The Breath Of Life

The pain became so intense that it consumed all my thoughts. Then in the haze I heard the nurse say, “Breathe, you must breathe, your baby needs the oxygen.” Obediently I took a deep cleansing breath and it was time to push. Moments latter I heard the breath of life sounding in my newborn infant's cry.

I have been tracing this breath of life throughout the Scriptures. The first place it is mentioned is in the story of creation. “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (Genesis 2:7) This idea of the breath of life is repeated in Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” The Hebrew word for breath is ruah. Ruah can be translated as breath, air, wind, spirit.

I am a very visual person and one of the most dramatic pictures I can think of in connection with the breath of God is in the valley of dry bones found in Ezekiel 37. The hand of God was upon Ezekiel and the Spirit of the Lord took him to a valley filled with very dry bones. God told him to prophesy to the bones and when he did the bones came together but they had no breath. Finally, God said “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So, by the breath of God those who were dead became alive.

I see this picture of the breath of God in the New Testament as well. Jesus said in the third chapter of John, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear it's sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” The Greek word pneuma means, a current of air, breath, or breeze, by analogy it means a spirit. Jesus shows this again at the end of his time with his disciples when he says,”Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” and when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,”Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Oh Lord, with every breathe I take today remind me that you are the air I breath. Twice born I come to You. Breath of Heaven fill me with you holy presents today. As I breathe in may I inhale the deep cleansing breath of Your presence and may I exhale praise. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6)

Transformation From Larvae To Dragon Fly?

As I was walking along the creek bank I noticed a cocoon. It had no external beauty but I knew it held life . I watched as the life within struggled to emerge. It would have been an easy thing for me to simply tear open the cocoon and let it's prisoner free but in doing so I would have also caused it's death so instead I watched the struggle for life. Finally, a dragonfly emerged but what a odd looking creature with it's fat body and tiny wings. The struggle was not over but the struggle was not in vain. The wings became transparent,beautiful and detailed in their design. As the wings increased in strength and beauty the body changed into an elegant slender shape. Suddenly the crusade for freedom was over the dragon fly took flight and was gone.

I have been meditating on, memorizing, and puzzling over Romans six. What does it mean that I have been baptized into Christ Jesus' death? How can I walk in newness of life? What does it look like to be united with him in a resurrection like his? When I was a little girl I would hear fairy tales and there would be the wave of a magic wand or the sprinkle of fairy dust and poof a pumpkin was transformed into a carriage. God calls us to walk in newness of life but there is no fairy dust or magic wand.

So is my next option to follow a strict list of ,”Do this”and “Don't do that?” In my imagination I can see an ugly larvae deciding that it's time for him to morph into an elegant dragon fly. What rules does he have to follow to make this happen? Does metamorphosis occur because of the strong determination of a larvae? I think not. Nor do I believe that our transformation into the likeness of the risen Christ is because we have followed a list of rules and regulations.

No magic fairy dust , no strict adherence to the law what then will bring about identification with the risen Christ? I find in Romans six that I am to consider myself as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Because of this I am to present my members to God as instruments for righteousness and not to let sin reign in my mortal body and obey it's passions . The struggle that I have is a struggle to surrender and to obey the Spirit of the Living God. This wrestling to no longer obey the passions of my flesh but instead to become slave of God becomes my act of worship. I feel this struggle will never end but I know by faith that the end result is strength and beauty and a transformed life.

Lord Jesus, You came that I might have abundant life. By faith I take hold the grace You

offer to surrender my will to and to be transformed into your likeness. Your word says that strength and beauty are in your sanctuary. Please, Lord Jesus, may You find both strength and beauty within the sanctuary of my heart.  

Winter's Garden

If I were to show you my garden right now what you would see would be a collection of dry brittle sticks. In the Spring, Summer and even in the Fall there is color and life. There is still life but you can't see it, it looks barren and dead. God created every season for a purpose. The Winter season in life is a time to live by faith. It is an opportunity to experience hope. In the Winter many people who have gardens sit by the fireplace on cold dark nights and look at seed catalogs and plan for the flowers of Spring.

God allows Winter seasons to come into my life as well. When I was younger I viewed this very differently than I do today. When all I could see was a season that felt cold and lifeless I would let the chill penetrate my being. However, through the years I experienced again and again the truth that everything God has created is beautiful in it's own way.

