As I read through scripture, I choose to focus on the amazing names of God. With the craziness happening in our world—how encouraging it is to read “God Most High”. The Hebrew word for most high is Elyon. Combing it with El Elyon, it becomes the divine title our God deserves. He is the ruler of not only the universe but of everything that touches us. There is no other God that reigns over Him. He is the MOST HIGH God! Yesterday, amid some stormy situations, I called on my Most High God. It brought such peace and trust. My mind calmed as I rehearsed many of the things that are under His feet.
Often in the Psalms we find the phrase the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Jehovah Sabaoth). When Hannah prays for a son in 1 Samuel 1: 10, she uses this name to cry out to Him. It expresses the infinite power and resources which God acts for His people. Her situation had gone on too long and she needed to make her God bigger. He answered. When I read and meditate on this title, God becomes bigger and more firmly established as the Most High God. Psalm 80:19 Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved. He is in charge, my friends, no matter what things may look like. When you are feeling small, call out to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. It will stir your soul. No demon in hell can stand against Him. He is Lord.
Need healing? Cry out to Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals. Jehovah Jireh is the God who provides. All these titles describe an aspect of our amazing Lord and Savior. The most precious name of all to me is Abba Father. Adopted into His family, by the shedding of His blood, opened the door to a relationship with this Most High God! Add these titles to your prayer communication and you will grow in faith and maturity. There is nothing better than curling up in the Father’s Presence during struggles and disappointments. His Comfort is there. However, I can’t stay there and see things change. I must join with Him, using His powerful Word to bring the needed change. During these darker and difficult times, we must grow in our understanding of God’s power and the authority we have as His children. Through prayer we can watch things change, but only if we release our faith and cry out to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
Let us join to pray for our world. Do not let discouragement take over your life. Stand strong as a member of His Army. No victims here, but victors. Pulling down strongholds. Watching doors open, and lives changed and healed, in His Name.
Lately it seems like many people I know are struggling with many different pressures of life. Financial challenges, relationship issues, physical struggles seem to be attacking so many of God’s people. Life seems to be harder for so many people right now. The winds of adversity have been blowing hard. The temptation is to want to find a way of escape from their relentless blowing–at least that is my initial response!
What is your reaction when adverse things begin to take place? Why is this happening to ME or my family? Does fear raise its ugly head and try to take root in your heart? Life here on this earth, comes with adversity. It just does. If we keep being surprised by them, then maybe we need to grow in our understanding of life on this earth versus life that will be in heaven. Scripture tells us that in this world we will have tribulation, but be of good cheer because He has overcome them.
But how do we handle the pressures of adversity? First we must understand we do not face them alone. Our God is with us, working all things together for our good. When natural winds occur, they clean the air, help distribute seeds for new plantings, and they help birds complete their migration. Strong winds test the roots of trees, causing weak rooted trees to be blown over so younger trees can take their place.
Winds of adversity in our lives often reveal our stamina or lack thereof. When things get hard and we want to quit, we have to “dig deep” as they say, and choose to stay the course. Choosing to continue on God’s path when these winds are blowing contrary takes perseverance, trust and tenacity. There are some things in life that there is no choice but to push through. I remember in the middle of laboring my son, I just wanted to quit. Since my body reacts differently than most women, I did not have the “urge to push”, so I just quit. I was tired and I didn’t want to “do it anymore”. In the midst of the pain, I lost sight of the goal. The wonderful nurse whispered in my ear, “in just a few more pushes you will be able to hold your baby, and we will all go away!” I don’t remember which was more motivating, the idea of seeing my child or the fact I could get rid of the annoying people telling me what to do, but soon our dear son was born. In reality, I had no choice but to finish that race. Other times, we must choose to renew our commitment and walk on.
When the pressures of life begin to assail, we need people around us to remind us of our purpose and plans. I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit and God’s Word that brings us hope and encouraging stability, but sometimes I need people who have been there and done that, to come along side and remind me that I, too, will make it! Storms do not last forever. As I walked the difficult journey after Darryl’s stroke, trying to come to grips with my new normal, I would have to stop and remind myself not to worry about the tomorrows. Matthew 6:34 so don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. For you young parents, remember the current season your infant, baby, toddler, pre-schooler, elementary child, high schooler–is in will pass. The night feedings, the toddler tantrums and the angst of growing up, though difficult, are best done in the present–with an eye on the future. His grace is sufficient for our today issues. If you are facing storms in your marriage remember your vows and the reason you married in the first place. Take a deep breath and remind yourself of God’s love and that He is with you in every day circumstances. Seek His wisdom and His ways. Do not let your thoughts run rampant. Capture them quickly.
