Author: danny777

Prayer Through The Winter Seasons

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DISCLAIMER: This is a lengthy article. Since, we are not having church because of the weather, I thought I would share what was on my heart for our message tonight.

Monday, we drove out to the Buffalo River area and gazed at the beauty of God’s creation. The rising bluffs that create a marvelous backdrop for the Buffalo River. The water was flowing freely, and the rapids were rushing, not turbulently, but at least steadily. I love this area of Arkansas. Truly, it is a gift from our Creator.

Sonya and I have frequented this area many times. In all four seasons, yet it is in winter that you notice the lack of life. The trees look dead. The leaves have fallen, the grass is brown, and apart from a smattering of evergreens, there is little color in the wintertime.

One thing we must remember, however, is that even though it looks lifeless, it doesn’t mean it’s dead. The trees are very much alive even though there are no leaves on their limbs. Winter, in itself, holds its own beauty. But one oft overlooked blessing in the cold season is that you can see things you never saw when the trees were teeming with life. With the tress full of leaves, you cannot see at a distance. The view is blocked. Therefore, the winter season produces a greater vision than the summertime.

In Psalm 42, the Psalmist is walking through a winter season of his life. He is missing the house of worship, being around God’s people, and we even catch a glimpse of his thought that perhaps God is absent during these moments. Things had changed drastically in his life. So much so that he reveals his heart is breaking because he misses the times of singing for joy and relishing the celebration.

The Psalmist then begins to question, “Why am I so discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?” Have you been there before? Walked through a winter season of depression?

Our tendency in those seasons is to focus on the gloom of the winter. No sign of life. Things look and feel dead or at least, as if the presence of God has escaped us. This is when the Psalmist changes his perspective. Why am I discouraged and feel so sad? Yet, I will hope in God! I will praise Him again! He is no longer looking at the lifeless winter, but the God who is full of life. When our season feels like a long winter, we have to change the way we see things. We have to look up, rather than around.

In verse 8, the writer gives us the greatest shot of hope while also giving us instruction.

“But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.”
-Psalm 42:8 NLT-

The Psalmist shows us that God is always pouring His unfailing love on us. This gives us a reason for living. But here comes our response to that unfailing love. It should cause us to have a song in our heart. “Through each night I sing His songs.” When we are embraced by the unfailing love of God, we should have a song. It gives us a reason to sing.

Our next instruction tells us that if we are in winter and lack life, we need to pray to God. “Praying to God who gives me life.” Life comes when we are connected to Him in prayer. In Psalm 43:4 it tells us that we should build our altar to God, who is our source of joy. These verses remind us of the power of prayer to get us through the gloomy season.

As I was thinking on these verses, it sparked a way that we need to pray when we need life. I’m not talking about our next breath, but rather life in our soul, spiritual life. If that is what you need, try patterning your prayer this way:

LISTEN TO GOD

Psalm 46:10 tells us to “be still and know that He is God…” We must slow down our lives long enough to listen to His voice. Listening for Him to calm us, lead us, and draw us to Him.

In his book, Getting Your Life Back, John Eldredge writes about the One Minute Pause. Taking just 60 seconds to stop, breathe, and listen to Him. During the One Minute Pause, Eldredge says it is a time to release to God whatever is weighing us down. He gives a couple of questions to ask that will help us focus during these 60 seconds. Simply, ask and listen.

1. What do I need to let go of? (What is weighing me down?)

Pause and give it to God. Let it go.

2.  What do I need from God today?

Pause and ask Him for it.

Eldredge encourages everyone to do this multiple times throughout the day. I challenge you to make this a part of your daily life.

INTERCEDE FOR OTHERS

Nothing helps us take the focus off of our own situations like praying for others who are in need. The Bible is emphatic about our need to “stand in the gap” for others. (Ezekiel 22:30, I Timothy 2:1-2, Matthew 5:44, Ephesians 6:18)

If you have trouble finding things to pray about, just take this summary from the verses mentioned above.

  • The nation and our leaders
  • Other believers 
  • Family and Friends
  • People who are going through hardship
  • Our enemies

There are needs all around us, and the way to breathe life into your winter season is to focus on the needs of others. If you focus on their needs, it will help you to not be glued to all the troubles you are walking through.

FOR YOURSELF

The Bible does tell us that we are to pray for ourselves. It is not unselfish. We are instructed to pray for our own needs.

  • “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (I Peter 5:7 NLT)
  • “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.”  (Philippians 4:6 NLT)
  • “Commit your future to the Lord.” (Psalm 37:5 NET)

The word commit in Psalm 37:5 carries the idea of rolling your burden onto the Lord. It pictures a camel loaded down with cargo, kneeling down, and rolling to its side to unload its weight. This means that we are literally to roll our burdens off on to God. We do this by praying for our own needs.

EXALT THE LORD

Remember, the Psalmist in Psalm 42:8 said that he sang songs throughout the night. We are also told in other places that we are to exalt the Lord. It is during our time of prayer that we should take time to worship the Lord for who He is and give thanks for what He has done. The Apostle Paul connected letting our requests being made known to God and giving thanks. When we are thankful for what He has done, it helps us have faith for things He hasn’t down yet.

Friends, I encourage you to build an altar and pray to the God who gives us life.

Listen to God
Intercede for others
For Yourself
Exalt the Lord.

When you do these things, you will find clarity and spiritual life even in your winter seasons.

Grab a copy of my latest book, Worry Less. WORRY FREE.

Resolutions That Should Never Expire

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Of course, it is the first day of 2022 and I know we are all thinking about the resolutions we should be making for the new year. I believe, however, that resolutions are outdated, and we would be better off forming new habits.

I have always heard it said, “New Year, New You”, but honestly, you are the only you that you will ever have. My goal should not be a new me, but a better me. In studying for my first sermon of 2022, I came across a list of perpetual new year’s resolutions that will make all of us better people. To be frank, these are not a pick and choose list of resolutions. Every one of these should be a must in our lives. No options. Our world would be a better place if we all would all just follow these ideas for a better you, and a better me.

PERPETUAL NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge and replace it with some pleasant memories.

Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep.

Give a soft answer.

Free yourself of envy and malice.

Make a geniuine effort to stay in closer touch with family and good friends.

Resolve to stop magnifying small problems and shooting from the lip. Words that you have to eat can be hard to digest.

Find the time to be kind and thoughful. All of us have the same allotment: 24 hours a day.

Give a compliment. It might give someone a badly needed lift.

Think things through.

Listen more.

Apologize when you realize you are wrong. An apology never diminishes a person. It elevates him.

Try to understand a point of view that is different from your own. Few things are 100 percent one way or another.

Lighten up. When you feel like blowing your top, ask yourself, “Will it matter in a week from today?”.

Avoid malcontents and pessimists. They drag you down and contribute nothing.

Don’t discourage a beginner from trying something risky. Nothing ventured means nothing gained.

Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look 10 years younger.

Don’t be afraid to say, “I love you”. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

(SOURCE: Ann Landers, as quoted on Pastors.com, http://www.cse.fau.edu/~mahesh/quotes/newyear.html.)

There you have it. Let’s all make the world a better place in 2022. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Grab a copy of my latest book, Worry Less. WORRY FREE.

POEM – The Glory of God

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This week, I finished the book, The Garden of God by Andrew Peterson. It was a great read on trees, of all things, and the lessons that they teach us. It was a book that caused me to think, as the author related the life of the trees and how they are all the Garden of God. I wrote this after finishing the book.

On the inside, something I have missed
Not noticing on earth, God’s glorious kiss

In my heart, yearning for so much more
Eden’s garden, near Heaven’s shore

All too often, I overlook the glory of God
Along the path of life, everywhere foot does trod

It is evident that He is everywhere
Yet life goes on, as if we do not care

Perhaps the busyness, makes us look past
All the creation, God has graced us with

The water flowing and falls many feet below
It runs so much more, after winter’s snow

Though winter is long and the cold is blight
Though our sins are as scarlet, He does make them white

Winter gives way to spring when it all shall bud again
Flowers bloom, the grass will grow, when we get spring’s rain

Why do I miss the forest in the midst of all the trees?
But in the thicket, I feel the Spirit’s gentle breeze.