In the Winter times of my life I find that like the plants whose roots are seeking nourishment deep within the soil so my soul is seeking nourishment from God. The beauty of this season is not often found in gay colors and music like it is in the other seasons. The beauty of Winter is in it's call to quiet contemplation. In the Winter season of my soul I look at the promises of God and warm my spirit by His fire. I look no longer at what I can see with earthly vision but open instead my eyes of faith to see His word fulfilled.

When the days are short and the cold it drives me inward I find myself opening the books of the Prophets. Yesterday I look at Ezekiel 36, the final siege had taken place. Jerusalem once a city of great rejoicing had become barren and desolate. All her inhabitants were taken captive. What messaged did God have for His people in this Winter of their soul? It was not a message of despair but a message of hope. “I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all you filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you...”

Heavenly Father, in this Winter season when I cannot see beyond the barrenness help me look at life with eyes of faith. Thank You for the promises that I see in Ezekiel. You are the one who brings the cleansing, You are the one who gives a new heart. You are the one who has put Your Spirit within me. You are the gardener of my soul.

I Washed Her Feet

She asked if she could talk to me. Then with her eyes downcast she told me about her struggles. As I listened a thought came to my mind, “You should wash her feet.” Because it was such an unusual idea I decided to pray about, the idea wouldn't go away. Not much was said afterward and I had no idea how what I had done impacted her life until after her death when I found her journal.

June 28

Amazing things happened to me today. This afternoon Sarah and I sat in the swing talking and sharing and I shared, risking our friendship. I wanted to share these things with someone other than a therapist. Was there someone I could share my heart with who I wasn't paying who wouldn’t reject me? Sarah listened, comforted, and shared some things of her own. I cried and then we went on with our activity. Later she said there was something she wanted to do after everyone went to bed.

After supper I asked her what it was she said, ”In response to what you told me, I'm going to wash your feet.” I was flabbergasted, totally, and then so touched by her that I began to cry. It was an act of love I have never experienced before and I was totally humbled by the experience. There on her knees my dear sweet friend, washed my feet. It was an experience I will never forget. It reached in and crumbled a wall of distrust I never expected to end in this life. I went to bed in tears and awed by such an act. But God blessed it because I saw a person loving me, honoring me, caring as no one ever had. It softened my resistance and broke my heart towards God. I went to bed praying , praising and thanking God.

I didn't know the impact my washing her feet would have on my friend's life but God did. I didn't know that when she talking to me in her heart she had been questioning if anyone would accept her if they really knew her but God did. I didn't know that when I chose to prayerfully do something that might make me look foolish would help set her free but God did.

Lord Jesus thank You for leading me by Your example. Lord, You are the only one who fully knows me and You have chosen to accept me. Help me to represent You well in a world full of hurting people by humble acts of kindness.

wRESTling

I remember when we got our first television. Looking back I can see how it affected my view of life. Some of my favorite shows were family sitcoms. Every problem worked it's self out within thirty minutes and at the end of the show everyone was smiling. As a child I thought my life would reflect this “reality.” Boy was I in for a surprise!

I have just finished reading about the life of Jacob in Genesis, here I get a very different picture of family life than the one portrayed in the sitcoms. From the beginning, before he was even born, Jacob is wrestling with his brother Esau. He was given the name Jacob because he was grasping his brother's heel when he came out of the womb. All through Jacob's life I see this wrestling, a striving to gain control of situations and people.

Today I read the last chapter of Jacob's life. Hebrews 11:21 says”...he worshiped while resting on his staff.” I think this is significant because Jacob's life is so marked by the different wrestling matches he had. However, the most significant one was when he spent the night wrestling with God. He was told that Esau, from whom he had taken both the birthright and their father's blessing by deceit, was on his way to meet him with four hundred men. With this threat on the horizon Jacob encounters a man with whom he wrestles until the breaking of the day. Finally, the man touches Jacob's hip socket and puts it out of joint. Still Jacob hold on and says,”I will not let you go until you bless me.”

For the rest of his life Jacob walked with a limp. The blessing he received that night was this, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:22-32) The picture of Jacob resting on his staff and worshiping God seems very symbolic to me. At the end of Jacobs life he no longer has the strength to make things happen his way he has something far better, he has faith. As he blesses his sons he is sure of what he hopes for and confident about what he doesn't see. He is no longer wrestling but instead is resting in the promises of God.

Heavenly Father, I realize that life is hard and life's struggles can seldom be solved in thirty minutes with everyone smiling. Thank You for the life of Jacob. Thank You for showing me what it means to wrestle with You until I find rest in You. Help me face every difficulty being sure of what I hope for and confident about what I don't see. Let my life be a life of worship.

The Wrong Time?

The phone rang. It was my daughter calling, “Mom, can you tell me what time it is?” This was a strange question for her to ask because she is in a different time zone from me. When I told her the time she told me why she had asked. The time on her phone was an hour early. She had gotten to her classes before the doors were unlocked.

This began our discussion about the Sovereignty of God. I suggested that if she really believed that God was Sovereign that in stead of being angry and frustrated perhaps she could pray and ask God why He wanted her at school an hour early. I told her how we all thought we trusted God until what we planed or expected was altered. When our plans change without our permission how we respond shows whether we really trust a Sovereign God or not.

I also shared with her that one way we learn to trust God is when He leads us into situations where we have no control. We learn to trust when we humble ourselves and submit to His Lordship. I don't think it's a natural thing to trust God. I think we trust more in the clock on our cell phone than we trust in the Sovereignty of God but we don't know that until the clock gives us the wrong time.

My daughter called me later that morning. I could hear the excitement in her voice. She had been introduced to a man and a concept that could be life changing to her. I asked her if she thought that was why she had gotten to school an hour early. I was surprised by her response. She told me,”No”. She thought she had gotten there early so that she could be reminded of God's Sovereignty.

Lord Jesus, You and You alone are the Sovereign Lord. With You there are no accidents. Thank You for teaching how to trust You. Thank You for inviting me to find rest for my soul by trusting in Your Sovereignty.

It's Possible

Do somethings seem impossible to you? They do to me. If I can't figure out a solution to a situation then it's hard for me to believe there is one. If the problem is has gone on for a long time the hope of resolving it becomes dimmer. If I have tried solving the problem to no avail I just want to give up.

I hate to admit it but sometimes it's people I want to give up on. That's why I love the story of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man in the country of the Gerasenes. Talk about an impossible situation! I can't even imagine what it was like to live where there was a demon possessed man who lived among the tombs and was crying out night and day bruising himself with stones.

The people around him tried to deal with the problem. They bound him with chains and shackles but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. It would be very hard to ignore something like this happening in your neighborhood. I think at this point I would be having a conversation with a real estate person.

Jesus is introduced to the scene. When this man saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. Does that sound like worship, to fall at the feet of Jesus? He then cried out with a loud voice and said,”What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”Mark 5:1-20 Jesus sent the Legion of demon's out of the man. When the people who'd been living with this man heard what Jesus did they came to see what happened. What they found was the man who had been tormenting them and had himself been tormented by a legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind. The Bible says that it made the people afraid and they begged Jesus to leave. It seems to me they should of been afraid of the man had been like and grateful to Jesus for changing him.

Lord Jesus, sometimes when I am faced with situations that seem impossible I loose sight of You. I forget that with You all things are possible. I am humbled by the picture of this demon-possessed man bowing before you because he recognizes Your power and I do not. Help me remember that though there are things that are impossible for me there is nothing impossible for You.

Found

Hide and go Seek now that was a game I was good at. In fact I was so good at that game that one time I hid so well I was never found. I could see them seeking me, I could hear them calling but they did not find me. Then it became quiet but I kept hiding. The shadows began to gather but I kept hiding. I began to get hungry but I kept hiding. Finally, cold, cramped and hungry I came out of hiding only to find everyone inside eating dinner. The game had ended for everyone else my victory at not being found was a hollow victory.

I have realized recently that I developed a habit of hiding when life got unpleasant. It seemed innocent enough. When I was afraid I went to my hiding place to feel safe. When I my feelings were hurt I went to my hiding place to comfort myself. When life seemed overwhelming I would go to my hiding place and well I hid until I felt safe again. It seemed harmless enough until I realized that my hiding place was really a shrine where I worshiped at the alter of a false god.

