God Prepares

Psalm 147:5 - Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

Reading the account in Luke the other morning about Zacharias and Elizabeth and how God intervened in their lives to bring forth a son, John (the Baptist), who would in the appropriate time announce Jesus as the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. (Luke 1)

It reminded me of something I read previously in our study of Revelation and which I've known for a long time: that God is in control and that every day He is working out His plan. We don't see it but He is setting the stage in all of our lives. We might run into someone ever so briefly but they might be there for a reason.

Here's what the study said: What lengthy struggle has God required you to endure? Is He calling you to keep praying, to keep trusting Him with deep emotional wounds, sickness or loneliness? How can you rely on His provision when you do not see resources? Think deeply about the characteristics of God as a source of peace and strength. Know He loves you, and His timing incorporates greater purposes than you can understand. (Bible Study Fellowship, Lesson 12...emphasis is mine!)

Exactly! I've long believed that God works behind the scenes putting circumstances and people in order to bring about His will in everyone's life. We may not always respond the way we should, especially if we do not know this. But if we do know, we can look at circumstances differently. We can know that what we see is just part of His plan and to pretty much go with the flow. We can trust that: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah‬ ‭55:9)‬ ‭Praise God for that! 

Back to Luke 1. Just months before Mary would conceive Jesus, the stage was being set for John to usher Him in years later. All part of His plan. And as we read in Luke 1 we see odd things happening: Zacharias loses his ability to speak, barren Elizabeth conceives. Mary conceives, without knowing a man, at the six-month time of Elizabeth's pregnancy, and my favorite part, when Mary visits Elizabeth: And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke‬ ‭1:41‬) That yet unborn baby John knew the presence of that yet born Savior of the world. Nothing is impossible with God, to coin a scripture!

We won't be told for what purpose things are happening, although God could do that. But we have these past experiences to stand on. God is in control. Our lives are all intertwined somehow. I know you, you know me. Maybe we don't see a connection, but there's a good chance there is. Hmmmm.

It's not always about a struggle, either, although it's when we are waiting (im)patiently or having to endure something that we might wonder why. Just trust in the Lord. Pray about the situation. Let Him know you are, or want to, trust Him for His results.

Proverbs 3:5-7a - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes...  

Let It Go

1John 2:5 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Hey, another post from nine years ago! God's Word is timeless.

Yesterday it was impressed upon me that there is nothing more important in this life than having a fear of the Lord. Nothing else in this world matters as much as that reverent fear. Our whole spiritual life and eternal life hinges on this fear. If we fear the Lord we will make a concerted effort to please God, obey his statutes and live according to His will.

A couple in our church gave a testimony on Sunday. Their house burned down Christmas Eve destroying everything. There was nothing left worth trying to restore. As devastating as that was they trusted the Lord. There were questions, of course.  Why? Why Christmas Eve? Despite the sorrow of having lost all their things they learned that it was just that--things. Their lives were not destroyed and God was still with them. What more could they need? Their house and their furnishings could be replaced and their lives would be restored. Their God had been alongside them. An amazing story and one which I cannot fathom.  Steve explained how he was awakened by the sound of tapping on their bedroom window--but no one was there. It was either sleet or God. Whichever, it allowed the entire family to escape destruction. They have been able to rebuild and restore--debt free. Anything they chose not to keep others would ask if they could buy. They gave the things away and the Lord provided for their needs.

So...I have fretted for about a day now at the loss of something that I have deemed important! And I'm sorry to say it's nothing like losing everything. I have misplaced or thrown out completely, a week's worth of slides from a bike trip I took in 1987. I can see some of the pictures in my mind. In the process of bemoaning the loss, I have come to have a sense of peace about it. I have kept telling myself they were just photos. I still have the memories--to the best of my recollection.  

I'm thankful the Lord works in us to teach us and show us what truly is important. When we get the idea, the reality, the fact that the Lord of all the earth is the most important object (for lack of better word) of our affection, the better off we are. We will have obtained the most precious bit of wisdom. He created us for His pleasure, not that we should put all our emphasis on the pleasure of the things of the world that have very little meaning. I'm not saying we shouldn't look back and be grateful for the experiences of life that He has given us. Oh no! They are part of our growth and makeup. But it's today that counts. The loss of those photos have not crippled me. What's more important is what I am doing for Him today.

I'm still in a process of learning. I will always be there. I praise God that little by little He is showing me what truly IS important. I'm thankful that as I continue to seek Him above all things, He will instill more and more godliness into my spirit, that the world's pleasures would matter very little.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  ...godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.  (Matthew 6:33, 1Timothy 4:8)

Father God, there is nothing in the world as great and as important as You. I praise you for the lessons of life I have learned and how You have steered me to where I am despite my wrong turns, doubts and wanderings. Lord, I ask that you take hold of my hand and my heart yet again today and in the days ahead and continue to show me what is important. My greatest desire now is to sit at Your feet and learn obedience and Your desires for my life. In Your name I pray.  Amen.

Empty Altars

Philippians 4:6 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God...

Are the altars empty in our churches? Have we gotten to a place of such comfort and complacency in our lives we feel we do not need to seek God for His wisdom for our needs/lives? Do we rely on the prayers of others to accomplish that? Are our altars at home just as empty?

It has been a discussion among a few that we as a church need to be asking the people in our church to freely come to the altar and seek God directly. Don't wait to be asked; go at any time. Let our pride go and know that each of us is pretty much in the same place somehow in our lives...in need of answers from the Lord. We all need to know, although it should be a given, that no one will judge (or shouldn't) because we are a needy people, as much as some don't want to think so.

