Soothing Balm

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest""- Mark 6:31 (NIV).

Our lives can quickly become hectic, our orderly lives become anything but, and peace can disappear like the vapor of a blown out candle. Jesus knows when we've reached the point of exhaustion in our toil and strain and He bids us to come away with Him and get some rest (Matthew 11:28). You may not even realize your immediate need or you may feel that acknowledging your need to rest is equal to failure. Regardless, if Jesus commands you to come away with Him, go. He knows you better than you know yourself, He loves you more than you love yourself, and He will take care of you. The work will be there when you return; work is never done. Quicken to His call. Do not miss out on those moments in your life when Jesus says to come away with Him...by yourself to a quiet place. That intimate time with Jesus is a soothing balm. 

Keep Your Head

"..give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV).

The storms of life roll into our lives and up squarely onto our shoulders. We pour out our hearts to God for relief, but we must not miss God's will for our part in fighting the enemy: Thankfulness. Paul instructed the church in Philippi to prayerfully petition God, but not with an anxious heart. No, he said, regardless of the situation, to approach God with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Rudyard Kipling said, "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs." Don't be a victim in prayer; you're a warrior and God is with you. He is fully aware of your battle Brothers and Sisters. You are not required to fight the battle. Take up your prayer position, give thanks and He'll fight the battle for you (2 Chronicles 20:17). Keep your head in the battle and see God's deliverance. 

We Will Overcome

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed"- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV).

Most people know the storyline of the Rocky Balboa movie. No matter what was oppressing him or how many times he was struck down, his indomitable spirit rose up and he continued to fight until he had overcome. Where he relied on his own strength, Christians look for their help elsewhere; we lift our eyes to the Lord, our strength, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1). We are promised, everyone, through faith in God, will overcome (1 John 5:4). Rocky may have had physical power, but Christians have spiritual power. We may become hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down, but we will not be crushed, in despair, abandoned  nor destroyed. We will rise up with an indomitable, all powerful Spirit. The Lord dwells within us and it is through His indwelling power we will overcome (1 John 4:4).

Refreshment

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord"- Acts 3:19 (NIV).

God is in the restoration business. He binds up the brokenhearted, He breaks the chains of the captive, He carries the weak and weary, He vindicates the persecuted, He forgives the sinner; then, He sets them free. We were born to be free. Free will gives us the choice to continue with God or to return to our old sinful patterns; but, God is ever watchful for the return of the prodigal. He will not tire of watching nor restoring: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). The sun rose this morning with God's faithfulness shining brightly. Yearn for times of refreshment, turn to Him and know, restoration only comes from the Lord.

His Planting

"...and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor"- Isaiah 61:3 (NIV).

During the time of Jesus' earthly mission, people visibly showed their need for God's forgiveness. Throughout the Bible, people who were filled with despair sought God's intervention by putting on sackcloth and ashes. When Jonah prophesied God's coming wrath to the city of Ninevah, the king removed his robe, covered himself in sackcloth and sat in ashes (Jonah 3:6). After immeasurable loss, Job despised himself and repented by sitting in ashes (Job 42:6). Jesus scolded the citizens of Chorazin and Bethsaida, saying that Tyre and Sidon would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes had they seen the mighty works done in their cities (Matthew 11:21). Today's Scripture says God will replace ashes with beauty, mourning with joy, despair with praise. God makes us into new creations; the downtrodden are no more; mighty oaks of righteousness now stand (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are His planting. 

Suit Up

"If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea"- Isaiah 48:18 (NIV).

Going through your day, not paying attention, puts you at risk to the schemes of the Father of Lies, Satan. Each day you must suit up in God's armor. A lot of people think there are only six pieces to the armor of God, but there are seven. The seventh one is prayer. The devil knows our weaknesses, even if we don't, and will use our circumstances, other people, even believers, to deceive us, manipulate us, and keep us unstable, unproductive in God's kingdom. Prayer is the most powerful way to reveal and destroy the devil's intentions, but we have to be alert; pay attention. When things are going haywire, it's not the sickness, the job, the finances, the relationship...we have to know who the real enemy is and pray. Horatio Gates Spafford wrote the lyrics to When Peace, Like a River  in 1873: "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, though hast taught me to say, "It is well, it is well with my soul."" Suit up, be alert and pay attention. 

Lifted Up, Toes Tapping and Hands Clapping

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts"- Colossians 3:16 (NIV).

Sunday morning is the time we come together as a Christian family and worship God. One of the most powerful forms of community worship is through singing. Today's Scripture says the very act of worshiping through song teaches and admonishes one other; God is glorified and we are edified. Songs lift us up, put our toes to tapping and hands to clapping. Nothing is more inspiring than to be near someone singing with all their heart, even if they can't carry a tune. Now, for those who refuse to sing, it's equivalent to refusing an opportunity to worship. They better get used to it, because there's a lot of singing going on in God's presence. Think of worshiping through song as your rehearsal before you come into the Lord's presence where you'll be lifted up, toes tapping and hands clapping. Glory to God!  

You Must Be Last

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness"- Philippians 2:6-7 (NIV).

Being humble is hard in a culture that fosters standing up for yourself, not allowing yourself to become someone else's doormat, and expecting to win at all cost. Unlike Jesus, we use every advantage we have to get ahead. We feel frustrated when we aren't recognized or if someone else gets a pat on the back. Rarely do people hold servants in high esteem or seek to lower their own position by becoming a servant, a nothing. No, we want to be a leader; however, leading a Christ-centered life is the antonym of this "me first" culture. Jesus said, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35). You must look to the needs of others; value others above yourself (Philippians 2:3). There is no glory, nor praise, in being a servant in this world, but if you want to be first, and here lies the key, you must be last.

Our Savior

"From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and You listened to my cry"- Jonah 2:1-2 (NIV).

Like Jonah, there are times you feel you are in an impossible place to be rescued. There seems to be no escape possible, other than death. Jonah was in the belly of a great fish, breathing stale, foul smelling, air, while sitting in the remains of the fish's dinner. Meanwhile, his confines were deep under water. This was layered death: death inside and outside of the fish. Yet Jonah knew Who to cry out to for help. There is no place that God cannot rescue. You are never beyond His reach or out of His sight. "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine" (Isaiah 43:1). He is with you as you pass through the waters; they will not sweep over you. He is with you when you walk through the fire; you will not be burned. For the Lord God is the Holy One, our Savior (vs.2-3). Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

Desire of Your Heart

"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock"- Psalm 27:4-5 (NIV).

Our earthly life is but a short blur of activity that pales in comparison to our eternity, whether with the Lord or forever separated from the Lord. We know that our actions, the choices me make, impact our eternal setting. God placed the desire deep within our souls to seek Him. Some try to fill that desire with worldly things that only leave us unsatisfied. I doubt anyone on their deathbed ever regretted not having bought a bigger house, played more golf or collected more of their favorite treasures. Most people languish over the feeling that they wasted their life. Let us desire one thing: that we may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our eternal life. Separate yourself from worldly desires; make God the desire of your heart, because you most certainly are His. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).