Month: March 2020

Gentle Wisdom for Tumultuous Times

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As I tried to figure out what to write for today – another day in the life of COVID-19 changing our lives – I went back to verses I have put on pictures and found this one.  We need to seek wisdom to navigate the changes this virus has brought.  We should pray for wisdom for those making decisions.  We should evaluate the wisdom (or lack thereof) in the “news” that we hear.  None of us will figure everything out.  Only God knows everything – everything that has happened, will happen, or even could have happened.  We can’t even keep track of everything that has happened. Our finite minds and intellect have limitations.

The people that I have appreciated the most – the stories that I have followed are from those who look at the facts and seek to interpret them with a calm and gentle spirit.  Pandemonium doesn’t help our situation.   Gentle wisdom is provided by a God Who cares enough to allow trials to mold and shape us.  Read the book of James.

As you go along whichever path God has you walking, don’t forget to seek “the gentleness that wisdom brings.”  You’ll find blessing even on the roughest parts of the road.

Dear Heavenly Father, please give the wisdom You have promised.  Please help our hearts to be open to the true wisdom that only comes from You. Thank You for all You have done and all You will continue to do in our lives.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Instrument of Peace

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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;  

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.  

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Prayer of St. Francis

I love the concepts in this prayer.  It sure sounds like something directly from the Bible – but it isn’t.  The words, however, are loaded with Biblical principle.  During times like these we need people who are willing to follow this prayer. Acts 20 tells what the Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders to do and the reward that goes with it.  Verse 35 talks about helping the weak.  Right now, we are hearing about protecting those who are most vulnerable physically.  While caring for the physically weak is a good principle, this verse is talking about protecting the spiritually weak.  We have so much focus on physical health right now that we are at risk of forgetting about spiritual health. 

There are countless needs right now. All kinds of needs.  Will you pray with me to meet whatever needs you can?  No one can meet every need – each of us has limited resources of our own.  However, through a relationship with Jesus Christ we have unlimited resources available to us.  God will bring us through, His way – and we will be blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, there are so many hurts and needs right now.  Thank you for the many people who have already sought to reach out.  Please help us to set aside our own wishes and seek to help others as You want us to. I want to be an Instrument of Peace.  Please guide me and give me strength.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Cheer for the Soul

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When the cares of my heart are many,
    your consolations cheer my soul.

Psalm 94:19 ESV

Let’s face it – this week was rough.  The media often sensationalizes the truth – no matter how big or small it is.  COVID-19 is the news story for right now.  As usual there are numerous opinions – and few agree.  No matter where you stand on the issue – no matter your vantage point, I think you’ll find that mass hysteria and overwhelming fear don’t help anything.  If you study emotions, you will find that emotions can take over our rational thinking.  That doesn’t mean we suppress our emotions; we just need to make sure they are in balance with the rational thinking God gave us.

We all have cares.  There were many things people faced before we heard about COVID-19.  This has added to some of those cares in different ways.  No matter what your cares are, God has comfort and help available.  The best thing to do with any care is to take it to God first and ask for His help.  Then as we are able, we can share those cares with others who can help us.  I have been blessed with a church family that I can pray and share with.  If you don’t have one, I would encourage you to look.  There are many good churches and many resources available to help you cling to Christ.  We need one another.

Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many burdens weighing us down right now.  It feels like the world is in a shamble with the varied effects of this virus.  We know You are ultimately in control and have a plan for us.  Please help us as we wait on You.  Thank You for all You have done and all You will do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Unstoppable Power of God’s Word

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so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11 ESV

God’s Word is powerful.  It is a book that was written by men who were led by God (2 Peter 1:21).  Unfortunately, not everyone wants to listen to what the Bible says. Sometimes not even those who claim to follow God.  The beauty of the Scriptures is that God’s Word will always be fulfilled.  No one can stop that.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of Your word.  You provide so much comfort, protection and boundaries with the statutes You gave. Please help me to follow them and encourage others to do the same.  I want people to see Your work and Your hand in my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.