No Worries

 

I pray everyone has the courage to trust in God today.  

No Worries

“No worries.”  We should tell ourselves this every day!  Not because we need to apologize for anything, but because we have God on our side.

Christians are not supposed to worry.  Yet, it has been one of my biggest weaknesses over the years.  Hence, worry is something I work to avoid.  One thing which helps me is to count my blessings.  I find an attitude of gratitude helps keep anxiety at bay. 

 Christian’s have certain assurances or promises.  For instance, we should never worry about being forsaken.  Hebrews 13:5 tells us: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  We can be assured God will always be with us if we are walking in the light. 

Jesus said in John 14:23 – “Jesus answered, “If people love me, they will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”  This beautiful verse reminds us God is always with the faithful.  We can be assured both Christ and our Father is with us.  We must hang on to this thought. 

Our faith in God’s word should keep us worrying about being left alone.  There are so many verses we could quote.  Beautiful verses of comfort and assurance.  Here is one more: “For the Lord will not forsake His people; He will not abandon His heritage;” – Psalm 94:14.

Another thing we need never worry about is bothering God with prayer.  I know sometimes we feel like God may get tired of us going to Him with all our troubles.  Here’s the thing.  God wants us to talk to Him.  Through the scriptures, our Father tells us to pray.  We are His children, and He loves hearing from us.  

Jesus is our example and He prayed often.  Jesus also encouraged the apostles to pray often.  In Luke 18:1 we read the parable of the widow and the unjust judge.  “And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke18:1

The widow kept going to the judge and asking for justice against her adversary.  At first this judge did not pay any attention to her; but the widow was quite persistent and kept going to him for justice.  Finally, the judge gave her what she wanted.

Jesus continued: “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?  I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:7-8). 

Jesus used this parable to teach us to pray – often.  We are commanded to “pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. 

Peter tells us why in 1 Peter 5:7 - “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Through these passages we can know our Father wants us to pray to Him.

Besides, we belong to the Almighty God.  He keeps the world spinning.

We will never bother Him with our prayers.  He loves us too much for that. 

Christ above all things – Robin

Standing in the Gap

 

Have you ever had to use a band-aid on a wound?  Of course, you have.  I mean who hasn’t skinned a knee or an elbow?  When we cover a wound with a bandage, we must be careful to smooth it out well so there are no wrinkles in it.  We can’t leave an opening for any dirt or grime to get in to infect the wound.  

 In ancient times walls were build around cities to fortify them.  They kept the enemy out.  If there were gaps in the wall, the city was vulnerable to danger.  Someone would most likely be put on watch – to stand in the gap – until the wall could be repaired so no enemies could get inside the city. 

There are a couple of interesting passages in the book of Ezekiel.  “O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. ⁵ You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the Lord.” (Ezekiel 13:4-5). 

God condemns other prophets saying they are like foxes.  They did not go build a wall for the house of Israel.  These prophets did not help prepare their people spiritually.  They were not true to God, so they could not protect the people from spiritual weakness – so they could “stand in battle on the day of the Lord.”  The ‘prophets’ were corrupt.

The next passage comes from Chapter 22:29-30 – “The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. ³⁰ So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

God (through Ezekiel) now goes over all the sins the people have committed.  He looked for someone who would “stand in the gap” to keep the land from being destroyed.  How sad it was that God found no one. 

It reminds me of the conversation Abraham had with God when he pleaded with Him on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Do you remember?  Abraham first asked if God would destroy the city if there were 50 righteous people in the city.  Then Abraham went to down to 40, then 30 and eventually down to 10. 

God agreed if 10 righteous people could be found, He would save Sodom.  Not enough people stood in the gap in Sodom either.  The angels only led four people out of the city, and we know Lot’s wife looked back. 

What about us?  Are we ready to stand in the gap when someone needs us?  When God needs us?  Do we stand up for what is right in the workplace or at school? 

Are we strong enough to teach our children the difference between right and wrong even when we know some of their friends may make fun of them for being the good kid?  Do they know they can turn to us whenever they face hardships?   When we teach our children and others about God, we are preparing them to ‘stand in the battle on the day of the Lord.’ 

Gaps are dangerous.  Dirt gets in band-aids.  Enemies get in cities that aren’t fortified.    Sometimes nations fall when not enough Christians stand up for what’s right.  Sin creeps into our lives when we aren’t protected.

Let’s stand in the gaps – for ourselves, our families and our neighbors.  God needs us. 

Christ above all things – Robin

Can Animals Talk?

 

     My parents have two dogs and a cat.  They are great animal lovers and treat their pets very well.  I love their pets too.  They are good for Mom and Dad to have around and I am thankful for them. 

     If you have pets in your home, then you know how much they love their owners.  Dogs are always loyal – always loving.  My parents’ inside dog is a Yorkie named Charlie.  He adores my Dad.  Charlie sits beside Dad’s chair in his office and watches every move Dad makes. 

     Charlie has different barks.  One bark tells Dad he needs to go outside.  One lets him know he wants a treat.  One tells Mom and Dad someone is at the door.  And sometimes Dad has an idea of who it is by the way Charlie acts. 

     Victor is their outside dog.  He is a mixed breed – mainly black lab.  Victor has different barks too.  If it is a been a while since I have visited Mom and Dad, Victor’s bark is different.  I always feel like he is telling me he is glad to see me. 

     Even Missy (their cat) will let you know she is glad to see you. If she thinks the dogs have gotten too much attention, she jumps up in your lap for a little cuddling of her own.  They all communicate with one another too.  Sometimes they act like children bickering.  Sometimes they are like the best of friends. 

     We all know animals find ways to communicate with their owners – and other animals.  We once had a goat.  He loved to play with our dog.  Once when I came out of the house and stepped into the yard, they looked at each other and then looked at me and back at each other.  It gave me the oddest feeling.  I honestly thought they were talking about me.  LOL. 

    Just as we love to be with our pets - and take great pleasure being with them, God loves to be with us.  He longs for us to talk to Him –spend time with Him.  Throughout the Old Testament God spoke through the prophets to tell the people if they were faithful, He would always be with them.  They would be His people and He would love and protect them. 

     It is the faithfulness God wants – so He can be with His people.  This is the reason He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through the death of His Son.  God is not willing that any should perish.  None.  He wants every person to be saved.  He gave us the choice though.  We are the ones who decide to be with God --- or not. 

    God loves us with an everlasting love.  Take time to be with Him.  It will make your day so much better!

Christ above all things -- Robin