God is present and in all things good.
I cannot help but be grateful, like I always should.

-Danny Cheney-

Grab a copy of my latest book, Worry Less. WORRY FREE.

The Mirror

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I am pretty sure that most of you who are reading this, have looked in a mirror today. Perhaps to fix your hair, shave, or make sure you look presentable before leaving the house. After all, one of the habits the majority of people have, is looking into the mirror daily.

Just think of where we would be, if we never looked in the mirror. Disheveled hair, overgrown or unmaintained facial hair, a lack of make up for the ladies, or even makeup that doesn’t look right, because who can put on makeup without a mirror? A mirror is important to our lives as it has been for centuries.

A mirror in our bathroom is a habit, but it shouldn’t be our only mirror. In fact, the most important mirror for our lives which should be a daily habit for us, is the Word of God. The Bible is a mirror that we gaze into in order to see how we need to clean up, fix up, or change our heart and lives.

Paul told Timothy that the Word of God corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:16). In essence, Paul is saying that the Scriptures are a mirror to show us how to live. This is a thought that I have been mulling over for quite some time. I have a daily habit of reading the Bible. It is one of the first things I do in the morning, but if I only read it and never look into it as a mirror, it will not have an effect on my life.

Over the last couple of months, I have been seeking to change my approach to the Word of God from just reading to actually seeking, even more, to allow it to change me in areas I need some work on. I read a chapter of Proverbs every day meaning I read through the book 12 times a year. Believe me, the more I read it, the more I see the things I need to change. One day, I will learn to get my tongue, among other things, under control. 🙂

There are two passages of Scripture that are my starting point. These places in the Bible are the mirror I gaze into that helps me see the many things I need to work on. The first one is a mirror to see how I am loving. Beginning with my wife, then my children, then to everyone else. Looking in this mirror daily helps me keep a constant check on my heart.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (I Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT)

Go through each of these traits of love every day and it will give you something to work on.

I also look at the Beatitudes to help me check my attitude. I like the way the AMPLIFIED BIBLE words this passage in Matthew 5. It gives a little more clarity to the things that Jesus challenges us to make a part of our lives. Again, these things are a mirror for us to see how we are doing spiritually.

3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted]. 5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied. 7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. 9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. 10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

If you are like me, there are some of these things that we need to work on. Check this list daily.

I believe every Christian needs to keep a regular tab on their hearts. The only way we can make sure we are living the way Christ intended is by using the Bible as our mirror. Solomon said that we need to guard our hearts, for it is the well spring of life (Proverbs 4). The Psalmist showed us the way that we can guard our hearts; searching it. Search your hearts and see if their is any unpleasing way in there (Psalm 139:23-24). You can start searching by looking in the mirror.

Grab a copy of my latest book, Worry Less. WORRY FREE.

Is This My Fate?

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This morning, I was reading, once again, in the book of Psalms. If you know me, this is my go-to book. I write often from the Psalms. I have preached over a hundred times from the Psalms. It is a book that is raw, honest, yet hopeful. In so many of the Psalms I have seen myself and the words have spoken to me at the very moment I needed them the most. There are other times that I have been talking to someone and they ask questions just like the Psalmist did. I am a firm believer that it is okay to ask God questions. He knows what is in our hearts anyway.

As I was reading this morning, Psalm 77 really spoke to my heart. I thought of the many people who have been walking through challenging seasons and some who are even on the brink of giving up. The Psalmist brings hope to us when we face these situations.

4 You don’t let me sleep.
    I am too distressed even to pray!
5 I think of the good old days,
    long since ended,
6 when my nights were filled with joyful songs.
    I search my soul and ponder the difference now.
7 Has the Lord rejected me forever?
    Will he never again be kind to me?
8 Is his unfailing love gone forever?
    Have his promises permanently failed?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Interlude

10 And I said, “This is my fate;
    the Most High has turned his hand against me.” (Psalm 77:4-10 NLT)

The writer is looking back on the good days and how they appear to be a distant in the rear-view mirror. He is writing from a place of feeling forgotten, unloved, rejected. The wording of this Psalm reveals that they perceive everything that is happening is done with a harshness. He uses words like “permanent”, or phrases like “slammed the door”. You can sense the emotion of this whole passage, especially when the writer resigns to the place that we all get at one time or another. This must be my fate in life.

Have you ever felt that way? Things are always going wrong and nothing turns out right. “It must be my fate in life!” Many have even taken it a step further; “God has turned His back on me.” But nothing could be farther from the truth. Certainly, God has not turned His back on you, nor is it your fate to live a life in the mullygrubs. God has more for you than the current season you find yourself in. This is why the next part of the passage is so powerful.

In the midst of asking questions and feeling forsaken, the Psalmist stops to reconsider.

11 But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
    I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
12 They are constantly in my thoughts.
    I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. (Psalm 77:11-12 NLT)

His mind shifts from thinking of being forgotten to remembering how God had done wonderful things in the past. The Psalmist shifts his thinking from the present situation to seeing what God did before. Now, the writer’s thoughts are consumed by the mighty works of God. He cannot stop thinking of them.

This is important for our lives. Remembering what God did before gives you faith to get through your situation and to see a breakthrough in your future. God’s blessings in the past guarantee that He will see you through to another blessing in the future. You just have to hang on and keep going until you see Him move.

Do not allow your thoughts to be consumed with the present crisis or situation. But let God’s great works be constantly on your mind. Consume your thoughts with the goodness of God and His great provision.

Grab a copy of my latest book, Worry Free. WORRY LESS.

Giving God Thanks

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As I started the day, I received a text from a friend. I must say, I am terrible at reading texts right away, so I didn’t read my friend’s text for a while. I’m not sure why I am always slow to respond to texting. I guess it is a flaw I have. Perhaps, I don’t like the pressure of having to respond right away. Having to think of things to say. I like to process things and have a well-ordered reply. Therefore, I just don’t read them quickly. As a side note: I apologize if you have texted me and I haven’t responded quickly. I am working on this problem of mine, so please forgive me. I am not even sure why I divulged all of this to you, my dear reader, but I guess I just needed to clear the air.

Back to the story: As I started the day, I received a text from a friend. It was a pretty simple text. Good morning! Read Psalm 107. They shared a few more words. End of text. I replied with a simple text as well.

I love Psalm 107. I have read it hundreds of times. But per my friend’s request, I read Psalm 107 again. Wow! It spoke to me like never before. The Psalmist begins the chapter with, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Now, there is a whole message there.

When is the last time you stopped just to thank the Lord for His goodness to you? When have you recounted all the ways that God has blessed you?

I know for me, I often take for granted all the good things God has done for me. I think of God’s goodness when He saved me and set me free from my life of sin. I think of that moment, when I was 19, on July 27, 1991, when God arrested my heart and I surrendered my life to Jesus. I have never been the same. As time wears on, I have to guard my heart and remind myself never to forget what He saved me from.

As you read through Psalm 107, you find the many things that God had done for the people of Israel. Over and over, we see that they were in a predicament, they called out to God, “Lord, help!” and he delivered them. Throughout this Psalm, we see different situations that God responds and saves them from their distress.

There are a couple phrases that are repeated in Psalm 107.

“Lord, help! they cried in their trouble”

“and He saved them from their distress.”

“Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.”

There is a pretty simple process in this great chapter:

Cry out for help.

Receive help from the Lord,

Praise Him for what He has done.

My friend, this should be a mark in our life. We should never hesitate to call on God in the midst of your troubles. When He helps you and brings a breakthrough, you should never hesitate to praise Him for what He has done. We should continually give thanks for the good things God has done for us. There is one characteristic of the writers of the Psalms. No matter what they faced, they still understood that they must praise and worship the Lord.

Hard times may come. Life throws us a curveball. Things happen that we cannot control. But what we can control is our praise. Make it a habit to praise Him in the good times and the bad. Praise Him in the morning and in the evening. Praise the Lord at all times! It will make you feel better.

Grab a copy of my latest book, Worry Free. WORRY LESS.

A Calling to Hope

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It is amazing the journey we have been on the last couple of years. Little by little, people have lost hope in the midst of the uncertainties. The world at large has found itself more anxious, on edge, and hopeless. Yet, in the midst of it all, we can find peace. Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it me afraid.” He even said that He came to give us peace. Not as the world gives, but only peace that Jesus can provide for us.

Think with me for a moment about this season of your life. How are you feeling? How are you coping with the unending changes? Are you standing strong in the midst of the world’s angst? There is no doubt, it is difficult to walk in unending peace, but it is possible. If it was impossible the Bible would not give us the hope of peace.

In fact, this is what the world needs the most. Not just peace, but hope. When I speak of these things, I know instantly that our mind goes to the fact that the world needs peace. But it is not outward peace that we need as much as inward peace. The Bible warns that this world will never have complete peace until we get to Heaven. Jesus did say that in this life we will face many hardships, and He also said that He would give peace.

Here lies the hope! The world will never know peace, yet we as individuals can find peace in Christ. Inner peace is possible through prayer, thanksgiving, and worship. However, peace can also come through resting our hope in something more than this life. When this life is over, it’s not truly over. For those who have trusted in Jesus, there is something beyond this life. We have hope in Heaven.

The reason we are anxious and hopeless is because there is nothing on this earth to hope in. People cannot always be trusted. Sickness and disease are rampant. Life is uncertain and heartache is everywhere. Why not hope in something beyond this life? If we think this world will eventually satisfy us, we are destined for disappointment. But if we keep our eyes on Jesus and our eternal home, we will find peace in the midst of chaos. The problem we have most of the time is that we look for something here on earth to fill the emptiness in our heart. That longing can only be filled by Jesus.

I don’t want to paint a picture of glum, but I find refuge in knowing that this life is not all we have. This is why we must live for more than just this life. We must live to make impact that will affect eternity. To love others, to serve others, to lead others, and to touch the lives of those who need hope.

The Apostle Paul said, “If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.” I Corinthians 15:19 Amplified Version.

We have a calling to hope. We are to spread that hope to others. Christians should be ones who point others to eternity. If Christians are the ones who lack hope, then how can we ever convince others to believe in the hope of Jesus.

Daily Habits

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In the last couple of years, there have been numerous books on the subjects of rest, slowing down, and simply taking your life back. We live in a fast paced culture that doesn’t value quiet or rest as we once did. In fact, we believe people are lazy if they are not always on the go.

Furthermore, we seem validated if our phone is always notifying us, or someone is calling or texting. We also find our sense of satisfaction from how many likes or views we get from the posts that we make. Yet, one thing is missing; inner peace.

We are the most connected society in the history of the world, however, we are also the most anxious. Not to mention, we are distracted like never before. We are more social, but our relationships aren’t any deeper. We have friends (and followers) but how many of these relationships are vital and add life.

John Eldredge wrote a great book called Get Your Life Back and John Mark Comer, wrote, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry to address these very things. Another author, Justin Whitmel Early wrote The Common Rule, which takes it from, not only the personal level, but connects it to family and social life as well. For every one of us, I think we need to slow down and evaluate our lives to make sure that we are valuing the right things.

In The Common Rule, Early writes much about spiritual disciplines and the need to make them a daily and weekly part of our lives. (DISCLAIMER: with any of these books, realize that they may have viewpoints and habits that might not resonate with you or me). However, there are some things that we can glean from their writings. The old adage, “Chew the Meat and Spit out the Bones” applies here.

I like the way that Justin Whitmel Early gives us a great perspective on the daily habits that I believe are applicable to all of us. Check out the PDF below on the Daily Habits and see if you can incorporate these into your life. If you can’t do them all, at least start somewhere.

Early challenges us to:

  1. Kneel 3 times a day in prayer.
  2. Eat one meal a day with someone (Family or Friends)
  3. One hour with your phone off.
  4. Read Scripture before your phone (or if you read on your phone, don’t do anything else until you have read the Bible)

Try these things and see how you grow in your spiritual life. Getting our priorities in order will help us in every part of our life and will lead us into a life of peace and not anxiety.

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