Trusting in Him II

  

Trusting in Him II

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

Don’t try to figure everything out on your own.

Proverbs 3:5  [The Message]

Several years ago, my three daughters and I headed off to Stockbridge, Massachusetts to spend the Thanksgiving holiday weekend at the Red Lion Inn.  The journey there was peaceful and relatively uneventful until Mother (that would be me) began to argue with the GPS of the driver.  It was not a wise move, and much lively (read agitated) conversation ensued.  In the end, my driver daughter and her GPS were correct, and I needed to  chill out.

There was a lesson to be learned here.  Trusting my daughter to do the job that she was obviously doing quite well was difficult for me, somehow.  Her careful driving and directions from the GPS had guided us safely and accurately for seven hours.  All of a sudden, she and it were wrong?  It was a classic case of foot-in-mouth disease, and I was clearly out of line.

At times I have the same difficulty trusting my heavenly Father.  I am so sure that my way is correct, and too often I am entirely wrong.  Learning to trust is an on-going process for me.  Thankfully the Lord (and my daughter) have not given up on me yet.

*

You are my hiding place,

You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

I will trust in You.

Let the weak say,

“I am strong in the strength of the Lord.

I will trust in You.”

Trusting in Him

Trusting in Him

Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

Psalm 2:12

Trust (trust) n. [MEtraust]

1.        Firm belief or confidence in the honesty,

Integrity, reliability, justice, etc., of another person

Or thing; faith, reliance on the person or thing trusted.

Trust.  Quite honestly, not my strong suit.  I am far more acquainted with skepticism and uncertainty than with any level of trust.  Which begs the question:  If I don’t trust most humans, whom I can both see and hear, how in the world do I trust in God, whom I cannot.

I believe that part of the answer lies in intimacy.  Many people are “there for you” when “being there” means shopping, eating, gossiping, skiing, seeing the newest movie, watching football, or gathering for a backyard barbecue - anything that is light, fresh and fun, with the lowest level of emotional commitment.  It is the rare friend that is willing to “be there” when you are overburdened, exhausted and depressed; the one who is willing to just quietly sit and listen without reservation, opinion or judgment.  

When we turn to Him, God comes in the still small voice, whispering peace amidst the hustle and bustle, breathing comfort, covering us with a love infused with patience and understanding.  He longs to have us call on Him in any and every situation, trusting that He will listen, He will comfort, and He will hold us in the palm of His hand.

*

 Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

(United Methodist Hymnal #507)

Counselor

Counselor

…and His name shall be called Wonderful, COUNSELOR,

The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

The Hebrew word for Counselor means to advise; to deliberate or resolve; to counsel, determine, guide.  We have available to us, 24/7, One whose very name indicates His ability and willingness to fulfill this role.  The problem is that we can not sit across from Him and weigh His words, His eyes, and His body language.  We are such visual creatures – needing the reassurance of that which we can see.

There have been numerous times in my life when I, seething with frustration, yelled at God rather than talked, wishing above all things that I had access to Jacob’s ladder and could march right up to the heavens and confront Him – eye to eye.

Have you ever said, “Well, God could have…” or “God should have…” or “I certainly would have…” when faced with disappointment and uncertainty?   We often don’t have the knowledge, wisdom or insight to deal with what life throws our way.  Our vision becomes clouded with our own pain and frustration.  That’s when we need our Counselor’s guidance to look at our lives from a different perspective.

A single thread in a tapestry

Though its colors brightly shine

Can never see its purpose

In the pattern of the grand design.

The stone that sits on the very top

Of the mountain’s mighty face -

Does it think it’s more important than

The stones that form the base?

So how can you see what your life is worth,

Or where your value lies?

You can never see through the eyes of man.

Look at your life through Heaven’s eyes.

(The Prince of Egypt)

*

People need the Lord.  People need the Lord.

At the end of broken dreams,

He's the open door,

People need the Lord.  People need the Lord.

When will we realize

People need the Lord.

In the Morning

In the Morning

 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;

In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:3

I love this verse because of the reference to God listening to me in the morning.  I’m a morning person, and there are people who don’t want to listen to me during that time of day!  So it is wonderful to know that God and I have early mornings in common.

