Frustration & Peace

Pastor Jeff — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:19:20 GMT

This morning I was meeting with a friend who is planting a new church in Seminole. We were outside Starbucks enjoying a cup when we heard a mother yell, "If you get off the sidewalk, I'm going to pop your behind!" Of course the little boy did & mom grabbed his arm & popped him on the rear. I know mom was attempting to teach her son about the danger of cars but something else caught my attention. More than anything else, the driving force in mom was frustration!

It seemed pretty obvious that there must be a number of other frustrating circumstances or worries that had captured mom's attention. As a parent, I knew exactly what she was feeling; however, it was far removed from the words of Jesus in John 14:1 & 27 "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and also trust in me. I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart."

We all know frustration is a part of lfe; however, the peace of God should play an even greater part in the life of the Christ-Follower. I prayed a quick prayer for the young mom & her son... May she experience the peace that only Christ can offer us.

Have you had the opportunity to experience & express the peace of Christ today?

Grace & Peace, Jeff

God Receives Pleasure from My Heart, More than My Actions

Pastor Jeff — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:56:25 GMT

Friday's devotion from Os Hillman was encouraging to me - I had to share a portion of it:

"His (God's) pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." - Psalm 147:10-11

The psalmist tells us that His pleasure is not in our strength and ability, but His pleasure is in the attitude of the heart. It is what we find in the heart that helps determine whether ability is translated into availability. You see God is looking to and fro throughout the earth for a man or woman who is fully committed to Him. A man or woman who is committed to fearing the Lord and placing his hope in His unfailing love is the person God seeks to support.

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9a

When our agenda becomes His agenda, we can expect God to fully support all that we do. We will have spiritual insight into what He is doing & into how He wants us to participate with him.

God is most pleased - pleasured when our heart simply says, "Yes, LORD!" That is my prayer for everyone @ Warehouse!

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Frustration & Peace

God Receives Pleasure from My Heart, More than My Actions