Can God?

 Afternoon devotion found Bro. Paul in Col 2.6 encouraging the believers in this way; As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him...

In the margins the question was posed, "Can you think of a time that you were confident and close to Christ in your faith walk? The notes added, "Can you think of a time when you knew Jesus was with you but felt far from Him? A challenge was posed that said to "describe how it feels to be both close to and far from Jesus..

As I studied on these thoughts I recalled the last message I heard.  The preacher took us back to the children of Israel in the wilderness.  Even though the Lord had provided, a cool cloud by day, a fire cloud by night, manna and meat, they were not satisfied. Miracles extending back to their deliverance from Egypt had left their hearts and minds.  All the plagues then the death angel.  When they obeyed the command to put blood on the doorposts of their home, the death angel passed by.  All this and still they spake against God: and asked Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? "Can God really deliver us from this dry, barren, desert place?  

The preacher said a curious thing that has stuck in this believers heart like a burr.

He said "miracles are only necessary when in such trials."  

• Abraham left his home to seek a city whose builder and maker was God. Then was put to the test to use his own son as a sacrifice. 
• Noah, instructed to build a boat because it was going to rain.  He had never seen rain but he obeyed God. He endured scoffers and mockers for 120 years!
• Job lost all he had and his wife nagging him to curse God and die  but said  he still believed God when he said, the Lord giveth and taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord.
• Jacob was with jealousy barking at his heels, sold into slavery by his own brothers, then unjustly put into prison and left there before the Lord elevated him to second in command over all Egypt
• Daniel was put into a den of lions when he obeyed God and not man.
• The three Hebrew boys also would not bow to the King and were thrown into a fiery furnace.  A fire so hot that it consumed those standing outside.  This is where we get the glorious statement of the King who really didn't want to do this and said Who is that fourth man in the fire?

We could go on but one should "get the picture" by now.  God mostly works miracles when one is literally in the fire of affliction.  Why should we think life is easy?  After all, He promised in Heb 13.5 never to leave nor forsake us). He explained that when He left this world and went back to the Father that He would not leave us comfortless. (Jn 14.18)  He confirmed that He would send the Holy Spirit who would abide with us forever in Jn 14.16.  

I can answer, without, yea beyond the shadow of a doubt, that "yes, I KNOW He can and will furnish me a table in the wilderness. He will demonstrate the glory of His power in making a way when it seems there is no way. I've seen it and could number many examples in my own life to this truth.

Can I feel both close and far from Him at the same time?  Yes.  It is human.  Each believer trusts in the One who is very God and was very Man.

Ponder on these things when next you feel so low that you wonder if He still hears your cry.

God bless and keep you.

Courage to go on

 A particular life verse, cast down, but not destroyed (2 Cor 4.9) is where I am today.  This blogger, though a "new season" of life, finds a different fight.  The rest of this passage says that we are always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, (why?) that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Further, what does it mean to say For we which live are delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh?

Corrie Ten Boom, the heroine of "The Hiding Place," said that "Jesus is Victor."  She understood that a fraction of what she suffered helped her understand the Master's suffering.  

Thus, what do I understand about His suffering? What do I bear about in the body (of) the dying of the Lord Jesus gives me courage to press on? What emotions assault me daily that He would give comfort?  First as the old preacher said, I must cleanse my heart first before asking the Lord for anything. The Lord has put conviction in one singular area.  It is indeed a stronghold brought from my childhood.  Now, it is a crutch to sadness, loneliness and heartache.  Of course, it never fills the soul with joy, yet still I struggle with it.

The things of youth, marriage, motherhood, family are mostly still here but participants in some of these areas of life are gone, others are just older. I would ask "is my life as full now as then?" No. I believe in      (Phil 3.14) pressing forward but continue finding sadness.  

Quietness and stillness appeal to this soul.  Some fulfillment is found in fellowship with others but lives are so busy, how do I go on as before?  It occurs that taking a moment to thank Him for what I've had, experiences that have grown me in grace, and for daily provision is a good place to start when needing courage.

It's never been a virtue to patiently listening to whining of others.  Can't stand it! I have no excuse for doing the same.  I turn to Ps 57.7 ------

Then the question is begged, "where do I find joy?"

