You Are

 

          This morning I am sharing a devotional I got through my email, that you are enough.  Through your faith in Christ, don't doubt yourself.  2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (New American Standard Bible)  "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf."  Matthew 19:26 reminds us "with God all things are possible."  Don't give up on yourself, God is still at work on you.

You are enough, just as you are. God created you with a purpose and a plan, and He equipped you with the abilities and gifts you need to fulfill it.

You are capable of overcoming any obstacle that comes your way, because God's strength is made perfect in your weakness.

You are strong, because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of you.

You are beautiful, because you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.

You are chosen, set apart for a special purpose and called to make a difference in this world.

You are never alone, for God is always with you, guiding and comforting you every step of the way.

So go forth with confidence, knowing that you were created for greatness in Christ.

You are enough, friend.

 Matthew 22:36-38   “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the great and foremost commandment. "

          

Just For Now

 Romans 8:18  "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

          Today's blog is going to be a little different.  I'm going to talk about one of my current challenges with my disease, CMT, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.  I'm not going back to the beginning of my diagnosis with it in this blog, but just talk about my swallowing struggles at this time.  I'm not looking for sympathy, sorrow, or a pity party but just a sense of understanding of what it's like.

          Dysphagia is the term for difficulty with swallowing.  Mine began with just eliminating foods that caused me to choke easily with.  It progressed to having to lay down off the end of the bed and cough upside down to help me get food up that was causing me to choke.  A lot of my pneumonia cases were due to aspiration during the time I worked.  After retiring at some point, I was prescribed a cough assist machine that has literally been a life saver and cut my pneumonia cases way down.  Later, I got a feeding tube to help me take medicines and help increase my caloric intake.

          Because my disease is progressive, I now no longer eat by mouth.  I am having my doctor check on a  medicine, riluzole, that helps ALS patients with swallowing.  The medicine provides a little hope, but that's not where my true hope lies.  James 4:7 says "Submit to God."  There is comfort in knowing that God is working all things for my good, because I love Him.

          From Rick Warren's book, "The Purpose Driven Life", the heart of worship is surrender.  I want to lead and live a life surrendered to God.  I want to say,  'If my illness of CMT,  and all of its detrimental problems that go with it, are needed to fulfill your purpose in my life and bring you glory, then don't take it away.'  I quit praying a long time ago for God to send a cure for CMT for me, instead I've prayed for God to give me strength and endurance for whatever I have to go through with CMT.  

          The Bible tells of the certain benefits of a life that's truly surrendered to God.  First, I have experienced peace.  I have found this true in wearing my braces and my face mask.  I didn't really find it hard to accept in wearing either of them, they were just needed blessings.  Second, I  have found freedom.  While living under God's commands, I have found a freedom from sin's prison walls.  Thirdly, I've experienced God's power in my life.  I truly believe that I've found favor with God and He has provided me with the best doctors at just the right times.

          I can tell you that life without the pleasure of eating by mouth is not easy.  I notice people talking about food, restaurants and how good different foods taste more and more.  I still go to the grocery store and buy food for others and it's more temptation aisles, rather than grocery aisles to me anymore.  I know that all of my struggles are only temporary and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."   We must remember that whatever we go through, that it is temporary and this world is not our home.  We are just passing through and life is just our practice ground. 

          I can relate to Paul's message in Philippians 4:10-13  "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.  Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

          Romans 8:35-39  "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written,

“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

         Ten Insights on Sovereignty and Suffering  [desiringgod.com]

1. Embracing the sovereignty of God brings strength and hope.

2. Don’t presume to know better than God how to run the world. It is pride.

3.  God has a good purpose in all the hard things that happen to his people.

4. Death and suffering press in on us the perspective of eternity.

5. God’s distribution of suffering is not equal, and one hard thing may prepare for another.

6. God’s love takes care of us right now in our suffering, not just later.

7.  Calamity calls for quick practical love 

8. Quiet confidence in God’s power and goodness through suffering creates occasions for witness.

9.  Trusting in God’s sovereign care in all circumstances frees you from greed and releases love for others.

10. Without God, the world is hopeless.

  

Deuteronomy 8:1-14  "Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down,s 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forgett the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."

Deuteronomy 8:17-18  "You may say to yourself,a “My power and the strength of my handsb have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,c and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today."

           Before the Israelites entered the land God promised them, Moses  warned the people to be careful not to take credit for the good things they’d receive: “

Making God Smile

 

         What is a smile?  A smile is simply, a frown turned upside down.  Smiling is such an easy way to make yourself and others feel good.  Don't we all want to make God smile and feel good about us?  Pleasing God is the most effective way to make God smile.  When we trust, obey, honor, follow and serve God; God is pleased with us.

