"Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20b
Yesterday we talked about the fact that many Christians live with the belief that they are exempt from having bad things happen to them. We discovered from the scriptures that this just isn't so. As a matter of fact, we also learned through God's word that sometimes He leads us into, allows or even orchestrates some of these "bad" things. This was the case with Joseph when he wound up in the pit, Potaphar's house and the prison. This was the case with Jesus in the wilderness, it was the Spirit that led Him there. This was the case with Job, God pointed Job out to satan.
This morning I am not going to attempt to answer the questions about why God does what He does. What I do want to do is give you this note of encouragement if you are going through one of those "bad" times. If you are in a pit situation, Potaphar's house, a prison, a time of catastrophe, fiery trials, terrible testing, you are not alone. Like the saying goes, "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it". And as He brings you through it, you will not be alone in it, He will be there with you. He promises to never leave you nor forsake you. He was with Joseph the entire time. He was with Jesus. He was with Job. He was with the Israelites in the wilderness, while they were in Egypt, each time they were in captivity. He was with David when he faced the lion, the bear and the giant. He was with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. He was with Daniel in the lion's den.
I don't always understand the ways of God- never will, they are past finding out. I can't answer all the questions as to why He allows some things to happen, why He doesn't stop others. But this I do know, that when things come our way, He is right there with us. He never takes His eyes off of us. He is watching the entire time. He doesn't take a break and leave us. So take heart this morning, you're not alone. He is with you and will stay with you from the beginning to the end and beyond.
Have a great day. Things happen in all our lives, but God promises to be with us every step of the way. He does not leave nor abandon us.
For further reading:
Genesis 45:6-8
Hebrews 13:5
Matthew 4:1
Psalm 34:15
Proverbs 15:3
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"Why Not?"
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Psalm 34:19
Yesterday we talked about the fact that when something happens in our lives we tend to start asking "why?". The real question though should be "how?". We may never know the "why" but we should always desire the "how"- how can God get glory out of this situation? One of my email friends wrote back and said that she asks, "Why not?" Her reply prompts me to write on this subject this morning.
I think she made a very good point- "Why not, me?" Why don't I think that bad things won't happen to me? Why do I think that just because I am a Christian I am exempt? So many Christians believe and are taught that nothing bad- no trials, no pain, no grief, no heartache, no problems- is ever suppose to happen to them. The scriptures don't back up that way of thinking. Jesus Himself told us that we would have tribulation while we live in this world. The Bible tells us that it "rains" on the just and the unjust.
Just because you are a Christian doesn't mean that you are "exempt". There are consequences to our actions and choices. If we make the right choice we will not suffer the consequences that are attached to them. So in that way, we become "exempt" from facing many additional problems. But there are times when God will allow or even bring to you certain situations that will try you, but each one is planned to work together for your good. Just ask Job- he was a righteous man, yet he suffered. Joseph had a call upon his life, yet he went through a pit, slavery and a prison. Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for a time of testing.
We are also told in the scriptures not to think that it is strange when some trial comes upon us- it serves a purpose. Therefore, if your question has been, "Why me, how could this happen to me I am a Christian?", you need to change your way of thinking and "step up to the plate" in faith and remind yourself- "why not me?". When you do, it will better equip you to then ask the question "how" and put you in a better position to be able to glorify God, bless others, and let it accomplish its perfect work in you.
Have a great day. The Lord never said that we would be exempt from problems, but when they come they serve a purpose in our lives that will work together for our good and His glory.
For further reading:
James 1:12
Psalms 105:17-19
John 16:33
Matthew 5:45
Job 23:10
James 1:2-4
Yesterday we talked about the fact that when something happens in our lives we tend to start asking "why?". The real question though should be "how?". We may never know the "why" but we should always desire the "how"- how can God get glory out of this situation? One of my email friends wrote back and said that she asks, "Why not?" Her reply prompts me to write on this subject this morning.
I think she made a very good point- "Why not, me?" Why don't I think that bad things won't happen to me? Why do I think that just because I am a Christian I am exempt? So many Christians believe and are taught that nothing bad- no trials, no pain, no grief, no heartache, no problems- is ever suppose to happen to them. The scriptures don't back up that way of thinking. Jesus Himself told us that we would have tribulation while we live in this world. The Bible tells us that it "rains" on the just and the unjust.
