I sometimes believe that waiting on God is the hardest thing I have to do.
We live in an "instant gratification" world. We want something, and we expect to have it NOW. We hurt, and we want God to take the hurt away immediately. Sometimes, we forget that the hurts we experience bring immeasurable blessings that we cannot see in the moment.
I've seen people come together in prayer for someone who is sick or in trouble. Those times, when we forget what church we belong to and simply join hands and hearts with other believers and pray, I think that's when God is most pleased with us. Remember Jesus's prayer...
John 17:11
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
Jesus wants us to be one. We are the body of Christ, one church, one family.
Today is a big day for Luke Chisholm and his family. The procedure that is taking place today is the same procedure that created such havoc earlier this week when David and Rachael stood outside Luke's door as the medical team tried to bring him back after he crashed. The fear they experienced, the thoughts that went through their heads -- those things are sure to haunt them today as Luke goes through this procedure.
As they wait and pray, let us pray along side them in spirit. God is in control, and we can trust Luke to our loving Father. But waiting is hard. So please pray for David and Rachael to feel an overwhelming sense of God's peace and love and protection and provision... Pray that they will not listen to the lies of the Enemy as they wait.
Please pray without ceasing today, as we wait for Luke to come through this day with amazing victory through the power of our mighty God.
One of the most powerful tools we have is prayer. But there is also awesome power in praise lifted up to our great and good God. Praise Him for all He has done, all He is doing and all He will do today in the life of Luke Chisholm.
http://youtu.be/H-M7oGrOa2I - Waiting on You, Lord - John Waller
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting!
1 Chronicles 16:36
http://youtu.be/vJdWdZv-uRA - Everlasting God - Chris Tomlin
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord (repeat)
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
Isaiah 40
To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare with Him?
19 As for the idol, a craftsman casts it,
A goldsmith plates it with gold,
And a silversmith fashions chains of silver.
20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering
Selects a tree that does not rot;
He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman
To prepare an idol that will not totter.
21 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a )curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
23 He it is who reduces rulers to nothing,
Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
24 Scarcely have they been planted,
Scarcely have they been sown,
Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth,
But He merely blows on them, and they wither,
And the storm carries them away like stubble.
25 “To whom then will you liken Me
That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous )young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Waiting...
I believe God is faithful. I believe He will do what He says He will do. I believe He loves me. I believe He wants what's best for me for Eternity - not for just now while I'm on earth. Since I know all those things about God, why is it so hard for me to trust His timing?
God promised Abraham that he would have children. He promised that through Abraham's seed, all nations of the earth would be blessed. Abraham believed God, but he had to wait on God's timing.
Genesis 15:1-6 - 1 Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
2 But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”
4 Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”
6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
Abraham waited and waited.
Sarah - Abram's wife, waited and waited for God to give her a son. Finally, she just couldn't wait any longer. Sarah decided that since God was not doing what He promised, she would help the situation. After all, God promised Abraham a son, and that wasn't happening. She was too old to have a child, so she had this brilliant idea.
Genesis 16:1-3 - 1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.)
Sarah's plan created the foundation for a conflict that continues even until this day. Ishmael, the son of Hagar, and Isaac, the son of Sarah became enemies.
Conflict between the two sons of Abraham began from the very start. Genesis 21:9 says the conflict began just after Isaac was weaned: "Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking."
Galatians 4 tells us that Ishmael had been "born according to the flesh" while Isaac had been "born according to the promise". Isaac replaced Ishmael as the favored son and heir. This, of course, made Ishmael jealous and bitter. As a result, he mocked and disdained his half-brother. Eventually the situation became so intolerable that Abraham's wife Sarah demanded that Ishmael and his Egyptian concubine mother, Hagar, be expelled permanently from Abraham's family.
If only Sarah would have waited on the Lord.
No matter what I'm facing, I must learn to wait on God's timing and work within His plan. I don't always know what His plan is but I can learn much about it by reading His Word and praying for guidance and wisdom. The answer may not come right away. It may take years, like with Abraham and Sarah. But God is faithful and He will cause all things to work together for those who love Him - according to His purpose.
"According to His purpose" - We sometimes leave out that part of the promise. We expect God to work everything out the way we want Him to. But His promise is that no matter what happens in our lives, He has a plan and that plan is for our Eternal good.
This world is not our home. We're on a mission right now, to learn as much as we can about God, to live our lives so that others can see Jesus living in us and want to know Him as their Savior. That's God's purpose. He wants us to be in Heaven with Him for Eternity. If my heart's desire is for anything less than that, I do not have a promise that God will make my desires come true. He has bigger plans for me and I can trust that He will work all things together to give me a hope and future - maybe not on earth - but in Eternity.
Holy Father, You are so faithful and worthy of my complete devotion and praise. I can trust that You will do what You say You will do. You always have in the past and I've seen You work in my life so many times, redeeming those situations when I, like Sarah, didn't wait on Your timing. I love You Lord, and I want to be faithful in my obedience to You, even when it means waiting. Remind me, Lord, that You have a plan that is for my good - Eternally - not just for the little while I'm here on earth. Today, once again, I commit my life to You. I will trust Your promise to cause all things to work together for good according to Your purpose and plan which is so much greater than anything I could ask or imagine. In Jesus' Holy Name I pray. Amen.
http://youtu.be/VE0yUobk6TM - Indescribable - Chris Tomlin
It's not about me.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
http://youtu.be/c1764jKNv7Q - Here I go again - Casting Crowns
4 “How can I be born when I am old?” Nicodemus asked. “I can’t go back inside my mother! I can’t be born a second time!”
5 Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom without being born through water and the Holy Spirit. 6 People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised when I say, ‘You must all be born again.’
8 “The wind blows where it wants to. You hear the sound it makes. But you can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born through the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus. “Don’t you understand these things?
11 “What I’m about to tell you is true. We speak about what we know. We give witness to what we have seen. But still you people do not accept our witness. 12 I have spoken to you about earthly things, and you do not believe. So how will you believe if I speak about heavenly things?
13 “No one has ever gone into heaven except the One who came from heaven. He is the Son of Man. 14 Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. The Son of Man must be lifted up also. 15 Then everyone who believes in him can live with God forever.
16 “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.
17 “God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not judged. But anyone who does not believe is judged already. He has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19 “Here is the judgment. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light. They loved darkness because what they did was evil.
20 “Everyone who does evil things hates the light. They will not come into the light. They are afraid that what they do will be seen. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes into the light. He does this so that it will be easy to see that what he has done is with God’s help.”
I'm sure we all have friends who are headed down the wrong path. We stand by, helplessly, watching them destroy their families and themselves. We want so much to "save" our friends but our words seem to fall on deaf ears. But God loves our friends more than we do, and HE is ready and willing to intercede. The single greatest thing we can do for our friends is PRAY.
There is one other things we can do. Even if they refuse to hear our words of love and truth, we can live our lives so that our friends, who may never pick up God's Word to hear what He says in His written word, can see Jesus through our words and actions. You know the saying, "You may be the only Jesus your friend ever sees." We can let our lives show the incredible blessings, peace and comfort that belonging to Christ provides.
So testify to His faithfulness in your life - every single day - with words or without when necessary. And pray, pray, pray.
Here's a prayer for all our friends who are stuggling.
Holy Father,
Friends I love are caught up in their sin, determined to live by their own understanding, rather than God's way, and it's affecting the lives of people around them.
But they do not want help nor do they listen to reason and good sense or even Christian counsel from others who have 'been there'. They are on a path that leads to destruction and pain. I'm frustrated because I know exactly where they're headed, and I can't make them see. Please help me to not react and do or say anything to make the situation worse. But LORD, let my words come from You and not from my own wisdom. Help me to shut my mouth when I should and to listen with my heart. Please open the eyes of my friends, enlighten their minds, and speak to their hearts. Draw them to You. Fill them with spiritual wisdom, increase their knowledge and maturity, and break down the strongholds that keep them from doing what is right and from following your will. Please help my friends. LORD, only You can change the situation. In the powerful Name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.
http://youtu.be/TgZ1ds0WM2k - Testify to Love - Avalon
John 3 (NIRV)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
3 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was one of the Jewish rulers. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. We know that God is with you. If he weren’t, you couldn’t do the miraculous signs you are doing.”
