I think of an old movie I love. It shows where a father wakes his daughter in the early hours of the morning to take her to see a circus that was passing through the town.

The delight and joy in the child’s eyes. The tender love in the father’s eyes. Both of these make me think of an expected event for believers in Jesus Christ.

There is coming a day when he will return for his. This is a promise and God keeps all his promises. He is a very, very loving father.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13

Perhaps Today

I wonder how we would live, how we would act, how we would interact if every morning we woke with that delicious, glorious anticipation – just like a child – thinking of an event that perhaps today Jesus Christ will return. And let’s make it personal – for me.

Are we looking? In this verse the word used gives the sense of anticipation and warmly welcoming to my house someone or something. Now just think about that. When you know someone you love and haven’t seen for a while is coming to your house you look down the road for them. You await with anticipation of the reunion. Then you see them and they’re there. You then welcome them. You warmly welcome them. Just think of this in expectation of when Christ will return. Are you looking? Are you ready to warmly welcome Him?

Blessed

If we’re looking and we’re anticipating we view this event as blessed. In this verse blessed means happy and fortunate. This is a very happy event and we need to remember and to realize that those who have accepted Christ as their Savior are very fortunate to have been adopted into God’s family. This is truly an event that we should happily anticipate.

Hope

Expectation and trust. We know and we believe God. Jesus said he would return for us. He is coming again. This is a wonderful and great hope we have. It is the ultimate expectation as a follower of Christ.

Appearing

Now this thrilled my soul. Appearing has the intent of glorious display or an epiphany. I’ve woken early in the morning to see the sun rise. I’ve done this at the beach and while on a cruise. Knowing that the sun will rise is a beautiful anticipation. It is a glorious display when you see it rising, when you see the colors change and appear in the sky. This is a small example of just how beautiful and glorious His appearing will be. Glorious!

The Glory

In our world we know and we see glimpses of the divine. But God. His glory is much more than we can imagine. When Moses asked to see the Glory of God he truly couldn’t see the whole of it and what he did see changed him. God’s glory is so much more than we can imagine. So just imagine this event. This will be an amazing, spectacular, beautiful event. It will be more than we can handle in our current state.

The Great God and Saviour

So, I’ve asked people from time to time, ‘to you who is Jesus?’ This question and the answer means everything. To YOU, who is Jesus? Is he just a good person, a leader? Is he just a man who gave his life for those he loved? Who is he? If you read and truly believe all the accounts – it is more glorious than you can imagine. To me, Jesus is God the Son. He took on the form of flesh to live and to pay the price for sin – for all. He is my saviour. He is my friend. He is my brother. He is God. Only He could do what was needed to be done for all mankind. And I love Him. He said he would return and I believe Him.

There are moments in our lives when the cares of the world dim our expectation. They demand attention and draw our hearts and minds to focus on them. We are here in this world and can’t escape all the cares. But, we can remember and return our focus.

What if you schooled yourself to wake each morning and to whisper these two words, ‘perhaps today…’ with anticipation. What if you then spent time focusing first on Him and drew near to Him through prayer and through His word. What if you then moved throughout your day doing those necessary things and interacting with people all with the knowledge and anticipation of a coming event looming in the back recesses of your mind.

Perhaps Today

Would this change how you interact and how you behave? Would this cause you to be more compassionate and thoughtful? Would this cause you to do the best you could? I think so. Perhaps today. He will return. This is a fact. How will he find us when we return? Will we be looking? Or, will we be looking at other things…letting the cares of the world overwhelm us.

“so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Revelation 1:7

“For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:27

“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:25-28

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:44

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” Luke 14:1-3

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:16-17

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” II Timothy 4:8

Are you looking? Say it, ‘perhaps today’. If this is the case and in your heart my question to you then, ‘how will you live your life today?’

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When things are in harmony, there is great beauty.

In all of life, I believe God intends perfect harmony. There is a sense of an agreement between the beauty of the sky and earth, between the air and song. There’s an agreement between time and season. There is harmony in a relationship between man and woman and with all mankind.

