Too often we hear more about the “blessings and benefits” of what God provides in serving Him, but not enough about relationship and building a strong spiritual foundation and fortitude needed to sustain hard times. Trust me, I understand that God promises us wealth, riches, houses we didn’t build, etc. but it’s more important that we have an understanding of God’s goodness and greatness separate from “things”. Going a step further, it’s even more imperative for us to get back to our mission to “be fruitful, multiply, replenish and subdue” (Genesis 1:28) and to be active in our “ministry of reconciliation” of bringing others to Christ (2 Cor. 5:18).
When I first rededicated my life to Christ, I had “rose-colored” glasses that had me simply enjoying the brightness and glory of God in my “new life!” I would walk around with the biggest smile on my face, because of this new relationship. I rededicated my life to Christ in December 2001 (my junior year of college) and the one thing that I asked for, as a Christmas gift, was a Bible. That January, I started the “read the Bible in a year” planand as I read, God began to speak! It didn’t startle me; it was just a flow of revelation and insight. It was an amazing time of studying and getting to know this Great God!! I would spend time with Him in prayer and worship and, in this, I also began to experience His confidence, faith, wisdom and favor. What I didn’t know, at the time, was that God was building somethinginternally that would sustain me, far beyond what I could see or understand.
I only share that because THAT foundation is what has “grounded” me throughout the years and what has held my faith together when my environment and my circumstances didn’t look as pristine and smooth as I thought it should. My relationship with God and knowing “WHO” He is, is what I trust in; not just what He’s done in the times of old. I look more to Him than His Hand.
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?(Psalms 11:3)
My life has not always been perfect, and I have not always gotten everything I wanted when I wanted it, but I also understand that there is such a thing as God’s perfect timing (Ephesians 1:5). We also must keep in mind that because God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9), He knows that there are things that we will make idols, if received in the wrong timing, either because of our immaturity, irresponsibility, disobedience, or other reasons based on His foresight and perfected plan. If His thoughts are higher, what makes us think that we know better than Him? Unless He reveals, by His Spirit, we should never lean to our own understanding but as we acknowledge Him, He says He would direct our path (Proverbs 3:5-6).
And because we tend to view God in the same way we viewman, we get mad at God when situations don’t turn out the way we think they should, because we have clearly not taken into account His Sovereignty! It would be foolish of us to attribute the characteristics of man to the characteristics of God!
God created man….so, make that make sense!
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonourtheir own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)
In this popcorn generation, where we expect things to happen quickly and for God to be our “genie”, it’s easy to be tempted to take an alternative route, instead if pressing into God, standing on and trusting in His word. We convince ourselves that, “this situation ain’t God! God wouldn’t allow xyz!”
And in times when we don’t get what we want, when we expect it, the devil swoops in and plants the seed of bitterness in our heart against God and others, that turns us against love, joy, forgiveness (fruits of the Spirit) and we begin to walk in our ways (of the flesh) to get what we want, deceiving ourselves into thinking, “well, it worked out, so God is still blessing!”, not realizing that the ways of the flesh are enmity with God(Romans 8:7). And we sink deeper and deeper, and further and further away from God. We are never too far that He can’t reach us but we do have to repent!!
I had a conversation with one of my young family members alittle over a month ago and, as we were talking, I shared withhim that his parents may not always allow him to do everything he wants to do because they have foresight that he has not grown into yet. I explained that being that his parents are older than he is, they can perceive when situations are a clear indication of “trouble” and, in keeping him safe, won’t allow him to be in the midst of that which may be out of their control. Now, we know that there is nothing hidden from God or out of His full control, however there are situations that we can place ourselves in where we’ve ignored the warnings of the Holy Spirit and are subject to the consequences of those decisions. In His grace, He does forgive but the hope is that we will learn from those teachable moments, and better yet, heed the warnings of the Holy Spirit beforehand.
Because we live in a fallen world, we will all face challenging times and are subject to the things of this world, if we are not under the “covering and protection” of God (Psalms 91). So, when we do find ourselves in trying situations, James 1:2-4 states that these times come to strengthen us but only if we allow the challenges to do so.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
We can reference the stories of Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel6), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3), Paul and Silas(Acts 16) who worshipped God by either their allegiance to Him or by praising, in the middle of their “storm”/challenging circumstance. Some time ago, God spoke that worship should be my strategy! He reminded me that in His presence there is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11)! That when we submit to God, and resist the devil he will flee (James 4:7)! The devil is resisted in the presence of God. If satan is in enmity with God, why would he stick around in the presence of God??
Find yourself in His presence and manifested victory is imminent! If we begin to seek God first, all these things will be added unto us! (Matthew 6:33)
Repent means to turn back! Let’s turn back to seeking God for WHO He is, versus man/things that can only provide temporary satisfaction and stay connected to the Creator of all. I’m walking this word out in the same manner as I desire you to because we are in this together! Be blessed!
If you would like to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and be born again, Romans 10:9-10 says,
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
As you verbally say this prayer, you shall be saved.
PRAYER OF SALVATION
Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. You said in Your Word that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) Father, I am calling on Jesus right now. I believe He died on the cross for my sins, that He was raised from the dead on the third day, and He’s alive right now. Lord Jesus, I am asking You now, come into my heart. Live Your life in me and through me. I repent of my sins and surrender myself totally and completely to You. Heavenly Father, by faith I now confess Jesus Christ as my new Lord and from this day forward, I dedicate my life to serving Him.
If you said this prayer, let me know! I want to rejoice with you! Here’s a resource to get you started:) https://www.billwinston.org/salvation/
Written October 16, 2021
Bountiful Health & Wellness 