Blessing of Brokenness

Intro:

A. W. Tozer writes “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.” The Root of the Righteous. Do you agree with this statement? Why does God often allow or cause hurts, frustrations, and failures in our lives? What is God’s purpose in the difficulties of our lives?

Blog with commentary:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/v3FJQwANdvb

Personal Note

If you have been reading my posts, you may be asking yourself why I focus on the darker themes of the Christian journey. Why numerous posts on being disappointed, broken, or dissatisfied with life/God? I write these articles to provide encouragement for those souls grappling with these issues. I am committed to being honest and transparent. Walking with Christ, seeking to honor and glorify Him is a serious, life changing commitment that requires sacrifice. The process of dying to self, facing our own sinful nature, and interacting with other fallen humans brings suffering and difficulty. Dying to self allows us to live for Christ!

The other choice is to remain static, unchanged, safe, and comfortable. If you truly know Jesus or have read any Gospel, then you will be aware that this isn’t the path to life with Christ! Comfortable, easy beliefs that don’t challenge you to become more like Christ is human centered religion that leads to separation and spiritual death. It’s bad to be stuck in a rut, what’s even worse is to know that you’re in a rut and to remain in the muck! Timothy Keller reminds us of the purpose of suffering:

Jesus Christ did not suffer so that you would not suffer. He suffered so that when you suffer, you’ll become more like him. The gospel does not promise you better life circumstances; it promises you a better life.

Timothy Keller

What is Brokenness in the spiritual sense?

5 Defining Points from Mark Maulding’s: Spiritual Brokenness Can Give You Freedom

All five points are quoted directly as written in his article below:

Spiritual Brokenness Can Give You Freedom

What Brokenness IS
  1. A growing awareness that no matter how hard I try, my ability to make my life work is getting worse instead of better.
  2. An orchestrated work of God who loves me too much to permit my fleshly coping mechanisms to keep working for me.
  3. The results of the Holy Spirit moving me to the other side of brokenness so that I am changed by Him, not by my efforts.
  4. A growing experience of the reality of my union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
  5. Not a one-time event. Though many people in our ministry can point to a time when the process of brokenness brought about a huge spiritual paradigm shift in them, they eventually realize that there are other “miniature versions” of brokenness as part of their ongoing conformity to the image of Christ. See Romans 8:28-29.”

“True brokenness from God will produce lasting transformation in us. This is a result of a type of death in which our reliance on our flesh is exchanged for reliance on Christ in us, not only as our Savior and Lord, but our Life. Colossians 4:4 says it this way, “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

Mark Maulding

Grounded in Truth

God grounds us in His reality and truth! This involves revealing to us our sinful and selfish nature. God has something bigger and greater for us than living life for ourselves and the world’s promise of ease, comfort, security, and prosperity. The world’s promise is a lie! The world leads to spiritual apathy, death, and ultimately eternal separation from God. All the things and pleasures of this world are temporary!

How does God save us from this “distraction” and death trap? By His grace and mercy, He redeems us. He rescues us from the present darkness and illusions of life apart from Him. One of His best tools is suffering, difficulties, and disillusionment! When life is easy and pleasant we forget just how much we need Him!

True eternal, abundant life comes through fellowship (relationship) with Christ. God’s truth sets us free! By accepting His grace and mercy we are free from trying to “save” ourselves or earn His merit. Accepting Christ means that we turn away from the world’s darkness to walk in Christ’s light. Suffering and brokenness (realizing we can’t fix or improve ourselves) draws us away from ourselves and this world to “refocus” on Christ.

Dangers of Self-Pity

Self-pity is a slow death. The first stage of self-pity is self-awareness. Self-awareness in this context means to focus on self instead of God.

God does something much greater than sympathize with our self-pity. He kills it! He redeems it, moves us forward and deeper in our love, dependence, and worship of Himself! Self-pity focuses on self and our personal interests and what others have done against us. God’s grace and presence draws us to focus on His Glory, Holiness, Righteousness!

Brokenness is an gift when it leads us closer to our Savior and Lord and away from ourselves! God isn’t done with you. He restores the broken and molds the broken heart to be more like Him! We become more gentle, kind, compassionate, and loving with others when we experience brokenness. Brokenness breaks us from our self-pity and selfishness if we invite God to transform us through our hurts.

God’s Grip of Grace

God beckons that we come to Him “Just as I Am”. Take a moment to consider the lyrics and truths of this great hymn. Come to Him and welcome His pardon and cleansing!

God mercifully breaks us from our independence from Him

Are we following and loyal to Christ or our own ideas about Him? Any independence or self-reliance will come to light in our difficult moments. In whom are we entrusting ourselves? Are we living according to our own wisdom? Are we living for ourselves or our own ideas of what life should be about?

God’s presence liberates us from ourselves by uniting us with Christ. This is the role of God’s Holy Spirit. He convicts, teaches, and empowers us!

God brings us into “supernatural identification” with Christ. Peter is an example of this process. While Jesus was on earth, Peter loved Him impulsively. Peter mostly depended on his own wisdom, courage, and power. Yet, after Peter’s betrayal and Jesus’ restoration; Peter is forever changed. Consider the Peter we read about in Acts. He fearlessly proclaims Jesus even when threatened! Peter follows Christ to die by crucifixion. The man who once denied, ran, and hid faithfully followed Christ to his death.

Religion and human-centered religion leads us to self-dependence, human reason, and independence from God. We (in our human nature) eagerly desire to avoid suffering, loss, and difficulties. We foolishly seek comfort, ease, and our own desires. Surrender is God’s Way.

Paul, a bond servant of Christ

What is a bond servant? This term actually means a slave, someone who is devoted to being a servant. For more on what this means in context of the Old and New Testaments:

https://www.gotquestions.org/bondservant.html

The truth is that we are either servants to our own fallen natures or Christ! Pick whom you will serve. You can live life for yourself, others, or you can die to all these things and live for Christ!

May God speak truth and hope into your life as you daily seek Him! Forsaking the ways of this present darkness to walk in God’s Light of Truth! For His glory and your encouragement, I write these words:

Faith: Tested and True!