Harmony was God’s original intention. The greatest harmony is in the relationship we have with Him.

They word harmony comes from the word sumphoneo. It is where we get the word symphony. Can you imagine the beautiful notes coming from music played by a symphony. It reaches into the mind, heart and soul of a person. All the instruments and notes are played in concord with one another. There is agreement.

To live a Christian life we must first be in harmony with the one who created and loves us. Our hearts and minds must be in tune with Him.

Once we are, then we can be in tune with one another. There are clear instructions for the church members, for husbands and wives, for children and for employers/employees in how to conduct oneself. There’s a sense of order. There is harmony.

In the clear instruction there are words that shouldn’t be looked over.

Likewise

As one is instructed to do and to act in a certain way more often than not in the next verse of instruction the word ‘likewise’ is included. That is what was taught to one should also be practiced by another.

As we move each day to be an to become the person we were designed to be – we should remember to expect as much or more of ourselves than we do of others. It is so easy to look at another and to say, ‘you are instructed to be…or to do…’. We can easily forget or overlook that we have similar instruction.

We are to be and to act in harmony.

In the end we’re all part of one family and of one body. All are important and equal. With God all are the same. So as we each strive to learn and to live according to how He wishes us to we should remember that each one of us is important and a beautiful note in the symphony of God’s design.

Harmony.

We should strive to become more and more each day in tune with what God has designed for us to be. Growth is lifelong. It is sometimes difficult and sometimes easy. We are being ‘tuned’ to become the person God designed us to be. We all are important to Him. Each one of us is an instrument of beauty…and I can’t wait until the final and complete symphony has been written with all our hearts and lives in His presence.

Can you just imagine the beauty of that harmony. I can.

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My grandmother used to say, ‘What’s down in the well, comes up in the bucket.’ I’ve quoted that often. This morning, I’m contemplating truly what that means.

Well water is truly cool and sweet. It takes a lot of effort to find and to create a well. But when you do, you cover it. You protect it and you enjoy it.

This applies also to the well water of your heart, mind and soul. You need to guard well what you allow in. You need to be a gatekeeper to your heart and mind.

There’s so much information put out daily, hourly and by the minute. Most of this information is not quite correct. This information as well has been filtered by the hearts and minds of those sending it out. That’s important to know. There’s nothing neutral out there. Behind every bit of information is a school of thoought.

There’s also a lot of emotion in what is being presented. When people feel a certain way about things, it comes through. Whether they feel angry, scared, happy or disappointed – it comes through. When we get daily, hourly doses of this information it can affect how we feel.

We have to guard our hearts and minds.

I’m not opposed to being informed, but I do believe that there’s limits and we have to weigh in the balances what we’re hearing, where it’s coming from and what result they’re trying to achieve. Because, believe me, they do have an agenda.

As Christians, we have to constantly guard our hearts and minds. Especially in the realm of what we believe. There are nuances of beliefs being projected out there. This is simply because others have filtered the information they’re reading through their own heart, mind and soul. What they believe will come through in what they share.

So we steadfastly have to be the guardians of our own hearts and minds. We have to find out the truths for ourselves. We have to filter this information through our hearts and souls. This is why I truly believe that the best study comes from simply reading and understanding God’s word for oneself.

There are such things that are considered sound doctrines. These are truths about God, His word and Jesus Christ that we have to know and to hold to fast. They have to be unshakeable beliefs in our hearts and minds.

Then, as a result we need to make sure that what we know becomes and influences the conduct of our every day life.

Have you ever come to realize that when you listen to a lot of angry, discontent information how it makes you feel? This can creap in like a virus and infect the serenity of your hearts and minds. This is when we have to be diligent about guarding what information we allow in. Because in the end – we are the gatekeepers and what comes in is what we have allowed. Remember no one can make you feel or know something without your concent.

