The Animals In Our Lives

 Proverbs 12:10

The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

         I thank God everyday for the animals He has put in my life.  Each one of them have been a special blessing in their own way.  They all have their own personality and express themselves differently.  There were only a few short years that I didn't have an animal in my care.  M. Henry says, "The animals that are under our care must be provided for, must have convenient food and rest, must in no case be abused."  Yes, every animal should be taken care of, just like we would want to be.  God's command to "Love one another" includes the animals that are in our lives.  "A godly person is always kind, and that kindness extends to the animals under his care. The righteous person cares about all life, including animal life." [gotquestions.org]

        "God cares greatly for the animals He has created. Those who seek to follow His ways will also care about His creation, including animal life. Animal cruelty, the neglect of pets, and the wanton destruction of a species are sin. Christians are called to care for animals, expressing the same attitude toward animal life as our Creator has."  [gotquestions.org]

        When I was in my teens, I couldn't do most of the jobs that my friends had.  I wanted a job tho, that was within my capabilities.  So, one Christmas I got a female golden retriever, that I named Wendy.  Wendy turned out to be a wonderful mother, so much so that she took care of another one of our dog's pups.  My dad took care of a lot of the physical labor in raising my pups, like filling the feeders and water bowls and taking them to the vet for shots.  I gave Wendy and her pups all the love they needed.  It's hard to let go of the pups when they are old enough, but they filled new homes with fun, excitement and love.  God's creatures are an example of His creativity, blessings, and bundles of love.

Lying Hurts

 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”   Exodus 20:16

         As I continue my youthful blogs, I want to talk about lying.  The Bible is clear that lying is a sin and is displeasing to God.  The first sin in this world involved a lie told to Eve.   "In the early church, Ananias and Sapphira lied regarding a donation in order to make themselves look more generous than they really were. Peter’s rebuke is stern: “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?”. God’s judgment was sterner: the couple died as a result of their sin of lying.   Jesus called Himself the way, the truth, and the life, and He expects those who follow Him to be people of truth. The truth is to be expressed in love, offering hope to those seeking redemption from the lies of the world. [gotquestions.org]

         "Satan continues his efforts to make sin less offensive, heaven less appealing, hell less horrific and the Gospel less urgent." - John MacArthur

            Yes, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  I freely admit that I am a sinner and that includes my days of lying, as a teenager.  God knows all of our sinful ways and sometimes our parents find out about them too.  

             In 7th and 8th grade, I played the flute in band.  It wasn't my love or my talent.  I was supposed to practice a few times a week and record it in a chart.  One time, my parents had went out to dinner and when they came home, they asked "Did you practice your flute?'  I answered without any doubt, "Yes!"   My dad went back out to the car and brought my flute back into the house.  BUSTED!!  The lie I told was undeniable.  My parents told me how disappointed they were of me.  I felt ashamed and went to them asking for forgiveness.

             We should all repent of our sinful ways and ask for forgiveness from God.  Ephesians 1:7-8  "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us."  God has His arms open wide ready to welcome you into His kingdom with His free gift of salvation.

Appearance and The Truth of It

 1 Samuel 16:7

" The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

           The world is so quick to judge a book by it's cover or people by what they see.  "In ways we cannot understand, we reflect His own beauty. God places some value on appearances; if He did not, we would all look the same. It is not a wrong thing for us to notice and appreciate physical appearance as well."

            "Our outward appearance should not be our focus. If the reason we try to be the perfect weight, wear the best clothes, have facial treatments, etc., is to impress other people, then our physical appearance has become a matter of pride. We should be humbly aware of our appearance rather than acting to conform to the world’s standards. We must watch out for anything that draws us away from God, including the too-often extreme emphasis the world places on appearances.  God has shown us His own amazing power and beauty and love in an incredibly diverse creation. We should be humble, not committing idolatry in worshiping the creation rather than the Creator."  [gotquestions.org]

            As a teenager, I was a girly girl.  My focus was on both an inner and outer beauty of myself.  I didn't want to be in the popular crowd of girls who were pretty in the mirror, but were obviously ugly in their speech and attitude.  I am grateful that God looks at my heart because while it's not perfect, it is a caring and thoughtful one.  I know love because Jesus loved me first and I've seen it through Him.

