Tag Archives: Peace

Jun8

The Master Gardener

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30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers

That are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,

He will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry …

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

33 Seek the Kingdom of God
~above all else~ and live righteously,

And he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:30-33 (NLT)

 

Profuse blossoms of wildflowers artfully color the median along many Georgia highways. In some spots, their gorgeous display resembles a beautiful impressionist painting. I am amazed to see how they flourish there in the scorching southern heat, bordered by two expanses of asphalt, absent of any gardener or sprinkler system. If I try to produce the same effect in my own yard, I always come up disappointed.

The wildflower display is the handiwork of the Master Gardener, and it reminds me of His tender and unfathomable care for His children. Our Heavenly Father masterfully tends the garden of our lives. In the fertile soil of our hearts, He plants seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, and faithfulness. The light of His presence sprinkled with a daily dose of His Word creates the perfect environment for a fruitful and abundant life. As the tender sprouts take root, He is there to pull up the weeds of doubt, pride, selfishness…and worry. The more time we spend in His presence, the better the garden of our hearts can flourish and the more fruitful our lives become. The less time we spend with Him, the more cluttered our hearts become with unfruitful weeds, which choke out the blessings He has planted there.

By seeking God ~ above all else ~ we are tapping into the source by whom our most basic needs are met. Entrust the Master Gardener to care for your life. Place your faith in Him, and do not worry. Believe His promises. If you diligently seek God and commit your ways to Him, He will faithfully provide for your needs.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and

He will give you the desires of your heart.”

(Psalm 37:4)


 

Jun5

Heavenly Help

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God is within her,

She will not fall;

God will help her

At the break of day.

Psalm 46:5

 

As the sun rises today, do you find yourself desperately in need of God’s help? Perhaps you are in turmoil over financial worries, or possibly you are navigating though a tumultuous period with a rebellious teen. Your struggle could be due to the heartache of marital distress, or you might be exhausted from battling a ravaging disease or illness. Maybe you are at a crossroad in your life, and you are struggling over a major decision. No matter what type of battle you are facing, if you are a child of God, He is ready and willing to help you. In Isaiah 41: 13 He reminds us, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.'” Take hold of your Heavenly Father’s outstretched hand. Accept the help He wants to provide.

 

Let go of your cares and worries and relax in the arms of your Savior. Receive His peace. Stop trying to fight life’s battles on your own. Allow Him to take the lead. Rest in the assurance that He will help you, and His promises are true. “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 46:9), and
He is BIG enough to handle your personal “war.”

 

In the midst of your turmoil He says to you, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) At this moment, be still before your Heavenly Father. Accept His peace…and His help. Feel His divine presence within you. Right now, take hold of His hand…He will not let you fall.

Jun4

The Majesty of God

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Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power

And the glory and the majesty

And the splendor,

For everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;

You are exalted as head over all.

1 Chronicles 29:11

 

 

All around us there are reminders of God’s glory and greatness. If we purposefully view His creation with the Creator in mind, praise and awe are the natural responses. The miracle of a newborn baby, the intricacies flower blooms, the delicacies of butterfly wings, and the glory of a painted sunset are all the handiwork of our Lord. No matter what you are going through right now, when you change your focus to God’s greatness, the burdens of life seem to melt in comparison. The same God who crafted the earth and everything in it, created you. He is big enough to handle any difficulty you may be experiencing. Soak in the scenery He has provided, and allow it to change your perspective. Take time today to acknowledge God’s majesty and splendor through His creation.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Feb20

God’s Artwork

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The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1(Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
       he suspends the earth over nothing…

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
       for a boundary between light and darkness…

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
       how faint the whisper
we hear of him!
       Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Job 26:7, 10, 14 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
   the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

 

Take time today to view the work of God’s hands. Listen for His whispers of love to you as you look upon His creation. Reflect on His glory and His unfathomable wisdom. Be reminded that the same God who created the ends of the earth also hand crafted you and loves you beyond measure. Set aside a time of quiet solitude to simply meditate upon this directive:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

Feb11

Fourth and Long

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“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life ~

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Matthew 6:25a; 27 (NIV 2010)

 

Sometimes it’s difficult NOT to worry. Lately I’ve been experiencing a period of troubling upheaval in my everyday life, but the above verses are telling me I should not be worried. My husband was recently diagnosed with a debilitating health condition which causes me to worry about his health, his care and treatment, our family’s future, our financial stability, the future for my three sons…and myself. Everything I once thought was “solid” is now crumbling right before my eyes.

Our MVP has been Sidelined

My husband has always been the “captain” of our family’s “team.” In essence, I feel that our MVP has been sidelined from the game of life, and I’m like a rookie being called in on 4th and long…and we’re not going to punt. Now it’s up to me to play the position of quarterback and lead our team to a victorious future. The clock is ticking, with little time left, and I must spring into action. The team is counting on me, and the outcome rests solely upon my shoulders.

