People are always quick with advice that makes everything worse
instead of better; they always repeat the same cliche' . They mean
well. They actually want to help but there is little they can do and
even less they can say that will help. Truth is, despair is a lonesome
valley and you are the only one who can walk through it, by yourself.
About
seven years were spent writing down my pitiful youth and all the
mistakes I made because I let others have control over my self worth.
It took me a long time to be able to look back over all the losses and
disappointments and see how it all happened for a reason. There was
loss of children, rejection, divorce, loss, grief, failure, drinking,
more loss, disease, more divorce, more rejection and more loss. I ran
from myself and suppressed feelings and memories until I was numb -
without any feeling. I was in that "lonesome valley" all by myself.
At
my lowest emotional point, I had a loaded gun in my hand trying to
decide the most effective way to use it so I would actually kill myself
and not make a mistake that would leave me a cripple the rest of my
life. That would have been worse than death: drooling, blind, in a
wheel chair and/or wearing a diaper with others wiping my chin, or my
"cheeks". Thoughts like this are enough to make you hesitate - at
least.
For me, it was God. I did not hear a voice. I did not
see a burning bush. There was no lightening or thunder. Just a quiet
thought planted in my head. It was the perfect thought to stop me. It
was God relating to me, through the Holy Spirit, in a way I could
understand. Let me print a few lines from my book, "Evidence of God":
Late
one evening, after business hours, sitting in the back room of my shop,
I was holding a loaded gun in my lap. I had taken it from John’s
dresser when I moved out. Must have sat there for a long time watching
light on the wall turn to shadow. I wasn’t thinking, just being numb.
When thoughts did return, they were about how to do it: in the mouth, in
the ear, my temple? Was the safety off? Was it a tight trigger? Lots
of questions.
The thing about happiness: It’s a choice. But, I
was a prisoner of the pain. Suicide is desperate, it is hostile, it
is tragic. These are the legacies for those left behind after suicide:
guilt, anger, doubt, blame, fear, rejection, abandonment and profound
grieving. Most people don’t want to talk about it, don’t even want to
think about it. It is too raw and it’s way too confusing.
The bottom
of my life had come up and smashed me in the face. You don’t get over
major life obstacles; you go through them. You never forget; you learn
to live with the memories. What seemed like impossible obstacles in my
life were a series of great opportunities that I could not see from my
pit of depression - that "lonesome valley".
The olive, grape
and grain are used through out the Bible as examples in stories and
parables. Each one has to be crushed before it can be used for oil,
wine and bread. Just as these examples tell us, God has to crush us
before He can use us.
As I sat there, a voice came into my
head. A small voice way in the back, soft but clear. “You can’t give
life, so you can’t take life.”
That’s all I can recall. I’m
writing this text today so I must not have pulled the trigger. The
pastor’s remark comes back to me about getting baptized quickly because
trials were coming. In my heart, I am convinced it was the spirit of
God speaking to me that night as evidence of God’s patience, wisdom and
love.
No way am I suggesting that you get a loaded gun to
get an answer from God or otherwise. Just want to relate a few thoughts
I had/have about the subject. I do want to tell you that there is a
way out - always. BUT, it isn't an easy one. If it were, there would
be no meaning to life. YOU have to find YOUR way. YOU have to learn to live with your issues without revenge or grudges. You have
to find the loving way for it to work. God is really the easiest way.
Call on Him. Ask for an answer. Dump on Him, tell Him how you feel. I
mean, really pour it out. Find professional help if you need it. Call
a help line.
Life is an amazing gift from God. The enemy is
real and he wants your life. The devil wants you dead. This is
something that is hard to see when you are in that valley. He doesn't
want to see you alive, happy or prospering the way God does. GOD LOVES
YOU! You, Y-O-U were created individual with your unique traits and
personality because you are special to Him. He does not want to see you
in despair, unhappy, suffering or without any necessity. Take my word
for it. I've been there. I found my way out. It wasn't easy but I am
stronger, more confident, healthier, happier and more prosperous for
going THROUGH it. I didn't have to do it all alone. God took my
hand and we walked out of that lonesome valley together. It is worth
the fight. It is worth it to be alive.
I
was stopped at a traffic light just the other day. Sitting there,
watching local activity, I noticed a young father with a little girl.
She was not tall enough to reach his belt and had hold of her daddy's
hand.
She
was reaching up and he was reaching down. With every couple steps he
took, he glanced down at her and smiled. He walked at a pace she
could handle and was very aware of her short steps. His proud love was
on his face. She was smiling as she held her daddy's hand, sure of his
love, protection and guidance.
"See," a voice inside me pointed out, "Just like God, the Father."
More
than any earthly father, God is always with us, always concerned,
directing our steps, watching over us. How beautiful is His love.
Because
of the blood of Jesus, God can only see us as He saw that precious
man. In the eyes of our Heavenly Father, we are perfect and He loves
us.
Our
sins (past, present and future) are gone once and for all. He is
watching us and protecting us. Our lives are so complete in Him who
provides our every need and answers our prayers. Belief is all we need
to acquire this love, guidance and protection.
