27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards
    and were at their wits’ end.
28 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
29 He calmed the storm to a whisper
    and stilled the waves.
30 What a blessing was that stillness
    as he brought them safely into harbor!
31 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
    and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
 Psalm 107:27-31 NLT

Were you like the rest of us and rushed into the summer feeling a new freedom? It’s true we now live with less fear, don’t we?  But as the first rush wears off, some of us are almost overwhelmed with the clutter and clatter of the world.  We miss some of that quiet that had been imposed on us.

Then, there is the violence and lack of control of the world around us.  War, famine, mass shootings, the extreme division of world views fanned by media that erupts into extreme negative, almost combative language.  Sorry to remind you.  Looking for a place to hide?!

As all of the above goes on in the world, neither can we hide from our own personal challenges and struggles.  So, where do we go?  What do we do to regain some of that silence and peace?

In John 14:27 NLT Jesus promises his followers the gift of “peace of mind and heart.”  Let’s run to Jesus for this gift.  Picture him in the middle of your everyday life, the struggles and the joys. In his presence, is peace and quietness of spirit that grows stronger there with him, enabling us to carry his peace in our hearts into every situation we encounter.

Perhaps as you read Psalm 107:27-31 above, your heart resonates with the psalmist in verse 30. “What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!”

Only Jesus can calm the storms in our lives and still the waves that threaten to drag us under.  Let’s trust him to silence the noise and bring peace and order to the clutter.  As we run to Christ, and the power of his completed work for us on the Cross, he will bring us into the safe, quiet harbor of his presence.  Let’s rest and be strengthened there.

Dear friends, be blessed with deep peace and quietness of heart and mind as you trust Jesus to bring you into the safe harbor of his presence.  Be blessed as you look to Jesus and praise him for his great love and the wonderful things he has done for us! Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ July 26, 2022

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ...
Colossians 2:6 NASB

Have you ever heard a teaching where one sentence caught you and made you pause?

It happened to me the other day. I was listening to a teaching on the radio and the speaker changed my whole perspective. He was teaching about Enoch.  In Genesis 5:24 it says, “Enoch walked faithfully with God…..”  The change for me happened when the speaker specified Enoch walked with God. 

One of my go to Bible verses that I often repeat to myself is, “God will never leave me or forsake me.” (my modification), Deuteronomy 31:8.
When I thought about reconciling the two verses I realized my arrogance.
All along I had envisioned myself taking God with me where ever I went.
We are to walk with God, not we bringing God along with us. He is our Good Shepherded and we are His sheep. The sheep do not lead. They trust in the path the Shepherd has them on. (pause and think about that)

In our own lives, think about walking a dog. They often try to pull ahead of you, they get sidetracked and try to pull you this way and that way. They have their own agenda. They can become so distracted that they don’t see potential dangers ahead and may really have no clear direction. But, you are their master and as such you guide them in the correct direction. You care for them and keep them safe. The dog in return is supposed to yield to you and your commands. The command to bringing the dog back beside you and to keep him there is “with me”.  

I realized, too often, I have been trying to take God where I wanted to go and do what I wanted to do without talking to him first. It is no surprise when things don’t always work out. I have to surrender to Him and trust Him to take me where I need to go. It is in walking with Him that I stay aligned with His will for my life. He is the Good Shepherd and I am the sheep.

Is God softly saying to you today, “Walk with me.”?

Dear friend, I bless you today to stay tuned into God’s soft whispering voice. Be blessed to trust in his leading and the path that He has you on. Continue to seek Him and He will show you the way. Amen.
Monica Brunn, July 12, 2022