Not sure about anything …

Rose’s Board Finals – Chemistry

When the future feels uncertain, when things seem to change, or we find ourselves on a new journey in this life, we can start to feel the pressure and stress of it all weighing down heavy on our hearts and minds. But Christ reminds us not to worry about tomorrow. He assures us of his care for each and every day. Ask him to help you let go of trying to figure everything out and to trust him in today, knowing he is with you always, and will lead you every step of tomorrow.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

My daughter, Rose, was not able to do her Chemistry exam well. She was upset, but I trust that God will give her marks sufficient to get a good college admission.

Although her illness over the past few months did not give her a chance to do last minute studies, she did neglect her studies earlier and it was then too late to make up.

My daughter is in her adolescence.

In the past few months, we have been having a lot of arguments leading to both of us being upset, hurt and stressed out.

Mostly the topic was her procrastination when it came to her studies.

She is a very good girl. She loves Jesus and tries hard to do the right thing. She loves us, her parents, and doesn’t want to hurt us. At the same time, she is confused.

I keep feeling that I was wrong somewhere, sometime during her upbringing. I am sad when she says that she has been hurt by us many times, that she is sad by our actions.

She is sad that I am sad.

I am sad that she is sad.

When we try to talk it out, we hurt each other.

Then the circle goes on.

I have no idea what to do.

Also, especially since our daughter is our only child, we have this constant worry about her safety, wellbeing and future.

Added to that, we worry that any of our faults, actions or words might have a negative effect on her psychologically.

Our worries go on and on, but we are trusting that God will guide the three of us through the situation, that He will make her and us understand each other and make sure that my daughter grows into a person with a character and future moulded by God as per His plans.

Thank you God that you are with us guiding our thoughts, words and deeds. Please be with us Lord and comfort us. Please give my daughter, husband and me peace and happiness in you and in each other. Help us to be patient, understanding and forgiving. Please Lord. Please…

One of the biggest fears many battle is that something bad will happen to their loved ones. Yet reality is, we can’t always be with them, nor can we always protect them from all that may come their way. But God is with them always, and he is mighty. Pray that his protection would surround those you love, that his angels would guard their coming and going, and he would keep them safe from harm. Thank him that we can release those we love into his care, knowing that He watches over his children, and covers them in his care.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

Lilies of the Field

Often it’s hard to trust God when money problems, debt, and loss mount up high. Yet God knows what concerns us, he understands our every need, and he is more than able to provide all that we lack. Pray that he will give you wisdom in every financial decision, that he would help you to be generous in giving, and to trust him in providing for your family’s needs.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

From the time I was young, I always remember that our family had just sufficient funds for a comfortable living although we did not have too much money stored up in bank accounts or assets worth millions. My parents were content with what they had, gave us the best under the circumstances and we had a happy life.

On completing our educations, all three of us children were able to obtain jobs almost the next day itself, which we can attribute to God’s Grace only.

At the time of our weddings when expenses were much higher, God provided. We know that it was God who guided us to suitable spouses and families.

My father is not rich, but his pockets are never empty. God has provided at all times, but never too much that we would forget Him.

Thank you Lord that you are always providing for us and that we do not need to worry.

God’s peace instead of panic

The enemy will lure us towards panic and worry if we focus on all that is wrong in this world. But God offers us confident peace that can never be found in this life without him. Ask for his help in choosing not to worry, but instead to pray, allowing his Spirit to guard your heart and mind in him.
From “Find Hope in the Storm”, Crosswalk.com

My mind has been a total mess these days.

Too many situations are coming up that I am overwhelmed with anxiety, anger, bitterness and panic.

I seem to be getting annoyed with the silliest issues.

My mind plays back conversations and events that I don’t want to think about thus adding to my sorrow and fears.

As mentioned in the above quote, I am being lured to focus on all that is wrong. I pray to God to let His Spirit guard my heart and mind. I am sure that in God I will find peace instead of being nagged by the silly issues of this world.

