by David Brenneman
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8:28-30.
Life Principle 12: Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.
It’s a known fact that into every life a little rain must fall. No one is exempt from the difficulties that have a way of showing up when we least expect them. And chances are when adversity does strike, one of the first questions we’ll ask ourselves is why. We may even begin to fret about the impact it will have on our lives. While reactions such as these are normal, we also need another response—and that is to turn to the One who holds all comfort and security firmly within His grasp.
Paul admonishes us to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
How can we change the feelings of anxiety when we come under pressure? One of the first steps is to recognize anxiety for what it is—the opposite of peace. It’s the fan that flames the fires of doubt and confusion, and it has the ability to leave us helplessly bundled in worry and fear. When we cave to thoughts of anxiety, we lose our spiritual focus and mindset. The key to overcoming anxiety is found only in the presence of God.
Accepting God’s timetable and the limitations He places on a given situation help to dispel rising anxiety. Therefore, let Him provide for you in His timing. When you accept life as a gift from the hand of God, there you will find mercy and grace, forgiveness and hope, peace and everlasting security.
Let His peace fill your heart—today and every day. Tell Him all you’re feeling. God understands and knows life can be difficult—but He has a solution. Our peace resides in our Savior who loves us unconditionally. And He’s promised to keep us and deliver us into the Father’s loving arms.
- Life Principle 12 Dr. Charles Stanley devotional.
I am still trying to wrap my mind around the events of the last week. I have been on carnival rides that were easier to make sense of.
While unfortunately there's probably never going to be known what exactly happened, I move forward with whatever God puts before me to be doing.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7.
I have read and have said that I know not what the future holds but I know who holds my future.
I am processing many emotions. Have used the word flabbergasted several times in the last few days more than probably any other time in my life.
Where I worked had a coexisting company in it that was about building trust, both in the workplace as well as outside of it. Yet those guiding principles evidently don't apply to whatever situation that I find myself in. The owner of the company's book he wrote on that very subject certainly isn't what I am living today with regards to all of this.
My heart and mind are striving to not give ground to roots of bitterness. It would be very easy to do. To do so would cause my life more trouble than it's ever worth.
There's no growth if there are no storms in this world. Old trees don't get to be that way unless they've been through more than a few.
Their roots get deeper because of those things.
In the storms of life our roots should go deeper in the Lord.
I find it very interesting that my blood pressure has been normal. I am not racing in my mind about things. The peace of God is indeed enveloping me. While I have concerns I know that Jesus always keeps His promises.
Every rain isn't forever. Jesus still eventually brings about a sunny day. Jesus said something that we need to remember.
“Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Matthew 10:26-31.
And...
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34.
Satan's schemes are such as whatever he thinks it will take to get us to entertain a single doubt about God or the promises of Jesus Christ.
His schemes are to get us to stop whatever we are doing to grow in Christ, with respect to our salvation, our sanctification.
We all will go through 'Job Moments'. Moments where life is disrupted in ways we never thought possible or ever expected to experience. People whom we had known for years all the sudden turning on us...who ought to know better. People we don't know at all whom we thought we did. Health issues. Work issues. Economic times.
Things which we have no earthly explanation for that are being permitted by God to grow is in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rain and sun, sun and rain. We know not but we are to trust the One who does.
The peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
That's the truth. Gutters on a house is the truth. Stopping a semi truck from killing me is the truth. Being able to preach a sermon or two is the truth. These things that Jesus took us through so that we both grow in Christ and for Him to be glorified are truth. Never once has He ever failed. Never will He ever fail.
Satan's no fan of my new Bible study habits. Part of this season of my life is to stop that. Not happening.
Satan's no fan of this blog. Partbof this season in my life is to stop that. Not happening.
Satan's trying to get me to doubt my present and my future provisions from My Savior are part of this season of my life. Not happening.
You too will face seasons or maybe mere moments of these seeds of doubt. Don't entertain them for a moment. Cast them far away from you. Remember the promises of God for you.
His plans include a hope and a future for us that is in Christ.
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.
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