We are saved.
We are free.
Praise be to God / Baruk ata Adonai
Amen
https://www.seek-and-find.net
A friend gave me a book to read. The author is convincing my
friend that "all will be saved". None will be left behind. No one is
going to hell (whatever you perceive hell to be).
In
the opening statement of the Foreword, the author uses the argument
that love never fails. He is referring to the love of God. He also
uses the argument that God is complete love. I say, God is too loving NOT to punish the ungodly. The fact that He is perfect means He MUST punish the wicked.
If a father does not punish the bad children, then why are the good
children being good? If all are rewarded, there is no incentive to
please the parent and the parent goes without respect and chaos reigns. God is order.
A. W. Tozer also made a good argument for the love of God being used to pacify the conscience.
Those
who show mercy to the cruel, end up being cruel to those who deserve
mercy. To spare a ravenous lion is an act of injustice to the sheep. . .
Dennis Prager
The author also uses the quote, "God would that all would be saved". I Tim 2:3 - 6 Because God is love, He did provide a way for everyone - His son Jesus. God is a just God so He will punish. Any who would enter His Kingdom will have to believe in His Son, Jesus. Heb
10:14 says, "those who are being made holy" pointing out that those
made holy are separate from others. There are those who will be saved
and those who will not.
What about "narrow is the
way"? Mt 7:14 & 15 If everyone is going to make it, the gate would have to be wide
to let them all in. There is only one way to heaven; to believe on the
Lord, Jesus Christ. The wide gate is the one most will be taking to
destruction. Acts 16:31 says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will
be saved" pointing out the believers are separate from the non
believers.
You
can also check out:
> Ro 6:23 tells us, "The wages of sin is death."
> Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else (Jesus), for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
> Ro 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord".
> Ro 10:9 - 11, "If
you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
> Col 1:13 & 14, "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."
Rev. 20:15 is pretty clear about about
the judgement. Many want to discount this verse as "conjecture" or
"symbolism". Why would one line out of all the Bible be conjecture when
the rest of the Bible is taken as fact?
Amen
Sitting in a mid week church service, the speaker was talking about how to distinguish and hear the voice of God.
At one point, he stated, "If anyone in here has heard His voice audibly, I want to know about it." It sounded like a smug dare. As if he were saying that no has heard the voice of God. He, himself is giving a message about how to hear God and saying, in the same breath, he doesn't believe it happens.
I have heard the voice of God. I know it. I knew it was God at the time. No question. No hesitation. "My sheep hear my voice" Jn 10:27
When I related my story to a Bible study group, a friend asked, "Why does God talk to you and not to me?". My answer, "Are you listening?"
The issue is not whether or not God speaks to us but rather, do we hear Him. I do not remember a time in my life when I did not talk to God. I have not thought much about it. He is God and I am little ol' me. Of course, I understand He hears me and does or does not act upon my conversation; His choice. He is God and I am little ol' me. He did choose, one time, to speak to me.
Let me relate my story so you may better understand my point:
It had been pointed out to me that 10 Native American families, living in a state of poverty, would be without Christmas gifts and meals for their children. In this Native community that is an average of about 50 children - all without food and gifts at the most celebrated holiday in Christianity.
During evening prayer, I related the issue to my Heavenly Father and asked Him to help. I went to sleep with little further thought. Around 2:00 in the morning, there was a physical tap on my shoulder and an audible voice within me saying, "Do something". I immediately knew who was talking and what He was talking about. Right now, I cannot believe how I did not question who or what, as I woke from a sound sleep. There was no time to think about it, I just knew; even though, I had never heard an audible voice before and, I was around 63 years of age.
However, I did argue with Him. Here again, I cannot believe myself and the boldness I had to argue with almighty God Himself. "How can I help 50 Indian children?" The voice spoke again, "Do something". Again, without question of who or what, I continued, "My husband and I are not rich. We cannot provide Christmas for these children along with the traditional meal". "Do something" "I can't. I don't know where to start." "Do something" "What can I do?"
After a few minutes of this, the voice said, "I will help you". That was it! He was done speaking and I was done arguing. He offered to help and I believed Him. I went back to sleep.
To shorten what could be a long story, by the end of the next day, I had the traditional meal and gifts for all 50 children. It did not cost me or my husband a single cent. Everything was donated by a total stranger and my Bible study group. And. . . I did not even have to ask them to do it.
Had I not listened to the voice of God, and recognized it, this story could not be told.
I wonder how many times in my life, He might have spoken to me in other ways and I did not hear or recognize His voice. He does not always speak so boldly to people. Many times, He gives us answers or comments through other people, media, His written word or a feeling that stirs and grows inside prodding us to action. He knows I am stubborn and not good at subtleties. So I figure He had to be bold enough that night, to get my attention.
My point: God speaks to each of His children; any believer. We have to be ready to hear and know Him well enough to recognize His voice over the enemy.
Over the years, I have experienced His answers to prayers in subtle ways. He has not spoken to me, audibly, since that night but I am more aware of how He can and does communicate.
