Reflections, January 25th, 2009

Sunday, January 25^th, 2009

Now, the Word of God is like a balm that soothes and heals the broken hearted and wounded. The Word of God is a source of encouragement, instruction, and admonition. The Word of God brings discipline, chastisement, correction. The Word of God delivers hope and faith to thirsty and hungry hearts, that desire truth and righteousness within their lives. It can sometimes seem that God is not answering our prayers. That He does not care or, is not concern with the struggles that we face in this life. Some can feel, at times, as though God does not understand and has abandoned them. But how many have lived their lives pleasing God, and following what God instructs them to do? How many have been astonished by what God has done in their lives? If not, it's time to start listening.

As always, it is my fondest prayer that this week's Reflection would be a source of encouragement and enlightenment for your soul. I pray, that as you draw nearer to God, that you would receive the revelation of His word, and understand the mysteries thereof. Remember, that the word of God is a lamp for your feet and the light that will guide your path into all righteousness. May you follow the instructions of the loving Father, that you may be astonished by what God has truly prepared for you.

Sometimes we have the habit of asking God over and over again to do something. We'll wait, for a short while, and then ask again. In the world we live in today, where there seems to be instant gratification for every need conceivable, we may begin to expect God to adhere to that same philosophy of, instant gratification. If that is what you expect when you pray; if that is the relationship you expect from God, then you will be waiting a very long time.

God is not a quick fix for our current problems and situations. He is a long term God. A Father who is in it for the long haul. From beginning to end. From eternity to eternity. And because He loves us the way He does, He will not allow us to continue on a path of self destruction. And, on a path of hopelessness and despair. He loves us way, too, much.

The heavenly Father understands you, and knows your needs before you even have them. He understands who you are and what you have been through. And He still admonishes us that He will never leave us or forsake us. That He is ever present when we need Him. It is a hard realization to come to the knowledge that it is we that have abandoned God, and not God us.

Don't think you've abandoned God? Sometimes it is not easy to see what we are doing, because of things we may be facing at the time. But have you noticed that you don't talk to God as much as you used to? Have you noticed that you have stopped seeking the will of God, or His instruction? Have you been less interested in a what a man or woman of God has to say concerning a relationship with the Father? Do you find yourself pulling away from fellowship, or from the house of worship? Sometimes these things are subtle, and they happen in small increments. Then there are times we just outright give up, and declare that God does not love us, that He does not care, because the pain that we are facing is just, too, hard to bare. It is so excruciating, that it feels as though that we are going to die at any moment. It really does feel as though God has abandoned us. But He hasn't. He is right there, watching us. Reaching toward us. But we can't recognize His hand, because we are blinded by the searing pain in hearts, and the tears that constantly fill our eyes.

There are times that we can't seem to see past the storms that are raging in our lives, and the loss's we have suffered, and the disappointments that we have endured. It doesn't seem fair, and the pain unbearable. But that's when you are closest to God. That is when, your flesh has no more to give, and you are weak, and God can finally be made strong in your life. When the flesh can no longer fight against the spirit, and must subject itself totally to the will of a loving and restoring God.

Does God allow this on purpose? No. Yet when we live a life that is exclusive of God, it opens us to the attacks and onslaught of the enemy. The enemy is always lurking and seeking a way into our lives, into hearts and minds. In first Peter, it tells that the enemy walks around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us. The last thing that Satan wants is for us to trust and believe in God. The last thing that he wants us to do is have hope. If he can destroy our hop, he has crushed our faith. Because faith is the substance of all things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1).

Make no mistake, that the enemy whispers into our ears, and will try to convince us, that because God did not answer our prayers yet, because we have or continue to suffer such travail, because God seems to be taking so long, that God does not care, neither does He love us. The devil is a liar! But if you entertain those thoughts long, they will eventually seep into your spirit, into your heart, and wreak havoc in your life and emotions.

You know, sometimes life isn't fair. But God's favor is just. Sometimes things, terrible things, are going to happen, because we live in a world that is not governed by God, but by Satan. We live in a world that is always subject to corruption, injustice, and downright disobedience to God. There are times when we will be effected by the things of this world. We will suffer, just as Christ suffered. But we can determine to press on, and believe the Word of God. Believe that God is a promise keeper, and knows what we are in need of. God has designed it that every problem we face, is an opportunity for us to develop the solution that He has placed in us. We are the solutions to the problems.

When you are in an intimate relationship with God, you will come to understand, that whatever you endure upon this earth, that God has equipped you to go through. Not only that, but He has designed you to take your pain and suffering, and make it work for you. DO something about it. Perhaps you endured a tragedy so that truth can come to light. Maybe you suffered a loss, so that you can rise up and become a voice for those that suffer the same. Maybe, just maybe, you were born to save someone else's life. We don't know everything when we come into this world. But we do have an instruction manual to guide us. The Word of God. But if we do not read it. If it just decorates our bookshelves, and only accompanies us to Sunday services, then we do a disservice to ourselves.

God is speaking to us, but many of us do not hear. He is giving instructions for a better life. He wants to bless us beyond our imagination. He wants to delver us from our pain. He is watching and waiting. Waiting for us to grab His outstretched hand, and follow what He tells us to do next. God will astonish you with the revelations that He has for you. He will make a seemingly dry place, overflow with water. He will make an empty cup, fill and spill over. But you will never know, if you don't first found out about who God truly is. Even in the midst of your hurt and pain, you might never know how soothing His love can be. How much like a soothing salve, His love can be, if you never know His Word. If you never come to recognize His voice and follow His instructions which always lead to an abundance. Abundance of love, joy, hope, faith, health and even finances.

"And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."

Luke 5:1-10

May the Word of God find a special place in your heart this week. Allow the words of our living God to fill your hearts and minds, and bring you comfort in ways you may have never known or, have forgotten about. I pray that the spirit of prosperity will rest in every area of your life: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Know that God loves you, and is right there waiting to astonish you. Nothing is impossible for God, if you'd just believe. God Bless.

©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.