No clue!
Sunday’s Monday
Boy has this been a week of testing! Following a blissful weekend in the mountains celebrating Pat’s birthday, I had problems with two projects that was offset by a wonderful Brother Night meeting, it put the wheels back on the train. Then Saturday a tire from a hay bailer traveling down the highway came off and crashed through our bedroom window. It was stressful, but God’s hand of protection was and is all over it. Even when I’m not looking God always has my best interest on His heart.
It seems that God has been driving home a point with me as of late and up until yesterday I couldn’t put it together in my mind where it would make sense. Just as most Christians in the world today, I been grading my level of faith, my understanding of Jesus loves me, my knowledge of who I am in Christ by the good things and good times that happen in my life and as a result I’ve missed a lot. I count these events as rewards for a job well done and, in a way, “they are”, however in truth, these times of good pleasure are simply the side effects from my obedience to God’s instructions. God intends for me to use these times of good to reflect on my gratitude to Him and how faithful He is during a season of problems. The bible warns in 2 Timothy 3:1 ESV, but understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. Even though many Christians today, are looking at the last days as in Jesus coming back, I am looking at the last days as in (being human) all my (our) days are last days, for I am, and you are born to die. Ergo time is short for us all! Having said this, I feel that a verse which I have had shoved down my throat for most of my life and is so wrongly misunderstood, as the world has used this verse for years to measure a Christian’s standing with Jesus. Romans 8:28 ESV, and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. As for me, God has finally dropped a bomb in my spirit, in the fact, I don’t really have a clue as to His good for me! Those things which I think are problems could be and usually are good things in God’s scheme of things. Interpretation is key for Christians today and we choose to think of God’s good pleasure as a time of effortless pleasure, expectating endless support, living an exhilarating life of success and doing well. We Christians have turned this verse into a self-serving measuring stick for our holiness, as we search for a short cut into God’s grace. A dear and precious friend taught me many years ago, the value in this statement, you have to start where you are, not where you want to be! We have inadvertently reversed the essences of Gods design for man measuring man. As a Christian, we prove or exhibit little to nothing toward our loyalty in following Jesus. Every person that draws breath on planet earth has the ability of lip service or maybe better explained as their words fail to line up with what they are living. Ergo, it is in the hard times that the real me jumps out, uncontrolled, without pre-thought exposing the raw me. Now! That’s when my heart empties itself of the truth which I’ve stuffed it. John 16:33 ESV, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” This is the perfect explanation of life! Life on earth is filled with tribulation (problems), that’s a given and it’s how we react to these problems that declares our true intentions toward Christ. Our promise in this verse is peace, not problem free but the peace of God to get through it. James 1:12 ESV, blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. My pastor told me a long time ago, the best measuring system a Christian can use comes from a question. Am I more like Jesus today than yesterday, last month or last year? Then take your answer before God for guidance of how to strengthen, increase and example His dwelling inside you (us). Remember: Romans 8:18 ESV, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. All things work together for good, once we understand God’s goodness and realize life eternal starts now.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
COMMENTS / ENCOURAGEMENT WELCOMED; 08/26/2018