No Drifting

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."    Ephesians  4:31

At the end of one school semester, my wife and I picked up our daughter from her school 100 kilometers (60 miles) away. On our way back home we detoured to a nearby beach resort for snacks. While enjoying our time there, we watched the boats at the seashore. Usually they are anchored to prevent them from drifting away, but I noticed one boat drifting unhindered among the others—slowly and steadily making its way out to sea.

As we drove home, I reflected on the timely caution given to believers in the book of Hebrews: "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away" (Heb. 2:1). We have good reason to stay close. The author of Hebrews says that while the Mosaic law was reliable and needed to be obeyed, the message of the Son of God is far superior. Our salvation is  “so great” in Jesus that He shouldn’t be ignored (v. 3).

To avoid drifting away from God, stay anchored to the Rock.

Drifting in our relationship with God is hardly noticeable at first; it happens gradually. However, spending time talking with Him in prayer and reading His Word, confessing our wrongs to Him, and interacting with other followers of Jesus can help us stay anchored in Him. As we connect with the Lord regularly, He will be faithful to sustain us, and we can avoid drifting away.'

"Our Daily Bread"

Rest With Me A While

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with malice."  Ephesians  4:31

REST WITH ME A WHILE. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.
I designed time to be a protection for you. You couldn't bear to see all your life at once. Though I am unlimited by time, it is tin the present moment that I meet you. Refresh yourself in My company, breathing deep breaths of My Presence. The highest level of trust is to enjoy Me moment by moment. I am with you, watching over you wherever you go.

From the book, "Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Shocking Honesty

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

When the minister asked one of his elders to lead the congregation in prayer, the man shocked everyone. “I’m sorry, Pastor,” he said, “but I’ve been arguing with my wife all the way to church, and I’m in no condition to pray.” The next moment was awkward. The minister prayed. The service moved on. Later, the pastor vowed never to ask anyone to pray publicly without first asking privately.

That man demonstrated astonishing honesty in a place where hypocrisy would have been easier. But there is a larger lesson about prayer here. God is a loving Father. If I as a husband do not respect and honor my wife—a cherished daughter of God—why would her heavenly Father hear my prayers?

Our relationships affect our prayer life.
The apostle Peter made an interesting observation about this. He instructed husbands to treat their wives with respect and as equal heirs in Christ “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). The underlying principle is that our relationships affect our prayer life.

What would happen if we exchanged the Sunday smiles and the façade of religiosity for refreshing honesty with our brothers and sisters? What might God do through us when we pray and learn to love each other as we love ourselves?

Father, You love all of Your children, but so often we fight and disagree. Help us learn to interact with love and respect in all our relationships so the world will see the difference You make. Teach us to pray.

Prayer is simply an honest conversation with God.

INSIGHT:
Husbands are instructed to “be considerate . . . and treat [their wives] with respect” (1 Peter 3:7). Fellowship with God is hindered if a man does not give honor to his wife (v. 7). The apostle Paul instructed husbands not to be harsh with their wives (Col. 3:19), but to love them “just as Christ loved the church,” sacrificing their own interests for their wife’s growth, maturity, and holiness (Eph. 5:25–27). The husband is to “love his wife as he loves himself” (v. 33).

"Our Daily Bread"

Stay Calmly.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the presence of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31


STAY CALMLY conscious of Me today, no matter what. Remember that I go before you as well as with you into the day. Nothing takes Me by surprise. I will not allow circumstances to overwhelm you, so long as you look to Me. I will help you cope with whatever the moment presents. Collaborating with Me brings blessings that far outweigh all your troubles. Awareness of My Presence contains Joy that can endure all eventualities.
From the book, "Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Stepping Out Of The Boat

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

Imagine there He was in the middle of the storm. Jesus, standing right in front of His apostles, saying to them, “It is I, do not be afraid!” Then there was Peter, who looked at Jesus and the storm seemed to subside. To Peter all that mattered was that Jesus was standing there, defying all the laws of gravity and nature and even banishing fear. Peter felt his heart lift above the raging waves and he had the courage to step out of the safety of his boat and comfort zone and began to walk on the water towards Jesus. It was then and there that Jesus became Peter’s source of confidence and security rather than the boat. Even when he turned his gaze away from Jesus for a moment and began to sink into the water, he didn’t give up, he still called out to Jesus for His help. Because of his faith and his call for help, he was saved by Jesus.

Everyday our hearts and our thoughts are bombarded with what’s going on in the world around us. The waves of this world often crashing down on us. Whether it’s an illness, financial issues, relationship troubles or major decisions we might be facing, we're constantly weathering storms. But we need to remember Jesus remains the one and only constant in our lives. He sits at the right hand of God with all power and authority and along with that He loves each of us. As He stands watching over us he is filled with compassion. He has a plan for us, He lets nothing catch Him off guard. This is why when we lift up our hearts to Him, He reminds us of who He is and all He wants to do in our lives.

It is in these very moments of our lives that our hearts are strengthened by faith, just like Peter, whose faith allowed him to step out of the boat despite his fear of drowning in the savage waves surrounding him. It is in these very moments that we actually can grasp that Jesus really is right in front of us, always reaching out to us and reminding us of His awesome power. We were created to know Him, to be able to see Him face to face, and to hear His words.

Today, right now Jesus is still telling us “It is I, do not be afraid.” So, now is the time to respond to Him by picturing Him sitting on His throne, gazing at you with nothing but love and reaching out to help you in whatever it is that you need help with. Do not be afraid to step out of your own boat or comfort zone and ask for His help.

“Jesus, I want to know You more. I want my heart to be so sure of You and Your love that I can look above the waves in my life. Lord, You are worthy of my trust!”

Note: Do you know how many times we are told not to be afraid in the Bible?………365 times. One for each day of the year!

"Our Daily Bread Ministries"

1 Corinthians, 13

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away, with all malice."  Ephesians 4:31


1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

King James Version (KJV)

Pacing

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                                      "My soul, wait thou only upon God."
                                                                          Psalm  62:5

     The doctor's office is not my favorite spot to spend a sunny spring morning.  But that's exactly where I spent this one.  It helped, though, that there was a sunny-faced little boy to watch.  This blond, wide-eyed preschooler completely captivated me and everyone else with his eagerness to experience everything a doctor's waiting room could offer.
     He checked out the chairs and their occupants.  He covered his baby sister with her checked blanket and tenderly explained that there was no need to be afraid.  He marched down the hall to explore the bathroom, and a roomful of weary patients' eyes lit with amusement as his giggle echoed from behind the door.  Perhaps he's discovered he was finally tall enough.
     Eventually, when he'd exausted the room's possibilities, he announced with finality,  "I'm tired of this place now.  Let's go, Mommy."
     "We have to wait, honey,"  she said.
     "But I'm ready to go.  Let's get out of here!"
     He didn't really understand that he was waiting there for a purpose, his good health.

Lord, sometimes You put me in Your waiting rooms.  Help me to be patient with Your schedule.  I need to learn all I can from those waiting rooms, but I should never forget that I must remain there until I see You.  It's absolutely essential to my  health.

Sufficient, Sustaining Grace...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

A thorn in the flesh. Such vivid imagery. The sharp end of a thorn pierces the soft skin of life and lodges beneath the surface. Every step is a reminder of the thorn in the flesh. The cancer in the body. The child in rehab. The red ink on the ledger. The tears in the middle of the night. “Take it away,” you’ve pleaded. Not once, twice, or even three times. But you’ve heard the same words the apostle Paul heard in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Paul is referring to sustaining grace—grace that meets us at our point of need and equips us with courage, wisdom, and strength. Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God. We’ve written checks only to see the words “insufficient funds.” Will we offer prayers only to discover insufficient strength? Never!

From God is With You Every Day - Max Lucado

A Very Present Help

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31



                                "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
                                                                         Psalm  46:1

     Which is harder: to do or to endure?
     I think to endure is much harder, and our Father loves us too much to let us pass through life without learning to endure.  So I want you to welcome the difficult little things, the tiny pricks and ruffles that are sure to come almost every day.  For they give you a chance to say 'No" to yourself, an by doing so you will become strong not only to do but also to endure.
     I know that each one of you is in need of continual help if you are continually to conquer.  I have splendid words to give you; they are from the first verse of psalm 46:  "A very present help."
     Our loving Lord is not just present, but nearer than thought can imagine - so near that a whisper can reach Him.  You know the story of the man who had a quick temper and had not time to go away and pray for help.  His habit was to send up a little telegraph prayer.  "Thy sweetness, Lord!" - and sweetness came.
     Do you  need courage?  "Thy courage, Lord!"  Patience?  "Thy patience, Lord!"  Love?  "Thy love, Lord!"  A quiet mind?  "Thy quietness, Lord!"
     Shall we all practice this swift and simple way of prayer more and more?  If we do, our Very Present Help will not disappoint us.  For Thou, Lord, hast never failed them that see Thee.

