All things

Because of the mesmerizing Friday study on GOD’s nature, I have really gotten behind on preparing lessons for Tuesday and new homework is needed to be handed out Tuesday.  So, I was determined and after working for hours writing lessons I hit print. Strange sounds came to my ears. The printer would not feed the paper and was growling as it tried repeatedly to do so.  My printed had died.  Nothing I tried would bring it back to life.

Irritating yes, but nothing compared to one of my students being in bed with extreme pain, or another dear sister quite out of the blue having a seemingly impossible scenario dumped on her, or another friend’s mother is in the hospital and her stepfather left the world last week, or a new acquaintance telling of physical problems causing friction in the home and on new requests.

When troubles big or small come to me or to my attention, the gracious HOLY SPIRIT is faithful to remind me (John 14:26) by pouring phrases into my mind.  Phrases like:

“MY ways are not your ways, and MY thoughts are not like your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9),

“Give thanks in all things for this is the will of GOD concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 4:20)

“all things are for your benefit” (2 Corinthians 4:15),

“works all things after the counsel of HIS own will” (Ephesians 1:11),

“I do nothing without a cause” (Ezekiel 14:23),  

“you meant it for evil, but GOD meant it for good to save many alive” (Genesis 50:20),

“all things work together for good to those who love GOD” (Romans 8:28),

“the lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33),

“HE has preset the times and places’ (Acts 17:26). 

As these Bible truths tumbled into my mind they stirred me up to look to GOD to know how to pray, 1 Timothy 1:17 came to mind and began singing it: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible the only WISE GOD be glory and honor for ever and ever AMEN, AMEN, be glory and honor for ever and ever AMEN. 

As I acknowledged and honored GOD in the midst of all the concerns, HIS peace through me beyond having to understand enveloped me (Philippians 4:6-7).  I began praying for each of these situations and others by lifting them up to my all-WISE GOD being ever so grateful that JESUS opened the way for me to go directly to GOD the FATHER from whom all blessing flow (Hebrews 7:25, James 1:17) and that the HOLY SPIRIT will edit my prayers according to the will of GOD when I am off base in what I ask (Romans 8:26-27) being confident of this very thing that the LORD GOD AMIGHTY, the entire Trinity is at work on our behalf.

Amazing peace comes with awareness that my LORD is the only WISE GOD who loves those who love HIM (John 14:23, 16:27) and HE knows what is best!

Do you or someone you know/ love have a struggle?  I recommend that you hand the situation to the only WISE GOD.  But remember, you must come in the name of JESUS, (John 16:23-24) for there is no other way to get to the Majesty on High where is the throne of Grace (John 14:6, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 4:16).

Hugs

Sharon

Ants and squirrels

GOD is stunningly remarkable in the details HE teaches HIS creation.  HE equips them and shows them what they need to know to thrive but HE is selective and does not give them all skills nor all wisdom (Job 39:17). HE built within HIS creatures knowledge of what they need to do.  Like salmon born in fresh water going out into the salty ocean for a couple of years and then coming back into the fresh water, then going upstream to where they were born to lay eggs. That kind of guidance can only come from GOD HIMSELF.  HE guides those who look to HIM through HIS HOLY SPIRIT (John 16:13) which GOD gives to all who believe and receive JESUS CHRIST as Savior and LORD (John 7:38-39, Ephesians 1:13).

GOD tells us we can learn from HIS creation and in Proverbs 6:6-8 says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her meat in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.”

Well, squirrels, like the ants, gather food for the winter. Let’s look at a few other things we can learn from this small playful creature with the fluffy tail.

When a female squirrel finds another’s baby squirrel, she gives him food then investigates to make sure that he is a true orphan with neither mother nor father. After 3 days of investigation, being certain he has no family, she takes him gently and feeds him and brings him to live with her and her young as if he were one of her own children.

The female squirrel is unique in receiving her husband when he returns with food.  She greets him with kisses and wooing him in order to ease the fatigue of bringing food to her and her young.

The male squirrel always expresses his love for his female by giving her the most beautiful roses and the largest walnuts and almonds…

Mother Squirrel and Father Squirrel are a wonderfully industrious family, and the future of mankind actually depends on their activity.  You see, half of the seeds they store become new bushes creating food for mankind.

We can gain a little wisdom by paying attention to what GOD shows us through this little animal as well as what HE has taught HIS other creatures.

Hugs

Sharon

HE doesn’t disregard our cause

There is so many unbelievable hard things going on worldwide and in our personal lives so when I read the following verses they resounded in my ears.

Why do you complain…?  Why do you say,…“My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my GOD”?

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting GOD, the Creator of the ends of the earth. HE will not grow tired or weary, and HIS understanding no one can fathom. HE gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:27-29 NIV)

With everything else going on it is so easy to complain and think GOD isn’t concerned with my struggles.  If HE was these things wouldn’t be happening.

Well for sure we know that our mighty GOD loves us and cares about us for HE gave us HIS only begotten SON that whoever believes in HIM (JESUS) would not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).  And JESUS showed HIS great love for us when HE died for our sins and so we would be reconciled to GOD through HIS blood (1 Corinthians 11:24-25, Romans 5:10).

GOD has not disregarded our cause! “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If GOD is for us, who can be against us? HE who did not spare HIS own SON, but gave HIM (JESUS) up for us all—how will HE not also, along with HIM, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32 NIV).

But our GOD made all things and HE is big enough to be one on one with everyone on earth at the same time and not a bit distracted. 

Nor is anything beyond HIM for HIS power and understanding is unlimited, But, our GOD who loves us and who ways and thoughts are far above ours (Isaiah 55:8-9)  and whose ways always work (Isaiah 55:10-11) has a reason for allowing whatever our cause is.

Besides that, HE promises to achieve wonderful eternal things that far exceed our pain through the temporary pain and troubles of today (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

HIS love and understanding no one can fathom (HE knows what HE is doing).

HE is amazing.

Hugs

Sharon

Do you want to know?

Somethings come naturally to people, others struggle to find out what to do.  Often they struggle because they don’t want anyone telling them what to do.  They want to do it by themselves.

In Isaiah 28 the Word of GOD speaks of GOD as teaching the farmer.

    Isaiah 28:26 The farmer knows what to do, for GOD has made him see and understand…

    Isaiah 28:28 speaks of how different things need to be handled in different ways

    Isaiah 28:29 sums it up with “The LORD of Hosts is a wonderful teacher and gives wisdom.”

If you lack wisdom (and want it), ask of GOD, who gives to all generously, without scolding or bringing up the past, and it shall be given to you. But be sure you ask expecting GOD to answer and being willing to do as HE says otherwise you’ll be greatly disappointed for HE won’t tell you anything. James 1:5-6

Hugs

Sharon