The Storm

The earth rumbles as the sky turns dark.

I listen quietly as the storm gathers.

Lightning splits the sky. Thunder follows.

Rain falls—washing the ground,

cleansing, renewing, giving life.

I lift my hands in the storm.

What breaks the sky also shapes me.

I stand in the roar and choose worship.

Not because the storm is gentle,

but because I am held within it.

Safe.

The One who allows the storm is faithful.

Psalm 107:28-31 “Yet when they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, the Lord brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm and its waves quieted down. So they rejoiced that the waves became quiet, and he led them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his gracious love and for his awesome deeds on behalf of mankind.”

Psalm 89:8 “Lord God All-Powerful, there is no one like you. You are strong, Lord, and always faithful.”

The Smallest Seed of Faith

Every person on this planet carries a story. And if we take the time to truly listen, we realize how much there is to learn from one another.

There are stories of triumph and tragedy, and everything in between. Stories marked by beauty, by loss, by endurance. Every single one matters. Every single one is worth telling.

I believe that. I really do.

And yet, when it comes to my own story, I struggle to see it the same way. It makes me wonder if others feel this too. If they look at their own lives and see something less meaningful, less compelling, less worthy of being told.

Because I have lived through a lot.
Moments I walked through well, and moments I didn’t.
Seasons of deep darkness and long, dry deserts.
And also, seasons so full of light, I felt like I could almost catch a glimpse of God.

And then there were the other times.
The ones that felt like walking through hell.

Looking back, I think what marked most of those seasons wasn’t clarity or confidence. It was simply this: I held on to hope. I didn’t always know God. I didn’t always understand Him. And if I’m honest, I didn’t always trust Him.

But I held on to the smallest hope that He was there.

Because to trust God is to believe that He is good, that He sees you, and that He is working for your good. And there were many years when I wasn’t sure I believed that at all. There were times I was convinced He didn’t care about me.

And maybe that’s where the beauty of a story really begins.

Not in having it all figured out.
Not in unwavering faith.
But in the quiet, stubborn refusal to let go completely.

In the smallest, almost imperceptible seed of faith.

The kind that barely whispers, what if He is good?

The kind that survives.

Because that’s what our stories hold—
Not perfection, but perseverance.
Not certainty, but endurance.

We made it through.
We didn’t give up.

And somehow, even when our grip was weak, we were still being held—not because we held on tightly, but because God never let go.

When Everyone Does What is Right: A reflection on Book of Judges 17–19 and the cost of self-made truth

 Yesterday in my Bible reading, I sat in the Book of Judges chapters 17–19. I’ve read it before, but this time it didn’t just pass by me. It settled in. I’m still thinking about it.

It’s the kind of passage you almost want to look away from.

Micah builds a household shrine, creating his own version of worship. The tribe of Dan comes and takes the idols, establishing false worship as their own. And then the story turns darker still. A Levite’s concubine is abused, discarded, and murdered in Gibeah. Her body is cut into twelve pieces and sent throughout Israel.

It’s hard to read. Hard to understand why God would include it. But maybe we’re not supposed to understand it as much as we’re supposed to feel the weight of it.

All of this happens under one haunting truth: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

This warns us what it looks like when people walk in disobedience, not all at once, but step by step.

It begins with distorted worship, as we shape God into something we can manage.

It moves into compromised leadership, those who should know truth but no longer live it.

And it ends in the unthinkable, where people made in the image of God are treated as disposable.

It’s easy to read this and think, how could they fall so far? But I can’t help but ask the harder question, how could we not?

Because left to ourselves, we don’t drift toward truth. We drift toward what feels right. And what feels right isn’t always what is right.

These chapters aren’t just showing us their depravity. They are holding up a mirror to our own.

We were never meant to be our own authority. We were never meant to define truth for ourselves. And when we try, it doesn’t lead to freedom. It will always lead to ruin.

Maybe that’s the warning tucked into these chapters:

When everyone does what is right in their own eyes, what follows is not freedom… but loss of a moral society.

Continue Doing What You Know Is Right

I woke up feeling heavy-hearted. 