We don't need to go through prayer partners to be prayed over weekly. We need to be going directly to the Lord with our petitions, supplications...and just sitting at His feet listening intently for His words for us. Oh, we can agree in prayer (where two or more are gathered in His name...) but seeking God first is always the best thing. And seek Him for "whatever" with thanksgiving...always with thanksgiving.

The thought in some churches is not to make anyone uncomfortable. It's easier to cover up a person's need for prayer by saying something like "whatever your request is, come for prayer" instead of addressing a specific need or sin. I suppose that's okay. But there's something about coming forward on one's own, standing, kneeling or lying prone before the altar to seek God for the prayers we have.

Oh my, how God wants us to come directly to Him. How would our lives be transformed if we did that? Might we see more results or hear directly from Him regarding our situation? I understand how praying with someone is our responsibility and how sometimes it's nice to hear actual words where God can be silent. There's nothing wrong with seeking prayer from someone. And there's nothing wrong with receiving a word of knowledge from someone either. But it should not be a replacement for our Almighty God. Seeking man's intervention is not anything like having Jesus as our Mediator. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus... (1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV)

An altar is where we worship God. It is where we bring our sacrifices and offerings, lay our troubles down. We bring ourselves to Him. We sacrifice ourselves to Him. We worship Him there. It's where we come to the Lord fully trusting He hears our prayers, as He says He does. It's trusting His will will be done in our situation...whether it's how we imagined it or not...and still continuing to trust.

Have you gone to your altar today? Have you sought the Lord wherever your altar might be? Have you set up an altar? Remember, we are the Temple of God if we have received Christ. Within that temple there is an altar...it goes wherever you do. What does going to the altar, wherever you might be, do:

Philippians 4:7 - ...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Need answered prayers? Need peace? Need wisdom? Need Jesus? Go to that altar and seek Him.

Sacrifice, Death, Life

Genesis 22:1-3 - Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him."

Where do I start this morning? Oh, I suppose at the altar! This goes along with the blog the other day about Jesus having gone before us…to His own altar, to His cross. This is more about the cross, the meaning of it, the meaning of dying to self, of giving all to God and letting Him handle our situations, about trusting Him for all things. It's a very important topic.

Our pastor, Rory Grooters, preached this message: Altar Calls: God's Private Places of Testing and Trust. After hearing Pastor Dan's message last week, Come and Die, this message is even more of a reminder of what we are called to do as true believers of Christ.

Like Abraham who took his son, Isaac, to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice per God's request, God sacrificed His son, Jesus. Isaac's life was spared. It was a test for Abraham to see how much he trusted his God's commands. Jesus, although He died, arose to life. (As an aside, Mt. Moriah became the site of today's Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Uh, Jerusalem, Jesus. Isaac, Mt. Moriah. A sacred place to God.) 

The altar is a place of sacrifice. Sacrifice means death. But then death means life, in God's eyes. There are many who can't or will not make that sacrifice…the very first one being giving our lives to Christ. After that the sacrifices should be daily: Here I am, Lord. It is a new day. Take my life and do what you will with it. I am Yours. To die is to live and gain, according to Your plans.

It is important to know that Jesus is Lord. Jesus is the only Way, Truth and Life. No one goes to the Father except by Him. This world is in a downward spiral. There is deception by an enemy that we will not be able to run from and which is growing larger and stronger...a real enemy. But Jesus is our hope. 

I know internet, blogs, emails could very well be monitored for content. It seems unlikely that little, ole me would be spotted out, but you never know… I know that standing for the truth could be costly some day...it could cost friends, family, lives. We know that there is an infiltration within our own government of this enemy. Our current president is bowing to it. There are factions within our government who, somewhere down the line have ties to terrorism, to control this nation, to control the world, to kill the infidels! And this particular infidel means anyone who believes in Jesus Christ.

But I know Who the Way, Truth and Life is. I trust that no matter what might happen to me, He will see me through. This trust only comes from laying my hopes, my dreams, my fears, my life down at God's altar, like Jesus did…not My will, but Yours, be done. Yes, not my will, Lord, but Yours.

What do I have to fear in this world? The physical world is governed by men. There is a spiritual world  governed by God. This spiritual world has greater importance. It is important to know the Ruler of this spiritual world. There is a bumper sticker: No peace, no God; Know Peace, Know God. There's more truth to that than you can imagine.

We were called to the altar in church yesterday to place whatever we needed to at the foot of the cross and offer it as a sacrifice. Give it to God and trust He will provide. As pastor told us: the altar calls take us from where we want to be to where God wants us to be. It's where we lay it all on the line. It's where we place our hope in God's hands. We trust God will provide, like He did for Abraham. Like He did for Jesus when He provided life out of death. 

We cannot have hope of any consequence without first knowing Jesus. He showed us what we are to do. He spent time with His Father privately; then went out publicly to do His Father's will. The most impressive and public moment of Jesus' life was after He went into the Garden of Gethsemane and gave Himself to the Father…then He carried His own cross and died…for us.

The altar means we die to self, carry our own cross…sacrifice our own hopes and dreams for God's. It's dying to live and knowing that when we do God will provide. We need to understand the very heart of the meaning of what Jesus did for us.

So, we must sacrifice our own lives, die to self and receive Christ. We must let go of the things that prevent us from knowing the absolute truth of who God is. We must let go of the pride and arrogance of being self-made people. Self must die. With this death, praise God, comes a new life, in Christ, and eternal life at that. We must decrease so God can increase (John 3:30).

Will we be asked to physically give our lives for Christ? We don't know for sure. Some will. Would we be willing to? Or would we deny Christ to save our mortal lives? This is where we need to lay it all at the foot of the cross…now. It's where God's will in our lives gives us the strength, peace and hope for our future…now.

