Last Resort

          Today's blog is about where we turn in crisis, to whom we turn to, and when we turn for help.  If you're like me, I usually find what I'm looking for in the last place I look.  Why do we search and search in life, before asking for help?  Our arrogant pride tells us, we can do life on our own terms, our way, independently, and without guidance.  God says, "“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" in Matthew 11:28.   God knows and hopes for that moment in our lives, when we realize we can't do this life alone.  He knows life is troublesome, overwhelming, unfair, heartbreaking, and full of questions.  John 16:33  "“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
         God's message of hope, forgiveness and redemption is meant for all people groups, races, genders, and ages.  Most people don't respond immediately to His call, but postpone their accepted response for different reasons.  "Some may think God won’t mind waiting till their busy lives quiet down so they can spare Him some time. Others are too proud to acknowledge God. Some live comfortably by virtue of their own efforts, and they don’t feel any need to turn to God. Some simply love their sin. And others are so convinced they are earning their salvation by good works they have not yet turned to God in faith."
        "From before creation, God knew whom He would call: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ” Ephesians 1:4–5. God knows just the right time to call a sinner to repentance and salvation. Many can hear the outward call of God, for the seed of God’s Word is cast all over, but not all the seed lands on “good soil” where it can take root and produce a harvest, Matthew 13:1–23. In addition to hearing the outward call, individuals must hear the inward call of the Holy Spirit, for it is He who convicts us of our sin and enables us to put faith in Christ." [gotquestions.org]
        God knows our hearts, and He knows who will respond to His call and when.  He is more patient and faithful to fulfill his purposes than we can ever imagine.  That is why we must never give up on praying for someone's salvation.  It is not about our work and timing, but God is the only one with the power to save.  Even though He uses us for his kingdom, God gets the glory.  Ephesians 2:8-10  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  
       

3 Dangers of Pride [notionofhope]

1] Separates You From God--Pride is always the root cause of sin. Sinning separates us from God. We become so consumed with our desires and our ego that we have no room for God in our lives.
2] Destroys Your Destiny--we can only fulfill that destiny with God, who makes our paths straight.
3] Pride Comes Before A Fall-- Pride will make everything about you worse. Your work ethic, your personality, your relationship with God and with others.  In almost every area of life, it can cause you to fall.

         As for myself and on a lighter note, I have a funny story to share about my dad, being a last resort to call.  When I was dating, one afternoon my boyfriend and I decided to go mudding in his new Dodge 4x4 truck with his best friend and his truck.  I love to go mudding!  We got to have fun for about 30 minutes before getting stuck.  Our friend's truck was fine but ours wasn't.  Well, the other truck couldn't get us out.  Wrecker #1 got stuck, as well as, Wrecker #2.  So, about 11:30pm, we called my dad for help because my curfew was midnight..lol.  My dad had a white Dodge Ram truck with jumbo tires at the time but my boyfriend didn't want to ask for help.  My dad has always thought it was funny that he was the last to call, but he did get the truck out the next day.  Pride can make things worse than they have to be, but gratitude steps in when a helping hand is extended without boasting.