God is My Turnaround-Specialist

We all come up against some stubborn situations or areas of our life, where it just doesn't seem like it will turn around. I am in such a situation right now.

Everything in me cries out, "This will never change. It is impossible to change"

Yet, as Pastor says often, God is my turnaround-specialist. He turns mourning into rejoicing (Psalm 30:11); turns darkness to light; turns the curse into a blessing, etc.

In one moment, God can turn around years of defeat and frustration and give me the victory I have been praying for.

God loves me and is willing to turn my suffering  into a blessing. I chose to believe not what my flesh tells me but what God says about me. My due season is coming. My turning point begins in my thinking today, in Jesus' Name.

 

Photo credit: http://www.united-church.ca/files/slideshow/slideshow_tato.jpg?1394037870

Listen, My Most Beautiful One

Listen, My most beautiful one—

If you ever lose sight of Me

Just follow My footsteps

Where I have led my beloved ones.

Come with all your burdens and cares.

Come to the place near

The sanctuary of My shepherds—

There you will find Me.

My dearest one,

Let me tell you how I see you--

You are so thrilling to Me.

To gaze at you is like gazing

At one of Pharaoh’s finest horses.

The strong regal steeds

Which pull His royal chariot.

Your tender cheeks are so radiant--your earrings and gem-laden necklaces set them ablaze.

from chapter 1 of the Song of Songs (The Passion Translation by Brian Simmons

 

 

Do Not Fear

I fell on the ice, hurt my right wrist, dusted off the snow while walking through the door, and started weeping, "Lord, it hurts so-o much, I am out of sick days and I don't know how I am going to work this physically challenging work.... Please, talk to me!"

I opened the bible randomly, and my eyes fell on verse 57, Lamentations 3,"You came near when I called you, and you said, 'Do not fear."

 

Photo credit: ryk_neethling. http://www.christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2010-11/editing-bible. 2014

Last Night's Storm

The wind is having a blast, I thought listening to the severe rattling of the windows in my room. I had the feeling that the glass will burst out any moment and cover my bed with sharp transparent daggers.

God is not the source of that storm, but He is my shelter in the midst of it. Isaiah 25:4 says, "…You are a refuge from the storm…"

"I will have peace in the midst of the storm, Lord, for you will protect me," I whispered and drifted back to sleep.

Photo credit: paul bica, impending storms, 2007. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/4670941507.2014

You Shall Live and Not Die

 

One look at my hibiscus made me stop in my tracks. The bright green leaves had turned yellowish and most of them had withered up. Bare branches stuck out of the main stem in grayish color.

"My hibiscus tree is dying!" I mumbled. It seemed only a few days ago it bloomed in enormous bright pink blossoms challenging the power of the fierce winter storm raging outside. Snuggled against the corner of my warm dining room the plant was full of life and promises. A bible verse from Proverbs 18:21 came to my mind, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..."

"In the name of Jesus I speak LIFE over this tree. It will live and not die!" I proclaimed boldly and walked away.

A few days later, sweeping the dead leaves, I decided to prune it. Scissors in hand, I looked closely at the branches.

They were covered with tiny green buds.

Photo credit: Sheba, John, Hibiscus Pink Macro-01, 2011, http://www.flickr.com/photos/shebalso/6016802186/in/pool-hibiscuspics, 2014

I Said to the Devil...

I pressed the gas pedal but instead of accelerating, the car slowed down. "There is something wrong with my new car. What if it stops altogether?" I thought driving in the middle lane of the highway. Fear wrenched my stomach. I stepped on the pedal and it slowed down back again. Maneuvering to a slower lane, I felt my heart in my throat. Fear found a permanent seat in my head and began its monologue: "Now, where is your God to rescue you from trouble. Didn't you pray this morning asking him to protect you?"

       Shaking, I still remembered what the bible says about situations like this in Psalm 91(MSG), " Say this: 'God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe! That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you’re perfectly safe.'

       I turned to the enemy in my head and told him, "Devil, this is what God says. Also, you have already been defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ! (John 19:30)

       I walk by faith in the victory that is already mine. Get out of my head and my car, in Jesus' name!"

I had no more problems with the car.

Can You Sleep Well?

"I don't pray enough,"  I sometimes think when I don't get an answer to my prayers right away. Well, the truth is that it's not the length of my prayer that counts, but its strength. It's not about praying enough. It's about praying the Word of God, reminding Him of His promises. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

       For many years I've been plagued by insomnia. Now I pray the words of Psalm 4:7-8, " You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe."
       And I never forget to add, "Amen!"

Photo credit:Duncan Hull. Babies Sleep in the Weirdest Positions.2005.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/dullhunk/11259594775.2014