Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 59

Hold Fast in Hard Times — Slow Down (Day 9)

 

Who is among you that feareth Jehovah, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? He that walketh in darkness and hath no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah and rely upon his God” (Isa. 50:10, RV).

What shall the believer do in times of darkness — the darkness of perplexity and confusion, not of heart but of mind? Times of darkness come to the faithful and believing disciple who is walking obediently in the will of God; seasons when he does not know what to do, nor which way to turn. The sky is overcast with clouds. The clear light of Heaven does not shine upon his pathway. One feels as if he were groping his way in darkness.

Beloved, is this you? What shall the believer do in times of darkness? Listen! “Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and rely upon his God.” The first thing to do is do nothing. This is hard for poor human nature to do. In the West there is a saying that runs thus, “When you’re rattled, don’t rush”; in other words, “When you don’t know what to do, don’t do it.” When you run into a spiritual fog bank, don’t tear ahead; slow down the machinery of your life. If necessary, anchor your bark or let it swing at its moorings.

We are to simply trust God. While we trust, God can work. Worry prevents Him from doing anything for us. If our minds are distracted and our hearts distressed; if the darkness that overshadows us strikes terror to us; if we run hither and yon in a vain effort to find some way of escape out of a dark place of trial, where Divine providence has put us, the Lord can do nothing for us.

The peace of God must quiet our minds and rest our hearts. We must put our hand in the hand of God like a little child, and let Him lead us out into the bright sunshine of His love. He knows the way out of the woods. Let us climb up into His arms, and trust Him to take us out by the shortest and surest road.

–Dr. Pardington

Remember we are never without a pilot when we know not how to steer.

“Hold on, my heart, in thy believing–

The steadfast only wins the crown;

He who, when stormy winds are heaving,

Parts with its anchor, shall go down;

But he who Jesus holds through all,

Shall stand, though Heaven and earth should fall.

“Hold out! There comes an end to sorrow;

Hope from the dust shall conquering rise;

The storm foretells a summer’s morrow;

The Cross points on to Paradise;

The Father reigneth! cease all doubt;

Hold on, my heart, hold on, hold out.”

From Streams in the Desert, October 7th (received via e-mail on Tuesday from a sweet co-worker)

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m joining The Nester and friends for #write31days.

To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

 

Time to Linkup!

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

As a courtesy, please link back to 3-D Lessons for Life in your post. Grab and share the Thought-Provoking Thursday button to spread the word. Use #ThoughtProvokingThursday to share your post and connect on Twitter.

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Hold Fast in Hard Times — Hang on to Hope (Day 8)

Daily, I pray for the courage to overcome obstacles.   I know that God uses pressure to create pearls, so I want to hold fast and look forward expectantly knowing that God is using my tribulation to transform my life.  My pain is not without purpose.  I choose to believe that my Heavenly Father will make my mess into a miracle.  He’s done it before, and He will do it again.

He did it for Joseph.  I’ve been reading Max Lucado’s You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times, and I’ve realized how confidently composed Joseph stayed during his extended period in captivity.  He never questioned why.  He just chose to excel at whatever task God placed in front of him.  He made his prison cell a place of preparation and purpose.

Turbulent times will tempt you to forget God.  Shortcuts will lure you.  Sirens will call you.  But don’t be foolish or naive.  Do what pleases God.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.

Max Lucado, p. 41

Reading Joseph’s story today showed me how my response to pain can transform a setback into a step forward.

Today, I choose to hope.

“Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him;

    I will protect him, because he knows My name.”

Psalms 91:14, ESV

I’m joining The Nester and friends for #write31days and sharing “Hang on to Hope” with like-minded sisters at Coffee for Your Heart, Tell His Story, Spiritual Sundays, Recommendation Saturday, Faith-Filled Friday, Essential Fridays, and Thriving Thursday.

To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

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Hold Fast in Hard Times — Strike a Match (Day 7)

This weekend, the weather was beautiful.  The sky was blue and cloudless.  The breeze was light and refreshing.  I wish every day could be like a perpetual sunny day.  Unfortunately, rain is bound to come.  We must accept that storms are a part of life.

