“For Every Purpose”

“For Every Purpose”                                    

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV). 

WOW! Has this not been a crazy season? And King Solomon wisely said, “To everything there is a season.”

Here’s a COVID acrostic for this season which began in March 2020:

Crazy

Overwhelming

Viral

Interesting

Disruptive

What would your COVID acrostic look like? You might do better than I because all those words I came up with seem a bit understated.

Now, look at the second part of that verse: “a time for every purpose under heaven.” Time is a measure of space in each of our lives. Purpose is the reason and the value we place on something. 

When we look at the first and second chapters of Ecclesiastes, we see King Solomon attempting to put his finger on the meaning of life. He concludes that much in life is out of our control. The pandemic has certainly illuminated that all over the globe. Striving to corral everything in our little sphere is like “grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14) and he concludes, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV).

We must remember that God created the universe— “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world and all that dwell therein) Psalm 24:1 KJV). God is in Heaven and we are on earth. God is eternal—from eternity past to eternity future. Our time on earth is temporal—limited and brief. But we are eternal beings and because of that God has put eternity in each of our hearts. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

So, God created the earth and the universe. He put it all in motion and set up a time for everything—a season and a time for every purpose—His purpose.

We will do well to know our place in His world. He is Creator and we are a part of His creation. Though we’re each a small part, He knows and loves each one of us. He saw our form in our mother’s womb and He knows each of us by name. We’re higher beings than the animals, birds, creeping things, and sea creatures. We’re greater than the trees, plants, mountains, oceans, lakes, soil, rivers, and deserts. We are the crown of God’s creation for we are made in His own image and are triune beings, consisting of spirit, soul, and body.

We can be assured that this season of COVID19 is a period of time when God will fulfil a purpose—His purpose. No, I don’t know what that purpose is, but might someday.

So consider this acronym for COVID:

Cosmic Occasion Vigilantly Illuminating Divine purpose.

Five things we can do to maintain hope & peace during COVID19:

1- Stay focused on our Savior, Jesus. Spending time in His Word and in prayer are key.

2- Do what we can to stay safe and healthy.

3- Remain positive, confident that God is on His throne and has this all figured out.

4- Trust God to fulfil a great purpose that will astound us in the end. Be excited with anticipation!

5- Encourage others along the way. 

Let’s pray: Oh Lord, You see each of us. You are intimately aware of how this season of time is impacting each of our lives. Thank You, Father, that Your love is unfailing and without end. Thank You that we can trust You with our present and with our future.

Thank You for Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and help us to take His peace and rest in Him. And thank You that You are doing wondrous things during this crazy time. In Jesus name we pray—Amen.

Questions to consider:

1. Evaluate the quantity and quality of time you spend in Bible reading/study/meditation and prayer.

2. What are you doing to stay safe and healthy?

3. Do you have a positive attitude during this COVID season?

4. List some positive things you believe God is doing or will do during this COVID season.

4. List ways you can encourage others during these days of pandemic.

“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do,                                   but our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NKJV).

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Need a Strategy?

Need A Strategy?                              


Do you need a strategy—you know, a plan?  

Image by Connie Wohlford

Are you trying to figure out what to do next—what the future holds?


David, the shepherd boy—turned warrior—turned fugitive—turned king--had just been crowned king over Israel’s newly unified kingdom. He and his people were under threat from their long-time enemy, the Philistines, on two fronts. This young king (age 30) needed a strategy. 


As was his practice, he asked God what he should do. In 2 Samuel 5:19b, we’re told that David inquired of the Lord and the answer was this: “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 


David did as God instructed and God did as He said He would do.


Before long, the Philistines were gathering in another location to go against the Israelites. David turned to God again for guidance. I love the way God gave David a unique and specific strategy.


“Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, ‘You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.’ And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer” (2 Samuel 5:23-25). 


Maybe you need a unique and specific strategy right about now. Do you feel like you’re being attacked by the enemy called COVID19—perhaps on two or more fronts even? We’re all affected in some way. 


Do you need a strategy—a plan on how to handle health concerns, family unity, friendships, loss of income, or   (fill in the blank)   ? Or your enemy may have nothing to do with COVID19. You still need a strategy.  


If your health is compromised, you need a strategy. 


If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, you need a strategy. 


If your way of life has been turned wrong side out, you need a strategy. 

If you've lost your job, your business, or your nest egg, you need a strategy.


If you’re in the middle of constructing a house or a business, you need a strategy. 


If you’re alive, you need a strategy. 


Like David, we need to inquire of the LORD. We need to ask God. 


God has a strategy. He has a strategy for everything that concerns us. 


A long time ago, King David, as psalm writer, spoke to God saying, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made … Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me when as yet there were none of them. How great are Your thoughts of me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand” (Psalm 139:13-17).

Photo by Connie Wohlford

God sees, God knows, God cares, and God has a plan. 

It’s reassuring, and exciting, to know that if God saw each of us as we were being formed in our mothers’ wombs and fashioned our days, He surely has a strategy for us to successfully work through the trials life delivers to us. 

After all, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV).


Since we have free will, some of our trials and our enemies may be self-imposed due to our own lack of following God’s leading along the way. Nonetheless, He still wants to help and has a strategy to do so.


God knows what we should do in every situation. It may not involve Mulberry Trees, but it will work. We need to inquire of Him, listen for His answer, and do what He says. For many people, hearing God’s answer is where the problem comes in. 


I’ve often heard it said, “I never hear anything from God.” The first thing I say back is something like, “Do you read your Bible regularly?” At least ninety-nine percent of the time their answer is, “No.”    

God speaks to us in many ways. In my experience, I mostly hear from Him through study and meditating on His Word. Also, He speaks through prayer and sitting quietly before Him, through other people, and through situations happening around us. He can be very creative in how He speaks to His people.

At 2 Sam. 5:23-25 - Photo by Connie Wohlford

When we think we have an answer, we can test it against God’s Word and His character to see if it lines up. But, how can we do that if we don’t spend quality time in the Bible?     


Will we sometimes miss God? Yes, but He knows our hearts and He’s well able to help us get back on track.


So, what is it that you need a strategy for at this moment? 


Let’s pray: Father God, You know every detail of every situation in my life. I need Your help and I need a plan—a strategy—to help me work my way through this. Please help me hear your voice and show me what I need to do. Then, Lord, I ask that You help me have the courage and the strength to follow through. I praise You and thank you for Your love, Your care, and Your help. In Jesus name, Amen.    


Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are taken from the New King James Version.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Deep Calls to Deep

Deep Calls to Deep                                    

Deep Calls to Deep

Wave after wave I am knocked to the ground.

The waterfall pours and flips me around.

No answers in sight, not a one can be found.

On God! Oh, my soul, I fear I may drown!

From out of the depths, Your sweet voice comes to me.

Deep calls to deep—I reach out to be free.

Then I know in my soul You’ve not forgotten me.

And to safety I’m lifted and Your light I now see.

by Connie Wohlford

In the Forty Second Psalm the writer yearns for the presence of God as intensely as a thirsty dear pants for the refreshing water brook. He is experiencing hardship and turmoil. 

He is shedding tears and questioning God’s involvement in his life while experiencing oppression and threats from enemies. He comes to a point of remembering better days. 

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast” (Psalm 42:4).

Along with the psalmist, we may feel oppressed by enemies on many fronts. Vicious tentacles threaten us with disease, financial ruin, separation from loved ones, robbing our freedoms, stealing our joy, our peace, and even our very lives. They challenge our hope and our faith. 

From Unsplash, by Tim Marshall

But the psalmist reaches out to God on a different level. From the depths of his being he cries out, “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me” (Psalm 42:7). 

His heart’s desire is that the deep things of God reach in and restore the deep things in him. He yearns for the Spirit of God to minister renewed hope, strength, and joy to his own spirit. 

He recognizes that only God can do this work in the innermost part of a man or woman, even in the midst of being twisted and tossed by waterfall and wave. 

A period of isolation is the perfect time for us to experience deep calling to deep. God wants to speak to His people. And for those who are not His people, He wants them to become His own through believing and receiving His Son, Jesus.

God wants to speak to all people. Then like the psalmist, we can receive the ministry of God’s Spirit to our own spirit and say, “Why are you cast down O my soul? Why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

“Oh, send out your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the alter of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 43:3-5).

Look at that. In his stress, the psalmist is asking God to send His light and His truth. It’s hard to know what truth these days is and there sure is a lot of darkness around us. But we can count on God’s Word and His Spirit to give us truth—truth that we can depend on for eternity. Let’s embrace the leading of God’s light and truth which will lead us to His holy hill—His holy place where we can encounter His glory.

by Toby Mac

The best thing that can happen to us during isolation and oppression of soul—the best gift we can receive during this time—is wrapped up in God’s Word and His presence. Let us quiet and darken our screens and listen to our Creator when He calls. 
Let’s not suppress the deep yearning in our souls but be like the thirsty deer and go after the refreshing water in the deep pools of God’s Word.

Let’s quiet ourselves and allow the deep things of God to teach and refresh the deep parts of our innermost spirits.

Deep calls unto deep. Let’s listen and receive. 

Please pray with me: Father God, You created me for a deep relationship with You. Show me, teach me, help me to receive the mysteries, the joys, the hope and peace, and the love that reaches into the depth of who You created me to be. Thank You, Mighty God, that Your deep relentlessly calls to my deep and I welcome You. In Jesus name—Amen.  

All Bible quotes are taken from the New King James Version.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

HELP >>> Anxiety <<< HELP

HELP   >>> ANXIETY <<<   HELP

Fear, worry, and uncertainty seem to be the order of the day and they all add up to increased anxiety in each of us. Check out these two acrostics using the word, anxiety.

Are we looking for help in ourselves or in Jesus?

Today, or over the next few days, I encourage you to get a Bible—hey, even an actual bound Bible with literal paper pages—and look up the accompanying passages of Scripture. Meditate on each one, asking God to plant it as a seed into your spirit.

Photo by Connie Wohlford

Find HELP In Self




Anxious at every turn.  à Philippians 4:6-7


Not good enough.  à Psalm 139:14


Xeroses due to not trusting God. à Proverbs 17:22


Intellectual ascent leaves God out of the equation.  à 2 Corinthians 10:1-5


Envious of others’ family, possessions, job, status, etc.  à Colossians 3:2


Tethered to negative thoughts, addiction, unwholesome people. à Psalm 119:15


Yesterday’s failures.  à Isaiah 43:18-19


Find HELP In Christ

Answered prayer.  à Psalm 120:1

Never alone.  à Hebrews 13:5

Xebecs of faith help you navigate worrisome trials.   à  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Identity in Jesus relieves tension.   à  1 Peter 2:9-10

Everlasting life - the hope of your future.  à  John 3:16-17

Internet Photo

Total surrender relieves anxiety.  à  John 8:31-36

Yes, to God brings soul peace  à  Romans 6:12-14 


Our loving Heavenly Father wants to cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). 


The Apostle Paul assures us that we can “glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3b-5 NKJV). 

This was created by the child of a friend.

“And we know that all thing work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. … What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, …” (Romans 6:28-32a NKJV).   







So, take heart, my friend! Kick anxiety to the curb, use wisdom, immerse yourself in God’s Word, and trust God. 


With a friend, spouse, or family, maybe you can create an acrostic using the word trust or faith.    ~~   Your comments are welcome.


Please share some of your favorite Scriptures you turn to during trying times. 


©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford