Author: Jayne Lawson

“And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.” – Mark 4:24

I remember playing the game, Telephone, when I was younger. The game started with one person whispering a story in another’s ear, then that person would whisper the same story into another person’s ear, and so on, until the last person would repeat aloud what was whispered into his ear. The results were often vastly different than the original story!

I wonder how carefully I listen today, and when I do, do I consider the source? There’s a lot of information available to us all, and we can get it at a moment’s notice due to technology. For example, the internet is rampant with articles about the coronavirus. The more grim the story, the more attention it seems to receive. I wonder how many people actually check the sources for credibility.

In Mark 4, Jesus is speaking to a group of His followers, and He warns them to be careful with what they hear. They were instructed by the Lord to be diligent discerners of everything that was told to them. This is important for us as well. However, it becomes critical when listening to Bible-based messages through Sunday school lessons, sermons, ladies’ meetings, radio podcasts, or other means of communication.  We must always consider the source.

Just because someone stands before you, doesn’t mean they are the ultimate authority on the subject. As a Christian, when someone teaches or preaches anything related to the Lord, it is our responsibility to check what they say against the Bible. We need to be like the Bereans, who are commended in Acts 17:11. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Do you ever wonder why faithful pastors include Scripture references in their messages? It encourages us to “check it out,” that is, to compare what is being preached to the Word of God. I once was invited to a church where the person delivering the message never opened a Bible, and never made one single Scripture reference. No one in the congregation had a Bible either. They did not have discerning ears. Instead, they blindly believed everything they heard. This is very dangerous for the hearer because they will never recognize false doctrine when they hear it. 2 Peter 2:1 states, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” We must never let our guard down when it comes to discerning what we hear about God, even if we hear it from our own lips!

I love discussing things I’ve learned from a Sunday school class or sermon with others. It’s enlightening to hear how God illuminates His Word in the hearts of His people, and I learn from these chats, but even my own thoughts should align with the Bible. If I cannot support what I say with Scripture, my thoughts are merely speculation, and I must be careful to identify them as such so as not to mislead anyone.

We learn how to apply concepts in Scripture by speculation and application, but we must always remember that it is the Word of God that is the ultimate authority when it comes to the intent of God. Skewing Scripture to fit one’s own philosophies is never be acceptable; we should alter our own personal beliefs to align with the Bible. This can be very difficult if a person has spent a lifetime believing certain things as “carved in stone,” then discovering that there is no Scripture to back it up. Is that wrong? Not necessarily so, but it also doesn’t make it right. It’s one of those things in the area of speculation. Some speculations make sense to the human mind, but that doesn’t make them the absolute truth.

Only God’s Word is the absolute truth. Measure all you hear against it. As you consistently do this, you will be given even more spiritual illumination and understanding.

Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.

Open my mind, that I may read
More of Thy love in word and deed;
What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead?
Only for light from Thee I plead.

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

(from “Open My Eyes That I May See” by Clara Scott)

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” – Matthew 13:43

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There is no “fake news” in the Bible!

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” – Luke 11:9

Self-examination is never fun for me. If I do it honestly, I find so much that needs improvement.  I struggle with pride, so even when it is me doing the critical evaluating, my illuminations often discomfort me. But properly done, self-examination can be extremely beneficial, especially in one’s spiritual life.

I have a plaque that is a constant reminder to examine my prayer life. It reads “Faith is not knowing that God can, it is believing that God will.” I sometimes live in the “God can…” world. That means that while I know God is perfectly capable of doing anything, I am not always convinced that He will, thus I become passive in my prayer life. Not a good place to be. I have to be reminded frequently that I cannot be double minded in my faith. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8) Today’s verse was another gentle reminder of how easily I can return to my “God can..” world.

Do I ask, or do I just hope?

• Hoping means I am crossing my fingers and wishing something will happen.
• Asking means I am praying to my heavenly Father and sharing my desires with Him.
• Hoping is passive; asking is active.

Do I seek, or do I just expect?

• Expecting means I assume something will happen without my intervention.
• Seeking means I am actively involved in getting an answer or solving a problem.
• Expecting is passive; seeking is active.

Do I knock, or do I just wait?

• Waiting means I am doing nothing but anticipating someone to let me in.
• Knocking means I am telling someone that I am present and eager to enter.
• Waiting is passive; knocking is active.