          What does psychology have to say about smiling? Whether your smile is genuine or not, it can act on your body and mind in a variety of positive ways, offering benefits for your health, your mood, and even the moods of people around you. 

          5 Acts of Worship That Make God Smile [Purpose Driven Life, R. Warren]

1] God wants us to love him supremely.

     God loves us more than anyone else ever will.  The greatest commandment comes from when a Pharisee lawyer asked Jesus a question in Matthew 22:36-38  " “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment."  So, when we love God with all of our being, He surely smiles on us.

2]  God wants us to completely trust in Him.

     Psalms 147:11  "The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."  God smiles when our faith is in Him.  Hebrews 11:6  "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."  Noah's trust in God went above and beyond a normal sense of trust in building the ark; trust without knowing of what rain was b/c God irrigated the earth from the ground up before the Flood, trust because he lived hundreds of miles from an ocean and had no way to transport the ark, and trust in gathering and caring for all the animals that went on the ark.

3] God wants full obedience from us.

     John 14:15  "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."  God wants complete obedience, not partial or delayed obedience.  God wants us to follow all of the Bible, not pick and choose the verses we like.

4] God wants continual praise and thanks given from us.

     Hebrews 13:15 "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."  Like all of us, God likes adoration and appreciation for all He has done, is doing, and will do for us.

5] God wants us to use our abilities.

     2 Corinthians 5:9 "Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him."  God enjoys all aspects of us, except sin.  He created us for His will and purposes.

            

          "God has given his church this great dignity now, and in the days to come: We are the smile of God to one another, that we might know, and the world might see, that even in our suffering and pain, “it is good to be near God”"  [desiringgod.org]

 Psalm 73:28  "But for me it is good to be near God;  I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." 

          As for myself, sometimes I just have to do as the old cliche says and 'grin and bear it' or smile through the pain.  Yes, I want God to say to me with a smile at the end of my life's race, "Good job, my faithful servant!"  I think some people expect me to be all smiles all the time and life just isn't like that.  Heaven is the place of no more sorrow, not Earth.  “Smiling doesn’t always mean you’re happy. The most beautiful Smile is the one that struggles through Tears.” [unknown]  I hear at some funerals, "oh, they never complained or fussed about anything", well I know that won't be said of me.  I know I don't smile as much as I used to, but that doesn't mean I don't have much to smile about because I do.  I think God is smiling more about me now, because I know He is first in my life now and my choices reflect Him more and more.

Wisdom in the New Year

 Proverbs 8:11 "“For wisdom is better than jewels;  And all desirable things cannot compare with her."

          Is having or seeking 'wisdom', a part of your New Year's resolutions?  Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true or right.  You can have knowledge--information gained, without wisdom.  Knowledge can be knowing about something, whereas wisdom is knowing it's proper usage.

          Wisdom is a gift from God.  James 1:5  "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."  "God blesses us with wisdom in order for us to glorify Him and use the knowledge we have of Him." [gotquestions.org]

           We learn of  'the fear of the Lord being the beginning of knowledge' in the book of Proverbs and that 'fools despise wisdom and instruction'.  " To fear the Lord is to start on the path to knowledge, and God can then begin to provide us with wisdom through Christ, who the Bible says is wisdom itself.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption”  [gotquestions.org]   1 Corinthians 1:30  " And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,"

          " Wisdom is the fitting application of knowledge. Knowledge memorizes the Ten Commandments; wisdom obeys them. Knowledge learns of God; wisdom loves Him."

           Wisdom changes the course of your life, from the world's destructive path to Jesus' freedom giving path.  Psalms 16:11  "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."

6 Characteristics of a Wisdom Driven Life

1] Joy-- the gladness you have from knowing God has given you meaning and purpose in your life.

2] Confidence-- the strength you have from knowing God is with you and by your side at all times.

3] Worth-- the value you have by knowing God's love for you is everlasting and unconditional, as your Lord and Savior.

4] Peace-- the serenity that comes from knowing God is working all things out for your good, as a believer in Jesus Christ.

5] Maturity-- based on the Lord's transformational work of forgiveness, renewal, and growth.

6]Blessing-- God pours out all of his grace and goodness into your life.