I realized this because my hiding place began to feel more like a prison than a safe place. I began to have a since of being lost. I felt cold, cramped and hungry. The problem was I couldn't figure how to stop hiding I was so very good at it. So I did the only thing I knew to do I called out for help! To my relief ,unlike when I was a child there was still someone seeking me.

My hidden shrine had become such a habit that I didn't recognize it for what it really was. I thought of it as simply a natural place to go when life got hard. When Jesus found me suddenly the hiding place was illumined and I could see clearly the idol I was bowing before. The empty security was replaced by His peace.

Lord Jesus, thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You that You are the Good Shepherd. Thank You because You are my true hiding place and whenever I am afraid I can trust in You.

The Missing Verse

I finally found the missing verse!

I was just a little girl when I memorized the twenty third Psalm. Maybe it would more correct to say “tried” to memorize the twenty third Psalm. I didn't have any problem with the first two verses but I always seemed to lie down in the green pastures take a nap and wake up in the valley of the shadow of death. I knew something else happened in between but I could never remember what it was. Yesterday I found the missing pieces to the puzzle, or verse to the Psalm.

At work we have a calendar that gives a Bible verse for each day. I use that verse for daily meditation. Yesterdays verse was. Psalms 23:2 “He restores my soul. He guides me along the right path for his name's sake.” Restores was in italics so it stuck in my mind. So that’s the order of the verses! He is my shepherd so I don't need to want. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me by still waters. The word restore means “to repair, renovate, or return to a former condition.” As I meditated on this verse it became a prayer for my soul and the souls of those I love.

“He guides me along the right path for his name sake.” What a relief! I am really not good at following a map. I often have trouble finding my way and at times in total frustration have just given up and gone home. This verse tells me that I have a guide who is leading me the right way, for someone like me who knows how it feles to get lost this is just plain good news. I always experience such great relief when after complicated directions someone takes pity on me and says, ”Do you want me to lead you there?” “Yes!,” is my immediate response.

I'm almost glad I've struggled all these years trying to remember the correct order of the verses in Psalm twenty three because the blessing of finally seeing this picture of the Shepherd's care for me has been so comforting. It the course of life I often find my soul in need of repair and restoration. I don't know how to restore my soul but the Shepherd does. It's during times like this that I loose my way. When I get turned around and can't find my way how precious it is to find that the Shepherd is there to lead me. He leads me for his name's sake because I belong to Him.

Lord Jesus, thank you. Thank you for giving me rest. In the rush and hurry of life thank you for still waters where I can be refreshed. Oh Lord, You know how during the course of life my soul needs to be returned to it's the former condition. I am so grateful for a Shepherd who is able to do this for me. Thank for letting me belong to You and for guiding me in the direction I need to go.

Dealing With Scars

When I was seven years old I had a teacher who would regularly call on the class with this question, “Class isn't Sarah stupid.” The reason she did this was that I had learning difficulties. That was over fifty years ago but I still feel the effects of it today. I think of it as a scar on my soul. We all have scars. Some scars were inflicted on us by others some scars we put there ourselves by poor choices. My question is what do I do with these scars as a Christian.

Scars on the soul are reflected by how I see myself. Some scars threaten to hold me back from being everything God created me to be. Other scars open me up to strongholds that drain my energy and can hold me captive. As a Christians God offers me a transformed life. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Romans 12:6,7 I am not a victim, instead because of Christ, I am victorious. However, I have to take hold of that victory.

I would like a quick fix. I would like to do something one time and forever after be changed. However, what I am finding out is that the transformation that is taking place is is a lifelong journey. Not only is a lifelong journey but it is also a daily one. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 Prayer by prayer, word by word, thought by thought I choose to no longer be controlled by the scars on my soul.

This transformation is taking place not because of my own determination but because I have a Redeemer. My Redeemer is the rock I go to when dealing with the effects of past pain or sin. The scars from my past cause me to feel I will never succeed they whisper messages of hopelessness in my ear. But Jesus said, “I came that you might have life and that you might have it abundantly.” By God's grace I choose to line my thoughts up with the message of hope.

