Fields of Gold

If you are popping over from Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today devos, thanks!!

There are so many ways to know the Lord is present with us, ever near. But sometimes we just need a reminder. Something to lay our eyes on and to tuck away in our hearts.

That’s why I’m excited to share this easy reminder with you.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.

 

#1: Write “Jesus” on small paper

I will remain in you. 

 

Welcome Proverbs 31 Ministries readers…

She’d been unfair, untrustworthy, and stolen from me. I couldn’t even look her in the eye. At least, not without lava bubbling up inside my heart. And that’s a dangerous place for Christ-followers.

The fine line between human anger and righteous anger. Condemnation of another and sharing godly conviction with them.

Maybe there is someone in your life who has sinned against you. Acted cruel. Treated you with contempt.

Maybe that someone is … you.

Maybe you can’t look yourself in the eye for the things you’ve done against yourself … against others. You may be so angry or disappointed with yourself for choices you’ve made. Perhaps a churning and burning lava flare within your heart.

That’s a dangerous place for Christ-followers. Instead of believing the nagging voice of condemnation telling you that you don’t deserve a second chance, you shall always live with shame or regret, that you are evil and wicked and no good …

Instead, tap into the truth the Holy Spirit is speaking; His conviction that leads to life. He offers “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” (Gal. 5:22} But only if we allow Him to.

Start today by disputing the condemnation with conviction. Acknowledge your sin, then acknowledge Jesus. His death on the cross means new life for us. Ask Him for forgiveness and  ask Him for strength to stop that pattern of sin if you haven’t already.

Next, ask for love, joy, peace, patience, goodness and faithfulness. Pray to be filled with all the Holy Spirit offers. His cooling water will squelch the hot lava bubbling up. It may take time… but it will happen.

Please leave a comment with your name and email address to enter to win Proverbs 31 Ministries’ new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women!

Welcome Encouragement for Today readers …

Weary hearts need a hushed place to rest from the self-preserving fetal position, away from the battle.

Long seasons on the front line can be exhausting and rob us of peace. We need seasons of rest and refreshment. And so, I pray. For you. For me.

Familiar thoughts?
I can’t do this another day
I don’t want to fight anymore
This is too much to bear

Yes? And so, I pray-

Refresh Lord …

I wonder, friend, what would a snapshot of your soul tell? A thousand words of peace, trust, and security? Or a thousand words of doubt, fear, pain? Has this become your battle hymn; your war cry?

Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest. {Psalm 55:6-8}

Lack of peace volleys to isolate and hold us captive in the battle, feeding us lies …

Poisons require antidotes. Wounds require balm. Freedom requires a victor. {Tim Hansel, Through the Wilderness of Loneliness}

Even the darkest night is chased by the dawn. Refreshment is yours. Peace is found only in one place: the Lord. Turn to Him today and rest in Him. Sing a new battle hymn to Him who says

 fear not; you are mine
when you pass through the waters, I will be with you
when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you
when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned
for I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior
since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you
do not be afraid, for I am with you
Isaiah 43

Mindful prayers are the most, not the least we can do. Let’s join ranks and lift each other up in prayer. Leave your prayer request for the person who comments ahead of you to pray over and if you have a favorite scripture on peace, please leave that too. Thanks!

It’s well past my bedtime, but I can’t sleep, torn between love and hate. Love for him, walking the streets as he searches for bodies. Hate for the anxiety keeping my fingers tapping the phone, waiting for him to call me for the third time this evening.

We’d talked once already, so I was surprised when he called a second time 20 minutes later.

“Honey, I can’t stay here,” he said. “I’m bundled up, getting ready for bed, but the blankets, hats, scarves, gloves we got together for the homeless … they’re here, in my warm home. I can’t stay. They can’t stay.”

The sleet hits my bedroom window, as I listen to what breaks his heart, what moves him. He asks, “Can I go to the store and buy tarps, hats and gloves? I want to go downtown and give them out.”

We’re not yet married, but are treating our finances as if we are. Making our decisions as if we are.

And so I say yes. Yes, bundle up in your coat. Bundle up the blankets and hats and scarves. But please, be careful, my anxious heart tweaks. Because it’s one thing to serve the homeless with a group of friends on a bright sunny afternoon. It’s another to approach them alone on a dark, freezing night.

He calls me back for the long-awaited third phone call, over an hour later. This time I hear his heart bundled up in joy, relief, gladness. He helped fit swollen, chapped hands with just the right pair of gloves. Picked the Carolina blue hat out for the man wearing a sky colored jacket. Wrapped blankets up in tarps for the homeless to wrap up in against the bracing wind, against the bracing world.

Though he delivered warmth to others living on the frigid benches and underpasses in downtown, he’s warmed my heart. And showed me once again what an amazing and good man he is. One I can trust to put God first …. others above himself, including me.

And this is exactly what Joshua vowed to me at our wedding. What a man. An amazing, loving, God-honoring man. So thankful to call him my husband!