May 16, 2012
Today was a day of discouragement, loneliness and uncertainty. I felt like the Psalmist who wrote in Psalm 42:5 "Why am I discouraged ? Why is my heart so sad ?" We can get too caught up in the feelings and the quest to answer the question "Why ?". The Psalmist took a different approach. He continues in 42:5b with "I will put my hope in God ! I will praise Him again - my Saviour and my God." Verse 6 repeats this - "Now I am deeply discouraged, BUT I will remember you...." The Psalmist is talking about shifting our focus. The writer of this Psalms did three things: he put his hope in the Lord, he praised the Lord and he remembered the Lord. While I was feeling so down, I thought of this Psalm and I began to do those three things. I shifted my focus to Jesus, I began to remember all the things He had done and who He is and I grabbed my guitar and began to worship and praise the Lord. When the Psalmist did all those things, it says He felt the Lord surging over him (42:7b) and he experienced the Lord pouring His love upon him. When the Psalmist shifted his focus, remembered and praised the Lord, he had a fresh encounter with the Lord. This is what I experienced as I did these things as well. The presence of the Lord swept over me, His loved and mercy poured forth and all the discouragement and emptiness was washed away. It was replaced with a refreshing sense that my Lord is for me not against me. How are you today ? Discouraged ? Empty ? Longing ? Thirsting ? Draw near the Lord and He will draw near to you.
Prayer Focus: Fix your eyes upon the risen Christ. Remember all the things the Lord has done for you; remember everything about Him and then begin to worship and praise the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
Posted by Bernie McGale.
May 15, 2012
One Sunday morning I suggested to the congregation that we pray for our political leaders. And we would begin by giving thanks to the Lord for our leaders. The congregation just stared at me. They were not interested in doing that. My congregation is a conservative congregation - both culturally and politically. They didn't like or agree with some of the leaders. I remember saying to them, "God is not liberal, conservative, NDP, and regardless of what we hear from the Americans he is also not... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
May 14, 2012
The world is governed by speed and efficiency. We want fast computers, we love fast food restaurants, we like the express lane in the grocery store and we like it when our income tax refunds come quickly. We live in a world of fast and easy, quick and simple. Unfortunately, that mindset has filtered into the Church. And I am not just talking about our worship services. We all know the Great Commandment of the Church - "thou shalt not be longer than an hour "! No, I am thinking of how we have ... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
May 10, 2012
Stress, anxiety and worry are the major contributing factors of heart attacks and strokes. When we worry so much, especially about our future, and our financial affairs we can drive ourselves to take care of everything ourselves. Our own expectations can kill us. Continuing from yesterday's text, Jesus (in Matthew 6:25-34) tells us "not to worry about every day life", not to "worry about what we shall eat, drink or wear". Jesus has already told us that we need to store our "treasure" in heave... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
May 9, 2012
Lately I have been becoming aware of a lot adds on the radio and on the television about retirement and pension plans. In reflecting on the reality that in 15 short years (I know they will go by very quickly) I can retire, I realized that the financial question is not unique to retirees. It is the same for newly weds as well, it is all about the question of security. If we are feeling insecure about our "financial future" we work hard, sacrifice more, save more, invest more. But if we are Chr... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
May 8, 2012
When we look at the world with all its evil, wickedness and destructions, we Christians become discouraged very quickly. The world has become a dark place, which it is, because of the prevailing evidence of sin and self-centredness in the world. Unfortunately we become preoccupied with the darkness, and so much so that we are becoming discouraged. Many Christians are losing their focus and their hope in the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus. But as Christians we shouldn't be preoccupied wit... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
May 7, 2012
One of the greatest challenge we have as Christians is the constant need to be recognized. If we are brutally honest, we will all acknowledge that at some point we have wanted to be recognized by others for what we do, for the giftings that we have or for our sacrifice. I remember when I first began to experience the work and person of the Holy Spirit, I wanted to share these experiences so that others would be impressed and I would be recognized as a person of prayer. The Lord dealt with me ... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
April 17, 2012
In John 14 Jesus is speaking to the disciples prior to His crucifixion and resurrection. In verse 18 He states, "I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans - I will come to you." As Jesus was preparing to go to the cross, He was preparing the disciples for the most difficult time in their lives. Jesus wanted to reassure them. In verse 16 Jesus makes it clear to the disciples that He has to go so that the "counselor", the Holy Spirit can come. It would be the Holy Spirit who would give the... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
February 15, 2012
The mantra of today's culture is "look after number one !" Whatever else happens in life, make sure you get what you want, you do what you want to do, you speak your mind because it is "all about you". This poisonous attitude can only do one thing - destroy us. It is this attitude that causes us to be so rude, non-caring and calloused. Ever try to speak to someone about their attitude of rude ? You will be mocked and told where to go and how to get there. Disrespect towards all things is the ... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
February 14, 2012
Psalm 11 starts with a strong declaration of faith: "I trust in the Lord for my protection." Such a grand statement. I have known people who have made such declarations, who have made similar stands... when things were good and safe and peaceful. But the moment that something goes wrong, when the winds of turmoil begin to stir, they collapse and chatise the Lord - "Where are you Lord ?"
This Psalm that David wrote recalls a situation where he was in the middle of the battle. Read verses 2-3: ... Continue reading...
Posted by Bernie McGale.
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