Your Best Weapon Against Satan

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

Satan has no recourse to your personal testimony. So your best weapon against his attacks is a good memory!

Don’t forget a single one of God’s blessings. He forgives your sins—every one.  He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—and saves your life. He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence. Create a trophy room in your heart, place a memory on the shelf. Before you face a challenge, take a quick tour of God’s accomplishments. Look at all the paychecks he’s provided, all the blessings he’s given, all the prayers he’s answered.

Imitate the shepherd boy David. Before he fought Goliath, the giant, he remembered how God had helped him kill a lion and a bear. Face your future by recalling God’s victories!

From God is With You Every Day

Your Problem Isn't Your Problem

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

You probably know this, but in case you don’t, I am so thrilled to give you the good news, you select your thoughts.

You didn’t select your birthplace or birthdate. You didn’t select your parents or siblings. You don’t determine the weather or the amount of salt in the ocean. There are many things in life over which you have no choice. But the greatest activity of life is well within your dominion. You choose what you think.

You are the air traffic controller of your mental airport. You occupy the control tower, directing the mental traffic of your world. If a thought lands, it is because you gave it permission. If it leaves, it is because you commanded it to do so. You select your thoughts.

For that reason, the wise man urges: “Be careful what you think because your thoughts run your life” (Proverbs 4:23). Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then sow seeds of happiness today. Do you want to guarantee tomorrow’s misery? Then wallow in a mental mud pit of self-pity or guilt or anxiety today. Thoughts have consequences.

Your challenge is not your challenge. Your challenge is the way you think about your challenge. Your problem is not your problem; it is the way you look at it. You can’t always control your circumstances, but you can control the way you process them. We are the sum of our thoughts.

Here is how it works. You receive a call from the doctor’s office. The message is simple and unwelcome. “The doctor has reviewed your tests and would like you to come into the office for a consultation.”

As quickly as you can say “uh-oh,” you have a choice: anxiety or trust.

Anxiety says “These things never turn out right for me. My family has a history of tragedy. It’s my turn. I probably have cancer, arthritis, jaundice. Am I going blind? My eyes have been blurry lately. Is this a brain tumor?”

“Who will raise the kids? Who will pay the medical bills? I’m going to die, broke and lonely. I’m too young for this tragedy! No one can understand me or help me!”

If this person isn’t sick, they will be by the time they go to the doctor’s office. “Anxiety weighs down the human heart” (Proverbs 12:25 NRSV).

But there is a better way.   You “… capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5 NCV). You slap handcuffs on the culprit and march it before the One who has all authority: Jesus Christ. You’re praying before you hang up the phone.

“Jesus, this anxiety just wormed its way into my mind. Is it from you?”

Jesus, who can always be counted on to speak the truth says: “No, get away from here Satan.” And you, as the discerning, sober-minded air traffic controller of your mind, refuse to let the thought have the time of day. Before you call your mom, spouse, neighbor or friend, you call on God. You invite him to speak into the problem.

You lay claim to every biblical promise you can remember and set out to learn a few more. You take up the Scripture, “…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). You pray the promises of the Covenant-keeper. “I will wait on the Lord. I will be of good courage. You will strengthen my heart” (Psalms 27:14). You declare: You are with me. You will never leave me or forsake me. All my days were in your hand before one of them came to be. All things work together for good. You give Satan no quarter. You give his lies no welcome.

You “…fasten the belt of truth around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14 NRSV). You resist the urge to exaggerate, overstate or amplify. You focus on the facts; nothing more. The fact is, the doctor has called. The fact is, he may have good news or bad. For all you know, he may want you to be a poster child of good health. All you can do is pray and trust.

So, you do. You enter the doctor’s office, not weighed down with anxiety, but buoyed by faith.

Which do you prefer?

You want to be free from anxiety? God wants you to be free even more. And he will help you get there.

Max Lucado