Just because you are a Christian doesn't mean that you are "exempt". There are consequences to our actions and choices. If we make the right choice we will not suffer the consequences that are attached to them. So in that way, we become "exempt" from facing many additional problems. But there are times when God will allow or even bring to you certain situations that will try you, but each one is planned to work together for your good. Just ask Job- he was a righteous man, yet he suffered. Joseph had a call upon his life, yet he went through a pit, slavery and a prison. Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for a time of testing.
We are also told in the scriptures not to think that it is strange when some trial comes upon us- it serves a purpose. Therefore, if your question has been, "Why me, how could this happen to me I am a Christian?", you need to change your way of thinking and "step up to the plate" in faith and remind yourself- "why not me?". When you do, it will better equip you to then ask the question "how" and put you in a better position to be able to glorify God, bless others, and let it accomplish its perfect work in you.
Have a great day. The Lord never said that we would be exempt from problems, but when they come they serve a purpose in our lives that will work together for our good and His glory.
For further reading:
James 1:12
Psalms 105:17-19
John 16:33
Matthew 5:45
Job 23:10
James 1:2-4
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
"Not Why, How"
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
For those of you who don't know, I was involved in an accident yesterday. I was heading to the nursing home and was in the turn lane when a truck pulled into my lane on me. He did not see me coming until it was too late. When I saw him, it was too late. I am fine, no one was injured, the vehicles are going to need some repair but we were both able to drive them away from the scene.
When things happen to us, we tend to start asking the question- WHY?? I would like to clarify something this morning, the question is not "why" but "how". There are some things that happen that we will never know why they happened. So for the Christian we need to focus on the "how"- how can God get glory from this, how can I use this as a testimony to give Him praise, how can I witness to others about God through this.
In my case yesterday, I want to turn this situation around for God's glory this morning. His faithfulness, grace and mercy were there. No one was hurt, the vehicles were drivable, the impact was not hard. I thank God that my grandbaby was not with me because he hit me on the side she rides on. It could have been worse. The policeman told us that there was another wreck a week or so ago in that same area and it was really bad. Something exciting about the whole situation was that the man who hit me was so nice, the policeman was so nice, I had just an overwhelming feeling of grace surrounding me, wasn't the least bit upset or nervous- that was God. The really exciting part was that the three of us talked about the Lord. The man who hit me, turns out, goes to church with my sister and she said that he just got saved about a year ago and has a wonderful testimony that he never minds sharing. The policeman when calling in my tag number spelled it out then said it- it is personalized and reads "are you forgiven". He told me that he did that intentionally so that everyone who was on the radios would hear it and perhaps it would touch some lives. I was thrilled! All things truly do work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. This whole situation has, is and will glorify God, that's one of the reasons I am sharing it this morning, that He might get glory through this testimony of His loving-kindness, great grace, tender mercies, protection and provision.
When bad things happen to us, and they do and will, the Bible tells us that, we need to change our way of thinking as "kingdom people" and stop thinking and dwelling on the "why" and start dwelling on "how"- how can I give God praise and glory through this, how can He be exalted through the situation? In doing so the enemy is defeated in this area because it cuts him off leaving him with nothing to use against you. In doing so others will be encouraged and blessed and perhaps their faith will be renewed. In doing so our Father is honored because it is a reflection on who He is and He will be glorified.
Have a great day. Stop always asking "why" because you may never get the answer. Instead, start asking "how".- how can I glorify God through this? Once you do, it will lift you above the situation and you will see God's grace and glory.
For further reading:
Matthew 5:45
John 9:2,3
2 Timothy 1:12
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
John 11: 20- 40
For those of you who don't know, I was involved in an accident yesterday. I was heading to the nursing home and was in the turn lane when a truck pulled into my lane on me. He did not see me coming until it was too late. When I saw him, it was too late. I am fine, no one was injured, the vehicles are going to need some repair but we were both able to drive them away from the scene.
When things happen to us, we tend to start asking the question- WHY?? I would like to clarify something this morning, the question is not "why" but "how". There are some things that happen that we will never know why they happened. So for the Christian we need to focus on the "how"- how can God get glory from this, how can I use this as a testimony to give Him praise, how can I witness to others about God through this.
In my case yesterday, I want to turn this situation around for God's glory this morning. His faithfulness, grace and mercy were there. No one was hurt, the vehicles were drivable, the impact was not hard. I thank God that my grandbaby was not with me because he hit me on the side she rides on. It could have been worse. The policeman told us that there was another wreck a week or so ago in that same area and it was really bad. Something exciting about the whole situation was that the man who hit me was so nice, the policeman was so nice, I had just an overwhelming feeling of grace surrounding me, wasn't the least bit upset or nervous- that was God. The really exciting part was that the three of us talked about the Lord. The man who hit me, turns out, goes to church with my sister and she said that he just got saved about a year ago and has a wonderful testimony that he never minds sharing. The policeman when calling in my tag number spelled it out then said it- it is personalized and reads "are you forgiven". He told me that he did that intentionally so that everyone who was on the radios would hear it and perhaps it would touch some lives. I was thrilled! All things truly do work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. This whole situation has, is and will glorify God, that's one of the reasons I am sharing it this morning, that He might get glory through this testimony of His loving-kindness, great grace, tender mercies, protection and provision.
When bad things happen to us, and they do and will, the Bible tells us that, we need to change our way of thinking as "kingdom people" and stop thinking and dwelling on the "why" and start dwelling on "how"- how can I give God praise and glory through this, how can He be exalted through the situation? In doing so the enemy is defeated in this area because it cuts him off leaving him with nothing to use against you. In doing so others will be encouraged and blessed and perhaps their faith will be renewed. In doing so our Father is honored because it is a reflection on who He is and He will be glorified.
Have a great day. Stop always asking "why" because you may never get the answer. Instead, start asking "how".- how can I glorify God through this? Once you do, it will lift you above the situation and you will see God's grace and glory.
For further reading:
Matthew 5:45
John 9:2,3
2 Timothy 1:12
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
John 11: 20- 40
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
"Not A Captive"
"We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion." Psalm 137:2,3
I went through a period of time years ago when I felt like I had lost my joy, my song, my victory and my fight. The verse above was my "theme song"- I had hung my harp upon a willow tree. Each time I thought I could take it off and pick it back up, I was "hit" again with the same discouragement that kept me in defeat.
One day a friend shared something that the Lord had shown her from the verses above. She said that the enemy would taunt Israel while they were in captivity to sing them the songs of their homeland knowing they would not because of their physical condition/location. Then she related what was happening to them on a spiritual level. The enemy tries to make us feel like captives then he taunts and mocks us to sing a "song"- to rejoice, to testify, to sing praises- but we allow the situation to make us feel like captives so we don't. She went on to say that we are not captives; we have been set free. Jesus set us free. He destroyed the works of the enemy that he uses against us. We are not in bondage, the chains have been broken, the prison door opened, we have no reason to hang our harps, our heads or our hands down. We are free.
Once she said that my eyes were opened, I received the truth of God's word and regained my "fight", my song, my joy and my victory! And anytime the enemy has come to attack and try to make me lay my harp down and take away my joy, he can't do it. My situation may not be the best. Conditions around me may look like captivity. It may look like defeat and not victory. It may not look like I am winning, but I am a winner. I am more than a conqueror. I am victorious and not a captive because Jesus already got the victory on my behalf. He broke the bonds of prison for me. I am not defeated, the devil is!
Don't listen to the lies of the enemy. He tries to make you think that you are a captive, that you are defeated, that you have lost, that you will never win, that you have no reason to sing, but it's all lies. Jesus defeated him and his works and he can no longer take us captive. He who the Son sets free is free indeed. Jesus didn't give us a partial freedom, He didn't give us temporary freedom, He didn't open the prison door a little, He didn't destroy a portion of the enemy's power-- He did it all and when He did it... it was finished!!! So pick up your harp and start singing and rejoicing, you are not a captive!!!
Have a great day. You have no reason to hang your harp on a willow tree or lay it down, you are not a prisoner... Jesus freed you!
For Further Reading:
John 8:36
Romans 8:37-39
Colossians 2:15,16
Psalm 98:1
1 John 3:8
I went through a period of time years ago when I felt like I had lost my joy, my song, my victory and my fight. The verse above was my "theme song"- I had hung my harp upon a willow tree. Each time I thought I could take it off and pick it back up, I was "hit" again with the same discouragement that kept me in defeat.
One day a friend shared something that the Lord had shown her from the verses above. She said that the enemy would taunt Israel while they were in captivity to sing them the songs of their homeland knowing they would not because of their physical condition/location. Then she related what was happening to them on a spiritual level. The enemy tries to make us feel like captives then he taunts and mocks us to sing a "song"- to rejoice, to testify, to sing praises- but we allow the situation to make us feel like captives so we don't. She went on to say that we are not captives; we have been set free. Jesus set us free. He destroyed the works of the enemy that he uses against us. We are not in bondage, the chains have been broken, the prison door opened, we have no reason to hang our harps, our heads or our hands down. We are free.
Once she said that my eyes were opened, I received the truth of God's word and regained my "fight", my song, my joy and my victory! And anytime the enemy has come to attack and try to make me lay my harp down and take away my joy, he can't do it. My situation may not be the best. Conditions around me may look like captivity. It may look like defeat and not victory. It may not look like I am winning, but I am a winner. I am more than a conqueror. I am victorious and not a captive because Jesus already got the victory on my behalf. He broke the bonds of prison for me. I am not defeated, the devil is!
Don't listen to the lies of the enemy. He tries to make you think that you are a captive, that you are defeated, that you have lost, that you will never win, that you have no reason to sing, but it's all lies. Jesus defeated him and his works and he can no longer take us captive. He who the Son sets free is free indeed. Jesus didn't give us a partial freedom, He didn't give us temporary freedom, He didn't open the prison door a little, He didn't destroy a portion of the enemy's power-- He did it all and when He did it... it was finished!!! So pick up your harp and start singing and rejoicing, you are not a captive!!!
Have a great day. You have no reason to hang your harp on a willow tree or lay it down, you are not a prisoner... Jesus freed you!
For Further Reading:
John 8:36
Romans 8:37-39
Colossians 2:15,16
Psalm 98:1
1 John 3:8
Monday, November 2, 2009
"More Time On Who?"
"And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord, and the king's house." 1 Kings 9:10
King David wasn't allowed to build the temple of the Lord, but his son Solomon built it. Solomon also built himself a house. It took him seven years to build the house of the Lord and thirteen years to built his own house. If you look at this on a "spiritual" level, what's wrong with this picture? It took him over twice as long to build something for himself than it did to build something for the Lord.
Are we the same way? There is no doubt that we may be spending on the Lord, working for the Lord, giving to the Lord, but are we doing more or less for the Lord than we are doing for ourselves? Is my life being "spent" on me- my plans, my dreams, my agenda, my wants and desires- or on the Lord's will and plan?
Sure there are responsibilities that we have to take care of and we should not neglect them. But is the emphasis in our lives placed more on self or on God? Is it about what pleases Him or pleases self? There is a kingdom principle given to us in the scriptures- "Seek ye first, the kingdom of God, then all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) I believe that this verse has a two-fold meaning- one, it's a condition to blessings, and two, it's a command.
Are you following this principle? Are you seeking Him first or self first? Are you seeking His will or your own? Are you putting His plans above your own plans? Are you spending your life on those things that please you or Him? Again, it's not a bad thing to tend to the affairs of this life, but your affairs should never take priority over His affairs.
Have a great day. Are you spending more time on your "house" than on His "house"?
For further reading:
2 Chronicles 26:5
Jereniah 29:11
John 5:30; 6:38
Mark 14:36
King David wasn't allowed to build the temple of the Lord, but his son Solomon built it. Solomon also built himself a house. It took him seven years to build the house of the Lord and thirteen years to built his own house. If you look at this on a "spiritual" level, what's wrong with this picture? It took him over twice as long to build something for himself than it did to build something for the Lord.
Are we the same way? There is no doubt that we may be spending on the Lord, working for the Lord, giving to the Lord, but are we doing more or less for the Lord than we are doing for ourselves? Is my life being "spent" on me- my plans, my dreams, my agenda, my wants and desires- or on the Lord's will and plan?
Sure there are responsibilities that we have to take care of and we should not neglect them. But is the emphasis in our lives placed more on self or on God? Is it about what pleases Him or pleases self? There is a kingdom principle given to us in the scriptures- "Seek ye first, the kingdom of God, then all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) I believe that this verse has a two-fold meaning- one, it's a condition to blessings, and two, it's a command.
Are you following this principle? Are you seeking Him first or self first? Are you seeking His will or your own? Are you putting His plans above your own plans? Are you spending your life on those things that please you or Him? Again, it's not a bad thing to tend to the affairs of this life, but your affairs should never take priority over His affairs.
Have a great day. Are you spending more time on your "house" than on His "house"?
For further reading:
2 Chronicles 26:5
Jereniah 29:11
John 5:30; 6:38
Mark 14:36
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