Prisoner for Christ?

Is it another one of those days? Nothing's going right. You're not feeling well. You wake up and all you know is pain, or remorse from  a wrong you've done. Maybe a friend betrayed you and you're heartsick. Or did you mess up at work? There are countless situations in our lives that get us down, hold us back, sidetrack us. Sometimes we even feel imprisoned by our circumstances. I feel like that a lot.

We are just people. So disappointments, travails, frustrations and fears are part of life. I'm right there with you. Too often, in the midst of a struggle I falter. I'm not the kind of friend I should be or the mother I should be, or Christian I should be. I become weary, angry, and sometimes I feel sorry for myself.  Ugh. I hate that.

When everything seems too hard or even impossible, friends are good and helpful, but the only place to find the right answers every time is in God, His Word. If only we will listen to Him. Sorting out troubles in my own power will lead me astray.

The apostle Paul spent long periods of time imprisoned and yet he wrote more books in the Bible than any other man, some of the most powerful words were penned from within the confines of prison.

Did he get angry or frustrated? Was he ever afraid? Did he struggle to carry out his mission? What do you think? He was just a man, after all. 

When Paul began his ministry, Christians did not trust him. They turned him away. Can we blame them? He had been the chief persecutor of Christ followers. Still, Paul persevered. He was hunted, beaten, jailed and ultimately gave his life for his faith. A man doesn't walk that walk without disappointment and even despair. But by the strength and power of God Paul kept on going. He didn't give up. He continued to preach Christ and offered wisdom and  knowledge and even encouragement to believers ... even while in prison.

When I think of this man who loved the Lord so much that he gave his life for him I have to look at myself too. I don't like what I see - weakness, fear, frustration ... self. 

But I'm not without hope. 

It is God in the midst of the difficult things of this earth that help me grow stronger. I am thankful for spring because there is winter. And the heat of summer makes me long for fall.  

What a privilege it is to serve the Lord. I can depend upon Him. He provides all I need. He never forsakes me. But if I am to live confidently rejoicing my gaze must rest upon Him.

The Lord's plans are perfect. I pray we recognize the beauty in His purpose for us, no matter what the circumstances. And may we rest in His peace, understanding how deep His love is for us. 

We do not walk alone.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Are You Seeking?

Have you ever found yourself at your end and wondering how you were going to go one step further? Or have you ever felt a goal slip away and could see no possibility of its ever being fulfilled? And what about illness that sets you back to such a degree that you wonder is this all there is?

My guess is we've all had those kinds of moments, or years, when there seemed to be no hope and life felt too difficult to bear. I've been known to say, "Stop the world. I want to get off."

Sadly, as we saw today in Boston, that can happen--unimaginable heartache and paralyzing fear. We are left to pray, to trust and to help one another.

When we find ourselves in the midst of what we thought was impossible, it's hard to keep hold of the truth-- that God has everything worked out and He holds out his arms to offer rest and peace to His children. Sometimes, when I need to be strong that's when my faith feels limp and skimpy, kind of like a salad that's been left sitting out too long. And then I am left to wonder why? I love His Word. I love Him. But sometimes my faith does not express those feelings. I guess it might have something to do with the fact that faith can't be just an emotion. It's a gift, but even the most powerful runner must work to build his strength and endurance. Pressure helps build faith muscles and the unexpected teaches us to be flexible.

I've had what feels like a lot of faith-training. Generally it's not much fun but there is no room for whining, especially when I look at someone like the apostle Paul. He paid dearly for his faith, but the rewards were huge. Paul said, "To die is gain." How many of us can say we feel that way? Powerful training produced this kind of faith  Paul loved the Lord with his whole heart and he submitted himself fully to God.

I want to have faith like Paul, but it comes at a cost. Am I willing? Paul saw beyond his present condition, to a greater calling. His vision was clear. Would it have been so if he hadn't learned to trust God in the worst of circumstances? It wasn't an easy road to fully understand that God always does what He says He'll do-to know God never lies.

His Word is alight with precious promises we can believe in. When we look back at the trials of our lives we can see His hand in it all.

He is our refuge

He will sustain us

Those who mourn will be comforted

He will not forget us.

He is faithful.

    He turns darkness into light.

           He gives strength to the weary.

                          He works all things to the good for those who love Him.

                    All who believe in the Son shall have eternal life.

These are only some of God's promises. There are many more. To know them . . . to know Him we must seek Him. Another promise says, "If you seek Him, He will be found by you."  

God offers no conditions. His promise is not complicated. It is clear and it is certain.

So, the only question you need to ask is, "Am I seeking?"

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie