daily IMPACT by selahV today

When Trouble Comes and You are Worried

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Rest in the Lord-- his watchcare, his love, his perfect plan. Know that He's got "this thing"...whatever it may be--He's got it, He's handling it. He knows your need long before you need it. He's not taken by surprise at the turmoil or obstacle in your path. He knows the temptations you will face and has prepared you to overcome them. Talk to Him this morning and let Him know your need of His presence and wisdom and discernment in your life. He is faithful. Remember, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Be thankful for His goodness and sustaining grace. ~selahVToday

When Broken and Needy

...we sometimes burrow into a hole of our own making to protect ourselves from the world which seems so cruel. 

so critical.

so judgmental and condemning.

We almost believe--in fact, we do believe--what others say about us. We absorb their rejection and trust in their picture of us. We try to correct it, to "photoshop" their image.  But we simply cannot change the way others see us sometimes.  Our tears, or smiles, make no difference.  Our noise or silence fails. But in time, God makes all things new. 

He takes

splatters and smears

and creates a masterpiece

from tears.  ~selahVToday

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When the Future Is in Doubt

Where can we go?  To the One who holds the future.

When your days seem threatened by broken dreams, difficult situations, and questions with no answers, life can be challenging.  When a marriage falls apart.  When friends stop speaking.  When health deteriorates and strength gives way to weakness.  It can be overwhelming.  However,

"I keep the Lord in mind always.
Because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken." Psalm 16: 8

No matter what the future holds, we can trust the LORD to keep us in the situations of life.  He loves us.  He knows our situations.  He knew them before we faced them and He knows what they will be tomorrow.  As we lean on Him, He will direct our paths and give us grace to meet the hours of trial.  We don't feel that way, but how we feel does not change God.  He is faithful.

"LORD, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future." Psalm 16:5

We often seek solutions and plan out in our minds what the best solution will be.  We try to help out God and reason that we can't sit idle and wait when we are capable of doing this or that.  So often, the Lord has other ideas about the solution and all we need do is rest in Him.  We don't need to jump out ahead of Him.  The best of our efforts is wasted energy in comparison to waiting on the timing of God and letting Him be our "portion".  The blessing He has in store is unequaled.  He holds our future and when He holds it, it is in good hands.  When your future is in doubt, rest in the presence of God. Am learning this lesson daily.

Living Life Victoriously

How in the world do we do that?

One thing is certain--we cannot do it alone.  Oh, people can be successful by following their own regimens to meet a goal, to master a portion of their lives-- to rid themselves of a bad habit, or solidify a good habit. But to actually live victoriously in the face of defeat and woefully frightening circumstances? people need more.

We need more than a close friend, a wise counselor, a tutor, a physician, a financial advisor.  We need God-- the Omnipotent all-powerful, Omniscient all-knowing God.  In Him and through Him we live life victoriously.  He is enough to meet our every need for victorious living. Thus it is important that we:

"Be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10

Be still; be still; be still. Stop thinking about your pressures, your anxieties, your problems, your difficulties. Take a few minutes and be still.  Center your mind on God.  Know that He is, has, and always will be God.  We aren't.  Our ideas of what life should be is not necessarily how God knows it to be, nor how He wants us to see life. Even when the things we do are seemingly "good" things. God still may have a different path on which He expects us to walk.  We may not understand it, but our responsibility is to walk as He walks and where He wants us to walk.

"Lean not to your own understanding"...instead-- "in all your ways acknowledge-- [receive, give recognition to, obey and yield to]-- Him and He shall direct your path."  Cease your struggling. Cease questioning. Cease resisting. Cease pulling and pushing and shoving and grappling. Cease. Be still and know. Cease believing in your own wit, wisdom, and winsome ways.  Cease and desist--halt what you're doing and do not take it up again.  INSTEAD...

Seize God and ingest Him--consume, take in and rest in Him-- no matter what waves break upon your shorelines.  Trust Him--bathe your mind in what you know in Him to be true as you are "still" before His throne of mercy, love and grace.  Remember God doesn't want us to do anything apart from Him. Remember what Jesus told his disciples after He was crucified? Wait until the Spirit comes and indwells you and empowers you. Victorious living is not struggling-- it is resting in Him and His ability-- not our own. Be still and know. God is and always will be God with you.   selahV

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It Dawned On Me

that every dawn is a miracle of God.

He doesn't have to give us another day.  This past weekend I sat and listened to multiple people share how God impacted their lives in the past and how they would like to see Him impact their lives in the future.  I shared a couple of thoughts myself.  But the overwhelming theme of the entire weekend of meetings, coffee klatches, and dinner fellowships was not so much about me. 

It was about others. 

It was about others coming to Jesus....about knowing Him.  Not just knowing Him as Savior, but knowing Him intimately, completely--as a constant companion and friend.  Wherever we go, whatever befalls us, and with whomever we meet. 

If you are anything like me, you can easily be caught in the web of fitting in.  I feel very disconnected from folks.  I don't go through the day planning every detail or event.  Oftentimes I don't even plan dinner.  I don't really have much of a schedule or routine.  I don't work outside the house anymore.  I don't have clubs or meetings or social engagements.  Most of my day is filled with happenstance moments.

One lady shared how she once read that Oswald Chambers wrote that "God engineers circumstances." 

I think that God not only engineers the circumstances of our lives, He works in us to fit the circumstances we face.  He knows where He wants to connect.  Sometimes we are on the receiving end of difficulty and God brings someone into our life to lean on, to guide us, to lend a hand and pull us out of a pit.  Sometimes we are on the giving end of a circumstance; we become the leaning post, the guide, the hand that God uses to deliver.

Every single morning that dawns, we find ourselves with opportunities to be His light throughout the day.  The beauty of this truth is we never walk alone in our efforts.  The light that shines forth from us is powered by the continual life we have in Him.  When we feel we live in the shadows, it's time to look for the "light" He is engineering through others to give us wings.

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
 even there Your hand will guide me,
    Your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:9-10

This morning I was writing a post on my other blog, SelahV Today.  It was a whimsey of thought about getting a kick-start on the day.  I wasn't feeling particularly "zest-filled" or "zeal-oriented".  I had no zany zip, either.  I often write to myself in the posts I pen.  I preach to me.  Just as I finished my post, my Sunday School teacher called.  She wanted to touch base with me.  It was a good feeling to have someone on the other end of the phone who cared about me--who wanted to know how I felt.  She became the light which brightened my shadowed mind and spirit.  God engineered a circumstance.  And I am grateful He used Elaine to show me He had His eye on me.  selahV

 

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WHEN WE ARE THIRSTY

we may not need what we think we need.

When we need a friend, we may need to be a friend.

When we need comfort, we may need to comfort another.

When we need encouragement, we may need to encourage another.

When we need love, we may need to love another.

When we need acceptance, we may need to accept another.

When we need mercy, we may need to be merciful.

When we need forgiveness, we may need to forgive someone.  WHY?

Because God says: "he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Proverbs 11:25  SO......

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What Concerns You?

An interview?  A bad report card?  A difficult boss?  Perhaps you are concerned about an unkind remark someone has said to you or someone you love.  Maybe you are worried because your family doesn't go to church together.  Perhaps you are missing someone you care about...someone far away.

Or maybe you just don't know if God cares.  If that is you, then this verse is for you:

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever--forsake not the works of Your own hands." Psalm 138:8

Think about this verse a moment.  The Lord will, not the Lord might--the Lord will perfect what concerns you.  Another thing to note is that some strange person doing an interview isn't going to perfect what concerns you.  Neither is an amiable boss. But God, Himself, will work things out for you.  God will have mercy upon you.  His loving-kindness surrounds you when others betray you or desert you.  The Lord will not forsake the work of His own hands.  He has made you.  He loves you and watches over you.  Memorize this verse and when you suffer a difficulty or trial, the Holy Spirit will bring it to your mind.  His gentle reminder will touch you.  Encourage you.  Give you the strength and courage you need for whatever comes your way.  selahV

When terror fills your heart

The bear cub rolled playfully in the sunshine of the mountain meadow.  Life was good.  In the distance a mountain lion lurked.  It licked its face in anticipation of breakfast; its jaws opened, wide.  A warning growl alerted the cub of the lion's presence.  The cub jumped up and ran frantically. The lion chased the frightened cub.  Across the boulder-strewn meadow, the cub raced to the edge of a cliff and onto a fallen tree stretched out over a roaring river.  Undeterred, the lion followed.  The terrified cub clung to the tip of the tree till his weight broke the end of the branch.  In the white rifts of water, the cub struggled to find solid ground.  When he did, the lion pounced to the cub's side.  The giant cat extended his claws and drew blood from the cub's nose.  The cub stood tall and began to roar.  The lion backed down and stopped slapping the cub.  Standing behind the roaring cub, a few yards away, a huge mother bear's roar joins her cub's wails.  The lion ran away.

