TGIF
I noticed a somewhat consistent message speaking to me the last 2 weeks in my Jesus Always devotional. I have been reading this devotional for a few years now, and these messages have never impacted me before as much as they have these past 2 weeks. So I decided to write about these observations.
April 22 – Do not worry about tomorrow! This is a most gracious command. I understand human frailty; I know that you are dust. This command is not meant to burden you or to condemn you. It is meant to set you free from worldly cares.
I have found myself worrying more lately. In more normal times, I don’t worry very much, I find that Cindy can worry enough for both of us! However, in these troubling times, it takes more effort to remain worry-free, I find myself spending more time thinking about the future of our world, our country, our community, our church family, and my personal family. Although I still am able to go to sleep fairly quickly when I go to bed, I do wake up more often in the middle of the night and find myself unable to sometimes go back to sleep. I try my best to use this time as my 2 Chairs moment (remember that TGIF ?) and sometimes it helps me get back to sleep, but not always.
Matthew 6:33-34 – “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Psalm 91:2 – I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!”
April 28 – Trust in Me at all times. Pour out your heart to Me, for I am your refuge. The more you rely on me the more effectively I can help you. … I want you to remember that I am with you, taking care of you, even when life hurts. Talk with me about your troubles and leave them with Me. Then rest in My Presence while I go to work on your behalf.
When we are locked in times of concern or fear for the future, we need to reach out to God and place our trust in Him. He will care for us, He will respond to us, He will offer us His peace and comfort if we open our hearts and minds to Him.
Psalm 62:8 – Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us.
1 Chronicles 16:11 – Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.
Psalm 91:2 – I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”
April 29 – I am worthy of all your confidence, all your trust. So refuse to let world events spook you. Instead, pour your energy into trusting Me and looking for evidence of My Presence in the world. Whisper My Name to reconnect your heart and mind to me quickly. I am near to all who call upon Me. Let Me wrap you up in my abiding presence and comfort you with My Peace.
Are world events spooking you at all these days? If so, you are not alone. We need to change our focus from events we have no control over to events we can control. We can control what we choose to think about, we can choose to read and study His Word, we can choose to go to church each Sunday to be with like-minded people, we can choose to pray to Him on a regular basis, we can choose to be there for others in our circle of friends and family to help, we can choose to volunteer to help others in need that we have never met, we can choose to donate to the people of Ukraine, and we can choose to Shine! Shine! Shine, as Tina constantly advises us. There is so much for us to do if we make the right choices for thoughts and actions in our life.
Psalm 145:18 – The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
2 Corinthians 4:17 – For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.
May 1 – Invite Me into whatever you are engaged in. Ask Me to help you do your work heartily. Working collaboratively with Me lightens your load and enables you to be more effective. … When something upsets you, don’t let fearful or obsessive thoughts take over your mind. Instead, talk with Me about whatever is troubling you. Then cast all your anxiety on Me, knowing that I care for you.
Have you asked God recently to come into your heart, and relieve some of your worries, concerns, and anxieties, whatever they may be? There is no doubt our world has changed a lot in the last 2 years, and it is unlikely we will return to our “old normal” anytime soon, if ever! I believe that is why these messages are standing out so much to me this time around. I need God more right now, and that is a good thing to be happening in my life, leading me to turn to Him more often and for longer periods of time in my daily walk.
Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people,
1 Peter 5:6-7 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.