As believers, we know we are living in difficult times. 2 Timothy 3:1 warns that the last days will be terrible. It describes these days as dangerous and filled with fear. We see people who are selfish, boastful, arrogant, and unholy. They may appear godly but deny God's true power. This has been happening for a while, but I’ve felt it intensify over the last decade. 

I won't share specifics because I believe the signs of evil are clear. At least to the Christian. Sin is being accepted and celebrated in our world, reminding us that the warnings in 2 Timothy 3 are here.

This morning, though, my heart felt especially heavy thinking about the growing evil around us. How do we get through these times? How can we stay holy in an unholy world? The answer is in God's word: we must keep doing what we have been taught

We must continue to pray. We continue to speak the truth. We continue to read and follow God’s word. We keep living for Jesus, loving each other, doing good, and being kind. We share the gospel through our words and actions. These are the things we've been taught. These are the things we know. 

It won't be easy. We will suffer for following God. We will be persecuted. We will be mocked, misunderstood, lied about... But, God has equipped us to endure through the last days. He has given us His word and His Spirit who lives in us. 

Brothers and sisters, remember, we have been given "everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3), which means that through His divine power, we have already received all the spiritual resources to live a godly life in this ungodly land.

Weary Yet Pursuing

They are three little words, yet they were what was needed to encourage my heart today. The words were from Judges 8:4 which says, "weary yet pursuing". 

  

    The context of those words was written amid battle. Gideon and his army of 300 men had been fighting against the Midianites. God had already delivered 3 leaders into their hands and they were still pursuing more. They needed food to be strengthened, but those around them did not come to their rescue. Instead of giving up, they pursued their enemy, even though they were weary. (There is a lot more to the story, and I encourage you to read it in Judges 8, but God used those three little words to encourage me this day.)

    When I am tired and weary of the battle where do I go? Who do I turn to? How do I cope with the weariness that I feel? What should I pursue instead of giving in to the weariness of my soul? 

    Too often I want to go to people, and while the body of Christ can and should be a good source of refreshment often they fail. They fail because we have gone to them first, we've put our hope in their strength to encourage and lift us up instead of Christ. They fail because they have battles of their own to fight. 

So before going to others, even the body of Christ, we must go to God. We must go to His word. It's here, and here alone that I am refreshed and encouraged.

    I forget this so many times and run to people. But today it was God's words that refreshed this tired and weary heart. Perhaps they too will refresh your weary heart.

 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD , the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not becomewearyor tired. His understanding is inscrutable.  He gives strength to theweary, And to him who lacks might He  increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 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. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

"For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes." (Jer 31:25)

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Gal 6:9)

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3)

    Jesus will be our strength, in Him we will find rest. Run to Him, pursue Him through His words to you.

    So what should we do instead of giving in to weariness, discouragement, depression, anxieties, or any other ways we may try to deal with hard times? What does God's word say I should pursue instead of giving in to my weariness?

 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (Rom 14:19) 

... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11) 

...seek peace and pursue it.  (Heb 12:14; 1 Peter 3:11)

  Today may we choose to seek God and the things of God. May we pursue that which will build us up instead of tearing us down. May we fall on our knees before the cross, pray to know God, and pursue Him in a greater, deeper way.

Stop Fighting For Control

Have you ever had one of those days when it feels like you are carrying around the weight of the world? You look around you and see all the pain, heartbreak, struggling, confusion, uncertainty and you want to do something. You want to try fix it!

 

There is so much hurt. So much pain. You wonder, "How can I help make it better"? As you look around it seems overwhelming. How can you help those that will not listen? How can you warn of the coming storms when people choose not to see? How can you encourage the heartbroken? The abused? Those caught in sin's cycle?

In the midst of a day when I am taking on the sorrow of the world God whispers gently in my ear. “These sorrows are not for you. I will carry them.”

I protest, “But God, shouldn’t I say SOMETHING to help them see truth?” Shouldn’t I DO something?” Again a whisper, “Dear child, you have spoken. You have pointed out truth.  You have loved them where they are. And as I give you opportunity continue but for right now, let it go and pray.”

 

“PRAY? That is it!” “Yes.”

Oh how often I forget that God carries the world and all the troubles on His shoulders I do not need to. I forget I am not in control of the lives of those I love. God changes minds, heart and saves souls. He convicts of sin and He is the one who will work it all out for His glory. 

I need to pray.

What I continue to learn over and over and over is, I AM NOT IN CONTROL. Not even a little. I am learning, continually it seems, that I need to trust more. For if I am fighting to control my family, friends or my circumstances then I am not trusting God. Did you get that?

If I am fighting for control, then I am not trusting God. 

 

Oh Father help me trust you more fully! Help me to realize that I can not carry the sorrows and heartaches of this world. You have called me to pray. Father, teach me to pray and leave it all with you.

#trustgod #blogger #devotions #newblogpost #itsbeenawhile.

Be A Peacemaker

  The commitment to make peace is highly valued throughout the Bible, but what does it mean to be a peacemaker? 

Biblically, a peacemaker is someone who reconciles people who are in conflict. The heart of Jesus' earthly mission was to make peace between God and those who would come to Him through faith. He did this by offering Himself as a sacrifice. His sacrifice made a way for God and man to have peace.  

As I think about this I am reminded that in order to be a peacemaker we may have to make sacrifices of our own. We may need to lay down our pride. Peace/harmony among believers is of the upmost importance. It shows the world Jesus. 

Conflict always comes but when it does will you be a peacemaker? Will you seek peace or ignore the conflict? Will you fight for unity among the body? 

God’s children should always be on the side of making peace.  

Is God Still Faithful When the Storm Doesn't End?

The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:9

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

Recently I have heard several proclaim God's faithful as a result of answered prayer. They praised God because He provided a job, healing for illnesses, and the return of a prodigal child. Those around them rejoiced and exclaimed the goodness and faithfulness of God, as we should. God is good. He is faithful and together we can rejoice when we see clear evidence of His goodness and grace to us.

But as I sat there a question came to my mind. I am not exactly sure where it came from and I do not believe the question was meant to be asked aloud at that particular time. But it was question that my own heart needed to answer. The question my heart asked was, "Is God faithful and good even when things do not turn out the way I expect?" My immediate response was "Of course He is! God is always good. He is always faithful. Even in those times I don't see His answers or understand what He is doing."

 The question haunted me. I was not satisfied with my quick heart response. Would God still be faithful if a sick child died after much prayers? Would God still be faithful if your husband chose to walk out of your marriage after praying and fighting for healing? Would God still be faithful if your child remained a prodigal even though many were praying for her?

Would I still see God as faithful if I had to walk the rest of my life in pain, never to be healed? Could I walk through whatever I am walking through, without any apparent answers, and still proclaim God good? 

The truth is there are days I struggle believing He is good to me. I struggle to believe in His faithfulness.

It's easy to proclaim God's goodness when things turn out the way we think they should. It's easy to give thanks when God answers our prayers with a yes, or answers beyond what we asked or imagined. But when His answer is no it can be harder to see and trust in His goodness.

I am learning that I need to know and understand that God's faithfulness is a part of His character. His goodness is not based on what He does and doesn't do according to my plan, it's who He is. God is faithful according to His plans, not mine. I may not see the end of a particular season of suffering but I can trust in God's goodness to see me through.

The thing is, regardless of how I might feel God remains the same. God is good. God is faithful. There is nothing that can change those facts. If I feel that He isn't good or faithful in my life, whatever the circumstance, then I have a wrong view of God and I am believing lies. Nothing can or will change who God is.

We speak of God's faithfulness while we walk through the storms of life but can we speak of His faithfulness if the storm doesn't end? I want to be more mindful to sing His praises in the storm, not just when the storm is over. 

When We Feel Shriveled Up By Suffering

Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your statutes. Ps 119:83

I have always loved Psalm 119 and as a result have spent much time reading and studying it. This chapter has brought sweet comfort and refreshment to my soul on many occasions. But it never fails that a fresh reading of it will bring something new that I hadn't seen before. Today, while reading I stopped at verse 83 and thought so what happens to a wineskin in smoke? What does the psalmist mean by saying that he has "become like a wineskin in smoke"? 

Here is what I found:

The KJV uses bottle instead of wineskin and has this to say, "As the bottles in the East are made of skin, it is evident that one of these hung up in the smoke must soon be parched, shriveled up, lose all its strength, and become unsightly and useless. Thus the Psalmist appeared to himself to have become useless and despicable, through and exhausted state of his body and mind, by long bodily afflictions and mental distress." (1)

As I read this I couldn't help but remember those times in my life that I too have felt parched, shriveled up, weak and useless. For a variety of reasons, whether it's illness, pain, tragedy, sorrow, or any number of difficult circumstances, the journey of this life can seem to leave us withered and worn. These times can come as a result of God's discipline. It is true that God disciplines us for good and our suffering comes in order to produce endurance and character (Romans 5:3-5). But it doesn't always seem like it's for our good and we feel as if we are being dried up. 

So it's in the midst of feeling dried up and useless that we can say, "even though I feel like I am being shriveled up and weak I will not forget Your word. I will not forget your truth." I love Keble's paraphrase, "The severity of the discipline does not alienate me from thee, or cause me to depart from thy Law."  And then there is Matthew Poole's Commentary which says, "My natural moisture is dried and burnt up; I am withered and deformed, and despised; and my case grows worse and worse..." (2) but I do not forget Your word.  

Today regardless of where we are in this journey may we remember that our strength comes from the truth of His word. May we be reminded that in His word we find comfort. No matter how "parched or shriveled" you may feel do not depart from what you know is true according the the Word of God.

(1) http://biblehub.com/psalms/119-83.htm

(2) http://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/119-83.htm



Joining these blog hops today...

His Goodness in Times of Trouble

There is much heartache and trouble in this world. It comes to us in so many forms and for many reasons. The bottom line is that we have troubles because sin entered the world long ago. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and since that time there has been all kinds of suffering. All of creation suffers and groans because of sin.

It is because of the sinfulness of man that wars are started. It is because of sin that spouses are not content and commit adultery. It is because of the sinful desires in our hearts that we hate, envy, murder, lie, steal, are unkind, lack compassion and are selfish. A sinful heart causes a man to hit his wife, a child to rebel against his parents and woman to abort her child. Because of sin we break our covenant and divorce our spouse. Because of sin there is all kinds of suffering in this world.

We have troubles because we do not obey God. We do not obey God because our heart is deceitfully wicked all the time. Our hearts desire what is wants, when it wants it regardless of what God has said is good.

So is there any hope? Is there hope for the believer of Christ? Of course there is hope! David, in Psalm 27, reminds us that we do not need to fear, we can be confident in the One who will rescue us. Yes we will be rescued from the  troubles on this earth one day when Christ returns, but I also believe that David is telling us that we can also see the goodness of the Lord today. We can have hope in the midst of troubles. We do not need to fear.

To have hope, to see God’s goodness in times of trouble we need to…

…seek Him. We need to worship God, meditate on His word and sing praises to Him. (Ps 27:4-6)
…pray. Cry out to the One who does not abandon you, to the One who promises to help you. (27:7-10)
…walk in humility. Be teachable through the Spirit of God. Submit to His word, to His will. (27:11)
…wait. If we seek Him, pray and are willing to submit to His will then we must wait for the Lord to show us what to do next. It is the strong heart, who seeks the face of God, that can humbly wait. (27:14)

Just to be clear though, we can seek God, pray, walk in humility, wait upon Him and still have troubles. We will still experience suffering, pain and evil in this land. The difference is that the one who seeks God will not be consumed by it. They will remain confident in the Lord, knowing that it is He who will lift us up out of the pit of suffering so that we see His goodness. (Psalms 31:19-24)

Are you in the midst of suffering right now? Does it seem that your whole world is falling apart? Why not spend some time reading Psalm 27 and Psalm 130. Cry out to God. Pour out your heart to Him. Worship Him today through His word in spite of your circumstances, regardless of the pain you are experiencing. He promises to answer the one who truly seeks His face. (Matt 7:7; Deut 4:29; Jer 24:7)

'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 'I will be found by you,' … (Jer 29:12-14a)

5 Ways to Help Stop Negative Thoughts

I don't know about you but sometimes my worst enemy is myself. It's all those lies that spiral out of control in my head that I can't seem to control. Too often it's the thoughts in my head that defeat me. It's the insecurities, fear and anxiety that comes from those lies that render me useless more than anything else. So what do I do when my mind is spinning with negative, useless, repetitive thoughts?

