Snapshots of Santo Domingo #2- I see Jesus

         


                                                  

          Eyes of Blue, Eyes of Brown,
            Jesus, I see you all around.
              In the smiles and in the tears, Jesus I know you are near.
                Your presence from above came down like a dove,
                   touched our hearts, and filled us with Your love.
                     Like a pebble thrown upon the water,
                       Your Spirit's good work will continue.
                          What you began here in our hearts and in the hearts of those we have encountered,
                             You will be faithful to finish.

                                               

By Triss Curtis copyright @ July 22, 2019

Emails from God

To  Triss, Karla, Sue, Linda
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Cc  Friends and Family
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Add a subject      Psalm 73- Enter into My Presence
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    My child, enter into my presence.  I desire to show you my goodness and love.  Don't worry about those who are wicked; I will take care of them in my time and in My way.

    It is good for you to be in My presence, for in My presence is fullness of joy.  I want you to experience my joy and life abundantly, but you can only experience it when you let go of all your expectations, and trust Me to fill you up and take care of you.

    Don't you know, I take care of the birds of the air; you are much more precious to me than them.  Cease from your anxious thoughts, let go of trying to control everything and put all your troubles in My hands.  I can manage it all.

    As you wait in My Presence, you will experience a peace and rest that the world can not match.  Remember I Am the Sovereign Lord and I hold you in the palm of my hand.  Come to Me with your weariness and I will give you rest.

    Dear child, I love you and will never let go of you, so let go of your anxious thoughts and grab a hold of me.

      Love,
      Your Daddy in Heaven

By Triss Curtis Copyright @ July 2019

Snap shots of Santo Domingo #1

Looking outside the window of the Hotel room in Santa Domingo, I can see the green trees, other hotels and the ocean on the horizon.   Last night our group arrived, excited but tired after spending our time flying from Colorado Spring to Santa Domingo.

Today is Sunday and we will be going to church that works with Vision Trust.  I am excited to worship with the local believers and to see what God is going to show me here in Santa Domingo.

The driver of our bus navigates the traffic and the narrow roads well and we arrive safely at the church.  We walk up a set of narrow stairs to the roof where a few women are fervently praying in Spanish on their knees before the church service.

The service begins with prayer in Spanish.  I catch a word or two here and there and though I don't understand it all,  I  sense the passion and sincerity of the people's hearts.

As the service continues, with worship, prayer and a message, parts of it are interpreted, but the worship isn't.  I recognize some of the tunes and try to remember the English words.  As I am worshiping and taking it all in, I hear God's Spirit, say "Let it go."

"Let it go."  Those three words can be hard to do, depending on the circumstances.  I felt like the Lord was telling me to not try so hard to understand everything, but to worship Him in the moment; Worship who He is, and allow His Spirit to take control  and guide me in praise and worship.

As I let go of my expectations and just worshiped the Lord, I found words coming to my mind that were lifting Him up.  I don't know if they were the exact interpretation of the songs, but I do know that they were a response of gratitude, worship and praise to the Lord.

I believe that the Lord often tells us to "Let it go" and trust him.  Sometimes it means giving up something that we want.  Sometimes it is giving up control of a situation that feels overwhelming.  Sometimes it means surrendering our disappointment, anger or frustration over lost opportunities or past hurtful relationships.

We can only grab on to something new, if we let go of what is old.  Maybe the Lord is telling you today to "Let it go".  Are you willing to release it all to Him, so He may give you something new and refreshing?

Love from Santa Domingo

Triss Curtis

The Rose

The Rose

Once there was a little rose bud.  She couldn’t remember her beginning but she remembered being a tiny bud on a large bush.  Of course she had some memories here and there, of growing up.  She remembered the feel of the warm sunlight surrounding her as well as the raindrops bouncing off her head.   She also remembered feeling the shadow of the gardener covering her, when he would add fertilizer to the rose bush or water it on dry days. There were memories of the cool breezes that comforted her and the storms with loud banging that would cause the little bud to tremble.  During all these things the little bud continued to grow bigger and bigger, until one day, she felt like she was about to burst.  