Podcast Available with read aloud and commentary:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/YhBwS9D1fvb

Substantial, transforming faith comes through God working in our lives. This journey begins when Holy Spirit convicts us of our need for God’s salvation. Let’s refer to this as “the way of salvation.” God’s redemption is the first stage of our journey of faith. Numerous scripture passages are included in the following link:

https://www.gotquestions.org/way-of-salvation.html

As God daily renews us and guides us in His ways, we become more like His Son Christ. This isn’t quick, easy, nor a painless process. Daily, we die to our ourselves! This means that we willingly submit to Christ instead of demanding our own human, sinful way. Every follower of Christ daily makes this choice.

Problem with Common Sense and Life of Faith

Faith transcends common sense and reason. Abraham is a good example. Common sense and reason would have kept him comfortable in his home town. Yet, God calls Him on a journey to what would later become the Promised Land. God does the impossible! Old women don’t typically have sons. But, God does the impossible when Isaac is conceived and delivered. Depending on reason or common sense directs a person away from trusting, obeying, and depending on God–especially when God calls one to step out in faith. Abraham’s reason/common sense led him to lie to Pharaoh and impregnate Hagar. His attempts to bring about God’s Promise fell short. Likewise, we can’t bring about God’s Promises through our own efforts.

Walking with God in faith brings reason and common sense into the proper relationship with faith. This simply means that having faith in God leads the pilgrim to consider God’s ability and desire to bring about His plan even when it goes against common sense/reason. Faith opens a heart up to consider things that exceed what one can imagine or explain using human reason! Faith then leads the pilgrim to respond to God’s leading with obedience and trust even when it doesn’t make sense or seem possible!

Remember when Peter steps out of the boat and walks toward Jesus. His common sense and reason would have kept him in the boat! People can’t walk on water. Faith requires something more than common sense and reason.

Faith Requires God’s Revelation

God’s Word is His Revelation. From the first pages of Genesis to the last ones of Revelation, God reveals Himself in creation, through His establishment of His people, coming and ministry of Christ, to the glorious return promised wherein He makes all things right and new. God reveals Himself and that’s the only way that we can rightly “know” and “experience” Him! Man made religions and all false beliefs all start with humanity’s attempt to connect, manipulate, or move God to do or be something contrary to His revealed nature.

Why does faith have to be tested and proven to be true? Why doesn’t God eliminate all doubts, heal every sick person, conqueror death now, and restore our broken dreams? God is glorified when we trust and worship Him during our darkest moments. Faith is just a concept or good thought until we face trials, set backs, and difficulties!

God’s Wonderful Promise from Peter 1:1-11

We know that God has us when all else fails in our lives and we have nowhere else to turn but to Him! Our faith perseveres because He supplies all we need to endure and press ahead! Consider 2 Peter 1:1-11:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A1-11&version=NKJV

for more on this truth

https://www.gotquestions.org/keep-the-faith.html

When reading any epistle (letter from church leader) to the early Christians, we need to remember the faith journeys of the author (if known), consider how he walked with Christ, and what he is trying to communicate to the original readers. The Four Gospels and the book of Acts give us the background information and character sketches of the authors of the Epistles: John, Peter, Paul, and James. We don’t know for certain who wrote Hebrews as the letter doesn’t mention author by name.

Recall that Peter failed as a disciple. He promised to stand by his Savior during the time after the Last Supper. He tried to defend Jesus when the temple guards and servants arrested Christ. Yet, before the roster crows, Peter publicly denies Christ three times. He then flees and hides while Christ is crucified. Peter had good intentions, he was courageous and bold speaking his mind and walking with Christ. He loved Jesus and wanted to serve Him faithfully. The problem wasn’t the intent, but the lack of prayer (he was asleep in the garden from sorrow instead of praying with Christ) and his faltering human nature.

Peter is one of my favorite people of the Bible. Like King David, Peter is a man who loves God and seeks to faithfully serve Him as best he can only to realize that his best isn’t good enough! God uses Peter’s story to encourage us! God isn’t done with us when we fail or turn away. Remember that God forgives David after his sin with Bathsheba and Jesus seeks out Peter and gently restores Him! God isn’t done with us!

Like Peter we often have good intentions and desires to serve God. Where we go astray is that like Peter, we try to serve God on our terms and in our own feeble understanding and strength!

personal quote

Faith Puts Christ First!

God ordains the circumstances and events of our life to make our faith real! Knowing Christ is crucial! Jesus is a real person not just an idea or spirit that we imagine!

During our journey as believers, we will fight against our sinful nature, this fallen world, experience loss, grief, as well as moments of joy and peace! The nature of faith makes Christ real to us! As Christ and God become real to us, so our lives and journeys of faith will make God evident to others around us!

There is great power in faith! Just read Hebrews 11 for examples of how that God moves in mighty ways through His people! Real faith is limitless! Consider this truth when you face “impossible” situations or difficult people.

A Practical Definition of Faith

Faith means that we are in the right relationship with God! This comes about through the process of sanctification: God’s process to get us into the right relationship with Himself. Each member of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has a role in this process. For more information on the concept of sanctification read:

https://www.gotquestions.org/sanctification.html

May God encourage and strengthen your faith as you daily seek Him! For His glory, honor, and your encouragement, I write these words:

The New Creature

Key Passage/Intro

Podcast with read aloud and commentary is available!

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/TFWWhuU3fvb

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. —2 Corinthians 5:17

God brings about a wonderful miracle when He redeems us! Our old, sinful nature dies. What does God want from us?

What God desires from us

We must surrender to God. If He is our Savior then He is our Lord as well. Surrendering to Him is how the relationship starts! Trusting and depending upon His grace to redeem us is the first part of the our new birth. Then as Holy Spirit comes into our life, He begins His work.

As God reconciles us to Himself, we become ambassadors for Him. We are to share His Good News with others. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)

Questions to consider

Are you walking with God in faith? How does your life reflect Christ’s presence? God lays out His expectations and definition of love for others in the above passage. 1 John compliments this command/way of life. We can’t love God and hate others. We can’t walk in the darkness and claim to follow Christ. The reason that we struggle with loving others as Christ commands and empowers is that our old, sinful nature opposes us. Paul writes about his own struggles in Romans 7. Got questions provides multiple scriptural references:

https://www.gotquestions.org/struggling-with-sin.html

The Answer

The answer is that we allow Christ to redeem the old life. Reading God’s Word, being sensitive and obedient to Holy Spirit’s leading/conviction prompts us to put off the old way/life. James commands us to:

7Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:7-8 New American Standard

Desiring God above all set us free from the “lesser” and corrupt desires of our fallen world and sinful natures. Even though we’re redeemed, we still have a sinful nature that lives within us. This nature will be present in us until Christ Returns or we join Him in eternity. Resist the Devil and he will flee. Resisting temptation and choosing to honor God sends the great accuser away.

Cleansing hands was a ritual that faithful Jews did prior to eating any meal. The idea is that we need Christ to cleanse us daily. Our hearts become tainted by sinful desires and need to be “purified.” The Jewish people had rituals of purification prior to worship at the Temple. James is making reference to what his readers would understand: that cleansing and purification are needed. For more on this:

https://www.gotquestions.org/cleanse-your-hands-you-sinners.html

Double minded refers to a person who tries to please God and the world at the same time. Like a squirrel running back and forth across the road, such people are always seeking safety and comfort. The problem is that eventually the squirrel runs the wrong direction and gets hit. We must run toward God and away from the pleasures and corruption of this present world.

Have you ever considered why that God doesn’t just take this sinful nature away immediately at conversion and regeneration? In some mysterious way beyond my ability to comprehend and explain, God finds glory and pleasure in our journey to be more like Him. Just as a body builder uses weights to sculpt his/her body, so our struggles with sin and failures grow our love, devotion, and daily dependence on Christ.

Do we desire the blessing more than the Giver of All Good Things?

As we daily walk with Christ along the journey of life, we will grow and mature. Early in our journey, God will often bless us with an awareness of His presence, answered prayers, and times of joy and delight. However, God also seems to withdraw from us to purify our desires and draw us closer to Him. I address this in my posts concerning the silence of God and the difficulties of not understanding.

The Blessing of Emptiness

Resting in God: When God Seems Silent

Resting in God: The Dark Nights: The Problem of the Whys

Do you see God at work?

Faith enables us to endure and press ahead in our journey with God. This world and the wickedness of our present age seek to paralyze us with worry and doubt. Our past failures and present wounds weigh our souls. But, we can rest in Christ knowing that He will redeem all things–our mistakes, failures, sins, and even the evil things done against us and what we have done against others! The real beauty of Christ is that He has a way of making even the worst things work according to His plan (Romans 8). Please understand that this doesn’t mean that we won’t feel hurt, pain, and disappointment when such things come upon us. All things shall be made right in God’s Perfect and Just Time!

May God enlighten your heart to perceive His movements of grace in your life and guide you as walk with Him daily! For His glory and honor, I write.

Betrayal and Disappointment -Others

Intro

The journey of faith will bring you through some difficult “valleys.” Feeling betrayed and disappointed in others is one of the more painful seasons. To love or be concerned for others is to be vulnerable. As we open our hearts to share with others we “lower our guard” and the other person(s) may or may not respond in kind. Join me as I share insights from Dan B. Allender’s The Healing Path: How the Hurts in your Past Can Lead You to A More Abundant Life. Quotes are shared for the purpose of discussion, commentary, and spiritual encouragement. I strongly encourage all readers of this post to purchase Dr. Allender’s book title as listed above as it will be a valuable resource on your path to healing.

Podcast reading of this page

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/YTVY1zv6fvb

The Command and Resulting Trials

One of the defining traits of the Christ follower is love for others! Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Basically, Jesus is telling us to show the same care for others that we show for ourselves. Loving others means serving, giving, and having empathy, kindness, and compassion even when the other person(s) isn’t capable/willing of returning. The early Christians were known for their radical love and devotion to Christ. Remember that to follow Christ means that we become like Him! Consider Philippians 2! God’s love and divine justice required Him to severely punish His Only Son! The example of love and justice is the cross.

I believe that love and grace go together. When we realize the depth of God’s love, mercy, and grace to us, then we eagerly desire to love and forgive others as an “outflow” of what God is doing in our lives. However, when others neglect, abuse, or fail to return our grace/love then we find ourselves in a trial!

Do we react with anger? Is all anger bad? Righteous anger is part of God’s Nature. God hates sin and evil, in fact He hates it so much He created hell to separate it from Himself. God’s Wrath came upon Jesus so that we might be saved from what we deserve: eternal separation from God. Paul reminds us that by nature we are objects of God’s Wrath.

So my question for you is your anger righteous or unrighteous? Righteous anger seeks to restore and reconcile what is broken. Unrighteous anger seeks to totally destroy and cut off. Daily, I remind myself that God is the only Righteous Judge and Avenger. Paul teaches in Romans that we are to avoid revenge and striking back at others even when they wrong us. You would probably agree that this is easier written and read than lived out in daily life.

How we go astray

“All human relationships, even our most intimate alliances, are temporary and incomplete. When we demand that another person provide safety, certainty, and fulfillment of our deepest desires, we turn from God to an idol for the fulfillment of our needs.”

Dan Allender, The Healing Path pg. 53

Looking to others, career, education, etc. for fulfillment is a trespass against God. As fallen humans living in a material world, we are attracted to what we can immediately see and touch/experience. We turn people ( or careers/other things) into idols. We thus set them in a position whereupon failure is the outcome. Only God can fully satisfy our deepest desires and that will only come when we enter into eternity. Why doesn’t God immediately satisfy the thirst that He has created within us? Perhaps because that’s how He draws us even closer. God made us for Himself! God made us to live for His Glory and in His Presence.