If I want results, I must be actively engaged in my Christian walk. This means that I must have an active prayer life. I must go before my heavenly Father and share all this is on my heart, trusting Him to act. I must not doubt His intervention, but I must know He will answer me. (That doesn’t mean He will answer as I want, but He will answer in the way that is best for all concerned and according to His perfect will. Therefore, I must…

• ASK – “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
• SEEK – “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
• KNOCK – “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Luke 11:10

If I never ask, seek, or knock, how can I expect God to answer, reveal, or open?

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu Alleluia

Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened unto you
Allelu Alleluia

(from “Seek Ye First” by Karen Lafferty)

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20

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No where does it say “God might answer” or “you might find” or “it might be opened.” Trust His Word; if He says it will happen, it will happen!

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” – Psalm 103:2

“Count your many blessings, name them one by one…” Many of us know this familiar hymn, but I wonder how many times have you actually counted your blessings, naming them one by one? I am sure I have never done so because if I had, I’d still be naming them!

I often bypass commonplace blessings (is there really such a thing?) and focus on the “bigger blessings.” For example, I rarely thank God for each breath I take, yet He is responsible for each one according to Job 12:10. “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” I don’t recall ever thanking God for a sunburn, or a bee sting, or a splinter even though these can be used to grow my faith. 2 Corinthians 4:17 states, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Those are “light afflictions” of the flesh, but I’ve never thought of them as a benefit to me or worthy of thanksgiving.

It’s easy for me to count my blessings when I think about the positive things, such as a rewarding job, good health, delicious food on my table, but I must not forget the smaller things that God has done for me or the things God allows in my life for which I do not see any rhyme or reason. The Bible tells me that God’s ways are much higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:9), and my responsibility as a Christian is to give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

So, here is a partial list of the “little” things with which the Lord has “benefited” me that I have overlooked when counting my blessings.

1. A daughter who can sew face masks
2. A hot cup of coffee to drink in the morning
3. Electricity
4. A heart that has faithfully beat more than 100,000 times per day
5. Lap blankets
6. A “no-reason-except-I’m-thinking-of-you” text message from a friend
7. Insect repellent
8. Clean water
9. A shoe horn
10. Granddaughters who like to shoot hoops with their grandmother

I really could go on and on. And I guess I should, shouldn’t I?

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

(from “Count Your Blessings” by Johnson Oatman, Jr.)

“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” – Psalm 116:12

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It’s even possible to see the benefits to us from this virus, isn’t it? What blessings has God given you through this time of “shelter-in-place”? Take a moment to thank Him for them!

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”- Matthew 4:19

In the book of Matthew, Jesus told Peter and Andrew to come with Him and become “fishers of men.” The Bible records that the two men immediately left their boats and went with Him (Matthew 4:20). Jesus still calls us to be “fishers of men.” It is the job of every Christian to share the gospel with the world, so we must be prepared. We must take what we need, know where to go, know what to say, and wait on the Lord to do His work. If we follow in the footsteps of Christ and do as He did, we will truly become “fishers of men.”

Step One – The Right Equipment

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

 A fisherman has to have the right equipment in order to catch fish. He must have the right rod and reel for the type of fish he intends to catch and the right strength of fishing line. You wouldn’t use a long stick and twine to catch a marlin! The best sportsmen know exactly what is needed to reel in their catch of the day. As a “fisher of men,” we must also have the right equipment. There are two things that are vital to fishing for the souls of men. One, the Holy Spirit must be actively present, and two, the Bible must be our soul-winning manual. We must allow the Spirit of God to work through His Word to reach lost individuals. Without that, the fishing will be futile.

Step Two – The Right Place

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15

Every good fisherman knows the “spot” to find fish. Sometimes, they use a “finder” to locate a school of fish; sometimes they rely on past experiences. Whatever the method, to know the place where fish are biting is crucial to a successful day of fishing. The right place for soul-winning could be any place, but here is one instance when the right equipment comes into play. Fish where the Holy Spirit prompts you. It could be in your own home, at a friend’s house, in the mall, at work… the perfect spots for fishing are all around us. Allow the Spirit of God to be your “finder” of souls that need catching!

