Faith | From the Inside Out

Archive for the ‘Faith’ Category

Remembering

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged Blessings, Ephesians 3:20, Faith, God's Faithfulness, Memories, Psalm 126:3, Psalm 40:5, Psalm 92:4, reminiscing on May 23, 2024| 55 Comments »

A Date Night, 1976

One of the delights of a long-term relationship are the shared memories. My husband Steve and I find ourselves saying quite often, “Oh that reminds of . . .” and we’re each transported to a time and place of our mutual past:

Any songs from the Carpenters’ album, Close to You, take us back to a vacation house shared one week with two other couples—before kids. All we had for music was a tape of that one album!

Certain dishes remind us of favorite restaurants from our forty years in Florida: Bananas Foster–the Don Cesar Hotel on St. Pete Beach; blackened fish–Fast Eddie’s on Anna Maria Island; the shrimp pot–Captain Charlie’s on Juno Beach; and garlic knots–Mama Mia’s in Lake Worth.

Trigger-words immediately conjure up experiences: camper—four adults and four children in a pop-up—nice and cozy; muffins—Mrs. Bisso’s burnt offerings, humorously memorable [1]; and reggae music—a mini-vacation of snorkeling in the Keys with our three children.

No doubt you’ve experienced the same phenomenon. Sights, sounds, aromas—even a single word can elicit a memory.

And have you also noticed . . .

A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered.

–C. S. Lewis, Out of the Silent Planet

God would have us know the same is true in the spiritual realm. The pleasure of our relationship with him grows more fully as we remember all the great things he’s done:

We also find that recalling God’s goodness in the past restores our faith for what he can do in the present and the future.

For example:

Has God miraculously supplied a need?

I’m remembering a time when Steve gave money to a struggling family, even though we were hardly making ends meet ourselves. Not long after, a speaking engagement (for which Steve didn’t expect to be paid) and a surprise monetary gift from a family member provided double what Steve had given.

Has God blessed beyond what you’d asked for, or perhaps with something you didn’t ask for at all?

One spring we were surprised by the gift of a new car, provided for us by a member of the church Steve was pastoring at the time.

Has God answered your prayers in marvelous ways?

In my God Is Faithful journal I came upon this entry:

“We’ve seen so many miracles at church recently—Barbara’s and Shirley’s healings, John’s clean bill of health from his doctor, special care of Joyce’s niece, and more! Thank you, Father, for blessing our fellowship in so many ways.”

Has God worked out impossible circumstances with astonishing ease?

During those years of ministry, children-raising, and teaching (for me), the Christmas season always meant extra-tight time-constraints. One morning I prayed God would somehow get me through the long, hectic day ahead.

And sure enough: 1) a teacher-colleague and I polished off essays that needed grading—I didn’t have to take any of them home, and 2) after school, a list of errands was expedited by little traffic (six days before Christmas no less!), a quick hunt for the items on my list, and short lines in the stores [2]!

When we’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, taking time to remember God’s faithfulness, lovingkindness, and help in the past, does indeed help us trust him in the present.

Finally, remembering results in rejuvenating praise:

“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. . .

. . . You make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.”

Psalm 40:5; 92:4 NIV

[1] https://nancyaruegg.com/2014/07/07/imperfectly-right/

[2] I’m so thankful for my “blessings” notebook-journal, kept since November 1983, so hundreds of examples such as these have not been lost over time.

Charles Spurgeon quote from Morning by Morning, 27.

Art & photo credits: Nancy Ruegg; http://www.stockvault.net; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.commons.wikimedia.com.

Read Full Post »

Come!

Posted in Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Goodness, God's Provision, God's Salvation, Obedience, Salvation, Uncategorized, tagged Abundant Living, feasting at God's table, God's Goodness, God's invitation, God-enhanced living, Isaiah 55:1, Isaiah 55:1-3, Isaiah 55:2-3, John 6:35, kingdom living, Psalm 34:8 on May 16, 2024| 30 Comments »

What if you opened your mailbox one day to see a thick, cream-colored envelope among the ads and bills. Your name and address have been hand-calligraphed in gold ink, and an intricate seal is embossed upon the flap.

Inside you find an elegant invitation, announcing a grand celebration at the palace of a highly-respected and beloved king.

“Come!” proclaims his request. “Come and enjoy an unlimited feast with me; come drink the finest wine. There is no cost to you.”

Would you attend? Surely you’d quickly return your R.S.V.P. with “YES” clearly marked!

Such a scenario is fiction, of course, except for one fact: God Almighty, the King of the universe, is a monarch to be highly-respected and beloved–above all others.

And he has issued an invitation to everyone–not just to a single banquet–but to a continual feast in his divine, spiritual kingdom. He bids us to come and enjoy a new, God-enhanced life.

Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters;

and you without money, come, buy, and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!

–Isaiah 55:1 HCSB

This invitation, proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah on behalf of our King, does include some puzzling statements. For example, why would he invite us “to the waters?” And what will we find there?

