Caring for the Circles God Draws Around Your Days
The Fragrance of a Faithful Walk
by Cathy Baker
A mother whose teenage son is battling cancer but relentlessly clings to her faith, giving God glory in all things.
A US pastor, Saeed Abedini, has now been in an Iranian prison for two-and-a-half -years. He suffers from prolonged internal injuries from beatings and recently witnessed his six fellow inmates be executed, and yet he holds fast to his Christian faith. (Click here to sign the petition for his release.)
Weary parents of four who recently had a baby and welcomed another in need to their home, volunteer to help watch a room full of restless children so other parents can celebrate Good Friday services.
When I see Christ followers living out what they believe on a consistent basis, joy takes hold of my soul like spring tendrils clinging to worn wood. This 3 John 1 kind of joy can’t help but refresh and revive us!
It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:3,4
Consider the last time a fellow Christ follower’s consistency in living out truth made you rejoice. What if we all contacted the person who just came to mind and shared why the simple mention of their name evokes such joy within us?
And finally, the hard question…
Is my walk consistent with truth (albeit not perfect) to the point that it would cause someone else to rejoice?
The Scent of Smoldering Doubts
by Cathy Baker
I don’t mind being wrong. I just don’t want to be misunderstood. (That makes sense, right?)
Like, I’m perfectly okay if someone doesn’t agree with my perspective on something as long as they understand my heart on the matter. This mode of thinking, however, has sometimes handed the enemy his sharpest darts of doubt to penetrate my peace of mind.
Recently, one of his darts took flight soon after writing a difficult email. I had prayed prior to sending it, asking God to check my heart. Nevertheless, this question continued to encircle my thinking:
What if the meaning of my email was misinterpreted by the recipient?
Enter, God’s whisper:
I know your heart. Rest in this truth.
The enemy may have fiery darts (Eph. 6:16) but our God wields a swift and mighty sword (Hebrews 4:12) that snuffs out doubts, leaving nothing but smoldering splinters in its wake.
When God reminded me of his truth—that he is omniscient, knowing all things, especially the heart and intentions of his creation—I could rest, and I did. Later that day, God graciously confirmed my initial concern with confirmation that my heart had indeed been understood. A praise of thankfulness quickly followed.
How has God snuffed out your doubts in recent days with Truth? Let the praises begin!
The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
and observes all their deeds.
Psalm 33:13-15
**** Don’t miss Monday’s post as I’ll be offering a beautiful tea cup and saucer from my personal collection for a drawing. It’s a gift from me to you as we close out this month’s series.
Cathy Baker
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