Good Monday Morning,
This is just about the best time of the year! The mornings and evenings, cool…almost chilly, and the afternoons in the mid-70s. Sherry and I shut down the A/C yesterday when we got home and opened the windows. It was great sleeping weather.
As I sat down this morning to begin writing, I thought for a minute about Peter and the lame beggar from Acts 4. The miracle of healing the lame beggar opened the door for the gospel to be shared and share it Peter did. So, if struggles and troubles open the door to the gospel, should we be praying for trouble? That we might be able to share the gospel? And as I pondered in my heart (Luke 2:19), I came to the conclusion there was no need to pray for trouble. Our world is filled with trouble already and our job is to pray for awareness, sensitivity to those around us and BOLDNESS to share Jesus we called upon to respond. May that be your prayer today and tomorrow and the days to come.
Yesterday, we talked about those times when we are feeling overwhelmed with our troubles or the troubles of others and how we respond. I want to elaborate a little on the responses to feeling overwhelmed.
1. First was seek community. God made us as relational people and we aren’t to do life alone. Find a group of people that share your faith and then maybe even hone it down to one or two really close confidants. Jesus had twelve in his faith group but in certain instances he turned to three. An easy way to find community is your church family. Gather on Sundays.
2. Pray! Start your prayer not with your troubles but with gratitude. Thank God for all that you do have and all that he has done for you. I have been fortunate enough to travel to places where they have very little…no running water, dirt floors, sketchy electricity and persecution. Those trips were some of the best times for Sherry and I to be thankful for what he had.
3. Focus on mission. Finding time to serve others is a great way to combat your sense of being overwhelmed. See number 2 above but also consider the impact your actions have on others. You can find a sense of fulfillment and purpose in life when you do that. Also, remember that the apostle Paul said that we are to comfort others as God has comforted us in our troubles. (2 Cor.1:4)
4. This is a freebie…didn’t mention it yesterday. USE technology. If you have a smartphone, you can carry the bible with you everywhere. Sitting in the doctor’s office for the third time this week? Pull up some scripture and read. Have a note-taking app on your phone? (Most phones do as a standard feature.) Use it to record some prayer needs from others and for yourself. Check your email for Les’ Monday Morning Update and pray for those on praise and prayer list. Sitting at the tag office with 50 other people? Pull up some praise music. You don’t have to blast it but someone sitting near may hear and ask what you are listening to – open door to share! Send a text or an email to someone you have in your contact list telling them you are praying for them.
Start with just one of these if you have to and add others as you go. Have a great week!
Pastor Rick