We have an enemy. This enemy is gaining ground. What we see happening in the world today was written about thousands of years ago. If we don't see it, we are truly lost. The enemy did not start in the physical…he is spiritual and has taken root in the very souls of our enemy. If we don't understand this, we will not be prepared. There will be no government to save us. Government cannot save us: only Jesus Christ can.

Are you willing to lose your life for Christ that you might live? Or do you want to save your earthly life…and thus lose it?

Matthew 16:25 - For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]. (Amplified version)

Him

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.(Philippians 4:6, John 14:1, 2Corinthians 4:17, Psalm 38:15, Psalm 3:4, John 16:33)

What have I said in the past about things not always being just coincidence? These five scriptures were sent this past week from K-LOVE, a national Christian radio station. One by one I read them and at last realized they were speaking to me on the very things I'd been sensing lately...and what I've been writing about. 

In a nutshell...don't worry...fear not...seek God and seek Him for whatever you need. If you seek, He will respond. Our trust is in Him and Him alone.

If His Word tells us these things, then maybe we really need to listen. Maybe we need to start taking God for His word, trusting Him like we've never done before. Seek Him and His guidance for our lives. Seek Him in all things. It's His "job" to help us, but we need to ask for it. 

I've heard some say He's too busy to ask directly and they seek a long gone saint. These saints are just that, gone. Jesus is here, now, He knows the beginning from the end and knows the intent of every person's heart at any given time. He's not too busy. He's omniscient...having an infinite awareness and understanding. That's our God!

He wants us to seek Him, ask Him and trust Him. He is our Mediator. He already knows all about us and what we need. Do we want to know what marvelous things He has for us? Do we want to be continually challenged by His power? Do we want to seek Him for what He wants to do within us that we might be more like Him? Our wisdom and understanding come from seeking Him. Our strength comes from seeking Him. Our protection comes in seeking Him. Our fear is diminished when we seek Him. 

What more can I say? 

Psalm 9:10 - And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. 

Duct Tape of Life

2Chronicles 20:3,6,9 - [King] Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout...and said: "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? ...If disaster comes upon us--sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine--we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save."

What an appropriate sermon for Father's Day. As many celebrated their own earthly Father's Day, we all were able to celebrate and rejoice in our Heavenly Father! It is all about His strength and provision, especially when we seek Him in a time of need...at a time when we may have been waiting for answered prayer.

The sermon Pastor Rory Grooters preached was geared around King Jehoshaphat, a godly king who once in his life really slipped up. There was a "hiccup" in his life. But God...forgave him and he was still held dear in God's eyes.

Although the message was mainly for men Sunday morning, it could pertain to anyone who has hoped for something and have not seen it happen yet; for those promises God has planted in lives for which His timing is not yet fulfilled; for those who wish to step out...and out of God's will...to attempt to bring this thing about...knowing in the back of their minds God calls us to wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31) because His timing is perfect (Acts 1:7).

The songs we sang were precious! Tis' so sweet to trust in Jesus...just to take Him at His Word..." Yes! Trust in Him. Pastor's reminder to pretty much let go and let God were evidenced in the scriptures in 2Chronicles 20. A mighty enemy was out to destroy Jehoshapat and Judah. But instead of going out to seek man's counsel, King Jehoshaphat chose to enter into a place of seclusion and seek God, much like Jesus did every day of His life.

Oh, how this is to be our example. Seek God. Cry out to him and say, 2Chronicles 20:12: O our God..[I] have no power against this [thing for which I am burdened]; nor do [I] know what to do, but [my] eyes are upon You.  To this the Lord would say (verses 15 and 17): ... "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this [thing for which you are burdened], for the battle is not yours, but God's...You will not need to fight in this battle....for the LORD is with you."   That was when Jehoshaphat bowed his head to the ground. He humbled himself before the Lord acknowledging his weakness and the Lord's strength.

But there's more! Hallelujah!! Jehoshaphat was told to go out and fight against this great enemy. Like he, who went out before his army, we are to go out in like manner and sing the praises of our strong and mighty God, remembering that His mercy endures forever (2Chronicles 20:21). If we do this, with our hearts trusting a God who looks after His children, He will come through in ways we cannot imagine.

Earthly fathers aren't quite able to do for us just what our Heavenly Father, who knows every detail of our lives and who takes care of those who are called His children. He is faithful and just (1John 1:9), not just to forgive us of our sins, but to do this very thing.

We will always have bouts of discouragement, fear or other human frailties throughout our lives. We might even wonder if we have failed Him in some way to not receive the blessing(s) of this fulfilled dream of ours, but God... Sometimes it's we who take back what we have given Him once before in prayer instead of laying it at the altar and leaving it before His feet...as a sacrifice of sorts. A sacrifice of love and trust in a God who wants to be our all in all.

Praise God for whom all blessings flow...if we believe what He tells us, shouldn't we stand secure in our praises? Jehoshapat did and his battle was won, not because he was strong and mighty but because he yielded to God and His power and strength. Oh, how it is so not about us!

There were four pyramids of duct tape lined up behind Pastor for the dads. Why? Because duct tape is truly a guy thing! They know the strength and many uses of it. It holds things together. Sometimes men feel they need to be in control, that they are able to do on their own. They might feel as though they need to be the duct tape in life, that they need to hold things together. Women can do the same, although maybe not with duct tape! Jehoshaphat and Jesus, however, are both good examples of yieldedness. They looked to God, not themselves.

Jesus can be the duct tape in our lives. With Him as our Center He can hold us together so much more stronger than any ol' duct tape! He will stick to you like a brother (Proverbs 18:24) and give you strength (Psalm 18:1—2).  As was stated in a scripture Pastor read...God's faithfulness is His character/nature: If we are faithless, He remains, for He cannot deny Himself  (2Timothy 2:13). 

