Psalm 77 Remembering the Past

Often we are told do not dwell on the past, because we cannot change it. For most circumstances this is true, but there is a situation in which dwelling on the past may be constructive. When times are tough and it seems that our faith is tested, it can be helpful to revisit the past and remember how when things seemed the darkest, the light broke. When we thought there was no solution, from out of the blue one suddenly appeared. Whenever we experience any situation we believe we cannot bear, we should look back to the times when God in loving-kindness delivered us from our stress and strife. If we can look back objectively, we will see that in every situation there was a life lesson that we are grateful for now.

Psalm 42 & 43 Altar Living

We all encounter times when we have doubts about our faith, particularly during difficult circumstances. Rather than allowing ourselves to get into a frame of mind that God is not with us, we must remember to see God in all circumstances, even those that on the surface appear to be evil or tragic. Believers know that Spirit is working in everything and is working for good. If we can look back at our lives objectively, we recall the many times that the guidance of Spirit led us through dark times and remember how when the experience was over we were grateful for the resulting good.

Psalm 5 The Straight and Narrow Path

When we approach God we must do so with a pure heart (right intention). Spoken words alone are not enough. Behind the words are our true beliefs, which will impact the outcome. We all have problems that we want to take to God, but it is important for us to understand that desire is not just a mental exercise. Sighing and crying for an answer to prayer indicates the emotional posture that a pure intention requires. We have to reach the point where we truly want to turn our problems over to Spirit with all of our heart. Most often we find ourselves finally able to turn our problems over to God, once we come to the conclusion that we have done all that we can do ourselves (in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch). 

Psalm 146 Trust in God

Human beings are strange creatures in that we trust that the sun will rise and set but do not trust in the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of God. No other creature in all of creation has less than absolute faith in Spirit; that which is behind, within and around everything we experience. It is absurd for us to trust in the sun but not trust in God. Each and everyday we are confronted with the miracles that are proof of this Presence, yet we question.