This by no means is meant to be an exhaustive list but they are things that work for me.

1. Turn on some praise music and belt out the words loudly! Granted when others are around this can be more difficult, but if I am in the car or home alone then I am singing the words really loud. I Other times I find just putting on my headphones and listening works too. Music does two things I think. It detracts me from the negative thoughts and helps me focus on words that are praise worthy. It also helps me to remember what truth is.

2. Read. Again this is a way to refocus our thoughts on something else. But as a caution be careful what you are picking up to read. When I am really struggling to think right I find picking up my Bible to read or a solid biblical book helps my thoughts to refocus on truth. Picking up a novel and getting lost in it rarely works for me. Most often it's going straight to the Word of truth that helps feed my mind with truth. 

3. Pray. This one can be harder at times because when I am praying my mind is often continuing to repeat the lies in the background. But I just keep praying instead of giving up. Pray that God would remove the thoughts. If it's a real struggle then praying God's word back to Him is also helpful. I find the book of Psalms very good to use as prayers.

4. Call a friend. Not just any girlfriend though, she needs to be one that will speak truthfully to you. One that can encourage you to think right. Calling a friend who tend to be negative or critical all the time will be no help at all. Sometimes just getting the thoughts out helps. And with the right kind of friend you can process through to see if there are deeper issues that you need to deal with. 

5. Laugh out loud. Seriously just laugh. Go do something fun with a girlfriend or your family. For me personally, I take life entirely too seriously. When I am especially burdened with over thinking everything I find that taking some time to laugh helps. It's really okay to have fun. Give yourself permission to just let go and enjoy the day with some spontaneous fun. Sometimes I find that calling a friend in number 4 automatically leads to number 5, but again, you need that kind of friend who can do both. Speak truth and make you laugh! 

I am sure there are many other ways to help my mind refocus on truth but these often work for me. On particularly difficult days I may need to use them all or a variation of several of them. The thing to remember is that we can choose whether or not we continue thinking negatively.

We also need to remember that if we are struggling to make the right choice to stop it's okay to seek help. It's okay to admit out loud "Today I am struggling and need help." The belief or feeling that we shouldn't need help is just silly and a lie from Satan. I know, I get stuck here often and am afraid to appear too needy. So I don’t ask for help. But we all need help and it really is okay to ask for it.

We need the help of Jesus and His Spirit and we need the help of our brothers and sisters in Christ. So don't stay trapped with your negative thoughts because you are afraid you will appear needy. Because, and you really need to hear this, we are all needy. We all have different areas of neediness but know that we are all weak, needy and in need of help.

So what do you find works best for you when you are in the midst of negative or wrong thinking? I would love to hear from you!

Linking up today with….

Called to Forgive, Again!

Have you ever had one of those moments when you think you are over something, it's in the past, been forgiven and healing has come and then wham out of no where someone hits you with a baseball bat? That was my week. From out of no where someone hit me. I was completely unprepared. I am not sure why I was so stunned.

My past was filled with hurtful words and actions from this person. Some might say that I should have expected it. But the thing is I didn't expect it because healing in the relationship had come. I had forgiven and for a couple of years we've experienced a new relationship. We had reached a place of common ground, of walking in grace and forgiveness. Or so I thought.

Her words cut deep. They hurt, and as I took my hand and rubbed over the once healed scar expecting it to be open and bleeding again I found it was still healed. The wound was healed, but the feeling of the scar caused a deep ache within. I wanted this to be over. I didn't want to be reminded again of the past betrayals. The past hurt. To be honest, this hurt knocked me to the ground. For almost 2 days I sat there stunned trying to figure out why now. Why did I give her the power to hurt again? 

We all have those times don't we? Times we know healing has come or that we have moved past a hurt and yet find ourselves knocked to the ground. It's in that moment, with face to the ground, that we have a choice. 

A choice. What will I do now? Will I continue laying there on the ground wallowing in self pity and hurt? Or will I allow Jesus to pick me up? One thing I know for sure is that it has to be Jesus picking me up because left on my own I would sit and nurse those old wounds. I would feel sorry for myself. My flesh is often so weak and I want to hurt them back. I want revenge. But I know truth. I know what Jesus says about forgiveness. I know what He says about loving my enemies and those who hurt me. So I give it to Him. I offer up the hurt and ask Him to help me up. 

