God Is For Me, Not Against Me

 Romans 8:31-32  "If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

     "God is and will forever be for you and not against you. Through the deepest trials, know that Jesus is with you and that He has already won the toughest battles for you. He asks that you simply trust in Him and know that He has always been there for you." [christiantoday.com]

     Romans 8:31-32, "This verse gives us hope, not that we will always prevail, but that our eternal destiny and the love of God are secure. Though we may suffer, we will not be destroyed. No matter how bad things seem, we must remember that “God is for us;” He loves us deeply. We are His children."

     I want to show by examples in my life, how God has gotten me through some basic things that most people take for granted.  Sometimes the struggle has been real, but whether big or small, God has provided.

     As I went thru the drive-thru of a fast food restaurant with a friend the other day, I was reminded of my past struggles with this task.  When driving alone and getting hungry, I used to write down my order, go up to the menu speaker, say nothing, then go up to the pickup window, and give the confused worker my order.  I never really encountered a problem, just a bit of confusion.

     

     

     

A Job-Like Life

     Have you really ever thought about the life of Job in the Bible?  Most of us have learned that life is not only difficult, but often unfair.  So, was true of the life of Job.  He was definitely quite blessed, but there also came a time of definite hardship, suffering, grief and pain.  

      Eugene Peterson said, "It is not only because Job suffered that he is important to us.  It is because he suffered in the same ways we suffer-- in the vital areas of family, personal health, and material things.  Job is also important to us because he searchingly questioned and boldly protested his suffering.  Indeed, he went 'to the top' with his questions.  It is not the suffering that troubles us.  It is the undeserved suffering. "  [Charles Swindoll]

      Job was once an extremely wealthy man, full of prosperity, a godly gentleman, a fine husband and a faithful father.  In just a short time, he was hit with destructive calamities that were of no fault of his own.  Soon, he was left homeless, bankrupt, childless, and helpless.  He was urged by his understandably grief-stricken wife to turn his back on God and to curse God for what he had allowed to happen to Job.  Job 2:9-10  "His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

     Job's faith is an exemplary example of trust in God, no matter how difficult his circumstances became his trust never wavered.  He knew and believed in God's character; of goodness, love and trustworthiness.   Is your faith in God that steadfast?

     "Job realizes his pain was not permanent. With God, there is a way of escape. The suffering of this life is temporary and will end for those who trust in the Lord. After this life, there is eternal life with God in heaven for the believer. In fact, Jesus came to offer eternal life to all who would believe." [gotquestions.org]

     Many people can relate to Job's suffering on the page, but when you really endure it yourself then it becomes more real.  Did Job have caregivers to help both him and his wife out at home?  Who helped their children in the dying process?  Who took care of the living animals and the carcasses, as Job laid in bed in pain?  Did friends donate money to help their financial burdens, like food, utilities, or basic needs?  Job's story is more than just about him, but also about how other's responded in a 'love your neighbor' way. 

     "In short, Elihu condemns Job’s friends and Job’s claim of being without sin, declares God’s justice, condemns Job’s attitude toward God, and exalts God’s greatness.

     Elihu’s life and speech offer many insights for today. First, he dealt with the real issues of the situation rather than looking at the situation from a human perspective. Second, he emphasized God and His greatness rather than focus on a human response to problems. Third, he responded with respect, allowing others to speak first before offering his own response. These traits can help us today as we seek to understand why God allows suffering and as we attempt to help others who face suffering."  [gotquestions.org]

     As for myself, I have been greatly blessed in my life in a lot of ways like Job's life was.  Thru different life circumstances I, too,  have been stripped of physical health, material wealth, and independence.  I've had stressful family issues, in which some led to loss of loved ones.  Suffering involves much more than temporary physical pain.  There is an enlightenment in which I have seen God's hand working in my life.  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."  This verse is so true in my life and it helps me to trust him even more on those hardest and darkest of days.  Psalm 118:1  "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

     

Worth The Effort-Part 2

 

     So, last week's blog kind of went in a different path than my original intent.  This week I want to follow up with verses that God uses to encourage us to put in the effort, when we doubt doing so.

Psalm 119:28

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

Galatians 5: 13-15  "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

Galatians 5:17  "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. "

Galatians 6:9-10  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Hebrews 10:23-25   "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

     All of these verses, spur off of the command to 'Love one another' and to continue on.  As long as we have breath from God, we are to fulfill His plan thru the works that He gives us the opportunity to do.  We will doubt and grow weary, but He will sustain us thru His Word.  Finish your race strong.

Worth The Effort?

 

     Do you ever question the time and effort you put into things and people?  That's the devil knocking at your heart and conscience, saying 'it's not worth it'.  Life, along with its joys and highlights, also contains difficulties. Frustrations occur, illnesses come, and our health fails with time. Our bodies feel the signs that life on earth is not perfect and that we are not meant to be in this body for eternity.  Psalm 73:26  "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  God encourages us to love, interact with and fellowship with our fellow man.  

     "In Psalm 73, the psalmist Asaph laments the unfairness he sees in the wicked prospering, seeming to have no struggles, and being free of care. Asaph’s heart failed within him as he couldn’t understand God’s ways. Many today also become frustrated at God for allowing good things to happen to bad people. But they must, like the psalmist, realize that their perspective is off. When Asaph “entered the sanctuary of God; then [he] understood their final destiny”. While some people appear to prosper without God, there are consequences for the wicked: eternal life in hell and earthly costs, too. Having an eternal perspective gives us hope even when “my heart may fail” in disappointment or frustration."  [gotquestions.org]

"Our flesh will fail; each of us will have to face death. Yet the believer has hope for eternity. Christian hope is rooted in the salvation and eternal life available through Christ. This hope does not disappoint because nothing can take our salvation and hope away, regardless of life’s circumstances." [gotquestions.org] 

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 5:5 "And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

     As for myself, I can get easily discouraged by people.  I can understand how non-believers see those who claim to be Christians as hypocrites.  Many people's talk and walk don't match up.  I support some in their talents, but yet I often get a snub in normal life.  I'm so thankful that my hope is founded in Jesus and not in people or this life here on Earth.  Wicked ways touch all of us, but we must choose to love anyway.  The devil seeks to divide and destroy our relationships, but with the love, like Jesus' in our lives, we can overcome.  My favorite  verse of encouragement...

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For ithis light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Who Am I?

 

     Have you ever struggled with your identity?  Do you define yourself by your job, your school, your role in your house, or how?  Sometimes when we lose our role or job, we wrestle with who we are.  Our identity must be grounded in Jesus and following Him.

     "When I encounter the great I Am, that's when I discover who I am."  [M. Fry]

     Just like Moses struggled with his identity, when God sent him to speak to the Israelites, then Moses found his purpose.  Exodus 3:9-14 "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.  So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”  And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.”  Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, “I am who I am.[c] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.""

     Often we try to fill the void in our lives with the things of this world, but true satisfication comes from God alone.  "God can give you peace and purpose as you have a fresh encounter with the great I Am."  [M. Fry]

    Ephesians 3:20-21  "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

     God not only gives enough, but He gives more than enough.  We need to worship and praise God first for who He is and not just for what He can give.  God is more than a Provider, He is our Sustainer. 

      Colossians 1:16 "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."

     As for myself,  I have been stripped of most of my titles that I have held in this world.  That's ok, because no one can take away or come between the love that Jesus has for me.  His plan and purpose for me will never fail.  In that, I rejoice..Amen!

The Wait

 

     We live in a world of instant gratification, so waiting isn't easy for any of us.  Waiting is hard, because we don't know long it will last.  Waiting is hard, because we aren't sure if we will get what we really want after the wait.  Waiting is hard, because we don't trust that whatever happens is for our good.  Waiting is hard, because we don't feel in control and forget that God is always in control.  Patient, confident trust in the Lord is the key to overcoming our impatience with waiting.

     In Psalm 27,  David expresses authentic faith and courageous trust in God, based on his confident expectation that the Lord will rescue and save him in his time of trouble.  [gotquestions.org]

     How do we wait on the Lord and His timing:

By Trusting in Him:  Trusting God conquers our fears and unhappiness.  We must rely on God to regain our sense of hope.   There is no one else that you can put your trust in, like God.  Psalm 27:1-3  " The Lord is my hlight and my salvation;jwhom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold1 of my life;of whom shall I be afraid?  When evildoers assail me to keat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident."