So, study well for yourself. Learn what should be the conduct of your life. Learn what should be the attitude of your heart. Learn what should be the focus of your life…in short – learn of Christ. He came not only to provide for us His salvation, but also to teach us how to live. He taught us to focus on what is the most important thing.

Then we can fulfill the call in Titus 2:7, “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity and sincerity. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.’

This takes daily, hourly effort. Imagine yourself – your mind as a soldier guarding a door. Take seriously the information you allow in. Take seriously the things you see and hear. Carefully and diligently guard your heart and mind. Then, you can show others what living a Christlike life is all about.

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Making the decision to create a beautiful life. 

I have spent the majority of my life collecting and creating. I love beautiful things. 

I would tell myself – I could add one more or I really need this! Or, one can’t have too many Ironstone pitchers…I might still believe this one. 

Then I’d have to find a place to put all these things. I’d create vignettes of the beautiful items I’d collected. Then store the rest away.  These treasures became stuff. This stuff.

Little did I know how stuffing my life would affect me.

I would forget at times where certain things were. 

My home, my life, my mind and my heart were filled to overflowing to the point where I was walking with blinders through my home – not seeing the piles of books here, the collection of shoes there, the things laid and left…

My collected home had become a place of clutter and it was time for a change. You know the phrase, ‘clutter begets clutter’.

When someone walks into your home, How do you want them to feel? What is the impression you want them to have?

This is the thought in my mind right now. 

It’s more than admiring the beautiful pieces collected, a home should be a sense of place and be comfortable and welcoming. Does it truly represent me? If it doesn’t it was showing me that I had more than I needed and I had more than I could handle. 

It is also a reflection.

Is this the way I want my home to reflect the person I am – cluttered here, out of place there? No! Not at all. I want my friends to find my home a welcoming, comfortable haven. I want this to be a reflection of me.

There needs to be some thoughtful choices made. I need to have clarity. As I go through each room in my house I need to take careful look at everything and make deliberate choices about what stays and what goes.

A cluttered life gets in the way of living a simple, elegant life.

Suelement l’exquis – only the exquisite

What I need to do is to edit my belongings. Everything that will remain needs to be as a result of careful thought, deliberate choice and fit the overall vision of what I want my home to look like.

Editing done properly includes selecting those items that have beauty and value – to me.

I need to prepare myself. These tasks need appropriate time for selecting those things that will remain.

Correcting – when you edit something you are making sure it makes sense. You take away that which doesn’t belong and add what might. You also make sure that the entire message or vision is the one that you want conveyed.

I’ve shared the necessity of white space in our time and in our life.

White space in your home is just as important. But white space can be used in the design of our lives as well, not just the design of magazines and websites and ads. By using white space in our lives, we create space, balance, emphasis on what’s important, and a feeling of peace that we cannot achieve with a more cramped life.

Thoughtful editing in fact, it can produce a fundamental shift in the way we think about our homes and our lives – it can bring on a sense of elegance.

The editing that you make need to result in a home that is manageable.

Unless you make changes that work with how you live, those changes won’t last and won’t fulfil you.

To edit your home and in some aspects your life in a way that is manageable and that will last you need to fully understand what you want and what you’re trying to achieve. That is where you begin.

Editing your home and your live leads to surroundings that are beautiful to you. Beauty is found in the details of how you live your life. We develop routines and habits. How we incorporate those things we’ve chosen to accentuate our lives into our routines and habits can enable us to treat our life as a piece of artwork.

This sounds fantastical, but when we combine the colors, textures, and variety of objects we’re creating art. I love the thought of our life as artwork that reflects our hearts and our souls.

When editing, there are a few things we need to consider. 

Quality. Quality is always better than quantity. Quality is worth taking the time to wait to obtain an object rather than settling for something of lesser value.

Savor. Add things that allow you to savor life, time and the seasons. One of the best ways to add beauty and quality to our lives is with live plants or floral arrangements. When we edit our lives, we make room for those things that add elegance to our lives. Nothing compares to the beauty of a plant or of a bloom.

Detail. When we have allowed for white space, we can better see the detail in objects. The curve and light to a beautiful vase. The aged patina on a beautiful piece of furniture. The softness and suppleness of fabrics. The details of the items we elect to remain definitely tell a story. Which leads to a question.

In all of the quality, savoring and detail, make sure that what your editing and adding answer the question, ‘is this true for me?’ Does this truly reflect my aesthetics?

In the end, editing is beautiful and it requires an amount of discipline. Editing causes you to ask those questions of yourself. Do I love it? Does it fulfill a need? Is it useful. 

This quote is profoundly useful when editing.

“If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”  William Morris

The Editing process is so much more than clearing out the clutter in your life and in your home. It is about being intentional in the story your telling of yourself and your life. It is about what you allow in your life. Adding quality in what you select raises your personal standards. You are creating a space that is you – that is true of you. 

Editing is definitely elegant. And, isn’t that what we want our lives to be? Elegance is a choice. Elegance is a rich expression of a well chosen life.

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The reason we pray for one another. Thoughts from the book of Colossians.

In the books or letters in the Bible written by Paul there were several recurring themes. With all his heart Paul was very concerned about two things. The preaching of the gospel of Christ and the growth of the believers in the churches.

In the beginning of each book Paul would begin with a greeting. He would introduce himself, some of these churches never met Paul face to face, but he claimed them. He would always begin with a prayer/greeting of grace and peace.

Paul knew in the world and society he lived in that this was very important. The new believers were leaving behind a way of life they knew and were becoming Christlike. This was important and at the same time difficult and sometimes dangerous.

There were others out there who were adding to the gospel which added unnecessary burdens to the new believers. Paul was instructing the new Christians to leave behind their old beliefs and ways of life.

Paul encouraged believers to take on Christ in every way.

He shared with them that this was very doable because of the promise of the Holy Spirit indwelling each of them. They were learning a whole new way of being and a whole new mindset. And this was difficult to leave what they knew, to become like Christ in a world torn apart by those opposing believers.

For this cause…Paul prayed for his fellow believers. In many ways, this scenario is so very similar today. In many ways we also need to pray for one another.

The world has become quite opposed to those who follow Christ. That is for those who truly learn from Him and want to be just like Him and in no way to compromise.

In the first chapter of Colossians, Paul prayed for wisdom and knowledge. We all need to know what we believe and to be fully grounded in our belief.

Paul prayed for their every day conduct. We too must be careful to always ‘walk’ that is to live our lives as a light that truly represents Christ.

Paul prayed that the believers would be fruitful. As we learn, walk and live we should be drawing others to the truth of the gospel of Christ.

Paul prayed for the believers to be strengthened. The world will try to chip away at us and to wear us down. But, we have an advocate with God, His Son Jesus Christ and we have advocates in one another. We all need to love and to pray for one another to learn, to live, to draw and to be lights for Christ in this world.

In the conclusion in this prayer Paul hinted at a truth. As believers we are present in the promises of God. All we need, we already have. It can only get better.

Our focus and our mission is to be more and more like Christ. He loved every one perfectly. He gave of Himself for all to chose Him. Whether they would or would not. He demonstrated love, kindness, patience, and gentleness to all He met and so should we.

For this cause. What is the cause…because we found out that we were loved so much by God and accepted this gift of salvation. For this cause – for Christ and all He did for us. For this cause – for others. We live, love and pray for others.

In all we do, Christ needs to be pre-eminent in our lives. For this cause…

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We all need comfort and to be comforted from time to time.

This world can oftentimes weigh heavy on us and it can come upon us seemingly all of a sudden. We hear of so much distress in this world. It’s hard not to absorb it and for it ultimately to affect us.

We may be going through difficult times ourselves. In this time of social distancing and fear of this virus, we can feel quite alone. Who is there. to comfort our hearts and minds and to soothe our spirits.