When a squall hits at sea, we are often sailing in unchartered waters.   It’s natural to wish for a return to the safe shore.

This weekend, I gained some wisdom on how to Hold Fast in the midst of the whirlwind, and I wanted to share it with you first hand in a VLOG…

 

 

 

Let’s strike a match on all that is holding us back from moving forward in faith toward the victory God has for us ahead.  Let’s present our very lives as an offering to our King.

 

 

…The Lord your God is testing you

to find out whether you love Him

with all your heart and with all your soul.

It is the Lord your God you must follow,

and Him you must revere.

Keep His commands and obey Him;

serve Him and hold fast to Him.

Deuteronomy 13:3-4, NIV

 

 

I’m sharing “Strike a Match” joining The Nester and friends for #write31days and linking up with like-minded sisters at The SDG Gathering, Testimony Tuesday, and Rich-Faith Rising.
To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

The post Hold Fast in Hard Times — Strike a Match (Day 7) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Hold Fast in Hard Times — Bright Lights (Day 6)

A few years back, we got hit by strong hurricane force winds in our area.  The eye of the storm landed north of us, but the impact spanned several counties.

The power was out for two weeks in some neighborhoods, but God mercifully sent a cold front to Florida, and we opened our widows and let in the cool breeze.  With nothing much to do at night, lots of folks ventured outside to their front yards to chat with the neighbors.

One of the best post-hurricane pastimes that ensued was star-gazing.  With no lights in the big city, we spread beach blankets out on our lawns and laid down to look up at the heavens.

That’s when this city gal learned the secret — the darker the sky, the brighter the stars shine.

Maybe you are in the midst of a very dark and desperate season of your life.   Perhaps you think your life has lost meaning, and that your dreams have died.

The truth is that our greater purpose is to be a bright light.   Keep twinkling.  Somebody who needs to get out of the darkness is watching.

 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 

so that you may be blameless and pure,

children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation,

among whom you shine like stars in the world. 

Hold firmly to the Message of Life.

Then I can boast in the day of Christ

that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.

Philippians 2:14-16 (HSCB)

I’m sharing “Bright Lights” joining The Nester and friends for #write31days and linking up with like-minded sisters at Sharing His Beauty, Playdates with God, and Unforced Rhythms.
To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

The post Hold Fast in Hard Times — Bright Lights (Day 6) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Hold Fast in Hard Times — Hold Tight (Day 5)

I discovered this song on Friday morning as I sat in my parked car trying to work up the courage to do another day.  I was running late, but the lyrics to this song caught my attention, so I let the car idle for a bit and a sat still.  These words soothed my soul and helped bring a spring to my step.  I’ve been humming this song all weekend.

 

Some days are dark, and we might not feel like singing at first, but if you begin to worship, the melody will bring harmony  to your heart.

 

 

Sometimes it is very hard to keep believing what you can’t see,
but Jesus is alive, so hold tight and keep singing. 

 

I’m sharing “Hold Tight” joining The Nester and friends for #write31days.
To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

The post Hold Fast in Hard Times — Hold Tight (Day 5) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Hold Fast in Hard Times — Held (Day 4)

 When the road seems long, remember you are held in His mighty arms.

I’m sharing “Tie a Knot” joining The Nester and friends for #write31days and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

The post Hold Fast in Hard Times — Held (Day 4) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Hold Fast in Hard Times — Tie a Knot (Day 3)

 

Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart...

…Let your heart hold fast My words;

Keep My commandments and live.

Proverbs 3:3 & 4:4, NASB

As we head into the weekend, pick a promise to memorize and bind to your heart.  Let’s hold fast to the Word of life. 

 

 

I’m sharing “Tie a Knot” joining The Nester and friends for #write31days.
To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

The post Hold Fast in Hard Times — Tie a Knot (Day 3) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Hold Fast in Hard Times — Stay on Message (Day 2)

 

Yesterday, I fought a battle with my cell phone.   I was sitting in my car in a parking lot waiting, so I decided to clean out my voice messages.   I pressed the delete button, and then I went to the trash bin and deleted the message yet again.  My inbox was now uncluttered and under control.

