Thursday, November 13, 2014

Hang in There!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Cor. 1:4

Your suffering is not senseless, Daughter of God.

 It may seem He is deaf to your cry for rescue from your pit, but be sure He  has heard every syllable and is sensitive to your every whimper. It isn't even that He hasn't answered you---He's just chosen to answer with something better than a "yes". His answer is, "Just you wait and see. You are gonna be so glad I didn't do what you asked."

Sometimes it's not about the rescue but the work God does while you wait for the rescue.

The beauty that your difficulty is fashioning will put you on His runway. Your testimony will make you shine in a way that makes future sufferers want to interview you. Then, because God didn't pull you out till you were golden, you will be ready to give an answer that's better than what you heard somebody else say. You'll be telling what you know firsthand.

 Somebody out there is going to need what you are learning. Don't let them down by giving up. Don't cheat yourself of the utter joy of being the tool God reaches for when He wants to comfort someone.

Stay put.

 Persevere!

 It is SO gonna be worth it!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Stay Focused


"For our struggle is not against flesh and bloodbut against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12



Don't you just hate being lied to? How do you feel when you catch someone in a lie? Angry? Betrayed?

I recently worked an election. The word "deceived" became a sad caption that would fit perfectly on the forehead of so many I encountered. I was not allowed to respond to voter comments as an election official, but it saddened my heart to hear the passion behind their efforts to let wrong win while thinking they were right. They had been lied to and had a zeal without knowledge.

It's easy to get mad at those who oppose what is right or mistreat us, but is that the correct response? They don't know what you know. Satan has blinded their eyes, and they are sadly deceived. There is an unseen system at work, and people are caught under its spell.

You were once like them till Jesus found you.

Instead of anger toward these people, stay focused! Why not redirect that emotion? Put that anger in the tank of your prayer life, and allow God to recycle it into the fuel of compassion. More is at stake than your reputation or politics. If these souls do not see the truth, they will continue their march to the death camp of a Christ-less eternity.

 Talk about anger and a sense of betrayal! They will feel both on that Great Day when they realize too late that they were duped.  Pray for a turnover in their hearts. Pray the scales of deception will fall.  Don't allow anger to blind you to the spiritual side of the flesh and bone you encounter every day.