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?

Stand Still and See

 

Whether we realize it or not, we are engaged in a battle. The battle is with an unseen enemy, and it attacks in an unconventional way. Our first reaction is to fight. Go against the enemy with all barrels blazing while trying to shield the most vulnerable. How can we best win?

God shows us throughout Scripture with the largest battles that Israel faced. What did Moses tell the children of Israel when they were facing the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh's army bearing down on them from behind? Exodus 14:13 says, “Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.”

When Gideon and his army were facing the Midianites, Gideon told them in 2 Chronicles 20:17, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

Again, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. I am not saying we should not do anything. In each of these scenarios, God required them to do something. Moses had to use his staff. The children of Israel had to step into the Red Sea. Gideon had to reduce his troops, and his army had to blow their trumpets and yell. Action must occur.

Along with that, stillness must occur within each of us. We must be still for God to do His work in and through us. In Numbers 9:8, Moses again tells the children of Israel, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.” He needed them to stand still so he could hear direction from the Lord. In Psalm 46:10, we know that it says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Be still.

As we go along our way, please take time out to be still. Pray. Do as it says in Job 37:14, “Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God” or as it says in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Take some time and stand still.

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

Planted

Bro. Larry Hufhand preached at our church this past Sunday.  He has been doing a series for us about Psalm 1.  This Sunday he focused on verse 3, and a word jumped out at me.  It was the word "planted".  Let's see what verse 3 says:

He shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.

This word struck a cord with me because according to the Dictionary, planted is a verb that means "To place or set (seeds, for example) in the ground to grow."  That is a very intentional act.  If you are the "blessed man" that is being talked about in this first chapter of Psalms, and you can deduct if you think you fall into this category by reading the first two verses, you have been intentionally placed in the spot you are in right now by God to serve a specific purpose.  This should be very encouraging!  Sometimes we go through trials that are not of our own doing, but we can always know that there is absolutely a specific purpose behind it!  That is pretty awesome to know!

Now, what sometimes happens is we don't like where God plants us, so we uproot ourselves and move to where we think we should be.  Been there, done that, and hope to not do it again because it never works out.  We need to bloom where we've been planted!

So as we go through our week this week, let's take a look in the mirror to see if we are living a life God can bless.  If we are, then praise God for where He has planted you.

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!

Contentment

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

As of Friday morning my cycle was 4 days late.  I knew that if we made it past that day, we could take “The Test” and hopefully after six long years see a miracle arrive in our lives.  By lunch I knew there would be no need to test this month.  I shared with my co-worker that this late cycle for me is like buying a lottery ticket when you hear the prize is $1 billion (it happens about as often).  It’s fun to think about, hope for, even pray for (I can tell you that Indiana would not have to worry about children stuck as wards of the state if I ever did win a billion dollars!), but you know the odds are stacked against you.  It’s simple statistics.  That is how Friday went, so I closed my office door toward the end of the day and cried when I could no longer hold back the sadness.

The most amazing thing always happens though.  I can never cry very long because I think of my husband that loves me, my two adorable cats that are waiting at home for me, my beautiful home that provides shelter, and most importantly, my Savior who died my sinner’s death so I can have eternal life.  My Savior provides contentment in whatever state I am and allows me to do ALL things through Him.

I can tell you that this is not easy and the key to success is in verse 13.  With that, it makes me think of a saying you hear frequently that is completely false, so don’t believe it!  It is, “God won’t give you anything you can’t handle.”  You see, we are weak, sinful humans.  I can honestly tell you that infertility is more than I can handle.  Being downsized from a job I loved is more than I could handle.  Keeping my mouth shut when I’m angry is more than I can handle.  However, here I am; handling all of these things.  How?  Verse 13: I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me!  Through Christ’s strength, I can stand and not my own!  When you’re in that valley and you don’t see the end of it, make sure you have invited Christ to walk that valley with you.  His strength will pull you through and even provide you contentment along the way.