The Joy of Music When We Need Perked Up
31 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: art, David, God, Levite, Lord, music, Ohio, Praise and Worship
“David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.” (1 Chronicles 15:16)
Music has always been a part of my life. Certain songs invoke particular memories. From childhood, and especially through my teen years, music helped and blessed me through hard times and good times.
If we were to try and explain music to an alien from another planet we would probably fail miserably, for music is not meant to be explained, but rather experienced. It affects us in our heart and soul.
There are times that music can express what we feel when words fail us. Music is poetry put to rhythm. It is rhyme put to a steady beat. It is a power that moves and stirs the soul. It is a gift from God.
Music can be therapeutic. It can lift us when we are down, and bring catharsis to our wounded spirit. Music can enable us to lift our voices to God in praise and worship. Music is one of God’s greatest gifts.
Those who suffer affliction are wounded souls. Those who suffer chronic or continual affliction badly need a salve for their souls.
Music can be a perfect salve for the sorrowful soul.
Lift your soul with music. Let it carry your praises and appreciation to God even in your times of sorrow.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we live in a world of sorrow. Thank you for music that lifts our soul. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He is a life-long music lover.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Do you find music therapeutic? How does music lift your soul? What is your favorite way to listen to it? In the car, home stereo, ipod?
What Kind Of ‘Bible’ Are You in The Tough Times?
30 Aug 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bible, Christ, christian, Christianity, God, Jesus, Lord, Second Epistle to the Corinthians
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
I love quotes, those pithy statements that seem to hit you right when you need to hear them. Or the ones that stick in your mind, long after you have heard them. The senior pastor at our church has been there a long time and having heard some of his quotes, many times now–they still don’t lose their impact with me.
One I particularly like is: “You may be the only Bible people get to read.”
Sometimes I think we forget that when people know we are Christians, the way we live our lives is on display–especially to all those who seek to find flaws in our beliefs, or just show us up to be far from perfect. In fact we are just human, as they are. They have their own ideas of what a “Christian” is, or should be and how we should react, speak, or even act in particular situations.
For those people, we truly may be the only Bible they get to read, or the only Christian they get to watch. What a responsibility God has trusted us with!
As well as being a Christian, having a chronic illness, adds another layer to this. We know that people are watching to see how we will react when yet another setback hits us, or we lose the ability to do something else. They are watching to see if we will get angry with God, if we might take it out on others unfairly, or just let our faith fall away.
For many of us, life is a struggle a lot of the time. Is it fair that we also have to be scrutinised and be a good example to those who are watching us?
For whatever reason, God has placed us in the situations we are in. This verse says, our faces are in the process of being transformed into His likeness. As we let that happen, we have a wonderful opportunity to be Christ to others–to those who may be watching.
Prayer: Father, help me to reflect You to those people around me, especially those watching to see how I will respond to the difficulties of illness. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life, and the lessons He teaches her, as she lives with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to travel when she is able. You can contact her in the Sunroom.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When have you been aware that others are watching how you react to another setback in your health?
Are You Living Life to the Fullest? Or Just Getting By?
29 Aug 2011 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, Conditions and Diseases, God, Health, Jesus, Lord, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
When was the last time you lived life to the fullest? What exactly does it mean to live life to the fullest? Last month I went camping with my family. My dad, husband, and son slept in the tent so my mom and I could have the camper. The second night, however, I was too sore to even climb the three steps into the camper and the best was too hard for me to sleep on, despite my extra mattress cushions.
After a moment of tears in frustration, my husband got on the phone and found me a bed at a nearby motel and drove me down there. “I’m just not a country girl anymore,” I told my husband. “I need a real bed, a hot shower to ease the joints and muscles, and no steps or stairs.” The next morning I returned to have coffee and breakfast by the campfire with everyone else. I felt much more alive! I felt “full” instead of just “empty.”