            Oh, I spent plenty of time in front of the mirror growing up.  Blue eye shadow was my signature shade.  Straight hair with feathered bangs transformed into permed hair with perfectly teased bangs.  My obsession with the latest in-style jeans, usually Guess brand for me, was my mom's battle back then.  

            Matthew 23:12 ""For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."   When I got married, my beauty needs got humbled along with my bank account.  I was suddenly grateful for all the stuff I got at Walmart and The Dollar Store.  

            As I've gotten older, humility has come more from knowing who I am and whose I am than anything else.  My small size has been judged by people, as a person who needs a child's menu or no menu at all.  My wheelchair bound self has been judged as one who's never walked or been educated or had a life.  People think they are better than me just because of their current abilities, that I have lost.  Not knowing isn't better, but just ignorance.

          A mirage is an example of seeing and believing in something that's not true.  Don't make your vision of others like a mirage, find out the truth about them in whatever shape or form you see them in. 💚

What Tomorrow Will Bring

 James 4:13-15

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Sleep

 

Psalm 4:8  "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."

        Sleep is essential for us to restore our worn down muscles from the day and to recharge our brain.  Sleep plays an important role in both your physical and mental health.  When we feel secure and at peace, our sleep comes more easily and is more restful.  As Psalm 4;8 states, it is God alone who is all sufficient to protect us when all of our own defenses are at rest.  "Though I am alone, yet I am not alone, for God is with me; though I have no guards to attend me, the Lord alone is sufficient to protect me; he can do it himself when all other defenses fail." [M. Henry]  

         "So a good man, having by faith and prayer cast his care upon God, sleeps and rests night and day, and is very easy, leaving it to his God to perform all things for him and prepared to welcome his holy will." [M. Henry]  

          As a very young girl, my nightly prayer was "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. AMEN"   It may sound a little depressing for a 4 or 5year old to say, but it's not.  It's was a reassurance that God is in control as I closed my eyes knowing that I had nothing to fear or worry about.  I don't recall ever being afraid of monsters under my bed.  God gave me 'peace'.  This prayer can help bring children sweeter sleep and more confidence every day.

        Oh, how I miss the sweet sleep I had in my youth.  As I look back in hindsight tho, I can see how I learned patience and endurance even during my sleep times.  Whether it was my pink foam curlers or my brace's headgear for my teeth, their uncomfortable times on my head was preparing me for a future I would've never suspected.  I wonder if those times made it easier for me to accept my current mask wearing with greater ease.

         God alone has made me sleep in safety.  I've always felt secure whether I lived at home, in the dorm, in an apartment, in a rented room, in a duplex or in my own home because I've always known God watches over me.  Psalm 145:20  "The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. —

Isaiah 26:3

Fear Isn't Part Of The Plan

 

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.      

         Today, I will discuss one type of fear.   The fear that comes from living in this dangerous world and the feeling of being alone, but we are not.  The verse above, Isaiah 41:10, comforts us and tells us how God is always here for us and with us.  'Do not be dismayed' reminds us not to get too frustrated, too alone, or too overwhelmed by what we face.  He is with us!  His strength helps us, like nothing in this world can provide!  Its indescribable and all-powerful!   This verse is "to silence the fears, and encourage the faith, of the servants of God in their distresses." [M. Henry]  For by suppressing our fears, He assures us... to fear not the enemy and doubt not the promises of God.  God is all-sufficient, even in our worst times.  "He will take us by the hand as our guide, to lead us in our way, will help us up when we are fallen or prevent our falls; when we are weak he will hold us up-wavering, he will fix us-trembling, he will encourage us, and so hold us by the right hand."  [M. Henry]