Do we love others because we deeply desire that they will love us in return? Why do we do what we do? Do we act and do well hoping for some reward or to get something back, or do we do good because it pleases our Heavenly Father? What is our motive(s) for what we do?

“When we turn from God, we inevitably demand of others the very things we miss in our relationship with God. If we don’t know his deep care and protection, then we will insist another human being provide what we lack.”

Dan Allender, The Healing Path pg 53

Drawing close and depending upon God is the our only source for True, Abundant Life. John chapter 10 teaches this wonderful truth. For more on abundant life see below:

https://www.gotquestions.org/abundant-life.html

When I find myself becoming disappointed with people or life, God leads me to the following questions:

  1. What am I seeking first? Am I placing anyone or anything ahead of seeking His Kingdom and righteousness first?
  2. Where am I seeking joy, peace, and comfort? Am I looking to my job, finances, health, or relationships to find peace and contentment? If so then I am seeking an idol instead of my Creator and Savior.
  3. Why is my heart discontented? Pray through Psalm 103.
  4. Am I depending on anyone or anything for purpose, meaning, etc.?

The Remedy

First, we need to recognize the source of our disappointment with others/life. The experience of discouragement/disappointment is a warning that something is not right. Just as physical pain warns us of injury likewise emotional upset and suffering. We need to look deeper into our souls–guided by God’s Word and Holy Spirit. Ask God for discernment and wisdom. God reveals areas of idolatry in our lives. God calls us all to repent. Repentance is a process that is ongoing. Simply explained: we are to seek God’s Truth and respond to Holy Spirit’s prompting. When we realize we are walking/living apart from God then we must immediately stop and turn back!

Second, we must look to Christ for joy, hope, and peace in the difficult seasons. Remember that God disciplines and refines those He Redeems and Loves! Ultimately, our disappointments with others in life should cause us to desire for God’s Second Coming and Eternity with Him where there is no sin in our lives or others! Having been hurt by others should make us more kind, understanding, and gentle in our dealings with others.

Remember the example of our Gentle Savior! He was betrayed by his disciples, murdered by His own people, mocked, and tortured to death. If we want to be like Him, then we expect to be mistreated as He endured. God’s love, justice, and righteousness demanded a Perfect Sacrifice. Jesus was truly innocent and the Only Perfect Person, who left the glories of heaven to die for us!

Third, the world and joy with temporal things are false friends. Things and people will only fail us, because only God is Complete and Perfect. Even the best friend/loving parent/partner will disappoint us. We are all fallen. We get hurt and we hurt others. Thankfully, God redeemed our failures on the cross. By His wounds, we are healed! So we should be in the business of working to heal others’ wounds!

Writing this article has been a painful process for me. Writing from the heart isn’t easy, especially when one is deeply disappointed in various aspects of one’s life. Yet, the disappointment is a mercy “gift” from God in that it encourages me to trust Him more and daily seek His grace for myself and others. Anything or anyone who leads us to depend and thirst for God is a blessing. I write this article to encourage you, not to complain about how others have treated me. Nor am I criticizing or accusing any person or group of individuals.

We have a choice in life. We can be numb and uncaring or risk the sorrows of caring for others. May God give us grace, courage, discernment, and hope as we seek to love others and lead them to our Savior! We shall long for the brighter, fair shores of God’s Country wherein all sorrows and pains shall cease. All things will be made anew, all hurts and troubles redeemed!

God’s Silence: His Answers

Intro:

Podcast commentary:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/hj3VrMtfhvb

Join me as I consider how that God’s silence is part of His answer. We will discuss quotes from chapter 19 “Do You Believe This? Martha and Death” of Jon Bloom’s Not By Sight: Quotes are used for the purpose of commentary/discussion, teaching, and spiritual encouragement. I recommend that you purchase a copy of Jon’s book available at the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/Not-Sight-Fresh-Stories-Walking/dp/1433535939

As we walk with God on our journeys of faith, we will experience times in which God is silent. This is a “hard thing” especially when you’re in the midst of a trial or personal difficulty, but God has a purpose for the silence! God also has purpose/meaning for our disappointments and suffering.

Truth 1: God silence reveals His Trust in you and a greater purpose!

Do you cry out to God seeking answers and guidance for your life? Why doesn’t God just answer us? Maybe it’s because He loves us enough to reveal something far greater than a simple answer. In John chapter 11, Jesus is aware that his friend is ill, yet waits to send word or heal him. Why did Jesus delay when He could have healed Lazarus from a distance as He had healed others?

Jesus has a greater revelation to reveal to Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and His disciples! Jesus wants them to know that He is the Life and the Resurrection (John 11:25). He is our Source of Life and Life Eternal. What if God is moving in your life–directing you through a period of silence and no immediate relief or answer? God’s silence is an indication that He trusts you!

Remember that God is All Powerful (Omnipotent) and All Knowing. Sovereign means that God is the Almighty King and Ruler of All. He does as He decrees. We can rest knowing that God will accomplish His plans, purpose(s), and intention even when we are experiencing His silence. God’s purposes/plan flow forth from Him as water flows through a river. The best for us is to be aligned and riding the river of God’s ways.

God’s timing is absolutely perfect. He will accomplish His plans! Nor does God expect us to completely understand His timing. This is part of trusting and walking in faith. Abraham faced long periods of waiting for Isaac–nearly 25 years! Yet, Abraham proved faithful because even with his failures (lies, Hagar’s son Ishmael, etc.), He trusted and believed God. David waited years to become king, but all this happened according to God’s Good and Perfect timing! Jesus, our Savior, came into human history (Incarnation) at just the right moment too!

Truth 2: God’s silence means that He has heard your prayers!

This doesn’t seem to make sense, but I want you to carefully consider this truth. When we pray for ourselves and others, we are depending on God to act. Proper prayer is asking God to do what we or others can’t do for ourselves! This requires honesty, humility, and courage to depend on Him instead of ourselves.

