Shhh . . . . be quiet and listen from "His Kindness Year Round"

I greatly enjoy the revelation of God's voice through scripture.  We are so blessed with His Holy Word!  

Sometimes we know that a concept or fact is true.  We have no doubts.  

Think of a time(s) when we have tried to relay a truth to someone, only to find they don't want to listen; or listen only to pacify you; or refuse to listen; or listen and listen and listen, but never act upon what we have told them.

We can allow satan to let us get frustrated or angry or offended, or to the opposite spectrum and become apathetic and uncaring.  Or, we could follow the words of the Lord from scripture:

Matthew 10:14 “If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.”

Luke 9:5 “And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

The old cliche is true:  you can bring a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.  If people don't want to help themselves, you can't help them either.  We can love them and pray for them, but we can't help someone who doesn't want help.

Colossians 3: 13 “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

As a dear sister in Christ reminded me, sometimes we have to dust our feet off and let the situation or the person go, in order to be ready for what the Lord has for us next. We have to let go of the old in order to receive the new.

Matthew 10:37 – 38 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.”

Please ensure, above all else, the Savior rules in your life.

As July ends, if you need to dust off the old and be ready to receive the new, do so today!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

  

UP, UP, and AWAY! from "His Kindness Year Round"

This post was originally begun back in May of this year.  It's been 'drafting' since then, with changes from time to time.  A bit of a different blog post today.  

Apparently, this is a topic at hand for more people than I’d realized.  I have read the writings of several Christian authors, who I don’t know personally, about the subject.  I’ve also had several conversations with friends and acquaintances.

Subject:  the need for separation and specifically, temporary or long term separation from others. To be even more specific, the focus results from the hurts and challenges we can experience from relationships and the need to just be away from chaos.  

One writer felt betrayal from a loved one and spoke of the desire to close our hearts off from the world.  I've had those feelings.  The other writer mentioned that at a young age, she was taught by adults not to depend upon others; therefore, not allowing disappointment.  She was trained not to open up to others or make herself vulnerable to others, because of disappointment and pain they may cause.  OK, I've had those feelings too.  

2 Timothy 3:12 "Yes!  All who want to live a Godlike life who belong to Christ Jesus will suffer from others."

Over the past few years I’ve jokingly asked about the location of Walden Pond, from the famous book about isolation and self-dependence of man.  If only I could hide . . . . find that peace and tranquility and quiet.

In conversations with people I know, I’ve listened to the craving for time alone; time without stress and complications and demands of day-to-day life and relationships. 

On one hand, it’s reassuring to know that I’m not solo in that boat.  My feelings of the soul (mind, will and emotions) can become very strong if I allow them.  On the other hand, it’s sad at the need for so many to hope for precious time not dealing with gossip or negativity or theatrics or harm from others, or as sometimes termed, toxic situations or people.  

John 16:33 "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Time alone is healthy to refresh and rejuvenate.  Time away from the day to day responsibilities and busyness of life is healthy (usually called vacation!) to refresh and rejuvenate.  Doing special things for ourselves is healthy, as long as it's within reason and responsibilities aren't neglected because of them.  

But isolation is not healthy.  We were not created to be set apart and totally self-dependent on a long term basis.  As long as we are on earth, we are going to experience difficult relationships and pain and hurts and negativity and human drama.  Sometimes we do need temporary or long term removal from a person or situation.  With guidance from the Holy Spirit, we pray and obey the Father's voice when we need to remove ourselves from such a situation, even if it's from someone we care about.  

Matthew 13:5 "I will never fail you.  I will never forsake you."

We greatly need fellowship.  It's very important for followers of Jesus to have relationships with other followers for encouragement, support, spiritual renewal, sharing of knowledge and accountability.  

Matthew 18:20 "Where two or more gather together because they are mine, I am there among them"

Proverbs 27:17 "Iron is made sharp with iron, and one made is made sharp by a friend." 

I still think about Walden Pond on occasion . . . . . for vacation, of course.  Who knows, maybe I'll see you there .  . . . 

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Problem solving from "His Kindness Year Round"

Several weeks ago I read the phrase “Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to just stop caring.” 

I realize this statement may sound harsh.  But about a month ago I was experiencing a situation in which it seemed no one cared about the timely and accurate completion of a task – except me.  There appeared to be apathy on the part of others involved. 

After reading the quote, I began thinking the words were very appropriate for the situation. I had the “Well, if no one else cares, why should I?” mentality, especially since I was putting forth great effort and time in the task. 

Of course, there are several spiritually unhealthy aspects about that quote.  Yes, thinking about the sentence did help ease the stress at the time.  But the Holy Spirit put a twist on the phrase which I have since meditated on many times.

“The best way to solve a problem is to give it to God because He cares.”  As I was hearing this, I immediately began to enjoy the peace of the Lord.

It’s not that I shouldn’t care about a responsibility in day to day life.  However, I shouldn’t let satan try to burden me or stress me or wear and tear me down on any occasion.  I am to give the issue to God – let go and let God – because He can and will take the problem, because He cares; because He knows it’s more burden than I can bear.  It’s not a way, but the best way to solve every problem – give it to Him, because He loves you and He cares about you. 

Psalm 55:22a “Cast your cares on the Lord and He would sustain you.”

Philippians 4:6 “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

1 Peter 3:12 “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.”

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Let the Savior do His job from "His Kindness Year Round"

July is here and half the year is behind us.  In celebrating Independence Day tomorrow, ensure to reflect on more than the cookouts and fireworks.

I've been reflecting on the writings of Paul.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the providence of Asia.  We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die.  But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, Who raises the dead.  And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again.  We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us.”

Galatians 2:20 “My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

In reading the works of Paul, more and more I realize that Paul really “got it”.  He fully understood in all aspects the reason for the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, and the role of the Holy Spirit in us. 

Paul totally comprehended that Jesus died to save our bodies and our spirits.   Paul genuinely understood to let go of all our physical and soulish (mind, will and emotions) areas and to let Jesus live through him.  Surrender self to the Savior.  Give Him everything.  And let Him work. 

Simply put, re-read 2 Corinthians 1:9b “But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, Who raises the dead.”; and Galatians 2:20 “My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Let go of fears, discouragement, worries, obsessions, condemnation, guilt, confusion, fatigue, physical burdens, etc. and let Jesus in you live through you.  Put thoughts and actions of the soul at the cross and leave them.  Give them to Him.  Let Jesus do what He came to do and live through you. 

We are all works in progress.  Lord, I thank You for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to rejoice in YOU, and not the circumstances.

Submitting to Him, your sister,

Robin