By Seeking Him:  When we tell God, how much we want to be in His presence and surrounded by His glory then we will feel closer to  Him,  When we search His word for direction, we will feel safer and more secure.   Psalm 27: 5-8  "For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;he will lift me high upon a rock.  And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!  You have said, “Seek my face.”My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek."

By Prayer:  David asked God for wisdom, direction, and protection, wholly believing he would “see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”.  When we talk with God in prayer, He hears our cries and pleas for help.  He doesn't put us off or ignore us.  He is always at work and answering us, according to His will.  Call upon the Lord.

     "Waiting on the Lord involves the confident expectation of a positive result in which we place a great hope. This expectation is based on knowledge of and trust in God. Those who do not know the Lord will not wait on Him; neither will those who fail to trust Him. We must be confident of who God is and what He is capable of doing. Those who wait on the Lord do not lose heart in their prayers: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” . Waiting on the Lord renews our strength . Waiting on the Lord by trusting, seeking, and praying establishes our faith and brings serenity and stability: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him” (Psalm 40:1–3). As this passage affirms, waiting on the Lord is also a testimony to others who will see our faith and, as a result, put their trust in God."  [gotquestions.org]

     As for myself, I've learned a lot about waiting on the Lord in my 50 years.  I feel like most waiting is related to the opening of human hearts to do what the Lord is calling them to do.  Whether you're on the giving or receiving end, we're all a part of the waiting game of life.  Phillipians 3:20-21  "Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body:"    I think God surely waits on us, more than we wait on Him.  Jude 1:20 "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."

Can't Take That

 

     My heart has been heavy for the citizens of Ukraine lately.  I can somewhat relate to them having to give up their possessions, but not how quickly and forcefully as they have had to.  Have you ever thought about what you might lose here in your earthly days?  It might be a loved one, your muscle strength, your prized possessions, your mental health, or your defining job.  Whatever you value as important in this life can be taken away in an instant with no fault of your own.

     We must remember, as Christians, we are God's child first.  John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit."  You are his child forever.  You were his voluntary choice with an important purpose in mind.

     2  Corinthians 5:1-6  " For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,  because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.''

     "Don't get sucked into short-term thinking.  Your struggles will not last forever, but you will."  {You'll Get Through This, M. Lucado]

     2 Timothy 2:11-13" Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."

      There is nothing on this earth that can separate us from God's love.  He  has called us for His purposes and blesses us with His gifts. These cannot be taken from us.  Romans  11:29  " for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable."  Our salvation is guaranteed.  

     2 Timothy 2:12 "If we endure, we will also reign with Him."  Isn't that a motivating promise?  This life is a vapor in the wind, but eternity is everlasting.  Hang on, my friends.

     From a friend..." If you are not a Christian, then your life here on earth, whatever the best that happens to you, will be the best you will ever get. So this life is as good as it gets. But….if you are a believer, what happens here is the worse it will ever get for you. So for the believer this is as bad as it gets. For the unbeliever, this is as close to heaven as they get. For believers it’s as close to hell as we get. "

As for myself, the struggle is real right now. Satan tries to shift my focus off of my blessings. The battle is in God's hands. My impatience will be overcome, because I know God has a plan to provide for all of my needs. He's providing now, in His way not mine. I am thankful and know His ways are higher.

Strength Comes From The Lord

 

      Where does your strength come from?  Strength is mentioned over 360 times in the Bible, regarding both natural and supernatural strength.  Believers have the unlimited power of Christ as the source of their strength.  Jeremiah 9:23-24  "Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

      "The Bible places an emphasis on God’s strength in our salvation. Man can in no way save himself. Only God can save. Paul makes this abundantly clear: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). These two verses are the most forceful summary of the dynamics of salvation found anywhere in the Bible. They help us to understand the contrast between man’s total helplessness and God’s insuperable strength. “God alone . has the power to save or to destroy” (James 4:12, NLT)." [gotquestions.org]

      Surrender is related to our amount of strength.  Total submission to the Lord enables us to stand against the deceptions of Satan. We must align ourselves with the Lord thru submission to His will and works.  James 4:7  "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

      God's children are strengthened by:

1] His grace...Hebrews 13:9 "Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them."

