In step

[RiverOL]

Psalm 23 (30 July 2019)
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.
(Psalm 23.2-3)

Reflect:
An important part of a shepherd’s role, was to consider provision of food, water and places to rest. This part of the Psalm can refer to sheep that need retrieving because they are lost or reviving because they are tired. God is committed to restoring and renewing us.

Respond:
Where can you find a place of rest today? Jesus was incredibly busy, but took time out to be alone with his Father. Where and when can you do this today?

Midday Meditation:
Lord, we do not know what today or this week may bring, but you do. We rest in your plan and in your goodness. Help us surrender control to you rather than trying to take it into our own hands. Amen.

Evening Reflection:
Our Father,
Thank you for the rest you can bring. Help us remember that true rest for our souls is only found with you. Often times we are too busy. Help us slow down and give our souls time to rest. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Well Done

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'"1

Theodore Roosevelt said, "It's not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of good deeds could have done better.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena: Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again…

"Who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause…

"Who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement…

"And who, at worst, if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Every one of us has been given at least one talent; many have been given several. Regardless of whether we have one or many talents, what is important is to use well what God has given and entrusted to us and therewith give life our best shot.

Remember, too: "Only one life 'twill soon be past / Only what's done for Christ will last."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, grant that I will so live today that when I stand before you face to face, I will hear your welcoming words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

 

[RiverOL]

Psalm 23
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.
(Psalm 23.3)

Reflect:
God alone is our true north. He alone can lead us in ways that are right and good for us. Right paths are those that lead us to him. However in our weakness we are often tempted astray and as the hymn ‘Come Thou Font of Every Blessing’ says: ‘prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.‘ Which wrong roads or paths have you taken recently? Lord please lead us in good ways today and forgive our weakness and shortcomings.

Respond:
Confession is a wonderful gift to us when we have wandered. Confess wrong attitudes, thoughts and actions before God today and if it would be helpful – to a friend or someone else that you trust.
‘Precious Saviour, why do I fear your scrutiny? Yours is an examen of love. Still, I am afraid…afraid of what may surface. Even so, I invite you to search me to the depths so that I may know myself – and you – in fuller measure.’ (Richard Foster, Prayer)

Midday Meditation:
Be thou my wisdom and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I, Thy true son.
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
(From the Hymn ‘Be Thou My Vision’)

Evening Reflection:
I pray to you, Lord! Please listen when I pray and hurry to help me.
Think of my prayer as sweet-smelling incense, and think of my lifted hands as an evening sacrifice.
(From Psalm 141)

 

[RiverOL]

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

"What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me."1

If I fear that I will get sick, dwell on it, and believe it, chances are more than likely that I will get sick. If I fear that I am going to be rejected and believe it, I will act in such a way to set myself up to be rejected and, like Job, the thing I fear will happen to me.

If because of a fear of failure, criticism, of not being perfect, and so on, I never step outside my comfort zone and take risks to achieve what God envisioned for me to do, I will never discover what I could achieve with my life.

Personally speaking, if I feel strongly about a project and sense God is leading me to do this, I would rather try, put it to the test, and even fail rather than through fear of failure never step out to follow my God-given life purpose and dream. I appreciate the words of the unknown poet who wrote:

I would rather stumble a thousand times
Attempting to reach a goal,
Than to sit in a crowd
In my weather-proof shroud
A shriveled and self-satisfied soul.

I would rather be doing and daring
All of my error filled days,
Than watching, and waiting, and dying
Smug in my perfect ways.

I would rather wonder and blunder,
Stumbling blindly ahead,
Than for safety's sake
Lest I make a mistake
Be sure, be safe, be dead.

As I suggested to a friend recently, let your decisions about what to do be based on love for serving God and others, and never on your fears.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I admit my fears and I bring them all to you. Grant that all of my decisions will be based on direction from and love for serving you, and never on my fears. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

 

[RiverOL]

Psalm 23
Morning Encounter:
Read:
I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid.
(Psalm 23.4)

Reflect:
The ‘right paths’ may take us through dark valleys as well as green pastures. A dark valley could refer to a time proceeding death, but could also include a dark place where we try to cover up wrong actions, rebellion against God, confusion, sadness, or lonely places. It is a rich phrase that includes all of life’s overwhelming experiences. God’s presence with us remains and he may be inviting us to draw ever closer to him.