Just as water brings life and abundance in the realm of plants and trees, Christ’s living water provides soul-satisfying life and joyful abundance for us—the abundance of innumerable blessings [1].

And what about the wine that God says we can “buy without money?” Does it represent more than a celebratory drink? Oh yes! Wine is a metaphor here for spiritual joy, “a joy unspeakable and full of glory”[2] as we taste the goodness of God’s love.

And what about milk?

God would have us understand: his invitation to kingdom-living includes those entities that sustain our spirits, including encouragement, strength, instruction, and help. We find all that and more in the nourishment of His Word, the Bible [3].

Puritan author and preacher, Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) wrote:

The Word of the Lord is a light to guide you, a counselor to counsel you, a comforter to comfort you, a staff to support you, a sword to defend you, and a physician to cure you. The Word is a mine to enrich you, a robe to clothe you, and a crown to crown you.–Thomas Brooks

Countless Jesus-followers who read the Bible, study it, and meditate on its truths can affirm that Brooks is right; they’ve experienced time and again the life-changing power of God’s Word. That includes many of you reading this post.

In addition to his perpetual-banquet invitation, God includes these instructions:

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good.

Let your soul delight in abundance.

Incline your ear [to listen] and come to Me;

hear, so that your soul may live.

–Isaiah 55:2b-3a AMP

To listen carefully includes the action of follow-through. And what would God have us do? “Eat what is good”—that is, experience the fullness of his goodness as we follow his ways, and take delight in the abundance of his blessings.

Then our souls can really live in the security and satisfaction he desires for us, in every moment of the present–and into eternity. And in the final analysis, isn’t that what we desire also?

All we need do is come.

* * * * * * * * * *

I praise you, my King, for your open invitation to come and feast upon all the good things you offer. You prepare a table before me of forgiveness, salvation, peace, joy, strength, comfort, contentment, purpose, and more.

No amount of money on earth could purchase such priceless, heavenly gifts that you so freely give to those who simply COME. I will praise your name for ever and ever!

(Luke 13:29; Psalm 107:9; Psalm 23:5; Ephesians 3:20; Psalm 145:1b)

Have you accepted God’s invitation? If not, will you do so today [4]?

If you have, what goodness and delights have you tasted at his table? Please share in the Comments section below!

[1] David Gusik, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/isaiah-55/. See a starter-list of twenty-six examples: God’s Goodness from A to Z.

[2] Selwyn Hughes, Seasons of the Lord, 42.

[3] 1 Peter 2:2.

[4] See https://billygraham.org/answer/how-do-you-become-a-real-christian/ for a simple explanation and a prayer to guide you. Do it today—you’ll be so glad you did!

Photo credits: http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.canva.com.

Read Full Post »

Exploration of Amazement

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Salvation, Praise, Salvation, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged Amazement, Diamante, God's transforming power, John 15:1, John 15:5, poems, Poetry, quadrille, Quadrille poetry, Shadorma, Spring morning poem, Transformed Life, Wonder on April 25, 2024| 23 Comments »

‘Tis Poetry Month once again, a time to celebrate this art form that can stretch, inspire, and amaze us in ways unique from prose. Award-winning poet Pattiann Rogers identified at least one element of that uniqueness: the music of poetic language.

But is the composing of such music reserved only for experts? That question brings to mind another quote:

Such encouragement for us amateur-poets to give it a try and be stretched, inspired, and amazed when we create our own music of poetic language—unsophisticated as it may be.

This year I’ve experimented with three forms: Shadorma, diamante, and quadrille.

The Shadorma is of Spanish origin. It contains six lines, each with a specific syllable count that follows this pattern: 3/5/3/3/7/5.

Early morning on our deck offered inspiration for this Shadorma:

Dawn Rising

Sunbeams climb

Dusky shadows fade

Breezes kiss

Robins trill

Nasturtiums spangle with dew

Morning masterpiece

The diamante (diamond) form derives its name from its shape. It was created by American poet Iris McClellan Tiedt in 1969.

The pattern for diamante is more complex than Shadorma. The first half of the poem relates to the one word of the first line; the second half to the one word of the last line. These two lines often present opposites. The middle line provides a bridge between the two.

Each of the seven lines requires a certain number of words of a certain part of speech:

Line 1: 1 word (subject/noun)
Line 2: 2 adjectives that describe line 1
Line 3: 3 -ing words that relate to line 1
Line 4: 4 nouns (first 2 relate to line 1, last 2 relate to line 7–if you’re writing about opposite topics)
Line 5: 3 -ing words that relate to line 7
Line 6: 2 adjectives that describe line 7
Line 7: 1 word (subject/noun)

This diamante began to take shape as I considered the transformation Christ can make in a person’s life. A list of R-words began to grow—repentance, redeemed, restored, so I pursued the pattern.

