Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Dec 14, 2013 9:34:10 GMT -6
"Let not your heart be troubled..." It's a command. I had never thought of it that way before... and I had always read it in the plural..."hearts". It is singular "heart". It is for me.
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
I have a running battle with depression...realizing that I have that kind of peace...you have no idea how that caused my head to jerk around...and look up. What a load that lifted from my shoulders and from my heart...even if it was just for an instant. When I am down...in the pits...I will think on that verse.
"...Let not your heart be troubled...peace...I give to you" His peace...
Had a Sunday School teacher when I was a child who told me...write your name and todays date at the top of every page you read in the Bible...because it was written for you and for today.
Grace and peace...His Peace.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Jan 16, 2014 10:26:05 GMT -6
Posted this over on FB yesterday...thought I would share it here too because several of us seem to be going thru some rough times right now...over on FB it always asks..."What's on your mind today?" Here is my answer...
"This is on my mind today. Was reminded by three good friends and brothers of something. Been going thru a very trying time. Someone said just hang tight and try to figure out what lesson the Lord has to teach. Well after hanging tight for a month waiting for an end to the struggle...I realized this. I was losing hope...and Job and Jeremiah brought some valuable lessons to my mind.
The story of Job is well known. He had lost everything and didn't know why but he never gave up on the Lord and said this about Him..."And tho He slay me, yet will I follow him."
Jeremiah...the prophet...story may not be as well known. He had prophesied the fall of Judah and Jerusalem for years...and when it finally happened he found himself sitting outside the walls of the burning temple in the middle of death and destruction and this is what he thought, "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentation 3:21-23
Thought about what my Dad and Grandfather said. Dad always said, "it is darkest before the dawn"...and my Grandfather said "life ain't neither fair nor foul...it just is."
My hope is in the Lord...so I will put one foot in front of the other and walk on.
And that, dear hearts and gentle people, who live and love in my home town, is what's on my mind today.
Oh yeah...the third friend and brother is a fella name of Tim Bowes...thanks Tim.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Jan 16, 2014 10:28:36 GMT -6
But it didn't stop there...
"Sometimes stuff just happens...kinda like with Job. You see Job wasn't privy to the meeting between the God and Satan in the throne room in Heaven. The one where Satan shows up with the rest of the angels...marches himself right into the throne room with everyone else. You say...wait a minute, Satan isn't an angel...well, yes he is. He is a fallen angel...He probably is often in the throne room accusing the saints of wrong doings...and he roams around on the earth but he has never been to Hell. Not yet anyway.
So Satan marches into the throne room with some of his outfit and Lord says, "Hello Satan, where ya been?" Satan says..."down on the earth walking to and fro." Lord says "have ya seen my servant Job? He's a good man, stays out of trouble, and loves me." Satan said "sure he does because you give him everything. Let me have at him and I bet he won't." So God said, "OK, but ya can't kill him."
I think that sometimes happens to us...we weren't in the throne room and so didn't hear the exchange between God and Satan...bad stuff happens but we don't have a clue why.
But what wonderful lessons we can learn if we humble ourselves...the trials and troubles can strengthen our faith and draw us even closer to God. When God asked Satan the initial question he knew what Job would do...Job would not curse God and die...he would turn to God in faith."
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Jan 16, 2014 14:14:46 GMT -6
My hope is in the Lord...so I will put one foot in front of the other and walk on. Amen!
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Feb 1, 2014 10:59:15 GMT -6
I don't know...maybe it is winter being so hard...and the furnace going out...and the busted water pipe in the kitchen that sent water down the heat ducts...so now I am running the furnace on a warm day to dry the ducts out burning expensive oil...not knowing if it has done damage to the furnace or not...am out of propane from heating with it when the furnace went out, and it has gone up so high I am not looking forward to what it is going to cost to refill the tank, or the fact that a cat may have gotten trapped under my house and died there...and it goes on and on and one...
Now I am afraid to leave my house and don't want to stay...I am not going anywhere my dogs can't go and Pete with his arthritis and cataracts can't really go much of anywhere...
I feel like Job. I don't understand why all this is going on...and happening to a person who is prone to depression and I can feel myself slipping over the edge back into that dark pit...
Thought maybe if I wrote about it I could get it out of my system and go on...feel like that commercial...I've fallen down and I can't get up. Lord, I believe...please help my unbelief, but right now I feel like He is looking the other way. I don't want Him to ever leave me...where would I go, and what would I do?
I hope and pray things will get better for me...and for all of us. This winter has been hard in so many ways.
There is nothing for me to do but keep on praying.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2014 13:00:07 GMT -6
Many times during Israel's trials they were reminded that this or that trial shall pass . . . so, I believe it can be said with confidence that this also shall pass. You'll have another reason to brag on God for He got you through it. While lost folk would likely be cussing and fretting, children of God know to take the bad along with the good and be thankful that it isn't worse than it is.