If things seem overwhelming and you need help, ask for it. Somethings are too heavy to bear alone. Humble yourself, if need be. Many times just talking about how you feel will bring perspective and understanding. This is why God has placed pastors, teachers and leaders in His body–if they can’t help, they can lead you to someone who can. Too many suffer in silence in their own island because they are embarrassed to reach out. Do not be one of those people, listening to the lies of the enemy telling you no one cares. It is not true. I am available! Reach out to me, if you need a listening ear. Many times I have shouted out my prayers to the Lord, or taken time to write my thoughts and prayers in a journal.. Simply taking the time to name your feelings (cares) and then cast them back to Him brings the relief and hope needed.
In the midst of so many facing adverse circumstances I have also been amazed at how many prayers God is answering as well. He is not far off, but a very present help in time of trouble. Do not be jealous, or disappointed if you see others getting their prayers answered, but be encouraged He is not a respecter of persons! Your time is coming.
Pip: Faith Encounters is the kind of site that hands you a verse, a personal story about a lost blog draft, and a Greek word — and somehow you come out the other side thinking harder about your own week.
Mara: Martha Rodman has been writing her way through a wide stretch of territory here — trust and courage when trouble stirs, joy and what depletes it, and the whole texture of how Christians live and grow together in community.
Pip: Which, when you lay it all out, is basically the entire interior life plus everyone around you.
Mara: Let's start with what she returns to most — what it actually looks like to trust God when your heart is already troubled.
When Trouble Stirs: Choosing Trust Over Fear
Mara: The anchor question across several posts here is this: when bad news arrives and the heart starts to boil over, what do you actually do with that?
Pip: And the answer comes straight out of a personal disaster — a blog post that didn't save. She frames it against John 14, where Jesus tells the disciples, "Don't let your hearts be troubled," right after warning Peter he'll deny him three times.
Mara: The post "Faith and Choices" traces exactly why Jesus said it when he did. The disciples had just heard that one of them would betray him, that Judas had slipped away, and that Jesus was leaving somewhere they couldn't follow. Then comes the instruction: "Trust in God, and trust also in me."
Pip: So the command lands in the middle of maximum disruption. That's not coincidental placement.
Mara: She unpacks the Greek word for trouble — tarasso — which means to stir or agitate, like roiling water. Her point is practical: "If we continue to let the pot boil, it may boil over and others can be hurt by it."
Pip: The grocery store smile is doing real theological work there.
Mara: "Faith and Dealing with Discouragement" extends the same territory — she names discouragement as something Satan uses deliberately to stop forward movement, and she's specific about the tools: identify where it's coming from, replace the lie with truth, use worship, ask for prayer from other believers.
Pip: The Elijah-needed-a-snack moment is in there too, which is both accurate and deeply relatable.
Mara: "Faith and Distress" adds the Hebrew root — tsar, a sense of tightness or a narrow place — and holds it up against David in Psalm 18 and Paul in 2 Corinthians, both of whom cried out and were delivered. The through-line is: don't wait to call on him.
Pip: And "Faith and Trusting Faith" puts Moses at the Red Sea — army behind, water in front — and lands on God's response: why are you crying out to me? Move. Lift the staff.
Mara: She connects that to her own broken car and her college-bound grandchildren navigating choices. The instruction is the same in every scale of problem: take the first doable step and trust him for the next one.
Pip: From Red Seas to zip ties — which brings us somewhere worth pausing.
Joy Levels and What Depletes Them
Mara: The question these posts are asking is whether joy is something that just happens or something that requires active maintenance.
Pip: And the answer is firmly: maintenance. She uses a car oil light as the entry point in "Faith and Your Joy Level" — the warning wrench that says oil at fifteen percent — and asks why we don't pay the same attention to our own joy level dropping.
Mara: The anchor quote comes from "Faith and Restoring Joy," where she describes waking up feeling heavy and the Holy Spirit cutting through: "What would the outcome be of your cowering under the covers? You still have to face those things. Why not deal with it now?"
Pip: That is a very direct internal voice.
Mara: She traces the path back — prayer, worship music, gratitude for already-answered prayers — and lands on the song "Way Maker" as the thing that broke it open. Walking in joy, she writes, is contagious: "It not only helps strengthen ourselves, but also others."
Pip: "Faith and Healthy Eyes" takes a different angle on the same problem — where you fix your gaze determines what you see and where you drift.
Mara: She describes watching a children's talent show, growing bored and critical, and then hearing the Holy Spirit say: look at them, really look at them. The vision shifted. The point is that an unhealthy eye isn't just a vision problem — it shapes what flows out of the heart.
Pip: Joy and sight, it turns out, are the same conversation. Which opens directly into how we live that out alongside other people.
Rooted Together: Community, Resilience, and Christian Life
Mara: This is the widest stretch of ground — what it looks like to build a life of faith not just internally but in relationship with a church, a marriage, a neighborhood, and the next generation.
