Do you ever have those days when you feel like the world is just beating the life out of you?  I know I do.  I used to question God’s character on days like that.  I used to wonder how a supposedly “good” God, sovereign, as He’s called, could sit by and watch as the world tumbled down into hell.

Then I learned the true definition of sovereign.  Sovereign does not mean that God controls all things, as many believe.  The dictionary describes the word “sovereign” as “possessing absolute authority; supreme power; dominion; superior to all rivals”.  Our God is certainly sovereign – he certainly has the ability do whatever He wishes -but, because He chose to give us free will, His will is not always done on this earth.  Let’s look at some examples:

In 1 Timothy, chapter 2, we are told “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God, our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2: 1-4).

It is very clear from this passage that God desires salvation for all.  Why then, do so many go to hell?  Why is it that the road to heaven is narrow but the road to hell is wide (Matt. 7:13-14)?  It is because we have been given a choice.  God doesn’t force us to spread the Good News.  Likewise, He doesn’t force us to receive it.  He wants us to receive it, but the choice is ours.  God wants His children to choose to be with Him, He won’t force us.  That would be dictatorship, slavery – not true love.

Let’s take a look at another example.  In Matthew 23, Jesus was continuing the pronunciation of the woes upon religious leaders.  It is here that He condemns their hypocrisy and greed.  In verse 37, however, He follows up with this statement “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”  Again we see how God had one path in His plan, but humans chose another.

One more example:  In Mark chapter 6, Jesus is back teaching in His hometown of Nazareth.   As He was teaching, the people there took offense at Him “Where did this man get these things?”, they asked.  “Isn’t this Mary’s son, the carpenter?  Are not his brothers and sisters here with us?” 

What was the result of their choice of unbelief?  Verse 5 tells us: “He could not do any miracles there, except heal a few sick, because of their lack of faith.”

Jesus wants us well.  He wants us protected and safe.  Jesus tells us in John 17:15 that “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one.”

God’s goal in creating us was to have a family.  For the purposes of gathering as many people into His family as possible, He has given us the Great Commission, that we would go into all the world and spread the good news of Jesus Christ and His salvation.  He has called us as His partners for the purpose of accomplishing His will.

His will is that all will call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, but we have to make that choice to accept Him, to serve Him, and to obey His instructions to us, given in His Word.

Psalm 119:9 tells us “How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to Your Word”.

If we want to have God’s plan in our lives, His plan of good and not evil to give us a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11), His plan of life and life abundant (John 10:10), we must follow the instructions given us in His Word.  We must choose His way and not our own.  We must “seek first the kingdom of God”.

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?  Are looking for a way out of all of the pressures life has placed upon you?  Look to the Lord.  Ask Him what His plans are for you, what He wants you to do about the situations you’re struggling with.  Quit trying to figure it all out on your own accord.

Proverbs 3:13-18 tells us “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.  Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.”

Again, we see time after time, the Lord giving us instructions for a good life.  Choose today to learn and obey His Word, and walk in His plan for you.  You may not be able to choose the paths of those you love, but you can, at least, choose your own.

The Enemy will always work to throw tribulations at you.  You see, the Enemy’s hate for humans is just as big as God’s love for us.  The difference, however, is that the Enemy’s power is non-existent.  Jesus took it away from him at the Resurrection.  God’s power, however, is infinite.  It is so big, so amazing, that nothing can compare, and nothing can overcome it.   Choose today to seek and walk in God’s will for your life.  You’ll always be glad you did.

Are you happy?  If not, why?  Most times, I’ve learned, unhappiness results from one source: self-centeredness.

Now, you may be thinking to yourself: Self-centered?  I’m not self-centered!  I’m constantly doing things for my kids/my husband/my boss.  I’m always last on the list!  How could I possibly be self-centered???

You see, the thing about self-centeredness is that it’s a sneaky little devil.  Self-centeredness doesn’t only come in the form of putting yourself first.  It also comes in another hidden form: When we focus on how we hate being last. 

Being a mom is hard work.  As a parent, you constantly do for others.  It’s a rare occasion around here when I have even 5 minutes to file my fingernails or give my eyebrows a good clean up.

But motherhood (and marriage) turns from hard work into drudgery and depression if we spend too much time lamenting over the fact that we don’t get what we need.  Yet, we as mothers and wives do have needs.  So how do we get what we need without focusing on what we need?

Figure out the difference between a ”need” and a “want”.  All we really, truly need is food, water, clothing (and thrift store clothing works just fine), shelter and most of all, love.

