Fraidy Cat

It started out as a nice leisurely walk on a gravel road in the country near my parent's house. I was almost back to their house when I saw it. I was not quite sure what the it was. It looked kind of like a cat but bigger. Maybe it was a coyote which they have around there but that didn't make sense. They usually never come near the road especially in broad daylight. My feet were glued to the road but I took a few steps forward thinking the "It" would move. "It" didn't but kept staring at me. I prayed and then debated what I should do. How long would I stand there? Maybe a car would come and scare it away. Finally I decided to press on and somehow up close the "it" didn't look so big but was in fact a cat. So by now you can guess who the fraidy cat was. Me!!

My situation was funny but so true of life. We let our fears become bigger then they are. Our imaginations run wild thinking of all the horrible outcomes that could happen. It could deal with the election, the financial crisis, a health issue or even a family issue. We allow a fear to grow bigger by listening to Satan's lies and soon we are crippled by it. Since fear is something I often struggle with the following have become my verses to fight back with.

II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and discipline.

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Phil 4:4-6 -7 Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I also find that worshipping God does wonders. As I listen to worship songs, I find I am no longer focused on myself but on God.

Dear God, Thank you that we can come to you with all of our fears whether big or small. You are never far way. You meet us where we are and take us into your presence. May we never forget you are our rock and strength. Amen

Never in January

I love to read but I admit I have always struggled with the reading through the bible in a year. One thing that did help me was to relax and not worry about getting it done in a year but to keep going. In this way, it took me about a year and a half partly because I get sidetracked by bible studies I am doing. I also tried to remember that the bible can be read for pleasure as well as study. It has helped to have a bible I keep in my purse for times when I have to wait or have a few extra minutes. I found this article Never in January by Noel Piper that I really liked and am planning to use some of her ideas once I finish this round. I liked how she focused on different attributes of God that she read. She also didn't worry about starting at the beginning but just reading the whole bible in a year. In this day and age, it is more important then ever that we are able to correctly handle the word of God which is also the sword of the spirit. In Matt 5 Jesus tells us that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled. One way to be filled is to be immersed in God's word.

Dear God, May your word be my favorite book truly. May I hide your words in my heart so that I might not sin against you. Amen

Remembering that He is able

One of my favorite stories in the bible is the one about Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego and the fiery furnace found in the book of Daniel. These three guys are faced with the fiery furnace and no way out. Given a chance to change their mind about their God, their reply is " If we are thrown into the blazing furnace the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the image you have set up." Our God is able. I have been praying a big prayer this week for healing in a family member. I know God is able. I struggle with my prayer not being answered the way I would like but the story from Daniel encourages me that God's deliverance in a certain situation should not affect my worship and service. I know God is good and hears my prayers. I also know he is with me and my family every step of the way. I am trusting God's heart.

Dear God, You are able. You are good. You are worthy of our trust. Answer our prayer and lead us on your perfect path. And if your answer is different than the one we had anticipated let us see you in the answer. Amen

A Proper Look at Things

As I was reading Leviticus, I noticed a common phrase. " I am the Lord your God who makes you holy." This phrase was interspersed among all the rules and regulations that make up most of Leviticus. In the midst of the law, God is reminding the Israelites that He is the Lord. He is the Lord is the reason behind the law but just in case the Israelites got to thinking that is was all them he has the part "who makes you holy." I find two extremes in my life. I either think I a m doing pretty good on my own and I forget where holiness comes from. Or I am so overwhelmed by not measuring up. I forget that holiness comes from God not what I do. My BSF teacher used to say that only when we have a high view of God can we have an accurate view of ourselves.

Dear God, You are holy and have written your law on my heart. Thank you that I do not have to do life on my own. May I have a high view of how awesome and worthy you are. Thank you for life, love and forgiveness. Amen