For when I need help to place my hope in God

"Don’t brag about what will happen tomorrow.
    You don’t really know what will happen then."
Proverbs 27:1 International Children's Bible

This verse encourages me because 
Jesus can always bust through all the parameters of what is possible
and do things I have no idea of

"Why am I so sad?
    Why am I so upset?
I should put my hope in God.
    I should keep praising him,
My Savior and 6  my God." Psalm 42:5 ICB

"Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance." Psalm 42:5 KJV.

Oh Lord, help me
It seems like the same things keep happening 
over and over
the same disappointments
the same pains
the same frustrations
the same failings
I am stuck going around this circle
back to where I started again
over and over again

"you do not know what a day may bring forth"
With God there is hope 
because HE IS GOD
He can change situations
He can change people
He can change relationships
He can change ME

Why am I so depressed?
Why this turmoil within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him,
my Savior and my God.

I am deeply depressed;therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.  Psalm 42:5

Holman Christian Standard Bible

One powerful example:

16 When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. 19 After they had rowed about three or four miles,[a] they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid.

20 But He said to them, “It is I.[b] Don’t be afraid!” 21 Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading. John 6:16-21 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Many of these disciples were fisherman. 
They knew boats, 
they knew all about the Sea of Galilee
they knew all abou tsailing in storms 
and the parameters of what was possible 
and what was not. 

Yet Jesus came to them completely outside of anything they knew to be reasonably possible.

In the midst of the darkness

in the midst of the storm

the wind

the churning

In the midst of their labor and toil

their struggling 

Jesus came in the midst of all this

He came in a way they did not understand

He came in a way that was not possible

"And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them."  Mark 6:48 KJV

They felt all alone, but He saw

He knew 

And He came 

47-49 Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits.

50-52 Jesus was quick to comfort them: “Courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn’t understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.  Mark 6:47-52 The Message

In the midst of our turmoil

our struggles

our storms

He is coming

He is passing by

Cry Out to Him

He will be quick to Comfort

It is I

not necessarily that things will get better

or I will get what I want

or even that I will feel better necessarily

But that in the midst of what I am experiencing

"Don't be afraid. It is I."

That is what I need

I need you, LORD

Please open my heart 

to receive you 

into my bewilderment

into my little beleaguered boat

into the midst of all my distorted perspectives and thoughts

Only you can really calm the wind

cease the storm

bring peace within

Only you can give hope within 

and transform me from within

Then I can be calm to hear from you

"Don’t brag about what will happen tomorrow.

    You don’t really know what will happen then."

Proverbs 27:1 International Children's Bible 

Yes, Lord, I really don't know what will be, because of who You are

“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me." John 14:1 Holman Christian Standard 

18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.

21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.” 

John 14:18-20 The Message


Other passages that really encourage me at what amazing transformations God can do in just one day:

Luke 24  at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24&version=MSG

For when I am discouraged

Luke 24: 13-32  The Message

Jesus draws near to the deeply discouraged 

13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

...in the midst of perplexity, confusion, deep disappointment and discouragement, 

Jesus drew near but they were unaware of him. 

 I may not feel you, or be aware of you, but...

 " The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

    He saves those whose spirits have been crushed." Psalm 34:18 ICB

Jesus helps them express what they are thinking and feeling

 to put it into words and share with him

He simply asks questions and listens. 

They had been intensely talking before with each other, 

but He invites them to share what is on their hearts and minds with him.  

I believe he knows exactly what is troubling them and what they need to hear. 

But He first invites then to share it with him, in their own words.  

17-18 He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

19-24 He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

What follows is the only commentary or feedback Jesus gives them.  We don't know the tone these words were said in, strong or gentle, loud or soft.  They hit harsh, but they are true words.  Yes. Lord when I am discouraged,  sometimes I don't just need encouragement.  but something strong to get through the places of my heart that have become hardened by grief or loss, by suffering, confusion or disappoinment  

Whatever the reason,  thank you for always speaking the truth in love to me. You don't sugar coat, smooth over or avoid saying the truth I need to hear.  O Lord , give me grace to receive the truth you are trying to show me

25-27 Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

Only when my heart has been opened by expressing it all to you and your truth is breaking the hard places 

Only then does He open the Scriptures

When my heart has become soft and open, He plants the good seed that does not return empty or void but will grow and produce fruit

Only then can my eyes be opened to see Him 

He waits to be invited

Oh, how  I love you

You do not force, badger, or pressure

You give freedom of choice

You wait to be invited

28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.

32 Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”

Yes, Lord

Don't go

Come in

Stay

Bless and Break

Give

Open my eyes to see and know you

As I read your Word

Today

right here

and right now

Not some other day

or some other place

not later

Now

Today

Here

I Worship you Lord

What I Can Do

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father, 
and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
 even the Spirit of truth"

John 14:!5-17a International Children's Bible

Feeling helpless to truly help many that I love. Feeling desperate for change.
Feeling like I am walking straight into and against an immovable wall, again and again.

When Despair and Hopelessness come to drown my soul...

What Can I Do?

