Wisdom compels us to stay up-to-date with the news and the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Wisdom tells us to wash our hands. Wisdom dictates that we isolate if we show worrisome symptoms. Wisdom also tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is insight (Proverbs 9:10). The antidote to your anxiety and fear is not bravery, denial, or stocking your basement with hundreds and hundreds of bottles of hand sanitizers. The antidote to your anxiety and fear is wisdom, the wisdom of the Lord.
The antidote to your anxiety and #fear is not bravery, denial, or stocking your basement with hundreds of hand sanitizers. The antidote to your #anxiety and fear is #wisdom, the wisdom of the #Lord.
Psalm 91 speaks of God’s presence and His protection. This theme repeats throughout the Psalm with words and phrases like shelter, refuge, fortress, in whom I trust (v1-2). As I meditate on these truths, a calm overcomes my soul. I will not fear the terror of night, the attacks in the day, or the fears that come in the dark because God is my refuge and dwelling place (v5-6, 9).
Look at all the Lord does for his children. He shelters us in his shadow and delivers, covers, and shields his people. He commands the angels to guard and uphold those depending on the protection of the Lord. God sets his people securely on high, remains with them, rescues, honors, and satisfies them. He lets them see salvation (v3-4, 11-12, 14-16). The Lord is active in our troubles, but the psalmist is active too.
Like the psalmist, we act by dwelling in the shelter of the Most High. That means we find our shelter and comfort in His presence. We abide in the shadow of the Almighty, and for his shadow to cover us, we must be close to him. We declare God is our safe place and fortress. We declare our trust in Him. We seek refuge with Him. We will not fear because we dwell with Him. We love Him. We know Him. We call upon God (v1-2, 4, 9, 14-15).
We decide to fill our minds with God and His Word, not fear and unknowns.
It’s time to replace thoughts of fear about the unknown with thoughts of God and His Word. #Trust #Faith #God #Christian
None of this means that believers are protected from physical harm. The promise in Psalm 91 is not supernatural protection from the virus sweeping across the world; it’s a promise that God is present and at work. It is a reminder that if God is for us, who can be against us (Rom 8:31)? The Family Worship Bible Guide explains that “God’s ordinary way is to answer the prayers of Christians by sustaining them in the trouble, then rescuing them from the trouble, and ultimately giving them eternal life (Ps. 91:15-16)” (409).
What does this mean for my family and yours? It means that we walk by faith, trusting the Lord is at work. We stay up-to-date with the news and the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We wash our hands. We isolate if we show worrisome symptoms. We apply wisdom and refuse to succumb to fear. We dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Works cited:
Beeke Joel R. et al., editors. Family Worship Bible Guide. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2016.
The familiar words of Psalm 73 washed over me anew. I had read these words before, but this time, for some reason unknown, they came alive. The preacher read Psalm 73, and the Spirit of the Lord opened the eyes of my heart.
The psalmist begins in the right place. He begins proclaiming the goodness of God to those pure of heart. But he quickly shifts his attention from the Lord to the people around him. He confesses he is envious of the wicked (v3a), envious of their prosperity (v3b), envious of their plenty (v4b, 7), and envious of their apparent ease of life (v5). The psalmist is envious even as the wicked mock the Lord (v11).
I see myself in these verses. I begin right. I believe God is good to me, but then I shift my eyes to those around me who appear to have it easier or appear to have so much more. I am tempted to respond like the psalmist, who questions the worthwhileness of following God (v13).
Until.
What a transition word. The psalmist’s eyes are on himself and on his dissatisfaction UNTIL he enters the sanctuary of the Lord (v17). The antidote to my self-centeredness is not a change in circumstances or reward from heaven. The remedy to my self-centeredness is a focus on God, entering into His presence. Only then will I see that God is sovereignly working out His plan.
“Until” is an amazing transition word. The Psalmist’s eyes are on himself and his dissatisfaction UNTIL he enters the sanctuary of the Lord. Psalm 73 #biblestudy #bibleverse #bible
As I enter the Lord’s presence, I see that God will justly deal with evil (v18-20), but I also see that I am no better than the wicked (v21-22). I am senseless and ignorant. I am like a beast before the Lord. I deserve what the wicked receive, yet that is not what the Lord offers me.
The psalmist celebrates because he is continually with the Lord, and I, too, can celebrate because my faith in Christ for the forgiveness of my sins allows me to enter into the presence of the Lord Most High. God sees me through the filter of Christ, and He takes my hand and leads me with wise counsel. He welcomes me into His glory.
The wicked were still prosperous, had plenty, and lived a life of ease, but it no longer mattered because the Psalmist had God. When you have God, you have everything. #bible #biblestudy #bibleverse
All this happens when we lift our eyes to the Lord. Notice that the circumstances of the psalmist’s life did not change. The wicked were still prosperous, had plenty, and lived a life of ease, but it no longer mattered because the psalmist had God (v25). When you have God, you have everything. When your heart and flesh fail, God is your strength and your portion forever (v26). There is no need to envy the wicked, for they will perish apart from God. But you? You are near the Lord, and it is good. He is your refuge. Go and tell of His wondrous work. Chase holiness.
