Put your worries in God's hands...

Put worries in God's hands...

Four years ago, I opened this portion of the Jesus calls book, I had had a night filled with bad dreams, sleeplessness, headaches, swirling thoughts...I was the 24 hour care giver for my terminally ill husband, and I was in way over my head...but God was there every step of the way, through the lifting, the continual laundry, the hand feeding, the falling, the visitors, the slowly leaving of my husband....

My question after reading this ...."where are we going ????" It was a new path...one which we have never tried before..and the path wasn't very visible..and it sure wasn't on "my" map...

Our family went down the path and now we are still on new paths...each day brings with it new hope, new worries and anxieties...new drama .... I still deal with sleeplessness, swirling thoughts over different issues, and I  am still working on taking a problem directly to God instead of stopping over are the "worry" seat...where I sit  and figure out all consequences, all the whys and wherefores...I want that direct handoff..from the problem to the Burden Carrier...asking for His wisdom and care...I take on too many things, that are just not mine...

God helped us through the biggest hard event in my life, I have to believe He will help through each of the others...I want to be steadfast, unshaken,  and trusting...

thank YOU for reminding me once again of Your trustworthiness...your ever maturing plans for my life... 

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord And he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

"Jesus calls-

Worship Me only. Whatever occupies your mind the most becomes your idol. Worries, if indulged, develop into idols. Anxiety gains a life of its own, parasitically infesting your mind. Break free from this bondage by affirming you trust in Me and refreshing yourself in My presence. What goes on in your mind is invisible, undetectable to other people. But I read your thoughts continually searching for evidence of trust in ME. I rejoice when your mind turns toward Me. Guard your thoughts diligently; good thought-choices will keep you close to me..

Psalm 112:7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 

 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. "

Body language ....

Body language ....

There are a lot of homeless people standing at various intersections where I live. Their body language is one of a downtrodden, hopeless person, holding signs asking for food, money, handouts..you rarely see one, standing tall,with confidence... Instead they are sitting, bent, forlorn,molding their particular sign..

As contrasted to a meeting of business persons, who walk around with straight posture, exuding confidence, looking polished..

Or a room full of seniors, some bent with age, others sitting tall, posture erect...

Riding public transportation, one views all the above or other hunched over their device, bent back, crouched ready to exit as soon as possible...with no eye contact with anyone...

Or a toddler, one of my grandsons, getting his hat from a bin, bringing it to his mother and then bends over waiting for her to put his hat on....this means in his body language, " let's go outside"...pointing to the door...

Or the teenager, proudly displaying "keys".. Letting the world know that he can drive, now..not  a word needs to be spoken because of that smile or gesture...

Crossed arms can mean one is closed off to another or we are just cold...as opposed to uncrossed, which may mean, "I receive you or your words"..

Hugs, a hand touching another may mean, I accept you, comfort...

As I have been in a few airports lately, it has been interesting to watch people, the laid back, the impatient, the sleeping, the harried parents, the enthusiast, the lost, the relaxed, the disappointed, the tired, etc, etc, etc...body language of all colors and cultures...

There are so many descriptions of body language in the Word from the beginNing  to the end..some appropriate and other, not so...

But bowing before the Lord is found throughout...we will be and are to worship Him...no matter the posture, but at His coming...we will be bowing at His presence...and there will be no one standing, confident of our own works...He is the LORD...no doubts about it...

Thank YOU that you know me from the inside out...you know my body language, can read it..and love me...Help me to stand where I need to stand, sit when I need to sit, walk where I need to walk and bow in body and spirit when I need to do that as well...You are worthy...

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 

Romans 14:11 It is written:“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” 

Genesis 24:26 Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, 

Deuteronomy 4:19 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. 

Psalm 38:6-8 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain;there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed;I groan in anguish of heart. 

Psalm 146:8 the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,the Lord loves the righteous. 

Luke 21:19 Stand firm, and you will win life. 

Mark 5:33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 

Righteous....

Righteous....

There are over 490 references to righteous/righteousness in the Word, from the beginning to the end...Job, the Psalms, Proverbs and Isaiah refer to it the most...

How we try to be " right", do "right".. But there is no way that we can be perfect, act perfect, perform perfect because we just can't...we can't compare ourselves with others,that is  pride or putting ourselves down, we aren't perfect ...."all have sinned"

But, we can believe ....that is where our righteousness comes in...it is a cloak, a filter that Only God can give and see...

Just think, we can be in a crowd of millions and He knows which ones are His...he sees that robe of righteousness that he gives us upon believing...

That is mind boggling ...we don't see it, or feel it, but it exists...

He makes us righteous...we can't do it on our own...He is righteous...and He covers us with righteousness ...

Thank YOU... I don't understand it....but I believe...

1 Peter 2:5, 9-10 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

Psalm 1:6a For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous.....

Psalm 5:12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. 

Psalm 34:15, 17-19 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,and his ears are attentive to their cry; 

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;he delivers them from all their troubles. 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; 

Romans 1:17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” 

Romans 3:22-23 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. 

There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

Psalm 27... 2010

Psalm 27...2010

I read through Psalm 27 early this morning...so many notes in the page edges...I was reading this when my mother passed away..and I desperately need His comfort, solace to strengthen me each moment, to plan her funeral, to write the obituary, to face people...to help my father ...to stand after the unexpected...

The LORD is my light

...my salvation...

...my stronghold 

...my dwelling

...my shelter

...my helper 

...my teacher

...my mercy giver

...my Saviour 

...my goodness giver

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD",vs 14 

Notes from earlier that same year were a totally different tone ...vs 13 "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living..." When our family went on trip which was a dream I had had for along time...taking my grandchildren as well,as their parents on the big family trip..

The words of the psalm were both a praise for the good times of joy  and the harder times of death as well as ministry times in a faraway land in the same year wearing a boot for a torn Achilles' tendon ...what a year...

But the Word of God held true... He was there as ALL, in All..and so much more...thank YOU...

Psalm 27:1-14 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against meto devour me,it is my enemies and my foeswho will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me,my heart will not fear;though war break out against me,even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord,this only do I seek:that I may dwell in the house of the Lordall the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the Lordand to seek him in his temple. For in the day of troublehe will keep me safe in his dwelling;he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tentand set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exaltedabove the enemies who surround me;at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord;be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me,do not turn your servant away in anger;you have been my helper.Do not reject me or forsake me,God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me,the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord;lead me in a straight pathbecause of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,for false witnesses rise up against me,spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the Lordin the land of the living. Wait for the Lord;be strong and take heartand wait for the Lord. 

Backup....

Backup....

My computer has been having some issues lately, so the computer repairman came to work on it. I actually hadn't pushed any wrong buttons this time, just needed a tune up..

Plus, One of my really important and extensive files kept saying, "this folder cannot be seen and has been corrupted".  Not what I wanted to see!!  So he worked on that as well and suggested I put in an automatic backup system...to which I readily agreed...now I can open my files anywhere I am.....what concept and they aren't lost!!!  He did retrieve my file, by the way....with its 300+ entries...yay!!! And thank You!!!

Backup and retrieval reminded me that God is always there..He is our backup in all circumstances...but not only is He our backup, He is our forward, sideward and all around...He encompasses us with His enfolding arms of protection...and not only that, He has put His Holy Spirit inside us...we are fully filled with Him, a concept that is mind blowing ...I don't understand it, but His word says it...so I have to believe that it is true...He never leaves us...

Thank YOU for Your Miraculous ways in our lives...beyond our comprehension ...but true...

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 

 Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Psalm 139:8-10 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me,your right hand will hold me fast. 

The Majestic...

The Majestic.....

The movie, "The Majestic"  played yesterday on TV. The movie, starring Jim Carey, was mostly filmed in a small picturesque town near where I was born and raised for part of my life.  My mother was raised there, married in a nearby town and my parents lived 10 miles away, for 40+ years of their marriage..my relatives and now, my parents, are buried there... 

During the filming, there was a posted schedule of where in the town, they would be filming and what day..my mother purchased  a pot of red tulips and put them in the cemetery on the family plot...so, for a nano second in the movie, you can see her flowers in the cemetery in the background. My mom's contribution to the "film set"....