A Transformed Life

Ruin

Repugnant, reprehensible

Rebelling, ravaging, retaliating

Rashness, recalcitrance, remorse, repentance

Returning, Releasing, Receiving

Redeemed, restored

Renewal

The Quadrille form first appeared at www.dversepoets.com in 2016. The only requirement is to include 44 words (excluding the title). They believe that “limitation can happily breed extreme creativity.” Each Monday they provide a word-prompt, and participants must use that word in their poems.*

I chose my own word from John 15:1, 5—vine. And while I played with possibilities, my poem began to fit a pattern. Every line contains seven words except the last, which contains nine.

First, the scripture, as a point of reference:

And now, the poem.

Bonded to the Vine

Praise to the Gardener of our souls!

Once we’re grafted to his Vine, he

Prunes away withered branches of worthless folly,

Waters us with his life-giving, spirit-strengthening Word,

And produces pleasing fruit with boundless sufficiency.

Such beauty results when we’re bonded to the Vine!

Remember the quote of Christopher Fry at the beginning of this post–“Poetry is the language in which man explores his own amazement?”

I wonder if he knew that the pleasure in exploring our amazement—whether as poets or not—is greatly enhanced when we include the Genius behind all things amazing.

* https://dversepoets.com/2017/09/11/quadrille-40/

Photo credits: http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.pexels.com (3); http://www.commons.wikimedia.org.

Read Full Post »

Five for Five

Posted in Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God, God's Goodness, God's Presence, God's Salvation, Intimacy with God, Jesus, Prayer, Seeking God, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged Christianity, Corporate Worship, Creation, God, God's Glory, Jesus, Live out our faith, quiet time, serving others, spring, the five senses on April 18, 2024| 36 Comments »

After the cold starkness of winter, spring gleefully reawakens our senses with her:

Effusion of colorful flowers
Scents of hyacinth, lilacs, and freshly-mowed grass
Symphony of bird song
Flavors of tender asparagus, luscious strawberries, and tart rhubarb
Textures of furry pussy willows, fuzzy moss, and silken magnolia petals

Praise God for our abilities to see, smell, hear, taste, and touch, allowing us to enjoy Spring in so many ways!

Even better, those abilities allow us to meet God in at least five ways.

Our five senses help us understand God more clearly.

Consider how the far-flung stars and planets speak of his power; the clever camouflage of lizard, fawn, and frog display his wisdom; the endless variety of colors, shapes, and textures prove his creativity; the instinctive parenting skills of adult animals demonstrate his goodness.

The wonder of creation is

every encounter illuminates

something about God.

–Margaret Feinberg, Wonderstruck, 55

Our five senses help us experience God’s glory more profoundly.

We can see his power at work in the transformation of lives [1].
We can hear his wisdom in godly men and women, such as Thomas á Kempis or Corrie ten Boom (just two among millions!):

We can feel God’s loving touch through a hug that conveys compassion, a worship song that quickens the heart, or a landscape vista that gives us glory-goosebumps.

We can taste his goodness in all the variety of blessings we enjoy (Psalm 34:8).

We can smell the fragrance of his sweet presence (Psalm 45:6-8)—if we pay attention.

Our five senses help us connect with God more intimately in solitude.

Many people call it Quiet Time—moments they spend with God in scripture reading/study, prayer, perhaps journaling, and/or listening to peaceful worship music.

It’s in the quiet we begin to see important realities of the spiritual realm, hear God’s voice within our spirits providing wisdom and encouragement, feel his presence more palpably as we touch our knees to the floor in prayer, and again, smell the fragrance of his sweet presence as he meets us in our place of solitude.

Our five senses help us worship God more intently in community.

The whole person, with all his senses,

with both mind and body,

needs to be involved in genuine worship.

Jerry Kerns [2]

Kerns would have us fully engaged–first to bless God’s heart and then to elevate the experience for us also.

How?

See the majesty and splendor of God on his throne–in your imagination. This is who you are worshiping [3]!

Hear the music and join in with grateful, enthusiastic praise [4].

Feel the presence of God as you pray. Try placing your hands on your lap, palms up—open and empty, symbolic of humility and receptivity [5].

Taste the bread and wine/juice with prayerful gratitude. Jesus is our Bread of Life who satisfies our spiritual hunger, who shed his blood for us so we might one day enjoy heaven with him. May we never become desensitized to the magnitude of his sacrifice.

Smell the fragrance of God’s saints as they leave the perfume of kindness, uplift, and joy in their wake.

Our five senses help us live out our faith more joyfully.

When our heart’s desire is to serve God by serving others, we’ll aspire to live so people:

See the Light of Jesus in our choices, behavior, and attitudes (Matthew 5:14-15)

Hear us speak truth, wisdom, and encouragement (Proverbs 10:20-21)

Feel the love of God in our interactions with them (John 13:35)

Taste the flavorful salt of God’s divine grace within us (Matthew 5:13)

Smell the fragrance of Christ in our lives (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

And as we engage all five senses in these five ways, what will happen?