Thank you God for being there for me. Guard my heart and mind, please. I know that there are a lot of people in this world struggling and facing innumerable troubles that are so great that my problems are nothing in comparison. Thank you Lord for strengthening and carrying me through. I trust that you are my rock and refuge.

When the journey is too much …

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

When your energy is totally depleted because of extra commitments, when you’ve been sick and have nothing left to give, when obstacles seem to thwart your every move—these are the moments when Satan will gather his forces for a fresh assault on your spirit. But if you respond by turning to the Lord in prayer, He will show you a way out of hopelessness and discouragement (see Ephesians 6:10–11). When we send our burdens to heaven and rest in His Spirit, we can always count on Him to lighten the load.
Night Light for Couples

My husband and I have been struggling for over two months now over our daughter’s illness and our worries about her having sufficient health and energy to learn for and do her exams well enough to get into a good university.

Through all our worries, we have been holding fast to God. He has given us strength, guidance and assurance. Without God, I am sure that we would have broken down long back worrying about our single child.

The same is true when our son, my daughter’s twin, passed away when he was just 100 days old. God gave us the strength to get through the loss. He left behind our wonderful daughter, Rose, who is so precious to us that we wonder whether we are actually worthy to be her parents, if we are really worthy of the trust with which God entrusted her to us.

We have lost control of our emotions many times, we wonder if the way we bring her up, the advice and guidance we give her are right for her. Weak and sinful as we are, we trust that God is in charge of the situation and that He will guide her paths as per His will.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Thank you so much Lord Jesus!!

Below is the reading which I had mentioned above.

The Journey Is Too Much
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Elijah had just achieved a great triumph on Mount Carmel. Now he was thoroughly drained in body and soul. The devil, who delights in attacking us when we are vulnerable, took full advantage of the situation through Jezebel’s threat to kill Elijah. Exhausted and discouraged, Elijah sat down and prayed for it all to end. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4).
God heard Elijah’s prayer and sent His tender answer through an angel: “The journey is too much for you” (v. 7). After sleeping, Elijah found that a meal had been prepared for him. He ate and drank and received new hope and strength to continue.
When your energy is totally depleted because of extra commitments, when you’ve been sick and have nothing left to give, when obstacles seem to thwart your every move—these are the moments when Satan will gather his forces for a fresh assault on your spirit. But if you respond by turning to the Lord in prayer, He will show you a way out of hopelessness and discouragement (see Ephesians 6:10–11). When we send our burdens to heaven and rest in His Spirit, we can always count on Him to lighten the load.
Before you say good night…
Are you discouraged with life because you’re simply too tired?
Do you, and your kids, turn to the Lord in all moments of distress?
When has God responded to you as He did to Elijah?
We praise Your powerful name, Lord! You are the One who makes a way where there is no way. Forgive us for limiting Your power and Your love—which have no limits at all. We offer you our lives afresh this night. Amen.
From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson

Thank You Lord!!!

Rose’s Board Finals – Physics

So today my daughter wrote her second exam, Physics. It was a tough paper. Most children found it difficult and so did my daughter.

She was very tensed and worried when I left her at school.

Since she did not have time to do her revisions due to her illness, she was not able to cover all the chapters thoroughly before the exam.

We prayed fervently for strength, memory and ability to do well. She also prayed and asked God to sit with her during her exam and we believe He did.

Considering her situation, she did okay and was not as dejected as we feared she would be although she did not know some of the answers.

I thank God that she was brave and was able to hold up. I thank God that she was able to do as well as she did. I thank God that He was with her throughout. I thank God for the faith that He has given her.

The rest is also upto God.

Thanks a lot oh God for being with her, comforting her and guiding her through the exams.

Thank you Lord!!

Rose’s Board Finals – English

Today was my daughter’s first Board exam. It was English. In spite of her inability to revise due to her illness the past two months, she was able to do well.

I praise and thank God for helping her and I am confident that her grades will be excellent since God is in control.

He makes the impossible possible and I believe that He will help her through the rest of her exams also.

Thank you so much oh Lord Jesus for helping Rose. We are depending on you to set her on the right path for her future studies and career. Only you can make the best possible for her. Thank you! Thank You!