The movie came out in 2001, fifteen years ago. We went to see it soon after it came out. It was fun to hear about the filming first hand from my parents and read newspaper clippings they would share...a big deal for this small tight knit community.  

Watching the movie again, I recalled watching it before, first with my parents and then with my husband...all are gone...and here I am watching and remembering it alone...with memories of each person, their lives intertwining for all my life with mine...from birth, through growing up and life,  marriage...

It brings to mind another more Majestic...a song we sang, coming from these Psalms....

Psalm 8:1-9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory in the heavens. 

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds,and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea,all that swim the paths of the seas.

 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

Psalm 111:1-4 Praise the Lord.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

 Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. 

Glorious and majestic are his deeds,and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. 

Majestic...a movie remembered...and God whose name encompasses all..thank YOU...

  

Class reunions. ....

Class reunions...

This week I have heard that my high school reunion is coming up later this year.   But, of all things, it is for old people, those who graduated 50 years ago...I cannot believe that I am in that class...when I was young, I saw their picture in the newspaper, white haired, glasses, grandparents, retired....that was way in the future and it is now!

Then the anxieties I felt as a teenager all flooded in...the quietness, the uneasiness, the lack of confidence, self-consciousness of myself, my hair, my body type, my clothes... all the  nervousness of being a teenager struck me again...I should be over that, but it is there, lying dormant after all these years...those feelings of insecurities....

Will I go, not sure...facing fears that are 50 + years old...very little is the same, to be sure..

I was reading the Devotional "dear Jesus" this am, the author, Sarah Young, was thanking Jesus that He loved her soul...rather than her appearance or performance...which we get hung up with ...He knows our heart , and does not look on outward appearances, which the world and myself focuses on..

he knows our fears, our very beings...and helps us deal with those ...but, He really wants us to focus on Him, our life in Him, our love for Him, our peace in Him, our path that He has prepared, .....because His way is perfect...

Thank YOU, that You Are with me through all of life's events...growing older, teenage years, parenthood, widowhood...and even class reunions...insecurities...

help me be a light wherever you place me...reflecting your love...

Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken or my covenant of peace be removed,”says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 

Psalm 63:1-8 You, God, are my God,earnestly I seek you;I thirst for you,my whole being longs for you,in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life,my lips will glorify you. 

I will praise you as long as I live,and in your name I will lift up my hands. 

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

I cling to you;your right hand upholds me.  

lyrics let them see you in me You Tube...

Lights...

Light....

The day is slowly awakening outside..the light is becoming more and more visible as well as the shadows are becoming less and less..the darkness is retreating ....

Ephesians 5:13-14 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

This is why it is said:“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.” 

That was my morning's opening verse...

 The outside objects become clearer and no longer await in darkness .  I turn my lights on and the rooms become visible..I no longer stumble around in the dark...

Light was the first part of creation..."let there be light"...."it was good" and it was "separated  from darkness"....Genesis 1:3-4...

What a picture, light and darkness. It is throughout the Word..light and darkness ...separation...from Genesis to Revelation ....light and darkness...good and bad...with the good, Victorious....Living...He is our Light...

thank YOU for being the Light...showing me the way in the darkness, revealing darkness in me...help me be a lamp to others...let Your Light shine forth ...

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Job 12:13, 22 “To God belong wisdom and power;  counsel and understanding are his. 

He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light. 

Psalm 18:28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. 

Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. 

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,a light on my path. 

Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

John 9:5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

Goats....

Goats.....

When my family was younger, my youngest daughter still in diapers, we had milk goats. I know I have written about them before, but this video clip surfaced and gave me pause to think about those goats again.

Of all the animals we ever had, goats were the most entertaining, exasperating, cutest, disobedient, useful, tree eating animals we had...they would give wonderful milk which we used for cooking, making cheese, yogurt, and just plain drinking ...

When some of my family lived in and visited Mongolia, goats were used for milk, cheese, hair, cooking, and meat there as well..the babies kept penned, while the mother goats roamed to eat..is was the women's duty to milk them when the time came each day... Goat  meat was sold at the market, whole or pieces...