3 Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom without being born again.”4 “How can I be born when I am old?” Nicodemus asked. “I can’t go back inside my mother! I can’t be born a second time!”
5 Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom without being born through water and the Holy Spirit. 6 People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised when I say, ‘You must all be born again.’
8 “The wind blows where it wants to. You hear the sound it makes. But you can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born through the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus. “Don’t you understand these things?
11 “What I’m about to tell you is true. We speak about what we know. We give witness to what we have seen. But still you people do not accept our witness. 12 I have spoken to you about earthly things, and you do not believe. So how will you believe if I speak about heavenly things?
13 “No one has ever gone into heaven except the One who came from heaven. He is the Son of Man. 14 Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. The Son of Man must be lifted up also. 15 Then everyone who believes in him can live with God forever.
16 “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.
17 “God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not judged. But anyone who does not believe is judged already. He has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19 “Here is the judgment. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light. They loved darkness because what they did was evil.
20 “Everyone who does evil things hates the light. They will not come into the light. They are afraid that what they do will be seen. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes into the light. He does this so that it will be easy to see that what he has done is with God’s help.”
John the Baptist Gives Witness About Jesus
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the countryside of Judea. There he spent some time with them. And he baptized people there.I'm sure we all have friends who are headed down the wrong path. We stand by, helplessly, watching them destroy their families and themselves. We want so much to "save" our friends but our words seem to fall on deaf ears. But God loves our friends more than we do, and HE is ready and willing to intercede. The single greatest thing we can do for our friends is PRAY.
There is one other things we can do. Even if they refuse to hear our words of love and truth, we can live our lives so that our friends, who may never pick up God's Word to hear what He says in His written word, can see Jesus through our words and actions. You know the saying, "You may be the only Jesus your friend ever sees." We can let our lives show the incredible blessings, peace and comfort that belonging to Christ provides.
So testify to His faithfulness in your life - every single day - with words or without when necessary. And pray, pray, pray.
Here's a prayer for all our friends who are stuggling.
Holy Father,
Friends I love are caught up in their sin, determined to live by their own understanding, rather than God's way, and it's affecting the lives of people around them.
But they do not want help nor do they listen to reason and good sense or even Christian counsel from others who have 'been there'. They are on a path that leads to destruction and pain. I'm frustrated because I know exactly where they're headed, and I can't make them see. Please help me to not react and do or say anything to make the situation worse. But LORD, let my words come from You and not from my own wisdom. Help me to shut my mouth when I should and to listen with my heart. Please open the eyes of my friends, enlighten their minds, and speak to their hearts. Draw them to You. Fill them with spiritual wisdom, increase their knowledge and maturity, and break down the strongholds that keep them from doing what is right and from following your will. Please help my friends. LORD, only You can change the situation. In the powerful Name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.
http://youtu.be/TgZ1ds0WM2k - Testify to Love - Avalon
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Defeating the Blahs!
http://youtu.be/gMn28AK99To - Move - MercyMe
Do you ever get the blahs? I think all of us do from time to time. I'm not talking about those serious bouts of depression that last several days or weeks. That type of Depression may require medical intervention. I'm talking about those days when you just don't feel like doing anything at all, and you might not even know why.
On those days, my mind needs to be renewed.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Not very often, but too often for me, I get the blahs. They always come unexpected and unwelcomed. I'm a pretty up-beat, happy person. But when I get the blahs, I feel like the life has just been sucked out of me. I don't care about anything. I don't want to do anything. Nothing seems to make it any better. It's not a good place to be, and I'm very thankful that it doesn't happen very often. or last very long.
I know people who are moody. They let the cares of the world just put them into a funk. They get into a bad mood and seem perfectly fine with making everyone else feel just as miserable as they feel. I hate that! I don't understand why they don't just "snap out of it!" Right? Why don't they just decide to be happy? But then I have one of my "blah" days, and I realize it's not that easy to just "snap out of it". It takes more strength than what I have. I need help.
Why do we get the blahs?
There are several reasons we get the "blahs". Life can be overwhelming at times. All of us have so many things we need to take care of. Some days I feel like a really bad juggler. I try so hard to keep all the balls in the air, but then I drop one, and then another,,, and suddenly, all the balls are on the floor, rolling around everywhere. I begin to feel out of control and hopeless.
Fortunately for me, those days don't happen very often, but when they do happen, I have no energy, no motivation, no desire to get up and do anything, and when I do move, it feels like I'm trying to walk in two feet of mud with boots on. The worst part is I just don't care about anything. That is not what God wants for me.
Long bouts of illness, our own or someone we love, can cause us to feel that sense of dullness, and boredom. We become lethargic and even a tiny move seems to take every ounce of energy we have. Medications can cause depression, too. It's hard to get well physically when our bodies are fighting depression.
Difficult Relationships can also create a feeling of defeat. Maybe you have a co-worker or employer, a classmate at school, a family member, a neighbor, or maybe even a fellow church member who just seems intent on making your life miserable. You'd like to just remove that person from your life, but circumstances force you to interact with him or her. If you have to deal with that person very often, you may find yourself in that "I don't care" mode. Maybe that's the only way you can get through the day.
Lack of Sunshine - Many people suffer from the blahs during the winter months. The lack sunshine can affect our sense of well being. We just want to crawl back into bed and sleep rather than face the day. There are physiological reasons for winter blues - lack of vitamin D and exercise (we don't get outside and move around as much during the winter months) can be a big contributor to our outlook and attitudes.
Unconfessed Sin - I think, too, the blahs can come when we have unresolved sin in our lives. Maybe it's unforgiveness or bitterness towards someone; or maybe we're doing something that God doesn't want us to do. For me, when I fail to do something I know God wants me to do, I begin to feel a distance from Him. It's not God creating that distance, but me. I know what I should be doing, and when I'm not doing what I know to do, I feel guilty. If I'm not careful, I'll begin to believe the lies that the Enemy is whispering in my ear. I'll start believing that I'm unworthy to spend time with God. After all, how dare I come into His presence when I'm willfully being disobedient to what He has for me to do! But that is not from God! During those times, Satan tells me to pull away from God, but God tells to draw near to Him, and He'll renew my spirit.
What can we do to "snap out of it" on our "blah" days?
Slow down - Rest - If I'm sick, tired or overwhelmed, maybe I do need to craw back in bed and just rest. Maybe God's telling me to slow down, to stop stressing and just rest in His Arms. When I choose this cure, I try to imagine that God is holding me as I sleep; that I am resting in His love and protection. If I can't sleep, I focus on all the blessings He provides. It's hard to feel bad when I think about all the good things HE has done for me. Sometimes, I listen to my Bible CD. Hearing God's Word spoken over me can be soothing, too.
Listen to uplifting music - Usually, uplifting music can get me moving in the right direction. Mercy Me's "Move" is a great song that lifts my spirits every time I hear it. The song speaks God's promises to me; it encourages me and reminds me that brighter days are coming.
Exercise - Get moving. The link I included above is a YouTube video of a young lady using the song MOVE with a Zumba routine. If you're feeling lethargic and have no energy, I highly recommend that you watch this video and try to exercise along with the instructor. I generally end up laughing my way through the song because I haven't quite mastered "Zumba" yet. And NO!!! I will not be including a video of my Zumba experience. = ) But still when I get up and move - whether it's doing an exercise video, running, walking, whatever it might be that helps to get me up off the couch, I feel more energetic and more optimistic. It doesn't work every time, but it's one of my favorite options when I'm struggling to feel happy again.
