Reality is a strange thing... It isn't what we think it is either. There is a whole other alternate realm in which we move about, yet can't see. I know there are some twisted teachings on this, some more new age twisted ones. I know because I used to read the material and "practice" it. As always the enemy takes what is good and twists it.
There are things that we can't see that we're protected from, sometimes we find out what those things were and other times we don't. We are always in danger of some snare somewhere.
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
There are things God protects us from and there are pitfalls we can avoid but being aware and by praying continually. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
It sounds complicated, praying all the time. I think of it as talking to Jesus all day long, even if what you're saying is what you would deem boring. It's a relationship in which you share everything, even your silly little trivial thoughts. He already knows what you're thinking, the obedience and gesture of friendship is in saying those things out loud.
Jesus can even help you make decisions. "Lord, is this your will? What do you want me to do in this circumstance?" The Holy spirit knows when it's time to speak and when it's time to keep your mouth shut. If I didn't heed the Holy Spirits prompting I would say all kinds of things that weren't helpful or of use to others. It's not hard, it just requires a bit of obedience on our parts. Talking to God all day is far more real than the chair your sitting in. God is eternal. This world is temporal. That sums it up. And if Jesus Christ is your Lord and savior and you're going to spend eternity with Him, don't you want to talk to Him everyday- all day long? I know I do! I get distracted. There are so many things to distract me away from what is most important. But that is also part of the enemy's plan too.
When you're feeling that ancient spirit of getting over whelmed- know that readjusting your gaze back to God will diminish it. Life says- do everything NOW. God says- in My timing. Our enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10;10) Talking to God will help you discern what needs to be attended to immediately and what doesn't. It's amazing the things that will distract us away from what matters more.
We also live in an age where being social means logging into our social media account. Which doesn't supplement real human contact but in some cases, we've allowed it to. We have successfully substituted real friendships for "only at my convenience" and "just give me a quick rundown." Does that really replace face to face communication? No! We are accepting cheap substitutes for real friendships. Is social media nice to keep in touch with people who don't live in the same country or state as you? Absolutely, yes. But if it's a legitimate friendship, you're not keeping tabs on one another just by your status update and choreographed pictures that are posted.
Our enemy is quite crafty when it comes to the allure of what he has in mind. Everything that he does offer is nothing but a cheap substitution. It's like paying Prada prices for a knock off bag where the stitches are all misaligned. That's not Prada.
I listened to a sermon yesterday that served as a good reminded for all friendships, not just marriages. There was one scripture that stood out to me the most- "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." Proverbs 17:17
Born for a time of adversity... Real family and friends are the ones that stick around. Real friends and family are the ones that bear your burdens with you so the weight of it isn't so heavy. Jesus was the ultimate weight bearer but we are designed to be in community with one another too. Do you step up when your friend is in need? Or just when it's merely convenient to be friends with them? The light and trivial stuff.
I've seen a recent outcry against fake friends and superficial relationships but where is the effort? Where is your effort? Are you putting in the time and the effort? Or are you happy to live in the superficial world that has been laid out before us? The one that will not stand the test of time. First and foremost our relationship with God needs to be in good order, constant communion with Him. Second, our family relationships and friendships will either fall into place to lay by the wayside. I know there comes this point of frustration where you've exhibited the effort necessary to sustain a relationship but the effort hasn't been reciprocated. What answer is there for that? Pray for them and forgive them. We all must live from a place of constant forgiveness. Many times the offense against us isn't on purpose but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
God is sovereign, if God is sovereign then our friendships are contingent upon who He allows in our life too. If a relationship is wildly out of balance as concerns effort maybe it's just a closed door and it's time to stop banging on it and walk away.
God is so good. His goodness is all around us if he are willing to be of sober mind and thank Him continually for His goodness. Don't settle for less than God's best in your life, that goes for everything that is available to us. Whether it's friends, things or places. There isn't anything that isn't from God that is worth having. You will always be left with a feeling of emptiness.
Have a blessed day friends.
Showing posts with label Free will. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Free will. Show all posts
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Trust
It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday... This happens often. It's been a whirlwind few months, this happens often too.
Our trust isn't in ourselves alone because it's fallible. Our strength isn't in ourselves alone because our strength runs out. We don't rely on our own wit or wisdom because we can't see what will happen even 5 minutes from now. I do know Who has an endless supply of strength; wisdom and who is faithful. God!
God brings us through with each step, His Son never leaves our side. He is the steady hand on my shoulder as I work quickly to bring a fever down. He is the quiet voice amidst the crying, He is the calm in the middle of the storm. He is, I am.
We've seen Him present in everything over the course of the last several months. From the femur fracture with Cookiepants, to the surgery and it's timing and now this monster cold that has over taken her. We trust in His loving care to cause her to thirst again. We trust in the fellow believers praying on her behalf, that those prayers are affecting her recovery in a positive way. We trust in His leading, knowing what to do with her and when.
To the world and the worldly mind it sounds like utter madness but it makes perfect sense to us. There is this path we have been traveling along for a few years now that has brought us to this point. To a point of utter reliance and being present. We are here, being who God created us to be, doing or not doing the things He has ordained or asked us to refrain from. That is all. Worry doesn't cloud our thinking nearly as much as it used to. Worry doesn't add to a circumstance, it only takes away your presence of mind. Trying to do everything and all at once- no longer necessary. It never was necessary, we just hadn't understood that yet.
Though our problems aren't solved and our circumstances haven't changed much- though they've improved slowly, I still have peace today. We don't know what the day will hold, as it is unpredictable every day. There is no general thrumb to pick up on and ride the wave through the day. Floating through the day would take away from the intricate details, the little ones that are the reminders that God is still here and His hands are all over everything. I want to see that, I don't want to bury myself in mock busyness just to take my attention away from my current reality. I don't want to displace the pain because I know it would inevitably revisit me and show up somewhere else. Pain has a way of doing that. So don't avoid it, stare it in the face. Be bold. Be brave because God is right there with you.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do no be afraid." John 14:27
This is why I trust Him, if He said it, it will be so. Or the peace that surpasses all understanding. He said it, it will be so. I know that I can trust Jesus, trusting Him doesn't make things easier but I know His promises are true. Much of the things that happen, I don't understand but He does. And I trust Him.
We're still here being who God created us to be, exactly where we are supposed to be. Brighter things are on the horizon, we know this but for now, we trust in His timing and trust His direction.
We used to live within the most common option, which was to trust in ourselves for everything. It didn't work out well and we were exhausted. Trusting in God has alleviated much of the stress and mental and emotional exhaustion. This is where I would rather be, this is where I would rather live my life- over here with God.
With trust, comes peace. Reach out to the only one that knows, He will never leave you nor forsake you.
For more insight on this subject matter pick up a copy of: Human, being. Now available online.
www.lulu.com/spotlight/sarastjohn
sarastjohn.wixsite.com/author
God bless.
Our trust isn't in ourselves alone because it's fallible. Our strength isn't in ourselves alone because our strength runs out. We don't rely on our own wit or wisdom because we can't see what will happen even 5 minutes from now. I do know Who has an endless supply of strength; wisdom and who is faithful. God!
God brings us through with each step, His Son never leaves our side. He is the steady hand on my shoulder as I work quickly to bring a fever down. He is the quiet voice amidst the crying, He is the calm in the middle of the storm. He is, I am.
We've seen Him present in everything over the course of the last several months. From the femur fracture with Cookiepants, to the surgery and it's timing and now this monster cold that has over taken her. We trust in His loving care to cause her to thirst again. We trust in the fellow believers praying on her behalf, that those prayers are affecting her recovery in a positive way. We trust in His leading, knowing what to do with her and when.
To the world and the worldly mind it sounds like utter madness but it makes perfect sense to us. There is this path we have been traveling along for a few years now that has brought us to this point. To a point of utter reliance and being present. We are here, being who God created us to be, doing or not doing the things He has ordained or asked us to refrain from. That is all. Worry doesn't cloud our thinking nearly as much as it used to. Worry doesn't add to a circumstance, it only takes away your presence of mind. Trying to do everything and all at once- no longer necessary. It never was necessary, we just hadn't understood that yet.
Though our problems aren't solved and our circumstances haven't changed much- though they've improved slowly, I still have peace today. We don't know what the day will hold, as it is unpredictable every day. There is no general thrumb to pick up on and ride the wave through the day. Floating through the day would take away from the intricate details, the little ones that are the reminders that God is still here and His hands are all over everything. I want to see that, I don't want to bury myself in mock busyness just to take my attention away from my current reality. I don't want to displace the pain because I know it would inevitably revisit me and show up somewhere else. Pain has a way of doing that. So don't avoid it, stare it in the face. Be bold. Be brave because God is right there with you.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do no be afraid." John 14:27
This is why I trust Him, if He said it, it will be so. Or the peace that surpasses all understanding. He said it, it will be so. I know that I can trust Jesus, trusting Him doesn't make things easier but I know His promises are true. Much of the things that happen, I don't understand but He does. And I trust Him.
We're still here being who God created us to be, exactly where we are supposed to be. Brighter things are on the horizon, we know this but for now, we trust in His timing and trust His direction.
We used to live within the most common option, which was to trust in ourselves for everything. It didn't work out well and we were exhausted. Trusting in God has alleviated much of the stress and mental and emotional exhaustion. This is where I would rather be, this is where I would rather live my life- over here with God.
With trust, comes peace. Reach out to the only one that knows, He will never leave you nor forsake you.
For more insight on this subject matter pick up a copy of: Human, being. Now available online.
www.lulu.com/spotlight/sarastjohn
sarastjohn.wixsite.com/author
God bless.
Friday, December 9, 2011
I don't need to understand.
Sometimes we find ourselves asking "Why?"
I know I have found myself there more than a few times in my life. Crying it out loud at some points in my life. I felt alone; lost, hopeless and exhausted.
Once the dust settled, I realized it was my mind that was exhausted not my legs. My mind was tired because I didn't give it up to my Father to sort out.
His plan is not our plan. How could we possibly even begin to understand what is at work in our lives. He knows it all.
"My frame was not hidden from you when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!" Psalm 139
I think Psalm 139 says it all. If you read it in it's entirety You would see for yourself it says it all.
He knows things we don't. The before, the after. Our thoughts before they're formulated in our minds.
Think of a time when you got yourself into a bind... Focus on that for just a moment. You weren't following God were you? Your best idea for yourself, lands you into trouble. And still at that moment, you thought to yourself, Why? Why did this happen to me? Or, how did I get here? You know how you got there. You had an idea. A not so bright one and now you've made a mess and you're sitting in it. That's what happens I guess. For every poor action, there's a consequence. I know it's a huge pill to swallow. I've swallowed that pill before too.
Or how about when you're doing everything you feel God is asking you to do and still, something goes wrong. This surely a time when you would ask Why? Like, why are you doing this to me?
Here is what is difficult for all of us to accept. It's His will... His will. His plan. His thoughts. His view- because he can see it all, the beginning and the end. We make sacrifices here while we're in this life, that if given the choice we never would have made them. Losing a job, a loved one, money, a child, our homes. Hurricanes and tsunami's rip through peoples homes at night while they're fast asleep. And if they are blessed enough to wake up the next day or in the midst of the chaos, would you hear them saying- Why? Or would you see them dropping down on their knees, saying: "Thank you Lord for sparing my life." When rising to their feet again, shuffling through the rubble and collecting what's left of their lives.
I don't need to understand. I just need to follow. Because I know he's there. He has been every where I could possible be. He is everything and the nothing in between. I can take heart knowing He has been every where I could wind up being. There would be no point in our existence if we already knew everything there ever was and will be. What would be the point of this life. We were created to be in fellowship with Him who put us here. We were made to worship Him. But He loved us so much that He wasn't about to "Make" us love Him, or follow Him. It's our choice. Free will. So, you decided to take the wrong path... Why ask why. You know why. And even when you did take the right path, His path and something goes wrong, take heart, it's His will. He's got it all under control. All of it.
Find peace in this world, please. Ask Christ to come into your heart to live there and be your rock. If you don't, life is going to seem like a really long pointless road. At least if you know Jesus, you have someone you can count on to be there through all of your storms.
God bless.
"The Lord is with you where ever you go." Joshua 1:9
I know I have found myself there more than a few times in my life. Crying it out loud at some points in my life. I felt alone; lost, hopeless and exhausted.
Once the dust settled, I realized it was my mind that was exhausted not my legs. My mind was tired because I didn't give it up to my Father to sort out.
His plan is not our plan. How could we possibly even begin to understand what is at work in our lives. He knows it all.
"My frame was not hidden from you when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!" Psalm 139
I think Psalm 139 says it all. If you read it in it's entirety You would see for yourself it says it all.
He knows things we don't. The before, the after. Our thoughts before they're formulated in our minds.
Think of a time when you got yourself into a bind... Focus on that for just a moment. You weren't following God were you? Your best idea for yourself, lands you into trouble. And still at that moment, you thought to yourself, Why? Why did this happen to me? Or, how did I get here? You know how you got there. You had an idea. A not so bright one and now you've made a mess and you're sitting in it. That's what happens I guess. For every poor action, there's a consequence. I know it's a huge pill to swallow. I've swallowed that pill before too.
Or how about when you're doing everything you feel God is asking you to do and still, something goes wrong. This surely a time when you would ask Why? Like, why are you doing this to me?
Here is what is difficult for all of us to accept. It's His will... His will. His plan. His thoughts. His view- because he can see it all, the beginning and the end. We make sacrifices here while we're in this life, that if given the choice we never would have made them. Losing a job, a loved one, money, a child, our homes. Hurricanes and tsunami's rip through peoples homes at night while they're fast asleep. And if they are blessed enough to wake up the next day or in the midst of the chaos, would you hear them saying- Why? Or would you see them dropping down on their knees, saying: "Thank you Lord for sparing my life." When rising to their feet again, shuffling through the rubble and collecting what's left of their lives.
I don't need to understand. I just need to follow. Because I know he's there. He has been every where I could possible be. He is everything and the nothing in between. I can take heart knowing He has been every where I could wind up being. There would be no point in our existence if we already knew everything there ever was and will be. What would be the point of this life. We were created to be in fellowship with Him who put us here. We were made to worship Him. But He loved us so much that He wasn't about to "Make" us love Him, or follow Him. It's our choice. Free will. So, you decided to take the wrong path... Why ask why. You know why. And even when you did take the right path, His path and something goes wrong, take heart, it's His will. He's got it all under control. All of it.
Find peace in this world, please. Ask Christ to come into your heart to live there and be your rock. If you don't, life is going to seem like a really long pointless road. At least if you know Jesus, you have someone you can count on to be there through all of your storms.
God bless.
"The Lord is with you where ever you go." Joshua 1:9
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