a ministry of compassion since 1973
Hope for When It Hurts
It is not always easy to maintain a healthy perspective in life and ministry. There may be times when fear, anxiety, unmet expectations, frustration and anger may creep into what we are trying to accomplish for God. We may ask ourselves - Why am I so concerned about...
Read MoreFor I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 These familiar verses are promises that God made to the Israelites when they were exiled in Babylon. His promises are not only applicable to the Israelites in the Old Testament, but for us as well today...
Read MoreOn a recent vacation to the Chicago area with my parents, we all learned what patience really looks like!...
Read MoreDid you know that a tree absorbs moisture through its roots and supplies water to its leaves? It sounds like something we should have learned in school, but did you also realize that once the water reaches the leaves, 90% of it evaporates into the environment. So where does the other 10% go to?...
Read MoreIt is always interesting to see how God uses an object to illustrate a lesson He wants us to remember. In Jeremiah 13:1-11, God told Jeremiah to buy a linen belt, wrap it around his waist and not let it touch water. Jeremiah obeyed God. Later, God directed Jeremiah to take the belt and...
Read MoreIn Luke 10, Jesus sent out 72 individuals to proclaim that the kingdom of God was near and to perform miracles in His name. They were sent to the towns ahead of where Christ would be going. When they returned, they were excited about all they were able to do in the name of Jesus. Jesus flipped the whole thing upside down when He...
Read MoreThis is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, We will not walk in it. Jeremiah 6:16 Wow - why didn't the Israelites take God's direction? The Lord offered them forgiveness from their disobedient ways, a new path and refreshment for their souls, but instead they...
Read MoreOne of the ways we can equip ourselves for service to others is to hide God's Word in our hearts. Hiding God's Word means we...
Read MoreHelping and ministering to others, in most instances, is a process of imparting our knowledge and wisdom toward them. Have you ever looked at it from the other person's perspective? It isn't always about...
Read MoreHave you ever gone on a long hike where you became so fatigued that you thought your legs and feet wouldn't carry you any further? When I was a Girl Scout, I needed to take a long walk to earn a hiking badge. My friend and I set out for a seven mile roundtrip hike to a favorite ice cream restaurant. We were really tired when we arrived at the ice cream place. It was discouraging because...
Read MoreSometimes when we are ministering to others, we run at such a pace that we feel like we have failed miserably because it doesn't seem like we are succeeding in helping those we are serving. Perhaps we have missed...
Read MoreLast time we talked about three ways God renews our strength as caregivers and ministers of His Gospel! The first was soaring on wings like eagles meaning we gain a better or higher perspective of a situation. To help them soar, eagles use...
Read MoreCaring for others can really zap our strength! When we don't see progress we might also lose hope for the person we are trying to help. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that we need to...
Read MoreIn the midst of ministering to and caring for others, we sometimes reach a point of total exhaustion. We may feel weary and burdened by the needs of others we serve or we may...
Read MoreThe end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7
Recently as I was preparing to share some verses on prayer with our staff, I came across 1 Peter 4:7. It was a stark reminder that we need to be of sound mind, sober, calm and collected so we can pray.
The first part of this verse reminds us that we are to be aware that the end of all things is near. There should be an urgency to our prayers. Keeping our focus where it belongs - not on what is happening around us as much as on the Sovereign One.
What does it mean to pray with a clear mind?
When I think of praying with a clear mind, it reminds me of the innocence of children's prayers. They are so direct in their petitions, asking God questions without pretense!
Here are a few examples from a site called sermon illustrations:
Dear God: Who did you make smarter? Boys or girls? My sister and I want to know. Jimmy, 6
Dear God: How many angels are there in heaven? I would like to be the first kid in my class to know the answer. Norma, 8
Dear God: Please help me is school. I need help in spelling, adding, history, geography and writing. I don't need help in anything else. Lois, 9
Dear God: Do you have any helpers in Heaven? I would like to be one of Your helpers in Heaven when I have summer vacation. Natalie, 7
Being clear-minded also reminds me of coming before the throne with respect and reverence for our Heavenly Father. He is the one we can rest in and bring our every concern to no matter how great or small it may be.
The next time you enter into His throne room, may your approach be with a clear mind and an open heart to receive His love and blessings!
Have you ever contemplated your own significance in life? Or, perhaps in your ministry or life acquaintances, you have come across someone who is looking for some meaning in their life. Maybe the person finds significance in...
Read MoreSo we have established that His grace is enough because we have the favor of Jesus as He assists, strengthens and bears our troubles. What really puts this over the top is the fact that God's power is made perfect in weakness. Well, what does that really mean to you and to me?...
Read MoreAlthough Paul had this particular weakness, he did not let it deter him from his ministry especially when the Lord said that His grace was sufficient and that His power is made perfect in weakness. Paul could rest in God's sufficient grace - it was...
Read MoreAs Jesus was preparing to leave this earth through His death and resurrection, He took the time to do something very ordinary in the culture of the day, but very extraordinary for His disciples. It was the night of the Passover Feast. The meal was being served and Jesus got up...
Read MoreJesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4 Imagine you are one of Jesus' disciples and He is speaking these words of comfort to you. What would you think, feel or do in response to His words of comfort?...
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