November 22nd - It Is Well

November 22, 2017 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21: 4

It Is Well

The hymn; "It Is Well With My Soul" was penned by Horatio G. Spafford, a very successful lawyer and devout Christian from Chicago. In October 1871, the Great Chicago Fire brought the city of Chicago to ashes, and Horatio and his family lost everything. Wanting rest for himself, his wife Anna, and their four daughters, Spafford planned a European trip for his family. At the last minute, he had to remain in Chicago, but sent his family on ahead with the plan to join them soon after.

A few days into the voyage, the ship carrying his family was struck by another vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. All four of his daughters lost their lives, but Anna was saved. She sent a message to her husband with these simple words; 'saved alone'. Spafford left immediately to join his wife. 

There on the sea, near the spot where his daughters had died, he contemplated all he had lost. His grief must have been overwhelming, but he was sustained by his faith. Knowing that his daughters were not at the bottom of the ocean, but were rather with their Heavenly Father, he retired to his cabin and wrote the hymn.

This life God calls us into is not an easy one. There is often something brewing before us or chasing behind us, but if we have anchored ourselves to Christ, then we can withstand anything that comes our way.

Let the words of this hymn be a reminder to us that in all things we can say; “God is good”, and because He is good, it is well with our souls.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,  for I will yet praise him,  my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42:5

“Return to your rest, my soul,  for the Lord has been good to you.”

Psalm 116:7

Will your circumstances dictate your worship, or will your worship dictate your circumstances?

  

It Is Well With My Soul

By Horatio Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

November 8th - Psalm 23

November 8th, 2017 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture: Psalm 25: 14-15

"The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare."

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4: 15-16

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Isaiah 46: 4

Receive from Him...

Isaiah 61:10 says: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God,

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.

Deuteronomy 33:27 says; “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Psalm 27:5 says; “For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”

Psalm 71:3 says; “Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.”

Proverbs 14:26 says; “In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.”

Receive these promises. Let Him be your safe place and your refuge from all things. Take a few moments to reflect on these promises.  

Call out to Him...

Psalm 63: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.  Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

Let these words sink in for a moment. Realize that He is your everything. You don’t require anything else but Him. Think about what you need from Him. Be honest. Be real. Don't mince your words. It can be personal. It can be for your family. Your community. Whatever is on your heart. Do you need comfort? Relief from physical pain? Wisdom? Patience? Whatever it is, let it surface, and give it to Him.

Respond to Him...

Psalm 84:11-12 says; “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

-      Consider how you trust Him. Do you trust Him enough? Can you push forward to give Him more of yourself? Is there something in particular that He wants you to trust Him with?

Exodus 34:5-7 says; “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”

-       Consider His mercy over you. Here is a great God who, even though He knows of your sinful nature, made a way for you to receive His love and mercy forever. Is there some unforgiven sin in your life? Or is there someone you have sinned against, or someone who has sinned against you and you’ve not forgiven them? Make it right now before the Lord.

Revelation 1:12-15 says; “Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.”

Consider His awesome power and might. Here is a God who can see all things, who knows all things and has power over all things. This is a God and Father who can meet all your needs.

Revelation 19:11-16 says; “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.”

-       Consider that you serve and are loved by One who is the King and Lord of everything. He is a powerful and mighty God, the great rescuer, the great sustainer of all.

Isaiah 40:28-31 says; “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

-     Consider that you are loved and saved by a God who has no end to His compassion and mercy over you. Who understands everything when you do not. Who can give you strength when you have none left.

Take a few moments now to reflect on these verses that describe how awesome and great our God is. 

What has He shown you that you haven’t known or seen before?

How do you think God is inviting you to respond to this?

·         How would you like to experience God over the next few weeks?