Every Thursday several ladies and I meet to study the book of Hebrews. As we talk about our past days the one thing that stands out to me is we are all ready for a new day.
Being worn down by an issue we cannot control like a virus is wearying. Seems there are so many different opinions on how to handle the crisis and each one stands on ideas they can prove from history.
Anytime one has been beaten down for long period of time a new day has to come forth to give us that lift in our Spirits.
The way we respond to trials of life reveal something about the strength of our Christian faith and how we think about what God says about, "a new day". If we deny our troubles, or if we give in to anger or bitterness, or if we blame others for our problems, we miss what God intends to teach us through what happens to us. It is a great advance spiritually to be able to say, "I believe God has allowed this difficulty for my good and His glory. "'
Think how many times you have been hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. II Cor 4:8-9.
This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118
Yesterday is gone. The problems and troubles of yesterday and even a month ago are in the past. Today is a new day and the good news is you get a new start.
We often get so preoccupied with our problems that we carrying them into a new day. We pack up our anxiety, stress, and fear from yesterday and sit them on the top of our “to do list” of today. WHY? Today is a new day! Today means you get a new start! You get a new start at making amends with your brother and sister who offended you yesterday. You get a new start at demonstrating your faith in God to provide for you yet another day. You get a new start to show love to your enemies. You get a new start to get things right with God. You get a new start at praising God for this new day. Do not bring old grudges, lack of faith, nasty attitudes, and fears into today.
The scripture says “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” It doesn’t say this is the day that I will bring all my troubles and mope around as if I am defeated and complain and murmur about life. It says, this is the day. This is your new start that the Lord made.
The ultimate measure of a man [or women] is not where he [she] stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he [she] stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Yes, Betty, each day means a brand new start for us in our relationship with the Lord. Thanks for these uplifting words, my friend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Martha, Ace was scheduled to have an ablation but after seeing a specialist they decided not to do one and take him off that dreadful side affect meds. His issue is called tachyarrhythmia which is a heart rhythm disorder with heartbeats faster than usual, greater than 100 beats per minute. He has a pace maker which will go off if it gets over 100 beats. It took several doctors and test before they decided not to do the ablation. It's always a good day when he is able to come off of some of the meds he is on. Our move from California to Mn meant new doctors, more test so they have an updated reading on his heart. it's been a year now and I think they have finally got a good handle on his issues. We hope to start traveling some this summer visiting missionaries home on furlough. Since 1973 after a massive heart attack Ace has done more then his heart was able to withstand. God is surely in the heart business. This the reason though we had to take a stateside ministry after years of being overseas. A doctor told him one time that the only reason he was alive after such a damaged heart was because he had a great attitude about it. it has never stopped us from serving the Lord at any time. In fact, God has used it greatly as a witness tool about trusting Him in all things. As the wife of a heart patient as you are, I do not live in fear of him having a heart attack. After living through so much I know God will not take Him till He is ready. Like an older worn out car with tons of mile on it, yet it still runs, not as fast or as smooth but it runs. Because of all this God gives us favor with many missionaries that struggle with health and other issue that could keep them down. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt who keep the heart beating. How blessed you and I are to live with such strong men who have a stronger God. I hope someday if we are ever close to you in our travels to give you shout out to come for a visit. Blessings my sister in the Lord. Also my sister in the waiting room of heart procedures.
DeleteThat quote by MLK says it all. Great thoughts Betty. I am waiting for THE New Day.
ReplyDeleteI use to write in my journal every day, did for years so I could look back and see all God has brought us through. I quit doing it everyday and took to once a month when we became dorm parents in Bolivia. We were so busy and life was full every day so I just chose to live those new days as just that, a new day. I am in the process of writing some about those days and the ones in Papua New Guinea for a devotional our mission is putting together. Interestingly how much starts to come to my mind as I write, especially as I look at the pictures from those years. They spur my memory. I am loving Hebrews and been convicted about drifting away from the Lord this past year. Hard to keep my mind on Him at times. But, it has been one year since we moved to Mn. and I can shout this out to all, God has been so good to us. Life had taken a few shots at us but God has been so good. This past year is one for the books, my biggest challenges has been keeping my mouth shut. It's hard to listen to those who do not know the Lord and don't want to either. They think they have got the wisdom of the ages. I just wait patiencely for someone to ask me, Betty, aren't you afraid of dying?
DeleteI want to say before I answer their question, you better watch out, for the HOly Spirit is coming for you. I love to give the sweet gospel out to anyone who will listen. I pray to be ask every day. The little church we attend is under going a sort of revival for a few are witessing and folks are getting saved. One of my prayer request has been to experience a revival. I think it happening all over for this last trial, the virus has been use to make folks question if they die where would they go. So despite the hard ships we have faced with our health it's had some high points that I run back to when I am low. the devil might knock me down but I am never down for the count. Blessings brother.
Morning Betty! I loved this post. Your thoughts are from your heart of Wisdom. I love the Martin Luther King, Jr. quote. Amen!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you thinking I have a heart of wisdom but lately mu stubbornness has been crowding in and pushing wisdom out. It all starts with the pride in my heart and then it comes flying out my mouth. I am grateful for conviction that causes me to turn back to Him. Learning to be quiet has always been a struggle with me, I am too quick to give my opinion. I think I need to practice your prayer on your last post. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI so badly want to read your comment as soon as I figure out how to translate it. Thank you for gracing my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and sharing your thoughts and Insights!
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