Step Three – The Right Bait

“The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” – Proverbs 18:4

A fisherman has many choices when it comes to baiting the hook. Lures, fish eggs, live worms? Which is best? Choosing wisely often requires learning about fish. What has a particular fish been attracted to in the past? What have more experienced fishermen used for this type of fish? When fishing for men, we must wisely choose the words we use to share the gospel. Look closely at the need in the lives of the lost. Are they hurting? Are they asking questions? Are they facing dire circumstances in life? How old are they? How deep is their understanding capability? Knowing the person to whom you are witnessing will help you determine what to say in sharing the gospel. Although the message is the same, the words you use when sharing Christ with a 10-year-old are quite different than those you would use with an adult.

Step Four – The Right Attitude

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

Fishermen are known for having great patience. I’ve known some who have sat in a small boat for hours waiting for one little nibble, and they’ve done so with great contentment. As fishers of men, we must be patient and allow the Lord to do His work in the lives of the lost. Remember, God’s timing is not always the same as ours, and it is He who does the “saving,” not us. As a young teen, I remember witnessing to my mother constantly. It was frustrating for me that she didn’t accept Christ immediately; my patience was virtually non-existent. But God’s plan was different than mine. It wasn’t until 25 years later that my mother finally received Christ as her Saviour, and I will never forget that wonderful moment! His timing was perfect as always! Soul-winning takes great patience, but if we trust God, He is faithful to do the work.

Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,
A passion to save the lost;
O that Thy love were by all adored,
And welcomed at any cost.

Jesus, I long, I long to be winning
Men who are lost, and constantly sinning;
O may this hour be one of beginning
The story of pardon to tell.

(from “A Passion for Souls” by Herbert G. Tovey)

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

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“The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.” – Carl F.H. Henry

“And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” – 1 Chronicles 28:20

I haven’t really given a lot of thought about returning to church except that I can hardly wait to do it! Yesterday, my pastor talked about how church would be different when we return, and I admit I was a bit puzzled. As I thought more about what he shared, I began to understand. I started to think about the implications of renewing the physical fellowship between members of the church body.

How do we maintain social distancing in the church, yet come together to worship once more? How does the choir assemble in their seats to sing if we are still to be six feet apart? If we pass the offering plate, how would I feel if, after it had been passed to everyone else, I was the last one to receive it? As a Sunday school teacher of little ones, what do I do when they run up and hug me? What happens during the invitation time if I want to go forward, but there are already a dozen people up there? Where do I go to maintain “my space”? How do I keep twenty 5 and 6-year-olds safely apart during AWANA? I guess it will be different!

Change is never easy, but it is often necessary. I don’t have all the answers, but I know who does, and I know I can depend upon God to direct us all. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” I know that there are always ways to overcome adversity, and it will most certainly will require a positive attitude, a willingness to part of the solution rather than part of the problem, and the belief that God will be with us each step of the way.

When I am finally allowed to return to church, it won’t matter if I have to wear a mask and gloves; it won’t matter if I have to have a lot of space between me and someone else. It won’t matter if I have to take extra care around the children and be a bit more guarded when working in AWANA, and it won’t matter if I have to pray from my pew instead of at the altar. All that will matter is that I am in the house of the Lord once again worshiping with my brothers and sisters in Christ!

As we all work together under our pastor’s leadership, we will find a way to make it happen! I am reminded of what the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” When we return to church, it will be time to be content in whatever we need to do to be there. As God’s people, when we return to our places of worship, our collective testimonies will be our witness to the world that Jesus lives in us! Let our voices be raised together in praise to the Lord as we assemble once more, determined more than ever to be resilient and to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

How will it all work? I don’t know have those answers. I just know that if we trust God and follow His lead, it will work. It always does!

Nothing is impossible when you put your trust in God,
Nothing is impossible when you’re trusting in his word;
Hearken to the voice of God to thee,
“Is there anything too hard to me?”
Then put your trust in God alone and rest upon his word,
For ev’rything, O ev’rything!
Yes ev’rything is possible with God!

(from “Nothing is Impossible” by Eugene Clark)

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

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Can’t wait to see y’all!

“And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” – Luke 18:27

Isn’t our God wonderful? As I sit here pondering the awesomeness of God, I am astonished at how marvelous He is, and yet I know that I don’t even know the half of His greatness. Today, as we prepare to worship God in our homes once again, let us take some time to reflect on how great God truly is!

