"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away." John 16:1
"In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
There is a lot of pressure, so it seems, to live a good life, a happy life, a content life, a stable life. People don't want to be trouble to others. And people don't want you to have troubles either. I think I've been dismissed a time or two because of the "drama" that surrounds our lives. Our Good God has allowed it. Our Beautiful God walks with me every day in the midst of tribulation not delivering me from it all but delivering me from darkness that the Light of the World may shine forth. He walks with you this day, no matter what you face.
"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't promise smooth sailing. But He provides strength for the passage. And one Day, complete victory over this world.
What a Savior!
Yesterday my faith felt like it was propped up on empty boxes. Within an hour of worship and praise in the middle of a fairly bad day, I had the strength to go another round. The turning point was looking and fixing my eyes on Jesus.
Oh! Annette, I hear your beautiful heart! Sometimes the cares of the world are weightier but you stand so tall. You exude His presence, His power in you. You give us all so much! Praying for you this day!
ReplyDeleteLove Annette's word: strength for the passage---and I so feel that way today and am so grateful! I am much better after this weekend of food poisoning. On my way to try to ask for favor on these atrocious hospital bills which are now over $8,000. Over my head but I am carried. Pray for peace in my heart in midst. Dropped from insurance last Monday so the timing didn't work---31 years of insurance---only my 2nd trip to ER. God knew. When we walk in the dark...may we trust only in His Name not in everything working out here. Isa 50:10
ReplyDeleteBev and Annette, I am praying my post works today. I tried to post one day last week. After 20 minutes I lost everything and had to move on.
ReplyDeleteThe best part is that God knows my heart, thoughts and prayers. Praise His Holy Name.
When life is sailing smooth it doesn't take a lot of faith to believe however when life continues to through major obstacles such as Bev is dealing with and Annette I know you have your issues to deal with. The fact is we all do. Especially when the obstacles appear impossible that is when God really wants to encourage each of us, yes me too to perservere. That is the most difficult part...perservering.
I must say sometimes these obstacles feel like discipline and God gave me my verse for May & June Hebrews 12:10-11
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His Holiness.
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
My prayer is as the scripture says to Take Heart and Trust God and perservere and recognize that this is my Spiritual act of worship.
Pearls, thanks for always being there...praying for each other.
Bev, Annette, Angie, Jan, Deborah, Mary Lou, Annette H. and others for sharing Christ with me and his love on this blog.
This is a Song I must Sing, Sylvia
Welcome back, Bev!
ReplyDeleteHow many times do you read these words in today's reading:
"in a little while"
He reaches out to His own to try and prepare them for the coming separation. You know they had to have been so defeated by His death. And yet, Jesus speaks over and over "in a little while" they will be apart from Him. But "in a little while" they will see Him again. I would have been so puzzled at what He meant.
Three days of death. And then He arose! I wonder if any of them had a clue He would come back to life.
"In a little while" comforts me today. I don't want to rush through my life, but there is a longing to go home...we only know in part what the future will be like with Him forever.
He promises us our sorrow will turn to joy. Just like a mother giving birth to her child.
Mary Lou, I am thinking about your friend going through so much after her baby came. We can't begin to understand why this has happened. But we can trust Him for all of our tomorrows. In the present, we can be comforted by His repeated promise that our separation from Him will be just "a little while."
Father, give us strength for this day and hope for tomorrow. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Amen and Amen Twinkle!
ReplyDeleteYour words comfort me.
In a little while.
Sylvia, your words touch me deeply. I do think God is diciplining me, doing me good. The events of today seems like a discipline to stop me in my tracks, literally. But my day has been beautiful in the mishaps ... and God drew me close in what He engineered. I think I am going to go blog about it. Too good to be true, this awful day.
ReplyDelete