I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11
Our world is filled with negativity. Everywhere we look and listen, fear and dread make doomsday headlines. I’ve learned to guard my heart and limit my exposure to the news. I get enough info online. Besides, I know what CNN really stands for—Constant Negative News.
We have to stock our spiritual pantries in much the same way that we stock our kitchen pantries. Stocking up on essentials ensures that we’ll have something to eat when we need it. If you haven’t made rounds at Wal-Mart in two weeks, chances are you might have to settle for some creative cuisine or perhaps a box of macaroni and cheese. That is—if you have milk. You could always improvise though. I once made mac ‘n’ cheese by substituting powered coffee creamer for milk. Good thing it wasn’t flavored with vanilla or hazelnut. I admit, my first bite was cautious. My kids never noticed the difference, so please don’t tell them. They might not read this far.
When your panty is empty, sooner or later, you’ll have to make a run to the store. Even if you eat out every night, I’ve never met anyone that can manage without toilet paper. Hard to be creative in that arena. You’ve seen these folks. Standing in the check-out line with nothing but a family pack of Charmin Mega rolls. You know they waited until they totally ran out. Shifting their weight from side to side, they stand there fidgeting with their debit card in one hand, ready to swipe, and their salvation in the other. You can even see it in their eyes. That’s the point of desperation. I admit. Been there a time or two. But I usually conceal my desperation with at least a couple of other essential items. I really came to the store for the gallon of milk and the box of Cheerios I plunked down on the counter. The toilet paper was an after thought.
Right.
Realizing that your faith is low is like being caught without toilet paper. You can scramble for substitutes, but Kleenex and Bounty don’t flush well. Nothing works better than the real thing. So keep stocked up on faith. Meditate day and night on the promises of God. If nothing new comes to mind, you can remind yourself of His faithfulness in the past, either in your own life or the lives of others.
Stock up your spiritual pantry with stories. Keep them there for a rainy day. Remember the things he has done for you. Remember the things he has done for others. Remember the times He miraculously provided for you when you were down to your last dime. Remember the times the Holy Spirit brought reconciliation in the midst of an angry dispute. Remember the times Jesus cried with you. Remember all the aha-moments when the light finally came on, the divine connections and coincidences that you knew only God could orchestrate. Remembering fuels our faith.
When God took the Israelites out of Egypt and parted the Red Sea, He told the Israelites over and over to remember the miracles in the days of old and to consider the generations past. Why? Because we have short-term memories. We need to be reminded.
David consoled himself. He said in Psalm 77:11, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” The prophet Joel urges us: “Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers? Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.”
We must remember. We must remind ourselves and our families. When we recall his faithfulness in the past, it encourages us to believe for the future. God is the same God today. Nothing is impossible with God. He can do it again!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Forgive me for the times that I have focused on doom and gloom. I want to remember Your faithfulness and the amazing things that you have done for me. I want to meditate on how You have met my needs and even desires. Please help me to focus on faith and keep it well stocked in my spiritual pantry. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
Scriptures to Ponder:
· I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:12
· Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3
· Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Psalms 119:90
· He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
· And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Matthew 13:58
Questions to Ponder: · Faith is like toilet paper. You can’t get by without it. Describe a time when you were running low on faith. How did you restock? · What is one of your favorite stories of faith in the Bible? · What is your favorite personal experience that reminds you of God’s faithfulness? · What stories of other people have encouraged your faith?
WoW! The early bird gets the worm. I can’t beleive I’m the first one to comment. Usually there are oodles of praise by the time I get on!
I love the metaphor of the pantry. Because the kitchen is my favorite part of the house, stocking up for my soul is a great visual for me.
I am just getting ready to do my private time and now I know where to begin. Your a tremendous blessing Christy.
I really felt and feel uplifted everytime I read your blogs.
I have been going through a difficult time trying to keep my faith regarding my son being in Iraq.He called me the day before Mother’s Day to wish me a happy Mother’s Day.I have to call his wife to find out he’s doing.She said that he’s been calling around 2:30 P.M. eastern time.I seem to call when she had heard from him the day before. We miss you at bible study.
I pray that God will comfort you as you son is in Iraq. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be. I miss coming to Bible study, but I’m mentoring a young woman right now. Maybe I can come back next session!
Thanks Christy for the humorous and wonderful reminder of God’s faithfulness, and the importance of keeping our spiritual pantry full with stories and memories of God’s faithfulness. You’re so right about being innundated with negativity, and it seems that no matter how much God is blessing us, the enemy is constantly trying to steal our joy with negative or fearful thoughts. It really helps drive doubt and fear away when we remind ourselves of not only all of God’s wonderful promises in His Word that He is constantly caring for and providing for us, but also of all the times He was “there for us” when we were without hope, joy, or peace.
I think I’ll work on re-stocking my pantry while I’m thinking of it, so I don’t need to rush to the store and get that much needed toilet paper I ran out of!
It was so nice to meet you and hear your heart felt testimonial. More people need to hear your message. You are such a beautiful person inside and out. Wishing you calm waters for the rest of you journey in the Lords arms. Good luck with your OCDD. (Obsessive Compulsive Decorating Disorder)
I had been trying to keep myself encouraged in the Lord while I searched for a job. This has really been a struggle for me since this is the first time in all of my adult life that I had been without one. satan loves to sow seeds of doubt & mistrust in our minds. At one time, the thought came into my mind that I was under some kind of black cloud. I immediately ditched that thought & GOT MY EYES BACK ON GOD. Even in the midst of unemployment, God has been so faithful to me & my family. God is supplying all of our needs. I have to remind myself that it is never about me, it is always about God, who he is & what he can do. There is truly nothing too hard for God!!! he is bigger than any problem or situation. I am now working in a temp position with the BOK Mtg Co, trusting God that he will continue to Lead me to my expected end. I must never give up or out on God, because, he will never give up or out on me. KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!!
Love
Marta
Marta, What a blessing you must be to BOK. They are blessed to have you. You ooze faith and encouragement where ever you go. I know God has a fantastic expected end for you!! I know you are enjoying the MIDDLE! I just got a revelation about a wilderness experience today. A wilderness experience is a period of isolation for revelation. That’s why Jesus willingly went to the wilderness. Most of us disgrace instead of embrace the wilderness. But the expected end of a wilderness experience is so that we walk away into the promised land with the kind of revelation that produces transformation!
Christy….I really enjoyed this devotion and can remember a time when I was thankful to use the empty cylinder the tissue had been on! That substitute was welcomed but not wanted again! I pictured you using the creamer for the mac and cheese and not telling the kids. Substitutes are never the same as the called for ingredient. This reminded me of a story my Ken used to tell….”Two men were needing to relieve themselves and found a two holer with a partition between them. They each seated themselves down and in a few minutes noticed there was no paper to be seen. Finally, one of them asked the other….’Do you have two fives for a ten?’ ”
Keep up the great encouraging writing Christy. Love you! Here’s a mother’s hug! cc
I feel the same way about you. I mean it when I tell you that you have a “glow” about you. I am giving God the praise about everything, and ask that you continue to pray for me, because, I am learning a lot, in such a short time. I am actually using parts of my brain that I didn’t even know I had. LOL.
Luv Yah Sis.
Marta