Tuesday, July 28, 2015

How To Stand Under The Weight Of Your Trouble




“We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. […] What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God. […] God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.” CHAMBERS
 
“God is not interested in our comfort, but our character.” (Pastor Rick Warren)  We spend so much time asking God to take away the problem, when it might be that very problem that God is using to shape us for His purposes.  How do we know the difference? Actually it doesn’t matter what the difference is .. what matters is how we respond to life no matter what comes our way.  You cannot respond in a way that brings glory to God if you are living by the flesh and not the Spirit.  The flesh . .self-effort .. can never bring glory to God. Self-effort’s goal is to bring glory to self.  God can give you strength to go through difficult times, but most likely you will have to go through it ..  and perhaps suffer the consequence … but if you are viewing life through the prism of the power and presence of God … you will survive it.  In most times of crisis, fear shows its ugly head.  Jesus said we should not fear … but we should trust .. have faith.  Friend, if you are not cultivating your faith .. strengthening it day by day .. you are in trouble .. and when your faith is weak … you will not be able to stand under the weight of the trouble you face.  If you are one who thinks you can “fix” it, then you will have a struggle with self-effort resisting the Spirit.  Proverbs 3:5-6, my old friend, Trust God and Not Yourself.  Do it!  ELGIN

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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