Help - Lent Photo Challenge

Help…

To ask for help is a task that many of us struggle with.  There is nothing wrong in asking for help; yet, to step out and ask seems to take great effort.  I am as guilty as the next when it comes to asking.  To ask for little things is not such a big deal but asking for help in big ways is not so easy.  When my husband was in the hospital dear friends in Ohio offered to come and take care of the kids so I could focus on taking care of Dan.  They offered their help right away but I couldn’t say “Yes I needed them” it was an 8+ hour drive to get to my house.  I would figure something out.  Instead of just saying yes I added more stress to my life.  Thankfully, our friends knew I would never say yes and made their way down anyway.

Psalm 121:1-2 states, “I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”  I was asking the Lord for help and He provided and I said no.  He didn’t provide in the way that I thought He would so I declined the offer.  I’m sure the Lord was shaking His head saying – Cheryl I am helping you can you not see that? 

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10.  Don’t turn away the help the Lord sends!

Cheryl  

Surround - Lent Photo Challenge

Surround…

Being a farm girl the visual of surround that comes to mind is a fence.  The fence surrounds the pasture or sometimes the entire property for protective purposes.  The animals are confined to a space that keeps them safe and it helps keep the predators out.  There is a comfort for the farmer knowing the fence is there. 

Scripture compares us to sheep many times.  Just like the sheep that have wool and four legs need a fence, we need a fence.  Our fence may not be made out of posts and wire but the Lord has provided us boundaries to keep us safe.  We were given the Ten Commandments; rules that surround us to keep us safe.  Yet, we weren’t just given a set of rules to keep us safe we have a Lord that is always with us.  I like how David shares in Psalm 34, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”  A “fence” surrounds us.  The Lord is encamped or surrounding us and there is no mightier fence than that.

The next time you drive by a fence remember the Lord is surrounding you and has you in His arms.   “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11) 

Cheryl

Rejoice - Lent Photo Challenge

Rejoice…

When I was a little girl my favorite bible passage was Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice, in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.”  I probably liked it because it was easy to memorize J but there was just a sense of happiness about the verse.  How can you not like a verse that talks about rejoicing? 

Well, I grew up and started to dig deeper into scripture and looked at all the words in the verse.  Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.  Really?  There are times in my life that I can say were not worth rejoicing for.  Then I came across the verse in Romans that says to rejoice in my sufferings.  Oh Boy! I have failed!  I haven’t exactly rejoiced in my sufferings. 

Yet, when I reflect upon my sufferings I really can rejoice.  I can see how Christ was present helping me and carrying me when I needed it.  I would open up the bible and I found it fascinating how He led me through scripture.  In fact, at times I would get “lost” in scripture and time would go by and I didn’t even know it.  Can I rejoice in my suffering?  Yes, because I got to know my Lord better.  I also learn time and time again that He never leaves me. 

We can ALWAYS rejoice in our Lord! 

Cheryl

Alone - Lent Photo Challenge

Alone…

This word almost leaves an empty feeling.  In fact, when God created man He said it wasn’t good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) so He created a woman.  The Lord has blessed us with people in our lives so that we are not alone.  Despite all the people in our lives sometimes we still feel alone; yet, we are never alone.  God is with us always (Matthew 28:20).  We never have to worry that He will leave us; we don’t have to have that empty feeling.

 

Then one could consider a different aspect of the word “alone”.  It is not always a word that leaves an empty feeling.  It is actually a very powerful word.  You see…there is one God and He ALONE is God.  “For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.” (Psalm 86:10)  Nehemiah 9:6 notes, “You are the Lord, you alone.  You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them, and the host of heaven worships you.”  There are no other gods and God doesn’t bear names that you cannot find in scripture. 

So, really the word Alone is not at all an empty word.  It is a word that gives us Hope.  God ALONE is our God and He will never leave us ALONE.  Puts a whole new perspective on a lonely word. 

Cheryl     

Go - Lent Photo Challenge

Go…

Such a little word but not a word without significance.  To go requires action.  If you are going somewhere it requires at least a little bit of preparation.  For instance one must think about how they are going to get where they are going.  If you don’t put in the preparation you may not get where you are going. 

Jesus has commanded us to go.  In Matthew 28:19 He says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” This is an action that will require some preparation.  It is not the preparation of packing your bags.  It is not the preparation of making sure you “know” everything before you go.  It is the preparation of spending time with Christ.  As you spend time with Christ you will see how He guides you.  You will hear Him as He guides you.  He will grant you the wisdom needed as He guides you.  

God didn’t say, “Go” and not give us direction.  He said, “Go” with His direction.

Cheryl