Month: June 2019

June 26, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Presence

Presence

Never underestimate your presence. I witnessed this truth several times when my wife was sick with cancer.

When the after-effects of the chemo treatments arrived, she spent much of her time quietly resting. Our Lazy Boy chair that became her best friend while our little dog Biscuit kept her company cuddled in her lap.

I remember many times, in the quiet of the afternoon, the doorbell would ring. Someone was bringing a meal or coming to visit. They weren’t sure how my wife was feeling or how long to stay.

Once they walked into the room, Noonie lit up. It was an absolute sudden transition. This quiet, resting woman was a bright, cheerful person. Sometimes she would get out of the chair and begin the hosting role. It was an amazing sight for me.

You see, just showing up can make a person’s day. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for many.

People need people. Whether they have a serious disease or they’re lonely and discouraged, stopping by can change your friend’s life. Occasional visitors helped carry my wife through her tough season. We all want to know someone cares.

One of my favorite Bible verses is this: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” (I Thessalonians 5:11 ESV) We read it and ask, “How?”

You don’t have to do much. Your presence is the key to it all. Just be there. Show up. Make a call. Send a text. Write an email. Mail a card.

When you walk in the door, you bring Jesus. He lives in you and through you. His Spirit can brighten a heart, comfort the hurting, lift a depressed soul or even turn a life around. God wants to use you.

“You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14 NIV)

Never underestimate your presence.

Who needs your presence today?

(From my upcoming devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Encouragement. Look for it on Amazon).

June 19, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Spontaneous Prayer

Spontaneous Prayer

I got into my car. Instead of listening to the radio or a podcast on my way to work, I chose silence.

It felt good.

Today I was moved to pray while I drove. I’d had a decent prayer time with the Lord earlier, but I felt that something was missing. There was a sense of incompletion. Soon I realized that for the first time this morning, I was really connecting with God.

You might know what I mean. God taps you on your spiritual shoulder and you’re drawn to him to pray. This morning, God brought a lot of people to mind who needed prayer. One by one, I slowly and quietly prayed for them.

He could have moved me in a different direction. I might have spent time releasing burdens to him. Or used the drive to praise him. Or let him examine my heart. That’s happened before.

Today, though, it was prayer for others. And it felt good. I was drawn into their situations and needs. From my heart, I gave them to God. Salvation for some, healing for others. Faith for one person. Clear direction for another. One by one, I lifted their needs to the Lord.

I call this “spontaneous prayer.” We all need it. Our relationship with God can’t be put in a box. When the Lord wants to meet with us, we should respond. It’s an invitation for a rich time of fellowship with him.

Perhaps my prayer time had become too ritualistic. I make it a habit to start the day in prayer and Bible study, but I don’t take that attitude of prayer with me throughout the day. Today was different.

Do you need to break away from your prayer rituals and be more spontaneous?

We are reminded to “pray continually.” (I Thessalonians 5:15 NIV). That’s not a suggestion. It’s a loving command. When we do, we’re connecting with God throughout the day. We’re sensitive to his leading and we come face to face with him more often. We converse with God and dive into our relationship with him.

When I arrived at work, I felt like I had inhaled 100% oxygen. My spirit was refreshed. I was more relaxed. I felt like I had responded to God and had intimately communicated with him. Indeed I had.

Let your prayer life flow into our day. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Then respond. It doesn’t have to be on a half hour drive to work. It could be on the way to pick up the kids or walking to a meeting. It might be at lunch or in line at the store. God is there, waiting for you to talk with him. This is an important ingredient of incredible prayer. 

(Enjoy a rich, intimate relationship with God. Experience my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. Available in Kindle and Paperback formats on Amazon).

June 12, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Faith and Pressure

Faith and Pressure

Jim was an Army officer and was called on to organize a big event for the brass. Generals would be flying in from around the world for the two-day affair. Jim’s reputation was on the line, as well as his chances for promotion. He saw it as a test of his capabilities to lead, and it was a big one.

For months, Jim prepared each element of the event, from travel to the agenda to the ceremonies. He had a tiny team to help him, so it really was his event to make succeed or fail.