We’ll bring more glory to God and enjoy more fully the satisfying, abundant life his Son provides.

That sounds mighty good to me. You too?

[1] Stunning examples include Jake DeShazer (https://nancyaruegg.com/2016/08/18/a-miracle-of-forgiveness/), Johnny Hart (https://nancyaruegg.com/2018/08/09/johnny-and-jesus/), and Isobel Kuhn (https://nancyaruegg.com/2024/04/11/goodness-and-mercy-followed/).

[2] https://www.experiencingworship.com/articles/general/2001-7-great-quotes-on-worship.html

[3] See: https://nancyaruegg.com/2023/07/06/in-awe-of-gods-magnificence/

[4] See: https://nancyaruegg.com/2015/09/07/when-worship-loses-the-wonder/

[5] See: https://nancyaruegg.com/2015/03/23/the-ultimate-delight/

Art & photo credits: http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.pexels.com; http://www.goodfon.com; http://www.stockvault.net; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pickpik.com (2); http://www.heartlight.org.

Read Full Post »

Goodness and Mercy Followed

Posted in Courage, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Protection, Heroes of the Faith, Obedience, Service, Suffering, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, tagged China Inland Mission, Isaiah 41:10, Isobel Kuhn, J. O. Fraser, Jeremiah 29:13, John Kuhn, Lisu People of China, Missionaries in China, Psalm 23:6, Yunnan Province China on April 11, 2024| 40 Comments »

She was very popular at the University of British Columbia: effervescent, attractive, and intelligent. Yet Isobel (Belle) Miller found herself standing at the medicine cabinet in her parents’ home, ready to swallow poison.

Life had become meaningless, her spirit restless. To make matters worse, her fiancé was seeing another girl. Belle didn’t turn to God, having brushed aside her Christian upbringing when a professor insisted Christianity was for the superstitious.

She heard her father’s snuffling snore from the next room. If he found her dead, Belle knew it would break his heart. She returned to her room.

Suddenly, a line from Dante came to mind: “In His will is our peace.”

Belle prayed, “God, if you prove to me that you are, and if you will give me peace, I will give you my whole life”[1]. She began a passionate search for God, truth, and purpose.

Following graduation in 1922, Belle taught school. During this time she heard J. O. Fraser speak about his ministry in China and the need for more missionaries. Belle wondered, Is this what you want me to do, God?

Fraser was staying with Belle’s family. She asked questions about missionary life and the China Inland Mission he represented. Belle learned they required two years of Bible school and Fraser recommended Moody Bible Institute. With funds from a friend, she enrolled.

While at Moody, Belle met John Kuhn who also felt called to serve in China. Friendship developed into romance, but Belle wasn’t sure God wanted her to marry him. John sailed for China in 1926.

After graduation, Belle attended the China Inland Mission training school in Toronto. She and John corresponded frequently. In one of his letters he proposed and Belle said yes. They prayed to be assigned in the Yunnan province, hoping to work under Fraser. God answered their prayer affirmatively.

After Belle completed a year of language study, she and John finally married in 1929. Belle moved to Cheng Chiang where he lived.

Yunnan Province in southwest corner

The first time she hosted a few women in their home, a baby soiled the Kuhn’s new rug. Worse yet, Belle found more “guests” after the humans left: bed bugs, fleas, and lice.

“Lord, make these souls more important to me than anything else,” she prayed. And soon genuine love superseded concerns about vermin or stains.

Over the next twenty years, the Kuhns served in five locations. For the most part, John preached in the villages and Belle taught women’s Bible classes. Their first child Kathryn arrived in 1931.

A terrible flood occurred in 1933, during Belle’s second pregnancy. John was away preaching, so she dragged belongings upstairs, some very heavy. Belle miscarried the baby.

There was little time to grieve as a new directive arrived from Fraser the next day: You’re needed in the Salween Valley to work with the Lisu people.

In 1936 Communist soldiers threatened the valley and missionaries were instructed to evacuate. For eight days they trekked northward, but so did the enemy.

“It seemed as if the Communists were after us,” she wrote, “but in real fact, our pursuers were those faithful watch dogs of Jehovah . . . ‘Goodness and Mercy followed us all our days ‘”[2].

In 1937, as the war with Japan escalated, they were told Kathryn needed to attend a far-distant CIM school out of harm’s way, causing a heartbreaking separation.

Belle fought her distress with a new form of ministry to train church leaders: Rainy Season Bible School, taking advantage of the free time inclement weather provided. Many men attended.

In 1938 their dear friend Fraser died. John’s ministry broadened to include travel throughout Lisu territory. At home, Belle continued to teach, but she also found time to write, completing four books during those twenty years of ministry.

Several times the Kuhns had to escape the Communists and then the Japanese. Each time the Kuhns returned when the danger had passed.

Yangtze River, Yunnan Province

Daniel Kuhn was born in 1942. When he was six, Belle and her son had to evacuate again. This time they traveled to America where Kathryn was attending college. John followed a short time later. They were never allowed to return to China.

