This is dedicated to the person I haven't seen in a long while and who stirred my thoughts tonight and got me to thinking along these lines. Thank you.
Faith........... What is faith? Is it something that will make the outcome of a situation sure to come true? If I believe hard enough for what I want to happen, will it happen? Is this faith? No. This is not faith. It's not even true. If it were true, do you think I would still have Parkinson's Disease? Certainly not!
Faith points to the One in whom I believe to do what He says He will do - to remain true to His character. So who do I have faith in? God. The God of the Bible. Jesus. He is the only one who can always be counted on to do the right thing - the loving thing.
I can face the day ahead with this dreadful disease because I know the One who is there every minute with me. I know that He is love and light and goodness. He has all power and knows everything. Knowing that He is all these things and I can count on that to never change, then I can face the day ahead with this dreadful disease. Whatever happens (it will only be what He allows) it will work out ok because He is looking out for my best interests. He will tell me if I go the wrong way, or do an inappropriate thing. If I ignore Him then He will do something to get my attention. If I am His child, He will not let me get away with doing harmful or immoral things, because He loves me too much to let me settle for what is not best.
I have faith that I will make it through the night tonight. I don't know what will happen tonight, but I have faith that He will be here with me and that nothing can happen unless He allows it. I know His character, therefore I know nothing will be more than I can cope with, because He has promised it is so.
I can ask for Him to heal me. Will I be healed tonight? If I only think positively and not entertain the thought that He might say no, will I be healed tonight? Can I expect that? No. Well does that mean that my faith wasn't big enough or strong enough to receive what I asked for? No. It simply means your faith was misplaced. It was not faith in the One who can perform miracles, but faith in the outcome I wanted. Is it good to ask for healing? Yes. But it may not be best for your idea of healing to be the one God chooses. And so God sometimes says, "No." Sometimes He says, "Not now." Other times He says, "Not in that way." He says no because we often ask for something that ultimately would not work out right.
What if we took the word, "no" out of a parent's vocabulary? It would be disastrous. Well, we can no more take ,"no" out of God's vocabulary than we can remove it from a parent's vocabulary. We learn what is appropriate to ask for when we have heard no enough times.
I'm going to continue to ask Him for healing, but if He says, "Not now.", I will not have a fit like a spoiled child, but will remember who my Father is and trust Him to do what's best. Faith is trusting Him.
Showing posts with label coping and living with parkinson's disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coping and living with parkinson's disease. Show all posts
Friday, November 22, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Don't Feel Too Bad
Do you think you have it worse than most others? Are you focusing on what your heartaches and problems are? Do you feel like you're drowning in the challenges which lay before you today? Maybe you feel you have a right to - but maybe you don't. No one can take your problems away today, but I can tell you that you are not alone. And, not only THAT - I can tell you that Jesus had it worse, so He understands and can comfort and guide you to victory and joy.
"What??? What's that?", you say."
"I know He suffered for my sins, and died upon the cross, but He doesn't really know what it is to suffer over a very long period of time - day in and day out."
If that's what you're thinking, then I want to respectfully disagree with you. Read Psalm 69. This psalm is all about the silent years of Jesus upon the earth - His growing up years. The Bible is silent concerning the years of His life from age 12 to 30.
J. Vernon McGee says, "His physical suffering on the cross was bad enough, but I think some of the things He suffered in His life on earth were almost unbearable. I am confident that multitudes of us would have ended our lives if we had gone through what He did during His lifetime.
His suffering started when He was born in a stable. He grew up in Nazareth among half-brothers and sisters, who did not believe in Him, - where the townspeople gossiped and believed His mother was a liar, and He had the stigma of being illegitimate. His home probably was not a happy one.
Psalm 69:8 says, "I am a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children."
When He would fast or weep, His brothers would ridicule Him for it. They would tell Him that He was just putting on an act.
Psalm 69:10 says, "When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach."
The high officials and judges of the town spoke against Him.
Psalm 69:12 says, "They that sit in the gate speak against me, and I was the song of the drunkards."
And don't forget.... He was innocent. He deserved none of this. In fact, He was raised in a town where He was called illegitimate in order that you and I might be a legitimate son of God.
We have no notion of what He endured for 30 years in order that we be saved.
So, I challenge you today to worship Him in gratefulness for all He has given you, and to be thankful for His never-ending love to those who are His, and to those who trust Him and are not ashamed to say so.
