Holy. Holy. Holy.
...I consider things A LOT. I'm always in thought, but it occurs to me that as much as I contemplate, I seldom arrive at a conclusion... {-randomness}
I have, on my heart, a matter that weighs heavily. After this weekend's sermon about worrying, I have considered, "Am I worried about this? Or burdened?" But I believe, I am simply grieving this matter, while also enduring, and seeking to persevere through it. A loved one, who's thinking is SO 10,000 miles in the wrong direction that for some she might seem hopeless. But my God is THE God of hope!
While I am not convinced that I am worrying over this matter (I do believe the Lord is in control) I might be a tad anxious as to how to act, how to show love without enabling poor choices.
In the past I would agonize, but right now I am determined to take it to Scripture. And thanks to this weekend's sermon, I am armed with Philippians 4:6-7 fresh on my mind, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." And so I pray. Asking for wisdom and discernment. Thankful for the truths I know that God hears my prayers, answers them, provides me according to His glorious riches. And I surrender my anxiety. :)
Several days ago, the Lord put Psalm 23 on my heart. This is a passage of scripture that is ofte
n quoted, memorized by children, etc. But I don't think I've ever taken the time to hide it in my own heart. So I felt prompted to commit it to memory, and since then, I've had reasons to claim it daily.
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads my beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You annoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Praise God! Amen!
And today, God drew me to another bit of Scripture, Psalm 94:18,19 "When I said,'my foot is slipping,' Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.'"
And so, through all of this, how can I not do anything but rejoice. Though my heart at times feels heavy, never am I without help, His yoke to help me carry it. And not only that, but to know that it is not without purpose, a good purpose, one that even benefits me, which sounds selfish in a way, but more than that, to me, it shows evidence that the Lord is alive and active in my own life :) and so I can faithfully say, with God by my side right now, that "I consider it pure joy to face [these trials] because I know the testing of my faith develops perseverence." James 1:2
I pray this peace for everyone! Its so marvelous!!! :)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
We Never Go Into Battle Alone
This morning I read from the Max Lucado book, "Six Hours One Friday." Lucado, ever the masterful storyteller, paints this picture of sin's earthly debut:
"It came camouflaged. It came in a golden cup with a long stem. It was in the flavor of fruit. It came not in the hands of the king, but the hands of a prince-the prince of shadows. Until this moment there had been no reason to hide in the Garden. The King walked with his children and the children new their King. There were no secrets. There were no shadows.
Then the prince of shadows entered the Garden. He had to hide himself. He was too ugly, too repulsive. Craters marred his face. So he came in darkness. He came encircled in ebony. He was completely hidden; only hi voice could be heard.
'Taste it,' he whispered, holding the goblet before her. 'It's sweet with wisdom.'
The daughter heard the voice and turned. She was intrigued. Her eyes had never seen a shadow. There was something tantalizing about his hiddenness.
The King watched. His army knew the prince of shadows would be no contest for their mighty legion. Eagerly they awaited the command to attack.
But no command was given.
'The choice is hers,' the King instructed. 'If she turns to us for help, that is your command to deliver her. If she doesn't turn, if she doesn't look to Me-don't. The choice is hers.'"
...I will leave the rest of the story for you to read yourself, but the point I want to emphasize is at the end, when the zooms out of that scene in the garden, and focuses on the heavenly realms. There is, most definitely, an unseen army that stands at the ready to intercede and go to battle for us against the evil that tries to overcome us. How seldom we employ this 'legion.'
"...the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 1 Corinthians 10:3-4
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12
All we need to do is turn to Him in our hour of struggle. Just say the word, and our Lord is swift to come to our rescue.
"No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Next time you hear the hissing voice of the shadow, be slow to react. Don't take another step before you seek the discernement of the Lord, no matter how sweet and fruitful the fragrance is of what's being offered. And do not forget, His great and powerful army stands ready, mounted on their horses, swords drawn, all you need to do is say the words, "Lord, help me" and you will be saved. How it could have saved Eve! But always, the choice is yours...
"It came camouflaged. It came in a golden cup with a long stem. It was in the flavor of fruit. It came not in the hands of the king, but the hands of a prince-the prince of shadows. Until this moment there had been no reason to hide in the Garden. The King walked with his children and the children new their King. There were no secrets. There were no shadows.
Then the prince of shadows entered the Garden. He had to hide himself. He was too ugly, too repulsive. Craters marred his face. So he came in darkness. He came encircled in ebony. He was completely hidden; only hi voice could be heard.
'Taste it,' he whispered, holding the goblet before her. 'It's sweet with wisdom.'
The daughter heard the voice and turned. She was intrigued. Her eyes had never seen a shadow. There was something tantalizing about his hiddenness.
The King watched. His army knew the prince of shadows would be no contest for their mighty legion. Eagerly they awaited the command to attack.
But no command was given.
'The choice is hers,' the King instructed. 'If she turns to us for help, that is your command to deliver her. If she doesn't turn, if she doesn't look to Me-don't. The choice is hers.'"
...I will leave the rest of the story for you to read yourself, but the point I want to emphasize is at the end, when the zooms out of that scene in the garden, and focuses on the heavenly realms. There is, most definitely, an unseen army that stands at the ready to intercede and go to battle for us against the evil that tries to overcome us. How seldom we employ this 'legion.'
"...the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 1 Corinthians 10:3-4
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12
All we need to do is turn to Him in our hour of struggle. Just say the word, and our Lord is swift to come to our rescue.
"No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Next time you hear the hissing voice of the shadow, be slow to react. Don't take another step before you seek the discernement of the Lord, no matter how sweet and fruitful the fragrance is of what's being offered. And do not forget, His great and powerful army stands ready, mounted on their horses, swords drawn, all you need to do is say the words, "Lord, help me" and you will be saved. How it could have saved Eve! But always, the choice is yours...
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