Our times are in His Hands …

Ask him to help you not to worry about the things that are out of your control, but to be faithful and wise to support and pray for those leaders who might be godly influences in our land. Thank him that our times are in his hands. Pray for his blessing and mercy over our nation.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

Today’s quote is very relevant to the situation in our lands due to the Corona Virus.

The whole world is in turmoil.

Nations, irrespective of their size, economy or technology, are struggling to contain this pandemic.

Modern science, money and technology are not able to find a way out.

In this situation, all our hopes are in the Almighty who only can provide a solution.

I pray that God gives wisdom, intelligence and guidance to our leaders to strategize and take necessary action to stop the spread of this virus.

Thank you Lord that our times are in your hands.

Rose’s Board Finals – Mathematics Exam

For the days you can’t see a way out of your troubles, when desperation raises its head, and you don’t see an end in sight, know this: God is near. He reminds you that he’s fighting for you. He tells us to stand strong in his armor and in the power of his word. Read out loud every word of the armor of God, pray that he would help you to lift your head straight up to him, believing that he will see you through.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

Well, my daughter’s mathematics exam is over. She worked hard during the few days before the exam, but she was not able to cover one chapter and so is not sure if the answers to questions from that chapter are correct. Due to her illness the last two months, she was not able to do her revisions in advance and hence needed more time to complete her portions.

Considering the situation, she did well and I thank God for the same. This is her favourite subject and she herself has admitted that if she was able to cover the last remaining chapter, she would have been able to score 100% marks. I know that God will do the best for her as he has helped so far.

I feel dejected a bit because if she had listened to me earlier and reduced the time that she had wasted when it was possible for her to study, she could have got all the answers correct. We had a lot of arguments and mental strain due to me reminding her to make the best use of her time.

Anyhow, in spite of all this, God has still helped her do so well. He gave her the strength and health to study on the days before her exams. We had worried if her hard work would take a toll on her health which had not yet come back to normal and I cannot thank Him enough. I feel guilty for the slight tinge of regret/sadness that is in me on my daughter’s behalf, but I know that God understands me.

Whatever the situation, whatever failings we have, I am confident that God will ensure a good outcome for my daughter. Her career will be as per His plans for her. In fact, the lessons learnt will be a learning curve for her, making her realize her mistakes so she can correct herself going forward.

Thank you Lord God for moulding and guiding my daughter through life’s path. Thank you so much Lord. I believe that eventually you will ensure the best for her.

Martha or Mary???

When days feel full and busy, our time with God may get pushed out. Don’t fall for that trap. Time with God will always keep our focus clear and help us move in the right direction. He is able to multiply your efforts and fill you with great peace and joy even in the midst of chaos. Ask for his help to spend time in his presence, pray that he will help you to say yes to the best, and let the other things go.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

This is very true and happens to me a lot. On days when everything is hectic and out of control, if I take even a few minutes in the morning and night to say a quick word, I am able manage my day in a more calm and organised way.

Although, recently I feel that a quick word is not enough and that I need to spend additional time even when I am busy. I feel that if I can find time for other unimportant tasks, I can set aside more time if I put my mind to it.

The question is – should I be like Martha or Mary?

When my daughter was in hospital for one week, I made time for prayer twice a day. When I look back, it was prayer that had grounded me, assured me and kept me from panic.

Sometimes, I do feel like neglecting prayer time, but with God’s grace and reminder I am able to go back to Him to spend time with Him.

Thank you Lord Jesus for not letting me go. Please keep a hold on me even when I waver. Thank you for being my rock and refuge.

More than a Conqueror!!

The voices in this world, the enemy’s lies, and even our own negative words can do a pretty good job of making us feel defeated and anxious. Choose to tune out from all that mess, and instead choose to listen to what God says about you. He reminds you that you are more than a conqueror. He tells you not to fear. Pray he will help you to have wisdom in whose voice you listen today, and that your thoughts would be focused on him.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

Reading the above, I am very happy that it is exactly the assurance I need after I lost control of myself yesterday.

I lost my temper with my daughter. I am ashamed of myself. The root cause for my anger was my worry about her.

She was not willing to take a bitter tasting medicine which is good for her immunity. Considering her loss of immunity due to her illness the last two months, I am worried about her immunity to resist the recent corona virus.

This led to other worries.

Each time I thought about decisions that could have been undone during the last two years, I worried that I did not guide her properly.

Each time I thought about her complains, I again felt that there was something missing in the way I brought her up.

I keep forgetting that these are just issues that parents and children face during a child’s adolescent years.

I used to feel confident that we were doing our best for our daughter, of course, with God’s guidance, but yesterday I lost my confidence.

I do know that nothing was and is in our hands. God is in charge and is taking care of her.

However, the negative thoughts made me feel defeated and anxious.

Today’s message has assured me that I should not feel like that.

We can conquer together since God is leading us.

We have put our trust in Him.

Thank you Lord Jesus!!!

Drowning in the pressures and fears of life…

When troubles overwhelm and worry sets in, it can feel like we can hardly breathe. It might seem as if we’re drowning in the pressures and fears that life has thrown our way. God can cut through all that; He is powerful to work a miracle on our behalf. The same God who split the sea and healed the sick is the God who hears your prayers today. Tell him what concerns you, and thank him that he is helping you this day.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

Thank you Lord that you are with me through the confusion and fears that our family is going through.

I know that the issues that bother us are actually nothing compared to the sufferings of so many people in this world.

Even then, as a little child comes to you for help to find a missing precious toy which is his greatest worry at that time, I come to you God for even these small issues.

I trust that just as you helped me find my pencil sharpener when I was three years old (the first miracle I remember), you will perform even more wonderful miracles in our lives.

Thank you Lord Jesus for the faith and love you have given me and my family.

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.

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