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid...; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

What Has the Locust Taken?

Joel 2:25 - "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you."

One of the promises of God is written above. Even as followers of Christ we have something for which we desire a change. Prayers sometimes seem to go unanswered. We have to cling to that unseen hope, knowing that God's will is going to prevail. Everything is in His time.

I've heard of miraculous things happening in the lives of people. Perhaps the restoration of a marriage or relationship that had gone sour. Perhaps the salvation of a spouse. Even the healing of an individual who was thought would die. There was even the account of a woman whose husband was not a follower of Christ and pronounced with a life threatening illness. He readily accepted the Lord at that point and she said of all their married years, despite the eventual outcome, it was the best year of their marriage. For many others it's a loved one who has turned away from God.

Why is it when something has been taken away or lost that we finally tend to realize its worth? Even our things. Our things, however, which we can hold to too dearly sometimes, can be replaced but if it's other than stuff, like relationships, in our life, it's much harder. Sometimes relationships will be treated like stuff; if it's lost, just replace it. But oh the real joy if true restoration occurs.

I think on the relationship I had with my father. His alcoholism became the thing that separated us because over the years it became intolerable and kept me away from him. I did not know Jesus at that time. Then when Alzheimer's struck at the end of his life, somehow the Lord brought healing. Not so much restoration because of the circumstances, but peace and lost love on my part, because I had the opportunity to lead Him to Christ. He did not change so much, but I sure did.

There are broken relationships all over...between those who called themselves believers and even among those who are not. In both cases the circumstances are difficult to bear. The difference is knowing and being able to rely on Jesus during it all and knowing where our hope comes from. God gives us the patience to endure. What does a person do without that hope and the promises He brings if there is no relationship with Him? The difference is the ability to have greater peace and the ability to forgive and let Jesus do the healing. What a great God we have.

Even within the Church restoration is necessary. We do not always see what God's plans are and we become anxious for change. He knows what needs to take place and we need to wait upon Him. If His truth Has been compromised, we may be waiting awhile. Like broken relationships, if we have broken our relationship with God, it is He who will bring the change, often within us. But for those who wait, the years the locust has taken will be restored.

Prayer plays an important part in all this, of course. Praying into the situation...for all involved. Throw away the victim mentality, the "why me." Stuff happens. It just does. It happens to everyone. Prayer will bring about that communication with God and show your desire for change...more often a change within yourself to accept and trust God for that change.

Job underwent one tragedy after another with the loss of his children and his property, despite His close walk with God. He was considered righteous but he suffered hardships just the same. A good example for us. He was about as down as a man could be. Even his wife said he should just curse God and die. His friends were of no help as they spoke more words to discourage than encourage. Some friends! Despite it all, He clung to one strand of hope. We are all going to go through times of adversity. That's where knowing the Lord is the only way to survive.

God's plans for His children are for good, not evil. Something is in the works in His atmosphere, His spiritual realm. He is putting things in order for the day of reconciliation. That's where our hope can be if we know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Another thought: that day of reconciliation may also be in the final days when we are reunited with Christ!

It can be a long, difficult walk. It may be a walk with "boulders" on the path or great divides to get across. But if Jesus is our Guide, He will show us the way. He will show us when to sit and rest and give us refreshing along the difficult road. He will show us when to make a turn for a safer passage. We need to trust in Him to bring about the perfect outcome of this journey in life. He restores our souls, as Psalm 23:3 tells us.

If there is a need, in your life, a reconciliation or restoration, look to the One who can provide the peace and bring that back time that has been taken away. We don't know how He does it, but by God's Divine nature it does! Sometimes we are given peace and the humility to submit to the situation. It might be we who need to change before the thing can be restored. A hard word sometimes. Pride and stubbornness can get in our way and until they are taken care of, God's plans take a little longer.

If we heed His voice, providing we know it, those plans that we view as unfair or evil, will turn into good. Praise God that He is into restoring the years of any circumstance. Praise Him that better days are ahead. To add to the word God gave to Joel above...

Job 42:10, 12 - And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning...

THERE IS NO MOTHER NATURE!

Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and Divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Wow, what a weekend this was! From the tornadoes in our southeast to the marriage of Prince William and Catherine in London to the beatification of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican to the death of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. Can you say overload and do you think God was not aware of it all? He continues to lay the groundwork for some huge Master plan.

We saw the disasters of the tornadoes. As I got myself caught up last weekend I heard a report from someone who tried to explain these weather phenomena from a scientific point of view...global warming. However, God is in control of our weather. Psalm 42:7 describes whose weather it is: Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me.

Some might say it's about judgment on our country. It could be. I'm just saying that He could be showing all people His power. He is showing us Himself. There should be no excuse for anyone not to see the presence of God through nature. He declares this Himself, above in Romans. He knows He will be sending His Son back to this earth one more time. He has tried repeatedly to get our attention, just like He did with Israel in the Old Testament...to get us to notice Him, trust in Him, follow Him. When are we ever going to get it right? But then all throughout our 6,000 years of human life there have always been some who have resisted acknowledging Him. What is it going to take to get people to recognize Him when He shows us Himself every day?

We need to open our eyes and don't you wish that's all I had to say!!

On Fox News I cringed when I heard one of the morning news broadcasters with a sympathetic look on his face say something about Mother Nature. It just stabs at my heart when I hear this. THERE IS NO MOTHER NATURE, people!! But there is an all powerful God who has hung the stars in the sky and has named each one of them. Wake up and smell the coffee, then go out and take the time to smell the roses! Notice everything around you and thank God for the opportunity to see His splendor right before your eyes.

