C
cwmatt
Guest
Unemployment has come knocking at our doors settling in like an unwelcome thorn in our side. Suddenly we find ourselves wandering like a nomad in the desert of economic uncertainty, our bodies flooded with anxiety and are minds clouded with turmoil. Agonizing over how we are going to be able to provide for our families and make ends meet is like riding the roller coaster of insecurity. Perhaps this is a time to live Jesus’ agony in the Garden. He knew what it was like to experience these emotions that weigh heavy on our hearts. Jesus feels what we feel and is there going through these difficult times with us. In his agony Jesus said, “Father if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Let your will be done, not mine. Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. In his anguish Jesus prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood” (Luke 22:42-44).
Joyce Rupp writes, “There is an Ethiopian Legend about a Shepherd boy, Alemayu, who had to spend the night on a bitterly cold mountain. He had only a very thin cloth to wear. To the amazement of the villagers, he returned alive and well. When they asked him how he survived, he replied: "The night was bitter. When all the sky was dark, I thought I would die. Then far, far off I saw a shepherd’s fire on another mountain. I kept my eyes on the red glow in the distance, and I dreamed of being warm. And that is how I had the strength to survive.” Jesus said, “If your faith were the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it would move; nothing would be impossible for you” (Matt. 17:20). Perhaps in our struggle in the darkness of faith our Lord is truly showing us that life’s struggles are about taking control of our fears, anxieties, and insecurities and not letting our fears, anxieties, and insecurities take control of us. We need to go with Jesus to the Garden of Prayer to find strength, healing, and peace.
To my amazement, I saw a flock of geese fly by, a second flock of geese, and then a third flock of geese simultaneously. What an awesome symbol of the Holy Spirit whose wisdom helps me to understand what it means to trust in God’s Providence. Jesus said, “Think of the birds. They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. If the smallest things, therefore, are outside your control, why worry about the rest? There is no need to be afraid.” (Lk. 12:24, 26, 32).
Stormie Omartian writes, “When the dark clouds of trial, struggle, grief, or suffering roll in and settle on us so thick that we can barely see ahead of us, it’s easy to forget there is a place of calm, light, clarity, and peace we can rise to. No matter how bad the storm gets, it’s possible to rise above the storm to a place where everything is fine. If we take God’s hand in those difficult times, He will lift us up above our circumstances to the place of comfort, warmth, and safety He has for us. God wants us to walk with him in faith as He leads us through it, and He will teach us to trust Him in the midst of it. Rick Warren writes, “Among Anne Murray’s biggest hit’s is the song “You Needed Me.” It is about regaining hope and trust and inner strength.
My children, “I know the plans I have in mind for you – it is Yahweh who speaks – plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. Then when you call to me, and come to plead with me, I will listen to you. When you seek me you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart; I will let you find me. I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you from” (Jeremiah 29:14). “No matter how bad things look, God is in control” (Daniel 8:26).
Joyce Rupp writes, “There is an Ethiopian Legend about a Shepherd boy, Alemayu, who had to spend the night on a bitterly cold mountain. He had only a very thin cloth to wear. To the amazement of the villagers, he returned alive and well. When they asked him how he survived, he replied: "The night was bitter. When all the sky was dark, I thought I would die. Then far, far off I saw a shepherd’s fire on another mountain. I kept my eyes on the red glow in the distance, and I dreamed of being warm. And that is how I had the strength to survive.” Jesus said, “If your faith were the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it would move; nothing would be impossible for you” (Matt. 17:20). Perhaps in our struggle in the darkness of faith our Lord is truly showing us that life’s struggles are about taking control of our fears, anxieties, and insecurities and not letting our fears, anxieties, and insecurities take control of us. We need to go with Jesus to the Garden of Prayer to find strength, healing, and peace.
To my amazement, I saw a flock of geese fly by, a second flock of geese, and then a third flock of geese simultaneously. What an awesome symbol of the Holy Spirit whose wisdom helps me to understand what it means to trust in God’s Providence. Jesus said, “Think of the birds. They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. If the smallest things, therefore, are outside your control, why worry about the rest? There is no need to be afraid.” (Lk. 12:24, 26, 32).
Stormie Omartian writes, “When the dark clouds of trial, struggle, grief, or suffering roll in and settle on us so thick that we can barely see ahead of us, it’s easy to forget there is a place of calm, light, clarity, and peace we can rise to. No matter how bad the storm gets, it’s possible to rise above the storm to a place where everything is fine. If we take God’s hand in those difficult times, He will lift us up above our circumstances to the place of comfort, warmth, and safety He has for us. God wants us to walk with him in faith as He leads us through it, and He will teach us to trust Him in the midst of it. Rick Warren writes, “Among Anne Murray’s biggest hit’s is the song “You Needed Me.” It is about regaining hope and trust and inner strength.
My children, “I know the plans I have in mind for you – it is Yahweh who speaks – plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. Then when you call to me, and come to plead with me, I will listen to you. When you seek me you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart; I will let you find me. I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you from” (Jeremiah 29:14). “No matter how bad things look, God is in control” (Daniel 8:26).
I found it really inspiring and I hope it will touch others in the same way too. God Bless You.