1. Genesis 1:31 – “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
   1. No big bang, no billions of years, no evolving of inorganic material into living matter. God simply used His words, and life began!
2. Mark 4:39 – “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
   1. Again, simply speaking, Jesus controlled the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee!
3. John 11:43 – “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”
   1. Through the power of His word, Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead!
4. Joshua 10:12 – “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.”
   1. God either caused the earth to stop its rotation, or He did some other supernatural event in the solar system that made the sun remain in place in the sky giving Joshua the victory in battle!
5. Daniel 3:23 – “And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”
   1. God kept these three men from being burned alive; in fact, there was not even the smell of smoke on them when they came out of the furnace!

While these are just a few examples of the magnificence of God, there is one more verse I would like to present. In fact, to me it is the most amazing piece of evidence that demonstrates how great God is.

John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” When God sent His Son, Jesus, to be my Saviour, it demonstrated the greatest love ever known! When I think about how God loves me as I am and the price He paid because He wants me to spend eternity with Him, I am astounded. The fact that the One who created everything, controls life and death, and is the very essence of love, cares about me, a sinner who really doesn’t have much to offer Him, is unfathomable. Yet, He does care about me and loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)! Thank You, Lord! Praise Your holy name!

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art! 

(from “How Great Thou Art” by Stuart K. Hine)

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” – Psalm 145:3

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God is truly worthy of our praise!

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6-7

For the longest time, I’ve understood that, while it is easy to become a Christian, it is not easy to live as one. By this I mean, salvation is a gift; it is not something for which I had to work. It was given to me by God, and all that was required of me was to accept it. That was the easy part. Living the life of a believer has not been the easiest journey for me, and now in my latter years, as a work in progress (Philippians 1:6), I still have many struggles in my Christian walk.

One would think that living a life that is right, good, and kind would come easy, but it doesn’t. I thought that once a person had the understanding of what salvation meant, living a life to please God would naturally follow, but that’s not how it goes. Sounds hopeless, doesn’t it? But it’s not!

God knew that after accepting Christ as Saviour, Christians would struggle in their lives. The reason is because we live in a sinful world. We are surrounded by sin, and sin is designed to have outward and immediate pleasures that tempt us to do wrong, to draw us away from the Lord. To help us fight against sin, God sent Himself to us once again, but this time in the form of His Spirit. When Jesus was on earth, He told His disciples that when He eventually left them, He would not leave them alone; He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them (John 16:7). As Christians, the moment we accept Christ’s forgiveness of sins and His gift of salvation, we also receive the permanent presence of God’s Holy Spirit as He indwells our lives! Acts 2:38 states, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to help us resist the temptation to sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” This means that God will help us recognize the temptation for what it is, give us the means and the strength to resist it, and urge us to choose to do what is right.

It is only through the strength of Christ that I can even aspire to walk as He did. I could never do it on my own, and God knows that. His Spirit is my constant companion. No matter where I go, the Holy Spirit is with me. He sits with me when I am watching television; He is with me when I am listening to music. We play basketball together (a new exercise I’ve discovered), and He is with me when I cook dinner. Get the idea? No matter where I am, or what I am doing, God’s Spirit is with me. When I am tempted to watch a program that is ungodly, He urges me to change the channel or do something else. When I listen to the radio, He reminds me to tune in to a station that honors God. When I am playing basketball, He commends me for trying to keep His “temple” in shape. And dinner? Well, He’s with me just to keep me company! Maybe He’ll bring a song to my mind that I will hum as I’m cooking or a verse that I’ve recently read that I can think about while I tinker around the kitchen. The Spirit of God works in those “mysterious ways” we’ve all heard about for every Christian!

One of the most critical jobs of the Holy Spirit is His work to keep me from being entrapped by the temptations of sin. He works 24/7 to protect me because temptation doesn’t take a vacation. I never know when it will rear its ugly head and whisper those sweet enticements that lead to sin. In and of myself, I cannot resist, but with the Spirit of God helping me recognize the temptations for what they are, I can win the battle, choose to do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, and have victory through Jesus!

Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage,
Your mighty Defender is always the same.
Mount up with wings as the eagle ascending,
Victory is sure when you call on His name.
 
Put on the armor the Lord has provided
And place your defense in His unfailing care
Trust Him for He will be with you in battle
Lighting your path to avoid every snare.
 