Pip: "Faith and Developing Resilience" kicks it off with an adult summer camp in February, which is exactly as cold and challenging as it sounds, and exactly as useful.
Mara: She defines resilience as the capacity to bounce back and adapt — then quotes Paul directly: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."
Pip: The physical therapy analogy earns its place — keep doing the reps even when you want to stop, because the strength comes from not quitting.
Mara: "Faith and Sowing and Reaping" is where the stakes get very personal. She describes her husband Darryl's stroke at an airport — the strangers who began CPR, the friend who drove her to the hospital, the church family who prepared the house, the occupational therapist who moved in and helped him learn to walk again.
Pip: That is an extraordinary catalog of the body of Christ showing up in real time.
Mara: Her point is that she spent years as a sower and then had to learn to be a reaper — and that both require faith. "Don't be afraid to sow, and don't be too proud to reap."
Pip: "Faith and Marriage Thoughts" is her fifty-second anniversary reflection — she shares the unlikely story of how she and Darryl met, and then pivots to the practical: see your spouse as God sees them, watch your tone, forgive quickly.
Mara: "Faith and The Gift of the Church" argues that the local church is a gift people too often walk away from wounded, and she takes that seriously — she asks anyone carrying church hurt to go back to the Lord rather than stay away.
Pip: "Faith and The Blessing of Kindness" makes the case that kindness benefits the giver, not just the receiver — Proverbs 17:11, and apparently also dopamine.
Mara: "Faith and Attitude" is built around Philippians 2:5 — have the same attitude Christ had — and she's honest that keeping a right attitude toward God is easier than keeping it toward his people.
Pip: "Faith and Listen" is a quieter post, almost a list of modes of listening — through the Word, through prayer, through pastoral teaching, through the still small voice — each one paired with a scripture.
Mara: "Faith and National Day of Prayer" comes out of her being asked to pray for the media at a local gathering. She's candid about the disillusionment in that space, but the post is ultimately about releasing faith in prayer rather than giving in to cynicism.
Pip: "Faith and Rooted" returns to the stroke story — this time her brother-in-law Mike — and uses her mother's hydrangea cuttings as the image: roots need time, care, and tamping down before they can hold against the elements.
Mara: "Faith and Generational Hope" closes the loop by asking what gets passed on. She points to Psalm 22:30-31 — "Our children will hear about the wonders of the Lord" — and presses the question: how do they hear if we don't share?
Pip: And "Faith and My Savior, Jesus" is the most personal of the group — a straightforward account of her own faith history, from a nine-year-old asking Jesus into her heart to the moment at the University of Washington when she asked him to be Lord, not just Savior.
Mara: It reads as the foundation underneath everything else in this collection.
Pip: What holds all of this together is that the interior work — trust, joy, healthy eyes — and the relational work — church, marriage, generosity, the next generation — turn out to be the same work.
Mara: You can't separate them. The roots that hold you steady in a stroke storm are the same ones that make you capable of showing up for someone else's.
Pip: More from Faith Encounters next time — same territory, more ground to cover.
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. Luke 11:35 NLT
Wow…This is quite a statement. The NIV version says: See to it then, that the light within you is not darkness. Our natural eye lets in light. God created our natural eyes to to take in light. That light is then focused by the cornea and the lens, which in turn is detected by sensors in the retina which sends nerve impulses to the brain. Our brain is wired in such a way that it interprets what all that means and we comprehend what we are looking at is a delicious cookie!
It is quite a gift He has given us–the gift of sight. Your eye is the lamp of your body (Luke 11:34 NIV). As I have gotten older, my eyesight has changed. I need prescription glasses to see both near and far. Soon I will need cataract surgery. It’s part of aging. But the good news is with adaptions I can still see to go about my life. Because of my glasses, I can drive safely, read warning labels on my medications and enjoy God’s creation. Vision is a gift from the Lord we should never take for granted. However, there are warnings embedded in these verses we need to heed.
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Luke 11:33-35.NIV. When we receive Jesus, the Light, our eyes are opened and the light comes in. We see things in new ways. Our perception shifts and we truly “see” for the first time. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130. ESV Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105. These two verses are so true, but only if we allow the Word of God to enter our hearts.
The truth is where your eye looks, it is where you go. Trying riding a bike and look to the left–you will naturally drift to the left. It is the same with our spiritual walk. If we do not keep our eyes focused on Jesus and His ways, we will drift away from Him. Our eye must be single, not focused on the ways and things of this world. Too many Christians today try to live with one eye on Jesus and the other eye on the ways of the world. We can try to fool ourselves, but our vision will begin to be polluted-thus partial blind. However, Jesus is very clear that either we will be full of light or dark. The Bible Commentary uses the term: there is no twilight Christians. In other words we will not be able to see clearly. We may think we are, but it takes the Holy Spirit to interpret correctly what we see.