Living life to the fullest doesn’t mean giving up everything, but it may mean giving up some of our past activities. It may mean having a bed, not an air mattress. It truly means turning to God to fulfill our purpose, not looking for our meaning in other people or our career.
Jesus came to earth so that we may have life–to the fullest. How often are we just getting by in survival mode? How frequently do you think of yourself as just “hanging in there”? Jesus didn’t come to earth so we could just do pretty well under the circumstances. He came that we may have a full life!
Scripture also tells us that life will have challenges and problems. We don’t have to put a smile on our face every moment and claim that we are joyful when we simply are not. Yet, remember God’s sacrifice of His only Son, that He sent Him so that we can live life to the fullest. And then find some moments of joy, even if you create them yourself, so that you can say, “Thank You, Lord, for giving me a full life!”
Prayer: Oh, Jesus, You came that I may have a full life, but some days aren’t full of anything but surviving moment by moment, doctor’s appointment by lab tests. Help me remember the gift You gave so that I could have a full life and then show me the way to do so.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993. If you enjoy these devotionals, you may love her book Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill which includes devotions from about 20 writers and a journey through Lisa’s first ten years of living with a chronic illness.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When you consider yourself living a full life what does it look like?
Being a Man Who Lives With Illness
28 Aug 2011 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christ, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, God, Health, Jesus, Lord, Ohio, weakness
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)
What does it take to be a man? Must one be stoic, never showing any weakness? Should a man hide his feelings, and pretend that everything is fine, even when it isn’t?
It is my experience that women are generally more willing to discuss their problems than men. There are exceptions, myself being one, but I think it is safe to say that men do not easily admit weakness, and they rarely share problems with other men. This is especially true of the older generations of men.
My guess is that many men suffer affliction in silence, feeling it is their duty to bear their burden alone, and that sharing that burden with others is somehow wrong. I would remind the Christian man that not only are we to take our burdens to the Lord, but we are to help each other with our burdens. No believer stands or succeeds alone. Our victory is through Christ and with our brothers and sisters.
It is not easy for men to admit weakness. By nature we are competitive, geared to succeed, and generally gather with other men for common goals and interests, and not to share burdens with one another. It somehow seems unmanly to admit we have weaknesses, afflictions, troubles.
It is not just men who have unrealistic expectations of other men. One of the strangest backhanded ‘compliments’ I ever received was from a woman who had read an article about me suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that had just appeared in our local paper. I’ll never forget the day this elderly Christian woman approached me and said, while patting me on the arm, My husband is not a man either. I guess it is no wonder some men do not want to express their challenges openly.
You develop a thick skin after awhile. You have to when you suffer from affliction. All that really matters is what the Lord thinks of you, and what you think of yourself. The thing is, if you belong to the Lord, you are already a child of the kingdom, with a high standing in God’s eyes. But if you only measure your worth by what you can produce, or by what others think of you, based on your affliction, that is a dead end that can only cause you pain. You are a true man if you belong to Christ, and His love and grace is in your life, regardless of your physical abilities or limitations.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that every man who reads this will evaluate themselves based upon Your presence in their lives. And I pray that every woman who reads this will also evaluate the men in their lives based upon their relationship to You, and not some unrealistic standard found in our culture. Amen.
About The Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He has found strength in the Lord for his afflictions.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
How do you think a man should handle affliction?
Just Hold On And Choose To Believe
27 Aug 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Conditions and Diseases, First Epistle to the Thessalonians, God, Health, Jesus, Melbourne, pain, The Sunroom
“The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Do you have those days where you wonder how you can accomplish what you feel God is calling you to do? Do you wonder how you can keep on going, when pain, or illness makes each day so hard?
For many of us, it often seems like we don’t “do” much–or certainly in the eyes of other healthy people and what they think people should be capable of. Our pain, or illness, takes so much energy to just survive, that sometimes it seems there is nothing left for doing what really matters.