Well, our God. He’s always there and he’s never left.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

The weight of trouble can be so heavy that it feels like a presence. I’m sure we’ve all experienced it from time to time. And there seems to be no hope, no change, no prospect of a brighter future. Especially if we’re so surrounded by negative information and thoughts. Let’s not dwell there. Let’s turn our attention to other things that are sure and certain.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Is God real? Is He present at all times? The answer is a resounding Yes! Does He love us? Yes, again. Does He know what’s going on? Of course. Does He know how I feel? Always. Does He know how tired and weary I am? Absolutely.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4

God is always there. He promised the presence of His Holy Spirit to indwell us, to lead, guide and to comfort us. When we’re overwhelmed by circumstances and sorrow we need to turn to Him. He is very present and He is always ready to listen.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Most of the time, the first thing we need when we need comfort is rest. We’ve been going and going, doing and doing, all the while absorbing negative information and ideas from others. We need rest. We need to release those things we cannot control or change. We need to let go and give to God our hearts and minds. We need to share with Him or concerns.

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:26-28

We have the Holy Spirit as our Comforter. He indwells us and fills our heart with the mind of God. We simply need to pause, rest and listen. He can give us the renewed strength we need and give us a chance to see things in a new perspective. We may not be taken out of a situation, but through the strength of God, we can go through it.

“Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.” Psalm 119:76

What encourages you? Is it reading His word? Is it praying? Is it the kindness of a faithful friend? Is it the lyrics of a song. Is it the beauty in the world around you? Is it in the eyes of a loved one? Whatever it is seek it. Do you need to be the one to comfort another? Sometimes getting out of ourselves and meeting the needs of another can give us strength, encouragement and comfort.

My beloved. Know you’re never alone. Know you’re supremely loved and know that the God of ALL comfort is there ready and waiting to fill your heart with His love, peace and joy.

Get some rest. Reset your focus. Plant your feet firmly in your faith and lean into Him. He is ready and willing to comfort you.

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We all need clarity and room to breathe.

Today’s lifestyle is so fast-paced. The clock for so many begins early in the mornings and is punctuated by dings and bells of notifications. The daily grind begins.

This daily grind can wear on us quickly if we don’t pause, breathe and give place to white spaces in our lives.

Recently, I heard someone suggest we use our white spaces to become more productive – to add more to our to-do list. This was said to me because I added one more thing on my list of responsibilities and wasn’t sure just how I would or could manage it.

I shared that I have priorities and boundaries. I realized too that I have choices. What’s most important to me?

Clarity and White Spaces are important to me.

What are white spaces?

The term has various meanings. In print it’s that space between words and paragraphs to make it easier for us to read.

In design, it’s that space in between objects of decor to give our eyes a rest.

In poetry it’s that place where we know to pause to give rhythm to what we’re reading.

In our calendars, it’s those spaces in time where we don’t have appointments or activities listed.

In essence it is stillness, clarity and peace of mind.

I am all for using our time to the best of our ability, but I am not for filling every drop of time with things. I need quiet. I need to pause, I need to breathe and I need white spaces.

How do we find white spaces?

First of all, I think we can find white spaces by making better use of our time.

This might mean disconnecting from our phones, laptops, desktops, watches, headphones…all those electronic things that keep us notified of the latest activity of one person or another or the latest news.

We need to prioritize.

The most important thing to do today? What is that? Where does it start?

It starts first thing in the morning. It starts with setting aside time to devote to the one who created and loves us the most. It starts with seeking His guidance and His will for the day.

We can so easily and quickly fill our days thinking we’re being productive and thinking we’re about doing all the right things…But, if those things don’t fall in line with His plan and will, believe me, He has a plan, will, and purpose for you…If you pursue all other things other than His plan, it will all be in vain.

It starts with planning.

Plan your work, work your plan. I’ve heard that so long ago and so often. But, it’s core principle is true. Know what your work is all about. Plan your calendar around the important tasks and focus on them in your plan. That’s the key.