          As a child, some of my fears were mine alone and weren't spoken of to anyone.  I knew my legs were weaker than others, just by the mere presence of my braces.  In elementary school in Stuttgart, I had to cross the ditch to get to school and the fear of falling led me to scope out the smoothest, different path each day.  God gave me confidence thru the Holy Spirit.  When I was in 6th grade at Sylvan Hills Elementary, God provided strength thru my new friend, Nita.  She knew it was hard for me to walk up the steep hill from recess to class, so she pulled me with her belt loop on her jeans.  Onto junior high, where stairs were now a part of my daily struggles and fears.  I was slower than slow, but that was better than a fall.  I knew God was with me and upholding me with His right hand.  The struggle wasn't over when school was out but now the bus trials called for strength and endurance.  My friend, Lily, helped me get my school books onboard because just getting myself on was a feat in itself.  So many times, a tumbling I went off the bus while books and a flute case went scattering.  My dog, Bosco,  waited patiently for me so we could climb and fall on the steep gravel driveway together.  Confidence was built not only in myself but in God's promise to 'be with me always'.

           As a teenager, my most difficult surgery yet was now to be faced.  Back surgery that involved placing 2 titanium rods along my spine and fusing them to my vertebrae.  This is where my trust in God was truly tested and God's promises were on the line.  Before I went back to surgery, I had no fear or obvious doubt but I reassured my Dad that 'It was going to be okay' and it was well with my soul.

          When we let fear rule our lives instead of faith, we get a life that isn't what God had planned for us.

Responsibility

Proverbs 22:6 

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

         One thing I believe is lacking in America today is responsibility.  What teaches a child into becoming an independent and purposeful adult is responsibility.  We have a responsibility in our actions, speech and attitudes.  "The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up." [J. Maxwell]  Who do we work for and have responsibility due to?  Colossians 3:23  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."   "We need to realize that in all things our first duty and responsibility is to God Himself." [H. Ironside]  We need to need to yield specifically to the Lord, forsake every doubtful aspect in our life, be willing to obey fully to God's will, and believe through prayer that He will flood our spirit with His power.

        "The more personal responsibility we take, the more in control we are and the more control we have, the more likely we will reach our goal as there will be no excuses to fall back on if we fail. Therefore, taking responsibility for our actions equals success."

      As a child, I was taught Galatians 6:5  "for each one should carry their own load."  I was not let out of household chores, because of some weakness clause.  After school, I remember folding clothes while watching "The Brady Bunch" and walking as fast as I could during commercials to get them put away before the show resumed.  Along with the clothes, beds also had to be made before my parents got home from work. 

         Responsibility was also taught on the weekends.  I was the riding lawnmower driver.  I was paid $10 to mow our entire 2.5 acres and you could find me mowing in my bathing suit  top and shorts with my headphones on.  If I wasn't mowing, I was pulling a trailer with brush from the yard or moving dirt with the blade on the front of the riding lawnmower.

          I was also taught about my responsibility to my Lord and Savior.  That my life was to serve and be an example for Him.  Yes, I failed Him but His forgiveness was also something I shared with others.  " Everything begins with the right priorities, and right priorities begin with God." [W. Kroll]

          As I grew older, these lessons on responsibility paid off.  It was only I who would finish numerous after hour labs in college, whether it be chemistry or checking on my fruit flies in genetics.  When I changed colleges between 3 states, I knew no one was going to figure it out for me if I was going to finish with a degree somewhere.  God led me, but I had to do the work.

          My attitude towards responsibility has always been that it was mine to finish in whatever I signed up for.  I don't believe in or partake in the blame game.  I was raised to be a doer and not as an excuser.  "The providence of God does not relieve us of human responsibility: it doesn't call for inactivity, it calls for activity."  [Alistair Begg]

Being Content

 

     Welcome blog readers!  For the next several blogs, I am going to change the way I do my blogs.  I am going to make them more personal with a biblical theme or verse to draw from.  I will start as a child and go from there, but no promises to go chronologically in order.  I hope this will be both fun and purposeful.

      Deuteronomy 5:21

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

      As a child, my world was as normal as any other healthy child born into this world.  I hit all the milestones with ease and was a happy toddler.  As I began walking, my right foot turned in and caused me to fall more than normal.

      That is when, I began wearing corrective shoes.  They were white leather with black accents on the sides.  I was not happy with them, because they weren't my sneakers and they had to be worn for every occasion.  This was my first lesson on covetousness.  I wanted to wear the 'cool' shoes like the other kids, but those shoes weren't helpful to my feet or falling episodes.  "We cannot be covetous and thankful at the same time. Covetousness kills contentment, joy, and peace."  I don't know if I was ever thankful for those shoes, but I did learn to accept them.

      A year or two later, I was put into leg braces.  Now these were both good and bad, from my perspective as a child.  The good was that I could pick out my shoes and add variety.  The bad was that I now had ugly, hot restraints that I had to relearn to walk with.  Although the braces supported me to fall less, there were new things to learn not to covet.  Such as the cute ankle socks with the ball on the back, instead I had to wear hot white knee high socks no matter the season.  In later years, my friends began to wear cute shoes with heels, but my braces only allowed for flat shoes.  It may sound trivial, but for a girly girl it is a real thing that you just dismiss as another thing that you just give up.

        We live in a world where there is much to desire, but we must use our faith to see that we don't have to have everything our heart desires.  The small lessons I learned as a child, that helpful aides are more beneficial than pretty things, have stuck with me throughout my life.  There would be harder choices to come later in life, but with the same basic lesson to be lived out.  "He who is not contented in what he has, would not be contented in what he would like to have." [Socrates}

       "Faith is the experience of contentment in Jesus. The fight of faith is the fight to keep your heart contented in Christ — to really believe, and keep on believing, that he will meet every need and satisfy every longing."

 

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

         Do the troubles of your world ever seem overwhelming?  That's the goal of Satan.  We need to say as Jesus did to Peter in Matthew 16:23 "“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”   When Satan tries to take over our thoughts and feelings, we must recognize that they are not what Christ wants for us.   We must "stand against his wiles and depths, by standing always upon our guard against sin."  [M. Henry]

         From a friend, "Does life feel rocky for you? I know that struggle all too well, but God is greater than our circumstances! I love how God weaves different people into the tapestry of our lives. He’s a good Father."

"Be joyful in hope." To believers, hope is a confident expectation in Christ's promises, resurrection, and return. No matter what troubles we go thru, we can be joyful by trusting in God to do what He says, He will do. There is so much joy to be found in the character of God.

"Be patient in affliction."  We will all suffer heartaches, injuries, disappointments, lack, rejection, and sickness.   Affliction reminds us that this world is not our home.   God has prepared a place for believers that is so great, we cannot fathom it.  To suffer for Christ is a privilege and we should feel honored by that call to do so.

         "Be faithful in prayer."   Prayer is our always available, effective and powerful connection to God.  There is no one better to whom we can take our troubles to, as well as give thanks to for who He is and what He has done.  While we pray for things to happen in our lifetime, we must recognize that our faithfulness to prayer isn't dependent on being answered on our timeline.  We pray for God's will and in His timing.

           As for myself, I am for the most part a positive and joyful person.  That joy comes from the confidence I have in God.  Every struggle is working for my good and knowing that makes them easier to bear.  My patience has grown tremendously through my afflictions.  My trials haven't been easy, but it is God's will for me.  For me to bring Him glory through my struggles is my obedient calling.  I have struggles that are both seen and unseen, but God is most glorified by how I react.  Do I lean on Him or my own understanding of what's happening to me?  Prayer is my lifeline for everything.  When the world has walked away, betrayed me, and turned it's back on me..God has always been there to listen, guide me and love me.  "Therefore I do not lose heart. Though outwardly I am wasting away, yet inwardly I am being renewed day by day. "

Trapped For Now But Not Forever

God Is In Every Circumstance

 

      Although we can’t always grasp what God is doing in our circumstances, we can rely on His promise to work all things together for good to those who belong to Him. It’s important to remember that nothing touches us without passing though His loving, sovereign hands.

