His Grace is Sufficient!

God teaches in mysterious ways. I see this every day in my journey of being a Christian. In the moments where dreams come crashing down, or a loved one is lost, or life is just  topsy-turvy, we all stand back and ask "why?" It's such a difficult lesson to interpret. I said a prayer; thanking God for the little patch of heaven he had placed me in, for my family, and for life's simple goodness.

Our family had gone to a Church Family Camp last week. While on this trip, I had put my necklace that I got for my birthday, inside of my computer case, because I was in a hurry to get in the lake with my sister. Two days after I did this, I went to grab the necklace, and it was gone! I was very sad because this necklace was important to me, because I got it from my dad on my birthday. I had only had it for a couple weeks, and it was gone! Our church camp prayed for me to find it, but I couldn't. I left my information at the camp, in case the staff found it. In some cases, I could say that God didn't answer my prayers… and yet, in a way He did. He may not have led me to the necklace, but He showed me that His grace is sufficient for me! The things of this world shouldn't matter. Everything belongs to God! 

     I remember when our barn burned down in our backyard. Our chickens climbed right onto the heat lamp, and started a fire. We weren't home, until the evening, so everything was ruined… such as, a bunk-bed, antiques, windows, (that were replaced, because they gave us the wrong ones, but said we could keep the old ones) a chicken, some trees, and all kinds of other things were burned. Most of them were un-replaceable. So, what was the good that came out of all of that? We were blessed with money that our insurance covered for our burned thing. We took that money, and used it for someone else’s good. What Satan meant for Evil, God meant for good! 

     But isn't it ironic, that in the moment you are most peaceful and content with life, it seems God puts you to the flames again. I've come to see it as admitting we've grown stronger through his grace; we've proved we can withstand the next purging fire.

"So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though  it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." ~1 Peter 1:7~
I've learned one thing: This painful refinement will never stop. Our initial reaction is "why does God give his servants trials? Haven't they proven their faith and determination?"

Yes, they have. This is why the trials still come; to make us stronger, to make us tougher.  The world doesn't see this. They ask "why would a loving God persecute his people?"

     We’re reminded in Romans 8:28, “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.” 

     Yes, I’m still pretty upset that my necklace hasn't been found. If it has, someone might have taken it by now. However, at the same time, I need to realize that a necklace is just a “thing” of this world.  It’s a worldly possession.  It meant a lot to me, but, I've been realizing that 2^nd Corinthians 12:9 says, “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”

We can’t see the big picture. But Christianity is about faith, not sight. We don't need proof of God's faithfulness. Because God upholds his promises. 

Is God good when life Isn't? Part 2

So, when tragedies strike, where is God? Was the calamity God’s idea? Of course not! God never creates or parlays evil. “God can never do wrong! It is impossible for the Almighty to do evil…” (Job 34:10 also James 1:17) He is the essence of good . How can he who is good invent anything bad? And he is sovereign! (Daniel 5:21) God is good. God is sovereign. Then how are we to factor in the presence of
 calamities in God’s world? 

     Here is how the Bible does it: God permits it. When the demons begged Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs, he “gave them permission” (Mark 5:12-13) The old testament speaks of the consequence of accidentally killing a person: “If [the man] does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate.” (Exodus 21:13) 

     God at times permits tragedies. He permits the ground to grow and dry, and stalks to grow bare. He allows Satan to unleash mayhem. But he doesn't allow Satan to triumph. (Romans 8:28) God promises to render beauty out of “all things," not "each thing". The isolated events may be evil, but
 the ultimate culmination is good.

     Look at Job and his life… we see that Job was inflicted with much… all but one of his servants died, his his oxen, donkeys, and camels, were stolen, the sheep and servants were burned up, and all of his sons and daughters were killed. However, through it all, we see that Job says, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21) it even says, "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong." (vs. 22) It didn't stop there... Job's health starts to go downhill, when "Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sold of his foot to the
 crown of his head." (Job 2:7)
He told his wife in verse 10, "...Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." In the end, Job said, "Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job repented for questioning God, and God restored him, and blessed him. (42:12-17)
We must let God define good. Our definition includes health, comfort, and recognition. His definition? In the case of His son, Jesus Christ, the good life consisted of struggles, storms, and death. But God worked it all together for the greatest of good: His glory and our salvation.
At some point we all stand at this intersection. Is God good when the outcome is not?
Your pain won't last forever, but you will. "Whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has in store for us." (Romans 8:18)
What is coming will make sense of what is happening now. Let God finish his work. Let the composer complete his symphony. The forecast is simple. Good days. Bad days. But God is in ALL days. He is the Lord of the famine and the feast, and he uses both to accomplish His will. So, yes, God is still good, when life isn't! :) Have a blessed week!

Is God good when life isn't? Part 1

When the cancer is in remission, we say, “God is good.” When the pay raise comes, we announce “God is good.” When the university admits us or the final score favors our team, “God is good.” Would we, and do we, say the same under different circumstances? In the cemetery, as well as the nursery? In the unemployment line, as well as the grocery line? In days of recession as much as in days of provision?
 Is God always good? 

    For Brian and Christyn Taylor, the question is more than academic. During this last year their seven-year-old daughter was hospitalized for more than six months with six surgeries for a disease of the pancreas, Brian’s job was discontinued, several family members died and another was diagnosed with brain cancer, and Christyn was pregnant with child number four. Life was tough. She blogged: 

     Multiple hospital stays with my daughter were exhausting, but I held faith. Losing Brian’s family members one by one until there was only one left, who was then diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer, was incomprehensible, but I still held faith. Being hospitalized seven-and-a-half weeks with a placental abruption was terrifying, but I held faith. I held to the faith that God works for my good, and though I did not necessarily understand the trials, I trusted God’s bigger, unseen plan.

     God and I had a deal- I would endure the trials that came my way as long as he acknowledged
 my stopping point.  He knew where my line had been drawn, and I knew in my
heart he would never cross it. He did.

     I delivered a stillborn baby girl. With my daughter Rebecca still at home on a feeding tube and her future health completely unknown, it was a foregone conclusion that this baby we so wanted and loved would be saved. She wasn't. My line in the sand was crossed.
My one-way deal with God was shattered. 

     Everything changed in that moment. Fear set in, and my faith began to crumble. My “safety zone” with God was no longer safe. If this could happen in the midst of our greatest struggles, then anything was fair game. For the first time in my life, anxiety began to overwhelm me.

We can relate. Most, if not all of us, have a contractual agreement with God. The fact that he hasn't signed it doesn't keep us from believing it. 

I pledge to be a good, decent person, and in return God will…

save my child

heal my wife

protect my job

(fill in the blank)__________

only fair, right? Yet when God fails to meet our bottom-line expectations, we are left spinning in a tornado of questions. Is he good at all? Is God angry at me? Stumped? Overworked? Is his power limited? His authority restricted? Did the devil outwit him? When life isn't good, what are we to think about our God? Where is he in all this? He's there!... I'll answer this in detail in part 2.
Excerpt from Max Lucado's Book "You'll get through this"

We take the Time to Remember 9/11

Today marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

9/11 was the day that no one would forget.
As I recall that day, was unbelievable.
My mom had just gotten off the phone from my dad, and she ran downstairs
with tears in her eyes. She turned on the T.V. and what I saw was shocking.
I saw millions, and thousands of people dying right in front of my eye.
I saw people crying, yelling, and screaming out in pain.
I saw the most horrifying thing ever...The World Trade Center completely
and utterly being destroyed.

After my mom turned off the T.V., and we went immediately to our church
in town. The women were getting together and praying like they had never prayed before.
Today, we remember those that died saving others, and those that died in vain.
There were many questions raised that day...but the one that was the most was...Why?
Why would God let this happen, and Why didn't He do something about it?
We may never know, but I do know one thing...it's a part of God's plan.
Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God..."

The God of Love:

As we think of the lives that are lost
regarding as nothing at all
The heartache and agony of those that are left
The devastation of the fall

The children left without a mum
to embrace them when they cry
The many alone without a daddy
To tuck them in bed at night

The parents also left to grieve
for the children they have lost
Husbands and wives also weep
paying an unbelievable cost

There is hope, a glimpse of light
amidst these darkened days
Our Lord Jesus who loves us so much
and hears when we kneel to pray

He can bring healing to the hurting heart
and comfort to those who weep
He is the strength that we can receive
For His love is ever so deep

Still were left wondering how this happened
and why all this needless grief
So many questions remain unanswered
we just need to have faith and believe

That our loving God is still in control
Though the remnants of terror remain
the broken lives and shattered dreams
The unspoken anguish and pain

He knows full well how we are feeling
He identifies grief with us
We can be sure He loves us so
For He is a God of LOVE.
~M.S. Lowndes