2 Corinthians 4:14-18 KJV "Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
These thoughts are taken from J. Vernon McGee
"What??? What's that?", you say."
"I know He suffered for my sins, and died upon the cross, but He doesn't really know what it is to suffer over a very long period of time - day in and day out."
If that's what you're thinking, then I want to respectfully disagree with you. Read Psalm 69. This psalm is all about the silent years of Jesus upon the earth - His growing up years. The Bible is silent concerning the years of His life from age 12 to 30.
J. Vernon McGee says, "His physical suffering on the cross was bad enough, but I think some of the things He suffered in His life on earth were almost unbearable. I am confident that multitudes of us would have ended our lives if we had gone through what He did during His lifetime.
His suffering started when He was born in a stable. He grew up in Nazareth among half-brothers and sisters, who did not believe in Him, - where the townspeople gossiped and believed His mother was a liar, and He had the stigma of being illegitimate. His home probably was not a happy one.
Psalm 69:8 says, "I am a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children."
When He would fast or weep, His brothers would ridicule Him for it. They would tell Him that He was just putting on an act.
Psalm 69:10 says, "When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach."
The high officials and judges of the town spoke against Him.
Psalm 69:12 says, "They that sit in the gate speak against me, and I was the song of the drunkards."
And don't forget.... He was innocent. He deserved none of this. In fact, He was raised in a town where He was called illegitimate in order that you and I might be a legitimate son of God.
We have no notion of what He endured for 30 years in order that we be saved.
So, I challenge you today to worship Him in gratefulness for all He has given you, and to be thankful for His never-ending love to those who are His, and to those who trust Him and are not ashamed to say so.
2 Corinthians 4:14-18 KJV "Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
These thoughts are taken from J. Vernon McGee
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Who Am I?
I am Anna. I
am much more than what you can see. Parts and pieces of me are
there for every eye to see. Just as my fleshly body is made of parts
unseen and invisible, so is my soul – so is my spirit.
For those
people who say they cannot believe what is not seen with eyes, held
with hands, or heard with ears, we must conclude they do not believe
in love, because God is
love, and God is invisible. Therefore they deny God's existence.
They cannot believe in a Creator, a Redeemer, a heavenly Advocate, a
Giver of grace – a Saviour.
If
God's existence is denied, then He could not be the author of right
and wrong, therefore we could have no standard of conduct or even of
thought process. In fact we could not assign any value or importance
to our thoughts because they cannot be seen or touched therefore do
not exist. This being true, my own personhood would be nothing more
than a meaningless fragment without purpose – without meaning –
unable to accomplish a single thing. The parts of me that are not
visible would not exist, therefore could not be used to reach any
conclusion or enable me to believe in or do anything.
Any
thinking person can see this is
not – no CANNOT be so. This faulty premise could not even be
reached. There could be no truth.
But
God says in Romans 1:20, “The invisible things of Him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.”
We
are more than can be seen or perceived by our senses. And because of
that we will make decisions and react to life around us according to
our beliefs. It is my belief that I am a person of value in God's
eyes. I am more than a diseased body. I react
to
this PD. I am not just a broken body with PD. What I do with this
set of circumstances will tell the world what I believe, and who I
am.
God
didn't make PD. It is not mentioned in the Creation account. It is
however a natural consequence of sin. It is a part of the curse Adam
saddled all of Creation with. It is a direct result of his sin. We
can't change this.
So
what does your daily walk reveal to the world about what you believe
and who you are? Do you believe you are more than a mistake? Are
you more than tremors and slow movement, or any of the other painful
manifestations of this disease? Examine your thoughts and look at
your actions. What do these say to the world? What do these say to
the children that you love, your spouse, and your friends? What do
these say to all of the people in your life who do not believe in
Jesus Christ and who are headed for the outer darkness of the domain
of evil? What are you saying to God as you go through your day? You
SAY that you are a Believer. You will know if your attitudes and
actions are in agreement with your words. PD is just one test to
determine what you believe.
Whatever
your trial, know that it is a test that will reveal the truth about
what you believe....
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Look Full in His Wonderful Face....