A few weeks ago I attended a Home Connection Talent Show. My granddaughter was on the program to sing one of her original songs. This program opened with the students from the tumbling class. As I watched I became bored and critical. Watching children performing similar variations on the forward roll became monotonous.I wanted the program to move on so I could hear my granddaughter. I started timing this act. Then very quietly, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me. He said, “Look at the students. Really look at them”. My vision shifted and I began to see that most of these students would never be able to be on a stage, performing for their loved ones if they did not have this opportunity. It stopped being about me, and began to be about them. My friends, when our eyes are not focused on Jesus and His ways, we will often misinterpret what we should be seeing. Like me, your world vision may become critical, negative and harmful. Words of doubt and unbelief will flow from your heart, because is what you are seeing. Definitely and “unhealthy eye”. The only way we can keep clear vision is if we allow the Word of God to enter our hearts and illuminate all the dark corners. The truth of God’s Word can only set us free if we know it, trust it and walk in it. Developing faith eyes is the best way to walk through the valleys and mountains of life, my friends. Please stay in the Word…all of it. Take the time to read and study the convicting parts as well as the uplifting parts. It is the only way to develop healthy God vision.
Father, please help us develop healthy eyes. We want to see how you see. Forgive us for trying to develop dual vision. You are the Light that we need. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Choices: we love them and we hate them. It all depends on what they are, right? I finished this blog about an hour ago–but for some reason it didn’t save. So here I am choosing to re-write it. My choice! But my choice is to do it with joy and peace, or with anger and frustration. I admit I was troubled! I took a break when I realized I hadn’t saved it. I reacted with frustration and disappointment. I had to rearrange my schedule. As I walked into the grocery store, I began to smile and laugh at myself! Here I had just read, studied and prayed about not allowing our heart choose trouble and hear I was reacting with frustration.
In order to really understand this scripture, we must back up and see what caused Jesus to tell His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled. In John 13, we find the disciples celebrating the Passover as every good Jew was doing. While Jesus was washing their feet we find the first clue that could cause their hearts to be troubled. A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you. (John 13:10). Not all of you are clean.
What do you think they were thinking? What does He mean by that. It became even more ominous when He said: I will tell you the truth, one of you will betray me! I am sure they were confused and concerned, as they asked “who is He talking about?” Then after, Judas slipped away, Jesus said even more troubling things. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but your can’t come where I am going. These faithful disciples had been with Jesus for three years. Traveling together, learning from Him, feeling safe with His wisdom and instruction. Now He tells them they can’t go with Him. Our dear brother Peter, wasn’t having it. But why can’t I come now, Lord? he asking, “I’m ready to die for you”. Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell youthe truth, Peter, before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me. More confusion, more troubling thoughts–especially for Peter must have come flowing in. Then Jesus spoke these amazing comforting words: Don’t let your hearts be troubled. John 14:1.
Bad news brings choices. Are we going to go to fear and anxiety, or run to Jesus and let His comfort presence and comforting words calm our hearts. His next words: Trust in God, and trust also in me.” Every difficult challenges brings opportunity to trust or doubt. The smaller ones are the same, but sometimes we by pass their importance. It was really a small thing that I did not notice my blog was saved. I was troubled for a bit, but then remembered the Greek definition of trouble: tarasso which means to stir or agitate (roil water). Was I going to stir the pot with my thoughts, or simply trust Him. So often we go to the worse case scenario–which usually doesn’t happen and make the concerns bigger than they are. If we continue to let the pot boil, it may boil over and others can be hurt by it. Let’s practice turning down the heat and letting the peace of God rule in our hearts, it is the mature thing to do! If you catch yourself with boiling water thoughts, go back to Him. Forgive yourself and make the choice to trust Him and His ways, especially for things we can’t change.
Father, I thank you for teaching us the right way to make the choice not to let our hearts be troubled. Thank you for understanding us and our tendency to make poor choices. I am so grateful you that we can make better ones when our hearts are not troubled. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 ESV
The other day my check the oil light came on. My car gives me a low oil light warning by showing me a wrench and “oil, 15%”. I thought, I’m still ok. I can drive it a few miles without any danger to the engine. But every time I started the car the little wrench light was there warning me. I knew I had to respond to that little light. Yesterday I got the oil changed and it was comforting to see the oil level was marked 100%. It was reassuring to see that number.
I wish we had a clearly marked “warning, joy level down” marker in our own soul. In John 15 we find Jesus speaking clearly from his heart to his disciples–us included. Everything he taught them from John 14 to 17 are things he shared so “our joy may be full.” John 15:11. If we find our joy level dropping it may be because we have forgotten to pay attention to these instructions. We find the words: abide, obedience and trouble (or tribulation). To walk in the fullness of joy we must surrender to His will. As we surrender, by faith, to His will we can do it grudgingly or joyfully. Our choice is do we dutifully go about our tasks because we know it’s the ”right thing to do”, or do we choose to serve with joy? I would love to say I always serve with joy, but alas it is not true. We are often surrounded by “joy stealers”, and if we aren’t careful we can find ourselves as depressed, depleted and discouraged believers. Not really the abundant life our Lord has planned for us.
