John 13:34

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

From “God’s Blogs” by Lanny Donoho:

“Someone is needing encouragements and apologies—needing them like air and water. Close this book and call a friend.”

It’s fine to get introspective, to examine your relationship with the Lord and to marvel at the idea that He would choose you to be His own and that He would use you to accomplish His will in the world. This is part of the joy He gives us.

But at a certain point, our faith demands that we turn our attention outward. Jesus Himself commanded that we love one another, and our love for Him reveals itself when we obey.

Who do you know who needs encouragement? To whom do you owe an apology? Who do you know who is sick and could use a meal or a phone call? Which of your friends need prayer?
Let’s get to work. Let’s stop what we’re doing and show someone the love that Jesus first showed us.

Brenda

Psalm 139:13 - 14

Psalm 139:13 - 14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Jeremiah 29:11 “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Luke 22:42b “Yet not my will, but yours be done.”

From “God’s Blogs” by Lanny Donoho:

“I love you more than you love yourself. I want you to be more fulfilled than you want yourself to be. And I know how to do that a lot better than you do. If you would let Me lead you, you would be happier than you are when you try to do it yourself. Why don’t you do that?”

This whole concept is where the rebel in me comes out. The Lord has plans for me—good plans. But I have plans, too. I have passions and hopes and dreams, and even though my mind knows that God’s plans are so much better than mine, my gut is afraid to trust in His plans. When I think about relinquishing my dreams in exchange for His, it’s as though I’m on Star Trek and the captain has just called for the deflector shields.

It’s not that I don’t trust Him at all. I do. I give each day to Him, to work in me, to strengthen me, to use me that day. But my day-to-day life isn’t the same as my future, and I don’t know where His future for me will take me.

What I really have trouble understanding is how He wants me to balance earthly gifts with spiritual purpose. He has given me an eye for photography and a way with words and a love of foreign places where people speak in accents and languages that fascinate me. But I don’t see the spiritual purpose in these things. He hasn’t shown me how (or if) He plans for me to use these earthbound gifts for His pleasure. It may be that He has been trying to tell me, but I’ve been too protective of my own dreams to hear His voice.

This struggle between His will and mine is one that I’ve been having for a long time, and it troubles me sometimes. And yet when there’s trouble on Star Trek, they have to let down the deflector shields before the help can come in. I’m going to have to ask the Lord just how I’m supposed to do that.

How are you struggling with the Lord’s will for you? Don’t forget that surrender is never easy. But even as Jesus surrendered to the Father’s will at the cross, our surrender to His will for us will bring the greatest fulfillment.

May we find peace in His will.

Brenda

Psalm 3:3

Psalm 3:3 “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high.”

Psalm 9:9 – 10 “The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.”

From “God’s Blogs” by Lanny Donoho:

“I know you get scared sometimes of what you can’t see... Like right now. No need. I’ve got your back. (And what’s coming at you, too.)”

The first time I read this blogjot, I cried. I do get scared sometimes of what I can’t see: the future, and the decisions I need to make that aren’t clear. I’ve written before that I have trouble knowing if going in a given direction is “stepping out in faith” or “stepping out in stupidity,” and my indecision leaves me in the status quo, feeling alone.

What I love about these psalms (and the blogjot) is the assurance they give us in our trouble. A shield is not necessary when there’s no trouble around. Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble” John 16:33. Then He said, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

God allows us to have times of oppression or trouble. He allows us to go through scary times when we can’t see what’s coming. But He doesn’t leave us abandoned. He is a shield all the way around us—He’s got our backs, and He’s got whatever is coming at us from the front too. He gives us shelter, refuge, and that shelter is in Him. Those of us who know His name trust in Him, and He lifts our heads high. What a blessing!

Is there trouble in your life right now, something scary that has you seeking a place to hide? Don’t fear. The Lord will never abandon you if you trust in Him. He is your shield, your glory, the lifter of your head. He’s got your back, and the rest of the way around too.

Brenda

Psalm 16:7 – 9a

Psalm 16:7 – 9a “I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises!”

From “God’s Blogs” by Lanny Donoho:

“I’d like to be part of all parts of your life. Friendships. Finances. Health. Work. Marriage. Play. Dreams. Let’s do all that stuff together. I’ll help you.”

I need the reminder sometimes that God is God of all. When I think about his being God of all, I tend to think about the big things. He is God of the universe, God over all the nations, God whose Spirit hovered over the waters at Creation. I lose track of his being God of my playtime, my relationships, and every little part of my life.

I go on autopilot through my life. I drive to work, do my job, drive home, take my dog outside, grab some dinner, and do the things that are urgent, before heading to bed for my quiet time with the Lord and going to sleep. I do spend time with Him, but He wants more.

As the psalmist, David, said, “He is right beside me.” All day long, even at night, He is always with me, ready to guide me if I will turn to Him. And there is joy to fill my heart just waiting for me when I learn to trust His guidance in all the areas of my life.

I have joy, but I also have frustration and weariness. The frustration seems to be the greatest in the times and places that I forget to turn to the Lord for strength and wisdom. It looks as though I have some changes to make, and the best start is to look around more often and “see” that the Lord is right beside me.

What parts of your life do you need to do together with the Lord? Turn to Him—He’s right there—and let Him help you.

May our hearts be filled with His joy.

Brenda

I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I went to GodBlogCon, a Christian blogging conference, this past October, and each attendee was given a bag of gifts. I didn’t look at them until a couple months later. One of the gifts was a small book, “God’s Blogs” by Lanny Donoho, in which the author explored the question, “What would God blog about?” There were long posts, about anger, time, laughter, prayer, and many other things. And there were tiny ones, called “Blogjots.” This week’s Breads will cover the blogjots that spoke to me.

“I miss hearing the sound of your voice telling Me what you’re thinking about.”

When I read this, it brought me to tears, because I knew He was talking to me.

It’s been too long since I just chatted with God and told Him all the things on my mind. I pray when I fear for my daughter, that He would bring her home safely. I pray for my needs. And I thank Him for the beautiful things I see when I drive, for that great parking spot, for it being time to go home from work. Needs and thanksgiving, now and then.

How much more, though, does God long for from me? How much more is there on my mind and on my heart that He would love for me to tell Him? He created us for relationship with Him, but my relationship with Him is spotty, and that’s my fault. He wants so much more.

Where are you on this? Does God miss hearing the sound of your voice? What issues of your heart have you been keeping from Him? Come to Him. Tell Him. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

May we all know the joy of continual prayer.

Brenda