Caregiver's February Fellowship

Our Caregiver’s Fellowship was once again “what the doctor ordered”. Many of us needed this time of laughter, relaxation, camaraderie…a time of good-ol-down-time. I can only speak for myself when I say that there are those times that the simple fact of getting away from my caregiving duties is a hair-pulling-ordeal…yet, once I make the DECISION that I will try to make it, and actually make it to one of these get-togethers, I am the one totally-absolutely-blessed. As someone said, there are those times that “no-one-else” will understand aside than someone who is actually doing the same thing. There are those times that we, caregivers, might say things that actually sound “horrendous” to those who have no clue and we, caregivers, will actually be judged wrongly for even implying such a thing.

We also spoke about those times that some of us have been to “secular” support groups. And although they do serve a purpose in the whole scheme of things, we often come away feeling depressed, defeated and WITHOUT HOPE. We where all in agreement that in this kind of setting, we can rant and rave and complain and whatever, but when it all boils down we focus on God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth who gives us all that we need for this journey…and we come away WITH HOPE.

Ida shared the following devotion which brought it all into perspective – eternal perspective:

Streams in the Desert

This thing is from Me (1Kings 12:24).

Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments. Rev. C.A. Fox

My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from ME.

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, “he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye” (Zech. 2:8). You are very precious in My sight (Isa. 43:4). Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.

I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood,” that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances.

Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.

Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Phil. 4:9). I would have you prove my promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deut. 1:32).

Are you passing though a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thess. 2:16-17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of My deepest lessons. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service, that they may learn to wield the weapon of all-prayer.

This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, My child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things. Laura A. Barter Snow

“This thing is from Me,” the Saviour said,
As bending low He kissed my brow,
“For One who loves you thus has led.
Just rest in Me, be patient now,
Your Father knows you have need of this,
Tho’, why perchance you cannot see –
Grieve not for things you’ve seemed to miss.
The thing I send is best for thee.”

Then, looking through my tears, I plead,
“Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know,
‘Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread,
Each path before me here below.
And for my good this thing must be,
His grace sufficient for each test.
So still I’ll sing, ‘Whatever be
God’s way for me is always best.’ ”

No need to add more…suffice it to say that God spoke and although they were hard words, they were comforting words…

Caregiver's January Fellowship

His Healing Oil

The Lord had given me some scriptures for this month’s gathering and as I pondered upon them they seem to fit right in with all that’s been going on since the beginning of the year. For myself, along with others I’ve spoken to, this has truly been a heavy and emotionally draining month. There have been many losses of loved ones, the heartache of prodigal children has increased, the trying illnesses, the painful words of loved ones, the weight of caregiving…the list is long. PRAISE GOD that we have refuge, comfort and strength in our Heavenly Father. Amen!?

Some trials and storms are much greater than others, but we must never let our flesh dictate the journey that God sets before us.

Acts 20:24 - But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to
myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received
from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

It’s time to get angry; angry with Righteousness! We need to fight; fight hard on our knees. It’s time to ask others to come and fight with you! That’s what our fellow soldiers are there for.

Job 2:11b - …For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with
him, and to comfort him.

This is what we can do for one another and it is twofold. Because when we look to comfort others, we take our eyes off of us and this is how sometimes God does the best work in us. This is the very tool He uses to touch us.

In speaking to my friend the other day, she shared with me of the wounds she endured by a loved one. She shared that her response was not a good one. Then she said this to me, “Satan made his way through a crack in my armor”. After I hung up, that visual stayed with me. As soldiers in Christ we are constantly facing a battle. Chances are that we are bound to miss a crack or two in our armor once in a while, when we forget to inspect our armor thoroughly. That is all the enemy needs - one small sliver to create havoc, destruction in our minds, our hearts and our very lives. We need to daily check our armor. Ephesians 6:13, Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

As I reflect back through every battle, I see and have experienced His healing oil upon His children, upon my soul. Thank you Jesus for Your loving kindness; thank You for Your Word that brings us such great comfort; thank You for Your healing oil.

Isaiah 61:3 - To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that
He may be glorified.

