I wasn't paying attention; I took my eyes off the Lord because things were going well. Then, like Peter, all that supported me caved in and I collapsed into the sea of despair.
I hadn't lost faith, I lost sight! I forgot to grasp my life preserver when I ventured out. Life had been going 'my way' and I never noticed myself drifting. I blamed everyone but myself for my misery. I even shied away from my Savior, feeling totally unworthy of His love and forgiveness.
But then like Peter I shouted, "Lord, save me!" and a strong and loving hand grasped mine and pulled me out of the abyss I was in and held me close to His heart. He said He loved me, even now! Always had and always will, in spite of my failures.
So if you find yourself sinking, just call out for Him. He won't let you drown.
"And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him." Matthew 15:31a NKJV
From: From My Heart to Yours by Deirdre Tolhurst
Friday, March 18, 2016
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Move Forward!
There are days I am not sure about how to get through a situation. Do I move forward, even if I don't have all the answers I think I need, or do I wait until I am confident success is ringing my doorbell?
I have learned that in my moments of uncertainty I must remember that God has already been there and seen me through. I must take that deep breath and release my anxieties with it, and move my feet forward.
Where He has already gone, I must follow.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
From: From My Heart to Yours by Deirdre Tolhurst
I have learned that in my moments of uncertainty I must remember that God has already been there and seen me through. I must take that deep breath and release my anxieties with it, and move my feet forward.
Where He has already gone, I must follow.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
From: From My Heart to Yours by Deirdre Tolhurst
Saturday, March 5, 2016
All Creation Knows
I am sitting in the cool of the morning. My only company is God and His creations. There is a hawk flying around. He catches the stiff breeze and glides so smoothly! I know what he's doing--he's laughing and playing in the wind. This moment is his gift from God to enjoy. He isn't hunting; he's dancing and praising his Creator.
Two hummingbirds dart over to me, quickly stop and then off they go, playing tag and praising God.
The tall trees dance for Him, and the sound of their leaves rustling are nature's hallelujah! And I am compelled to join them, so I lift my arms in worship, and with tears of surrender and love, give thanks and sing, 'How Great Thou Art!'
Oh how He loves us! If you have eyes, see! If you have ears, hear! All creation knows the Lord!
Two hummingbirds dart over to me, quickly stop and then off they go, playing tag and praising God.
The tall trees dance for Him, and the sound of their leaves rustling are nature's hallelujah! And I am compelled to join them, so I lift my arms in worship, and with tears of surrender and love, give thanks and sing, 'How Great Thou Art!'
Oh how He loves us! If you have eyes, see! If you have ears, hear! All creation knows the Lord!
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Be More Childlike
When my little granddaughter doesn't want something, whether it is certain foods, going to bed, or meeting someone, her first reaction is to turn away from what she doesn't want in her life with such a frenzy while saying, "I don't want it!" She will not look at the person or thing as if repulsed by it. Sometimes my cajoling only makes her cry harder.
There are many things in my life that I don't want as well--anger, fear, doubt, and temptation. Especially temptation to do all those things! Why can't I be like her--a two-year old who only wants to be at peace. Satan has had many years to cajole me, and along the way he has deceived me into seeing things his way. It's more fun to hang out with cool people than godly ones, or to agree that some people aren't worth loving, or it's okay to be mad, healthy even! Lord, help me to turn away in disgust from the temptation to sin. Help me to turn my back on what doesn't bring me peace.
"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3 NIV
From From My Heart to Yours by Deirdre Tolhurst
There are many things in my life that I don't want as well--anger, fear, doubt, and temptation. Especially temptation to do all those things! Why can't I be like her--a two-year old who only wants to be at peace. Satan has had many years to cajole me, and along the way he has deceived me into seeing things his way. It's more fun to hang out with cool people than godly ones, or to agree that some people aren't worth loving, or it's okay to be mad, healthy even! Lord, help me to turn away in disgust from the temptation to sin. Help me to turn my back on what doesn't bring me peace.
"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3 NIV
From From My Heart to Yours by Deirdre Tolhurst
Friday, February 19, 2016
The Best is Yet to Come!
On those days when life seems to be getting the best of you, when all your attempts at success seem to be less than you desire, and failure looms like an albatross around your neck, remember that it is in your weakness that you gain your strength.
If not for those times when you fall on your face, how would grace be able to lift you up to see a new achievement? How dull your life would be if you remained stagnant, never moving ahead!
So look at your trials as building blocks of faith. Look at what you have learned, and remain steadfast. This too shall pass, but you will have grown in faith and strength, God's warrior, no longer afraid of the battle! Onward, mighty Christian soldier! Your heavenly reward is great!
"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV
If not for those times when you fall on your face, how would grace be able to lift you up to see a new achievement? How dull your life would be if you remained stagnant, never moving ahead!
So look at your trials as building blocks of faith. Look at what you have learned, and remain steadfast. This too shall pass, but you will have grown in faith and strength, God's warrior, no longer afraid of the battle! Onward, mighty Christian soldier! Your heavenly reward is great!
"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV
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