puricare chronicles: Be still

Showing posts with label Be still. Show all posts

Monday, April 19, 2021

DO YOU KNOW WHO’S IN CONTROL? - Relinquishing control reminds us we're not truly in charge. Letting go of the need for our way allows space for God to have His way in us. Releasing control is just one of many small ways we make room for new growth. Life with God is the very best partnership, and it's one big, amazing lesson in collaborating, considering and giving up control. This is what leads to real rest. - " … ‘Be still, and know that I am God; … ’" - Psalm 46:10 (NIV) - If asked if I’m picky, I’ll answer no. I like to be flexible and open-minded, and I hope most people find that I’m easy and pleasant to be around. But ask me if I’m particular, and that’s a different story. I’m particular about how the dishwasher is loaded because for me, the bowls fit best on the lower right rack. I’m particular about the sleeves of the T-shirts facing the same direction when folded because they stack better that way. I’m particular about eating my food while it’s piping hot, and I get a little grouchy when I have to wait for my less temperature-concerned family members to arrive at the dinner table. I’m particular about practically every aspect of my work that might reflect back onto me: graphics, emails, packaging and branding. I’m particular about how the kids look when we go out, especially when we take family photos. Being particular is normal. We all have our preferences. Control is especially ugly when I prioritize my own preferences over my care for others.

.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Do You Know Who’s in Control?

Relinquishing control reminds us we're not truly in charge. Letting go of the need for our way allows space for God to have His way in us. Releasing control is just one of many small ways we make room for new growth.

Life with God is the very best partnership, and it's one big, amazing lesson in collaborating, considering and giving up control. This is what leads to real rest.

Emily Lex

" … ‘Be still, and know that I am God; … ’" - Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

If asked if I’m picky, I’ll answer no.

I like to be flexible and open-minded, and I hope most people find that I’m easy and pleasant to be around. But ask me if I’m particular, and that’s a different story.

I’m particular about how the dishwasher is loaded because for me, the bowls fit best on the lower right rack.

I’m particular about the sleeves of the T-shirts facing the same direction when folded because they stack better that way.

I’m particular about eating my food while it’s piping hot, and I get a little grouchy when I have to wait for my less temperature-concerned family members to arrive at the dinner table.

I’m particular about practically every aspect of my work that might reflect back onto me: graphics, emails, packaging and branding.

I’m particular about how the kids look when we go out, especially when we take family photos.

Being particular is normal. We all have our preferences.

It’s when those personal particularities become cemented in our minds as the only way to do things that they cross over to the arena of control. Ouch, right?

Control is especially ugly when I prioritize my own preferences over my care for others.

It’s what happens when I rearrange the dishwasher, huffing under my breath about my son’s inability to do it correctly.

It’s the urge to take over when my daughter is not folding her clothes properly.

And it’s the self-righteousness that surfaces when I take a bite before we all gather to pray because I just spent all this time making food and I want to eat it while it’s hot.

It's the overworked and overstressed result of not asking for help or trusting another person to do what I mistakenly think only I can do.

It’s not caring if my child’s sweater is itchy or the pair of pants is uncomfortable because it is what I want you to wear, and you will wear it.

My preferences are typically harmless, but as they quietly accumulate, they can escalate.

Soon enough, I find myself being particular about more than just the everyday things like punctuality and how the couch pillows are arranged.

Instinctively, my eyes search and my hands grasp for greater opportunities to express my way.

Control makes me feel powerful, and I like that feeling.

It puts me and my great ideas in charge, and I think me and my ideas are pretty great! It allows me to be responsible for me, and that feels better than trusting.

But control can also cause me to hurt and disregard others and make poor choices.

Control assumes I know best, but what God whispers (or sometimes hollers) is a knowing of a different kind.

Be still and know, He says.

Know what?

Know that I am God.

Oh yeah.

So, I humble myself, open my Bible and find my rightful place once again.

Relinquishing control reminds us we're not truly in charge. Letting go of the need for our way allows space for God to have His way in us.

Releasing control is just one of many small ways we make room for new growth.

Life with God is the very best partnership, and it's one big, amazing lesson in collaborating, considering and giving up control. This is what leads to real rest.

Lord, I come to You aware of my foolishness in thinking I know best. I confess this tendency to control, and I open my hands in surrender to You. Your way is always better. Remind me that You are here for me and I am not on my own. Remind me to be still before You and know that You are God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

1 Chronicles 29:11, “Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES

If you are tired of searching for your purpose, identity and satisfaction in places that never quite seem to deliver, may you feel seen and find deep encouragement on the beautifully designed pages of Emily Lex’s new book, Freely and Lightly: God’s Gracious Invitation to a Life of Quiet Confidence. Read the first three chapters for free here today.

CONNECT

Visit with Emily at emilylex.com and on Instagram.

REFLECT AND RESPOND

In what area(s) of your life do you recognize a constant desire to control? Take a moment to open up your hands on the parts you hold tightly to, and as you do, may you be filled with peace as you remember to be still and know that He is God.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Harvest House Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

What We Believe

If your life feels too overwhelming, click here for our care and counseling resources.

https://www.proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/02/10/do-you-know-whos-in-control

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

SIT STILL - All too often we rush ahead of the Lord, fearful that things won't work out unless we take matters into our own hands. There is, certainly, a time to work -- and work hard -- in the service of the Lord. There are spiritual battles to be fought and races to be run. But when we have done the best we know how and still don't see the answer, there comes a time when we must simply sit still, and wait for the Lord. He would have us "be still, and know that |He is| God." - "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day." - This was the instruction given to Ruth by Naomi in hopes that her kinsman, Boaz, would be willing to perform his family duty and marry Ruth, whose Jewish husband had died in Moab. Ruth's behavior had been honorable, and she had done what she could to let Boaz know she was willing to be his wife, but now she could do nothing except to sit still and wait. This lesson needs to be remembered by Christians today. All too often we rush ahead of the Lord, fearful that things won't work out unless we take matters into our own hands. When the Jews were being invaded by the Assyrian armies and felt they needed an alliance with Pharaoh, God warned: "The Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. . . . In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."

Sit Still

All too often we rush ahead of the Lord, fearful that things won't work out unless we take matters into our own hands.

There is, certainly, a time to work -- and work hard -- in the service of the Lord. There are spiritual battles to be fought and races to be run. But when we have done the best we know how, according to the Scriptures, and still don't see the answer, there comes a time when we must simply sit still, and wait for the Lord. He would have us "be still, and know that |He is| God."

BY HENRY M. MORRIS, PH.D.

"Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day." - (Ruth 3:18)

This was the instruction given to Ruth by Naomi in hopes that her kinsman, Boaz, would be willing to perform his family duty and marry Ruth, whose Jewish husband had died in Moab.

Ruth's behavior had been honorable, and she had done what she could to let Boaz know she was willing to be his wife, but now she could do nothing except to sit still and wait.

This lesson needs to be remembered by Christians today.

All too often we rush ahead of the Lord, fearful that things won't work out unless we take matters into our own hands.

When the Jews were being invaded by the Assyrian armies and felt they needed an alliance with Pharaoh, God warned: "The Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. . . . In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:7-15).

Long before, when the children of Israel were in even more desperate circumstances, with the Egyptian armies pursuing them and the Red Sea in front of them, Moses had said: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord" (Exodus 14:13).

Soon, the chariots of Pharaoh were at the bottom of the sea, just as, in due time, Boaz did marry Ruth, and as, 600 years later, the hosts of the Assyrians were slain by the angel of the Lord (Isaiah 37:36).

There is, certainly, a time to work -- and work hard -- in the service of the Lord.

There are spiritual battles to be fought and races to be run.

But when we have done the best we know how, according to the Scriptures, and still don't see the answer, there comes a time when we must simply sit still, and wait for the Lord.

He would have us "be still, and know that |He is| God" (Psalm 46:10).

The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) wants people to know that God’s Word can be trusted in everything it speaks about—from how and why we were made, to how the universe was formed, to how we can know God and receive all He has planned for us.

After 50 years of ministry, ICR remains a leader in scientific research within the context of biblical creation. Founded by Dr. Henry Morris in 1970, ICR exists to conduct scientific research within the realms of origins and Earth history, and then to educate the public both formally and informally through professional training programs, through conferences and seminars around the country, and through books, magazines, and media presentations. Click here for more information about ICR founder Henry M. Morris.

https://www.icr.org/article/sit-still/

You might also like:

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Author: J. H.

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/02/sitting-at-feet-of-jesus-sitting-at.html

Sunday, January 24, 2021

PERFECT PEACE - True peace, or perfect peace, involves more than your circumstances. True peace is a matter of the heart. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. It comes from the inside — and your heart can be at peace even when your circumstances are filled with conflict. In fact, peace in your heart will overcome turmoil in your surroundings every time. If you know that God is with you, you can be at peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” - The world is full of distractions and diversions that will tempt the most focused person to get their eyes off God and His will. When your peace is threatened, it means that something or someone is trying to tempt you to pay attention to the wrong things. Peace is the opposite of chaos and confusion. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” God’s presence always brings peace to the most troubled situations. When your world is in turmoil, you don’t need a miracle, or an additional blessing — you need Him, and the peace He inevitably provides. His peace will hold you steady. It will provide stability when everything around you looks like it is falling apart. When Jesus and His disciples were in the boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee in the storm, the disciples were afraid, but Jesus was asleep. “He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

Perfect Peace

“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

True peace, or perfect peace, involves more than your circumstances. True peace is a matter of the heart. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. It comes from the inside — and your heart can be at peace even when your circumstances are filled with conflict. In fact, peace in your heart will overcome turmoil in your surroundings every time. If you know that God is with you, you can be at peace.

Rod Parsley

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” - Isaiah 26:3

The world is full of distractions and diversions that will tempt the most focused person to get their eyes off God and His will.

When your peace is threatened, it means that something or someone is trying to tempt you to pay attention to the wrong things.

Peace is the opposite of chaos and confusion.

1 Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

God’s presence always brings peace to the most troubled situations.

When your world is in turmoil, you don’t need a miracle, or an additional blessing — you need Him, and the peace He inevitably provides.

His peace will hold you steady. It will provide stability when everything around you looks like it is falling apart.

When Jesus and His disciples were in the boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee in the storm, the disciples were afraid, but Jesus was asleep.

Mark 4:39 says, “He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

Not only did He calm the raging of the sea, He will also speak peace into the tempest of your circumstances and cause the storm to stop.

However, true peace, or perfect peace, as the prophet Isaiah says it, involves more than your circumstances.

True peace is a matter of the heart.

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, according to Galatians 5:22.

It comes from the inside — and your heart can be at peace even when your circumstances are filled with conflict.

In fact, peace in your heart will overcome turmoil in your surroundings every time.

If you know that God is with you, you can be at peace.

Hear Paul’s benediction to his friends in Rome, from Romans 15:33: “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

Further Reading

Isaiah 26:3

1 Corinthians 14:33

Mark 4:39

Rod Parsley has been clearly called to a pre-eminent position of leadership within the Body of Christ, as his numerous roles – including TV host, evangelist, educator, humanitarian and statesman – will attest. But he’d be the first to tell you that his prominence is solely a function of his willingness to be used by God in extraordinary ways.
He was 19 when he first led a Bible study in his parents’ backyard. In more than 40 years since then, he’s built one of the most important and far-reaching Christian ministries in the United States. He has founded and now leads outreaches with local, national and worldwide reaches.
This New York Times best-selling author has successfully advocated for federal legislation, delivered hundreds of millions of pounds of food and medical supplies to poverty-stricken areas of the world and changed the lives of thousands who will shape the cultural landscape in the next generation. He’s in constant demand to preach the Gospel in pulpits across America and around the world, and to comment publicly on the moral issues of our day. If none of those opportunities had ever presented themselves, though, he’d still be Pastor Parsley, sharing God’s Word with his beloved World Harvest Church, helping his congregation know God as he does.
His other ministries include Valor Christian College; Harvest Preparatory School, an educational institution for local students from preschool through 12th grade; Hispanic and urban-outreach ministries; a national ministerial alliance; Bridge of Hope, a world-wide missions organization.

https://www.rodparsley.com/dailydevotion

You might also like:

My Peace