In His Word- 7/29/13
I will never forget your commandments,
for by them you give me life. Psalm 119.93
What things in your life do you commit
to memory? Is it the day your dog died, or the day you won the race
and received a ribbon? Do you remember them in agony or do you
remember the good things that happened in your life and thank God for
those things, however few they may be?
Sometimes I find myself thinking like a
“Polly Anna” and seeking to find the good that ultimately can, or
will come from every situation if I look for it. Other days I feel
defeated, ready to throw in the towel and give up on whatever I am
working on at the moment.
I have found though, that the best
thing to do in either situation is to give it to the Lord, or give it
up to the Lord.
When my life was lonely; He gave me
friends.
When my cupboards were bare; He had
friends drop off a bag or two of groceries on my door step before I
even mentioned that I had no food and only 5$ left for the week. Even
though I would not have been able to provide a week of food for
myself physically. I have learned that when I see things in the
physical as impossible; when I can do nothing, my God can do
anything.
So why do we worry about the bread that
will inevitably come to our table? It may be a few days old and
crusty, or we may have to cut off mold and eat the good part but God
will provide what we need when we trust Him to do so.
Trust in the Lord with your whole heart
and do not try to figure it out, trust Him and know that He will
direct you to the next meal, the place to live, the job to provide
for your family; He will show you the right path but you must decide
to walk in it.
Sure there are struggles in life, we
may have to tighten a belt up a bit and eat less, go shopping on the
days when the best sales are on, go to the day old basket in the
store and buy whatever is there just to provide for our families at
times. But God can bring us through the tough times and give us that
abundant life He promised in the midst of it!
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me,
he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief
does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have
come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly John 10:10
Do you tithe? Do you still give an
offering of some sort during your time of testing or trials? Or do
you hold back from God what is rightfully His that provides for the
people who run the Churches to be able to keep lights on, and toilet
paper in the bath room? Sure that's pretty nitty gritty but lets
face it there are a lot of needs on the lower level in a church. Its
not all about paying a pastor's salary it is about keeping the people
safe, secure and accepting Christ. Managing the pittance of funds
that come in to some churches must be a total faith walk, but God
will provide for the needs of those who keep His commands. Even in
the midst of the trials.
Now I want you to know, dear brothers
and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches
in Macedonia. They hare being tested by many troubles, and they are
very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has
overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not
only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their
own free will.
2 Corinthians 8:1-3
I am blessed today, I want to rejoice
beyond rejoicing as we have just finished a few weeks of ministry
working with a group of teens and adults in a small town and a middle
size city, that stretched themselves and saw children grow in the
Lord. We had some small hardships to start out but as we worked
together and shifted things around all areas were covered and things.
In looking back over the photos I find myself seeing the good in my
team of workers not the things that annoyed me or that annoyed them
about me but the things that went well. I find it as a job well done
because we reached out to communities and blessed their children. We
gave them memories that will last at least a year and then they will
return next year ready for more fun and foundations of Christ in
order to grow, to over come and to seek Him for themselves! We are
building blocks, we create memories and foundations that others can
build upon and grow up beautiful children, teens, and even some
adults to take on the purpose that God brought them to learn in the
trials we walked through.
God provided for us in meals, places to
stay, comfortable some times, hard ground other times but God
provided for us safe, warm places to sleep. We were surrounded by His
love, even in the trying days or moments; memories of walking in His
Word, in His service and in His joy were created. Some have said the
memories may span generations and lifetimes; reminded me of the
everlasting joy we receive as Christians as we continue in our walk
with Christ.
Memories are made for a purpose; God
will bring us through hard times, desperate times, lonely times, to
build upon our foundations and to give us something to share.
So think for a moment; what are you
learning in your situation? Are you learning to trust God for your
next meal? Or are you learning to complain about having to wait in
line today?
When we keep our thoughts focused on
what He is bringing us to, it is much easier to get through the
trials to the blessing on the other end.
When I sign emails and even letters I
often sign, “Be blessed, not stressed.” This is because I know
that it is a choice to be stressed out over a situation or to relax
and know that God is in control and that all things will work
together for the good, for those who are called according to His
purpose. Even if I think words are not getting through to the
situation that needs changing, God can do all things.
Of course this means if I am in Him,
saved, following His commands, trying to walk as according to His
will as I can; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
So even when I feel like I can't roll one more tent at the end of a
month long camp tour, I can do all things through Christ's strength
in me. Even if you do not think you will make it to Friday's pay
check, God can provide the food you need to grow each day closer to
Him, both physical and spiritual food.
You haven't done this before. Ask,
using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
John 16:23-25
God's law was given so that all people
could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more,
God's wonderful grace became more abundant. Romans 5:19-20
If we keep His commands, His grace
abounds, His peace abounds, His provision abounds; but first we must
walk in His Words, which is walking in His commands.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to walk
in your Words daily. Remind us of Your commands, and directions in
the Word and guide us through our trials with provisions of blessings
in the spirit and in the physical, in Jesus name, amen.
Suggested Reading: John 10:1- 42,
Romans 5:1- 20,John 16:1-33, Romans 9:1-33