Prayer and Time with GOD - This is always my first option. When I start feeling a little down, I pray and ask God to renew my spirit. I know He has promised that He will do that for me.
I can sit in my backyard or go to the park and just sit still and watch all of nature. I see God's provision and His creativity, His attention to the smallest detail. Even with tiny little insects, He has shown us His love and care. I am always comforted by just sitting still with God. When I do that, He renews my spirit - my thoughts and attitudes begin to change. But note the verse below. Paul tells us that we should let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, and we have full access to His power and strength, but we can stifle that power if we don't allow Him to work in our lives. We must be willing to give Him control if we want to be fully renewed.
Quiet time with God is when I need to ask for forgiveness for any sins in my life, specifically, those I know about, and any sins I may not even be aware of. I need to ask God to purify my heart, to make me more like what He wants me to be. I want Him to change me, to mold me and make me to be more like Jesus. More of Jesus - less of me. That's my prayer.
I also ask God to give me wisdom to make good decisions and to prioritize according to His plan for me. When I'm feeling down or discouraged, usually that means I'm thinking way to much of myself instead of others. When I seek to comfort others more than to be comforted myself, God does this amazing thing: He comforts me Himself!
Ephesians 4:22-24 - .throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Depression, discouragement, feelings of being overwhelmed, boredom, feeling like nothing matters - all those things are from our sinful nature. Paul is saying "remember who you are. You have a new nature. You are not slaves to the old nature anymore." Those negative thoughts are not from God. We must stand firm against the Enemy because he will grab any tiny little foothold he can to bring us down. He wants us to dwell on the negative thoughts and emotions; he wants us to wallow in our despair. How do we win this battle? By taking every thought captive to see if it lines up with what Christ says is true. If the thought is not from Christ, we must not let it stay in our heads. We give it to Christ and let Him take it away.
2 Corinthians 5:10 - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
When we refuse to let those thoughts which are not from God stay in our heads, we must also be proactive in filling our minds with positive messages from God. When a negative thought or attitude creeps into my brain, I ask God to take away, and then I intentionally replace that negative thought with things that are of God. I start listing my blessings or singing a song of praise or maybe I'll read one of David's psalms. I fill my head with God's word. If I don't replace the negative with something positive, the negative thought will come back stronger and bring some of his buddies. = (
Luke 11:24-26 - “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. 26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I have to remember that God has a plan for me, and it's a plan for good and not evil, a plan to give me a hope and a future. I can trust Him to provide everything I need to rise above the negative thoughts and attitudes that threaten to bring me down. I can rejoice even when I'm feeling weak because when I feel weak, that's when I turn to God. His power can work best in me when I rely on His strength .I cannot do this life on my own. I need my Savior.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Father God, You are my safe place. When this world tries to drag me down, You are the One I run to. I feel Your Protection and Your Provision every single day. I praise You, LORD, Creator of heaven and earth! I'm in awe of Your majesty, Your power and might, but most of all I am blown away by Your great love and mercy towards me. Thank You for redeeming me through Your precious Son. Thank You for forgiving me and making me whole by the power of His blood. Holy God, use me however You see fit to bring glory to Your Name. Help me to turn to You when I feel discouraged. Help me to quickly recognize the lies that Satan would have me believe. I am Your child and I am worthy, not from anything I've done, but all because of Jesus. I love You, LORD, with all my heart.
http://youtu.be/N0HozFRRp9Y - Back to You - Mercy Me
As I was research this topic, I came across this wonderful website: www.JeffRandleman.com . Jeff is youth minister for Mountainview Christian Church in Missouri. He listed 16 proactive tips on how to beat the blahs.
To read the full article, please go to http://www.jeffrandleman.com/16-things-you-can-do-to-beat-the-blahs .
So I’ve put together a list of things that I’ve found helpful in beating the blahs.
Run away from your moods. When you recognize that you are in a funk, intentionally run away from it. Make it a point to eliminate this attitude from your day.
Celebrate the good. My summer has been so hectic and traumatic. One way to get past that is to celebrate the great things that have happened. Positive thinking can have a huge impact on both your attitude and energy.
Boost your energy. Exercise. Run. Bike. Walk. Hike. Whatever. Exercise can help. My personal favorite is geocaching. It gets me out and moving. I find it relaxing, and yet mentally challenging as well.
Treat yourself to a snack. Make it a comfort food. Or choose a healthier option. Either one is ok. The point here is not to gorge yourself, but to eat something you enjoy in order to help change your attitude.
Read a good book. Grab a great story, or something inspiring. Or sit down with your Bible for a while. Just a suggestion… don’t read Lamentations at a time like this.
Appreciate something beautiful. Step outside and look around. Look at the sunset, the clouds, the leaves on the trees, the butterfly that just floated past. Enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Release your emotions. It’s ok to cry if you need to.
Talk to a friend. Grab a trusted friend and go to lunch. Let them know how you are feeling. They may have some great suggestions. And if not, at least you know someone is there to lean on. That in itself can be a huge help.
Do something for someone else. One of the best ways to change a bad attitude into a better one is to look beyond yourself and help someone else. Trust me; this works.
Spruce yourself up. Dress sharper. If you look good, you’ll soon start to feel good.
Journal it. Write down how you are feeling, and be detailed. It may be helpful to step back and look at the big picture. Plus, later, you can see how God stepped in and changed things.
Listen to some inspiring music. Music has the power to lift you up. Turn on something positive and encouraging. My personal choice is Howard Shore’s film score to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Do something different. Step out of your normal routine. Do something you don’t normally do. Changing things up a bit can be helpful.
Laugh. Nothing can lift your spirits like a good laugh. Go find someone who can make you laugh. Watch a funny TV show. Read a few great jokes. Spend time with your kids, watching them. My kids are a constant source of smiles and laughter for me.
Rest. Sometimes the best thing you can do is rest and relax for a while.
Look for balance in your life. Try to eliminate things that elicit the negative; focus on the things that bring more positive thoughts and attitudes.
The blahs are normal. Everyone experiences them. In fact, they may even be somewhat beneficial. They can be an indicator that you need to slow down or stop. They can indicate that it’s time for a break from the steady routine of life.
But the blahs can be beat. This list is just the beginning. I know there are many, many more things that can help overcome the blahs. These are just some of the things that I’ve found to work in my life. Give them a shot. Maybe they can help you as well.
What do you do to beat the blahs?
from http://www.jeffrandleman.com/16-things-you-can-do-to-beat-the-blahs .
Thanks, Jeff, for letting me share these great ideas!
http://youtu.be/gMn28AK99To - Move - MercyMe
Do you ever get the blahs? I think all of us do from time to time. I'm not talking about those serious bouts of depression that last several days or weeks. That type of Depression may require medical intervention. I'm talking about those days when you just don't feel like doing anything at all, and you might not even know why.
On those days, my mind needs to be renewed.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Not very often, but too often for me, I get the blahs. They always come unexpected and unwelcomed. I'm a pretty up-beat, happy person. But when I get the blahs, I feel like the life has just been sucked out of me. I don't care about anything. I don't want to do anything. Nothing seems to make it any better. It's not a good place to be, and I'm very thankful that it doesn't happen very often. or last very long.
I know people who are moody. They let the cares of the world just put them into a funk. They get into a bad mood and seem perfectly fine with making everyone else feel just as miserable as they feel. I hate that! I don't understand why they don't just "snap out of it!" Right? Why don't they just decide to be happy? But then I have one of my "blah" days, and I realize it's not that easy to just "snap out of it". It takes more strength than what I have. I need help.
Why do we get the blahs?
There are several reasons we get the "blahs". Life can be overwhelming at times. All of us have so many things we need to take care of. Some days I feel like a really bad juggler. I try so hard to keep all the balls in the air, but then I drop one, and then another,,, and suddenly, all the balls are on the floor, rolling around everywhere. I begin to feel out of control and hopeless.
