Squeezing pressure! No escape!

 
Ever felt squeezed, hemmed in, no escape, unable to turn (tribulation) . . . reminds me of the “valley of the shadow of death” in Psalm 23. Mountains so tall on either side you can’t see the tops, pitch blackness behind, only the light ahead seen dimly down the narrow path – how do I know there’s a light? because there is a shadow! And, oh, what a Light it is!!!!
 
In the Daily Bread this morning the scripture reading is 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7.  I am in a rush today, lots to do, things to accomplish and I thought “I’ll just read the verses quickly then move on.” Not happening! 
 
Look at verse 3 – Bless be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Father of ALL  mercies and the God of ALL comfort
 
Mercies – deep feelings for us by God as He sees us in our difficulties – that little word ALL is not insignificant
 
Comfort – Our ever present God provides to us ALL encouragement, refreshment, strength, aid, assist,  help in the time of our need

Verse 4 just made me sit back  -  when we are hit with trouble, and it will hit time and again, what is our first thought?
 

” I don’t like this. Why me! I want to run. I want to escape the pressure”, right?

 

I know these times come, lovingly allowed through our Lord’s fingers to draw us closer to Him, to work our trust muscle – praise Him for that. 

BUT, look at verse 4. It is not focused on us . . . first, we fall on our knees and trust . . .
THEN . . .“that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God”!
 
Verses 5 to7 continue to amaze!The second half of our sufferings, difficulties, tribulation (squeezing pressure) is not for us or about us! It’s for the onlookers – our family, our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers, anyone who comes in contact with us! What was the reason for Christ’s sufferings? To bring us to the Father! 
 
What if all this “uncomfortable stuff” is a gift? A wondrous privilege, us to be used by the God of the Universe, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We suffer in order for those around us to be drawn to His beautiful light shining from us. What if our hands touch others with the love and comfort given to us by Him that nudges their heart closer to our Lord? What if our face reflects His joy through the hardship to cause others to marvel at His strength given to us so that they in turn seek Him and are provided with their own source of unlimited strength? What if our words dipped in God’s comfort and mercy point them to the very heart of God?
 
And what of the great cloud of witnesses surrounding our lives? Are they not encouraged? Are they not bringing down the rafters with cheers and praise to our God? Are they not standing, shouting “hallelujah” watching our Lord rise  and shaking Heaven’s foundations with His applause for us????
 
Puts a new perspective on “getting through” our difficult times!

Wisdom vs Smarts!

What is wisdom? How do you get it?



Do we need wisdom? Absolutely. The first thought that comes to mind is what degree do you have and how many years have you attended school . . .impressive, but that is not what the Bible says! Check out James 3.

There are two kinds of wisdom - God given and demonic. Wow . . .

Demonic, earthly and unspiritual wisdom, according to James,  is self serving, full of ambition, envy and bitter jealousy resulting in confusion and everything evil.

On the other hand, wisdom given by God is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, full of good deeds, not biased and  without  hypocrisy  -  transparent. God's wisdom produces those who are humble, not jealous or self-centered, honest with integrity, easy to live with and a joy to be around, mindful of others and their feelings and willing to listen to others without being defensive.


Sound familiar? Galatians 5, maybe?

So apparently wisdom is noted by character not "book smarts" - the heart, not the head.

I like the statement I read in the Daily Bread - "life is dynamic - we are either growing sweeter and wiser or foolish and even sour-faced curmudgeons!''

Charles Spurgeon stated, " Wisdom is the beauty of life that can only be produced by God's workmanship in us".

And what an encouragement! Although changes to our heart when embracing God's wisdom might hurt and the process not as quick as we would like,  IT WILL HAPPEN! God cannot lie. He will fulfill His promise to give  His wisdom liberally to all those who ask!

James 1: 5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives generously to all without finding fault,and IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU!!!!!

The Son

The world watching and waiting for a child to be born. Prayers to the Father for a safe delivery of mother and baby. Anxious anticipation of a future king or queen . . .a royal birth, half commoner – half royal, a life planned within the boundaries of protocol and expectations, filled with service to others. Camera lens poised to capture the first moment of presentation. Eager, welcoming, excited people keeping an eye on that double screen to see the door open and the three-some emerge.

A prince, born to privilege, comfort and luxury. A baby, ten fingers and ten toes, a sweet nose and rosebud mouth, soft downy hair and silky skin – and oh, that precious baby smell! He rests quietly in his mother’s arms completely unaware of the burden of the crown.

Heaven and Hell watching and waiting for a Child to be born. Prayers to the Father for a safe delivery of both mother and baby. Cursing from below! Mournful dread and exalted anticipation of a future King . . . half commoner – half royal, a life planned within the boundaries of the Father’s will, filled with service to others, redeeming all! Eternity poised to capture the first moment of presentation. Heavenly crowds keeping an eye on the immense screen to see the door open and the three-some emerge. Hell's dungeon's plotting death and destruction!