If you need help lifting your eyes to the Lord, or if you don’t know where to start, consider checking out Chasing Holiness. It will encourage you in your pursuit of holy living, and it releases MARCH 4th!
If you missed the first few segments of the FREE bible study on Jeremiah 17:5-10, you can catch up here. Once you are caught up, there is a sign-up link that will direct all future segments into your inbox.
The words ring out. Children pour from their hiding places assured of their safety. Something in the game has changed. The threat of penalty has been eliminated. This phrase was an old-school re-set. A new “it” counts to ten, the children scramble to hide again, and then ready or not, “it” comes searching.
Christmas arrives similarly. The countdown begins months in advance. We scramble to fulfill our culturally imposed Christmas duties in an ever increasing panic of the dreaded phrase: ready or not, here it comes!
Five days remain. Is the baking finished?
Four days. Are the gifts wrapped?
Three days. I still have to decorate.
Two days. Are there any new places where I can stage that silly elf for the children to find?
One day. Hang the stockings. Light the candles. Leave out the cookies and milk.
Ready or not, Christmas is here!
Year after year, multiple generations snuggle by the fire pursuing the promise of a wonderful life. But when we search 34th street for a miracle that can only be found in a manger, we are left wanting.
Ready or not, God spoke. He called creation into existence, declaring His unparalleled glory, breathing life into you and me. He spoke to us through prophets and His Word. Prophecy after prophecy announced his imminent arrival, but we did not listen. Finally, God put on skin and stooped to earth to speak to us face to face through a miracle that began in a manger.
Olly Olly Oxen Free! Something has changed! Come out of hiding and meet the One who has paid the penalty.
This God-child, born needy and weak, meets all needs for all of time in His perfect strength. He pursues your heart through the cross. He speaks forgiveness in His dying breath and brings life through His resurrection. The Pharisees were not ready, yet they should have known. They had read the prophecies. They had memorized the Word of God, but distracted by tradition and greed; they missed His arrival.
And, so might we.
Christmas is more than jolly and generous gift-giving. It’s more than tradition and making a list rooted in greed and desire. It’s our reminder that the call to safely come out from hiding will not ring out forever. One day, the lion of Judah, the root of David, the slain Lamb, who was born in the manger, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, will return and collect His own. He will take the scroll and break its seal. He will open the books and judge the living and the dead. He will establish a new heaven and a new earth, a holy city, a new Jerusalem, prepared as a bride for her husband. Because of Him, the dwelling place of God will be with man. The Great I Am is the Son of the Most High and His kingdom will have no end.
Ready or not, Christ is coming again! This is the message of Christmas that began thousands of years ago in the manger. Behold, He will make all things new. He will be called holy—the Son of God. Olly Olly Oxen Free. The penalty is paid for those who repent and believe. They can safely enter the presence of the living God and worship Him for all eternity. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.
Both books are part of an online book tour. If you visit the daily tour stops, you can enter for your chance to win the morse code bracelet featured in Mistletoe Mission. The tour starts tomorrow; visit http://www.celebratelit.com/mistletoe/ to participate.
#Christmas #books Mistletoe Mission and Mistletoe Melody are part of an online book tour from Dec 20-Jan 2. Visit the daily tour stops & enter for a chance to win the morse code bracelet featured in Mistletoe Mission. http://www.celebratelit.com/mistletoe/
Newsletter subscribers – look for the Christmas newsletter tomorrow – it will arrive with an updated password for the extras page, a small holiday gift, and our family Christmas letter. Not a subscriber? Sign up today!
Mistletoe Mission releases today, and I open my hands to hold loose this story God placed on my heart. It is my offering to Him.
As a writer, I long to worship God with my words. Carefully chosen, and purposefully crafted, they are my offering of praise. Today, as book two set in Mistletoe Meadows hits the market, I’m avoiding Amazon stats and download numbers. Instead, I linger in the Psalms. This is the prayer of my heart:
Give ear to my words, O Lord. Draw me up from the water, out from the darkened pit. Spread your protection over me, cover me with favour as with a shield. Hide me in your shelter.
You remember me. You lead me. You restore me. You are the stronghold of life. I respond in a stillness that knows You are God.
So, I fret not, waiting patiently, forsaking anxiety. You cause broken bones to rejoice and grant dry and fainting flesh satisfaction. My mouth overflows with reverent praise. I will not fear. With lifted hands, I praise your name.
The heavens declare your glory. The sky proclaims your handiwork. I sing. You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
As Mistletoe Mission releases, exposing my heart and making me vulnerable, I am choosing to be still. I will not fear. I lift my hands and praise the God who has gifted me this passion to write for His glory and fame.
Order your copy of Mistletoe Mission and rediscover the God of Christmas miracles.
In one week, you can return to Mistletoe Meadows and visit Quentin, Melody and Janie. This Christmas, Melody’s good friend, Emily, is planning Travis and Leah’s wedding in Mistletoe Mission. You might remember Emily from her brief appearance in the FREE micro-read Under the Summer Mistletoe where she organizes Quentin and Melody’s July wedding. (Download links are at the bottom of this post.)
What you don’t know, is that much in Mistletoe Misson is inspired by real people and organizations. For example, the small start-up business in Mistletoe Mission is based on this AMAZING organization.
Little by Little, founded by Isabel Stigge, is a business as mission organization, through Crossworld, committed to keeping families together in Haiti. Before starting Little by Little six years ago, Isabel worked as a volunteer in a Haitian orphanage, where she learned that about 80% of children in orphanages have families who need a way to generate income to keep their families together.
Unfortunately, 1 in 4 children in Haiti do not live with their families, and they are vulnerable to working in servitude, child-trafficking, or being sent to orphanages. Little by Little is working actively to improve this statistic and keep families together!
The goal of Little by Little is to create a self-sustaining business for caregivers in Haiti, by training them as artisans so they can generate income and keep their families together. The artisans create beautiful products in an environment that gives them a sense of dignity. The beautiful jewelry and home decor items produced in Haiti are sold in Haiti, Canada and the USA.
Product revenue financially sustains Little by Little, but they are also very dependent on the Lord’s provision through financial partners who help carry the cost burden of operating in two countries. Little by Little currently supports 22 families and has kept 150 children out of orphanages and with their families, and it continues to stay on mission to see these numbers grow!
In Mistletoe Mission, Luca brings these beautiful Morse code bracelets home from his trip to Haiti, and they play an important role in the story. But you’ll have to read to story to find out how. As a fun bonus, I’m giving away a Morse Code bracelet on my Celebrate Lit blog tour (Dec 20-Jan 2). Entry details and links will come in a later post.
While her own relationships always end up doomed, Emily Colt is still determined to create happily-ever-afters through her wedding and event planning business. In hopes of expanding, she enters her latest project–staging the Christmas wedding of the year–into a town-wide contest. But between crossing paths with the first man to break her heart and dodging a saboteur, she doubts success is within her grasp.
Jilted pastor, Luca Wilson, fled to the mission field to escape a broken heart. All the hurt rushes back when he returns home to officiate his cousin’s wedding, and he finds Emily–the girl to whom he once promised forever–organizing the celebration.
Despite Luca’s lost faith in love, their unforeseen reunion rekindles a spark, and Luca vows to help Emily save her struggling business. But to succeed, they will have to learn what it means to trust each other and believe in the God of Christmas miracles.
Friends in Canada can pre-order Mistletoe Mission on Amazon.ca
Don’t miss the FREE micro-read Under the Summer Mistletoe. Links for Canadian, American and UK friends are below. I hope you enjoy this free short story as my early Christmas gift to you.
Anne Dutton lived from 1692-1765, a time when women were discouraged from being authors, something I find curious, as a female author. Amidst this tension, Anne wrote, “not for fame but for only the glory of God, and the good of souls.”[1] She published 50 plus books over her lifetime, all the while wrestling with whether it was biblical for a woman to be an author. She argued that since her books were intended for private reading of believers, she was not in violation 1 Timothy 2:12.[2]
Anne’s life and ministry are chronicled in chapter three of the book, 8 Women of Faith, by Michael A.G. Haykin. Her story is a warm hug from a kindred spirit because I know this struggle. I’ve wondered if I grappled alone or if other women in ministry, other authors, have wrestled with when and where to speak and when and where to remain quiet. I’ve spent much time these past few months studying the Word, praying, and examining my heart. What motivates me to write? Am I teachable when corrected? Do I truly desire to lift the name of Christ higher than the name on the cover of my books?
I’ve learned from Anne that speaking up might be necessary no matter how uncomfortable it may make me feel. She boldly critiqued theological positions of her day that threatened the integrity of the gospel. She corresponded with many leaders, gently challenging them while remaining respectful. Her final days on earth have been said to illustrate Ps 92:12-14 and Gal 5:22. Anne flourished like the palm tree, bringing forth fruit in her old age of seventy-four, exhibiting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[3]
O Lord, I pray it may it be said of me that when my days are done and all that remains is the legacy of my words that every written word and every spoken word has been for the glory and fame of Jesus Christ. May I be remembered for a teachable spirit, for speaking in gentleness, correcting in love, and always respectful of the authority placed over me. When I quiver on the precipice of eternity, may there still be much fruit, much evidence that anything good that came from my life was and is the work of the Spirit in me.
[1] Michael A. G. Haykin, 8 Women of Faith, (Wheaton, Il: Crossway 2016), 58.