Looking at Jesus causes us to look at what HE has done not what has been done to us. When I look at Jesus I remember that I too am a sinner. I have hurt others with my words and by my actions. I have failed. I have fallen short. But He, Jesus, has forgiven me. His blood was shed so that I might walk in freedom of my sin. 

When I look at the cross of Jesus and see my sin that nailed Him there and the forgiveness that was given how can I not forgive again? How can I not offer forgiveness to this person again when ALL my sins have been forgiven? 

When I look at Jesus I can forgive again and continuing walking with love for my enemies and those who hurt me. 

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matt 18:21-22

I am a Mess, but I am Not Falling Apart

I get discouraged.

I get angry.

I get frustrated.

I have moments of envy and jealousy.

I sometimes speak before thinking.

I can be judgmental, critical and a bit too sarcastic.

I can think too much of myself.

I am often a mess emotionally.

I struggle with my what my flesh wants.

But, I have not lost my faith.

I am not falling apart.

My world may seem out of control.

I have doubts.

I say the wrong things.

I have a lot of questions.

And very few answers.

I do not have “it all together.”

You may not understand me.

You may not even like me.

You may have given up on me.

I have not lost my faith.

I am not falling apart.

I know that...

God is real.

He is who He says He is.

The Bible is true.

Jesus died for me.

He is full of love and grace.

He never changes.

His Spirit is at work in me.

I learn to surrender more each day.

To rest in His presence.

To be obedient to His will.

I am His beloved child.

He will never leave or forsake me.

I am learning to walk in His grace.

This is why, in the midst of pain, sorrow and the messiness of life I have not lost faith.

This is why, I when fail or fall, I do not fall completely apart.

"For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.'” Is 41:13

Uncomfortable Grace

God will take us where we have not intended to go to produce in us what we could not achieve on our own. Listen, we had better begin to encourage and comfort and teach one another with the theology of uncomfortable grace. Because often on this side of eternity, God's grace comes to us in uncomfortable ways. Oh I long for the grace of relief and I long for the grace of release. But right now what I actually need is the grace of refinement. I need to be changed. I need to be transformed. I need to become a person of faith. That means everything I do is based on a deep and abiding belief that God is and that He's loving and He's glorious and He's kind and He's powerful and I find hope and rest in Him and Him alone. That's what I need to become. 

So in love, He will take me beyond my wisdom, beyond my strength, beyond the bounds of my character. That's not God forgetting me. That's not God beating me up. That's not God being unfaithful or inattentive. The Bible calls that grace. I'm being rescued. I'm being restored. I'm being loved. I'm being changed. He loves me and He will not turn from His work and He will continue and continue and continue until that work is complete. That's grace.

Paul D Tripp (The Difference Between Amazement and Faith)

I’ve been think a lot about this. Sometimes the really hard things that come our way in this life is God’s grace. He is allowing these things in order to refine us. He uses them to show us the idols our hearts are holding on to.

I don’t know about you but I agree with Paul Tripp, I need to be transformed. I need to changed. I need my faith to be stronger, deeper and richer. So if this is what I need isn’t it then God’s grace that brings those things in my life that will help strip away all that keeps me from growing?

Isn’t it His grace, albeit an uncomfortable grace, that allows whatever it takes to expose the idols, sins and wrong attitudes that keep us from being conformed to His image?

What do you think? Are you experiencing an uncomfortable grace? What is God showing you through it?

Grace for Trials

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:      1 Peter 1:7

I am learning that God gives grace to us in our hour of need when our trust is in Him. When troubles and trials come, His grace pours out upon us. God’s grace will perfect us. It will establish and strengthen us during our suffering. (1 Peter 5:10)

Recently I came across the words to a hymn that express this thought well. The hymn begins with the line, “ He giveth more grace as the burdens grow greater”. The author, Annie Johnson Flint, wrote these words, not from a book knowledge but because she had experienced His grace that grows in the midst of suffering.  She lost both parents before she was six years old. During her teens years she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which would leave her crippled and bed ridden. Due to being in bed most of her life she suffered from painful bedsores. Eventually cancer would ravage her body.

Yet her attitude through all the struggles with pain and confinement was that of submission, faith and trust in God to give her the grace and strength she needed. With pen pushed through gnarled fingers and held by swollen joints, she continued wrote many hymns and poems. Toward the end even holding a pen would prove impossible and she would type her words with her bent, swollen knuckles. The words she penned would provide peace and comfort for herself, her friends, and the world.

He Giveth More Grace” by Annie Johnson Flint – (1866-1932)

He giveth more grace as the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as the labors increase,
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

Refrain:
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His power has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

 

Oh Father, help me to find rest and comfort in Your Grace and Strength in the face of suffering, pain and trials.

 

Join me for 31 Days of Seeking Grace

The Reality is…

My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Psalms 119:25-35

 

I love this part of Psalms 119. In many ways it’s the cry of my heart right now. This very moment.

I want to cling to God so that every word that comes from my mouth is His. I want to live in a way that shows His faithful in my life. Oh how I want to follow Him in all I do and go in the path He has chosen.

But the reality is…

My flesh battles within me and I so often give in. I can get lazy and not spend time in the Word like I know I should. Like I need. I want to be faithful to my God but too often I am faithless. I chose my own way instead of His way. The reality is I still have a lot of growing to do. I still have much learning when it come to the things of God. There are moments in my life that are messy. I can become overwhelmed and fearful.

BUT GOD remains faithful. God remains the same. These things I desire He will work out in me. He is the one that teaches me, gives me understanding and helps me stay on the path of faithfulness. I delight in His Word because He places that desire in me. I am nothing without Him.

Thank you Father for your work in me, for the desires you place within my heart. Amen.

Too Independent for My Own Good

I don’t know what made me think I didn’t need help. But there I was six years old walking the three miles home from school. I missed my bus and instead of telling anyone I just began the journey home. We lived near the State Penitentiary and my journey took me through the work release site of the prisoners.

I don’t remember being afraid. Of course I didn’t understand all the possible dangers that lurked out there. I was confident I knew the way home. I was only about a half mile from home when a neighbor saw me, took me home and called my mother.

She had been frantic when I didn’t get off the bus. She started crying, first tears of joy then anger. I understand now that I have raised children, but at the time I didn’t see what all the fuss was about.

I remember looking at her and saying, “Momma, I am fine.” “I was almost home.” She told me I was too independent for my own good.

Too independent for my own good. That about sums up my life.

Seems I have always thought I could handle my problems on my own. I didn’t need anyone’s help. I would just figure it out myself.

That independent, figuring out how to handle life in my own way, attitude has left me with a lot of heart aches. Too many wrong choices that have scars. But it also left me with no other choice but to follow Jesus when I met Him.

My life, my choices, hadn’t been working out very well. Maybe He would know the way.

I’ve been following Him for a long time now. I wish I could say I’ve learned not to be so independent.

Too often I still think I know better. I still try to do things my own way.

I can still be too independent for my own good. But here is the beauty of it all. Here is the wonder of following the One who knows the way I should go. The One who died for my sins. He journeys with me.

He is patiently revealing my sinful independence. My “I can do this myself” attitude. It’s in this process I continue to learn to let go and trust Him. I learn to surrender my will for His will.

He continually asks me to surrender and trust those places that I cling to and as I obey I find that He provides my deepest needs.

It’s a journey, but I am following the One who knows the way home. I am learning to be dependent on the One who knows and sees the dangers that my independence can bring.

He sees my deepest need for Him and is faithful to bring whatever is needed into my life in order to remind me of my need for total surrender. For that I am grateful.

Today I am joining…

   

WANTED: Christ Followers

For those seeking peace, grace, love, mercy, healing, security, hope, forgiveness, riches beyond anything this world has to offer and so much more there is a place for you. There is one who longs for you, seeks for you and has died for you.

You see long ago before the world began God saw you and loved you. He wants a personal relationship with you, but a man and woman sinned. As a result you and I are born into sin, as sinners. So in order to rectify the sinful nature that now separates us from God He needed a spotless perfect sacrifice in order to make a covenant with those who would accept Him. God the Son, Jesus, willingly laid down His life so that all who are willing to believe on Him may enter into a covenant with Him.

There is a cost however. The cost of the covenant has been paid through the flesh and blood of Christ and forgiveness is offered to all who, by faith walk through the blood of Christ. As one who is now in covenant with God there will be a great cost, but the reward is even greater.

If you are a follower of Christ the cost will be...

• We will have a common enemy with Christ, Satan. He will seek to destroy you.
• You will be persecuted and betrayed by the world, including your own family. We will suffer in this life.
• We will be afflicted.
• Sorrow.
• Weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties.
• To carry your own cross in which you must bear.
• Die to self.
• You will be hated by the world.
• To give up pursuing treasures in this world.

There is a Reward of being a covenant partner with Christ. These things are promised to every follower.You can expect:

• You will not battle your enemies alone – Christ fights for you and with you.
• He will never leave nor forsake you.
• Your soul will be entrusted to a faithful God who will do what is right.
• To be worthy of the Kingdom of God
• Favor with God
• To draw on His Strength.
• A new self, a new robe of righteousness.
• Forgiveness of sin.
• Eternal life with Christ in heaven with God.
• Co-Heirs with Christ.
• Called beloved of God.
• Saved from God’s wrath.

These lists are not exhaustive, there is so much more to see – to know. But for now I just want you to understand that to be a follower of Christ means that there is a cost to pay. Being in Covenant with Christ means that we are willingly taking on Christ and His sufferings. It means that we will persevere until the end when God’s glory WILL be revealed in us. Oh what a glorious day that will be!!

One final caution, if you are a true follower of Christ you WILL suffer in this life for His sake. You will choose to die to self and all the pleasures (sin) this world offers. If you are not willing to “count the cost and carry your cross daily” you might want to ask the Holy Spirit if you are truly a follower of Christ.

For further study see Matthew 10:16-39; Romans 8:17; 2 Cor 1:6; Phil 1:29; 2 Tim 1:12 \ 3:11; 1 Peter 4:19; 2 Thess 1:5, 1 Peter 2:19; 2 Cor 12:10; Luke 14:27; Matt 16:24; Col 3:9-10; Mark 13:13; John 15:18; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Romans 5:6-10…

Re-posted from 2010

Lessons in the Dessert

“Behold, I will do something new; now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:19

It’s not my first time here, in a desert, but it does seem to be my longest. Desert wanderings are always hard. Just like a physical desert, our lives can feel barren and hostile. It can be a desolate place—exposed and unprotected.

It’s interesting to me that when we journey through the wilderness, each of us must walk our own path. Yes, there are others here, but each has a different road to travel. While we can share, support, and encourage one another, we must each focus on the lessons God has for us in this season.

But, I have learned four things from the times I have traveled through the wilderness:

Do not compare. We cannot compare our walk with that of others. No two journeys will ever be the same. Comparison only breeds discontentment, discouragement, and bitterness.

Do not rush. We must be careful not to rush through the journey. The time we spend here is never wasted. God has a purpose for our season in the wilderness. Sometimes the journey lasts days; other times, it lasts years. Rest in the knowledge that God’s timing is always perfect.

Stay nourished. When traveling through the wilderness, we must remember to stay hydrated. Plants that survive in the desert often grow deep taproots to absorb as much water as possible. Some extend more than one hundred feet below the surface and develop vast networks of roots spreading in every direction. The believer stays nourished in the desert by growing deep roots in the Word of God.

Look for joy. There is beauty to be seen and enjoyed in the wilderness. It may be harder to find, but if you look for God’s blessings, you will see them. Joy comes when we remember that God sees our journey and walks with us every step of the way. He knows our needs and will faithfully provide for them.

We will all experience seasons of wilderness and isolation. Let us remember that this is not always a bad thing, nor is it always the result of sin. Often it is in the wilderness that we learn to rely more fully upon our God. It is here that we discover He truly is sufficient for every part of our lives.

So if you find yourself in a dry, isolated desert, seek God with an even greater thirst. Stay in His Word and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

And if you are not presently in a desert place, prepare for the day when you are by sinking your roots deeply into the Word of God.

“For the LORD your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing.” — Deuteronomy 2:7