Brandie Kennington…

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

- Philemon v. 4-7

Wow, what a testimony of God’s unfailing love for us and others. So many times we start looking at our walk with God, and begin to focus solely on God and us. We get tunnel vision and sometimes forget along the way there are other people out there. Whether they are hurting, angry, lonely, or just need a word of encouragement, they all need to know God’s love.

We need to acknowledge what God has done in our lives, but we also need to tell what He is doing. What has God done in your life lately? Has He sent someone with a kind word? Helped you with a problem? Simply been there for you during a difficult time? No matter what it may be God is always there.

As we live out our lives we get busy with things, some important, some not so important. It is easy to fall into the trap of busyness and get beat down and worn out. We need the light of Jesus in our lives. We need it in the lives of others. Today I want you to look at your life right now, not the problems and troubles you are facing. Instead I want you to look at the encouraging things, the blessings you have received and those you have given. Acknowledge every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus.

God is faithful in all things. He is good in all things, even the painful ones. If we remember that and hold it close to our hearts we will see the great joy and consolation in our love, because the hearts of  the saints will have been refreshed by us.

Then Philemon v. 4-7 can be our testimony as well.

“Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”-Acts 26:28

Lord, help me to follow You completely. I don’t want to be someone who almost does what You want. Give me strength to make the choices which will bring me closer to You. Carry me when I am weak, so I may carry others. Open my ears to hear your voice whenever You speak. Open my heart to receive all You have to give me that I may share it with others. Help me remember I am Your vessel to be used, not an object to be put on a shelf. I pray I would get out of the way, so you can do in me what You want. I don’t want to be an almost Christian. I want to be Yours through the good and the bad. Help me Lord to be your servant in all things.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

As I’ve been reading, Acts 20:18-24 has stuck with me. In this passage Paul is telling others what lies ahead for him. The Holy Spirit is showing him the trials and tribulations he is going to face. Paul knows what is ahead, yet he still says he wants to finish his race with joy. It seems he is saying, “I know I am going to my death and it is okay. I still have joy. No regrets.” I don’t think I could do that.

In chapter 21:4, he stops in Tyre and the people tell him “through the Holy Spirit” not to go to Jerusalem. I have to wonder. Since the Holy Spirit doesn’t contradict himself, was it the Holy Spirit telling the people Paul should avoid Jerusalem? Or had the people become so attached to Paul they were putting their own emotions and desires above God’s plan?

I would like to say I am more like Paul than the people of Tyre. Unfortunately if I am honest, God’s will comes in second more than my own desires a good part of the time. It goes back to a conversation I seem to be having a lot lately with my teenage son. He has plans everyday for what he wants to do, and he is continually becoming frustrated because my plans are not the same as his.

Maybe I should take my own advice…

Maybe I should simply talk to my Father and listen to what He is saying. Then I need to make sure I get His plans finished first. There will be time for what I want later. If I stay close to Him, and truly develop a relationship with Him where I am listening and doing as much as I am talking then I may yet find what Paul found.  Then it won’t matter that I may be headed toward my own “Jerusalem”. I will have Him, and He will be enough.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I had our furnace checked. Our technician told us the unit had several cracks, and would not last much longer. So we immediately got a quote, and began trying to figure out what to do. As we were discussing things, my husband brought up the suggestion of getting the upstairs finished. This is something we have been wanting to do for years, however we’ve never been able to for one reason or another. It seemed like the perfect time. After all, if we had to get a loan for the HVAC why not go ahead, and finish everything, and be done with it?

We had a plan. We had a desire to finally do something that had been on our minds for years.

It just didn’t work that way.

Tonight I was reading a passage Paul wrote in Romans:

For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company a while. But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.

-Romans 15:22-25

Paul had an honest desire to see the believers in Rome. He was doing God’s work, only He didn’t do it the way he planned. God interrupted Paul’s plans. Paul still went to Rome. He just did it in chains. Paul thought he would be coming to Rome to share the gospel and begin to set up a home base for the western side of his evangelistic efforts.  He had no idea he would die there.

What struck me about this passage wasn’t the non-completion of his plans. Quite actually, it was opposite. In spite of Paul being imprisoned while in Rome, God allowed him to fulfill his calling- to share the gospel with Gentiles. Why is it when Paul was faced with a major change which threatened his very life he trusted God? Why is it when we face challenges to our plans we fall apart?

Maybe we have our faith in the wrong thing.

