Monday Mornings Don’t Have to Get Us Down, Despite Recovering From Sundays
28 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: David, God, Indiana, Madonna (entertainer), Praise the Lord, Psalm, rest ministries, Southern Indiana
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; and all my inmost being praise His Holy Name.” (Psalm 103:1)
Read that verse out loud. How does that make you feel? Doesn’t it make your spirit soar? There really cannot be much grumpiness or discouragement when you say, out loud, “and all my inmost being praise His Holy Name!”
It is 9:30 AM on a Monday morning. I always experience extra pain on Mondays. That is the cost of being the wife of a busy pastor. We have two kids, and two little country churches. And bless their hearts; these little churches are very outgoing and loving, and they love to do things together.
So on Mondays I am tired, and achy, and usually rest a lot.
It is also February and I live in Indiana. It is cold, dreary, and cloudy. It is usually either raining, drizzling, or snowing. Cold wet weather also increases my Monday pain. I look out our kitchen window and it is just plain dreary. Our yard is all muddy, the hillsides are all brown, and the rain is supposed to change to snow.
Let’s read our verse again. “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name!”
David is telling his soul to Praise the Lord! Why? Read on in the next few verses.
Forget not all His benefits.
1. He forgives you all your sins.
2. Heals all your diseases.
3. redeems your life from the pit
4. crowns you with love and compassion.
5. satisfies your desires with good things.
6. So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Yes! Praise the Lord! Praise Him! It is now snowing big fluffy flakes of snow. There are bright red cardinals flocking at the feeder. Smoke is drifting lazily from our next door neighbor’s fireplace. It is all so beautiful and cozy. Praise the Lord our creator!
I think I will make a cup of herbal tea and curl up with a book.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your infinite patience and love. You know our hearts, and You care for all of our needs. Thank You for all of the many ways You remind us of Your love as we read Your Word. All my inmost being is praising Your Holy Name. Amen.
About the Author:
Sandra Platt is a Ministers wife and Mother of two adult kids. She lives in rural Southern Indiana. She has had multiple painful illnesses for 18 years. She loves the friendships and fellowships she has made at Rest Ministries. She enjoys baking, reading, cross stitching. You may reach Sandra in the Sunroom.
It Takes More Than The Passing Of Time To Heal Our Wounds
27 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Conditions and Diseases, God, Health, Lord, Musculoskeletal Disorders, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis, Wound
Do Something Nice For Someone and Watch it Multiply
26 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christianity, Chronic (medicine), God, Harvard University, Health, Lord, Pay it forward, rest ministries
“He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 23:11)
Some of us recall the movie “Pay it Forward.” I watched it one lazy weekend afternoon a couple weeks ago and recalled what a good movie it was. During Invisible Illness Awareness Week last year we did our own sort of “pay it forward” by leaving sticky notes in anoymous places to encourage someone. . . just because. Most of you who left notes from the pharmacy to on actual handicapped parking sign,s said that it made you feel good to do it!
Researchers at the University of California at San Diego and Harvard University have discovered that Proverbs 23:11 is this scripture true. (No surprise there, right?)
One study had participants receive money to help others in a “public-good game.” The result? People were more likely to give their own money later on to help others in future games.
Plus, it turns out that one person’s willingness to help others spread to three other people, then nine, and so forth. Pretty soon dozens of people were helped or encouraged. And it all started with one small act of kindness!
When we have very little, it can seem hard to let go of what we have. But we are called to reach out to those who are hurting, offering food, comfort, or a even a prayer. We don’t need to worry about ciming up short, because god always multiplies whatever it is we give. So the next time you are feeling blue, do something nice for someone and then imagine what God can do with your joyful willingness.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes it is hard to trust that You will really provide for all my needs when I am living on so little–so little energy, money, whatever my need may be. But You promise to always refresh me when I give to others. Help me trust You always have my best in mind and help me be the kind of person who comforts others.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and the author of “Mosaic Moments” devotional book. You can get the devotional book “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” till March 1, 2011, and it’s an amazing gift to share with a friend who live with illness. Watch your kindness multiply today.
Have You Been Hurt on Facebook? Social Pain by Careless Words
25 Feb 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christ, christian, Facebook, Father God, God, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, Lord
Today’s devotional is a little longer than we typically post, but I felt it had a wonderful message and wanted to share it with you. I hope you enjoy. -Lisa
__________________________
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.’” (Matthew: 16:24)
It still seems unreal to me sometimes that we can connect with people from all over the world through a connection called the internet. Social networks are very popular now days, such as Facebook, where you can chat, play games, and share ideas with people around the earth. Recently I was ‘surfing’ posts on Facebook when I saw that a young lady was distraught because she was ridiculed in her church by certain church members for ‘hanging with the wrong crowd’ when she claims she was mingling with this crowd to invite them to church and witness to them.
She could not understand what we should do when we have hurt feelings because some people judge us for our actions. I felt led to write to her the following response:
Unfortunately in life we meet all kinds of people with different opinions and different attitudes. Of course, differences can be a spice of life when presented to each other in kindness and love, but we find those who disagree in our churches; we find them in our government; we find them in our neighborhood; even in our family members.
Yes, I have seen many who feel they are so correct in their walk with the Lord. They feel it is their obligation to point out everyone else’ flaws. It has saddened me many times that we allow ourselves to get to this point in our lives. Christ reminds us in all of His teachings, that we are daily taking up the cross. The cross represents ‘burdens’–not judgments.
I work for a chronic illness ministry. I have seen so many wonderful Christians struck with terrible health challenges, and I still stand amazed watching some of them use their weaknesses to minister to others. Christ is our strength, but we have to humble ourselves to place our burdens at the foot of the cross.
I find in my life, I can deal much better with the ‘holier-than-Thou’ attitudes of others when I remember it is not people I am placed here to please. I want to live my life to show others the love of Christ. I can do this by simply doing something to help one other person.
I remember my grandmother telling me when I was little, “If you go out of your way to help one person a day, but do it anonymously and not for praise of man, you will receive many blessings in return.”
I have thought of this many times over the years, and it in turn causes me to step back and avoid altercations with my fellow neighbors, since I want to strive to help others if I can. I guess what I am saying is, if we hang on to hurt feelings because of something someone else has said or done, we are hurting only ourselves.
Drop those burdens off, and pick up a friend’s burden and help them that day. You will find you have much more JOY in your life, and your attitude towards life will be much lighter.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me today to have the courage to place ALL of my burdens at Your feet. Help me to carry someone else’s cross, to help lighten their load. And Lord, help me to recover and prosper past the hurt feelings I receive from the careless words of others. I love You, praise You, and thank You today for all You have accomplished in my life. Amen!
About the Author:
Deborah Farmer lives with her husband and has 2 adult children. She is a writer, reader and small business owner, but can only achieve this through Christ who is her strength. She suffers from several health challenges.
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Are You Really Seeing Those Who Are Suffering In Some Way?
24 Feb 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christianity, chronic pain, God, Good Samaritan, India, Jesus, Parable of the Good Samaritan, Religion and Spirituality
“Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman?’” (Luke 6:44)
Sometimes we become so preoccupied with our own existence, our current pain, or problem, that we can miss what goes on around us. I know I often do that.
In a story told by our Pastor, who has just returned from some time in India, he told of a lady who intentionally stops and attends to the needs of the poor and outcast, as she sees them on her way to somewhere. While she stops and helps, many people just pass by, maybe not even registering the needs of these people. If Jesus had been walking down the same street as this lady, He would also have stopped to help, wouldn’t He?
In the verse above, Jesus is asking Simon if he even saw the woman, who had been washing His feet – did Simon see her need. As we see in the story of the Good Samaritan, people, even religious people, can choose to walk by on the other side and not get involved. We have a choice.
While there are always going to be more poor and needy people than we as individuals are able to help, I believe that God chooses people to cross our paths that He wants us to see. That He wants us to really see and respond to in some way.
Maybe there are those of us who are not able to be out and about, as we once were. We may spend much of our time alone, or inside the house. There may be people we cross paths with only over the internet, or by phone, from our bed, or armchair.
While it may be hard to envisage Jesus reaching out to others by means such as phone or internet, surely God foreknew the many ways people could be reached by current and even future, technology. They are ways in which He allows us to see and respond to others.
I hope that my eyes will be open to see people – really see them – as God sees them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help me to see and respond to people the way you do and to be alert to your promptings. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, travel and photography. You can contact her in the Sunroom.
How Do We Find Confidence When Illness is so Unpredictable
23 Feb 2011 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Amen., Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epistle to the Hebrews, God, Jesus, Moses, Noah, Rahab
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
There is something terrible about the word “confidence” when you’re faced with the daily struggle of illness. What are you supposed to have confidence in? You’re never sure how you’re going to feel physically. You’re never sure what you’ll be able to get done. You’re not even sure what emotions you might experience that day!
Confidence? More like everlasting weakness.
Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith.” The author goes on and on about all these different people, talking about the things they did. Noah and Moses, Abel and Rahab–they had confidence.
God-confidence.
On days like today, when the wind howls mournfully outside my window and my joints ache so badly that I want to scream, that is a helpful reminder. I may not be able to stride out the front door and take on the world, but my God can–and He will help me to do whatever it is that I have to do this day. Whatever I have to endure. Whatever I have to face.
The same goes for you.
This illness? This struggle? It’s just a moment in time. We can be confident; as Noah was in the Flood; as Moses was when he faced Pharaoh; as Abel was as he made an offering that incited his brother to murder, as Rahab was when the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. That God has something better in store.
Confident in God. Sure that He is there, that He sees and that this is not all there is.
Prayer: Lord, when all I can think about is the here and now, remind me that this isn’t it. Teach me to live in the hope that there is more, that there is wholeness and healing, whether in this life or the next. Above all, gracious God, teach me to be confident in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Welcome to Our Newest Author!
Marie Gregg lives in North Idaho with her husband, Chris, and their two dogs. She was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome in 2010. Her deepest longing is to glorify her Savior and encourage others as she has been encouraged.
Our Illness is Always in God’s Sight; He Doesn’t Just Deal With Leftovers
22 Feb 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christ, Chronic (medicine), God, illness, Jesus, Our Illness is Always in God’s Sight; He Doesn’t Just Deal With Leftovers, rest ministries, Satan, Support group
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“This is My doing.” (1 Kings 12:24)
The struggles of life come in many forms, whether it be a prodigal child, unemployment, illness, or the loss of a loved one. We all suffer because we live in a world that is tarnished with sin.
There are many hot-fueled emotions, however, about whether God causes this pain or if He simply allows it to touch our lives. 1 Kings 12:24 says, “This is my doing.”
We all long to believe in a God who comforts us and has a lap we can curl up into. We do not always want to think of God as a Father who must also use discipline, even when it is painful. As parents, however, discipline is not punishment. It is a tool to raise our children to be more Christ-like, just as God desires us to be.
Coping with my own disease, I have chosen not to think of my illness as Satan’s doing, because it is in fact, a part of my identity. My weakness is God’s strength. I find the most comfort in trusting that God has always and fully been in control. My illness is not Satan’s brainstorm with God being expected to make something out of the leftovers. Since I was formed in the wound, God knew rheumatoid arthritis would be a part of who I am.
Jesus is a man of many sorrows and familiar with suffering (Isaiah 53:3). Despite them, He always turned to God to talk about them, asking for strength, comfort, and even for the cup to pass.
Regardless of where the source of our struggles come from, we must follow Christ’s example and always turn to God because this is His doing.
Prayer: Father, help me to know that though I may not know the reasons behind my sufferings, You are always there to comfort me and that the situation has never once been out of Your sight.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and the author of “How to Start a Chronic Illness Small Group Ministry.” You can read more about this book at http://startasmallgroup.com . It’s packed full of 320 pages of information to help you decide if a HopeKeepers illness support group is in your future and where to go from the calling to the practical steps.
Seeking Saturation At The Lord’s Feet In Our Pain, Not Just Getting By
21 Feb 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christ, God, Hosea, Israel, Jesus, Lisa Copen, Lord, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis
“I will be like the dew to Israel.” (Hosea 14:5)
Time with God. A daily quiet time. A good relationship with Christ. Crying out to Jesus. It can be rather simple to write devotionals with descriptions of the Christian life that soon sound like cliches. But what does crying out to God look like?
Recently I shared a video with you of me crying out called “Lisa Unfiltered.” And although it was not me talking directly to God, but rather you, I did shares many of these emotions and did speak with Him about them too. When you go through those days, trying to bite your lip because you feel like the tears are about to burst forth, find a place alone and allow them to pour out. It’s okay.
Part of dealing with the chronic daily part of illness is sitting and waiting for that saturation of God’s presence. Too often we seek God out only just as much as we need Him–”just enough.” We allow God to fill us only enough to get us through the next moment. It’s true we must rely on God’s mercies each morning, finding whatever manna He gives.
And yet, as soon as we collect that manna we don’t need to run off and get on with our day if our heart is still hurting. We can sit there at His feet as long as we need to, until we are saturated with His love.
God isn’t a sprinkler on our lives. He is our ocean. And yet, like gentle dew, He can coat us with His presence entirely.
Prayer: Lord, saturate me with Your presence and help me become more patient in waiting for Your visible action in my life. Allow me to find the comfort in simply being in Your presence.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries, Inc. She has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993 and deals with daily pain throughout all of her body and joints. She is the author of various books on illness, including the devotional “Mosaic Moments” which is now “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” through March 1, 2011, to help with the printing costs of the book. All proceeds go back into the ministry, so order it today to give a special friend an encouraging gift.
Illness Can Make Us Feel Like One of God’s Lost Sheep
20 Feb 2011 7 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic pain, God, Gospel of Matthew, Jeremiah, Jesus, Joshua, Lord, Parable of the Lost Sheep
“. . . Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” (Luke 15:6)
Recently I was feeling lost; I was in a situation that seemed so overwhelming. I felt uncertain about the future and how I could cope with it and I found myself crying out to God. In the midst of these fears, I felt that God was reminding me of these four important things.
God is with me.
Joshua 1:9 says – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
I don’t have to do this alone – God is with me in all of it.
God loves me.
Jeremiah 31:3 says – “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.’”
God’s love is everlasting and will sustain me through anything I have to face.
I know where I’m going.
John 14:2-3 says – “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
This is only part of my journey – it will ultimately lead me to my Father’s house.
I matter to God.
Matthew 18:12-14 says – “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”
Prayer: God, I know you don’t ever want me to feel or be lost. You cares so much about me thatYou would search for me and bring me back. You did then and You will again. I’m so thankful for that.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, travel and photography. You can contact her in the Sunroom.
Finding Faith For Today When Coping With Physical Ailments
19 Feb 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Book of Deuteronomy, Christ, Chronic (medicine), God, Jesus, Kleenex, Lord, lyme disease
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
The bed clings, pulling me deeper into the comfort of warm sheets. The floor is littered with Kleenex(R). Empty cough drop wrappers adorn the nightstand. I don’t want to get up.
Some cold/sinus nasty/”please-don’t-let-it-be-flu” thing has infiltrated my body. If I take something to end the dripping nose, my head throbs and swells like a balloon. My eyes leak and my nose resembles a certain reindeer.
Ugh.
I hate things like this that saps strength enough to keep me from accomplishing what needs to be done. My present problems are nothing in the grand scheme of things. This too will pass. There have been other times I wasn’t so sure, times I couldn’t get out of bed without someone to help or carry.
Life is full of those stop-in-the-tracks moments, or side-slips into a messy mire of difficulties and trials. Some things pass quickly, others are life-changing and altering. They don’t go away, and if we’re not careful, despair wraps like a wet cement cloak across the shoulders. It’s hard not to worry about tomorrow and what will come.
Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Bread enough for today. He will feed and supply all our needs. He tells us to not worry about tomorrow because He will be with us as we go through life. He will never leave or forsake us. His mercies are new every morning. He’ll give us the grace we need, the strength we need, and the love we need.
Prayer: God help me to remember that faith isn’t about my body’s strength, but by casting my worn-out, ailing body on Your universe-carrying, amazing, loving, unfailing broad shoulders.
About the Author:
Lisa Buffaloe is a madly in love with God, Christ-follower, happily married, mom, writer/blogger/speaker. God has helped her through molestation by a baby-sitter, assault, rape, divorce, cancer, death, seven surgeries, and years of chronic illness due to Lyme Disease. For more information, please visit www.LisaBuffaloe.com
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