Transform Your Troubles

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Marie

cloud-705728_960_720 Life is full of challenges and some of them we simply can’t handle ourselves. So what do we do? Call a friend… Think it through… Plan revenge… Perhaps but there is a better way. Read on, I think you’ll find that if you practice these steps your issues/troubles/challenges will end up where they need too, at the feet of Jesus.

First and always run to Jesus. Not walk, not crawl, run! Get there as fast as you can. David says it so clearly in Psalm 31:1

Then, cast your cares on Him. He wants us to give Him our problems and challenges. Why? Because He cares. Because He truly knows what is best for us and will provide for us. 1-peter-5

Although we tend to discount fasting as a way to overcome there is nothing wrong with giving up a meal and spending that time totally focused on Him. Luke 4 tells us Jesus fasted for 40 days. Moses fasted. Daniel fasted. Paul fasted. Why? Because they needed answers and they needed them from God.

And pray! I could leave it there but prayer is the real answer. Whenever we’re talking to God/Jesus we’re praying. We are told 121 times in the NIV to pray. 311 in the King James. 122 times in the RSV. I don’t think He could have made it any clearer. We are to pray!!!

Then, and finally, listen. Listen to the sweet, satisfying voice of the Spirit. Listen and respond. Follow His leading. Don’t hesitate. Be still and know that He is God! (Psalm 46:10)

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Calming The Restless Mind

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Marie

What do you do when you find your mind is roiling? when stress is overtaking? When circumstances are overwhelming? I have 10 memorized, go to, Bible verses that help calm my restless mind. Many of you know me well enough to know I’ve memorized many more, but these are the ones I go to most often.

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God! I have this on a plaque in my office. It reminds me to sit back, relax, and simply know His presence.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God is thoroughly equipped for every good work. These words are a reminder that God has ‘breathed’ every word of the Bible to us because He wants us to be thoroughly prepared and ready for His work.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your works acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. I memorized this in college, at a time when I was making career and life choices. It has served me well in the many years since when I’ve needed to make decisions. Trusting Him has always paid off!

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the Name of the LORD our God. Years ago, Ray and I were at a dinner theater in the Great Smokey Mountains. This verse was carved into the mantle of the gigantic fireplace of the building. It still resonates loudly for me…TRUST IN GOD!

Galatians 4:4 When the fullness of time had come God sent forth His Son… Everything that happens to me, to you, around this world, is happening at the exact time God wants. It was planned before time even began and other events have already occurred to make God’s plan work!

Esther 4:4 And who knows that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this. When I am questioning the plan, whining with a case of the why me’s, I sit back and reflect on this verse and Esther herself. It reminds me that we do what we have to do because it is the right thing to do.

Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who has believed the LORD will fulfill His promises to her. Although these words were directed to Mary, the mother of Jesus, they are for each of us who know the Promises and believe they are His Word to all people.

Philippians 4:8 Think on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy and good. If everything I’m thinking about falls into these categories then my mind is filled with peace and calm and relaxes into thinking about His plan for me.

John 3:17 For God sent forth His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. This verse follows the most memorized verse in the Bible…God so love the world… It’s a reminder that we are so loved that He does not want to condemn us! From the beginning, He wants us ‘saved’. He wants us with Him! He wants us.

My favorite verses of all the Bible are Psalm 23. It calms me, supports me, heals me, focuses me, and absolutely delights me.

The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the dark valleys, I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I challenge you to commit at least 10 Scriptures to memory. The calming effect this will have on your mind, soul, and spirit is almost like being cradled in His arms.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

My Quiet Place

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Marie

Where is your quiet place? Do you even have one? It seems that men have workshops and garages, children have their own rooms, and women… It is hugely important, for personal and spiritual growth, release of stress and just plain relaxing, that everyone would have a place that is their own. (Even Cinderella had one – – In My Own Little Corner (video) – – Enjoy the memory!)

Jesus modeled the importance of quiet times. Mark 1:35 (NLT) says – The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. Jesus had been working very hard the day before, healing many people. I imagine He was exhausted and when he woke up He needed silence and time alone with His Father. He choose to go into the wilderness because He knew He wouldn’t be bothered there. Well at least until someone came looking for Him and of course they did.

Mark 6:31-32 (NLT) tells of another incident but this time it includes the disciples. Then Jesus said, “Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.” There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His disciples didn’t even have time to eat. They left by boat for a quieter spot. Of course we know the rest of the story…they found them again. However, while they were crossing the lake there was certainly quiet time in the boat. They could simply be silent and heal their minds.

Those are just two examples of the places in the Bible that God speaks of the need for a Quiet Place. 2 Kings 4:10 tells the story of the wealthy woman from Shunem who created a ‘little room’ for Elisha the Prophet. It was furnished, on a cool roof top, a quiet place of his own. Or, how about Psalm 46:10.

A quiet place can be anywhere as long as it is your place. It can be indoors or out, it can be furnished or not, it can be at home or away… I find it interesting that even a piece of cloth can even provide a spot that is quietly yours, evidenced by the prayer shawls of the Jewish believer’s that were specifically designed to be placed over the head during prayer.

In my quiet spot I have books, music, a warm afghan, silence and above all the respect of my family to leave me alone unless it is a dire emergency. I encourage you to find a place and make it yours.

Here are a couple of videos that speak to the idea of a quiet place:

Jesus Is a Quiet Place for Me In The Secret

Heavenly Father, You have given me so much, I can’t thank You enough. Keep me always aware that I have Your attention, always. Bring me to the quiet place and let me know You more. Make it so!

What’s Missing

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Marie

“Food can fill our stomachs but never our souls.
Posessions can fill our houses but never our hearts.
Sex can fill our nights but never our hunger for love.
Children can fill our days but never our identities.
Jesus wants us to know only He can fill us and truly satisfy us.”
~ Lysa TerKeurst

While at a baseball game I watch the game and talk to the people around. At the grocery store or mall I shop. During lunch with a friend I interact with her. At worship I focus on my Lord. At the movies I watch the show. At work I focus on my job. It seems that everyone around me has their cell phone or iPad with them constantly and their focus is on that and not on the present.

What are they all looking for? Is there something missing? Is there such loneliness in the lives of those around us that there must be constant contact with someone or something?

I use my cel phone only when traveling long distances for safety issues. (I have Sync so I don’t have to take my hands of the steering wheel.) I do not text unless I am texted and often don’t check my messages until I’m annoyed by the beep. I use my lap top only for business and writing. If I’m feeling lonely my go to person is God.

In this lonely, rushing world the one verse that stands out to me is Psalm 46:10

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Heavenly Father, Creator of all, Master of the Universe, You alone are worthy of my total attention. In the hustle, bustle, and rush of this world you are my Quite Place. You create the stillness that can be felt in the noise of life. Grant me the privilege of knowing the ‘Peace that passes all understanding in Christ Jesus.’ Make it so