If this is God's attempt at showing people who He is so they will recognize Him in the midst of these storms, I hope they are seeing Him. These people devastated by loss of home and worse yet, family, have probably come to a realization that they are at a bottom of their lives. They are defenseless and incapable of doing little on their own for a time. This is when the Lord Jesus Christ wants to step in and bring us up out of the pit and show Himself as the ONLY hope in this life.

We are not to cling to the things of this world. Moth and rust can destroy them but the things of God are forever and much more precious than gold and silver...even our Creative Memories photo albums or accessories or all the things we think we need to make our lives simpler. The simple reality, which is hard to get our distorted minds around, is all we need is Jesus. Without Him we are nothing and we have no security when all is said and done in our lives.

Where we end our days is what is important, not all that we have clung to so tightly. Oh, God allows us to have nice things in life, but we should be able to tell ourselves that if we didn't have this we would make due. Can any of us truly, with every ounce of our being, do that? I would guess that most people who have something of value would find it hard to give it up.

These people who have lost all they owned will rely on others to help them through this time. They will be taken in, clothed and fed. That shows the care, concern and resolve of others. Thank God for people who are willing to help. It's as it should be. They will bounce back slowly with a new home and new things. Bouncing back is strengthened even more when there is a strong reliance on Jesus...our burdens may be heavy but His yoke in our lives makes them light.

Where will people put their trust? Faith and trust in Jesus is something that takes time to develop. It doesn't always come overnight. It's probably why His Word, back in Isaiah 55:6, says to seek Him now while He can still be found and call on Him while He is near.

These people who have survived this disaster still have another chance to seek the Lord. I've heard an occasional person on the news say the Lord got them through. Oh, how I love to hear that! God wants us to let go of anything that gets in our way of knowing Him. How are we faring who have not seen this type of disaster? What do we need to let go of? Will He have to go to extremes or will we voluntarily let go? I think it can work both ways for anyone.

Prayers go out to these people that their lives can be recovered. Prayers are even stronger that if they do not know the love of Christ, that they are met face to face with Him in their time of need. Let the knowledge of Him be realized.

I'm so thankful that He meets us where we are, often in a time of brokenness, and reveals Himself to us. I'm so thankful that He does not leave us where we are but takes us to such heights in our lives...as well some valleys...and even in the valleys He is with us and continuing to work in us. He never wants us to remain the same but to daily begin to grow more and more into His likeness, to conform to His image...something He will do in any person who calls on Him, receives Him as Lord and Savior and follows Him. He's here for all people.

He is here now awaiting the decision in the hearts of those who have not given themselves over to Him. If He needs to use the weather, then go for it, Lord! Take notice. If a storm enters your life, He may be calling you to trust in Him. Don't ignore that call. He loves you that much... Use today's time to begin to take notice of Him. Thank Him for a hint of the knowledge of Him.

1Timothy 2:3-6 - ...for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Jesus Christ, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time...

Wait and See

Psalm 73:26 - My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I've been somewhat burdened in my heart about our church. We have gone through several difficult times ... or has it just seemed like times when in actuality it's been a constant thing and there have just been times of respite? Whatever the case, if feels like we are in a place where we are about as low as we can go! It seems the only way is up and the only way up is by God's hand outstretched to pull us up. Man can do nothing right now. And yet there's also a realization that we could still have more difficulties ahead.

There have been changes and changes and more changes. I believe that is good despite being in the midst of what seems unsettling. And this is not to say I am always burdened. I still enjoy fellowshipping in Sunday school and enjoy the fresh messages and style of a new pastor and the in-depth Bible studies we have in Women's Ministries.

Yesterday as I was driving home from running a couple errands I was thinking again...or was it yet...about how long we've waited to sense the true presence of God in our church. Was I missing something? Has everyone? I recalled years ago when the sifting and shaking began under the leadership of a new pastor. People left in clumps. Some were friends to me, this somewhat new, yet beginning to grow, Christian. I looked up to these women. I wanted to be like them.

And then they left. And I sensed they left with the wrong heart attitude and I was confused. I pleaded with God, "What am I supposed to do? Am I missing something here? Why do I not feel I should leave? Who am I, Lord, still learning, to recognize the attitudes of these mature Christians? Might not all that is happening be part of Your will...and they don't see it? Might You have been determined to move them on to another level somewhere else? Might You have needed them in another church?" Oh, the questions. 

I'll tell you, I was confused. I know we are none of us perfect and prone to let our human emotions take over...if we are not first seeking God in whatever the circumstance might be. I just didn't get it!

So on my way home yesterday the barrage of thoughts. And that still small voice that I mentioned yesterday reminded me once again of what He had said years ago as an answer to all my questions. The answer back then wasn't exactly definitive about why these people left because I think I already knew, but He was concerned just with me for the moment. As if He were right next to me I heard: "I want you to stay, dig in your heels, get involved and watch what I'm going to do." Wow, talk about a wake up call! In essence, wait on Him but busy myself in that wait.

So, like I said, yesterday I was reminded of those words about waiting to see what He was going to do. As they crept through my mind, I opened my mouth and out loud said, "But God" and stopped immediately. I don't know if I stopped myself or God did. I just clamped my mouth shut, knowing I shouldn't--or couldn't--go on. I might even have put my hand over it. And the words came to me again, gently yet firmly, "Wait and see what I am going to do."

That little exclamation...but God! It has two meanings. For me yesterday it meant "How long, O Lord?" Today I realize "but God" means nothing is impossible with God, He's still in control, trust in Him, and He is able...wait on Him.