At least I thought it was gone.  Until a few minutes later, I heard a ding and looked down to see the same deleted message resurface.

So, I deleted it again.  And again.  And again.

I kept pushing delete, but the pesky message kept coming back to life.

Later that evening, I thought about all of the mental messages that try to clutter up my mind.  I wish I could permanently delete them from my memory, but negative thoughts always seem to resurface.

Rather than waging a battle with the delete button, I need to focus on my voice message.  When stinking thinking comes calling, I need to stay on message.  I need to play back the promises and turn up the volume on what I know is true.

 For God has not given us a spirit of fear,

but of power and of love and of a sound mind…

Hold fast the pattern of sound words

which you have heard from me,

in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 1: 7, 13 (NKJV)

Something to think about…

 

I’m joining The Nester and friends for #write31days.

To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

 

Time to Linkup!

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

As a courtesy, please link back to 3-D Lessons for Life in your post. Grab and share the Thought-Provoking Thursday button to spread the word. Use #ThoughtProvokingThursday to share your post and connect on Twitter.

Check back later to see what other GREAT posts have been linked up! Visit the post immediately before yours and leave an encouraging comment.

An InLinkz Link-up

The post Hold Fast in Hard Times — Stay on Message (Day 2) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Hold Fast in Hard Times (A 31-Day Series) — Cliffhanger (Day 1)

Do you ever feel like a small ship adrift on a stormy sea?  How do you stay afloat when the waves relentlessly come crashing down over and over again?

On a ship “hold fast” implies that rigging is tied securely.  During inclement weather, sailors would actually wrap themselves in the lines to help maintain their grasp.   Seamen often tattooed this phrase on their knuckles as a reminder.  With this information in mind, I had to smile when I read Hebrews 4:14 in The Message:

Now that we know what we have—

Jesus, this great High Priest

with ready access to God—

let’s not let it slip through our fingers.

This sailor is securing herself to Her Savior.

May He tattoo these two words on my heart:  Hold fast.

I know He specializes in stormy seas, and He won’t let me slip through His mighty fingers.

How do you hold fast during hard times? Let’s dig deep and discover the secret for the next 31 days….

+++

DAY ONE — CLIFFHANGER

Years ago on a fun Friday night, I gathered with a group of friends on a cozy couch for a movie night.  The suspenseful flick began with a rescue mission.  Two mountain rangers put their lives on the line to save a wounded friend who was stranded on a dangerous precipice.  My heart rate increased significantly as the security line that harnessed the female character suddenly snapped.  In a second, the tides turned, and the rescuer herself hung precariously over a chasm in grave danger.  The movie was titled “Cliffhanger,”  and Sylvester Stallone reached out his brawny arm with extended hand toward his partner.  I’d seen Rambo save the day in so many movies before that I was completely caught off guard when the woman’s fingers slipped out of his grasp.

Honestly,  I wanted to turn the movie off at that point.

I must admit that sometimes life kicks me in the gut and makes my heart race just as if I am the star of my own personal cliffhanger.

Have you ever been there?  Your secure foothold on life crumbles around you, and you are left dangling over a dark chasm of affliction.

Here is the thing I need to remember.  God is the hero of my story.  His mighty arm is holding me fast.   He will not let me go.  He will give me a firm place to stand.   He’s promised me a heavenly happy ending.

 

Who stood up for me against the wicked?

Who took my side against evil workers?

If God hadn’t been there for me,

I never would have made it.

The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,”

Your love, God, took hold and held me fast.

When I was upset and beside myself,

You calmed me down and cheered me up.

Psalms 94:16-19, MSG

I’m joining The Nester and friends for #write31days.

To see all of the posts in this series, head on over here.

The post Hold Fast in Hard Times (A 31-Day Series) — Cliffhanger (Day 1) appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

In Love

 

 

I am sharing “In Love” and joining like-minded sisters at Still Saturday and Give Me Grace.
Photo Credit:  Hans Braxmeier, via Pixabay

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