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Keep Calm and Carry On . . . Even in the Chaos

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“Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of your presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight.” 
Psalm 94:19 TPT

‘Keep calm and carry on’ is an old saying that’s been popularized in the United States over the past few years. As I entered a thrift store in South Georgia a few weeks ago in search of a foam topper mattress cover, you can bet that saying was rolling off my lips. I love a good deal, but this was the most disorganized and disheveled store I have ever seen in my life. It was total chaos! As one who thrives on orderliness, you can imagine my inner turmoil. How does anyone find anything in this mess (see the picture)?

There were people everywhere, a long line at the checkout counter, and no sales person to be found! “Keep calm and carry on. You can do this. Persevere. Find what you came for, and get out,” I kept telling myself. It took a while to maneuver through the aisles and customers, but I eventually scored BIG with a three-inch queen topper and mattress cover for $20 (they had a half-price sale that day – Yes!).

Reflecting on that frenzied adventure, it reminds me of how I feel when busyness, stress, anxiety, or worry creeps into my life. Like the theme verse above, my thoughts seem to plummet out of control, leaving me confused and bothered. I long for a reprieve from the perceived bedlam and distractions around me. Time is easily wasted on needless concerns that seldom occur. My focus is skewed. I long for delight instead of disarray.

Can you relate to this scenario? Oh, how we desperately need the presence of God during fretful seasons of life. “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13 NASB His promises are available if we will but claim them. The assurance of His peace and comfort is ours when we leave the clutter at His feet. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NASB

My friends, hectic days will come from time to time. But you don’t have to stay there. God will see you through as you yield your thoughts to Him and trust Him to provide the calm to carry you on.

 

[Digging deeper – Ps. 22:24; 32:7-8; 37:5; 55:1-2, 16-17, 22; Jn. 14:27; 2 Cor.10:5; 1 Peter:5:7-8]

Surviving the chaos,

Beverly <><

 

 

 

Photo credit: photo by Beverly Lussi

FOR THE SAKE OF THE CALL: BACK UP OR MOVE FORWARD

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Jesus is calling us…issuing a special invitation. Will you accept?

 

BACK UP OR MOVE FORWARD

“Faithful is He who calls you and He will do it!” 

I Thessalonians 5:24, NLT”

“I don’t know how I’m going to do all this Lord. So much is happening in the ministry, good things, in so many different places. You know I’m not equipped to handle it! It’s way above my head God. I see the giants all around us. What do I do?”

The room was dark and Tom slept soundly beside me, muffled snores the only thing breaking the silence. And, of course, my thoughts were whirling as I lay beside him, wide awake at 3:00 a.m. Getting up for the third time, I decided to start reading Deuteronomy, hoping I’d fall asleep within seven verses.

Instead of making me fall asleep, God used what I call “the Reminder Book,” Deuteronomy, to remind me again of His faithful leading since the time He called me to this mission of Zookeepers Ministries. He reminded me He was the One who has done it, and will continue to do it. My calling is simply to obey, to speak the truth of His Word in love, and to follow His lead.

And to do it at His speed: baby step by baby step, or running with Him, however He chooses.

And He reminded me not to be afraid of the giants that try to stand in the way of the mission. They will fall as He commands.

That is God’s promise to us. He has a mission, a plan, for all our lives. When we let Him, He will do it in and through us.

Back in bed, I finally fell asleep sometime after 4:30 a.m.  Upon awakening a mere three hours later, I read Tami Carr’s Daily Dose of Encouragement, (September 19). I quote, “If there is one thing perfectly clear in this passage, it is that God takes responsibility for the success of the mission while Samuel’s response to God’s instructions is obedience …God is faithful to do what He says He will do. He is responsible for keeping His Word. We, like Samuel, must be obedient and trust Him to accomplish His plan in and through us.”

Confirmation. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you need it most. Yes, the mission He started twelve years ago will move forward as He leads. We will not stop because of giants in the land.

Dear Sister, has God called you a mission, and you’ve been afraid to move forward? Are the giants, the enemies of God’s plan, plaguing you with doubt? Don’t listen! Join us on mission, because God has a plan for you!

Ponder these things as you go about life today, and listen to this song as you begin the pondering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JI4CPfuLW0

Until tomorrow,

Your Traveling Companion,

Brenda

 

DISCERNING GOD’S VOICE TO FIND GOD’S VICTORY: THE PROMISED VICTORY

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“God thunders marvelously with His voice; 

He does great things which we cannot comprehend.”

JOB 37:5

Sometimes the best encouragement comes through a true story, especially one that shows the mighty hand of God to be at work among us. Instead of the usual format, I’d like to encourage you this week with a true story. Each day the Encouragement will continue as the story unfolds. You don’t want to miss a single day!

 

THE PROMISED VICTORY

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, 

because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

I John 4:4

What a promise! In I John 4:4 God promises that we can overcome the voice of the enemy, if we have received Christ into our lives. If you do not know Him, click here (Janice insert link)  to learn how to have a relationship with God through Him.

FRIDAYThis week we have learned to discern God’s voice by understanding that His Voice will never contradict His Word. He will always confirm what He whispers in your heart by what He wrote in His written Word. His mercy and grace won the victory over my doubt and worry. He will win over your doubt and worry too … just call out to Him.

He proved this truth in the story I’ve shared this week. His Word told us to go, when that voice said to stay. Our reward was to see the men, women, boys and girls stand to receive Christ as Savior. What a blessing to hear the laughter of children’s voices as they had new shoes placed on their feet, ate hotdogs, and learned of God’s love for them personally.

And although the children may not realize it yet, the missionary visitors delivered something else for their parents that week. Something to make their single moms smile again, and for those who have moms and dads, something to make them smile at each other again. They delivered and shared the Word of God which, when followed, brings families back together. And that is exactly what is happening!

That was why the battle for Nicaragua 2015 raged so persistently for a year. I praise God that He did not let me listen to that voice but that He countered that voice with His own through the written Word of God.

In addition, we have learned that the international mission field is not the only place that the battle for our minds takes place. The battle rages every single day right here in America. Sometimes it’s right in our own territory. For me, right here on Topsail beach in sunny North Carolina. It raged when the enemy tried to use a black widow spider to steal my peace, joy, and rest. Rest promised to us in Matthew 11:28-30. Because you see, the battle rages right where we feel the most comfortable, when and where we least expect it … between husbands and wives, family members and friends … in our schools and universities. The battle rages over the souls of our children and youth, because the enemy wants to steal our kids for his own kingdom of darkness. We must wake up and refuse to let him win!

The enemy did not win in the story I’ve shared this week, and he does not have to win in your story either. Because …

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, 

because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Until Next Time,

Your Traveling Partner,

Brenda