LEARN TO LISTEN TO ME...

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

Learn to listen to Me even while you are listening to other people.  As they open their souls to your scrutiny, you are on holy ground.  You need the help of My Spirit to respond appropriately.  Ask Him to think through you, live through you, love through you.  My own Being is alive within you in the Person of the Holy Spirit.  If you respond to others' needs through your unaided thought processes, you offer them dry crumbs.  When the Spirit empowers your listening and speaking, My streams of living water flow through you to other people.  Be a channel of My Love, Joy, and Peace by listening to Me as you listen to others.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in My Presence"

WORSHIP ME.....

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

Worship Me in the beauty of holiness.  All true beauty reflects some of who I AM.  My ways in you: the divine Artist creating loveiness within your being.  My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession.  Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of anything I choose to take away.  I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that - abundantly!

Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way.  I am training you to depend on Me alone, finding fulfillment in My Presence.  This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will for the moment.  Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive.  Cultivate this receptive stance by trusting Me in every situation.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

COME TO 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

Come to Me with your plans held in abeyance.  Worship Me in spirit and in truth, allowing My Glory to permeate your entire being.  Trust Me enough to let Me guide you through this day, accomplishing My purposes in My timing.  Subordinate your myriad plans to My Master Plan.  I am sovereign over every aspect of your life!

The challenge continually before you is to trust Me and search for My way through each day.  Do not blindly follow your habitual route, or you will miss what I have prepared for you.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

WELCOME CHALLENGING TIMES...

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

Welcome challenging times as opportunities to trust Me.  You have Me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle.  When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges.  That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety.  Without Me, you wouldn't make it past the first hurdle!

The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me.  Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness.  Regardless of the day's problems, I can keep you in perfect Peace as you stay close to Me.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

TO LIVE.....

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

TO LIVE in My Presence, you must expose and expel rebellious tendencies.  When something interferes with your plans or desires, you tend to resent the interferences with your plans or desires, you tend to resent the interference.  Try to become aware of each resentment, however petty it may seem.  Don't push those unpleasant feelings down; instead, let them come to the surface where you can deal with them.  Ask My Spirit to increase your awareness of resentful feelings.  Bring them boldly into the Light of My Presence, so that I can free you from them.

The ultimate solution to rebellious tendencies is submission to My authority over you.  Intellectually you rejoice in My sovereignty, without which  the world would be a terrifying place.  But when My sovereign will encroaches on your little domain of control, you often react with telltale resentment.

The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise:  The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.  Remember that all good things - your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time - are gifts from Me.  Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude.  Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

STOP WORRYING LONG ENOUGH...

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

Stop worrying long enough to hear My voice.  I speak softly to you, in the depths of your being.  Your mind shuttles back and forth, hither and yon, weaving webs of anxious confusion.  As my thoughts rise up within you, they become entangles in those sticky webs of worry.Thus, My voice is muffled, and you hear only "white noise."

Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can think My thoughts.  This ability is an awesome benefit of being My child, patterned after My own image.  Do not be deafened by the noise of the world or that of your own thinking.  Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Sit quietly in My Presence, letting My thoughts reprogram your thinking.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

Armour of God

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

Friend, this world is not an easy place to live in, is it?

I think that’s why Scripture tells us to suit up in the armor of God.

Interestingly, in Ephesians 6, we are told to put on the belt of truth, helmet of salvation and to take up the sword of the spirit. But not once are we told to actually fight.

Instead, four different times Paul tells us to stand firm. Why? Paul says that we are fighting spiritual enemies, and Christ has already secured our victory over all the enemies of this world!

The devil may be defeated, but he is defiant. His forces continue to fight against us, but we don’t have to fight back. We just have to stand firm!

- Whitney Capps - Proverbs 31 Ministries

I SPEAK TO YOU FROM.....

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

I speak to you from the depths of your being.  Here Me saying soothing words of Peace, assuring you of My Love.  Do not listen to voices of accusation, for they are not from Me.  I speak to you in love-tones, lifting you up.  My Spirit convicts cleanly, without crushing words of shame.  Let the Spirit take charge of your mind, combing out tangles of deception.  Be transformed by the truth that I live within you.

The Light of My Presence is shining upon you, in benedictions of Peace.  Let My Light shine in you; don't dim it with worries or fears.  Holiness is letting Me live through you.  Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy.  Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you.  Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living.  I want to inhabit all your moments - gracing your thoughts, words, and behaviour.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

TRUST ME ONE DAY AT A TIME

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

Trust me one day at a time.  This keeps you close to me, responsive to My will.  Trust is not a natural response, especially for those who have been deeply wounded.  My Spirit within you is your resident Tutor, helping you in this supernatural endeavor.  Yield to His gentle touch; be sensitive to His prompting.

Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances.   Don't let your need to understand distract you from My Presence.  I will equip you to get through this day victoriously, as you live in deep dependence on Me.  Tomorrow is busy worrying about itself; don't get tangled up in its worry-webs.  Trust Me one day at a time.

- Jesus Calling; Enjoying Peace in His Presence

Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

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

WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT.  As you take steps of faith, depending on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you.  If you live your life too safely, you will never know the thrill of seeing Me work through you.  When I gave you My Spirit, I empowered you to live beyond your natural ability and strength.  That's why it is so wrong to measure your energy level against the challenges ahead of you.  The issue is not your strength but Mine, which is limitless.  By walking close to Me, you can accomplish My purposes in My strength.

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

Wait On The Spirit

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


Wait on the Spirit. If Peter and the apostles needed the help of the Spirit, don’t we? They walked with Jesus for three years; heard his preaching and saw his miracles. They saw the body of Christ buried in the grace and raised from the dead. They witnessed his Upper Room appearance and heard his instruction. Had they not received the best possible training? Weren’t they ready? Yet Jesus told them to wait on the Spirit. “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised…the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5).

Learn to wait, to be silent, to listen for his voice. Cherish stillness and sensitize yourself to his touch.  All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene.

From God is With You Every Day

The First Fruits....

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 fruit we bear in our lives is the evidence of God's Spirit in us. It's not that we are perfect by any means. But on a consistent basis are we demonstrating what Galatians 5 lists as fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

The way we treat others, speak to others, demonstrate patience with others, notice others and honor others will either validate or violate what we say we believe. The very best sermons aren't those preached from a stage but rather those lived out in everyday life.

What a needed reminder for us all today.

"Proverbs 31 Ministries"

The First Fruits....

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 fruit we bear in our lives is the evidence of God's Spirit in us. It's not that we are perfect by any means. But on a consistent basis are we demonstrating what Galatians 5 lists as fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

The way we treat others, speak to others, demonstrate patience with others, notice others and honor others will either validate or violate what we say we believe. The very best sermons aren't those preached from a stage but rather those lived out in everyday life.

What a needed reminder for us all today.

"Proverbs 31 Ministries"

The First Fruits....

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 fruit we bear in our lives is the evidence of God's Spirit in us. It's not that we are perfect by any means. But on a consistent basis are we demonstrating what Galatians 5 lists as fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

The way we treat others, speak to others, demonstrate patience with others, notice others and honor others will either validate or violate what we say we believe. The very best sermons aren't those preached from a stage but rather those lived out in everyday life.

What a needed reminder for us all today.

"Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Christian Self-Control

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

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."                                                                                                               Proverbs  16:32

     Unless you can control yourself, you will never be able to properly control and influence others!  The secret of quietness, gentleness, and sober self-control is found in always keeping nearer to God than to anything or anyone else.  A Christian can endure with composure almost any circumstance if he has properly yielded himself to the Spirit of God.

     Many years ago the Gospel Herald carried the story of Samuel Stokes, an American missionary who walked through the villages in the darkest part of India, carrying only a water-bottle and a blanket.  This dear man of God trusted wholly to native hospitality and the providence of God for his food and lodging.  In one village he was given a very hostile reception.  The head men of the town sat in chairs in a circle smoking and eating, leaving him to recline on the dirty floor.  When he asked if he might nurse their sick and teach them of Christ, they hurled horrible insults at him; but by the grace of God he controlled his tongue and made no reply.  Finally they gave him some food - just a few stale crusts in a filthy bowl.  He thanked them courteously and, in order to win them to Christ, ate what had been set before him.  For two days they treated him thus.  On the third day, the head man laid his turban at Mr. Stokes' feet as a token of his respect. He explained that they had heard that Jesus' disciples were commanded to love their enemies and they could not believe the truth of this statement.  They had decided, therefore, to put him to the test when he came to their town.  The result had amazed them.  Now they brought him their choicest food and were eager to hear his teaching.  He realized then that if he had lost his temper, he would have missed his chance to witness to this benighted group of heathen.  Let us also pray for grace to be meek and in full control of our own spirit.

