...do not fret—it leads only to evil. ~ Psalm 37:8
I was quite peaceful until checking my faculty e-mail an hour or so ago. Finals week is apparently causing stress, and it is catching. Thankfully, the still, small voice of God reminds me, "the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace," (Romans 8:6).
Reflecting on Romans 8:6, it stands to reason: if my mind is in a state qualified by any descriptives other than life and peace, it must not be controlled by God's Spirit.
I am rejecting this stress today, choosing instead to trust God. Please Jesus, forgive my fretting. Fill me with your Spirit, and take control of my mind. I choose peace, today.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. ~ Isaiah 26:3, NKJV
November 17, 2010
November 16, 2010
comfort in failure
God's purpose for every believer is that each of us would daily become more like Jesus.
...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ~ Ephesians 5:25-27
...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 1:6
That certainly is good news; but wait, there's more!
The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand." ~ Isaiah 14:24
No matter how many times you and I fail, God's plan for each of us cannot be thwarted. My inadequacies are pathetically weak in comparison to his sovereign plan for me, which is glorious (see above)... and the same is true for every follower of Jesus Christ.
Now that's something to shout about!
...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ~ Ephesians 5:25-27
...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 1:6
That certainly is good news; but wait, there's more!
The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand." ~ Isaiah 14:24
No matter how many times you and I fail, God's plan for each of us cannot be thwarted. My inadequacies are pathetically weak in comparison to his sovereign plan for me, which is glorious (see above)... and the same is true for every follower of Jesus Christ.
Now that's something to shout about!
November 11, 2010
crazy days
There used to be a laundromat in downtown Savannah in an old brick building, across the side of which was painted, in big blue letters, "Crazy things happen here!"
Now, that's an odd choice, don't you think? I have enough problems with my laundry as it is. Why add to them by patronizing a place that promotes extra craziness?
Lately, crazy things have been happening here, in my home, in my life, in my heart. Nothing serious, really, just... odd. Circumstances I never imagined I would face. And yet, I am comforted to remember that God is in control. I may be surprised by this stuff, but he most certainly is not.
"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." ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Now, that's an odd choice, don't you think? I have enough problems with my laundry as it is. Why add to them by patronizing a place that promotes extra craziness?
Lately, crazy things have been happening here, in my home, in my life, in my heart. Nothing serious, really, just... odd. Circumstances I never imagined I would face. And yet, I am comforted to remember that God is in control. I may be surprised by this stuff, but he most certainly is not.
"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." ~ Jeremiah 29:11
November 9, 2010
remaining
Jesus said, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you." (John 15:4)
Isn't it awesome that God is always right there, waiting?
Anyone can be as close to God as he or she desires. No appointment necessary. God is available to all, through Jesus Christ... and the more you and I pursue him, the closer to him we will be. He leaves the ball in our court.
What a gentleman.
Isn't it awesome that God is always right there, waiting?
Anyone can be as close to God as he or she desires. No appointment necessary. God is available to all, through Jesus Christ... and the more you and I pursue him, the closer to him we will be. He leaves the ball in our court.
What a gentleman.
November 8, 2010
help for insomniacs
When I have trouble sleeping, I reach for the spiral-bound index card notebook I keep on the table next to my pillow, the cover of which I have inscribed with gigantic letters, "S.O.S." It's a collection of Scripture I've found in my daily bible study time... any verse that reminds me: God is in control, he is my defender, and despite my inadequacies, he happens to love me.
Sometimes when Fred's thoughts prevent him from sleeping, he'll ask me to read them out loud. I find them even more effective that way. Better than Xanax — no prescription necessary!
Here's a good one to get you started:
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. ~ Psalm 18:19
Sometimes when Fred's thoughts prevent him from sleeping, he'll ask me to read them out loud. I find them even more effective that way. Better than Xanax — no prescription necessary!
Here's a good one to get you started:
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. ~ Psalm 18:19
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