Respond:
What overwhelming times are you or people you know going through today? Bring them before God in prayer and ask for his presence, help and guidance.

Midday Meditation:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Through Jesus Christ. Amen."

Evening Reflection:
"God of the day and of the night, in me there is darkness, but with you there is light. I am alone, but you will not leave me. I am weak, but you will come to my help. I am restless, but you are my peace. I am in haste, but you are the God of infinite patience. I am confused and lost, but you are eternal wisdom and you direct my path; now and forever. Amen."
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

 

[RiverOL]

Speak Responsibly

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Let all that you do be done in love—1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Whether it’s two of us or twelve of us or more, when we gather in Christian community, we’re to speak truth to one another, truth motivated by love (Ephesians 4:15). Truth in love—it sounds simple, actually . . . straightforward. And sometimes it is. Many times, though, it’s anything but simple or straightforward. And, in those times, we men don’t typically fare too well. I mean, the mess and complexity of life can make speaking truth in love daunting and uncomfortable—for example, when it requires we challenge a brother or admonish him; when it requires we call-out a brother or call him back from sin. So it’s a rare group of men indeed who are willing to speak truth in love even when it’s hard. We’ve got to be that kind of men.

For us to be that kind, though, we must first be another kind: men who take time to know one another. You see, except in a few cases, it’s irresponsible to “speak truth” to any man without knowing his story. We’re one body, all following our King, Jesus Christ, but we’re also all different, with different designs, different functions, different experiences (Romans 12:4-5). For community to work, for truth to flow properly, we must understand and appreciate each other. And we begin by telling our stories. If we don’t begin there, we’re likely to damage community and to do damage to each other—like when we give advice and try to “fix” a person, or a situation, we don’t fully understand.



Do you know your brothers’ stories? If you haven’t already, give each man an hour—at least—to tell his story, completely. Have each man start at the beginning and bring his story current. Encourage transparency. Ask no questions. Give no advice. Just listen.

 

[RiverOL]

Psalm 23
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe.
(Psalm 23.4)

Reflect:
The Psalm begins with the Good Shepherd leading the sheep from the front. Here in the place of darkness the emphasis is on the shepherd alongside the sheep and escorting them through the valley. The rod is an instrument of defence (protection) or sometimes used to rescue sheep, perhaps dragging them out of a river or a thicket.

Respond:
Whenever you feel overwhelmed today, dwell on these words of comfort. Remind yourself that God is with you today and he cares for you.

Midday Meditation:
Precious Lord, faithful Shepherd, whether in meadows of the brightest light or valleys of the darkest night, may your loving grip hold me secure. Amen.
(Songs for Renewal)

Evening Reflection:
Our Father, we praise you for the day you gave us! Please guard us tonight and help us wake up ready to be transformed by you tomorrow. Holy Spirit, lead and guide us. We surrender our desire to be in control. Thank you for the joy you produce in us! Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

On Boulders and Knapsacks

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ … for each one should carry his own load."1

In one breath Paul says that we should bear each other's burdens, and in the next breath he says that every man should bear his own burden. Is he talking out of both sides of his mouth?

Actually Paul is referring to two types of burdens. The first means a large boulder, the weight of which is too heavy for any one person to carry alone.

The second refers to a knapsack size burden that one can readily carry himself. In other words, we need to help people when their load is too heavy to bear alone but not when they can handle it quite well by themselves.

However, those who are "takers" can be adept at getting those of us who are "care-takers" hooked into feeling sorry for them and we end up taking responsibility for their knapsack. What we need to do is to walk away and leave their knapsack for them to carry. They may get nasty and mean when we do this, but if we don't walk away from them, we become a part of their sickness.

To do this can be very unnerving at first. Long-standing patterns never surrender without a struggle, but helping people help themselves when they are fully capable of doing so is the kindest and most loving thing we can do for them—regardless of what our feelings "tell" us. By developing healthy boundaries to protect ourselves from being used, in time we will feel good about what we have done—or what we have stopped doing—because we will know that we have done the right and healthy thing. Plus, when we allow ourselves to be used, we make ourselves angry and upset and feel badly about ourselves—and understandably so.

