We are constantly amazed at the things God does. How he suprises us with something when we aren't expecting anything and it multiplies several times with extra blessings. How this totally astonishes us. At times it leaves us breathless. Just because we know it is all God. There is nothing else that can make such things happen. It makes us stand in awe of God and His never ceasing power and wonder.
When we see God working in our own life in situations like this, sometimes it can be scary and overwhelming, just because we know God is leading and preparing us for something but we have no idea what it is. There is no way we can try to figure out what He is leading us to. We can only let Him lead us and be faithful to follow His directions, whatever it is He is leading us to.
We can't describe the feeling we get when God gives us these suprises. It is overwhelming joyful, with excitment and amazement. There is nothing we can compare it to. We have said earlies in another post and also several times throughout the years of knowing God, "You can never know the awsome wonder and power of God until you surrender everything over to him and trust in Him alone. But once you do ... Hang on ... Hold your breath .... Let Him lead ... and enjoy the ride.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Provision
I wasn't planning on doing a post today. However, it has been laid upon my heart after our pastor at Southside has started a series about being confident in God no matter what life throws at you.
Many times during conversations with others, we are asked, "Why does God let so many things happen to the ones we love?" I have never been able to know exactly what to say in response. Last night after evening service while pondering what our study was on, I read several chapters in 2 Corinthians. I suggest reading Chapter 4 and 5 over and over again.
_____________
KJV (amplified):
2 Corinthians 4:8-18
We are hedged in (pressed) on every side (troubled and oppressed in every way), but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted (to stand alone); we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;
Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the (resurrection) life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
For we who live are constantly (experiencing) being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, that the (resurrection) life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.
Thus death is actively at work in us, but (it is to order that our) life (may be actively at work) in you.
Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak.
Assured that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and bring us (along) with you into His presence.
For all (these) things are (taking place) for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessings) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase (and rebound) to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outter man is (progressively) decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being (progressively) renewed day after day.
For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory (beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisions and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!),
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but tot he things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.
_________________
Many times we as just humans think to ourselves we don't deserve the trials and tribulations especially when we are (in our minds) doing what is right or trying our best.
Christ always did what was right (by God's standards). Christ suffered ridicule, scoffing, mockery, was laughted at and spit upon, was beaten and bruised, suffered anguish, endured shame and death on the cross. Knowing this, how could I possibly think that I am somehow deserving enough not to have to suffer the things life throws at me?
This can be hard to swallow when things aren't going just right in our lives. To sit and remind ourselves that what we endure is nothing compared to what He endured. We can be thankful and praise God that Christ did his suffering for us. We can be even more thankful that also as Christ was resurrected and is with God the Father that we too will someday be resurrected and be in his presence for an eternity.
No more pain. No more crying. No more ridicule. No more stress. No more pressure. No more fear. No more worry. No more...... No more.......
Christ lived, suffered, died and rose again. I am extremely thankful to God that part of his plan for me is that I too shall live, suffer, die, and rise again.
Many times during conversations with others, we are asked, "Why does God let so many things happen to the ones we love?" I have never been able to know exactly what to say in response. Last night after evening service while pondering what our study was on, I read several chapters in 2 Corinthians. I suggest reading Chapter 4 and 5 over and over again.
_____________
KJV (amplified):
2 Corinthians 4:8-18
We are hedged in (pressed) on every side (troubled and oppressed in every way), but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted (to stand alone); we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;
Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the (resurrection) life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
For we who live are constantly (experiencing) being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, that the (resurrection) life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.
Thus death is actively at work in us, but (it is to order that our) life (may be actively at work) in you.
Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak.
Assured that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and bring us (along) with you into His presence.
For all (these) things are (taking place) for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessings) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase (and rebound) to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outter man is (progressively) decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being (progressively) renewed day after day.
For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory (beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisions and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!),
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but tot he things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.
_________________
Many times we as just humans think to ourselves we don't deserve the trials and tribulations especially when we are (in our minds) doing what is right or trying our best.
Christ always did what was right (by God's standards). Christ suffered ridicule, scoffing, mockery, was laughted at and spit upon, was beaten and bruised, suffered anguish, endured shame and death on the cross. Knowing this, how could I possibly think that I am somehow deserving enough not to have to suffer the things life throws at me?
This can be hard to swallow when things aren't going just right in our lives. To sit and remind ourselves that what we endure is nothing compared to what He endured. We can be thankful and praise God that Christ did his suffering for us. We can be even more thankful that also as Christ was resurrected and is with God the Father that we too will someday be resurrected and be in his presence for an eternity.
No more pain. No more crying. No more ridicule. No more stress. No more pressure. No more fear. No more worry. No more...... No more.......
Christ lived, suffered, died and rose again. I am extremely thankful to God that part of his plan for me is that I too shall live, suffer, die, and rise again.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Serious! To Be or Not To Be
I had a conversation this week with someone I've known for a long time, but haven't seen in several years. They commented that I had changed so much and questioned my reasons for not reverting back into my old self at least while I was in their company since (as they put it) they would only be around for a very short period of time.
The only reasoning I had for them was, when you give your life to Christ it is not to be taken lightly. It is something you have to be serious about 24/7. Not just in some aspects of your life but in all of your life. Yes, we will still fall short at times. We won't be perfect all the time. But, Christ already knows we will fall, but he is faithful and just to forgive us when we do. But, that doesn't mean we have a free ticket to use his faithfulness to us to just "take time off" from being serious about our walk with him. We also are to be faithful. We represent his faithfulness. We represent the committment he has to us through our committment to him. The only difference is we don't deserve his faithfulness but he does deserve ours. If we receive his faithfulness when we are so undeserving, then we owe a greater debt of faithfulness to him who does.
Isn't it wonderful to know that God can use instances such as this to make us remember just how much he has done for us, what he has brought us out of, and where he has brought us to.
The only reasoning I had for them was, when you give your life to Christ it is not to be taken lightly. It is something you have to be serious about 24/7. Not just in some aspects of your life but in all of your life. Yes, we will still fall short at times. We won't be perfect all the time. But, Christ already knows we will fall, but he is faithful and just to forgive us when we do. But, that doesn't mean we have a free ticket to use his faithfulness to us to just "take time off" from being serious about our walk with him. We also are to be faithful. We represent his faithfulness. We represent the committment he has to us through our committment to him. The only difference is we don't deserve his faithfulness but he does deserve ours. If we receive his faithfulness when we are so undeserving, then we owe a greater debt of faithfulness to him who does.
Isn't it wonderful to know that God can use instances such as this to make us remember just how much he has done for us, what he has brought us out of, and where he has brought us to.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Building Your Confidence
I have been blessed by spending more time in the Word this past week. Scripture has made it ever the more clear to me that confidence in God's promices is what God expects of us. It is not enough to simply believe what he promices. We have to be certain, without a doubt, that what God says he will do, HE WILL DO.
We have to be sure, steadfast, continually, habitually keeping ourselves fixed on the confidence of what he says to be true; regardless of the oposition that comes against us or the circumstances we find ourselves in on a daily basis.
It is not enough to tell others we believe in God's Word and display that belief when others are around. We have to have that confidence when no one else is around. When more expenses arise than we have money to pay them, when you face difficulties that arise out of the blue, when someone you trust hurts you, when you feel lost or all alone for whatever reason, AND you still trust in God with confidence and faith because he has promiced you he will provide for you, he will guide you and show you the way, he will comfort you and bring you peace, and that he will NEVER leave you or forsake you.
When you stay focused regardless of what is around you, when you don't give up on a ministry when it gets tough or you get criticized, when family puts you down for spending time in the Word, when you are ridiculed for not watching the show on television that everyone else wants to watch and you stand up for why it's not going to be watched in your home, when your child aggitates you and you take the time to explain biblically why they are wrong in a loving, caring manner instead of ranting and raving, when neighbors or extended family can't understand why you have changed so much; AND you still stay focused on God's promices without missing a beat, this is when you show your confidence.