Don’t get distracted by other’s needs and wants. Don’t get distracted by your very busy brain that will tell you that you should be doing this or that. If this or that is important, write it down and come back to it. Add your this or that to your calendar of things to do and get back to being focused on the task at hand.

Don’t put things off. The part of a task that takes the longest is the time we allow for procrastination. The task itself probably can be done quickly and efficiently. Putting off tasks thinking we don’t have time for them is the biggest waste of time. Plan it and get it done. Move on.

When beautiful moments come to your life as your day progresses – embrace them. Now this may seem contradictory to what I’ve just shared. Bear with me a moment.

When you are going about your day and you see that it is a beautiful day – pause and take notice.

When you hear the beautiful song of a bird, pause and enjoy.

When you take in the fragrance of a flower in the heat of the day or the beginning of the evening – pause, breathe it in and enjoy.

These are brief and important moments. These are little white spaces sprinkled throughout your day. Because we’re not automatons or machines. We’re humans with the capacity to notice and appreciate the gift of beauty in our day. Pausing to notice them adds and doesn’t detract from our days.

When you have true white spaces, when all things you should do have been done, enjoy the peace and quiet of those times. We need white spaces. We need the stillness of these times. I’m thinking of a time when we as a family went to my husband’s family pond. The others were enjoying themselves fishing. I enjoyed sitting back, listening to music alternating reading, and watching them. This was one of my white spaces.

White Space Brings Balance to Your Life

Life is more than the work or the tasks that we do. Life is enjoying the gift of a day, the gift of loved ones, the gift of changing seasons, the gift of a breeze…life is filled with so many wonderful things for us to enjoy. These things balance out the to-do lists in our lives.

Laughter.

In the midst of our daily life let’s inject laughter. Engage your loved ones, friends, co-workers with moments of laughter. Your days will be richer for it…this is a pause in the day…this is a valuable, ‘white space’.

Where there is so much competition for your attention and time, look for opportunity in your time and in your days. If your schedule truly is so full that you cannot imagine allowing white space, schedule it in. When you do honor that scheduling and don’t let anything interfere. Even if it is for just a brief five or ten minutes – honor that dedicated white space time.

Will you pursue and honor your white space? Will you take the time to enjoy quiet moments in your life. Guess what? These are the times where you will make memories. These are the times you’ll reflect upon and be thankful for. Cherish your white spaces. Protect your white spaces. Choose your white spaces.

You’ll be all the richer for it.

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I am with you…

From the very beginning and before time began, God desired a relationship with us. He created us to enjoy His presence and to have fellowship with Him.

That fellowship was broken because of sin. But, don’t fret. God had a plan. Nothing surprises our God. He knew before creating us that there would be a need for reconciliation. God knew the price it would take to restore the relationship He intended. And he made the decision to create us, the world and all there is anyway. God had a plan. God gave His word and He always keeps His promises.

Feeling Alone

We all feel alone from time to time. We all feel the pressure of this world, of responsibilities, and of the need for companionship. If you know God and Christ as your Savior, then no matter the circumstance or how you feel, you are never alone.

I believe that God placed within us all a God-shaped void that only He can fill. He placed within us the desire to have a relationship with Him.

Yet from time to time we attempt to fill that void with things, people, distractions. These things just don’t fit. And sometimes when we attempt to fill our hearts, minds, lives and even our bellies with things that really don’t satisfy that need…we might feel alone.

I believe this feeling is punctuated when we don’t pursue ourselves our relationship with God. When things are going well, we easily go through our days perhaps not even thinking about the presence of God or the need to cultivate that relationship.

When difficult times or difficult people come we may wonder where’s God in our situation. He’s been there the whole time – we ourselves simply have wandered or attempted to live life giving Him little acknowledgement.

Have you ever tried to do the right thing and was met with resistance and opposition. You may feel defeated and alone. This happened to Isaac. He listened to God’s direction and prospered which caused conflict with his wife’s family. He was told to move to another place. In this place, the people monitored what he did. As soon as he re-dug a well for his flock they would claim it as theirs. This happened over and over and I’m sure he became frustrated and defeated. Then in Chapter 26 verse 24 God said to Isaac, ‘“I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.”

