Are you weary?

Several years ago feeling weary in spirit, I thought of the old saying that if the devil can’t get you to sin, he will get you too busy to think.  So, I blamed my schedule and wanted a break.  It was then an opportunity arose that allowed me leave everything behind for a few days and go up by myself to my old stomping grounds- Camp Elim. It worked out for me to go up the day before for the retreat so had several precious hours of quiet and being still before the LORD. 

On a blanket of pine needles under a tall pine tree I talked to GOD as I gazed at the peaceful beauty of tall green pines, blue skies with fluffy white clouds and a few wildflowers here and there.  Unable to contain my joy at the beauty, I praised my Creator as HE calmed my weary spirit with HIS beauty.  Then putting new words to an old song, I sang a new song to the LORD.

It was there HE reminded me that the glory of this world is of one type and different than the glory of the heavens (1 Corinthians 15), but both were beautiful.  I knew HE wanted me to enjoy the beauty of this world while I was here.

Absorbing the beauty, I began to yearn to be there in the mountains among the trees all the time. I wanted a picture to take with me, so I jumped up went and got my phone. But the screen went black as I hit the camera app. Being in a low signal area had pulled extra power and my battery was almost dead. Disappointed, I went to my room to plug it in.

When I was plugging my phone into the charger a notification directed me to a text from a friend.  She had just sent a Bible text. “Even so I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat and drink and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life GOD has given them, and to accept their lot in life.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18).

GOD used my sweet friend sending that verse to gently convict me. To turn my eyes back to what is good. For you see the words “accept their lot in life” screamed at me. Then a still small voice whispered, “Sharon, I have put you where you are at, even all the problems, and each interruption is from ME and it is good, accept it.”

Peace flooded over me as I received GOD’s gentle rebuke.  My weariness was not from my schedule, it was because of my focus.  I’d lost sight of my goal, and my focus was on what is seen and not on GOD. Directed to see my lot as being a gift from GOD to serve HIM, changed it all, the weariness eased, and peace and joy sprung up.

Wow! I had grumbled at having to go plug in my phone and it was that interruption that gave me direction and was blessing me.  I had forgotten the one thing that so long had changed me.  I had forgotten to give thanks in and for all things for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you (Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

It was not the devil getting me too busy that got me weary, but my own negligence. By not giving thanks for all things, I had forsaken the source of all energy received when acknowledging GOD in all things with thanksgiving.

Hugs,

Sharon

Don’t give up!

Let us not become weary in doing good for at the PROPER time we will reap (so) do not give up! Galatians 6:9

GOD’s timing never ceases to amaze me.  It does not matter if GOD is providing for needs or giving encouragement HE is never late, never tardy.  I love the concept and the actual word used in 2 Peter 3:8-9 that speaks of this truth. 

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the LORD a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The LORD is not SLOW in keeping HIS promise, as some understand slowness. Instead HE is patient with YOU not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV).

That word translated as SLOW means TARDY.  Remember being in school and the tardy bell rang and you were late for class?  These verses say GOD is never late.

The pronoun YOU is important here for the 1^st part of this chapter deals with THEM (3^rd person) who are willingly (on purpose) ignorant and states that GOD has preset a time for their destruction. Then the scene changes in the 2^nd part of the chapter and those who do or will believe in JESUS are spoken to as YOU (2^nd person).  This verse speaks LOUDLY that GOD is patiently waiting until the last one who is willing to come to JESUS calls upon the name of the LORD and is saved before HE comes.

But back to my wonder at our GOD of all comfort’s patient love and kindness is HIS timing with us HIS children. 

I have heard of missionaries that have gone years upon years without visible signs of making a difference and my pastor spoke of this in his message on persevering. 

But it became very personal this morning the accuser pointed his finger at me denouncing me concerning not making a difference in the lives of others.  But GOD in HIS perfect timing- just when I needed the encouragement the most- GOD countered the enemy’s words with HIS WORD.  You see I was writing questions for the study in Galatians when I came to Galatians 6:9.

“Let us not become weary in doing good for at the PROPER time we will reap (so) do not give up!” (Galatians 6:9).

Then as Romans 10:17 states, “Faith came by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD”.

Hugs

Sharon

Hold

It was a busy morning at Switch making soft chicken tacos for the kids and staff for our Friday program for the kids.  I got a bit tired so decided to take a nap before the meeting tonight, but the moment my head hit the pillow a song ran through my mind and I thought of someone dear who is struggling.  It’s an old song:

 

Oh, soul are you weary and troubled, no light in the darkness you see, there’s a light for a look at the Savior and life more abundant and free.  Turn your eyes upon JESUS, look full in HIS wonderful face (think about things true about HIM) and the things of the earth will grow strangely dim in the light of HIS glory and grace.

 

Thinking of my loved one I prayed.

 

You too may feel like those Malachi was talking to, they said, “What a weariness it is” Malachi 1:13

 

Not long ago at the Camp Elim (old timers) retreat we sang an old, old song and here is a line from it:

“My heart is sometimes heavy, but HE comes in sweet relief, HE folds me to HIS bosom when I droop with blighted grief.”

 

Have been drooping recently?  JESUS has something better for you.  JESUS said, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid, trust in GOD and trust also in ME” (John 14:1).

 

It is the right and privilege of every believer in JESUS to take his heavy heart and every doubt and fear to JESUS who loves him and died to save him from his sins. HE says, “Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  Just take every thought to JESUS (2 Corinthians 10:5). JESUS will literally hold you in HIS arms.

 

One day when it seemed my world was coming to an end a song I had just learned came to mind (some words changed) and as I began to sing, “Oh Son of GOD enfold me with the SPIRIT of YOUR love come and fill my heart and satisfy my soul, take these fears that hold me and YOUR SPIRIT like a dove, rise up and make me fully whole.  JESUS, OH JESUS hold YOUR little lamb, JESUS oh JESUS hold YOU little lamb.”

 

I’m not kidding, HE held me, and HE will hold you too.

 

Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2)

Hugs

Sharon