Trusting, Listening, Walking, In His Word 7-29-13



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