Paul’s focus was always being in the center of God’s will. Many times as I look over some of the challenges, and even inconveniences I’ve faced, they have had more to do with me than the One who created me. Take for instance this issue with our furnace and working on the upstairs. God has used it to remind me not to push things, and do them my way.  He used it to remind me I must seek His will in everything. He isn’t just a Sunday/Wednesday night/church God. He is God of every aspect of my life.

As I sit here tonight reading my Bible and thinking how God reveals Himself to me more, I feel very grateful that He would use a furnace, and unfinished upstairs to grab my attention. It’s as if He said, “Have a seat, daughter. We need to talk.”  I’m so glad I sat down and listened.

We talk a lot about freedom in Christ but what exactly does it mean? Are we free to do whatever we want since our sins have been forgiven? As I’ve been in various churches through the years, and experienced many bible studies, camp meetings, revivals, and prayer meetings I have heard many interpretations on a Christian’s freedom. Most of the time I have listened as the speaker talked to me about bondages, generational sins, and how Christ broke us free from those things. To someone who never understood those things it was as if a wave washed over and opened my eyes to more of what God desired for me, true freedom. So naturally, I wanted to share that freedom with others.

The only problem was I had only gotten part of the message.

I came across the chapter in Romans where Paul talks about the Law of Liberty each believer has. Here are a few things he had to say.

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to dispute over doubtful things. (Rom. 14:1)

Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.(Rom. 14:3)

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.(Rom. 14:5)

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Rom. 14:10)

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. (Rom. 14:19)

As I was reading this one thing struck me. We are supposed to judge those in the church when they are walking in unrepentant sin. However, a lot of the time we ignore unrepentant sin and judge our brothers and sisters for things that simply don’t matter. We are hypocrites.

I have been guilty so many times of looking at fellow Christians and picking them apart. If they are from another denomination or practice certain things I don’t, I have tended to judge them and put myself up on a pedestal. After all, I was the one following what the Bible said, not them.

It’s interesting how this “elitist” mentally has affected the Church. The whole crux of Christianity is to recognize the supremacy of God and the lowliness of man. However, a good many people in church today tend to pride themselves on how right they are, and how others need to learn from them in order to be a “good Christian.”

I am reminded that we are all charged to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We are not to lord over others in the faith. We are simply to join them on the journey toward becoming more Christ-like. We are called to be there to encourage, rebuke, and comfort them in love. We can not let ideas and philosophies replace love for our fellow man.

Mind you I am not saying we should gather around the campfire singing Kumbaya with every faith group and things are all flowers and butterflies. Jesus did say we are to be the salt and light of the world. However, I think a lot of the time we’re too salty on the unimportant things, and not enough on the important issues.

So my challenge is this: to live my life focusing on the gospel, and not let the little things be a stumbling block to other believers.

I woke up this morning and turned on the TV to  the movie Last Song. It was good, but sad. My husband looked at me and said half teasingly, “Well, that’s a great tone to set for the day.”

In truth he was right. The mood was set for me today. A very thoughtful, introspective mood and slightly depressed. As I went about my morning these periods of overwhelming sadness hit me out of the blue. I kept feeling the need to go get my Bible and read. This is what I opened it to:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ , and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

This familiar passage hit close to home today. All morning as I experienced these feelings of sadness I felt as if I were being pummeled down. As if someone was almost attacking me. Then the light bulb went off. Someone was. But why?

Recently I have begun to experience a lot of anxiety over normal life things that pop up. In the last six months we’ve needed major work on one of our vehicles, had our roof replaced, found out we needed a new furnace, finished one upstairs bedroom, and begun the process of possibly finishing our upstairs. All of those things hitting so close to together is stressful enough, but having it hit in this economy is more stressful. Every time something happens I pray asking God to give me wisdom and peace. Each time He has. Yet every time I stress out.

What does that have to do with the passage I read? Nothing and everything.

You see those are normal life stresses. I do feel attacked, especially when I look at all the things which seem to have blown up in my life. However, my perspective hasn’t been right. There is one phrase in 2 Corinthians that jumped out at me this morning “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.“

When these things have been happening my first thoughts and reactions are naturally, “How is this going to impact what I have wanted/planned?” This isn’t enjoyable, however, I can see God using each of these times. As I stated earlier, each time I have stressed over things, He has answered my prayers and by doing so increased my faith in Him. Our relationship has grown closer. I may be attacked, but He has me covered because this isn’t about my car, my roof, or even my money. It is about something far greater, my relationship with Christ. These things are helping me develop a healthy relationship with my heavenly father.  I am starting to look at things more from His perspective. The old song “Trust and Obey” comes to mind.

