Humble Ourselves

“If my people, who are called by my name

will humble themselves and pray. . . .”

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

“If my people . . .”God speaks through Solomon, the wisest man in the world, to communicate to us what we must do in order for us to find resolution to our nation’s problems.

“. . . who are called by my name . . .” God further defines about whom he speaks. He calls for the church-going Christians to listen. The Lord has a message for us. That’s right He’s talking about us, you and me.

“. . . will humble themselves . . .” What do we have to do to do this? Might we have to put into practice the words of Paul in Philippians 2: 2-4? According to Paul, we are to put the needs of others before our own. If we look at the passage from 2 Chronicles, we see that God tells us to humble ourselves before we begin to pray. God expects us to push our wants and needs aside and focus on Him.

       I have had times when I start to pray and all I can do is sit and listen. During these times, I feel His presence with me. We receive His blessings when we empty our minds of ourselves and wait for God’ presence to enfold us.

“. . . and pray . . . .” Our God, the creator of the universe wants us to talk to Him. I can’t imagine a more humbling thought. He wants to hear from us; God, from whom all blessing flow, waits to hear from little you and me.


It is my desire to see this scripture verse lived out. I want to apply these words of God to my heart and see the promised outcome that He will “hear from heaven” and heal our land.

Taking a Break

For the first time since I started this blog, I am going to unplug from blogging for two weeks.

        * I have been taking an online class and I need to focus on the information I have received.

        *Also, I am trying to do some research on a topic for this blog for the month of October. 

        *My house needs some TLC.
        * I want to get my writing room in better shape.
       * Our son is wanting to come home for Thanksgiving and I need to spruce things up for that.

I believe God is in this. I have to obey. Please keep me in your prayers. 

In Perfect Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind

is steadfast because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)



“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isa 26:3 (KJV)



As we go through life, we have times of uncertainty, uneasiness, and depression. We begin to feel that we are alone in our walk with God.

It is when we find ourselves feeling as though we have been painted into a corner that we find out certain things about life. We realize what’s important. We discover Who can help us and wants to help us. We learn exactly how precious relationships are to us.

When we proceed through a time of difficulty or an illness, our own or that of a family member, we can get through it if we keep our eyes on the Lord.

People have been striving for peace since God cast Adam and Eve out of Eden. When mankind forges a peace with each other, the world greets is with favor but it is always short lived.

From time to time in my generation, there have been movements promoting peace. They fade from the forefront of the scene whenever an act of war occurs. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus. When He comes again to Earth; we will have lasting peace because He is the Prince of Peace.

God’s Peace

“The Lord gives strength to his people;

the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Psalms 29:11 (NIV)



This verse describes what I believe has happened in my one friend’s life. God has made her strong. She and her sister were in worship service two days after being told she had Cancer. She smiled and responded when I reached across my pew to shake hands with her sister and her.

As I made my way back to my seat at the end of the time of greeting one another, I stopped to give her a hug. (Yes, we hug at my church.) She told me she would know more sometime the upcoming week.

As the congregation began a time of intercessory prayer, another friend came across the back of the Sanctuary, sat down beside this lady and held her hand. I reached around in back me to join in prayer for the one who faces this fearful diagnosis.

As I reflect on that day’s service, I am reminded of the peace she had in her smile and her eyes- a peace that only comes from the Lord.

I believe my friend is at peace with all this. I know she believes we serve an awesome God.



______

 Glenna H, who received this diagnosis, went to be with the Lord on August 11, 2011. She received divine healing-the best healing. My tribute to her is posted on .August 18, 2011

Perfect Peace

“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (NIV)



God’s peace-the serenity we experience when we know He is in control- is

difficult to comprehend until we fully trust in Him.

Even when we know God is in charge, we have times where events of life press in on us. Sometimes these stressors come in waves. A friend of mine recently said, “If it’s not one thing, it’s three.” I knew exactly what she meant.

We all have had times when everything looked bleak without any let up in sight. When this happens, we have the choice of complaining about our ‘lot in life’ or we can turn to God and give the situation to Him.

Several years ago I had to step in and take care of my dad’s affairs. This would, again, preclude me from having extra time to work in the church we were in and any writing I had started doing again. As Hubby and I were driving back to Dad’s home from a business meeting, I looked up to heaven and said, “Lord, this is my life.” I wanted God to help me to do what He wanted in order to make this situation align with His plan for my life.

The next few years were not especially easy. But God was there for me even when the times were tough. At times, I felt I was doing this with no help from anyone.

When we received word that Dad had died in his sleep, God was there for us. The Lord took care of the ‘iffy’ things and kept us close to Him. He allowed me to heal from all the hurts and pain caused by the difference in how Dad and I looked at life.

Without God and His peace, I wouldn’t have been able to heal from all we had to go through.

Peace, Our Aim

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what

leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

Romans 14:19 (NIV)



We live in a time of uneasiness. People can’t seem to get along with one another. Everyone feels like they have to walk gingerly around the ones who used to mean the most to them.

Hubby made an observation about people recently. We were eating out. He had noticed some customers getting up and going to their servers to give them their tip. He asked one of the women about it and what he surmised. The woman told him he was right.

If a tip was left on the table, tucked under the edge of a plate as customary, someone else would take the money, not the one who had assisted the diners.

We should all be mindful of the needs of others. A gratuity is given for good service. It helps the receiving person feel he or she has done a good job for those they have served.

Sometimes we hear of situations that distress people. The stories of comments made between generations that cause hurt to one of the particulars. People need to learn how to build up each other. We seem to forget that other people have emotions that can be easily damaged.

Paul tells us we need to try to go out of our way to find a peaceful course through life. What can we do to practice peace in our days?

If we happen to come upon a quarrel between a couple of people, we should pray very quickly to discern if we should ‘join in’. If we get the message we aren’t to say anything, then we should do as God has led.

If we see something going on in our neighborhood that is positive, such as a house being painted, and it looks nice, why not take the time to walk over and say something about it to the owner? It may make him or her feel that his efforts have been worthwhile.

People who work as volunteers in nonprofit organizations do so because they feel a need to serve God and their communities. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could hear how their efforts have helped a child, an adult, or a family through a difficult time?

Peace Beyond Understanding

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Phil. 4:7 (NIV)



We often desire peace, an elusive quality of life whenever we feel wrung out and frustrated by events that impact us in negative ways. What we have to realize is these times of stress may be God’s way of allowing us to grow closer to Him.

As we mature in the faith, we find ourselves not as prone to reacting to the elements designed to cause us uneasiness. This is a process and those around us might not understand what is happening in our lives.

God protects us as we live our daily lives and strengthens our hearts and minds



●How does he accomplish this? God speaks to us through His Word and the lives of others. The stories of the heroes of faith can guide us through times of uncertainty. The poetry of the Psalm provides us with comfort and wisdom. The stories of the ministry of Jesus lead us to a fuller understanding of Him and why He came to earth. The writings of Paul further explain the enigmatic parts of the Christian life.



●Why does God bother with us? Overall, we waffle back and forth between what He wants and what we want. Even when we sin, all we have to do is ask and He forgives. He created us. He nurtures us each day. He does this because He loves us and wants what is best for us.



●When does He guard our hearts? When we ask for His help, God acts according to our needs and protects us as we encounter life’s problems and the losses we sometimes endure. He speaks to us through the scriptures and as answers to our prayers. We receive thoughts and comfort that give us understanding from friends in the form of cards,phone calls, visits, or emails.