That day she felt the presence of the gardener very near to her.  She could hear his voice and feel the warmth of the sun shining on every part of her exterior.  She knew it was time to open up and bloom and yet there was something holding her back.  She trembled at the thought of raindrops possibly pelting her petals or harsh winds pulling them off. 

Then she heard the voice of the gardener, gently whispering to her and speaking deep into the center of her being.  “Wake up little Rose, it’s time to bloom.  Let go of holding everything in.  In releasing you will find freedom and others will see the beauty that is deep within.  I am the gardener who planted you.  I watered, fertilized and tended you too.  You were created to show my glory by coming to full bloom. Don’t be afraid of losing your petals or you beauty too.  Each petal has a story and when one falls to the ground, I pick it up and save it for the future.  I bring it back to life and it becomes a sweet aroma to me, as well as a fragrance that touches others for eternity.”

Where are you on your journey in the garden?  Are you the tiny bud still growing?   Or are you the bud ready to bloom but trying to hold back because of fear?  Maybe you were the Rose, blooming, opening up your petals starting to share the beauty of God working in you; but now some of your petals are bruised and have been pelted off by life’s storms.  It is in this place of feeling vulnerable that you can still trust the Gardener to hold and cherish you.  It is in sharing of yourself with others that they can see the sweet aroma of Christ in you.

Whatever you have experienced in life, may you know that you are truly cherished by the Lord and of great value.  May you be a sweet fragrance of Christ  to others.   

Love,  Triss

We are children of God, His church

"For is Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."  Galatians 3:26-29

The other day I was having a Biblical discussion with two young ladies that came to my door. As we were talking back and forth, the Holy Spirit gave me scriptures to share.  It was a good discussion and after they left, I felt like I had listened to them, as well as  shared with them all that was on my heart.

One belief that these two young women held onto was that their church was the true church.  I shared some scriptures and reasons that I did not believe that was true.  As I continued to ponder our conversation and what the true church is; I came upon the passage of faith in Galatians.

In Galatians 3, the apostle Paul discusses our justification by faith instead of  by the works of the law.  What justifies us, is faith in Christ, the promise given to Abraham of salvation through his offspring, given before the law came into effect.  He goes on to say that the law was like a guardian until the promise was brought to completion through Christ.

Galatians 3 also states  that we are sons of God through faith in Christ.  It is not our race, nationality, sex (male or female), or our economic status that makes us children of God.  It is also not which church we are attending, instead it is placing our hope of right standing with God through Christ Jesus our Lord!

All who put their trust in the Son of God, Jesus, for salvation,they are part of the true church.  There are basic believes and principals that all Christians adhere to, but there are also preferences in style of preaching, music and  of course, our own personal opinions.   We need to not let our opinions and preferences get in the way of our relationship as the corporate body of Christ.

I have had the blessing and opportunity to attend a variety of  denomination of churches and have grown in my faith through each one. What is most important for me, is to attend a church that glorifies the Lord, preaches the word and encourages me, as well as develop me spiritually. I desires to walk in a manner that is worthy of Christ and to encourage His body of believers.

My hope and prayer is that you are in  a church family that is strengthening your faith and leading you to encourage others also.  May we spur one another on to good works in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Love,
Triss

Streams in the Desert of Weariness

Streams in the Desert of Weariness

Weary, that is the word that comes to mind in this season of my life.  I feel like a weary worn solider dragging her sword through the desert.  My lips are parched and I feel faint.  It seems like I am going to drop at any moment and not rise up again.

 And then I look in the distance and I see an oasis, rising out from the sand.  Is this a mirage or is it real?   I continue slowly moving forward, willing myself to reach it, for there is hope that the oasis is truly just ahead of me.