Trust and obey

for there’s no other way

to be happy in Jesus

but to trust and obey.

Obedience isn’t just doing what you’re told. It is submitting to someone else’s authority. As these attacks have come, Jesus has been showing me that, and allowing me the chance to grow stronger in Him with each. I only have to trust and obey…

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” – 2 Corinthians 7: 10-11

For the longest time I felt like I was in the middle of a storm, and I kept asking God why. It was at a time when all the people I looked up to for guidance were struggling themselves, and many times had conflicting views. I was hurt and angry. Then the situation was handled temporarily and I, like many others, was left to deal with the fallout. I didn’t know who to turn to other than my closest friends, and they were just as angry and confused as me. It was not a happy time to say the least.

I bring this up, only to explain, that event began several years ago, and God has been slowly walking me through a period of healing layer by layer. The verses I quoted are a perfect example of how God is continually revealing things to me.

A few years ago, I read those verses, and I saw only the people at the center of the storm. To me this was confirmation from God that I was right. These people were wrong and if they would just do what I thought they needed to, everything would be okay. (I’m shaking my head now, as I even type those words.) You see, I read this again this morning, and something completely different struck me. Something I was no where near ready to handle a few years ago. I’m the one who needed a healthy dose of godly sorrow.

Everywhere I turn lately God seems to be telling me, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” For so long I believe it’s been easier to deal with everyone else. He keeps challenging me to look at myself.

For years I have struggled with anger in certain areas of my life. I have prayed and prayed asking God to help me. I’ve asked Him to please take it completely away. I didn’t want to be like that. Each time I prayed, I expected Him to do it, and He never did. I would just get angrier at myself and the cycle would repeat.

Something has changed though. I began to realize I was hurting God and my testimony for Him each time I let anger get the best of me. Then He placed me around people who are struggling with similar issues. He let me see His love in their lives. As He did this I began to see I had been focusing on the wrong thing. Anger had not been my main problem. It had been my main symptom. As God showed me this a true godly sorrow began to develop.

One of my pastors used to say, “Remorse is doing things your way. Repentance is doing things God’s way”. All those years I was full of remorse and thinking I knew what I needed to do (deal with my anger). Now I’m full of repentance and doing it God’s way (dealing with forgiveness). His way is so much better.

For so long I have felt God was telling me and showing me I needed to live my life with more forgiveness. I always thought He meant for others. Now I see He also meant for me to forgive myself. As I truly began to accept His forgiveness, it has allowed me the freedom to love in ways I haven’t been able to before. As my love has grown, my anger has shrunken.

An old friend used to tell me, “Fear and faith cannot co-exist. You have to have one or the other.” So too, I would add, “Love and anger cannot co-exist. One let’s you live. The other kills you.”

Have you ever felt like you were in the middle of a big ‘ole mess? Like there was no way to get out of it?

As I was going through a bible study, I came across the story of Hezekiah and Sennacherib. (2 Chronicles 31-32). In case you’re not familiar with this study, let me get you to speed. Hezekiah is king of Judah and has a heart for God. He has implemented reforms in the kingdom and is working to make Judah the kingdom God wants it to be. Enter Sennacherib. He is king of Assyria, one of the most powerful empires in the world at this time. Sennacherib wants to invade and capture Judah. However, Hezekiah hears about it ahead of time and begins preparations in Jerusalem for the impending attack. He cuts off the streams flowing outside the city because he does not want the Assyrians to benefit from them. He repairs the broken walls and towers of Jerusalem, and even builds a new one. He appoints military officers to the people, and assembles them together for a public address. In this address he lets the people know what is coming for them, and he also reminds them of who is truly taking care of them, God, not Hezekiah.

I am familiar with this story, but this time God opened my eyes to something new. If you read the account again you’ll notice a few things.

• The impending attack was not a surprise. Hezekiah recognized the warning signs.
• He cut off the streams which would feed the enemy.
• He rebuilt his defenses and added some more.
• He appointed leaders for his people to go to.
• He gathered his people together.
• He told them what was coming.
• He reminded them of who was taking care of them

Shouldn’t we use this same method when the enemy attacks us today? Think about it. If you break it down it makes perfect sense.

First, we have to be in a right relationship with God, this includes talking to Him and listening for His answers. Then once we recognize the signs we need to fortify ourselves. How can we do that? Worship him with music and song. Read our Bibles. Pray.

Second, we need to find the things in our lives that feed the enemy and his attacks to cut them off completely.

