Bible Answers for Stress <> Part 1 of 2

Bible Answers for Stress <> Part 1 of 2

         Subtitle – How to Walk in God’s Abundant Life 

The 37^th Psalm is meaty and saturated with answers to some of our most frustrating concerns in life.

The Passage begins with three BIG little words: “Do Not Fret.”

The New Living Translation says, “Do not trouble yourself”  <>  In today’s vernacular, we might say, “Don’t stress out!”



Dwell in the land--in the place--where the Lord has put you.

Verse 1 points to fretting over evildoers, but as we move through the chapter we see strategies to alleviate all kinds of fretting and stress.

Stress Reducers: 

1- Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. ² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb (Ps. 37:1-2 NKJV).

Whatever the situation, God’s got this. For details, read Psalm 37 in its entirety. You’ll find the outlook for evildoers is not positive.    

2- Trust in the Lord, (Ps. 37: 3a NKJV).

The more we trust is the Lord, the less we fret and worry. Therefore, we are more stable.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water ...” (Jeremiah 17:7-8a NASB).

3- Do good (Ps. 37:3b NKJV). 

When we do good things, the light of Christ shines in us. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NKJV).

4- Dwell in the land (Ps. 37:3c NKJV).   

If you’re in the place where God has put you, stay there and flourish. “So the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he had sworn to give to their fathers; and they took possession of it, and dwelt in it” (Joshua 21:43 NKJV). 
 

5- Feed on His faithfulness
(Ps. 37:3d NKJV).
 

Eat it up!—when you see the faithfulness of God working in your life relish it.  “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 38:8). 

 

6- Delight yourself in the Lord  (Ps. 37. 4 NKJV).   

We need to take pleasure in our Lord. “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you. ... ²⁶ For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God” (Job 22:20 &26 NKJV).

SO—Don’t worry. Be happy. AND don’t be overcome with stress!  Because: “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!”  

                                                                 -Psalm 144:15b 
©Connie Wohlford 2016

A Lamp – Life is like that sometimes. (3)

Part 2.  A Lamp – Life is like that sometimes. (3)                              

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know− Read it, Study it, Know it, Live it.  

Have you ever felt as if you were stumbling around in a dark wilderness? <> Life is like that sometimes.

 

When God directed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He literally illuminated their way with a pillar of fire through the night. 

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people (Exodus 13:21-22).

The pillar of cloud and pillar of fire were the manifest

presence of God showing the multitude the way through the wilderness. They didn’t have the written Word back then, other than the tablets with God’s Commandments. 

 

In like manner, the Word of God is the manifest presence of God for us today, showing the way through the wilderness called life. Yes, we have the Holy Spirit guiding us as well, but without knowledge of the Word, it’s hard to correctly discern the voices that may speak into our souls and spirits. 

I once heard this description of a person without God or knowledge of the Bible: It would be like a blind man in an unfamiliar pitch black dark room, looking for a black cat that is not there.  How undone is that?!  

Every life will bring its share of difficulties. To face trials time and time again without the hope of Christ and the light of His Word would certainly be a frustrating and futile existence. Oh, things may go smooth for a while but we can bet that one day the hammer’s gonna to fall. 

For the discouraged man or woman, the psalmist writes, Oh, send 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 (Psalm 43:3-4 NKJV). 

 

The psalmist is fervently acknowledging the need for God. And he’s appealing for the light and truth that comes from God. Then when this is achieved, he knows he will have experienced God Himself−referring to God as my exceeding joy. He will then gratefully praise Him. 

Today let’s praise God for the light of His Word that helps us navigate through the wilderness areas of life. Yesterday’s horrific killings of two young journalists in my own state has pitched many people into a wilderness experience.

When we turn to God’s Word to help us navigate through such trauma, we’ll be stronger when we come out on the other side. And as we allow the Holy Spirit to comfort as only He can, we can find peace.

Please pray with me that God will take this tragic and evil event and use it for His glory in the building of His Kingdom. Only God can do such a thing. And let’s pray that in our own wilderness experiences we’ll turn to God’s Word and to Him in prayer as a first resort.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and may God abundantly bless you as you seek to know Him better and allow His Word to help you navigate through the wilderness of life.

 

Let's end today's thought and do as the psalmist. Let's praise our God as we enjoy this beautiful song from Psalm 43:3-6 "To God, My Exceeding Joy" <>   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhxmNOGII5k

©Connie Wohlford

 

 

 

A Lamp – Let there be light. (1)

Part 2.  A Lamp – Let there be light. (1)                               

                                

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know− Read it, study it, know it, live it.  

In my previous post, we looked at hearing God speak through His Word, continuing the greater theme of knowing God’s plan for one’s life. Now today let’s consider God’s provision of light so we can find our way through the plan He called us to follow. 

