Category: Devotions

The Peace in the Middle of the Storm

I’m still working lol and its pouring raining outside. Fortunately, a very nice person told me to move my car before it began to rain. Rain is always very peaceful to me; it relaxes me and allows me to forget all of my troubles. Actually, if its still raining when I get home, I’ll open my blinds and maybe sit on my patio for a while, maybe even dance in it… Rain is very much like tears to me. I don’t know if you can relate, but a very good purging cry helps ease the pain of the situation. I get to that point where the tears stop–like rain–and there is such a peace that I have like nothing else.

Jesus can provide us that same peace that listening to the rain does. He tells us in Matthew 11:28 “…Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” After He fed the multitude, He calmed the raging storm in Mark 4:37-41: 37Suddenly a windstorm struck the lake. Waves started splashing into the boat, and it was about to sink. 38Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re about to drown?” 39 Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm. 40Jesus asked his disciples, “Why were you afraid? Don’t you have any faith?” 41Now they were more afraid than ever and said to each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

That was only one of the miracles that Jesus performed. Jesus’ sacrifice gives us the guarantee of that peace!(Ephesians 2:14, Philippians 4:7) So have peace today, even if it gets hard. Allow the “rain” to wash away your worries and Jesus to carry them for you…

Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester

When the Reflection Is Ugly and the Spotlight is On You

“For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come out to light.” (Luke 8:17)

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and them you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

It’s sometimes hard to evaluate yourself or even accept your own wrongs. Many people find it far easier to judge and criticize others than let to slay the monsters in their closets. When you are the type of person that constantly judges and projects your opinions on others, how can you truly expect growth? Learn to stop being so judgmental and sometimes listen to that person’s why. We all have faults, but true growth is in acknowledging them and giving them over to God to remove. When you lack humility to let God fix it, you miss out on true blessings.

You cannot expect growth if you make the entire situation all about you either. The saying “Build a bridge and get over it” is great in that it says you need to look at the problem you worry over and find a way to solve it. You cannot help others by projecting your problems on them nor can you really expect anyone to want to deal with your problems and theirs. Deal with your baggage and drop it off at the laundrymat or cleaners. Let it go…

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

Be encouraged and be blessed in the Lord!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Marquita B. Priester