SIT QUIETLY WITH ME...

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

Sit quietly with me, letting all your fears and worries bubble up to the surface of your consciousness.  There, in the Light of My Presence, the bubbles pop and disappear.  However, some fears surface over and over again, especially fear of the future.  You tend to project yourself mentally into the next day, week, month, year, decade; and you visualize yourself coping badly in those times.  What you are seeing is a false image, because it doesn't include Me.  Those gloomy times that you imagine will not come to pass, since My Presence will be with you at all times.

When a future-oriented worry assails you, capture it and disarm it by suffusing the Light of My Presence into that mental image.  Say to yourself,  "Jesus will be with me then and there.  With His help, I can cope!"  Then, come home to the present moment, where you can enjoy Peace in My Presence.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

Don't Waste Time On Worry

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

Rather than waste time and energy on worry, let’s use it to build our faith. Why replay fears in our minds when we can choose to remember God’s truth instead? What if we look to His Word to find a specific Scripture verse that addresses our concerns?

We can flip fear with the Word of God. Worrying won’t change our situation, but God’s Word can. When anxious thoughts come, let’s call to mind God’s promises and meditate on His faithfulness. Let’s turn our worries into prayers as we proclaim God’s powerful Word over ourselves and the people we love.

After all, our heavenly Father calls each star by name, and He sees each sparrow when it falls. We can trust Him to take care of us.

- Betsy De Cruz, Proverbs 31 Ministries

Boundaries

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  4:31Boundaries

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another."   Galatians  5:13

     The morning had been fairly routine - until I discovered the bird trapped in the family room.

     Perched quivering on the arm of the couch, the pathetic little bird splattered pale droplets of fear on the upholstery.  At my startled sound, he took flight, crashing first into one window and then another.  Finally, exhausted, he clutched a ledge for a brief and trembling rest before trying to break free again.

     Then a surprising thing happened.  From outside, another sparrow hopped toward the open door.  He moved right up to the doorjamb, loudly chirping the way to freedom.  And it worked.

     As his trapped friend paused, he heard and cocked his feathered head, riveting his attention to the liberating call.  He jumped from the couch arm, to the cushion, to the floor.  He listened, not yet seeing, but following the call closer and closer.  Then one more hop and he was out with his friend, flying free.

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"

The Last Enemy

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

                    "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."  1 Corinthians  15:26

     Death is the last enemy that will be vanquished.  Potentially, redemption in all its fullness already belongs to the Christian; but actually, experientially, it is not yet completely extended to his body.  When faith is weak, therefore, even saints become disturbed when they think of the pain and distress associated with dying.  They do not dread what lies beyond, but they do fear the grim visage of death itself.

     To Christians who are troubled about death, I would give a word of comfort.  Remember first, that God does not usually give dying grace until the very moment when it is needed.  Secondly, you may be among those who will be instantly glorified at the Saviour's coming - therefore God may not now be giving you grace for that which you will never experience!  Be sure of this, however, if you are trusting the Saviour and the mystic hour comes, you will most certainly know His comfort, for yielded souls find Home-going a time of triumph and calm blessedness!

     I remember one young man who, although a fine Christian, greatly feared "dying."  However, when he did leave this earthly scene it was in his sleep, and then so peacefully that those about him did not even realize that he had passed away.  The terrible death struggle he had anticipated never came.  His sister remarked very aptly,  "I believe that the Saviour, knowing how much George feared physical death, took him quietly in his sleep.  No doubt while he was lying there so restfully, he suddenly heard the Lord say to him,  'Come on Home, George, there is nothing to fear, death is only a shadow - I will go with you through the valley.'  And so, I believe he walked calmly, hand-in-hand with Jesus, until he came to the Father's many mansions!"

     How comforting and true the words of the old hymn which exults,  "Best of all, best of all, He'll go with me when I'm dying; that to me is best of all!"

"Bread For Each Day"

BRING ME ALL YOUR FEELINGS....

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

BRING ME ALL YOUR FEELINGS, even the ones you wish you didn't have.  Fear and anxiety still plague you.  Feelings per se are not sinful, but they can be temptation to sin.  Blazing missiles of fear fly at you day and night; these attacks from the evil one come at you relentlessly.  Use your shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows.  Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel.  If you persist, your feelings will eventually fall in line with your faith.

Do not hide from your fear or pretend it isn't there.  Anxiety that you hide in the recesses of your heart will give birth to fear of fear:  a monstrous stepchild.  Bring your anxieties out into the Light of My Presence, where we can deal with them together.  Concentrate on trusting Me, and fearfulness will gradually lose its foothold within you.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

SEEK TO LIVE IN MY LOVE.....

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

SEEK TO LIVE IN MY LOVE, which covers a multitude of sins:  both yours and others'.  Wear My Love like a cloak of Light, covering you from head to toe.  Have no fear, for perfect Love decimates fear. Look at other people through lenses of Love; see them from My perspective.  This is how you walk in the Light, and it pleases Me.

I want My Body of believers to be radiant with the Light of My Presence.  How I grieve when pockets of darkness increasingly dim the Love-Light.  Return to Me, your First Love!  Gaze at Me in the splendor of holiness, and My Love will once again envelop you in Light.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Do You Talk To Yourself?

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

                              "And when he came to himself, he said . . ."  Luke  15:17

     Sitting in my car at the curb, waiting for the good spouse to purchase a pair of stockings, I entertained myself by watching the faces of people walking by, to observe the various emotions written on their faces. When people think nobody is looking, they will usually reveal their inmost thoughts by the expression on their faces.  As the various ones passed by, I saw registered upon their faces happiness, sorrow, anxiety, fear, anticipation, determination, etc., etc.  But one man in particular drew my attention, for he was deeply engrossed in talking to himself.  He was so absorbed in his conversation that he bumped into another pedestrian.  As he neared our car I could hear him mumbling.  What he said I don't know, but it surely was a serious discussion.  He was both a good conversationalist and a good listener.  He reminded me of "Mose," who being asked why he always talked to himself, replied,  "I have two reason:  firstly, I like to hear a smart man talk, and secondly, I like to talk to a smart man!"

     What do people talk about to themselves?  It is either good or bad.  The rich man in Luke 12:16-21 talked to himself about his riches and God called him a fool!  The prodigal son in Luke 15 was talking to himself about his poverty, and resolved to seek the better riches of his father's house.

     When you talk to yourself you are simply thinking out loud.  Your private conversation reveals what is in your heart.  A man is what he thinks!  If his thoughts are evil, he will be evil.  If his thoughts are pure, his life will be pure.

     "Whatsoever things are true, honest, just pure, lovely, of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"  (Philippians  4:8).

"Bread For Each Day"