In today’s reading of “Encouragement for Today”, the writer says:

Without blanks, we would have no room for Him to enter in and write His answers. For Him to become the Way when there is no way. For Him to be the Truth when lies long to consume our thoughts. For Him to be the Life He’s designed on the other side of our crumbling attempts to control our stories.
Our God is not fickle, forgetful nor fragile in any way. He does not make mistakes. He purposes the gaps. He allows sacred spaces and blank places. He leaves room.
If we had all the blanks filled in, we would explain away God’s part in our story. God doesn’t want to be explained away. He wants to be invited in. He wants us to make room for His additions to our story.
Lysa Terkeurst

This is really true in my life. I couldn’t have described it better. In each and every step of my life, I have seen God filling in the blanks one at a time.

Below is the devotional from which I took the above quote.

Letting God Fill in the Blanks
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 (NIV)
There’s this little painting that hangs in my home. Most people wouldn’t consider it a masterpiece. It was only $5 at an estate sale, but I like it because it speaks redemption to my soul every time I look at it.
I found it in a back room where the owner of the home used to sit and paint.
I don’t know what happened to the gal who painted it. All I know is it seems something about her life fell apart. And one day, a company opened her front door to strangers. They walked through all the sacred spaces she once called home and bought the stuff her life had collected. I guess I’m too sentimental to attend estate sales; I couldn’t stand it.
But I also couldn’t leave without rescuing something in her creative collection. Then I had the strangest notion to go on a wild adventure to find this unknown painter. I pictured it like an epic scene in a movie where the music crescendos, and I find her living in a New York high-rise. I would knock on her door and make the great assumption that she’d be thrilled with my announcement.
“I just want you to know I love your work. I bought one of your paintings, and it speaks a message of redemption to me every day. And I treasure it.”
Surely then she would get misty-eyed, invite me in for coffee, and share her devastatingly beautiful story. We would become wonderful, unlikely friends. She would go on to become a famous painter and live happily ever after.
But life isn’t usually as epic as what we see on movie screens.
It’s untidy and so unpredictable that our fragile hearts get broken at best, crushed at worst. And sometimes, it’s just easier to run away than to risk letting the shards of the fallout cut away the little bit of life still left in us.
No crescendo to the music. No epic arc to the story. No lasting friendship. Just a $5 painting that hangs in my kitchen.
And that’s all I know.
Life sometimes keeps us from details that are better left alone. It keeps some of the blanks empty on the outline of this message.
Does it ever drive you crazy when a speaker gives you an outline with blanks — but then skips some of the points? Me too.
We like complete outlines. All the blanks filled in. All the gaps closed. All the details disclosed. And all the why questions answered to our satisfaction.
But that’s not the way life is. Some speakers are disorganized and forgetful. Some gaps are too wide to close. And some questions have no apparent answers.
I believe that’s the way God wants it. Our all-knowing God not only allows this but actually designed life to be this way. It’s the truth we see tucked into today’s key verse: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).
Without blanks, we would have no room for Him to enter in and write His answers. For Him to become the Way when there is no way. For Him to be the Truth when lies long to consume our thoughts. For Him to be the Life He’s designed on the other side of our crumbling attempts to control our stories.
Our God is not fickle, forgetful nor fragile in any way. He does not make mistakes. He purposes the gaps. He allows sacred spaces and blank places. He leaves room.
If we had all the blanks filled in, we would explain away God’s part in our story. God doesn’t want to be explained away. He wants to be invited in. He wants us to make room for His additions to our story.
One time God was told, “There is no room,” and He turned an ordinary stable into an unforgettable sanctuary. “No room” became a space where Jesus Christ stepped through glory to the grit and grime of this sin-soaked world.
What did He come to bring? Redemption.
And what do the blanks and unanswered questions of your life provide space for? Redemption.
So why is it OK with me if I never know the details of my kitchen painting? Redemption.
Father God, I thank You that everything You do has holy purpose. Even the things that don’t make sense to me. Thank You for being the way, the truth and the life that I need. You are my Redeemer, and I trust You with every detail of my story. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY: Psalm 111:9, “He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever — holy and awesome is his name.” (NIV)
Lysa Terkeurst, Proverbs 31 Ministries

Rejoicing in hope …

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Yesterday, while I was saying my prayers, God made me realise that nothing is impossible for Him and that I should hope positively that He will guide and help my daughter to prepare well for her exams such that she gets sufficient marks and accordingly admission for the course/college that is best for her.

