THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

On the second Friday of each month in 2019 we are studying one of the most memorized chapters in the Bible: PSALM 23. Join me as we bring fresh application of this beloved psalm to our lives.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me…*

During the time David wrote this psalm, a traveler going through the desert valley of Judah on foot would often risk their lives. The shadows cast by the mountains may be hiding unknown dangers: lurking bandits or wild animals. But the faithful could be assured that they need not fear because the Lord was near.

Each one of us walks through dark valleys in various seasons of our life. During these times of struggle it’s important that we not compare our valley walk with that of fellow believers. We each struggle in different ways and for different reasons. A dark valley experience for you may not be a dark valley experience for me and vice versa.

I may be going through the toughest season of my life while you seem to be floating along on cloud nine. If I’m not careful I could become resentful and bitter at you and/or God. What I don’t know is that you may be having a family crisis that you can’t talk about. But all I see is you composed; not stressed or worried.

Others are watching us walk through our valleys.

What are they seeing?

Do they see someone who is bitter, angry and afraid?

Or do they see someone joy-filled and trusting God’s plan for good?

To be honest, this is difficult for me. I must remind myself almost daily to be patient, trust God and know that He loves me and hasn’t forgotten about me. I’m not in this valley alone. This valley has a lesson to build in my faith and character if I will just let it.

There are measures of God’s Presence that you can only experience in the valley. ~ Bill Johnson

The dictionary defines a shadow as a dark figure or an image cast on a surface of a body intercepting light. What’s intercepting the Light in your life today?

Maybe your valley seems dark because God’s Presence is so near protecting you under His wing.

If you are walking through a dark valley today take a few minutes to contemplate God’s Presence with this beautiful prophetic worship song by Nathaniel Coe III and Somer Jordan.

*New King James Version

July 5, 2019July 1, 2019

TAKING AS CHRIST DID

In The Serenity Prayer column each month we’re studying this well-known prayer phrase by phrase and applying it to our life today. These columns will be published the first Friday of each month in 2019.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Taking as Christ did this sinful world as it is…

Taking as Christ did. In this passage of The Serenity Prayer we are asked to take our world as Jesus Christ did. We’re to surrender to God’s will in and for our life. We are to accept the things we cannot change and see that our hardships can be the pathway to Peace if we will accept them with the right heart attitude.

Walk in courage. As we walk in courage, not fear or resentment, God will give us the needed wisdom to make right decisions and to carry the burdens we are to bear. One day at a time, maybe even one moment at a time, we may have to endure hurtful people and difficult situations.

Look to Christ. We can look to Christ Who Scripture says, never trusted himself to man because He knew their fallen state. He took His assignment and for the joy that was to come, endure even the worst death a person could die — crucifixion on a Roman cross.

Follow Jesus’ example. As Christians we are to follow in Jesus’s footsteps, being willing to sacrifice our lives for Him. Our sacrifice may not mean physical torture or death like millions experience every day around the world. But every time we sacrifice our selfish desires, accepting the path put before us, we can know that God sees our heart and efforts and will honor them with His grace to make it through.

Surrender. When Jesus accepted His assignment and came to earth in human form, He demonstrated the ultimate act of surrender and love. He surrendered His authority and power for a time so that He could live as we do. He wanted to experience the temptations, pain and suffering that humanity does. It is here His sacrifice takes on its full meaning of hope. When Jesus took our suffering He cleared our pathway to a direct relationship for us to have with the Father through the Holy Spirit.