Uncategorized

Shelter from the Storm

/ Chris Courtney / Leave a comment
Photo by Skyler Ewing on Pexels.com

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

I’ve been reading Psalm 91 this morning. What absolutely amazing promises it contains! Imagine… God – the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, The One Who gives us life, our Heavenly Father Who is Love itself, Whose love we cannot be separated from, Who is sovereign over everything – is Himself our place of protection. He is our trustworthy refuge and fortress, our place of safety from our enemy.

It is in God we need to put our trust. He will deliver us from all variety of evil, day and night, removing our fear. He promises protection in the battle. (v.3-8).

When we make God our place of refuge, He promises “no evil shall befall you.” He sends His angels to guard and guide us through the troubles and trials we face. The strength we are provided by the Lord sees us through every situation. We are to rely on God for everything, not ourselves. He is faithful, even when we are not. His love in genuine – not a reward to earn but a gift of selflessness to accept and treasure with thankfulness.

Jesus put it this way:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:1-11 (ESV).

Full. Abundant. Life overflowing with joy and peace in the assurance of God. Free from the need to worry. Devoid of any reason for fear.

Even when the storm is raging around us, we are to have peace rooted in the faithful promises and assurance of our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. We can rest in Him.

We should rest in Him.

We need to trust Him.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, ESV). Just like Peter walking on the stormy sea, we can choose the temptation to stare at the storm and drown. Or we can call out to Jesus and be saved. We can find our refuge and strength in the Lord, or let the enemy steal the joy we are promised in the Lord.

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble;
    I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.” – Psalm 91:14-16 (ESV)

On His Shoulders

/ Chris Courtney / Leave a comment

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. – Luke 15:1-7 (ESV)

By friend of Darwinek – friend of Darwinek, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1392469

Here are some numbers for you:

  • 500 – the approximate number of time people are referred to as “sheep” in the Bible.
  • 100 – the number of sheep in Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep.
  • 1 – the number of shepherds in said parable.

Looking at people as sheep offers an interesting glimpse into how God views humanity, as well as His relationship to us.

Sheep are animals of prey. They are susceptible to attack from wild animals and need to be protected. Likewise, we people are susceptible to attack from our enemy as well:

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  – 1 Peter 5:6-9 (ESV)

Earlier in the above chapter, Peter points out that we are God’s flock, and the Lord our “chief Shepherd”.

Sheep are humble animals, and they tend to stick with their shepherd. They know he will protect them and provide for them. It is the same God and His flock: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27, ESV).

However, in our stubborn sinfulness, we sometimes cast humility to the wind and wander off on our own. We tend to be like the prodigal son. He didn’t know how good he had it with his father and insisted on having his own way.

Well, until he found himself eating slop with the pigs.

When we stray, our Good Shepherd leaves the rest of the flock to find us and bring us back into the fold. God’s love for us – not just corporately but for each one of us individually – is so immensely strong that it is impossible to lose:

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:35-39 (ESV)

Sometimes He gets our attention with a gentle whisper, a reminder that we have strayed from Him and the flock and need to come back. Sometimes He lets us have our heads until we find ourselves face down in a pig sty. But He still pursues us.

Another thing about sheep: they are communal animals. They were created to live in a flock. They are social critters.

Their behavior is formed by the community around them. The shepherd is the one who leads and guides the flock. Jesus – our Leader. the Head of the body of Christ – is referred to as the Lamb of God. Our behavior – both corporately as the body and individually as sheep – should follow that of our Shepherd.

Meek.

Strong.

Faithful.

Loving.

Kind.

The God Who is the Creator and Sustainer of all; Who is Love; Who is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent… He is also our Loving Abba – Father – and Good Shepherd, Who sacrificed His Son – the Perfect Lamb of God – to take away the sin that kept us from Him. He put us right in His flock. He calls us His own. He protects us and guides us and saves us.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever. – Psalm 23 (ESV)

The Choice

/ Chris Courtney / Leave a comment

Remember this, my friends: each of us has a choice.

Every day.

More than one actually.

Every day we can choose to follow the wide and easy path the world sets before us, or the narrow path of faith that leads to Jesus.

We can choose to stare at our problems and get tangled up in the impossibility of solving them or opt instead to trust our Heavenly Father to take care of our needs.

We can choose to replay in our heads the hurts and offenses we have endured or forgive and move forward.