If you are waiting for that one thing, or more, for God to move on, know that He's not finished. There are things He still needs to do to behind the scenes, occurrences need to happen, people to set in place...or removed...even more personal pruning, for everything to be just according to His timely-mannered plan. He knows what needs to be done. If we knew it too, and understood why we needed to wait, we wouldn't need to rely on Him. We would not need to trust Him. He's never too early or too late. The wait will be worth it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Do You Believe in Miracles?

Psalm 91:11-12 - For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 

I'm sure by the time this blog is published all will have heard of the events of a group of school board members in Panama City, Florida yesterday. You might have heard these words: If you're not a believer in miracles, watch that tape. They were spoken by Bill Husfelt, Superintendent of the Bay County School District, as Clay Duke, a disgruntled man brandished a gun at the men on the Board. He would not listen to their attempts to calm him down. He started shooting with the intent to kill. What is this world coming to, I believe I heard one of the news team ask.

But a miracle occurred. No one on the Board was hurt. It didn't look that way on the tape, as Husfelt wanted us to notice. As Husfelt described later when interviewed on Fox News, he said he didn't see them but he was convinced there were angels all around. He described how close this man was but somehow the bullets missed everyone. When the comment was made by an interviewer about how lucky he was his reply was: You can call it luck, but I will say it was the grace of God.

The openness of this man in that news interview and later in a subsequent live news conference and other interviews to tell of his belief that it was God protecting them is what stood out. A news article out of AOLnews said this: With a heavily armed ex-convict shooting directly at him, a Florida schools superintendent was prepared to die but said today he was saved when "God blocked the bullet. I was very confident that I was going to get shot. I wasn't pulling for it, but I was ready if that was going to happen," Bay City Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt said today on ABC's "Good Morning America." "I knew where I would go if I were to pass away. I was very prepared for that." 

I'm not pushing aside the other people involved in this at all. There was Ginger Littleton who without a moment of hesitation tried to whack the gun out of Duke's hand with her handbag! And the security guard, Mike Jones, who successfully ended Duke's attempt and was injured himself. In a situation like this there are always those prepared to stand in the gap.

But...I'm believing that in our most desperate need if we have our God close beside us, we will feel as Husfelt did if we have given Jesus a chance in our lives. In some instances He is faithful to protect. His angels will stand guard. He will raise us up to stand before our enemy, to do what we might not be able to do in our own strength. 

This one man with the faith to proclaim his Lord was his protection was also willing to "take the bullet" for the others if you saw an extended version of the taped board event. He asked for the others to be let go. I'm not saying the others weren't thinking the same; he just said it first. In his weakness God raised him up and gave him strength...similar to the strength Jesus was given to die for the sake of others. (If you recall, He too was raised up...on the cross.) Husfelt knew he was secure in his Lord.

I think of another incident, that of Columbine High School where Rachel Scott was killed for no reason. She, too, was strong in her conviction of Jesus. She knew she was secure. So why did she have to die? 

What do these two incidents have in common? Both individuals knew what their fate would be if killed. They knew they would be in the presence of Jesus. Though there might have been a moment of human fear, their confidence in who they were in Christ was stronger and God would honor that. Unfortunately one life was taken while another spared. In both cases God was glorified! How? His named was proclaimed. It's as simple as that. Although Rachel may not have said it out loud, the result of her death brought about the words written in her diary that exposed her very strong belief and trust in God.

We don't like to think that God takes lives unnecessarily and it's one of those things that is a mystery...the why. I'm certain, however, in either of these cases, or in any case, lives will be changed through the witness of both Husfelt and Scott and anyone else who lets their trust in Jesus be seen. Praise God.

I've often wondered just how much strength I would have if I were in a situation where my life was on the line whether it be illness, accident or intentional confrontation like these two people. How about you? Would you be able to proclaim the name of Jesus? Would you be able to call on the name of the Lord or would your thoughts be clouded in fear or hopelessness?

In this uncertain world, even apart from the things we see creeping in on us, like the possibility of losing our freedom in this country, the possibility of the government telling us everything we can and cannot do, the uncertainty of food and fuel, knowing Jesus, having a personal relationship with Him, is the most important thing, the only hope we can cling to, knowing our lives are secure in Him...no matter what.

The strength of believers...we sometimes don't realize we have it as we are going through difficult times. We think we're barely hanging in there. When the struggle is over, the dust has settled and we have the chance to look back, we can see where God's hand was securely grasping ours, or where He was carrying us, where His peace held us together even if at the time we were unsure. And if we should come to the end of our struggle in a not-so-positive way, will we have the peace to know we can let go? This can be our own witness...how we handle going through a storm of life.

I think of a song that oddly enough I had running through my head when I awoke this morning...but before I heard the news of this school board incident. It's called You Raise Me Up. Coincidence?

I'm sorry for the man who was killed in this incident and the lasting effects it will have on his family. I'm sorry he had such disturbance in his life. This is how those without the hope of a Savior can feel. Who can they trust? Who do they blame? How will they react? Not all will take it out on others; some might hurt themselves, like Mark Madoff. To feel so totally distraught has got to be scary. To feel so hopeless. Again, it's about the choices we make...or those of others that cause grief. There is only one answer in our deepest despair and that is Jesus Christ.

Our God can help relieve those burdens. He asks us all, Jew and Gentile, to cast our burdens on Him. (1Peter 5:7, John 16:33, Matthew 11:28-30) When we do we have nothing to fear. We will even be given the strength to do what we never thought we could. We might even see miracles.

Psalm 91:1-6 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 

You ARE Healed

Psalms 107:20 - He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Why do we constantly need to be reminded that we ARE healed? Perhaps it's all the busyness in this life. The Word tells us we ARE healed if we have received Christ and all He has done for us. God sent Him, His Word, to die for us, that we might be healed and have life.