About this time next year you'll be laughing about all this.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Feb 1, 2014 14:44:48 GMT -6
Thanks Virgil...always a good friend.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Feb 27, 2014 10:06:18 GMT -6
This ...hit the spot and I thought I would share it as it might bring some peace to others who have had a bad winter...
"Thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation." — Psalm 91:9
The Israelites in the wilderness were continually exposed to change. Whenever the pillar stayed its motion, the tents were pitched; but tomorrow, ere the morning sun had risen, the trumpet sounded, the ark was in motion, and the fiery, cloudy pillar was leading the way through the narrow defiles of the mountain, up the hillside, or along the arid waste of the wilderness. They had scarcely time to rest a little before they heard the sound of "Away! this is not your rest; you must still be onward journeying towards Canaan!" They were never long in one place. Even wells and palm trees could not detain them. Yet they had an abiding home in their God, His cloudy pillar was their roof-tree, and its flame by night their household fire.
They must go onward from place to place, continually changing, never having time to settle, and to say, "Now we are secure; in this place we shall dwell." "Yet," says Moses, "though we are always changing, Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place throughout all generations."
The Christian knows no change with regard to God. He may be rich to-day and poor to-morrow; he may be sickly to-day and well to-morrow; he may be in happiness to-day, to-morrow he may be distressed-but there is no change with regard to his relationship to God. If He loved me yesterday, He loves me to-day. My unmoving mansion of rest is my blessed Lord. Let prospects be blighted; let hopes be blasted; let joy be withered; let mildews destroy everything; I have lost nothing of what I have in God.
He is "my strong habitation whereunto I can continually resort." I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation.
Charles Hadden Spurgeon...
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Feb 27, 2014 10:11:12 GMT -6
Amen, amen and amen.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Apr 15, 2014 17:26:12 GMT -6
In studying for the Sunday School lesson this Sunday, Easter Sunday...learned two things and wanted to share. The lesson comes from Mark 15-16...and I read and re-read those chapters.
First thing that hit me is that Jesus wasn't able to carry the cross beam of the Cross...and so a stranger in the crowd was tapped by a Roman soldier to carry the cross. Jesus didn't carry the cross for 2 reasons. It was not His cross, it was my cross. I am the one who deserves to go to Hell.
And secondly, Jesus is showing us that taking up our cross doesn't mean gritting out teeth and being miserable. It means letting the Cross do to us exactly what it did to Him when caused Him to fall on His knees and allow another to bear it...
Then I read on to verse 24, "And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take."
Even today, as small as the world has gotten, our clothes identify our different cultures more than any other single feature. Jesus was stripped of every article of the clothing He was wearing before He was nailed to the Cross. He shed every identifying mark of any culture...and in doing so, became the Savior for all the world.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Feb 27, 2015 8:54:10 GMT -6
Almost a year since I have written here. Thought about it often tho. The cave on Higher ground...have always pictured a place high on a mountain top over looking a beautiful green valley. A peaceful place to come and pray and think...secular world would call it "my happy place."
But I am not always happy when I come to my cave on higher ground. "Higher Ground" a favorite hymn...when I hear the joyful sound of saints on Higher Ground...I want to go to higher ground...be a better person and a better Christian. Realize that means surrendering more of me to Jesus...hard to do sometimes.
Have so much to pray for Lord, I hardly know where to start. Worried about so many things and am unable to let them go. Most are material things...things of this world. My house and repairs verses selling, my car and a battle with car troubles, hard winter...and my aging body. Hate to admit the aches and pains and try to keep Caleb in mind...so I ask, "Lord give me this mountain."
Praying for my children and grandchildren. Lord I sometimes think You get tired of my asking for their health, happiness, safety...and most of all salvation. Then the Holy Spirit reminds me of the woman and the judge. So I pray for all 6 of them. I pray they can remain employed at work they enjoy...I pray my grandchildren have all the things they need and some things they just want...I pray they all come to know and love You. I pray You will call them all to You, and keep them close. I ask to include my sister in that prayer.
The things going on in this world today have me going between anger and sadness...frustration and utter disbelief...I know it is going to get worse...have steadily seen it doing so, especially over the past few years and months...I am praying for the Syrian Christians and other Christians in the path of ISIS and the other terrorist groups. Sometimes it is hard for me to grasp that you would allow people like ISIS to kill your people...Christians and Jews in such horrid and savage ways. I know there is a plan and I look forward to a day when I can see it and understand. Till then I pray your grace and love will envelope them like a warm blanket on a very cold night...They are surely giving the rest of us the strength and courage to stand up for You, Lord.
There is so much more Lord, prayers for the special friends in my life. Prayers for friends burying loved ones...Things I am thankful for, things I want to do, but I know You know my heart...and...
I pray as always, for the peace of Jerusalem...and pray in the Name of the One Who will bring it, in Jesus Name, Amen.
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Feb 27, 2015 9:45:24 GMT -6
Amen.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Feb 27, 2015 23:54:25 GMT -6
End of the day Lord. It was a good day...quiet winter day. My Granddaughter is here to spend the night...am so thankful for my children and grandchildren. Thankful for my dogs Preacher, and Coops, my Beta fish, and my wonderful old Danview.
