Resilience

   

When we used to walk the fence row of a neighboring farm property, we walk by this tree. I’ve walked by it dozens of times and admired how majestic it is. It has been there a long time and is I don’t know how tall. It is huge and beautiful. Something to be admired. This week I noticed something about this tree that I never noticed before. It made me admire it even more and taught me something.

Down toward the bottom of the trunk is a large rock embedded in it. The tree has managed to grow around it and almost encapsulate it. The rock looks to be good sized based on the curvature that is exposed. I don’t know how this happened. It amazed me that this large obstacle got in the way of this tree at some point in time, and the tree did not let it stunt its growth. It grew above it and around it to overcome it.

I thought about people that I look up to currently. I admire them as they are now, but I don’t completely know what rocks they carry with them that made them what they are today. We all have rocks placed in our way. The question is what do we do with them? Do we let them crush us or do we overcome them and grow past them to not only survive but thrive like this tree did?

Know Your Enemy

My old Bible cover was worn out. I like a cover that will hold pens, pencils, Bible Study books, etc. with my Bible. This is not easy to find. Searched for months & kept coming back to this. I bought it as a reminder that we are in a great battle. We need to check ourselves daily to ensure we have on the full armor of God. Also as important, though, we need to know who our enemy is.

Your neighbor is not your enemy.

Your spouse is not your enemy.

Your parent is not your enemy.

Your sibling is not your enemy.

Your co-worker is not your enemy.

The Democrats are not your enemy

The Republicans are not your enemy.

The Church is not your enemy.

The LGBTQ are not your enemy.

The Straight are not your enemy.

The Black are not your enemy.

The White are not your enemy.

Satan IS your enemy. He wants you to believe all of these are, so he can destroy you. Unless you go after the right enemy with Jesus, the One who has already won the war, you are at risk of destruction.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

1 Peter 5:8

Joy

This is the third week of Advent - Joy.  While looking for a graphic to post on our church Facebook page, I came across the one above.  It hit me because yesterday I was speaking with a colleague who also traveled the journey of infertility.  We talked about how difficult it was, but continuing in faith and finding something in the midst of it.  We couldn't really describe it.  She used the word "contentment", but I think we both knew it was more than being content.  Then this morning, I saw this and knew what it was we were trying to describe - it is joy.  Joy does not equate to happiness; oh, quite the contrary.  We both spoke of the indescribable sorrow we have felt, but in the midst of the deepest sorrow, you can still find joy.  Joy then does provide contentment and peace in the situation because joy does not come from ourselves.  It only comes from the One in whom we have faith - Jesus Christ.

So during this Advent season, ponder on what you can find joy in during difficult times. Ponder while you're waiting for an answer on the One who has the Master plan for your life.  Think on the Child in whom's arrival we're preparing to celebrate, and why He was sent here.  

Wait Upon the Lord

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Came across a devotion about this verse the other day, and it mentioned something that I was never aware of but became a golden nugget.  The Hebrew word used means change, not renewed!  That was an amazing revelation to me.  Those that wait on the Lord actually have their strength changed.  It changes to become that of the Lord’s strength, not their own.  It is transformed!  How amazing is that?

This was so encouraging to me because there are quite a few things in my life that are in “wait mode”.  One prayer is waiting for hearts to be changed and softened.  A few others I don’t understand why, but trusting God has a plan.

If you are in wait mode right now, find great news in this verse.  God not only has a plan, but if you wait on Him, He will reward you with His strength.  Then whatever we’re waiting on is sure to bring Him all the glory!  So wait.

What a Friend

The past few months have definitely been a testing time.  It is a tough pill to swallow when you’ve had people in your life for several years, and you realize that the relationship you thought was there was not.  It is not reciprocal to the level of care or love you have for them.  I realize I’m not the only one this has happened to.  Everyone has had relationships that have ended up broken, and it stinks.  It hurts, and you have a tendency to want to be not very nice about it.  Well, as my mom always told us growing up, “two wrongs don’t make a right”.  We need to move on and be better.  What I cling to, though, is a very dear Friend that will never leave me or forsake me.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 9:10 “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who trust you”.  Isn’t that great news?  If we trust Him, he will never forsake us!  That is so comforting.  Also look in John 15 where Jesus refers to the apostles as his friends.  We have that same ability today – to be Christ’s friend.  If we keep his commandments and read his Word, we are His friend.  What a better friend could one have?

So as you go through the week this week, know that if you trust Him, He will always be with you.  If you haven’t trusted Him as Lord and Savior, why not start today?  It is very simple.  Pray to God admitting you are a sinner and asking forgiveness of your sins.  Then tell Christ you trust Him to be Lord of your life.  That’s all it takes.  After that, find a home church to support you and guide you in your new Christian walk, and take time every day to pray and read your Bible.  After all, you have a new Friend!  You need to really get to know Him!

Have a blessed week!

Trials

Was reading in first Peter today and a little gold nugget popped out at me.  Take a look at this:

Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 1:6-7

Praise God for our trialed or tried faith!  Look at this passage grammatically, especially verse 7.  Our tried faith is much more precious that gold…not just any faith – tried faith.  Faith that has been through the fire and has come through it still bringing praise, honor, and glory to Jesus.  That is the faith that is highly valuable to God, so the next time you go through the valley or a deep trail, just know to stand strong and keep your faith.  When you come through the other side, your faith will be stronger and highly valued by God.

Have a glorious Friday!

When We Just Don't Understand

Jehovah-Shammah, so often we don't understand Your plan.  There are circumstances when we don't see You, but You are there.  There are times when we don't feel Your Presence, but You are there.  There are times when "the plan" really doesn't make sense, but You are there.  Let us praise You anyway because You are the God that is there with us - Jehovah-Shammah.
We also praise You for being the Jehovah-Jireh - the God who provides.  As it says in Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  We are placing full trust that You will provide our needs.  We are in need of You providing because we cannot do this alone.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

We should cling to this prayer daily.  We never know what is around the corner - a friend will disappoint us, people will let us down, we'll hear a devastating diagnosis, we'll lose a loved one.  So often, we don't understand why, but we can cling to the One that does.  He does have a plan, and we'll understand in the Sweet By and By.