Tag: Bible

Worship

Stop Everything and Praise the Lord

meghanewhite

img_5236

The world is exhausting. We have access to any amount of information that we want, and plenty that we do not need. This evil world is broken, and getting sicker by the minute. Now add to all of that our own every day trials and responsibilities, and you’ve got the perfect formula for hopelessness. 

We have hope because of Jesus. We may not always feel it, but it’s always there. No matter how crazy the world gets, or how crazy our lives are, we always, always have hope. One really simple way to get our hope and joy back in seemingly uncertain times is to turn our hearts toward the Lord. Praise is a powerful weapon in our spiritual arsenal. 

I’m talking about singing and praising God. Absolutely no talent is required, just an honest heart worshipping God. Our voices sound like angels in God’s ears when it’s sincere. That’s just my opinion since God is concerned about the condition of our hearts above anything else. Sing even louder if you are in deep pain. Praise to God is so powerful in our trials. 

Praising the Lord takes our eyes off our circumstances and fixes them on Him.

Do you need to put the brakes on the insanity of our world? I know I do. It’s just too much. We are not designed to bear heavy burdens, only Jesus’ burdens are meant for us. Those are the light ones. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Step one is to turn off social media, news, emails, and pretty much everything that makes noise. If you’ve got young children you may need to be creative and use nap times, or just have them join in the praise. Those little ones, and big ones, will learn so much from some sweet worship at home. 

Step two is to turn up the worship music. Whether you have a piano or another instrument, and can play, by all means play. Use cd’s, Spotify, Youtube, or whatever format you get your music from, and play only worship music. A cappella is lovely too, if you’re up for that. There are hymns, and modern worship music, and everything else in between. 

Step three is to sing out loud and praise God. This is the best part. Fill your mind and heart with the greatness of God, and let Him know it. You can even dance around the house if you feel comfortable doing that. Just go for it, and give God full praise right in your kitchen, or bedroom, or anywhere. 

David danced before the Lord. 

Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. 2 Samuel 6:14 NKJV 

Dancing is not required, but it may spontaneously erupt out of sheer joy from the Lord. David is such a beautiful example of uninhibited adoration and worship of God. No wonder he’s called “a man after God’s own heart”. 

Something so amazing will start to happen as you lift your voice to the King of Kings. You will get your hope back, you will remember who is in control. Burdens will lift. You will see just how big and awesome God is. Our omnipotent God is still on the throne no matter what government’s do, no matter what the news says, no matter how pervasive evil is. God will never be dethroned. And justice is coming.

Praise Him today. Praise Him everyday. Take a break from all the crazy and give God your best praise and worship. It will fill your heart and give you joy knowing that no matter what you are facing God will help you. Let’s praise the Lord for He alone is worthy of our praise.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:7, NKJV 

Love you all,

Meghan 

 

If you need prayer send your request to meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com

Jesus

Jesus Is Not For Emergency Use Only

meghanewhite
lifebuoy floating on turquoise water
Photo by Domenico Bandiera on Pexels.com

On a recent beach trip I noticed a small metal box attached to a pole. Upon closer inspection I saw a life preserver inside the little box with the words “Emergency Use Only” at the top. “Life” was on the left and “Ring” was on the right, framing the life saving device.

When you are drowning in troubles and sorrows who do you call on? Do you break open the emergency use only life ring? Do you call on a friend, a family member? Do you tough it out on your own? Maybe you have been hurt and do not trust others to help you.

There is only One who can save you when the waters get too strong; when the waves start crashing over your head. You are gasping for air, flailing your arms, yelling for help. Jesus will answer when you call on Him. He is a rescuer. But He is so much more than that.

It’s easy to keep Jesus in a box and save Him for emergencies. We want to do our own thing, until trouble strikes. The pain comes and we remember who is in that little box that we tried to keep Him in. Jesus isn’t just for Sundays, or emergencies. Jesus is everything, if we let Him be.

Jesus is my Life Ring. He is my Savior and the Savior to the entire world. He saved us from the curse of sin and death. But you have to place your faith in Him to be set free and saved. He is waiting for you to take Him out of that little box and let Him be Savior and Lord over your life.

We can call on Jesus in our crisis. He is willing and able to help us because He loves us so very much. But He wants to be more than an S. O. S. When we can’t save ourselves it forces us to start looking at other options. Only Jesus can take away our sin. Only Jesus saves.

A life preserver keeps us afloat. Jesus keeps us going. He preserves our life. Jesus is not only Savior to the entire world, but He is Lord of all. Let’s allow Jesus into every part of our lives. No more box.

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it. Acts 4:12, HCSB

Love you all,

Meghan

Persecution, Trials

The Hiding Place

meghanewhite

img_2304

Do you have someone in your life who inspires you? Maybe you are inspired by someone you have never met. I am blessed with many incredible Christians who encourage me and spark my faith. But I also have some people I admire from afar, some who have long ago left the earth. One of these special people is Corrie ten Boom.

Years ago I read The Hiding Place. My mom read the book when I was a teenager so I decided to read it as well. I couldn’t put it down. Corrie’s family hid Jews and Dutch Resistance workers in their home during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The ten Boom’s had a long tradition of supporting, and regularly praying for the Jews. Exactly one hundred years before her family was arrested by the Gestapo, they began praying for the Jews.

The hiding place was created in Corrie’s bedroom. A brick wall was built creating a hidden room with a secret entrance through a linen closet. The refugees lived in the house but would quickly escape to the hiding place when alerted of a raid by the Gestapo through a bell system. It is estimated that the ten Boom’s helped at least 800 people during WWII. Impressive what ordinary people can do by trusting an extraordinary God.

Eventually the ten Boom’s were betrayed and arrested. Corrie’s sister Betsie, brother Willem, and nephew Kit all died in the concentration camps. Casper ten Boom, Corrie’s father, died after ten days of imprisonment. There are many miraculous stories that Corrie shares in The Hiding Place. If you have never read the book I don’t want to give away too much detail. I highly recommend reading this inspirational story.

After terrible suffering in prison and the concentration camps, watching her sister get sick and die in the camps, losing her father, brother, and nephew, Corrie still loved God. Her faith had been tested by fire and proved worth more than gold. After the war, God used Corrie greatly to spread the Gospel around the world.

God loves to use regular folks like Corrie ten Boom. She loved Jesus and lived a surrendered life to Him. Corrie was a real person, with real struggles. Bitterness had captured Corrie’s heart towards the guards at the concentration camp who had been so cruel to her sister and all the prisoners. God set her free through the power of forgiveness. He can set all of us free of whatever is holding us back if we allow Him to work in our lives.

This amazing woman of faith still inspires people today. Corrie helped me just a few months back. In March, during my husband’s hospitalization, I was struggling. Each evening I would collapse after spending hours in the hospital with Tom. We had no real answers and were told daily the severity of his condition. By the time I would lay down at night, I couldn’t fall asleep.

I would watch anything that was uplifting or encouraging to try and ease my mind. One night I was scrolling through Youtube when a Corrie ten Boom video showed up. That was odd because I hadn’t been searching her out, but God knew that’s what I needed. As soon as I heard her voice it immediately comforted me. I can’t tell you what her message was. I don’t even remember. Corrie encouraged me, and I could fall asleep.

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” Betsie ten Boom said this to Corrie while in the concentration camp and Corrie quoted it the rest of her life.

The Lord is our hiding place. He will hide us when we need protection. He will surround us with His massive wings. He will hold us, comfort us, cover us, and care for us when we are struggling. God is the perfect loving Father. If you are hurting, don’t run from Him, run to Him.

You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 32:7, NIV

Corrie ten Boom overcame insurmountable suffering and pain because she relied on Jesus Christ. He used her mightily, and he wants to use you too, for the Kingdom.

If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, today would be a great day to change that. Jesus loves you and died for you. He is waiting for you to invite Him into your heart and life.

Love you all,

Meghan

If you need prayer send your requests to meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com

Trials

Never Forget 9/11

meghanewhite

img_4771

It was a typical Tuesday morning. Dylan was playing with his toy trains. At 2 1/2 years old, life was uncomplicated for my little boy. Our peaceful morning was interrupted by a phone call, then another, and another. Call after call alerting me to turn on the news. America had been attacked.

I went into my bedroom and turned on the t.v. The shocking images of the World Trade Center on fire with smoke pouring out did not seem real. The grim reality set in at the horrific sight of the towers rapidly collapsing. Chaos, people covered in dust running, and crying. I was in complete shock like everyone else. Safe America was no more.

Our church filled up that night with people praying. Crying out to God. Looking for answers. Trying to make sense of what happened. Our false sense of security had been breeched. It was the first time I had experienced real fear living in a free and presumably safe country.

Almost 3000 people were killed in the 9/11 terror attacks on America. It’s the largest terrorist attack in world history. Four planes in total were hijacked. Two planes struck the World Trade Center towers, one plane struck the Pentagon, and flight 93 crashed into a Pennsylvania field.

Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, children, aunts, uncles, and grandparents were gone. Real people who were dearly loved. Those who lost their precious loved ones on that awful day never forget. They can’t.

There are countless miraculous stories from that tragic day. So many first responders ran into the danger to save people, to help. Many gave their lives. Ordinary citizens became heroes as well. Like those who helped bring flight 93 down. Sacrifice, honor, humanity, service, and love are what I think of when all these heroic people come to mind.

One of the most tragic days in American history brought us together. There were U.S. flags everywhere. A new sense of patriotism. Not because we were better than any other country, but because we were better together. What was meant to destroy us, made us stronger.

Churches were filled to the brim. Those of us with faith clung to Jesus, our only hope. Some who had ignored God, started seeking and searching Him out. We were a little kinder to each other, gave a little more grace, and hugged our loved ones a little tighter. Our human frailty confronted us all on that dark day.

May we never forget those cherished lives that were lost on 9/11.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2

Father God,

Thank you for your grace and mercy. We lift up all the families and those hurting today as they remember their loved ones who’s lives were lost on 9/11. Comfort them, Father. Give them peace and surround them with Your love. Remind them of the good memories they have of their loved ones. Bring love, support, and encouragement to these special people. May they experience your deep abiding love.

We lift up all those who suffered injuries and trauma from those evil attacks. Give them peace, healing, and comfort. Draw each of them to you Lord. May they experience the life changing love from the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

Heal our land, Lord. As we remember 9/11 today, remind us of who we can be in Christ. We cry out to You, Abba, for mercy, grace and forgiveness. Turn our hard hearts back to You.

In Jesus Mighty name,

Amen

Bible

Are You Hungry?

meghanewhite

pexels-valeriya-kobzar-8630143

Photo by Valeriya Kobzar from Pexels

Each morning I grab my beat up old Bible from the nightstand. I’m very attached to my old Bible. The binding is taped. Pages are falling out. It’s a mess and I love it. My Bible holds a spiritual legacy. It was my mom’s first Bible when she placed her faith in Jesus. Mom gave me her Bible when I was in Junior High and she bought a new one. It’s the only Bible I’ve used ever since.

Mom’s notes are written in certain books of the Bible that she studied. Every so often as I’m flipping through the pages I’ll see Mom’s perfect handwriting reminding me of her passion for God’s Word. When she got saved it ignited a hunger in her to learn as much as possible about Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. 

I see the craving and passion in Mom’s words scrawled on the pages of her old Bible. She was blessed as a new Christ follower with great Biblical teachers at our church. 

img_4977

I love these notes. It’s Mom reminding me of what really matters.

  1. Remember your Savior.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3, NIV 

  1. Love one another.

 Love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22b, NIV 

  1. Rid yourselves of sin. Malice, envy, deceit, etc. Crave pure spiritual milk.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3, NIV

As a new Christian my mom was so excited to devour the Word of God. She couldn’t get enough. Mom was spiritually hungry and she was going to the right place to get fed. Mom was feeding on God’s Holy Word. It was filling her up and she kept coming back for more.

We are all hungry. We were born hungry for more. The only satisfaction is in Jesus Christ. Nutritious food for our soul is in the Word of God. We can feast on it day and night and never get full or bloated. We can’t get too much of God’s Word in us. 

If I feast on worldly things that temporarily fill me up I will get queasy, and never truly satisfied. It leaves me empty, so I have made the mistake of pursuing more of the worldly things in hopes of satisfaction that never comes. It’s a vain pursuit. 

When we fill up on God’s word it changes us. God’s words are alive. There’s no other book like it. The entire story of humankind is written in the pages. God wrote the end from the beginning. God’s word stands forever.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All people are like grass,

    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

    but the word of the Lord endures forever.” 

1 Peter 1:23-25, NIV 

There is a beautiful feast waiting for us in the pages of the Bible. One verse can transform a heart. The more I read the Bible, the more I am changed, convicted, filled with hope, joy, love, wisdom, knowledge, and excitement. God’s words to us are more powerful than any book we have ever read. 

I have to ask myself what am I feeding my soul with? Am I settling for the junk food of the world? Am I sitting at the table with the Lord filled with inexhaustible resources of grace and mercy? I want the same hunger for God that my mom had as a new Christian. 

Thanks Mom for the legacy you left me. Each time I hold my torn up Bible in my hands I am reminded that’s where it all began for you. It continues on for me and I pray the same for my sons. 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4, NIV 

Love you all,

Meghan 

Father God, 

Thank you for Your incredible book, the Bible. It has the power to transform hearts and minds for it is Your life giving words. Give us a hunger for Your word, a hunger for Your presence, a hunger for more of You in our lives and our world. Help us to make daily Bible reading a priority and a passion. We praise You almighty God!

Amen