 Finally I reach my destination and fall down on the ground, worn out.  I precariously stretch out my arms towards the stream that lies before me and as I dip my hand into the water, I feel the cool wetness run across the palm of my hands.

Slowly I bring the water up to my lips in amazement, its true!  I don’t want to lose one drop of this precious commodity in this desert place.  As my chapped and parch lips separate, I taste the sweetness of the water as it falls on my tongue and rolls down my throat.

Suddenly I release a huge sigh and I feel my bone weary body start to relax.  My senses have become alert and now I  feel the shade of the tree above me and the cool breeze flowing over my weary body in this quiet and refreshing place.

Finally, I have found a stream in the desert and I have permission to stay here and rest for a while!

We all need oases in our lives.  The world around us promises to give us what we need, but it only wears us out and leaves us thirsty.  Our everyday struggles, as well as unexpected events that pop up demand our attention and suck a little bit more of life out of us.  If we don’t find a place of rest in this midst of this world, we will dry up and collapse. 

The Only place that I truly find hope and refreshment is through my time with Jesus.  As I drink from His word, cry out to the Lord and listen for His voice, I am brought to a place of peace and rest. 

In this season of life I  feel the need to seek the Lord more often, for the desert seems wide, but God is good and provides many oasis's on my journey.  I find this is also a growing time for me, where I learn to lean more into Jesus as my provider.  I  remind myself of his promises to quench my thirst and give me rest.

So here I am again looking for a drink from the Well of Living Waters and remembering that He is with me in the desert places, and as I fill myself up with Him, I will be able to go forward on the journey that God has for me today. He is the source of Living Waters that never runs dry! 

Weary warriors, may you find rest and refreshment from the Living Waters today.

Love, Triss

(Lord, I see many who are weary and worn out from the battle.  Please bring us to a place where we can deeply drink of your water.  Even in the desert places, Lord, You have oasis for us, where we can find rest and receive your living waters.  Jesus, we want to be wells that your living waters spring up from within us.  Fill us O Lord, we pray.  Give us rest in You today.  Amen)

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Jeremiah 31:25
for I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak."

John 4:14

But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

The Pressure is On (Ouch This Hurts)

Right now I am in place where it seems like I am being bombarded with challenges from many areas of my life.  The pressure is on.  In reality, I would like my struggles be over and to have smooth sailing, but the Lord prefers to use the pressure to do a work in me.

Almost every morning I wake up with a feeling of anxiety that doesn't go away until I get up, read my bible and pray.  Some of the anxiety is from internal stress and the other is from external stress.  There are several situations that I would prefer to be different, but they are not and I don't have any control over them.   I can't change these situations and that is where the problem lies for me.

I feel like I'm in a vulnerable place where I am like a child again, asking her daddy to protect and help her through the day.  I need to depend on God's grace moment by moment. My strength is not enough and this is very humbling.

I am also quite aware of my shortcomings lately and feel more self-critical.  It's like I am fighting to remain in a place of grace for myself, as well as to pour out that grace upon others, specifically those that are the closest to me.

Yesterday when I was thinking how weary I felt in the battle, a picture of a piece of clay being shaped on a potters wheel came to mind.  It started  me thinking about the pottery classes I attended in College.  I had to first center my clay on the wheel and then put the correct pressure inside and outside of the clay so that I could shape it into the vessel I desired it to be.  Without the pressure, the clay would not move in any direction and it would still just be a lump of clay.

God does the same in our lives, He knows the right amount of "pressure" that we need, so we are  changed into a vessel that is beautiful and useful in His hands.  He even uses our internal pressures for our good.  The times of "pressure" can cause growth in our lives if we allow ourselves to be flexible and moldable in the hands of the Potter.

So even though it "hurts", I am trying to live in a place of surrender to the Lord's "pressure" on my life because I want it to change me for the better. I often find myself having to surrender to the Lord  multiple times a day, but as I do, I find the place of peace again, where the internal struggle subsides, in the midst of the external pressures.

Isaiah 64:8 King James Version (KJV)

8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

By Triss Curtis  Oct 18, 2018

Life is not about comfort

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." Our life here is not about how comfortable we can have it.  It is about how the Lord can mold and shape us to his image through all we experience.  It is about how we can learn to love and serve the Lord, who loves us so much.  It’s about His love shining through us towards others and having a servant attitude. 

The Lord gives us times of enjoyment, rest and refreshment, but he also challenges us to grow in our faith and he gives us seasons of challenges that stretch us to our limit and beyond.  It is in the beyond that we find Christ is our sufficiency.  He is the One that desires to strengthen and empower us and fill us with His joy, so that others notice His presence within us.

Faith is revealed most powerfully in our struggles. The world notices that we are different, when we are able to surrender to God and allow the Holy Spirit to raise us above life’s circumstances. And as we allow the Lord to sharpen and shape us through our trials, the future hope that we have of our heavenly home in the presence of Jesus, becomes all the more beautiful.

We are sojourners on this earth and "in the presence of the Lord is joy and at His right hand are pleasures evermore."   May it be our desire to experience his presence and his joy here through our struggles, as we wait for our faith to become sight and we see Him face to face forever more.

❤ By Triss Curtis (8-17-18)

Darkness my old friend?

“Hello darkness, my old friend..”   Is darkness an old friend or is it a foe?  Darkness to me means depression and anxiety, it is not my friend but I am acquainted with it.  I have always seen it as a foe, but the problem with that is that I have also seen it larger than life.  It is something that shows up unexpectedly during seasons of struggle and weariness.  It reminds me of the monster in the scary movie that pops up unexpectedly and causes the heroine/hero to scream and runaway to escape its evil grasp.  Sometimes our heroine/hero finds something to fend the monster off for the time being, but it only gives her/him a short reprieve.    Eventually she/he escapes unless the person being chased is the “expendable crew member”.  Thankfully by the end of the movie, the hero/heroine has destroyed the monster, but they had to first come up with a plan, which usually involves the support of others.

This morning I woke up feeling overwhelmed and anxious with my life situation as well as dealing with a recent reoccurring struggle with a negative attitude. A bad attitude tends to lead me to the cycle of guilt and shame, which then leads to depression, if I don’t nip in the bud and get to the root of the problem immediately! 

So here I was again with the monster of depression and anxiety popping up its ugly head and I didn’t like it! Instead of seeing it as an unconquerable enemy and trying to run away from it, or let it “run” me, as I would in the past; I was able to accept it as a foe that is not larger than life, nor larger than my God.  As I continue to face it head on, I believe it can be conquered with support of the Lord and others.   

 This realization is coming to me more and more that I don’t have to try and hide from this battle against the “monster”.  Instead I can recognize it for what it is, and invite Jesus to be there with me in the midst.  It threatens to eat me up, but it can’t, because the Lord is with me and He will help me overcome it.  The “monster” tries to make me feel like I must run and hide, because I am alone, but that is a lie.  The Lord has given me his support and the support of people that I can call on.  I don’t have to be a “Lone Ranger”, there are others that understand and that are “there” for me. 

You know Jesus, said, “I am the way, the truth and the life…”, He also said, “The truth sets you free.”. I have found these two statements to become a truth I can depend on.  As I stop hiding from the “monsters” in my life and I honestly bring them forward, I feel the chains of anxiety, fear, guilt, shame; depression, etc… fall off.  The Lord brings true perspective to my life and as I accept the loving support I need, my heart feels at peace again.

If you are facing a “monster” today, my prayer is that you will know that Jesus stands with you and you can ask others to stand alongside you.

Love,

Triss

(Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence ……

by Simon and Garfunkel)

(Hello Jesus, my dear friend,

I’ve come to speak with you again.

 Because a lie so subtle starts to seep in.

It’s destructions starts to begin.