Truth 3: Jesus delays because He perfectly loves us and glorifies God

Please take a moment to consider the situation of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Jesus deeply loved them, yet He delays. Why? Consider these words from Jon Bloom pg 123

“We know how the story ends. But in the horrible days of Lazarus’s agonizing illness and in the dark misery of the days following his death, Martha did not know God was doing. He seemed silent and unresponsive. Jesus didn’t come. It’s likely she knew word had reached him. She was confused, disappointed, and overwhelmed with grief.”

Have you ever longed for God to speak or move in your life, but nothing happens? Ever struggled and no answer seemed to come from on high? Why does God not speak? Do you know what God is doing? Does He explain His purposes for things that happen?

Jon explains why:

“And yet, Jesus delayed precisely because he loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus. He knew that Lazarus’s death and resurrection would give maximum glory to God, and that his friends would all experience maximum joy in that glory. It would make all their suffering seem light and momentary.”

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit don’t immediately act because something else is coming! It’s His love that keeps Him from immediately making our problems go away. While this seems harsh, it’s not when our problems are what draws us closer to Him! God’s love is perfect and does what is the best for us! The best for us is to draw closer to Him daily and seek Him even in our times of great disappointment and sorrow!

Truth 4: God has a purpose for our disappointments and suffering

Jon explains God’s profound love for us:

“God only ordains our deep disappointments and profound suffering for the sake of far greater joy in the glory he will reveal to us (Romans 8:18). It is crucial to remind one another of this. Before we know what Jesus is doing, circumstances can look all wrong. And we are tempted to interpret God’s apparent inaction as unloving, when in fact God is loving us in the most profound way he possibly can.”

This last quote should cause us to look upward and praise God that He Perfectly loves us! He loves us not as we desire, but in a manner far better than our frail human minds and weak souls can comprehend! Now is a good time to read and meditate on Romans 8.

May God encourage you on your journey of faith! I write these words for His glory and honor,

Hard Things : Coming Back Prodigal

Intro:

Podcast

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/VpoAo86ghvb

We all have times in our lives when we walk away from God. This article is for those who because of disappointment(s), past hurts, and failures have “walked” away from God or are ready to give up on faith. Maybe you’re hurting in ways that no one else even notices. Maybe you’ve tried everything you know, but things are still not going well. I write this article to those who are desperately clinging onto a desire to love God again. Please share this article with any of your loved ones who are struggling.

God Loves Us Perfectly Because He Is Perfect Love

We all have sins and struggles. Some pain and hurts are more obvious than others. We live in a fallen world where others use and abuse us as we follow God and serve Him. The Bible in Old and New Testaments gives numerous accounts of those who walked in God’s Ways and were mocked, isolated, and even killed. To be a Christian is to become like Christ and not like the “world.” Because we are different and on a journey to be more like Christ and to live for His glory and honor; others will misunderstood and despise us.

When we feel overwhelmed and tempted to despair, we need to remember one thing: that God loves us more than we will ever be able to understand. God’s love is perfect and redeeming. God doesn’t love us because of who we are or anything we do. He loves us because He is Perfect Love! He is for us and working for our good (Romans 8). Nothing can separate us from His love–including our own failings and insecurities!

There are times in our lives when we just want to walk away from God and do things our own way. Maybe you’re angry or disappointed with God and how things have “worked” out in your life. Perhaps your job and relationships aren’t going well and you’re struggling just to make it through yet another day.

Dear brother or sister, find your rest in Christ. When the way seems dark and path hard, come to Jesus. Tell Him about your struggles, hurts, fears, and difficulties. Place yourself in His Presence and seek guidance from His Living Word. When in the darkest times, seek out the Book of Psalms and find an appropriate Psalm to pray through. God promises us that we will never walk alone when we place our trust in Him!

It’s Not Too Late to Turn Back to Christ

If you’re walking away, it’s not too late to turn back. The Father in the Prodigal Son parable stood watching from a distance waiting for his lost son to return. God is gracious, compassionate, and kind. As long as we still draw breath, it’s not too late to repent and come back. God will welcome you back with open arms just as the Father greets his returning son.

My heart grieves for the souls that I know who are hurting, disappointed, and angry with God. I’ve been in this place too. Our fallen nature guides us to take matters into our own hands and to depend upon on ourselves. The problem is that we aren’t god; nor can we find meaning and purpose in and of ourselves! Our wisdom and knowledge isn’t enough to guide us.

The deeper the hurt the more we want to isolate ourselves and retreat into the dark night. But praise be to God the Father of Truth and Light. In God and Christ there is no darkness, no need to hide or flee from His presence. His Truth frees and redeems us. The Hope of the Gospel: The Good News is that we don’t have to be worthy or good enough for His love. His Grace is Sufficient for all our needs!

If you’re walking away from God, He is eagerly awaiting your return. He loves you with a deep, rich, and endless love that makes the struggle worth it. God isn’t done with you! He never forsakes His people. May God’s love and grace surround you and draw you back to Him!

Come all who Thirst

Intro:

Podcast:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/EKo0gsWdjvb

Do you find yourself feeling unsatisfied with your life? Is your life and presence nourishing to others or are you simply draining others? What is your source of refreshment and renewal? When you face the withering, heat of discontentment and pressures of daily living, how can you find satisfaction and contentment?

All Scripture is quoted under free license from Berean Standard Bible

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

https://berean.bible/

The Woman at the Well–John Chapter 4: God’s Grace Reaches Out

As Jesus is traveling through Samaria, He comes across a woman at a well. Jesus is hot and thirsty and He asks for a drink. This is His merciful way of engaging the woman. The woman is at the well during the hottest time of the day probably to avoid the morning crowd of women. This lady is broken and lost in a life of failed relationships. She has had multiple husbands and currently living with a man who isn’t her husband. How does Jesus engage her?

Notice that Jesus doesn’t start with a lecture about marriage purity or about the evils of divorce. He asks probing questions to draw her into the right understanding of who He really is: Her Gentle Savior and Messiah. First, Jesus simply asks her for a drink. She shoots back “why are you a Jew asking a Samaritan for a drink?” Jesus then tells her that she should be asking Him for His living water. She wants this water so that she won’t have to come back to the well. Jesus replies:

13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

Jesus promises to give her much more than just a magical drink that forever ends physical thirst. Jesus offers water that springs up into eternity. Later the conversation turns to the topic of worship, wherein Jesus reveals Himself as the Messiah.

25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”

26Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.”

A Sinner’s testimony: God Transforms!

28Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus.

39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days.

41And many more believed because of His message. 42They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world.”

The woman left her water jar! Telling others was more important to her than the water she had come to get. When a person truly encounters Christ, there is a desire to share Christ with others! What thing(s) do we need to leave behind in order to tell the Good News? Many will come to believe in Christ through the testimony of an outcast.

Applications

A. We are all broken and in bondage to sin. When Jesus comes to you to offer the Living Water will you accept it? Or will you make excuses and delay accepting the Truth that will set you free to fully love and live for Christ?

B. Jesus is a Gentle Savior who meets us where we are! We are lost in sin, but God demonstrates His love for us in that while were powerless He died for us! You don’t have to get your life right to come to Christ! He meets you in your desperation, lonely moments and offers grace and life. Will you turn to Him or remain lost and astray?

C. Whom do you need to share Christ with? The best witness is honest testimony on how God redeemed you. Every believer has been transformed by grace! If all you talk about is God’s grace than you have said enough!

For more about the river of life

https://www.gotquestions.org/river-of-life.html

Jesus Cries Out John 7:38

37On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’ ” 39He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Jesus is teaching about Himself during the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. The religious leaders and people are arguing about His true identity. Jesus cries out for the people to come to Him. The feast of booths was a remembrance of how God sustained the people during the journey to the Promised Land. For information:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Feast-of-Tabernacles.html

Recall that God provides water for His people in the desert by instructing Moses to strike a rock (Exodus 17). The rock then produces a stream that provides for the people and animals. There is also a connection to a great revival happening in Ezra’s time when they celebrate the Feast of Booths and the people repent then faithfully follow God. Jesus is talking about accepting Him as Messiah and Holy Spirit coming. Just as the water sustains life, Jesus came to give Eternal Life!

Applications:

A. Is Jesus your Messiah and Savior or are you counting on religion or good deeds to save your soul?

B. Where Jesus lives there is Eternal Life! If you’re a child of His then your life will flow forth grace, truth, and the fruits of Holy Spirit. Trees are known by their fruits. What are your fruits? What is flowing forth from your life and witness?

Revelation 22:1-6 God Is A River of Life!

The River of Life

1Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be within the city, and His servants will worship Him. 4They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

As John concludes Revelation, he describes a beautiful scene. As the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to a restored, renewed Earth in Chapter 21, John mentions a “river of life.” The imagery of a river in the city represents more than just a source of water. Imagine life before indoor plumbing and pressurized water. Water is vital to life. Early cities had to be close to abundant source(s) of clean, fresh water for cooking, drinking, and even cleaning.

The river is a symbol of God’s sustaining presence and nourishment in the lives of God’s people.

6Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”

7“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.” and later

12“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Not only is God sustaining us with His Holy Spirit, but He is preparing to return to set all things right! Material wealth, careers, relationships, and other “good things” of life can’t truly satisfy the human heart. God made us for Himself to enjoy and find rest in Him! Jesus beckons the weary and brokenhearted to find rest and peace in Him! May these truths encourage and refresh you as you daily walk with Him! For His glory and your encouragement, I write these words.

What Really Matters

Intro:

What is the most important thing about your life and purpose? Is it your relationships, job, health, or sense of self-fulfillment? What really matters? Why are we easily distracted by seeking to fulfill ourselves? Join me as I explain why that finding your purpose and calling is what really matters.

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Read Aloud Podcast:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rNvSKcdDmvb

God’s Call to Become Like Christ

True, abundant life is only found in Christ Jesus. All things and people in our lives will pass away. Our loved ones will die and leave us behind. Even the most durable objects break and age. Our health fades as we age. Inflation and stock market plunges deplete our savings/investments. We will experience joy, love, and hope in our lives as well as grief, sorrow, and troubles. What matters the most–is it my own happiness and satisfaction? What is the purpose of it all? One of the harder things in life is dying to self and seeking to bless others instead of seeking my own desires.

Our purpose is found in God’s call to repent and believe upon the name of Christ Jesus. God calls lost humans to believe and trust upon Him. What matters is that God saves us and makes us new in Him. God freely offers grace and mercy to all who would call on Him to be saved! The purpose of life is to receive God’s grace and share this wonderful Good News with those around us!

Our fallen world tempts us to seek out our own personal comfort, wealth, and happiness. We want above all else to be comfortable and untroubled especially by or with others around us. Society is full of self-improvement gurus and religions to make us “better people.” There are many books available on self-development and personal improvement.

Our enemy the Deceiver seeks to lure us into a trap of bettering ourselves through education, career changes, new relationships, ideas, etc. None of these things are bad in their nature, but they can become idols and distractions when we seek to obtain them more than we love God and our neighbors. The human heart is easily deceived and led astray by contemporary thinking.

Salvation leads to transformation!

God saves us to transform us! No one who encounters God is ever left the same. This is the testimony of scripture! God changes and renews human hearts. Then He works to redeem others through the renewed hearts. He takes a young shepherd boy named David and makes him into a mighty king of Israel that set the standard for every king that followed for generations. God transforms a vicious persecutor, Paul, into an apostle who wrote most of the New Testament Epistles (letters). David, Paul, and many others serve as examples for individuals whom God radically changes and uses for His glory and advancing His Kingdom.

The Gospel accounts explain how Jesus called ordinary fishermen and tax collectors to be His disciples. These men bravely faced death and gave their lives to proclaim His Good News. The Good News of Christ was better than life! Thus they died as martyrs instead of denying Christ.

What really matters in life is what God “pours through us”. As believers, God has entrusted various resources and spiritual gifts to our care. What we do with all that God gives us matters!

Grape juice and wine requires that the grapes be squeezed or crushed. There is a process and our lives can make us sweet or bitter depending on how we react.

