Fear...

I got trapped in an elevator recently.  I am mildly claustrophobic but I was in there alone and there was air flowing so I wasn't immediately alarmed. 

I panicked a bit at the onset of the realization that the elevator was stalled but I had a choice to make regarding my next steps.  Panicked, I would be more erratic.  Calm, I would be able to be more logical about next steps.

I am not exaggerating when I say, it would take me a few mins to actually choose logic. InitIally, I pushed every button and wished something would jolt the elevator to restart its course. Then I felt a calm come over me as I started to think it through.

I looked around and assessed my situation.  I was alone, good I dont have to worry about creepy men or women.  I had air flowing, and it was lit.  Next, I checked the intercom in the elevator, there wasn't one... however, my phone had service! So I texted my friends and my brother. Some of it was to solicit help, others for prayer.

All the while, I kept thinking about the verse that says that God wont bring you to something that will overtake you. I wasn't forsaken.  At one point, I had to consider the reality that I would drop 10 floors and meet my Maker. Yea, I know, calm down kid!

Obviously, it goes without saying that I got out and I have been trying to be more intentional about my actions.

Love God and the rest will follow.

A better start than most

I woke up this morning to find myself swaddled in my sheets. I guess I wasn't ready for the chill overnight. Something about that swaddle was comforting and I would not have woken up if it weren't for the obligation of work.

I walked out of my door with Chris botti in my ears, and a crisp breeze in my face. Its Rosh Hashanah today and it feels like a new start indeed.  You see this summer has been busy and somewhat of a struggle in the area of "my future."

I have had several 'Come to Jesus' moments in the last 4 months about what I want and need for my future.  I have gone back and forth with trusting and believing that God really is in the business of taking care of my wants as much as He provides for my needs.  I, also, traveled a lot or worked over the weekend so I havent had many days to rest recently.

Overall, the fall marks a time in my life that I hope involves some relaxing moments with Jesus and tea.  I have some goals to accomplish in the student loan repayment area but other than that, I hope that this upcoming season is one of just connecting with Jesus.

If you are struggling today with making decisions or believing that God really cares for you, then take some time to just sit with some worship music or even sit in silence.  Ask God to speak and He surely will do so.  He is, if anything, constant and always waiting to hear and speak to His own. He loves. He cares. He is there for you.

Love God and the rest will follow.

This devo from Calvary Fort Lauderdale needed to be reposted...  www.calvaryftl.org if you want t o get daily devotionals sent to you.

“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”—Romans8:27 (NKJV) When my wife was a young child, she thought of herself as a character in a storybook. It was as if someone was turning the pages of a big storybook, as she lived out each day. Have you ever felt like that? Like your life was an open book for others to see? As a four-year-old, I remember looking up at the night sky in awe. Seeing all the stars made me feel so small. What about you? Do you, or have you ever had, a sense of your smallness within the universe? When we have a sense that we’re being watched by someone greater than ourself, or a sense of our smallness, it's not an accident or anomaly. Several places in the Bible tell us God makes His existence known in many ways. In Ecclesiastes, we're told God has put eternity into our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). When we come to know God. He puts His Spirit in our hearts. And because He lives in us, He knows our heart. This is both reassuring and unnerving. As King David asked, “Where shall I go from your Spirit?” (Psalm 139:7 NKJV) Romans 8:27 is encouraging because it reminds us that God knows every bit of us, even the dark corners where we try to hide, and He intercedes on our behalf. God has plans for each of our lives, and is at work to bring these plans to fruition. Of course, it helps when we cooperate with Him, rather that resist Him. We've probably all seen a young child fight the effort of a parent insisting they hold their hand at a busy intersection. Perhaps you've been that child! This is what comes to mind when I think of the Holy Spirit's work in my life. I imagine many times I'm like that resistant child—resisting the leading of the Holy Spirit. Of course, God sees dangers I don't see, and insists on what's best for me. God's view of things is much greater than ours could ever be. He sees far beyond what we see ahead of us, physically and time-wise. He knows how we need to grow spiritually, even emotionally. He intercedes for us in ways we're unaware of, yet necessary for our growth. He searches our heart so He can see our needs and what’s needed so we can be transformed into who He's called us to be. This is why God searches our hearts, and this ought to reassure us. DIG: Have you sensed your smallness recently? How have you experienced an awe of God? DISCOVER: When was the last time you asked the Lord to search your heart? DISPLAY: Take some time today, or this week, to open your heart to God and then listen.

Copyright © 2015 Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, All rights reserved. This email is to those who have partnered with Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Thanks!