08/22/2020
Are we feeling anxious today? Do we fret over the challenges which this particular day will bring as it unfolds before us? If so, what is the solution that we will employ, and feel inclined to pursue? Our God is mighty indeed, but he has no greater might, nor presents us with any more profound mercy, than that of His love, because all else is made real, perfected, and witnessed through its application. Are we simply applying our own taste of love to the personal pilgrim’s journey of faith that we find ourselves on? Have we chosen to apply God’s love as a random mortar between the stones of our belief.. and sometimes disbelief?
“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”
Luke 12:24 ESV
How many times have we heard someone boast that their company, farm, or ranch is self-sufficient? Or maybe someone has become embroiled in an argument then says to all who are there that they don’t need what that person has to offer... they can do it themselves?
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 ESV
Conceit, it is the devil’s gatekeeper to Hell, and when we allow it to reign over us, we have stepped into a very dark place, and the loss of love that God has held out to us through Jesus. Suddenly our eyes are opened
“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.”
Proverbs 26:12-13, 16 ESV
So are we feeling anxious today? Are we concerned that we, or someone we love, will come down with COVID-19, Is the shakiness of the economy causing us to lose sleep? Did we argue with our spouse and go to bed with it in full bloom? Or worst of all, have we neglected kneel before God, to seek His will in our circumstances?
Thursday morning my wife Ann and I were in the car heading to the Hospital where I would be taken into surgery for a total hip replacement. As we backed out of the driveway Ann leaned over, took my hand, and started to Pray for me, my surgeon and all of the people who would come into play as my operation began. Although she has been praying in secret for me, This open prayer that we prayed together gave me a Sense of calm, and Peace. It takes the fear that surround us in such times, and, reaches out as best we can to God. We do this out of our love, and asking for His amazing love to become involved.
“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”
Ephesians 3:16-17 ESV
Prayer:
Thank you Father for the love you lavish upon us, and for your Son Jesus through whom your grace flows to cover us. Praised be your name for leading us beside the still waters, but keep you hand upon our shoulder God lest we begin to swim in our own manner, and find ourselves drowning in our own self-conceit. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God in whom all love finds its home. Praised be your name for hearing the prayers of others who seek to join their prayers with the Intercessory prayers of Jesus. Help us Father to hear the angels sing as we pray in this manner,and welcome us home to be held in your arms forevermore.
Rich Forbes