Did the Kuhns wonder if the Lisu Christians would lose heart and give up their faith?

Author Wright Doyle wrote: “Of the 18,000 Lisu who lived in Fugong, Yunnan in 1950, 3,400 professed faith in Christ. As of 2007, it is estimated that 80-90% of the 70,000 population make the same profession. In Yunnan, it is estimated that there are between 100,00-200,000 Lisu Christians”[3].

A church in Fugong today

For three years the Kuhns worked in Thailand, but then Belle was diagnosed with cancer. She died in 1957 at age fifty-five. Yet even while battling disease, Belle completed five more books.

To this day, the legacy of Isobel Miller Kuhn lives on, among her beloved Lisu people and through her writing.

[1] https://bdcconline.net/en/stories/kuhn-isobel-miller

[2] https://fromthevault.wheaton.edu/2021/03/01/letters-from-lisuland-the-ministry-of-isobel-kuhn/

[3] https://g1.fieldpartner.org/isobelkuhn/

Other sources:

https://www.evangelical-times.org/isobel-kuhn

https://www.thetravelingteam.org/articles/isobel-kuhn

Photo credits: http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.enwikipedia.org.

Read Full Post »

A New Way of Faith

Posted in Faith, God, God's Power, God's Promises, Praise, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, Worry, tagged bible, Faith, God's Promises, Jesus, Prayer, Reading the Bible, Scripture reading on April 4, 2024| 44 Comments »

Several years ago I read these words written by a pastor: “When hard times come, say to yourself, ‘Now is the time to use my faith in a new way.’”

I had to wonder, What might that new way include? He didn’t say.

But while considering my own hard times I remembered a few new-to-me strategies God brought to my attention that did indeed strengthen my faith.

First, he led me to a new way to read scripture, recording any thoughts, insights, or prayers in a notebook. Writing helps slow my thinking so I can absorb more of what God would have me understand.

A few questions, prayerfully considered, might help our pens begin to write. For example:

God, what do you want me to understand and embrace from this passage/verse?
How would you desire this insight to impact my attitudes, beliefs, and/or actions going forward?
What does this passage teach me about you, as God the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit? How might this knowledge impact my current frame of mind?

During one time of upheaval I wrote the following, based on Psalm 62:5.

You are my hope, O God. Your plan is to prosper me, to help me grow in faith and Christian maturity. My eternal hope in you can help keep this present difficulty in perspective. After all, when compared to eternity, any hardship here on earth is brief. Someday I’ll live forever with you and the problems I’ve faced will seem insignificant in the light of heaven!

God also introduced me to a new way to pray: spend less time rehashing the problem, and more time rejoicing with gratitude. It’s the kind of praying Paul encouraged (Philippians 4:6-7):

We can thank God for each of his attributes at work on our behalf: his wisdom, power, goodness and more. We can also thank him for graciously upholding us, surrounding us with encouraging family and friends, and allowing us to sense his presence more palpably.

Consider also the positive impact on mind and spirit if we pray with anticipation, affirming God will act to fulfill his highest purpose. If we thank God that it will be so before it is so—that’s faith!*

Such a prayer might be:

I praise you, O God, for your power that can fulfill grand purpose even through (name the situation.) I praise you for being a creative God who solves problems in amazing, miraculous ways.

I thank you for being an involved God who takes an active, loving role in the lives of his children. I thank you that you are faithful and trustworthy, that when we commit our way to you and trust in you, you will act (Psalm 37:5)!

God also led me to a new way to embrace the promises, by acquiescing to his plan for fulfilling them.

For example, when a beloved fellow believer is diagnosed with cancer, our prayer is for a complete restoration, of course. We might site the promise of Psalm 41:3:

And sometimes God’s answer is yes. Even the doctors are surprised how quickly the patient recovers. Sometimes God’s answer is wait, as the patient endures radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. And sometimes the answer is no.

But isn’t that complete healing as well as the patient is taken home to heaven where no sickness exists?

Life-experience and a growing relationship with God teach us:

It is then we turn to promises like these—promises we can count on no matter what:

He will guide us along the right paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)
He will provide peace of heart (John 16:33)
He will bring good out of every situation (Romans 8:28)
His grace will see us through (2 Corinthians 12:9)
He will provide everything we need (Philippians 4:19)

These are among the promises to hold especially close.

And as we exercise such ways of faith presented above, they lead us to know God more, trust God more, and experience more of the spiritual blessings he longs to bestow.

And now, what new way of faith have you discovered that strengthens you during hard times? Please share in the Comments section below!

*Arnold Prater, Bonding with God, 81.

Art & photo credits: http://www.picryl.com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.canva.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pexels.com.

Read Full Post »

Antidotes for What Ails You

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Power, God's Provision, Perseverance, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged anxiety, comfort, Discouragement, Faith, Hope, Isaiah 41:13, Psalm 145:14, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 94:19, Spiritual Strength on March 7, 2024| 29 Comments »

We’ve all had days when discouragement, inadequacy, hurt, or fear want to plague our spirits. And we find our own weak efforts do little to ease the distress.

