“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1 (NKJV).  .

Do you know what it is like to be really thirsty and not be able to get water?  Three days is about the longest most living creatures can live without water. There are a few exceptions, such as camels and elephants which have built in storage systems.

I picture the deer as it runs through the forest seeking water to quench its thirst. It eagerly laps up the water when it comes upon the flowing brook.

I can relate to the Scripture above which pictures a deer panting for a stream of water. I have often felt thirsty for God when I could not seem to get to Him in a time of trouble.

The longer I am in this situation the thirstier I become for Him. Then when I finally break through to His presence (He is always there, sometimes we just do not perceive His presence) I drink deeply as I enjoy His fellowship and I am refreshed.

The Psalmist compares the deer to his own inner search for God. Scripture promises when we thirst not only can we drink but we will have water to pour out to others.

Jesus proclaims in John 7:37 “ On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

I also am encouraged by the words of Revelation 21:6b, “to him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”

I resolve to run to Him with my spiritual thirst just as the deer runs to the water brook to satisfy its thirst. I always want to drink deeply of the living water God provided in Jesus.

Copyright © Peggy Park. All rights reserved.

“What deeds of power are being done by His hands!”

The Hands that made the world and gave the sun and moon their light

are the Tiny Hands of a baby born one cold December night—-

The hands that stilled the wind and tamed the fury of the sea

are the calloused hands of a carpenter who lived in poverty—

The Hands that held the power to break the binding chains of sin

Are the gentle Hands that washed the feet of tired and dusty men—

The Hands that cleansed the leper, healed the blind and raised the dead

Are the praying Hands of one who cried, “Not my will, but Thine instead—-“

The Hands that shaped the universe and flung the stars in space

Are the nail-pierced hands of a dying man who suffered in our place—-

The Hands of our Creator, Lord and King of heaven above,

Are the Savior’s hands, forever reaching out to us with love.

By B.J. Hoff

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “to everything there is a season”

Autumn is probably my favorite time of year as I love to see the beautiful foliage as it turns various shades of red, green, and gold. Then the foliage drops to the ground leaving a barren tree or bush.

Scripture talks about trees comparing the Christian to a tree planted by the rivers of water. Jesus was so good to give us examples in nature that we can see and that help us understand His teachings.

As I watch the leaves fall I am reminded of the need to let the things in my life fall away if the season is over.This may be habits, a specific ministry, or even intense parenting of our children. Often we feel barren when we are stripped of the familiar, but God can not fill a place in our lives that is already full. Sometimes we have to let things fall away for the new season ahead. It can be difficult as we may feel like He has set us on a shelf and forgotten us while we are waiting for the new foliage to appear.

Following the stripping we are to wait for our “tree” to produce again. Beautiful new leaves will eventually appear, fruit will ripen, and we will benefit from the water that has been stored up by the root system. We have been made ready for the next season.

We rejoice when the spring comes and our tree starts to bear again. Hopefully we have been diligent to keep taking in spiritual nourishment to feed our “tree” so we have a bountiful supply of fruit to pass on to others.
Copyright © 2010 Peggy Park.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Did you ever notice how we tend to “take on” that to which we expose ourselves?

I am specifically thinking of sun bathing or using tanning booths.  In spite of cautions about the harmful rays of sunlight, or those emitted in the artificial light, some of us still like that “tanned” look.  We may disregard cautions in favor of the healthy glow we feel sun bathing or booth tanning gives.

Compare sitting in the natural rays of sunlight with sitting in the light of the Son, Jesus.  As we daily come to Him in our prayer time we start to “take on” His light.  The pores of our being absorb the rays that come off of Him as we sit in His presence.  We start to “take on” more of Him and His light starts to shine on and through us.

I remember a friend of mine had a glow on her face after she had spent a long time in the presence of Jesus following the death of her father. She received comfort and peace. Her countenance reflected the light of Jesus.

Personally I want to reflect His light back to the world.  The only way any of us can do this is by being with Him enough to “take on” His presence so that we are glowing with Him.

Let us resolve to be diligent to sit with Him enough so that we get a “Son” bath, absorb His light, and the world around us witnesses that light shining through us.

 &#169 2010 Peggy Park

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

The old year has passed away.  2009 is but a memory to us as we several months ago we discarded the old calendar and put up a fresh new one full of unwritten days.  What have we been writing on those days as we scurry to fulfill our “to do” list?  Has time for our Lord Jesus Christ been a top priority? Have we penciled in quiet time to be with Him, or has that time given way to the tyranny of the urgent? Let us do a check up to see how we are doing now that we are well into the new year.

Contemplating new beginnings can be intriguing.  So many days and hours to deepen our relationship and fulfillment in Him OR to simply let time pass with no plan to know Him better. Will we allow old habits and challenging life circumstances to derail our time with Him, or will we crave out time to know our Savior in a deeper way?

Our world is in turmoil with mankind confounded by many circumstances and the uncertainties of life. Many do not know where to turn for answers. The believer in Jesus has a refuge as we draw on the peace found in our relationship with the Son of God.  What an awesome thought that He actually wants to fellowship with us and show us His compassions. We are truly a blessed people to have an audience with Him.

He is faithful to His children.  His compassions (mercy) never fail.  We can find rest in that no matter what circumstances we face.

© Peggy Park 2010.

Luke 12: 49 I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

The foot note in the NKJ says it is better to understand the statement to be a reference to the burning zeal of believers rather than what some commentators think that fire symbolizes the divisive nature of Christ’s ministry.

I realize I have lost some of the zeal and passion I had previously for lost souls. I use to have a great concern for people’s spiritual state and that has diminished somewhat.

In light of this insight I prayed and asked the Lord to make me ablaze with His presence so that others would definitely see Jesus in me. I also asked that he would reignite that concern for the salvation of others. I want to be ablaze with the life of Christ.

I realize I have lost some of the zeal and passion I had previously for lost souls. l use to have a great concern for people’s spiritual state and that has diminished somewhat.

In light of this insight I prayed and asked the Lord to make me ablaze with His presence so that others would definitely see Jesus in me.  I also asked that He would reignite that concern for the salvation of others.  I want to be ablaze with the life of Christ.

© 2010 Peggy Park

“In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2

I was at a prayer meeting recently where the leader played the piano and we sang the words of the beautiful old hymn, “The way of the cross leads home.” The actual title of the song is, I Must Needs Go Home. My imagination took flight as I thought of the comparisons of a good earthly home and our heavenly home.

My idea of a good home is one where we are accepted and valued in spite of our deficiencies. We are inspired to be the best we can be but are not constantly criticized

and corrected. The environment is comfortable emotionally as well as physically.

A good home offers warmth and welcome as well as respite from the outside world.

It is a place we can “let our hair down” and put our feet up and rest. Everything about it is familiar and the door is always open. We can feel the cares of life lift when we go over the threshold and experience the fellowship of our family. Sometimes we are embraced and kissed depending on how long we have been away. Many of us have dreamed of home when we have been in a foreign land. Holidays and special occasions evoke nostalgia. In our imaginations we smell the good food that we enjoy at these gatherings.

Going to our eternal home will be proceeded by a festive event called the marriage supper of the Lamb. The words of the song continue with, “then I bid farewell to the way of the world, To walk in it nevermore; for my Lord says, ‘come’, and I seek my home, where He waits at the open door.”

Consider all the above comparisons of a good home and our eternal home. Our home here (if it is a good caring home) is but a shadow of the blessings of our heavenly home.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” I Corinthians 2:9

Lord, Help me to eagerly anticipate and look forward with joy to the place you have prepared for me. Let this help to keep me motivated to serve you with all my heart, mind and soul while I sojourn on this earth and live in the home I have here. Help me to make my home a welcoming, comfortable, accepting place for my family. In the name of Jesus. Amen

© 2010, Peggy Park

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

I have to confess I am somewhat of a type A personality in that when I need something done I like to get right on it, get it done, and marked off my to do list. In the assignments God entrusts to us this approach often does not work.

Recently upon arrival home from a writer’s conference my head was swimming with all the writing projects and speaking promotion I could do; however, I have had it with my own ideas that don’t lead anywhere except to frustration. I want to be a good steward, so in the past I have run ahead with what seemed like the right thing to do, only to end up with no fruit to show for the effort. It was as if I was saying to the Lord, “Come along with me and bless my idea. You follow me, Jesus.”

A very proliferate writer/speaker said when she started praying five minutes a day over her ministry things really seemed to start happening. I certainly pray over what the Lord would have me pursue, but have interspersed those prayers into my regular time rather than a concentrated focus.

I decided I would try what she suggested as I was trying to sort through all the possibilities presented at the conference. When I finished this prayer time I heard in my spirit, “Be faithful, not frantic” I thought this was a very good word for many of us who want to serve the Lord, but sometimes shoot off in too many directions as we try to do our best for Him. (Noble as it is to want to serve Him)

Be faithful, not frantic is now my reminder that I am not to be anxious but to have faith in the Scripture in Psalm 138:8a “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” Then I will experience the peace promised in Philippians 4:7.”And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your heats and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Prayer: Lord, help me to stay submitted to your will for ministry and not my own ideas. Help me to stay focused and faithful, but not frantic.

© 2010, Peggy Park

While our pursuit of Jesus is a spiritual one Scripture gives clear examples of those who sought His physical presence for blessings in the physical realm.

The hemorrhaging woman in Luke 8:43f was one who pushed through the throngs of people to get to Jesus. The blind beggar in Luke 18:35-43 refused to stay silent. He would not allow Jesus to pass him without contact as he cried out for mercy. Both of these needy people received what they asked for.

It is not always easy to actively pursue Jesus but it is rewarding as we see new faucets of Him that we do not discern on a carnal pursuit.

Let us intentionally pursue Him and we will see Him respond in amazing ways bringing peace to troubling situations and providing power for our lives and outreach to those he puts in our paths.

© 2010, Peggy Park.

“Let us lay aside very weight which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12 1B

Continuing with the thought from the last blog I want to emphasize

the absolute necessity of aggressively pursuing the Lord and His purposes for our lives. We can miss His will by being too passive, too insensitive, or too inattentive. The extreme cold weather we are experiencing right now invite us to curl up by the fire and neglect our daily quiet time.

Just as earthly relationships require time and attention so our relationship with the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) requires time and attention.

Jesus will not force Himself and His plans on us. We have the choice to pursue Him or to be passive. Sometimes it is difficult if we don’t “feel” His presence but he has promised He will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

Let us put off passivity and put on purpose and plan to actively know Him better in 2010.

© 2010, Peggy Park