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord
And be of good courage for He is your guide.
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord
And rejoice for the victory is yours.

(from “Be Strong in the Lord” by Linda Lee Johnson)

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” – Ephesians 6:17

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Need empowerment from the Holy Spirit? You’ll find it in God’s Word!

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,” – Philemon 1:4

I have often heard people say, “God never gives you more than you can handle.” I don’t agree with that statement. God actually gives me more than I can handle many times. He allows impossible situations to come into my life to help me learn to depend upon Him, and in doing so, my faith grows.

“Impossibles” become possible when God enters into the equation. Here are a few biblical examples.

1. Moses and the Israelites were trapped when fleeing Egypt. On one side were the Egyptians, on the other side, the Red Sea. There was no way to handle this situation; death was at either side. Then God intervened. By His power, the waters of the Red Sea separated, and the Israelites made their way safely across.
2. Daniel continue to obey God and was thrown into a den of hungry lions. This was definitely a situation he could not handle on his own. God chose to step in and subdue the lions, and Daniel’s life was spared.
3. Jonah was tossed into the raging seas of a fierce storm. The ferocity of the ocean was more than Jonah could handle and death was imminent. Then God acted. He saved Jonah’s life through the actions of a whale.
4. Lazarus was so sick that he died. His sisters did their best to care for him, but the illness was definitely more than they could handle, so Lazarus died. When Jesus arrived He spoke three words, and Lazarus rose from the dead.

So, yes, God does give us more than we can handle, but He never asks us to handle anything alone. In fact, He longs for us to call upon Him, and He promises to listen. Jeremiah 29:12 states, “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” He draws near to us when we pray to Him.

David wrote, “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” (Psalm 55:16) David faced several situations that he could not handle on his own. He learned to depend upon God, and he knew his deliverance came from God, not himself. This became clearly evident when as a shepherd boy, he went up against Goliath. David declared, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45) He knew that it was only through God’s might that he could slay the giant.

We all face “giants’ in our lives. These giants are the impossible situations that can in no way be handled by ourselves, but God allows them in our lives to grow our faith in Him because He CAN handle them! We need but pray to Him, and He will answer! (1 John 5:14-15)

According to the Christian Bible Reference site, the word “pray” or some form of it is mentioned more than 300 times in the KJV Bible. If God tells us something one time in the Bible, it’s important. If He mentions it a lot, it must be very important! Perhaps one of the most important verses regarding prayer is 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.”  Why? Because when God’s people pray, He acts. Ask yourself these questions: “Did Moses pray for God’s help?” “Did Daniel pray for the Lord to save him?” “Did Jonah cry out to God for help?” “Did Martha and Mary pray for healing?” Yes! They prayed because their circumstances were beyond what they could handle in the flesh. Because they knew that only God could save them… and He did!

In my life, I have faced numerous situations that have been impossible for me to handle, but my God is a God of impossibilities. He has shown that all through the Bible, and He has proven that to me in my life. Jesus said, “…with God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26), and if it’s in the Bible, we just need to believe it and act upon it. Pray for yourself, pray for others, pray for our church, pray for our nation… the list goes on and on. All of those “too hard to handle” situations are a piece of cake for God!

Nothing is impossible when you put your trust in God,
Nothing is impossible when you’re trusting in his word;
Hearken to the voice of God to thee, “Is there anything too hard to me?”
Then put your trust in God alone and rest upon his word,
For everything, O everything! Yes, everything is possible with God!

(from “Nothing is Impossible” by Eugene Clark)

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

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Put your faith into action today; pray!

“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” – Exodus 33:14

Where am I going? Right now, I am physically going nowhere since I remain in social isolation. In these times of uncertainty regarding what the future holds, many of us are not sure where we are headed in terms of a life that has purpose and meaning.

Many of us are at home facing new challenges. Some have become teachers, learning how to make the time with their children instructive and meaningful. Some have become gardeners, pulling weeds and pruning trees to while away the hours outdoors. Some have become financial wizards, juggling a dwindling income to make ends meet. Others have rediscovered hidden talents like crocheting, writing, or sewing to fill the lonely hours. Wherever we find ourselves, we have unexpectedly been made to wear different hats due to unusual circumstances, and we may wonder, “Where am I going in life if this is my ‘new normal?’”

