Got - anything worth having?

(from twitter.com)

Got milk? The commercial has stuck in our heads for a very long time. It’s been applied to every other product imaginable. We laugh because it’s so simple, but the ad agency hit a gold mine with this one, because we remember it. Did it make me buy more milk? No. So, in that sense, it didn’t work on me. You either like milk, or you don’t.

Let’s apply it across the board. Got cash? Got energy? Got faith? Some things are easier to acquire than others. Me? I have no desire for milk. But cash? Energy? Faith? I want more of all of them!

(from kepcutusu.com)

A friend posed a question on social media this morning to rouse dialog, asking, “Why does it feel easier to trust worldly comforts, material wealth, and people more than God?” I answered quickly; too quickly, perhaps. I suggested that perhaps a part of it is that we can see the tangible. Trusting God requires new levels of faith every day, which requires growing and stretching. And let’s face it, a lot of us don’t want to grow or stretch. That involves getting out of our comfort zones. Here in America, surrounded by our first world problems, we like our comfort zones. We’re secure there.

I’d rather be secure in Jesus Christ than in my comfort zone. But, do my actions match my desires? Or are my desires simply statements that I identify with because I’m a Christian and “I’m supposed to” align myself with the Word of God and His will for my life?

A point to ponder for sure.

Are you content – in your comfort zone? Or are you ready and willing to step up and step out into faith? Faith requires trusting that God is real, that He loves you and knows what’s best for you and that you willingly follow where He leads you. Count the cost. Because, it will cost you. But you’ll gain peace beyond all measure and eternity with our King.

(from pinterest.com)

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” – Hebrews 1-:23 (KJV)

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” – James 2:18 (KJV)

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” – James 2:26 (KJV)

Soaked in Safety

(photo from mercurynews.com)

The other night I was praying for our children and grandchildren. As I lay there in bed, picturing their beautiful faces, they all appeared to be standing on an airport tarmac. Hmmmmm, where are they going? As I prayed over each of them, the white fire suppression foam that’s sometimes sprayed on a tarmac before an emergency landing seemed to flood in around them, protecting them from harm. The foam arose around them like whipped cream, fluffy and expanding. What great peace filled my soul as I watched them play in it. What a great word picture. Peace, protection and play, all wrapped in that foamy prayer.

(photo from citynews.com)

The next night, I saw several prayer requests on Facebook I committed to include with mine. One friend’s brother is going through a rough time, another asked for prayer for their family, because they’d lost a one-year old child/grandchild. As I lay there, praying for peace and understanding in situations most of us find hard to understand, again, I felt God surround them. This time, the word picture was a dry bowl of Frosted Flakes awaiting milk. As I continued to pray, milk began to pour into the bowl. Again, the subjects of my prayers were surrounded, this time, even saturated to the point of sogginess.

(photo from mirror.co.uk)

If the foam and the milk represent the Spirit of God, as I contend, those were some incredibly powerful images, drawing me closer to the heart of God.

I trust that God hears our prayers and answers them. He meets our needs with designs our hearts can’t even fathom until we watch them unfold.

I can look into your beautiful eyes and fall deeper in love with you each time. I can daydream about spending time with you and experiencing your love for me.

But, when God looks into your eyes, He sees your soul; He sees your spirit within you. He cannot stop loving you, because He IS love. He woos you and longs to hold you closer to His heart. He doesn’t have to daydream about spending time with you, He’s always with you, surrounding you with His grace, His mercy, His peace and His joy; His permanent and constant love.

Lift up your voice to our Maker. Allow yourself to feel the tarmac foam of His protection. Allow Him to saturate your dry flakes, soaking into every fiber of your being, becoming one with you. Reach out for Him, He’s right there waiting for you, anticipating your touch. He’s well within your reach, longing for a closer and deeper relationship with you. He’s already built the foundation for that relationship; He created you and provided for your every need, He’s eagerly watching and waiting for your responses to His infinite display of love for you.

 

Psalm91 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:

my God; in him will I trust.

³ Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

⁴ He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

⁵ Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

⁷ A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

⁸ Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold

and see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

¹⁰ There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague

come nigh thy dwelling.

¹¹ For he shall give his angels charge over thee,

to keep thee in all thy ways.

¹² They shall bear thee up in their hands,

lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

¹³ Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

¹⁴ Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

¹⁵ He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.