“Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.” ~John Calvin

Sometimes there are moments in life where it feels like the world is crashing in around you. Last night was one of those moments for me. I’ve been struggling with insomnia and night terrors for a little over two weeks now. Memories from the past, claw at my mind, tempting me into despair. Usually, with PTSD, there are triggers that you can identify and work through, but this time the feelings caught me completely off guard.

I am so very blessed God united me with a man that is intuitive, patient, and kind. He has used my husband in these moments to speak scripture to the deepest parts of my heart and mind. After we put our kids to sleep, he sensed that I was hiding behind the “I’m fine” mask and prayed over me. Together we opened up scripture, and I was quickly reminded of the One who is greater than all the things we fear or face.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him (Psalm 28:7).”

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom (Isaiah 40:28).”

“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2).”

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8),”

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you (Psalm 32:7-8).”

Are you feeling anxious, discouraged, or overwhelmed today? Is there a giant you are facing that has you stressing out? Do you look around at those surrounding you and it seems like they’ve got it all figured out, while your life feels so chaotic?  Don’t despair! Instead, I encourage you to Meditate on God’s goodness. Nothing is too difficult for our God!

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you (Jeremiah 32:17).”

 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)”

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).”

Thank you, Father, for being our firm foundation when life’s waves come crashing in. Thank you for your protection and deliverance when times are tough. You are my strength and shield. You never grow tired or weary. Fill my heart with your comfort, my body with your strength, and my mind with your peace. In Jesus name, Amen!

Is there special scripture that you turn to when feeling overwhelmed or discouraged? I’d love for you to share it with us in the comments section below.

God bless,
Tina

My heart  breaks as I hear of the horrific events that are taking place overseas. Dozens of Christians are being kidnapped, persecuted and murdered for their faith.  I grieve with those who are grieving (Romans 12:15). I pray for those who lost a loved one and for the hearts of the men who did these ugly things in the name of their faith.

As tears stream down my face, the Lord whispers to me through His word:

“You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but someday you will (John 13:7).”

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13).”

“The LORD works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster (Proverbs 16:4).”

God is in control.

Even in the dark and evil moments when it feels like the world is broken beyond repair…

He sees; He knows.

Every injustice. Every tear.

“For the kingdom is the LORD’S And He rules over the nations (Psalms 22:28).”

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God (Romans 13:1).”

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).”

Lord, I come to you broken by the news of our brothers whose lives were taken, in the name of Christ. I pray for the families who mourn the loss of a brother, a father, an uncle, a son. I pray for those still being persecuted and are struggling to endure to the end. I pray for those who are persecuting the church. Show them grace through your people. Thank you, Father, for the Spirit who discerns the groaning of my heart. In Jesus name, Amen!

“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).”

“Because God has made us for Himself, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.” ~Augustine of Hippo

As Valentine’s Day approaches I thought it would be appropriate to write a little something on the topic of love, but I found myself struggling to find the right words. While the day is filled with sentiments of endearment for some, I recognize that it may be a day of longing for others.

Whether tomorrow is a day you look forward to celebrating or one you’ll work hard to move past, I want you to know that God loves you! Scripture describes Him as The Perfect Valentine:

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13).”

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).”

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10).”

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness (Jeremiah 31:3).”

“Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5, Joshua 1:5).”

Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love (Psalm 36:7, Psalm 48:9, Psalm 52:8)! It reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5).  Help us to look to you as the standard, our Perfect Valentine. In Jesus name, Amen!

“‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ (Psalm 95:11; Hebrews 3:10-11).”

Wintertime is here in full force. Over the week, New York has seen over two feet of snow. As I sit tucked away in the quiet shelter of our home, I find myself staring out the window and trying to find the positive in it all.  The phrase that repeatedly comes to mind is “God’s winter rest.”

The idea of some never finding rest is repeated several times in Hebrews, and it got me to thinking… what does it mean to rest? And, what can we learn from it in relation to Christ crucified?

In context, the scripture quoted above seems to imply that God set aside our disbelieving ancestors and ultimately shut them out.

Do you remember the story of the Israelites?

Do you recall how many times God’s chosen grumbled and disobeyed even after all the miracles they witnessed?

How much are we like them with our disobedience and hardened hearts?

God commands us to rest!
God’s winter rest.

He made it possible for us to enter His rest through Jesus’ perfect work on the cross, but we need to do our part and accept His free gift.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:16-18).”

“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it (Hebrews 4:1).”

“…everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).”

Repent.
Believe.
Rest.

There is nothing we can do to earn a right standing with God. If that were the case, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to come and take our place on the cross. This recent tweet from Casting Crowns says it best:

Our pride can make us feel that we need to earn God’s forgiveness. It requires humility to admit that we have nothing to offer God.

— Casting Crowns (@castingcrowns) February 10, 2015

Lord, I pray that you hide my words and speak your Truth through me. I trust that I don’t need to be a great theological teacher, or expert in everything scripture for you to reach those who are lost. Soften hearts and open eyes like only you can do. Let those who are seeking find rest in you today. In Jesus name, Amen!

“Now we who have believed enter that rest… (Hebrews 4:3)”

 

*original photo credit: Rhonda Rossi
(photo edited & shared with permission)

“I am the Lord, and there is no other;
    apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
    though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
    to the place of its setting
people may know there is none
    besides me (Isaiah 45:5-6).”

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).”

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1).”

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised (Psalm 113:3).”

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”   ~Rabindranath Tagore

Lord, I praise you! You have made everything beautiful in its time. I stand in awe of your handiwork. It speaks of something yet to come, something my heart yearns for each and every day: an eternity with You. Thank you for the perfect work of the cross. Let us see the beauty around us and give thanks, for it brings glory to You. In Jesus name, Amen!