"Stay in the Light of My Presence, receiving forgiveness, cleansing and healing... My illumination decimates the darkness. Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace." (147)
Certainly this is true when we are dealing with issues of sin in our lives... quickly confessing the sins of "self-pity, denial, self-righteousness, blaming, hatred" and a myriad of other transgressions.
However, I am especially grateful that the Light of His Presence can also drive out the dark emotions of the soul.
Depression, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, loneliness and other emotional side-effects of just being human can submit, subside and dissipate in the Light of His Presence! Living in a fallen world requires some "Light" insurance!
Staying Close to His Light Today...dmc
Friday, May 20, 2016
Thursday, May 19, 2016
The Aware Difference
"It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings. Practice the discipline of walking consciously with me through each day." (146)
This is the discipline that will make all the difference...intentional awareness of God's Presence!
No matter what is happening, being more aware of His presence will enable us to override the negatives of insecurity, fear, pride, loneliness or whatever tends to sabotage and defeat us. So, I'm intentionally re-focusing....
To be God-Aware...dmc
This is the discipline that will make all the difference...intentional awareness of God's Presence!
No matter what is happening, being more aware of His presence will enable us to override the negatives of insecurity, fear, pride, loneliness or whatever tends to sabotage and defeat us. So, I'm intentionally re-focusing....
To be God-Aware...dmc
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Shedding Blinders
"Do not blindly follow your habitual route, or you will miss what I have prepared for you." (145)
Today, I want to shed my blinders of the familiar and habitual patterns and tap deeper into God's perspective that is "higher" than my ways or thoughts about this day! (Isaiah 55:8-9)
So, what does God see that I have missed? This could be a revelation day!
Staying Carefully Aware...dmc
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy (Michael W. Smith)
Today, I want to shed my blinders of the familiar and habitual patterns and tap deeper into God's perspective that is "higher" than my ways or thoughts about this day! (Isaiah 55:8-9)
So, what does God see that I have missed? This could be a revelation day!
Staying Carefully Aware...dmc
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy (Michael W. Smith)
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
A Philanthropic God
"I am a God of abundance. I will never run out of resources... gain glimpses of My overflowing vastness." (144)
To comprehend and access a "God of abundance" stretches most of us. We live in a world limited by self-focused supply-and-demand and poisoned with entitlement and greed. But God operates far differently!
We can "gain glimpses" of the "God of abundance" in God's people. We will find those who operate out of the vastness of an eternal perspective rather than holding to an overly practical materialistic perspective. Those who are in sync with such a philanthropic God tend to inspire us to become a more generous, kind and charitable soul.
God seems impractically generous... an abundance of beauty on some remote flower-laden hillside where no one sees or stands in awe, an abundance of dazzling delicate detail to the tiniest insect He created, an abundance of shimmering stars in folds of endless space, an abundance of love to the least strategic or powerless of people, an abundance of mercy to the least deserving or downcast, an abundance of potential to the least confident or influential, an abundance of favor to the highly overlooked and most unappreciated soul... We have such an abundant, philanthropic God!
Awed & Inspired by Glimpses of His Generous Heart...dmc
To comprehend and access a "God of abundance" stretches most of us. We live in a world limited by self-focused supply-and-demand and poisoned with entitlement and greed. But God operates far differently!
We can "gain glimpses" of the "God of abundance" in God's people. We will find those who operate out of the vastness of an eternal perspective rather than holding to an overly practical materialistic perspective. Those who are in sync with such a philanthropic God tend to inspire us to become a more generous, kind and charitable soul.
God seems impractically generous... an abundance of beauty on some remote flower-laden hillside where no one sees or stands in awe, an abundance of dazzling delicate detail to the tiniest insect He created, an abundance of shimmering stars in folds of endless space, an abundance of love to the least strategic or powerless of people, an abundance of mercy to the least deserving or downcast, an abundance of potential to the least confident or influential, an abundance of favor to the highly overlooked and most unappreciated soul... We have such an abundant, philanthropic God!