A Prince, born to privilege, comfort and luxury, yet delivered in a borrowed stable, laying in a cow’s manger surrounded by sights and smells of a barn. A Baby, ten fingers and ten toes, a sweet nose and rosebud mouth, soft downy hair and silky skin – and oh, that precious baby smell!! Resting quietly in His mother’s arms completely aware of the blessing of the Crown!

 

Alone?

I love alone times.

I recharge, just to think and enjoy the quietness. I Suppose that comes from being an  “only” child. Being an only child is not a bad thing, entertainment is easy. I cherish the moments sitting with a good book and the silence is comforting. We just got back from Colorado and I spent most of my days on the deck watching the water rush by, listening to the humming birds dive after each other to reach the feeder first and  sitting under the huge pine tree breathing in the cool, clean mountain air.  Bruce was happy to relax in the cabin or occasionally sit quietly in the shade with me. A healing time.

The Lord takes pleasure in our delight! He provides colorful flowers. Peonies are my new favorite flower! Beauty and sweet perfume together with soft petals that tickle the end of your nose when you inhale their fragrance! I could sit for hours watching the Frying Pan River tumble its’ way down the mountain like a lady in petticoats showing off her lace edges  as she skips around and over the rounded rocks in the riverbed.

But then there are the hard times. Bad news that grabs my heart and squeezes. Then being alone is not so much fun.Those times I look for support, strength, a sharing of grief and fear . . .a hand to hold. I long for an understanding hug and affirmation of togetherness, a solution, a relief of the pain and worry. I thank God for His provision of my precious husband. So easy to run to and be held lovingly and safely in His arms.

How wonderful it is to KNOW my God always has a plan. No matter the circumstance, regardless of the size of the problem, His loving eyes NEVER leave me, His gentle hands are ready to HOLD me safe and secure in His unfailing love. 

Alone? Not really! But given loving space to enjoy His blessings and wide open arms waiting to hold me when the lightening flashes and the thunder rolls!

Be still . . .

Sunday, Dr. Swindol encouraged us to take five minutes each day and sit quietly, without distractions in your Presence.

Eight years ago You put Psalm 46:10 in front of me.

Wherever I went, out to a friend's home for dinner – there was a beautiful hanging on the wall with Your message, to the doctor’s office – a card hold with Your precious words at check out, in devotional time – references specifically to Your direction, even in the Christian novels so wonderfully provided from the church’s extensive library – Your instruction from the 46th Psalm stood out.

Oh, how I fought it. To be still . . .to lay down my concerns about the changes happening around me. To be still . . . and leave the bumpy path of doing, fixing, being in control.

Eight years and I am still having issues with this. 

Today, sitting in the sun with Wendy, You revealed again the reason why this verse, these words – so full of meaning, are the whispers of heaven to our earthly hearts.

“Come quietly and be.”  You whisper, “Wait for Me, I will come gently and lovingly. I will surround and transfuse you with Me. I will not push My way through distractions, but as you lay them aside you will experience Me. I will renew your mind. I will heal your heart. I will strengthen your soul because. . ." He sits with me now and holds me close,

"I am God!"

Go On . . .

I remember a short time after becoming a Christian my precious grandfather wrote me a letter. Quite an exciting thing, “back then”, for a twelve year old. A letter all the way from Scotland! It is somewhere in a box . . .I must find it. The last page was filled with “go on, go on, go on, go on . . . “ . I truly did not fully understand it’s meaning then, but now, what wonderful and encouraging advise!

Similarly, C. S. Lewis was asked the question by a young man after writing “The Screwtape Letters” – conversations of demons as they work for Satan in attacking Children of God. 

“When you wrote the book – did Satan give you trouble – and if so

what did you do about it?”

C. S. Lewis replied to this young man’s letter soon after stating Satan was active with plenty of temptations,

“Perhaps . . .the most important thing is to

KEEP ON

not to be discouraged however often one yields to temptation,

but always to pic yourself up again and ask forgiveness!”

Toddlers, learning to walk, are more on their bottoms than on their feet. But none that I have seen wallow in their failures, despairing and despondent – NO.   Off they go again, gaining strength, becoming more steady on their feet and soon running everywhere!

So, dear ones, let us -

keep  on going

go on

go on

go on

go on

We are forgiven! We are growing! We soon will be running into the Father’s welcoming arms!

Willy and Anne Hislop - My grandparents

Prayer for Today and . . .

Psalm 119:33-40

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

 

³³ Teach me, Adonai, (Lord, Master) the way of your laws;

     keeping them will be its own reward for me.

³⁴Give me understanding; then I will keep your Torah; (instruction)

    I will observe it with all my heart.

³⁵ Guide me on the path of your mitzvot, (commands)

    for I take pleasure in it.

³⁶ Bend my heart toward your instructions

    and not toward selfish gain.

³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

     with your ways, give me life.

³⁸ Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant,

    which you made to those who fear you.

³⁹ Avert the disgrace which I dread,

    for your rulings are good.

⁴⁰ See how I long for your precepts;

     in your righteousness, give me life!