Fortunately for me, those days don't happen very often, but when they do happen, I have no energy, no motivation, no desire to get up and do anything, and when I do move, it feels like I'm trying to walk in two feet of mud with boots on. The worst part is I just don't care about anything. That is not what God wants for me.
Long bouts of illness, our own or someone we love, can cause us to feel that sense of dullness, and boredom. We become lethargic and even a tiny move seems to take every ounce of energy we have. Medications can cause depression, too. It's hard to get well physically when our bodies are fighting depression.
Difficult Relationships can also create a feeling of defeat. Maybe you have a co-worker or employer, a classmate at school, a family member, a neighbor, or maybe even a fellow church member who just seems intent on making your life miserable. You'd like to just remove that person from your life, but circumstances force you to interact with him or her. If you have to deal with that person very often, you may find yourself in that "I don't care" mode. Maybe that's the only way you can get through the day.
Lack of Sunshine - Many people suffer from the blahs during the winter months. The lack sunshine can affect our sense of well being. We just want to crawl back into bed and sleep rather than face the day. There are physiological reasons for winter blues - lack of vitamin D and exercise (we don't get outside and move around as much during the winter months) can be a big contributor to our outlook and attitudes.
Unconfessed Sin - I think, too, the blahs can come when we have unresolved sin in our lives. Maybe it's unforgiveness or bitterness towards someone; or maybe we're doing something that God doesn't want us to do. For me, when I fail to do something I know God wants me to do, I begin to feel a distance from Him. It's not God creating that distance, but me. I know what I should be doing, and when I'm not doing what I know to do, I feel guilty. If I'm not careful, I'll begin to believe the lies that the Enemy is whispering in my ear. I'll start believing that I'm unworthy to spend time with God. After all, how dare I come into His presence when I'm willfully being disobedient to what He has for me to do! But that is not from God! During those times, Satan tells me to pull away from God, but God tells to draw near to Him, and He'll renew my spirit.
What can we do to "snap out of it" on our "blah" days?
Slow down - Rest - If I'm sick, tired or overwhelmed, maybe I do need to craw back in bed and just rest. Maybe God's telling me to slow down, to stop stressing and just rest in His Arms. When I choose this cure, I try to imagine that God is holding me as I sleep; that I am resting in His love and protection. If I can't sleep, I focus on all the blessings He provides. It's hard to feel bad when I think about all the good things HE has done for me. Sometimes, I listen to my Bible CD. Hearing God's Word spoken over me can be soothing, too.
Listen to uplifting music - Usually, uplifting music can get me moving in the right direction. Mercy Me's "Move" is a great song that lifts my spirits every time I hear it. The song speaks God's promises to me; it encourages me and reminds me that brighter days are coming.
Exercise - Get moving. The link I included above is a YouTube video of a young lady using the song MOVE with a Zumba routine. If you're feeling lethargic and have no energy, I highly recommend that you watch this video and try to exercise along with the instructor. I generally end up laughing my way through the song because I haven't quite mastered "Zumba" yet. And NO!!! I will not be including a video of my Zumba experience. = ) But still when I get up and move - whether it's doing an exercise video, running, walking, whatever it might be that helps to get me up off the couch, I feel more energetic and more optimistic. It doesn't work every time, but it's one of my favorite options when I'm struggling to feel happy again.
Prayer and Time with GOD - This is always my first option. When I start feeling a little down, I pray and ask God to renew my spirit. I know He has promised that He will do that for me.
I can sit in my backyard or go to the park and just sit still and watch all of nature. I see God's provision and His creativity, His attention to the smallest detail. Even with tiny little insects, He has shown us His love and care. I am always comforted by just sitting still with God. When I do that, He renews my spirit - my thoughts and attitudes begin to change. But note the verse below. Paul tells us that we should let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, and we have full access to His power and strength, but we can stifle that power if we don't allow Him to work in our lives. We must be willing to give Him control if we want to be fully renewed.
Quiet time with God is when I need to ask for forgiveness for any sins in my life, specifically, those I know about, and any sins I may not even be aware of. I need to ask God to purify my heart, to make me more like what He wants me to be. I want Him to change me, to mold me and make me to be more like Jesus. More of Jesus - less of me. That's my prayer.
I also ask God to give me wisdom to make good decisions and to prioritize according to His plan for me. When I'm feeling down or discouraged, usually that means I'm thinking way to much of myself instead of others. When I seek to comfort others more than to be comforted myself, God does this amazing thing: He comforts me Himself!
Ephesians 4:22-24 - .throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Depression, discouragement, feelings of being overwhelmed, boredom, feeling like nothing matters - all those things are from our sinful nature. Paul is saying "remember who you are. You have a new nature. You are not slaves to the old nature anymore." Those negative thoughts are not from God. We must stand firm against the Enemy because he will grab any tiny little foothold he can to bring us down. He wants us to dwell on the negative thoughts and emotions; he wants us to wallow in our despair. How do we win this battle? By taking every thought captive to see if it lines up with what Christ says is true. If the thought is not from Christ, we must not let it stay in our heads. We give it to Christ and let Him take it away.
2 Corinthians 5:10 - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
When we refuse to let those thoughts which are not from God stay in our heads, we must also be proactive in filling our minds with positive messages from God. When a negative thought or attitude creeps into my brain, I ask God to take away, and then I intentionally replace that negative thought with things that are of God. I start listing my blessings or singing a song of praise or maybe I'll read one of David's psalms. I fill my head with God's word. If I don't replace the negative with something positive, the negative thought will come back stronger and bring some of his buddies. = (
Luke 11:24-26 - “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. 26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I have to remember that God has a plan for me, and it's a plan for good and not evil, a plan to give me a hope and a future. I can trust Him to provide everything I need to rise above the negative thoughts and attitudes that threaten to bring me down. I can rejoice even when I'm feeling weak because when I feel weak, that's when I turn to God. His power can work best in me when I rely on His strength .I cannot do this life on my own. I need my Savior.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Father God, You are my safe place. When this world tries to drag me down, You are the One I run to. I feel Your Protection and Your Provision every single day. I praise You, LORD, Creator of heaven and earth! I'm in awe of Your majesty, Your power and might, but most of all I am blown away by Your great love and mercy towards me. Thank You for redeeming me through Your precious Son. Thank You for forgiving me and making me whole by the power of His blood. Holy God, use me however You see fit to bring glory to Your Name. Help me to turn to You when I feel discouraged. Help me to quickly recognize the lies that Satan would have me believe. I am Your child and I am worthy, not from anything I've done, but all because of Jesus. I love You, LORD, with all my heart.
http://youtu.be/N0HozFRRp9Y - Back to You - Mercy Me
As I was research this topic, I came across this wonderful website: www.JeffRandleman.com . Jeff is youth minister for Mountainview Christian Church in Missouri. He listed 16 proactive tips on how to beat the blahs.
To read the full article, please go to http://www.jeffrandleman.com/16-things-you-can-do-to-beat-the-blahs .
So I’ve put together a list of things that I’ve found helpful in beating the blahs.
Run away from your moods. When you recognize that you are in a funk, intentionally run away from it. Make it a point to eliminate this attitude from your day.
Celebrate the good. My summer has been so hectic and traumatic. One way to get past that is to celebrate the great things that have happened. Positive thinking can have a huge impact on both your attitude and energy.
Boost your energy. Exercise. Run. Bike. Walk. Hike. Whatever. Exercise can help. My personal favorite is geocaching. It gets me out and moving. I find it relaxing, and yet mentally challenging as well.
Treat yourself to a snack. Make it a comfort food. Or choose a healthier option. Either one is ok. The point here is not to gorge yourself, but to eat something you enjoy in order to help change your attitude.
Read a good book. Grab a great story, or something inspiring. Or sit down with your Bible for a while. Just a suggestion… don’t read Lamentations at a time like this.
Appreciate something beautiful. Step outside and look around. Look at the sunset, the clouds, the leaves on the trees, the butterfly that just floated past. Enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Release your emotions. It’s ok to cry if you need to.
