Coping

As Season 1 comes to a close, we celebrate a full year of weekly meditations (52 in total) heard all around the world. I'm excited to reveal some exciting updates for season 2.  Listen now.

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Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 121:8
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

How will you ask for help during your busy day? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Have you heard the expression: “I’m not sure if I’m coming or going?” This phrase is often used during the busyness of life when coming and goings can be confused.

In Psalm 121:8 it says: “the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

In this verse, The Lord promises to watch over us, especially during the busyness of life. But perhaps, the Lord desires to be more than a spectator in our lives. The Lord is indeed watching over us, but He is also ready to respond.

Where in your life do you need the Lord to respond?

How will you ask for help during the busyness today?

Let’s pray: Lord, you know the busyness of life. We thank you for watching over our coming and going. In the busyness today, we will call out to you. Please respond. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Veteran's Day is a day to honor those brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Listen now. 

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

On this Veteran’s Day we take time to thank, honor and remember the brave men and women of our armed forces. We pay tribute to their sacrifice and dedication to the cause of Freedom and Peace in the world.

To those who faithfully serve

We thank you

To their families that support them

We thank you

To those who have sacrificed life and limb

We remember you

To those who suffer unseen injuries

We remember you

For seeking peace 

We honor you 

For protecting freedom

We honor you

May we all emulate your bravery, humility and belief in a cause greater than yourself.

For this, we will never forget.

Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 121:7
“The Lord will watch over your life."

Where in your life do you need the Lord to watch over you? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Have you ever been to a sports game? Sitting in the upper deck, allows you to watch over the game but can leave you feeling far away from the action.

In Psalm 121:7 the Psalmist says: “The Lord … will watch over your life.”

When the Lord watches over, He is not sitting in the upper deck, nor is he sitting courtside. The Lord watches over us as an active participant who is with us, personally advocating for our victory.

Where in your life do you need the Lord to watch over you?

How will you rely on Him to be victorious today?

Let’s pray: Lord, thank you for watching over us. We ask you to be an active participant in our lives today. Lead us to victory. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 121:6
“The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night."

Where in your life are you facing an extreme situation? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 121:6 the Psalmist says: “The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”

In this verse, the sun and the moon represent the extremes of life. Day and night. Hot and cold. Light and darkness. When the psalmist says: The sun and moon “will not harm you,” he is describing the Lord’s protection amidst danger. The Lord does not always remove the extremes we face in life, but rather, offers protection like shade under the noonday sun and light amidst the darkness of night.

Where in your life are you facing an extreme situation?

What provision are you asking the Lord for today?

Let’s pray: Lord, this life is full of extremes. As we face the possibility of extremes today, we turn our trust to you. Grant us your provision to endure in faith. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 121:5
“The Lord watches over you (He) is your shade at your right hand."

How can you stand under His umbrella today? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Psalm 121:5 says: “The Lord watches over you— [He] is your shade at your right hand.” 

When the Psalmist says that the Lord is your “shade” it implies the Lord’s protection, much like a beach umbrella that provides protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

The psalmist describes this shade being “at our right hand” meaning that God is attentive, available and accessible.

Where in your life do you need God’s protection? 

How can you stand under His umbrella today?

Let’s pray: Lord, we need your shade. Be at our right hand today and protect us from all harm. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 121:3b
“He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over with neither slumber nor sleep."

How will you stay alert in your walk of faith? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Psalm 121:3-4 says: “He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over [His people] will neither slumber nor sleep.” 

In this passage the psalmist mentions two kinds of sleep. One is a light sleeping, much like a nap in the middle of the day. The other is a deeper sleep, like what we hope to get when we sleep at night.

When the psalmist says “the Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps” he means that the Lord is always awake-- day and night, watching over us. 

What assurance does the Lord's alertness give you today?

Let’s pray: Lord, though we are tired, you never tire. You are faithful in watching over us day and night. Grant us the alertness to be faithful in our work today. And when the day is done, give us peace and rest. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 121:3a:
“The Lord will not let your foot slip."

Where in your life are you slipping? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Have you ever tried walking on ice? It’s difficult to get a footing. You might find yourself slipping and unable to walk. Along the path of life, sometimes the road gets icy. Our walking becomes impaired and we need extra support to keep moving forward.

In Psalm 121 verse 3a, the Psalmist says: “[The Lord] will not let your foot slip.” 

When we find ourselves slipping on the path of life, let us grab hold of Him who holds us steady. 

Where in your life are you slipping?

How will you grab hold of Him today?

Let’s pray: Lord, you know that the path of life is treacherous. We need your support to keep moving. Would you steady our feet today. Keep us from slipping as we walk in faith. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 121:2:
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

What kind of help do you need? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 121 verse 2, the Psalmist declares: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” In this declaration the Psalmist makes a profound connection— The Creator is also a Helper.

When we look at creation we see that the Lord created the universe with passion, power and precision. It is with these same attributes that the Lord responds to our cry for help.

What kind of help are you in need of?

How will you respond to someone else’s cry for help today? 

Let’s pray: Lord, you are our creator and our helper. We call on your help today. Give us passion for your people, power to help them; and precision in our care. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 121:1 
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?"

Who do you usually turn to for help? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 121 verse 1, the Psalmist says: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains.” And as he looks at the mountains he asks a question: “Where does my help come from?” 

Perhaps you have asked yourself this same question: Where does my help come from? 

Asking for help requires strength, bravery and vulnerability. As we face obstacles in our day today, let us have the courage to turn to our community and ask for help. 

Who do you usually turn to for help?

How will you display bravery in asking for help today?

Let’s pray: God, we thank you for the helpers you have placed in our lives... When we are in need today, give us the courage to reach out and ask for help. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.