You’re barking up the wrong tree.  Don’t have, or feel, that love, you say?  Stop looking to your husband or your children or your friends or your stuff to make you feel loved.  The Almighty God has more love for you than you could ever begin to use up with your need.  If you start looking to Him to feel loved (and you do this by spending time with Him, in prayer, praise, and in reading the Word), you will be filled up in this area.

When You’re Filled up from the Right Source, you’ll have what you need to do what you’ve been called to do: love your husband and/or your children.  Being a Proverbs 31 wife and mother will be SO much more fun when you are filled up with the right stuff, but that right stuff can never ever come from what you give yourself.  It can never come from manicures, hair salon trips, vacations, dinners out or new clothes.  In order for you to truly feel happy, long-term, you need to receive the love that your Lord and Savior, Jesus, has for you – really receive it, by putting Him first place in your life.  It’s then and only then that you will be truly happy.  It’s then and only then that loving your husband, children and all of those around you becomes fun, because you are able to share what you have chosen to receive: true unconditional love.

And something funny happens when you truly love and accept your husband, children and those around you unconditionally: hearts soften, and they start mimicking your behavior.

You see, if you model anger, self-centeredness and conditional love to your family, you’ll get it right back.  But if you truly have the selfless love in your heart that Christ has for you, and gladly share it with others, they’ll be eager to give that love back to you.  And on the days when they don’t, it’s ok, because you get your love from Christ and Christ alone!

This type of living will lead you to start making selfless decisions in all areas of life: finances, career, family, whatever.  And when you’re making these types of decisions for the good of the whole family instead of the good of your own self, your life as a whole will improve exponentially.

If you really, really want to be happy, decide today that Christ will be first in your life.  Make it a choice to spend your free time studying the Word and seeking the Lord instead of watching TV or reading unedifying books.  Get your happiness from the inside out, and watch your life change as that unconditional love flows out to those around you.

As we watch our world, and many Christians along with them, fall prey to hard-heartedness and temptations of all sorts, I wonder if they understand what’s happening to them and around them?

Luke 8 tells us that there are those who hear the Word and receive it gladly, but then the Word, being in their heart, is choked with the cares, riches and pleasures of this life.

Are you being weighed down with the cares, riches and pleasures of this life?  Or, worse yet, have you placed them above God in your life?  How can you tell?

Who’s On First?

One way to tell is to think about how much time you spend with God.  We all have a lot on our plate to take care of, but how often do you make time to spend with the Lord, talking with Him, praying to Him, reading the Word?  Do you remember the last time you did any of those things?  Are you, ask God instructs us in the book of Matthew, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Who’s the Boss?

Another way to tell where your priorities are is to think about the decisions you make.  Do you stop and ask the Holy Spirit, given to us as counselor, before making decisions?  Is God involved in the decision-making process when you buy things, go places, or do things?  Or do you simply do what you see fit and what you see as best for your family, without any regard to what God may have to say about it.

Sometimes people don’t ask God before those decisions, because they think the answer is obvious, but it isn’t always clear.  Remember; God sees the big picture in your life, not just the present situation.

A perfect example of this is the purchase of our first horse.  When Star came into our lives, and the Lord spoke to my spirit and said “Buy the horse.”, I thought He was off His rocker.  We had no money at the time to buy him, board him and care for him.  We were scraping by, paycheck to paycheck.  I argued with the Lord for a good week before He stepped back in silence, waiting for me to come to the end of myself.  I then repented, and we bought the horse.  He brought the money to pay for the horse and board him, and now today, 2 years later, we are caring for Star on our own hobby farm, which, ironically, is much cheaper than boarding him.  And that horse has brought a joy and confidence to our oldest daughter that is absolutely priceless.

Often times, our plans for our family aren’t God’s plans.  Life offers us several roads to take, and we don’t know where each of those roads will lead.  But God does, and that’s why it’s crucial that we ask Him before making decisions, even the smallest of decisions.

The Right Perspective

When we moved to our hobby farm last fall, it allowed us to start looking at the world from the outside looking in, so to speak.

Out here in “the boonies” we are largely forgotten about by “modern” society, while they busily work to achieve the American Dream of “having it all”.  But do they really have it all?

John 16:15 says:

You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Are you working toward those things that will justify you before men?  The things that you think will make you highly esteemed among men?  If so, the fruits of your labors are worthless, and will profit you nothing.

Why?  Because no matter how highly man may esteem you, there will always be someone who will come along and take your place, leaving you old and forgotten, like yesterday’s news.

