HE cares about what’s going on…

during an unexpected crisis in my life i rely on GOD’s care.

HE’s not only close, HE cares about what’s going on.  He’s not only present, HE loves me. 

now the story of the unexpected storm is told in three gospels. in mark 4.38 (niv), the disciples said to HIM, “teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”  that’s a typical reaction isn’t it?  don’t you care, GOD, when we go through a crisis? 

the first thing we tend to do is question GOD’s love. “ what gives?  why is this happening to me?  LORD, don’t you care?  i’m facing this disaster, this crisis, don’t you care?  don’t you love me?”  the answer is, of course HE loves you.  absolutely HE loves you.  yes, HE cares. 

i heard a story about a pastor who went to the hospital to visit an elderly man who was dying.  he walked into the hospital room and there was an empty chair sitting by the bed and the pastor said, “i see you’ve already had a visitor today.”  the man said, “no, i need to explain that to you.” 

“many years ago, i went to another pastor and told him, ‘i’m having a hard time praying.  i just don’t know what to say.’  that pastor told me, ‘why don’t you get an empty chair and set it in front of you.  then just imagine JESUS CHRIST sitting in that chair.  then when you pray just talk to HIM in conversation like you would have with a friend.’  i started doing that and that’s how i learned to pray and i’ve done it ever since.” 

the pastor said, “that's a great story.  would you mind if i shared that with some other people?” so he finished the visit and left.  two days later the pastor received a phone call from the elderly man’s daughter.  she was in tears.  she said, “my father has passed away.  i don’t know what happened.  i had just fed him his meal and walked out of the hospital room for a little bit.  in a couple minutes i walked back in and he had passed away.  nothing had changed.  it was exactly the same except he had his arm outstretched on an empty chair.” 

you have no idea how much GOD cares about you.  you have no idea! if i tried to explain it, i couldn’t!  the bible says it’s wider, greater that anything you can imagine, how much GOD cares about you. 

just a thought from the front porch…

HE is all around us…

i want to take some time here just before we change this chain of thought to focus on the reality that GOD is all around us, to focus on HIS presence.   you see GOD’s presence is with us whether we’re aware of it or not.  HE wants you to know HIM.  HE wants you to feel HIS love.  it’s nothing spooky or scary or mystical.  it’s just a part of life that maybe you haven’t been aware of.  HE has been around your life since you were born.  HE’s always been around you.  it’s a fact of life that you need to tune in to. 

would you in the quietness of your heart say, “GOD, i’d like to know YOUr presence in my life.”  then just be quiet?  take a deep breath and relax.  tell GOD what’s on your mind.  aches?  pains?  feel good, worried, tired?  tell HIM what’s on your mind right there where you are. 

if you’ve never done so would you invite JESUS CHRIST to come into your life?  because GOD is a SPIRIT HE can move in you.  radio waves go through your life all the time.  GOD can come into your life.  JESUS said in revelation 3.20 (niv), behold, I stand at the door and knock.  JESUS says, “I’m knocking at the door of your life.  if you’ll open it up I will come into your life and live with you and you with ME”.  just say, “JESUS CHRIST, come into my life right now.” 

then thank HIM in your heart.  thank HIM for all the things HE’s done for you.  that’s praise.  think of two or three specific things that you thank GOD for.  thank HIM that HE’s going to be with you all this week.  thank HIM that when you’re lonely HE wants to be your companion; that HE’s there with you.  HE’ll cheer you up. 

thank HIM that HE”s promised that when you go through deep waters HE’s going to be with youand you’re not going to drown.  HE will give you confidence and stability and not forsake you. 

thank HIM that HE can calm you down when everything is uptight at home or the office or on the work site.  thank HIM that when you face temptation this week, HE’s going to help you out and there will be a way of escape.  if you’re discouraged and brokenhearted, GOD is with you.  HE loves you and HE’s going to see you through this time in your life.  thank HIM for that. 

dear FATHER, i thank YOU for YOUr word and that it is relevant. thank YOU that YOU are with us.  help us to sense YOUr presence and realize that there is no point that we will be that we cannot say, “the LORD is in this place.”  thank YOU for the confidence and the comfort that gives us. in JESUS’ name.  amen.

just a thought from the front porch…