Why We Need the Lord

 

By Andrea Merrell

We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19 NKJV

 

Many times over the years, I’ve tried to share my faith with the man who used to be my stepfather. His typical reply has always been, “I’m proud of you and admire what you have, but it’s just not for me. I’m good.”

Too many people miss out on a personal relationship with the Lord because they think they’re already good enough or they have too much to give up—and because they don’t realize the benefits. There are too many to count, but let’s look at a few:

• An amazing, unconditional, and never-ending love.
• Acceptance and approval.
• Peace and joy.
• Godly wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
• Protection.
• Provision.
• Healing.
• Mercy and grace.
• A friend who sticks closer than a brother.
• His strength made perfect in our weakness.
• An eternal home in heaven in His presence.

In 1 John we read, “We love Him because He first loved us.” We love Him for who He is and because He sent His Son to redeem us. But that love is filled with benefits that far outweigh anything we might have to “give up.”

We can never be good enough to earn God’s love or His free gift of salvation. All we have to do is accept it. If you haven’t said yes to Him, do it today. It will be the best decision you’ve ever made.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and atibodyphoto.

When You Can’t Change Your Circumstances

 

By Andrea Merrell

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.

Philippians 4:11 MSG

“I wish my life had turned out differently,” the woman said to her pastor. “If I could just go back and change the past. If I could have another chance to say and do the right things, make better choices. If I could just …”

The ifs went on and on until the pastor said, “Sometimes you can change your circumstances; sometimes you can’t. The seeds you planted are producing a different harvest in your life than you expected. But know that God can turn things around.”

We all have aspects of our life that we would change if we could. But when change is not an option, it’s up to us how we respond.

Paul suffered more adversity than any other man—other than Jesus—yet he wrote:

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (Philippians 4:11-13 MSG)

In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young says, “Accept each day just as it comes to you. Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. Instead, trust me enough to yield to My design and purposes.” ~ Jesus

A popular song says that sometimes God will calm the storm, but at other times he simply calms His child. In other words, God might change our circumstances. But if not, maybe … just maybe … He’s trying to change us.

No matter what you’re going through, learn to be content. Trust God’s plan and be thankful, knowing He can work all things together for your good and His glory.

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

 

Hide the Word in Your Heart

By Andrea Merrell

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34:8 NKKV

The Bible tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” One of the best ways to do that is to cultivate a taste for His Word.

Just like healthy food gives life to the body, God’s Word gives life to the soul. Some refer to it as the “true soul food.”

Eugene Peterson says:

Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don’t simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love.

How wonderful to know that the life-giving Word is not just something we know (memorize). It actually becomes part of who we are. That’s how we are able to walk in love. Forgive others. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances. Put others above ourselves. Delight in the Lord and freely obey His commandments.

The psalmist said, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103 NKJV).

Have you developed a taste for God’s Word? Are you hiding it in your heart? If not, why not begin today. Your life will never be the same. That’s a promise.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Aaron Burden.

 

A World Without Music

 

By Andrea Merrell

Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
praise by strumming soft strings;
Praise him with castanets and dance,
    praise him with banjo and flute;
Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
    praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
Let every living, breathing creature praise God!

Psalm 150: 4-6 MSG

Can you imagine a world without music? Think of all your favorite movies and TV shows. How drab and different would they be without the musical backgrounds that make them come alive?

More importantly, think of a world void of melodies and harmonies that not only lift praise and worship to our Lord but bring us into His presence.

Music is healing. Singer Julie True says, “On a spiritual level, music bypasses our mind and goes straight to our heart, soul, and spirit. It touches places that nothing else can reach … worship opens the heavens and moves God’s heart.”

Music is also powerful. According to The Word for You Today:

Harvard researchers are reporting that music is a healing balm for stroke victims, Alzheimer’s disease, and the physical stress of premature birth. They have learned that music can improve surgical outcomes, help restore lost speech, reduce the side effects of cancer therapy, relieve pain, improve mood, and help battle depression.

The Bible talks about songs of deliverance. Just ask Paul and Silas. Bound in prison under the worst possible conditions, they sang praises to God. Because of their worship, they were loosed from their chains and set free, along with all the other prisoners.

Music is a gift from our heavenly Father and something we should be thankful for each and every day.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Vlado.

Self-Sufficient or God-Sufficient?

 

By Andrea Merrell

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves 

to think anything as of ourselves, 

but our sufficiency is of God. 

2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV

“Grow up. Put on your big-girl panties. You gotta pull yourself up by your own boot straps.”

I’ve heard it all—all my life as a matter of fact. We’re erroneously taught that we must do everything on our own because no one is going to do it for us. So we try and try and try again. When our human strength runs out, we feel defeated and want to quit.

The truth is God never intended for us to live that way. In fact, Jesus said in John 15:5, “Without me, you can do nothing” (KJV). He told the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV). That’s why Paul was able to say, “I can do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). Why? Because of Christ’s strength. His power. His sufficiency—not our own.

The world sees our dependency on the Lord as weakness, but Jesus said His strength is made perfect in our weakness. 

This journey through life can be a rough road at times, but God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV). That means we have everything we need.

So … self-sufficient or God-sufficient. His way is always better, but it’s a choice. Which way will you choose?

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and tuelekza.