Awed & Inspired by Glimpses of His Generous Heart...dmc
Monday, May 16, 2016
Hazy Horizons
"Instead of scanning the horizon of your life...concentrate on the task before you... Let everything else fade into the background. This will unclutter your mind..." (143)
Have you noticed how an anxious mind is a cluttered mind, a distracted mind, a detached mind?
As a result, I must challenge myself often to keep the focus limited to what God has placed on my present plate, rather than scanning the horizon for additional concerns to stress and depress me. I love to be fully prepared and thoroughly organized, to the point that my confidence starts to build on my efficiency rather than His sufficiency!
So, when the future appears to be rather hazy and undefined, I am learning to praise Him, for He holds my uncertain hazy horizon...
In His Capable Sovereign Hands...dmc
Have you noticed how an anxious mind is a cluttered mind, a distracted mind, a detached mind?
As a result, I must challenge myself often to keep the focus limited to what God has placed on my present plate, rather than scanning the horizon for additional concerns to stress and depress me. I love to be fully prepared and thoroughly organized, to the point that my confidence starts to build on my efficiency rather than His sufficiency!
So, when the future appears to be rather hazy and undefined, I am learning to praise Him, for He holds my uncertain hazy horizon...
In His Capable Sovereign Hands...dmc
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Drawing Near
This may be one of the most comforting Truths of scripture..."Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
I just love the attentive responsiveness of God. Even, at times, when I may not fully sense His presence, I can intentionally acknowledge Him, turning my focus towards Him and away from distractions and especially away from the enemy's negative influence. I've also discovered how counterproductive it is to try to "draw near to God" when my speech is dishonoring of God, others or even of myself! Eph 4:29-32 explains why this happens. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
I'm so grateful that "drawing near to God" empowers us to "resist the devil" and to experience the promise... "he will flee from you." (James 4:7) So my goal today is to...
Resist the Devil by Drawing Near to God...dmc
I just love the attentive responsiveness of God. Even, at times, when I may not fully sense His presence, I can intentionally acknowledge Him, turning my focus towards Him and away from distractions and especially away from the enemy's negative influence. I've also discovered how counterproductive it is to try to "draw near to God" when my speech is dishonoring of God, others or even of myself! Eph 4:29-32 explains why this happens. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
I'm so grateful that "drawing near to God" empowers us to "resist the devil" and to experience the promise... "he will flee from you." (James 4:7) So my goal today is to...
Resist the Devil by Drawing Near to God...dmc
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Camouflaged in Challenge
"Your weakness is designed to open you up to My Power. Therefore, do not fear your limitations or measure the day's demands against your strength... When I allow difficulties to come into your life, I equip you fully to handle them." (141)
To me weaknesses and difficulties are kind of like miniature doorways. Doorways that cause me to have to kneel down and slowly crawl through, in order to get to the other side. And what's on the other side? A spacious Son-lit soul in a peaceful mind-scape that embraces, encourages and glorifies God. How is this possible? Jesus said, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9).
Some doorways are more like long, dark, enclosed thresholds, silent and suffocating. As I slowly inch my way along, in the midst of the crawl, I am surprised to discover hidden tools that equip, assist and sustain me. Tools I would have missed, if I had not been on my knees! These tools are not easily uncovered because they are camouflaged in challenge. With each tool, I discover more power, more strength, more insight. While this is not my favorite journey I know Christ sustains me and I do like the end result...
His Sunlight Beyond My Threshold ...dmc
To me weaknesses and difficulties are kind of like miniature doorways. Doorways that cause me to have to kneel down and slowly crawl through, in order to get to the other side. And what's on the other side? A spacious Son-lit soul in a peaceful mind-scape that embraces, encourages and glorifies God. How is this possible? Jesus said, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9).