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Matthew 19:6
May 15, 2026 would have been my 52 wedding anniversary. That morning was filled with excitement, anticipation and the knowledge that my life would forever be changed. Ours was an unusual “love” story. We met in Seattle in an old Victorian house in the central area. The house was located next to a small church called Zion United House of Prayer. My friend, George, brought me to the house during a flight layover, to meet the associate pastor of that church, Rev. E.M. Woodward. Darryl was sitting on the couch reading his Bible. As George went off to find Sister Woodward, I said, “Hello” to the man on the couch. He looked up, and said, “Praise the Lord”, in a very spiritual snob sort of tone. I felt like he was telling me, I don’t want to be bothered. When George brought her back, I forgot about that interaction. Sister Woodward prayed a prayer for me that included the same scripture I had read on the plane. Here was a stranger bringing a confirmation that I did not even know I needed!
Later, I moved into that house and began attending that church. Darryl and worked together on different projects, but didn’t date. My dream husband list only had three items. He must be a true lover and follower of Jesus Christ, be taller than I was and not very hairy (there is a back story to that part, but we aren’t going into it here). Darryl checked all three of my “must have’s”. After sometime, our church planted a church in Portland, Oregon and Darryl was part of that planting.
A year or so later, God spoke to me that He wanted me to marry Darryl. After talking it over with Sis. Woodward, she subtly tried to find out if God had been speaking to Darryl about it. She told me, I don’t think it will happen soon. Life went on and I told the Lord, “I am content”, so if that was you, then good, if not that’s ok.I am throwing it out the window, but if you want to pick it up again, that’s ok, too.”
Unbeknownst to me, she and our senior pastor, Rev. Eugene Drayton got together with Darryl while I was on a trip. He told Darryl he thought it was time for him to get . As Darryl retold this story to me, he said a rolodex of all the single ladies in the church went before his mind, but my name wasn’t on it. When they said my name, he said, “I have peace”.
Every Friday night our church held an young adult service. When it was over, Sister Woodward asked me to meet her in her office. She hemmed and hawed, and finally said, “how would you like to get married?” I went what? What happened while I was gone? (I was gone for two weeks). She said, Darryl is on his way up here to ask you to marry him tomorrow! Of course my mind was swirling, my emotions were crazy, but I also felt the unmistakable peace of God. He came, he asked and two weeks later, we were married.
I am sharing this story, not only because it is a special reminder of God’s gift to me, but to encourage all my married readers with some thoughts of “do overs” or “add ins” for my marriage. The first is probably something you hear a lot, but it doesn’t sink in. Don’t take your relationship for granted. It really can change in a day. Take the time to say “I love you” from a focused heart, not just a habit.
Take a good look at your love. See him. See her. Truly try to see them as God sees them, imperfect but loved. Ask Him to show you their heart, their dreams, their disappointments. It is often easier to take a look of your own heart, dreams and disappointments and wonder why he/she doesn’t try to meet them. The enemy of our souls wants us to fixate on all that is wrong. Take time to see what is right. Remind yourself, again, of why you chose this person in the first place. Refresh your love and care for your marriage. Not only for your sake and his, but for any children you have.
Pray for your spouse with intention, not just so they will “change”. Watch your words, tone and actions. They communicate more than you know. Follow Paul’s words to the Colossians: Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:12=13. I think if more couples committed to implementing this verse, their marriage would not only be saved, but they would be more enjoyable! Darryl and I worked hard to treat each other with kindness, even when we were upset with one another. Watch out for traps and tricks of your flesh or the enemy that would cause your heart to grow cold to each other. Ask the Lord to keep your heart tender. Talk through frustrations, get help if needed. Love the wife of your youth. Remember to be quick to forgive, unforgiveness can fester into resentment and bitterness.
At our home in Connecticut, we had a big firepit (actually a burn pile) area. One of my regrets was not joining him when he was burning. My reasoning? I was afraid of ticks and getting Lyme disease. I can only imagine what would have come from the time spent together if I would have stepped outside my comfort zone and joined him. It’s too late now. Please, my married couple friends, take advantage of the time you can spend together now.
For my single friends, we can take these words to heart and treat our family and friends with the same kindness, humility and tenderheartedness. These attributes are always useful!
Father, I pray for our married friends. I ask you to bless them with grace and mercy to love their spouse well. I thank you for helping them to love each other for who you made them to be, allowing Your Spirit to work any changes needed. Let their marriage reflect You. Please pour out any refreshment they may need, in Jesus’ Name amen.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12. NLT.
Joy is an amazing gift of God, one of the fruits of the Spirit, but like natural fruit it can become a bit bruised and battered. The good news is that our Lord is aware of that, and loves to restore that joy. Living a life without joy is not God’s will or a very fun way to live.
Sometimes the joy thief is so subtle we don’t notice it’s lack in our life. We just fel life is a bit heavier. We push through with our own strength, not allowing His strength to help us. If you find yourself in this scenario: take a minute or as long as it takes and pray. Ask the Lord to help you sort through your thoughts and feelings. David stopped and prayed in Psalm 51:12 restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 28:6-7 Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield, and I trust him with all my heart, He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
There are some days, I admit I wake up feeling sad and if I admit it a bit depressed and fearful. Let me tell you, it does not feel well within my soul! Joy would not have been part of my description on how I feel. My feelings will tell me to crawl back under the covers and give in to the sadness. I knew of several areas and circumstances that added themselves to my feelings, but once again the Holy Spirit said, STOP. What would the outcome be of your cowering under the covers? You still have to face those things. Why not deal with it now? Why not? I am so thankful we have access to the Holy Spirit and HIs wisdom.
So, once again I begin to think “what can I do to change things”? First of all, I realize that by talking to the Lord about how I was feeling I was already on the right path of changing things. I then put on worship music. I began to thank the Lord for His solutions to each of the issues that were trying to make me go small. Have you been there? Feelings can feel very real and very large. Truth can seem distant and difficult to believe when Fearful Feelings raise their ugly heads. As I began to praise Him and focus on already answered prayers, on His loving grace things began to change. I asked for His help and He sent it. I could have gotten up and tucked all those feelings back in my soul, but I refuse to settle for that kind of life. My friends are walking through some difficult waters. As I was praying for them yesterday I was listening to my Alexa device with worship music. Suddenly the song “Way Maker” came on. (If you don’t know that song here are the lyrics).
[Verse 1] You are here, moving in our midst I worship You, I worship You You are here, working in this place I worship You, I worship You You are here, moving in our midst I worship You, I worship You You are here, working in this place I worship You, I worship You
[Chorus] You are Waymaker, miracle worker Promise keeper, light in the darkness My God, that is who You are You are Waymaker, miracle worker Promise keeper, light in the darkness My God, that is who You are
[Verse 2] You are here, touching every heart I worship You, I worship You You are here, healing every heart I worship You, I worship You
[Verse 3] You are here, turning lives around I worship You, I worship You You are here, mending every heart I worship You, yeah, I worship You, Lord
I began croaking out the words of the song and my joy was restored. I had hope, faith and joy for my friends situations. I know God is going to make a way for them, because He is that kind of God. Walking with His joy is contagious! It not only helps strengthen ourselves, but also others.
Living your life as a believer without His joy is no fun. Do not settle for less than His best. I believe joy helps us stretch our faith and trust even more.
Father, I ask that you help us defeat the joy stealers in our lives. Remind us to monitor our joy level and take the time to connect with you when we find it running low. Bless my friends with the fullness of your joy today, in Jesus Name, amen.
O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people in the land.Daniel 9:4-6.
I was invited to pray for the media during our National Day of Prayer gathering. As I have been waiting on the Lord for His direction, so many thoughts have run through my mind. Media–newspapers, television news broadcasts, social media and podcasts–areas where good communication should be taking place. There was a time where people read newspapers with confidence that what they were reading was accurate and true. My dad regularly tuned into to the nightly news to learn about what was happening across our nation and the world. We grew up listening to Walter Cronkite, a broadcast journalist who anchored the CBS evening news from 1962 to 1981 and was often referred to as “the most trusted man in America”. I’m afraid I can’t think of anyone who would come close to that title now.
Over the years, unfortunately, disillusionment and distrust has taken the place of trust in the media world. We now must “fact check” every speech we hear from the President on down. One thing that came to my heart was the words Jesus spoke in Luke 12:2-3: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. I find these words while convicting, also comforting. History tells us that hidden things can get uncovered. We have Watergate with President Nixon, the illicit relationship with President Clinton and of course in the Christian world-Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. Everyone of these discovered situations brought shock, sadness and disillusionment. As Christians, we can tsk tsk President Nixon and President Clinton understanding power can bring corruption. It was hard for me to comprehend and trust the Watergate story. Would a sitting president really stoop to that level? The Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart stories really affected me. Satan loved to destroy these men’s reputation and influence into our culture, but the ripple effect to those who hear of their failures. It causes us to wonder who can we trust? The various media outlets, including the ever growing influence of social media are slowing undermining biblical values. Continued exposure of making it seem healthy to live together without marriage has influenced our current culture. Alternative lifestyle beliefs are becoming accepted and ultimately the norm. The good news is God is raising up a new generation who are learning the truth about what God’s Word has to say. There are more Charlie Kirk’s on the horizon. Men and women who desire to stand for truth instead of believing the lies.
As I was preparing to pray at this meeting, I recognized two things. Did I believe that my (our) prayer was going to change any aspect about the Media going on in this nation? If I didn’t, then why bother. I also realized I had to release my faith as I prayed. This meeting was held in an assisted living residence. There were about 35 mostly seniors present. These men and women are standing in faith and experience that God is active and present in our nation. Several came up and thanked me for my prayer.
My friends, it is obvious that this day is not a “one and done” type of prayer. It is something we need to continually bring before the Lord, trusting that He that has begun a good work will complete it. Let’s join together in praying for this aspect of our culture.
Father, I thank you for seeing the mess our country is in. I thank you for being merciful as you see the lies, immorality and manipulation that takes place through our media. Please rise up your men and women to stand for truth. Thank you for being the creative God who will bring forth even more creative sons and daughters to proclaim your glory through art, media and the spoken word. I pray for protection for those who are standing in the limelight against all the wiles of the enemy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27. ESV
How do you “hear” the voice of God? What kind of tone do you “hear” when you read God’s Word? Do you hear a commanding voice? The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders, the Lord over many waters. Psalm 29:3 ESV. As a child I could always tell the level of my parents irritation with me by how they said my name. I’m sure my children would say the same. The frustration tone, the endearing tone or the I’m about over it tone all aided in communicating my feelings.
I was reading John 15:1 the other day. I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. The amazing thing to me is I heard in my spirit a different tone than I had ever thought about. I imagined Jesus sharing this news with his disciples. I am the true vine. This was a true fact. But then I heard an excited, delighted rest of the verse. And my Father is the vinedresser. In the manner that He was so glad for them that they (we) had the Father as our Master Gardener. It was one of the first times I thought about Jesus and how his tone of voice might have changed when He was talking about His Father. Reading it “flat”, “factual” sort of like the voice of Dragnet, without any emotion now seems off to me.
I want to encourage you to read the whole chapter from the viewpoint. It makes me want to get to know and trust our vinedresser even more. His intimate pruning, fertilizer and cultivating brings him along side–especially when I think about the relationship between the Father and the Son. I hope this Point of View perspective will draw you closer them both.
Last week, in Faith and Trusting Faith, I mentioned my car issues. The wonderful news, is that after a suggestion from a friend, I took my car to our local Les Schwab shop. The problem turned out to be a broken splash guard, which they fixed with a zip tie! I leave today for a 1200 mile trip. I am so grateful to know my car is safe and sound for the trip. Trusting faith helps us keep on going till we get to the other side of the problem. We serve such a great, great Father.
Father, I ask you to help us grow in understanding how You and Your Son relate to each other. I thank you for helping us hear the correct tone of voice when you speak to us through Your Word. Let not our own hurts and perspectives taint how we hear You, for Your character stays the same, no matter what. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring. Exodus 14:13.
Moses and the children of Israel were standing between a rock and a hard place. Well, actually they were standing between the angry Egyptians and the Red Sea. They couldn’t go back and there seemed no way to go forward. Moses continues on speaking with such faith and confidence: The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still. Putting myself in their position, I wonder how would I feel? What would I do? As exciting as the escape had been from Egypt with the recent memories of experiencing the 10 plagues, it would still take a minute to adjust.
I find the next verse an interesting conversation between Moses and the Lord: Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. Exodus 14:15-16.NIV. Moses was faced with the same hard place and as the leader, he felt responsible to keep leading. He knew what God had called him to do. All those encounters with Pharaoh, and watching God perform His Word must have encouraged and strengthened his faith, but I think I would have still been crying out to the Lord–Now what??? We are stuck. The faith Moses demonstrated as they looked at the Red Sea and knowing what was behind them was amazing.
God gave him very doable instructions. Lift up your rod. My friends, I want to encourage you when you are feeling stuck to cry out to the Lord, believing He will give you very doable instructions. Just follow the first one. Trusting He will help you move ahead. Do not let fear paralyze you, or push you back. Take the time to do what He encourages you to do. Some of my college bound grandchildren are seeking their next step. The sea of choices stand before them. I know they will find the right path for each of them specifically, because God has a good future for them, but it takes trusting faith to watch them navigate this journey.
My rock and a hard place today is my car. As a single woman, with one car, how do I navigate getting it fixed? So my first step was ask for a reputable auto repair place. Did it. Called and got their process sorted. It is drivable, but making a sound like something is hitting the underside–off and on. I’m nervous, but using my trusting faith to believe it will be fixed. Decided today to wait till Monday to bring it to them. In the meantime, I am trusting God for all the in between steps. I know I will get across this minor red sea with His help. It feels like a BIG one, but I know He will help me cross.
