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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
In going through a computer crash and dealing with a technician whom I found short on my idea of customer service, learning a new computer system and word processing software, I felt a bit stressed. That was one week lately.
The next week started out almost like the first. I spent Monday morning trying to call a nearby institution. I had an item to drop off to them and needed to do it that day. No one was there. I finally called the contact person for the third time in two days. She told me I could drop off the item at her house.
After my husband and I left the lady’s house, we went to the south part of town. I still felt hollow. In my stress of calling the institution, I had taken a breather and called one of the secretaries at my church and shared my anxiety with her. I had even asked her if I was wrong in the way I felt.
As we drove across town on a well-traveled thoroughfare I noticed a sign in front of a small church. “Frustrated? Jesus cares.” It was then I realized that, yes, I could say I was definitely frustrated.
That morning, I had dived right into my day, foregoing my devotions. I was not equipped with God’s word to see me through the day.
My frustration had roots in the fact that I was dealing with a time schedule. I didn’t know when that institution would need the information to include it in their printed material for their people. Also, the ministry I work with had a time line in which it had to work.
As a writer, I try to set deadlines for myself. I find it exasperating that the rest of the world seems to choose either to be laid back or to not care.
At a recent women’s ministry group meeting, the facilitator gave us a hand out called “Emergency Telephone Numbers.” It is a list of scriptures persons can read when they have different issues.
When I found this list among my things, it set my mind to thinking. Each of us has our own “Emergency Phone List” of scriptures that on which we rely. Here is part of my list of helps through the Scriptures.
When discouraged Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
When afraid. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
When angry ’In your anger, do not sin’ do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold.” Psalm 4:4
When tired “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
When feeling beaten down by circumstances “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
When feeling hopeless “Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God.. (Psalm 42:5)
Dear Lord Jesus;
We thank you for your manifold ways you walk with us in whatever state we happen to be. We give thanks for Your Word that guides us through all the difficult times of our earthly lives. To You, all praise belongs. To You, all praise we give. In Your name we pray, AMEN
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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