 

          

Waiting On The Lord

          Aren't we all waiting on some prayer request from our Lord?  We often hear, wait and see how God will move and answer your petitions to Him.  Even while you wait, take heart.  God is trustworthy, never slumbers, and has your best interest in mind.  Just because you can't see His work happening, doesn't mean He isn't actively at work on your behalf.  Trust Him in your journey.

          We have been waiting a lot the past few years.  We've waited in quarantine due to covid, waited to return back to regular job offices, waited to visit family and friends due to illness exposures, waited for kid's to return to school, and waited for our own personal requests that we long for. 

          What does 'waiting on the Lord' really mean?  The word “wait” is translated from the Hebrew word “qavah”  and it means, according to Strong’s Concordance:  To hope in, look for, expect, eagerly look for, lie in wait for.  Waiting doesn't mean a do-nothing attitude.  We must be pro-active during our wait with prayer, reading the Word, and listening for His voice of guidance.   This action is an exercise of faith with an eager expectancy and anticipation. We must be patient in our wait and not give up in our asking of the same request.  1 Thesselonians 5:16-18  "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

        According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia found on Blue Letter Bible: "The most important and frequent use of the word “wait” is to define the attitude of a soul God-ward. It describes eager anticipation and yearning for the revelation of truth and love as it is in the Father.”" 

          Sometimes,  we wait with fear or worry because we have our own idea of how we want something to work out, not necessarily trusting in the Lord’s plan for how it should work out. We have envisioned our ideal outcome and we fear God won’t line up with our will.  We won't worry or fear the outcome, if we trust and know God is always working for our good because we believe in Him.

           In our wait, we should make sure that our will aligns with God's will.  By studying His Word,  direction for our steps can be provided and we can know both His will and the heart of God .  Isaiah 55:8-9  "“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts."

Benefits of Waiting on our Lord

1.  We avoid having to go through further pain-- Sometimes God makes us wait for the storm to pass, so we can travel safely ahead later. 

2. We can experience the fullness of His blessings-- Sometimes waiting involves getting what He intends best for us.

3. It increases our faith-- When we see the results of our patience in waiting on God, then our faith grows.  As our faith grows, so does our relationship wth Him.

4. It's a witness to others-- Others are always watching to see how God is working in your life.   How we wait, respond, and react to Him and His works serves as a testimony of quieting our flesh and seeing how God will move in our lives.

          As for myself, I honestly don't pray ceaselessly about certain things, but just resign those things as God's will for me.  It's not that I don't think He's big enough to change those things, like my CMT, but I believe He designed me with it and has purpose in it.  So, I wait for the day that I'm truly free from it and all it's misery.  Until then, I will rejoice about all the other things God has blessed me with.

        

          

Everyone?

 

         I've started rereading the book, "Suffer Strong", because living with a disability in this physical world calls for encouragement.  We are all disabled in some way, seen or unseen.  We can't do this life on our own, we need each other and most of all, we need Jesus.

     The Bible was written and given for all peoples of this world.  The only condition to the reference of 'everyone' is that they believe in Jesus, as their Lord and Savior.  For example in Acts 10:43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”"

        Who is 'everyone' to you?  Does it only include those who look like you, dress like you, or act like you?  'Everyone' is every other human on this planet.  Exclusions to 'everyone' are man-made discriminations and are from an ugly heart. 

         Often as part of the disabled community, we aren't always
included in the 'everyone' part of society. We may get overlooked, because someone feels too awkward to say 'Hi' or to even give a friendly nod.   We may have to go through the back door of a restaurant to get to our table, because there's not another accessible way to enter.   We may get a child's menu at a restaurant, because assumptions take over about size, stature and ability.  We often have to prove ourselves to others; as physically able, mentally fit and not an idiot.

       As for myself, I've gone thru different stages of disability throughout my life.  I am the same person at any stage of life  and I have confidence in that, but the discriminating people of my world see me differently.  To them I say, "Shame on you!"  They are not better than me, but are in a different place in life--for now.  I struggled for years pushing myself in my leg braces, but now I am in some ways wheelchair-bound but mostly I am wheelchair-free.  I go more places than most people, because my wheelchair allows me to go further than I could ever walk.  Jesus has promised that disability is only a temporary part of this life. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 "  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. "  Yes, there are difficult times for all of us, seen as disabled or not, but how we respond to those times is the most important character trait of all.

       I challenge you to consider who fits into the  'everyone' in your life.

My Comfort

 

     Yesterday in my daily reading, I came across a verse that spoke to my heart.  Psalms 119:50  "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."

     David's comfort here is the word of God.  Also the word 'comfort' is found in Job 6:10   "At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One."  We can find encouragement, solace and comfort from Scripture in all our circumstances in life.  The Holy Spirit not only speaks to us as believers, but guides us on our journey.   "What the Word has already done is to faith a pledge of what it shall yet do."

     From Matthew Henry's commentary, "    Here is David's experience of benefit by the word. 1. As a means of his sanctification: "Thy word has quickened me. It made me alive when I was dead in sin; it has many a time made me lively when I was dead in duty; it has quickened me to that which is good when I was backward and averse to it, and it has quickened me in that which is good when I was cold and indifferent." 2. Therefore as a means of his consolation when he was in affliction and needed something to support him: "Because thy word has quickened my at other times, it has comforted me then." The word of God has much in it that speaks comfort in affliction; but those only may apply it to themselves who have experienced in some measure the quickening power of the word. If through grace it make us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions, under all events."

     " In the season of affliction, and in the silent hours of the night, he remembers the name of the Lord, and is stirred up to keep the law. All who have made religion the first thing, will own that they have been unspeakable gainers by it."  [kingjamesbibleonline.com]

     As for myself, I do draw more and more from God's Word as I grow progressively weaker.  It makes me view the world in a different light and perspective.  To long to be absent from this body and to be with the Lord is my new prayer and wish to come.  The Holy Spirit helps me hang on, knowing God's timing is perfect for me.  The Bible gives much to look forward to and to let go of, as the affliction gets harder and harder to bear.  Phillipians 3:7-14  "Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Revelation 21:3-4  "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

Unnoticed

 

     Have you ever thought about how God feels about going unnoticed and unrecognized for all He has does for us?  

     One might think about how the the stay-at-home mom feels, who does countless things throughout the day to keep the house running but often goes unappreciated.  Without her work and efforts, there would be chaos.  She deserves a thank you and a spotlight of recognition.

     Jesus, however, deserves all honor and praise from us for everything!  From our very being to the promise of eternity and everything in between.  He covered every one of our sins, biggest to smallest, on the cross.  He sustains us, protects us, comforts us and most of all, loves us more than anything or anyone can.  Praising God helps us recall His goodness that never ends.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast and unchanging love. 

Psalm 67  verses 1-5

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face shine on us—

 so that your ways may be known on earth,

your salvation among all nations.

 May the peoples praise you, God;

may all the peoples praise you.

 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you rule the peoples with equity

and guide the nations of the earth.

 May the peoples praise you, God; may all

     the peoples praise you.

 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

God's Benefits

 Psalm 103:2

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits"

      Does your prayer life or daily talk with God ever leave out praise?  We can often be filled with desires, wants and needs from God, but forget to praise Him for his abundant goodness.  We are so blessed by Him everyday that we should give Him ceaseless thankfulness.  

          In Psalm 103, David tells himself to 'bless he Lord' six times and 'not to forget all of God's benefits'.  This blog is a reminder of the godly benefits that we sometimes forget or overlook in our lives. "The Lord’s “benefits” represent all the good things the Lord provides to aid or promote the well-being of His children."  [gotquestions.org]

          In Deuteronomy, Moses warned the people that forgetting God's benefits and goodness was the first step to spiritual destruction.   Deuteronomy 4:9  "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

God's benefits are too numerous to count, but here are a few....

Psalm 103:3-6  "He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.  He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly."

How wonderful to be cleared of all our wrongs!  How great is it to know that death isn't a fear and his love is fullof grace and mercy.  How awesome will it be to have our youthful energy and vigor again.  How great will it be to have our wrongs against us by others to be truly righted.

Colossians 1:13-14  " For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom* and forgave our sins."

How wonderful is God's forgiveness and that Jesus paid the painful price for our wickedness.  We are set free from our sin debt and can live in God's kingdom.

Psalm 63:3-4  "Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you, as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands."

How awesome is God's mercy and grace that it is better than the life we know. We should honor God all the days of our lives, as long as we have breath.

Psalm 103:8  "The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

How wonderful is God to be so patient and understanding with His children and shows His love over the course of our lives.

Hebrews 2:1-3  " Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

Paul warns us of not forgetting what we know to be true from all the evidence given to us, regarding our forgiveness and salvation.  God's will has allowed us to  know all we need to know for now, and that's enough.

As for myself, I can see, in hindsight, how much God has blessed my life in so many ways.  My trust in Him has been proven over and over.  Therefore, I fully trust Him with my future and eagerly await joining and walking with Jesus in eternity.