We have been challenged lately on how we respond to the internal and external pressures that impact us each day. It may be the on-going support required by family members. It may be the chronic pain issues that impact our thinking and impact any decisions we need or want to make. It may be our responses to on-going technology issues. It may be our concerns about financial security as we approach retirement. For each of us, the things that impact us will be different.
Trusting the Lord in all these areas is paramount, but also our responses are to be in line with our on-going sanctification. Proverbs 23 v15-16 says, “My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.” Instead of becoming overwhelmed, frustrated, discouraged or angry, do what you can and then rest in the Lord.
When you can’t see the road ahead be encouraged by Isaiah 42 v16: “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”
The Word of God is powerful and full of wonderful promises!
Let go and let God!!!
So many problems in relationships are caused by people who want to control. Some people believe that if they can control other people and their circumstances they will be happy. They are scared stiff of taking their hands off situations in case things get out of control….their control.
It might interest you to know that God does not want to even control us. We used to talk about the Spirit controlled life. That is not a scriptural concept. The only time control is mentioned in the New Testament is self-control which is a fruit of the Spirit.
So often we see things happening and instead of praying about these things and trusting God, we dive in and seek to take control. This actually shows a lack of trust and faith in God.
Remember Peter when Jesus told him of his coming death… “This will never happen to you Lord”. In other words, “I won’t let it. I will stop it.” And Jesus told him, “That is the human reaction, not God’s”. Allow God’s will to be done and stop trying to force your will on the situation.
As we work through this transition period there may be some who want to move in and try to control the process. Please pray that God will work His purposes in this place and let Him do it. Let go, and let God!!!
God Bless you!
The Storms of Life
In the book of Mark we read about a terrible storm. The disciples were with Jesus on a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. When a ‘furious storm came up,’ the disciples—among them some seasoned fishermen– were afraid for their lives.
I experienced a similar experience when in the Solomon Islands going from one island to another in a dug out canoe with 4-5 meter swells and I asked the same questions the disciples’ asked.
Did God care ?? Why were we going through a turbulent and scary time?
No one is exempt from the storms of life. But just like the disciples who initially feared the storm I too later came to revere Christ more.
The storms we face can bring us to a deeper knowledge of God. Through our trials we can learn that no storm is too big to prevent God from accomplishing His will in our lives.
While we may not understand why God allows trials to enter our lives, we thank Him that through them we can come to know who He is.
We can rely on His promise in Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
We live to serve Him because he has preserved our lives.
The Word tells us that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. There is something supernatural about praise, drawing us closer into His presence. As we turn our heart and focus to the majesty, holiness, mightiness, loving kindness, grace, mercy, sovereignty and compassion of God, we begin to see rightly.
Praise produces an improvement in a situation regardless of whether or not the circumstances change. As we praise, we are better able to put our trust in God and therefore we are strengthened and encouraged. We can walk forward, knowing that He is with us, that He is trustworthy, and that He loves us. With our confidence in Him and His sovereignty, we have renewed peace and hope.
And sometimes our praise allows God to step into a situation in His amazing way and do the impossible right in front of us. Jehoshaphat and Judah experienced that when they were facing an overwhelming enemy. (2 Chronicles 20) Jehoshaphat called the people together, declared a fast, and prayed a prayer of praise and dependence upon God. When they went out to face the enemy, they went singing and shouting praises to the Lord, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever.” Before the people of Judah arrived at the battlefield, God caused their enemies to fight each other, leaving Judah to just go out and gather up the plunder lying around the dead bodies. God had fought their battle for them as they praised and trusted Him.
This being said, praising God shouldn’t be something we do only because we want something from Him. God deserves our praise! We should praise God because He is worthy of our praise, and because we are coming to understand more about Him, and we are becoming more in awe of who He is!
May we be people who say, “Praise the Lord O my soul and let all that is in me bless His holy Name. I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good! He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, and He goes before those who praise His Name.”
Contributed by Susie Willis
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