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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Endless (01/09/14)
The close of yet another endless day had finally come for Jennie. Taking a deep breath, she curled into a spot on her bed she called "God's Corner." This was the one area in her life she could always go to spend quality time with her beloved Jesus. Tonight, her mind would not focus on His message. She knew He was speaking directly to her through the words of the Apostle Paul, but the stress of the day plagued her. Shifting positions and raising her hands to Heaven, Jennie offered a little prayer asking God to calm her mind, body and soul so she could spend this cherished time with Him.

As if a gentle touch, she felt the blanket wrapped over her shoulders assume a tender embrace. "My dear child, do you not remember when everything seemed so dark just two months ago and I sent this snuggly comforter to you through a beloved friend? Do you think I am going to let you go now?" Running her fingers over the soft fabric, she took a deep breath and opened her bible again. With a chuckle she read, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).

_________

We have all felt like Jennie. We may not recognize Christ has already provided "comforters" for us. She was blessed to receive a tangible blanket from a Godly friend. However most often, we do not see these reassurances clearly in the midst of anxiety. What has been your comforter during trials? What do you do with the unfinished to-do lists, blundered conversations of the day, and daunting tasks of tomorrow?

In 1 Peter 5:7, Paul encouraged Peter to cast his anxieties on Christ. Remember, Peter had been a fisherman; so, this message had special meaning to him. He knew he could cast his cares into the ocean as if attached to a fishing line to retrieve later or he could toss them overboard never to be seen again. Do you carry a fishing pole or do you toss your burdens into the depths of the sea?

If you tend to carry fishing line with you, God has given you permission to cut the line. He does not wish for us to be burdened by the day-to-day tasks. He understands earthly struggles are valid, as are our emotions. Paul shared even he despaired at times with all the persecutions he experienced; however, he found purpose in these struggles. I believe this gave him the ability and willingness to surrender all earthly cares to Christ. Paul's encouragements to the Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians as well as Peter provide a model we can follow.

May you wrap your God-given comforter around your shoulders as you stand at the water's edge to toss the heavy stones of stress into the sea. May you find rest in knowing struggles may not cease but the loving hand of God is upon you. May you treasure those who God has placed in your life.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Sheldon Bass 
01/16/14
This is an encouraging, devotional style piece. I like the fishing pole analogy. Keep writing you're doing great.
Toni Babcock 
01/16/14
Really great spiritual advice in this piece. Actually I see two separate devotionals you could develop from this one article. One devotional theme would be focusing on the idea of the comforter imagery, and the other theme focusing on the casting away your cares and not holding onto them as in the fishing line imagery. One devotional theme deals with recognizing our Comforter, and resting in Him, and the other would deal with letting go of our cares, casting them on Christ and not hanging onto them.
Also be very careful to check which apostle wrote what, as Peter wrote the book of Peter as stated in Peter 1:1. It wasn't written by Paul to Peter. (oops!)


Larry Whittington
01/17/14
Good reminder for us all. Why do we, as humans, carry worries with us? Especially if we belong to Jesus.

In the sentence after the I Peter 5:7 verse. I would have written something like this: "Peter reminds/encourages us"

I like your style and your thoughts.

Keep your heart on heaven and your eyes on the Bible.
Amelia Brown 
01/19/14
This is a lovely devotional with strong messages. Keep writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/21/14
This is a lovely devotion. I liked how you started with a real story that many can relate to. I like to call those special moments a I love you from Jesus. If one keeps her eyes open, it's possible to see these love notes all the time. Nice job. It
Dusty Fontaine
01/21/14
Yes, God never says we won't have cares or anxieties; just that we should cast them on Him when they come.

I love the imagery of the comforter. I wish there was more of the conversation between Jennie and Jesus rather than switching to the devotional form. The imagery was powerful -- not to say that the message wasn't powerful just the way you wrote it.

I enjoyed this piece.
Michele Fleming 
01/21/14
Lovely peice! I liked the idea of the "comforter" being God's arms wrapped around us. Good job!