Tag: hopelessness.

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Not The Pillow Its The Restful Mind For Colossal Sleep

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Not The Pillow Its The Restful Mind For Colossal Sleep

“God rested-and He wasn’t tired” Anonymous

I laid my head on the pillow, and a song began forming in my slumbering mind.

“Jesus, Jesus Lord to me, master, savior, prince of peace…”

My head sank deeper into the pillow. I am enraptured in the soothing, melodious words of this song as it played in my mind.
Soon I was sound asleep only to awake 2 or 3 times through the night. Then I would again hear this song playing in the background. This happens most nights, fortunately with different songs.

Questions?

Does this happen to you?
Am I the only one?
I don’t believe I am.

Read what the ancients wrote

One of the ancients, Job, said this about God as recorded in Job 35:10.

“…who gives songs in the night.”

King David wrote;
“…in the night His song shall be with me-“ (Ps.42:8)

Then there was Paul and Silas. Awake at midnight praying and singing hymns to God while prisoners listened. (Acts 16:25)

Seems like I’m in pretty good company!

Why would God give “songs in the night”?

Some reasons are very evident.

  • God loves us and desires that we have a deep, restful sleep.

It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. Ps. 127:2

Music soothes the troubled soul.

Songs of worship draw us closer to Him and in Him is the peace that passes understanding.

It is in the quiet of the night time hour when the physical busyness of our day is past.

God wants to take us aside and revel in His presence.
Life’s distractions have faded with the setting sun. Our verbal communication with others is over, so now He draws us into His embrace.

Did I hear someone say; “No distractions!

“I have all the pressures of the world bearing down on me,” you say.

Remember, Its Not The Pillow, Its The Restful Mind For Colossal Sleep

Photo by Michael Maasen on Unsplash

The prerequisite for having the midnight song resonating in your spirit is a vital relationship with God.
The men, Job, King David, Paul, and Silas mentioned in the scripture above knew God. Each had an intimate relationship with Him.
Without that, chaos rules the night.

Some items to scrap off the plate during the day.

1. The phone calls left on the voicemail, were they returned throughout the day?
2. The e-mail, was a reply sent?
3. Were the necessary visits made?
4. Items left unsettled that you should have taken care of earlier?
5. Have you made peace with your past?

Are you awake at night rehashing repented sins? Sins which you are not sure God has forgiven? Click on this: Good News About Sin; Seven Statements

It was Anonymous who said;
“The past is always going to be what it was, stop trying to change it.”

Some things are not so easy to take care of.

Make the choice to plan for change.

Here are a few ideas to consider.

1. Live each day in the orchard of the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 instructs us to “walk” in this orchard.

Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

2. Have you ever noticed that in Ephesians 4:26 we read this command;
“not let the sun go down on our wrath.”

Where I live, sunset precedes my going to bed from one to four hours depending on the season of the year.
So I have time to think. To settle remaining issues and relax before my head hits the pillow.

You might ask, why songs in the night?

Midnight songs keep us adjusted to the truth that God loves and cares for us. At times I almost think I hear songs from God’s side of heaven. Then there are times when He speaks, and I have to pour out words of repentance. At other times His assurance wraps around my soul, and all is well.

Then this song bubbles up within me:

“My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought.
My sin not in part, but the whole nailed to the cross, and I hear it no more,
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well with my soul, It is well with my soul.
(verse 3 of It is Well With My Soul Horatio G. Spafford and Philip B. Bliss)

Listen here, It Is Well With My Soul

So, may you sleep well and hear heaven’s choir join with you in worship.

Songs in the night to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sleep well, my friend.

Good night,

Richard

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Good News About Sin; Seven Statements

The Good News About Sin; Seven Statements

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The good news about sin; seven statements. God, Himself makes at least seven statements about confessed sin. The evidence is certain as you will see in this post.

But first, let’s talk about sin.

How long has it been since you heard anybody call sin, sin?

Sin is not a forgotten word; it’s an avoided word. The word, sin, is short and very direct. In the effort to be an all-inclusive society we avoid using this word. In so doing we trade the acceptance of others without the regard of eternal consequences.

We must never project the issue of sin onto others. First, it is necessary to take a very long hard look inward at ourselves. Our look inward is where everything we do in life begins. Jesus made these remarks about this subject. “You wash the cup and the dish on the outside but the inside of your cup is filthy!” (My paraphrase of Matthew 23:25). So, cleaning the inside of our cup is paramount.

How does God deal with our ‘confessed’ Sin?

The problem for some Christians is guilt.

Worry about God holding past confessed sin against them.

Worry no more. God deals with confessed sin.

Read on for God’s solution.

Here is the good news, sin is not a disease needing treatment. No, it requires repentance which brings God’s forgiveness.

Wow, Good news indeed!

King David in the Psalms 32:5 faced the issue of sin by confessing his sin.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:5

Reality is to acknowledge and define what is displeasing to God. I call this, “Self-Confrontation.” This is the process of finally admitting to God what He already knows! Iniquity, transgression; we don’t use these words too often in regular conversations. But it is time we use them in a discussion with ourselves.

Continue reading to understand the GOOD NEWS about SIN.

Seven statements God makes about confessed sin.

These verses and comments will bring rest and assurance about God’s love for believers in Christ.

Release the ties of guilt and shame. Refresh, renew and restore your peace in God’s amazing forgiveness statements.

Aziz Acharki on Unsplash

1. I John 1:9 -We confess it -He forgives it -And cleanses us

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. I John 1:9

2. Micah 7:18–20 -He pardons us -Forgives -Casts our sins into the depths of the sea.

Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! Micah 7: 18–20

3. Isaiah 43:25 -Blots out our transgressions -Remembers our sin no more.

“I — yes, I alone [God], — will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. Isaiah 43:25

Continue reading for more GOOD NEWS about confessed sin.

4. Jeremiah 31:34 -Forgives our wickedness -Never again remembers our sin.

“…And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Jeremiah 31:34b

5. Psalms 103:10–12 -God does not treat us as our sin deserves. He does not repay us according to our iniquities. His love for us is higher than the heavens. God removes our sin as far as the East is from the West

He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalms 103: 10–12

6. Romans 4:7,8 -The transgressions made He forgives them. Our sins, He blanked out with His covers. The Lord will never count confessed sin against us.

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.” Romans 4: 7–8

7. II Corinthians 5:19 “…not counting men’s sin against them.”

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. II Corinthians 5:19

The case against your confessed sin is irrefutable, (beyond questioning). God forgives and obliterates the sin you confess to Him. You are given a clean slate.

The conclusion about my confessed sin is to heed to the Apostle Paul’s admonition. Confess my sin, cast it at the foot of the cross, walk away free from the devils taunts about my past.

Ephesians 5:1 -We’re to imitate God. Treat CONFESSED sin as God does. Ask for forgiveness and forget!

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Ephesians 5:1

Click here to read Ten Mindful Quotes For A Positive Lifestyle

Has this brief discussion on confessed sin helped you in any way? Let me know.

I welcome your comments and insights on this subject.

Thank you for reading.

Richard

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Four Talking Tips From A Hitch-hiker

Everyone has a story to tell.

Are we listening?

Today, let’s look at four talking tips from a hitch-hiker. It is an inspiring story happening over 2,000 years ago. Modern-day hitch-hikers use Uber or Lyft to get around town. In the few minutes, people are in my car I sometimes get to hear bits & pieces of their history. Usually, I greet them with; “good morning, how are you today”? Responses surprise me sometimes! “terrible”, “great”, “silence”. At times I hear a history of their last year in my 7-minute drive. Everyone has a story to tell, and most would like someone to listen.

My definition of a hitch-hiker is a person walking along a road and he or she is invited to enter a vehicle to go for a ride.
The man in this story fits my description.

There is usually a story within a story which is true in this narrative.

Look, for the four talking tips from a hitch-hiker in this scripture.

Philip, one of the apostles of Christ, could be the first hitch-hiker recorded in history.

Utsav-shah – Unsplash
It is an interesting story, here is just a snippet of the story found in the Bible’s book of Acts:
The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
The man replied, “How can I unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. – The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. Acts 8:29-31 & 34, 35

Now, I would not even assume to say that the Apostle Phillip was trying to hitch a ride since he was explicitly told to “go over and walk beside the carriage” by the Holy Spirit.  Aside from the beautiful spiritual transformation of the Ethiopian man, we can grasp insight on how to make the most of these chance meetings with people.

This story of Phillip changed the tale of a man and forever is inscribed in the Book for us to read today.

Stick with me here since I have discovered some good insight on how to kick up our conversations a notch.

Here are my four talking tips from a hitch-hiker for meaningful discussions with people, especially those we meet briefly.

  1. We have to make ourselves available to people. Phillip ‘ran over’ to the Ethiopian’s side of the road to be more accessible.
  2. Most people would like us to ask them to tell their story. “Do you understand what you are reading?” the Apostle said.
  3. We just might have to sit and listen to the person for some time. Phillip sat with the man in his carriage. 
  4. This last point is the key; It helps to begin with where they are at in their story. Aha! Phillip did this; “so beginning with this same scripture.”

“A suffering person does not need a lecture – he needs a listener.”– Billy Graham

“The word ‘listen’ contains the same letters as the word ‘silent.’” – Unknown

Summing it up on the qualities needed to impact people’s lives are these: Making ourselves available, asking good questions, taking time to sit with the person and giving input beginning with where the person is in their discussion concerning themselves. I think, Phillip, the hitch-hiker did his part well, don’t you? Now it is our turn.

Most of us know what I shared here but hopefully, it serves as a reminder of four qualities needed in the communication toolbox we use every day. Perhaps 2018 is the year to really communicate!

Did one or two of the four tips resonate with you and in what way?

Did I miss something that you would like to add?

Any questions on this post?