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

" We love because God first loved us" I John 4:19 ICB
I can
read about your love
believe it
let it reach my heart and pray for love for you to be more of my core motivation

I can
feed and nourish my soul in things that nurture, support and encourage faith
time to read the Bible and pray, read Christian biographies

I can
take care of myself::  sleep and eat and make time to emotionally unload and process with God

I can
pray for greater obedience - only as the Holy Spirit enables


"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever..."

sometimes I just really wish there could be someone there, right next to me, to sympathize, understand, support and be with me
as well as advisel me what to do

God wants to give the Holy Spirit , the Comforter to be with me and He knows what I should do in each and every situation

He wants to provide what I need in every moment to trust and obey Him - Ask Him
I can
Be in continual conversation with him
I can
Share every part of my heart, desires,
thoughts wishes, frustrations, disappointments, dreams
frustrations, questions

God has provided a Comforter,

He is listening
He cares

But He is the Holy Spirit and so the more I let him lead me into trust and obedience, the greater His influence will be in me
Although I may not always feel or be aware of His working

"even the Spirit of truth"

" God is spirit.Those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth.” 
John 4:24 ICB

I cannot change other people
I cannot change circumstances
I cannot change attitudes
But I can
walk in truth myself

first and foremost in my own mind and soul in the sight of God.
only then
can I
begin to speak the truth in love with all I am around

that is all I can do

Ephesians 4:15 International Children’s Bible (ICB)

15 No! We will speak the truth with love. We will grow up in every way to be like Christ, who is the head.

Speaking the truth in my inner life
speaking the truth in my thoughts
where only God hears

what kinds of lies are continually playing in my mind?
over and over like an unholy refrain?

No one cares
this is too much
I can't

Old conversations replayed
bitterness and anger renewed
hopelessness and despair fed and strengthened

O Lord
Help me to be
letting the truth of God's word penetrate my defenses, my excuses, my deflections
agreeing with what He says about my choices, behavior, desires, motivations

I have found it helpful to stop and take stock
"what am I feeling?
 What is going on with me?
 How do I know that?

To observe my words, and body as if from outside

Lord, I hear my voice getting loud and tense.  
I am feeling frustrated because
I am feeling anxious because,
I am feeling nervous
insecure
sad,
discouraged
distracted

Oh Lord help me

Just like in the Psalms - bare it all with God
don't sugar coat it or brush it off
say it like it is with Him

but say it to Him before saying it to others

"...pray without ceasing ...: I Thessalonians 5:17  KJV

"We ought always to pray and not to faint" Luke 18 :1 KJV

"Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you" I Peter 5:7 KJV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “If you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my followers. 32 Then you will know the truth. And the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-31 ICB


speaking the truth in love in all interactions with others

I am  shocked at how much deception I function in every day

inside of me and in my relationships

" So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed". John 8:36 ESV

free from paralyzing fear about what others think of me
free from crippling insecurities

Jesus did not try to control people

He talked with them

invited them

"Then Jesus called the crowd to him, along with his followers. He said, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must say ‘no’ to the things he wants. He must be willing to die on a cross, and he must follow me." Mark 8:34 ICB


warned and encouraged them 

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 7:13 Some manuscripts For the way is wide and easy

asked them questions

Mark 10:18English Standard Version (ESV)

18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone." 

Mark 10:18 ESV

spoke the truth to them

18 "...for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” John 4:18 ESV

What Can I Do?

In many ways,  very little indeed

but I can

 pray for myself and others 

   17" Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently..." James 5 :17 ASV

There is an outlet 

there is Hope in You

I remember them well.
    And I am very sad.
21 But I have hope
    when I think of this:

22 The Lord’s love never ends.
    His mercies never stop.
23 They are new every morning.
    Lord, your loyalty is great.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is what I have left.
    So I have hope.”

25 The Lord is good to those who put their hope in him.
    He is good to those who look to him for help.
26 It is good to wait quietly
    for the Lord to save.

Lamentations 3:20-26 ICB

The View from the Country Club

So Lovely

today I was so kindly invited to share a lovely afternoon at the pool of a very beautiful country club

The location was stunning and exquisite

lovely green rolling hills
 beautifully manicured all around
 a panoramic view of the ocean

the setting was so luxurious with every finery known at one's fingertips

 between our hill and the ocean was another green hill rising

also perfectly manicured and lovely in every way

also overlooking the same breathtaking ocean view

"Wow, is that another part of this country club way over there?"

Taking a closer look,  I observed small squares of gray dotting the grass at regular intervals

It was a cemetery...


The forward view from the country club was a cemetery

It was also so beautifully decorated and cared for and also over looking the same glorious ocean

but it confronted us with the reminder of our mortality
we are finite     
we are limited   

Enveloped in this beautiful environment, the conversation turns...
 a friend who has cancer
 another who is waiting to hear back on test results that may be serious
 concerns for those we love
 what we wish we could give them


Even here with every beauty and every outer need met
our hearts long for what we cannot have
immortality
life unending
a perpetual fountain springing up without ceasing
life forevermore


Come to Me and I will give you Rest

What a gentle but kind reminder from God

Yes, enjoy all the wonderful things that this life has to offer

but also remember

that I am the originator of all things that break upon you with joy and wonder

they all came from me

and sadly, they do have a limit and an end in this existence that you know right now

But YOU, O Lord
have no end
no limits to your beauty and glory
no diminishing of your joy and wonder

You never run out
You never change
You are never depleted
You are what our hearts long for most of all

"In your presence is fullness of joy
and at your right hand
are pleasures forevermore"
Psalm 16:11

I have seen an end to all perfection
but your law is exceeding broad.  Psalm 119:96 NKJV

In that last day, the great day of the feast,
Jesus stood and cried, 'If any one is thirsty
let him come unto me and drink
He who believes in me shall have a fountain of living water
springing up within him leading to eternal life. John 7: 37-38

10 Jesus said, “You don’t know what God gives. And you don’t know who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.”

11 The woman said, “Sir, where will you get that living water? The well is very deep, and you have nothing to get water with. 12 Are you greater than Jacob, our father? Jacob is the one who gave us this well. He drank from it himself. Also, his sons and flocks drank from this well.”

13 Jesus answered, “Every person who drinks this water will be thirsty again.14 But whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give will become a spring of water flowing inside him. It will give him eternal life.”  John 4:10-14 NIV

You want to bring us into the depths of YOU
into a fountain of love, peace joy
that is constantly renewed
springing up

a treasure that cannot be stolen away, fade out or break
a fountain that is mine no matter what my circumstances

17 Fig trees may not grow figs.
    There may be no grapes on the vines.
There may be no olives growing on the trees.
    There may be no food growing in the fields.
There may be no sheep in the pens.
    There may be no cattle in the barns.
18 But I will still be glad in the Lord.
    I will rejoice in God my Savior.
19 The Lord God gives me my strength.
    He makes me like a deer, which does not stumble.
He leads me safely on the steep mountains.
Habbakuk 3:17-19 ICB

12 I know how to live when I am poor. And I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens. I have learned to be happy when I have enough to eat and when I do not have enough to eat. I have learned to be happy when I have all that I need and when I do not have the things I need. 13 I can do all things through Christ because he gives me strength.  Phillipians 4:12-13 ICB

4 Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.

5 Let all men see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. 7 And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it. Phillipians 4: 4-7

8 Brothers, continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. 9 And do what you learned and received from me. Do what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.  Phillippians 4:8-9

Yes, the view from the country club is beautiful and yet it has a limit

We can make things beautiful and wonderful
But we cannot make it LAST

Only YOU are endless and eternal and I worship you

14 So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong in spirit. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love. I pray that you can understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than any person can ever know. But I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God. 

 Ephesians 3:14--19 ICB


From the best bliss that earth imparts

we turn unfilled to thee again

from "Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts"  

1	Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts, Thou Fount of life, Thou Light of men, From the best bliss that earth imparts, We turn unfilled to Thee again.
2	Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood; Thou savest those that on Thee call; To them that seek Thee, Thou art good, To them that find Thee, all in all!
3	We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread, And long to feast upon Thee still; We drink of Thee, the Fountain-head, And thirst our souls from Thee to fill!
4	Our restless spirits yearn for Thee, Where’er our changeful lot is cast; Glad when Thy gracious smile we see, Blest, when our faith can hold Thee fast.
5	O Lord, be Thou our strength and stay! Make all our moments calm and bright, Chase all dark thoughts of sin away, Shed o’er us here Thy holy light.

music at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/205

Little Girl, I say to you, Arise

Its not too late
little girl I say to you arise
get up

but everyone else just laughed
it is too late now
she is dead
unresponsive
unrecoverable
unredeemable

But not to Jesus

put them all out, he said

He drew near
took her hand
and said
little girl
I say to you
Arise

Get up
rise up from your self pity
and discouragement
and despair

Get up
I have new life for you
 I have new plans for you

it doesn't matter what anyone else will say or think

It only matters that I am here
in this room
in this quiet hush

put out all the other voices
until it is quiet and you can hear what
Jesus only has to say

He is calling you

Arise

The Tenth Coin

It was the 10th coin

there were 9 others just like it
identical

but this one coin was lost
while the others were safe and sound

the tenth coin
was not where it should be

was not able to get to where it should be

could do nothing but wait and hope

longing

to be valued
to be searched for
to be sought after

to be found


To the owner

this coin was exceedingly precious
so valuable

that other important tasks were put off and postponed

things were moved

effort was made to recover

caring

searching

moving things around

uncovering

seeking

UNTIL IT WAS FOUND

You are seeking the lost

You came to seek and to save the lost

I am lost

here I am

please find me
praise you that you seek out

you rejoice when I am recovered

to you


this coin was made of silver
but its real value came from what the owner placed on it

precious
loved
valued
cherished
rejoiced over

Oh Lord, help us turn from our sin to you

Luke 15:8-10New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

The Story of the Lost Coin

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the house? Won’t she search carefully until she finds the coin?9 And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors together. She will say, ‘Be joyful with me. I have found my lost coin.’ 10 I tell you, it is the same in heaven. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who turns away from sin.”

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

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