Goats are talked about all through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations...both wild and domesticated....they  were used for their skins, their hair for spinning, for sacrifices, trade, their value....A sin offering and a scapegoat to be sent into the wilderness carrying " sins" on its back...they were referenced as part of one's wealth ...a variety of colors and patterns for their skins...meat and milk for the food of a family...they were and are part of the Mid Eastern culture as well as others around the world... 

Thank YOU for the provision through the generations of food which you Supply either from the ground or the animals You Have created for our use...

Everything has a purpose in your economy ....

http://www.coolestone.com/media/13906/Cute-Baby-Goats---A-Cute-And-Funny-Baby-Goats-Compilation-%7C%7C-NEW-HD/#.VqIrGIg76K1

Proverbs 27:23-27 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, 

the lambs will provide you with clothing,and the goats with the price of a field. 

You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants. 

Tightrope....

Tightrope...

As I was running errands yesterday, I drove past a park. Two young men had strung a cable between two trees and were "practicing " their tightrope maneuvers, balancing their bodies as they traversed the cable...I didn't see them fall, only walk sedately from one end to the other, with the ground five feet below...

It gave me pause to thought...am I walking a tightrope in life? With no safety net below? Or is life safe with the rope only a few feet off the ground? What is my safety net?

Then as I turned to Jesus Calling this morning, it asked the same question...as a Christ Follower, my safety net is in the Everlasting Father..as I step out in faith, He is there, holding my hand, ....if I fall, I fall into His arms....my balancing act is between Him and the world...which would I rather put my faith in...

Stepping into each day, whom do I trust? Each decision, who is my helper/ counselor ? Who gives me balance? Who catches me when I fall?

Who is my safety net?

Thank YOU for holding me  through the tightropes of life...the balancing acts we are thrown into in this world...

Deuteronomy 33:27a The eternal God is your refuge,and underneath are the everlasting arms.....

Deuteronomy 33:29b He is your shield and helper.....

Psalm 15:1-5 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?

Who may live on your holy mountain? 

The one whose walk is blameless,who does what is righteous,who speaks the truth from their heart; 

whose tongue utters no slander,who does no wrong to a neighbor,and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts,and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest;

who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things will never be shaken. 

Romans 8:39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Truth....

Truth .....

 I was looking up the simple word, "truth" recently...

What a plethora of definitions..."relative", "factual", "firmness", "frankness", "faithfulness", constancy"... To name a few..."everyone's truth is different..."

So what do we base our truth on? We each have to make that decision, God has given us the free will to choose ...but if must be done carefully. It has an eternal consequence..."our truth or His..."

Truth is our core...the first first piece of armor, the belt that strengthens us...

These passages stood out when I was looking at the word, "truth". The WHOLE WORD is truth...but truth has much to say to each of us...Jesus is truth, He is the Word...

Thank YOU for real Truth,,not what the world gives, but what You give freely...  

Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 

Psalm 119----so rich with what the Word  does and our response...

Proverbs 22:17-21 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 

for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 

So that your trust may be in the Lord,I teach you today, even you.

 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? 

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

John 15:26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 

1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

This passage made me stop and consider my ways...I don't want Truth to perish ...and what am I doing to prevent that?

Jeremiah 7:28 Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips. 

Our comfort....

Our comfort....

 A friend and I are having a marathon Griefshare session as We are spending the week together.

By day, we are working the sorting of equipment, books, accounting, etc that were the accumulation of our husbands' lifetime businesses.  In the evenings, we have been watching all the Griefshare videos and responding to bookwork that accompanies that class...it feels like everything is on hyper speed as we grapple with both the business and Griefshare information...she is only four months into widowhood...

This Journey really started five years ago when the two men partnered in business after successful careers singly.  Eleven months into the partnership, my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and succumbed five months later. Her husband then took the full reins of the new company and ran it successfully until cancer and it complications took his life as well four and a half years later as well... Leaving two widows and their children with gigantic holes  in their lives and a business to motivate through....

