~in His Word
As we grow older we
start to feel aches and pains, its inevitable they say. Sometimes I say “No it
is not!”
I need to keep
making myself physically strong so that the pains will subside! I need to keep
working out even when I do not feel like it! This is all true, by the way, but
we do not only need physical strength to stand strong like Christ. I we are to
have the same mind as Christ we should live to do as the Father God would have us
live. Knowing that he suffered a little as Christ in the body of a man, we know
that Jesus knows our pain. He suffered so that we would not have to, he has
done this so that we could see that we need to stop sinning and live for Him.
Christ suffered while he was in his body. So you should
strengthen yourselves with the same kind of thinking Christ had. The one who
accepts suffering in this life has clearly decided to stop sinning.2 Strengthen yourselves so that you will
live your lives here on earth doing what God wants, not the evil things that
people want to do. 1 Peter 4:1-2
The sin I am guilty
of is trying to do it all by myself. I need to let God do a work in and through
me and stop trying to just be the one to fix my problems. Sure I should
probably work out more but I should also start with prayer that will encourage
me as well as help me to find direction as to what to do next.
Sometimes we go to
a doctor, sometimes God just heals us first and then we figure out through a
doctor what happened. I had a broken foot, I did not know it at the time, I
thought it was just sprained and that I was just slow at healing, and a big
baby. Nope! When I went in because it seemed like a toe
had popped out of place they took an x-ray. In that x-ray they saw my little ‘tarsal
bones had
broken and were kind of jumbled up.
broken and were kind of jumbled up.
It seemed to have
healed okay and with a little bit of physical therapy for loose tendons I am
find! This summer I jumped up and down, and hiked, and danced to worship songs
at a kids VBS. I even got up on a surf board in troth!
Sure it wasn’t on
the ocean but I stood up and bounced on it in the water, it was a really fun
time! I could not have done that had God
not healed my foot in the first place. When the Bible says He shall supply all
my needs I believe it! I have seen it.
So when I hear,
read or study about God suffering for us, I believe it I know it from first
hand experience.
That makes it easier for me, but what about those things we have not experienced?
Floods, fires or worse? How do we know we
can trust God in the big things?
And not for them only do I pray,
but for them also who through their word shall believe in me; that they all may be one, as
thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us; that the
world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:19-21
Because He trusted
the Father in the big things, as well as the small. I we are to have Christ
like thinking then we too should know that we are one with Him and God will
come through for us because He abides with us. It is really that simple.
So today when you
get upset over whatever is going on in your life at work, or school or home;
trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding in
all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6) He
will give you the knowledge you need, the hope you need, the peace that you
need as you need it if you keep your mind stayed on Him. He will keep us there!
Heavenly Father,
help us to focus on You and not on our problems, to do what we must but to
allow You to do the healing and encouraging in our lives, in Jesus name, amen.
Suggested reading:
1 Peter 4: 1-19, 1 Peter 5: 1-14, Ephesians 4:1-32, and Ephesians 2:1-22