In difficult moments, God reminded His people – I am with you…

God reminded Jacob that He was with him as well. At the urging of his mother, Jacob had just deceived his father and had taken his brother’s birthright. Jacob knew his father truly loved his brother This tension caused division in the family. Despite Jacob taking the situation into his own hands and causing conflict, God shared with him that He had great purpose for Jacob. Because Jacob honored God, He blessed him and promised him, God will complete His will even when we don’t follow it or Him.

“I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.  Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Genesis 28:13-15

No matter what we’ve done, God keeps his word – He will never leave us and He will complete whatever He’s promised. We can’t interfere with God’s will or short it by our actions.

Fear Not

When we feel alone, there may be a sense of fear. There’s the fear of consequence, of loneliness and of being unsure of the future. We need not fear because God is always near.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

We belong to Him. Just as a father loves his child no matter what, God loves us even more. He’s gone to great lengths to make us His own through Jesus Christ, and because of this He will never leave us.

When Others Oppose You

You may feel alone when others cause conflict in your life and oppose you. You may be feeling the pressure of expectations and displeasure. But, remember God’s word, ‘fear not…I am with you’. You may be going through circumstances that seem endless and hopeless, but you’re never alone and these times don’t last forever. Through it all, no matter what – God is with you.

“Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. “ Jeremiah 1:8

They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:19

God reminded His people over and over during their toughest times – I am with you. God keeps His promises. Even though difficult times may be allowed, there’s always a purpose and God always has a plan. Through it all He promised go give of Himself – we’re never, never alone.

Jeremiah 30:11, Jeremiah 42:11, Jeremiah 46:28, Haggai 1:13, Haggai 2:4

Jesus Promised Himself

Then Jesus came and gave everything. He gave of Himself. When He did and when He conquered Death – He promised that He would always be with us and He promised the Holy Spirit as a Comforter!

“teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:20

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26

We Have the Comfort of the Fellowship of Believers

God gave us the gift of Himself. He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit indwelling within us and He gave us the gift of believers.

As believers we are to love each other as God loves us. We are to comfort one another, pray for one another and encourage one another.

We are never alone.

Have you noticed that over and over I have referenced being alone as a feeling. That’s basically what it is. It is a feeling and this feeling doesn’t override reality. We are never alone. When we feel alone, then we should seek out the comfort of God. Talk with Him in prayer. Cry out to Him. He’s there. Seek Him in His word. Comfort yourself in hymns and Psalms.

“speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” Ephesians 5:19

Don’t try to go it alone. Seek the company and comfort of your fellow Christians. Ask them to pray with you, to listen to you. When you do your fellow Christian should point you to God’s word and they should encourage you.

One day you may need to be the encourager. I’ve read that the best way to be encouraged is to encourage someone else. It helps to get out of our mind.

Remember, no matter what the circumstance around you – you are NEVER alone. Don’t dwell there in your mind – go to God and to your brothers and sisters in Christ when you have need. Then rejoice in the love and fellowship you will find. And rejoice always knowing – you are never alone.

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Today, there is so much going on around us vying for our attention. We are so connected to everyone and everything at any time or at all times. We can receive notifications of messages from people, programs, or platforms – immediately. We can know everything that’s going on at all times at any point in the world.

All this instant knowledge can rob us of our peace of mind. It can draw our focus from our own current situation and our own responsibilities. Our attention is being drawn and pulled in so many directions.

We need peace of mind. And, one of the most wonderful things to realize is that God wants us to have peace of mind. Not just any peace of mind – He wants us to have His peace of mind.

Quietness and Rest

God knows exactly just how much we can handle, especially if we try to handle things on our own. If we try to take care of everything and everyone, we will become worn and tired and we can easily lose any sense of peace. Peace means having quietness and rest in our spirit.

