Each New Day

Photo by Simon Berger on Pexels.com

Let’s just admit it–some days are more challenging than others. It’s been one of those for me. As I sat deciding what to write about, the Lord reminded me of one thing that helps me when it’s one of ‘those days.’

I just chose to take time to offer God praise for blessings. Plain and simple, to read a few verses from the Bible. To remember just a few answered prayers this week. I am reminded that each new day brings a new way to praise the Lord. Now my heart is at rest and praises flow easily.

So, praise the Lord. He is worthy of all our worship, and when our hearts are focused on Him, peace will prevail over worry, stress, or discouragement. I promise. No wait a minute, God does! “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

When You Fast…

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Listening to WMBI Moody radio’s Karl & Crew while I do my exercises has been my twice-weekly practice for many years. I admit to being a physical therapy nerd. I have good reasons to be a fan—PT has changed my health and given me a strong, pain-free body.

A few weeks ago, as I did leg lifts and neck stretches, Karl & Crew interviewed Dr. Ronnie Floyd on the importance of fasting and prayer. I fast once a month, taking time to listen to the Lord in solitude. Many years ago, I had to make a major life decision, and I took one lunch hour a week and instead of eating prayed for direction from the Lord.  It took a few months to clearly know God’s leading. So, I am familiar with fasting and prayer, but not as regular practice. Listening to Dr. Floyd, I became convinced that I should do it more often.

The same week, I completed a deep dive study in John chapter 1 and moved on to the next topic on my list: Prayer and fasting from Mark 2, Matthew 9, and Luke 5. I could not believe the timing and sensed the Holy Spirit was guiding me to grow in this area. After all, Jesus says in Matthew 6:16, “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious…” He doesn’t say, “If you fast…” Jesus promises that our Father will see when we fast in private and reward us. What more encouragement do we need?

NOTE: A book recommended on Karl & Crew is The Supernatural Power of Prayer and Fasting by Dr. Ronnie Floyd.

Impossible Moments

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

“Come on, Mom, let’s get moving. The Y class starts in half an hour,” I called from the bathroom. I had been encouraging her to finish her coffee and pack her swimsuit for the past ten minutes with little response. I heard the chair squeak across the kitchen floor. Finally, I thought, leading her into her bedroom to pack her bag. “Where are we going?” she asked for the third time, looking blankly at the bag I handed her. “To water aerobics at the Y. It’s Tuesday,” I said, frustration in my voice. After several more fits and starts, we pulled out of the driveway toward the YMCA.

My mother had moved in with us a year earlier. Her Alzheimer’s worsened, and we realized she couldn’t live alone. Technically, we all moved into a new place, Mom from her fifth-floor condo, us from our one-bathroom townhouse. One thing Steve and I didn’t want to share with Mom was a bathroom, and the rental home we found with the help of a friend had two full bathrooms and it was a ranch. No stairs for Mom to navigate and our own on-suite bathroom. Whew!

On the ride to the Y, I put on a Christian radio station, knowing they played uplifting music in the morning. I sang loudly as one of my favorite worship songs played. Each day caring for my mom could stretch my patience. The Lord offered surprising little miracles in between the struggles, like her being dressed and ready on time for a change. As my voice joined in the praise song on the radio, the Lord reminded me that His grace is sufficient even for the seemingly impossible moments. That morning, I sang some hard-fought hallelujahs.

Take a few minutes to listen to Brandon Lake’s powerful new song, “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” https://youtu.be/CtJPdiYk15g