Friday, July 30, 2010

God’s Gifts To Us

2 Peter 1:13



In my research on a topic, I found a scripture that spoke to my soul. The topic-abundance-was one I considered speaking on ten years ago. The passage told of God’s bestowal of grace and peace in ABUNDANCE from our relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. As I soaked this thought into my mind and heart. I recognized that all the peace robbing facets of our lives are active because we allow them free access into our lives. That makes us our own worst enemies.

I sit here early this afternoon, awaiting the time my husband and I depart for his medical appointment. We will receive the results from an MRI. At one time, I would be worried-scared out of my mind. But I have learned a few principles of faith that keep me calm.

Principle 1 God is in control.

Principle 2 He only allows things into our lives that will ultimately make us stronger.

Principle 3 He only wants what’s best for us.

Principle 4 If something happens to either my husband or me, we will be with Him in Heaven.

Principle 5 Because of the previous four faith facts, I shouldn’t have any lingering worries.

Principle 6Those popcorn worries, those that seem to come from nowhere, I will turn over to my Lord,      God Almighty. He’s the only one who can handle them anyway.



God gives us these assurances when we choose to learn of Him, spend time with Him and seek His guidance.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Thoughts About God

GOD CREATES

God makes us. He creates the beauty of the earth.

No man can duplicate the breath-taking picture of the sky on a bright cloudless day. He displays His majesty in the roll of thunder.


GOD PROTECTS

God protects us. He keeps us safe from harm. Several years ago, a man worked in a factory adjacent to a furnace that baked the product his department produced. One day he overslept and then had car trouble. These things caused him to be late to work. When he arrived at the plant, he found out the furnace had exploded.



GOD PROVIDES

God provides for us. As I searched for an alternate way to send one of the newsletters I write, He reminded me of a type of file I have received information in. I finished the upcoming edition of the smaller newsletter and sent it to be proofed. The man sent it back to me with a request. He supplied me with a copy of another group’s newsletter in that file format with the information he asked to be included in our ministry’s upcoming edition.



GOD COMFORTS

God comforts us. Where would we be if He didn’t wipe away our tears when we are in sorrow? He wraps His arms around us and draws us to Him.



GOD HEALS
God heals us. God heals us according to His will. He can take away the illness and leave us here for a while longer. He allows us to have ways to deal with chronic conditions that He has chosen not to cure. He can call us home and heal us in Heaven.



GOD FORGIVES

God forgives us, if we ask for it. He wouldn’t be a loving father, if He let us carry our guilt and shame around in a bucket everywhere we went.

Monday, July 26, 2010

On Being ‘Prayed Up’

“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer

and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be known unto God. Philippians 4:6(KJV)



I act as a section leader on our church’s prayer chain. Ours at church has three layers. The office receives requests. One of the secretaries calls the upper tier. My section falls in this group. The other two tiers each have a leader who calls their section leaders.

From time to time, we get requests that break our hearts. When we received our last sad request, I was unable to articulate the thought. I told some that I ,again, found myself the purveyor of bad news.

I have been on the prayer chain of another church I attended. At times, I had the same feeling then. I know God helps me when I pass on requests. The day we had the latest one that I found especially heart-breaking, I also heard of a lady who is elderly and a nursing home resident whose time is getting close. And we have a lady in her early 50s who had been given a prognosis of a few months.

One thing I have learned is that I have to be prayed up. I can’t be haphazard in my prayer life. There are time life comes at me fast. I have to not let my guard down. This is a continuing lesson I have learned these past weeks since my sister-in-law’s accident and resultant transfer to heaven.

I have found there are rewards for being prayed up. Even the unexpected tragic issues become manageable. God takes us through these hard times, no matter the source of the issue or the level of hurt we may feel.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...