trust – Page 9 – Be Still…

Proverbs 12:21-28 – Don’t Worry, Be Happy

There are so many great truths and promises in today’s reading. I would love to talk about working hard, or telling the truth, or how the way of the godly leads to life. Instead, we’ll reflect on something we all do or have done. Worry.

Why do we sometimes consume ourselves with worry? Do we think that the outcome will change if only we worry more? On the contrary, I believe we are more apt to change things if we trust more. When we can let God handle it, it’s in much better hands. Don’t you agree?

Proverbs 3:1-8 – Trust in the Lord

Read Proverbs 3:1-8

When I think of Proverbs, I always think of Chapter 3, verses 5 and 6. I have clung to this truth many times in my life. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Brilliant. It’s a verse I should plaster all over the house, including my morning affirmations. My other life verse, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” is equally powerful to me.

Do you have your own favorite Bible passages that have given you support, hope, encouragement, solace over the years?

1 John 2:18-27 – Who Are You Following?

Read 1 John 2:18-27

When we see the prefix, “anti” we know it means the opposite or against. For instance, antifreeze is something we use to keep our cars from freezing up in the cold. So what about the antichrist? Is it the opposite of Christ or against Christ? John says, “anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.” The Greek, antichristos, means literally “adversary of the Messiah.”

We are also told that many antichrists have appeared already. Can you imagine how many more have since John wrote these words? You may have encountered an antichrist who tried to cloud your judgment or belief about Jesus, put a doubt in your head, or tried to lure your trust away from Jesus.

Esther 7:1-10 – Be Careful What You Ask For

Read Esther 7:1-10

The time for the second banquet has arrived. Since Queen Esther had such success with the first one, she now had a little more boldness. Yet, her ask was still with the utmost respect. Again, the king says, “I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”

What was Queen Esther’s request? That her people’s lives be spared from annihilation. The king didn’t seem to skip a beat wondering who “her people” were. His mind went right to the place of someone harming her, his beloved wife. The king demanded to know who would do such a thing.

Matthew 21:18-22 – Bye Bye Fig Tree

Read Matthew 21:18-22

We are getting ready for another big purge in our household. We did one when we moved to Mexico, and now it’s time to do one again. When you aren’t using something, or when something becomes useless and doesn’t work, get rid of it. Today’s reading confirmed that for me, and it may be exactly the push I need to get started. One cool thing here in Mexico is that people re-purpose things, find new ways to use, fix the broken. Our purging will be another’s blessing and not just adding to the trash pile.

Jesus let out a little of his frustration with the poor fig tree. It didn’t have the fruit he was looking for, so he cursed it. The tree withered and died. My first impression was, “Boy that was harsh!” What if it wasn’t blooming season? But then Jesus would know that. He had no patience for this tree without fruit when his hunger was telling him to eat.