Prayer is a private, personal communication between a person and the Creator of the universe.  When I was a child, prayer was a very formal process:  one had to kneel, fold your hands together, close your eyes, and refer to God as “Thee” or “Thou.”  How wonderful it was to “put away childish things” and learn to just talk to the One who made me. 

Morning is my favorite time to pray, sitting outside, looking up into the heavens, imagining God’s face looking directly back at mine.  I can tell Him stories, ask Him questions, confide my deepest needs and admit my shallowest interests.  Last but not least, I can share my requests for my family and friends, my community and nation, and for the global community at large.

Whisper a prayer in the morning,

Whisper a prayer at noon.

Whisper a prayer in the evening

To keep your heart in tune.

God answers prayer in the morning,

God answers prayer at noon.

God answers prayer in the evening

So keep your heart in tune.

Let There be Light!

Let There be Light!

The Lord is my light and my salvation; 

whom shall I fear?  

The Lord is the strength of my life; 

of whom shall I be afraid?  

Psalm 27:1

Yesterday was a miserable day:  cloudy, rainy, and cold.  Many of us in my neighborhood have used the space around our homes to get out and breathe in fresh air and fresh hope.  Even mowing the lawn has been a welcome activity.  But yesterday?  Not so much. I felt as gloomy as the skies looked.

This morning I awoke to the songs of bird and the glory of azure skies and sunlight.  It is no wonder that the first thing the Creator had on His agenda was the command, “Let there be light!”  I stepped out on my front porch and opened my heart to the sunlight of God’s love and grace. 

Jesus, who is the Light of the World, has called us to reflect His light to those around us. That calling has never been more important than it is right now amidst the challenges of Covid19.  How can you shine your light today? One of the best ways is to reach out to someone you know and encourage them: a phone call, an email, or a text message will go a long way toward making someone’s day a bit brighter.

This little light of mine, I’m goin’a let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m goin’a let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, NO!  I’m goin’a let it shine…

Won’t let Satan blow it out!  I’m goin’a let it shine…

Redeemed!

Redeemed!

I know that my Redeemer lives...

Job 19:25

My introduction to the concept of redemption had nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with green stamps!  My mother was a veteran S & H Green Stamp collector.  We spent many an hour as a family licking the emerald stamps and pressing them into the pages of our collection booklets.  When we had a bundle of books ready, it was time to head to the S & H Redemption Center.  We would browse the entire store aisle by aisle, carefully choose  the item we wanted, then make our redemption "payment" in stamps.

The definition for the Hebrew word "redeem" is:  to buy back; to purchase; to free by paying ransom.  God created the human race to live a full, abundant life in constant companionship with their Creator.  When sin entered the equation, Satan said, Oops - sorry, God!  You are no longer ruler of this realm.  These people belong to me!  Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, came to earth to buy us back.  The payment?  His life for ours.

Redeemed! How I love to proclaim it,

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Redeemed through His infinite mercy,

His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am.

I think of my blessed Redeemer,

I think of Him all the day long.

I sing, for I cannot be silent;

His love is the theme of my song.

Just Ask...

Just Ask...

And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water,

and lo, the heavens opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending

like a dove, and lighting upon Him.

-Matthew 3:16-17

The scene of Jesus at the Jordan River occurred at the very beginning of His ministry, just prior to the 40-day fast in the wilderness where He met Satan mano-a-mano.  Nothing about Jesus' life here on earth would ever be easy.  Scorn and rejection would be a daily diet.  Friends were few and flighty.  Earthly support system?   Hmmm... not so much.  How in the world would He face the pressure of His daily mission?

Our text provides the answer.  As Jesus rose from the waters of the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended "as a dove" and rested on His shoulder.  Then a voice out of the highest heaven exclaimed, "This is My Son, and I am very pleased with Him."

One of my favorite texts in Scripture is from the book of Luke, Chapter 11, verses 9-13.  I am going to quote the entire passage here, because it is a wonderful promise to you, and to me, of the same Gift that Jesus received.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks, finds;

And to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish,

Will give him a snake instead?