Third, find our broken defenses and rebuild them. How do we do this?  We need to pray and ask God to reveal those things to us. And then we need to work on them.

Fourth, he appointed leaders for the people to answer to.  We need people we can go to who are wise and discerning. People you know have a close relationship with God. In short, we need a mentor to help guide us. If you don’t have one, pray God would show you who He would have fill that role for you, and reveal it in His time.

Fifth, he assembled the people together. We were made for fellowship. Don’t forget that. God did not intend for us to be alone. Find some Christ followers somewhere and join with them.

Sixth, Hezekiah was honest with the people and told them what was coming. God will always be honest with us. He can not lie.

Lastly, he reminded the people of who they were, God’s Chosen People. He reminded them of who they ultimately put their faith in, the God of the universe, Jehovah. He is the only one who can and will protect us.

Remember, the attacks are going to come. You can’t live in this world and be a part of Him without them. He has called us out. We are to be a peculiar people. How can that effectively be shown if we don’t meet adversity? But He will show us. He will provide a way for us to stand up under it. He will.

While attending a bible study we were asked to take an index card and right down our prayer request for the evening.  It’s funny with all of the things we have to pray about my request has been the same for months.  So this is what I wrote:

“Lord your way is the only way, my way is of the flesh.  I want to move in your way.  Show me, oh Lord, the right way (Your way)  that I may not fail you.  I want to hear your voice.”

After everyone  wrote down their request we laid our hands on each one and prayed for the answers.  When we were finished we all grabbed our individual request and took them home.

I have been deeply seeking God for direction.  Little by little the Lord has answered. I think we all just want God to show up and say “Okay, here it is…”  But if we truly look deep enough the answer is there.

In my morning devotion today I was reading in Proverbs.  There are 31 Proverbs, one for each day of the month.  I was on Proverbs 16.  Verse 3 says “Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.”

My works…hmm what are my works?  It’s whatever I put my hands to, my gifts to, or my talents. The question is do I first commit them to my Lord?  That was the key!  God was answering my prayers.  The Holy Spirit is my guide. His word is a lamp unto my feet.  I must commit my works to God.

My thoughts have been a tangled mess.  I couldn’t separate my plan from His plan in my life. His word says if I commit my works to Him, then and only then, will my thoughts be established.  I taught not long ago about God’s word being established in our lives.  This means that His word would be set up over a period of time-permanently.
So, now the picture seems to be coming together for me.  I first commit my works to the Lord, and then my thoughts shall be established!  Praise the Lord for all of His goodness and Grace!
Brandie

During our retreat at The Cove this past weekend God amazed me yet again. We talked about “Footprints Wanted” on Friday night. On Saturday the women heard about “Ashes to Beauty” and then that night we talked about “Let my Word be established”.  As I sat through all of these sessions I was brought to the realization of how much God desires for me. He wants me to have a life I can only dream of. He wants more for me, than I want for myself. But, and there is a big one. It is going to cost something. It is going to take service, obedience, humility, mercy, grace and love. As those things begin to work in my life more, God’s promises and blessings will be brought forth.

So many times we view Christian service as what we can and will do for God. That is completely wrong. Christian service is about allowing God to work through and in our lives. He wants our footprints. He wants us to go. He wants us to follow. How long will we continue to sit mulling over past hurts and wallowing in fear?

God strengthen me for this day. Show me your desire for me today. Help me be obedient to you. Guide me and direct me. Let my life be a sign pointing to you, Lord. I pray no one see me, just the work of Your hands.

I was talking to my husband about going to a ministry event today. I told him I felt so different going to this one than I have to ones in the past. In the last few months I have faced depression, problems with my kids, bitterness and hurt, and dealt with past demons I never thought I would see again. Through it all I can see how God is using it to change me into someone He can use, someone who will follow Him instead of trying to lead Him. That one point is the key I think. A few weeks ago, my pastor made the point that at some point in your walk with Jesus you reach a point where you have to decide. You have to choose. Are you going to continue trying to lead for God, or are you going to follow God?

I told my husband I think I am at that point in my life. Old hurts are healing. God is revealing Himself to me in little ways each day. It is up to me to make time for Him, and look for Him. I know I have pulled back in some areas, but I know God can still use me. I’ve begun to realize I can not do things the way I want to, and have the results I desire. I can’t keep leading the way.

For so long I prayed for boldness because I had none. I got too much, and went to prideful and uncompassionate on many levels. God has taken me, and pulled me back. He’s begun showing me the path of destruction I was headed down. He is good though. He has stopped me, and is beginning to pick up the pieces, and put me back together so I can accomplish His desires.