Please leave a comment, I’d like to hear from you.

Richard

 

    

 

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Surrounded By Storm Clouds of Defeat

Are most of your thoughts clouded by negative thinking?

Surrounded by storm clouds of defeat, is what this biblical Old Testament young man thought. When this servant of Elisha pulled back his tent door as the sun rose he saw they were surrounded by a large enemy army. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. II Kings 6:14 – 17 

I have been through a few ‘gloom and doom’ days. In 2001 a heart attack seized my chest with severe tight threating pain. Was my life over? At the hospital, the surgeons placed two stents in my arteries and I was good to go. But, I must admit, at least for some moments gloom tried its best to grip my soul. However, my faith in God and my family surrounding me opened my eyes to a brighter future.

When surrounded by storm clouds of defeat, it is easy to fall prey to negative thinking patterns. 

The young servant in the biblical story saw they were surrounded by defeat, but the man of God saw defeat surrounded by victory. Three ‘takeaways’ we can deposit in our lives today from this biblical account. When surrounded by defeat, anxiety builds in our mind and gloom purveys our thoughts, instead let us sharpen our focus on these three insights from this story.

  1. We should always be open to the supernatural. God still cares about us today.
  2. When defeat circles our space, look for the rim of victory beyond the doubt clouding our mind.
  3. The enemy in this story was blinded to what God had in store for His prophet. First blinded spiritually, then later blinded physically. See beyond the negativity into God’s positive hand directing us to victory.

Additionally, let us keep hope alive, working towards our success. Read my post on hope here.

For some real encouragement in overcoming adversity, Read Bill’s blog at Unshakable Hope

Queen Victoria, the second longest reigning Queen of England said:

“We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat.”

Winston Churchill had this to say about defeat:

“There is only one answer to defeat and that is victory.”

The possibilities of overcoming storm clouds of defeat are tremendous when we focus on God’s word. Here are two of the many scriptures on overcoming defeat and negativity in our lives:

“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him.” Psalms 62:1

 “… despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37

Are you surrounded by storm clouds of defeat?

Is your life driven by negative thoughts?

Take heart today, since God has given us eyes to see His victorious armies surrounding the enemies of defeat.

Blessings to you today,

Richard

I invite you to leave a comment, question or insights you have on this post in the comment section of this post. Thank you.

Victory photo: Jepheth Mast – Unsplash

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Three secrets to keeping hope alive

 

Three Secrets to keeping hope alive

Why is having hope so crucial to a healthy outlook on life?

ron-smith – Unsplash

Three secrets to keeping hope alive in my life are in my concluding eleven statements for a better life. These eleven statements I wrote several years ago to refocus my energies towards a better life for myself. Having an optimistic outlook on life requires us to invest in hope. Have you lost all expectation for a better tomorrow in your life?

I am an optimist by nature. Even though optimism is natural to me, I must hone it to a sharper edge to guide my steps.

My last three statements of the eleven contain the three secrets to keeping hope alive in me.

9.  Aspire to reach beyond what I think of as unreachable. Hope directs my ambition toward achieving something initially thought not possible. My aspirations have played out exceptionally in my life. Fran, my wife, and I have taught the word of God in over 14 nations of the world. We kept hope alive, and the improbable became a reality!

“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp~or what’s a heaven for?” Robert Browning.

10. Achieve a secure and firm foundation in what I believe and know why I think my belief is real.  A daily Bible reading and prayer time will help me in making and keeping my belief system unshakable.

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.” – Thomas Edison

11.  Arrest my fears, subjugating my anxieties to the belief that God is more significant than all the complexities of life. Anxiety captured me with fear when I walked to the podium in India to present Bible truth to the assembled students. But the tension drained from me when I reminded myself that God had not given me a spirit of fear but of a sound mind to deliver my lesson on the first day of classes. Wow, God is good.

“The last of all human freedoms is the ability to choose one’s own attitude in any set of circumstances.” – Victor Frankl, Nazi Concentration Camp Survivor

Why is having hope so crucial to a healthy outlook on life? Here is why.

These three statements, 9, 10 and 11 have guided me to experiences beyond my expectations.

I’ll quickly explain, just keep reading.

Hope is, the expectation of something good happening in our life. In this life, without good health, we are sick; lacking money, we are broke; no friends, we are lonely; but without hope, we’rd done. Keeping hope alive in us brightens even the dreariest of days.

We read in Proverbs 13:12; Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. When we keep putting off reaching for something hoped for, it leads to heartbreak.

Here is the good news, when we reach beyond our present abilities it leads to fulfillment! 

To those having a personal relationship with Jesus, it gets even better.

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:5

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”– Albert Einstein

I suppose we are all wise enough to make changes, am I correct on that?

Are you ready to build hope? Use my three secrets to keeping hope alive to guide you to unexpected heights in your life.

Thank you for reading. Leave a comment; I want to hear from you with observations, questions, and insights.

Be sure to sign up to keep receiving my posts.

Richard