      Romans 8:28  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Prayer Life

 

      How is your prayer life?  Often people call on God on a 911 basis, when their need is great and God is a desperate resource.  Would you like to be turned to only in an emergency?  No, of course not, and neither does God.  God is available to us, 24/7 and 365 days a year, but why is He often a last resource that we go to.  Self reliance and dependency are the main faulty reasons.

      What is  prayer and how does it work?  "Prayer is staying in communication with God—talking to Him, spending time in His presence, and drawing near to Him. Through prayer, we express adoration and thanks to God, we make requests known to Him, we intercede for others, and we learn more about His character and His will for our lives."  [gotquestions.org]

       Pastor and author Andrew Murray provided a good description of acceptable prayer, writing that “it must be to the glory of God, in full surrender to His will, in full assurance of faith, in the name of Jesus, and with a perseverance that, if need be, refuses to be denied."

        Is sin keeping you from an effective prayer life?  Unconfessed sin in your heart is a main hindrance of one's prayer life.  Isaiah 59:2  "But your iniquities have separated   you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you,   so that he will not hear."   Psalm 66:18  " If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened"

        Other Hindrances to Powerful and Effective Prayer Life:

1] When we are living according to the flesh, rather than in the Spirit 

2] When our prayers are selfishly motivated

3] A hardness of heart toward others

4] A spirit of unforgiveness toward others

5] Unbelief and doubt

6] Discord in the home

           “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”, and that the “eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer”, and, again, “the prayer of the upright pleases Him”

Ten biblical instructions concerning prayer :

1) Pray to the Heavenly Father

2) Pray for good things 

3) Pray for needful things

4) Pray from a righteous heart

5) Pray from a grateful heart

6) Pray according to the will of God

7) Pray in the authority of Jesus Christ

8) Pray persistently

9) Pray unselfishly

10) Pray in faith

 

        Sometimes we pray and pray, but our prayers go unanswered.  This could be God saying 'No' and we are just not listening or accepting of His answer.  Or, sometimes our prayers are made in the wrong way.  

1] We want to help God answer our prayers.   If the answer doesn’t come as soon as we’d like, our faith in Him begins to waver, and we try to fix the situation ourselves. 

2] We focus on our requests rather than on God.  Our thoughts are focused on the needs and not on the One who can meet them

3] We pray without the Word of God  When Scripture fills our hearts and minds, our thoughts and prayer requests align with God’s will, and our faith grows strong. But if we neglect God’s Word, there is no light to guide our path or to give us understanding and assurance 

       I hope these thoughts on prayer help to make your prayer life more powerful and effective, as it has mine.  Peace and grace to you all.

Push Forward

 

Ephesians 6:10-11 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

         Have you ever needed a little extra push to get something done?  I think we all have.  Remember, the little engine that could, he told himself 'I think I can' while others told him 'to believe its true then there's nothing you can't do' and that 'winners never quit'.    Encouragement is a basic need in our lives.   Life can be so discouraging at times, so much so that we have to seek out our own encouragement.  The Lord gave us the bible to not only guide us but to encourage us.  Matthew 6:33-34  "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

         Do you believe the Lord hears and knows your troubles?  Psalm 10:17-18  "You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed"   Prayer works, it's just not always on our timetable.  Our prayers are heard even when they go unanswered and sometimes no answer is the best answer.  Our cries to the Lord can motivate us to seek Him more, than we do when things are going as we'd like in our lives.  

