Just keep trusting, trusting, trusting

It's one of those struggling along kind of days. Loved reading the verse of the day on Bible Gateway this afternoon. I can hear Dory singing these words, 'Just keep trusting, trusting, trusting'.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8

Confused

We human beings are complicated creatures. Sometimes I really struggle to make sense of things. But then God reminds me to fix my eyes on Him.

Just read The Message version of Hebrews 12:1-3, good stuff!

'Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!'

First, First, First

The battle within continues, fighting for joy and peace throughout the challenges of each day. Then God reminds me to cling to Him - to come to Him and let go. He wants to be first in my heart.

'When we start to love [God's] gifts more than we love Him, we lose our contentment and joy.'

'Open your hands and let Him have what you’re holding.'

Taken from Charles Stanley's Holding Too Tightly sermon outline based on the story of the rich young ruler in Luke 12.

Hiding His Word in our hearts

I've been thinking about something I read the other day by Charles Swindoll about 'discovering your life message'. I kind of didn't like it, as it made me a bit uncomfortable - I felt like there's a lot more honing yet to be done in my life and I think I'd rather not be honed any more. He suggests that God has a unique message for each of us that no one else can share, and that the key to discovering this is spending time alone with God.

Charles writes, 'Nothing can so train you for life like the time you spend alone with Jesus.'

Psalm 119 v10-11 says, 'I seek You will all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.' I remember hearing an awesome kids talk on v11 a long time ago where Peggy told us of the importance of reading God's Word and hiding His Word in our hearts.

As I struggle with one of the life messages God seems to be building in me, and wonder how on earth I'm going to make it through, God reminds me that His grace is sufficient for me.

Yesterday morning I met a friend who I'm just starting to get to know, and she was talking about God giving us His grace for today, sufficient for our needs TODAY, not tomorrow, today. Tomorrow He will provide grace for that day too, but right now He gives His grace for the situation I am in right now. His grace is sufficient.

Do not worry

Heard the passage about not worrying at the end of last night's sermon, made me a bit emotional. Thought I'd look it up this morning just as a reminder of God's promises and the importance of 'seeking first His Kingdom'. Read it in the Message - a pretty cool version of the passage!


Matthew 6:25-34 (The Message)

25-26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Leaning Hard

What do you when you can't sleep in the middle of the night? Eat a bread roll with butter and read for a bit.

More in Swindoll's book about Moses. He quotes one of my favourite verses Proverbs 3:5-6 and writes this:

'The before part, in verse 5, urges us to 'trust in the Lord'. That suggests relying on Him, letting Him take the lead, and yielding the steering wheel of our lives. The verse also notes that we are to do this with all of our hearts. This is not something done half-heartedly, reluctantly, or with reservations. It's an all-out, go-for-broke proposition.

At that point, however, Solomon adds a warning: 'Be careful not to lean on your own understanding.' In other words, don't rely on crutches of your own making. Don't attempt to limp along on your own strength. Instead lean hard. And while leaning, fully 'acknowledge Him'. That work 'acknowledge' includes the meaning 'to recognise'. In all your ways recognise Him.

Now comes the after part. His part. 'He will make your paths straight.'

Failure - an outstanding instructor

Reading about Moses in a Chuck Swindwoll book. I really love his writing.

He quotes Hudson Taylor (p17): 'It doesn't matter how great the pressure is; what really matters is where the pressure lies. Whether it comes between you and God or presses you nearer His heart.'

Later on he writes (p107), 'We simply cannot stand the thought of failure. Yet who ever said you and I have to succeed at everything we attempt? That's an artificial standard set up by men, not by God. As we've already seen, failure, though a painful pedagogue, can be an outstanding instructor.'

What a painful instructor failure can be at times!!

God's Provision

Logged on to InTouch to search for any devotions/sermons about God's strength being made perfect in our weakness, and thought I'd read today's Daily Devotional while I was there... discovered it's based on the same passage I was looking at earlier today.

God says, 'I know you blogged about it earlier today, but did you get it, did you REALLY get it?! I want you to know beyond a doubt that I am with you and I will NEVER leave you. I will provide for you. Trust me.'

I love the way God makes sure His message is crystal clear. He's pretty awesome. : )

Afraid? Confused? Look to Jesus

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Matthew 14:27

Sinking like Peter, then hearing Jesus' voice as He reaches out His hand and holds me, “You have so little faith, why did you doubt me?” (v31)

Strengthened with all power by HIS glorious might

I love this passage in Colossians 1:10-12:

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

My wise brother reminds me that patience is a virtue. Unfortunately it's one I don't seem to possess.

Abide in His Love

'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.' (v9-11)

John 15:1-17

He is the vine, we are the branches... Apart from Him we can do nothing. (v5)

God's purposes in difficult times

Just read this Daily Devotional and thought it was worth sharing. I've definitely found that hard times drive me to 'seek opportunities for [God's] companionship'. It's then I'm reminded most that He is a good God, that He is faithful, reliable and merciful.

He will guide me

Psalm 32:8-9

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

Sounds ridiculous, but I read verse 9 several times, and wasn’t sure what the verse was getting at. Checked my NIV study bible cheat notes and here’s what it says, ‘God’s servant must be wiser than beasts, more open to God’s will then horses and mules are to the will of their masters.’

Though I know God’s plans are best, there are times I still struggle to accept His will. But reading verse 8 again, I’m filled with a sense of anticipation, that God will guide me and advise me… even though it may not be just yet!

Tired from the journey

Tonight this verse stood out to me as our Pastor was speaking about the story of the woman at the well:

'..,Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well...' John 4:6

It reminded me of God's heart for people - that even when Jesus was tired, He was still thinking about other people's needs. If I want to be like Jesus, I've got a mighty long way to go!! I'd love to have Jesus' heart for others and be able to still love and care for them despite my tiredness. At this point I just feel tired from the journey.

Today's been kind of a big day - sang both services, shared a bit this morning during the service, and we're preparing to move, probably this week. I think reflecting back over the last 19 months or so made me feel a little overwhelmed. God has been incredibly faithful, but His faithfulness doesn't erase the pain.

This morning's sermon was on Job - it was an excellent sermon. This is embarrassing to say, but I had never read/heard the ending of Job, and realised that there's a 'happy' ending. I thought Job just had a miserable life his whole life. I was excited to see God turned things around for him.

Oh yeah, and tonight it was great to chat more deeply with a few people after the service - one gave me a hug and just encouraged me, and another offered to pray with me. That's what the body of Christ should look like - people supporting other in life and pointing each other to God.

Rediscovering Jesus

My Great Aunty's friend gave her a book to give to me (not sure why exactly, but it was very generous of them), called 'The Indwelling Life of Christ: All of Him in All of Me' by Major W. Ian Thomas. In the introduction he writes:

'The utmost need in every ministry group, every missionary outreach, every denomination, is to rediscover the Lord Jesus Christ and the indispensability of His indwelling presence within the believer. This means encountering the risen living Lord who shares His life with us on earth on our way to heaven... so that He may accomplish through us what He began to do in His own physical body two-thousand years ago.'

Think it'll be a good read. Our greatest need: to encounter and rediscover Jesus.

Our Great Provider

Though I still feel like a dog, it was great to get to church tonight and hear a great message reminding me that Jesus is my great Provider, that I need to look to Him and Him alone to provide all my needs. Not anyone or anything else. In Jesus I am made new. Only in Jesus.

I really hope we can all get some decent rest tonight and that the sickness ends soon.

Certainty amidst Uncertainty

Yesterday I caught up with a good friend who I hadn't seen in years. I love that after all that time we can just chat openly about life and start where we left off. They're the best kind of friends.

She shared with me something Andy Stanley said in a sermon on temptation that she'd been watching the night before on DVD. This is what stood out to me: 'Jesus was tempted to do something on his own instead of trust God'... 'The issue is can I continue to trust my Heavenly Father?'

Thought I'd take a look on the web to find the sermon, and came across this brief part of a sermon he gave on Dealing with Uncertainty. Good stuff. 'Although life is uncertain... God is not uncertain.'

Trusting His Plan is Best

'The Lord will work out His plans for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.'

Psalm 138:8a

Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:3-4

So hard to do sometimes though.

The World Beyond Alison

So I've had a bit of a wake-up call of late. I'd started realising how Alison-focussed I'd become, I'd been trying to think about the world beyond me but hadn't got very far. After doing so poorly in my assessment I reverted back to my old ways pretty quickly... until recently as I've been catching up with various friends who seem to be facing fairly significant difficulties - one whose son-in-law has been diagnosed with cancer, another struggling with depression, one with health issues who's still awaiting results from doctors (potentially cancer), another who lost a pregnancy early on.

My guess is that one of the greatest gifts I can offer each of them is comfort - and even greater, to point them to God who is the greatest comforter, and to pray for them. As I've been struggling over the last year or so this is what I've appreciated most from friends - particularly when they've shared verses about God's faithfulness and verses that have meant a lot to them when they've been through difficult times. Comfort. It's good. And God is the best comforter.

When I've read the verses in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 in the past, 'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.' I'd always assumed that comforting other people would be something I could do further down the track. I saw it as a sequence of events, that first I would be comforted as I struggled. Then AFTER I'd been healed, I could help comfort others.

But I've realised it's not as neat and tidy as that. That I can comfort people as I go through struggles too. I'm not saying it's good to put immense pressure on ourselves when we're already struggling, but I am saying that sometimes we can share our struggles together, that we can still offer comfort to others when we are struggling.

A friend remarked the other day that it'd be nice if the difficulties in life were served up in nice, neat, manageable packages... but unfortunately usually they're not.