Lord Jesus, by Your scars I am healed. You have given me access to the throne of Heaven and invited me to bring all my brokenness into Your healing presence. Thank you for being my Redeemer and for providing the transforming power of Your grace.

Where Are You?

The book came from a used bookstore with an inscription on the first page. The message was from a father to his son, “I believe in you and all that you can become.” The father had told the son to start reading the book on a certain page . When I turned to the page I found a quote by Philip Yancy underlined.”The most important hurdle an addicted person must surmount is to acknowledge deep in the soul that he is not God. You must recognize individual helplessness and fall back in the arms of the Higher Power. 'First of all, we had to quit playing God', concluded the founders of AA; and then allow God himself to 'play God' in the addict's life, which involves daily,even moment-by-moment ,surrender.”

In the father's handwriting underneath the quote was written, “You choose where your heart dwells. God is calling.” "God is calling." In the cool of the day Adam and Eve heard the sound of God walking in the garden and they hid themselves. “But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 Adam had made the choice to be like God knowing good and evil but when he took and ate what was forbidden his heart lost it's home. Fear was introduced and he was driven out from the garden of Eden.

“Where are you?” This is the first question asked by God when He came seeking fellowship with the ones He had created. I think back to what the father wrote on the front page of the book, “I believe in you and all that you can become.” I see in this as a journey, the journey of becoming. Before you can know how to get someplace you must first determine where you are on the map and where you are going.

Where am I, where is my heart? This is a question I ask myself as I seek to have fellowship with God. The truth is I don't always know. “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind.'” Jeremiah 17:9,10 There are places in my life where I have “played god” so often I've become blind to them. The only thing I know to do is to say with the psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23,24

Father, thank You that You did not wait for me to come seeking You but You came seeking me. Show me where I am, show me where my heart is. Playing god in my life has only lead to fear and bondage. I desire to surrender to You moment-by-moment. I want my heart to find it's home in You alone.

Peace Or A Lack Of Comprehension?

“I'm afraid you have failed to comprehend the magnitude of the situation.” This was a phrase we taught my little brother when he was about three years old. He used it when confronted by adults with several situations and the results were comical. What three year old can comprehend the magnitude of any situation?

I thought about this phrase recently when the circumstances of life felt totally overwhelming. I questioned myself, “If in the midst of the chaos I am experiencing peace, is it because I am failing to comprehend the magnitude of the situation?” As I considered this possibility I thought about the prophet Daniel. When I read the account of him being put into the lion's den he seems to be experiencing peace while King Darius is in turmoil. So which one of these men has a true comprehension of the magnitude of the situation?

King Darius had a factual understanding of what it meant to be thrown into the lion's den. First, Daniel was an old man. Second, the purpose of throwing a man into the lion's den was for the man to be overpowered by the lions and killed. The King had been tricked into doing this to Daniel by those who were jealous of Daniel. Darius knew Daniel was a righteous man but he also knew that no injunction or ordinance established by the Medes and Persians could be changed. All of this weighed heavily upon King Darius and he was filled with anxiety.

There is a quietness of peace that surrounds Daniel in this story. Daniel knew the doctrine had been signed with the injunction that anyone who petitioned a god or man other than King Darius for the next thirty days was to be cast into the lion's den. He understood the law of the Medes and the Persians but he continued to pray and give thanks as he had done previously. Did Daniel experience this peace because he failed to comprehend the magnitude of the situation, or was it because he did comprehend the magnitude of the situation?

Lord Jesus, You gave Daniel a vision of the Ancient of Days as He took His seat on His throne of fiery flames. You showed him the one whom a thousand thousands served and the one before whom ten thousand times ten thousand stood. Daniel was given Your peace when he saw You in the night visions. He saw that You were given dominion and glory and a kingdom. Please help me when I am faced with situations I cannot comprehend to not let my heart be troubled or afraid because You have given me Your peace.

Bon Courage

When she stepped on board the ship that would take her to America she was leaving behind her father and brother and the tiny grave of her first born son. She was sick for most of the voyage across the ocean. There was nothing solid under her feet, only the pitching and swaying of the waves. At the end of her journey she would be a foreigner living among people whose language and culture were different from her own. What was the basis that gave this young woman the courage to leave all that was familiar? She had the hope that her future and the future of her family would be more secure in this new nation. This was my grandmother.