Some doorways are more like long, dark, enclosed thresholds, silent and suffocating. As I slowly inch my way along, in the midst of the crawl, I am surprised to discover hidden tools that equip, assist and sustain me. Tools I would have missed, if I had not been on my knees! These tools are not easily uncovered because they are camouflaged in challenge. With each tool, I discover more power, more strength, more insight. While this is not my favorite journey I know Christ sustains me and I do like the end result...
His Sunlight Beyond My Threshold ...dmc
Friday, May 13, 2016
Grow or Go
"When things seem all wrong, look for growth opportunities. Especially, look for areas where you need to let go, leaving your cares in My hands...Be on the lookout for what I am doing in your life." (140)
I like these two options: Grow or Let Go!! That simplifies things quickly.
When I'm "in the midst of the crucible," or when I'm soul-weary and heart-troubled, I can view it as an opportunity to grow or as an opportunity to let something go! Either way I can come out way ahead of where I was at the start!
1 Peter 5:6-7 reminds us to "humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."
I repeat... HE CARES ABOUT YOU!!
On the Lookout, Looking UP...dmc
I like these two options: Grow or Let Go!! That simplifies things quickly.
When I'm "in the midst of the crucible," or when I'm soul-weary and heart-troubled, I can view it as an opportunity to grow or as an opportunity to let something go! Either way I can come out way ahead of where I was at the start!
1 Peter 5:6-7 reminds us to "humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."
I repeat... HE CARES ABOUT YOU!!
On the Lookout, Looking UP...dmc
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Plug the Drain
The "drainout" condition means "needy people have drained" out nearly every ounce of life we have to offer. Most of us can identify with that! (139)
Joe and I have to walk a careful line, discerning our ability to pace the amount of life we take in and give out daily. One of our strategies is to be sure that when we are together we are investing life INTO each other. We cannot be draining to one another and expect to have anything left to give others. We monitor our conversations, entertainment, environments rather closely to protect each other from wasting energy and life on arguments, worthless discussions and or negative mindsets.
Life can get mighty scrappy and we don't need to scrap with each other! It's a great comfort to look forward to being energized with life when we are together. Operating out of HIS Love seems to energize rather than exhaust.
Praying every night as we drift off to sleep is especially healing for us...it helps us plug the drain!
Protecting what works...dmc
Joe and I have to walk a careful line, discerning our ability to pace the amount of life we take in and give out daily. One of our strategies is to be sure that when we are together we are investing life INTO each other. We cannot be draining to one another and expect to have anything left to give others. We monitor our conversations, entertainment, environments rather closely to protect each other from wasting energy and life on arguments, worthless discussions and or negative mindsets.
Life can get mighty scrappy and we don't need to scrap with each other! It's a great comfort to look forward to being energized with life when we are together. Operating out of HIS Love seems to energize rather than exhaust.
Praying every night as we drift off to sleep is especially healing for us...it helps us plug the drain!
Protecting what works...dmc
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Unsnagged!
"The very act of thanking Me releases your mind from its negative focus." (138)
I really believe that a negative focus, keeping our minds "snagged on a difficulty," is one of Satan's tricky ways of immobilizing us. It tends to paralyze our potential and keeps us from fulfilling God's purposes in our lives.
Here's the picture that comes to my mind. Every little girl knows what it's like to comb through tangled hair and every mother knows what a challenge that process can be! When I'm focused on a negative issue it's much like the painful process of untangling snarly hair. Releasing each strand from the tangled web can make for near insanity!
I've discovered that my best antidote for worrisome, negative thoughts is to turn that same thought into a prayer of thanksgiving. Like rinsing the tangle with a sanctified conditioner, grateful prayer allows my tangled thoughts to relax in knowing God will provide, protect and bless...even before I fully understand all the details, including what the outcome will be, or should be. It certainly protects me from snarly insanity!!
Untangling the snag of worry...dmc
I really believe that a negative focus, keeping our minds "snagged on a difficulty," is one of Satan's tricky ways of immobilizing us. It tends to paralyze our potential and keeps us from fulfilling God's purposes in our lives.
Here's the picture that comes to my mind. Every little girl knows what it's like to comb through tangled hair and every mother knows what a challenge that process can be! When I'm focused on a negative issue it's much like the painful process of untangling snarly hair. Releasing each strand from the tangled web can make for near insanity!
I've discovered that my best antidote for worrisome, negative thoughts is to turn that same thought into a prayer of thanksgiving. Like rinsing the tangle with a sanctified conditioner, grateful prayer allows my tangled thoughts to relax in knowing God will provide, protect and bless...even before I fully understand all the details, including what the outcome will be, or should be. It certainly protects me from snarly insanity!!
Untangling the snag of worry...dmc
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
In the Doorway
"View problems as opportunities to relay more fully on Me...your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me, and increasing intimacy between us." (137)
The devo for today is profoundly impacting. Our secret door to "increasing intimacy" with God lies not in what WE can DO FOR Him...but in what HE can DO WITH us when we are overwhelmed with problems and feeling most needy! Our various needs remind us of our ultimate need; dependency on God. Who would have guessed that these "afflictions" (2 Cor. 1:3-11) are protecting us from the "idolatry of self-reliance." Idolatry will keep us out of heaven...intimacy will make us feel right at home in heaven!
Stepping into the Doorway...dmc
PS - As a child, I remember peeking through a doorway, seeing my mother (Dorothy Volesky) in prayer. It was a peek into my Mother's heart! What a precious memory-gift!
The devo for today is profoundly impacting. Our secret door to "increasing intimacy" with God lies not in what WE can DO FOR Him...but in what HE can DO WITH us when we are overwhelmed with problems and feeling most needy! Our various needs remind us of our ultimate need; dependency on God. Who would have guessed that these "afflictions" (2 Cor. 1:3-11) are protecting us from the "idolatry of self-reliance." Idolatry will keep us out of heaven...intimacy will make us feel right at home in heaven!
Stepping into the Doorway...dmc
PS - As a child, I remember peeking through a doorway, seeing my mother (Dorothy Volesky) in prayer. It was a peek into my Mother's heart! What a precious memory-gift!
Monday, May 9, 2016
Releasing Mistakes
"Release your mistakes" and failures. (136)
Whenever I mess up, it can really mess with me. Learning to release those things and to disentangle the mental-emotional brain web that tends to capture and paralyze me is a tricky task. Just as I am breaking free it seems like some sadistic spider-man flings his oppressive web my direction and I must mentally wrestle free, again.
To release, rather than wrestle, is key to my freedom. Releasing lets me drop the mental-emotional brain web rather than trying to win a wearisome wrestling match with the inevitable fact that I cannot defend my flawed humanity. Mistakes and failures will be inevitable. Releasing my "morass of mistakes" to Jesus allows His "infinite creativity (to) weave both (my) good and bad into a lovely design." (Romans 8:28)
Releasing the inevitable...dmc
Whenever I mess up, it can really mess with me. Learning to release those things and to disentangle the mental-emotional brain web that tends to capture and paralyze me is a tricky task. Just as I am breaking free it seems like some sadistic spider-man flings his oppressive web my direction and I must mentally wrestle free, again.
To release, rather than wrestle, is key to my freedom. Releasing lets me drop the mental-emotional brain web rather than trying to win a wearisome wrestling match with the inevitable fact that I cannot defend my flawed humanity. Mistakes and failures will be inevitable. Releasing my "morass of mistakes" to Jesus allows His "infinite creativity (to) weave both (my) good and bad into a lovely design." (Romans 8:28)
Releasing the inevitable...dmc
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Trouble - The Nasty "Norm"
Now, here's a verse everyone has experienced and could document... "In this world you will have trouble..." (John 16:33)
This is NOT good news. This is NOT how I want to start my day... with a guarantee of TROUBLE! Certainly this topic would NOT put someone on the top motivational speakers list:
Trouble is the "Norm" for the Day... Today and Every Day!
The nasty truth is... we all must wrestle with TROUBLE! No matter how it comes, or why it comes... it will most certainly come into each of our lives.
Jesus reassures us that in the midst of trouble we can have peace and be courageous. Why? Because He has "overcome (conquered) the world." (John 16:33)
"Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle...I am on your side..." (135) Growing up I was very fortunate to observe what overcoming perseverance looked like. My father, Kaehl Volesky, was known for his "overcoming" abilities and his great sense of humor. A difficult delivery caused birth injuries that made for pain issues that messed with him the rest of his life. However, from the cradle to the grave, throughout his 83 years, he inspired others as a Persevering Overcomer!
I guess it takes some "severe" to help us "persevere!" But the good news is, we don't have to do it alone. Jesus, the Persevering Overcomer, will take our hand... one trouble after another... until we enter the eternal ranks of all The Great Overcomers!
In a World of Trouble...dmc
This is NOT good news. This is NOT how I want to start my day... with a guarantee of TROUBLE! Certainly this topic would NOT put someone on the top motivational speakers list:
Trouble is the "Norm" for the Day... Today and Every Day!
The nasty truth is... we all must wrestle with TROUBLE! No matter how it comes, or why it comes... it will most certainly come into each of our lives.
Jesus reassures us that in the midst of trouble we can have peace and be courageous. Why? Because He has "overcome (conquered) the world." (John 16:33)
"Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle...I am on your side..." (135) Growing up I was very fortunate to observe what overcoming perseverance looked like. My father, Kaehl Volesky, was known for his "overcoming" abilities and his great sense of humor. A difficult delivery caused birth injuries that made for pain issues that messed with him the rest of his life. However, from the cradle to the grave, throughout his 83 years, he inspired others as a Persevering Overcomer!
I guess it takes some "severe" to help us "persevere!" But the good news is, we don't have to do it alone. Jesus, the Persevering Overcomer, will take our hand... one trouble after another... until we enter the eternal ranks of all The Great Overcomers!
In a World of Trouble...dmc
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Re-Engineered Events
"You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." Genesis 50:20
There is no question that God can trump the enemy. The issue is... I must ALLOW God to trump the enemy! I've discovered that my own thought life can sabotage whatever good God is engineering in my life. Even if the people, situations and perceptions that come against me may have some degree of ill-will or evil intent, God can take what is "meant for evil" and re-engineer "it for (my) good." Exactly HOW He does that is beyond me... but I choose to gratefully embrace His re-engineering process, even before I experience it, but certainly before I understand it.
At any point, in any day, we can be in a re-engineering process. Whenever we are required to make an adjustment, or to flex outside our comfortable, expected norm, re-engineering happens. These times teach us to trust Him - "really trust...with (our) whole being... growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm" us. That's how we can "fear no evil, for (God) can bring good out of every situation (we) will ever encounter." (134)
When God actively re-engineers situations and events there's reason to rejoice!
Re-engineered & Rejoicing ...dmc
There is no question that God can trump the enemy. The issue is... I must ALLOW God to trump the enemy! I've discovered that my own thought life can sabotage whatever good God is engineering in my life. Even if the people, situations and perceptions that come against me may have some degree of ill-will or evil intent, God can take what is "meant for evil" and re-engineer "it for (my) good." Exactly HOW He does that is beyond me... but I choose to gratefully embrace His re-engineering process, even before I experience it, but certainly before I understand it.
At any point, in any day, we can be in a re-engineering process. Whenever we are required to make an adjustment, or to flex outside our comfortable, expected norm, re-engineering happens. These times teach us to trust Him - "really trust...with (our) whole being... growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm" us. That's how we can "fear no evil, for (God) can bring good out of every situation (we) will ever encounter." (134)
When God actively re-engineers situations and events there's reason to rejoice!
