God Is Saying "Lean On Me..."

Scripture:
Psalm 18:1-2 (NASB)

“I love You, O Lord, my strength.”

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Devotional:

Recently I had suffered a mild case of vertigo.  It was as if the world around me started to spin around and around uncontrollably.  Several years ago I had a severe case of vertigo. It was so bad I couldn’t even stand up.  Someone either had to hold me up and help me walk or I had to crawl along the floor.

The dependence upon someone else just to be able to stand reminds me of my dependence upon God.  I need to rely on God just to get through the day.  He is my provider and protector.  His love, grace, and mercy are what get me through all situations.  Without Him I would be laying on the floor attempting to crawl around from place to place.  Instead He lifts me up and helps me stand and guides me where I need to go.

Next time you need someone to lean on remember God is already there holding you up…

God's Promsises

Scripture:
Genesis 15:1-6 (NASB)

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,

“Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great.”

Abram said, “O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.” Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.” And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Devotional:

Abraham is a great example for hope.  Despite all his mistakes and failures he still received God’s blessings.  Even when he tried to take matters into his own hands God was still with him.  He still received God’s blessings and God kept His promises to him.

Where have you fallen short?  Does it seem that God has forgotten you?  Remember Abraham, God promised him a son born of himself and Sarah.  When Isaac was born Abraham was one hundred years old.  Not exactly the age I want to be when having a baby.  The point is that God kept His promise.  It wasn’t in Abraham’s or Sarah’s time frame, but in God’s.  

It may not seem like it at times But God is faithful and He keeps His promises.  We just have to have faith.  Even though it doesn’t seem like it God’s plan is being played out in our lives.  Things only get messed up when we try to take matters into our own hands.  The good thing is that even if we do screw it up God is still faithful.  He will still bless us.  He will always keep His promises.  If you are ever in doubt just look in Genesis at Abraham’s life.  You will see God’s work.  You will see Abraham’s great faith, and his failures.  You will see God’s faithfulness and fulfillment of His promises.

The Glass Is Half Full {You just don't know it...}

Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NASB)

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Devotional:

Rejoice always and pray without ceasing.  Wow how hard is that.  After all, my job is the pits, school stinks, and family life has a lot to be desired.  I am just too busy being miserable to rejoice.  This prayer thing, why do I have to constantly pray?  Doesn’t God know my very thoughts?  Doesn’t He know all things?  So why is it that I have to pray all the time?

Does any of the above sound familiar?  In these last few months God has really laid it upon my heart to rejoice in all things.  Recently I realized how poorly I have been doing.  As I search for a new job I get discouraged.  It seems that no matter what I cannot move on.  So several months ago I decided it was time that I just need to be content with where I am.  I needed to find the joy right where I am.  Then God did it to me.  He showed me how I wasn’t being content or rejoicing.  I didn’t want to comply; after all I was doing a good job at being miserable at work.  Then I remembered why I have my current job.  God placed me here for a reason.  I can guess at some of the reasons I am here.  I may not want to stay where I am at.  However, I do need to change my attitude.  It is important for me to find the joy in where I am and to rejoice in all things.  

Why rejoice in all things?  For several reasons, one reason is I have a job and we are paying the bills.  Another reason is that by rejoicing in all things others see how I handle all circumstances.  If I am joyful regardless they have a better view of Christ.  If I am grumbling and complaining what does that say about my faith and about Christ?  Also by rejoicing and being joyful I can spread good cheer.  Have you ever noticed how contagious a smile is?

I will be the first to admit that it is not always easy to be joyful, or rejoice in bad situations.  There are several times when I fail.  I just have to tell myself that tomorrow is a new day.  I can get it right tomorrow.  I will say that by constantly being in prayer helps.  By talking with God throughout the day I am keeping my focus on Him.  When I am focused on Him things just don’t seem so bad.  It becomes easier to find the joy.  Then it becomes easier to rejoice.  Then those around you can look at you and think you are a nut.

Besides, being grumpy or in a foul mood is not very much fun.  You tend to be depressed and gloomy.  No one wants to be around you, trust me on this one.  It is far better to find the good in things, to rejoice in all things, and be grateful and joyful.  You will feel better and your perspective will be better.  You will start seeing a glass that is half full…

Stopped Cold By Fear...

Scripture:
Psalm 27:1-3 (NASB)

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.

Devotional:

One of Satan’s tactics is fear.  He will use fear to cripple us.  I remember when I was a teenager we had huge cottonwood trees growing in our back yard.  At the back of the yard was a tall chain link fence.  On the other of the fence was the back of a car dealership.  Along the fence across the length of the dealership were huge lights.  On dark winter nights those lights would shine through the trees casting shadows inside the house.  It didn’t take much for me to scare myself half to death.  I would not be able to go through the house unless all the lights were on.

Satan will try to prevent us from being effective through fear.  We might fear rejection by others.  Maybe it is the fear of failure.  No matter the reasons for fear if unchecked it will cripple us.  I knew if I turned on the lights I would be safe.  Christ is the light of the world.  In Him we have nothing to fear.  He lights up the way before us keeping us safe.  If our God is for us who can stand against us?  What is greater than God?  What can possibly overcome Him?  As FDR said in the thirties “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  The reason we have nothing to fear is that Jesus has overcome everything.  As long as we are in Him nothing can overcome us.  Satan’s attacks cannot prevail unless we allow our fears to take control.  Jesus defeated Satan.  As long as He is before us we have nothing to fear.

So don’t let your fears cripple you.  I turned on the lights throughout the house to relieve my fears.  Let the Light of the world shine before you to relieve your fears.