Asking God Why...

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" - Job 38:4

When tragedy strikes, questions follow. Our loss of a loved one may lead us to ask God any number of pointed questions: "Why did You let this happen?" "Whose fault was this?" "Don't you care about my pain?" Believe me, as the grieving daughter of a Mother who suddenly passed from an illness I have asked these very questions. 

The book of Job records the questions Job asks as he sits down with friends to lament his suffering. He had lost his family as well as his health and possessions. At one point, he asks, "Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul?" (3:20.) Later, he asks, "What strength do I have, that I should hope?" (6:11). and, "Does it seem good to You that You should oppress?" (10:3). Many have stood near a headstone placed too early and asked similar questions. 

But when you all the way to the end of the book, you get a surprise. When God responds to Job (chs. 38-41), He does it in an unexpected way. He turns the tables and asks Job questions-different questions that show His wisdom and sovereignty. Questions about His magnificent creation-the earth, stars, and sea. And the questions all point to this: God is sovereign. God is all-powerful. God is love. And God knows what He is doing. 

We comprehend him not, 

Yet earth and heaven tell, 

God sits as sovereign on the throne,

And ruleth all things well.  - Gerhardt

Our greatest comfort in sorrow is to know that God is in control. 

No one ever said it was going to be easy to lose a close loved one. Yes we are going to ask God why and that is ok. We just need to realize God is in control and is with us all the way during this time of mourning. 

Let's Pray, 

Father, We come to you in a time of great sorrow and ask that you remind us that you are right here with us. Here to comfort those of us who have yet to mourn, those of us who don't know how to mourn, and those of us who are still asking why. May your grace remind us that you are in control. 

Amen.

With Love, 

B

Time of Grief

"...To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified..." - Isaiah 61:3 (AMP)

There are times in our lives when we go through grief- whether through the loss of a loved one or a major trauma, or through disappointments and rejections. Whatever it may be that has brought grief into our lives, we can be assured that God will bring us comfort. He can turn our mourning into praise and give us the garment of praise for our spirit of heaviness. In our time of grief- God is there with us. He feels the sadness we feel and fully understands. He wont leave us to go through it on our own.

Know that if you are going through a time of grief at the moment, you know you can share it with the Lord. He is there for you and He loves you so much.

Your Heavenly Father holds you when you weep in those times of your loss and grief. 

I am asking for prayers for my family during a hard time right now. That we will heal and accept that God's will is being done.

With Love, 

B

Overwhelmed Spirits

....when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. - Psalm 61:2.

Being overwhelmed sometimes is from our own making. There may be things piled on us that are out of our control for some extent but the majority of stressing out and facing burnout is a combination of bad decisions in our time and management of our life. 

All of a sudden everything has snowballed and we are weighted down in so many areas that everything starts to crumble. On top of that there are sometimes fears that come along with it. Life can get very complicated in a very big hurry. 

When working in any type of organization it is easy to get caught up in piling on too much. We have to work at scaling things so that they are manageable. Nobody can do it all--all of the time. As leaders, we to make better choices.

Here are 10 things that you might have heard before to help guard against stress and burnout, but I think once in a while we all need reminded of them.

1. Consistent Bible Reading and Prayer.

The thing that helps me the most when I am feeling overwhelmed is just to get in the Word and go to the Lord in prayer. When it is a daily part of my life, the weight of the many things that press down on me is so much lighter.

Talking to the Lord about our troubles and concerns can give us some much needed peace. 

2. Rest.

One thing we all need is enough rest. We need a good night's sleep, especially when we have a lot on our plate. We can't accomplish anything if we are worn out before we start out day. 

Even Jesus knew the value of rest. 

3. Eat Healthy.

I always feel better when I eat better. It's a simple thing but we have to eat what's good for us. We have to take in the right things spiritually too because that can have an effect on whether our spiritual lives are healthy or not. 

4. Exercise.

Exercise can release stress in a big way even if it is just walking. When we are leaders, how can we help anyone else if we aren't doing those things that enable us to keep on going?

5. Do Something Pleasurable.

There is nothing wrong with doing something fun. We are not to get caught up in the pleasures of the world but we can have fun and relax as a Christian. 

We need to do something that makes us laugh sometimes. We need to do something that interests us and inspires us. It might be a hobby or just something that you have always wanted to try. 

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends.

Our family can help ease our stress. Being around those that love us can be such an enjoyment and blessing to us.

7. Learn to Say "No".

It's a hard thing for some leaders I know, but learning when to say no has got to be something we learn to do. It will save us so much heartache. 

We don't want to be mumbling, "I should have just said no!" when we end up not coping. 

8. Set Boundaries on Your Time:

Guarding our time helps us avoid that overwhelming feeling. Sometimes we just need to pace ourselves. We need to take things one day at a time. 