 I need your truth, I need your life

 for the darkness threatens to come in.

 I don’t want to give in, to the sounds of silence.)

By Triss Curtis

Living for Christ

Living the Christian life is not easy.  Suffering goes hand in hand with future glory.  This is a hard fact to face because we don’t like suffering.  We want life to be easy, but to receive the gain; we must go through the struggle. 

Just like a marathon runner must train and discipline himself physically, then run the grueling race to receive the prize at the end, so too it is for us in our spiritual life.  

The preparation for future glory with Christ requires the training of our character and what better shapes our character than trials. Within the trials we face, we learn patience and endurance which leads to an outcome of a hope that is not based on the temporal, but on the eternal.  

Christ has gone before us and He is our hope and our glory.  Keep your eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he fore knew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8: 28-30

Triss 

You are not alone (Peace during your struggles)

Last week I had to go to an oral surgeon to get two teeth extracted.  I was not looking forward to this experience.  I had never had oral surgery before and I already didn't enjoy going to the dentist for routine check-up and cleaning, so I certainly was not looking forward to having a more invasive procedure in my mouth.  I knew it had to be done, but I was feeling stressed about it.

I sent my prayer request in to a few friends who knew this was something that caused me anxiety.  Then a couple of days before my surgery, I fully poured out my heart  to the Lord, telling him my fears; fear of how much pain I would have to endure and  the  fear of the unknown.

I was going into "uncharted" territory and I didn't have control of the procedure.  My husband had to work, so I would be driving myself to the doctors. Even though I chose to have a  local anesthesia instead of being knocked out, I didn't know how I would feel afterwards and I didn't want to be "alone".

The Holy Spirit led me to Philippians 4:6-7:
"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."

As I dwelt on that verse, I realized that I had two choices:  I could either pray and remain stressed about the upcoming surgery, or I could pray and believe God's promise to give me peace that would guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

I decided that I would trust God's promise,  and at the same time the thought "hit me", I would not be alone, Jesus would be with me.  He is in me, so He would be with me through everything that I would experience during the surgery, as well as afterwards.  He would give me the strength that I needed to endure any discomfort, complication, or pain.  This  truth gave me peace.

 God also  graciously provided a sweet friend to drive me to the surgery and back home again.  He then gave me the idea to ask the surgeon to explain the procedure as he went through it, which the surgeon gladly did. I found  the procedure fascinating and gaining some understanding of it, caused me to feel more at peace.

Yes, I did experience some pain, discomfort and stress, but as I sang praise songs in my head and reminded myself that  I was not "alone",Jesus was with me , My focused changed and I experienced the peace I needed moment by moment. This was another "letting go" moment in my life, trusting Jesus to be with me through it all.

As the Lord walks with us on our journey through life; He continues to build our trust in him and  remind us of his faithfulness.  This life is not easy; there are many struggles that we face, but we can always know that we are not alone and Jesus will walk us through each and every one of our trials.

When I find my faith being stripped down to the very basics; one song comes to mind, "Jesus loves me, this I know for the bible tells me so."  Believing and trusting in the love of God for me, gives me peace because it means that I am trusting in His goodness toward me, no matter what trial I experience.

Your struggle today may be great or small, it doesn't matter; the Lord has promised to give you peace as you surrender your concerns to Him with a thankful heart.  Remember, he will be with you in the challenges you are facing every day.

May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, today.  Amen

Love,
Triss

Seated at the Table ( Accepted and Loved)

This morning  I was sitting drinking tea and reading "Seated with Christ" by Heather Holleman.  My finite mind was trying to grasp  the truth that God has "raised" me up and "seated" me  in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6).

I am seated with Christ in the Heavenly places.  I have a seat at the table of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  My mind says this is true, while my heart is struggle with, "I believe help my unbelief!" As I was trying to embrace the concept of "being seated with Christ", my "little girl" insecurities came to the surface and I honestly told the Lord that I needed to feel loved. I didn't feel worthy of the heavenly seat and I was having a hard time fully accepting the truth that I have a seat at the table of the King.