We may relate well to that cub.  We do not live in a perfect world.  Troubles abound.  Threats are real.  Life roars and hearts race wildly with fear.  Circumstances so grip us, we run for exits, seek safety nets, or cower in corners.  Perhaps you've been there.  Maybe you are there now.  You feel helpless; but running is not an option.  There is no where to run.  What should you do?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Joshua faced many fears in his lifetime.  He stood firm.  When he did, he found he was not alone.  Threats are nothing to God.  He stands behind us and joins us in our battles--wherever we go.  He commands us to be strong and courageous.  Of course we will have fears as a result of threats to our well-being.  But God tells us not to be terrified, and don't be discouraged.  God is with us.  In darkness, in storms, in unseen threats, and visible enemies.  Courage stands up like the cub in the face of his fear.  It stops running, it stands and roars in the strength of God protection and watchcare.  selahV

WHY?

I don’t understand. It makes no sense. It’s not fair. What did she do to deserve this? How could this be a good thing? What good could come of this?

Ever hear those statements made or questions asked?

I have. In fact, I’ve asked and stated them all, at one time or another in my life—more so, when faced with the unanswerable circumstances. Yet occasionally, the same things pop into my mind and sometimes I entertain their presence for a second or two. Sometimes longer. Praise the Lord that He has left me His Spirit to guide me through the stages of bringing them under the captivity of Christ. Dwelling on the unanswerable leads to places I dare not walk alone. It hurts where I go and when I get there and even when I try to return back from whence I came. So best not to release the thoughts to the devil’s hands.

Why do the horrors, abuses, losses and destruction meet us every day? In part, it is sin. Sin has wiped out the perfect world God once planned for man. There is another answer, though:

“Whether it be for correction or for His earth generally or for His mercy and loving-kindness, He causes it to come.” Job 37:13 Amplified

It comes from God for our good and for His purpose. More times than not, we will know the purpose. It is the lesser times we find ourselves questioning that we must accept God is God, and His purpose is His to do as He sees fit.

“[Everything under the heavens is Mine; therefore, who can have a claim against God?]“ Job 41:34c Amplified

God giveth and God taketh away. He blessed me with two sons. He took them away. They were not mine to own forevermore in this earthly life. Yet, in knowing Him, I will always know them in my heart and in eternity. I cannot tell you how I railed against my Lord for what I perceived a horrible mistake on His part. But, His loving-kindness, mercy and grace covered even that weakness of my flesh and He is glorified in any strength shown from it. selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, hariette petersen, Nov. 27, 2007] 

SOMEONE'S BEEN PRAYING FOR ME

Deep inside my heart, I know.  There is a bubbling excitement that is unexplainable.  The shadows of oppression have lifted.  The joy of the Lord is fully pulsating throughout my being.  Life is exactly as it's been the last 4 years--fraught with trials, filled with struggles, and crowded with obstacles.

Health is deteriorating.  Financial pressure is mounting.  Life in general has not changed.  By all accounts, I should be depressed and weary.  The future looks bleak, but I feel so happy I could shout for joy.  God is doing something extra-special within me.  He gave me a song to sing all day today: "Jesus is the Answer".  I sang it as I leisurely shopped in Wal-Mart and carefully purchased food for the month.  When the total rang up, I about choked.  I'd gone over budget.  But that's okay.

Life is so sweet.  I feel incredibly content.  Nothing seems impossible.  I know the simple things I suffer are so small in comparison to others' difficulties, and those of my Lord long ago.  I am so blessed to have people praying for me.  It's a reality some call foolishness.  Yet, I am not ashamed to claim His promises; "...for I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him until that day." 2 Timothy 1:12  selahV