Through it all, God has comforted, revived, held us....He has provided people who have advised us...helped us, encouraged us..He has loved us,  sending His word deeper into our souls to those hidden places that only He sees...he has prepared us, as well, through life experiences, to move forward, to rely on Him...

Oh, there are tears, questions, reminders of loss and gain, every hour of the day and night ...that we are on an unexpected journey ...but we have a eternal, all knowing, all powerful, compassionate Partner on this path...

Thank YOU, for journeying with us, giving wisdom, giving deep abiding peace, enfolding us with your loving arms....You alone deserve honor and glory...Praise to You....help us to look to You in everything we do...

Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction,That Your word has revived me. Nasb 

Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this:Your promise preserves my life. NIV 

Psalm 119:156 Great are Your mercies, O Lord; Revive me according to Your ordinances. 

Psalm 119:156 Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws. NIV. 

"My grief doesn't end with my comfort...." Griefshare participant , 

It goes in to comfort others...

The New Resource   A daily devotion for January 16th   From your friends at RayStedman.org     Read: John 6:16-21       A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, It is I; don't be afraid. (John 6:18-20)       Those are very wonderful words for us, because our Lord is saying these same things for our benefit. This whole incident of the storm and their precarious condition in their boat is designed to teach his disciples the resources they have in their risen Lord. This is why John follows immediately by saying, they were glad to take him into the boat. Their fear was immediately relieved when they realized it was indeed Jesus who was walking on the water, and he was in control of all events, so they willingly received him into the boat. Immediately there was further demonstration of the power of Jesus, for they were instantly on the other side of the lake, to where they were going. The three or four remaining miles of the journey was suddenly accomplished, and they found themselves at the dock in Capernaum. I am startled by the number of Christians who do not act upon this truth, but seem to succumb to the pressures and the problems of life and react just like a non-Christian would. They grumble and complain, feeling set upon and put upon. They despair and strike out and strike back; they rely upon worldly schemes to deliver them from difficulties. What is more amazing is how many times I have experienced the joy of Jesus' presence, freeing me from the circumstances, and yet how many times I go right back and react the same way that others do in times of pressure and danger. Yet, here indeed, is the sign of the New Covenant, the new creation: Jesus with us in the very circumstances we find ourselves; triumphant, in control, Lord of all those circumstances, the new hidden resource for life which is available to believers but which the world knows nothing about. This leaves us with really only one question: Why don't we believe this? Why are we so much like Peter, who, even in the midst of experiencing the power of God to walk above his circumstances, loses his faith and begins to sink beneath the waves? You can always tell the man or woman who does learn this secret, who does welcome the Lord into the boat of difficulty, who does hear his Word, It is I; be not afraid. When we accept that fact we will find that it reveals itself in our very countenance. People who have discovered this have a quiet peace in their eyes even when things are going wrong. They have a confidence that everything is going to finally work its way out to what God's intended purpose was. There is not a word of complaint or grumbling. They regard the circumstances as necessary to what God wants to do in their lives—which is always for their own good, for their own ultimate happiness—and they accept them. They are a joy to be around. When you go to encourage them you find they encourage you. Do you know why? It is because they have already taken Jesus into the boat. When people do that, they discover that they have already arrived at the goal toward which the rest of us are still struggling. They are already there; they have found love and joy and peace. That is why these accounts are here in the Scriptures—to teach us the hidden resource of life, the place to run to when things get overwhelming and we find ourselves pressured. And this is not something to be reserved only for the great trials of life. It is available for any time of pressure, or any degree of it. When we accept this on that level, we are discovering the new creation, a new resource the world knows nothing about. Lord, may I understand afresh the inner resources by which I can remain calm and confident in the midst of trouble and danger. Help me to manifest this, Lord, as a testimony to your presence.       Life Application   As our lives are rocked by worldwide turbulence, added to life's daily stresses - where do we go to find peace of heart and soul? Does the Prince of Peace have full occupancy in our lives?    Related Message   For more on this portion of Scripture read the message: The New Resource or listen to the audio by clicking:   Listen to Ray     Previous Devotions for January Next       Want to Subscribe?   Subscribe / Unsubscribe to this Daily Devotion by Email   Copyright © 2016 Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman, compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet.