trust

What Are You Afraid Of?

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.          Proverbs 29:25

In the book of Proverbs King Solomon warns us about the mental, emotional and spiritual fencing we build because of fear. We erect a fence of words to protect ourselves from what others might think. We run behind a wall of busyness to hide. We lean on our position in the community to protect us from what others might do. But while each of our barriers seem good in our own eyes, God tells us that they operate like hidden snares. A snare works because it is hidden along paths we usually walk. Just as a bird puts its foot into the snare to discover the trap too late we need to be watching!

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When I stopped this week to consider how I talk, I had to confess that sometimes I stretch facts because I am afraid of what others might think if they knew the truth. There have been times when I have omitted something in a document because I feared what might happen if every detail were known. Or I have failed to call a friend to apologize, because I was afraid of what they would say. These have all been snares in my life! I did not see them, but my loving Father in heaven did! He comes with His word, shows me the hidden snares and asks, “What are you afraid of?”

But instead of only disciplining me He gives me some good news in the second half of today’s verse; “But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe!” We do not have to worry what friends think, what neighbors say or what consequences we face; instead we can say, “But I trust the Lord”   God can free us from any snares. He will protect us and give us and keep us safe even in the face of our greatest fear!

 

Resting at The Well

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” John 4:6-7

When we think of the story of the woman at the well most of us picture a bucolic scene by some quiet spot among the lovely hills of Samaria. But more likely the scene at the well was busy with people coming and going because water is something that everyone needs. Often the case is made that the well was deserted at noontime and the woman was alone but it could have been a scene more like the pool of Bethesda with people crowding around on every side. Yet in that busy place Jesus rested and waited for one woman to come.

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If our day seems cluttered and overcrowded with no place to rest. Jesus reminds us that our outward circumstances have nothing to do with our ability to rest and wait. It is not only possible but desperately necessary for us to rest at a well at what may seem to be the most inopportune times. While we push forward in our activities with another cup of coffee or another shot of our favorite energy drink, Jesus is calling us to come to rest both physically and spiritually. You will need to rest and to wait by the well because someone is passing by who needs a drink of water that only He can give but only you are holding the cup.

 

 

Running to the Finish Line

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV

As a long distance runner in high school, I learned early on that my toughest competition came from my own body and mind. At the starting gun my mind wanted to race ahead but our coach had taught us to start slowly. When I paced myself I discovered that later on in the race, I still had the strength to press on to the final lap. My recent retirement followed by our move to Florida brought on far more stress and anxiety than I had imagined.

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Suddenly I had no lunch to pack, no schedule to keep and no one coming by. It felt as if the road I had been traveling on for most of my life was a dead end. I found myself sleepless with anxiety and fear swirling around me. There I remembered that Jesus as He had hung alone on the cross, had cried out, “My God My God why have you forsaken me?” With no one who could understand and no deliverance at hand He endured it all for me. Humbled and grateful I remembered His example and loving sacrifice. In that dark hour long ago, another man on a cross next to Jesus cried out in pain and fear. Then Jesus, put aside His own suffering, forgave him and promised to personally welcome him to paradise that day.

Prayer: Father – Help me to remember that You endured the terrible cross for me. Remind me that I don’t need to be afraid because just You are the beginning of my faith You have also promised to help me run all the way to its finish line.