I've been dealing with some things. Sometimes it gets me down and sometimes it doesn't. Either way it occupies my mind. And I'm aware that I can choose to 1) deal with troubles in the same way I always have (which often leaves me confused, anxious and fearful)). This is the way where nothing really changes or is resolved. This is the way where I leave this bundle of problems wherever they fall instead of 2) turning my face away from the sight of these unhappy things and turning full into the face of Jesus. It's hard to change the way I've always done things even though it has always left me feeling terrible or undone.
We can all arrive at this fruitless place of indecision and fatigue. But when the burden you shoulder, begins to drag you under, stop! Do what you have perhaps never done before.... Look to Jesus. Remember the truth about all things that He has shown you. Don't try to think your way out of trouble, but use your mind to review what is truth. Don't try and figure out how Jesus will get you out of this mess, but leave that to Him. Just direct your attention and your hurting heart towards Him.
Here's an example: Yesterday I was losing the battle against a bunch of problems. I was feeling worse and worse. But here's where I got smart: I asked myself what I was really afraid of. The answer came back abandonment. So what truth would be applicable and would answer that fear?
Matthew 28:20 - "Lo, I am with you always; even unto the end of the age." I didn't need to know what that truth would look like in my life, or how it would play out. I just believed it. And you know, I experienced a flood of relief. This is faith.
Those of us with PD have a number of problems, and it can easily make us feel hopeless. But you have to decide what you're going to do and how you'll handle it when problems present. I encourage you to try what I did.
We can all arrive at this fruitless place of indecision and fatigue. But when the burden you shoulder, begins to drag you under, stop! Do what you have perhaps never done before.... Look to Jesus. Remember the truth about all things that He has shown you. Don't try to think your way out of trouble, but use your mind to review what is truth. Don't try and figure out how Jesus will get you out of this mess, but leave that to Him. Just direct your attention and your hurting heart towards Him.
Here's an example: Yesterday I was losing the battle against a bunch of problems. I was feeling worse and worse. But here's where I got smart: I asked myself what I was really afraid of. The answer came back abandonment. So what truth would be applicable and would answer that fear?
Matthew 28:20 - "Lo, I am with you always; even unto the end of the age." I didn't need to know what that truth would look like in my life, or how it would play out. I just believed it. And you know, I experienced a flood of relief. This is faith.
Those of us with PD have a number of problems, and it can easily make us feel hopeless. But you have to decide what you're going to do and how you'll handle it when problems present. I encourage you to try what I did.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
God's Compassion for You
I have been fretting and hurting over some things. All night I had disturbing dreams. I am up early and just now, as I sat at the breakfast table having my first cup of coffee and doing devotions, I heard a cow's mournful bellowing in the pre dawn as it echoed back and forth across the space behind our house. It was distressing and inspired my prayers for its relief.
Surely when our cries of distress rise up to God - He pauses to listen - He hears - and His compassion is forthcoming. We can rest assured that His compassion is more easily provoked than our own.
The troubles stealing my peace are hidden under the very shallow surface of self-composure - and do tirelessly seeth and boil tearing away old landmarks of complacency like a steady flow of freshly spewn lava, all the while depositing new terrain.
The cow is still bellowing unheard by its lazy owner. She is left alone to deal with her misfortune. I am left to wonder what has befallen her.
I hear an answering sound - a cry very much like the first, yet further away and in response. Proof of compassion IN a creature FOR a creature... like its Creator - built to respond.
When distressed, we cry out. That cry invokes the response of the Creator and oftimes comes through a fellow sojourner. It is no less proof of His care and concern because it comes through an unexpected channel.
L. B. Cowman (Streams in the Desert) says it like this: "Onto the pages of every trial there are narrow shafts of light that shine. Thorns will not prick you until you lean against them, and no one will touch you without God knowing. The words that hurt you, the letter that caused you pain, the cruelty of your closest friend, your financial need - they are all known to Him. He sympathizes as no one else can, and watches to see if through it all, you will dare to trust Him completely."
Surely when our cries of distress rise up to God - He pauses to listen - He hears - and His compassion is forthcoming. We can rest assured that His compassion is more easily provoked than our own.
The troubles stealing my peace are hidden under the very shallow surface of self-composure - and do tirelessly seeth and boil tearing away old landmarks of complacency like a steady flow of freshly spewn lava, all the while depositing new terrain.
The cow is still bellowing unheard by its lazy owner. She is left alone to deal with her misfortune. I am left to wonder what has befallen her.