So why do we complain and worry about the aches and pains of every day life or get bent out of shape over things that are no more? We have never been told that our lives would be pain free but we are given strength for those times. When we start to complain or let old hurts cause unsettling, we are not trusting God's hand upon our bodies.

By His stripes we ARE healed. Whether it's physical or spiritual, we ARE healed. If I'm struggling with a disease, whether it is curable or not, I AM healed...because I have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. When we do this, He takes away our sins. My assurance of life after death is certain, so even in death, I AM healed.

Yes, God can take a person and bring a miraculous healing. I've seen it in our own church...someone diagnosed with cancer, has the paperwork to prove it and then it's just gone. Or the woman, who I personally know, with painful arthritis is prayed for and she walks out of the sanctuary pain-free! Doctors can't figure it out. But we know...something miraculous happened. But sometimes He doesn't bring physical healing. Does that mean that if that person is a follower of Christ, a child of God, we can't cling to the fact that this person isn't healed? NO. 

To me the most important healing is of the heart. When Jesus comes into our lives, our hearts are healed. We experience a spiritual healing that only Jesus can do. Death or lingering illness no longer needs to be "the end" of life. I don't doubt that being in the midst of a serious illness is not easy. Jesus suffered a lot so what makes us think we should get off without some amount ourselves? 

It's at these times that we need to cling to Jesus, cling to His strength, His power to get us through crisis. We might get through illness somehow and that's great. But sometimes illnesses last the rest of our lives. It's that thorn in the flesh from which the Apostle Paul was never released. It helps us to stay more focused on the Who than the what or the why...or at least it should. Sometimes illness results in death. It's the end result that is important to cling to. With Jesus by our side we have the hope of life after death. We have the hope of eternal life with Christ and death should not be fearful.

Where did all this come from? I had to remind myself yesterday morning when I awoke and the dreaded feelings of "not being interesting enough to be listened to" erupted after an excruciating dream I'd had...that this very thing had happened to me...that what I had to say in my dream wasn't interesting, or worth listening to...that the person I was with absolutely walked away from and stayed hidden from me. OMG, it wasn't until later yesterday morning, after I had written my blog, that it dawned on me what I had written eclipsed the very feelings I was having..."no one wants to listen to this." 

As I awoke with this feeling I said either out loud or very loudly in my head, "NO! I will not accept this feeling. I am a child of God." And what can a child of God know....that whatever...WHATEVER...was a problem from my past no longer needs to be. I AM healed, whether others choose to believe it or not. I AM loved by my Father in Heaven. When I received Him, I was healed spiritually and that includes those thoughts that the devil likes to remind you of and slips in your mind at all the wrong times.

The thought of not listening to, or pushing aside God's word...Isaiah 55 tells us that any word of God that goes forth from His mouth will not return to Him void and it shall accomplish and prosper what pleases Him. I'm believing that any word of His that I speak will do the same...somehow, somewhere, to someone.

Yes, we ARE healed...inside and out...whether it shows or not. Whether we live or die. Whether others agree or not. We ARE healed by the blood of Christ. We WERE healed when He died on the cross. When we receive that, we ARE healed. When we receive Christ, we ARE healed. Please be healed. I think just as God spoke of Zion, Israel, Jerusalem, we can replace them with our own names:

Jeremiah 30:17 - "For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the LORD, "Because they called you an outcast saying: 'This is Zion [Laurie]; no one seeks her."'

Yesterday

Isaiah 41:13 - For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you."

After thinking about and writing yesterday's blog, I realized how this so applies to me. It applies to a lot of people I know, no matter where they are in their walk with the Lord. We all fall into this occasionally. It sort of shows unbelief...where's that mustard seed of faith? Oh, there are some things I do not fear and times I come across with confidence, but then I fail in other areas. Hmmmm, I don't get it.

Fear not, God tells us. I know the plans I have for you, He assures us. Obey Me, He admonishes. But mainly He tells us to fear not. There are about 172 variations of this phrase in the Bible. Maybe more...depending on which version you read! 

If we are told that many times to fear not, we ought to listen. That's a command to those who know the Lord. That's a command we should obey. And as I was writing yesterday's blog my spirit was pricked a couple times at least. It was as if Jesus was telling me personally, "You fear way too much those things you cannot control." This is sin....if we trust in God.

I got to thinking about all the little day to day things that I fuss over. It's not that I actually fear them but I fuss over them. I'm uncomfortable, I'm concerned, I'm worried. I think I need to wear a phylactery on my forehead and on my forearm that says no more than: Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

What do I have to fear? Here's a partial list: whether I love enough, whether I am totally sold out for Jesus, whether I'm in His will, whether I'm too impatient, the spiritual condition of some family members, the spiritual condition of friends, whether people like me, whether I'm offensive, whether I will have the right words at the right time, whether I will speak those words, whether I'm a good wife, what would happen if I outlive my husband, whether I'm too self-centered, whether I'm proud or vain. I could go on... Most of these thoughts are not constant...they flit in and out of my head. I'm not obsessed with them but when the thought pops in, I think about it...instead of just thinking or saying out loud, "Lord, I will fear not." Take that thought to God and talk about it, in prayer, asking for guidance.

If we are totally immersed in God, totally sold out for Him, there is no need to fear...or be anxious. I'm really putting myself out on a limb here and admitting that which is probably my biggest weakness. Oh, I know I love the Lord. I believe with all my heart that, like Carla from yesterday's blog, I could handle a difficult situation...once it was presented to me. And maybe that's the most important thought to cling to...take situations as they happen and just work them out. Fear not. Know that the Holy Spirit will give you what you need when you need it...if you are filled with Him.

