Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
When Joshua made it to the Promised Land God comforted him by telling him not to be afraid. He also encouraged him by telling him directly (through Moses) not to get discouraged.
Sometimes when we wait and pray for something so long we don't know what to do when we get it. We are both excited and afraid in one breath. Our doubts rush in and we question leaving the known for the unknown.
God, who got you to this point, will get you through this point.
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Guest Encourager: Rachel Smith "Be Still"
Be Still, by Rachel Smith
My father died at the end of May and I have searched for sometime now on how to convey this unique and confusing kind of pain that comes with loosing a parent. My father and I were not close the years immediately before his death and I wonder in my finite mind, will I see him in heaven? Will he know me? Will he love me? Will he miss me? Will he forgive my wrongs?
I can’t think about my own flawed earthly father without thinking of our perfect heavenly father. You see, the earthly parents we all have were chosen for us (good or bad) by the Lord himself. I have had times in my life where I have felt separated from God. Where I have strayed from what is right. In fact almost every day I make choices that would not please my God. I wonder in my finite mind, will I see him in heaven? Will he know me? Will he love me? Will he miss me? Will he forgive my wrongs?
And then, He answers me softly “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
My father died at the end of May and I have searched for sometime now on how to convey this unique and confusing kind of pain that comes with loosing a parent. My father and I were not close the years immediately before his death and I wonder in my finite mind, will I see him in heaven? Will he know me? Will he love me? Will he miss me? Will he forgive my wrongs?
I can’t think about my own flawed earthly father without thinking of our perfect heavenly father. You see, the earthly parents we all have were chosen for us (good or bad) by the Lord himself. I have had times in my life where I have felt separated from God. Where I have strayed from what is right. In fact almost every day I make choices that would not please my God. I wonder in my finite mind, will I see him in heaven? Will he know me? Will he love me? Will he miss me? Will he forgive my wrongs?
And then, He answers me softly “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
Monday, June 11, 2007
Acorn Build Up: The Lord Knows
The Lord Knows
Psalms 139:1-5
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
The psalmist goes on to say that "such knowledge it too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." (vs. 6) It is truly difficult to imagine that God can be this intimately aware of who we are and what we do. And, since it is so difficult to get our heads around it, we tend to ignore the fact that God does know EVERYTHING!
For most of my life this understanding is a shameful one. I know what I've done and who I was. However, as my faith matures, the fact that God is aware of every detail in my life is actually becoming a comfort.
He knows when my enemies assail me. He knows when my words are misunderstood, twisted, or taken out of context. He knows when I restrain my urges. He knows when I avoid temptation. He knows that though I fail on a daily basis, that my heart is in the right place. He knows how much I want to serve Him. He knows how hard I try. He knows the difficulty of the road I'm traveling.
The Lord knows.
Lon
Psalms 139:1-5
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
The psalmist goes on to say that "such knowledge it too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." (vs. 6) It is truly difficult to imagine that God can be this intimately aware of who we are and what we do. And, since it is so difficult to get our heads around it, we tend to ignore the fact that God does know EVERYTHING!
For most of my life this understanding is a shameful one. I know what I've done and who I was. However, as my faith matures, the fact that God is aware of every detail in my life is actually becoming a comfort.
He knows when my enemies assail me. He knows when my words are misunderstood, twisted, or taken out of context. He knows when I restrain my urges. He knows when I avoid temptation. He knows that though I fail on a daily basis, that my heart is in the right place. He knows how much I want to serve Him. He knows how hard I try. He knows the difficulty of the road I'm traveling.
The Lord knows.
Lon
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Acorn Build Up: Comfort
Comfort
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
In the coming week I am facing three funerals. A dear friend lost her father. A person that attends one of the churches I serve also lost her father. And a very old family friend died. This passage from Matthew has come to mind. This same passage is presented in a very interesting way in "The Message" as:
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Our Lord is steadfast, trustworthy, and ever-present. He is the true shelter in the storm. For my friends and family that are mourning, I pray that you will find comfort in the arms of our everlasting Lord Jesus.
Be comforted,
Lon
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
In the coming week I am facing three funerals. A dear friend lost her father. A person that attends one of the churches I serve also lost her father. And a very old family friend died. This passage from Matthew has come to mind. This same passage is presented in a very interesting way in "The Message" as:
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Our Lord is steadfast, trustworthy, and ever-present. He is the true shelter in the storm. For my friends and family that are mourning, I pray that you will find comfort in the arms of our everlasting Lord Jesus.
Be comforted,
Lon
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