Happy Friday! 

Prayer:  Lord, when I am stressed let me return to you and find rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

Philippians 4: 13

Ok. Here is my list of tasks between now and Wednesday—two book reports, one chapter outline from which I am to lead class discussion, a paper, teach Sunday School and pick up a Bountiful Basket order very early in the morning.  In the meantime there is life.  So tonight as I opened my devotional book the first words were, “Learn to live from a place of resting in Me. Since I am the Prince of Peace—am both with and within you, you can choose to live from this peaceful place of union with Me. This enables you to stay calm in the midst of stressful situations, be re-centering yourself in Me. We can deal with your problems together—you and I—so there is no need to panic.”

Talk about thinking that was written just for me tonight! This piece of writing is both comforting and humbling. Comforting in that God is with me through all situations and humbling because I found myself panicking over the potential of not being able to complete the assignments by their deadlines and not understanding the material for which I must write. I know that the more difficult my circumstances, the more tempted I become to go into panic mode and forget the peaceful, presence of God.

After reading this devotional I realized I had wandered from the place of Peace. (Imagine a seminary student wandering away from the place of God?!)I wandered from the Mercy Seat of God. When I stopped and re-centered myself I called on the name of the Lord and immediately became reconnected to the Prince of Peace. Peace flooded my soul and allowed me to continue to read and study and I am ready to write the first paper that is due by 1:00 on Tuesday.

So my friends, next time the stress seems overwhelming…stop, take a breath and call on the name of the Lord, return to Him and find your place of rest.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes, pray with a heart filled with gratitude and get some peaceful sleep. Love you all and thanks for listening, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni, Travis and Sarah.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.