

 

Even in troubled times, we have choices. We can choose prayer over despair. We can choose to rejoice in the Lord and praise Him. We can choose to move forward with spiritual confidence. With the Lord’s guidance, we will be able to navigate the rugged terrain. He makes us as sure-footed as wild deer. He keeps us safe, even on steep mountains. 

 

Existential Angst

“So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes.” (Ephesians 5:15 TPT) 

Why are we here? 

What makes life meaningful?

What is the purpose of existence?

All of us deal with these existential questions at some point or another. Each person tries to figure out the answers to these questions on his own. This search for meaning involves repeated trials and errors. 

I have been on this journey for decades. After many wrong turns and detours, I have a few observations.

Distractions temporarily numb the pain, but the emptiness remains. Comparison and competition lead to discontent. Greed is never satisfied. Hedonism is not fulfilling. These never-ending cravings leave one feeling like life is pointless. 

A meaningful life is intentional and honorable. Gratitude, altruism, and compassion can be satisfying. One must learn to seek true wisdom, pursue good, and steer clear of evil. God has a purpose for each of us. Discerning God’s will involves communing with Him. This intimate relationship with the Divine is the way to fulfillment. Following this path gives meaning to our existence. 

Lord, help us to be careful, attentive, and circumspect in every aspect of life. Envelope us in Your love. Grant us the wisdom to know Your will. Enable us to take full advantage of every day as we pursue Your purposes.

 

The Source

“For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. “ (Psalm 36:9 NLT)

The Mississippi River flows south from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It  borders or passes through ten states. This mighty waterway is historically and economically significant. Many major cities and industries are built around this river.  A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the headwaters of this river in Lake Itasca, Minnesota. It is a tranquil park with very few tourists.  As I enjoyed hiking through the area, I wondered: Of the millions of people who live near the Mississippi, how many know where the source is located? How many would even care? 

“For in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28 NIV) 

God is the source and sustainer of everything. Our daily existence depends on Him. Of the billions of humans on this planet, how many think about the Source of life? How many would even care? 

Lord, You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. In Your presence we live and move and have our being. Let us be constantly aware of You as the source and sustainer of everything. Our life, our sustenance, our health, our identity, our joy--all come from You. Teach us to acknowledge You and care about You.

Joy, Prayer, Gratitude

 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV) 

Rejoice always...

Experience the joy of God’s presence. Enjoy His delight in you. Revel in His love. Savor the satisfaction. 

Pray without ceasing...

Stay in constant communion with the Lord. Confide in Him. Listen attentively. You don’t need words or sound. Sink completely into the awareness of His Presence. Have a devotional attitude at all times. 

Give thanks in all circumstances...

Thank God in good times and in bad. Remind yourself of God’s providence. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present. Even when you cannot see it, God is working. Express thanks and praise in all circumstances.

Rejoice, pray, and give thanks. This will lift up your spirit to a higher realm. Stop wallowing in the muck of self-pity, fear, or worry. Instead, experience peace, strength, and joy in God’s presence. 

Spirit of God, awaken within us. Help us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.

 

Daniel Fast

“During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine.” (Daniel 10:2-3 MSG)

I have written previously about using three-week intervals to set aside time to pray and change habits. This time, I would like to share my personal experience with fasting. 

I was going through an intensely stressful phase. My anxiety led to insomnia, exhaustion, and a loss of appetite. I sensed there were spiritual elements to what was happening and that prayer and fasting were necessary. I had heard of others doing a three-week Daniel Fast, but my previous experiences with fasting were not ideal. However, I decided to give it a try. 

There are many variations on the Daniel Fast. My main goal during this fast was to eat for nourishment rather than for entertainment. I tried to only consume ‘plain and simple food, with no seasoning or meat or wine.’  I have been a vegetarian for the last few years, and I don’t drink alcohol--so that part was easy. The main changes I made to my diet were cutting out caffeine, processed foods, sugar, yeasted breads, eggs, most dairy, potatoes, and refined starches. I also reduced my salt intake. I ate mostly whole grains, vegetables, beans, fruits, and nuts. 

The caffeine withdrawal during the first few days was difficult. Other than that, I felt okay. I didn’t feel the usual irritability and weakness that I had felt during previous fasts. Within the first two weeks, I lost weight, and my blood pressure became normal. 