So here's a paraphrased edition of what Paul said: "Help carry one another's boulders but don't carry their knapsacks for them."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, give me a discerning heart so I know when to help a brother or sister with their boulder, and when I need to quit carrying knapsacks for people who are quite able of carrying their own knapsack. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name."

 

[RiverOL]

Psalm 23
Morning Encounter:
You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honour me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.
(Psalm 23.5)

Reflect:
To feast is to celebrate God’s goodness in his presence. The Psalm moves from the metaphor of shepherd to king. To be a guest of the King, to have a place at ‘his table’ (as it says in other translations) is a sign of honour. If you are feeling soul weary today then reflect on these words a little longer.

Respond:
As you take time to eat and drink today, make time to be thankful. Eat slowly; enjoy the simple gift of food and the ability to taste. Reflect on the energy and strength that food and drink provide. Why not plan a proper feast or celebration for another time this week?

Midday Meditation:
“The key, then, to loving God is to see Jesus, to hold him before the mind with as much fullness and clarity as possible. It is to adore him.”
(Dallas Willard)

Evening Reflection:
Lord Most High,
Today was a difficult day for some of us. For others it was good and pleasant. Regardless of what this past day brought, Lord, we come to you tonight in need of your peace. As we sit in your presence this evening please give comfort and encouragement where needed while also instructing and training us where necessary. You are our hope and our joy! Help us to place all of our trust in you. We can't do it all on our own. Help us surrender the things to which we cling so tightly. We trust you, Father. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

The Safest Road to Hell

Jesus said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."1

C. S. Lewis wisely pointed out that "The safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without guideposts."

The danger is that good people can be lost and on their way to Hell without knowing it. For instance, Nicodemus, the Jewish religious leader, was a good man. He asked Jesus a question about God and, ignoring his question, Jesus told him that there was only one way to see the kingdom of God, and that was, "You must be born again." Understandably, Nicodemus was confused and asked Jesus for an explanation. Simply put, Jesus was saying that to enter earth we were born physically; similarly, to enter God's kingdom—including Heaven—we have to be born spiritually. Jesus added that unless we are born spiritually, we wouldn't even see the Kingdom of Heaven let alone enter it.2

And how can we be born spiritually? 1) By admitting that we have sinned and are guilty before God; 2) By believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins; and 3) By inviting Jesus Christ to come into our heart and life as personal Lord and Savior, and asking God for his forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.

For help to do this, please read "God's Invitation to accept his full and free pardon," on line at: www.actsweb.org/invitation.php.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for explaining to Nicodemus, a good man and a religious leader, that he, too, needed to be born again spiritually to enter your kingdom of Heaven. Please help me to know for certain that I am born again and will be with you in Heaven when my life's work is ended. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Mathew 10: 28 (NIV).
2. See John 3:3, 5 and 7 (NKJV)

 

[RiverOL]

Psalm 23
Morning Encounter:
Read:
Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.
(Psalm 23.6)

Reflect:
Whilst there could be a sense of destination or of journeying home at the end of this Psalm, the emphasis isn’t on the end of our lives – but rather this is our life now. Dallas Willard liked the phrase ‘eternal living’ which has in our own lives, already begun. It is a life lived in ‘interactive, co-operative and communicative relationship with God in God’s present and coming kingdom.

Respond:
How can you live today with constant or at least regular interaction with God? How can you remind yourself today of his constant kindness and love?

Midday Meditation:
"All during the day, in the chinks of time between the things we find ourselves obliged to do, there are the moments when our minds ask: ‘What next?’ In these chinks of time, ask Him: ‘Lord, think Thy thoughts in my mind. What is on Thy mind for me to do now?’ When we ask Christ, ‘What next?’ we tune in and give Him a chance to pour His ideas through our enkindled imagination. If we persist, it becomes a habit."
(Frank Laubach)

Evening Reflection:
You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you. I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.
(From Psalm 63)

 

[RiverOL]

Squinting Through the Fog

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God
. . . and it will be given him—James 1:5

God knows what’s right in every circumstance. We do not. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12). And yet, God installs us as decision-makers nonetheless. He intends us to struggle through, and answer, tough questions throughout our lives: Should I take the job? Should I marry the girl? Am I becoming the man God intends me to become? How should I deal with pain and fear and temptation? Tough questions, indeed. Huge implications.