Doubt and Fear Rumble Through My Mind

I run to the huddle and see the faces of my “teammates” looking at me with hopeful anticipation. They are waiting for the next play call. From the bench, my husband is counting on me to pull us through. My team is depending upon me to execute the next play with skillful precision. For a moment, I am frozen with fear thinking about the magnitude of the responsibility I face. I hear jeers of self-doubt resounding in my ears. As I lower my head in the huddle, the “what-if’s” spin through my mind. What if I fail? What if I throw an interception? What if I am sacked in the backfield? What if I make a wrong decision? What if I let everyone down? I begin to I question my abilities. I lack confidence in my preparation for this position, and I even begin to question my “Heavenly Head Coach” for putting an inexperienced quarterback into life’s game at such a crucial point. I certainly don’t want to “choke” with this enormous assignment.

I hear the Voice of my Heavenly “Head Coach”

I lift my eyes to find the Coach and listen for His play call. Above the roar of the “noise” in my head, I hear His gentle voice, providing me with insight. I have studied His Play Book. I trust His infinite wisdom to show me how to lead my team in the best possible way. His eyes are upon my every move, and He has known all along that He was preparing me to play this critical position. I know He has equipped me completely to assume this role.

“…And who knows but that you have come to your position

for such a time as this?” Esther 4: 14

I feel weak with fear and anxiety, but I realize that I don’t have to rely on my own power, wisdom, capabilities, resources or protection, because He promises to be all of these for me. He is my strength when I am weak, and He will infuse me with Heavenly wisdom when I have none. He tells me NOT to worry. I simply must trust in Him, obey His commands, and He will supply my every need.

I accept His instruction and call the next play for my team. I will trust Him implicitly for the outcome. My worries are replaced with inner calm and quiet confidence about the fact that the Coach knows what’s best for each one of His players. He doesn’t make mistakes. We break the huddle and the clock starts ticking…

Hut 1!, Hut 2!, Hut! , Hut! , Hut!!!….


Feb8

Strength from God

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LORD, be gracious to us;
   we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
   our salvation in time of distress.

Isaiah 33:2 (New International Version, ©2010)

 

 God is gracious, merciful, kind, and compassionate. His love for us is tender and eternal. In times of distress we feel drained of our energy and stamina. We are weak and lack stability. God’s omnipotent power is limitless, and His strength is boundless. No matter what distress
you are facing, ask Him to be your strength when you feel like you have none left. He will faithfully come to your rescue. Let the beauty of the sunrise each morning remind you that nothing is impossible for Him. Allow Him to strengthen you each day.

Feb5

Broken Pottery…

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Broken Pottery…


“…I have become like broken pottery.”

Psalm 31:12 (NIV)

Giant tears welled in my eyes and spilled onto the crisp pages of my Bible as I read the verse above in my early morning quiet time. Those six words resonated deep within my soul and flooded my broken heart as I envisioned myself like a broken clay vessel, shattered and useless for its intended purpose. The psalmist is describing himself in a time of extreme anguish and despair, the same way I was feeling at the moment I read those powerful words.

How did I “become” like broken pottery? Financial crisis, marital strife, parenting issues, illness, and the death of my beloved father-in-law brought me to the point where I felt as though I had been dropped from the edge of a cliff and shattered on jagged rocks below. You see I can’t point my finger to any one of those major difficulties as being the final blow to my clay vessel. However, all combined, they had taken a toll on my life and its usefulness to my heavenly Father.

We all feel a sense of brokenness at different times in our lives. During a period of illness or disease, we experience a form of physical brokenness. When my body is not functioning at 100% capacity, I feel frustrated and worthless. I normally go full speed ahead, managing my marriage, my three sons, our home, and my part-time job with ease. But when I’m debilitated due to sickness, I become discouraged, feeling defeated and nonproductive. I become discouraged that I’m unable to keep our lives and calendars running smoothly. In essence, I’m rendered ineffective in my daily walk of ministry in my home to my husband and sons.

Brokenness also occurs during a season of heartache and anguish. This can occur during a period of sadness over the loss of a loved one. Mourning can be debilitating and consume us to the point that we can only focus on our loss, leaving room for nothing more. Struggles or failures in a relationship or marriage can also lead to a feeling of heart break, leaving us emotionally wounded and dysfunctional. At times we are heartbroken for our children. Perhaps they have strayed off the path, and we are sad and bewildered about their misguided direction. Or perhaps they are being bullied, harassed or ostracized by their peers, and we feel angst over their torment. While there are many different sources for heartbreak in our lives, they all produce the same type of outcome, causing us to become broken and limited in our usefulness and productivity.

