It works

I lived in the small mountain town of Quincy in northern California when I was 15 and got my driver’s permit. Back then there was this twisting, bumpy stretch of narrow road amidst tall pines that went from the outskirts of town to the little Quincy hospital. Two girl friends and I would speed through that stretch as fast as we could laughing hysterically as it felt similar to a wild roller coaster ride. I love roller coasters. We hated it when they straightened out the road.

Sometimes life feels like a wild roller coaster ride, but we aren’t laughing now are we? 

Yet smiles and even peace will come when we look at life through GOD’s lense as recorded in HIS Holy Word.

“But I want you to understand, brethren, that the things which have happened unto me have turned out unto the furtherance of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:12). That last phrase for the furtherance of the Gospel means others have a chance to reach out for the LORD (Acts 17:26-27), to find eternal life through believing in JESUS (John 3:16).

But does does that principle that trouble works out for our, we who believe in JESUS, good as well? 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The hardest things in my life, yes, even the death of my 1st son, brought about good for me and others.

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of GOD. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a MOMENT (compared to eternity), works for us a far more exceeding ETERNAL weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen (our situation), but at the things which are not seen (what GOD is achieving through our situation): for the things which are seen (the circumstances) are temporary; but the things which are not seen (things GOD is using the temporary situation to do) are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

Hard and confusing things will hit for JESUS said: (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

When problems come remember that GOD promises that HE will use whatever it is for your benefit and HIS glory.  JESUS said, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid, you believe in GOD believe in ME” (John 14:1) 

In other words, TRUST HIM.

Hugs

Sharon

How do you feel?

Who would have thought that your strength is determined on what you choose to think about?

Have you ever been reading the Word of GOD and something just jumps off the page at you? It really gets your attention? That’s what happened to Lydia. She had gathered with other women who feared GOD to pray. Then one came and began speaking the Word of GOD and all of a sudden it grabbed her. Luke 16:14 tells us that the LORD opened her heart to pay attention to what was being said.

And since that is what happened to me when I looked out the window as I was doing my knee exercises this morning.  I figure it is what the LORD would have me share with you. As I looked up, the sun-catcher plaque caught my attention.  It says,  “The JOY of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Whether it is just irritations, concerns over struggles or even uneasiness/alarm/ fear over the Corona virus with the consequent shutdowns or food shortages in the supermarkets it is so easy to get our eyes on to those distractions and off the ALMIGHTY GOD and HIS promises.

“Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is.” AW Tozer

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 All this is for your BENEFIT, SO that the GRACE that is Reaching More and More People may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  Therefore, we do not lose heart… For our light and momentary TROUBLES are ACHIEVING for us an eternal glory that FAR OUTWEIGHS them all. So, we FIX our EYES not on what is seen (the situation), but on what is unseen (what GOD is ACHIEVING through the situation), since what is seen (the situation) is temporary, but what is unseen (what GOD is ACHIEVING) is eternal.

So like GOD encouraged the Jews way back when, so HE would say to you, “MY JOY is your strength remember I am in control and I am achieving MY purposes.”

Prayer: LORD thank YOU for that reminder to rejoice in YOU.  It takes such a load off.  Thank you for reminding me to give thanks for all things for this is YOUR will (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  We trust YOUR promises to protect and provide (Psalm 91) and rest in YOU.

LORD, open my eyes to see what YOU want.  Please use this time to catch the attention of many so JESUS may be glorified and the 1^st born among many (Romans 8:29).  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Just now I looked up from typing and see a squirrel waving his bushy tail in the air as he scampers around the park across the street, and the birds hopping around on the ground, that one with the brilliant red chest is so chubby LORD.  I so delight in the varieties of YOUR creatures and colorful creation.  Thank YOU for the wonder and beauty YOU have set before us.  It brings a smile to my lips and JOY to my heart.  LORD, I rejoice in YOUR love, YOUR salvation and YOU promises.  I love YOU.

Don’t let your heart be troubled

Is something troubling you? Maybe you are anxious about something, or even a bit afraid of what lies ahead. Those feelings hold us back from what GOD has for us.

Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled, you believe in GOD, believe also in ME” (John 14:1).

That wording in the Greek of let not your heart be troubled states that an outside being is stirring you up.  Therefore, when you are anxious or troubled you are allowing someone to stir you up. 

We know that someone isn’t GOD, “For GOD has not given us the spirit of fear; but (has given us the HOLY SPIRIT, who is the SPIRIT) of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

So, quote that verse back to the one baiting and taunting you, that old accuser who is stirring you up to fear.  Speak the word back to him for the sword of the SPIRIT is the Word of GOD (Ephesians 6:17), “GOD has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind!”

JESUS said, “Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“Be anxious (fearful) about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (that GOD and all HIS power is with you and HE is on your side) let your requests be made known to GOD and the peace of GOD, which passes understanding (throws you beyond having to understand) will keep (guard) your heart and mind through CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 4:6-7).

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding and keep you from deception (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Are you deeply troubled or worried?

Oh soul are you  troubled or weary, no light in the darkness you see.  There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free.

Are you deeply concerned or worried? Do you have any troubles?

We live in the last days (2 Peter 3:2–3), current events indicate perhaps we are even in the days when the 1st 5 of 7 seals are active (Revelation 6), the last seal, the seventh seal, opens up the beginning of the 7 trumpets and the wrath of GOD. But the seals bring tribulation and we face troublous times. During these times we must look to JESUS.

My style and word choice is somewhat different, and I’ve added a point here and there of my own in this post on PEACE IN A STORM, but I’ve used a concept and scriptures taken from my Facebook friend Bud Snyder’s message for it is message for these stormy days.

Perhaps you like me find that much opposition that comes against you is from the religious and maybe your families think you are a bit off, plus as a whole there is an increase of sickness and troubles but if you follow JESUS you can have peace.

Even with the constant opposition from the Jewish religious leaders, HIS immediate family thinking HE was crazy, JESUS remained calm.  HE knew the truth of who HE was and what HE was going to accomplish so placed all drama into the FATHER’s hands and rested HIS tired body, closing HIS eyes HE went to sleep in the back of the boat, in the midst of a raging storm (Mark 4:38).

His disciples were frantic as they shook JESUS awake saying don’t you care.  Has it ever seemed like GOD didn’t care?  To me it has and at those times I must run to the throne and open the Word of GOD.  I always find peace there.

The storm didn’t affect JESUS, and if we follow HIS example of resting in the arms of GOD, we too can face the storms of life full of peace. Let’s look at what HE tells us.

“Be anxious for nothing (don’t worry), but in everything by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to GOD; and the peace of GOD, which surpasses (throws you beyond having to have) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Our peace, that calm we experience through the storms of life, comes because we are resting in the powerful arms of GOD. JESUS, the LORD of heaven and earth, is with us.

HE said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

“Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“These things I have spoken to you, that in ME you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Speak a verse out loud just as JESUS did when the devil came at him (Matthew 4:3-11). A verse like the one King David spoke, “At times I am afraid, I will trust in THEE (GOD) Psalm 56:3. For the word of GOD is the sword of the SPIRIT and drives back the enemy. It also declares the glory of GOD’s power.

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon