Month: July 2020

A Sure Foundation

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As I read what the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3, I could easily think he is talking about today.  We have so much division in the church (and our society).  Difficult times often reveal underlying issues.  I wonder if we live as though Christ is our foundation.  Or do we try to add to the foundation Christ has laid with our own wood, hay, and stubble?

Friends, we would weather storms better if we remembered that Christ lays a perfect foundation.  If we tune ourselves to Christ, we will find His foundation to be much more stable than ours.  I hope this is what you want to do.  Times are tough.  We are all struggling with many different hardships.  We need to remind each other to cling to Christ.  He is the only way to walk through good times and bad. 

My hope with this blog is to encourage others as I walk (sometimes tripping) down the path God has set me on.  I need much of the encouragement that I share.  Sometimes I write about things my friends are going through.  We all need the help the Bible and prayer give.  I hope you will come along for the ride and share what God is teaching you as well.

Dear Heavenly Father, there is so much hurt, fear and anger in our world right now.  We have division every where we look.  Please help us to cling to Christ and show one another how much You love us.  Thank You that You have a plan and You are trustworthy. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Leading through Uncertainty

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There has been a lot of uncertainty over the last 4 months.  Things have changed so quickly and, in some cases, drastically.  People are reacting in fear on both sides of each viewpoint.  There has been bullying on both sides.  There are people who care on both sides.  Many times, in a crisis, true character (or lack thereof) is revealed.  I believe we are seeing a lot of that right now. 

One piece of misinformation that is being spread is the amount of control we really have in any situation.  The book of Proverbs reminds us that God is the one who “establishes our steps”.  We can make plans, but we need to seek God throughout the process of making those plans.

Dear Heavenly Father, please guide me as I make plans for my life.  Please help me to remember that I belong to You and my life is in Your hands.  Please strengthen me as I wait on Your timing.  Thank you for being so good to lovingly lead those who choose to follow You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

In Tune

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“complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” 

Philippians 2:2-5

I have heard, “100 pianos tuned to the same tuning fork will automatically be in tune with each other.”  As someone who seeks to live according to the Bible, this saying has stuck with me.  Those of us who claim to serve Christ should automatically be in tune with each other.  However, too often we give notes of discord.  I fear this shows that we are not in tune with Christ.

If you claim to serve Christ, look at Philippians 2.  It gives us the example of Jesus to follow.  We will be much more in tune with each other if we do.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the example of Jesus.  Please help me to live in the humble mindset that Jesus’ showed. I want to live in unity. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Prayer Action

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I am definitely a person who likes to take action.  Give me a problem to solve and the tools to solve it and you will find me a happy person.  When there are problems and I don’t feel like I have the tools or know how to solve them…well I wouldn’t say I am happy. 

One thing I have learned, whether I feel I can solve a problem or not, is that I need to start with prayer.  I think we don’t believe prayer is action.  However, when I stop to pray, I am doing something.  As I humble myself before Christ, He changes my heart.  He removes wrong thinking and strengthens correct thinking. 

I sometimes wonder if God chooses to withhold because we don’t ask, or we ask for wrong reasons.  James 4 talks specifically about our sin issues.  Verse 2 says “You do not have, because you do not ask.”  What if we spent more time asking for appropriate requests?  The Bible clearly shows us what is right and what is not.  We just need to spend time reading and studying God’s word to make sure our thinking is correct.

Dear Heavenly Father, I need Your help to continue spending time in prayer.  Please give me the wisdom and Scriptural thinking to pray correctly.  Thank you that you will give wisdom freely (James 1:5).  We have so many hard things going on right now.  Please help me to focus on You and Your way.  Please let me encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.