This amazing God of ours is with any believer, waiting for you to just listen to what He has to say. Start the conversation, expect an answer and see how He will communicate with you.
Amen
We are taught that God is above.
How can God "lift up His countenance upon you" when He is above us in all things ? For God to lift up
His countenance upon us, requires that we be above Him. Does it make
any sense that we are up and God is below, so that He can lift up His
countenance upon us ???? No. He is the Father and we are His
children. Children always look up to their parents. As children grow,
it goes from a physical looking up to a respectful looking up.
In the picture below, this phrase makes perfect sense.
The
Hebrew word "Abba" in the Christian world is translated "Father". This
word more accurately translates "Daddy". He is a "Daddy God". So less
formal and more affectionate as "Daddy".
Everything He does for us can be related to a loving Daddy.
My
own father left my mother and three children when I was eight years old
(I was the oldest). He was never there for me, never answered letters
or visited and never sent mother any help for our support. He could not
be depended on. He was not available to teach us or discipline us. No
strong arms to pick us up when we fell from a bike. No encouragement
or praise.
I
have stated in earlier blogs that I knew God from a very young age;
even before I attended school. This has helped me get through my life
with a daddy - a great one.
Anyone can be a father; it takes a special person to be a "Daddy".
God
can always be likened to the guiding love of a Daddy. If you have
children of your own, you can get an idea of how He relates to us.
Always keep in mind: unlike us, He is perfect and never gets tired of us
or impatient with us. He is waiting to hear from us. He is always
forgiving and looks on us with pride. His discipline is allowing us to
suffer the consequences of our own poor choices. If we insist on
touching the hot stove - we will get a burn.
Such
a loving father to sacrifice His first born son and perfect son, Jesus,
to save His other children who are so far less than perfect.
God is so much more, so understanding, loving, kind, patient. How blessed we are to be able to call him "Daddy".
Amen
Ever heard the saying, "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat"? See Mt 14:22-33
In a Sunday message at a church that I was visiting, the pastor commented, "If anyone in here is walking on water, I would like to know. You need to be up here teaching the rest of us."
This sounded like sarcasm to me and demeaning to his congregation. He sounded like he did not believe anyone, today, in this world, could have the faith to follow Jesus and do miracles.
I have done and witnessed miracles in the name of Jesus. This means I did not do the deeds; rather, the deeds were done in His name, by Him, through the Holy Spirit. It does happen. Many believers do, and receive, miracles. Ro 8:28
Just believe He can and will. Heb 11:1
There are testimonies daily from people who witness miracles in their own lives by believing in spiritual healing and/or having the faith to call a work in His name. Pastors and evangelists perform healings and good works by calling on the name of Jesus. God answers millions of prayers around the world on a daily basis.
Sometimes,
we loose sight of Jesus and we sink. But, other times, it is easier to
keep our eyes on the prize and follow through.
The pastor's comment on Sunday seemed like mockery to me. How dare any one mock the Holy Spirit? These gifts are not limited to prophets and spiritual leaders but given to any believer in Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8
After all, the Holy Spirit resides in all believers. II Cor 5:17 The spirit lives in us. I have called on Him in the name of Jesus to heal. I pray for people and situations. I make effort to serve others. There are many people out there today "walking on water", and much more than me.
Any believer, in faith, can call on the name of Jesus to enable us to perform works of healing, surviving, sharing and giving. I John 2:6
Let's learn to recognize teaching that is not correct when we hear it. Do not see yourself as being less than you are through Christ.
Jesus is alive and well. What are you waiting for? Get out of the boat!
Amen ?
The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. Gen 21:8
In the verse above we see Isaac weaned off of milk so he could consume
solid food. Hebrew children were weaned at three to five years of age
and their religious training began at that time. In a spiritual way,
babes in Christ grow to taking solid food; the word of God. We grow
from taking God's word in literal form to reading with understanding as
we grow. We learned the 10 Commandments as children. As we mature and
grow in the understanding of Jesus, His sacrifice and the grace we have
through Him, we are said to be eating the "bread of life" - Jesus. We
realize we no longer need the milk (God's perfect law) because we cannot
grow healthy on just milk. We now have bread (the grace of Jesus).
Through understanding grace over law, we can mature in Jesus. We, as
Christians, can grow in understanding and reflect the light of Jesus in
this world.
Just a few years ago, I did not understand the bread
of Communion for healing. I saw speaking in tongues done in the wrong
way and did not accept it. There was a time that I did not believe in
anointing for healing. I thought the 10 Commandments were our absolute
law for living; that we could loose our salvation if we did not keep
them. I was self righteous; I was judgemental.. I did not have joy. I
thought the rapture was folklore. I recently realized that I did not
grasp the concept of the trinity. Over the past couple, or three, years
I have been shown the grace of God and my understanding of all these
things has come to light through scripture. I can now read with greater
understanding. I was the babe on milk until I was taught the grace of
God and found the bread of life; Jesus.
And you shall love the Lord your God out of with your whole heart, and
out of with all your soul and out of with your mind - with your faculty
of thought and your moral understanding - and out of with all your
strength. Mk 12:30 & 31
My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. II Cor 12:9
