Do Not Be Weary!

Oh - dear....have you ever tried to help someone and felt the prickles of resistance?   I'm sure we all have.   Our gesture of assistance may be met by unexpected rejection or even anger.  The recipient may not understand our heart or intentions, especially when we want to share the Gospel.

Just like with children, they do not understand all the lectures or rules we set, and they may even rebel...but we continue enforcing and explaining because we love them.

It is the same when we share the Good News of Jesus. Unbelievers may revile us (Matthew 5:11) because they do not understand...but they may one day.  When we donate to various ministries, missions and causes we may never know the effect our money had, until we are heaven side - so we must continue.  When we pray for someone, we may not see the effects of that prayer, but let us never stop.

The entire scripture states, "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the household of faith."  (Galatians 6:9-10)

Dear friends, whatever you are doing for the Lord, if it is teaching a Sunday School class, being a prayer warrior, working in ministry, writing a blog, or being the best Christian wife, husband, parent or person you can be, don't be discouraged!   You ARE making a difference - Keep going on for the Lord!!

May you be encouraged today!
Laura                                                                      Illustration Note:  Pencil sketch w/digital coloring

Shelter from the Storm

There are storms in life.  

They come in many different forms.  From the flood waters and tornadoes that have devastated so many areas of our country right now to the very personal storms of health problems, financial crisis, job loss, broken relationships and so many more heartaches and dilemmas

There are storms - but there is also an anchor in the storm.  

If you are caught in a sudden downpour, given opportunity what is your first response?  To take shelter.  Oh, how wonderfully welcome is an umbrella!

Why then do we ever try to weather a storm of life on our own?  God is our anchor in a storm.  He is our relief from the assailing winds.  Look at what David wrote when he was being pursued by Saul, "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."  In the 'shadow of thy wings...'  How beautiful the picture is.  Just being in the shadow of God protects us.

But to be in his shadow we must be near him.  And when we draw near he is there to protect, to encourage and to calm the storm, or to calm us.  

Look at the full context of today's scripture, "Trust in the Lord and do good;  so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."  Trust God and do good and we will be cared for.  

Don't be fearful of the storms of life. Our God commands the winds and the sea (Matthew 8:27) and he will care for us.