“Johnny, My Beloved Son”

Some time ago, I wrote about my brother Johnny who had Down Syndrome. This week, Joni Ericson Tada aired his story on her program, “Joni and Friends.” For those who don’t realize the atrocities done to the less fortunate or unwanted, this will open your eyes. While this occurrence took place in the 1940’s, things haven’t changed much, with the exception that thousands of children are being aborted because it is possible they have some type of disorder, based on test that were not available back then.  

You can listen by clicking on the following link:

http://www.joniandfriends.org/radio/

Click on, “Johnny, My Beloved Son”

Many Americans are asking “where is GOD?” We kicked Him out of our schools, our court rooms, our government institutions and we kill our children (among other things).

Every child is of value, and as King David said,

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. 

                                                                                               –Psalm 139:13-18, NKJV 

Our children are precious unto the Lord. If you are considering an abortion or placing your child in an institution, please prayerfully reconsider. If you have already done so and you are living with the pain of regret, it’s not too late. Cry out to God and He will hear you and receive you. He will forgive your sins and heal your broken heart. All of us need to support the rights of the mentally and physically challenged, as well as all unborn babies.

God bless~

Smith K. H.

When I went into the Marines, I did my basic training, or “Boot Camp,” at Parris Island; a lovely little island off the coast of South Carolina. Of course I say this with much sarcasm; but I digress.

One of the first things we were issued was a name stamp. It came in this little metal container that had a stamp, ink pad, and little rubber letters and punctuation marks that you tore off and attached to the stamp so you could mark everything you now owned (which wasn’t much). You stamped your cammies (camouflage uniforms), your boots, socks and skivvies (underwear). There was even a proper way to fold your uniform items so that if anyone opened your footlocker, they would see your “stuff” with your name staring back at them. Having your items clearly marked this way would insure no-one could steal your stuff or that it could get mixed up with someone else’s in the laundry.   

Mine read: “SMITH  K. H.”

While I was in the Philippines, some of the guys had uniforms to come up missing. We had “house boys” (odd name because they were all men older than us) that we paid to wash our uniforms and help do some of the things we didn’t have time to do. It was protested that the house boys were stealing the uniforms to sell on the black market. Our First Sgt. Vehemently denied that this was the case but a few months later, one of the platoon commanders was in a city several miles away and browsing an open market. He was looking at some uniforms they had on a table and low and behold, there was the name of one of his troops, stamped right in the collar where you couldn’t miss it. This lost piece of clothing, so far from home, was found. There was no arguing the rightful owner.

Who’s stamp is on you?

Whether you know it or not, there is a stamp on you. You either belong to Jesus Christ or the devil.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” –Eph. 4:30

^“Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; and the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”  -Ezek. 9:3-4

^“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” –Rev. 20:4

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” -Rev. 14:9-11

If you have not received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you have the stamp of Satan on you. Why not receive the Lord Jesus and receive His stamp of ownership today? Once you have His stamp, it can never be washed away. No one can pluck you out of His hand.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” –John 10:27-30

I am praying that you would make this choice if you have not already done so.

God bless~

God’s Word

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” –Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God can penetrate who and what we are. I would liken it to a laser used for surgery; it is so precise, it can cut through everything else to get to the problem that lays hidden, deep within. But unlike a laser, God’s Word cuts through our thoughts and emotions. It reveals who we really are. Nothing else has this power.

Francis Chan at Moody Founders Week

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIG8JHT_hWY&feature=g-vrec

Link to RZIM

Are we as Christians prepared to give a defense for what we believe? 

http://www.rzim.org/resources/listen/letmypeoplethink.aspx?archive=1&pid=2494

Don't be GLIB

"We talk glibly about forgiving when we have never been injured; when we are injured we know that it is not possible, apart from God's grace, for one human being to forgive another." -Oswald Chambers

 

Definition of GLIB [1]

1 a : marked by ease and informality : nonchalant b : showing little forethought or preparation : offhand <glib answers> c : lacking depth and substance : superficial <glib solutions to knotty problems>

2 archaic : smooth, slippery

3 : marked by ease and fluency in speaking or writing often to the point of being insincere or deceitful <a glib politician>

— glib·ly adverb

— glib·ness noun

Origin of GLIB

probably modification of Low German glibberig slippery

First Known Use: 1584

You may be asking, what are you trying to say?

