Remaining True When Others Don't

Last night I read the history of the conservative Baptist movement and saw how over time they developed into the organization they are as they were challenged in their previous associations by those who would stand for another gospel and a lesser truth. They choose to remain true to the inerrant word of God and to stand with those who did likewise without forcing any additional unnecessary strings. It was a long path and it had much adversity. It was a real encouragement to me to read of these men of God and how He blessed their stand with Him. They didn't do everything perfectly, but they did endeavor to do it faithfully and in dependence on Him.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (3/6)

Continue on this path with Me, enjoying My Presence even in adversity. I am always before you, as well as alongside you. See Me beckoning to you: Come! Follow Me. The One who goes ahead you, opening up the way, is the same One who stays close and never lets go of your hand. I am not subject to limitations of time or space. I am everywhere at every time, ceaselessly working on your behalf. That is why your best efforts are trusting Me and living close to Me.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4

God Is Working

I’ve been posting from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young on a regular basis, and I have thoroughly enjoyed what she has had to share finding it to be scripturally sound and encouraging. Though I have never met the author of “Jesus Calling,” over the past nine months I feel I have really grown to know her heart. She has endured many hardships and God has done an incredible work in and through her to encourage others by what she has learned and seen and known of God. But every now and then there is a sentence or a thought that I have to step back from and say, “Wait a minute. Is this really what Scripture has to say?” Something about the statement just doesn’t sit right.

Today she encourages us to make friends with our problems. I really struggled with this statement. I don’t know that I would agree, but I can definitely understand how she would say this. When we understand that everything that God allows into our lives has come through His strong hands and is limited to the degree that He has enabled us to endure and even work toward our maturity and even good, then you can possibly look at your problems as friends. Rather than use “friends” I might use the word “embrace.” In this world, Scripture tells us, we will have tribulation, but we are to take courage because Jesus Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). So, when problems come I can embrace them and come through them victoriously because of my God and what His Son and His Spirit have, are, and will do in and through me.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (3/5)

Make friends with the problems in your life. Though many things feel random and wrong, remember that I am sovereign over everything. I can fit everything into a pattern for good, but only to the extent that you trust Me. Every problem can teach you something, transforming you little by little into the masterpiece I created you to be. The very same problem can become a stumbling block over which you fall, if you react with distrust and defiance. The choice is up to you, and you will have to choose many times each day whether to trust Me or defy Me.

The best way to befriend your problems is to thank Me for them. This simple act opens your mind to the possibility of benefits flowing from your difficulties. You can even give persistent problems nicknames, helping you to approach them with familiarity rather than with dread. The next step is to introduce them to Me, enabling Me to embrace them in My loving Presence. I will not necessarily remove your problems, but My wisdom is sufficient to bring good out of every one of them.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (AMP)

But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23 – 24

No, It's Not All Good - BUT GOD IS

One phrase I respond to when used by others is, "it's all good." The truth is that not everything is good. Since sin entered the world and man became spiritually dead things have been impacted by sin and death in every way. It is not that things are good, but that our God is good and He has absolutely everything under His control and He reigns over evil and He will work even those things intended for evil to accomplish His good. So, face the reality that it is not all good and with that in everything place your trust in our good God. He is sovereign over absolutely everything. Even in the death of His children there is the assurance that they step immediately into His presence. And in the case of those left temporarily behind there is the hope that comes from knowing that His promises are true and His hand never lets go.

Today I am praying for a husband of 63 years and his family as his high school sweetheart has set aside her earthy tent to receive a building eternal in the heavens not made with human hands.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (3/4)

Refuse to worry! In this world there will always be something enticing you to worry. This is the nature of a fallen, fractured planet: Things are not as they should be. So the temptation to be anxious is constantly with you, trying to worm its way into your mind. The best defense is continual communication with Me, richly seasoned with thanksgiving. Awareness of My Presence feels your mind with Light and Peace, leaving no room for fear. This awareness lifts you up above your circumstances, enabling you to see problems from My perspective. Live close to Me! Together we can keep the wolves of worry at bay.