God Pours Through Us to Refresh Others

God uses broken pots to water the surrounding soil. What the world considers to be successful and what God considers to be successful are different. How do you define success? How will you know that you are being successful? What if God calls you to a long, difficult road wherein little or no success ever comes?

Remember Mary of Bethany who anoints Jesus with the costly perfume. The Disciples considered her act to be wasteful, but in God’s view she did a great thing. She uses a very costly perfume (cost a year’s wages) to anoint Jesus prior to His death. She does this as an act of love. She willingly giving to Jesus. Her love for Jesus moved her to act. May God give us such a love for His Son!

https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-anointed.html

Living for Christ: Not Living for Self

We, as modern Americans, tend to seek self-fulfillment. This is a trap of the enemy when we seek this more than God’s Kingdom and Righteousness. Careers, wealth, health, relationships are blessings that God graciously gives to us. Yet, none of the things can fulfill us or even deeply satisfy our longings.

Consider the narrative of David pouring out the water that his men had brought to him in 2 Samuel 23:15-17. Why did David pour out this water before God (gave water as a sacrifice to God) instead of drinking it? David honored God as his men had risked their lives on a dangerous mission to get him water from Bethlehem: BSB, emphasis mine

“15David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD, 17saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it.”

David thus gives us an example of how to react when God gives us something that we shouldn’t keep for ourselves. He poured it as a sacrifice to God!

When Blessings turn bitter

We become hoarders instead of a source of blessings for others. Like a grumpy old dragon we rest ourselves upon the pile of accumulated things daring anyone to come near and steal them from us. It’s interesting to note that dragons usually hide their riches in lonely, dark caves far away from others. A boy named Eustace (Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) turns into the dragon when he stumbles upon a dead dragon on a pile of treasure and harbors “greedy, dragonish thoughts” in his heart. It takes Aslan’s intervention and painful claws to get Eustace back into a child again.

Old Smaug (The Hobbit) had nested on his treasure pile for so long that his chest was covered with diamonds and jewels. He was a source of terror and destruction to all. He laid “waste” to many areas as he raided villages and collected his plunder. Smaug represents greed, lust, and how such things lead to desolation and destruction.

Blessings turn sour and bitter when he hang onto them for ourselves! We become like the Dead Sea where the Jordan River flows in, but no water flows out. The water becomes “salty” and unfit for drinking. Water becomes stagnant and polluted when it gathers and doesn’t flow!

The Solution–Pour Out the Blessings Before God, Worship and Invest in Others!

When God graciously brings something into your life, what you do with it matters! Pour out your life in worship and service to God! Invest in others, showing grace, mercy, compassion, and kindness. Who can you be a blessing to in your life?

May God overflow your life and guide you as He flows through you into the lives of others! The most important thing in life is how that God blesses others through our lives! As God flows through your life, may you experience experience a deep joy and sense of peace that will transcend all things and enrich those around you!

Hard Things 3: Weariness and Inner Turmoil

Intro:

Podcast:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/zw1t961Gmvb

There is a season that comes upon every believer when our strength and hope seems to fail us. Are you walking through a difficult time in your journey? Spiritual weariness and turmoil come upon us as we face the trials, tribulations, and daily demands of life. The main purpose of this post is to encourage you as you face these dry and trying seasons of life.

The Common Causes of Weariness

Cause 1: Busy Society and Work Demands

A simple explanation for our weariness comes from the numerous demands of modern life. Our many “time-saving” technological wonders often keep us connected to our jobs, family, and “social media.” We can at any moment see how “perfect” others’ lives seem to be on Facebook, Instagram, etc. Others seem to have the perfect house, job, career, fitness, family, or ministry, and etc. We get jealous and envious and forget God’s blessings as we see how much better someone else seems to be or have.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the constant barrage of ads, email messages, work demands, social issues, and bad news? This is the weapon of the enemy. He works to wear us down and distract us from seeking God’s Truths. When we are tired, we are often less willing to actively listen and interact with others. Our prayer lives suffer and we invest less time in God’s Word.

You may be in a situation whereby you are working long hours or have multiple jobs to survive. Perhaps you’re a mother with a young child that requires most of your time and energy to nurture. You may be giving your best effort and seeking to serve others, but feel tired and weary.

Cause 2: Lack of Adequate Physical Rest, Forgetting the Concept of Sabbath

When I get tired physically, I have to consider how many hours of sleep have I been getting. When I get emotionally and spiritually weary, how am I feeding myself in God’s Word and through others’ sermons/teaching? God gives us abundant life, so why do we often feel stretched thin and weary? Perhaps it’s because we neglect to set a day aside for sabbath rest. God establishes the Sabbath to provide rest for His people. This concept begins in the Garden of Eden and goes to Revelation. Rest is an vital component to well-being.

Solutions:
  1. Ask God for discernment and wisdom in your life! Knowing your purpose and identity in Christ assists you in making wise choices. Eliminate distractions, set priorities.
  2. Set aside time daily for God’s Word–to read, pray over, and evaluate how to apply the truths to your life. Adrian Rogers and other reputable pastors have numerous sermons on Youtube. I will often post helpful ones that I have watched on Facebook.
  3. Plan for rest after extended periods of difficulty or draining activities/responsibility. Give yourself a day each week to rest in God’s presence.

“When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don’t pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God.”

Luis Palau

Trusting in God

Are you trusting in God for your source of life? Only God can give us life abundantly! Anyone or anything else ultimately will fail us. Only the Creator can sustain the creation!

Jeremiah describes the curses of trusting in humans and the blessings of trusting in God. Jeremiah 17:5-8

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

5This is what the LORD says:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind,

who makes the flesh his strength

and turns his heart from the LORD.

6He will be like a shrub in the desert;

he will not see when prosperity comes.

He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,

in a salt land where no one lives.

7But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in Him.

8He is like a tree planted by the waters

that sends out its roots toward the stream.

It does not fear when the heat comes,

and its leaves are always green.

It does not worry in a year of drought,

nor does it cease to produce fruit.