We feel a sense of mental brokenness during times of extreme stress. Financial worries or job security can burden us to the point that we shut down. The loss of a job or the downturn of the economy can bring us to a point where we don’t know where to turn for our next paycheck. Debt can be overwhelming and worrying about paying the stack of bills on your kitchen counter can bring your life to a halt. When every trip to the mailbox or every ring of the phone brings a sense of dread, our thoughts are consumed with one focus…what we don’t have in our bank account. We are useless in all other areas of our lives.

Thankfully, we know a Savior who can take the broken pieces of our lives and transform them into malleable clay, reshaping us into useful vessels once again, with His grand and glorious purpose in mind. He can shine the grace of His warm, healing presence into our being and mend the broken areas of our heart, mind, body and soul. He alone can transform, renew and refresh us. In reality, we are more receptive to our Lord when we are in a state of brokenness because He can mold us in areas where we might have been resistant before. At those times we let go of the pride that falsely binds our lives together, and we realize that we can’t repair our broken lives on our own. We must look to God for His merciful healing.

Cry out to your Heavenly Father, asking Him to pick up the shattered pieces of your life and place all your cares in the palms of the Master Craftsman. Allow the compassionate hands of the Almighty Potter to heal your brokenness and shape your life into a beautiful vessel, useful and glorifying to Him.

Isaiah 64:8 (New International Version)

8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
       We are the clay, you are the potter;
       we are all the work of your hand.

Dear Heavenly Father, Yes, I am the work of your hands. Heal the broken areas of my vessel, and transform me into a beautiful form of pottery, effective and useful for your purposes. May the ministry of my life bring glory to you always.

In the precious name of Jesus (your Son who was broken for me) I pray, Amen.

Jan27

Hope Whispers

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When the World says “Give Up,”

Hope whispers, “Give it One More Try.”

(Anonymous)


 

“We have this Hope as an

Anchor for the soul,

Firm and secure… ”

Hebrews 6:19 (New International Version, ©2010)


 

Jan25

Heavenly Help

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“But You Yourself (God) have seen trouble and grief,

observing it in order to take the matter into Your Hands.

The helpless entrusts himself to You;

You are (our) Helper…”

Psalm 10:14 (Holman)

 

God is watching over you

God is observing each minute of your life.  He sees everything you are going through.  Nothing is too difficult for Him to handle.  He wants to take your trouble and grief into His hands.  Entrust your life to Him and seek His Heavenly Help.

 

Jan22

The Gift of Peace

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”I leave peace with you;

I give *My* peace to you: 

not as the world gives do I give to you.   

 Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it fear.” 

John 14:27 (Darby Translation)

What is True Peace?

The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep, lasting peace.  This peace transcends our understanding, meaning it can never be completely understood.  It is a peace that is difficult to explain and must be felt in order to fully comprehend its meaning.  Worldly peace is usually defined as the absence of trouble or conflict, but the peace of Christ is a peace we have in the midst of the trouble or conflict.  This peace is confident assurance in any circumstance.  It is a sense of God’s wholeness, of everything coming together for good.  Heavenly peace comes from total trust in God.  With this kind of peace we don’t need to be afraid of the present or the future.  Peace of mind and heart is a precious gift.  The world cannot give this kind of peace, because this peace is a result of God watching over and guarding your mind and your heart. 

How do we obtain Heavenly Peace?

When you are in the midst of a crisis, worry, fear, doubt, and anxiety are constantly battling for your focus and energy.  A mind controlled by the flesh will race night and day, composing many what-if situations, and you will virtually live out the worst-case scenarios.  Keeping track of all the possible outcomes is exhausting.  So if you are in the middle of a life crisis and feel consumed with worry and fear, begin to shape your worries into prayers.  Let Christ know your concerns.  Lay your burdens at the foot of His cross.  Isaiah 26:3 tells us that “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”  So perfect peace is dependent upon total trust in our Heavenly Father.  Fill your mind with the promises found in His Word.  Trust in His promises to you.  In other words, believe His promises:   trust that He has a plan for your life; trust that He causes all things to work together for good; trust that He knows how all the pieces of the puzzle in your life fit together; trust that He will use this trial to perfect your faith; trust that He is all we truly need; trust that He will carry you when you are too weak to move forward; trust that He will provide your comfort, your strength, your provision, your shelter from the storm, your protection; trust that He is your Rock and your Salvation; trust that He will be your guide and give you wisdom; trust that He will light your path; trust that He sees your distress and hears your cries for help; trust that He is always with you and will never leave your side; trust that He catches each one of your teardrops; and trust that nothing is too difficult for Him. 

What is the end result of Heavenly Peace?

We are instructed to “let the peace of Christ rule your hearts…”  (Colossians 3:12)  If we choose to let the Prince of Peace rule, then worry, doubt and fear will be banished from the kingdom of our hearts.  When we allow Christ to completely fill our hearts, He will completely displace all our distress.  When our hearts are overflowing with Christ instead of worry, God will stand guard over your heart and your mind, and He will bless you with a Heavenly Peace that no one can completely understand.

~cb.cooksey