Ida

Elizabeth Elliott's Daily Devotional

"How to Do the Job You Don't Really Want To Do"

Certain aspects of the job the Lord has given me to do are very easy to postpone. I make excuses, find other things that take precedence, and, when I finally get down to business to do it, it is not always with much grace. A new perspective has helped me recently:

The job has been given to me to do.
Therefore it is a gift.
Therefore it is a privilege.
Therefore it is an offering I may make to God.
Therefore it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him.
Therefore it is the route to sanctity.

Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God's way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness. The discipline of this job is, in fact, the chisel God has chosen to shape me with--into the image of Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for the work You have assigned me. I take it as your gift; I offer it back to you. With your help I will do it gladly, faithfully, and I will trust You to make me holy. http://www.elisabethelliot.org/devotional.html

Head on over to Gina's Blog to read "One Cause of Collapse" it will minister to you.

My Utmost for His Highest Devotional

GET MOVING!
“Also…add to your faith…” (2 Peter 1:5)

In the matter of drudgery. Peter said in this passage that we have become "partakers of the divine nature" and that we should now be "giving all diligence," concentrating on forming godly habits (2 Peter 1:4-5 ). We are to "add" to our lives all that character means. No one is born either naturally or supernaturally with character; it must be developed. Nor are we born with habits— we have to form godly habits on the basis of the new life God has placed within us. We are not meant to be seen as God’s perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace. Drudgery is the test of genuine character. The greatest hindrance in our spiritual life is that we will only look for big things to do. Yet, "Jesus . . . took a towel and . . . began to wash the disciples’ feet . . ." ( John 13:3-5 ).

We all have those times when there are no flashes of light and no apparent thrill to life, where we experience nothing but the daily routine with its common everyday tasks. The routine of life is actually God’s way of saving us between our times of great inspiration which come from Him. Don’t always expect God to give you His thrilling moments, but learn to live in those common times of the drudgery of life by the power of God.

It is difficult for us to do the "adding" that Peter mentioned here. We say we do not expect God to take us to heaven on flowery beds of ease, and yet we act as if we do! I must realize that my obedience even in the smallest detail of life has all of the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it. If I will do my duty, not for duty’s sake but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience all of the magnificent grace of God is mine through the glorious atonement by the Cross of Christ.

Streams in the Desert Devotional

REFRESHING DEW

"I will be as the dew unto Israel" (Hosea 14:5).

The dew is a source of freshness. It is nature's provision for renewing the face of the earth. It falls at night, and without it the vegetation would die. It is this great value of the dew which is so often recognized in the Scriptures. It is used as the symbol of spiritual refreshing. Just as nature is bathed in dew, so the Lord renews His people. In Titus 3:5 the same thought of spiritual refreshing is connected with the ministry of the Holy Ghost--"renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Many Christian workers do not recognize the importance of the heavenly dew in their lives, and as a result they lack freshness and vigor. Their spirits are drooping for lack of dew.

Beloved fellow-worker, you recognize the folly of a laboring man attempting to do his day's work without eating. Do you recognize the folly of a servant of God attempting to minister without eating of the heavenly manna? Nor will it suffice to have spiritual nourishment occasionally. Every day you must receive the renewing of the Holy Ghost. You know when your whole being is pulsating with the vigor and freshness of Divine life and when you feel jaded and worn. Quietness and absorption bring the dew. At night when the leaf and blade are still, the vegetable pores are open to receive the refreshing and invigorating bath; so spiritual dew comes from quiet lingering in the Master's presence. Get still before Him. Haste will prevent your receiving the dew. Wait before God until you feel saturated with His presence; then go forth to your next duty with the conscious freshness and vigor of Christ. --Dr. Pardington

Dew will never gather while there is either heat or wind. The temperature must fall, and the wind cease, and the air come to a point of coolness and rest--absolute rest, so to speak--before it can yield up its invisible particles of moisture to bedew either herb or flower. So the grace of God does not come forth to rest the soul of man until the still point is fairly and fully reached.

"Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease:
Take from our souls the strain and stress;
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

"Breathe through the pulses of desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, its beats expire:
Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm!"