Psalm 119:105 states, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. NASV

When was the last time you walked somewhere in total darkness with only a flashlight? That flashlight would light up the area where you put your feet. If you’re a wilderness camper you know this experience well. This is like the lamp in the psalm.

Have you walked through darkness with only the light from a lantern? It illuminates the immediate area around you. This is like the light in the psalm.

We need both kinds of light along our path of life and God’s Word provides this. The lamp and light don’t show much of what’s ahead or around us. In the same way we can’t see the thoughts and motives of a person sitting right next to us. That’s where trust comes in. Faith in God and confidence that He has our best interest in mind is essential. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that faith pleases God. Let’s make Him smile today by trusting the light and lamp of His Word to show us the way. 

The truth of Psalm 119:105 should cause each of us, who’s a follower of Jesus, to immerse ourselves into the Words of our Creator.   

Do we really believe the Word of God will light our way along this path of life? How do our actions answer this question? For most of us our actions will answer, “Sometimes I believe that and sometimes I don’t.” 

We need to know for a fact, in the very depths of our being (that is in our spirits), that this passage of Scripture is Truth, and allow it to change our lives. I’m talking again about revelation understanding—the knowing that this passage is true for each of us every minute of every day of our lives. 

The first recorded words spoken by God Himself are found in the third verse of Genesis 1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. ³ Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴ And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:1-5 NKJV

 

SO—God’s very first recorded words were, Let there be light. Of course, He was referring natural light. But how interesting this is, in relation to our topic today, that these were our Creator’s first words.

Every believer can walk daily in God’s light. That is, God’s spiritual illumination. When we’re in darkness, it’s difficult to find our way.

When was the last time you stumbled on something unexpected while walking through a dark room? Every morning we wake up to a new day, not knowing what it will hold. Without God’s illumination it would be like waking up in a dark, unfamiliar place, unable to see obstacles that may cause us to stumble or pits into which we might plunge.

God knew from the beginning that mankind would need physical light in order to make it in the world. And He knew we’d need spiritual light in order to live in relationship with Him, walking out abundant life on earth and then on into eternity. 

Speaking of eternity—we who are in Christ will then experience the most splendid light of all. In John’s description of the New Jerusalem, he says, But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.  Revelation 21: 22 – 24 NKJV   

WOW—does that not make us just plum homesick!?   

But for now, let’s walk in the light of God’s Word. We’ll certainly have fewer bloody knees and sprained wrists. 

© Connie Wohlford

Scripture passages from: https://www.biblegateway.com/

How can I know it's God?

“Risikili” – Part 3 – How can I know it's God?

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know, Read it, study it, know it, live it.

 

In my last post we established that God knew His plan for each of us before we were born and that our enemy/God’s enemy will try to derail the plan if we’re not vigilant. Also we spoke of abundant life and God’s desire that we attain His idea of abundant life, which is far beyond anything we could dream up. 

     

Photo by Margot Pandone

So let’s continue looking at how God’s Word plays a role in this. We need to examine our personal desires in every aspect of life. In order to line up our highest desires with His highest desires for us, we must get to know Him and His nature. By prayerfully reading and studying His Word we get to know God. In reading the four gospels− Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John− we learn about Jesus. In knowing Jesus, we know  God. 

As we know Him better, we begin to recognize His unfailing love for us. As we comprehend this matchless love, we will trust Him more. As we trust Him more, we begin to step out in faith more boldly into the path He designed for us. 

The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 3:18-19).

If we’re listening, God will speak to us through His Word. Yes, He speaks to us in other ways as well− such through another Christian or by His Own Spirit speaking to our own spirit. But the only way to prove we’ve heard a Word from God and be certain that it really came from God is to see that it lines up with His written Word.  Many people take action on what they thought was a Word from God, to simply later find themselves disillusioned and confused.  

Just today, I heard someone say that he knows a man who says he doesn’t need to read his Bible. He just listens to the Holy Spirit. Whoa! That sounds scary! When we think God is telling us something, we need to prove it against His Word. The Holy Spirit will never tell us anything that does not line us with God’s Word—the Bible.    

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

And another thing− if we want to hear from God, it’s imperative that we pray. We need to talk to Him and listen for Him to talk back to us. 

And remember, as we said last time, Satan does indeed have a plan for each of us and one of the best ways to begin to walk out Satan’s plan is to walk in our own plan.  The road of my own plan will eventually merge right into his.  So many blindly choose this route and then wonder how their life turned out so disappointing. Often they will attribute it to “bad luck.”  Well, luck has nothing to do with it and the word “luck” is not in my Bible.  Bad luck is a commonly used excuse for consequences resulting from not walking in God’s Truth.

 

So how can one know this “Truth,” in order to walk in it?  Since “Truth” and God’s Word are synonymous, the answers are waiting in the pages of His Scriptures.  

“There is no such thing as health or growth in Christian living apart from a clear priority on the place of the Bible in the life of the individual or the group.” Jack Hayford 

Let’s pray these psalms > Lord, I ask that You “Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul” (Psalm 143:8).  “Guide me in Your truth and teach me” (Psalm 25:5). In Jesus name--- AMEN. 

Photo by Joshua Sortino

My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire

“Risikili” – Part 1 - My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire

 (Read it, study it, know it, live it.) 

Have you discovered God’s plan for your life? Do you even believe He has a special plan just for you? 

Consider these passages of Scripture: 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”  (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s plan for each of us is good. We can count on that. That’s not to say, it’s easy. But it’s guaranteed to be good. 

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) How can we find the right path among so many? 

 

 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  (Psalm 119:105)

 

God’s Word, the Bible, can light the way and show us the right path to take. 

 

 

 

 

 The Word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

We can hid nothing from God. We may as well do things His way. Dare we think we know better than He what’s best for us? 

 

Knowledge of the above scriptures should be enough to compel us to faithfully and diligently read, study, know, and live the Word of God. After all, this Word of God, your/my Bible, is the representation of Jesus that we can literally hold in our hands, press to our hearts, and see with our earthly eyes.  

In its pages, we come to know our Creator. The better we know Him, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the greater our desire to do things His way and walk the path He designed for us. Yes, He has a plan! 

God told Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) 

Knowledge of Scripture is not enough. If it were, more followers of Christ would be spiritually mature and walking in great faith and a joy-filled abundant life. If most Christians are familiar with these words and have even memorized them, but are still not hungry enough to be diligent to truly study God’s Word, then what is the problem?  What is lacking?   

I believe that a missing link is the fact that many believers seem to be apathetic toward God’s Word and the things of God in general. Often we are just more concerned with the things of this world.  

Another missing link is revelation.  People need revelation knowledge− that is revelation understanding− of the fact that God’s wonderful Word is life to our bones− that it holds the keys to finding and living the abundant life that Jesus told us is there for us when He said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10b   

Revelation understanding comes when we allow the Holy Spirit, Who indwells every born-again follower of Christ, to help us and teach us. We must acknowledge His presence and ask Him to be our guide. We do this through prayer. We should periodically ask ourselves, “What’s going on in my prayer life?” 

Would you agree that many Christians are not living out abundant life? On the other hand, take a close look at those who are, even those who live amongst serious trials. By the way, this has nothing to do with money or social standing. 

The abundant life that Christ wants to give us is a life lived to its maximum. I want to “max out” my life here on earth.  Do you?  I want to fulfill my greatest potential and to have my greatest success in all aspects of my life that is possible for me to have. Bet you do too. I believe my desire is not unique.

 

I know that I’ve often lived in mediocrity and have fallen short of my best, which is God’s best for me. Because of that, I am sure that I’ve missed out on blessings and accomplishments that God had planned for me. The following is a poem I wrote several years ago on this thought: 

Beyond Myself 

Beyond myself  --  God's Word is true.

He teaches me my whole life through.

Though life brings trials, toils, and snares,

Beyond myself, I cast my cares. 

I say, "But human's all I am"

He says, "You're more than just a man."

I have excuses for my short comings.

He says, "With Me, you quit your slummings!" 

Mediocrity has been my ride.

"Just get by." has been my pride.

But Jesus said to come up higher.

My plan for you  --  your heart's desire. 

"But, Jesus, how can I do so?

I'm only human, that you know.

My weaknesses, my faults, my doubts!

Go figure, Lord, what I'm about!" 

"Am I a man that I should lie?

My Word is Truth, so don't be shy.

I shed my blood that you could be

Beyond yourself and be set free!"

© Connie Wohlford - June 22, 2000 

We need to repent of not living life to its fullest− which, by the way, is living out God’s plan and not our own puny plan or even someone else’s plan for me or you. Speaking of which, that someone else includes Satan. He has a plan for me and for you as well. And it’s not good and it’s not abundant. His plan is for our destruction and for each of us to adversely affect others on our way down.    

We’ll continue this thought next post. For now, it’s time to pray. Is it time to repent of trying to push through our own agenda? Maybe it’s time to ask God His opinion− better yet, His plan. After a few minutes of prayer, I suggest we each read some verses or chapters of Scripture. If you don’t know where to begin, start with those mentioned above and see what comes before & after in your Bible. We will likely find a hint or two regarding His special plan. God bless you as you seek God’s path. 

My readers and I would be blessed to learn of some ways God’s Word has been a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Comment if you’d like to share. Thanks.