I hear an answering sound - a cry very much like the first, yet further away and in response. Proof of compassion IN a creature FOR a creature... like its Creator - built to respond.
When distressed, we cry out. That cry invokes the response of the Creator and oftimes comes through a fellow sojourner. It is no less proof of His care and concern because it comes through an unexpected channel.
L. B. Cowman (Streams in the Desert) says it like this: "Onto the pages of every trial there are narrow shafts of light that shine. Thorns will not prick you until you lean against them, and no one will touch you without God knowing. The words that hurt you, the letter that caused you pain, the cruelty of your closest friend, your financial need - they are all known to Him. He sympathizes as no one else can, and watches to see if through it all, you will dare to trust Him completely."
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Rock That Does Not Change
Change can be troubling. It is like shifting sand. Time and circumstance changes things we thought would never change. For instance, friends can become like family - then as we journey through time and pass through the landscape of hills and valleys, they slowly fade from sight. We switch our dependence on them to someone or something else. The storms of life change things - indeed change US. They strike indescriminantly in both the valleys and mountain-tops - often with little or no warning. We are forced to look in different places to fulfill what once was not a need.
An example of this wound be the death of someone dear to you. Or perhaps the rejection of someone who once loved you. In such cases everything changes. In such cases even our beliefs of who God really is can be challenged. We may arrive at false conclusions or lose our bearings completely - not knowing which way to lean. It's very painful to go through these winds of change - these storms of life. It IS inevitable, however. Ours is not a perfect world.
At one time it was - but those days are forever gone. When sin entered the world, all of creation was cursed. We were hopelessly bound to strive - to pursue life by the sweat of our brow and yet never quite reach fulfillment.
What kind of God would leave us in such a hopeless condition? Not a good God! Not OUR God! In the midst of a changing world filled with changing people amidst changing values, we have a ROCK. One that is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). HE is my stability in the shifting sands of the desert of human allegiences, human understanding, human needs, human judgements and all other variables.
I rejoice with the Psalmist who writes, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:2
And like the psalmist: the next time the cords of death encompass me, and the torrents of ungodliness terrify me, or the cords of Sheol surround me, and the snares of death confront me - the next time I am stung by cruel words or rejected by a friend, or devoured by the ravages of disease - in my distress I will call upon the Lord and cry to Him for help - because His love and His kindness and mercy never change....
He is my ROCK.
An example of this wound be the death of someone dear to you. Or perhaps the rejection of someone who once loved you. In such cases everything changes. In such cases even our beliefs of who God really is can be challenged. We may arrive at false conclusions or lose our bearings completely - not knowing which way to lean. It's very painful to go through these winds of change - these storms of life. It IS inevitable, however. Ours is not a perfect world.
At one time it was - but those days are forever gone. When sin entered the world, all of creation was cursed. We were hopelessly bound to strive - to pursue life by the sweat of our brow and yet never quite reach fulfillment.
What kind of God would leave us in such a hopeless condition? Not a good God! Not OUR God! In the midst of a changing world filled with changing people amidst changing values, we have a ROCK. One that is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). HE is my stability in the shifting sands of the desert of human allegiences, human understanding, human needs, human judgements and all other variables.
I rejoice with the Psalmist who writes, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:2
And like the psalmist: the next time the cords of death encompass me, and the torrents of ungodliness terrify me, or the cords of Sheol surround me, and the snares of death confront me - the next time I am stung by cruel words or rejected by a friend, or devoured by the ravages of disease - in my distress I will call upon the Lord and cry to Him for help - because His love and His kindness and mercy never change....
He is my ROCK.
Friday, January 4, 2013
A Bee Without Wings
Sometimes we - who have Parkinson's Disease - or some other heartbreaking disorder - come to feel, and certainly to believe that we are without worth - useless - without purpose. The only thought we have is that we are a burden and unwanted. We may even doubt that our loved ones truly cherish us nor feel any joy in us, amidst the many duties that in their goodness they have come to take upon themselves on our behalf.
This is the WORST feeling; in fact a deadly feeling, if not countered with truth. If you are a Believer, then you are the recipient of God's grace. It is true that His grace is the all-inclusive gift to His children in a measure that cannot be measured or counted. It is manifested in many ways, one of which is His Charity towards us. Charity is the expression of God's love for us as evidenced by His behavior towards us and inspired by His love for us.