I reread Ephesians 2:6 and this quote from "Seated with Christ":

 "I am uniquely called, uniquely contributing and uniquely loved just like everyone else at the table. I can cease comparing myself to others. Nobody's inferior. Nobody's superior. We're on a mission together, and we're too busy serving a great King to bother with comparison and self-consciousness."

As the truth of realizing that God has seated me in the heavenly places with Himself, it "hit" me, that God's love for me was big. I don't have to compare myself with others and wonder how I can get him to love me more. His love is big enough for me, just as it is big enough for everyone else. He has enough love  to satisfy my need, as well as enough love to satisfy the need of each person. My Heavenly Daddy won't  ever run out of love!

I didn't have to try and get His approval and to make myself "worthy".  He already had placed his approval on me and made we worthy, through saving me by His grace in Christ Jesus my Lord.

Ephesians 2  continues to say that God has "prepared" good works for us in Christ Jesus.  This is another truth that needs to go down deep within me, to the core.  God already has good works for me to do and I don't have to fight for my place on the team.  He has a place for me; I just need to follow His lead and I will accomplish what He has called me to do. He has a calling and work for each of His children.

When I stop running around trying to accomplish what I think needs to be done and I just sit down, spend time listening to His word, I begin to hear His voice clearer.  My soul calms down and I rest in the knowledge that He will accomplish His work in me for this day.

(Abba Father, precious Jesus, Help us to understand what it means to be seated in the heavenly places with you. Give us a greater understanding of your love for us. May your truths change the way that we see ourselves,others and especially You.  Thank you for your love for us.  Thank you for the hope that we have now and the hope for the future when we see you face to face.  May we listen to Your Spirit and follow your lead.  Amen)

Ephesians 2:4-6 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been save-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,"

Good News for the New Year

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”  John 3:16-17

John chapter three, verse sixteen is a well-known scripture and a simple and valuable truth. Many people are making New Year’s resolutions to be healthier or to do something of consequence and value in the upcoming year.  They want to find something to “hold on to”, something that makes a positive change in their lives.  As we start a New Year, the hope of the Good News of salvation through Christ is for all who believe in him. This is something of value to “hold on to” that will make a difference in our lives.

 Every year people make resolutions to change for the better. What could be more important than focusing on what is of eternal value and what will truly last beyond this coming year?  2018 will have its enjoyable moments as well as its trials and struggles, just as there were in 2017.

We can either decide to “seize the day” and just live for the moment, hoping for things to change for the best, or we can live each moment for eternity, which will make a change for our best.   In I Corinthians 15 the apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians of what is really important and what they need to “hold onto”, in the midst of their lives and every day struggles.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.”  I Cor. 15: 1-2

These people in Corinth had received, believed and were saved, by the Good News of Christ death and resurrection for their sins.  They needed to “hold onto” that truth and keep moving forward in their faith in Christ, so that it could continue to make a change in their lives.

The Good News is only useful for those who receive it, believe it and hold onto it.  If you don’t make it a part of your life, how can it change you?  It can’t, but to all who believe in Christ’s redeeming power through his death and resurrection, it is a power for salvation that lasts beyond 2018 into eternity.

If you have a relationship with Jesus, keep “holding on to him” because he is faithful to “hold onto you” and you have hope for this year and beyond.  If you don’t have the eternal hope of Christ in your heart, then I hope and pray that you will take a step of faith and believe the Good News that Jesus died for your sins, he was buried, he rose again on the third day and he is still alive and saving people today!

(Father God in heaven, thank you for the eternal hope that we have in Christ Jesus our Lord! Lord Jesus, give us the grace to hold fast onto you and the hope we have in you. May we share the hope of  the Good News with others this year, so they too can receive a hope that changes them internally for eternity.  Amen)

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)