Jim was a believer, so this pressure-cooker was also a test of his faith.

When the pressure is on, does your faith kick in? Or is it stifled?

Being overwhelmed can suppress our faith. For instance, when our schedule is unrelenting, it can own us. Our minds race towards the next set of responsibilities and arriving at the next commitment on time.

Christmas season, graduation, special events, a tight schedule or the flurry of family activities apply pressure to our lives. You might be in that zone right now. At times like this, the way we act and respond might not look any different than a non-believer’s response. 

How tragic. Our faith should shine under pressure. As in Jim’s case, we have the opportunity to demonstrate faith in action.

Instead of allowing these things to squeeze us and attack our walk with God, let’s push back with faith.

Your faith is something that grows from the inside out. It’s Christ-centered inner strength. Faith is confidence in God that results in peace from the Holy Spirit. You can’t whip it up under pressure. It develops over time as your relationship with Jesus deepens.

Think of it this way. An eagle forms inside an egg for 35 days. When it has fully developed, this little eaglet pushes out of the egg and into the world. It grows and feeds from the beak of its mother. Then it flies. And soon after, this growing eagle learns to feed itself.

Your eagle-like faith will take more than a few months. But when it matures, it will show itself by how you respond in the overwhelming seasons.

Do you really believe that the situation you’re in is bigger than God? Of course not! Relax and know that God has this. Take a deep breath and get perspective. By faith, give your overwhelming circumstance or burden to God. Trust him to handle whatever is pressuring you.

Experience what Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

What an incredible promise for challenging times. Live by faith in the all-powerful, sovereign God. He will give you peace.

Deepen your relationship with Jesus before the pressure arrives. Feed yourself with God’s Word, just like a soaring eagle. Pour your heart out to God in prayer. You’ll be better prepared for the overwhelming times.

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Faith. Available in Kindle and paperback formats on Amazon).


June 4, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Prayer and Hope

Prayer and Hope

A father and husband in Pakistan had lost everything. His family was destitute. He had even started borrowing money and the debt grew to more than he could repay. He sold everything he dared and still his family’s financial life was hopeless. So hopeless that he and his wife decided to take poison one night to commit suicide. They would also feed the poison to their two children.

The man turned on the radio for background noise before taking the poison. What happened next was miraculous. The Christian announcer began talking about suicide and urged listeners not to do it. The man and his wife listened. For the first time in many months, they had a glimmer of hope as they heard about the One who could give them hope – Jesus.

They didn’t commit suicide that night. Or ever. In fact, after listening for many days to that station, they came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Hope keeps us alive.

If life is beating you up right now, there’s hope. The Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so you could have yours. In fact, he said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

Satan wants to steal your joy and kill your hope. When you believe his lies, you lose perspective. Your problems overwhelm you. A crisis owns you. Emotionally, you spiral down. For our friend in Pakistan, this went on for months, to the point that he wanted to end it all for himself and his family.

Your situation may not be as bad as his, but you may be tired of walking around overcome by a heavy heart. You’re ready for a change.

God is a God of miracles. He can lift you out of your despair and snatch you from the one who wants to destroy you. Jesus promises a life of fulness. That means one of contentment, joy, peace and satisfaction. One where you connect to God in a fresh way. Whatever has taken away your hope will be dealt with by God so you can experience him.

Is your hope in Jesus? Not only for your salvation, but for your daily life? Can you give him those things that have taken away your hope? Can you take your eyes off today and consider your eternal destiny with God?

The big picture is that “we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13 NIV) You and I will spend eternity with Jesus and witness his glory. That’s an incredible thing to look forward to.

For this moment, in this trying season, God is right there with you. Psalm 55:22 has these assuring words, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you.” (NIV)

The Lord will give you hope now, and he is your hope for eternity. That’s good news.

Spend time today casting your cares on God. Turn to Jesus and invite him to replace your despair with his hope. He offers you life to the full.

(Experience a fresh intimacy with God in prayer in my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. Available in Kindle and Paperback formats on Amazon).

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