Trusting in God nourishes our lives! Jeremiah uses an image of a tree near a stream that can access the life sustaining water during dry times. This tree produces fruit and therefore sustains other living things. Are you like the shrub or the tree? Where are your roots seeking nourishment?

Self-awareness and Inner Turmoil

Self-awareness and looking inward tends to lead to turmoil. God’s Will is that we be complete in Him! Completeness is found only in Christ! Do you feel despair when you look inward? Then maybe it’s time to start looking up instead of inside!

Come to Christ, bring it all to His Mercy Throne! Let’s abide with the Author of Life, who gives life abundantly! Take a moment to read John Chapter Ten.

We must immediately and frequently remove all obstacles between us and Christ. Is it a past hurt, then ask for grace to let it go and be made whole in Christ–Our Healer!

Constantly seeking the will of God? Facing doubts about God

Ever ask the questions that have already been answered? God’s Word explains God’s character, nature, and how He desires that we live. The Ten Commandments, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Gospels, and Paul’s New Testament Letters (Epistles) are but a few examples of how God reveals His plan for living for His glory. When you are struggling, remember the mercy, grace, and love of your Savior! Pray through/meditate on Psalms 103, 117, and 145!

Here’s a beautiful song about how God reaches out to us during the darkness:

Remember that Jesus brings rest, peace, hope, comfort, and grace! It’s our vicious enemy that brings darkness, confusion, anxiety, and doubts.

May God grant you rest and peace as you find solace in His Presence! For His glory and your encouragement, I write these words. Reach out to me if you need a kind ear!

Hard Things 2: Facing Adversity

Podcast: Commentary and Read Aloud:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/XHMqzNsgtvb

For part two of this series, “Hard Things” I want you to recognize God’s presence and help in your seasons of adversity. Join me as I consider how that God works in and through our lives. We will consider insights from Joseph’s life. Bible quotes:

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Considering Broken Dreams and Joseph

The Old Testament Book of Genesis devotes thirteen chapters (37 to 50) to the account of how that God works through the life of Joseph to save His chosen family and multiply them into a nation. Joseph’s story begins with dreams that God sends him. He relates these dreams to his brothers and father Jacob. This dream and his brothers’ jealousy leads to great suffering in his life. Please read the following passages in your personal bible:

Genesis 37:18-28:

What happens to young Joseph? Did he do any wrong? Why were his brothers so angry and full of rage against him?

But God was with Joseph! Genesis 39:3-4

Specifically, what did his master notice? Why did the master promote him?

verses 20-23

How is God active with Joseph in prison? How does the warden recognize God’s presence with Joseph?

Even in these adverse times, God was with Joseph moving behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes. Pharaoh’s cup bearer forgot Joseph (verse 23)! Yet, when the time was right (Gen. 41:9) , and Pharaoh had a dream he couldn’t understand, the cup bearer remembers. God weaves together all these events and circumstances to place Joseph in the right place at the right time to encounter Pharaoh. Joseph recognizes God’s purpose in Genesis 45:4-8 Please note emphasis is mine.

4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so.

“I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! 5And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. 6For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. 7God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8.Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

God has perfect timing to accomplish what He plans. The problem for us is that we often don’t understand or appreciate God’s unseen plans/timing. We, as finite humans, don’t fully perceive or understand what God is doing behind the scenes. This is why we see throughout God’s Word that the faithful must walk by faith and not by sight. We need a faith that guides and sustains us during the uncertain and anxious times in our lives!

When we face unfair treatment, hostility, and troubles from others, we can remember Joseph’s example. First, He remained faithful even when tempted by the wife. Also, he allowed God to handle his brothers and his situation. Some scholars believe that Joseph is a pre-messiah figure. There are certainly numerous parallels. First, Joseph is an innocent brother thrown into a pit, sold into slavery. Secondly, God also preserves or saves His people through Joseph’s suffering and elevation. Let’s remember that as God’s people we’re in His strong arms! God’s purposes will come about through His Infinite Strength and Wisdom!

God’s Desire for Us!

God desires that we have life in Him and this life is abundant. For us to grow, God will send challenges that mold and shape us. This isn’t a pleasant or easy process. Abundant, true life is only found in Christ Jesus!

With God even the impossible situations become feasible! Remember Abram and Sarai’s old age. Consider the difficulties Moses faces in leading God’s people out from the most powerful empire of the world! What about the Hebrew nation conquering the Promised Land and other Old Testament miracles? Recall Elijah’s sacrifice when God sends fire down and calls His people to repent from following false gods!

The Example of Job

Do we recognize that all is from God, even the difficult things? Job understood this when he comments Job 2:9-10:

9Then Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10“You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Either God is in control and sovereign over all things or things just happen by chance. That’s the two simple options to believe. Does God require that we understand why things happen? Can you quote any scripture that says that Christians will live trouble free lives and that we are safe from troubles?

Have you ever questioned as to why that Jesus said that we must change and become like little children? Consider carefully the question that the disciples ask before He makes this comment: Bible passage Matthew 18:1-5

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Who does Jesus call forth? Why?

To follow Jesus is to be humble. Part of being humble is being wise enough to admit that you don’t have all the answers, but that you know Someone who is the Answer! Children typically trust. Children want to be with the ones that love and cares for them.

Jesus wants us to be the same way in relating to Him. Obviously, He isn’t physically present with us in human form. But, He has sent Holy Spirit to indwell in us. We may not be able to sit next to Him, but we can seek Him out in His Living, Word and make time for prayer and meditation!

All things come to us through our relationship with Jesus Christ. The key point here is that we must maintain and strengthen this relationship. Jesus is the Redeemer who brings us into fellowship with His Holy Spirit, and Heavenly Father. Make an effort to walk with God daily. Ephesians Chapters One and Two explain this relationship.

Jesus often comes in the unexpected, quiet moments of our lives. The world and all of it cares and worries can easily drown out the still, soft voice. That’s why prayer, mediation, and a walk in nature can really be important!

May God encourage and strengthen you as you walk on your journey of faith! I write these words for His glory and your edification,