I know I’ve been reluctant at times to commit to doing things, because I know there will be times when my health will limit my ability to keep that commitment. But does that mean, I should never start something, or commit to doing something that may be a long term use of my time and effort?
It sometimes seems it would be easier to just not start anything, to stay home and feel sorry that I’m unable to do those things that my friends, or others are excited about doing; that are important in their service to God and to others. Surely God understands when I’m not able to do something, doesn’t He?
God does understand my limitations, but He also gives me the resources to do those things that He calls me to do. He has gifted me in certain ways and He also gives me a passion about certain things and empathy for what some others may be going through. Sometimes I’m not aware of that until I look back and see how I have done far more than I thought I’d be capable of.
God gives the resources when we need them and as it says in this verse, if He has called us to do something, He will be faithful in giving us what we need to get it done. As I read somewhere just recently “just hold on and choose to believe.” Sometimes that’s all we can do–but God will be faithful and never let us down.
Prayer: Father, help me to hold on and believe that You give me all I need to do the things You want me to do. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life, and the lessons He teaches her, as she lives with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to travel when she is able. You can contact her in the Sunroom.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When have you found that you accomplished far more than you thought you’d be able to do?
When the Best You Can Do Doesn’t Seem Good Enough
26 Aug 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2
“Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” (1 Peter 4:19)
Some decisions seem to be impossible to make.
I faced one of those this past week.
It may not sound like a difficult decision, but it was a choice that left me teetering on the fence, agonizing over what seemed to be an impossible choice.
As summer nears its end, the next school year looms large on the horizon. Yes, I should be past dealing with the school years, but having chosen to raise my deceased daughter’s children, we have been back in the parenting game for 7 years.
Based on numerous factors, we decided to homeschool. Yet, with all the new health issues I am facing, homeschooling has become more and more difficult. Difficult to the point I had to decide whether or not to utilize the public school system. Some folks may be fans of traditional schools, but I am not one. Dealing with learning disabilities and some emotional issues made keeping them home the logical choice. With my background and training, it just made sense. Beyond that, it was what I felt God wanted us to do.
I can do it no longer. Quite frankly, I can’t keep up. How awful to say that. So after weeks of teeter-tottering, praying, talking to others–the decision was made. Our nine-year-old is enrolled in a traditional school. Our fourteen-year-old is going to attend an online public school. That is the best I can do this year.
The best I can do. So often anymore, the best I can do doesn’t seem good enough. Feelings of failing others, failing myself, and failing God creep it. I have to admit to crying over this one. Even as we were signing her up, I felt the tears begin to well up inside.
Did I have to fail at this, too?
What was once a joy has become a demanding chore I can’t handle. I wasn’t up to the task.
I must view it as one more opportunity to rely on God. He knows, better than I, what the coming year will bring. In the past, I have looked back and realized how God had been working behind the scenes to bring about what was best for our family. Often at the time, it looked like anything but the best.
So, with a longing tug at my heart, I do not do what I want, but what the situation demands. And more importantly, what God asks. I entrust her to God’s care.
Prayer: Father God, I pray, that as we each face the challenges of our lives that we are able to entrust you with everything that comes into our life and with everything we need let go of. You knows better than we do, when we have done the best we can. Amen.
About the Author:
deni weber believes that the only true way to deal with chronic challenges is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her challenges have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest desire that her lessons may be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. Her website is TodaysEncouragingWordonline.com – deni can be reached at encouragingwords@pathways4change.org .
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Are there things in your life that you have agonized over letting go? How have you handled those challenges? Can you simply do the best you can, and leave the results to God?
Our Ebenezers – Signs of God’s Faithfulness in Our Pain
25 Aug 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Books of Samuel, Christianity, Evangelism, God, Jesus, Lord Jesus, Religion & Spirituality, Samuel
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the Lord helped us.’” (1 Samuel 7:12).
In Scripture stones were sometimes used a symbols of God’s faithfulness. Whether it was deliverance from or victory over their enemies, stones were visual reminders of what God had done in the past and encouraging them to trust Him for the future.
I once experienced a great example of this concept. Our former church was celebrating its 25th anniversary. The pastor asked every family to bring in an item symbolizing some way in which the church had significantly impacted their lives for God. It was a beautiful thing to see all the “stones” that people brought and to relive great shared memories.
As I look back over my own life, sometimes I am tempted to only dwell on the painful memories. But I can also choose to remember how the Lord has brought me through each of these experiences, using them to draw me into a deeper and more faithful relationship with Him.
Many times my old fearful nature still struggles within me. When I think of the future I wonder how I will survive my health struggles, and honestly, at that moment, may not even want to try. That is when I need to remember all that God has done for me.
For a visual reminder, I bought a bag of small stones. I have placed them in certain places to help me remember what the Lord has done throughout my life–on my nightstand, in my makeup drawer, in my wallet, in my car, on the kitchen windowsill. When I see them I remember God’s faithfulness. He will not fail me now, regardless of what lies ahead. Taking one day at a time and remembering my Ebenezer stones, I am clinging to God–the Rock of my salvation.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, just as the Ebenezers in my life are signs of Your faithfulness to me, so may I be a faithful “living stone” in Your kingdom as I represent You to those around me (I Peter 2:5). Amen.
About the Author:
Bronlynn Spindler lives in VA and is blessed to have the support and encouragement of a wonderful husband and three grown daughters. God’s grace and strength give her the ability to deal with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What are some of the Ebenezers in your life that God has given you?
Readjusting My Outlook Each Day
24 Aug 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: First Epistle to the Thessalonians, God, Indiana, Jesus, Mother, pain, Psalm, rest ministries
“The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” (Psalm 28:7)
JOY. Even seeing the word lifts my mood. “My heart leaps for JOY.” I long for the place where my heart leaps for joy. But how do we find it? Especially when we often live with pain and fatigue that so easily drags us down?
“My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him.”
My heart trusts Him. Trust in Him, and I am helped. The scripture gives us this answer. This is the way to have a joyful heart in spite of monumental pain. We might be making fiev steps forward and two steps back in this journey toward joy, but at least we are going forward. I know that for many of us, our circumstances are rough. But that does not mean we have to live “under” the circumstances, does it?
Make it a point to look for joy. It can be a great distraction to try and find the bright spots of joy in your life. My kids laugh at how often they hear their Mom say, “But at least. . .”
Our income is very limited, “But at least we have a home.”
We have very little grocery money, “But at least a friend brought us a bag of produce from their garden.”
I colored my hair! No big deal to many, I know that. But even if my pain is big, “at least I can look and feel pretty without all of the gray!”
See? I am still stepping forward, having fresh produce, in a warm home, while finding joy, and feeling pretty.
There is even a scriptural command for joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always.
Pray continually;
Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I am so thankful that You can “satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 Please Father, help us to be so caught up in Your love, that we do not live “Under our circumstances.”
About the Author: Sandra Platt is a freelance writer, minister’s wife, and mother of 2 young adults. She lives in beautiful rural, southern Indiana. She has had Fibromyalgia for 20 years, and deals with many other painful health issues. She is so thankful for the many friends and “sisters” she has found through Rest Ministries and the SunRoom.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
How do you find joy in each day? I encourage you to keep a joy journal. At the end of each day, write down at least 5 joy spots that you find each day. For example, this morning, as I wheeled up to my desk for devotions, I saw a beautiful hummingbird resting on our phone line going right by my window.
Returning To God Is Easier Than You May Think
23 Aug 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Book of Genesis, christian, chronic, God, Lord, Psalm, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis
“‘This is what the Lord Almighty says,’Return to Me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 1:3)
Recently I was sitting at my desk on the computer when my son came running in, put a nerf gun up to my face within 6 inches and his finger “slipped.” It hit right near my eye. It stung, but my immediate frustration that he would even point it at me (rule #1: broken) and what could have happened if it had hit my eye (being prone to infections easily) caused me, well, I am embarrassed to say I erupted! “You know better than that,” I yelled! “You could have hurt Mommy!”
