Entrée

Breathe on Me, Lord

I was having “one of those days.”  It seemed as if life was hitting me hard from every direction.  For a moment, I couldn’t catch my breath.  And then I sat sit—very still.  I turned the lights out and just sat there waiting for God to speak to me.  What I really needed was for Him to just breathe on me to refresh my spirit.  Have you been there before?

I have learned to shut everything down when I need a moment with the Lord.  I create that space; I make the time.  I need His Presence every day, so I try to consistently make room for Him in my actual day—even on the busy days—not just at night before I go to bed.  I encourage you to take Jesus with you all day long.  Watch how your perspective changes throughout your day.  And when you have a weary day, go right to God. 

I have had to recite, “This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it,” (Psalm 118:24) through tears.  I didn’t feel like rejoicing, but I was choosing to rejoice in the midst of the struggle, because I know joy brings strength.  (Yes, you can actually do that.)  I’ve learned to sit still and just breathe in the Presence of the Lord.

There’s a scene from the movie, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” that I completely love.  Actually, there are many scenes, but there’s one that comes to mind often.  At the end of the movie, Aslan breathes on those who were turned to stone, and they return to flesh once again.  That’s what I imagine when I read Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” I need the breath of the Almighty every single day.

Entrée

Peace, the Road to Rest

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Our theme for today is PEACE.

Peace: a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

The work of righteousness will be peace,

And the effect of righteousness,  quietness and assurance forever.

My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,

In secure dwellings, and in resting places (Isaiah 32:17-18, NKJV)

And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.

My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.  (Isaiah 32:17-18, Amp)

Righteousness leads us to peace and peace leads us to rest.  The place of rest is both spiritual and physical.  You can find yourself in chaotic environments and not be affected because you’ve found your way to the secret place of peace in God.  Psalm 91 reminds us: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  God is our refuge and fortress, our ever-present help in times of trouble.  He is always there.  That is why we can have peace in the midst of our storms, because we know Who is in control at all times.