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Why Abide: Peace in the Storm

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Peace in the Storm - Why We Abide in the Word

When the alarm on my phone blared loud, the teenagers were just finishing up the third meal in a long-anticipated marathon of movies and food. The last thing anyone expected was a tornado.

There were eight of us – seven teens plus me, their adult chaperone and meal manager. Our minds had been on the next movie, but now a tornado was heading right toward us and we had to figure out where to squeeze eight people.

There was no safe place with only interior walls that would fit all of us, so we had to separate. The five girls went into the walk-in pantry, the two boys into a coat closet, and I shoe-horned into a small closet of shelves that gave me just enough room to stand.

I have never been separated from my kids during a tornado warning. I knew my daughter would be anxious, and I wasn’t there to help calm her, to pray with her. So I started texting. For thirty minutes the three closets communicated via smart phone.

Peace in the Storm - Why We Abide in the Word

Abiding in His Word

To abide means to remain, and while you can not literally read God’s Word every moment of every day, every choice you make to fill your mind with scripture allows it to take hold deep within.

You can bring His Word into your day through reading, studying, memorizing, putting scriptures up around your house or listening to scripture-based music. Even just pondering a verse is filling your mind with truth.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

While we could have looked up scriptures on our phones while we were in those closets, the verses that came to mind were scriptures we had read many times, studied, and even memorized. A steady diet of God’s Word as our spiritual food had saturated our minds with truth.

Truth Brings Peace of Mind

So often our greatest fears are of the unknown. Deep peace comes when we speak truths that are known and eternal. Jesus said:

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17

When we are anxious, when we don’t even know how to pray, we can pray God’s Word.

The peace of God is not circumstantial. You can literally be in the eye of the storm and know His peace. God’s peace is supernatural and beyond human comprehension.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Thankfully, the house we were in was not hit by a tornado. But the volume of rain was record-breaking, and the Central Texas area continues to be deeply affected by both tornadoes and flooding.

Peace Scriptures to Memorize

If you have not practiced the discipline of scripture memorization, I urge you to give it a try! You can join our Hide His Word facebook community for support and ideas for memorizing. Here are some scripture about peace to consider committing to memory:

– Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7-8

– I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

– Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

– In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

– For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

– You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

– And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. Colossians 3:15

We continue to abide in God’s Word because we know that what we can truly count on is that which is eternal. The storms may come and go at any time, but His Word stands!

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8

Why should you abide in God's Word? Scripture gives many reasons - join us at Do Not Depart to learn more. #WhyAbide

God’s Word brings peace in the storm! #WhyAbide

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When a tornado is bearing down, this is where your thoughts should be. #WhyAbide

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Lost Your Peace? 4 Ways to Find and Enjoy Peace Again

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Have you lost your peace?

While spiritual fruit won’t rot like physical fruit, we miss out on the deliciousness of the fruit of the Spirit if we don’t know how to pick it and eat it.

Here are 4 ways to find and enjoy the sweetness of peace.

We are looking this month at each individual piece of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Peace is here- fruit of the Spirit

The bananas were in a bag, sitting in a corner of the kitchen counter. The grapes were unwashed in the bottom bin of the refrigerator. The oranges were in their mesh bash in another bin, tucked away safe and sound.

I had picked them out. Paid for them. Brought them home.

But I wasn’t eating them.

And what happens to fruit when it sits out, uneaten for weeks? It rots. It’s no longer good to eat.

When We Can’t Find Our Peace

One reason we don’t graze on our fruit is because we get full on other things.

The same happens with our spiritual lives. If we start to feel anxious, we binge on distractions. We tune into Netflix. We chat up a friend. We busy ourselves with work.

Looking outside is easier then digging inside to uncover what God wants us to see.

So our peace goes unnoticed. Jesus isn’t consulted. And our anxiety, while it may hit pause for a minute, is still on.

Another reason we don’t find peace is we misunderstand it.

What is peace anyway? Is it the opposite of worry? Is it the absence of fighting? Is it total serenity with the world?

Peace for a Christian is a person. It’s Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is peace personified.

Jesus told His disciples that His peace is different. It’s more than the calming of nerves; it’s a solid base that emotions can’t disrupt.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27

Don’t Feel Peaceful?

But isn’t peace something we’re supposed to “feel”?

We do “feel” peace at times. (I thank God for those times.) But peace as fruit of the Spirit is deeper than feelings.

  • Peace is an unbreakable bond with God.
  • Peace is rest from earning.
  • Peace is our safe place for the soul, no matter what is stirring above ground.

We don’t have to be calm enough to receive peace. Or wise enough. Or courageous enough. We don’t have to earn peace by being good enough. We just have to trust that peace is there because Jesus said so.

Peace is a grace that redefines who we are. It lives in the centermost places, places where our fickle emotions can’t survive.

How to Find and Enjoy Peace

So how can we enjoy this peace on the inside when life is stressing us on the outside?

1. Let it ripen on its own.

You can’t create fruit. You can only prepare for its growth and then let it ripen.

Similarly, you can’t make yourself feel peace. But you can nurture your faith in Jesus so that peace can ripen in you.

Uncover peace in your soul by releasing outcomes you can’t control. The heavy burdens you carry aren’t yours to drag around. Take a break from single-handedly trying to fix the world’s problems.

Walk with Jesus. His path is a walk of peace. Jesus calls you to rest.

Start noticing peace when striving stops.

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

2. Put it in an obvious place.

When I keep my bananas in a dark corner, I forget about them. But when I put them in a bowl on the kitchen table, I see them and eat.

Put reminders around your house that you already have peace. Peace is your DNA; you are a child of Peace. It’s a gift inside you, right here, right now.

Here is a list of verses that Patti shared on peace. Print some. Memorize others. Let them prompt you to remember Jesus, your peace.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3

3. Take it on a picnic.

The easiest way for me to eat fruit is to carry it around with me. To eat an orange, I peel it at home, put it in a baggie, and take it with me for a snack. When I get hungry, and there’s no other food around, I’ll eat the orange.

You can use your peace this way, too. When you’re facing a difficult situation, perhaps full of fear and angst, tap into the foundation of peace you carry around inside you.

Know that beneath your concerns and worries, Jesus has laid a safety net of peace for you. Look fear in the eye and say, “I can do this [scary thing] because no matter what, I have peace underneath it all.”

Let peace satisfy your hunger for security in the midst of unknowns.

You don’t have to believe what you feel. Trust what you know instead. Because Jesus, the overcomer, is in you, peace is in you, too. Don’t wait until your fears disappear before you embrace peace; lean on peace in the midst of worries. Peace is confidence.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

4. Cook it up and share it with others.

My mother-in-law does delicious things with fruit: strawberry pie, banana pudding, peach cobbler. Your fruit of peace is also meant to be shared. When your friends feel anxious, give them some peace.

Share your peace by reminding your friends of Jesus’s promises. Let them know that He will never forsake them. Remind them that God is for them. No one can snatch them out of His strong hand.

The truths that bring you peace are meant to be passed around.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9

Peace Is Here

Whether or not you are feeling at peace today, thank God anyway that peace has been planted deep inside you. It’s here.

Outer winds may create ripples on the surface, but deep waters stay steady. You are safe. You are loved. You are His.

That’s peace.

Take a bite every day. Savor its sweetness.

Learn how to enjoy the fruit of peace. Take a bite of it. #FruitoftheSpirit

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What steals your peace? Do you have a favorite verse about peace? Please share in the comments.

For a musical taste of peace, enjoy “Peace Be Still” by Lauren Daigle.

Peace Be Still

Binge on Peace here:

 

Shalom – Pursuing God’s Peace

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Peace.

It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. Though God has given me deep seated peace the world can’t take away, I’ve also had my moments of struggle the past few weeks.

I suffered a serious knee injury last month and it’ll take a long time and a lot of work until I’m “normal” again. When my mind starts to worry about the future, I take my thoughts captive, stay my mind on God, and focus on the blessed flood of peace He gives.

Dictionary.com gives several definitions for peace. The first several are in regards to nations getting along with each other, and the last few deal with tranquility and serenity.

It’s those last few definitions that come close to what the Hebrew word, Shalom, expresses. But, as we often find with Biblical languages, the original words convey so much more! God chose the rich language of Ancient Hebrew to say much in few words.

 

Shalom - Pursuing God's Peace read more about Notable Hebrew Words of the Old Testament at DoNotDepart.com #OTHebrewWords


Shalom

According to the Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Lexicon , Shalom (Strong’s #07965), encompasses much more than just what we often translate “peace.” Besides simple peace, the word also expresses the concepts of:

  • completeness
  • soundness
  • welfare
  • prosperity
  • tranquility
  • quiet
  • contentment
  • and friendship – both with man and with God.

 

That’s quite a list, isn’t it? Did you notice that the physical, mental, and spiritual realms are covered– all by this one little word?

With God’s shalom we can have internal completeness even when our lives feel incomplete or broken. We are offered welfare when we feel the stinging hurts of life. And while our struggles are real, we are still offered beautiful tranquility and contentment of spirit, by our truest Friend.

Read these passages with those concepts in mind:

 

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3


“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

 

“Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints…” Psalm 85:8 a

 

“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165

 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

 

(To read additional passages containing the word shalom, click here.) 


But Where Do We Tend To Go For Peace?

Unfortunately, we don’t always seek God’s peace first. Sometimes the whirlwind storms of life swirl around us, distract us like Peter among the waves, and we stop to cry out to God. But these whirlwind waves serve as a blessing, don’t they? We can learn to “kiss the waves” because they throw us against the Rock of Ages. 

Those times are hard, but blessed. And if we learn to recognize the things we tend to turn to before God, then we can learn not to seek those things in His place.

Where do we sometimes go when we feel discontent? Here are a few “places” we go and thoughts we might think:

Ourselves – I can plan or control my way into peace.

Others – I’ll have someone help me with this. Maybe peaceful relationships without will make me feel peaceful within. (And while this is good if it solves a problem in that relationship, it will never serve as a substitute for experiencing God’s peace in all areas of our lives.)

Understanding and Knowledge – If I know more, I can make things better. (Even Solomon was wise, but knowledge in and of itself didn’t give him peace. Though he had a peaceful reign, he faced internal struggles that lead him into idolatry. See 1 Kings 11:4.)

Distraction – I’m too busy and need to be busier. I don’t have time to seek peace. I’ll seek things I enjoy or keep me busy instead.

Avoidance – I just can’t deal with this now.

Worry  – I can’t stop thinking about the things that plague me. It would be irresponsible to not worry.

 

But God wants better for us. Though we seek peace elsewhere, true peace is only found in God. He wants to give us the peace that Jesus offers– the peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) And even though we’re diving into the Old Testament this month, we know that the peace that Jesus gives (John 14:27) was promised to us under the old covenant. 


“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (emphasis mine)

How has God given you peace lately? We’d love to hear your story in the comments!

Ali

Shalom. Though we struggle in life, contentment of spirit is offered by God. #OTHebrewWords

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Trying to create your own peace? God wants better for you- His shalom. Read more #OTHebrewWords

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A Storm and a Swallow

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Here in Central Texas, we recently experienced a ferocious storm. Bad weather turned serious under a flash flood and tornado warning, and we had to take shelter for about 45 minutes.

The wind howled, the sky absolutely gushed water, and lightning struck so often that at times there was scarcely a break between one clash and another boom. It was a dangerous storm and the threat was real.  {Patti wrote a little about that same storm here.}

But later that evening things calmed down. The rain stopped, the wind calmed, the lightning passed, and the clouds became beautiful instead of menacing. And as I looked out into my backyard something in the top corner of my porch roof caught my eye. A little swallow flapped her wings, readjusted herself, and snuggled back down in her nest on top of the corner support pillar.

A Storm and a Swallow - a segment of The Marvelous Creator. Summertime Bible study at DoNotDepart.com

I was so excited and pure joy bubbled up in my throat… I couldn’t believe that this sweet little bird made it through the storm safely! She’d been sitting on her eggs in that nest for several weeks before this storm hit and I have no idea if she weathered the storm right there or if she found a safer haven and then later returned.  But instantly, even though she was a swallow, the song His Eye is on the Sparrow came to my mind, and I was reminded of some truths about my precious Father.

6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  (Luke 12:6,7 ESV)

The Creator Knows

Nothing escapes our Creator God’s knowledge. He knew about this storm and He knew the danger. He also knew my family had huddled together, and He even knew all about the little swallow mother and the eggs in her nest. After all, he knows the number of hairs on my head! His masterful, omniscient eye watches over His beloved creation. Nothing I face or experience surprises Him! He knows the storms and He knows the outcome. He knows, and He will never forget me.

The Creator Sees and Protects

God watches me. Even though I may feel alone or endangered at times, weathering the storms of life, my Father is always with me and watching over me protectively. Just like the mama bird that snuggled down on her babies after the storm, God draws me close under the protection of His wing. He shelters me and keeps me truly safe. (Psa 91:4) And like the bird, He gives me the sheltering strength I need to stretch my wings and soar on wings like eagles. (Isa 41:30)

The Creator Cares

Oh, how loved we are! Our Marvelous Creator not only knows, sees, and protects us, but He loves us. He cares deeply for our every need. (1 Pet 5:7) We are so valuable to God. And this is exactly why Jesus came to give His life. His precious blood was shed to reconcile us to God. (2 Cor 5:18-19)  If God remembers every sparrow, yet died for the cleansing of my sins, I can certainly trust in His powerful, sacrificial love.

Today, just over a week after the storm, I noticed a precious, tiny beak reaching wobbily over the top edge of the nest. What a beautiful sight! God faithfully and patiently reminds me of His protective, tender-loving care. Isn’t He truly marvelous?

Bible Study Homework:

Day 1:  Read Luke 12:6,7 and Matt 10:29,31.  Notice the price of the sparrows. Two birds could be bought for a farthing (or penny), or 5 birds for two. What is God reminding you in these verses? How does your heart respond to knowing your value and God’s attentive love? What will you remember about your value when you see birds today?

Day 2: Read Psa 84:1-4. This Psalm is expressing passion for God’s house. How might the notion of sparrows and swallows making a home and laying their young on God’s altar indicate the concepts of safety, love, protection, and rest? How has God been your place of safety recently? As you go outside today, what will the sound or sight of birds help you remember about God’s character?

Day 3: Read Isa 40: 27-31. In what verses is God’s omniscience revealed, and how is it described? How does God’s strengthening power bring you hope and reassure you of His love? In what area of your life do you need to be reminded today of God’s loving omniscience and strengthening power? The next time you see a bird in flight, what can you remember about waiting on the Lord?

 

What a storm and a mama swallow reminded me about God. #MarvelousCreator

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We are never left to handle the storms of life alone. Our #MarvelousCreator watches and protects!

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A love song leading to hope and peace

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It’s devastating to realize we placed our hope in an unworthy person. Eve felt it. Real life Anastasia Steeles feel it in Fifty Shades of Grey-style relationships. The discovery can be painful, terrifying, and maddening. It can leave us wounded, mistrusting, and fearful. In romance, in your family, or in your church? Maybe you’ve felt it, for a woman’s hope follows where her love leads. You believed, you loved, you followed, but you were used.

We all have the potential to let our own desires drive us so we run right over other people. Fear is the tool of a manipulative heart. It’s a weapon wielded by abusive lovers, controlling leaders, and insecure parents. If we all have the capacity to sin, is there a fail-safe place to love? Can we find real love?

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 33:18

There is One completely deserving of our hope. He desires reverence, not dread, so He looks for “those who fear Him.” He reaches to us with truth, because He is truth itself. There’s no manipulation, only grace. His holiness makes Him wholly worthy of our love and, thus, our hope. We can hope in His lovingkindness.

True love

Women worldwide put their hope in the ones they love. If the one they love is wholly worthy, their hope brings life. If they love one who is wholly unworthy, their hope brings death. Aaron Shust wrote a love song with declaration words, that the Lord is the One worthy of our hope. Nothing shakes His worthy ways, even painful circumstances or the unknown. It’s safe to love Him. It’s safe to hope in Him. To love Him is to hope in Him, and to hope in Him is to know His peace.

To love Him is to hope in Him. #LoveSongs

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  • My hope is in You, Lord, all the day long.
  • I won’t be shaken by drought or storm.
  • My hope is in You, Lord,
  • All the day long I won’t be shaken by drought or storm.
  • A peace that passes understanding is my song,
  • And I sing my hope is in You, Lord.
  • My hope is in You, Lord.
  • My hope is in You, Lord.

Do the loves in your life lead you to hope and peace? Do your passions produce a heart full of hope and a peace-filled perspective? God watches for those who reverence Him, loving Him enough to hope in His authentic lovingkindness.  Does He see you reverencing Him and putting your hope in His fail-safe intents for you? Does He see you making Him the love of your life? If our love is well placed, our hope will follow and fill us with peace.

True love leads to holy hope and holy hope leads to peace.

Would you say you’re experiencing a hope-filled outlook and heart of peace?

Have you ever misplaced your love and ended up hopeless and without peace?

Unshakeable Faith for the Storms of Life

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Unshakeable FaithDoes your faith shake when difficulties hit? Trials and hard times are inevitable, but we can have a rock-solid faith that will weather the storms.

Two weeks from today, we will begin a 10-week Bible study called “Unshakeable Faith.” An invitation post with all the details ran last Wednesday. Check out the invitation post for more information and leave a comment to enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. Entries for the drawing close today! (Giveaway ended)

You can participate on one of three levels. (For the first two levels you do not need the book.) I would like to share with you one of the “Faith Shaker” stories that are included in the book. These are stories about real women, facing real struggles, and leaning on our Rock-Solid God!

Meet Karen, who learned to be secure in the God who loves and chooses her:

Bill physically left Karen the day before their 25th wedding anniversary, but he had been in the process of leaving for a long time. He started to drift away about five years earlier. He pursued interests on his own, resented the demands of family life, and even denied the God he had once believed in. Karen did everything she could think of to draw her husband back, but all her attempts seemed to push him further away.

Karen felt like she had lost her husband long before Bill admitted he wanted out of their marriage. His long disengagement had made her feel ignored, devalued, and ugly. His final act of walking out the door told Karen she was unwanted and unlovable. “The one person who promised to love me forever said he didn’t anymore.”

Karen begged God to fix everything – to fix Bill, to fix their marriage, to fix her. Many times she poured out her anger and distress while meeting with God on the floor of her dark closet. But the divorce still happened. So Karen clung to God.

“God did not save my marriage, but He did save me. He faithfully cared for me. Like when His people showed up to serve me, listen to me, or sit with me while I cried. And when the money I needed was there, and the lawn was mowed, and the children were loved on.”

After three years and a lot of prayer, godly counsel, and Bible study, Karen knows she is dearly loved and wanted by God. “I was told that if I let Him, God would fill my every need as a single woman – my need to feel safe, secure, and loved. I did not fully believe that when I heard it, but God has certainly done it.”

Do you ever struggle with feeling unloved and unwanted? How can remembering that God loves and chooses you help you experience joy and peace?

To find out more about the study and enter to win see the invitation post.

Are Your Shoes On? You Need to Bring This

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You have a word from the Lord: Peace. You’re meant to carry this message of hope to others.

Are you ready to go?

Are Your Shoes On? Carry Peace_pin

Are You a Shoe Girl?

First, she looks for her own shoes. She brings them to me to help her put them on. Then, she looks for my shoes.

I know what that means. She’s preparing to go somewhere. And wants me to go with her.

My granddaughter is not even two yet, but I already know she’s a shoe girl. Glittery shoes. Rain boots. Sandals. It doesn’t matter. She knows they are her ticket to go, go, go. And she wants me to be ready to go, too.

Others need us to be ready to go, too. The world needs something we have.

Are we ready to give it?

As believers, we’ve been given a special gift: peace. We may not always recognize it or appreciate it, but it’s ours.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27

How can we give peace to others? What does that look like?

Put on Your Shoes

The apostle Paul gave a list of spiritual armor to the Ephesians. He wrote that shoes are part of our spiritual armor.

“And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”
Ephesians 6:15

I prefer to go barefooted. Maybe I’m lazy. It feels good to not be bound by shoes.

Except when it hurts not to have shoes. Walking on hot pavement. Running on rocky terrain. Going anywhere in public. These all require shoes.

If we’re going to move forward with our message of peace, we need to be ready, to have our shoes on.

Isaiah said this:

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.'”
Isaiah 52:7

The Right Shoes

As believers in Jesus, we’ve each been gifted with peace. Not only for ourselves, but to share with others. Peace is a word from the Lord we are to pass around.

Peace includes these refreshing and beautiful truths:

  • God is good;
  • you are loved;
  • you are never alone.

Thanks to Jesus, who is peace Himself, believers are one with God (Ephesians 2:13). And even when we don’t “feel” it, our problems are no longer ours, but His. We still have to stand firm in the battle, but He is already our victory.

And this is a gift we can share with others.

Speak peace:

  • To the suffering.
    Discovering that there is purpose in our suffering, even when we don’t know what that purpose is, brings peace.
  • To those in trials.
    When things are hard, knowing that this, too, will pass, brings peace.
  • To chaos.
    In the midst of confusion, trusting that Someone can and will eventually untangle all the knots, brings peace.

Be a Messenger of Peace

We can’t solve the problems ourselves. But we can cover them with words of peace, with a message of hope, with the gift of presence.

That’s grace. That’s gospel. That’s Jesus.

Peace is God’s gift to the world. Everybody wants it. We have it. Don’t hoard it.

Pray for grace to give peace to others. Even when you feel afraid or unprepared or unskilled to help others with their troubles, remember that your feet are wearing God’s armor. Let His feet be your feet, and go. Let His words be your words.

Let His peace be your peace.

And when we can’t go in person to deliver a message of peace? Go in prayer.

As we give peace to others, we’ll find more of it for ourselves. Jesus said peacemakers are sons of God (Matthew 5:9). Helping others remember where our help comes from, is a sure way to stay connected to that help ourselves.

When my granddaughter brings me my shoes, I say thank you. I want to be ready to go outside with her. I put them on, and off we go.

You can stay ready, too. Put your shoes on. Carry peace with you everywhere you go.

It’s good news that everyone longs to hear.

Are your shoes on? Be ready to carry peace everywhere you go. #ArmorofGod #Ephesians6

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Are you a shoe person? Is it easy or hard for you to recognize the peace of Christ in your own storms? To carry to others in their storms?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

This September we’re looking at what to wear in spiritual battles. See all the posts here on the whole armor of God.

Want more about peace? Read these:

Series Wrap-Up: The Lord Is My Light

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Today we wrap-up February’s series The Lord is My Light, reflections on the Light of God.

We began this month with a look at light in creation in both Genesis and the Gospel of John. Creation began as God spoke light into being and separated it from darkness. Christ, the Word, was with God from the beginning. Creation was accomplished through Christ, and in Christ is life that is the light of men (John 1:3-4). And while the light of Christ will one day obliterate the night and illuminate heaven for eternity (Revelation 21:22-24), today that Light shines in the darkness.

We then looked at the life-giving nature of light. Both biologically and spiritually, life begins with and is sustained by light. “The Lord is our life-giving light – our Creator, our Provider, and our Sustainer from whom all life flows. When our energy wanes, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, we can turn to God, our light source and life source, for healing and nourishment, for knowledge and wisdom.”

Ali wrote about how Christ’s light illuminates us.  He’s the true light, our source of light. And His light within us makes us as lanterns and the Church as a lit city on an otherwise dark hillside. She said, “Jesus’ light will never stop. He will always be the true light of life. Because God is light, and in Him is no darkness. And when He puts His light in me, my little candle can shine brightly in my dark little corner, bringing glory to the Father.”

Kristee then shared in her post Though I Sit in Darkness  about truth that pierces with hope into our darkest moments. “Though I sat in the darkness, believing the lies about hopelessness, the Lord would be my light. I prayed and the Spirit gently showed me the truth. My darkness became light again. The Lord shows what is true. He is our hope. He is our light.”

Writing about the grief of losing her father in a post titled When the Darkness Deepens, Sabrina reminded us that the Holy Spirit is always near. “This we can depend upon: even in our darkest night, Jehovah Shammah, “The Lord is There,” is with us. He sees us. He sees the darkness, and He has overcome it (John 16:33). Jesus is, in fact, the Light of the World and shines His light into all our darkness—our sin, our pain, our unbelief—and it is not dark to Him, but bright as day. Even in our Sheol-like moments, He is there holding onto us and waiting to lead us on.”