He took off and ran outside, upset at himself and scared of my reaction. Then I felt badly.
I went outside and found him hiding behind the car. “Honey,” I said, “I know you feel bad. Mommy is okay. When you do something wrong you don’t need to run and hide. Instead, just stay here and say you are sorry.”
Does this story sound familiar? What happened after Adam and Eve realized that they had sinned against God?
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8,9)>
As I said the words out loud to my son, I heard God saying, “Are you listening to yourself? That is all I ask of you.” Just as nothing my son does will ever change my unconditional love, so can we never do anything that will make God love us any less.
We all go through seasons in our spiritual walk. If you have visited our Rest Ministries Sunroom you may feel as though you are in the minority when you stumble over daily time with God or always finding the positive outlook. That is not our intention. Rather, we know we have seasons of summer and winter in our spiritual walk, and if you are in a dark, dreary winter, we hope someone who is in a sunny summer moment can encourage you.
God never leaves us. You may have heard of the saying, “If you feel as though there is space between you and God, it’s you who stepped away.” All you have to do is take that step forward and God will immediately meet you wherever you are at. It’s not a long path to our hope in God, but just one step. When we take that step, He will make up the difference.
Prayer: Lord, I don’t like it when I feel empty, when I feel I have lost Your presence. I am sure to make mistakes and my instinct may be to run away from You instead of walk towards You. Help remind me to turn to You in all circumstances. Amen.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993. If you enjoy these devotionals, you may love her book Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill which includes devotions from about 20 writers and a journey through Lisa’s first ten years of living with a chronic illness.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Have you experienced a dry moment in your relationship with the Lord? What was it (an experience, a prayer, a conscious step, a retreat, a conversation) that helped you step forward to Him again?
God’s ‘P-Pod’
21 Aug 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bible, God, Lord, pain, peace, purpose, Thought, Tony Evans
“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” Jeremiah 29:11
After being on pain medications for almost 10 years, my body needed a break. Therefore, with the help of my doctors, I’ve weaned off my pain medications. God is using this new phase of my journey to teach me more about Himself and myself. Today, as I read the following quote, God provided a wonderful ‘P-POD’ for me!
“Rejoice in the purpose, not the pain. God has a plan for what He is allowing in your life right now. Trust Him.” -Tony Evans
As I read this I couldn’t help but reflect on Jeremiah 29:11. “‘For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.’” (Amplified Bible)
Then God gave me this:
Purpose: God has a specific purpose and plan designed to accomplish His will (not mine).
Pain: This is one means God has chosen to accomplish His purpose in and through me.
Protection: God won’t allow more than I can handle, and is allowing only what is needed to accomplish His purpose.
Positive: Knowing that God has a specific purpose, and sets boundaries, I can take refuge in God’s protection, and knowing this creates a positive spirit within–and provides peace for my soul.
The 4 P’s are all inclusive. If I focus on just one of the P’s, I’ll miss the peace and comfort the POD provides. When I take the entire POD that’s when God can fully accomplish His will—and my soul is at peace. If I want to create a positive day, I must focus on the entire P-Pod.
Prayer: Lord, You do have a plan for my life. Help me to rest in You as you accomplish Your plan through me. And Lord, on those high pain days, help me take comfort in the P-Pod You’ve provided.
About the Author:
Rhonda Sawtelle lives with chronic headaches and pain due to failed back surgery syndrome. Her philosophy is “Create a positive day!” She enjoys watching football, digital scrapbooking, and reading. To read more about how Rhonda creates a positive day, even while living with pain, visit her blog: Create a Positive Day.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Which “P” are you tempted to focus in the most? How does it keep you from experiencing the others?
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