          Romans 15: 4-6  "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

          Proverbs 21:21  "Whoever pursues righteousness and love  finds life, prosperity and honor."  This verse is one that pushes us forward on the right path. When we do the right thing and act with love with others, then it will bring you great reward.  We have to go after or pursue being Christ-like in all our ways and then our lives will be more peaceful and prosperous.  Hebrews 12: 14  " Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

          We all need encouragement to make the most out of our lives and to avoid the snare of sin, that wants to entrap us.   1 Thessalonians 5:11  "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."    We can encourage each other: with a kind word, by our example, with an out-stretched arm, with a listening ear, with our resources, or by just sharing our faith.

          As for myself, I have been encouraged by many friends in different ways along my own journey.

          When I was 14 after my back surgery, I wanted to stay in bed and not move.  My aides, Missy and Tania, encouraged me with tough love to walk around the dining room and kitchen to make a training circle.  They knew that despite the pain and my complaints that this was the best path of treatment for me.  As it is with God, He helps us handle our trials, despite our complaints, knowing it will make us better and more like Him.

          Just yesterday, my church friends organized an Easter parade that went thru my driveway at home.  They knew that my recent days had been full of discouragement, so they banded together to show me that they were here for me and on my side.  As it is with God, He is always with me and will never forsake me.

Keep Going, Despite The Difficulties

 

     Do you ever have trouble putting one foot in front of the other, so to speak?  Perseverance is not easy, but it is a choice.  Circumstances can make you question why to keep going and why it's worth it.  Hebrews 10:36 tells us why we should persevere.."You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."  You will face adversity. It’s only a matter of time. Likely you already have.  “When things are going bad that does not mean God has stopped doing good. It means He is shifting things around to get them in place for more good, if you will go on loving Him.”  [J. Piper]

      As believers, we know that the Christian life is not easy or without hardship.  Standing firm in our faith in a world that encourages everything opposite to our godly perspective takes discipline and steadfastness.   1 Timothy 4:16  "Watch your life and doctrine closely.  Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."   Perseverance is defined as persistence in doing something despite difficulty.  As much as the world pushes back against us, we too must push back with our values, beliefs, purposes, and love for God and His ways.

James 1:12

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Ephesians 6:18

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Romans 2:7

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Romans 5:3

We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.

Hebrews 12:1

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

      "Perseverance is inspiring! Trying to live a Christ-honoring life while experiencing hardship can leave us frustrated and discouraged. But when we depend on God to help us through our difficulties, we are empowered to keep going even when we can’t always see the resolution of our problems." [odb.org]

         As for myself, I often feel like a Jenga puzzle with a few missing pieces.  My life has taken a few key pieces from me that have tried to topple me over.  I have persevered only because I have a firm foundation in the Lord.  I haven't always wanted to persevere, but it's a conscious choice.  I've had to think beyond myself and about God's will and purposes for me.  'God at times allows us to suffer so we can humbly recognize how much we need Him. When we trust His will, He uses those trials in amazing ways.'   

Stuck, but Not Forever

 

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.--Romans 8:2

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.-- Galatians 5:1

       Well, we survived the snowstorm of early 2021.  Some better than others, because some lost both power and water for days.  It was an uncomfortable and unpleasant week for some of us, while others made the most out of the week.  Did you feel stuck?  I think we all did in some form or another.  Today was my first day to get out of  the house and it felt like freedom.  How can we relate, as believers, about how we were once stuck in sin and are now free because of Jesus' death on the Cross?

       "Almost 2,000 years ago, the Lord Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished,” proclaiming the believer’s “declaration of independence.” All of humanity was under the tyranny of sin and death. But Christ, the sinless One, took our place on Calvary and died for our sins. Having satisfied God’s righteous demands, He now sets free for eternity all who trust in Him."  [odb.org]

        "The greatest freedom we can experience is the forgiveness of our sins, liberation from the strongholds that have held us captive, and the restoration of our relationship with our Maker and His creation.   With freedom comes responsibility. Freedom in Christ does not absolve us of responsibility and accountability. An important aspect of Christian freedom is our responsibility not to return to living under the Law. "  [intouch.org]

         "In his message titled “You Will Know the Truth and the Truth Will Set You Free,” John Piper explained true freedom this way: “If you don’t have the desire to do a thing, you are not fully free to do it … And if you have the desire to do something but no ability to do it, you are not free to do it. And if you have the desire and the ability to do something, but no opportunity to do it, you are not free to do it. And if you have the desire to do something, and the ability to do it, and the opportunity to do it, but it destroys you in the end, you are not fully free—not free indeed.”

         As for myself, I am stuck for now, yet fully free in Christ.  I am physically stuck in so many ways, good and bad.  I'm stuck where I live, but God has me right where He wants me and I now know it's a blessing.  I'm stuck with a purposeful van, but was blessed with 2 sportcars back in my youth.  I'm stuck with minimal strength, but still have enough power in my left arm to drive my scooter and click out this blog on my computer.  I'm sometimes stuck in my head with undermining thoughts, but I have God's word to pull me out of those with His encouragement.  I look forward more and more each day to the freedom I will have in eternity and I'll never be stuck in any way ever again.  ;-]

 

Emotional Overload

 

       This week has been quite snowfilled with downright frigid temperatures.  We haven't had weather like this in Arkansas since the late 1980's.  Has it brought you more emotions than you can bear?  Stress can bring on anxiety, worry, fear, and insomnia.  We have to learn to deal with our emotions so that we control them and they don't control us.

        "Are there good and bad emotions? Yes and no. Emotions in themselves are neutral. Their expression takes on the nature of good and bad. All emotions are valid, and each has a place in God’s design of your human psyche and spirit. God created your emotions so you might enjoy them and communicate to others by using them.  

         Sometimes we are overcome with emotion. We may lose control in a particular situation. At those times, we may feel that we should apologize for our lack of restraint, but we should never apologize for having feelings. After all, none of the psalmists held back in expressing their full range of human emotions to God. When we apologize for having emotions, we are in danger of stuffing them, with a possible eruption later. Stuffed emotions can only be damaging.”  [Charles F. Stanley, Becoming Emotionally Whole]

         "Emotions can become problematic when we allow them to overpower us and take over. There is a line between feeling anger and becoming it. Sometimes an emotion feels so big that I can’t separate it from who I am in that moment.  This is when I know I have to pull back. I don’t reject the emotion, but I want to be able to hold it at a distance. I change “I am desperate” to “I feel desperate; I am holding despair.” This small change in perspective is enough to give me relief. And if I treat the feeling with care and compassion, I am able to come out of it with time.  By treating our own emotions not as enemies but as neutral information, we can have compassion for ourselves and, in turn, with others."  [intouch.org]

         Emotional overload can lead to feelings of self discouragement and disappointment.  We may be told or feel like we are overreacting.  These are unfair and hurtful judgments that only further develop the emotional snowball.  "Since we cannot experience perfect success in a fallen world or keep ourselves from suffering, there’s no way to avoid all disappointments in life. However, we don’t have to yield to discouragement. With the right perspective of God and His sovereignty over us, we can avoid feelings of despair. When He, in His providence, allows failure and disappointment, it is part of His perfect plan, and He promises to use it for good.  May we all become victorious over despair and disappointment by trusting in and depending on Him."

         As for myself, I never understood anxiety as a real thing until after my fall in 2018.  Since then, anxiety can be brought on by things that normally wouldn't phase me at all.  I think a lot of it has to do with the realization of my lack of control.  God has always been in control, but I previously had a crazy facade going on in my mind that I had a little bit of control of in my world.  This week my emotions led to a fear of the possibility of a power outage here that overtook me, but led me to much prayer to the One in control of all things.  My mind told me I was being ridiculous, but my faith told me to rely and trust in my Protector and Sustainer.   God is faithful to take care of His beloved.

         2 Corinthins 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."