So today I am going to an event where there are going to be people dealing with major issues and trying to just keep their heads above water right now. I will pray with any who want me to pray, but this time I will not pray as if I have the answers and they just need to get on board. This time, I will pray as one just as broken and needing God just as much, a fellow traveler down the road so to speak.

I keep hearing this phrase lately- broken and poured out. Maybe it is what is happening with my soul. I don’t know. I do know whatever may come, God is the only one who can do what needs to be done. I am only a part of it, but I can do nothing without Him, all of Him.

I hear the verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” so much. When I’ve said this most of the time I’ve really meant, “I’ve made up my mind what I am going to do, and God will help me do it.” That’s not what I think it means anymore. Now it means, “Without Christ guiding me and strengthening me I can do nothing.”  I hope you see the difference, and I hope you see the difference in me.

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”- Matthew 16:24

I’m at a loss.

This is where the rubber meets the road.

I’ve been tossing so many ideas around in my head lately. Thinking about what the “right” thing to do is in certain situations, and fighting with what I “want” to do instead. As I’ve been listening to my pastor’s sermons lately I’ve been really convicted over things in my life. I have come to realize how little I thought I knew. I’ve been faced with  looking in the mirror at a person I hardly know anymore. I’ve been challenged to put up or shut up when it comes to following Christ, and my mind is warring against itself.

Every morning for the last three weeks I have woke up and thought, “Today is going to be different.” But so far, I’ve had three weeks of the same ole’ same ole’. In my mind I see myself getting my house in order. I see the kids, not fighting me so much. I see me getting back studying my Bible and spending time in prayer. Instead as the day winds down, I look back on a messy house, and grumpy kids, no time spent studying or praying, and once again I feel like a failure.

What is going on? Why is it so hard lately? I feel like I am in a battle in my mind 24/7. Last night was the first night I have gotten a decent nights sleep in almost a month, and even then I still had crazy dreams. It’s like I’m too exhausted to care about anything anymore. Yet, at the same time, things are making me more anxious than ever. I just don’t know what to do.

I did get some time yesterday to finally listen to my pastor’s sermon from this past Sunday, and I was faced with a hard truth. Maybe it is one of the reasons I have been struggling so much.

He said there are certain lines a follower of Christ can cross in his walk with Christ.

1. You have to realize you need Jesus. He is your Savior.
2. You want to follow Jesus as long as it is comfortable. (Ouch.)
3. You reach the point you are willing to stop leading for Him, and you lay down your life to follow Him.

If I was truthful, I would say I am stuck on #2. Whenever things get uncomfortable, I start questioning God. I start thinking maybe He is waiting on me to make everything alright. Which leads into the first part of #3. I seem to only want to lead for Him. I’m not so good at following when I don’t know what’s going to happen.

In John 21:22 Jesus is talking to Peter and says:

If I will that he (John) tarry til I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

So many times I’m just like Peter. I want to know the outcome of what God is calling me toward before I ever undertake it. I also want to know I am not alone. I want to know what others are doing, and I want to make sure if I am having to sacrifice, then others are too. But Jesus doesn’t call us to be like that. After all, He basically tells Peter, “What’s it to you if John lives forever? I told you what I want you to do.” He’s telling us to trust Him when we can’t see the next step. (Exactly where I am right now.)  He’s telling us to travel the narrow road. He’s telling us to give up everything and follow Him. He’s calling us to a place we can not get to on our own. He’s calling us into His presence.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said:

When Christ calls a man, He bids him, Come and die.

Maybe that is what these last few weeks have been for me, a reawakening in my soul and a dying of my fleshly desires. Maybe all these struggles have been to show me I am nothing without Christ. Maybe He is calling me to let go of bondages and die to my sinfulness.

Galatians 2:20:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Maybe this time I am going through is like a refining fire. Maybe He is burning the dross off. Maybe I will be more like Him when all of this is done. I pray so. Right now, I just want to get through this. The old song “Trust and Obey” comes to mind.

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Like I said, where the rubber meets the road…

I think going to church this past Sunday messed me up.  Well, actually the last two Sundays, but this past one has been harder for me. I can’t get the disciple Peter out of my mind. Our pastor, Chris, focused on a switch in Peter’s life, one where he went from feeling remorse and guilt to having true repentance and being able to move on.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot. I’ve felt so much guilt, shame, frustration, you name it, over things in my life, and I’ve just never been able to let them go. Last Friday when everything hit the fan with one of my sons I began to realize I have to give everything to God. I can’t keep trying to fix things on my own. Then Sunday Chris talked about the difference between Judas and Peter. He made the comment, “Yeah, Judas was filled with guilt and grief over what he had done, and he decided he had to fix it himself, again. So he hung himself.  Some of you out there feel extremely guilty over things in your past and you’re trying to fix it on your own. How’s that working out for ya?” Ouch.