But let me give you a much clearer picture of what Charity is and how it affects you. This is a quote from a book I came across on my bookshelf just this morning: "The Egyptian hieroglyphic representing charity is a naked child, with a heart in his hand, and giving honey to a bee without wings. The child represents the humility of charity, the heart in its hand the cheerfulness of charity, giving honey to a bee without wings represents the worthiness and helpfulness of the object of charity."
Precious ones - you who have been struck down with Parkinson's Disease - you are that bee without wings! You are precious in His sight and He sees you as worthy, valuable, loved!!! Today meditate on this tender and wonderful truth and refuse any thoughts counter to this.
It is not the honey that makes the bee valuable, but the bee without even the honey is valued!
This is the WORST feeling; in fact a deadly feeling, if not countered with truth. If you are a Believer, then you are the recipient of God's grace. It is true that His grace is the all-inclusive gift to His children in a measure that cannot be measured or counted. It is manifested in many ways, one of which is His Charity towards us. Charity is the expression of God's love for us as evidenced by His behavior towards us and inspired by His love for us.
But let me give you a much clearer picture of what Charity is and how it affects you. This is a quote from a book I came across on my bookshelf just this morning: "The Egyptian hieroglyphic representing charity is a naked child, with a heart in his hand, and giving honey to a bee without wings. The child represents the humility of charity, the heart in its hand the cheerfulness of charity, giving honey to a bee without wings represents the worthiness and helpfulness of the object of charity."
Precious ones - you who have been struck down with Parkinson's Disease - you are that bee without wings! You are precious in His sight and He sees you as worthy, valuable, loved!!! Today meditate on this tender and wonderful truth and refuse any thoughts counter to this.
It is not the honey that makes the bee valuable, but the bee without even the honey is valued!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
What If....
To what degree would you say you believe what God says? 100%? Maybe 99%? Or perhaps you might say 80%.... You might even say lower than that.
What if - for one day - just for today - you acted like you believed everything God has promised you? Lets take Romans 8:28 for instance: "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes."
Could you go through your day responding to every hurt, every disappointment, every dead end, every changed plan, every emotionally draining thing that happens as if you believed what God promises? Would even your thoughts agree with what God says? Would your heart sing His praises?
Would you be able to rest in the knowledge that God is causing your Parkinson's Disease (or any other malady) to work together for your good - indeed for the good of everyone who loves Him and who is called according to His purposes? If you REALLY believe that He means what He says and that you can count on it, then you COULD rest in belief.
What if you know that you don't have that kind of belief in your heart, but you want to trust Him - you want to believe Him? Then confess your unbelief to Him and ask Him to help you to believe Him.
Do you believe with Paul when he says "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)?
What about Romans 8:35? "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?" Would you add Parkinson's Disease to that list and do you believe that's true?
What if you went through the whole day believing Romans 8:36 and acting like it? " For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
What if - today - you acted like you believe God?
What if - for one day - just for today - you acted like you believed everything God has promised you? Lets take Romans 8:28 for instance: "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes."
Could you go through your day responding to every hurt, every disappointment, every dead end, every changed plan, every emotionally draining thing that happens as if you believed what God promises? Would even your thoughts agree with what God says? Would your heart sing His praises?
Would you be able to rest in the knowledge that God is causing your Parkinson's Disease (or any other malady) to work together for your good - indeed for the good of everyone who loves Him and who is called according to His purposes? If you REALLY believe that He means what He says and that you can count on it, then you COULD rest in belief.
What if you know that you don't have that kind of belief in your heart, but you want to trust Him - you want to believe Him? Then confess your unbelief to Him and ask Him to help you to believe Him.
Do you believe with Paul when he says "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)?
What about Romans 8:35? "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?" Would you add Parkinson's Disease to that list and do you believe that's true?
What if you went through the whole day believing Romans 8:36 and acting like it? " For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
What if - today - you acted like you believe God?
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Talking to God
I've been so busy this last month, that I haven't had time to write much! There was the hurricane and then I have been packing, and packing, and packing........... We are moving to Texas - my home. I've been absent from Texas for 14 years, but now that my husband has retired, we will be leaving New York.
The whole ordeal has given me much to worry over, but I'm glad to tell you that I have not really fallen victim to the stress that such things can cause. At least not more than temporarily. It's not that my serenity just happened, but I chose not to entertain thoughts that would in any way encourage me to fret. Whenever there was a problem for which I had no answer, I would stop what I was doing to pray (usually briefly), and soon would have His answer.
James 1:2-8 says: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does."
Make prayer a priority. It doesn't have to be lengthy and theologically correct prayers said with all he right words. It is merely the cry of your heart inviting Him to share your pain, or clear your mind. It is a simple request for help. Sometimes it is a song lifted up to Him in praise. Other times it is a pouring out of feelings - good or bad.
But in every case it is the faith that He is powerful, knowledgeable, loving and just that expresses itself through prayer. We must be a praying people. If you're not comfortable praying, start out by repeating the Lord's prayer. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Get started right now, Reader!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Somebody Out There Needs a Prayer Tonight
I feel compelled to pray.... Someone out there tonight is desperate for help. You are being attacked and worn out by spiritual forces of darkness. Whoever you are, DON'T DESPAIR. Know that your life is PRECIOUS to Him. He has heard your prayer and help is on the way. Please read James 1. I want to pray for all of you who have Parkinson's Disease. You are on my heart tonight:
Heavenly Father, I sit at Your feet with the needs of my friends who have PD. We have special needs, therefore we have special requests. I want to thank you that you are not a God of confusion or chaos, and I praise You that You give us the gift of a sound mind. Give us clarity, Lord. Give us Your wisdom. Keep a watch over our mouths and let only words that edify the Body come out of our mouths. Teach us tonight, even as we sleep. We need a special word from you right now. Save us from our enemy - Satan .... Hide us from him. Give us the courage we will need to get through tomorrow.
We thank you with every beat of our hearts for the ways You have used us - in this condition - to change a life, or perform a miracle. There are many things You have done through us and we don't even know it. Raise up those of us who are under heavy attack and revive our exhausted hearts, for You alone are the Lord our God. Our enemy cannot touch us because we are safely tucked under Your wings.
We love belonging to You....
Heavenly Father, I sit at Your feet with the needs of my friends who have PD. We have special needs, therefore we have special requests. I want to thank you that you are not a God of confusion or chaos, and I praise You that You give us the gift of a sound mind. Give us clarity, Lord. Give us Your wisdom. Keep a watch over our mouths and let only words that edify the Body come out of our mouths. Teach us tonight, even as we sleep. We need a special word from you right now. Save us from our enemy - Satan .... Hide us from him. Give us the courage we will need to get through tomorrow.
We thank you with every beat of our hearts for the ways You have used us - in this condition - to change a life, or perform a miracle. There are many things You have done through us and we don't even know it. Raise up those of us who are under heavy attack and revive our exhausted hearts, for You alone are the Lord our God. Our enemy cannot touch us because we are safely tucked under Your wings.
We love belonging to You....
Sunday, September 23, 2012
What Does the World See?
Yesterday morning I went out with friends. I saw a man surrounded by his friends on the beach. He was in a wheelchair - but not just an ordinary wheelchair.... It had wheels that looked like large intertubes - designed to be pushed through the sand on the beach. The friend pushed the man into the surf - only enough to wet his feet. The friend was strong and kept a tight hold on the wheelchair. The man trusted in the strength and love that the friend had for him.
I wondered if the man had been a surfer or a swimmer. He obviously had a love for the sea.
It struck me that this friend was like Jesus, who pushes His loved ones through this life in the same way. He is strong. He is tender. He takes us where we cannot go alone.
I wonder who is watching you and who is watching me, and I wonder what picture we make - Jesus and me. For surely we don't go unnoticed. And whether we trust in His strength and His love, will be there for all to see, so think - reader .... What does the world see?
I wondered if the man had been a surfer or a swimmer. He obviously had a love for the sea.
It struck me that this friend was like Jesus, who pushes His loved ones through this life in the same way. He is strong. He is tender. He takes us where we cannot go alone.
I wonder who is watching you and who is watching me, and I wonder what picture we make - Jesus and me. For surely we don't go unnoticed. And whether we trust in His strength and His love, will be there for all to see, so think - reader .... What does the world see?