When I was a little girl I would get frightened, I didn't like to try new things, but my grandmother would say to me,”Bon courage”. I didn't realize until I was much older how much courage my grandmother had. It can be hard to leave what is familiar for the unknown even if you know that what you are going towards is better than what you are leaving behind. The courageous choices my grandmother made not only affected her destiny but mine as well.

I am no longer a child yet I still have to deal with fear and anxiety when I face the unknown. In times like this I remember my Grandmother and God's faithfulness to her. I also remember the message given to Israel as they were entering the Promised Land. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 The courage to leave what is familiar and take hold of what is unknown comes from the belief that I am not alone. I can be courageous like my grandmother when I hold onto the truth that God goes with me and will not leave me or forsake me.

Life is constantly changing. Some stages in life seem to last longer than others, but change is inevitable. I have known people who during certain times of transitions have simply gone to bed. The fear of the unknown brought depression and a desire to hide. I feel very compassionate towards those who have this struggle. I find myself going back again and again to the verses that remind me not to be afraid because God is with me.

Lord Jesus, what is not known to me is known to you. You have given me your spirit. These are the truths I hold by faith. Because I believe that you are with me I will be courageous. Thank you for not only giving me examples in your word of those who were courageous but also those who have part of my family.

Divine Perspective

When I read through the stories of Old Testament people I feel as if God has invited me to see through His eyes. Having this omniscient view of their life I can see how the choices they make effect both them and their descendants. I saw this recently when I was reading the story of King Asa.

At the beginning of his reign he did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God and things went well for him. When the Ethiopians came out against him he cried out to God and said, ”O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude.” 2 Chronicles 14: 11 God did help him. When the prophet Azaraih came to him and said,”Take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” He responded by putting away the detestable idols from the land. Unfortunately, this was not the end of Asa's story.

When Asa had been king for thirty-six years, Baasha king of Israel, went to war with him but this time instead of calling on the Lord to help him he took the treasures out of the house of the Lord to hire the king of Syria to help him. Again he was visited by a prophet. This is the divine perspective the prophet gave. “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” Asa became angry and put the prophet in the stocks in prison.

Unlike reading about King Asa's life I can only see the past chapters of my life and the one I am in the process of living. However, like King Asa , I also encounter threatening circumstances and have to choose where I will turn for help. God invites me to trust Him and rely on His strength but there is also the pull to trust in myself to find escape in other ways from the pressures of life. The pressure is real the choice is mine to make.

Lord Jesus, I want to be someone who chooses to turn to you. Thank you for inviting me day by day to have divine perspective. Please grant me the grace to put my faith in you. When your eyes are on me let me put my hope in you and your unfailing love.

The Choice Is Mine

Sometimes I am afraid. I look into the future and I look at myself and I am filled with a since of  inadequacy. I can often push the feeling down by staying busy during the day but at night when my defenses are down the fear is awaken. So then what?

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise him, my salvation and my God." Psalm 43:5 This is were I start, I start with the truth that I am struggling. If I were to stop at that point it would begin a downward spiral but I have the option of hope. In my prayers I match the thing I am concerned about with an attribute of God. It is a purposeful choice to praise God.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid." Psalm 56:3 This is the Psalm David wrote when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Goliath had been from Gath. I understand why David would have experienced fear. Fear is paralyzing because it's focus is on the things I cannot control the giants in my life that block the sun. However, when I make the conscious choice to praise God I am able to walk by faith. The last verse of Psalm 56 reflects David's deliverance not only from the circumstances but also from the fear. "For you have delivered my soul from death, yes,my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32 Jesus had told them before this that they were not to be anxious but instead they were to consider how God provided for the ravens. Anxiety often causes me, like the disciples, to focus on the wrong thing. Jesus invites me to rest in God's love and turn my focus to seeking his kingdom.

Lord Jesus, help me take my eyes off of myself and and the things that cause my heart to be downcast and anxious. Help me instead to rest in your love and the Father's provision. I choose to praise you for all you have done. Today let my energy not be spent in fear but by faith let me seek your kingdom.