Substance……
I love wood and old rusted steel! I grew up in and era when you bought stuff by the pound, the more it weighed, the more it was worth. Maybe that is why I’m drawn to old heavy, historic things. Things of substance! Today I spent the day shooting down in Big South Fork Scenic Recreation area with Chuck Summers. Chuck has been a dear friend, and brother for a long time. Today’s blog is about substance, and so is Chuck! Chuck is one of those rare friends that is truly there when you need him. I can’t tell you how many tough times he has seen me through, how many times he has prayed for me, and how many times he has just listened to me. He has always been there for me, he has been real substance in my life!
So I want to encourage him as he starts pastoring a new church in Henderson, Kentucky. Today’s In Touch devotional was the perfect words to share with a friend that has shared so much of his life with me, be encouraged my friend……
Psalm 139
New Living Translation (NLT)
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!
20 They blaspheme you;
your enemies misuse your name.
21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Most of us yearn to walk through life with a sense of confidence and assurance. But see if the following scenario ever describes you: At the end of your day or week, you feel worn out and depleted. Your nerves are frazzled—you seem to be in a season of trials, trudging through valleys, water, and fire. You know Scripture says the Lord has omniscience and uses all things for His good purposes, but feelings of isolation and discouragement leave you wondering if He’s even aware of the situation.
If that sounds familiar, then you need this reminder: You do not journey through this life alone. Our loving heavenly Father is and has been with each believer every single day. He travels with us side by side and hand in hand. We are walking in the presence of the living God, whose Spirit abides with us and is in us (John 14:16-17).
No matter what season of life you are in—no matter how long, short, painful, or easy it might be—God wants you to know you are never alone. He is with you always (Matt. 28:20). Allow yourself to be encouraged by that truth.
David reflected on this reassurance in Psalm 139—he realized that no matter where we might go, the Lord is right there with us. We are never beyond the reach of a God who is full of lovingkindness, mercy, and comfort (1 Chron. 16:34; 2 Cor. 1:3).
Friend, remember that God is faithful and omnipresent. You have a partner in this life—a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24), and He will never leave or forsake you, on this day or any other. Have a wonderful time walking with Him today.
Chuck know that our Heavenly Father has wonderful plans for you, Bonita, and your ministry! Let go, and trust Him, and know we are all lifting you in prayer!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013 at 11:12 pm
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Thank you for being such a good friend to Chuck!
It’s been easy, and it’s very much the other way around!!! Henderson is getting two great people, Pikeville’s loss!!!!
A very powerful and timely message, I know someone that could benefit from reading it so I printed it out and will give it to them today.
John 14:27
Good Ken! Good for you!
Today’s and yesterday’s posts stand out to me more than most because I live with daily chronic pain. More than one doctor has told me that will probably be the case for the rest of my life. Even being Christian sometimes I find myself way down in the grass, it is then that I have to remind myself “I am a child of God”. I even created an image from my photography with wording to that effect that I have shared with others going through struggles in life. Looking forward to meeting you and the others in September at the Glacier NP boot camp!
George, me too, we will have a great time!!!!