Why do I not trust Him?

 Why do I worry so much? Do I not trust God? Do I not believe what He says? Is it true that He cares more for me that the birds? So . . . . why do I not trust Him?

When I watch the birds fly around, seemingly playfully in the air and among the trees, I do not see them worrying at all. They soar . . . they land gracefully upon the ground or on the tiniest of limbs, yet they have no worry of falling. They wander upon the ground and eat up what God has provided, not concerned with meal plans. The gather twigs and leaves and make complex homes for their young without budgeting for electric, water, and home repairs. They trust!

So . . . why do I not trust Him?

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matthew 6:25-27)

When will I fully trust the Creator rather than the created things? 

God owns it . . . I don't!

God owns it . . . I don't! It took me a while to realize that, but over time is becoming more and more evident! The more I give God control over my life . . . including my finances and the things that I think are mine (like houses, cars, etc), life becomes less stressful.

Recently, God has turned our world upside down. This has happened by what He has provided but also by what He is removing and rearranging! It has been shocking at time to say the least, but we must trust Him nonetheless.

“For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:35-36)

Without giving away too many details, we are trusting God with some major, major decisions and look forward to seeing Him work and then telling everyone what He has done! (Romans 11:35-36)

Trust Him . . . .!

He has been there and back . . .

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Trusting God with His timing . . . now that is a BIG challenge! With our current circumstance, we are totally at His mercy. We do not know when. We do not know where. We do not know what. We do not even know how at this point. We simply know that God is and He knows, because He has been there and back. He knows what is best for us. 

Are we anxious? You bet! Are we apprehensive? Oh yeah! Are we trusting God like never before? Well, who else can we place our trust in these days anyway? Yes, we are lacking wisdom . . . so we are asking God to provide!

Without faith . . . taking the Faith Exit.

 I love the following verse: 

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

I just never knew I would have to live it out so deliberately!  Oh, I have faith in God, Jesus my Savior, and the Holy Spirit living within me. He has brought us through life as missionaries/teachers and made a way for us to serve on more than twenty mission trips. He has allowed us to care for more than sixty children, teens and single moms within our home over the past twenty-three years. He has come through in so many miraculous ways. . . . to numerous to list. 

It is just that God now has my family and me literally walking by faith day by day lately! We have been presented with a God-thing literally out of the blue and have decided to trust God. We are taking the "faith exit " on this highway of life! Details will come later . . . stay tuned!

One word, one response from God can change everything.

 Let there be . . . and there was! (Genesis 1) Whatever God said was created in an instant. His Word still has power today. The power that raised Jesus from the dead can resurrect our lives today. It can transform a life and repair an aching heart. It can bring life to dry bones and excitement and joy to a life of pain and despair. God is alive and active and His Word still changes things!

One word, one response from God can change everything! His Word changed my entire life and it can change anyone and any circumstance if we only trust His Word!

What has it done for you? Have you trusted in His Word?

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Ask for help!

 Ever feel like you may be the only CHRISTian within miles? Why aren't others feeling like yo or experiencing the things you experience? "Why don't they see things like I do?" Maybe you are even confused about what God is up to now and then! 

Ask for help! Share your feelings with someone you can trust . . . even God! God always wants to help out. If you search hard enough, you may even find someone in the flesh that can trust. Ask God to send you such a person. You are not alone!

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. (Proverbs 30:5)

Who wants a trophy? You gotta work for it!

 I cannot stand it when everyone gets a trophy! We should not get rewarded for simply showing up, punching the clock, or "participating"! Where is the value in that? There is no incentive to excel if everyone will eventually receive a prize. 

Even as CHRISTians, we must use our gifts given to us, not simply sit on them at the end of the bench. We simply do not receive salvation and not participate in the work of the Church! God rewards us according our works, effort, and service. While Jesus worked for us, we must now work for Him! After all, He did not simply show up on earth and save us!!!

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)

Get off the bench and get to work! 

Thank God for His mercy . . . .

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits: 

Who forgives all your iniquities,Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.( Psalm 103:2-5)

Thank God for His mercy! I cannot say that enough. How many chances does He . . . will He give us? I will never understand His kindness.

What about you?

We are not thinking

 Do not become complacent! Physical battles are the easiest to win. It is the mental battles . . . . the internal struggles  . . . that eat away at us. Why? . . .  because we do not see them coming and do not plan to fight them. They come when we are at rest. They come when we are dealing with physical challenges. They come when we are not thinking!

David's sin came when he was celebrating victory. He was feeling good about himself! Our struggles may come after we have been through a losing battle. It may come when we think we are out of the woods. Internal battles can pop up when we least expect. The point is, we must always be prepared! It begins within our minds. (Romans 12:1-2)

We must not run from battle and always be prepared to fight . . . in the battle! God is with us. The Holy Spirit is within us for this reason. 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

We all have a "role" to play!

 What is your part in HIStory? Do you know that God has plans set out for you and you alone? Just read these words from Paul and ask God to share His heart with yours.... 

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

What is your response? Will you trust Him with your life?

Now that we have access . . . .

 There was a time when one could not read the bible in their own language. One had to know Hebrew, Latin or Greek! That meant many were told what the bible said or they had to study another language . . . or not read the bible at all! Today we not only have the bible in nearly every written language, but in various understandable versions as well! People died, or at the least were humiliated, for getting the bible into a form that common folks could read and understand! (Tyndale, Luther, and many other reformers) The bible in local languages revived nations. 

Now that we have access, what is our excuse today for not reading it? In a nation in dire need of revival, why is it we find little time to read His Word as a daily exercise? In fact, why do we believers sit idly by while our government removes His Word and bans His Word from public places and public conversation? As a high school bible teacher at a CHRISTian school, I am compelled to not only teach scripture, but to teach students how to live it! It is that important!!!

As we live out scripture, others witness and see it lived out. People change . . . Nations change!

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church..  And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.  Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.  Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”  So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.” . . . . But the word of God grew and multiplied.(Acts 12: 5-11,24)

What are we going to do with our scripts?

 The Bible is an ongoing story of God and how He interacts with His people. Yes, it is a HIStory book, but also on going. You and I are active characters in the story! God is still writing the scenes. What are we going to do with our scripts?

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

The Word of God is from God. But not simply the words, but The Word!  We do not simply have His words to live by, but we have His example . . . His life . . . how He lived upon this earth, to model. The more we read, study, and discuss His word, we learn of the Word, Jesus. 

God still is. He still rewards those who seek Him and seek to do His will. (Hebrews 11:6)

So what are we going to do with our scripts?

Talking too much . . . listening beyond words.

 Do we just talk too much? Think about it. We all have something to say and cannot wait to say it! Many times we start thinking of what we are going to say even before the other person stops talking . . . even cutting the person off! Ever think that saying less . . . saying nothing may actually be more effective?

In this instance, Jesus did not go into a list of scriptures or steps on how to gain eternal life. He addressed an underlying issue with the man by actually listening beyond the words. While we are so adamant about our prepared responses, Jesus listened . . .

“Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:17-22)

Do we have an ear to listen? 

What do we do when we seem to be set up?

 Many times I find myself in a battle of opinions and beliefs. I am learning to be silent more often than speak up. It is not always best to voice my opinion right away. Many times silence is best but most times it is best to hear everyone out and then respond after I have had time to think of a response that will benefit someone. 

When it comes to faith and beliefs, I pray my responses draw someone closer to the Lord of even to call upon Him for the first time! At times, expressing opinions can be toxic. I definitely don't want to cause someone to run from God! But what do we do when we seem to be set up . . . deliberately trapped by a question? Read how Jesus responded . . .

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. (Matthew 22:15-22)

We never want to treat people differently because of their beliefs. Sometimes, questions are better than answers and opinions! It might open up meaningful conversations!

Know what, when , why, and who

Ever feel tired of being beat up, beat down . . . just beat from this world?

In a day and age when what we say can be damaging, when we say it can be inappropriate, why we say it can be challenged, and who we say it to can be very costly, how then are we supposed to act and react as a Christ follower?

This is a hostile world. Even if we are not facing threats of death because of our faith as many are today, we still face the risk of ridicule, misunderstanding, and character assassination. We can often be misunderstood, misconstrued, and misquoted. We have to look closely at how Jesus reacted to the various situations in His life.

He responded in varying ways to those who were interested or disinterested; those who were trusting or hostile; which topics to avoid and which to tackle; respond or not respond. He engaged the interested. He deflected the hostile. He often responded in silence. 

But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” (Luke 22:67-71)

I don't know about you, but I need wisdom concerning how to engage others in meaningful conversations. While my desire is to see everyone come to Christ and grow in that relationship, I must understand how important timing is! For some, it is the proper place and time. For some another time or place might be better. For others, it may never be my place or time! I have to simply trust God.

I am praying to know what, when , why, and who!

His way of thinking will keep us level-headed

 In a crazy world, where truth seems to change daily, we desperately need God's Truth every day. As we face challenges in life, knowing His way of thinking will keep us level-headed. Today's topsy-turvy world can get thinking negative, damaging and even poisonous thoughts . . . just watch the news one evening!

We must replace lies with truth . . . God's Truth. We must change the way we perceive things through prayer and praise; seeing things from His perspective.  When we are backed up against a wall and had enough . . . God is quite enough! Let's fix out minds on Jesus!!!

. . .let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

Rejoice always?

 Paul tells us to "rejoice always"! (Philippians 4:4) Is that a reality? Who wants to hear those words when things are going badly? I know I don't! Yet like Paul, we need to praise God for Who He is, not what is happening! He is still God and His promises are still true! He will provide as He sees fit. God shows up in the praises!

I am always blown away by Job. No one suffered so much for reasons unknown, yet he fell to His knees and worshipped when he lost it all! He did not curse God, blame God, or forsake his beliefs. 

Can we practice this today when things go wrong? Rejoice!!!

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:20-22)

Take control!

 Take control! Yes, that's right . . . take control of your life. No matter what happens in life, how we deal with it matters. Paul really knew how to take control, saying:

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Circumstances do not define us as believers. How we react to them does! Rather than give in to the circumstances, Paul decided to work within them! 

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)

Is it just a book of fairy tales or Truths?

 All the answers in one book . . . imagine that! In a day when so many people seek answers to so many questions, the answers lie in one book . . . the Bible! God's word is for everyone in every circumstance. It worked then and it works today. It will work tomorrow as well. 

Have you read it? Do you trust it? Is it just a book of fairy tales or Truths? Not just words, but TRUTH!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)