Category: Praise

Fear and Shame

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The last three weeks I have had to fight fear over a “lump” that I found. This felt similar to what I had 2 ½ years ago. I had visions of surgery and potentially other treatment. As I made diagnostic appointments (and waited about 1 ½ weeks to go to the appointments), I chose this verse. There is worry involved in medical issues. I had to pray my way through allowing God whatever He chose.

Praise the Lord, he allowed me to only have 2 cysts and a non-malignant spot. No surgery or medical treatment needed. I am grateful for God’s kindness in allowing this news.

I have prayed many times in recent years that I am willing and able to endure whatever God asks of me. I was wrestling with that prayer before finding out the prognosis. I appreciate these verses. Seeking God helps deliver us from our fears. I know that I can feel shame as I wrestle with my fears – verse 5 reminds us that we can be radiant and unashamed as we look to God.

The simple reminder is to seek God and I can be delivered. The difficult reality is that I need to keep working hard to give my fears and worries to God and leave them there. I am glad God is patient and kind in providing for my weakness.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for closing this chapter in health issues. Please help me to continue to give all of my fears to You. Please help me to encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Work and Rest

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Philippians 2:12-13 has a seeming contradiction.  Verse 12 tells us to work out our own salvation, but verse 13 says that God is at work.  Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that our salvation is not of our own works so we won’t brag.  James 2:14-26 tells us that works need to follow our faith in God.  I think this passage combines those two concepts.  There are works that I need to do to honor God. 

I fear that we sometimes get too stuck on one side of that equation or the other.  Either we look too much to ourselves to work or we assume too little responsibility.  I like to think that God does the heavy lifting.  He is responsible to provide what is needed for me to work out my salvation.  He provided the way for my salvation.  I need to obey what God tells me to do.  I find that out from spending time in the Bible and time talking to God.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to see the difference between the work You have given me to do and what You promise to take care of.  I want to live a life of appropriate responsibility, resting in what You will do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

It’s NOT About Me

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Ephesians 1 tells us of wonderful gifts that God has given to those he has chosen.  I think we sometimes become selfish as a result of these gifts.  The point of the gifts is to point back to our precious Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to use the gifts You have given to point others to You.  May You be honored because of Your glorious grace. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.