King Solomon was an epic decision-maker. God told him, “I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you” (1 Kings 3:12). Fortunately for the rest of us, Solomon passed along some of that God-given wisdom, in the form of the Book of Proverbs.

For tough questions, Solomon wrote, we must look first to God (Proverbs 3:5-6). One way to do that, since he empowers us as agents of his wisdom, is actually to look to our brothers in Christian community (Proverbs 11:14; James 5:19-20). Wrote Solomon, “a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). Counsel from other men is one of our most powerful tools. We needn’t use it for every question. But, for the toughest ones, we must.



Gather some men—two or three, at least, probably not more than five or six—who know you and with whom you’ll be transparent. Plan for an hour or two. Describe your situation—the question, the background, the possible courses of action. Ask them to discern with you, not to judge. Encourage them to ask questions and help you search for wisdom. I bet you’ll be surprised before the end.

 

[RiverOL]

All Welcome
Morning Encounter:
Introduction
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus deals with the big questions of his day – and of ours today. What is the good life? How do I live well? How do I become a good person? What we have in the ‘Sermon’ is teaching from Jesus about how to live in the Kingdom of God, for now and for all eternity. Much of what we discover this week has been inspired by Dallas Willard who gifted us with an extraordinary vision of life in the kingdom of God. Follow along this week as we dip into the greatest sermon ever told by the greatest person who ever lived.

Read:
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the side of a mountain and sat down. Jesus' disciples gathered around him, and he taught them: God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven! God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort! God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them! God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want! God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy! God blesses those people whose hearts are pure.

They will see him! God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children! God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven. God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.
(Matthew 5.1-12)

Reflect:
Jesus’ favourite teaching theme was the kingdom of God. He spoke about this more than any other subject. In Jesus’ day people believed that only Jewish, male, religiously upright, healthy and wealthy people could enter the kingdom of God – everyone else was excluded. Time and time again, Jesus blessed the poor, the sick, the women and children. He demonstrated that all people are included and welcome. Jesus was turning the values of the world upside down.

Respond:
You are welcome, however near or far from God today to draw near to him. Reflect on people in your life that may feel far from God, whose lives seem far too disastrous to be blessed by God and pray for them.

Midday Meditation:
‘The religious system of His day left the multitudes out, but Jesus welcomed them all into His kingdom. Anyone could come as well as any other. They still can. That is the gospel of the beatitudes. Thus by proclaiming blessed those who in the human order are thought hopeless, and by pronouncing woes over those human beings regarded as well off, Jesus opens the kingdom of the heavens to everyone.’
(Dallas Willard The Divine Conspiracy)

Evening Reflection:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

 

[RiverOL]

Hello, Lord

"Pray without ceasing."1

Ivor Bailey prayed: "I enjoy talking to you every night, Lord. I tell you what's on my mind—the things that bug me, the people I meet, the challenges I face, questions I can't answer.

"Because you're my friend, I don't feel I have to dress up or use out-dated language. I can relax with you.

"Isn't that what prayer is all about, Lord? You and I sharing things we think are important. Thank you, Lord."

Besides the Lord's Prayer this is another excellent way to approach prayer—just share with God what's on your heart, what's on your mind, what you are feeling, your joys, sorrows, and so on.

Sharing feelings is what intimacy, communication and connection are all about—not only with people, but also with God. We can do this not only at night but anytime, anywhere.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be open, honest, and real with you. You desire truth in the innermost being. Help me to share my inner truth with you—the good, the bad, the indifferent—share it all, God, no matter what. Thank you for hearing, accepting all my feelings, and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

 

[RiverOL]

Salt & Light
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You are like salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on. You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5.13-16)

Reflect:
Having now opened the gates of the kingdom to all people, Jesus continues to turn the world upside down by suggesting that they are salt of the earth and the light of the world! Those who were marginalised, neglected, poor in spirit and body and thought to be without a hope are invited to live in God’s kingdom. Consider for a moment how Paul (formerly Saul), Mary, Matthew the tax collector and many others had their lives turned around and became salt and light to our world.