2] Our time spent in prayer...Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

3] The promise that God will reward our efforts....Galatians 6:9  " Let us not become weary in doing good,r for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

      As for myself, my physical strength gradually vanished right before my own eyes.  Out of my control, but always in God's allowance and control.  God gives me strength to endure the long stretches of without, the perseverance to keep serving without an expectation of something in return, and the maintaining of peace in my heart that everything is working for my good. I pray for strength now in the battle that is Yours Lord.  "I am strong because I've been weak, I am fearless because I've been afraid, and I am wise because I've been foolish."

Letting Go

 

     When you are made aware of a train track, you know a train is coming but you aren't exactly sure of when.  That is how I have felt about my disease my whole life.  There would be a time where I didn't give up, but things would be more out of my control.  Really, God's always been in control!  He just gave me strength for a limited time and a little less than others.  I now have more time to focus on His will for me, rather than my own.  This blog is really about accepting God's will for you and not resisting hard against what you've been chosen for.

As TobyMac sings about 'The Promised Land'...

"I won’t give up on this race

Broken but I still have faith

That this old life is all part of a plan

And I can feel it in my soul, one day I’ll stand before the throne

With nothing left but hope in these 2 hands"

Some people might say 'let go and let God' but the Bible contradicts that laid back kind of thinking. The Christian life is a spiritual battle which the Bible exhorts us to prepare for and wage diligently.  Letting go, in the sense of sitting back and watching events unfold is not biblical.

2 Timothy 2:3 "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

1 Timothy 6:12 " Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold ofl the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

We must understand that whatever it is that we do, it is by the power of God and not of ourselves. John 15:5 says "that apart from Me you can do nothing." The truth is that working at “letting go” is just as much as an effort-filled work as anything else we try to do for God and not nearly as easy to do as some things. [gotquestions.org]

"Suffering in its simplest form comes in the space between what we thought would be and what is. Life defines us, but suffering redfines us. Ultimately, hope refines us, transforming us from within in ways we could never imagine. We can gain precious wisdom and deeper appreciation for the iives we've ben given as we learn to suffer well--not as victims, but as overcomers.

Some of us have physical wheelchairs, but we all have invisible wheelchairs inside us. None of us can do life by ourselves. We need God, and we need each other." [Suffer Strong]

As for myself, I'm meant to be here now as an example, rather than as a doer. That doesn't mean I do nothing, I just do thru the help of others. I was chosen to suffer in this life, but God has promised crowns of great reward in my near future. I trust the next chapter of my life, because I know the author.

Life's Not About Me

 

     How much of your new year is dedicated to a new you?  How much of your new year is invested in your relationship with Christ?  Colossians 1:16 "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."  Doesn't that verse humble you and make you question your priorities?

     "The Bible says, "It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone's life in his power."" [R. Warren]  When we only focus on ourselves, God can get lost in our priorities.  We must put God first in our lives!  How we spend our money and our time should be a reflection of  our relationship with Him. 

      "You were made by God and for God--and until you understand that, life will never make sense." [R. Warren]  God created us for his pleasure, not to entertain him, but to have a relationship with.  "God is a personal Being, and it gives Him pleasure to have other beings He can have a genuine relationship with." [gotquestions.org]  God pursues us, but we must open our hearts and mind to begin that relationship.

     "God is not just the starting point in your life, he is the source of it."   When we depend on God's Word, we find true wisdom and direction for the trials of life.  Proverbs 3:5-6  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  We often get in a rut of doing things our own way, instead of God's way.  We have to have an intentional change of heart, mind and attitude to overcome our sinful, destructive ways.

     Life without God is meaningless.  If you're just living for yourself or others, then you will surely be disappointed.  If you live with Jesus and His willful purpose in mind, then your submissiveness to His plan will payoff.  "We cannot serve both God and ourselves. Living for God means we make a final decision about who is in charge. When our flesh begins to reassert its rights, we take it back to the cross and allow it to die. When sin tempts, the decision has already been made: we seek God’s will over our own." [gotquestions.org]

     As for myself, my new year has an intentional plan of 'more Jesus, less me'.  Living for God may be difficult, but it is not joyless.  My focus will try to be on Romans 12:19, because His wrath is just and greater than anything I can do.  1 Peter 4:16  "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name."