I would encourage you to do the same this week.  Read Mark 4:35-41 this week, study this painting, study the words of the text and reflect on these questions above.  When we take time with scripture and stories like this the Lord can bring calm and hope to help us weather the storms of life just like he calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee for the disciples.  As things calmed down on the sea the disciples said to each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Make It Personal:  I will share a portion of a prayer I wrote during this retreat.  Perhaps you can use this prayer in your own times of devotion… “Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I come to you today and ask you to calm me, calm my heart, calm my fears and concerns, and calm my inner soul.  Help me to give these things, ALL of the things that trouble me to your mighty and trusting hand.”

As Christians and followers of Jesus Christ we are called to be strong and courageous as we face these challenges in our day to day lives.  God will guide us, Christ will sustain us, and the Holy Spirit will direct us in these difficult days of questions, doubt, and fear.  The Lord will part the waters, knock down the walls, and help us to navigate our way through if we will seek his help.  Hope of the promised land is right around the next corner so keep trusting, stay strong, and find your courage through Jesus Christ.

Make It Personal:  Maybe it is not something going on in our world right now that has you afraid or dismayed.  Maybe it is something in your life personally or in your family that no one else knows about.  God does know and God cares about what you are going through.  The Lord wants to help you through this time and give you courage and strength to get through it.  Your hope and your deliverance through Christ is there for your taking.  Take hold of it!

Have a great week,  Glen Rhodes

Most likely many of you have made New Year’s resolutions to begin 2022.  I always find it very interesting to hear what people have set forth to “do better in” in the year that lies ahead.  Perhaps it is a diet, an attitude, time management, spiritual related,  or material related.  Money and possessions seems to be a difficult one for most people as they come out of the Christmas season and begin a new year.

In Matthew 6:19-24 Jesus teaches us about storing up our spiritual treasures in heaven instead of storing them up for earthly things that can be stolen and will someday rot and rust away.  Jesus reminds us that we cannot serve both God and money.  As we come out of the most expensive time of the year for most people, it would be good to ask ourselves when enough is truly enough.  The truth is, if we are looking for things to bring us happiness we will always be let down.  When we have that attitude we can be assured that someone will always have something better or something that makes us feel discontented.

I once heard a suggestion that people use a 10-10-10 rule as a way of deciding if you are spending your money effectively.  Often people will end up spending money accidentally instead of spending their money with a purpose.  The article suggested that before making any purchase we ask ourselves three questions.  How will this affect my life in 10 minutes, how will it affect my life in 10 months, and then how will it affect my life 10 years from now.  By using this as a guide we can bring more thought and purpose into our spending.

The article went on to point out that we often create more happiness in our lives when we spend money on experiences with other people instead of on things.  I might also add that using our money to help other people is a way that can truly bring us happiness and joy.  Money can become a god in our lives if we are not careful.  

Make It Personal:  No matter what your New Year’s resolution is for 2022 I hope that we will all choose to serve the one true God instead of money.  As Jesus says in Matthew 6:21, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  

Have a great 2022 everyone!  Glen Rhodes