The difference is remorse versus repentance.

It all started to click a little at a time, and in fact I am still putting pieces together. But I began to realize I’ve been very remorseful of a lot of things. But, I haven’t truly given it to God and said only you can do this. I’ve haven’t experienced true repentance for a lot of things.

Pride is a horrible thing. There is a reason it was the first sin in heaven. I’ve always been quick to point out pride in others, and quick to admit I fall victim to it myself. But I’ve never done what was necessary to begin slaying the beast. I’ve never handed the sword over to the only one who can kill it. I’ve continually insisted on trying to poke at it myself. Now I know, I was never meant to slay this dragon. It is something only God can do. So in order to kill it, I have to let another fight it. I just have to be willing to do whatever God tells me to.

To live is self, to die is gain. I have to give up wanting things my way, and getting upset when they don’t turn out that way. Thank God, He knows where I am at and loves me anyway. Thank God, He is willing to meet me where I am. Thank God, He is willing to remind me of my purpose. Thank God, as much as I screw things up, He forgives me.

He is here right beside me willing to lead me places I have never dared dream. All I have to do is trust Him. I know that. Now comes the hard part…doing it.

I’ve been thinking about a devotional I received from Charles Stanley the other day. It talked about the Israelites when they sent spies into the promised land. He talked about how Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who said God would give them the land.

As I was reading I started thinking about it. They were the generation which saw the 10 plagues fall on Egypt. They witnessed the parting of the Red Sea. They saw water come from a rock. They were fed manna from heaven. But none of that mattered when they looked at the Promised Land, and listened to the spies report.

All they heard and saw were the things they couldn’t overcome by themselves. They didn’t even consider they were in the middle of a miracle while they were doubting God himself. I mean, think about it. The only way these people ate each day was by God’s miraculous provision of manna. It had fallen that day, but they didn’t even consider it. They didn’t consider it because they had begun taking the miracle for granted.

Aren’t we just as guilty of doing similar things today?

What’s the problem you are facing right now? Does it seem like you will never get over your past? Are you continually facing closing doors in job situations? Are family problems overwhelming?

Now think about it. What miracles from God are you taking for granted?  Look at what God has provided for you. Look who He has put around you (or in some cases who He has removed from you).

He has placed you here for a reason. You have to depend on Him. God had given the Promised Land to the Israelites, but they had to take it. Just because God has promised us something, doesn’t mean it is going to be easy. It almost always isn’t. But it is worth the fight. It is worth sacrificing what you want for what He wants.

Rom. 8:28 says:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Now listen to God. Be obedient to what He says. Go where He tells you, and claim your Promised Land.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 says:

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. (KJV)

As I was reading this morning, this verse popped out at me.  Affliction and joy. Two words which should have absolutely nothing in common.

According to Strong’s Concordance the original Greek word for affliction in this case is thlipsis which means pressure- afflicted, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

Joy comes from the word chara meaning gladness x greatly (x be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, fulness, -ous).

How can someone possibly have joy while going through tribulations and anguish?

This past year I have witnessed this verse lived out in my own life, and in the lives of those around me. And to be honest, there were times I was watching my close friends as they went through one particularly difficult period, and I thought if this is what it costs to get close to you Lord, I don’t know if I want it. But then God allowed me to see the work He was accomplishing in them, and I knew it was worth it.  Now those friends will be the first to tell you, “We went through the fire, and we count it as joy. God worked in our lives in a way that we never could have foreseen!”

As His church and His people, we are going to go through times of testing and trouble. God allows these things to happen in our lives to grow us and test our foundation. It is not something I particularly enjoy, but it is as necessary to our growth as the food we eat. We have to know where we stand, and be willing to sacrifice for it. We have to know with everything in us, that Jesus will carry us through. The only way to know that is to experience it for ourselves.

So no matter what the problems you face. No matter if everything in your world has turned upside down. Hold on to the joy of the Holy Ghost in your life. When you face difficult times, know He is with  you.  Do as Ephesians 6 says, and put on the whole armor of God, and stand. He will not falter. He will give you joy and peace when nothing in this world can. He will…