Category: Christian Blog

When is Devastating Pain Actually God’s Wondrous Grace?

When is Devastating Pain Actually God’s Wondrous Grace?

When I look back over all the years of my life; I am amazed by God’s Grace. How many times have I run ahead of God? How many times have I tried to help him accomplish his plans in my life, my way-not His? How often have I been impatient or pouted even because I couldn’t see His blessings? How often have I said, “If you would only…., then I could serve you better.” It has been God’s gracious hand that has lead me each step of the way. There have been moments of devastating pain along this journey. Yet, I have found those moments of devastating pain-both physical and emotional; were actually God’s Wondrous Grace working out His plan for my life in spite of me. Much like the life of Jacob, recorded in Genesis. Still Jacob made God’s “faith hall of fame” Hebrews 11, “21By faith, Jacob … worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.”

prcas0633 (1)© Providence Collection/Licensed from GoodSalt.com

[bctt tweet=”JACOB WAS CRIPPLED THAT HE MIGHT BE CROWNED, BROKEN THAT HE MIGHT SEE GRACE, AND …”] JACOB WAS HUMBLED THAT HE MIGHT RECEIVE GOD’S SOVEREIGN BLESSING.

WHY WAS JACOB LEANING ON HIS STAFF?

Jacob had wrestled with God throughout the beginning of his walk with God. He wanted to do things his own way.  Pride, arrogance, and fear all were part of his life. There came a moment in his walk with God, that he came face to face with the truth of his utter unworthiness. It was a moment of devastating pain that allowed Jacob to actually see God’s Wondrous Grace. God touched his hip and he fell to the ground. He would from that day forward walk with a limp and require a staff to lean on; but, it was there that he realized God’s Grace gave him life. None of his own works could make him worthy. All that God bestowed upon him was a gift of a Sovereign God who would accomplish His plan for Jacob’s life because God chose to and not because Jacob deserved anything. That is Amazing, Wondrous Grace!! Join me as I tell you Jacob’s story.

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5 Truths to Audacious Faith in a Parched Life

5 Truths to Audacious Faith in a Parched Life

All alone, I once more was packing up a house to load a truck and cross the country to go where I was certain that God had commanded I go. Going through all the “stuff” and downsizing. How do we accumulate so much stuff over time? Stuff that seemed so trivial and unnecessary. Trinkets and objects that perhaps once seemed important were now what I was discarding. I sighed with the thought, “How much money wasted that could have been used for something more important?” I was tired of moving while at the same time filled with the anticipation of what God had planned. Though I was wearied by my life’s journey, I had over the years learned that God loved me with an everlasting love, God had a perfect plan for my life, and He was the treasure I sought in what was often a dry and thirsty land. Through all the pains, sorrows, surgeries, and losses of this life; God had been there to guide me. I had loaded the final box. Then the trailer hauling my car was attached behind. Tired and exhausted I went to the empty house to sleep on the floor before leaving the next day. I wasn’t certain what awaited me in Missouri; but, this I knew. God was with me and before me. He had a plan and that was for my good.

 

In the deserts of lifeoriginal photography courtesy of Jim Peregoy

TENTS IN THE DESERT

Abraham had headed out into a land unknown because God said go. There were times when Abraham got lost along the way. There were times when Abraham’s faith waivered; but, in his heart—he loved God. He believed God. He always returned to the altar where he was willing to place his greatest earthly treasure because he trusted God. His faith had grown wandering in that desert. He had come to learn of God’s faithfulness. More importantly, he had come to realize that the promises of God were still yet to come. God would one day, through the seed of Abraham send down His own greatest treasure to be poured out as a sacrifice that all nations might be blessed. Christ would come; just not in Abraham’s earthly lifetime.

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Can Fear Engender Faith?

When I walked into the assisted living where mom is now staying, it was about 5 pm. She wasn’t at the dinner table where she normally would be at that time of day. They didn’t serve the food until about 5:30; but she always got there early to “make certain they didn’t forget her.” This time, I found her in her room with the lights off. She was lying in bed and kept saying, “I am just sick because I am so afraid I am going to run out of diapers. I couldn’t even sleep last night.” I went over to her closet to find she had over 50 pull ups there. She was in a complete panic. I could see the fear in her eyes. I tried to comfort her with the reality that she had more than enough to last at least two weeks and that I would bring them later in the week. No decrease in her panic. I reminded her that never over the 13 years that she lived with me did she run out of anything that she needed; because I had always provided. Still, no decrease in her panic. Again, I reminded her that I came regularly with additional things at least 2 times per week. She had a pantry of food in her room that I kept stocked, “just in case they forget her or are late.” Finally, I promised to return the next day with a fresh new supply of 72 more and then she was content.

faith to trust

DOES GOD WEEP WHEN I AM DOUBT HIS GOODNESS?

For me there was the blend of frustration and sadness, that after all I have done to try to ease her anxieties, she was still afraid over what for me are trivial things. Then I realized that for an all-powerful God who has provided for me every step of the way, how often I have sounded just like Mom sounded. Throughout the scripture, God has written; “do not fear for I am with you.” Yet, how often have I in my lifetime felt fear; even panic while awaiting His answer to something I am certain would now seem trivial. How often in my lifetime have I caused God sadness because I didn’t see that He was enough? Jesus wept when the crowd did not recognize that He had come with the gift of life to raise Lazarus from the dead. He had come to demonstrate His Glory that they might have joy in Him; yet, no one saw that(John 11). Have I caused Him to weep when I have failed to trust Him? He is all I need. He is working out the best for me. He has promised to be faithful and to complete the work He began in my life.

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The Wonder of it ALL

Fearless Faith and Awestruck Joy (Part 2) The Wonder of it All

What is faith? If we look at the Webster Dictionary it is defined as “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” Complete trust. What about when circumstances appear to be going the wrong way? The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11 as: “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen….3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” So faith in God is complete trust in God—who He is and believing that His promises are true; no matter what the circumstances appear. Faith is the “substance”—the real tangible presence of our hope. It is that complete trust in knowing who “God is and believing that He rewards all who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Hope gives rise to joy

We gaze into the skies at the universe that surrounds us with awe or stand on the edge of the ocean listening to the waves or watch the colors of a sunset with a sense of awe and wonder at so much beauty. The intricacies of how everything fits together; our spirits rise as we recognize that Glory is displayed in all that surrounds us. We hunger for that beauty to fill our hearts.

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Fearless Faith and Awestruck Joy

Fearless Faith and Awestruck Joy-Part 1

Throughout the scripture we hear God’s commands to fear not and to rejoice, as though we can command our most base emotions. Fear rises suddenly within our chest when we gaze into an unknown future. Sometimes injury, pain, illness, financial loss, or our own failure suddenly takes charge and it would seem our whole world crumbles in around us. Sorrow grips our heart and steals any thread of joy when we lose a loved one, when we watch our own children face trials, when we are left to pick up the pieces of broken relationships, and when we come face to face with our own failures.  So, how can God command us to fear not and to rejoice!! Instead of a command, I believe it is His cheering us onward. 

heart ablaze

God knows what we have to face and He repeats these words to lead us onward.  “Fear not—I am here. Rejoice, I am your joy. Look up—I love you and I am right here with you.” “One more step child, one more mile,” He urges us onward. Just as a baby learns to walk, one step more or the runner reaches for the finish line-one more minute to run; God is there urging us forward. He is cheering us onward with, “Fear not! Rejoice!”

Truly it is not so much a command as it is a plea. God is concerned with our joy. God desires that our faith be strong so that we can delight in Him. He knows that we can never feel the exuberance of running across that finish line, if we have never first learned to walk. So, it is His love that draws us to a closer relationship with Him. He is the one who sees the finished tapestry of our life.

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