Respond:
As you have been shown wonderful grace and love. Be a person of grace and love to those you interact with today – for they too are welcome to join God and his kingdom.

Midday Meditation:
Every time you love, every time you include someone who’s lonely, encourage someone who’s defeated, every time you challenge somebody who’s wandering off the path, every time you serve the under-resourced – it is a sign that the kingdom is once more breaking into the world.’
(John Ortberg)

Evening Reflection:
Author of the world, walk with me
Ruler of the earth, walk with me
Calmer of the storm, walk with me
Healer of my heart, walk with me

How I need You
How I need You

Oh Jesus, walk with me
In Your presence Lord there is peace, there is rest
In Your presence Lord there is life that never ends
In Your presence Lord there is joy there is joy
In Your presence Lord there is life that never ends

 

[RiverOL]

Two No-No Words

"But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'"1

Without a doubt one of the major causes of conflict in relationships is poor communications. And two of the most damaging "no-no" words in interpersonal communications are "you always" and "you never" as these are almost always false statements.

The husband who repeatedly says to his wife (or any family member), "You never do such and such, or you never do thus and so," is almost always expressing an overstatement, and never builds a bridge for resolving the conflict at hand. Or the wife who repeatedly says to her husband (or any family member), "You always do such and such, or you always do thus and so," is also almost always expressing an overstatement, and in so doing, builds a barrier between herself and her loved one.

This type of accusation is usually an unfair criticism from an unhappy, and sometimes angry, person who is projecting his or her own unresolved issues onto the other person.

When misunderstandings occur, it is much wiser, more creative, and more loving to express how one feels without accusing the other person for the way he or she feels. When I am upset and start a sentence with words such as, "You always …" or "You never…" I am blaming the other person for the way I feel, while in reality nobody can make me feel the way I feel without my permission.

It is important to acknowledge the fact that my feelings are always my responsibility. Furthermore, to the degree that I overreact, my feelings are always my problem. The most loving way to respond when our feelings are hurt is to start our sentence by saying, "I feel hurt …" or "I feel sad, lonely," or whatever it is I am feeling. This way I am being honest with my emotions; am taking responsibility for them; and am not blaming the other person for the way I am feeling. By taking this approach, we have a much greater chance and opportunity for resolving the conflict or issue at hand. Remember too, that feelings are neither right nor wrong, it's the way that we handle them that counts.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to always be open and honest regarding my reactions and my emotions; never blame anyone else for the way I respond or feel; and always accept responsibility for these by communicating how I feel in an open, honest and loving way. Please help me to always be like Jesus in every situation in which I find myself. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen.

1. Matthew 5:37 (NKJV).

 

[RiverOL]

Red Mist
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
(Matthew 5.21-22)

Reflect:
Jesus wastes no time as he dives straight into the issues of anger and contempt towards others. Quoting the Old Testament commandment about murder, Jesus goes further. He understands the human heart. We might not actually murder someone, but anger and hatred can boil over into all sorts of behaviours. Jesus is interested in our inner life and suggests that we can live without anger when we trust that he is with us. Because he is with us, I don’t need to try and control every situation or manipulate others to get what I need.

Respond:
One of the reasons we get angry is because we don’t rest and sleep enough. We are so busy, we have so many things to accomplish each day and we get irritable and frustrated when we can’t get it all done. Take time to rest today, let go off things that don’t quite work out, trust them to God and get to bed earlier tonight. Rest.

Midday Meditation:
‘Many Christians expend so much energy and worry trying not to sin. The goal is not to try to sin less. In all your efforts to keep from sinning, what are you focusing on? Sin. God wants you to focus on him. To be with him. “Abide in me.” Just relax and learn to enjoy his presence. Every day is a collection of moments, 86,400 seconds in a day. How many of them can you live with God? Start where you are and grow from there. God wants to be with you every moment.’
(John Ortberg Soul Keeping: Caring For The Most Important Part Of You)

Evening Reflection:
You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honour me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.
(Psalm 23)

 

[RiverOL]

Because We Are What We Are

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."1

Have you ever felt in the pits when a well-meaning friend told you that you shouldn't feel that way? It makes you feel worse. Right? Whether we should or shouldn't feel what we feel is beside the point. We feel what we feel because we are who and what we are.