Talk to a friend. Grab a trusted friend and go to lunch. Let them know how you are feeling. They may have some great suggestions. And if not, at least you know someone is there to lean on. That in itself can be a huge help.
Do something for someone else. One of the best ways to change a bad attitude into a better one is to look beyond yourself and help someone else. Trust me; this works.
Spruce yourself up. Dress sharper. If you look good, you’ll soon start to feel good.
Journal it. Write down how you are feeling, and be detailed. It may be helpful to step back and look at the big picture. Plus, later, you can see how God stepped in and changed things.
Listen to some inspiring music. Music has the power to lift you up. Turn on something positive and encouraging. My personal choice is Howard Shore’s film score to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Do something different. Step out of your normal routine. Do something you don’t normally do. Changing things up a bit can be helpful.
Laugh. Nothing can lift your spirits like a good laugh. Go find someone who can make you laugh. Watch a funny TV show. Read a few great jokes. Spend time with your kids, watching them. My kids are a constant source of smiles and laughter for me.
Rest. Sometimes the best thing you can do is rest and relax for a while.
Look for balance in your life. Try to eliminate things that elicit the negative; focus on the things that bring more positive thoughts and attitudes.
The blahs are normal. Everyone experiences them. In fact, they may even be somewhat beneficial. They can be an indicator that you need to slow down or stop. They can indicate that it’s time for a break from the steady routine of life.
But the blahs can be beat. This list is just the beginning. I know there are many, many more things that can help overcome the blahs. These are just some of the things that I’ve found to work in my life. Give them a shot. Maybe they can help you as well.
What do you do to beat the blahs?
from http://www.jeffrandleman.com/16-things-you-can-do-to-beat-the-blahs .
Thanks, Jeff, for letting me share these great ideas!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Praise – He Knows My Name
http://youtu.be/JKuEwf9W1cQ - He knows my name - the McRaes
There are days when I wonder why God's not answering my prayers. During those moments, a spiritual battle goes on in my mind. "Why doesn't God do something? Why doesn't He answer?", whispers the Enemy. But in my heart, I can hear a stronger, kinder, more loving Voice, and that voice soothes my spirit and reminds me. HE knows my name, and He cares when I hurt more than anyone can imagine. I have His undivided attention and He will not leave me to face whatever I'm facing alone. That's the Voice I will believe.
Isaiah 49:14-16
Yet Jerusalem says, “The LORD has deserted us;
the Lord has forgotten us.”
“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning... Face it, friend. He is crazy about you! "
— Max Lucado
The Creator of the Universe has my name written on His Hand. He loves me unconditionally. Nothing I've done deserves His love yet He loves me still. All through the old testament God makes it very clear that He loves His people. In this passage, the Israelites are complaining, "The LORD has forgotten us" they said. But God's response was "NO, I could no more forget you than a mother could forget her nursing child." God loves His people even when they turn away from Him, He draws them back to Himself, sometimes through persecutions and struggles.
It's easy to judge the Israelites. God was so good to them. He provided for all their needs. They were His chosen people and He loved them. I read the stories of their unfaithfulness and I think "How in the world do they keep turning to idols- inanimate objects made of wood or metal or stone, objects that can't do anything on their own. They can't speak or move yet the Israelites worshipped them. What on earth were they thinking?"
Haven't you ever felt that way?
It seems that when the Israelites had everything they needed, they would turn from God and worship idols made by human hands. If I were God, after a few of those episodes, I'd blast them all into eternity! But instead, He doesn't give up on them. Because He loves them, He draws them back, many times by leaving them to themselves for awhile or even through adversities, just until they realize they need Him.
As frustrated and angry as we can get with the Israelites, we can be just like them. When everything is going fine, it's easy to forget God. We turn to other "gods" just as surely as the Israelites worshipped those dumb idols.
What are your idols?
Think about it. What do you spend most of your time doing? What do you spend most of your money on? Anything that takes so much of your attention that you can't make time for God - well, that just may be your "idol".
But God is faithful, even when we are not. We fall down, He picks us up. We turn away from Him, He draws us back. We get distracted with meaningless junk, we fill our lives to overflowing with busyness, sometimes forgetting all about Him, but He never forgets about us. He can't. That's undeserved love and mercy. That is Grace.
This morning, Lord, I give you all my praise and worship. You are God Almighty, Creator of all things that are, were or will be. You care for all Your creation, Lord, from the tiny sparrow, to the lilies of the field, to me, your floundering child who can't seem to keep her head on straight. Thank You Father for loving me anyway. Thank You for reaching out to me when I fall. Thank You for letting me start fresh every morning. Thank You Jesus for covering me with Your Righteousness. Without that, I could never stand before the Throne of our Father, but because of what You did, when HE looks at me, He sees His daughter standing before Him - spotless. What an amazing gift. What amazing love.
Lord, You know how the Enemy tempts me with distractions. Please protect me from those distractions. Help me to keep my eyes on You today and every day. For You are my Rock, my Salvation. I love You more than life itself, and I don't want anyone or anything to keep me from giving You full attention this day. Lord Jesus, be glorified in my life. I humbly ask these things in Your Name. Amen.
http://youtu.be/mBcqria2wmg - Who am I - Casting Crowns
2 Chronicles 16:9
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Isaiah 43:1
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says,“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
Psalm 139:1-3, 13-16
1 O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 63:7-8
7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the LORD Almighty.
Hebrews 13:5b-6
For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." 6 So we can say with confidence, The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
http://youtu.be/hXsiWoyjw60 - He Knows My Name Maranatha Singers
I have a maker
he formed my heart,
before even time began
My life was in his hands
He knows my name
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
I have a father,
he calls me his own
He'll never leave me,
no matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
He hears me when I call
http://youtu.be/JKuEwf9W1cQ - He knows my name - the McRaes
There are days when I wonder why God's not answering my prayers. During those moments, a spiritual battle goes on in my mind. "Why doesn't God do something? Why doesn't He answer?", whispers the Enemy. But in my heart, I can hear a stronger, kinder, more loving Voice, and that voice soothes my spirit and reminds me. HE knows my name, and He cares when I hurt more than anyone can imagine. I have His undivided attention and He will not leave me to face whatever I'm facing alone. That's the Voice I will believe.
Isaiah 49:14-16
Yet Jerusalem says, “The LORD has deserted us;
the Lord has forgotten us.”
“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning... Face it, friend. He is crazy about you! "
— Max Lucado
The Creator of the Universe has my name written on His Hand. He loves me unconditionally. Nothing I've done deserves His love yet He loves me still. All through the old testament God makes it very clear that He loves His people. In this passage, the Israelites are complaining, "The LORD has forgotten us" they said. But God's response was "NO, I could no more forget you than a mother could forget her nursing child." God loves His people even when they turn away from Him, He draws them back to Himself, sometimes through persecutions and struggles.
It's easy to judge the Israelites. God was so good to them. He provided for all their needs. They were His chosen people and He loved them. I read the stories of their unfaithfulness and I think "How in the world do they keep turning to idols- inanimate objects made of wood or metal or stone, objects that can't do anything on their own. They can't speak or move yet the Israelites worshipped them. What on earth were they thinking?"
Haven't you ever felt that way?
It seems that when the Israelites had everything they needed, they would turn from God and worship idols made by human hands. If I were God, after a few of those episodes, I'd blast them all into eternity! But instead, He doesn't give up on them. Because He loves them, He draws them back, many times by leaving them to themselves for awhile or even through adversities, just until they realize they need Him.
As frustrated and angry as we can get with the Israelites, we can be just like them. When everything is going fine, it's easy to forget God. We turn to other "gods" just as surely as the Israelites worshipped those dumb idols.
What are your idols?
Think about it. What do you spend most of your time doing? What do you spend most of your money on? Anything that takes so much of your attention that you can't make time for God - well, that just may be your "idol".
But God is faithful, even when we are not. We fall down, He picks us up. We turn away from Him, He draws us back. We get distracted with meaningless junk, we fill our lives to overflowing with busyness, sometimes forgetting all about Him, but He never forgets about us. He can't. That's undeserved love and mercy. That is Grace.
This morning, Lord, I give you all my praise and worship. You are God Almighty, Creator of all things that are, were or will be. You care for all Your creation, Lord, from the tiny sparrow, to the lilies of the field, to me, your floundering child who can't seem to keep her head on straight. Thank You Father for loving me anyway. Thank You for reaching out to me when I fall. Thank You for letting me start fresh every morning. Thank You Jesus for covering me with Your Righteousness. Without that, I could never stand before the Throne of our Father, but because of what You did, when HE looks at me, He sees His daughter standing before Him - spotless. What an amazing gift. What amazing love.
Lord, You know how the Enemy tempts me with distractions. Please protect me from those distractions. Help me to keep my eyes on You today and every day. For You are my Rock, my Salvation. I love You more than life itself, and I don't want anyone or anything to keep me from giving You full attention this day. Lord Jesus, be glorified in my life. I humbly ask these things in Your Name. Amen.
http://youtu.be/mBcqria2wmg - Who am I - Casting Crowns
2 Chronicles 16:9
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Isaiah 43:1
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says,“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
Psalm 139:1-3, 13-16
1 O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 63:7-8
7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the LORD Almighty.
Hebrews 13:5b-6
For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." 6 So we can say with confidence, The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
http://youtu.be/hXsiWoyjw60 - He Knows My Name Maranatha Singers
I have a maker
he formed my heart,
before even time began
My life was in his hands
He knows my name
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
I have a father,
he calls me his own
He'll never leave me,
no matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
He hears me when I call
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Through it all
Then call on Me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you,
and you will give Me glory.”
Psalm 50:15
http://youtu.be/Bo-mp_m3nj8 - Through It All - Selah
I must admit, there are days when I get a prayer request, and it just breaks my heart. I don't understand why good people have to suffer so much. I plead for God's mercy and healing, "Please Lord! Help them!" Sometimes, I wonder why He won't just fix it, make it better. Haven't they been faithful to trust Him? Wouldn't redemption from this horrible suffering be a testimony to others of His faithfulness? It's not fair, LORD! Please make it better!
But my ways are not His ways. I'm not in control, and honestly, that's a really good thing. My vision is so limited. God sees the present, past and future. He knows how every action, every event, will affect others. I have to trust that HE wants what's best for me and for my friends. He loves us more than we can possibly understand. His plan for us is good, not evil. So I trust Him.
I know that the greatest injustice of all was Jesus suffering and dying on the cross for my sins. He did nothing to warrant such a horrible death. He was so good to everyone. There was no reason for Him to suffer the way He did. No reason except that through His suffering, we could be redeemed. We could be saved. Jesus thought our spending Eternity with Him in Heaven was worth all the pain.
As I think about the struggles my friends are going through, I weep for them. But then God reminds me that Jesus understands our suffering more than anyone. It wasn't fair for Him to have to take our punishment. But He did it. He trusted His Father, and He went through it all for the joy set before Him. Our redemption, our future with Him was purchased by His suffering. And He knew it was worth it.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3
Prayer
Holy Father, help us keep our eyes on Jesus. Whatever You allow in our lives, LORD, use it to draw us closer to You. Help us not listen to the lies of the Enemy as he whispers discouragement and defeat. You have already given us Victory in Christ. Help us to look for the opportunities You have placed right in the middle of our suffering. And even if we don't ever see Your purpose in our struggles, help us to trust You and Your great love for us. Through it all, Lord, strengthen our faith and our trust in You. You have said that the suffering may last for a while, but joy will come in the morning. Even if that morning is not until we wake up in heaven with You, help us to hold on to Your Hand until then. In Jesus' Precious Name we pray. Amen.
http://youtu.be/0JYGhQWgqq4 - Before the Morning - Josh Wilson
Weeping may last through the night,but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5b NLT
Then call on Me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you,
and you will give Me glory.”
Psalm 50:15
http://youtu.be/Bo-mp_m3nj8 - Through It All - Selah
I must admit, there are days when I get a prayer request, and it just breaks my heart. I don't understand why good people have to suffer so much. I plead for God's mercy and healing, "Please Lord! Help them!" Sometimes, I wonder why He won't just fix it, make it better. Haven't they been faithful to trust Him? Wouldn't redemption from this horrible suffering be a testimony to others of His faithfulness? It's not fair, LORD! Please make it better!
But my ways are not His ways. I'm not in control, and honestly, that's a really good thing. My vision is so limited. God sees the present, past and future. He knows how every action, every event, will affect others. I have to trust that HE wants what's best for me and for my friends. He loves us more than we can possibly understand. His plan for us is good, not evil. So I trust Him.
I know that the greatest injustice of all was Jesus suffering and dying on the cross for my sins. He did nothing to warrant such a horrible death. He was so good to everyone. There was no reason for Him to suffer the way He did. No reason except that through His suffering, we could be redeemed. We could be saved. Jesus thought our spending Eternity with Him in Heaven was worth all the pain.
As I think about the struggles my friends are going through, I weep for them. But then God reminds me that Jesus understands our suffering more than anyone. It wasn't fair for Him to have to take our punishment. But He did it. He trusted His Father, and He went through it all for the joy set before Him. Our redemption, our future with Him was purchased by His suffering. And He knew it was worth it.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3
Prayer
Holy Father, help us keep our eyes on Jesus. Whatever You allow in our lives, LORD, use it to draw us closer to You. Help us not listen to the lies of the Enemy as he whispers discouragement and defeat. You have already given us Victory in Christ. Help us to look for the opportunities You have placed right in the middle of our suffering. And even if we don't ever see Your purpose in our struggles, help us to trust You and Your great love for us. Through it all, Lord, strengthen our faith and our trust in You. You have said that the suffering may last for a while, but joy will come in the morning. Even if that morning is not until we wake up in heaven with You, help us to hold on to Your Hand until then. In Jesus' Precious Name we pray. Amen.
http://youtu.be/0JYGhQWgqq4 - Before the Morning - Josh Wilson
Weeping may last through the night,but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5b NLT
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
IN THE BEGINNING
-----------------------
Note: This is my testimony, what I've come to believe with all my heart thru reading the Bible and studying. I don't claim to be a Bible scholar. I don't know Greek or Hebrew or Latin... But I know that when I open the Bible to hear from God, He uses this Booke bible to instruct me, to guide me, to remind me of how much I'm loved. Each time I study the Word, He gives me what I need for that day or moment. The Word of God is not just a book of History. It's living -
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Genesis 1 - In the Beginning God created heaven and earth. He
separated the light from the darkness and He called the light - Day and the
darkness - night. He created Day and Night in very beginning of Creation.
And for those doubters whom He knew would come later, He
described what a Day was - "Evening and morning was the first Day.
Each Day of Creation He reiterated - evening and morning was the
second day, the third day, the fourth day, the fifth day and the six Day. 6
Days of Creation. One day was evening and morning - not millions of years.
And everything produced after its own kind. Read Genesis 1. Man
did not evolve from something - God created Man, full grown. The changes that
take place in man never make him anything less or more than "man".
After the end of each Day of Creation, God looked at what He had
done and each Day, He said it was good. And on the 6th Day, after He had
created man and breathed into his nostrils the Breathe of Life, God said
"it was VERY good."
As a believer, I trust that my God is unlimited in what He can
do. I do not doubt Genesis 1. I've entertained the idea that He could have used
evolution in His plan to create, but I don't buy that any more. It really
doesn't make sense. There's too many things in creation that could not evolve
without having to die before getting the "end result" of a new thing.
If I don't trust God's Word to true, it leaves the door open for
me to not "believe" anything in the Bible that I don't want to be
true. When I don't believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God, I can pick
and choose what goes into "my own personal bible". If I doubt one
thing, how do I trust any of it?
I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and He speaks to
us thru this amazing, sometimes incomprehensible Gift.
How do we get billions of years out of Genesis 1? We limit God's
Power because we can't comprehend it. Instead of giving Him all the glory and
adoration He deserves, some find it easier to believe that everything that
exists just happened. Both scenarios, God creating everything in 6 days and
Evolution taking billions of years - both are very hard to believe (for a
non-believer) but for those who profess the Name of Jesus, we believe in our
amazing Creator who continues to sustain the Universe by His word.
Genesis 1 - In the Beginning God created heaven and earth. He
separated the light from the darkness and He called the light - Day and the
darkness - night. He created Day and Night in very beginning of Creation.
And for those doubters whom He knew would come later, He
described what a Day was - "Evening and morning was the first Day.
Each Day of Creation He reiterated - evening and morning was the
second day, the third day, the fourth day, the fifth day and the six Day. 6
Days of Creation. One day was evening and morning - not millions of years.
And everything produced after its own kind. Read Genesis 1. Man
did not evolve from something - God created Man, full grown. The changes that
take place in man never make him anything less or more than "man".
After the end of each Day of Creation, God looked at what He had
done and each Day, He said it was good. And on the 6th Day, after He had
created man and breathed into his nostrils the Breathe of Life, God said
"it was VERY good."
As a believer, I trust that my God is unlimited in what He can
do. I do not doubt Genesis 1. I've entertained the idea that He could have used
evolution in His plan to create, but I don't buy that any more. It really
doesn't make sense. There's too many things in creation that could not evolve
without having to die before getting the "end result" of a new thing.
If I don't trust God's Word to true, it leaves the door open for
me to not "believe" anything in the Bible that I don't want to be
true. When I don't believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God, I can pick
and choose what goes into "my own personal bible". If I doubt one
thing, how do I trust any of it?
I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and He speaks to
us thru this amazing, sometimes incomprehensible Gift.
How do we get billions of years out of Genesis 1? We limit God's
Power because we can't comprehend it. Instead of giving Him all the glory and
adoration He deserves, some find it easier to believe that everything that
exists just happened. Both scenarios, God creating everything in 6 days and
Evolution taking billions of years - both are very hard to believe (for a
non-believer) but for those who profess the Name of Jesus, we believe in our
amazing Creator who continues to sustain the Universe by His word.
Note: This is my testimony, what I've come to believe with all my heart thru reading the Bible and studying. I don't claim to be a Bible scholar. I don't know Greek or Hebrew or Latin... But I know that when I open the Bible to hear from God, He uses this Booke bible to instruct me, to guide me, to remind me of how much I'm loved. Each time I study the Word, He gives me what I need for that day or moment. The Word of God is not just a book of History. It's living -
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
"Were you there, Job?"
Just about everyone is dealing with a burden or struggle. Sometimes, we don't understand why God allows bad things to happen to good people. For me, the hardest thing is to see a child who is dealing with a chronic illness or condition - living in pain without much hope of a normal life. I do not understand why God allows that to happen - ever! But... then I remember Job.
Job was blameless and upright. He respected God and shunned evil. He was blessed with a wonderful family and great material wealth. In fact, the Bible says he was the greatest man among the people of the East.
One day when the angels came to present themselves to the Lord, Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through all the earth - going back and forth in it." You see, Satan was out looking for opportunities to destroy anyone who honored the LORD.
1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
Satan hated that God honored Job. He hated that Job respected the LORD.
At one time, Satan was a beautiful and powerful angel who served Almighty God. But Satan didn't want to serve God. Satan thought he deserved to be God. And he was just arrogant and prideful enough to think he could be the ruler of the Universe. He couldn't stand it that Jehovah God was more powerful and more honored and respected. He wanted to push God off His throne. So, he challenged God. Was Job really that devoted?
"Sure, Job praises You. You've put a hedge around him protecting his family and all his property. Everything is going great for old Job, but if life wasn't so good for him, he wouldn't praise You anymore."
Well, God knew Job's heart. He knew that Job would always serve Him, no matter how much suffering he had to endure. In my mind, I imagine one of those contests where each team selects his best, strongest player to fight the opposing team's best player. In this competition, it's Job against Satan. Poor Job didn't have a clue.
I wonder if Job had known how very much God believed in him, would the suffering have been easier for him to endure?
I don't know.
For me, it's hard to read the book of Job. I can't imagine losing my children and then losing everything I own, and I don't have nearly the material wealth Job had. The physical deterioration of Job's body must have been unbearable. Job was so confused.
He had done everything right, hadn't he? He was a good man who feared the Lord. Why wasn't God coming to his rescue? Surely Job deserved better!
I hope you have time to read these chapters. If time is an issue, just scan chapter 38 and get a feel for what God is saying. In a nutshell, His message is, "I AM GOD and you are not!" But if at all possible, read the whole book of Job. Those last few chapters just put me on my knees.
I don't know of anyone who has suffered more than Job, yet in the end,
after questioning God, Job admits:
"Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know."
We can ask why bad things have to happen, but when we start accusing God of being unjust, we may be stepping over the line. God is good. He is patient. He is loving.
If He allows suffering, I have to believe there is purpose to that suffering. I may never know what it is, but I just keep trusting in the One who sent His own Son to die for me - to take my place. That's all I need to know. He loves me, so I will trust Him.
Maybe, just maybe, God allows the suffering in your live because He knows you'll look to Him to get through it. My dear friend, Cayce has had adversity her whole life. Not just one thing, but several difficult ongoing challenges. Once I asked how she handled the adversity, and she said she always thinks of Job. She imagines God telling satan, "Have you considered my servant Cayce, there is no one on earth like her; she is blameless and upright, a woman who fears God and shuns evil." Cayce considers it an honor that God has trusted her with the burdens she carries. God believes in Cayce, just like HE believed in Job.
Does HE believe in me?
http://youtu.be/fktj1yOQ2nQ - My Redeemer Lives - Nicole Nordeman
Job 38 and following...
1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures My plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer Me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt’?
12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,
and their upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I reserve for times of trouble,
for days of war and battle?
24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed,
or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,
and a path for the thunderstorm,
26 to water a land where no one lives,
an uninhabited desert,
27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland
and make it sprout with grass?
28 Does the rain have a father?
Who fathers the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb comes the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
30 when the waters become hard as stone,
when the surface of the deep is frozen?
31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades?
Can you loosen Orion’s belt?
32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons
or lead out the Bear with its cubs?
33 Do you know the laws of the heavens?
Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?
34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds
and cover yourself with a flood of water?
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?
Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who gives the ibis wisdom
or gives the rooster understanding?
37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?
Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens
38 when the dust becomes hard
and the clods of earth stick together?
39 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness
and satisfy the hunger of the lions
40 when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in a thicket?
41 Who provides food for the raven
when its young cry out to God
and wander about for lack of food?
Throughout chapters 39-41, the Lord continues to impress upon Job just who HE is. Job is completely humbled. Even a good, decent man like Job realizes that he is nothing when he stands before the Creator of the Universe. All his good deeds are like filthy rags - nothing he has done or will ever do will make him righteous before Almighty God. Isaiah 64:5 - "and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags"
I'm sure Job has his face to the ground as he answers God in chapter 42 verses 1-6:
2 “I know that You can do all things;
no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures My plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of You
but now my eyes have seen You.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job was a godly man. He thought he was doing everything right. His heart's desire was to honor God. All the good he did wasn't enough. Just like Job, our good deeds and intentions will never be enough to make us worthy to stand in the presence of Holy God. God knew that. He knew we were just dirt. He loved us still. Through His Son, He made a way for us to be righteous.
At the end of the book of Job, we are told that the LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. We may have to endure great suffering and pain in this life because this world is not our home. Satan is prowling around seeking to bring us down. But there is Hope for the Christian. The LORD will bless the latter part of our lives with unimaginable blessings for all Eternity.
I can't help but think of how often we cry out to God questioning His love because He doesn't answer our prayers they way we think He should. Sometimes it's as if we think He doesn't care or that He can't be bothered to help us when we are struggling with too heavy a burden. We forget what He did to proof His unmatchable love.
There's a passage in Hosea that breaks my heart. Jehovah God is reminding the children of Israel that it was He who taught them how to walk, taking them by the arms like a Father does with his precious child. This is the picture God wants us to see - He wants us to know how very much He loves us. And those burdens...He carries them with us. He never leaves us to face them alone. Oh Lord, forgive my unbelief!
Merciful Father, thank You for this image You've placed in my heart. The imagine of a loving and gentle Father who leads me with cords of kindness through anything that I may have to face. Thank You for loving me and for being so long suffering.
Holy Father, You are God Alone. There is no one like You. Thank You for Your great love and, oh, LORD, thank You for Your mercy when we question Your justice or goodness. Those times when I'm frustrated or scared because of struggles or sickness, and I wonder why? Holy GOD, Creator of the Universe, I put my hand over my mouth. I do not know what I'm talking about.You are Almighty God and my hope is in You.
I love You. I trust You. May Your will be done always - on earth as it is in Heaven. I pray this in the name of Your precious Son who died for me. Amen.
Just about everyone is dealing with a burden or struggle. Sometimes, we don't understand why God allows bad things to happen to good people. For me, the hardest thing is to see a child who is dealing with a chronic illness or condition - living in pain without much hope of a normal life. I do not understand why God allows that to happen - ever! But... then I remember Job.
Job was blameless and upright. He respected God and shunned evil. He was blessed with a wonderful family and great material wealth. In fact, the Bible says he was the greatest man among the people of the East.
One day when the angels came to present themselves to the Lord, Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through all the earth - going back and forth in it." You see, Satan was out looking for opportunities to destroy anyone who honored the LORD.
1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
Satan hated that God honored Job. He hated that Job respected the LORD.
At one time, Satan was a beautiful and powerful angel who served Almighty God. But Satan didn't want to serve God. Satan thought he deserved to be God. And he was just arrogant and prideful enough to think he could be the ruler of the Universe. He couldn't stand it that Jehovah God was more powerful and more honored and respected. He wanted to push God off His throne. So, he challenged God. Was Job really that devoted?
"Sure, Job praises You. You've put a hedge around him protecting his family and all his property. Everything is going great for old Job, but if life wasn't so good for him, he wouldn't praise You anymore."
Well, God knew Job's heart. He knew that Job would always serve Him, no matter how much suffering he had to endure. In my mind, I imagine one of those contests where each team selects his best, strongest player to fight the opposing team's best player. In this competition, it's Job against Satan. Poor Job didn't have a clue.
I wonder if Job had known how very much God believed in him, would the suffering have been easier for him to endure?
I don't know.
For me, it's hard to read the book of Job. I can't imagine losing my children and then losing everything I own, and I don't have nearly the material wealth Job had. The physical deterioration of Job's body must have been unbearable. Job was so confused.
He had done everything right, hadn't he? He was a good man who feared the Lord. Why wasn't God coming to his rescue? Surely Job deserved better!
I hope you have time to read these chapters. If time is an issue, just scan chapter 38 and get a feel for what God is saying. In a nutshell, His message is, "I AM GOD and you are not!" But if at all possible, read the whole book of Job. Those last few chapters just put me on my knees.
I don't know of anyone who has suffered more than Job, yet in the end,
after questioning God, Job admits:
"Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know."
We can ask why bad things have to happen, but when we start accusing God of being unjust, we may be stepping over the line. God is good. He is patient. He is loving.
If He allows suffering, I have to believe there is purpose to that suffering. I may never know what it is, but I just keep trusting in the One who sent His own Son to die for me - to take my place. That's all I need to know. He loves me, so I will trust Him.
Maybe, just maybe, God allows the suffering in your live because He knows you'll look to Him to get through it. My dear friend, Cayce has had adversity her whole life. Not just one thing, but several difficult ongoing challenges. Once I asked how she handled the adversity, and she said she always thinks of Job. She imagines God telling satan, "Have you considered my servant Cayce, there is no one on earth like her; she is blameless and upright, a woman who fears God and shuns evil." Cayce considers it an honor that God has trusted her with the burdens she carries. God believes in Cayce, just like HE believed in Job.
Does HE believe in me?
http://youtu.be/fktj1yOQ2nQ - My Redeemer Lives - Nicole Nordeman
Job 38 and following...
1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures My plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer Me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt’?
12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,
and their upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I reserve for times of trouble,
for days of war and battle?
24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed,
or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,
and a path for the thunderstorm,
26 to water a land where no one lives,
an uninhabited desert,
27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland
and make it sprout with grass?
28 Does the rain have a father?
Who fathers the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb comes the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
30 when the waters become hard as stone,
when the surface of the deep is frozen?
31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades?
Can you loosen Orion’s belt?
32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons
or lead out the Bear with its cubs?
33 Do you know the laws of the heavens?
Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?
34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds
and cover yourself with a flood of water?
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?
Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who gives the ibis wisdom
or gives the rooster understanding?
37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?
Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens
38 when the dust becomes hard
and the clods of earth stick together?
39 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness
and satisfy the hunger of the lions
40 when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in a thicket?
41 Who provides food for the raven
when its young cry out to God
and wander about for lack of food?
Throughout chapters 39-41, the Lord continues to impress upon Job just who HE is. Job is completely humbled. Even a good, decent man like Job realizes that he is nothing when he stands before the Creator of the Universe. All his good deeds are like filthy rags - nothing he has done or will ever do will make him righteous before Almighty God. Isaiah 64:5 - "and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags"
I'm sure Job has his face to the ground as he answers God in chapter 42 verses 1-6:
2 “I know that You can do all things;
no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures My plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of You
but now my eyes have seen You.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job was a godly man. He thought he was doing everything right. His heart's desire was to honor God. All the good he did wasn't enough. Just like Job, our good deeds and intentions will never be enough to make us worthy to stand in the presence of Holy God. God knew that. He knew we were just dirt. He loved us still. Through His Son, He made a way for us to be righteous.
At the end of the book of Job, we are told that the LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. We may have to endure great suffering and pain in this life because this world is not our home. Satan is prowling around seeking to bring us down. But there is Hope for the Christian. The LORD will bless the latter part of our lives with unimaginable blessings for all Eternity.
I can't help but think of how often we cry out to God questioning His love because He doesn't answer our prayers they way we think He should. Sometimes it's as if we think He doesn't care or that He can't be bothered to help us when we are struggling with too heavy a burden. We forget what He did to proof His unmatchable love.
There's a passage in Hosea that breaks my heart. Jehovah God is reminding the children of Israel that it was He who taught them how to walk, taking them by the arms like a Father does with his precious child. This is the picture God wants us to see - He wants us to know how very much He loves us. And those burdens...He carries them with us. He never leaves us to face them alone. Oh Lord, forgive my unbelief!
Hosea 11:3-5
New International Version (NIV)
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.
Merciful Father, thank You for this image You've placed in my heart. The imagine of a loving and gentle Father who leads me with cords of kindness through anything that I may have to face. Thank You for loving me and for being so long suffering.
Holy Father, You are God Alone. There is no one like You. Thank You for Your great love and, oh, LORD, thank You for Your mercy when we question Your justice or goodness. Those times when I'm frustrated or scared because of struggles or sickness, and I wonder why? Holy GOD, Creator of the Universe, I put my hand over my mouth. I do not know what I'm talking about.You are Almighty God and my hope is in You.
I love You. I trust You. May Your will be done always - on earth as it is in Heaven. I pray this in the name of Your precious Son who died for me. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)