 I don't know about you, but I'm in need of a little positivity! I'm so weary of people attacking one another over differing views; protesting that is damaging businesses and disgruntlement regarding our country. What is a Christian to do? Once again, I opened the Jesus Calling devotional, and began to read this morning. I have heard the writings penned in this devotional seem to speak directly to your heart and mind when the world and your own personal situations appear out of control. I am convinced that the Lord God could call down 10,000 angels with a nod of his head to take care of our woes. The Israelites thought in the same way. They were under the persecution of the Romans and believed the coming Messiah would deliver them from all their injustices. But God had a different plan. He sent Jesus to demonstrate that we are to be a people who witness of His love, mercy and grace. There will be a time when sin and all the injustices will be set right....consequences will be sentenced. Until then, we pray, we wait, we hold fast to our faith and we love as we are loved by our Lord. Today the reading reminded me of this very fact. I quote from Jesus Calling, day August 26: "Trust Me in the midst of a messy day. Your inner calm--your Peace in My Presence--need not be shaken by what is going on around you. Though you live in this temporal world, your innermost being is rooted and grounded in eternity. When you start to feel stressed, detach yourself from the disturbances around you. Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My Peace. Seek My Face, and I will share My mind with you, opening your eyes to see things from My perspective. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid. The Peace I give is sufficient for you." I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
0 Comments
 As I began to have a time of private prayer in my office this week, I was reminded of the scripture that says, "It is written: As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God." Romans 14:11. At that point, even with knees that are a bit more sore than in prior years, I knelt on a small rug in the office and began to pray. I don't know why it surprised me because if you ask to meet with God, why wouldn't the Holy Spirit respond? An amazing feeling fell over me as I began to pray and place all my offerings of praise and petitions before the throne of grace and mercy. It was a sacred anointing of peace, power and encouragement as I continued to talk with the Lord, tears filling my eyes. Included in that alone time with Jesus, I prayed that if it were in accordance with His Will I would be able to move my mother into another facility that allows hospice to enter. The current facility my mother has been a resident for the past two years has shut out all family and outsiders including the hospice medical staff due to COVID. Since I haven't been able to be in the same room with mom since February and her health is declining, I have received approval for mom to be in hospice. I have now found a new facility that allows hospice into their facility and was on the schedule to move her this coming weekend. Little did I know or realize the Lord met with me to strengthen my resolve for coming information and prayer requests I would receive throughout the remainder of the day, including my request for wisdom regarding my mother's move to another facility. Dire needs were shared with me in confidence and I was privileged to pray over each one. However, one of the calls I received delivered the news a worker at mom's current facility tested positive for COVID. Although this individual is asymptomatic, the facility now needs to undergo testing and the chances of moving mom are becoming slim, at least for now. I felt crushed to receive this news, but wondered if perhaps this isn't the right time to move my mother. Would I have done more harm than good? Wouldn't her involvement with a hospice staff the best option? Oh, the questions that swirl around in my mind daily since mom's care has been placed upon these small, ill equipped shoulders with brothers that are readily supportive of my decisions. I picked up the Jesus Calling devotional later that day and read the entry for August 23. I am a few days behind, but really not behind at all since the words of this particular devotional eased my heart and spoke so clearly to me. I share them with you because maybe you are going through something similar today. May the God of the Universe shower peace within your heart as you read a part of this devotional: Entrust your loved ones to me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one--as well as yourself. When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do. Jesus Calling, August 23 "Call unto me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3 KJV The picture above of my mom was taken several years ago...she is such a beautiful child of God.
 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 NIV
That one scripture verse is driven deeply into my heart each and every day I live and breathe. Maybe it's due to age or perhaps it's due to experience, but whatever I attribute this truth, the fact remains we are not given tomorrow or even the next minute. We feel lumps or bumps and they become malignant tumors. Our elderly experience falls and it begins his/her earthly demise. We decide to take a jog and never return home due to heart failure, or we stand close to another human being who coughs and unknowingly passes a deadly virus. Bottom line, we haven't a clue what tomorrow holds. So why in the world am I writing a depressing blog? Because I have some good news. When all these situations and health conditions are brought to an earthly finish line, there is much more coming and it's the best ever! God has already prepared a place for those who believe in His Son. It's going to be a glorious awakening in the Kingdom of God when we close our eyes in earthly death. Satan can no longer tempt you, disease can no longer touch you, tears will no longer stream down your face and anxiety will be a thing of the past. With all heaven and our Lord has to offer, why not ask the Lord to reveal this truth to you if you are not currently a believer? Don't believe Jesus rose from the dead? Ask him to reveal that truth to you in a way that will have you shouting from the rooftops of his existence! Believe the Bible is a fairy tale? Ask the Holy Spirit of God who scripted every word and used the hands of man to transcribe them, pen those same words undeniably on your heart! As we enter into the season of fall, let's pray as a united front for the growth of our country as believers; all standing for equality, not tearing down but building up the body of Christ and this great nation. May God spare us, forgive us, and anoint us with peace, quiet our souls and save the innocent from harm. God bless, my friends! |
AuthorJudith "Cookie" White is the founder of The Sounding Board Ministry. She is the author of two devotional books which are available on this site. Archives
March 2021
Categories |
RSS Feed
