A Word for the Weary

Isaiah 50:4 “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.  He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen as one being taught.”

Today is a foggy, dripping dreary looking day, and as I sit here watching the cars go by and a busy day starting for the students and staff across the street, I enjoy the time to sit, rest, and listen at the Master’s feet.

Life feels busy with many changes and often I get whipped up into the frenzy of life and don’t take enough time to be still the presence of my Jesus.  When activities start to control and “drive” me, I begin to lose focus on what is important and then I become weary because I am so busy do, do, doing!

At the beginning of this school year, my mother-in-law, Bonnie, moved in with us.  Even though we knew there would be change and challenges, we welcomed this wonderful loving woman into our house.  At the same time I transitioned from working full time to part time so I could stay at home more and be a companion for Bonnie.

This should have “slowed” me down, but it hasn’t much.  Curt and I found that Bonnie needs more support than we realize.  Bonnie is also experiencing big changes in her life and  she is transitioning from being fully independent to learning to depend more on others for support. Helping her through this transition to give up some of her independence  is another challenge for us.  We realize it must be hard for her also and we want to honor her, as we support her in this changing season of her life.

We are also experience changes which are not connected with my mother-in-law moving in, and through this process of multiple changes, I find I have  become “weary”.  Part of this weariness has been trying to hold on to things that the Lord wants me to let go of  and stop trying so hard to make everything work out the way I think it should.

I am learning to let go of activities, expectations, my selfish desires, etc.… and instead listening more to my Savior, and allowing the Holy Spirit to focus my thoughts and activities in a way that is more in step with His plan for this season of my life.

I am grateful for a God, who is so patient and gentle with me.  He is the Good Father that calls me back to himself. He allows me to make mistakes, to fail, and then to come running back to his arms for loving comfort and instruction.  When I start to stray off the path, He is there to gently but firmly redirect me onto the path that he has for me.  

God’s heart for all his children is to lead them on the path that is the most fulfilling for them but because we are like sheep, we tend to get side tracked and go astray, thinking something else will satisfy us. In reality it only makes us weary. Thankfully, Jesus the Good Shepherd is close by and when we are worn-out, he picks us up and sets us back on the right path again.

Dear friends, if you feel weary on this journey today, take time to rest in His presence, to tune your heart to listen for his instruction and hear a word from the Lord that sustains you.

(Shepherd of our souls, Help us to hear your voice clearer.  Lord, when we start to wander or we trip, please gently pick us up, give us rest in your arms and then place us back on your path again.  Jesus, you are are our Good Shepherd, may our ears be listening for your voice in the midst of the busyness.  We rest in you today and trust you to guide us along the way. Amen)

Jesus came to set the prisoners free (Are you feeling chained down?)

“...he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.”  Acts 16:24b-26

Sometimes we are in situations of crisis that make us feel like we are prisoners.  We may be in a place where we feel "stuck"and it seems "dark", but our spirits still can be free.

 In the book of Acts, Paul and Silas had been and put in chains and were stuck in a dark dungeon.  They hadn't done anything wrong and yet they were being beaten and mistreated.  They were now in a place that  limited their contact with others, as well as their mobility. 

How hard it must have been to not give into discouragement. They had been  obeying the Lord and sharing the good news of Jesus with others and even released a girl from a evil spirit.  Their payment was rejection, beating and imprisonment.  

Have you ever felt that way?  You are doing all the right things and then, Bam! you are hit with an unexpected trial. When this happens to me, I often fall into the trap of feeling discouraged.

But Paul and Silas didn't let this road block keep them down;instead they starting praying and singing to the Lord.  They knew where to put their focus; back on God. 

As they praised the Lord, an amazing thing happened!  The earth quaked, the prison doors were opened and all the prisoners’ chains fell off.  The jailer was distraught and would have killed himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped, but Paul told the jailer that everyone was still there.  This made an opening for Paul and Silas to share the gospel with the jailer and his family.  The whole family repented and were saved.

Something else that stood out to me when I read this passage in Acts 16, was that “the prisoners were listening.”  There were other people imprisoned too.  Those prisoners heard the faith and hope of Paul and Silas’s through their prayers and praise songs. The Bible doesn't tell us, but  I wonder  if any of those prisoners listening to Paul and Silas became believers too.  What I do know though, is that the prisoners heard and witnessed the power of Paul and Silas's God.

This passage in Acts 16, encourages me to remember to pray and praise the Lord when I feel like I am  stuck in a “prison” situation.  God is still doing a work in me and can use me to be a witness of His power to others, even in my weakness.

