‘Care about others as much as you care about yourselves…’ (Philippians 2:4)
As we live out our daily lives do we care for others in the way that we care for ourselves?
‘O Lord my God, how great you are…’ (Psalm 104:1)
Pause for a moment to consider all that we see, hear and experience every single day in life. Birds, animals and insects; trees and flowers; other people, male, female, young and old; clouds drifting across the sky, a cold wind on our faces, a bright shining sun and heavy falls of rain and snow; a great multitude of stars in the night sky along with other planets and galaxies. All of this came into being through the creative power of God and even today is all sustained the the hand of the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are indeed.
‘I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand…’ (Isaiah 41:10)
Life is not always plain sailing and there are times when we all feel tired and weak, when we all feel that we need some help and support. Of course we can look to family and friends and we find this from them. However, ultimately we need to look to the Lord. No one can offer the strength, help and support that He can – and it will remain with us at all times.
‘I pray to You, O God, because You answer me…’ (Psalm 17:6)
Prayer is essential in our relationship with the Lord. Yes, God knows what we need before we come to Him – He knows all that is in our hearts and minds. However, even though the Lord knows everything about us, still we should come before Him in prayer, not simply to bring before Him our prayers of thanksgiving, petition or intercession, but also so that we come come to know Him more. Because the more we know the Lord – not know of Him, but know Him in our hearts and souls – the more we allow Him into our lives.
‘The unfailing love of the Lord never ends…'(Lamentations 3:22)
What a wonderful and uplifting verse this is – to know that the love of God never fails and never ends. Praise be to God.
‘Follow me and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life…’ (John 8:12)
How often do we feel as if we are just stumbling through each day? How often do we feel as if each day is nothing but a haze, where we feel enshrouded by some form of darkness? How often do we lack any real vision because we cannot really see where we are going? If you ever have days like this, take time to reflect on this verse and look to the light of Jesus Christ – the light that shines in the darkness and which the darkness never has and never will put out.
‘Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you…’ (1 Peter 5:7)
All too often we wait until we have explored all possibilities and all options about how we can deal with things in our life ourselves, before coming to the Lord. But what we should do is hand everything over to Him first. The Lord cares for us and by His Spirit is with us at all times, wanting to help us in all we do. So whenever the pressures of life bear down on you, whenever you feel tired and unsure of how to move on from where you are, look to the Lord and He will guide you.
‘Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved…’ (Joel 2:32)
What a wonderful and joyous message. Have we shared it with others recently?
‘The Lord says: “I have swept away your sins like the morning mist. I have scattered your offences like the clouds….I have paid the price to set you free…’ (Isaiah 44:22)
Just take a few moments to consider these words from Isaiah, to allow them to reach deep down into your heart and soul. Then reflect on how through Jesus all this has been fulfilled, how in Him we now have this freedom – for all eternity. Amen.
‘The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust Him with all my heart…’ (Psalm 28:7)
Can we echo these words from the Psalmist and say that they apply to our lives? Do we trust the Lord with all of our hearts?