Fortunately, most of us are resilient. That means that when life hands us the proverbial lemon, we find a way to make lemonade. We are survivors. But are we as resilient when it comes to our spiritual lives? Have you wondered where you were going spiritually?

My spiritual life struggles in this quarantine situation because I am experiencing a deep void in it. I’ve come to realize how much I depend upon my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have heard it said that we don’t know what we had until it’s gone. Well, I must confess that is me when it comes to church. I always assumed church would always be there. But I was wrong.

Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching,” means so much to me now than it has in the past. I find that not only do I miss church; I need church! Watching services online is wonderful, and I am very glad we have the technology to do so, but it does not replace the physical nearness of other believers. It doesn’t replace the hugs that I crave from my sisters in Christ. I need the physical fellowship of other Christians, the conversations and the smiles, and I long for the day when we can be together.

Psalm 122:1 states, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” I also need the physical building of the church. There is something special about being able to go into the house of the Lord. I know that the “church” is not the building, but there is something very special about being able to worship in the sanctuary of the church that I miss. There are no distractions from my worship when I am in church. No phones ring, no dishwasher echoes from the kitchen, no neighbor’s lawnmower drones in the background. There is a serenity and peace that I only find inside the walls of my church. It’s a place where I can close my eyes, take a deep breath, and bask in the atmosphere of His presence.

Psalm 100:2 states, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” I love music, and the songs of the faith can touch my heart in ways that no other type of music can. When I sing in church, blending my voice with others who are praising God, my inner being rejoices! I miss being part of the choir and the congregational singing.

But I have found that I, too, am resilient, and God has shown me ways to “keep connected.” I know that I can worship and sing in my own home, and I do. I know that God meets with me here just as He does at my church. I know His presence is always with me, and whether I am here or there, He is with me. I know I can make phone calls and send cards, but I still long for the day when I will be able to walk into my Sunday school class and greet the children that mean so much to me. I eagerly look forward to the time when the sanctuary will be filled with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and we will be rejoicing in the presence of one another! I anticipate that time with great joy in my heart and soul because “there’s no place like home!” I can hardly wait to be there again!

One day, when this isolation is lifted, I’ll be able to return to my spiritual home… to my beloved church. I will hear my pastor expound on the Word of God once more; I will hug my Christian sisters tightly again, and I will fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. It will be a glorious time! When I think about it, it won’t be that much different, I suppose, than heaven will be when I finally arrive there. I will be able to hug my family and fellowship with those who have gone on before me, and I will finally be able to see my Saviour face-to-face! Oh, what a moment that will be! I’ll finally be home!

You will notice we say “brother and sister” ’round here,
It’s because we’re a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family, the family of God.

(from “The Family of God” by Bill & Gloria Gaither)

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

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“Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.” – Dwight L. Moody

“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – 1 Timothy 4:15-16

I have one of those “Read Through the Bible in One Year” schedules in my Bible. It seems that each year I get one, and I start off in January fully intending to complete the task by December. Unfortunately, I find that when I get behind, I get discouraged, and I quit.

This year, I got another schedule and tucked it in my Bible along with a new plan. Part one of my plan is to listen to an audio version of the Bible while I walk. Not a bad plan except my mind tends to wander when I’m only listening. I can’t read along while I’m walking, so sometimes I miss stuff. However, this part of my plan is still profitable. I am still getting more of the Scriptures into my mind (whether consciously or not) than if I didn’t listen to them at all. Therefore, I am not discouraged. Instead, I keep on going because when I get home, I implement the second part of my plan.

Part two of my plan involves a deeper time in God’s Word. I read several verses and then meditate upon them. This part of my plan makes it easier for me to listen to God. Focusing on one or two verses allows the Holy Spirit to open my mind to what God has for me in these specific passages. I am amazed at the depth of understanding He gives me when I take the time to quietly listen to His still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)

So far, I am “on schedule” with my Bible reading, and I admit it’s a good feeling, but more importantly, my times of devotion and quiet moments with God and His Word have been extremely rewarding for me. As I continue to “give myself wholly” to my Bible reading (in my own way), I am reaping the reward of becoming closer and closer to my Lord. And that’s really what it’s all about, isn’t it?

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

(from “I Am Thine O Lord” by Fanny Crosby)

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14

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Pick a verse and take some time to just sit and think about it. Let me know what God revealed to you through it!