We can stew in our self pity or reach out to others with love to help and comfort and care.

We can keep on fighting with our own weakness or rest in the strength of the Lord.

We can try to figure it all out with our limited cognitive abilities or realize and trust in the sovereignty of our good and loving Father.

We can view ourselves based on the judgements of others or through the Lord’s love, mercy and grace.

We can choose to believe or not.

We can choose to walk in darkness or in The Light.

We can hate or love.

We can look inward or upward.

We can waste our lives with vain pursuits or seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

We can look inward or upward.

We can focus on Christ our Savior in all things or slog through life defeated and afraid.

Choose for yourself this day who you will serve. Self or God. Sin or salvation. Dark or light.

When we choose the Light – when we follow Jesus instead of the world – it is to our benefit.

Trust in the Lord and do good.

Real Peace

/ Chris Courtney / Leave a comment

(Jesus said): “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 (ESV)

If you want true peace, trust in the Lord.

Not in riches.

Not in human ability.

Not in circumstances.

Not in someone else’s judgments.

Not in your career.

Not in flawed logic.

Trust in God. Seek the Lord first. In all things. At all times. Abandon the arrogance of self reliance and humbly follow God through Jesus Christ.

Think about it: if God is God, then He is sovereign over all.

If God is God, He is Truth. He cannot lie.

If The Bible is God’s Word (and it is!, then it proclaims truth. It is utterly trustworthy because God is utterly trustworthy.

Do you want true peace? Trust in the Lord. Take Him at His Word. Realize He is control. He cannot make a mistake. He loves you, for He is Love.

He will see you through whatever you face.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

And rest in Jesus.

Shalom.

God is Near

/ Chris Courtney / Leave a comment

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

  • Psalm 34:17-19 (ESV)

God knows.

God knows your hurts.

God knows your disappointments.

God knows your brokenness.

God knows the relationships that have crumbled.

God knows the loss you are grieving.

God knows the despair, the shame, the pain we experience.

God knows,

God cares.

God loves you.

Do not let go of Lord. Seek Him first. Trust Him. Rest in Him.

Sleep well, dear friends. Give it all to our loving, merciful Heavenly Father and know God has you. Take it on faith.

Good night.

Today’s Gentle Reminder

/ Chris Courtney / 1 Comment

Love never fails.

God is Love.

God never fails.

Trust God and follow Him.

Don’t let the judgement or temptation of this world distract you or derail your or deflate you.

Love never fails.

God never fails.

And you are loved.

Life Amongst the Thorns

/ Chris Courtney / 1 Comment

Photo by Greg Hume, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

I was quite blessed to be raised in the woods.

Let me clarify the above statement: I’m not saying I was raised in the woods by a pack of wolves or otters or any other species of woodland creatures (even though my beautiful wife may claim otherwise).

My childhood surroundings were a gift from God. The security of extended family surrounded me like a warm blanket. My grandparents lived on the other side of a cow pasture from us. The greatest dangers face were:

  1. Accidently making contact with the electric fence when it was turned on.
  2. Stomping into a freshly made cowpie when crossing the pasture. (And woe betide you if you thoughtlessly entered Grandma’s house in those soiled shoes.)
  3. Experiencing danger #1 when a cow had recently been nearby, causing you to fall into #2.

There was one more danger. It lingered at the edge of woods, where our backyard abruptly ended in the wonderful expanse of trees and wildflowers and mushrooms – loads of oddly umbrella-shaped fungi growing in the weeds and on the trees.

This danger stood out to me because my parents had warned me about it.

Do not touch it.

Do not lean on it.

Don’t even talk to it (which should be no problem unless you’ve eaten the aforementioned shrooms. And, really, I doubt consuming them would lead to any sort of psychedelic experience. They’d just poison you.)

Hmm… maybe I should add that to the top of the list of childhood dangers.

And then there’s the coffee can of rusty nails from Grandpa’s garage, used to shore up our A-frame stick lean-tos. But we had our tetanus shots, so no real danger there.

But I digress…

It may not be a rabbit hole but you can still get lost down here.

Photo by Gunnar Ries, CC BY-SA 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

No, the danger Mom warned about was the torn tree.

A great big, ugly, dead thorn tree.

With huge spikes protruding from it’s decaying trunk.

Someone should have cut it down.

It wasn’t pretty.

It wasn’t enticing.

It was scary.

It was exactly what sin should look like to us.

But that’s the problem. Sin does not always look so frightening, Instead it looks beautiful.

Attractive.

Enjoyable.

Popular.

Fulfilling.

Cool.

Entertaining.

Gorgeous.

Down right fun!

I’m guessing the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil wasn’t a dead thorn tree. (It wasn’t an apple tree either, but one rabbit hole is enough for today.)

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. – Genesis 3:1-7 (NKJV)

It’s easy to get lulled into complacency when it comes to following Jesus. We get wrapped up in our lives – our schedules, our plans, our jobs, our kids’ soccer games, all the busyness, all the cares of this life (which only compound everything else going on…

We lose sight of what is truly important.

We lose sight of Jesus.

We get so caught up in the worries and stresses and insanity (inanity?) of this life that, before we know it, we find ourselves standing in the woods wearing cowpie covered shoes, eating poison mushrooms, talking to a thorn tree.

So, what’s the answer? It’s one of the verses I find myself repeatedly drawn to:

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).

How often do we act on our own impulses without seeking God’s wisdom first? Trust me when I say it could be painful. God’s grace is still there. The LORD forgives us. Our Father loves us. He saves us. Je restores us. He may let us stand in those stinky poo-covered shoes for a while to correct us.

Wouldn’t it be much easier to seek God first in all things, and trust Him instead of our own limited capabilities? Not all pain can be avoided (just look at Job). Still, life would be much better if we would remember this:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)

Thinking back on it, my childhood woodland wasn’t quite as safe as I naively thought. Our true security is found in God through Jesus Christ and Him alone. How would our lives look if we walked – no, ran – away from the thorn tree? What if we chose to look to Him as our source of joy, happiness and peace, instead of living life so engrossed in our circumstances?

We live amongst thorns. Seek God and His ways first. Let Jesus light your path. And follow that Light.

Who Are You? Finding Identity in your Father

/ Chris Courtney / Leave a comment

by Chris Courtney

Who are you?

I mean deep, deep down… truly, who are you?

When I ask this, I’m not referring to your career.

Your accomplishments.

Your failures.

The accusations or judgements others have pinned on you.

The image of yourself you try to project to the world.

If you want an idea of who you really are, read the first verses of each of Paul’s letters in the New Testaments, from Romans to Philemon. These are all introductions, Paul’s way of telling his audience who he is.

I mean, who he really is. And who we, as followers of Jesus Christ, really are.

A Servant of Jesus

As Christ followers, we are slaves to the Lord. We are subservient to God and His will.

You see, all humanity is enslaved. Because of sin, we tend to serve our appetites and lusts. We are imprisoned in a life that pursues self. We don’t necessarily notice our chains because – let’s face it – sin can feel fun. We’re too busy chasing after our selfish desires to give a second thought to the Lord.

And slavery to sin leads to death. We were not created to live a life in self-gratification. In every heart lies a deeper longing, a knowledge that there is – there has to be – something more than fulfillment of fleshly, unholy desires.

Servanthood to Jesus is not painful slavery, but glorious liberty! In Jesus, we are set free from sin. We live in the beautiful freedom of God, slaves to His grace. Free to receive and embrace the promises of God through Jesus Christ – eternal life with the Lord, grace and mercy for today and tomorrow, peace and strength and joy to get through this life, a light for our path.

Called By God

The Lord is our Creator. He created us each uniquely, individually, with gifts and abilities within us to be used to glorify God. We are freed from sin, and bound to Jesus, so we can follow His path and His will. When we truly seek first the kingdom of God, we find great meaning for our lives. We begin to turn our eyes upward, not inward.

When we navel gaze, looking inward, we discover a life filled with fear, anxiety and worry. We discover the uncomfortable truth that being a slave to sin includes the self-indulgent belief that we can control our lives. And when things go wrong – and they will – we are left bewildered, frightened, hurt, alone.

When our sights are fixed Godward, we learn that He – and He alone -is sovereign. Over all. And living life pursuing self is a waste. It is the Lord Who gives us purpose, Who truly gives us life. Because, we discover our purpose is to pursue God first and foremost. We are called by God to live to glorify Him, to love Him and love others. In doing so, we discover deeper meaning and fulfillment than any earthly pleasure could ever come close to bringing.

An Apostle of Christ

Congratulations, ambassador!

Did you realize you are an ambassador? An ambassador is an official emissary of a sovereign nation or entity. As an ambassador, you represent the interests of your country and serve the people of your country who are visiting the foreign land in which you are stationed.

As an apostle of Christ, you are appointed (i.e.: called) by God to represent His kingdom to His people who are in the foreign land in which you are stationed. We represent the Lord when we live as Jesus lived, walk as Jesus walked, love as Jesus loved. As believers, saved and sealed through Jesus, uniquely created with gifts and abilities with which we serve others.

We live to love. We live for others. We die to self, pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

So, really… who are you???

When you live a life pursuing God, trusting Him, loving Him, seeking Him, following Him, you are “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which (you) have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior” (Titus 1:1-3, ESV).

Next time: Who’s Your Family? Finding Purpose in the Pursuit of your Father

The Light of Hope

/ Chris Courtney / 1 Comment

G. Conti La parabola del Buon Samaritano (The Good Samaritan). 1850. Messina Chiesa della Medaglia Miracolosa Casa di Ospitalità Collereal. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 70 years or fewer

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

  • Psalm 34:15-19 (ESV)

I wish I could take away all your troubles.

I wish I could alleviate all your pain. I see it in your face. And I wish I could remove it completely.

I wish I could rid you of all your worries, all your doubts, all your anxious thoughts. I see it in your eyes. And I wish I had the means to erase your cares.

I wish I could remove your sorrow. I hear it in your voice. That hollow, cold, lonely grief is so painful. And I wish I could fill you so full of joy that the sadness would completely lift away.

I hope you know I love you, dear friend. I hope you know a lot of people love you.

Most of all, I hope you realize how much the Lord loves you. And just what that really means.

It’s too easy to take stock in our circumstances, our pain, our sorrows, and focus on them. Our world is a dark place.

But remember what Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12, ESV). In the dark, we stumble around, unable to see. We are flesh: imperfect, flawed, and – without light – blind. We require light to illuminate our path.

If you want to see the reality of your life, you need the Perfect Light of Jesus Christ as revealed through the Bible. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105, ESV).

Notice this: the darkness is still there. But Jesus is “the true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9a, ESV). And, I promise you, whatever you’re going through – no matter how painful – has a God given purpose.

Your situation may be God’s way of growing you.

Your confidence through your storm may bring hope to someone who feels they are drowning.

Your pain can give you empathy, the understanding to help others in the same boat as you.

Your acts and words of faith and mercy, despite your situation, may be just the gift someone needs to find the strength to carry on.

We are called to be salt and light – a light upon a hill, a shining beacon for Jesus Christ. We are that when we follow Him, loving those the Lord put in our path.

I wish I could take away all your troubles. But, more than that, I hope you follow the Light Who will lead you through the darkness, bring you comfort, fill you with His peace as you see God is with you every step of the way – never abandoning you.

Love God. Love others. Love first. Trust the Lord wholeheartedly despite how things may appear in the dark.

2.4.2025: Remember

/ Chris Courtney / Leave a comment

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. – Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV)

Fear, anxiety and worry are bad fruit to bear. This unholy trinity of beliefs reveal where our faith lies, and lay bare the true treasure of our hearts. After all, fear is simply worst-case scenario faith – the belief that the things that make us anxious are going to come to fruition in our lives.

Worries and cares are part of the human experience. We live in a fallen world. And we shouldn’t be surprised when life goes sideways.

When trouble comes, pray. Cast every care on God (1 Peter 5). Dig into the Bible and read His promises. Pray for others. Don’t sit and mull over your problems. Instead, think about what is good, right, beautiful, true… (1 Philippians 4).

Meditate on God’s word. Stop and remember the times in the past when God has moved in your life. Remember all He has done on your behalf. Think back to times He pulled you out of situations you couldn’t get out of yourself.

Remember when He healed you.

Remember when He filled a need in your life.

Remember how He saved you.

Remember when He saw you through a tough time.

Remember these things with humility. If your response to troubles and cares is, “I can’t believe this happened to me” or “I don’t deserve this” or “I messed up – why would God help me?”, it’s time to check our egos. If we’re not humble, we’re not able to see God clearly.

When trouble strikes, stop. Pray. Be humble. Choose to trust God and not your limited understanding, Thank the Lord for Who He is and all He has done and will do. Trust in God and, know He is with you. Rely on the Lord to take care of you. And remember – remember all the LORD has done.;

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
    and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
    you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
    the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

  • Psalm 77:11-15 (ESV)