"Bread For Each Day"

Psalm 31

Come, sit, and 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


1.  In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2.  Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defense (fortress)to save me.
3.  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4.  Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5.  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
6.  I have hated them that regard lying vanities (vain idols): but I trust in the Lord.
7.  I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
8.  And hast not shut (given me over) me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room (wide place).
9.  Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, you, my soul and my belly.
10.  For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed (waste away).
11.  I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me outside fled from me.
12.  I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13.  For I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14.  But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15.  My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16.  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
17.  Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18.  Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19.  Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20.  Thou shalt hide them in the secret of my presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21.  Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
22.  For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23.  O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24.  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Romans 8:13

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 from you, with all malice."  Ephesians 4:31

The Power Of The Word

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

             "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."  John  15:3

     The Word of God is compared to water for three distinct purposes.  When the Bible speaks of water for drinking purposes it refers to regeneration through the Spirit (John 3:5).  When used as a figure of floods and torrents, it signifies the judgments of God (2 Peter 3:6).  Water used for cleansing and washing points to the sanctifying power of the Word of God.

     Jesus prayed,  "Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth"  (John 17:17).  The Church is cleansed by the "washing of water by the Word."  No believer can be clean without daily "bathing" in the Word of God.  Just reverently reading the Bible daily will be a sanctifying experience, even though you may not even remember much of what you have read.  Some people have very poor memories.  A man once complained:  "I might as well stop reading the Bible for I get so little out of it and remember so little afterwards."  Is this your trouble?  Then liten to the little story of a simple Hindu convert.  A missionary diligently tried to teach her the Word of God daily, and become greatly discouraged because her new convert was so slow in remembering what she had been taught.  One day she complained,  "I guess it's no use trying to teach you the Word, you seem to forget all I tell you about the Bible.  Your mind seems like a sieve.  As fast I pour the water in, it runs out again."  The reply of the poor woman reveals a great truth.  Said she,  "Yes, I realize my mind is like a sieve.  I do forget so much, but when you pour water through a sieve it makes the sieve clean, even though it seems to retain none of it.  I am sorry I forget so much, but please don't stop pouring the Word into me.  It makes my heart and mind feel so clean afterwards.  The water is not wasted."

     It is not how much Scripture you can memorize, but rather how "much" it does to you.

                                                                  Who would not love the Bible,
                                                                       So beautiful and wise?
                                                                   It cleanses and refreshes,
                                                                        And points us to the skies.
                                                                                                    - E. Hood

"The vigor of our spiritual life will be in proportion to the place held by the Word in our life and thoughts."
                                                                                                                                        - G. Mueller

"Bread For Each Day"

COME TO ME CONTINUALLY...

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

COME TO ME CONTINUALLY.  I am meant to be the Center of your consciousness, the Anchor of your soul.  Your mind will wander from Me, but the question is how far you allow it to wander.  An anchor on a short rope lets a boat drift only slightly before the taut line tugs the boat back toward the center. Similarly, as you drift away from Me, My Spirit within you gives a tug, prompting you to return to Me.  As you become increasingly attuned to My Presence, the length of rope on your soul's Anchor is shortened. You wander only a short distance before feeling that inner tug - telling you to return to your true Center in Me.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

I AM CREATING...

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

I AM CREATING something new in your; a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others' lives.  Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for it in any way.  Instead, watch in delight as My Spirit flows through you to bless others.  Let yourself become a reservoir of the Spirit's fruit.

Your part is to live close to me, open to all tha tI am doing in you.  Don't try to control the streaming of My Spriit through you.  Just keep focusing on Me as we walk through this day together.  Enjoy My Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy, and Peace.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"