I sensed that God was helping with the fast, reducing cravings not just for my favorite foods, but also for regular diversions. Instead, I was drawn to pray and commune with God. I felt a strong urge to pray for protection against evil. After the three weeks were over, I could see progress on many of my prayers, but no firm resolutions.  I was unsure if I should continue fasting. The health and spiritual benefits had been miraculous, and I felt hesitant to go back to my old ways. I asked God for a confirmation of some sort, something I would recognize clearly. It came in an unexpected way. I watched a documentary about the benefits of a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. I am going to try this for Lent and see how it goes. 

Jesus, direct me in every decision. Guide me in what to consume, what to avoid, and how to live each day. Regulate my desires in alignment with Your will. Filter out any temptations. Keep me on the wholesome path at all times.  

Hang On

“You always have God’s presence. For hasn’t he promised you, ‘I will never leave you, never! And I will not loosen my grip on your life!’ So we can say with great confidence: ‘I know the Lord is for me and I will never be afraid…’” (Heberews 13:5-6 TPT)

I’ve only been whitewater rafting once. It was adventurous, but NOT fun! A group of us had driven down to the rafting company’s office. On our way in, I saw a woman crying near a fire pit. She had fallen off a raft and was now trying to warm up. This was not a good omen. Everyone in our group had to sign a bunch of liability waivers and then put on rented wetsuits and life jackets. None of us had any experience with rafting. Some of us couldn’t even swim. What were we thinking? The rafting company provided us with a ‘guide’. He was a lean young man with long hair. He wore shorts but had no shirt. I watched him as he sat in a corner eating a granola bar. Let’s just say, he did not make me feel any more confident about what I was about to do. Once we got on the raft, he instructed us to ‘hang on’ --and leave the rest up to him. For the next few hours, we went down a rushing river with treacherous rocks and water spraying in our faces. True to his word, the guide navigated us through the whitewater rapids. He did all the work. All we had to do was hang on tight and not fall out of the raft. It would be delusional for me to imagine that I had gotten myself through that raging river.  

Our journey through life can often feel like a whitewater adventure. The Lord is our guide. He has promised to always be with us and never abandon us. He will navigate us over treacherous rocks and through rushing waters.  All we have to do is hang on tight and leave the rest up to Him. 

Each time God guides us through a trial, we become more aware of His power and dependability. Unless, of course, we are delusional. If we imagine that we got ourselves through the hard times by our own abilities and good choices, we miss out on the valuable lessons of faith. The more we acknowledge God’s presence in our lives, the more confidence we develop in His providence. The more we get to know Him, the better we learn to trust Him. 

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;” (Isaiah 43:1-2 ESV)

In The Midst of A Crisis

“How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works.” (Psalm 111:2-4 NLT) 

If you live near an active volcano, it is not wise to study it during an eruption. Don’t imagine that you can control the damage if you can figure it out. When you see lava flowing toward your home, it is time to get yourself and your loved ones to safety. Later, when the volcano is dormant and you are no longer directly in danger, feel free to do your research. 

If you are in the midst of a spiritual battle, don’t try to make sense of evil. It just messes with your mind. Don’t imagine that you can manage evil if you can figure it out. Focus on getting yourself and your loved ones to safety. Later, in times of peace, you can analyze the motivations and patterns of evil under Divine guidance. 

In the middle of a spiritual attack, concentrate on God’s character and attributes. Remember His wonderful works, His faithfulness, His love, His grace. Ponder His revelations, glory, and majesty. Pour your energy into prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. Submit all your concerns to the Lord. Listen and follow directions. Trust God’s supernatural power. 

“All God accomplishes is flawless, faithful, and fair, and his every word proves trustworthy and true. They are steadfast forever and ever, formed from truth and righteousness.” (Psalm 111:7-8 TPT)

 

Thistles

“God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn.” (Matthew 13:25 MSG)

Of all the weeds that come up in my garden, thistles are the worst. They have prickly leaves and stems. They start off looking like other harmless weeds, but once they are established, they are hard to pull up. I dig around their deep roots with a shovel and try to pull them out while wearing thick garden gloves. Most of the time, another thistle just pops up from the remnants of roots.  

Our minds are like a field where God has planted seeds of goodness. But the Enemy sneaks in when we are unaware and sows thistles of destruction. Harmful thoughts are invasive. Like prickly weeds, they are difficult to uproot. Do not dwell on thistly thoughts; this fertilizes the noxious weeds. It’s best to get rid of them before they get established. Once intrusive thoughts have put down roots, we need Divine help to eliminate them. Ask God to identify evil and pull it out firmly. Fill your mind with truth. Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic, real, honorable, admirable, beautiful, respectful, pure, holy, merciful, and kind. Focus your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. 

“Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.” (Philippians 4:8 TPT)