When Friends Forsake

It is amazing to me how I can have such peace and joy during the day and yet still wet my pillow with tears at night. Last night, as I laid in bed, my mind raced back and forth thinking about different friends I have had in my life. So many of them simply came and went. I used to try so desperately to hang onto friends. I wanted to be the kind of person they would love hanging out with, go to movies with, go out and do fun things with and share their hearts with. There would be times when I would act...well....a wee bit fake in order to be someone they would like. 

Now, as I seek to serve the Lord and love Him first and foremost in my life, I realize that sometimes that means not being the fake person I tried to be to get my friends to like me. Sometimes, pleasing the Lord is not very pleasing to man. And sometimes, it hurts really bad. My heart was aching as I thought of how different my life would be if I were more like some of these friends. I thought of how frustrating it was to try being there when others are hurting and have no friends there when you are. Suddenly the peace of God just surrounded me and that whisper like voice spoke to my heart saying, "But, I'm here. I was always here. When no one else could feel your pain I always could. My child, am I enough to satisfy your heart?"

I spoke to Him, out loud, just like I would if He were sitting on the bed with me. I cried as if I were crying on His shoulder. Of course He is enough. Though the world may reject and abandon, though they put stick labels on us and turn away, He is ALWAYS there and He has ALWAYS loved me.

I prayed for my friends last night, starting with those that had hurt me most, but it was not a prayer of anger and bitterness. It was a prayer of love and thankfulness, not because I'm such a great friend, but because Jesus is and He placed every word into my mouth.

I fell asleep quietly singing, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," and I slept ever so peacefully.

"Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield thee;

Thou wilt find a solace there."

Living a Life of Purpose

Sometimes I question what this life is lived for. What exactly is the point of a sin filled creature like me being on this earth? Each morning I wake up I have a new day to live and new choices to make. So I ask myself what the purpose of it all is. Life is meant to be lived to the glory of God but what does that look like on a day to day basis?

So I decided to see what Scripture said about purpose. I noticed very early on that when the word "purpose" is used in the Bible it is almost always made in reference to someones plan.

I Kings 5:5 is a prime example. It says, "And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name."

To purpose was to plan, it was a goal.

Then I got to Acts 11:23 which hit me like a ton of bricks. 

"Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."

It was as if God just shoved this verse at me. I asked myself how often I wake up and "purpose" with all my heart to cleave to the Lord. In the quiet and stillness this morning God showed me that the reason I feel like my life has no real purpose is because I choose not to embrace the purpose. My job is to glorify God in all I say and do, but I have to purpose in my heart each day to do so. 

So, this morning I purposed in my heart to cleave to the Lord. The Lord filled my heart with a peace that I have not deeply felt in a long time. In that moment He gave me a goal and a reason to be on this earth today.

I have purpose. My life isn't just a meaningless blob. It is a beautiful creation that the Lord has made for a reason. Every day that I am alive I can choose to have purpose or I can choose to live meaninglessly. After living both ways I can honestly say there is far more joy in living with purpose.

Be Still My Soul

By: Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel
1697-1768

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Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

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I was having a hard time today. There was alot of spiritual warfare going on in my mind and I was not at peace. It seems as though Satan glories in my mistakes and continues to remind me of them endlessly when I sin. He knows when I am weak and wounded and takes advantage of it. I was really struggling this evening and decided to turn on a C.D. of hymns. The first song was "It Is Well With My Soul," and then "Be Still My Soul." It was as though the Lord was strengthening and comforting me in my trials. I still felt down, but I no longer felt as though I was being taunted within.
I thought about how two years ago I probably would have tried to wash out my frustrations by turning on a song that spoke of my frustrations. Rather the Lord, in His great mercy, allowed me to hear a song that would comfort me and give my weary soul rest. How sweet it is to dwell on the Lord. He is the great comforter and deliverer. No matter how Satan may taunt and bring us down, the Lord faithful will remain and lead us to a joyful end.
"Be still my soul," it's a good reminder of Christ's power over the sin in our lives. He cleanses us and heals us from our unrighteousness. What a wonderful Savior.

In Christ,

Kaila

Peace

Peace; quiet, serene, lovely peace. If only we could always live in a peaceful garden, complete with roses, butterflies, big puffy clouds…you get the picture. Reality quickly jumps to inform us that this picture of peace is not realistic and the world is quite willing to hand you an artificial “make love not war” kind of peace instead. But Biblically, this is not peace. True peace from God is not based on man's natural desires and inclinations, but rather on tranquil contentment and satisfaction in knowing that God is in control and that He has a far greater plan than we could ever imagine. This kind of peace will last far longer than the world's fake peace because it is of God and given by God to man.


We must first understand that true peace is of God. If God is not a part of our “peace,” then it cannot truly be peace. It is only temporary happiness. Philippians 4:6-7 say, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This verse tells us that if we make our requests known to God in prayer and supplication that God’s peace will keep our hearts and minds. We won’t have to lay in bed at night worrying or crying from a broken heart because God’s peace will “keep” our heart and mind through times good and bad. Unfortunately, most people only believe that there is peace in good times. They do not realize that they are fooling themselves and it is because of this belief that so many of them break down or become depressed during the bad times.


Since peace is of God, it is only through Him giving it to us that we can obtain it. “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) God is the giver of peace. The ceasing of war, the stopping of murder, the end of a President’s term in office etc. will not bring peace. God, and God alone, can give true peace and His peace is “not as the world giveth.” The world can give you all sorts of “peace.” Just read the lyrics to a song called “Imagine,” by John Lennon.


"Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try,
No hell below us, above us only sky,
Imagine all the people, living for today.
Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too,
Imagine all the people, living life in peace.
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one,
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one.
Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people, sharing all the world. "


Peace given to us by God is the only true and lasting peace regardless of what the world may say.


Another characteristic of peace is that, because peace is of God and given by God, it will not be given to every person on earth. “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people…” (Psalm 85:8 emphasis added) “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165 emphasis added) “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Those that love God’s love, make known the desires of their hearts to Him, and ultimately are His children, will be given peace. A true Christian who loves God with all of their heart, soul and strength, will have no reason to worry, but will have total and complete peace in knowing that their Heavenly Father has it all worked out. These are the people who will have peace.


Peace is a wonderful gift from God. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world that naturally hates God. There will be many fake and artificial types of peace offered by those of the world, but we must keep in mind that these types of peace are only temporary and are truly, not even peace at all. The peace of God is long lasting and beautiful. Don’t let it slip away.

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.