It never does anyone any good to try to do a week's worth of work in one day. Set clear boundaries on when you will and will not work on projects.

9. Learn to Delegate.

We have to learn to share the load in ministry and everything else we are involved in. The best leaders find capable people to help. They acquire that knack in delegating tasks and responsibilities to others. 

10. Manage Wisely.

I think we need to manage all areas of our lives a little better. Part of that might be simplifying and uncluttering areas of our ministry or perhaps even areas of our personal lives. If might be organizing, learning to budget, or rearranging activities and events.

The more things flow in our lives, the less stress we pile on. 

Having too much on us can really wear us down. That is why as leaders in life we really need the support of others. There is always so much to do. We need help from others who will help with planning and tasks. We need the support of prayer. 

Above that support though, we really need to make better choices in what we do with our time and how we about our planning. Most importantly we need to rely on the Lord for our strength. 

I think of David and how he relates several times in the Psalms about being "overwhelmed". At each instance he knew where to turn to. He turned to God to help him through and be his strength. I know I need to do that more.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. - Psalm 61:2.

I cried unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. - Psalm 77:1-3.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then though knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.- Psalm 142:1-3.

If you haven't read through all of Psalm 142 lately, I encourage you to do so. It can be a real blessing when you are stressed and to the point of breaking.

So, do you have an overwhelmed spirit? 

Let's pray.

Father God, 

We come to you today to thank you for the many blessings that you have given us. Thank you for providing us guidance and reminders to use your words when we feel overwhelmed and can't handle anything else. Thank you for lifting us up when we most need it and providing us with people in our lives who are willing to do the same. In Jesus name.

Amen.

With Love, 

"B"

Soul Sisters..We Need Them.

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. - 1 Samuel 18:1

I've always loved the story of Jonathan and David's friendship and recently when I read in 1 Samuel, that part about their "souls" struck me. It says "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David". You know, I hear so much about "soul sisters", "soul mates"' and what we consider those "deep friendships". I began thinking about my relationships and friendships with other Christian sisters in the Lord.

I think the friendships between Christian sisters can be so much more than what the world can offer. Talk about Soul Sisters! Our hearts and souls belong to the Lord so we can have wonderful, encouraging, deep and meaningful relationships like the friendship of Jonathan and David.

Those Christian women in my life and who I've known over the years are some of the people who've encouraged me and motivated me the most. 

S...Silly.

When thinking about my sisters in the Lord, what sticks out the most to me? Well, I have some sisters that are just silly. Not a serious point to start with but I think it's so important that our friends bring some laughter and a little humor to our lives. I know some sisters that just make me laugh and sometimes I just need that laughter so much.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. - Proverbs 17:22.

I think part of it has to do with the joy in their hearts. The Lord gives us that joy and sometimes I think it bubbles out of some people more than others. I love being around people like that, don't you? Especially my sisters in the Lord. I also love the fact that they allow me to be a little silly myself sometimes.

I...Inspiring.

I love those sisters in Christ that inspire. They make me want to do more, do better and sometimes just get involved in something. Sometimes it's not by what they say but what they do.

It might not even be an inspiration to do something spiritual. It just might be by how they are organized or even how they keep their house. 

I need all that inspiration for my spiritual life that my sisters give to me as well. I need to be encouraged to love Christ more, read the Bible more, pray more, and all those things from my sisters that inspire me to be a better Christian.

S...Strong.

I've had many sisters in Christ that seem to have such a strength. So many Christian women I've known and met over the years have had some real struggles and heartache in their lives. I always think that mine seem so small and trivial when I see what some women go through. 

I appreciate all that strength they have found in the Lord to just keep going on and on and I love it when they share some of that strength with me. 

T...Talkative.

I couldn't pass up how much we women like to talk. It's not a bad thing. It's one of those good things. When we don't talk and share, there's something missing from our lives. Talking about things out-loud with our sisters helps us to cope.

Communication is so important. How can we fellowship without talking and sharing? When we share our joys and struggles with each other, it builds us up. And what comes along with that is my sisters listen to me as well.

E...Encouraging.

Praise the Lord! I love it when my sisters in the Lord encourage me. I, like everyone else, have days that I'm down and there's nothing better than when a friend and sister in Christ comes along and cheers me up, perhaps gives me a pep talk, and brings me that encouragement that I am so in need of. 

Using people in our lives to encourage us is one of the wonderful ways in which God works. 

R...Real.

One of things I love about my sisters in the Lord is that they are real. I need some real friends to keep me grounded. Have you ever been around superficial people? It makes me so uncomfortable to be around people like that. 

I need my friends to be real and genuine and that's what other sisters in Christ are to me.

S...Saved.

One thing that all of my sisters in the Lord have in common is that they know the Lord. They've been saved by the power of Christ's blood.

Isn't it great that our sisters in Christ are all in one family? We all have our Heavenly Father in common and that makes our sister relationship special.

I trust I'll be that soul sister that my sisters in Christ need around them. I really don't know what I'd do without my sisters in the Lord. I don't really think it's all about being good "soul sisters" as much as it is about being good for each other's souls. 

My sisters in the Lord encourage me and keep me grounded by their faith, friendships, and love.

So, sister, have you been good for another sister's soul lately?

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father, 

We come to you today to remember that you gave us one another to lean on in times of need, in times of fellowship, and in all times of life. You have made us into one family bonded by the blood of Christ. Let us each reach out to a fellow sister that we have not talked to in awhile and see how we can help their soul. For it is in your name we pray.

Amen.

With Love, 

"B"

Delighting in the Word

I've been studying the 119th Psalm and I kept looking at that word "delight" that runs through it. It all revolves around delighting in the word. 

So many phrases caught my attention.

I will delight myself in thy statutes... (vs. 16)

Thy testimonies also are my delight...(vs. 24)

...for therein do I delight. (vs. 35)

And I will delight myself in thy commandments... (vs. 47)

...but I delight in thy law. (vs. 70)

...for thy law is my delight. (vs. 77)

Unless thy law had been my delights. (vs. 92)

...yet thy commandments are my delights. (vs. 143)

...and thy law is my delight. (vs. 174)

I was going through that Psalm and marking all those "delights" with a highlighter and as I was doing that it struck me, well, how can I really "delight" in the Word? I mean, how do you do that?

I know highlighting the words and having all that yellow just jump out at me might help me to remember that it's important, but just how do I go about really "delighting" in the Word?

So I began reading and re-reading that Psalm and some things really struck me throughout it. There was all this advice just laid out for me. Don't you just love it when the Lord shows you something you need right there in front of you and it's been there all the time?

Long For It (Psalm 119:40,131)

I think when we really start longing for the Word that we will make time to read it every day or more than just once a day. 

Memorize it (Psalm 119: 11,52)

I don't think we are ever too old to memorize Scripture. God's Word can comfort us and help us deal with temptation. Bringing Bible verses that we've learned to our minds can help us through so many circumstances in our lives.

Learn it. (Psalm 119: 73, 125)

Studying the Word will help us to learn it. Look up verses. Compare passages n a subject. Use your concordance and really dig into the Word.

Trust it. (Psalm 119: 42, 89, 114)

There's nothing like trusting in the Word of God. It is something that we can cling to. 

Respect it. (Psalm 119: 128. 140,161)

If we are going to really start delighting in the Word, we have to respect what it is.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. - John 1:1,2.

Love it. (Psalm 119: 97, 159)

When you love somebody, you usually delight in them. It's not any different with the Word of God. If we love it, we are going to find delight in it.

Keep it. (Psalm 119: 4, 33, 106)

Keeping the Word is so important as a Christian. If we aren't following what the Word says, we can't be delighting in it very much. 

Rejoice in it. (Psalm 119: 162)

God's Word should be a joy to us. 

They words we found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. - Jeremiah 15:16.

Live it. (Psalm 119: 5, 6)

Another outcome of delighting in the Word had to be living it. That verse in James 1:22 comes to mind. 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Share it. (Psalm 119: 27, 46, 172)

I think about how we share and talk about baseball teams, books, and even TV shows. We even may have to tell someone about a deal we got while out shopping. We excited about and have to tell our friends. 

I hope I get that excitement about sharing God's Word. Its' so much more important. I think  if we delight in it, sharing it has to be an outcome of that delight. 

We can't really even begin to delight in the Word unless we get it out and read it. Just pick a spot and start reading or enjoy a story of on of the Old Testament heroes. Maybe read through the writing of Paul in the New Testament. Start reading through a particular book or chapter. 

Use a daily Bible reading chart if it helps you. Just choose something and read the Word.

I challenge you to read this Psalm and really look at what it is saying. Maybe even read it out loud. You can just see the delight about the Word coming through. 

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!- Psalm 119:103.

I would love to have a delight for the Word of God like that. I have read a lot of Scripture over the years, but after reading through this Psalm several times lately, I really question if I'm really delighting in the Word like I should be.

I think I'm going to maybe have to start making time to read more, memorize more, and really dig more.

So, are you delighting in the Word?

Let's pray:

Father God, 

We come to you to help us to spend more time in Your Word daily. To help us to delight in all that you have planned for us and to share this delight with others. Place it in our hearts to reach for Your Word on a daily basis, whether in our quiet time with you or with family Bible study time. Thank you for giving us the Book of life and helping us see that we should delight in You.

Amen

With Love, 

"B"