"Trials Aren't Easy"

"It's hard enough to deal with the trial at hand, on top of feeling the guilt of "did I do something to bring this on"? Sometimes, we do, sometimes we don't. However, we are told to stand in the midst of adversity whether we created it or not (Ephesians 6:13-"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.") But, we must remember, trials are a strengthening for us from God. He wants the "best" for us. He sees things we don't see. Only God knows what is around the corner. He knows the outcome of our trial if we faint not (Isaiah 57:10-".You wearied yourself by such going about ,but you would not say, ‘It is hope-less.’You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint.") And if I know God...It's always going to be GREAT! Sometimes, we must take a few steps back to move forward." And as we surrender ourselves to Him, We will see Him work everything out for our good and His purpose (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.")

"Who Created Who?"

 I'm probably going to step on some toes (especially mine) with my new post. But, I believe that it is important for us to stop and reflect about it for a minute.When we dictate to God what He should do in our lives, and how He should do it, are we really giving God free reign in our lives?  I urge you to take a minute, ask yourself one question "Who Created Who"? Telling God what we want Him to do in our lives, instead of allowing to Him to do what's best for us. He created us, we didn't create Him. This thought process to me seems so foreign, and my opinion is that's why so many don't trust God.   The reasons for not trusting Him could be that God didn't do or respond the way we thought He ought to. And, that is not how our Creator works. God has always wanted what is best for us. But, we must first learn to trust Him. Lot's of times it is not what we thought. Put it this way, we are dictating a letter from God, He isn't dictating one from us. He is our  Creator, We are not His creator. We are His Creation (Ephesians 2:10-"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.") We are God's workmanship (work of art, masterpiece). Our salvation is something only God can do. It is His powerful, creative work in us. If God considers us His works of art, we dare not treat ourselves or others with disrespect or as an inferior work.

A lot of times, if we were honest with ourselves. We could all say that we sometimes have a habit of only calling on God or getting close to Him when we get ourselves into a situation we can't get out of.  Again, I believe this thinking is backward. God is the One who created the Universe. If you look up Acts 7:49, it says, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool, What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?"  We must remember when Jesus says we can ask anything, it must be done in His (Jesus) name-that is, according to God's character and will. God will not grant request contrary to His nature and will, and we cannot use His name as a magic formula to fulfill our selfish desires. If we are sincerely following God and seeking to do His will, then our requests will be in line with what He wants, and He will grant them.

In Colossians 3:10, it says "and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."  Every Christian is in a continuing education program. The more we know Christ and His work, the more we are being changed to be like Him. Because the process is lifelong, we must never stop learning and obeying. There is no justification for drifting along, but there is an incentive to find the rich treasures of growing in Him. It takes practice, ongoing review, patience, and concentration to keep in line with His Will.

God created the world, and He has faithfully ordered it and kept it since the creation (1 Peter 4:19-"So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."). Because, we know that God is faithful, we can count on Him to fulfill His Promises to us. If God can oversee the forces of nature, surely He can see us through the trials we face. So, God is big enough to take care of every area in our life, I mean EVERY area! All we must do is surrender, first our lives to Him, then the areas we struggle in. He is faithful to help carry us through these areas. I promise He will, I've seen it time and time again.

So, I leave you with one thought. If your life is in shambles and you've tried everything in your own power to fix things and nothing happened, but instead actually getting worse. I suggest try God! He is a God that can be trusted. Remember, He created you!

"Don't Give Up!"

Today is not a normal day. It is an exceptional day! Today (Good Friday) marks the day that we as Christ-followers have been given a New start to come as Jesus was nailed to the cross, barren, broken, and stripped from everything to the world. But, in reality, it was the start of God's plan for redeeming the world. Through the Blood of Jesus being shed on the Cross.

 You see, until this time, a complicated system of sacrifices had atoned for sins. Sin separates people from God, and only through the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, could people be forgiven and become clean before God. But people sin continually, so frequent sacrifices were required. Jesus, however, became the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The word finished is the same as "paid in full". That is so awesome! Jesus came to finish God's work of salvation (John 4:34-“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."), to pay the penalty for our sins. With His death, the complex sacrificial system ended because Jesus took all sin upon Himself. This now allows us to freely approach God because of what Jesus did for us ( Hebrews 4:16-"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."). Those who believe in Jesus' death and resurrection can live eternally with God and escape the penalty that comes from sin.

I know that we all face trials in life. Some seem to have more trials than others. But remember this, "every trial has a time limit".  Jesus went through the ultimate trial...death! By Jesus dying, "He gave up His life, so we could keep ours". That is a profound thought. So, I leave you with one thought: Don't give up, He promises to never give up on you!

"My Only Option"

"I sit here and wonder will I change,

It seems that everyone I'm around, I drain,

I don't like the ways I've been pulled in,

It all seems to real and I so bad want it to end,

So, Jesus I look to You to help me see,

The areas in my life You need to clean,

I give all those places in my heart,

Even those ones that seem so dark,

Only You can take the dark pain away,

Only You can see the space in my heart to change,

I've hurt the persons I've loved most,

And because of my actions the distance isn't close,

There is no one to blame but me,

I have no one else but You to cling,

When we are in trouble and no end in sight,

Lord Jesus, I cry out to You with all of my might,

No words spoken can fix any solution,

Only You God, have produced Jesus, the Right Resolution."

"God Is My Pilot"

A number of years ago there was a saying going around. It read "God is My Co-Pilot" on many license plates. I know what was meant by it and their intentions were good (They simply meant God is this place).  However, I had a thought.  Wouldn't we be better if God was actually our Pilot, you know, first in command, guiding us through life.
I mean, if my airplane hits turbulence (trials, difficulties we face). I would revert back to God anyway because He's the only One equipped to handle our problems.  For me, I'd rather have God driving because He knows where all the curves are in the road (trials, struggles we go through in this life). God is NEVER caught off guard by anything we do or say. God is the expert on handling life's problems. The Good News is that we can draw our strength from God.
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and grow weary, they will walk and not be faint"-Isaiah 40:30-31. We all get tired at times.  But remember God's power and strength never diminishes. He is never to busy or too tired to help and listen. His strength is our strength. When we feel all of life closing in on you and cannot take another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength. "The Joy of the Lord is our strength"-Nehemiah 8:10. Hoping in the Lord is expecting that His Promise of strength will help us to rise above life's distractions and difficulties. It means trusting in God. Trusting helps us to be prepared when He speaks to us. We would be more willing to be patient when He asks us to wait and expect Him to fulfill the Promises found in His Word. So, to sum this up; Do you want God driving your life around the curves to help avoid pitfalls, or would you rather do it yourself and take your chances?

"Peace That Matters"

"If you don't have peace just wait and see,

It is for all to receive, it's free,

The peace of this world is all too quick to go away,

But the peace I'm talking about will always stay,

You must first determine to change your direction,

And choose to take the correct action,

You will never get it all right,

And through Jesus, we are perfect in God's sight,

The fact is we all fail everyday,

The truth is that God says come anyway."

"The Eternal Secret"

"Life is full of ups and downs,

But I know a secret that may turn it all around,

It's not a quick fix or anything like that,
To be truthful, you may feel as if you've gone backwards before you know where you're at,
But, I promise, the process will be worth it all,
You will start seeing the problems become so very small,
By simply putting your Trust in Jesus above,
His arms are opened wide just waiting to share His love,
So you see, the secret I mentioned before,
It's not a big secret anymore."