Face To Face With God

In my life when I've gone through some of the most painful things...I've often wondered why I didn't see His hands at work right in the moment or why I didn't hear Him.  I would read His word and pray and then call everyone I know rehashing the issue over and over and over....

I the current battle I am going through I am being shaped, molded and taught everyday.  In order to get to this place I had to come to the time when I only looked at Him.  I had to quit making calls, listening to people's advice, wondering, worrying and whining.  I had to get face to face with God keeping my eyes on Him.  How did I do that?  I will let you know.

1.  I let Him break me.
I had been fighting Him in some areas of my life for so long that it took everything I had to try to control things.  I had to let go of my fear, cry plenty of tears and tell Him ok I give up.  I can't do this.  Let's do it Your way.

2.  I surrendered everything to His will.
This was really hard because often when we pray we truly want things our way.  We don't think about what God wants or His purpose for what is going on we just want it over and our way.  I had to learn that and say whatever You want to do.  If I am in Your way move me.



3.  I learned to listen to Him.
In order to do this I had to get quiet.  That meant turning off the tv, radio, going somewhere alone where I wouldn't be interrupted.  I had to make the effort.  It was really tough at first because I just wanted to keep praying and not stop long enough for Him to get a word in.  Then after a while I did start hearing from Him, when reading the Bible, sometimes I would be in the middle of something and He would tell me to go pray specifically for a situation or person.  He would give me every word.

4.  I had to learn to trust and obey Him
Once God started talking to me in a way I could understand...I did pray for that so I wouldn't miss anything.  He started telling me to do things I didn't want to do or was comfortable doing.  I will give a few examples..He asked me to go and pray for a guest speaker at my church in front of everyone and the guy didn't even ask for it.  That was so scary but I knew God was telling me to do it.  Another time He asked me to do laundry for someone who didn't want me to do their laundry.  I argued with Him about that one but I eventually gave in.  That was so tough because I really didn't want to do it and I got angry but He had me do it.  I started learning that He was going to keep testing me with different things He told me to do just to make sure I did trust Him and obey Him.  It didn't happen overnight but once it started I had such great peace.

5.  I had to put my cares aside.
Talk about tough.  I had to give over all my worries to Him.  Every time I felt like I was under a spiritual attack or I let my fear get the best of me...He spoke to me about it.  I can clearly remember one time where He said to me what is going to take for You to trust me?  I immediately repented.  A good way to put it is if you were in a desert with no food, or help of any kind from anyone but Him.  A storm comes, then a legion of demons come mocking you and insulting you and threatening you.  Instead of looking around and fearing it you look at God right in His face sitting in front of you and listen to Him.  Talk about life changing.

Many times I felt like Peter when he stepped out of the boat and wanted to walk on the water to Jesus.  It's a strange and scary feeling not knowing what He is going to ask you to do next but knowing He is there.  I felt like a totally different person and that was really weird.  But once you can start doing these things.  You will experience a peace unlike any you have ever felt before.  He will take you by the hand and guide you every step of every day.  Just let Him.

Giving thanks for the Trials!!!

We have all been through trials.  We have had difficult days and plenty of things that we just don't want to go through(an illness, relationship issues, family issues, work issues and on and on).  What does God do through  those issues and what does He want us to do as well go through them?  Let's find out!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Wait a minute!  So God wants us to thank Him no matter what is going on?  Yes, He does.  In many situations He wants to know will we do what He wants and with what attitude?  

Colossians 3:17

New International Version (NIV)

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

So whatever we do we need to be giving thanks!  Not just when that job promotion comes, or when that healing happens in your body, but IN ALL THINGS!

2 Thessalonians 1:4

New International Version (NIV)

4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

It's during these trials that God works in us!  Through these tough times God is growing us in our faith and teaching or perseverance!  Just because you became a believer in Jesus Christ and accepted His forgiveness doesn't many that everyday will be puppies and rainbows.  He expects us to grow!

 1 Peter 1:7
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Romans 5:3
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

In this battle we are proving our faith and bringing glory and honor to God.  We must persevere!  You may think it's crazy but we should be praising God we are going through this!  It is refining us and bringing glory to Him!

Proverbs 17:3
New International Version (©2011)
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

God needs to know He can count on you to live for Him not just on those easy carefree days but also when a relationship is broken, we a doctor gives you the report it's cancer, when the car is broken or a job ends and you don't know how you are going to make it.  He's there!  He's providing!  He's healing!  You are not alone!

1 Corinthians 6:19
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

 Hebrews 13:5
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"

Trust God and thank Him for the situations He has put you in!  He is right there dwelling in you and He will never leave or forsake you!  God knows what He is doing, so trust Him and thank Him!  God is in control!

So each day as we get up let us not complain about or situations, trials, and pain but thank Him that we have another day to grow closer to Him and be more like Him.  Let us trust Him that no matter what He is doing what is best for us and bringing glory to Him.

Worried?

We have all done it at one point or another...We worried.  There was something going on in our life that we couldn't control, fix, or find a solution to when we wanted to.  Worry isn't all that helpful but some of us live constantly in a state of worry.  Once a problem gets solved we find something else to worry about.  So what does the Bible say about it?

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV).

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
 (Also see Psalm 55:22-23)

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV). (Also see Matthew 6:25-34)

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).

These are just a few examples of what the Bible says about worry.  So when God made us He had a plan for us to deal with these feelings.  He knew that we would need Him.  God is our answer to those times of worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, etc.  He wants us to trust Him.  He wants our problems, prayers, and to give us peace.  God is in control...He made the world we live in and everyone around us.  Shouldn't God be the one we run to?

Do we believe?

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

When we go through rough times do we groan as we read this verse or do we embrace it?

To embrace it is to let go of our emotions or "feelings" and just trust Him. It is a place that some come through during difficulty, pain and in some cases panic. The pain we feel is very real and to be able to put it aside requires a strong faith.

Through our difficulties our faith is either revealed as weak or strong. When we run to people or websites or books to solve these things we may have made the biggest mistake we can make but not first going to the God whom we claim we have faith in. Are we wheat or are we tares? When difficulty comes in life how do we react?

Our reactions should first be to seek God because as the verse says above we know! We know! The faith we have in God should show us what to believe. Books, friends and websites can offer great advice but if that is where are faith is placed do we not see that God created all those things?

In order to grow and mature we must trust God as our first option! He didn't quit working when he created the earth. His plan hasn't come to an end. We must trust Him in all things. He will guide us and be a lamp unto our feet. He works for the good of those who love Him!

So as I wrap this up where is your faith? Who do you trust? Is your faith in the world stronger than your faith in God? If you are still struggling to answer this dig deeper in the Bible, pray longer, seek out people who are strong in their faith, observe them, find out how they reached the point in their faith to seek God first.

Hold Onto Him

When we go through the storms of life there is no where better to be than to clinging to our rock Jesus.

It often takes some pretty rough storms for us to cling to Jesus as we should. It's in these times of need and great suffering that we go running to Him. We should always be in this position because it's by Him that we find grace and mercy, forgiveness and understanding.

Jesus has seen it all. Nothing surprises Him. He was tempted in every way..He had friends die, He wept.

Next time you feel like you are going through the storms of life..being attacked on every side hold tight to Him. Pray, praise, listen and trust.

The Man In The Mirror

There are times in life when we actually become aware of our flaws and weaknesses. I am not a perfect man but boy have I treated people like I am. There are things carried over from my home life that I've projected even though it's not what God wants us to do.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

When we spend too much time alone we miss these flaws. We can read all the scripture and pray all the prayers we want but until we see ourselves through someone else's eyes we have no idea who we are. Now I'm not saying look at all the people who hate you and say wow they are right! Find good God fearing people and spend time with them. Make the changes necessary to honor God and grow.

Please take some time to focus and mediate on this teaching because I've been blind to it for many years of my life. It takes some patience, trust and more trust to do this.

I pray you take the time to look in the mirror.

Weak

When you are weak, He is strong. Have you ever felt like giving up? You are tired, frustrated and just don't know if it's worth doing anymore. That's is actually a very good place to be. It's in that moment that we relize we can't do it. No matter how hard we try it's not up to us. We relize that God is the one who is doing the heavy lifting in our lives. We can't carry the burden or complete the tasks He asks us to complete without Him. It's easy for us to think we can do everything on our own. It may be through the help of money or just our faith in ourselves that puts us in that mindset. But when we are weak and we call out to Him and spend time reading His word and putting it into practice that we find sucess. So take time out and find a quiet place and pray, relax and trust Him.

Over the Edge

Do you ever get the edge of where God wants you to be and just look? It's hard sometimes for us to trust God. We don't want to get out of our comfort zone and do what we think He is asking of us. Jump off the edge and into what He has for you!!!