BUT!

Praise God he provides the antidote for every malady of the soul.

What follows is a list of ways he accomplishes that healing and binding [1]. I pray these declarations may be just the antidote to strengthen your inner being:

When we worry; he reassures.

When I worried about many things,

your assuring words soothed my soul.

—Psalm 94:19 GWT

When we stress, he soothes.

“Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in His immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated.

“I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.”

—Charles Spurgeon

When we stagger; he steadies.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;

he will never let the righteous be shaken.

—Psalm 55:22 NIV

When we struggle; he strengthens.

“With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?” — A. W. Tozer [2]

When we falter; he lifts up.

The Lord upholds all who fall

and lifts up all who are bowed down.

—Psalm 145:14

When we fail; he forgives.

“With [God], each day—each moment—is a clean slate” — Aliza Latta [3].

When we forget; he reminds.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;

it is I who say to you,

“Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

—Isaiah 41:13 ESV

When we doubt; he affirms.

Dismantle doubts with declarations of truth from God’s Word, truths that remind us: his character is flawless, his actions are righteous, his power is unlimited, his love is unfailing, his faithfulness unending [4].

When we regret; he forgets.

I will forgive their sins and will

no longer remember their wrongs.”

—Hebrews 8:12 GNT

When we hunger; he fills.

Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness]

are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

[those who actively seek right standing with God],

for they will be [completely] satisfied.

—Matthew 5:6 AMP

When we’re bent; he repairs.

“God is mercifully shaping our lives into what is useful and beautiful” — Eugene Peterson [5].

When we desire wrongly; he directs rightly.

For it is God who is working in you,

enabling you both to desire

and to work out his good purpose.

—Philippians 2:13 HCSB

When we’re uncertain; he guides.

“Happy are those who place their hands in that of the Great Guide. He will bring them all the way and when he has brought them home to glory and has opened their eyes to see the way by which he has led them, what a song of gratitude will they sing unto God! Lord, lead your poor blind child this day, for I know not my way” — Charles Spurgeon [6].

When we’re discouraged; he inspires

He would have us know: “Nothing under My control can ever be out of control. Everything you need I know about in every detail. Remember, I am able to supply, to guide, to start, to stop, to sustain, to change, to correct in My time and for My purposes” [7] .

Again and again he provides the antidote for every need of our souls.

Our part is simply to receive.

[1] “Binding” in Psalm 147:3 intimates holding together while an injury heals. God often allows time in combination with his antidotes to accomplish healing, fostering inner strength and perseverance in the process (James 1:2-4).

[2] Knowledge of the Holy, 70.

[3] www.incourage.com, 1-19-19

[4] Exodus 32:4; Psalm 145:17; Job 36:22-23; Psalm 117:1-2; 100:5

[5] Run with the Horses, 79.

[6] Faith’s Checkbook, March 23.

[7] Based on statements made by Chuck Swindoll in Intimacy with the Almighty, 73.

Photo credits: http://www.negativespace.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.pexels.com; http://www.canva.com.

Read Full Post »

Living a Life Worthy

Posted in Dreams, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, Heroes of the Faith, Perseverance, Uncategorized, tagged biblical principles at work, David L. Steward, Ephesians 5:2, Leading with love, Luke 6:27-28, Proverbs 16:3, World Wide Technolgy on February 29, 2024| 37 Comments »

David Steward leaned against the family cow as he milked her, his hands automatically squeezing left, right, left, right. This was his final chore of the day; he’d already cleaned out the barn and fed the pigs and cow.

The twelve-year-old tried not to think about morning chores awaiting him in just twelve hours: emptying the chamber pots, milking the cow again, then collecting the ashes from the potbelly stove and spreading them on the driveway to create traction.

His only consolation was, his seven siblings had their chores too.

David trudged back to the house. He could smell collard greens frying in bacon grease, the pork and beans simmering in the Dutch oven, and cornbread browning in the skillet.

It wasn’t a fancy supper-spread, but all ten of them got enough to eat, thanks to Daddy’s hard work and the whole family pitching in on the farm.

Daddy should have made enough money to support them. He’d been trained as a master mechanic while living in Chicago in the 1930s and ‘40s. But now it was 1963 and the family resided in Mama’s hometown of Clinton, Missouri—a segregated town—and the Stewards were Black. Many businesses didn’t hire people of color.

So Daddy took whatever work he could find as a personal mechanic, nightwatchman, and part-time policeman. He managed a janitorial service, transported coal or trash, even tended bar at parties.

Daddy and Mama could have been bitter; but David and his siblings saw them demonstrate Christian love and kindness, grace and forgiveness, strength and resolve.

Times were changing however; segregation was finally outlawed in 1964. David was among the first Blacks allowed to swim in the community pool.