Many verses give the answer: 

• Romans 12.12, 15.13 command to rejoice in hope and let the God of hope fill you with all joy...
• James told us in 1.2 to count IT ALL joy...No excuses for anything that comes to our lives
• Bro. Paul told the church at Phillip to "just do it!" Rejoice in the Lord ALWAY...
• When making prayer requests Bro. John told us to ask, (in the Lord's name) and ye shall receive THEN your joy may be full.
• Bro. Peter said in 1 Pet 1.8 that even if we haven't seen Him, we believe we will and to that we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. This is the hope that one day all sadness will be gone because of Him.
• The wisest man on earth told us in Pro 17.22 that A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Finding the charm and good in everyday things will keep one from "drying up like an old prune."  Nothing so distasteful as a bitter, sour spirit.
• The humble Psalmist told us in 118.24, This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
• To sum up these verses, Bro. Paul told the church at Thessalonica, Rejoice evermore.                     (I Thes 5.16)

The Lord never promised easy.  He DID promise 

that He (John 14.18) would not leave us comfortless. He also promises (Heb 13.15) to never leave nor forsake us.

Courage is defined as: that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution.

Thus this soul will "resolutely" absorb the verses mentioned in this post and declare because of Him, I may go "one step farther on." 

It is my desire that any reader of this blog find this same courage to carry on.

Journal and Study

To follow up on the previous entry, I will say "next is Journalling."  The first entry in said journal was two weeks ago. Life has been semiactive.  Each day brings routine tasks as well as new tasks.  The job left over one year ago is just that, "left!" So thankful for this season of life.  However, as time and age slow my physical body a bit, my mind continues seeking the "next" task to remain occupied.  Stretching out and resting comes more often than before and I've learned to yield to it. 

My heart seeks Him, though the weak flesh struggles.  My heart longs for more time with family, especially the grandchild. In that, I've learned patience and waiting on His will to provide such opportunity.  In the meantime, my duty at church occupies.  I enjoy working on the website and FB page and keeping up with Mission Funds and Letters. Currently, I am involved in the completion of a new church directory.  Happy to have a part in the project.

My intention today is to study for the "Young Ladies Class," should that ever become a reality.  The Lord has impressed my spirit that life experiences coupled with scriptural background would benefit such a group.  I'm beginning to believe that it may be simply individuals that would profit from this effort rather than a group.  His will is always best. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Take care and have a blessed day.

Ps 57.7

What is next?

If this blogger were to answer the question above, the short answer would be, "it is Wednesday."  In our assembly we call it "prayer meeting."  We do pray before and after service and in between there is preaching.  

In the secular world Wednesday is referred to as "hump day."  Since, a public job is no longer part of the week, "What's next" is simply that.

Of course, there are daily routine tasks; getting dressed, making beds, making breakfast for myself and sometimes another. Sometimes a morning walk, which is refreshing and invigorating.  Then, there may be housework and/or yard work and then lunch.  Then, whatever I may be called on to do.   This afternoon I planned on simply meditating on thoughts/things of God and the heart.

Sitting still and being quiet is difficult after a lifetime of activity.  I always feel guilty when I'm this way. Scripture says, study to be quiet. (I Thes 4.11)  Once I indeed "studied" this thought and the truth is the Lord made us active beings so it requires study to sit still and be quiet.  Since blogging is an active task I will head back to my enclosed screened in porch and listen for that still small voice. (I Kings 19.12)

it's Sunday morning, again!

Thank you, Lord for another day to "live in Your world and breath Your air."  Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Ps 150.6) The old preacher said "touch your tummy, are you breathing? Then, you should be praising Him!"

As I wake up, wash my face, get my cup of coffee and put breakfast on, I come back to personal reflections of a blog began 19 years ago!  So many changes, so much life, so much God!  I can honestly report His promises are true, particularly, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. (Deu 31.6, Heb 13.5)

Another year older.  Maybe, a little wiser.  The recent birthday demonstrated, again, the truth above.  The loved ones and "anonymous" friends that remembered this old girl reminded me of the Lord's  faithfulness to His children.

Looking forward to this morning.  We had bible school yesterday and the children, as always, were wonderful.  I think I appreciate life more as I get older.  The hoary head (Pro 16.31) is blessed with so many truths that supply wisdom that getting older isn't the dread I once thought it to be.

Some have said, "see the glass 1/2 full instead of 1/2 empty."  From this believer's heart, I would say "it's full and running over!"  You may be in the midst of sorrows and trials but view the rainbow after the storm.  It's Sunday morning, again, get ready, go to your house of worship and praise Him!  

According to His Word, our prayer is that you will see, He will bless you and keep you and make His face shine on you...and give thee peace. (Num 6.24-26)

It's all true, promise!