Pastor Andrew Wommack spoke in a sermon once that when he would go and minister in nursing homes, he would find many men and women, sad and broken-hearted because they, though once had it all, were now replaced by others who were younger, prettier, richer.  The world had forgotten them, and they were all alone.

This is what happens when we seek the riches of the world instead of the glorious, un-ending riches of a right relationship with Jesus Christ.  If you want temporary fulfillment and happiness that comes and goes with the wind, choose to seek the riches of this world.

However, if you want true happiness, peace and joy, choose to seek God first, above all other things in your life.  There you can find a contentment, joy and peace that are worth more than all of the money in the world.

As we look around the world today, or watch the news, it’s quite evident to most that we’re in a heap of trouble.  The world is amass with violence of all kinds.  Greed and selfishness are the order of the day.  Crimes against children are at an all-time high and it seems by many to be perfectly acceptable.

So, as Christians, how are we to function in today’s world without giving in to fear, discouragement and defeat?  How are we to stay positive in a negative world?

There is one way, and one way only; keep your eyes on Jesus.  We must have faith in Him if we are to survive.  Mark 13:13 tells us that in the end, “Brother will betray brother, to the death, and a father his child.  Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.  All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

If we are to be among those who “stand firm to the end”, we must have faith that Jesus will strengthen us in this journey.

We must also never forget that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1).

There is a BIG difference between fact and truth, ladies, and knowing the difference is crucial.   The fact may be that “there is no one righteous, not one (Romans 3:10), but the truth is that “righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22).  The fact may be that the world is spinning out of control at a rapid pace, but the truth is that Jesus came and that “whoever stands firm to the end will be saved.”

When the days are wearing on you, and the world around you seems hopeless, don’t forget that it is hopeless.  More importantly, don’t forget that that’s why our Father in Heaven sent His Son, Jesus Christ, not to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.  Regardless of the facts, the truth is that you and I have this awesome Savior!  The Bible calls Him Almighty, Counselor, Keeper, Protector, Healer, Deliverer, and a whole host of other wonderful names.  He has come that we may “have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10).  Proverbs 18:10 tells us that “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it, and they are safe.”

So when the pressures and the fears of the world start bearing down on you, take refuge in the shadow of His Wings.  Don’t look at the facts, look at the truth – the truth that you have an Almighty God in Heaven waiting for you to take refuge in Him and stay safe through all storms.  Choose to believe the Word over the world.  Stand on that Word – the Word of God, that promises that He will “never leave you or forsake you.” (Deut 31:6).  Make a thorough search of the Word and believe in the truth of His love, protection and guidance today!

How has your faith guided you through when it seemed like there was no way out?  Share your story with us!

Tomorrow: A Guide to Protecting Your Family in These End Days

I watched a speech this morning that is making the rounds big time and wanted to share it all with you.  We are coming to a crossroads in America where each and every citizen will have to choose whether to stand on the side of God, or to turn our backs on Him and reject Him.  There really is no neutral position here.  What will you choose?

As I sat and pondered all that I learned yesterday in my Bible teachings, something occurred to me.  There are literally millions (hopefully billions) of Christians sitting in church during the week, going to Bible studies, participating in prayer groups, Sunday school, youth groups and the like.

There are also, among the lot of us, many, many opinions about who God is and what He does or does not do, can or cannot do.  Yet, the God of the Christian Bible is only one, never changing God.

How is it that even though He never changes, there are so many differing opinions about who He is?

Some say He heals all of the time, some say some of the time, and some say that healing in Christ was for “back then”.  Some say the price for sin was paid on the cross, and others say that price is still being paid today through natural disasters, disease and the like.

My question to you today is: Who is your God?  Do you know, really know, who He is?  Do you really understand His Character, or are you letting other teachings, the circumstances of your life, or your own judgment determine the character of God?

When you look at all of the different teachings and opinions about the character of God, isn’t it true that some of us have to be wrong?  After all, if God is the same yesterday, today and forever, then He doesn’t change.  So it must be that some of us have got our view of the character of God all wrong, isn’t that so?

My prayer for you today is that you would make a decision that 2012 will be the year in which you immerse yourself in the Bible and discover the true character of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Go into this journey with an open mind, and see what you discover about our Lord and Savior.  Determine through the Word what His character really truly is.  Look at the story as a whole, not just verses here and there, but the whole story.  What you find just may surprise you!

Have you discovered a different God from what you once thought about His character?  Share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment.