Let Go and Let God

It is said that patience is a virtue, yet it is not one of my strongest characteristics.  Proverbs 14:29 says “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.”  I suppose it would be safe to assume this scripture clearly explains the consequences of so many of my actions during the course of my life.  

Job 6:11 says “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?” If you’re like me it can sometimes seem that the end will never come when you’re going through a difficult experience in life.  It can be frustrating when you’re waiting for something to happen and it just doesn’t happen soon enough to satisfy us.  My generation is a very spoiled generation that wants what we want and we want it now.  Instead of waiting on the Lord, His perfect timing and His grace to see us through our difficult times, we all too often step out ahead of Him and act independently.  This is when we get ourselves into a mess and miss out on much of what the Lord has in store for us. 

I don’t pray for patience anymore because it seems I’ve had to exercise it so much in my life, yet it remains a muscle that can’t seem to be worked into shape for me.  Oh and believe me, each day presents sufficient opportunity to exercise it without me having to pray for it. 

It is during these difficult times that we must also exercise our faith and trust in the Lord to accomplish those things that seem so impossible.  He is truly the only One who can provide a great outcome for us.  So there comes a time when we have to let go and let God have our situation to do what only He can do.  So with whatever it is you may be facing today, LET GO AND LET GOD!

Don't Be Deceived

For a long time I blamed others for my problems and my pain.  A part of forgiving others is undertanding that Satan is the source of our problems and our pain.  He works through others to cause us pain and if we're not careful he can deceive us and cause us to hurt others through our words and actions.  He can also deceive us and cause us to make bad choices that can cause problems for ourselves. For so many years of my life I made bad choices because I felt I had no other choice.  The truth is I always had another choice. John 10:10 refers to Satan as the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  He will try to  deceive us in anyway he can in order to steal our joy and destroy our lives.

In order to prevent ourselves from being deceived we must have knowledge of the truth, God's truth.  We gain that knowledge by spending time in His presence through prayer and His Word.  As Christians we should never stop learning and growing as children of God.  Spend time with Him today and everyday.  God Bless!

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.