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Starr Ayers

Wise Choices: A River Runs Through It

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“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” 

Luke 6:46, ESV  

In the 70’s and 80’s there were two popular comedic expressions: “The devil made me do it,” and “Could it be Satan?” It’s our nature to want to shift blame, but it’s no laughing matter. When God questioned Adam and Eve regarding their sin, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. Satan’s influence in our lives is immense, but we alone are responsible for the choices we make.

 

A River Runs Through It

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”

Isaiah 43:2, NIV

KER-SPLASH!

Day_4,_Ashley_in_streamThe look of surprise on our young daughter’s face was priceless as the cold mountain stream cut its way around her tiny body. Only moments earlier, with arms outstretched to keep her balance, she had playfully leaped from rock to rock. It looked easy enough, great fun with evenly laid out stones defining the way. Reaching the other side almost became a reality, and then, her unexpected plunge.

Life mimics this at times, plunging us into icy, cold waters as we make our way along what we think is a clearly defined path. It looks as if we are making notable progress, and then the unexpected happens. We are taken off guard and submerged in the current of life’s troubles, winding rivers of difficulty that eventually confront us all. There are days when we are pulled under, entrapped, dragged down by life’s undertow, days when the current is too swift and the river far too wide to pass through. How do we navigate our way to safety?  Where do we find the courage to press on?

The day our daughter plummeted from her path and was flooded by the icy, cold water, she didn’t hesitate to cry for help and help did not hesitate to come. The same will be true for you. Cry out. God will come running.

My daughter emerged wringing wet that day, but her spirit was not dampened. Her goal was still in sight; she would not be deterred. After drying off, changing into her sister’s oversized pants, and enjoying a picnic, she returned to her game. With pant legs rolled up and determination set, she plotted her way across the swiftly moving stream with slow, deliberate steps. As she planted each foot securely on the rock in front of her, her confidence grew and her fear of failure subsided. Finally, she stepped onto the opposite side, her face beaming with pride. She knew the joy of rising above what once had defeated her. Victory was hers!

What is blocking your pathway to victory? Does a river run through it? Choose to cry out. God will show up and plant your feet securely on the rock.

Are your feet wet yet?

Starr

Wise Choices: Partners Against Crime

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“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” 

Luke 6:46, ESV  

In the 70’s and 80’s there were two popular comedic expressions: “The devil made me do it,” and “Could it be Satan?” It’s our nature to want to shift blame, but it’s no laughing matter. When God questioned Adam and Eve regarding their sin, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. Satan’s influence in our lives is immense, but we alone are responsible for the choices we make.

 

Partners Against Crime

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7, KJV

Day_3,Tree_s_shadow_on_houseOnly a few days had passed since our home was invaded, and I was still suffering the psychological aftershocks of the intrusion. Stepping outside to sweep the porch, broom in one hand, alarm panic button in the other, my eyes scoured the woods surrounding our home.

Was I being watched? Would the intruders return? Would my life ever get back to normal?

Shortly, I heard loud, disturbing thuds coming from inside the house, followed by the sounds of our daughter’s high-pitched cries and her feet pounding through the kitchen. As she swung open the storm door, I simultaneously hit the panic button, sending siren screams throughout our sleepy neighborhood.

Breathlessly, my daughter shouted, “Mommy, Mommy, the washing machine is bumping!”

I stood there, heart pounding, siren screaming, wanting to laugh, wanting to cry. The predators had left remnants of fear in their wake. They had stolen something far more valuable than possessions. They had stolen my peace.

Peace. We do not realize its value until we no longer possess it.

As easy as it is to justify, I was walking contrary to Scripture, living in a spirit of fear. Sound mind?  I suppose it left hand in hand with peace.

Fear initiates irrational responses to our circumstances, and sometimes an irrational antidote is required. For me, the spin cycle of the washer jolted me back into reality, the reality that God will never leave me or forsake me, that he has promised me peace in the midst of my crises.

Are you being watched? Yes.

Will the intruder return? Yes.

Will your life ever get back to normal? Yes. But not until you take back what belongs to you.

It’s time to put down the panic button. Choose to pick up the sword of the Word, and stand firm on its promises. Then, with your shield of faith, resist the enemy’s schemes. The enemy can take your peace only when you hand it over to him.

Walk hand in hand with peace; fear and worry will flee.

Feeling secure,

Starr

Wise Choices: A Not-So-False Alarm

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“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” 

Luke 6:46, ESV  

In the 70’s and 80’s there were two popular comedic expressions: “The devil made me do it,” and “Could it be Satan?” It’s our nature to want to shift blame, but it’s no laughing matter. When God questioned Adam and Eve regarding their sin, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. Satan’s influence in our lives is immense, but we alone are responsible for the choices we make.

 

A Not-So-False Alarm

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”

John 10:10, NIV

Day_2_Gloved_hand_on_doorknobMy husband and I simultaneously rocketed from flat on our backs with combined one-half twists and landed on our feet (minus the front somersaults, thank God) like two synchronized gymnasts.

“Burglary! Burglary! You have violated a protected area! Leave the premises immediately!”

As our security system’s 120-decibel scream split the tranquil night air, my eyes darted toward the clock: 1:48 a.m., uh . . . far too early for visitors. My husband snatched his gun from its resting place and tried to shake off his grogginess. Bleary-eyed, I flipped on the outside flood lights and peered into the night’s shadowy stillness. Our security system indicated the garage motion detector. My husband checked it out as I answered the 911 dispatcher’s routine call.

“What’s your password?

I answered.

“Do you need assistance?”

“Not sure.”

Shortly, my husband returned from the garage and shrugged.“Nothing.”

“It’s a false alarm,” I told the dispatcher. “Thank you. All seems fine.”

Thirty minutes later, my husband and I lay in bed wide-eyed and still staring at the ceiling, adrenaline pumping. It would be so unlike my God not to take advantage of this opportunity to speak. Consequently, he did, of a not-so-false alarm: Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. He only comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

Spiritually, the thief will come and he never drops in for a casual chat. Satan’s unwelcome visits always have a hidden agenda: to annihilate the children of God. Are we armed and ready for his covert entry? Do we set our alarms before we fall asleep?

The Holy Spirit has armed believers with weapons for spiritual warfare. But, like those who fall asleep, we often neglect to employ them. Subsequently, when our borders are violated there is no alarm to demand the intruder leave the premises. So he lingers. He rummages through the hidden crevices of our hearts and minds. He plants destructive doubt and fear. He steals all that is valuable. All may seem well on the exterior, but within the thief secretly robs us of our comfort, hope, and peace.

Choose to set the alarm. An activated spiritual security system assures us that when the enemy attempts to break in, our alarms will sound, the dispatcher will call, and when asked our password, we will confidently reply: “Jesus!”

Sleep tight,

Starr