Father, thank you for your help in the time of trouble. You are aware of our every need and I am so grateful for the examples of Your faithfulness in every aspect of our lives. Please help my friends have courage for their Red Seas, no matter how big or how small. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 18:16 NIV.
What do you think about when you hear the word “church”? Does it bring a smile to your face? Or a pain to your heart? Is it something you “do” because of habit or commitment? Are you an attender or do you feel you really belong? Growing up we lived in Coupeville, Washington, but the Baptist church my parents were founding members was 30 minutes away. Some Sundays my mom took us to the Methodist Church in Coupeville, other Sundays, our dad brought us to the Baptist Church in Oak Harbor. I felt at home in both. The Methodist Church Sunday School laid some great foundational scriptures, while I remember the fellowship and connection at the Baptist Church. In 1990, Darryl and I moved back to Oak Harbor, and in God’s humor, we became a part of the very same Baptist Church! It was a God assignment that we fulfilled for 12 years.
In 2002, we made a change to Lighthouse Christian Center–which is now known as Life Church. These three churches are obviously part of God’s universal church. The church he founded, is the head of and loves. So why is there so much controversy and emotional feelings about “church” or “churches”? Scripture says the church is made up of “living stones”.4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5. ESV. It is the Holy Spirit’s intention to use each of us to be built in place into a spiritual house, unfortunately, we don’t always want to submit to Him and His ways. The ‘living stones’ He may plan to put us next to, may come with sharp edges, which can be uncomfortable. Having the patience to allow the Master builder to work with us and them to fit us into our places is often not easy.
For a moment, please try to picture your church as well as the global church from God’s perspective. Remember, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts that your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9. NKJV. He doesn’t see as we see. First of all, He sees every congregation that names His name. He loves the people in each of those churches, just as He does you. He understands their peculiarities, their emphasis (immersion or sprinkling), worship styles (calm hymn singing or enthusiastic clapping–maybe with some dancing!). He receives their worship. He understands He is the foundation stone and the Head. How can He allow so much variety? Because He loves it!.
What He probably doesn’t love is when His people do not follow Ephesians 4:1-6. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. When we walk in pride, judgement and criticism to cause division with our fellow believers. When we are not eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit, but allow separation to take place because of our petty thoughts.
Have you ever stopped to think about what your “perfect” church would look like? How many people, what kind of people, what would the emphasis be? Would most of them look like you? How do you see yourself fitting in to the body of Christ? Take time to read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Paul spends a great deal of time describing why we need diversity in the body. I can see a very misfunctioning and lacking body if every one was just like me.
Jesus gave us the gift of community when He instituted the church. It is meant to be a place of teaching, healing and protection. It is meant to be a light, set on a hill that can draw the unsaved. It is meant to be a nursery to grow young spiritual babes into strong mature believers. It is meant to be a place where each member can develop and use their gifts for His kingdom’s sake. It is meant to be an example where love reigns over unforgiveness. My friends, I know church hurt exists. Satan loves to use it to divide and weaken the body of Christ. How many God intended “pillars” are not part of a local church because they were hurt. If the word “church” is painful to you, please go back to the Lord. Take time to read the scriptures about God’s plan and purpose for the church. Ask Him to heal and restore your soul, where it was hurt. Do not ignore it. Do not pretend it didn’t exist. There is more at stake than you know. Your children or grandchildren are being influenced by it. Ask Him to show you what to do about it. Ask Him to lead you to His place of assignment for you (another local body). Stir up your faith and trust Him. Remember, Jesus didn’t let the comments the Pharisees and other leaders said about Him, keep Him from obeying His purpose, and neither should we.
Perhaps, you realize you were the perpetrator of church hurt. Through gossip, disappointment, misplaced expectations your sowed division. Please repent. Seek Him and what you can do to make it right. Remember, sowing seeds of discord is one thing God hates.
God created each of us to need community. The blessing of fellowship is like the blessing of marriage–it needs to be experienced to totally understand the joy that comes from walking together with other believers. No church is perfect. Pray for your pastor and leaders, especially when you feel like judging or criticizing. I especially find myself praying for our leaders on Saturday night, asking the Lord to strengthen, bless and encourage them for Sunday’s ministry. It helps me prepare my own heart to receive from them. Taking communion is a good time to examine your heart toward those in your church leadership. Clearing your heart’s slate at the remembrance of the cross can be so helpful. Paul mentions that some are weak because they take the elements unworthily. Maybe our churches demonstrate a weaker light than they should because the believers in them have not dealt with unforgiveness or other issues like they should. Check your heart and eyesight for any mote/log issue.
Father, I thank you for the gift of the church. Help us to live worthy of this gift. Forgive us for not respecting and honoring your Headship. Please continue to help us grow into the glorious church you are preparing, without spot or wrinkle. We seem to be a long ways away from it. Father, help each of us do our part, not point fingers at others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 