GRACE

The grace of God passes all understanding and will uphold you throughout life.

I’ve been reading a lot about the heroes of the Bible. They were all tested in their faith. I think we have all been tested in our faith at some time in our lives. It depends on how we handle the problems of life that Satan throws at us.

We suffer loss of health. We suffer loss of loved ones. We suffer through divorce. We suffer through relationships. All the while God is watching how we handle the problems of life.

Joy comes in the morning. James said, “Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.” (James 1:2 HCSB)

Because trails or difficulties of life can strengthen our faith in God who knows all things, sees all things and understands all things, we can find joy in them.

All the trials in life are tough to go through. When you have faithful friends and family to help, we can suffer with faith and hope. We have hope in a well-known God who understands fully trials of life.

After all, it was Christ at Gethsemane that sweat drops of blood so that if the cup could be removed, it would have been. He pleaded with God, “If there could be any other way to save these people, please make a way.”

We all want our trials to be small ones. Sometimes they seem more than we can bear.

Please don’t be bitter or turn away from God in your trials. The devil would have you then. You are in trials because you are a child of God. Satan would love for you to change and leave God behind.

My prayer is for you to see your trials to the end and keep God in your heart. He will let you know then that you are His child and He loves you very much. Please have a peace, sometimes called joy, about you so others will understand you are a child of God.

STORMY WEATHER

     The thunder rolls as sounds of a storm falls over the sky. Will it bring a light rain? Or will it bring a downpour? We don’t know at the first sounds of the storm falls over southeastern Texas.

When storms come over our life, how will we face the obstacles that come into our lives? Will we count it as a huge trial or something God will use in our lives to enhance our relationship with him? Will we use the trials as a stepping-stone or a bolder we can’t possibly move?

     With God all things are possible, we are told. But do we believe those words or are they just something we have heard?

     

     When trials come, we don’t always think, “God” first. We should and wouldn’t want to admit to anyone we have thoughts of anything else. When trials come, when we hear the big “C” word for cancer, we are devastated. We react negatively. We don’t always know what the Lord has going on for us. “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord,” we hear people say.  We don’t always live like we believe it.

     We know the Lord suffered going to and on the cross. We know God had something better for us through the devastation of the cross. God prepares us for the inevitable—everlasting life. We know we will end up in Jesus’ presence.

     We can keep living through the storms of life. We can depend on His word and live with Jesus on our minds and in our hearts.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who live him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

IN THE BEGINNING

Genesis 2:15-17

MAN REBELS

The rebellion was the beginning of mans trouble between himself and God.

We find in Revelation the fact that it was the devil tempted Eve and Adam in the Garden. Adam was just as tempted as Eve was or he would have led her away from sin.

Luke 4:2-12

Jesus was tempted just as Adam and Eve when He went into the wilderness to worship God.

First the temptation was for food, just as Adam and Eve were tempted with the thought of food. Why is it that when we are hungry our belly cries out and we are more vulnerable? We succumb to the desire of wanting “me to become full”.

Esau sold his birthright for temporary sustenance. It smells so good. Our senses become stronger for our bellies to be full. Our selfish desires increase when we are hungry. Just like a baby that learns quickly, me, my, mine we keep that attitude, unless we learn to rely on the Lord’s leadership through our selfish desires.

The first temptation was for food because that is where Jesus was most vulnerable at the time. The answer from Jesus was, “It is written, man does not live on bread alone.”

The second temptation by the devil was: “Surely you will not die,” the serpent said. Eve was tempted to have the first and last word. You will be smart. The devil offered intellectual pride. .  Eve thought she could rule more than she really wanted.

The devil tempted Jesus by offering him to rule over all the earth. Jesus’ reply was, “Do not tempt the Lord your God.”

The third temptation of Eve was, “You will not surely die?” He was offering her knowledge of life and death. That sounds so powerful.  When we ask people a question, sometimes, it makes them doubt. Eve doubted God’s word and guidance.

Jesus reply to such a temptation as the Devil said, “Jump off this cliff and you will surely not die.” Satan offered Jesus power over the laws God put in place when he created the heavens and the earth. Satan was in effect saying, I will give you power over nature’s law, therefore power over God.  Jesus’ reply, “Get the behind Satan, The Lord is God and Him only will I serve.”

Verse 13 says, “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

In Adam and Eve’s case the Devil left also, only the consequences were quite different. They learned what it cost to disobey God.

Jesus went on to conquer death by his resurrection by obeying God.

Just As The Ant Has Done

Have you ever watched the ant,

So innocent and strong?

Can carry twice its weight

To depths far unknown.

We need to take the lesson

The ant has offered us.

Apply it to our lives,

And live our very best

just as the ant has done.

Arise at dawn working diligently.

Rest as The Lord has mentioned,

In His scripture bright and strong

So we can be productive

just as the ant and Lord have shown.

Based on Proverbs 6:6-9

Circles

Circles

"Did you ever see a lassy go this way and that way? Did you ever see a lassy go this way and that?" Remember that song from childhood? Think about it.

Sometimes we run in circles going from one thing to another trying to find satisfaction for our souls. Sometimes life takes us this way and that way until it finally dawns on us. "Why am I in such a hurry?" "Why am I going at full speed?" We go reeling back and forth, back and forth. Trying to make decisions on our own without consulting Jesus.

Jesus said, "Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

Jesus meant, if I place his yoke upon me, he will help me carry my burden. It will not be mine alone. Too many times I thought I could handle my problems alone, only to find God wants to be in the middle of your decisions.

There is an old saying, "don't walk behind me, I may not  lead, don't walk in front of me, I may not follow, walk beside me and be my friend." I sincerely believe Jesus wants to walk beside me and be my friend.

Thus I am reminded, I should not be a Lassie going this way and that,  but to look to Jesus to put my burdens to rest.