“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 12:25 – 26

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18

The Gift Of Sight

This morning I get the opportunity to speak at a local church in our area, where I was asked to teach on John chapter 3. There is so much in this passage, and as I looked at it and prayed through it I became impressed with the person of Nicodemus who from the world’s perspective had arrived. He had position, power, and respect. He had committed his life to being religious above all else. Yet his religion was a work of his own, and his heart was empty. Jesus, knowing this, responded to Nicodemus with the simple statement that Nicodemus had to be born again, which he proceeded to explain. There is no indication from this passage that Nicodemus believed. Yet “belief” is the word most used to describe his need. Later in John we find Nicodemus mentioned twice more. From these instances we can know that his time with Jesus had an impact on his life, and maybe like Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus also came to a place where he placed his trust in Christ for salvation as we see him being one of two men who prepared Jesus’ body for burial. Having our eyes opened to see is an incredible gift, because apart from that we would never know of God’s great love and His salvation provided through His Son. We would not then be enabled to live a life abundant and free from the slavery of sin and filled with a hope that will never fail.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (2/24)

Be still in the light of My Presence, while I communicate Love to you. There is no force in the universe as powerful as My Love. You are constantly aware of limitations: your own and others’. But there is no limit to My Love; it fills all space, time, and eternity.

Now you see through a glass, darkly, but someday you will see Me face to Face. Then you will be able to experience fully how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you. If you were to experience that now, you would be overwhelmed to the point of feeling crushed. But you have an eternity ahead of you, absolutely guaranteed, during which you can enjoy My Presence in unrestricted ecstasy. For now, the knowledge of My loving Presence is sufficient to carry you through each day.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:2 (KJV)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16 – 19

Thanking God On The Sidelines

Today Sarah writes about those times when for one reason or another the things you have grown used to are changed and you are sidelined for a while. Our God cares about those sitting on the bench, and even there He is working and enabling to do His work. It is not because we are in the center of the game that God is glorified, it is how His light shines through us regardless of our physical condition or position as we keep our eyes on Him and trust in His unlimited strength and power. It is during those sideline times that we often see His love shown through others.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (2/16)

Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of the weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.

Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness.

“Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” Zechariah 2:13

This is what the sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust the your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15

But He said to me, my grace (my favor and loving kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weakness and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP) 

The Uneasy Journey

Today my focus was on a couple of mountains that I did not know how we would climb them. I was digging in my heels and saying that I wasn't going to move forward until God showed me how. Then this afternoon He showed me how. Think I would be okay seeing His incredible grace shown to us. This evening there was another mole hill in the process and I dug in again. God is so wonderful. He reached out His hand and showed me that the answer was much easier than I had feared. You think we would learn these things after nearly forty years of being a Christian. Well, I guess the truth is that I have learned them. I just had a dependence deficiency. God wants us to depend on Him in all things.

Today in “Jesus Calling” Sarah talks about this journey and the things which rise up to attempt to trip us.

Come to me for rest and refreshment. Their journey has been too much for you, and your own – weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.

Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.

This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of "the world, the flesh, and the devil." Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (AMP)

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11 (NKJV)

No Shortage Of Worries

There are so many things we can worry about. Having sent off a new packet yesterday I can now start to worry about whether or not they want to talk with me any further. Or I can worry about, what if they do want me will I be able to do the task. And of course, what if I don't hear back, I can worry about if they have made a decision and where else I should be looking. I don't think it hard for any of us to find things that can occupy our minds with worry. In fact, I bet we don't even have to go looking for them most of the time.

In advance of the worries, start your day looking to God and reflecting on His hand in your life and how He is the one who encloses us before and behind, He is the one who sets our paths straight, who leads us through those times of fog, and He is the one who makes us adequate for that which He sets before us. And when the heaviness starts in during the day, turn your heart and your mind back to Him. Today Sarah writes about the Peace we receive from God in the midst of these things.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

Seek My Face, and you will find not only My Presence but also My Peace. To receive My Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust. The only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is My hand. Ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts, for the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace.

You can have as much of Me and My Peace as you want, through thousands of correct choices each day. The most persistent choice you face is to trust Me or to worry. You will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Me no matter what. I am an ever-present help in trouble. Trust Me, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2