Understanding in trials

Here's an update on my last post. A friend just sent through some info from the message yesterday morning. The ten points made at the end were 'ways to cultivate humility and battle pride', and the one that stood out for me was ' Guard against trying to understand everything in trials - sometimes it's a mystery!'.

Understanding, or lack of

Yesterday morning I missed a large proportion of the sermon as Sarah wouldn't stay in her class. I ended up sitting out the back with her, where I could hear bits and pieces when the preacher was speaking loudly and Sarah wasn't making noise. Heard bits about humility its importance in church unity (Eph 3). At the end, he made ten points that he found practical, I'm assuming to help us be humble.

One point was to not try to understand everything. I didn't hear how this fit in the context of humility and unity, but it made me think about how easy it is to waste time trying to understand everything. I can look at what's happening in the world, and my past and analyse different aspects to try and understand how a good, gracious, merciful, loving, all-powerful God could allow such things to happen. Or I can look at God and His actions as recorded in the Bible and realise that this God and His ways are beyond my comprehension, but I know that He has immense love for us, that would lead Him to give His Son's life for us, and I know that He is faithful and can be trusted.

Yes, there are times to work things through, but we don't need to understand EVERYTHING. Even though we might like to!

God's purpose will prevail

You know that feeling when you've made an impulsive decision and you're not sure it was the right decision? I hate that feeling.

My mum reminded me of Proverbs 19:21, that God's purpose will prevail, despite my failings and sin. Just been thinking of this song by Hillsong:

'Falling on my knees in worship
Giving all I am to seek your face
Lord all I am is yours

My whole life
I place in your hands
God of Mercy
Humbled I bow down
In your presence at your throne

I called you answered
And you came to my rescue and I
I wanna be where you are

In my life be lifted high
In our world be lifted high
In our love be lifted high'

NAB Breakup Ads

On the whole, I've been very happy with NAB. My experience with them has been pretty good. But I am not impressed with their recent 'breakup' ads. I don't think they send a good message about relationships. But maybe I'm too sensitive?!

Questions and more questions

Having one of those days filled with questions, lots of questions. Desiring that my heart would engage with the truths that God tells me in His Word, that He is with me and that He gives us hope. Reminded last night to come to God and give our emotions to Him.

Be at rest oh my soul

Psalm 62:5-6 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁵ Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
⁶ Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Immeasurably more

'Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.' Ephesians 3:20-21

Why do I so often limit God? Why do I forget that He is Almighty God, who created the heavens and the earth, who created us!

He is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than we can ask or imagine... to HIM be the glory!!