Beside Still Waters

When you've strayed from The Path and God's Presence, the way back is to repent of the works that offended God and man, return to the first works which pleased God, and return to the "first love" of your soul's deliverance from eternal loss

Flawed reasoning concerning God's sacred and holy things leads us down the path of rebellion. God, in His mercy, shows us the "red flags" of disobedience, compromise, and self-will so that we can avoid spiritual danger and continue on the right path in the Presence of God.

Wholesome convictions drive us towards what is right and good if guided by the scriptures. Conversely, convictions may also pull us away from the very goals we aspire to achieve because they lull us into a false sense of invincibility.

The question "Why is this happening to me?" is important because the trial contains a growth opportunity. We fail to grasp the "Will of God" because our efforts are centered on escaping the challenge instead of discerning God's purpose for us. This podcast is about a man who knew God's will, but time and neglect resulted in a missed opportunity for deeper intimacy with God.

Experiencing perfect peace is not only a matter of faith in God, but it is also a willingness to enter into an exclusive relationship with God. We cannot approach the infinite God as though this is a brief foray into a supermarket to purchase our needs and then exit. The encounter has a sacred component that requires a heart choice.

We live in unsettling times. Social unrest is intensifying. Economic uncertainty is a specter over nations. Can we find peace in troubled times? Yes, we can. Finding peace begins with a changed heart toward God.

We want peace. The agreement is: Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God shall guard your hearts. Peace is a choice if we agree with God to call on Him, and He promises to grace us with peace.

Can fear and peace coexists? Which one wins the battle for the heart and mind space? Many equate the Christian Life as offering a haven from the anxiety-creating cosmos. Sadly, many are distressed by inane events as well as monumental life impacting events, making experiencing peace the most illusive commodity in our modern times. In spite of the challenging times, peace is attainable.

Sadly, we have occasionally experienced the ill effects of verbal abuse or know someone who suffered through an abusive experience. The Bible provides examples of victims of abuse detailing how the Lord delivered and healed them. There is hope for all victims - that hope is in a Savior who endured abuse and was victorious.

What learnings can be garnered from David's encounter with Abigail to help minister to people ill affected by verbal abuse? Abigail's response is a template enabling healing, assuaging negative emotions, and reaffirming the value of a person