Food for thought...

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

I spent some time this morning with w good friend of mine, who (as always) made a few uncomfortable observations... Over the last year or so we have been faced with a number of really big challenges especially relating to our finances. Our faith is a really easy one as long as you ensure that you don't actually allow God too close! If you keep God securely locked in a little box shoved to the back of your cupboard (and you manage to keep Him there) you will find an easy faith. As soon as you open "Pandora's box" and allow God to work in your life then things take on a somewhat different note.

Firstly you discover that God love you without reservation or requirement from your side. Sounds good until you come to grips that God loves you (even when you are living an "upright, godly" life) no more than the local pimp or drug dealer. You are not more valuable than a wife batterer or child molester or murderer...

Then you discover that God actually expects you to relinquish control of your life and trust Him completely without reservation! This means with every aspect of your life, no matter how private or personal!

If you are prepared to BELIEVE GOD then you will realise that we are where we are because of who God is. Yes this is even (or perhaps especially) in the hard times. God is concerned primarily with who we are, and not with what we have! "but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done"

Glorious...

In the words of the David Crowder band: "You make everything glorious, I am yours, so what does that make me?" The answer (obviously) is glorious! Its not everyday that we use the word glorious in our lives so according to dictionary.com it means... "brilliantly beautiful or magnificent; splendid,delightful; wonderful; completely enjoyable" Okay so that is quite a definition, not only of what God has done, but also of what we are... I went diving this morning with Greg, the water was clear and I was struck with how beautiful everything was.. not only that but how everything changed all the time. The sand on the ocean floor creates patterns (all of them flowing and beautiful) and changes constantly... I guess a whole lot like our lives, constantly changing and flowing and becoming something new, something GLORIOUS! So take courage, we are becoming all that God has destined for us to be...

The truth especially is not always easy!

Jas 1:2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.

Okay, so we all know the scripture and can sprout it off every time we stub our toe, however how easy is it to live? When you suddenly discover that your business is failing, your marriage is broken, your kids think you suck and you have spent so much time at work that the dog barks at you when you get home, how easy is it to say, "God, You are faithful and true and I will trust in You!" Easy in theory, ne? But it practice? God has put in me a desire to lead people, to walk with His people into a real and living experience of Him, and yet every time I am faced with the hard parts of God's word (things like tried and tested), I run as hard and fast in the opposite direction as possible (like that actually helps)! Remember Jonah? He still had to go through the whole obedience to God thing (and he got there in a really uncomfortable style) despite his fear and desire to run. So I guess the moral of the story is to turn, face God and run toward His goodness and Grace and embrace what He puts before us!

On this a blustery day...

Isaiah 41:13
For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, fear not; I will help you!

Who said that we could come to Jesus, everything will be okay, easy sailing, no worries? Well they lied. Truth be told, if you want a nice easy, stress free and unchallenging, stay away from a relationship with Jesus! This way you will not be challenged not grow and not reach your full potential (you will however have a fairly easy time of it...) He did however say we would not need to do this alone! He said He will hold our hands and will help us. The challenges are therefore not too much, not more than we can bear and not going to overwhelm us (even if it feels like they will!) James says rejoice when we are faced with many trials because it is intentional (God has ensured that it will not be easy). So take heart, help is on the way... ;)