Thank you for the deer tracks in the snow in my front yard...and for the birds that so amuse Coops at the bird feeder...and for the neighbor's cat who sleeps in the chair on my front porch...
Thank you for a peaceful day...and now I lay me down to sleep...I pray to You my soul to keep...and if I die before I wake...I pray that I will see Your face.
And if I live another day...I pray that you will show the way...
Thank you Lord, Amen.
One other thing Lord before I go up to bed. I pray for the Christian brothers and sisters taken by ISIS. I know they are afraid...I know You are there...and I pray for them.
Goodnight Lord...
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Feb 28, 2015 8:11:02 GMT -6
Good Morning Lord,
Slept well...
the other night at 11 at night heard the VDOT plow plowing my road...at 8:00am today heard the oil man making his rounds. Saw the mailman everyday regardless of the weather making the rounds. Thank you Lord for those people. Please watch over them and keep them safe.
Lord I pray for all the friends and family who have had people they love die over the past two weeks...so many of them, and for people who are very sick and their families...several families are standing by family and friends who are dying. Please be with them and give them the grace to get thru and peace.
Please Lord, forgive my sins. I know I do things that I shouldn't and don't do some things I should...I know sin separates us from you and I don't want to be separated. So please forgive me of all my sins.
Before I go to read the news Lord...please grant me the grace and peace to read and discern. The world today is a place full of rot and sin...death and destruction. There are pockets of peace and beauty but they are getting to be fewer and further between. I pray for my country. Am very worried for the United States. I understand that everything is going according to your plan but still...I love my country and so I pray for it, for our churches, for our government, and for a revival.
Lord, I want to pray for the Jews and Israel...and for Jews and Christians all over the Middle East. I also want to pray for the leaders of the countries of the Middle East. I pray they will be able to bring ISIS to a standstill. Lord I know You are in control of that situation but still I pray for a good outcome.
Lord I pray for my family and for my friends. I pray especially for the unsaved among them and in the world. I pray for those people who are trying to take the gospel message into places dangerous and dark...and know some of those places are right in my own backyard...and that as Christians, are all those people.
I pray for a good day...one of those deep winter "undays" when stuff gets done...and nothing bad happens.
I pray in Jesus Name...always, Amen
|
|
DB
Senior Member
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Posts: 738
|
Post by DB on Feb 28, 2015 18:22:29 GMT -6
Amen Ms. Duck, and thank you! Enjoy the read as always..
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Feb 28, 2015 22:28:02 GMT -6
It was an uneventful day...Lord, one of those undays. Thank you for that. Know we should enjoy deep winter days. Not a lot to do but maintain, but I still can't help but feel there are things I should be doing. Spring is coming and there will be too much to do so we should enjoy the undays.
Hearing on the weather about the storms all across the country. Praying the ice passes us by. Stars out right now...and the moonlight is pretty on the snow.
Lord, I know You have a way of calling us out of our comfort zones to get us rolling with things important to You. I am praying along with the tasks You give us to do...You will lead and guide us as we do them. Am so afraid of failing. Always remember what a brother told me, that You don't ask for success...what You are asking for is obedience...so will step out there and will try. You have certainly given me some interesting things to do.
Praying the weather will allow us all to go to and from Church tomorrow safely...looking forward to starting our study of the Minor Prophets.
Goodnight Lord,
Amen.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Mar 1, 2015 7:34:01 GMT -6
Good Morning Lord...got ice today so no church. I am really missing church and all the things we do there. The winter weather is causing so many things to be canceled. Looking forward to warm, green, bird songs, buttercups...and bare feet!
I am looking forward to another day at home tho...know they are numbered now in more ways than one. Spring brings a flurry of activities. Painting and fixing around the house, meetings, trips to different places...am looking forward to most of that too. And then there is that call that is coming...
Had someone on my mind for a few days. He is a friend of my children's...and appears to be going thur a midlife crisis of some kind. Left his wife and family but back home now. Very depressed...has not been saved. I am praying that this rough spell is You...calling to him. I pray he will answer.
Praying that spring will come soon...winter has turned nasty and bleak.
Praying for Mr. Netanyahu and his speech in Congress on Tuesday. It appears the majority of the people in this country support Israel and some of the government officials...I pray You will take into account that we are standing behind Israel...and the American people remain Her ally. I pray for both of our countries and for all of us...and for our leaders.
I pray in Jesus Name, Amen.
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Mar 1, 2015 9:40:19 GMT -6
Amen.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,166
|
Post by Murph on Mar 1, 2015 10:26:12 GMT -6
Heard Mike Huckabee refer to Israel as "the canary in the coal mine"...if something happens to Israel the US is not far behind...
thought that was a apt analogy...and one possible outcome.
But it looks like to me it could go either way too. Knock out the US and we can't respond to an attack on Israel...
|
|
|
Post by Keith on Mar 1, 2015 10:31:14 GMT -6
Good comparison. Can hardly wait for Bibi's speach!
|
|