The next year David started high school and made the basketball team. Four years later he was playing for Central Missouri State University, and after proving himself, earned a sport scholarship. In 1973 he graduated with a degree in business administration.

Over the next eight years, David worked for several companies, including the Missouri Pacific Railroad and Federal Express. In each position David learned skills related to manufacturing, marketing, accounting, sales, and more.

While senior account executive at Federal Express he earned the Salesman of the Year Award and received a trophy—a silver ice bucket engraved with his initials. David looked inside and was struck by its emptiness. Is this all I want out of life? he thought.

The answer was no. He’d long dreamed of owning his own company and managing it with biblical principles. He and his wife Thelma had faith that now was the time—even with their family of four to support.

In 1984, David launched Transportation Business Specialists, putting to use the lessons he’d learned at Missouri Pacific Railroad. His new company audited bills and overcharges for the rail industry.

Another company was launched in 1987, Transport Administrative Service, and finally, in 1990, World Wide Technology, Inc., to help companies use technology for solving business-related problems.

Success did not come quickly. And though David always made sure his employees received their paychecks, sometimes his family went without.

But he didn’t give up. David wrote: “What we were doing for our employees and customers was meaningful. I had faith that our company was capable of providing exceptional value” [1].

A unique opportunity presented itself in 1995. U.S. troops in Bosnia needed specialized computer software, so David’s company developed a program customized to their needs. They provided the hardware also.

That success led to the development of more applications for additional functions, useful to other government entities. A company that began with a $2000 investment and a handful of employees is now a Fortune 500 company (#71), bringing in twenty billion dollars in annual revenue and employing 10,000 people [2].

In the early 2000s, the Stewards’ pastor asked them to lead a Bible study about doing business God’s way. That led to a book, Doing Business by the Good Book: Timeless Principles for Making an Eternal Impact (2004).

The overall theme: strong leadership is love, expressed by serving others—employees and their families, customers and associates, as well as your own family.

David considers his company his ministry as he applies biblical principles in the workplace.

Eighty-six percent of his employees say World Wide Technology is a great place to work [3].

David also sees himself as an ambassador for Christ in the business world. He keeps one scripture-based goal in mind.

Every day David asks the question:

“Am I living my life worthy of the sacrifice that was made on my behalf”[4]?

That’s a profitable question for each of us. May we all—no matter our place in life—answer with a joy-filled YES!

David L. Steward (1951 – )

[1] Doing Business by the Good Book, 2004, quoted by https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/ S-Z/Steward-David-L-1951.html

[2] https://www.wwt.com/corporate/why-wwt/overview

[3] https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/1100933

[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCtItBwZEEU (Steward, 3:36-3:46)

Other sources:

1. https://www2.cbn.com/article/not-selected/david-steward-building-business

2. https://horatioalger.org/members/detail/david-l-steward/

3. https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/S-Z/Steward-David-L-1951.html#google_vignette

4. https://coinnounce.com/the-success-story-of-david-steward-second-richest-black-man-in-the-us/

Photo credits: http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.pexels.com; http://www.daiyverses.net; http://www.en.wikipedia.org; http://www.amazon.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.flickr.com.

Read Full Post »

Think Again

Posted in Dreams, Encouragement, Faith, God's Grace, God's Power, God's Provision, God's Wisdom, Hope, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faith for the future, Feeling inadequate, God, Hope, Hopes and dreams for the future on January 4, 2024| 42 Comments »

As the new year makes its entrance, a fresh breeze of possibilities and dreams fills the mind:

Perhaps this year . . .

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if . . .

All things are possible with God, so . . .

But no sooner do I start finishing those statements with starry-eyed optimism, than some scratchy, irritating thoughts demand my attention. Thoughts such as:

You’re too old, terribly unworthy, and under-qualified.

You’ve already waited so long. Your desires obviously aren’t God’s desires for you.

You’ve hopelessly veered from God’s plan; otherwise your life circumstances would surely be different.

And my heart cries out:

I need your Word, God, your Sword of the Spirit, to slay these lies. And though I am grateful for familiar sword-thrusts like Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, and Philippians 4:13 to wield against the untruths listed above, a few new moves would surely increase my resolve. “Strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28b).

And God seems to say:

“All right, Nancy, let’s look at each statement from my viewpoint.

“You are too old? Not so. Moses was eighty when he became the leader of the Hebrew nation, bringing them out of Egypt and into Canaan. Daniel served as prime minister in Babylon well past the age of eighty. John was quite elderly when he received the Revelation. Age has nothing to do with usefulness.

“You are unworthy? Also not so. You are one of My chosen people, a royal priestess, who belongs to Me, the King of the universe (1 Peter 2:9a). Like all My children, you are precious and honored in My sight because I love you (Isaiah 43:4).

“You are under-qualified? All the better for My purposes! My G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense) includes wisdom, power, strength, discernment, all spiritual gifts, all fruit of the Spirit, and more. My grace is more than sufficient for you; it’s all you need. In fact,“My strength comes into its own in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 MSG).