 At some point in our lives, all of us will probably experience the feeling of being stuck in a trial that seems to continue on, but our spirits don't need to be stuck! Jesus came to set the prisoners free. We can find freedom in praise; for as we praise God, our focus changes. Instead of being pulled down into the darkness of the situation, our spiritual eyes look upwards towards Jesus; He is our light and life. In his presence we experience true freedom!

(Oh Lord Jesus, you are the One that sets us free.  I pray that no matter the struggles we are going through today, may we turn our eyes to you and lift you up in praise.  Lord, lift us out of any dark pit; change our focus and may we see your marvelous light.  Our hope is in you our Everlasting God. Father, lift us above the challenges we face and may we rejoice in you today.  We pray this in Your name, Lord Jesus.  Amen)

Jesus watches over you and me.

There are times in our lives, when we feel alone and isolated, but the truth is Jesus is watching over us.  He sees the tiny sparrows in their nest and he sees us too.  He values the creatures he created, how much more he values the children he saved.  Jesus has promised never to leave or forsake us.  He promises to be with us through the valleys and the shadows.  When we can’t see him in the valleys and the shadows, we need to cling to his promises, for they are true.  We need to read them, proclaim them, sing them and believe them.

I often find that as I meditate on God’s promises and sing and speak them; they move from my head to my heart. That is when I start to really believe them and the clouds part, the sun comes out and my hope in Jesus returns.

My dear friend, if you are struggling in a valley or in the shadows; remember God’s promises in Christ Jesus our Lord. Think on them, speak them, sing them, until they become a reality in your life again.

Love,

Triss

Matthew  6:25-27

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns — and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifespan?…

Matthew 10:29-31

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

"His Eye Is On The Sparrow” Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905
                 Music by Charles H. Gabriel, 1905

Lyrics
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Chorus:
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.


"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Chorus


Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me

In the Shelter of the Almighty (poem)

I dwell in the shelter of the Lord Almighty. I hide myself in the shadow of His wings. 

He is my place of refuge and strength. He is my God in whom I put my trust.  

He delivers me from the snares and traps of the enemy.   

When my feet falter and my heart feels faint;He is there to catch me. 

He lifts my head to look at Him.  He picks me up and places me on Jesus my Rock and shelter from the trials that threaten to beat me down.

He comforts me in the loving care of His arms. His shield of truth protects me from the fierce barbs of my enemy. 

I call to the Lord in my time of trouble for He is near and He will answer me. 

He satisfies me with his grace and goodness in the morning and lifts my spirit to soar above the sea.  

I will sing my praise unto my God, unto Jesus my King.

Psalm 91, Psalm 27

Humility and Obedience

Today I was reading about the story of Naaman the Leper(2 Kings 5).

Naaman was a mighty man of valor and had won many battles, but one battle he could not win, was the battle against his leprosy.  He could not heal himself. It took a little servant girl from Israel to bring him hope.  She said that there was a prophet in Israel that could cure him.

Even though Naaman was not a believer in the God of Israel, he was desperate enough to seek for this prophet that could bring healing to his body. He brought money, clothes and his fame with  him to present before the prophet Elisha. His hope was in who he was and what he had to offer.

Did all that Naaman had to "offer" impress Elisha? No, instead of meeting Naaman face-to-face, Elisha sent a servant to tell him what to do.

That must have pricked Naaman's pride.  He was a "self-made" man, rich and powerful. Why was Elisha sending a lowly servant instead of coming himself? In his prideful state, Naaman didn't even realize that God was the one who  placed him in authority and had given him victory in his battles. All Naaman had was because God had given it to him in the first place.

Not only did Elisha "injure" Naaman's pride, by not meeting him; his answer to Naaman's problem was;dip yourself into the river seven times and you will be healed. That was adding insult to injury!

What a simple answer. Naaman was offended;couldn't he go wash in a river in his country that was better than the Jordan !? Naaman didn't want a simple answer that did not line up with the way he thought God should heal him.  He wanted to see Elisha do some exciting and marvelous healing, right there and right now!

Naaman almost lost out on receiving healing because of his pride.  Thankfully, his wise servant, said to give it a try.   Naaman obeyed the word of the Lord and washed himself  seven times in the Jordan river and was healed.  That day he learned humility and obedience. God healed him and Naaman put his trust in the Lord.

Often God does not work in my life in a way that I expect. The way that he works most in my life; is bringing me to a place of letting go of my expectations and humbling myself before him.  He asks me to trust and obey him, even though I may not understand his plan.  As I humble myself before the Lord, I see him work in ways on my behalf that overwhelm me and fill me with gratitude and praise. When I let go and let God do the work in my heart and life that needs to be done; I receive his grace and mercy and He gets the glory and praise.

(Dear Father, Precious Lord Jesus,  help me to trust you.  May I humble myself before you and I as I obey your word, may I see how you work you good and perfect will for my life.  All the glory, honor, and praise to you.  Amen)

Looking for love in the wrong places and in too many faces

 This morning I felt like I was in a raw and vulnerable place.  As I was praying for someone that I deeply care about and am concerned for, I recognized a weakness in me that I saw in them.  It brought up old pain and mistakes that I made because of my lack of understanding of unconditional love.

Everyone wants to be loved and accepted.  Sometimes though, we use the wrong methods or look in the wrong places for love and acceptance.  Most of my life, starting at childhood, I have struggled to feel loved and accepted. I tried so hard in many ways to get the acceptance of  the people around me. I believe a lot of that came from the brokenness of my home, but some of it just came from the brokenness of life. 

We come into this imperfect world as  imperfect people, looking for love as children,  through adulthood.  Some of us have better relationships with our parents and family members and that can give us a greater since of security, while others have broken family relationships that can leave us insecure and doubting our worth.  Either way there is still a deep need to be unconditionally loved in each of us. Even the people I have met that had a wonderful home life, still have a deep need to be loved unconditionally.

I tried seeking love and acceptance by being good, smart, beautiful, funny, etc...but still I felt insecure  and some of the people that I thought I were close to me, rejected me. I can't be all that I think someone wants me to be.  I need to be the person that God created me to be.

Thankfully I have found a more satisfying love in my relationship with my husband, my children, close family, and in my friends, but there is still a hunger in my soul.

I have come to realize that just as my love is imperfect and can never satisfy a person's need, no matter how hard I try; no other human being can satisfy my need for unconditional love.  There is only one person who can love me unconditionally and take away my insecurities and that is Jesus. His is the face that you can look into and see unconditional love.

Maybe this seems like a trite answer, but it's not!  Even my best relationships are in connection with those who have His love in their hearts.  And my best love for others is when I allow the Holy Spirit's love to touch my heart and flow through me to love my family, friends and others.

I am growing in love for others and believing that I am loved unconditionally by God. I am his child adopted into his family through my Lord and God, Christ Jesus!  My prayer is that you grow close to the Lord this year and realize His unconditional love for you.  May God's love work in your heart and give hope to people that need to know His love too.

Remember.....

Remember where you came from, who you are now, where you are going and how you are getting there.

Chapter 2 of Ephesians, reminds us that we all were sinners and under the power of the prince of the air.  We all were separated from God and it was only because of God’s great mercy and love that we have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness.  His grace has saved us through faith in Jesus the Son and now we live in the kingdom of light!

We need to remember that God gave us the gift of life through Jesus and we didn’t work for it, so we have no reason to brag about ourselves.  We can brag on God though, and his wonderful gift of grace for all who will receive it through faith.

Sometimes the obstacles that people have to Christianity are of their own making and doing, but sometimes it can be our pride in being a Christian.  We need to humbly present the gospel message, not making it seem that we are better than others; instead we need to present it in a way as if we are sharing a gift that we have received ourselves.

If I received a delicious 10 pound box of my favorite dark chocolate with nuts, I want to eat and savor some of them but I don’t want to be selfish and keep it all to myself.  Instead I want to share with my friends and family, so they too may enjoy this gift.

God doesn’t want us to selfishly horde our gift of grace; he wants us to share it graciously with others, so they too may enjoy the richness of Christ.

Remember, you too were once dead in your sin and trespasses.  Remember, that you have been given the gift of salvation through faith.  Remember, that is only through God’s grace that you have an eternal home in heaven, where you will meet Jesus face to face.

As you remember these truths, remember to share them from a place of grace and allow God to do the work in other’s hearts through His gift of love, grace and mercy.

Waiting on the Lord

The alarm goes off and the sun comes up and we rush into a new day.  Our minds are racing with thoughts before our feet even hit the ground.  The coffee maker is turned on and we quickly rush around getting ready for the job or the work that we must do today. Wait, stop, take a breath and sit down!

“Did you forget me says the Lord?  I have so much for you in this day, but I need you to come and sit at my feet and learn of me.  I am humble and meek.  I want you to experience my goodness and my rest, even in your “busy” day.  I am calling to you; will you hear my call and spend some time with me?  When you take the time to listen to my voice, you will experience my peace deep within.  I will give you the strength and the wisdom that you need today.  Don’t waste your time on the treadmill of life; instead take a walk with me through this day and you will find yourself more satisfied and fulfilled in all that you have accomplished along the way.”

Ok Lord, I get the message. You know how hard it is for me sometimes, to sit and wait.  I want action and I want it now!   But Lord, I trust you see the big picture and a have a better plan for my day. Here I go; breath in 1,2,3 and exhale.  Here I am Lord, what do you want me to hear today?

Matthew 11:29

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS."