Monday, July 10, 2017

REJOICE always

It has been quit sometime since I have posted a blog!!   Months in fact.  Every time I have sat down to update you all and put pen to paper, so to speak, my thoughts blurr  and I become overwhelmed with trying to find the right words.

2017 up to this point has been a swirl of emotions, difficulties and one challenge after another that literally started New Years. CAN I GET A WITNESS!?!?   I KNOW I am not the only one.

It has been everything from one of our kids getting brutally sick to marriage bumps to people lying about us and our ministry to EVEN THE DOG GETTING SICK!!!  We even threw a surgery in there for good measure.   (My husband had to have retina surgery).  You name it…..

Why am I telling you this?   I don't know about you guys but I sometimes feel better knowing I'm not the only one.  “Ok so if you and you and you are also in the valley there might be something happening that is beyond me”.   Strength in numbers and all that.   I also feel like it keeps me from becoming self focused when I know that others are going through it right along side of me.   Empathy is a beautiful gift that God gives us that binds our hearts and brings unity.   We can help carry each others burdens with compassion and understanding.   Some thing I think can only be learned in the valley.   (Emphathise don't Victimize……I just came up with that myself LOL)

Another thing I have learned in the valley of 2017 is the absoluteness of Gods word.    I have been seriously walking with God since I was 18 years and have believed in the absolute truth of Gods word all that time.  But it has been this year that has taught me

 Philippians 4:4  REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE.  

 Philippians 4:13. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.

I could go on and on.   But I will make this point.    When Paul wrote the books of Philippians he was in a jail chained to a Roman soldier awaiting his trial and eventual execution.   He was suffering and probably in a great deal of pain physically.   He wasn't floating on fluffy pink marshmallow clouds of spiritual bliss.  

Heres a tub bit to mull over…… how else will we learn that God fights for us and causes us to stand in his victory unless we have been stripped bare and have no other choice but to rely on the goodness and mercy of God?  

God began to talk to me about Philippians 4:4 when i was at a low point this year.   Marriage had hit a rough patch, things in the ministry were at a stand still and nothing was going right.   Despair and bitterness where at war with what I know the reality of gods truth to be in my heart.  I felt like I was standing in the middle of two great and vast armies.     Paul said to REJOICE ALWAYS!    So I decided to do that.   I didn't feel it.   I didn't want to.   Circumstances didn't change instantly.   But as I began to rejoice in the lord and his goodness peace returned and an assurance came back

Some days it's a minute by minute uphill battle.   Some days it's mountain tops all the way.  Some days it's dark deep scary nothingness valleys.   But NOTHING AND I MEAN NOTHING CHANGES THE CHARACTER AND NATURE OF GOD!!!!!  THAT IS OUR HOPE.   THAT IS OUR ASSURANCE.   THAT IS FOCUS WHEN NOTHING ELSE MAKES SENSE.

Pastor Carter Conlon said it this way “who are you in Christ?   Stop sniveling and stand up!   God in in your side!!!”  

Be encouraged.   If you know Christ and are in the valley Jesus is with you!     You are not alone.  His promises are yes and amen.  If you don't know Christ and are in a deep dark place TURN TO JESUS!!!!!!!    You won't be sorry.  

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