temptation

Winner of the Storm

December 2, 2023

It is a poem day! I wrote this a few years ago when going through trials that made me feel as if I was in a bad storm with no way out. Ever feel that way, too? I am aware that so many people now have worse ‘storms’ than I ever did.

Sometimes, the only way out is to wait it out. If we wait on God, trust His timing, have faith that He knows what He is doing or allowing, we will make it through. God’s Word says…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-8

This poem is about making it through the storms in your life. James says they can be opportunities to grow!

Winner of the Storm

In places and times,
no choosing.
uninvited storms will greet me,
and force a challenge.
Right or wrong,
we are all losing
when weather appears.
In a sudden gush,
hard winds roaring,
breath is taken, short in coming.
Heart is heavy with the fight.
On a dare, water starting,
trickling down and then a flood
Will there be any good?
Breathe!
My heart is worn
and must be strong
before it falls victim
to the lightning,
brightly angry
In the rain.
I seek a better place,
away from this storm of pain.
But how to escape
and can I win?
seeing through tears
I look around.
A cave ! I peer from it.
All is wet and ruined;
but the storm has stilled!
The mighty wind,
is now a breeze.
Sunshine dares a peek.
I can breathe!
I can grow.
Despite the pain
that weather brings,
My heart has faced a test,
and beat throughout
the storm’s progress.
A victory earned!
The storm is dead!
And I am breathing!
Copyright©2020-2023 Christina Crute

Dear Father,

You have brought us through so many storms already, so we know You will help us in our current storm, too. Please remind us that all storms are opportunities to lean on You and learn from You and maybe help others do the same. Thank You for loving us enough to help us no matter what we are facing or how scared we are. Increase our faith, please, and we will give You all the glory, forever and ever. We love You! Amen

Friends, I have missed being on here, missed you. Life got super busy!

With love from the Father to you, Have a great weekend. See you on Monday for “Monday Mindset.”

Tina

Opposite Day

August 8, 2022

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5: 8-9

Good morning, friends! I have missed writing, but it has been a busy season of life. Two daughters married since last April and a grandbaby is on the way, our first. My Dad has been staying with me for awhile too, which is another blessing! With all of these blessings, it is too easy for me to dwell on the busy-ness and move my alone time with Jesus lower on my priorities.

Yet, that time is needed more than ever, when I am busy, when WE are busy. Why? Because we may start to feel self-sufficient, which is NOT what the Lord intended. We are NOT enough, God is. We were not made to NOT need Him. He is our Father:)

We were also NOT made to listen to the enemy. He pats us on the back, figuratively, and tells us we can do things on our own, that we have made it where we are, on our own. Not true. Not a surprise really, that he tells us that, because the enemy thinks every day is “Opposite Day.” He tells us the opposite of what is true!

When we are busy, He lies! (He lies non-stop!) He attacks our thoughts, devotions, family time…anything that will take us a step from Jesus, and another step and another step. He tells us we can skip devotions just one day…or ten. We can make our prayers short, so we can get to our to-do list done first. We are allowed to skip reading the Bible, since we have been a Christian for so long and know the Bible well. Lies, lies, lies.

The enemy is in opposition to not just God, but US! Whatever He tells you is a well-crafted lie to draw us away from God. It may not appear to be a huge lie, but the little ones are often the most dangerous; because they are subtle and we kind of go along with them. Maybe we should pray about this:

Dear Jesus:

There are times I listen to the enemy’s lies. Would you please help me to recognize when I am being lied to? The enemy may use my busy-ness to let my relationship with You slide a bit. I may resent someone that hurt me and feel justified, because the enemy says so. I have been known to be a little jealous of others’ accomplishments, because the enemy told me I could never accomplish anything like that. Will You please nudge me when I get off track? Draw me back to where I was meant to be, leaning on You. Thank You for being my rock that never moves. All that I am and all that I accomplish is YOURS to decide and YOURS to guide and YOURS to get glory for. I love you! Amen

I hope you have a good week. I will pray for us, that we recognize the enemy’s words and schemes and are able to fight them with the Word of God.

With love from the Father to you,

Tina