Summer Psalms: August Encouragement
Because I Said So
I was a quite curious, precocious child. It was not uncommon for me to ask tons of questions. If I asked “why” too many times, when my mother’s patience was worn thin, she would simply say “because I said so.” I always knew that meant the time for questions was over. I knew that my mother had my best interest at heart. I knew she would not ask me to do anything if she didn’t need me to do it. But I still questioned her.
I am afraid to admit how often God has asked me to do something and instead of moving with all deliberate speed to do it I have found the need to question God. God, why this thing, why this person? God, why now, why me? I imagine God would love to respond “BECAUSE I SAID SO.” But God is so patient with us God makes room for all of our questions.
I wonder if the fact that God said so will ever be enough for some of us. The life of faith requires that we move before we have all the answers. The Bible is overflowing with examples of people who had to act in faith, taking God at God’s word. Can you do the same, just because God said so?
God Bless You,
Pastor Cox
8/27/21
What's In Your Hands?
You already have everything you need to make the difference God is calling you to make. In fact, what you need is much less than you think you need. The problem most of us have is that we are so focused on what we don’t have that we forget what we do have. Throughout the Bible God asks people to use what they have in order to get the deliverance they need. Whether it’s Moses’s staff, the boy’s 2 fish and 5 loaves, or Abraham’s son, God keeps asking us, ‘What’s in your hands?’
Many of us are guilty of spending most of our energy worried about or focused on what we do NOT have. We complain about how much more everyone else seems to have. “If God gave me what they have I would be on easy street.” But where would you be if you focused more on what God has already given you.
Look in your hands. You likely already have what you need to get started, to make a difference, to give God more glory. What are you waiting for?
God bless you,
Pastor Cox
8/8/21
Take A Breath
When was the last time you took a deep breath? According to healthtribune.com “On average, a person at rest takes about 16 breaths per minute. This means we take about 960 breaths an hour, or 23, 040 breaths per day, and 8,409,600 breaths per year.” I had a moment today when I stopped to take a deep breath and I began to thank God. First, I thanked God because the breath was free, there was no charge. In fact, I took a few more to help me appreciate it even more. Then I began to thank God for His abundance. I felt like I could take as many breaths as I wanted, and God has fixed it so that there would still be more than enough left for me to take more.
In the time of Covid-19, a disease that impacts the respiratory system, the ability to breathe freely should be appreciated. Lastly, each of us has been given a particular number of breaths to breathe, and one day we will all take our last breath. So, what are you going to do with this next breath? Will you use it to give God praise or to move closer to your God ordained purpose? It’s up to you, choose wisely.
God bless you,
Pastor Cox
8/1/21