Our Heavenly Father Is Our Source

The other day I made a post titled “Troubled Times” in which I discussed Matthew 24:1-14 where Jesus explained to the disciples what the last days would look like.  I discussed wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famine and the rising costs of food and fuel.  That post was not meant to frighten anyone, only to encourage all of us to evaluate our relationship with the Lord in order to ensure that we are in good standing with Him and being obedient to Him in order to be ready when He comes.

I don’t believe in coincidences.  I honestly believe with all my heart that everything that happens to us serves a purpose.  This morning Pastor Chase preached on the unrest in the Middle East and the rising costs of food and fuel. Coincidence?  Once again, I don’t believe in coincidences. After church I knew I had to get home and make this post to not leave anyone in fear, but to assure you that our God is in control.  We are His children.  He knows our needs and He is our source for all things.

In Exodus 16:4 the Lord told Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you”.  In Matthew 6:31-33 Jesus tells us, “So do no worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. 

Pastor Chase called all who are in need of a job down to the alter.  I went for myself and for Steve as well because we want so much for him to be able to come home to be with his family.  Steve’s name was placed on the monitor.  A stateside job for him will be prayed for and his name will remain there until our Lord answers that prayer.  I’m believing and trusting Him for that because He is our source for all things.  Seek Him and trust Him to be your source for whatever your need is today.

The Most Intimate Relationship

Our relationship with the Lord is the most intimate relationship we will ever have.  No one will ever love you more than He does.  He came to this earth knowing the price He would have to pay for us and loved us enough to pay that price.  He knows our deepest desires, thoughts, feelings and fears.  He loves us regardless of our biggest mistakes and failures. 

He knows we are infants and children who are seeking to learn and grow in order to become the person we were created and placed on this earth to become, while realizing that purpose for which He created us and what He has assigned each of us to accomplish for His kingdom.  Becoming a Christian does not mean we are to wake up suddenly converted into perfect beings, who are not allowed to ever make another mistake or experience another failure.  Becoming a Christian means being reborn a second birth as a child of God.  It means being an infant in our faith and learning, growing and maturing in His Word, His will and His ways.  It means not being perfect but seeking to grow and be Christ like, as much as we are each capable of being.

So many times over the years I’ve heard “You can’t do that and be a Christian”.  Making a mistake does not mean I am not a Christian.  Making a mistake as a Christian simply means that I am a child of God with the key word being ‘child’.  I am a child that is learning and growing and being at a different level of growth and achievement in my relationship with the Lord does not make me any less a Christian than anyone else. I don’t know of anyone who would expect an infant to master the skills of a toddler, or expect a toddler to master the skills of an adolescent.  Nor does our Heavenly Father expect us to suddenly become mastered Christians overnight.  Growing as a child of God is no different from growing as children.  Our Father doesn’t have these unrealistic expectations of us.  We don’t have these unrealistic expectations of our children nor does He have them for us.

I think as Christians we all too often compare ourselves to others and begin the process of self-condemnation all over again because we have not yet reached the level of growth as other Christians may have obtained.  That’s one thing that prevented me from writing my book for seven years.  I wasn’t as ‘matured’ as this person or that person and all those around me would condemn me and put me down.  I also think it is one reason that people don’t claim to be Christians because they compare themselves to others and feel they don’t measure up.  Don’t compare yourself to anyone.  Your relationship with the Lord is yours and yours alone.  It is the most intimate relationship you will ever have.  I hope you understand that.  Read His Word, learn and grow in Him.  Spend time in prayer with Him by simply talking to Him.  If there is something that you feel He expects of you that you’re not capable of doing, ask Him for His help.  Seek Him.

He is patient, He is forgiving and He is kind.  He loves you and wants only the best for you.  He died on the cross for you and paid the ultimate price for you.  He has promised to deliver you from the fire.  He has assured us that His plans for us are to prosper us and not cause us harm.  All He wants is for us to accept Him, seek Him, grow in Him, love Him and be obedient to Him.  It is my desire that if you know Him you will desire more of Him and seek Him.  If you do not know Him it is my desire that you will come to know Him.  My relationship with Him is the most intimate relationship I will ever have.  I pray your relationship with Him will be your most intimate relationship as well.

Troubled Times

I’ve reached a point where I don’t like to watch the news because it can be so depressing but we can’t be oblivious to what is going on around us in our world today.  Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with the death toll of the war in Afghanistan reaching a new high mark, a revolution in Egypt spreading unrest in the Arab world, Gaddafi's son’s warnings of civil war as unrest spreads in Libya, an uprising in Iran, Bahrain joining many other Arab countries in demanding democracy, etc., etc., etc., reminds of things I’ve read and heard regarding wars and rumors of wars in the last days. 

I reflect over the past couple of years and think of the natural disasters the world has experienced with flooding and earthquakes. Earthquakes alone have caused so much destruction and taken so many lives.  The Sichauan Earthquake in China on March 12, 2008 claimed an estimated 68,712 lives with another 18,392 missing.  The earthquake that struck Haiti in January of 2010 claimed an estimated 316,000 and is considered one of the ten most deadly natural disasters in history. Now the earthquake that recently shattered Christchurch, New Zealand with the death toll rising.  Matthew 24:7 says there will be earthquakes in various places in the last days.

World Bank recently reported that food prices increased an astounding 29 percent in 2010.  The soaring food prices are leading to a dangerous situation that can send millions into poverty.  Food riots have already been reported in the Middle East.  The rising food prices are reportedly due to floods in Australia, drought in Russia and crop failure in China.  We in America are not exempt from famine.  Many of us Americans are more susceptible to living like those in a third world country now more than ever with the unemployment rate reaching all-time highs due to a recession.  With all the job losses and foreclosures Americans are experiencing situations in life like my generation has never seen. Oil prices have reached an all-time high and our fuel prices are creating a financial burden for many.  I think the only thing that prevents us from equaling The Great Depression of 1930’s is unemployment insurance. 

These are troubled times we are living in today and every time I hear another tragic report on the television I’m reminded of the prophecies of the last days and can’t help but feel we’re living them. Granted Matthew 24:36 tells us “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”.  However Jesus did speak about the last days on the Mount of Olives in  Matthew 24:1-14 “Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

I certainly don’t claim to know when Jesus is coming back but I do know I want to be ready for Him when he comes.