Know

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Jan 092016
 

[embedplusvideo height=”200″ width=”300″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1OTFIoc” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/lAdwX8HypJM?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=lAdwX8HypJM&width=300&height=200&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep2578″ /] I had nothing. Nothing at all. I was faced with sharing an inspirational moment with a group and I had nothing to share. Mentally and emotionally I was in a bad place, which didn’t put me in the right frame of mind to be creative and inspirational! FInally getting around to priorities, I poured my frustration out to God. Within one minute, He gave me exactly what I needed and the right spirit to share it well!

Anybody else have a tough week? Yeah, well, in those moments, I have to reach for what I know.

“Be still, and know that I am God:” -Psalm 46:10 NIV.

Know. Not hope, maybe, possibly….but know.

This is God’s Shut Up and Listen text. “Be still, son,” He says to me, “and I’ll show you one more time that I am in your life for good, that I’ve got your back. Your storm is a ripple in a puddle to Me. I can see past the waves. BTW, I own the waves! Chill son, and know…”

Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God. -Hillsong.

Settle. The command my daughter uses to calm the dogs. It is accompanied by her placing a hand firmly and gently around the muzzle. It is to calm the dog so they know who is in charge at that moment and they needn’t worry, stress or fuss about whatever is going on around them.

“Settle,” God says to me. Know that I am in charge of you and this moment. I am King over the flood. I will hide you, cover you. Just be still and know.”

As I watch the hills slowly take shape in the predawn darkness in my valley, I’ve got no fancy theology to share, no sophisticated statements to make. Just straight talk about what’s real.

Father, let me rest easy in what I know. Gently remind me when I forget. You are King over the flood. You are King over me.

The Widow’s Last-part 2

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Jan 272011
 

 She pushed on, further and further, gathering a few twigs here and there that had been missed by others. Suddenly, a long shadow crossed her path. Startled, she looked up and involuntarily gasped.  Skin bronze-baked by the sun, lips cracked and bleeding,  the man swayed slightly in the harsh wind that blew his long, unkempt beard. His clothes were dusty and sweatstained.

He leaned toward her. Dark, piercing eyes arrested her attention. His mouth opened and he spoke, his first words sounding like a rusty, long-unused hinge, then growing smoother, deep and rich-

He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 1 Kings 17:10 NIV

His voice quickly dissipated in the oppressive heat. She slowly stood, keeping her eyes fixed on him.  Her heart began to beat, drumming loudly against her rib cage. “Give”, she heard the voice between heartbeats. She involuntarily looked around her for the source.  Looking  back at the man, her eyes softened as she recognized his need. She nodded slightly and turned to make her way back to the well at the edge of town.

“And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” verse 11

Incredulously, she turned again to face the man.  Surely he wasn’t serious!

 “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” verse 12

His gaze never wavered.

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. verse 13

Have you ever been asked to give in a way that didn’t make sense?  God does not need to make His requests subject to a test of obvious logic in our minds.

Father, give me the faith to give when You say to give and how You say to give.

No Matter What

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Jul 192010
 

Since I wrote last, our workplace has become more tense as business challenges caused income loss for some. It is so easy to succumb to a range of very human and normal emotions when bad things are happening: fear, anger, discouragement. It is so easy for us to let these emotions drive us to strike out in word and deed, hurting those around us.

Our Father has a plan for us when things go bad, and it has nothing to do with our abilities! In fact, it makes no sense, humanly speaking.

Karrie Roberts, a new Christian solo artist, blessed me recently with the following lyrics:

I’m running back to your promises one more time,

Lord that’s all I can hold on to,

I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises you.

Before a heartache can ever touch my life,

it has to go through Your hands,

and even though I keep asking why, I keep asking why,

No matter what, I’m gonna love You,

no matter what I’m gonna need You,

I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not,

I’ll trust you, no matter what, no matter what.

When I’m stuck and there’s nothing else by myself,

I’m just sitting in silence,

there’s no way I can make it without Your help,

I wont even try it.

I know You have Your reasons for everything,

so I will keep believing, whatever I might be feeling,

God you are my hope, and you will be my strength,

No matter what, I’m gonna love You,

no matter what I’m gonna need You,

I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not,

I’ll trust you, no matter what, no matter what.

Choose to listen to the entire song if you wish >

Did you ever think about that? Did you ever think that every challenge we face has been previewed by our Father? That every struggle we experience has been evaluated in advance by the One who loves us more than we can imagine? What will it take for me to say, “OK, God, I’m stuck! I can’t do a thing!” Do you know how excited He gets when we finally admit that?

Father, I love You! Give me the strength to trust you, no matter what!

shared 7/19/10.