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I Have Everything I Need to Finish the Day
We cannot escape it - heartbreak, danger, unexpected disaster, extreme fatigue.... But we CAN overcome these obstacles that would drag us down, slow our forward movement and drain the courage right out of our hearts. We cannot avoid that which would call forth every fiber of strength we can muster to get through, but we CAN choose to walk through it all - in step with our Helper who is the Spirit of God. Stop for a moment and think about this: It is the Spirit of the living God - the Comforter that Jesus left for us when He rose to heaven - the teacher and guide that can never steer us in the wrong direction - that walks us through every difficulty that threatens to render us useless or unable to go on living.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your Holy Spirit. It is enough. I will encounter difficulties today, but not alone, and not without guidance and instruction. Help me today not to forget that I have everything I need to finish the day.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your Holy Spirit. It is enough. I will encounter difficulties today, but not alone, and not without guidance and instruction. Help me today not to forget that I have everything I need to finish the day.
Monday, August 20, 2012
He is to be Trusted
Do you know the story - from the Bible - about God telling the Israelites - through Moses - to send spies into the land of Canaan (the Promised Land) to check it out? They were told to see what the land was like and to bring back a report about whether the inhabitants were weak or strong. You can read it for yourself in Numbers 13 -14.
They went and brought back a report saying the land was very productive, but the people who inhabited Canaan were powerful and the cities were fortified. They had forgotten all that God had done for them, and the proof of His love of them. They did not remember His power to deliver. They said, "We can't attack these people; they are stronger than we are." Only Joshua and Caleb spoke of God's protection, saying that they could surely defeat these giants and urged the people not to be afraid.
But the people would not listen. They refused to take possession of the land God was giving them. Instead of moving forward they hung back in fear and doubt. As a result, the people who doubted were never allowed to enter the Promised Land. The only ones allowed this privilege were Joshua and Caleb.
Have you stopped moving forward because you doubt that God can deliver you from the ravages of Parkinson's Disease? Are you miserable because you have forgotten that God is sovereign and has given you many reasons to hope in Him? Do you see only giants and know you are unable to fight the loss of courage?
God wants you to keep advancing, and wants you to fear not because He is in control. Yes, you have a disease. But when God's purpose is accomplished and your faith has endured testing, you are that much closer to the Promised Land!
Is your faith weak and you fear you cannot endure one more minute of this burden? Then pray.... God will strengthen you. He wants you to come forth beautiful and whole. He is asking you to trust Him to apply only the right amount of pressure to your soul, and only for the exact amount of time it takes to bring you forth as pure gold. You are given a heartbreaking condition. but trust Him to know what He's doing.
I don't know why you and I have Parkinson's Disease. What could I do about it if I did know? I don't have to know. Join me with Joshua and Caleb. This is part of our journey. One day it will all be clear. But today, when I have no answers, I will trust that He loves me.
Oh, Jesus, You are the good shepherd. Your voice is well known to me, and I will follow it.
They went and brought back a report saying the land was very productive, but the people who inhabited Canaan were powerful and the cities were fortified. They had forgotten all that God had done for them, and the proof of His love of them. They did not remember His power to deliver. They said, "We can't attack these people; they are stronger than we are." Only Joshua and Caleb spoke of God's protection, saying that they could surely defeat these giants and urged the people not to be afraid.
But the people would not listen. They refused to take possession of the land God was giving them. Instead of moving forward they hung back in fear and doubt. As a result, the people who doubted were never allowed to enter the Promised Land. The only ones allowed this privilege were Joshua and Caleb.
Have you stopped moving forward because you doubt that God can deliver you from the ravages of Parkinson's Disease? Are you miserable because you have forgotten that God is sovereign and has given you many reasons to hope in Him? Do you see only giants and know you are unable to fight the loss of courage?
God wants you to keep advancing, and wants you to fear not because He is in control. Yes, you have a disease. But when God's purpose is accomplished and your faith has endured testing, you are that much closer to the Promised Land!
Is your faith weak and you fear you cannot endure one more minute of this burden? Then pray.... God will strengthen you. He wants you to come forth beautiful and whole. He is asking you to trust Him to apply only the right amount of pressure to your soul, and only for the exact amount of time it takes to bring you forth as pure gold. You are given a heartbreaking condition. but trust Him to know what He's doing.
I don't know why you and I have Parkinson's Disease. What could I do about it if I did know? I don't have to know. Join me with Joshua and Caleb. This is part of our journey. One day it will all be clear. But today, when I have no answers, I will trust that He loves me.
Oh, Jesus, You are the good shepherd. Your voice is well known to me, and I will follow it.
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