I took a little break from writing this and checked an email a friend sent to me yesterday and it seemed to be something I needed to read, absorb and share:

   Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and hear this morning.. I'm blessed     because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. 

   Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

   Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God. 

   And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. 

   Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others... Keep me strong that I may help the weak.. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don't believe.. But I thank you that I believe. 

   I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for every family member and everyone in their household. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. 

   I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my prayer.

In Jesus' Name, Amen..

This is a great prayer for those times when the things of the world get a little too busy, a little too frustrating, even a little fearful. I just needed to add it today. It's a reminder to ask for His forgiveness the moment I have those unnecessary thoughts and fears, that God Himself is greater than any problem. We are told, after all: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Well, duh!

Yes, those who know and trust daily in Jesus Christ, need not fear anything. Perhaps I just needed to think on that today...and yesterday. We need to step out of our fears, in faith in Jesus, and when we take that first step we will be walking with Him by our side. Without that faith, without taking that step, His feet will not be there for us and we walk on our own.

Although this scripture is a word from David to his son Solomon regarding Solomon's task of building a temple, it applies to us too. If we are in His will, He will be there to be sure we finish what He has asked us to set out to do. Everything we do is to be done for Him, through His perfect power.

1Chronicles 28:20 - And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God--my God--will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."

Eyes, Cheeks and Waiting on the LORD

Matthew 5:38-39 - "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I [Jesus] tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." 

After posting my blog yesterday I cut the grass. That's when I do my best thinking. I heard a song that said: ... just the dark before the morning. The song is by Josh Wilson and it's called Before the Morning.

Like I said, I got to thinking after I had posted yesterday's blog. My thoughts continued almost as an afterthought about more that I did not say yesterday. We can go through difficult times in life. Sometimes they come little by little, sometimes in clumps, sometimes just one big misery! The Word tells us that weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. I could have sworn in the song above I heard the words "hurt comes before the healing" but I was mistaken. But I think that's also true. We can't heal unless we've been hurt.

In the Old Testament the law stated an "eye for an eye." But in the New Testament, Jesus added we are to "turn the other cheek." So what do we do? Some would say the Bible contradicts itself. I claim it does not. An eye for an eye was a law that stated that punishment should not exceed that of the offense. Jesus came and preached forgiveness and love, and we are able to do that through a closer relationship with Him. Where does revenge get us anyway? It only exacerbates the situation by riling up the one exacting the vengeance...and possibly more vengeance back...a vicious cycle that one has to put an end to...like turning the other cheek. 

God is ever our Judge. He knows all, sees all, understands our thoughts and feelings. It is up to Him to be our retribution. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) We are called to wait upon Him. ...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  (Isaiah 40:31) Through Him we renew our strength. Strength enough to turn the other cheek.

Turning the other cheek settles the score peacefully. Imagine how a person who had done you wrong would respond to a kind word rather than vengeance. It could provoke a feeling of shame, perhaps even asking for forgiveness. Some might say it would only make you look like a door mat. How many would openly state Jesus was a door mat with all He did for us? I think He was trying to show us that there is more strength in not retaliating than repaying evil with evil. Besides, God is the one who will bring judgment upon any wrong put upon a person. We may not see it happen, but that's where trusting Him becomes a factor. It WILL happen...sometime. And it will be an eye for an eye...God's way.

I think about people who have hurt me in my life and I don't really feel I want vengeance upon them. If a person doesn't know Jesus, we need to forgive them "for they know not what they do." If a person does know Jesus, we should forgive just the same for a lapse in judgment on their part. We're all prone in some way to messing up.

If we begin to start thinking about getting revenge, we are acting as the world would act. We are listening to the worldview and need to squelch that thought immediately. We are to be humble, not proud. Looking for payback is only our pride taking over; pride that gets at our feelings, pokes at our egos, and tells us "no one will do this to me." Yes, it hurts to know you've been wronged. That's part of the burden we bear in our lives. Look at Jesus and His life. Rejected, falsely accused, etc., etc.

Imagine on a grander scale if this world would adhere to these biblical words that today are being judged, criticized, shunned and considered offensive. If we would consider God more and ourselves with our big, fat, destructive egos less, we might have peace in this world. If we would have less tolerance (yes less) and a stronger rod on behinds maybe we would not have to worry about an eye for an eye and would feel more like turning the other cheek. 

The world once had a good example to live by, but He has been replaced with world view. Jesus humbled Himself before King Herod and the Jews prior to His death. He did not retaliate; He remained silent knowing that His Father would one day show the world the truth they ignored. He sacrificed Himself for us. He knows another day will come when He will return and judgment will take place. But it is God's judgment, not man's. There's a very huge difference. He knows how to do it with righteousness. Man's judgment doesn't always contain the righteous part. 

Jesus also knew then and knows today that if we seek Him, ask for forgiveness for the things that go against the "Jesus grain," He will be quick to respond. When we seek Him and get to knowing Him we will understand eyes, cheeks and waiting on the Lord. We will understand the things of God. 

Waiting, however, is not an easy thing and that's where we get hung up. But like Josh Wilson also wrote in his song: 

Do you wonder why you have to

feel the things that hurt you?

If there's a God who loves you

where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see

and all those things are happening

to bring a better ending.

Someday, somehow you'll see….

    It might take a little time, but you'll se the bigger picture...

There's the key...waiting on the Lord because He's working things out behind the scenes of our lives. In the meantime, Jesus is here for the asking and receiving. He experienced everything we will ever go through. He will give us the strength to endure when we give ourselves into His hands, wait on Him, praise Him in difficult times and good. Then He promises us:

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.