And on Tuesday, guest author Bethany Williams wrote on the marvelous, merciful light of God as Peter described in 1 Peter 2:9.  “I began praying for my children last year: ‘Please, Lord, keep them in your Light.’ With the many darknesses our whole world has experienced in recent years, with so many darknesses within the culture around them, with the humility that I do not know all the days in their futures, I’ve begun to pray with imagery of God’s light surrounding my children. I pray they can always see Jesus in the dark.”

What a beautiful image to hold in prayer for our children.

The People Who Walked in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

As we wrap up this end-of-winter month of reflections on light, I am reminded of something I read a few years ago. I wish I could recall where. While we may not know the exact day of Christ’s birth, and there may be historical and cultural factors that played into the designation of December 25th as Christmas, there is also beautiful providence in the fact that, in the northern hemisphere, our celebration of the Incarnation falls just after the very darkest day of the year. This winter, December 21st is the longest night of the year. Then Christmas dawns just as the light begins to advance again on the dark, slowly and steadily exchanging minutes of night for minutes of light until spring breaks through. On December 25th, there is no evidence of spring. The hardest, longest freezes and winter storms may yet be ahead. But already the forces have come into play that assuredly bring spring.

There is such beauty and comfort in the arrival of light. Centuries before the birth of Christ, the Son of God, here with us, the prophet Isaiah wrote:

“The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:2,6)

 

A Dwelling Place

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This is a post by guest contributor, Kristee Ravan. Kristee lives in Oklahoma with her husband, three kids, and cat.  She keeps busy with homeschooling, twin-wrangling, and supporting her husband’s ministry as a pastor. She has been writing and publishing devotions for several years and has also published two tween novels. Her books, The Cinderella Theorem and Calculating Christmas are available on Amazon.com. Kristee felt a call to be a missionary in childhood which led her to the jungles of Bolivia for two years after college. She was surprised when God called her back to the United States, but has been delighted with the ministry opportunities He planned for her, including supporting foster and adoptive families (and being an adoptive family!), educating others about how trauma affects children, and writing. You can connect with her on her Facebook author page, Kristee Ravan.

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” (Psalm 90:1, ESV)

 

The introduction to Psalm 90 records that this is “Of Moses the Man of God.” My daughter and I have used a scripture memory song for this Psalm in our homeschool for years, yet I have never stopped to think about the metaphor right there in the first verse.  

 

The Lord is our dwelling place. What does that mean? He’s the house (or tent in Moses’s case)? Or He’s our safe place?

 

A quick Google search revealed that a “dwelling place” is the place where someone lives. We can’t know exactly when in his life Moses wrote this Psalm, but in my opinion, it makes sense for it to be written during those forty wandering years in the wilderness. The poignant cry that the Lord is our dwelling place seems to come from people who have no literal, permanent home.

A Look Back

What might those desert-trotting Israelites have felt when they sang Moses’s new Psalm? As we probably learned in Sunday School, they had no home. They were wanderers, nomads, transient refugees. Having the Lord as their dwelling place gave them an identity.

 

In an everyday sense, a dwelling place for them would have been the literal tents they were dwelling in. How is the Lord like a tent? He offered them safety, peace, and rest.  Having the Lord as their dwelling gave them security. 

 

But a tent was only safety and security so long as they chose to go into it. They were welcome to sleep outside that protection if they liked. They had to be the ones to make the choice to go into the tent–the Lord as their dwelling place–and participate in the things that came with that relationship with Him. Having the Lord as their dwelling gave them responsibility.

A Look at Us

Actually, the same points apply to us.  When we choose to make the Lord our dwelling place, He becomes those things for us as well. And honestly, I wept when I found this verse as I looked for a metaphor to write about.  I needed it. I was cramming a writing session in between hard, hard things in our family.

 

I need Him to be my identity, my permanency–not being a wife, a mother, a homeschooler. Those things shouldn’t be the biggest part of who I am. He should. 

 

I need Him to be my security. My trust, my faith, my hope should all stem from the rock-solid dwelling place that is the Lord. When I re-enter that metaphorical tent, I should come out trusting only Him for finances, children’s futures, medical issues. 

 

In Matthew 7, Jesus compares people who don’t fully trust His words with a foolish man who built his house on sand. (Although, technically, that’s a simile. Jesus used the word “like.” “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man…” Matthew 7:26, ESV) Why wouldn’t I trust Him and build on the rock?

 

But having Him as your dwelling place does require responsibility. We have to choose to go to Him with our troubles. We have to actively talk to Him about our day in order for Him to become our identity and security. For me, this means setting alarms to remember to pray throughout the day and carving out time in my morning and evening routines to dwell with Him.

A Word about the Generations

The second part of the verse says the Lord had been their dwelling place “in all generations.” What were the Isrealites reflecting on in that part of the song? 

 

Abraham, who left his literal dwelling place in Ur to follow where God would tell him to go. He was led to a new dwelling place with God.

Jacob, who fled his literal dwelling place to live for years in another land. He discovered a new dwelling place with God.

Joseph, sold away from his literal dwelling place into slavery in Egypt. He found a new dwelling place with God.

 

And the same is true for us. I can see in my own family how our different generations have made Him their dwellings: when my great-grandparents trusted him during the Great Depression when my grandmother sought peace and strength from Him after her husband left her, and when my parents made Him their dwelling in seeking hope through daily prayer and Bible study. 

 

I pray my children will look back on what has been a hard season for our family and realize I made God my dwelling place through trusting Him in the storms of life.

 

Dwell in Him. Make Him your peace and security. Fulfill your role in being another generation that dwelled in Him.

 

Hope in God’s Good Purpose

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I had a really clear picture of what this year was going to look like. Projects were lined up. Wheels were in motion. My long held dream of working as a director was coming true.

Then everything shut down.

Rehearsals were cancelled. Shows postponed. We held our breath waiting for normal to return. I cried with my children over our broken dreams. We prayed and talked about God and how He is good. About how he brings good from the bad and beauty from ashes. How He is our rock, the anchor holding us fast through the storms of life. Things started to open up again. We made some plans. Then everything shut down again and our dreams were dashed a second time. 

Now Joseph had a dream…

Joseph was the 11th and favorite son of Jacob (whom God named Israel). Genesis 37 tells us that Joseph tattled on his brothers and that his father gave him a robe of many colors, a very costly gift. Neither even endeared Joseph to his older brothers. In fact, verse 4 says, “they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” 

In this context, Joseph has his first dream. 

“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, ‘Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.’ His brothers said to him, ‘Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?’ So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” (Genesis 37:5-8)

I can’t help but notice, Joseph shares his dream, but it is his brothers who do the interpreting. 

The Bible doesn’t tell us at this point if Joseph knows what his dream is about, but it’s not hard to imagine what a 17 year old shepherd might expect his life to look like. His family is wealthy, and though by birth order he is next to last, perhaps he will take his father’s place as head of the family some day. Not a bad future to look forward to. 

His brothers had a different idea. They threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery. What was going through that young boy’s mind as he made the long journey from his home to Egypt? Did he watch his dreams fade away with the landscape and grieve over what would have been? Could he hope in the future he’d been promised when his present looked so bleak? 

Interpretations Belong to God

In chapter 39, the Bible picks up Joseph’s story again. He is a slave in the household of Potiphar, an important government official, and he is doing very well. 

“The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:2)

A few years have gone by and the young shepherd enjoys the trust and favor of his boss. Here we get a glimpse of Joseph growing in maturity as a man of integrity and faith.  The lady of the house tempts him, but Joseph resists, both out of respect for the man who has been kind to him and honoring the God of his people. Potiphar’s wife accuses him and he is thrown in prison, but again, God is with him.

But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (v. 21)

After a time, two of Pharaoh’s officials are thrown into prison with Joseph and each have troubling dreams. 

At this point in his life, Joseph could not be further from the dreams he had as a boy. There might have been a chance to return home, as a successful, favored servant of an important government official. But not now. Not from prison. But Joseph is not bitter or broken. He recognizes God as the author and interpreter of dreams. “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” (Genesis 40:8)

He has learned that though his own dreams have not yet come to fruition, God has never left him. 

Joseph remembers the dream

Years pass. Joseph is eventually remembered by the cupbearer, and is given an opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, which is a warning of the famine coming to the land. Pharaoh elevates him to governor and gives him a wife because he sees that Joseph is filled with the Spirit of God (Genesis 41:37).  Joseph sets to work again, storing up grain, planning for the future. He gives his two sons Hebrew names, showing that he has not forgotten God or his people. 

The famine reaches Canaan and Joseph’s brothers travel to Egypt to buy grain. As they kneel before the great leader, second only to Pharaoh, unrecognizable from the brother they sold into slavery so many years ago, Joseph remembers his dream (Genesis 42:9). 

I doubt very much that 17 year old Joseph knew all along that he was going to rise to power in Egypt. There must have been moments along the way where he wondered what it was all about it. But over the course of his life, the many ups and downs, from the pit in Canaan to the palace in Egypt, Joseph learned to trust in God, not the dream. 

God’s Good Purpose

“But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today’.” Genesis 50:19-20

Summer is in full swing but fall is quickly approaching. Our community is opening slowly, and like Joseph, we are looking forward with hope. Not in the dreams God has placed on our hearts, but in God himself, who never leaves us.  

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

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Anchored By Hope

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In the midst of a year characterized by uncertainty, let’s take the month of August to anchor ourselves in a hope that does not disappoint. Our circumstances may ebb and flow or may completely rock us, but in Christ we are securely anchored by hope. 

Anchored by Hope

A few years ago I was listening to a friend of mine give a sermon on the topic of hope. I was sitting in the cry room with a toddler messing about at my feet and an active infant in my lap. My preschooler was in the sanctuary with my husband, but he had spotted me through the cry room window and was clearly negotiating to join me there. Given the chaos around me, I will admit I now recall few details of that sermon. But one moment stands out. While straining to listen over the babbling of the children literally crawling over me, I heard my friend Brandon pause and ask directly, “What do you hope in?” No joke, clear as a bell something in me responded, “Bedtime. My hope is in bedtime.”

True Hope

I chuckled, outloud, because it was somewhat true. I would find myself multiple times a day with frayed nerves thinking, “It’s all going to be okay. In a few hours, they will go to bed, and I will be okay.” I was in the thick of the “short years / long days” season, and though I actually missed the kids when they were sleeping soundly, I also desperately needed the quiet time to collect myself. And yet, on the way home from Church that morning, I knew there was more to it than an introvert’s need for a few minutes of silence.

“When all feels chaotic, when I am afraid that I am failing them at every turn, when I am not sure how to comfort three of them at once,” I asked myself, “is my hope in bedtime? Or am I resting right then in the blessed assurance that the God of the Universe is right here with me? He knows exactly what is needed.” Am I missing the opportunity to be securely anchored by a true hope?

Grounded

Am I white-knuckled clinging to my to-do list? Or am I looking to the Holy Spirit for in-the-moment guidance? Am I holding my breath until the circumstances change? Or am I abiding in the life-giving breath of God, Who calms the storms and stills the winds? This summer, is my sense of hope tied to my confidence in our leaders, to graphs of reported data, or to the One who reigns forever? 

As people, our hope can easily become tied to the ever-changing circumstances around us. But as Believers, our hope is rightly grounded in Who God is. It flourishes when we focus our hearts on Him. He is good, righteous, sovereign, and faithful. Our hope rests in the knowledge that He is making all things new. He is making us into the likeness of Christ and reconciling us to one another in the Spirit.

Anchored, Firm and Secure

The author of Hebrews tells us that we may be encouraged because, “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19a, NIV). We have this anchor of hope, he says, because Christ entered behind the temple curtain into the Most Holy Place ushering those washed in His blood into the presence of God (Hebrews 6:19-20, Hebrews 9:1-14, Matthew 27:50-51). That’s the game-changer. His blood and righteousness mean I have access to the throne of God. That’s hope.

Do you know how an anchor works? An anchor is substantial, heavy and solid, sinking into the seabed. It becomes even more effective when resistance is applied. When a force pulls against the anchor, it is designed to dig deeper, becoming more secure. Thus grounded, an anchor protects a boat from drifting away or from crashing into nearby rocks.

Friends, I may have read more news in the past five months than I did in the previous decade. And it certainly is prudent to know what’s happening around us. Let’s check our anchor, though. Where is our hope? I love this sentence from a boating article titled “How to Anchor Securely:” “We know of no way to ensure that your anchor will hold other than by pulling on it hard.” Pull hard, and be assured. Hope anchored in Christ holds true. Join us in a month-long blog series as we explore what it means to be Anchored by Hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Simple Truth in a Simple Tune

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Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the brokenness and pain I see in the world. 

“Why should I feel discouraged? 

Why should the shadows come?”

I’m not even talking about personal troubles. I am often overwhelmed by the state of our world, the rampant injustice and the capability we have for cruelty. 

“Why does my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and home?”

This sweet, simple song has often given a perfect voice to my heart’s cry! 

 

His Eye Is On the Sparrow has been sung at many of my big life milestones, from graduations to funerals. Yet it always serves to remind me that God is there, caring for me in the small moments of life as well. 

A Simple Story

His Eye is On the Sparrow was penned in 1905 by Civilla D. Martin, with music composed by Charles H. Gabriel, one of several collaborations between them. 

Martin occasionally travelled with her  Baptist minister husband, Walter, which was how they encountered the Doolittles, a couple whom they described as “true saints”. Mr. Doolittle was in a wheelchair and Mrs. Doolittle was bedridden, yet their life was full of joy, kindness, and peace. Enough to make the Martins wonder. 

When asked how she could live in such terrible circumstances with so much hope, she answered, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

 

A Simple Illustration

Jesus used the little birds to illustrate the vastness of God’s love, provision, and attention to the smallest details of our lives. 

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.” Luke 12:6

Over and over throughout Scripture, God is painted as the caregiver of creation (Job 38:41). The Perfect Provider (Psalm 104:11). The Satisfaction our souls long for (Psalm 145:6).  

The Simple Truth

When storms rage in our backyard, my tenderhearted son asks me, “What about the birds?” I comfort him with the reminder, “Who takes care of the birds?”

  • God, who is love.
  • God, who is good.
  • God, who cares what happens to the sparrows. 

When storms rage in my heart, I can rest knowing that the God who cares about the sparrows, cares even more for me. 

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7

 

“When Jesus is my portion

A constant friend is he

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches me”

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Stand on the Rock

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Todays post, “Stand on the Rock” focuses on Edward Mote’s beautiful hymn, My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (often called, On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.)

This year has been quite tumultuous for most people. We’ve been confronted with a huge amount of suffering, fear, loss, insecurity, injustice, anger, and heartache in the last several months. When things seem to improve a little, another wave comes along. It can feel like almost minute to minute, the ground shifts from under our feet.

It’s easy to see it all and wonder, “What security do I really have? Where do I stand?” 

There’s a hymn that reminds me that no matter how the sands of the world shift, I stand on the Rock.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand. 

 

A Wise Builder

Edward Mote penned those words in his hymn, ”My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” well over 100 years ago. His words serve as a beautiful illustration of Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders (Luke 6:46-49). 

A foolish builder might approach the water’s edge and think the close proximity to life-giving water is good enough. But sadly, that puts a foolish builder on the unstable, sandy shore. When the rains come, his house floods, sands shift, and the house collapses. The foolish builder in the parable represents someone who appears to come to Jesus but never does what He commands.

Mote’s words emphasize Jesus’ teachings that a wise builder hopes in and follows Jesus. As saved Christians, we’ve all chosen the solid Rock. Digging deep into the high Rock of Jesus gives us stability! Through the constant, steady nature of God, we can find hope when our world shifts. All of God’s promises are true, His commands are good, and His ways are best. Always!

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49)

It is only through Christ that we will ever find true healing, stability, peace, and hope. Jesus alone offers us security. This security dwells within a Believer’s heart now, and will come to complete fruition in eternity.

How Did Mote Know?

Edward Mote grew up as a non-Believer. Because his parents were busy managing a pub, he entertained himself by playing in the streets of London. He is reported to have said,

“So ignorant was I that I did not know that there was a God.”

But by the grace of God, Mote heard a sermon preached and gave his life to Jesus. He even entered the ministry in his 50’s and served for almost 30  years, in addition to writing 100’s of hymns.

Yes, he personally knew what it was like to live a life without the hope of Christ. And I’m sure he saw many people turn to “sandy soil” rather than digging deep and settling on the Solid Rock.

Here are more lyrics to this beautiful hymn that express the hope we have in a “stormy” and unstable world:

When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When Darkness Veils His Lovely Face

As I said earlier, there is so much in our world that we could allow to “veil Jesus’ face.” Yet, we must remember, His grace is unchanging and He is our anchor. Christ’s blood supports, cleanses, and redeems us. 

When everything around us seems to give way, we must continually look to Him and be rooted in Him. Then we can remain standing… on the Solid Rock!

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore… (Ephesians 6:13, 14a)

How have you been reminded of the strength and stability of the Rock lately? Let us know in the comments.

In Christ, our Solid Rock,
Ali

When the ground shifts under your feet, you might ask “What security do I really have? Where do I stand?” Let’s look to the hymn My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less to see that we stand on the Solid Rock. #HIStoriesBehindTheHymn

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Take Heart: Series Wrap Up

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I spent some time last week in Genesis 6, 7 and 8 – the story of Noah and the flood. A couple of things stood out to me in a new way since being stuck at home for the last few weeks.

Genesis 7:4, “Seven days from now I will make it rain…” God sent Noah and and his family to the ark a whole week before the flood began!

Genesis 7:12, “…rain fell on the earth 40 days and 40 nights…” That’s just about six weeks of a raging storm.

Genesis 7:24, “And the water surged on the earth 150 days.” The storm had ended, the trouble passed, but the effects remained in place for awhile.

Take Heart

All this month on the blog we’ve been looking at practical ways to live and love through the trouble we face in the world. There is a light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel as states are beginning to open back up, flatten the curve, and otherwise return to normal operations.

But whether it’s this or something else, trouble is one thing we can always expect. Jesus promised it, as certainly as he promised us peace and courage to see that trouble through.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 

Ali reminded us to Leap into the Word, to grow our confidence in an unshakeable God. David faced Goliath without fear because he’d spent enough time with God to know His character. His courage came from understanding that God is trustworthy and good. Ultimately it wasn’t up to David to defeat Goliath. “Though Satan comes to do things like rob us of joy, paralyze us with fear, and destroy our peace and trust, Jesus has come so that we might have abundant life in Him— regardless of our circumstances. (See John 10:10)”

 

God “knows how to turn hopeless scenarios into extraordinary miracles. And as God did in the past, He can also do today,” He uses us to Reach One At A Time. The needs are overwhelming, but Lisa shared the example of Jesus going broad – reaching out to people as he encountered them, and deep – investing in and developing the relationships among those closest to him because “the more we connect with our community now, the stronger our relationships will be when we come out of quarantine.”

 

Jennifer’s post, Never Alone, reminded us that “the presence of Christ brings peace”. Matthew’s gospel begins (Matthew 1;23) and ends (Matthew 28:20) with the assurance that Jesus is God with us.

 

Cheli helped us grapple with grief by defining what it means to lament. (Seasons of Lament: Embracing Grief and Hope) “A lament gives us space to mourn, encourages us to reach up and out and spurs us towards steps of faith.”

 

We shared prayers, Psalms, songs, stories, and past posts in hopes of providing something tangible for our community to use through this time of crisis.

God Remembers

Genesis 8:1, “But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.”

Noah and his family spent a long time sheltering in place, waiting for the storm to pass, and the waters to subside. But they were never alone, never forgotten, never out of reach. That is the message we need to hold on to and share with the suffering. Pain, trials, challenges, and difficulties are inevitable. We will have trouble. But Jesus has overcome the world.

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Never Alone

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In the early days of this pandemic, I was preoccupied with the word, “alone.” My heart grieved reading the stories of patients who were critically-ill without the comforting presence of family. Fears of my own loved ones being similarly sick and separated from me disrupted my sleep. As my husband and I discussed plans for his isolation from the rest of the family if he contracted the virus while caring for patients, I broke down crying. “I am so afraid of you getting sick and being alone.”

The moment I said it out loud, I knew the word “alone” masked the truth. As Believers, we are never alone.

Never Alone, suffering

God with Us

It is a beautiful thing as the Body of Christ to be the hands and feet of Jesus, attending to the comfort and physical needs of one another. But even when we cannot reach one another, in our quietest, most solitary of times, Christ Himself is present with us. We are never alone.

Matthew begins and ends his Gospel with the assurance that Christ is “God with us.”

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” (which means, God with us).
(Matthew 1:23)

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

The presence of the Lord with His people is central to the story of the Bible — from the intimacy of the Garden of Eden to the presence of the Lord in the Temple among the Israelite’s, from the physical incarnation of Christ to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God is with us.

King David knew the closeness of the Lord in seasons of heartache. He wrote, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Similarly, Jesus taught “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:2-4)

Weathering the Storm

A thoughtful message by an unknown author was recently shared on social media recognizing that, while we are all in the storm of this pandemic together, we are not all “in the same boat.” Our individual experiences differ greatly. For some, the pandemic has meant painful loneliness. For others, it is too much togetherness. It has brought financial insecurity, the loss of a job, or hunger to many. This pandemic has meant severe illness for many patients, and exhausting, high-risk work for health care workers. And for many families, it has meant the loss of loved ones and the grief that follows.

While each of us may be weathering this storm “in a different boat,” Christ walks out across the stormy waters towards every one of us.

“But the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.  And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”… And when [Jesus and Peter] got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
(Matthew 14:24-27, 32-33)

Your pandemic-weathering boat may be crowded right now, with family juggling both work and school in the same space every day. Or you may be alone in your boat, weathering trials your neighbors know nothing about. Regardless of your unique burdens in this storm, know that Jesus is walking out to join you. Invite Him in.

Peace accompanies His presence.

As Jesus got into the boat, the wind ceased. The presence of Christ brings peace.

 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
(John 14:27)

Sometimes, the storm rages on around us. Jesus was very clear that we should expect trouble in this life — tribulation. Jesus spoke to His disciples of His peace at a time when His crucifixion was still ahead and their own trials were only beginning. However, He also assured them that He would never leave them, and that, soon, the Holy Spirit would be sent as to equip them, comfort them, and intercede on their behalf.

 In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33b)

This month, when the news is heavy and the future uncertain, I’ve been reaching for Psalm 121 and hymns like In Christ Alone to ground myself in truth. I am not alone. Not one of His children is alone, today or any day ahead.

Take heart, we are not alone.

 

Take Heart: Responding to Trouble in the World

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The last few weeks have been a long exercise in regularly taking my thoughts captive and putting my trust in the promises of Jesus. I feel like Peter walking towards Jesus on the water (Matthew 14:24-33). One moment he is following Jesus’ voice and the next he’s distracted by the storm swirling around him. A wave of news swells to my left and I fear I will sink beneath it. But my spirit cries out, “Be still! Remember, He is God!”

One of the things Jesus promised us is that we will face trouble while we live on this earth.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. (John 16:33) 

Tribulation is a fancy word for trouble. I can’t think of a better description of what we are facing with this coronavirus. Most of us are isolated in our homes, inconvenienced by the widespread shut down. But others are hurting. Friends and neighbors are struggling with sickness, loss of loved ones, job loss and bills to pay. We are all facing uncertainty and anxiety. It’s trouble with a capital T! 

How can we, as the hands and feet of Jesus, respond to the fear, anxiety, and trouble the world is facing? 

Thankfully, the promise does not end there. Jesus said, 

But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Through his work on the cross and his resurrection (the very event we celebrate this coming Sunday!), He is already victorious over sin and death. 

As Betsie Ten Boom (sister of Corrie Ten Boom, author of The Hiding Place) once said,

“…the lightning crack of justice has already struck, and we live in the silence before the thunderclap.”

The storm is still raging around us, but we know the happy ending is coming.

This month on the blog we’re going to be looking at some practical ways we can live and love our neighbors through the current trouble we call the covid19 crisis. May your experience be filled with the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. May He guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)!

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