Feelings are neither right nor wrong. They just are. It's what we do with them that counts. And, contrary to what many of us were taught, feelings are important. They are a God-given vital part of our humanity.

In one sense feelings are an "emotional thermometer." They tell us what's going on inside of us—what our emotional temperature is and, when interpreted correctly, can indicate when we are emotionally well or if there is some issue in our life we need to resolve.

When feelings are repressed, one's "thermometer" is out of order. It's a very unhealthy way to live. You don't even know when you are sick (emotionally and/or spiritually). Furthermore, people whose feelings are repressed may be clever but can, at the same time, be very cold, calculating, insensitive, callous, and—in the extreme—even murderous.

Feelings can be trusted. What we can't always trust is our interpretation of them. That's the difficult part, but with help it can be learned and learn it we must if we are to be emotionally, spiritually and physically healthy.

Learn to listen to your emotions. Take time to write a daily journal. Record what you are feeling without any kind of self-judgment. David did a lot of this in the Psalms. Get into a support, recovery or therapy group where it is safe to express your feelings and get them out into the open where they can be accepted and examined. If emotions are deeply buried, chances are you will need a capable therapist to help you work through and resolve the barriers in your life that are blocking your feelings.

Be aware, too, that the negative emotions we fail to talk out creatively we will inevitably act out in one way or another destructively. Also remember that Jesus never told us how to feel or how not to feel—only how to act.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to get in touch with all of my emotions—both positive and negative—and learn how to express them creatively in a healthy manner so that I will become an honest and real person as David was. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Jesus in Matthew 5:4 (NIV).

 

[RiverOL]

Enlarge My Heart
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You know the commandment which says, “Be faithful in marriage.” But I tell you that if you look at another woman and want her, you are already unfaithful in your thoughts. If your right eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body, than for your whole body to end up in hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, chop it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one part of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
(Matthew 5.27-30)

Reflect:
Again Jesus goes straight to our inner life, to the heart. Adultery is an external behaviour that people can avoid (as with murder), but Jesus is talking here about inner lusts, the cultivation of desire for wrong relationships. In a grotesque enlargement of the law (gouging eyes, chopping off hands) Jesus makes the point that even doing these things would not guarantee a heart free from lusts. The problem isn’t eyes or hands, it’s in the heart. Jesus invites us to give our hearts to something much bigger – love for God and appropriate love for other people.

Respond:
Ask God to enlarge your heart today – to receive love and grace from God and for a rightness of heart that loves and values all people in right ways.

Midday Meditation:
“Love is not merely affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.”
(C.S. Lewis)

Evening Reflection:
Lord Jesus, our Saviour, let us come to you.
Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love.
Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood.
Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with our joyous Spirit.
Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence.
Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself.

 

[RiverOL]

Want Impact?

If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed—Luke 17:6

We want our lives to matter. We want these few days we spend here to mean something. We want some sort of impact. Well, brother, if we really want impact, we’ve got to allow the amplifying power of the Holy Spirit to work through us—by being willing to act in faith. When we act alone (as we so often do), we do so with our own strength. But when we act in faith, our actions are amplified by the strength of a great and powerful God. Men and women acting in faith have “stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight” (Hebrews 11:33-34).

The surprising thing about acting in faith is that—unlike when we act alone—it’s not our skill, nor our cleverness, that determines the magnitude of impact. When the Apostle Paul worked to start the church in Corinth, he spoke “in weakness and in fear,” lacking “plausible words of wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:3-4). He must have doubted whether he’d had any impact at all. But the church was established nonetheless. “God’s Spirit and God’s power did it,” through Paul’s seemingly unimpressive actions, taken in faith (1 Corinthians 2:3-5 MSG).



Just do something. Choose something practical, something that fits within the great commandments (Matthew 22:36-39), and something that’s too big. Go ahead and get in over-your-head. Tackle the problem that’s been on your heart. Tell someone about your faith. Help that person who’s hard to love. Things might not turn out as you expect, of course—or with the timing you’d like. Trust, though, if you do act, you’ll begin to have the impact for which you’re meant.