Showing your confidence when you least expect others to be watching, at times can be the times when this confidence is most seen by others. When unexpected circumstances occur, others seem to be watching more than normal. Others know your confidence when it is business as usual. It is when a pipe wrench gets thrown in you can show how much confidence you truly have. This is when you can witness at your best.
What does your confidence meter read during difficult times? If you aren't sure, ask others around you. I'm pretty sure they will be able to tell you.
We have to be sure, steadfast, continually, habitually keeping ourselves fixed on the confidence of what he says to be true; regardless of the oposition that comes against us or the circumstances we find ourselves in on a daily basis.
It is not enough to tell others we believe in God's Word and display that belief when others are around. We have to have that confidence when no one else is around. When more expenses arise than we have money to pay them, when you face difficulties that arise out of the blue, when someone you trust hurts you, when you feel lost or all alone for whatever reason, AND you still trust in God with confidence and faith because he has promiced you he will provide for you, he will guide you and show you the way, he will comfort you and bring you peace, and that he will NEVER leave you or forsake you.
When you stay focused regardless of what is around you, when you don't give up on a ministry when it gets tough or you get criticized, when family puts you down for spending time in the Word, when you are ridiculed for not watching the show on television that everyone else wants to watch and you stand up for why it's not going to be watched in your home, when your child aggitates you and you take the time to explain biblically why they are wrong in a loving, caring manner instead of ranting and raving, when neighbors or extended family can't understand why you have changed so much; AND you still stay focused on God's promices without missing a beat, this is when you show your confidence.
Showing your confidence when you least expect others to be watching, at times can be the times when this confidence is most seen by others. When unexpected circumstances occur, others seem to be watching more than normal. Others know your confidence when it is business as usual. It is when a pipe wrench gets thrown in you can show how much confidence you truly have. This is when you can witness at your best.
What does your confidence meter read during difficult times? If you aren't sure, ask others around you. I'm pretty sure they will be able to tell you.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Confidence in God
Recently we have experienced some trials within our family, mostly financial trials. We are human and show concern about circumstances when they arise. We discuss how we need to change the amount going out based on the amount we have coming in.
Our pastor in recent weeks has been preaching on the confidence we have in God in such times. The focal point that got us searching our own hearts that he brought us is: "How can we not depend on God for our everyday needs but we are willing to depend on him for such a thing as our salvation?"
He pointed it out and drove it home to both of us that God knows our needs even before we know them. This really hit home with us. I guess you could say our pastor stepped on our toes just when we needed him to.
I thank God for the boldness for pastors reminding us of such truths that we often tend to forget. I know at least for us, we need our toes pinched every so often. It is good for us. It is needed for us. We depend on it from our pastor. Such things as this we count as blessings.
Needless to say, once again God has graciously supplied everything we needed eventhough we feel as though we deserved absolutely nothing. Isn't it delightful how God knows when you need reminding of some things before you know you need the reminding?
Our pastor in recent weeks has been preaching on the confidence we have in God in such times. The focal point that got us searching our own hearts that he brought us is: "How can we not depend on God for our everyday needs but we are willing to depend on him for such a thing as our salvation?"
He pointed it out and drove it home to both of us that God knows our needs even before we know them. This really hit home with us. I guess you could say our pastor stepped on our toes just when we needed him to.
I thank God for the boldness for pastors reminding us of such truths that we often tend to forget. I know at least for us, we need our toes pinched every so often. It is good for us. It is needed for us. We depend on it from our pastor. Such things as this we count as blessings.
Needless to say, once again God has graciously supplied everything we needed eventhough we feel as though we deserved absolutely nothing. Isn't it delightful how God knows when you need reminding of some things before you know you need the reminding?
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