Context~

March 23, 2020

During this time of crisis in our world I hear many people saying, while joined on the internet or social media, “wherever two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).  As all scripture, we must look at context.  This scripture is preceded by going to your brother when he sins against you. I see verse 20 as a result of following what is instructed in going to your brother for reconciliation.  While I don’t disagree that God is in the midst of two or three, the idea that He is only there when there are two or three is not sound.  The Bible tells us “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6).  Go into your closet… alone.  God is with us, and God hears us if we are alone talking to Him, and when we are gathered talking to Him.  Jesus Himself went off by Himself to pray (Matthew 14:23). 

Hebrews 13: 5 says God will never leave you nor forsake you.  I think it is important for everyone to know during this time that what Jesus did on the cross gives us access to the Father, and that He wants to hear from us whether we are alone or gathered in a group.  Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)!  Let us cling to the hope we have in Him during this time and share with others so that they can be freed and have access to the Father!  

Our daily time with the Lord is just for Him and us.  Let us share the hope we have and the encouragement that it is found in the awesome privilege it is to be able to go to our Lord in prayer.  Always… but especially in the days like we are currently experiencing.  

Father God, I ask You to continue to reveal Yourself to each of us, and to fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may know you more.  Teach us to pray, and to share our hope with those around us.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Let Go~

Branches with the little leaves hanging on, just let go.  Don’t hold on to what needs to drop.  Release that which has sustained damage done by insects and weather.  What awaits you in just a few short months is so much better than allowing the damaged leaves to stay longer than necessary. Release them and feed on to the nourishment that is within you that will sustain you until new life comes forth.  Just let go.  Allow the decay to fall away so that you are prepared for the fresh new life to come.

Outlook~

February 24, 2020

I drove 885 miles to Florida last week.  When I got out of the car in the driveway of the home I was staying at, I saw 3 areas of concern on my front driver side tire.  I called a friend and asked if he would look at it.  He thought upon looking at it that I needed a new tire.  I was headed to visit family and plans fell through.  On my way back, I saw a Tire Kingdom and a few guys in the shop.  I drove in to ask them their opinion about the tire.  They all said that the tire needed to be replaced.  That tire is much newer than the other three and I was mad.  I thought to myself that I shouldn’t have gone to Florida at all and should have stayed home.  I asked the guys if I was ok to drive on it and they said yes that it would only lose air, but I should be ok.  I went to church on Sunday morning and to visit some friends right after.  I had plans to visit my brother and drove to his house in the late afternoon.  He looked at my tire and asked me if I wanted him to plug it.  I said no, and that I would take it to a garage.  After only a little encouraging, I let him do it.  To both of our surprises, the “nails” that were in my tire were actually only one that had gone in one part and out another.  When he used his pliers to pull them out, they hadn’t gone deep enough to puncture the tire.  We both said it was a good thing that they were in that tire and not one of the others.  I drove for a week in Florida, and another 885 miles back home with absolutely no issues.

I love how God uses things like this to help me see how He sometimes works.   Things happen that I think “That is my best tire, why did it have to be that one?!” but God knows that is exactly the one that needed to take whatever it is.  Perhaps the strongest part is able to take the trial without it hurting too deeply.  God is able to remove the thing that appeared to harm us leaving only minor damage. 

Thank You Lord God for protecting me and using something like this to show me more of who You are.  Thank You for reminding me that while what I see as the worst possible case is actually the best thing that could happen overall.  Thank You for Your sovereignty.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.