Re-engineered & Rejoicing ...dmc
Friday, May 6, 2016
Fixed Viewpoint
"Fix your eyes NOT on what is seen (your circumstances), but on what is unseen (My Presence)." (2 Cor. 4:18) Our devo today challenges us to "not search for security in the world you inhabit... instead...focus you attention on My Presence with you." (133)
This reminded me of how various perception puzzles can play tricks on our eyes, on our minds, making us see & believe something far different from what is really there! We think that our perception is the final authority on truth, however, our visual perception can be distorted and cannot always be trusted. Listening to two different individuals relaying the same incident illustrates how perception can be very different and maybe very distorted.
If I embrace my perception as the final word, I may miss God's Word on the matter. God's grander perception and purposes often lay outside my finite fixed viewpoint! How I perceive things has a direct correlation on how I react to things.
What does NOT make sense NOW, is often better discerned later!
Readjusting my limited perception...dmc
This reminded me of how various perception puzzles can play tricks on our eyes, on our minds, making us see & believe something far different from what is really there! We think that our perception is the final authority on truth, however, our visual perception can be distorted and cannot always be trusted. Listening to two different individuals relaying the same incident illustrates how perception can be very different and maybe very distorted.
If I embrace my perception as the final word, I may miss God's Word on the matter. God's grander perception and purposes often lay outside my finite fixed viewpoint! How I perceive things has a direct correlation on how I react to things.
What does NOT make sense NOW, is often better discerned later!
Readjusting my limited perception...dmc
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Total Trust, Total Thanks
"Come to Me for all that you need... Relax in the knowledge that the One who controls your life is totally trustworthy." (132)
To be worthy of one's trust... total trust... is highly rare and absolutely awesome! God is just THAT... worthy of our trust! God is worthy of praise, worthy of honor, worthy of glory and worthy of our total worship. It is no wonder, He tells us to come into His presence with total thanksgiving... there's just SO much to be thankful for! (Psalm 100)
Even in the midst of personal pain there's reasons to to thankful. So, sometimes we are trusting and thanking Him just because we know He is totally aware and totally "there" on this journey. He is no less than our Totally Trustworthy God!
Just the kind of God I need...dmc
To be worthy of one's trust... total trust... is highly rare and absolutely awesome! God is just THAT... worthy of our trust! God is worthy of praise, worthy of honor, worthy of glory and worthy of our total worship. It is no wonder, He tells us to come into His presence with total thanksgiving... there's just SO much to be thankful for! (Psalm 100)
Even in the midst of personal pain there's reasons to to thankful. So, sometimes we are trusting and thanking Him just because we know He is totally aware and totally "there" on this journey. He is no less than our Totally Trustworthy God!
Just the kind of God I need...dmc
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Splendor in the Storm
"Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness." (Ps. 29:2) This verse from today's devo is found at the start of a very stormy psalm. The rest of Psalm 29 sounds like a thunderstorm is brewing with vast waters (v 3), shattering cedars (v 5), flashing flames of fire (lightening, v 7), a shaken wilderness (v 8) and the woodlands being stripped bare (v 9) with a great flood (v 10).
With a storm of that magnitude stirring, I would be looking for a place of protection, a place to escape or at least hide. In the midst of all this, David, the composer of this psalm, is stirred by God's splendid holiness. His focus reflects an amazing point of view. He closes this stormy psalm by saying, "The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace." (v 11)
Ah, yes...the place of protection, in stormy times, is a God-given strength and blessed peace..right in the midst of the storm.
Here's a song that reminds us to live in praise in the midst of our storms by Casting Crowns.
"Praise You in the Storm." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji2rLXr3cEU
Listening for His Voice in the Storm...dmc
With a storm of that magnitude stirring, I would be looking for a place of protection, a place to escape or at least hide. In the midst of all this, David, the composer of this psalm, is stirred by God's splendid holiness. His focus reflects an amazing point of view. He closes this stormy psalm by saying, "The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace." (v 11)
Ah, yes...the place of protection, in stormy times, is a God-given strength and blessed peace..right in the midst of the storm.
Here's a song that reminds us to live in praise in the midst of our storms by Casting Crowns.
"Praise You in the Storm." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji2rLXr3cEU
Listening for His Voice in the Storm...dmc
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Pleased & Pleasing
"If pleasing people is your goal, you will be enslaved to them. People can be harsh taskmasters when you give them this power over you." (130)
Pleasing people is not a pleasing way to live. It's far too taxing and unpleasant! What a refreshing alternative...to experience His pleasure and to live to please someone who loves us enough to forgive us and to help carry our load. When the Messiah dwells in our hearts through faith...He enables us to be rooted and firmly established in the fullness of God's love. (See Eph. 3:17-19)
It is such a pleasing thing to know God is pleased!
Rooted in His Love...dmc
PS - Happy Heavenly Birthday to my sweet father-in-law, CB Colaw, who went to heaven in 2012! What a heritage...Praising Jesus for you!
Pleasing people is not a pleasing way to live. It's far too taxing and unpleasant! What a refreshing alternative...to experience His pleasure and to live to please someone who loves us enough to forgive us and to help carry our load. When the Messiah dwells in our hearts through faith...He enables us to be rooted and firmly established in the fullness of God's love. (See Eph. 3:17-19)
It is such a pleasing thing to know God is pleased!
Rooted in His Love...dmc
PS - Happy Heavenly Birthday to my sweet father-in-law, CB Colaw, who went to heaven in 2012! What a heritage...Praising Jesus for you!
Monday, May 2, 2016
Whispering "Jesus"
"I am pleased by your tendency to turn to Me more and more frequently...Whisper My Name...this tiny act of trust brings Me to the forefront of your consciousness, where I belong... This is abundant life!" (129)
It is amazing how Jesus' name can rebuke our mental storms. The climate of our cloudy minds can be radically modified by the sunlight of His presence.
His presence makes all the difference. All the tough times, alone times, joy-filled and in-between times are radically modified when we "whisper (His) Name." Just speaking His Name can bring in His Presence!
I like the song by Fernando Ortega entitled, Give Me Jesus. That's the cry of my heart...
Just Give Me Jesus...dmc
It is amazing how Jesus' name can rebuke our mental storms. The climate of our cloudy minds can be radically modified by the sunlight of His presence.
His presence makes all the difference. All the tough times, alone times, joy-filled and in-between times are radically modified when we "whisper (His) Name." Just speaking His Name can bring in His Presence!
I like the song by Fernando Ortega entitled, Give Me Jesus. That's the cry of my heart...
Just Give Me Jesus...dmc
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Stressed Out or Blessed Out
"On the path of My choosing...you simply have no time for worry." (128)
Worry can sabotage a perfectly good day. I have a little sign over my desk at home... "Too Blessed to be Stressed!" It's a good reminder that God desires to "guide my feet into the way of peace!" Luke 1:79
There's no reason to stress when He is guiding me along the "Way of Peace." That word is especially helpful for today...for every day! After all, it's hard to enjoy how really blessed I am when I'm feeling really stressed! Being stressed-out spills out, impacting those around me. I want to be so blessed-out that it spills out blessing those around me today!
On this God-Chosen Path of Blessing...dmc
Worry can sabotage a perfectly good day. I have a little sign over my desk at home... "Too Blessed to be Stressed!" It's a good reminder that God desires to "guide my feet into the way of peace!" Luke 1:79
There's no reason to stress when He is guiding me along the "Way of Peace." That word is especially helpful for today...for every day! After all, it's hard to enjoy how really blessed I am when I'm feeling really stressed! Being stressed-out spills out, impacting those around me. I want to be so blessed-out that it spills out blessing those around me today!
On this God-Chosen Path of Blessing...dmc
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