“You’ve waited too long? Think again. Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac. Joseph waited seventeen years for his dream to come true. Caleb waited 45 years for his special parcel of the Promised Land.

“You’ve veered from My plan for you? Please refer to Ephesians 1:11. Your singular purpose is to display My glory, that is, my attributes of love, joy, goodness, and more. Wherever you are . . . “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). And remember: small acts can achieve important results also.

“One closing thought to keep in mind: There is method and reason to every decree I have judiciously ordained since the beginning of time, to accomplish My will according to My sovereignty. I AM the Almighty, all-wise God, your Heavenly Father.”

* * * * * * * * * *

O God, help me to look toward 2024, not through the eyes of discouraging doubt but through the eyes of ever-increasing faith. And when I cannot understand, help me just to stand. In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen. *

* Based on a prayer from Selwyn Hughes in Every Day Light, 105.

Image credits: http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.pickpik.com.

(Revised and reblogged from 1-3-2013 while we enjoy the last couple of days with out-of-town family.)

Read Full Post »

Candles, Prayer, and Song

Posted in Courage, Encouragement, Faith, God's Goodness, God's Power, God's Protection, Heroes of the Faith, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Suffering, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, tagged Berlin Wall, Christian Furher, Church of St. Nicholas Leipzig Germany, East Germany, Fear and Faith, Peaceful Protests, Power of Prayer, Psalm 44:3 on November 9, 2023| 34 Comments »

Christian trudged to the church he pastored as rain drummed on his umbrella. His pant cuffs grew increasingly damp from his splashing boots.

Is this really worth the effort, he wondered. Only a handful of people attended the Monday night prayer meetings, which he’d established several years prior at Church of St. Nicholas.

And yet the faithful few who came demonstrated such hope, Christian always felt uplifted by the end of each gathering.

Encouragement of any kind was in short supply. Times were difficult; everyone was suffering except the government elite and their cronies.

In the third year of the weekly prayer sessions, Christian felt compelled to invite fifty people to his church to discuss the oppressive circumstances of their country. More than six hundred came, and subsequently, attendance at the Monday prayer meetings also grew.

Such a large crowd didn’t slip by the attention of authorities. They discouraged religious gatherings, but assumed that prayer meetings were harmless.

Attendees began bringing family and friends. Over the next few years the church started to fill to overflowing. Eventually eight thousand people gathered every Monday night, praying for peace in their land and throughout the world.

Other churches around the country organized their own prayer meetings. Some attendees would walk the streets afterward, carrying candles and praying or singing as they went.

The authorities finally ran out of patience with the demonstrations. They barricaded the streets around the Church of St. Nicholas to discourage attendees. Instead, the congregation grew.

The next step included peaceful protests. Thousands of people participated. And even though hundreds of demonstrators were beaten and arrested, they weren’t deterred.

Numerous threats were made; some lost their jobs. One woman reported that government officials took custody of her children for a while, due to her participation in what they called an extremist group.

Worse yet, the protesters were threatened with death. And though many admitted to fearing for their lives, they did not back down.

“Our fear was not as big as our faith,” Christian explained later [1].

One night, after an hour-long service at St. Nicholas Church, Christian led the people outside to join a crowd of approximately 70,000, all gathering from various churches. Each one carried a candle and marched through the city chanting “we are the people” and “no violence” [2].

All along the way, long rows of armed police watched their every move. More soldiers manned tanks, waiting for the order to disperse the crowd with murderous force.

But the order never came. Afterward it was revealed that government officials persuaded their leader to leave the protesters alone.

One of the demonstrators gave a soldier a lighted candle. He put down his weapon and accepted it. Others followed suit. “Soon all the soldiers had lowered their weapons and joined with the protestors” [3].

In the following weeks, the prayerful, candle-carrying crowd grew to 120,000, then 300,000, and finally 700,000.

A crowd such as this must have gathered.

The country’s leader resigned, knowing that without the army to back him, he had become powerless. Soon the whole regime resigned, unable to fight against the power of prayer and Light.

One month after the tide-changing protest, a government spokesperson mistakenly announced in a public broadcast that a monumental change was about to take place. Citizens would be allowed to travel freely, effective immediately [4].

News spread rapidly, reported across the world. Thousands of people soon gathered at the symbol of their thirty-year oppression, a barrier that had divided them into east and west: the Berlin Wall.

Harald Jager, commanding officer of the border guards that night, called his superiors to find out how to deal with the gathering crowd. He received no orders.

“People could have been injured or killed . . . if there had been panic among the thousands gathered at the border crossing,” he declared afterward. “That’s why I gave the order: Open the barrier” [5].

And so, on November 9,1989, thousands flowed through, celebrating and crying. Others climbed over the barrier, chipping away at the wall with hammers and pickaxes. Bulldozers and cranes soon made quick work of dismantling the entire structure [6].