Category: Cross

Peace, Power, Presence, & Purpose: During the Pandemic

~ everydaycrossliving ~ Leave a comment

These are unprecedented times. The majority, of us, have no reference point for what is taking place. The entire world is in the midst of a pandemic.

The pandemic has interrupted normalcy. Some have been inflicted more greatly than others. Some have loss friends and/or loved ones. While others have loss jobs or businesses. Many have suffered physically, financially, emotionally, and/or mentally. There is no doubt, this is a time to fervently pray. In this time of uncertainty and change, our true hope resides in an unchanging God.

God is immutable. He is the same God! This pandemic cannot and will not change God. Therefore, even in this pandemic, we can experience His peace, power, and presence.

Peace
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
–Isaiah 26:3

He will keep us in perfect peace and His peace flows freely in His Word. This perfect peace isn’t limited to situations, circumstances, or even pandemics. In the darkest of times, His perfect peace remains. This perfect peace is not easily understood or explained, rather it has to be experienced. Philippians 4:7, describes it as a “peace that surpasses all understanding.” I pray, during this pandemic you experience His perfect peace.

Power
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
-John 16:33

You can experience this peace, because of His power! He has overcome the world! Hebrews 1:3, lets us know that everything is sustained or upheld by His power. I pray during these times you are able to witness the power of God. We can be confident that God’s power will transcend this pandemic.

Presence
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
–Psalm 46:1
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
–Psalm 46:11

You can trust His Power, because of His presence. He is an ever-present God. Take a moment to read and reflect on Psalm 46. The first verse of this Psalm, describes Him as a present help in the time of trouble and, indeed, these are trouble times. Psalm 46, ends by, emphatically, declaring that the Lord of Hosts is with us. He is with us, even in this time of trouble! Lean into His presence. In John 14, Jesus promised to never leave us comfortless. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to continually abide with His believers. I pray that you will be able to find comfort and rest in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Purpose

As children of God, we are beyond fortunate that we can experience His peace, witness His power, and rest in His presence! Although, this pandemic has been life-altering, it does not alter God. Matter of fact, it doesn’t even alter your ultimate purpose. This pandemic may have changed your position, but you still have a God-given purpose. You may have lost your job or even worse your business may have succumbed, but this pandemic cannot take your purpose. Never forget God has called you for a purpose. Perhaps, this pandemic has had negative impacts on your health, but don’t let it negatively impact your purpose. Maybe you’ve loss loved ones and/or friends and you feel this pandemic has unjustly robbed you of time. But, don’t let it rob you of your purpose!

Now more than ever, us, as the people of God, must walk in our purpose. The world needs to see the church, and you, my friend, are a central part of the church! This pandemic, should not stop us from our purpose. In the face of this pandemic, Jesus’ commandment, “pick up your cross and follow me,” still stands true! Don’t allow this pandemic to hinder you from your God-given purpose. Pick up your cross and follow Him!

 

It Is Well

~ everydaycrossliving ~ Leave a comment

Recently, I was blessed to be in a worship service of approximately 2,000 women. Hands were lifted as we adored our King. Yet, there was one moment, during the service, that cemented in my spirit. The worship leader began to sing, “It Is Well With My Soul.” In the midst of this diverse group, I knew all of our lives weren’t perfect and nicely wrapped. Yet, we all boldly confessed, “It is well with my soul!”

In a group this large, surely sickness or heartache was present, but we still confessed boldly, “It is well with my soul.” I’m sure someone was wrestling with addiction, yet that didn’t stop our proclamation, “It is well with my soul.” Most likely there were a host of issues, hardships, despairs, trials, and tribulations represented in this body of believers, but we boldly confessed, “It is well with my soul.”

Now its your turn to take a moment and declare, “It is well with my soul!”

Let’s think on the words of the Apostle Paul:

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;                                2 Corinthians 4:8-9

You might be experiencing troubles on every side. There may be trouble in your home, on your job, everywhere you turn, but the word declares you don’t have to be distressed – riddled by anxiety, sorrow, and pain. The Bible instructs us in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” So, in spite of the troubles you’re facing, boldly confess by faith, “It is well with my soul!”

You may be perplexed, confused, unsure, even uncertain by the current conditions of your life. The hardships you are facing my have completely caught you off guard. But guess what…the Word of God declares you are not in despair. You still have hope! The Lord even declares in Jeremiah 29:11, that He plans to give you hope and a future. Regardless of what has popped up and surprised you, you are not in despair, you still have hope. Therefore you should declare by faith, “It is well with my soul!”

You might be experiencing persecution. Due to the persecution, you feel alone, left out, misunderstood, and isolated. Yet, in the face of persecution, be confident, as the word declares that you are not forsaken. In fact, Jesus declares in Matthew 28:20, that He is always with you! Persecution is never easy, but you are a conqueror. Declare as the bold conqueror, you are, it is well with my soul!

As it is written:
“For Your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:36-37

Lastly, you may be struck down, feeling as if you have hit rock bottom. Unsure of how you will recover. But guess what the word of God says… it declares you are not destroyed! Regardless of how dire your situation is, you are not destroyed! Life may have completely knocked you down, but it hasn’t knocked you out! Boldly proclaim, “It is well with my soul!”

Don’t give up, don’t give in. Keep bearing your cross regardless of what you are facing. Today I’m praying for you and I declare, “It is well with your soul!”

Self-Absorbed in the Storm

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And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Mark 4:36-51

The disciples are on the boat with Jesus, but they still find themselves in a storm. Can you relate? Have you ever been walking with Jesus; doing the right thing; going to church; treating others well; and still find yourself in a storm?

While they were in the midst of this mighty storm with raging waves and fierce winds, they do what most of us would do, they awake Jesus. Jesus calms the storm, but He also admonishes them because of their lack of faith. The storm was so great, that the Bible details their boat becoming full with water due to the waves that beat into the ship. Yet, Jesus rebukes them!

Was Jesus being harsh? Maybe harsh, like a committed coach, pushing his players to their greatest potential. Harsh, as a loving parenting, refusing to allow an “A” student settle for a “B.” Jesus was pushing the disciples into greater faith. He does the same with us. Jesus knows our capabilities and He wants us to reach our full potential in Him! God is pushing us to greater faith, because others are looking to us. We should stand out as a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9), who have faith in God, even in our biggest storms.

This same story is found in Matthew 8:23-27 and Luke 8:22-25, but it is in Mark’s rendition that mentions, the “other little ships.” When the disciples find themselves in this mighty storm, there were other “little ships” on the sea with them, as well. If their ship was struggling, can you imagine what was happening to the other little ships? The disciples were so self-absorbed in the storm, they gave no thought to the other little ships. When we are self-absorbed in our storm, we forget about others. Others who may be observing how we handle the storm. Others who may also be in a storm.

When we are self-absorbed in the storm, we will find ourselves having a pity party. Full of complaints, crying out, “Lord, why me!” While God could be saying, “O’ Ye of little faith.” We cannot be so self-absorbed in our storm that we forget about the other little ships. The other little ships, in our lives, could be our children, a new convert, or a struggling friend.

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When Jesus speaks to the wind and waves; the other little ships were blessed as well. Jesus didn’t just stop the storm in the disciples’ boat, He stopped the storm on the entire sea! Stand firm in your faith, so the other little ships around you will be blessed by your faith in Christ!

Some little ship, might be looking to see how you handle your storm. Don’t become self-absorbed in the storm. Instead, even in the storm, bear your cross with faith in God. Allow the one who controls the wind and the waves to keep you, in the storm.

Crippled by Comparisons

~ everydaycrossliving ~ 1 Comment

As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other musical instruments. And as the women danced, they sang out:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”
And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
1 Samuel 18:6-9

Saul had been warned by Samuel that the kingdom would be ripped from his hands (1 Samuel 15:28); and he had probably been fearful about when the day would come. However, it was the lyrics, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands,” sung by the women who came to meet him, in celebratory style, that exacerbated his seep into a spiral of mental and spiritual decay. Saul ceased to function as a sane king, fit for God’s use! Instead, he found himself crippled by comparisons. He became full of jealousy against David; and obsessed with David’s destruction. Saul was no longer focused on serving God.

David’s success of slaying Goliath was never a threat to Saul. Saul’s own heart was the threat! Instead of Saul celebrating David’s accomplishments, he became full of jealously. Another person’s success, especially for the kingdom of God, is never a threat. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 declares, “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” If only Saul, would have realized, Godly success is beneficial to all!

As Saul found himself crippled by comparisons, David did not become caught up in the hype. David wasn’t rejoicing in the praise of the women, nor did he become puffed up or prideful by the comparison. David’s focus was on God. Let us be like David and not put too much stock in comparisons. Comparisons, not put in their proper place can cripple us. If we are not careful, they can hinder our work, gifts, purpose, and our efforts.

In our world, today, we are bombarded with comparisons. They are everywhere, especially in the world of social media. Social media has great benefits, but it has also magnified the temptation of dangerous comparisons. Social media is usually filled the very best of one’s life. The very best pictures, moments, and memories, and if we are not careful we will find ourselves comparing our worse moments with a perfect post, tweet, or instagram.

Comparisons are not always negative. However, when comparisons cause us to think less of ourselves, spouses, children, churches, ministries, and callings they become dangerous. When comparisons cause jealousies to fester they become crippling. They can cause us to become just like Saul, crippled by comparisons. Instead we should be like David, so focused on God and running our race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1), that there is no room to be crippled by comparisons.

Sadly, Christians are not exempt, we can find ourselves caught up in comparisons, even comparing our crosses. Carry your cross today without the urge to compare it to another’s cross. God gave you a cross to bear, specifically designed for you. Only you can perfectly carry your cross. Don’t allow yourself to be crippled by comparisons!