Praying: with you in mind

© 2014 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

I stand silently before the Lord, waiting for him to rescue me. For salvation comes from him alone. Yes, he alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense and fortress. Why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come? (Psalm 62:1-2 TLB)

Running to You, Lord, is always the right thing to do, even when we should be ashamed for getting ourselves into such messes. You don’t treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10) but are forever gracious, patient, understanding and forgiving (Psalm 147:5) in dealing with us. You know we are but grass (Psalm 103:15). Seeking You, turning to You, crying out to You in groans words cannot express (Romans 8:26), are all in keeping with Your command “to have no other God before Me” (Exodus 34:14). Many, O Lord, there are many in need of breath while in a storm. Fear and anxiety are on the rise and only You can calm the child in the midst of the unknown. I pray for all – some centering time with You, some anchoring, stabilizing encounter with Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. That there will be testimony by day’s end of the living Lord. May there be victories, however small; may there be awareness and celebration of wins, however small. Count your blessings can seem like such a trite response, but truly may they all see with new eyes - glimmers of hope, love and joy in the enduring; as they wait, as they trust in You. Yes, Lord Jesus, by the power of Your word (Hebrews1:3) sustain them and may they truly sense Your gift of grace upon grace (John 1:16) to them. May they close their eyes and breathe in deeply and release all anxieties into Your capable hands and know fully, know for sure, You ARE perfect in all Your ways. Ways that are far beyond our human understanding. And remembering too, You are loving and kind, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 145:8). You know exactly what is going on, every detail from every side. You know exactly what to do, what is the absolute best course of action and You also know the exact most perfect time for the ultimate best and perfect outcome. You alone are Lord, God, Ruler, King of ALL things. You know what You’re doing. We just need to breathe and believe. Someone greater, so much greater, is handling our difficulties and that Someone is the Lover of our souls. No better place to be.

 Be not afraid to place yourselves in God’s hands.

  God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life. (Psalm 62:1-2 MSG)

(please feel free to share / forward to someone you know who may need to hear this ...)

Who doesn't love a mystery?

 

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

Holding the mystery of the faith … (1 Timothy 3:9 KJV)

Some people just love mysteries. Whether its reading a page-turning paperback or watching it unfold on the screen, there is some excitement to the unknown and trying to puzzle out the right conclusion (before the end!). For others, like me, these mind-benders are just too challenging. Too hard. I’m satisfied with waiting until the end when the truth is revealed. I’m okay being in the state of not knowing how the book will end, the movie will end. Because I know that in the end, all will be resolved and clear will become clear.

 And that’s how I look at this bible verse. I may have taken it a little out of context, but the phrase, “the mystery of the faith” caught my eye this morning. I pondered about living in the mystery of how God works things out. And having faith that He will work things out.

 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

 Are you caught up in the anxiety of not knowing? Are you trying to puzzle out things that only God in His infinite wisdom can know? Can you find your way to being okay with that? Having your heavenly Father Who loves you … know what comes next? Trusting in Him?

 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Have faith in the mystery.  Through the mystery. As you put your trust in the Lord.

When I've fallen

 

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3)

 I remember one summer weekend when we went camping. My son was very young at the time. The first thing he did was get on his bike and ride around and around on the path. Faster and faster, as you know, boys go. I’ll bet he was thinking, “Life is good!”. We were all thinking that. Until he hit that dip in the road. And went skidding on both knees across the asphalt. Yes, as a parent, I had told him several times to slow down; that there was a safer way. But sometimes, no matter what you do, life happens. So I scoop him up, dry his tears, bandage the knees, give a kiss and a popsicle - and life continues.

 Was the pain completely avoided? Not this time. Was there comfort and love and steps taken to promote healing? Yes.

 Many of us don’t understand why God allows bad things to happen. I often have to remind myself that He has purpose in every thing, every event. Hard to understand. Hard, too, to remember that some things are not allowed in your life. Some things He does block, prohibit from happening. Action on His part … that we have no knowledge of; do not see.

 We all experience times when things go south. Sickness. Disease. Finances, Relationships. Go horribly wrong. And there is pain and frustration and anger. And why, God, why?!! Just as we don’t understand what He is preventing from happening, so we don’t understand what He has allowed. Yet we must cling to and constantly remember, God is all-wise and all-powerful. His love is forever and everlasting. And He wants it all displayed. He wants us all to see just how powerful He can be. Even in extreme situations, He is there to scoop you up, dry your tears, bandage, kiss, comfort. He wants you to see His loving response. He wants others to see His loving, compassionate, nurturing, parenting response. And be in awe at how amazing He really is.

 If you’ve fallen, if you’re feeling crushed – God has a plan being fulfilled through you. To bring glory to His character, His holy name. You and your clinging to Him are a part of that plan. A living testimony if you will. Someone is going to witness God in action through your trial. So, not in your own strength or endurance but the God light in you …

 Let God shine…