There is a saying, "God will not give you more than we can handle". This is not true. The fact is He will. But God will not give us anything He can't handle.
Showing posts with label Suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suffering. Show all posts
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
To be torn apart, will we follow? . . .
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:5-11
Several years ago, while a group of people were praying for me, I was given two pictures by them. One was of a Lion in the desert, content under the shade of a tree. The other was me walking through thorns, being torn apart and bleeding, but behind me where the blood was flowers began to bloom. I liked the first picture, I don’t know that I could say I liked the second one. It scared me. At the time I was going through a difficult time, and didn’t see how I could handle this. But I am learning that if I am to truly minister in this world where sin has reeked so much havoc, the only way I can do that is to go through it, just as Christ did. Christ said that we our to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. This means that just as He humbled himself and came to a fallen broken earth and reached out to the hurting and despised, the drunk and harlots, and the sinners. He touched the lepers, the sick, and smelly beggars. He was born in a manger. He suffered and died. He took our sin upon himself. And we are to be like Christ.
Here is the paradox the picture of suffering and the picture of the strength and contentment of the Lion are the same. You can’t have one without the other. The slain Lamb is the Lion. And so we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing the strength, the joy, and the power of the Kingdom and the King that we serve.
Several years ago, while a group of people were praying for me, I was given two pictures by them. One was of a Lion in the desert, content under the shade of a tree. The other was me walking through thorns, being torn apart and bleeding, but behind me where the blood was flowers began to bloom. I liked the first picture, I don’t know that I could say I liked the second one. It scared me. At the time I was going through a difficult time, and didn’t see how I could handle this. But I am learning that if I am to truly minister in this world where sin has reeked so much havoc, the only way I can do that is to go through it, just as Christ did. Christ said that we our to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. This means that just as He humbled himself and came to a fallen broken earth and reached out to the hurting and despised, the drunk and harlots, and the sinners. He touched the lepers, the sick, and smelly beggars. He was born in a manger. He suffered and died. He took our sin upon himself. And we are to be like Christ.
Here is the paradox the picture of suffering and the picture of the strength and contentment of the Lion are the same. You can’t have one without the other. The slain Lamb is the Lion. And so we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing the strength, the joy, and the power of the Kingdom and the King that we serve.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Trying to figure out my mess, my broken heart, my sin
When I struggle or my heart is broken or I've failed or I don't feel anything at all, I find myself wanting to figure it all out. I rush to and fro trying to understand the situation, my heart, how to get better. I don't sleep at night and don't get things done in the day, because my mind is trying to wrap around the events and feelings. I am wanting to understand who I am and why.
As God's love washes over me, I am learning that I don't have to figure it all out. I don't have to run to and fro. There is only one place I need to run. And that is into the arms of Jesus. When I come to Him, He doesn't always give me the answers I was searching for or I thought I needed, or make it so that I have it all figured out. Instead of listening to us and fixing it, He loves us. . . He holds me in His arms and gives me Himself. I don't think the deep longings of our heart is to have everything fixed, I think the deep longing of our hearts are by a man who has given everything for us. It is a person, not an understanding, that meets our needs.
God cares for us. He says that He knows our needs. And we can trust Him. We are more valuable than lilies and sparrows.
". . . casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
As God's love washes over me, I am learning that I don't have to figure it all out. I don't have to run to and fro. There is only one place I need to run. And that is into the arms of Jesus. When I come to Him, He doesn't always give me the answers I was searching for or I thought I needed, or make it so that I have it all figured out. Instead of listening to us and fixing it, He loves us. . . He holds me in His arms and gives me Himself. I don't think the deep longings of our heart is to have everything fixed, I think the deep longing of our hearts are by a man who has given everything for us. It is a person, not an understanding, that meets our needs.
God cares for us. He says that He knows our needs. And we can trust Him. We are more valuable than lilies and sparrows.
". . . casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Monday, April 13, 2009
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
What is our only comfort in life and death?
Heidelberg Catechism Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Birthday Wish
What do you do when you are told that God has said, “no” to what you want most?
I heard this story of a man who was engaged to be married. He had the life he dreamed of, but he risked it all to help a slave escape to freedom. For this, he was put away in prison for five years. His fiancé faithfully waited those five years. When he was released from prison after those five years, he immediately went and helped another slave gain their freedom and was caught again. He was put in prison for another fifteen years. Another man was put into prison for not denying the gospel. He was taken away from his beloved and his children. His daughter was blind and he did not know how his family would be provided for. He longed to be there for his family, but he could not deny the gospel. Another man was engaged when he came to Christ. He knew that he could not marry his betrothed if she did not know Christ so he talked with her and shared with her the gospel. She became a believer. The country was Muslim so to become a Christian meant severe consequences, so they agreed to escape and be married. She never showed up at the meeting place. Her family found out that she had become a Christian and gave her to a Muslim man to be his wife. He would never see her again.
As my birthday nears, I have been thinking about the desires of my heart. If I were to ask God for a birthday present, what would I ask for? I have desires that are so deeply rooted in my heart and that I long for so intensely that I cry out to God, “It is only by Your mercy and grace that I could survive if these were taken away.” I know I could look at my desires. I could ask God to give me the desires of my heart, but I know that that is not a real prayer. I am not asking him to do that. Instead I am asking him to make me more dependent on Him, to trust Him more. To hold on to that treasure that is deeper than the things of this world. To hear His voice. To hold fast and to cling to Him, who is my life.
Off to the English Civil War
Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To warlike arms I fly.
True, a new mistress now I serve
The first foe in the field
And with a sterner faith embrace
The sword, a horse, a shield.
Yet this inconstancy is such
As thou too shalt adore.
I could not love thee, dear, so much
Loved I not honor more.
---- Richard Lovelace
I must love God more than the desires of my heart, or I don't have anything. All is loss compared to him. Abba, I pray that you set this truth deep in the roots of my heart, and may my heart be dependent on Thee. Command what Thou wilst, and grant what Thou commandest. My heart is Yours, my Lord.
I heard this story of a man who was engaged to be married. He had the life he dreamed of, but he risked it all to help a slave escape to freedom. For this, he was put away in prison for five years. His fiancé faithfully waited those five years. When he was released from prison after those five years, he immediately went and helped another slave gain their freedom and was caught again. He was put in prison for another fifteen years. Another man was put into prison for not denying the gospel. He was taken away from his beloved and his children. His daughter was blind and he did not know how his family would be provided for. He longed to be there for his family, but he could not deny the gospel. Another man was engaged when he came to Christ. He knew that he could not marry his betrothed if she did not know Christ so he talked with her and shared with her the gospel. She became a believer. The country was Muslim so to become a Christian meant severe consequences, so they agreed to escape and be married. She never showed up at the meeting place. Her family found out that she had become a Christian and gave her to a Muslim man to be his wife. He would never see her again.
As my birthday nears, I have been thinking about the desires of my heart. If I were to ask God for a birthday present, what would I ask for? I have desires that are so deeply rooted in my heart and that I long for so intensely that I cry out to God, “It is only by Your mercy and grace that I could survive if these were taken away.” I know I could look at my desires. I could ask God to give me the desires of my heart, but I know that that is not a real prayer. I am not asking him to do that. Instead I am asking him to make me more dependent on Him, to trust Him more. To hold on to that treasure that is deeper than the things of this world. To hear His voice. To hold fast and to cling to Him, who is my life.
Off to the English Civil War
Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To warlike arms I fly.
True, a new mistress now I serve
The first foe in the field
And with a sterner faith embrace
The sword, a horse, a shield.
Yet this inconstancy is such
As thou too shalt adore.
I could not love thee, dear, so much
Loved I not honor more.
---- Richard Lovelace
I must love God more than the desires of my heart, or I don't have anything. All is loss compared to him. Abba, I pray that you set this truth deep in the roots of my heart, and may my heart be dependent on Thee. Command what Thou wilst, and grant what Thou commandest. My heart is Yours, my Lord.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
heroes
My sister is fighting for her marriage. Her husband told her that he wants a divorce. What do you tell those women who choose to fight for a marriage even when they are being mistreated. Do you tell them, "God will make things better? Just have faith, things will be great." Or do you tell them, "I don't know what will happen, things may not be great, but God promises that He is with you, and even in the suffering He will be faithful, and in this you are so dear to Him. Press into Him."
There are stories of women, who have faithfully endured hard marriages for decades and continued to honor their husbands according to 1 Peter 3. There are not only wives in hard marriages, but many men and women in different situations who have chosen to suffer for the gospel's sake. Who are your heroes? I put these men and women, who did not pursue a better life, but instead one of a lifetime of suffering and faithfulness because they trusted God at His word, on my list of heroes.
1 Peter 2:18 says, "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if , when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you and example so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Likewise, wives . . ."
I don't know what will happen to my sister or how strong she will be (I don't know if I would be strong enough, myself) and I definitely press into prayer that God will bless her and restore her; but more importantly I pray that God will uphold her to stand on His word. And I pray that instead of running away from the pain, that God will allow me to help her carry it however long it takes.
There are stories of women, who have faithfully endured hard marriages for decades and continued to honor their husbands according to 1 Peter 3. There are not only wives in hard marriages, but many men and women in different situations who have chosen to suffer for the gospel's sake. Who are your heroes? I put these men and women, who did not pursue a better life, but instead one of a lifetime of suffering and faithfulness because they trusted God at His word, on my list of heroes.
1 Peter 2:18 says, "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if , when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you and example so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Likewise, wives . . ."
I don't know what will happen to my sister or how strong she will be (I don't know if I would be strong enough, myself) and I definitely press into prayer that God will bless her and restore her; but more importantly I pray that God will uphold her to stand on His word. And I pray that instead of running away from the pain, that God will allow me to help her carry it however long it takes.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Because of some circumstances, I have been thinking what would happen if I had a serious illness that could end in death and how I'd want others to respond. And my hope is that they would put their hope in God. I think it can be easy in these situations to focus on God healing the person, and hoping till the end that that person would be healed. And I don't think that is wrong as long as it doesn't become your hope. As I was thinking what I'd want if I were in that situation, love stirred in my heart. I'd rather die, if those I love ever put their hope in my being healed above their hope in God. You, see, God has been a good shephard for me and wherever He takes me I know He is good, whether it is the shadow of death or a pasture by still waters. I still would say pray for healing, but pray knowing that He is with me, now and forever, and that He is good now even in the midst of it and whatever the outcome might be! He is so good!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Love of God
A letter written to a friend
You alluded to the verse "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Funny, I have heard that quoted several times in the last few days. I find it interesting what comes after this. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." The promise of all things working together for good does not mean we will not face tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword. No, for his sake, for our Beloved's sake, "we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." But what it does mean is that His love breaks through all things no matter how bad and nothing can separate us from the love of our Beloved. It is about being in love. When your in love your deepest hearts desire is not to be separated from the one you love. He breaks through everything and we are swept away in His arms and by His love and that is truly "good".
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things: Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."
And indeed our position is secure in Him and He works all things for our good, "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified"
listen to this video: http://miykael-sehleon.blogspot.com/2008/03/blog-post.html#links
You alluded to the verse "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Funny, I have heard that quoted several times in the last few days. I find it interesting what comes after this. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." The promise of all things working together for good does not mean we will not face tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword. No, for his sake, for our Beloved's sake, "we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." But what it does mean is that His love breaks through all things no matter how bad and nothing can separate us from the love of our Beloved. It is about being in love. When your in love your deepest hearts desire is not to be separated from the one you love. He breaks through everything and we are swept away in His arms and by His love and that is truly "good".
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things: Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."
And indeed our position is secure in Him and He works all things for our good, "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified"
listen to this video: http://miykael-sehleon.blogspot.com/2008/03/blog-post.html#links
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Foriegn Faith
I am learning that faith is something that is foriegn to this world. Hebrews 11 is not a story of men who gained what they searched for here on earth. But they were a people who lived, loved, had good and bad, but trusted in their God. I read about Ezekiel where God came to him and told Ezekiel that his wife would die. Eziekiel did not shrink back but trusted in the goodness of his Shephard. Others lost their life. This is a people who could cry out, "All is well with my soul" because they knew who the designer and builder was. And how sweet it is to know Him whose right hand is wrapped around us at all times.
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