He Will Rescue You

'…he will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter and from the destructive plague.' (Psalm 91:3)    
     
Have you ever been caught off guard or surprised? Maybe it was a sudden accident? Notice of losing your job? Unfortunately many of life’s painful events come to us suddenly and without warning. Whether it is a threat to our personal or family’s well being; a loss of job; or a natural disaster that destroys are home and community—shock is the element. As occupants on this earth we are vulnerable to the unknown and sudden tragedies that await us like a trap for a rabbit.

If the unknown does not frighten you, what about the microscopic? As health care providers we are all too aware of the destruction of diseases and illness. A virus or bacteria can wreck havoc to an unsuspecting victim. Whether in the water we drink, the food we eat, or the air we breathe we are vulnerable to the unsuspecting destruction of the smallest organisms on the planet. In the 21st Century, an epidemic is still one of our greatest threats to human health.
         
These two scenarios found in Psalm 91:3 are enough to cause fear and panic.  And, once again we are reminded where our security rests. In our Rescuer--Jesus Christ!  We are protected in his hand. Not immune to disasters, but secure in his ever present providence (Hebrews 13:5; 2 Corinthians 2:10). Even though we are vulnerable to the tragedies of this world, we have a secured eternal place with him.

Blessings,

Carrie 

p.s. I mentioned last time about connecting truth contained in our minds to our heart. A great way to have truth easily accessible to our heart is to memorize scripture. As we walk verse-by-verse through Psalm 91, I encourage you to memorize it with me.

NCFI Cares: My God in whom I trust

A military wall or high strong fence is a means of protection. It prevents enemies or vicious animals from coming inside the protected area. Those inside the protected area are secure from whatever is on the other side of the wall or fence. If the wall or fence has holes or is weak, the people inside the protected area are vulnerable. We know in our minds that the Lord is a refuge and fortress. Yet at times we have doubt or we allow fear to break into our fortress. One way we can remind ourselves of the strength of the Lord, is to say it out loud. “I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress…” (Psalm 91:2)

There is strength and guidance when we speak to the Lord and recognise his protection. It is not as if the Lord provides a sudden barrier, like in the action movies. Nor, is it found in our nursing knowledge or skills. The writer of the psalm or song used 4 different titles for the Lord: Most High, Almighty, the Lord, and God--these names represent the power of our Creator God and the endearing Love of our Covenant God. God’s name and character is the fortress.

Through our spoken words, our heart grabs onto that which our mind already knows—The Almighty, the Most High is our sanctuary. When our heart and mind recognise this priceless truth we can say with confidence…"My God in whom I trust” 

The Shelter of the Most High

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” 

Psalm 91:1

            Psalm 91 is a song of trust and hope that guides us in understanding our God and the protection he provides. It is not a guarantee that nothing bad will happen to us. Instead it is, as one bible scholar states “no fear and no fall”. This spiritual covering is a protection from elements outside the Lord’s hand. We do not have to be afraid of what comes our way in this life.

            Our God is the Almighty, the Supreme Being and Ruler of everything on earth and in heaven (1 Chronicles 29:11-13). And we have a choice to dwell with Him. Not just a onetime choice at salvation, but a daily surrender to the Most High. This choice brings the assurance of abiding with the Lord (1 John 4:15).Yes, pain and suffering may befall us, but we rest in the confidence that our Lord is in control and we can rest in the shadow of his presence.

            During recent personal events, the Lord opened my heart to the wisdom and blessing of His protection with Psalm 91. As the Lord continues to encourage me, I will encourage you with the strength and assurance each verse provides. My prayer is that His blessing will spill over to your colleagues, patients and family; for truly our cup runs over (Psalm 23:5).

Blessings,

Carrie

Moved with Compassion

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David ‘ The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’ And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ They said to Him, ‘Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.’ Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

Matt 20:29-43 (NASB)

There is a lot of talk in this country about ‘compassion’ at the moment –particularly in relation to nursing, and why people perceive that there is a lack of compassion in the profession. But what does compassion really mean?

Most Bible translations use the English ‘compassion’ (literally meaning, ‘to suffer alongside’) to translate several different words in the Bible – none of which has so simple a meaning.

In this passage, the Greek word translated ‘moved with compassion’ is splagchnizomai, literally meaning ‘to be moved in one’s innards’ – either the bowels or the organs within the rib-cage.  It is an expression of the most visceral, physical response to the needs and suffering of others. When Jesus hears the plea of the blind men to have their sight restored, he is moved to his guts.

But when we see Jesus profoundly moved here, he does not stop with feelings. He acts, decisively and firmly to address the need that he sees, and heals both men there and then. Compassion in the Bible is a verb, not a noun – like love, it only means anything if it leads to decisive action.

In our nursing, we are often told to keep a professional distance, not to get involved. But to be truly compassionate, we need to be open to the pain and suffering and need of our patients, at any level, and be willing and able to be truly moved and to respond decisively – whether that is sorting out displaced pillows to make someone comfortable, or ensuring that appropriate analgesia is provided on schedule, or simply being present with a person in the most profound and inexpressible distress.  If we cannot be moved and spurred to action by our patient’s need, how can we be truly compassionate?

No Fear

Many of us know the story of Paul, who was Saul. The person instrumental to Paul’s conversion is Ananias, “a disciple of the Lord.”  The Lord comes to him in a vision and directs Ananias to go and present the gospel to Saul. Remember, Saul had been violently persecuting Christians. So when Ananias receives this personal directive from God, he argues and says, “Excuse me Lord, do you know who this Paul is?” Ananias is trembling with fear and not sure if the Lord is really saying, “Go”.

Fear is a powerful deterrent to our obedience to God. Many of us may not be asked to go someplace fearful, but we may be asked to talk with someone who frightens us. Or we may be asked by God take on an unfamiliar role in nursing, or provide care for patients different from ourselves. The Lord will ask you to do something that is uncomfortable. It is also important to note that, what is fearful for me, may not be fearful for you.

The Lord responds to Ananias' fear by saying, “Go, because this man (Saul) is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel”(Acts 9:15). So, Ananias follows the Lord’s instructions and meets with Saul to baptize him. Saul receives the first hand of love and forgiveness through Ananias.

The Lord will call on us and we will have fears. But, the Lord will guide us, strengthen us, and most importantly work through us for His glory.

Global Fellowship

If you were recently at the NCFI international conference in Chile or a regional/national conference, you probably connected with nurses from another country or region. During these conferences we not only enjoy beautiful scenes, explore new cultures, and gain nursing knowledge; we also open our eyes and hearts to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

             

Our connection with nurses outside our area helps us see how nursing is different, yet the same around the world. We may have different jobs in nursing, yet we share the bond of caring for patients. We learn of the various hardships in nursing. Some nurses lack supplies, some lack enough nurses, while others lack money.

            

We also share our personal struggles with one another. Some nurses face persecution for their Christian faith. While others may be experiencing health and/or family concerns. In fact, global fellowship is one of the many exciting things about NCFI. For through our connection with a large multi-member international organisation, we can build relationships founded on Christ. Take time this month to pray for each region. 

“Be on alert with all perseverance and petition for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18). Praise God for his work across the globe in nursing and lift up those who experience hardships. 

Blessings,

Carrie Dameron

NCFI Cares - A meditation on the Cross

With Good Friday tomorrow, I wanted encourage you to meditate on Isaiah 53 using "The Message" translation. "The Message" is a Bible that uses more figurative and paraphrases then actual words translated from the original Hebrew and Greek.

Reading Isaiah 53 in this translation will be a more personal and heart wrenching portrayal of Jesus' sacrifice.

Carrie Dameron 

Isaiah 53  [The Message]

1Who believes what we’ve heard and seen?
Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this?

2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.
We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him.

7-9He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he’d never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn’t true.

10 Still, it’s what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.

11-12 Out of that terrible travail of soul, he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many “righteous ones,”
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I’ll reward him extravagantly—the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because, he looked death in the face and didn’t flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

Beautiful, Beautiful

Sometimes we need reminders of the personal intimacy of our God.

 I was listening to a Christian radio station, when a simple, powerful song came on.

 “Like sunlight burning at midnight, Making my life something so. Beautiful, beautiful”

 These simple words of the chorus truly burned into my moment. I was struck by the simplicity, yet complexity of God’s grace as compared to the bright shining sun into a dark night. God’s grace is just like that…sunlight burning into our life, such contrast to our earthly life of midnight.

God brightens our work in nursing, radiates our hearts in professional and personal relationships. He especially provides warmth to our intimacy with Jesus Christ. God’s grace even after salvation makes our life “beautiful, beautiful”. No matter where you are on your journey of faith…baby Christian, stumbling adolescent, or mature adult. God always brings the warm bright light of grace into our lives and makes everything beautiful, beautiful! (1 Peter 1:3-4)

Here is the link for a video of the song… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbCfyZHSQbE

Blessings,

Carrie Dameron

Stop, Look and Listen

Nurses Christian Fellowship International

In Matthew 17:1-4, Jesus is meeting with Elijah and Moses. Peter interrupts Jesus to suggest building a tabernacle for all three of them. Suddenly, a bright cloud surrounds them. A voice from heaven declares “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).  As I read this passage, I was reminded of the simple instructions to children  “Stop, Look, and Listen.” We teach children to use these 3 steps when crossing the street, “Stop walking, look for cars, and listen to instructions.”  

         

The Lord is just as simple with us. When I am going in the wrong direction, confused by different messages, or too busy, God says “Stop.” He then will direct me to Jesus through a worship song, sermon teaching, or bible verse.  Now, that I have stopped and am focusing on Jesus, I am ready to listen to what God has for me. A further exploration found in prayer and scripture, brings clarity, instructional wisdom and/or personal encouragement from the Father.  

        

Thank you Lord, for interrupting our lives to bring a freshness of your word, 

Amen 

Carrie Dameron

NCFI Cares

Rest in Faith

A boat is traveling across the sea when the wind and waves begin to knock the boat around. Most of the people on the boat are fearful as the waves bring water into the boat. Yet, one passenger is asleep on a soft cushion below the deck of the boat. The storm continues and the boat begins to fill with water. All the passengers are in a panic except for sleeping passenger (Mark 4:35-41).

Our nursing boat is often rocked by a storm. The storm can be a change in funding, challenges to patient care, or not enough staff. We can quickly feel overwhelmed by the winds of change and the rising water of uncertainty. In fact, nursing and health care are always experiencing some type of storm.
         
Just as Jesus rested in confidence on the storm-rocked boat, we can rest in him. Jesus cares about health care, nursing, and our patients. He will continue to guide us and provide for you, me and our patients. So, when we find ourselves in a health care storm, we can rest in faith and God’s promises to provide.

Carrie Dameron

NCF (USA)

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