He works it Out

  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. ~Romans 8:28

I was thinking back to a time in my life where their was hardship.  And as I think about it I see all the ways that God was moving to work it our for my good.  My youngest son did not live with me for 6 years.  I initially let him live with his father telling myseld that a son needs to be with his father.  As I dig deeper the real reason was because I did not feel worthy.  I was in a dry season and I had made some bad choices out of rebellion that led to severe consequences, but God was still at work in my life.

He healed me. He had to allow brokeness to enter into my life, but my brother pushing me to confront the realities of my choices.  It forced to me to learn how forgive those who persecuted me.  My brother their when I let the tears flow as God reminded me that I was His child and loved.  God placed a loving husband in my life who was both my support and protector from the harsh brutal verbal assaults from my sons father.  He had the upper hand or so he thought.

God turned it all around.  My son's father fatal flaws would be brought to light and God had set everything up where I had everything I needed to get my son back.  From my parents, brother and sister in-law, husband ,kind lawyers and wise judge the hands of justice moved swiftly.  The man who had tried to keep my son from me would now loose access to him.   From a traumatic event would come healing. My son would come back home to a loving environment and thrive; our relationship completely restored.

God also worked it out where I forgave myself and received His forgiveness.   He moved me from fear to faith.  God set everything in its place in His timing.  I share this very private story because it is a testament to what God can do.  Its been eight years and I see how God turned tragedy into triumph and isolation into restoration of community.  I am blessed.  My son is blessed.  He did it for me. He can do anything you ask of Him ( aligned to His will) for you.

Lord, thank You for working out the good, bad, ugly on our behalf.  Thank You turning it all for our favor and Your glory.  Let us not forget and trust during times of silence.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Don't Forget

 The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.  ~ 2 Chronicles 20:33

In 2 Chronicles the 20th chapter we find the Jehoshaphat was being attacked.  He consulted God; the people prayed and fasted.  God told them that they would not have to fight this battle.  Keep reading and you will see how God gave the people complete victory over their enemies.  

The people praised God and and upon their return worshipped God in the temple and then they went home.  My pastor on Sunday talked about not forgetting.  Jehoshaphat was a good king.  The Bible tells us so, but he let the high places remain.  

We  have to be careful of the high places we let stay in in our lives.  Those idols, things that would try to compete with God can not remain.  Must love God with our whole heart.  It saddens me that the people of Judah after seeing all that God can do, after seeing His great love and protection of His people would not commit.  But if I am honest, I have been in that place once before.  Putting relationships before my relationship with God.

Those high places has to be remove and my heart must be guarded ( Proverbs 4:23).  God has given me victory over depression, disease, financial hardships, and crisis of other kinds.  I can not forget and must remember to set my affection on  Him alone.

Lord, let me not forget the goodness of You.  Let praise for You be continuously on my lips.  Let me cast down anything that would attempt to compete with You.  Forgive for those times that I falter.  Bless your people and let us share our victories and testimonies so that we may be strengthened in the faith together.  In Jesus name.  Amen

I will not turn back

 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.~ 2 John 8

I've come too far to turn back and I still have a journey to tread.  When I read this verse it reminds me not to become complacent.  I am to do more than rely on religious activity.  I am to worship God in sprit and in truth.   I am to hold on.  Hebrews 10: 23 say " Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful"

I serve a faithful God who has brought me through a lot.  I serve a God who covers me.  I serve a God who blesses me and answers prayers.  He is amazing and I could go on and on.  I want to keep my fervor for the Lord. As Paul says I want to continue to run the race.  I want the prize.  The prize is Jesus.  

The prize is having eternal life with my Savior.  No more wars.  No more worries about gas prices and food prices.  No more anxiety,  No more health issues. No more worries about sin. There will be peace.  There will be joy.  There will be unity and harmony.  There will be love.

So I am going to keep my spiritual eyes open and actively wait well.  .  I am not working to earn what was freely given to me by grace.  I am working because of that grace.  I want to hear Him say well done they good and faithful servant.  I am going to keep marching on this Christian journey until my day comes.

Father, I love You.  Let me not take Your gift of salvation for granted.  Let me remain steady on this journey and bring others with me.  Let me keep my focus on You.  You are my reward.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

When you feel fragile

  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  ~2 Corinthians 4:7

Have you ever felt fragile?  Overwhelmed with the cares of the world that you feel like you just might break?  I have.  I felt like that yesterday and I cried out to God.  I was gripping the reins hard, but what I realized is that I was gripping the wrong thing.  I needed to be grasping God's hand and surrendering it all to Him.  

My friend reminded me that His grace is sufficient for me.   But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.( 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

When I did not think I would make it, I did.  Not by my power, but His.  Jesus gives me victory. It is he who strengthens me.  Feeling fragile was okay because it drew me closer to Him.  I remember just saying 'Jesus do it"  and He did.

Fragile days remind me to walk humbly with God.  They remind me to have compassion for other.  This world is crazy, but I have a Father who rules.  A Father who is not surprised. A Father who holds my hands.  Today is a better day.  Circumstances have not changed, but the promise of God remains.  His strength flows through me.

Lord, I am a jar of clay.  I have cracks, but that allows your light to shine through me.  Keep me humbled and surrendered.  Thank You for keeping me.  Thank You for allowing me to walk in victory.  Thank You for Jesus. Bless all those who may be feeling fragile today. In Jesus name I pray.  Amen