This doesn’t mean that God takes away all of the ‘storms’ in our lives. It doesn’t mean that when we get past this event or that situation that then we will find peace. No, God gives us peace in the midst of all the storms in our lives. The calmest, peaceful part of a storm is right in the middle.

Real peace is not to have it all taken away from us but to be confident that we are not alone in the midst of the storms in our life.

Peace Through Christ

God knows we truly can’t go through this life alone. He knows that we need His strength and His peace. As Christians the beautiful mystery of grace is that we have Christ within us.

Through Christ we are whole. We are joined together with Christ and the gift of God to us is peace through wholeness.

Through Christ we are able to have the peace of God, peace with God, peace with others. By opening ourselves to the peace we have through Christ we now can have true tranquility in our lives.

This tranquility brings about peace of mind because we have complete faith in God no matter the situation or our interaction with others in our lives.

The Peace of Christ brings Harmony

When we realize and exercise the peace of Christ in our lives, we pursue tranquility and harmony with all those around us. This is what Christ desires of us. Harmony in our lives should prevail in all our relationships because we have the mind of Christ. We pursue a relationship with God and are concerned and loving towards others. We demonstrate a Christ-like care for others and what they need.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18

There is Security in Peace of Mind

When we realize, allow, and marinate in the peace of God which brings us true peace of mind, we find security.

This is not security apart from difficulty in life. It is more like an armor allowing us to go through this life with confidence knowing that nothing takes God by surprise. Also we know that once we belong to God we are always His. Nothing can separate us from God. This is such blessed knowledge.

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

We can go in Peace

Having peace of mind in our lives from the true source of peace we can go forward in our lives in peace. In this always, we can wish peace for others. It was a common greeting both when meeting and leaving others, peace. In this greeting peace was wished upon the individual as well as happiness. Go in peace. Pursue peace. Know peace. Know the source of peace. Know that God wishes you to have peace of mind in your life. This knowledge is one we’ll grow to know and understand as we pursue it. As we pursue our relationship with God we will find peace through Christ. We will find true peace of mind.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. II Thessalonians 3:16

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At this moment, I’m sitting here waiting. I’m waiting for the opportunity to be with my daughter who is in labor to deliver her son. I am not able to be with her, but I’m present.

Being Present.

This concept has so many applications.

In a Christian’s life we always have the presence of God. Once we believe and accept salvation, Christ is present in us. The Holy Spirit is present with us and God the Father is present with us. Now, currently, always, without ceasing. We will never be alone. Christ in us. This is known as the great mystery and the great hope of glory.

Christ in us.

Salvation makes it possible to have a relationship with God. Christ in us makes it possible for us to be transformed. We have the presence of Christ in us to make us more like Him.

What does that mean?

It means we will do all we do in love. Christ told his disciples to do two things: love God and love others. These two things encompass everything and they display the heart and character of Christ.

Being present also means that all the promises and all the hope we have in Christ are current. They’re present. When taught English, we’re told about tenses. Present tense, past tense, future tense etc…All through the Bible when we read about where we are in Christ it is always in the present tense.

We are complete in Him.

We are strengthened by Him.

We are growing in Him.

We experience the promises of God through Him.

So many things, we experience now. We don’t have to wait until we are present with Him in Heaven to experience the joy of living for Him and Him through us.

Being Present

A lot of times, we’re concerned about the past and worried about the future. This is a waste of time. We can’t do anything about either. We need to learn from the past and plan for the future. But, in all that we need to live in the present. Be in the present. Be where you are and with who you are with. Focus your heart and mind on what you’re able to do now – in the present. This is the gift we have. Today. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised – but, today…today we can live and live fully!

I’m sure there’s more examples and more thoughts we can share on being present. It’s a beautiful thing. Enjoy this day you’re gifted. Be the best you you can be today. Be kind to others. Be thoughtful. Be helpful.

Be present. Make that your state of being today. And while being present, be aware. See around you the beauty of the gifts in this world and the gifts in those around you.

How will you practice being present today?

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

To whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

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