Please Be Seated

Do you savor time at the table with the Father or are you ordering meals to go? 

My September article for Thrive magazine is published at the following link. I'd love for you to check it out, and I pray it blesses you.

Please Be Seated: http://ow.ly/AHi1X 

I welcome your comments.

Blessings, 

Starr

WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Seaworthy

" 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place 

and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves 
in a boat to a solitary place." 

―Mark 6:30–32, NIV

My husband's old wooden boat began to take on water―again. The puddle of water encircling his new Sperry Top-Siders was a telltale sign that he had patched it far too many times. As he paddled his way to shore, he knew it was time to invest in a new boat. After all, what good is a boat that won’t float?

We all want to be vessels God can use. Is your boat seaworthy? Or are you simply struggling to stay afloat?

Jesus knew the wearying effects of service and the importance of taking a break from its ceaseless demands. He invited the disciples to come away with him to a quiet place. They welcomed his invitation to rest. We should welcome it too.  

Scripture invites us to cast our cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7). Is there some baggage you need to cast aside before you step into the boat? 

Let’s stabilize our boats this week. We can assure our boat stays afloat by laying our baggage at the feet of Jesus and prayerfully considering each piece. He will show us the pieces we need for our journey and those we need to leave behind.

Now it's your turn. Make a list of the things you believe are adding to your boat’s instability. Then ask, “Is this a piece I need to throw overboard, something only God can eliminate, or something I need to hold on to?” 

God is looking for a steady boat. Toss the extra baggage and make room for his presence.

I welcome your comments.

Blessings,
Starr

WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

 "Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear."

―Matthew 13:16, ESV

 

 

Selah!

 

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

SUNDAY SOLACE: Silence Is Golden

 

 

 

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. "

―Psalm 62:5, NIV

 

Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/ 

SUNDAY SOLACE: Soul Seat

 "For a lake to reflect the heavens on its surface . . . 

 

 

. . .  it must be calm."

 

"In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

―Isaiah 30:15, NIV

  



Please visit my devotional blog at the following link

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/

 

Today's photo was taken at Northmont Lake, Asheboro, NC  ©Starr Ayers 2011

SUNDAY SOLACE: Come to the Well

 "And Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well . . .

when a Samaritan woman came to draw water."  
― John 4:6-7, NIV

 

Even Jesus took time to rest. It was  in his place of rest that
ministry came to him.  

Why do we feel we must find our place of purpose. Instead, we should simply find our place―find our place before Him; find our place of rest.

 

Perhaps, when we are at our place, our purpose will present itself.

Just come. Jesus is already there.

 

 

 Would love to have you check out my devotional blog.

http://365degreelens.blogspot.com/

 

Today's photo was taken at Northmont Lake, Asheboro, NC  ©Starr Ayers 2011 

Come to Me

Straining and striving does not accomplish the work God gives us to do. There is no straining effort in an overflowing life. The key is . . .

 

"Not overwork but overflow."

~ Streams in the Desert ~

 

  "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul."
―Psalms 23:2-3, KJV

Ceaseless activity may fill our days, but busyness is not the sign of a meaningful life. Rather, it is quite the opposite. It is in effortless abiding that our life becomes full―full to overflowing.

Taking the time to refresh our body, soul and spirit is crucial to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Christ knew the importance of withdrawing from the crowds and spending time alone with his Father. 

He invites us to do the same.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest." ―Matthew 11:28, NIV

 

Go ahead.

 

Give yourself permission to step away from your crowded schedule.

 

Kick back.

 

Listen to this song.

 

Meditate on him.

 

Now . . . BREATHE!      



 

This photo was taken at Cherry Grove, NC 2011

Be Still and Know

"We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart . . .

and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.

I think at least part of the answer lies in solitude." 

~Helen Hayes~

  

"Be still, and know that I am God."

―Psalm 46:10, NIV


In his book Silent God, Joseph Bentz poses the question . . . "If God silenced himself entirely in our lives, how many of us would notice the difference?"

 

Sobering . . . isn't it?

 

This week, eliminate one television show or one hour of internet time each day and spend that time in silence, prayer, or Bible study.

 

You will notice a difference.

 

 

 This photo was taken at Black Mountain, NC 2013 

No Revolving Doors

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
 They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
―John 10:9, NIV

 

You have heard My call. Enter through the open gate. Fear not what lies within. I have the richest of fare laid up for you. No longer insist on living outside of My best. I want your undivided heart. 

You live like a nomad, pitching a movable tent somewhere between fellowship with Me and fellowship with the world. I have chosen you out of the world. It will not satisfy your soul. It is time to settle in. 

You invited Me―and I came. I entered into your abode; your earthly tent. I did not hesitate to come. I held nothing back and it is there that I remain. For Myself, I reserved a tent―for you, a mansion awaits. 

Come! Live in a house of strength and dignity; a place where you will remain in the company of the King. No longer separate yourself from Me. There is no revolving door within your Father’s house, just a simple gate―a gate that beckons, “Enter in!”

Enter in to My presence! Remain! Remain in My love!

Photo taken in Beaufort, South Carolina