Tag: Bible

God

Sometimes We Just Need Held

meghanewhite

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The other day I was deep in thought at the grocery store. I was looking at the fresh herbs deciding exactly how much basil to get. This is important stuff. Fresh basil is a big deal. As I was considering recipes and portions, a baby’s cry interrupted me. To my left a young mom was attempting to console her little baby boy. He was having none of that. His cries continued until she picked him up.

Suddenly the sweet little angel was calm because he was in his mama’s arms. Without even thinking about it I said, “Sometimes we just need to be held.” The little guy smiled at me. Memories of my own little babies when they were fussy flooded my mind. The precious young mom and sweet baby went about their shopping. We passed each other a few more times. The baby boy started fussing again when he was placed back in the shopping cart. He needed to be held.

Sometimes we need to be held. It does not matter how old we are, or how mature we are, or how long we have been a Christian. We need to be held in the arms of God. We need to be comforted, and nothing else will do to calm us down. We will never outgrow our need for comfort from our Heavenly Father.

It’s humbling to be in that much distress that we need comforted. We can’t rely on ourselves, we must rely on God. The deep pain and heartache are reminders of our need for God. We cannot live this life effectively on our own. We were never meant to.

What great encouragement to know that our God will comfort us, hold us, and carry us just like a little baby in need. It is a reminder of our human frailty. His love for us is beyond measure. God will not let go.

When we are comforted we then get to pass this on to others. It doesn’t end with our needs. God wants to use us as vessels of His love. We can hold that person who is in trouble. Maybe they need picked up, dusted off, and held. We all do at some point.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NKJV 

Love you all,

Meghan

 

 

Father God,

Thank you for your compassion and mercy. For those who need comforted right now, draw them to you. Comfort them with Your peace and love. May they experience Your supernatural presence. Hold them, and encourage them. Restore their hope. Heal their hearts. We praise You and thank You.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

 

 

 

 

Trials

Prepping for a Storm

meghanewhite

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Icy conditions are on the way to Southeast Texas. At least that is what we are being told to prepare for. It’s unusual for us to get freezing temps. When the weather gets colder than normal this time of year, we have to prepare. I can’t help but have horrible flashbacks to last year’s historic storm.  Read about it here It’s Been a Crazy Week in the Great State of Texas

How do you prepare for a storm? It depends on the type of storm. For ice and snow storms, pipes and spigots need protected, plants need brought in, pets kept inside. You have to make sure there are flashlights, plenty of water, and some canned food in case the power goes out. Some people here have generators, but those are not fail proof. Last year many generators stopped working because the lines froze.

We can prepare in every possible way for a storm, and still take on damage. It’s the same in life. The storms will come, guaranteed. We can and should prepare for the storms in our lives to the best of our ability, and resources. We have no control on how long they will last or the havoc they will bring. And there are plenty of storms that we never saw coming. There was no time to prep.

How do you prepare for storms in your life? For the coming storm on the horizon and the unseen ones. Jesus is the only answer. He is the answer to everything. Jesus is the anchor in our storms. We pray. We ask others to pray. We read God’s word, the Bible. We have faith in Jesus. We cry out to Him when the waters rise and we are afraid. We trust in the One who is our anchor in the storm. He is faithful to see us through the storm.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19, CSB 

Maybe you are in the middle of a storm, and you are being bombarded with troubles. All you see are grey skies, and wave after wave keeps crashing over you. Please hold on to Jesus. He is holding on to you. I know it’s hard, and scary, and painful. You will make it. God loves you so much, and He is working all things out for good. God wastes nothing, even our storms.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28, NASB 

I am going outside in a minute to bring in our tropical potted plants, and cover our spigots. I’m going to do what I can, and then leave the rest in God’s hands. I pray you do the same today my friend. God bless and keep you.

Love you all,

Meghan

Father God,

You are awesome God. You are our provider. Please protect every person who is in the middle of life’s storms. Comfort, provide, and help them. Give them peace, and Your incredible presence. Calm them, and their storms. Answer their cries for help. Wrap Your arms around them and make a way right through the storm. We love You and praise You!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Faith

Look at the Butterflies

meghanewhite

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Living in a warm climate has its advantages. We still have flowers blooming, and butterflies are still showing up to eat nectar. Monarch butterflies swarmed our garden in early November during their migration to Mexico. There were dozens of monarch’s all over our Mexican sunflowers. It was amazing! 

There is something so peaceful and beautiful about butterflies. I love nature. I love being outside. I see God everywhere I look. The sky, flowers, birds, insects, trees, and all of it. He made everything. There is no denying a Creator when you stand in His creation. 

Here is a short video of the butterflies that were in the garden on Saturday, January 1, 2022. 

What an incredible way to start off the new year. Butterflies happily feeding on my sunflowers in the middle of winter. It makes me smile. Those butterflies have not a single concern. They do exactly what they were designed to do. Eat nectar, and get to Mexico for the winter. Sounds pretty good to me. 

God takes care of the butterflies. He provides flowers with nectar for them. He also gave monarch’s the instinct to migrate south for the winter. Monarch’s use environmental cues to know when it’s time to make the migration to Mexico and California. Amazing! If God cares for butterflies, then He is definitely going to care for us too. 

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26, NIV 

You are much more valuable than a butterfly, or a bird. God loves you. He loves caring for you. Take a deep breath in, and know God is watching over you. Trust Him. Now get outside, if it’s not too cold, and watch how He cares for all of creation. You are worth more than that. He’s got you.

Love you all,

Meghan 

If you need prayer leave your request in the comments, or send it to meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com

Authors

Eyes on Jesus is available NOW! —

meghanewhite

My new book, Eyes on Jesus: A 90-Day Discernment Devotional, is available now. See what other Christian leaders are saying about the book.

Eyes on Jesus is available NOW! —

Check out this new devotional by author, blogger, and podcaster, Tim Ferrara. He has a great blog called Discerning Dad. Give him a follow, and consider ordering his devotional. This would make a great gift.

Click on the link for all the details. 

God bless you,

Meghan 

Ministry

The People We Meet Daily

meghanewhite

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I waited in the tiny car rental office. It was time to return my first car rental after my accident, and get another one. As the woman behind the desk entered my information in the computer my mind drifted to all that was happening in my life. A totaled vehicle after a head on collision. My husband was in the hospital with acute kidney failure, and dangerously low hemoglobin (not related to my accident). Nonstop tests, and several blood transfusions, with so many unanswered questions. 

The kind clerk offered to give me a ride to the collision office on the other side of the car lot. I was grateful for her generosity since the car lot was quite large. In our short drive I shared with her a little of what I was going through. She was kind and empathetic and then began to tell me that her young husband had a recent cancer diagnosis. He was very scared.

In an instant I was reminded that I was not alone in my suffering. This sweet young woman was dealing with her own crisis, yet was completely gracious to me. I asked for her husband’s name, and told her that I would pray for them and their family. I made sure to write down both of their names when I got home so I would not forget to pray. 

I just came across the small card with their names and prayer requests. It was a reminder to say another prayer for them. I will never see her again but I will never forget our brief interaction. I don’t believe in coincidence. We were meant to cross paths, even if it was just for a moment. 

Every day there are opportunities to be a blessing to someone. It could be a neighbor, or a coworker, or a family member, or even a complete stranger. There are so many blessings in the everyday ordinary exchanges between humans. There are countless chances to do something seemingly insignificant, but with God involved it becomes extraordinary. 

So many times we are looking for the extra special. Those big moments to offer help in a grand gesture. Some of us will get those big moments to do big things for the Lord. But the small interactions can be sacred as well. It can be easy to overlook the simple moments that God gives us to make a difference. They are there each day, we just need to be available and aware.

That sweet woman at the car dealership blessed me greatly. By sharing her story she reminded me that people right in front of me are hurting too. Then it gave me the opportunity to show Jesus in a very simple way just by offering to pray. It helped take my eyes off of my own troubles and give me perspective. 

God wants to use us to further His Kingdom. We get the amazing privilege to be a small part of what He is doing. And it may be a million little things that make a difference for the Lord. It’s humbling and God gets all the glory. 

I pray today, and every day, you know how much you are loved by the Father and a blessing to those in your life, and those you come across just once. I’ve seen the statement, “You may be the only Bible someone reads”. Those daily small interactions are opportunities to plant seeds for the Kingdom. 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4, NIV 

 

Love you all,

Meghan