Author: ritasalomon

At the beginning of a new year I stop to reflect.  This month has been one where I have pored over me; my life, where I am, how I am and where I am going.  I look within myself for deeply rooted sensitivities that come up once in a while.  I realize that many of them have made me who I am and have brought me to where I am. 

As I consider this, I also discover that it is the disappointments in my life that have significantly given fruition to who I am.  All of us go through disappointments.  There are no exceptions.  I go through the “could have, would have, should have” syndrome, but all for naught, because the “haves and have nots” are done.

The one thing, however, that has kept me “in check” has been my faith in God.  He has comforted me and has never forsaken me. God comforts me through his word. “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43:1-2).

God allows disappointments so that I will rely and trust him even more as I go along in life.  We can’t live life as he would want for us without him in it.  God has always meant well for each one of us.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia.  For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.  But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

He is our comfort, our strength, our stronghold and our refuge.  What more could we want? Times of disappointment; they’re part of our life; but our reliance on the Lord makes all the difference.  The Lord loves us more than we can understand.  And for that, I am so thankful. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

Yesterday was a day to share, embrace, nurture, and uplift.  It was our day of prayer with women in our community who get together twice a month to pray.  I so look forward to this treasured time.  The warmth and love shared is stimulation to my soul.  And, we sense the presence of the Lord and know that he is right there with us.  He listens.  And, as his word is read and shared; he speaks.  It is a powerful time.

We bless the Name of the Lord primarily because his Name is real to those of us who serve him, and believe in him and understand it.  This is why his presence is with us.  It causes us to look up and be drawn to the truths in his word.  His word tells us, “Where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20

The power of prayer and the power of his Name is a gift to share, be blessed and bless others.  It is the living presence of Jesus in the companionship of praying women that gives prayer joined together its power! The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

“I whisper his name every day.”  I received this text message from my friend who is “fighting the battle” of severe sickness. And, even though she faces a jarring and unexpected diagnosis; she turns to her faith for support. 

As she whispers his name; she listens to his responses.  His responses are real.   Each day is significantly unique.  And, he speaks to us every day we live.

I make a more intensive effort to listen.  I find myself telling the Lord what Samuel did, “Speak Lord, for I am listening.” And, I listen, and listen.  I listen as I go about my day.  In some moments I listen more acutely than others.  I don’t want to miss his message.

God speaks to us so very differently and is constant about it.  He speaks peacefully, calmly, fervently, directly and lovingly.  Sometimes it isn’t an audible and loud voice that I listen for, but a whisper.  

I know myself, and know that I am moving constantly; trying to get things done.  I rarely wait long enough to listen as I should.  I need to recognize his call and the sound of his voice. Simply put, if I’m not familiar with his voice I miss it altogether

“I hear this most gentle whisper from One
I never guessed would speak to me:” Psalm 81:5 The Message

He speaks to us every day.  Listen.  Do you hear him? Remember it could be just a whisper.

We meet every other Wednesday.  Our purpose is to pray.  We fellowship, encourage, cry, share, read the Word, and pray together.  I have been blessed.  We are women who believe in the power of prayer.  We pray for each other, our families, our neighbors and community.  It is a blessed time.  Our little group grows. I go home from such a meeting with peace; I am heartened.

The Apostle Paul encourages us in his letter to the Colossians; “We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Colossians 1:3. He goes on in verses 9 through 12 of the same chapter, “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.  We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy always thanking the Father.”

This is the purpose of our prayer group. We trust the Lord to bless it as we pray for needs brought forth and for each other.  This alone is a strength builder; one we all agree are in more need of. 

Paul encourages us in telling us that as the Lord lives in us, we have the assurance of sharing his glory. Colossians 1:27. And, this is what we do; share, care, inspire and build up our faith together.

After the kids get picked up at the school bus stop, my neighbor and I usually just wave at each other and drive to our respective homes.  However, yesterday morning, I stopped and waved but also lowered my car window to just say hello.  She lowered hers and I could sense her distress and noted her tears.  She spoke.  As I listened, I prayed in my heart to share the response that would soothe her heart.

After about 20 minutes, she thanked me for listening. She asked, “how did you know I needed to speak to someone?”  I responded, “I didn’t but I felt it was time to stop and just say hello instead of just waving.”  She looked at me and said, “Isn’t it great how timely that was?”  I responded, “You know, I believe in ‘just timely’ and it comes from trusting and having faith in the Lord. All I really did was just listen and I prayed as you spoke.  I will continue praying that your anxiety and stress is lifted.” And, we waved and drove home.

This morning, I got off the car as the kids were getting on the bus to ask her how she was doing.  She told me, “You spoil me.  Your prayers helped.  When I got home and walked in the house, I felt the load I was carrying just fall off.  My day was just fine and I rested.”  “Wonderful,” I told her, Isn’t the Lord good?”  As we parted, I thanked the Lord for His faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,”

This morning I read a text message sent to me in the wee hours of this day.  It was from a friend who is suffering terminal illness.  Since I learned of her situation, I have been praying for her. I claim victory for her in the Name of the Lord.  When I went to see her last, she told me she was going to “fight” this with all she had.

I text daily and let her know she is remembered in prayer.  I encourage her and she writes back that she is still in the “fight.”  Her message this morning, “Yesterday was not a good day today seems to be better.”  I wrote back and told her I was glad she was feeling better and to keep her “fighting” faith in God and to remember there are many of us praying for her.  Her response, “I will.”

I thought about those two words.  They encouraged me.  Her response told me, “don’t give up.”  It reminded me to hold on and face each day with hope; my days as everyone else’s are numbered.  We don’t have any other day, but today, the moment, right now. “I will” remember, “I will” be thankful, ”I will” live this day, and “I will” worship the Lord in it.

The Apostle Paul tells us “never to lack in zeal, to keep our spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 1 Corinthians 16:13. This is simply the “I will” of our hope, our faith, our trust and living in the Lord.

This morning I began to think about those whom I have been praying for as of late.  As I thought about them, I was in awe of the power of hope.  The hope in the Lord’s faithfulness makes a significant difference. The uncontrollable circumstances we face from time to time can be shattering. 

But God’s mercies are new every morning.  And, His faithful love never ends.  “I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance therefore, I will hope in him!’” Lamentations 3:24. Hope is the confidence I need as I pray for the needs of others and for my very own. I take the matter to the Lord, and wait.

That’s not to say there haven’t been times, I’ve wanted to take the matter back.  That of course is not being very hopeful.  The waiting alone is also challenging to the heart. Again, I go to the Word.  This morning it told me, “So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” Lamentations 3:26

Finally, it told me, “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.” Verse 25 of the same book and chapter.  Do you need to enhance your hope in the Lord?  Go to the Word; the answer is always there.

 I watch the sun rise slowly and predictably.  I rejoice and am glad for another day.  The sun extends its rays giving light to the new day.  At this moment I ponder that the Lord’s mercies and compassions are new again, today. “The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue. Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.” Lamentations 3:22-23

His mercies are in abundance and available to us because He cares.  It doesn’t ordinarily seem that way as we trek on in our journey and face tumultuous situations.  Such that we are overwhelmed and discouraged.  But I tell myself, “be grateful and remember that God’s mercies do not expire.”  Furthermore, they are available to us at any hour we may need them.

His love never fails, He is ever faithful and knows us better than we know ourselves.  “Never forget that,” I tell myself.  I savor this moment as I watch the sun rise and bless the Name of the Lord.

I enjoy the first blush of the morning.  It is right before sunrise and this is the time I usually go out to feed the horses and check their water.  It is a time when all is quiet, and the clarity of the day is forthcoming.  It isn’t too dark, and it isn’t too bright.

The horses can see me coming and they greet me with their snorts and movement.  They know I am coming to feed them.  I greet them with “Good Morning” and the song and praise in my heart.  This day, it was “Bless the Lord, oh My Soul” and as I sang it loudly to the Lord, they took their places and waited.

It is a time when I am alone with them and no one else can hear my praise and worship.  Some days with tears in my eyes and burdens in my soul; I still manage to cry out to the Lord.  My cry out in the fields this day was for my grandchildren.  As I went in to the house I asked the Lord to let me know He heard my cry.

I went to the Word, and opened it to read, “Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord, lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children…” Lamentations 2:19. 

The Lord encouraged me in these wee hours of day.  I am blessed, I am heartened…the Lord heard my cry and let me know it.

I listened to a powerful message yesterday about the healing of the woman who touched the Lord’s garment as he was going to the house of Jairus. The woman received her healing because of her faith and belief.  Jairus’ daughter received life renewal because of the faith and belief of her father, Jairus.    

This morning, I thought about Jairus.  Jairus was one of the rulers of the synagogue. He was one of the board of elders which governed the synagogue at Capernaum.  He was a man of social status, esteem and renown.  He was also a father of one child; a 12-year-old daughter who was dying,

Jairus left her on her death bed to do the one thing he believed could help her.  He went to Jesus.

This man of culture and refinement was actually troubled and didn’t think twice, of his “status”.  He had a need.  He was in trouble. He was desperate.  This desperation demonstrated the depth of his love. His daughter was dying and I can imagine his adrenaline rush as he left to find Jesus.

This man had faith.  It really didn’t matter how much he had.  He believed Jesus could help his daughter.  When he saw Jesus “he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and worshipped him.” What a powerful demonstration of humility of meekness and of surrender.

As he fell at the feet of Jesus he worshipped.  He literally worshipped the Lord.  How significant is that?  It wasn’t until after he worshipped that he made his request “and beseecheth him much, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death: is even now dead but I pray thee, that thou come and lay thy hands on  her, that she may be made whole, and live and she shall live.”

Again, what faith, what belief, what trust, what hope!

 And the Lord unreservedly went with him and answered his need.

Jairus message to me? Go to Jesus.  Humble yourself! Worship Him! Believe Him! Trust Him! Do all of this even in troublesome times.