Tag: heart

  • Force of Nature?

    “For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Psalm 95:3–8).

    Associated Press reports: Tokyo—“A ferocious tsunami unleashed by Japan’s biggest recorded earthquake slammed into its eastern coast Friday, killing hundreds of people as it carried away ships, cars and homes, and triggered widespread fires that burned out of control.”

     Widespread evacuation efforts continue, people and buildings displaced and millions without homes or power. 80 foot waves plow through areas where over 1 million people live and work. Devastation is headed toward Hawaii and the US west coast. How very tragic!

    I see a piece of white fabric wave outside a window as the radio broadcaster announces, “People surrender to the power and force of nature.” Really? Nature, I don’t think so!  God, the Creator of heaven and earth and the seas, is the one ultimately in control. He sees all. He knows all and longs for us to worship him, the Ruler over all.

    While growing up, my family and I survived a tornado whose path went straight through our campsite. A huge oak tree landed in the spot where my parents would have been sleeping if we had remained in our camper. My mother felt the urge to get in the car and drive to the other side of the campground; my Dad followed her advice.  God spared my whole family that day from injury and death. Scary? Yes, but we thanked God for saving our lives. When horrible things happen, what and who is really important in our lives immediately surface. The small stuff seems far, far away.

    Prayer: Thank you, God, for preserving my life and my family’s life many years ago. I want to sing praises to you, God! May I never forget your countless blessings and benefits.

    Ask: Is there an area in your life that needs attention? Some selfish desire you should not be pursuing? Do you hear God pleading with you to not harden your heart and come back to him?

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  • Encouragement

    Warren Wiersbe says, “God’s people do not live in the past but they know how to use the past to give them encouragement in the present and hope for the future.”

    Reminds me of Jeremiah 29:11–13: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity…”

     I’m told not to dwell on the past for if I spend my entire day dwelling on the past, I’ll miss the present and the future. Yet, Mr. Wiersbe’s comment about knowing how to use the past makes sense. If I remember the past as a tool to help me not repeat my past mistakes, this can serve as encouragement. Not to dwell constantly and beat myself up, but to recall what snare God rescued me from. As I recall those nearly fatal mistakes, I thank him for his grace and mercy in my past life. Then I can look forward to what lies ahead, learn from my mistakes, and move on to greater heights.

    Prayer: Thank you, God, for rescuing me from a potential huge mistake. I felt your presence and now see your divine intervention. Protect me from continuing to bring up the mistake in my mind. I know you forgave me, and now I want to let it go. I owe my life and peace of mind to you. I know you forgave me, but help me forgive myself.

    Ask: Is there something in your past that keeps nagging away at your brain? Is there a particular occurrence that just won’t go away no matter how hard you will it to be gone? Do you realize that God wants you to be free of those captive thoughts?

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  • My life’s an open book

    “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts,” (2 Corinthians 3:2–3).

                My very life is a letter than anyone can read (or not read) just by looking at me. Scary thought. To think that anyone can trace my actions and hear my words and judge me—well, that’s a whole lot of pressure. This fact causes me to ask myself if I am truly living as God would have me live and saying and doing what he desires of me. His mark on me is written on the tablet of my flesh, not on a tablet of stone.

    Prayer: Dear God, I confess that the mark I leave behind is not always pleasant, kind, or loving. Sometimes I leave a trail of strife and confusion—forgive me for those times. Help me to plant seeds of kindness, and tell others of the joy of my salvation. 

    Ask: What kind of mark are you leaving today? Will others be able to tell that you belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Do others see the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

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  • Search my heart

    “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve” (Jeremiah 17:9–10).

                    Only God and God alone can search my heart and examine my mind. God alone knows my innermost feelings and motives. This knowledge is both frightening and comforting.

                    Frightening because I know not every thought is holy and is far from appropriate. Comforting to know the God of the universe also is a merciful, forgiving and fair Judge who knows I’m a work in progress. “I get to the heart of the human, I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be” (The Message).

    Ask:

    * Are there details in my life I’d rather not tell anyone, or want anyone to know about?

    * Am I embarrassed about certain unholy thoughts?

    * Is there a certain behavior that should be eliminated in my life?

    Prayer:

    God, You know all before I even speak a word. You’re displeased when unkind words spew out of my mouth and when I dwell on unholy thoughts. Forgive me, cleanse me…I desire to lean on You so others see me as Your faithful servant.

     “Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a Friend that’s well known. You’ve no other such a friend or brother, tell it to Jesus alone.”

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  • Don’t give up!

     

    “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24)

    When I read this passage in Psalm 31, I hear God saying to be brave and very strong. Don’t give up now; you’re almost finished. Remain steadfast and immobile in what I know is right and what is wrong. When my world closes in, I must go to God in honesty and prayer.

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