A devotional site that lifts up Jesus our Lord as well as confronting the falling away of the modern church.
Friday, May 10, 2013
A Storm?
A STORM?
Are
going through a difficult time? Are you struggling with things? Are you temped
with depression? Consider praising Jesus right in the very center of that
storm.
Oh my, it is usually during the storm when we grow the most in our walk with the Lord. So often we want God to remove our difficult situation, when in fact, we should be praying for Him to reveal Himself in the difficulty. 2 Cor. 12:9-10 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmaties, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. And this takes us to surrender...getting out of the way so that God can do in us what He wants to do through us. And this takes obedience to God and submitting to Him in absolute surrender. It really is very simple. Nothing complicated here.
So needed those words. Although I have some improvement, I am impatient for total healing. I am alone again, everyone out doing what they want and I can't even drive to the beach to look at it. Trying not to fell down in the dumps but although I am grateful to have gotten this far, I feel like that He thinks if He heals me I will then forget and turn away or go back to old habits of which I am not sure are bad. I do pray more now, praise more, but I am always grateful, but perhaps not as much as He would have me. I don't know what to do. Tears flowing again after a day of some hope and some joy. I hate night time. I feel abandoned. I just want to feel normal again. Loneliness isn't so bad when you're well. He must be really disappointed in me right now.
I guess what is really bothering me is that my sons went to practice golf, but neither are saved and I would probably be less sad if they were saved. I know Jesus said that we have to hate family even ourselves to be worthy of Him, but when you know what they will face if they don't repent keeps knots in my stomach. I want to scream for help, but there is no one who can and so far the Lord has not brought them to repentance and it really scares me.
In the Gospel the Centurion's whole house was saved because he believed. I so wish that could be so in mine.
I used to watch Dr. Quinn until an episode I saw where the Pastor was attacked for baptizing an native American child and then at the end he compromised the faith by allowing all the people of different beliefs participate in a religious discussion/get to know you session. Sad because I really liked the program even though some parts were really big on feminism. I guess it was a sin to watch it.
Trying not to feel sorry for myself and be patient. Would love to go down to the local inlet and watch the boats but driving is still a bit difficult. Asking for prayer for my kids and husband.
Wish we had a chat room where we can chat and fellowship together. Maybe some day.
Cherie, so sorry you were abandoned. So many who are feeling that way tonight and it's inconceivable that we live in the most prosperous nations in the world. Prosperity doesn't provide friendship and christian fellowship. I wonder how long a lukewarm church will realize that?
The culture has everything that fills every physical and entertainment void, but lacks a real christian community of believers that are sold out for Jesus. It's crazy how many U.S. churches pride themselves in their outreach to the world, yet keep their churches locked up on a Friday night.
I am reminded of Paul when he wrote Phillipians 1-4. He knew joy and peace during his time in Rome when he was arrested, shackled to a soldier (guard) awaiting his execution. Why? Because Paul was focused on Jesus Christ and NOT his situation. Paul had a purpose (God's purpose), and that was to defend the faith of Jesus Christ. We must be Christ focused or we will be pulled every which way by the enemy. Cherie, I understand what you are feeling regarding your unsaved family; I too am dealing with it, and have a twin sister whom I love dearly who is of the Church of Laodicea. She is at the point where truth offends her and I am now the enemy. When I received the filling of the Holy Spirit 3 years ago, that was the game changer. I was a different person within 48 hours - and have never looked back. I am now ostrasized by my family because I am Christ focused and NOT world focused. I continue to pray for them daily. It is in the Lord's hands. Cherie, he loves them more than I ever could, and for that I have peace. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, teach you and comfort you. He will...just let go! Blessings dear sister!
Anonymous 7:10, your twin sister in my opinion can still be saved!
If she believes that being kind is a good thing then she isn't offended by this aspect of truth. If she believes in being patient, trustworthy, meek and self-controlled, then she isn't offended by truth but is embracing it!
If she believes in these attributes of love then Our heavenly Father is certainly still able to draw her to Jesus. If on the other hand she is championing unkindness, impatience, untrustworthiness, rudeness and liscentiousness, then she has become offended by truth.
Broken again Pastor, broken again and hopeful.
ReplyDeleteyour sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.
Oh my, it is usually during the storm when we grow the most in our walk with the Lord. So often we want God to remove our difficult situation, when in fact, we should be praying for Him to reveal Himself in the difficulty. 2 Cor. 12:9-10 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmaties, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. And this takes us to surrender...getting out of the way so that God can do in us what He wants to do through us. And this takes obedience to God and submitting to Him in absolute surrender. It really is very simple. Nothing complicated here.
ReplyDeleteSo needed those words. Although I have some improvement, I am impatient for total healing. I am alone again, everyone out doing what they want and I can't even drive to the beach to look at it. Trying not to fell down in the dumps but although I am grateful to have gotten this far, I feel like that He thinks if He heals me I will then forget and turn away or go back to old habits of which I am not sure are bad. I do pray more now, praise more, but I am always grateful, but perhaps not as much as He would have me. I don't know what to do. Tears flowing again after a day of some hope and some joy. I hate night time. I feel abandoned. I just want to feel normal again. Loneliness isn't so bad when you're well. He must be really disappointed in me right now.
ReplyDeleteI guess what is really bothering me is that my sons went to practice golf, but neither are saved and I would probably be less sad if they were saved. I know Jesus said that we have to hate family even ourselves to be worthy of Him, but when you know what they will face if they don't repent keeps knots in my stomach. I want to scream for help, but there is no one who can and so far the Lord has not brought them to repentance and it really scares me.
In the Gospel the Centurion's whole house was saved because he believed. I so wish that could be so in mine.
I used to watch Dr. Quinn until an episode I saw where the Pastor was attacked for baptizing an native American child and then at the end he compromised the faith by allowing all the people of different beliefs participate in a religious discussion/get to know you session. Sad because I really liked the program even though some parts were really big on feminism. I guess it was a sin to watch it.
Trying not to feel sorry for myself and be patient. Would love to go down to the local inlet and watch the boats but driving is still a bit difficult. Asking for prayer for my kids and husband.
Wish we had a chat room where we can chat and fellowship together. Maybe some day.
love you all.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.
Cherie, so sorry you were abandoned. So many who are feeling that way tonight and it's inconceivable that we live in the most prosperous nations in the world. Prosperity doesn't provide friendship and christian fellowship. I wonder how long a lukewarm church will realize that?
ReplyDeleteThe culture has everything that fills every physical and entertainment void, but lacks a real christian community of believers that are sold out for Jesus. It's crazy how many U.S. churches pride themselves in their outreach to the world, yet keep their churches locked up on a Friday night.
J.
I am reminded of Paul when he wrote Phillipians 1-4. He knew joy and peace during his time in Rome when he was arrested, shackled to a soldier (guard) awaiting his execution. Why? Because Paul was focused on Jesus Christ and NOT his situation. Paul had a purpose (God's purpose), and that was to defend the faith of Jesus Christ. We must be Christ focused or we will be pulled every which way by the enemy. Cherie, I understand what you are feeling regarding your unsaved family; I too am dealing with it, and have a twin sister whom I love dearly who is of the Church of Laodicea. She is at the point where truth offends her and I am now the enemy. When I received the filling of the Holy Spirit 3 years ago, that was the game changer. I was a different person within 48 hours - and have never looked back. I am now ostrasized by my family because I am Christ focused and NOT world focused. I continue to pray for them daily. It is in the Lord's hands. Cherie, he loves them more than I ever could, and for that I have peace. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, teach you and comfort you. He will...just let go! Blessings dear sister!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 7:10, your twin sister in my opinion can still be saved!
ReplyDeleteIf she believes that being kind is a good thing then she isn't offended by this aspect of truth. If she believes in being patient, trustworthy, meek and self-controlled, then she isn't offended by truth but is embracing it!
If she believes in these attributes of love then Our heavenly Father is certainly still able to draw her to Jesus. If on the other hand she is championing unkindness, impatience, untrustworthiness, rudeness and liscentiousness, then she has become offended by truth.