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, though you are evil, 

Know how to give good gifts to your children,

How much more will your Father in heaven

Give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

If you need the strength, hope, and power of the Holy Spirit today - just ask.

^

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 393

Facing Our Fears

Facing Our Fears

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you

with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

For an individual like me who has been fearful practically from birth, the idea that I do not need to fear at any given time is a pretty tall order.  If my mother were here today, she would say, "Sherrie, you're fearful because you don't have enough faith!"  Over the years, I have come to the realization that my fears are often based on a perceived lack of control, and a difficulty in trusting that God will do exactly what is best for me (even if I don't think so).

I've thought a lot about this text from Isaiah during the last few weeks,  The opening words are not a statement, but a command, with the subject understood:

(YOU) do not fear

After the opening phrase, I took a look at what this text does NOT say:

• I, God, will make this go away
• I, God, will protect you from any bad things happening to you
• I, God, will make sure you keep your job (your house, your spouse, your health)

And what this text does say:

• I, God, am not only God, I am YOUR God
• I, God, will strengthen you - whatever the circumstances
• I, God, will help you - whatever the problems
• I, God, will hold you in My hand.  
• I, God, will be there.

Under His wings I am safely abiding,

Though the night deepens and tempests are wild.

Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me.

He has redeemed me and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide.

Safely abide forever.

My Hope is Built...

My Hope is Built...

And now remain these three:  faith, HOPE, love...

1 Corinthians 13:13

The Apostle Paul states that hope is... "an anchor to the soul."  Faith and hope are given to us by the God of all creation, securing us through the storms of life.  If you feel helpless (and hopeless) today, fill your heart with these promises:

Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace

that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 

'plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.'

Jeremiah 29:11

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you

trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope 

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

^

My hope is built on nothing less 

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 

But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.

The United Methodist Hynmal #368

Peace Like a River

Peace Like a River

Cast all your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Peace is an illusive commodity in our stress-filled lives and fractured world, appearing to have vanished in thin air along with Lysol, rice, and toilet paper.  We search for reassurances in newspapers and magazines and on radio and television.  Unfortunately, the reports that we hear fill our hearts and minds with anxiety rather than calm - fear rather than peace.

The Apostle John quotes Jesus as saying, Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid"  (John 14:27).  John reminds us that the key element in true, lasting peace is the presence of Christ, and the knowledge that God is in control.

So when the pressures of our lives and the confusion of this world threaten to overwhelm you, look to Jesus for His peace to guard your life and the lives of your family through the days ahead.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

When peace like a river attendeth my way, 

When sorrows like sea billows roll.

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul.

It is well, it is well with my soul.

When Water Becomes Wine

When Water Becomes Wine

Whatever He tells you, do it!

-John 2:5 

It was a simple social gathering.  Jesus and His disciples were among those gathered to celebrate the wedding of a young couple from Cana in Galilee.  The wedding reception was bountiful and joyous, when someone mentioned that the family must have miscalculated how many guests they would be serving, because they were running out of wine!

This has to  be the mother of the bride's worst nightmare.  Running out of food?  Throw another lamb in the roaster!  Running out of cake?  Cut smaller pieces!  But running out of wine?  There are endless guests who have danced endless dances and are now thirsty.  How can you possibly say that there is no wine?  Trader Joe's has long since closed up shop and you simply CANNOT serve water at a wedding!

Jesus' mother approached Him with the statement, Hey - they're running out of wine.  Jesus seems to say, Is that any of our business?  But his mother saw past the bluntness of the words, and said to the servants, Whatever He tells you, do it.

Jesus pointed to six 30-gallon water pots and said, Fill them up with water.  The servants did so, then turned to Him for further direction.  He said the unthinkable:  Fill your pitchers and take it to the host.  Even though they probably thought He was slightly nuts, the servants obeyed.  Somewhere on that short journey from pot to table, the water transformed into the best-tasting  wine of the celebration.  

We are living in unprecedented times when fear and despair are present all around us.  Do you need to know today that God can make something good out of the bad?  Look no further than the miracle of turning water into wine. Through the coming days, know that He is walking beside you.  We have His promise:  I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.