Digging Past Our Situations

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 2 Timothy 1:3

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Someone is Praying

When writing to Timothy, Paul said, “I have remembrance of thee.” The word remembrance means to remind, bring to, call to, and put in. In the Greek, remember has the same root word as the word tomb or sepulcher. The idea is before we can pray we must dig past the current circumstances.

For example, when overwhelmed we find it hard to think of anything but the present situation. Such was Timothy’s case. But Paul said, “I put you in remembrance” commanding Timothy to dig, get past, removing all that stood in his way.

Likewise, there are times we must dig past the mental anguish, the physical pain, and the spiritual battle to remember where God has brought us from and what He is doing at present. It is one of the hardest things to do when facing trials.

I have several friends and family who are facing stressful situations at this time. I wanted to remind everyone that God hasn’t forsaken us and to share a couple of my favorite verses.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. Jeremiah 30:17

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luke 4:18

In the coming weeks, as you press through this season, I pray you will find comfort in God’s Word and remember people are praying for you.

I would love to hear from you. When going through difficult times, what scripture comes to your mind?

 

Thy Will Be Done

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10

Did the Lord realize how hard it would be to say those four little words? Thy. Will. Be. Done. I think so. Alone, in the midst of Gethsame, just before his death, the Lord prayed. Twice.

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:38-39

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Matthew 26:42

Thy will be done…

…is letting go when we want to cling

…trusting when we don’t understand

…hoping when all seems hopeless

…believing He is able

Thy will be done…

 

Do you ever struggle with that phrase?

 

Falling

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

Isn’t the view spectacular this time of year? Everywhere you look you catch a glimpse of the Creator’s majestic handiwork. The seasonal changes offer an opportunity to slow down and take a moment to enjoy the blessings around us. Fall is a colorful season resembling the diverse hues on a painter’s palette. Take a moment and enjoy the view and remember the Creator of it all.

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 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1

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 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Psalm 19:2

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There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:3

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 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Psalm 19:4

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Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. Psalm 65:11

 

In which season do you enjoy God’s handiwork the most?