Just thoughts

Decided to share some of my thoughts (and of others too) gained through Bible and devotional study the past few months.

*Talking to Christ about others helps us to talk to others about Christ.

*God's peace comes to us when we talk to God about everything that comes in our lives -- our needs, our wants, our fears, our desires, Everything! We experience His peace when we do not stray from focusing on Him alone. Some of you may remember the phrase, "Don't worry, be happy." Well, how about instead, "Don't worry ... tell God, thank God, praise God, be at peace with God."

* The fears you have may be Satan's darts, but they can come true. Then what!? God still knows -- the beginning, the end and the middle. Even when your fear becomes reality, the devil hasn't won. God is aware -- follow Him and He will guide you out of the struggle, the burden you are striving to overcome by yourself. No one person can do it alone! But God can.

* You're headed in the right direction when you walk with God.

*Thoughts that are not true or real are mere speculations.

*Jesus Himself showed us that without God we won't accomplish anything of lasting value.

*God's gift of Himself to us is a present we will always be unwrapping ... 365 days a year.

*The birth of Christ brought God to mankind. The cross of Christ brings mankind to God.

*We should be alert for the Lord's presence when we least expect to see Him.

*Faith in Christ will keep us steady in the stormy sea of change.

*God can turn any difficulty into an opportunity.

*Quiet times with God store up power for future emergencies.

"Just as the winter turns to spring,
Our lives have changing seasons too;
So when a gloomy forecast comes,
Remember -- God has plans for you."
(David Sper, editor with RBC Ministries/Our Daily Bread)

Protective shelter

With the April "Our Daily Bread" came an insert by Mart De Haan about coneys or rock badgers. It wasn't so much 'about' them as it was about the wisdom they possess in the face of danger and the human similarities. Rocks are a place of refuge for the coney. They know where to go for protective shelter. God instilled in them this knowledge; thus they don't wander around when danger is lurking wondering what to do. They know what to do and do it.

We humans could learn a thing or two from this "feeble" animal (Proverbs 30:26). As Christians, God has instilled in us the knowledge of where to go, yet we, unfortunately, do wander around and do wonder. We know what to do, yet we do not do it. As De Haan says, for Christians, our protective shelter is "in Christ."

Because of His death and resurrection for all of mankind, those who seek His protection are:

1. forgiven of their sins (Ephesians 1:7)
2. declared to be right with God through justification (Romans 3:24) and reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)
3. hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
4. forever protected by the love of God (Romans 8:39)
5. recipients of God's consolation, comfort, fellowship and mercy (Philippians 2:1)

He is the One who is our rock, our refuge, our stronghold. In Him alone lies our power. Without Him, we are nothing.
We may think we can do great things, but in the end, anything and all is only with and through the Lord.

God knows all that is in the world. He knows what every single person is doing, going to do or has done. He has allowed trauma in our midst -- natural catastrophes like tornado/hurricane/typhoon, floods, earthquakes, mudslides, volcanic eruptions; economic woes; health.

Being "in Christ" doesn't mean the traumas we face go away. It does mean, however, that by abiding with Christ, living for Him, making Him top dog (so to speak), the concerns, traumas we face will be easier to deal with, because we have Christ in control, not us.

The coney goes to the rocks for its protection, its refuge. Our safety net is Christ.

'In Christ,' De Haan says, "we are in the best possible position to weather the financial, social and medical storms of life. We have the assurance of God's presence and love regardless of our circumstances. We are in the best place to hear Jesus tell us not to worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?"

David's cry from Psalm 61: 1-4 (NKJ) can be your cry too.

"Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings."