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Articles from February 2015

“Fear not … ’’ You’ve Got to Be Kidding!: Fear in Confrontation

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God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though ______ …

” Psalm 46:10

How would you fill in the blank for Psalm 46:10 as it appears above? Maybe you’re in a fearful place today. This week let’s talk about some of our fears and discover God’s way to overcome them.

 

Fear in Confrontation

 

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.”

2 Corinthians 9:8

UnknownI’m afraid. Not of what you might expect; rather, I’m afraid of speaking correction to one of my children. Difficulties arise from time to time in family life, and I’m beginning to recognize my tremendous hesitation to speak out. I’m afraid it will make matters worse. Plus, it’s easier to just take it and let it pass. Or is it?

Yesterday was filled with challenges. One of them was a strong difference of opinion with one of my children, which led to much upset. Wanting to respond properly, I endured and mostly maintained my composure. Yet eventually I retreated outside and dissolved in tears.

Life’s pressures overwhelm at times. Just when it seems we can’t handle anymore, something else descends heavily. Wonderfully God had given me today’s Dose verse earlier in the day. Grace–whew! I needed it! Abundant, overflowing, precious grace.

Thankfully my child apologized. That doesn’t mean, however, we saw eye to eye on everything our situation entailed. Which is where my fear comes in. Wholeheartedly I long for God’s best for my child, but I frequently feel so timid or inept when it comes to speaking correction. Instead of prayerfully trusting God for the outcome and moving forward responsibly, I’m cringing and avoiding conflict.

Motherhood takes courage. In a world where many positions are rightfully honored and valued, sometimes motherhood gets left behind. Sometimes Christian mothers aren’t appreciated for their repeated march into battle for their children. Certainly I don’t see myself as an amazing mother–probably a good thing. Perhaps, though, if I start looking at myself as God’s instrument in the lives of my children, courage will swell within and flow out with positive force.

While often I’m blind to it, God continually equips me as a mom. Though my faults abound, His grace abounds all the more. I will lean on Him to provide exactly what I need in this particular circumstance. He will not fail.

Motherhood takes courage … and God will supply.

Emily

“Fear not … ’’ You’ve Got to Be Kidding!: Fear in Separation

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God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though ______ …

” Psalm 46:10

How would you fill in the blank for Psalm 46:10 as it appears above? Maybe you’re in a fearful place today. This week let’s talk about some of our fears and discover God’s way to overcome them.

 

Fear in Separation

“O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy. For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth … God is the King of all the earth … God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.”

Psalm 47:1-2, 7-8

mondayIt was the Fourth of July: Feeling muggy and crowded, we walked toward the ocean for the fireworks display. My family and I were camping at Myrtle Beach State Park, and we eagerly anticipated the light show. Our children were little at the time—aged nine and younger.

In their excitement, two of our sons ran ahead. Suddenly we were separated. Just. like. that. I looked all around—the sea in front of me and a sea of people everywhere else.

FEAR. It gripped me without mercy. “Where are they? Where do we look? Are they in the ocean … did someone snatch them?” Questions rapidly tumbled in my mind as panic ascended and darkness descended.

Yet it was in the waning light that our eldest son reminded us of the glow stick carried by one of our missing sons. Praise the Lord – that is how we found them, and I have never known such relief! God cared for our family and reunited us in a way I’ll never forget.

Fear can be absolutely overwhelming. Paralyzing. Sometimes we awaken with it in the black of night, while other times it smacks us in the face out of the blue. Or it haunts us in the recesses of our mind and lingers for long periods … sometimes years.

Isn’t it incredibly comforting to know that because of God, we don’t have to be afraid?

He is our refuge … the One who shelters and protects us.

He is our strength … the One who stands by us and enables us to take another step forward.

He is a very present help … the One who stays with us and freely gives the assistance we need.

God is in control. He reigns. He knows what we face and He uses every experience to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

When the darkness of fear threatens to overtake us, the light of Christ and His love for us shines all the brighter. He will show us the way … He IS the way. Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Emily

What’s Your ‘Tude?: Gratitude

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“It’s a good day for my bad attitude!” If that slogan’s speaking your language right about now, perhaps you should consider joining me this week to discover what the Bible says about attitudes. Could be a ‘tude adjustment is in order!

 

Gratitude

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

Luke 7:47, NLT

We’ve looked at the role our attitudes play in allowing us to show God’s love to others. We’ve seen how sinful attitudes are ineffective for reaching others with the love of Christ and harmful to our Christian growth.

Today, let’s consider one of my favorite ‘tudes—gratitude. As I have a natural tendency to take blessings for granted, I appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit in my life to remind me to stop complaining and start remembering the wonderful things God has done in my life.

Friday_Day_Five_Pic#2-Woman_oils_Jesus_FeetRead today’s Dose verse. It refers to the story of a woman who the Bible describes as having been immoral. She crashed a party at a Pharisees’ home in order to get close to Jesus, who was invited to dine with the Pharisees.  “When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them” (Luke 7: 37-38). The Pharisee was indignant that this immoral woman was not only at the party but that she “wasted” expensive oil on washing Jesus’ feet and dried them with her hair. Jesus reminded the Pharisee that he’d not even bothered to greet Jesus properly, let alone, anointed His head or feet with everyday olive oil!

He told them a story about gratefulness. (vs.39-46) This woman was so grateful for Jesus’ forgiveness that she went toFriday_Day_Five_Pic#1-grateful what looked like extreme measures to lavish her love and gratitude on him. But, she was so grateful because she’d been forgiven of many sins. She didn’t think she was too good to acknowledge her sinfulness. She valued the forgiveness extended to her. The Pharisees acted like they only had a few, if any, sins to be forgiven. Jesus said this is why they showed little love.

Showing an attitude of gratitude is important in our walk with Christ and relationship with others. It shows others that we appreciate their assistance and recognize we’ve grown with help, not on our own efforts.

God desires for us to have the attitude of Christ Jesus. Through Christ’s obedient sacrifice for our sins and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can. Now that’s something to be grateful about!

Grateful for forgiveness,

Rita

[Read the story of the woman with the alabaster box in Luke 7: 36-50.]

I’ve referred to Believers a lot this week. If you’ve not yet come into peace with God and would like our help to find out how you can, please contact any member of our ZMI team. We’d be honored to assist you.