Quite simply, be careful when talking to someone who has been hurt deeply. If you have not been in that person’s shoes, do not brush their emotions off as nothing, nor, especially in chastisement. Lovingly come beside the person and try to walk with them down the path to healing.

Christians are renowned for shooting their own wounded. It’s time to stop this and love one another just as Jesus instructed.

Friend, if you are hurting, I pray for you. God wants to heal the brokenness. Cry out to Him.

If you have caused offense with your insensitivity, ask the Holy Spirit to help you become more caring. If you cannot, it is better to remain silent.

God bless~   

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[1] Mirriam Webster Online Dictionary, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glib?show=0&t=1338564837, (accessed on June 1, 2012)

The Greatest Commandment Part II

⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. –Deut. 6:4-5

In Part I, I asked the question, “if you were on your death bed and you had one last thing to pass on to your loved ones, what would you say?
Would you encourage your loved ones to love the Lord and follow Him closely? Would it burn in your heart to see them saved? What instructions could you give them to keep Him (God) on their minds?

I think I can help; well, Moses can, 

⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. –Deut. 6:6-9

Why wait until you are on your deathbed? Why not start teaching them today?

The statistics showing our young people leaving the church today is staggering. Many of today’s young people don’t find God relevant; even those who grow up in Christian homes. Quite simply, we are failing our children. Please, I beg you, consider these things and pray about them; make it a priority to instruct your little ones (and everyone). Then you will fulfill the call to:

    “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

God bless~

The Greatest Commandment Part I

Of all the things God commanded His people in the Bible, what would you think would be the most important? 

The answer is not hard to find; it’s found in Deut. 6:4-5:

⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. –Deut. 6:4-5

In this passage, the children of Israel are about to take possession of the Promised Land. Moses knows that he will not be going with them, and he has one last message to deliver. He knows how important this message is as it will affect them for generations. 

Think about this: if you were on your death bed and you had one last thing to pass on to your loved ones, what would you say? 

Note: This passage is quoted by Jesus when asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?” (Mark 12:28-30) We also find it quoted in Mat. 22:37 and Luke 10:27. 

Think about this and ask yourself, what exactly, does it mean to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength?”

God bless~

Blessed?

It’s easy to look at others and see what they have that we don’t: a new car, a boat, a spouse, a big house, that great job. It’s easy to feel like we’re missing out and be a bit envious.

But, what if we were absolutely content with what God has given us: an adequate house that we can afford, a reliable car that has wonderful memories attached to it, a friend who we know will always be there for us, a job that allows us to serve others? What if we know we can depend on God no matter what? What if we have a personal, intimate walk with Christ?

Should we want what our friends and neighbors have, or should they want what we have?   

 

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. - Psalm 32:1-2

Plotting Against God

Can you imagine plotting against God? It seems unthinkable doesn’t it?

But yet, there are those who do. What is really surprising is when those who claim to serve God do this.

⁴⁵ Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. ⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. ⁴⁸ If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

⁴⁹ And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, ⁵⁰ nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” ⁵¹ Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, ⁵² and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
⁵³ Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.  -John 11:45-53                                                                                         

As a believer and follower of Christ, not only do I see how horrible this is (rebellion against God), but I also see how foolish. The “religious” leaders, who knew all the mighty works of God, were going to try and kill His Son. [1]  Why would they do such a thing?

They had grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle and Jesus was about to mess it all up. They had been enjoying all of the prestige of their office and the admiration of the people, but in reality, they were nothing more than Roman agents used to keep peace in the nation. Rome had given them much freedom to do what they wanted, as long as they kept the people peaceful.

How far were they willing to go to keep their power?

9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, ¹¹ because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.  –John 12:9-11                                                                                        

Not only were they willing to kill God’s Son, they were willing to wipe out any evidence of His miracles and deity. 

It is easy for us to say, “I would never do that!” Peter said the same thing (Mat. 26:35, 69-75).

My prayer is that we would grow so close to Jesus, nothing this world has to offer would even seem appetizing. May we shun “ANYTHING” that competes for our first love-Christ Jesus.

God bless~

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[1] See Luke 20:9-19

How do you know that Christianity is the one true worldview?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWY-6xBA0Pk&feature=related 


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Four Gardens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=CnDl3oQCnOg

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"Not My Fault"

Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” –Matthew 27:22-24

What a horrid scene. Here is a group of religious leaders demanding the blood of a righteous and innocent man; and inciting the crowd to follow in their wickedness. Is this not a picture of absolute hatred and evil? Can the human heart be any more wicked?

Next we have a judge who knows what they are doing; but despite this, he gives in to the crowd. He knows that he is condemning a righteous man; I think deep down, he believes Jesus is God. Foolishly, he gives in to spare himself and his political career and thinks he can wash away his own guilt in a bowl of water; poor, pathetic soul.

Here we have two examples of the worst of man; hatred for God and corruption of justice. Both sides supposed they could get by with it; both sides were wrong.

There is an old hymn that is still sung in a few churches today that sums it up.  

1.      What can wash away my sin? 

        Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

        What can make me whole again? 

        Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Refrain:

        O precious is the flow 

        that makes me white as snow; 

        no other fount I know; 

        nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

2.      For my pardon this I see: 

        nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

        For my cleansing this my plea: 

        nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

        (Refrain) 

3.      Nothing can for sin atone: 

        nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

        Naught of good that I have done: 

        nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

        (Refrain) 

4.      This is all my hope and peace: 

        nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

        This is all my righteousness: 

        nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

        (Refrain) 

Text and music by Robert Lowery (www.hymnsite.com)

“I Do Not Know The Man!”

Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.  –Matthew 26:69-75

If someone told your co-workers that you were a Christian, would they laugh?

What about your closest friends? Your family?

When talking with a group of your peers, if the discussion is of a controversial nature, do you agree with the majority even if you really don’t agree?

If someone put a gun to your head and asked if you are a Christian, what would be your answer?

It is uncomfortable to answer, or even think about these questions. Some of us may not truly know the answers until we are put in this position. We may want to love Jesus and serve Him. We may want with all our heart to know that we would answer these questions rightly; but some of us lack the courage to take a bold stand for fear of what will follow.

Friend, I have been there, right next to Peter. To deny my Lord and feel His piercing eyes reach deep into my soul; it is not a good feeling.

The good news is Jesus forgives. This was the very purpose for which He died.

Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him before it ever happened. But Jesus also knew what Peter could be and what he would be.

What can you be?

What will you be?

My prayer is that you will surrender to Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to give you courage and strength, that you might boldly proclaim your faith in Christ.

God bless~

Questions?

Please read these passages slowly and carefully and let them sink in. At the end I have posed some questions to think about.

³⁸ Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” ³⁹ But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹ The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.  –Matthew 12:38-41

* * *

¹⁸ So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” ¹⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰ Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” ²¹ But He was speaking of the temple of His body. ²² Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. –John 2:18-22

* * *

⁴⁵ Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. ⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ⁴⁷ Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” ⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” ⁵⁰ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
⁵¹ Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, ⁵² and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; ⁵³ and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
⁵⁴ So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”  -Matthew 27:45-54

* * *

¹¹ Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. ¹² When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, ¹³ saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ ¹⁴ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” ¹⁵ So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. –Matthew 28:11-15

* * *

Jesus spoke of His death numerous times and embraced it. What king or “wannabe” ruler does that?   

Jesus spoke often of His resurrection from the dead. If you want to lose followers quickly, try this. Would you continue to follow?

Is there any account from this time that disputes any of this?

We know that Rome tried to destroy off Christians and anything to do with Christ. As many ancient writings and documents as we have today, do any of them dispute these things?

Jews, even to this day reject Christ. In all of their historical records is there any documentation proving this all to be a lie?

- For the record, I support the Jews as they are God’s chosen people. I pray for their   salvation and I encourage you to do the same.

From a human perspective, does any of this make sense?

If you were to invent and design a religion, would you do it this way?  

If you knew this was all a lie, would you suffer a martyr’s death to defend it?

Is it possible that you truly believe but are not willing to accept and embrace it?

Final thoughts:  

Maybe God chose to do it this way so we would see His supernatural power (*).  

The Pharisees and religious leaders asked for a sign several times. Jesus answered their questions with past references from Scripture that they would know.                         

When He hung on the cross, what happened should have been enough to convince anyone; even a Roman centurion.                                                                                           

When He left the grave, why were the religious leaders so quick to lie to cover this up? Had they really thought His body was stolen, they would have run to the Roman authorities and demanded an investigation and the death of the soldiers.

They knew; beyond a shadow of a doubt they knew. They were so hard hearted they would not admit the truth, even when it was staring them in the face.                   

Let’s jump forward to today. Is there any evidence, in over two-thousand years to disprove any of this? In all of the years since Jesus earthly ministry, there has never ceased to be a day that someone was not working diligently to disprove the Bible.

If you can show me definitive proof that it is a lie, please do so. Maybe you could even produce His body?    

I don’t think so. The next time we see Jesus’ body, it will be in glory and majesty.

God bless~

* 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21, 23, 25; 2:14; 3:19

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The Knowledge and Power of Demons

When He had come to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met Him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, “What do You have to do with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” –Matthew 8:28-29

Many of us tend to assume demons have much more power and knowledge than they really do; therefore, we tend to fear them. I am not saying they don’t possess great knowledge or power, they do, and we should respect that. They are not to be scoffed at as though just because you are a child of God they have no influence, to do so is ignorance and will come with a price. My goal here is to put things in proper perspective to give courage to the believer who fears.

In verse 29, we get a clear picture of the limited power and knowledge of demons. Upon seeing Jesus, they ask, “What do You have to do with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

First, let’s look at their knowledge. Obviously they had no idea that Jesus was coming; had they known, they might have gone elsewhere. They had no idea why He came there; if they had, they would not have asked. Then, they knew that they were already judged and found guilty,  “Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

They also knew it wasn’t time yet. I believe when they were cast out of heaven, they had already been judged but the sentence was not yet carried out. Clearly they knew they were already defeated.

If we read on, we see that they asked Jesus if they could enter into the herd of pigs (vs31). If they had knowledge of the future, they would have known that the pigs would run off the cliff. Clearly, we see that their knowledge of future events is limited to what God shows them.      

As for their “power,” they had to ask permission to go into the pigs. 

 I find it interesting that demons always addressed Jesus for who He was, “What do You have to do with us, Son of God?

As a believer, we should have an understanding of demons and respect their power and knowledge (which God gave them when He created them), but we should also remember that they are still under submission to God. They have no power over you unless you give it to them.

I pray that this has encouraged you and that you will look for yourself at the many passages that show that God is still in control of everything.

One more thing I would like to share, “When Satan reminds you about your past, remind him about his future.”

God bless~

Despair Part IV

Esther

Esther was a young Jewish girl who had been made queen (married to King Ahasuerus) but the king and his rulers were not aware that she was Jewish.

The king had a chief nobleman named Haman who hated the Jews, and through trickery, convinced the king to allow him to order the massacre of all the Jews.

Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces telling the officials to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jewish people—young and old, women and children—and plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.   –Ester 3:13 (HCSB)

Esther’s uncle (Mordecai) sent word to Esther and told her she needed to speak to the king on behalf of her people. The problem here was that if you went before the king without his request, he might have you killed.

Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to tell Mordecai, “All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned—the death penalty. Only if the king extends the gold scepter will that person live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last 30 days.” Esther’s response was reported to Mordecai. -Ester 4:10-12 (HCSB)

Esther was afraid and rightly so. However, her uncle charged her that if her people were destroyed, she herself could not hide in the palace unscathed.

Mordecai told the messenger to reply to Esther, “Don’t think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king’s palace. If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” –Ester 4:13-14 (HCSB)

Esther agreed but asked that all the people fast so that the king would receive her.

Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, day or night. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went and did everything Esther had ordered him. –Ester 4:15-17 (HCSB)

Can you imagine how scary this must have been for her? Talk about despair. The fate of this whole race of people was, to some degree, in her hands. But she stepped out in faith and went before the king.

God allows His people to experience hardships, and it is easy for us to question why. I believe it is to build our faith. When we are challenged beyond what we can bare, we turn to God for deliverance. The greater the risk or burden, the greater our view of God’s intervention and then we have greater faith to tackle greater obstacles. Our faith grows and others faith grows as they see God work in and through us, and God is glorified. You might say our trials and tribulations are win-win situation for everyone.

If we really love and trust God, we will have a clearer view of things. We may not see the reason at the time and it probably won’t be pleasant, but as long as we know He is in control and working all things for the good, we can bare whatever lays before us.

Who wouldn’t want to see God work in their life and grow in Him?

Despair Part III

Daniel

When Daniel was about fourteen years old, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, captured the city of Jerusalem. Daniel was a member of the royal family and probably lived in the palace. No doubt, he had a life of privilege. This all changed and he found himself a slave on his way to Babylon to serve an un-godly king. Daniel had no idea what lay ahead of him.   

The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility— young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace—and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to serve in the king’s court. Among them, from the descendants of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief official gave them other names: he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah. –Daniel 1:3-7

Daniel was taken from his home, his family, his royal status, had his name changed and was most likely made a eunuch (castrated). Then he was sent to school to learn the ways of the Babylonians. This would include eating food sacrificed to idols and learning to worship their pagan gods. Things could not get much worse for a young Jewish boy.

Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official not to defile himself.  God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official,  yet he said to Daniel, “My lord the king assigned your food and drink. I’m afraid of what would happen if he saw your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age. You would endanger my life with the king.”

So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief official had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,  “Please test your servants for 10 days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king’s food, and deal with your servants based on what you see.” He agreed with them about this and tested them for 10 days. At the end of 10 days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king’s food.  So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. -Daniel 1:8-16

After all that was done to this young man he still revered his God and still sought to honor Him. I find it hard to believe he didn’t get angry believing God had abandoned him. He might easily have given up his faith and said God must not love him. He could have said every man for himself, but he didn’t, he trusted his Lord no matter what.

How many of us today, myself included, can honestly trust God, no matter what?       
I am ashamed to say when things get hard, I feel abandoned. I do cry out to God, but do I have faith? I tend to “expect” God to get me out of my hardship. In some distorted way, I feel God owes it to me to spare me from such problems and discomfort.

Isn’t it amazing that God does His most miraculous work in the rough seas? Often it is in the times of distress that we feel His presence and see His mighty hand at work most. Once the storm is past, we can look back and see how He blessed us in the midst of the storm.

Oh Lord I pray that I would beg for the storms so I can see you work in my life. 
Oh that I would gladly face the fiery trials that draw me nearer to thee.               
Oh Lord, grant me the ability to look to your greatness rather than the perceived greatness of my hardship. 
Help me to praise you in the midst of the storm.

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