Even if the situation seems difficult and probability less, God can make it happen.

He has already made plans for her.

I rejoice in this hope and thank and praise God for His abundant grace.

I need not worry. Nothing is in our hands anymore.

The grades that my daughter receives and her admissions, can never be attributed to our works since she was ill and has not been able to put in the necessary time and work. Her achievement can be attributed to God’s work only. It will be to His glory.

Only one more day for her English exam, which will be on the 27^th.

I rejoice in the hope that God will help her achieve her goals. I shall be patient without worrying unnecessarily. I shall continue steadfastly in prayer for God to guide and make it possible for my daughter to score good grades.

My father and my husband may say that my faith is impractical and that this is not God’s job, but I believe that God cares and has influence in the smallest issues of our lives.

He can definitely help my daughter achieve great heights.

Also, from today’s Night Life for Couples, I am reminded that when we face small troubles, we are given the opportunity to not forget God, to not be self-content and complacent, thus moving away from God. We see God’s work during these times and are able to praise Him more and more.

Times of Plenty
“I have set the Lord always before me.” Psalm 16:8
Just as we’re tempted to think God has forgotten about us when hard times come, so we tend to forget God when times are easy. Think about the marriages you have seen slide into trouble just when the couples seemed to have everything going their way.
Jesus told a story about a rich farmer who had no need for God. The farmer had his life nicely laid out. One year he produced such a bumper crop that he couldn’t store it all. In a world of suffering and starvation, that was his biggest problem! Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.’ ” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:18–20).
Are you in a time of relative plenty in your life together? If so, be careful about slipping into arrogance and self‐contentedness. The next thing you know you’ll be behaving like the fool in Jesus’ story—as if you don’t need God. An old‐time preacher once wrote, “Blessedness is the greatest of perils because it tends to dull our keen sense of dependence on God and make us prone to presumption.”
Take a moment tonight to thank and praise God for all the good you enjoy. And remember to fully depend on Him each day, even when everything is going wonderfully.
Just between us…
Do we trust God in good times, or do we begin to feel self‐sufficient?
Do we give God the credit and praise when life is good?
How can we encourage each other to rely on the Lord at all times?
Lord, You have poured out Your goodness on our lives, and we are truly grateful. Forgive us when we let satisfaction dull our devotion to You. Amen.
Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson

He’s always there…

To put everything in one, there is nothing you can want, there is nothing you can ask for, there is nothing you can need in time or in eternity, there is nothing living, nothing dying, there is nothing in this world, nothing in the next world, there is nothing now, nothing at the resurrection-morning, nothing in heaven which is not contained in this text–“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Bible Gateway

What a wonderful assurance we have – God will never leave us not forsake us.

We can remain confident and live with hope that God will take us through our life, holding our hands and even carrying us through.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7

Yesterday’s reading of “Night Light for Couples” reminds me that there will always be trials and stress in life. If we trust in God and believe that He will be with us always, we can move forward in peace. God will give us strength to endure any situation. He will guide our thoughts, words and actions. He will make sure that the best happens for us. “

Below is the reading which is especially very meaningful and assuring for married couples.

God promises to bless those who trust in Him. The Psalms state that joy, deliverance, triumph, mercy, provision, blessedness, safety, and usefulness will come to those who put their confidence in the Lord. We need to rely on those blessings in our marriages—otherwise the stresses of life will pull us apart. And those stresses will come! When the house burns down… when a child becomes ill… when a job and steady paycheck are lost, it’s all too easy to let fear and frustration drive a wedge between partners. Even minor problems, such as a nagging cold or a sleepless night, can disrupt the quality of our marriage.
The good news is that we weren’t meant to succeed by depending only on each other. Marriage is a triangle—with husband and wife at the bottom corners and the Lord at the top. The book of Ecclesiastes conveys a similar truth when Solomon talks about the strength of a three‐stranded cord (4:12). If we invite the Lord into our marriage and trust in His strength, we can experience strength and peace in our marriage regardless of the circumstances.
Just between us…
When, before our marriage, did God prove strong for you in a time of crisis? What specific blessing did He provide?
How has He blessed us during hard times in our marriage?
What are some of the little stresses that tend to drive us apart?
In light of what we’ve read this week, how can we encourage each other to trust God more?
Dear Lord, we praise You that You—the God of love, power, and goodness— want to be a powerful presence in our relationship. When tests come, bind us together with love. When we are weak, be strong for us. Amen.
Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson

God – Our Source of Security

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you.
2 Thessalonians 3:3

In our ongoing dilemma about our daughter’s illness and upcoming exams, the uncertainty about her higher education and future career, when matters have not gone as per our plans, the below devotional assures us that God will see us through. God declares:

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

I am grateful to Shirley M. Dobson for this wonderful message of assurance.

Christian singer Rebecca St. James faced a test of faith the year her family moved from Australia to Nashville, Tennessee. Two months after they arrived in America, Rebecca’s father lost his job. Rebecca, her parents, and her five siblings were left on the other side of the world with no other family, no close friends, no car, no furniture, no income, and a new brother or sister on the way. They felt lost and couldn’t help wondering if God knew what He was doing.
But the St. Jameses didn’t give up on God in their time of crisis. They responded in the only way they knew how—by sitting on the floor as a family and praying. Soon after, the Lord began providing. Groceries and furniture were delivered to their doorstep. A family donated a car. An anonymous friend even paid for Rebecca’s new sister, Libby, to be born in a hospital. God did have a plan.
When your children feel discouraged or that their lives are out of control, talk to them about Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” When they are afraid, show them how to pray as David did: “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). When they are anxious, teach them to put their burdens before God to find the holy peace that guards hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6–7).
We’ve offered several tips this week about how to provide security and stability for your children. The best advice we can give you, however, is to remember that the true source of security for children and their parents is always our loving and merciful God.
Shirley M. Dobson, From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson

That Proverbs 31 Woman…

A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

The below devotional that I read today is the answer to my quest on how to be a good wife. I shall fear the Lord and leave my thoughts, words and actions to Him to guide me to be the right wife, mother, daughter and sister for the good of my family.

Are you ever intimidated by the “Proverbs 31 woman”? Sometimes I am. How can we compete? Here’s a woman who brings her husband “good, not harm, all the days of her life”; gets up before the morning light; feeds her family; shows good judgment in her purchases; works “vigorously”; helps the poor; has time to make bed coverings for her household and garments for sale; has enough faith to “laugh at the days to come”; “speaks with wisdom”; has no use for idleness; and earns blessing and praise from her husband and children!
Let’s be honest, we can’t compete… but maybe we don’t have to. I’m not convinced, for example, that the woman described in Proverbs 31 is one literal person. Or, if she is, that she achieved all her accomplishments during the same period of life. Rather, I think that through the writings of Solomon, the Lord has provided us women with specific examples of the behavior to which we should continually aspire—just as all Christians aspire to be like Jesus, even though we’ll never actually reach His level of perfection.
I believe that the key to understanding Proverbs 31 is found in verse 30, the next to last passage in Proverbs: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” According to this verse, a “woman who fears the Lord,”—who seeks His will for her as wife, mother, and follower of Jesus—is the Proverbs 31 woman, no matter how a particular day or season of her life is going.
My encouragement to you as a wife is to seek God and submit to His direction—and add a dash of love in the process. I promise you that you’ll please your Maker, bring honor to your husband and family, and find a personal contentedness that will never be matched.
Shirley M Dobson, From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson