Faith

Who is on Guard Duty?

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment 
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

A few days ago, the verse of the day in my Bible app was the one from Proverbs that told us to guard our hearts. It was great advice, but my problem is that I am not always great at guard duty. Sometimes I am distracted by temporary problems, get embroiled in controversies with the other guards or have days when I just feel like being lazy. That is why I was encouraged by these words of Paul to in the church in Philippi. After several chapters dealing with the hot topics of the day, he gives some fatherly advice to his friends telling them that they could bring all their problems and anxieties to God in prayer. But they must also remember to give God thanks in advance and trust Him for the answer.

I am so happy to learn that it isn’t just by my being vigilant or adhering to a strict set of rules that my heart is protected. I am guarded by asking God for help. Now, I don’t know about you, but God is definitely a better guard than me! I fall asleep about ten o’clock every night, but God stays awake 24/7. God never sleeps so that we can. He never fails, though we do so often. God is always faithful, loving kind and powerful, so why should we ever doubt Him? Let’s start today by giving Him thanks for His help in our crisis, His mercy to forgive our sins and most of all for His sacrifice of His only Son Jesus, so that His peace could guard our hearts and minds today!

Don’t Stop Praying!

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments 
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 
Luke 18:1 NIV

God knows that some days we feel like giving up on prayer. Maybe we think that there are bigger problems in the world or that God isn’t interested. Yet, instead of just lecturing us, Jesus tells us a story about a widow and a judge. This widow wasn’t politically connected, or rich and she had an someone harassing her. We aren’t told exactly the issue: only that the one person she could turn to for help was a corrupt judge. Yet she didn’t give up, run away, or complain to her neighbors. Instead, every morning she walked down to the judge’s house. I can just picture him looking out his window, as he heard her knock, muttering, “Oh no! Not her again!”

Maybe she was driving him crazy, but all she really wanted was for him to do his job. Finally, the judge threw up his hands, and said something like, “All right! I’ll do it! Just please leave me alone!” Then, Jesus reminds us that God is not even a little bit like that judge. God wants to hear our prayers. God loves us, wants the best for us, and since He is so good, we should never give up. God is listening, and if we keep on praying and believing, we can trust that one day He is sure to answer!

“I have abandoned all particular forms of devotion, all prayer techniques. My only prayer practice is attention. I carry on a habitual, silent, and secret conversation with God that fills me with overwhelming joy.” 
Brother Lawrence

You can do it!

/ pastorpete51 / 9 Comments

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

Six years ago, while my wife Nancy was battling cancer, I remember sitting for hours in hospital rooms and doctor’s offices, feeling anything but strong; and not courageous at all. I was overwhelmed, alone, and exhausted. When we go through those times, some of us look to the Bible character of Joshua as a tremendous example of courage. Yet I wonder if during those days when Joshua was mourning the loss of his friend and mentor Moses, if he was feeling particularly courageous. Do you suppose that he ever felt weak or afraid as he faced the task of leading more than a million people into the promised land? You better believe he did! Just think, if he never felt that way, then why did God command him not once, not twice but three times to be strong and courageous?

    Whether you are in a crisis or are just facing problems beyond your control, remember that we serve a God who gives us hope that is not based on own courage and strength, but in Him. We can have hope in His promise that the enemies we face are no match for our Him! He is not disappointed by our weakness, nor impatient with our faltering steps. Like a good father teaching His child to walk, God stretches out His arms today and calls to us, “Take another step! You can do it! Be strong and very courageous: because no matter what you face, I will be with you!”

Father, I ask you to quiet my heart so that I can hear your voice and trust that you will be with me wherever I go.