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(My purpose in writing Living Reflections is to share openly and honestly where I personally am in my walk with God. This week will be no exception to that as I share the sheer terror of what God has us walking through. Shalom friends - Mike) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Becky and I have been going through another really rough time in the area of our personal finances. At least twice in the past we did not think we would be able to carry on and we are once again in that same position. This time it feels more ominous than ever. I am called to proclaim a message of living in a way where,” If Jesus doesn’t show up we are in big trouble…” Yet at times I desperately wish I could share that as an idea rather than having to walk in that reality for myself. Today I was driving to one of the churches where I do regular counseling – a 45 minute drive from our office. While traveling I was before the Lord both in agony and in terror over where He has us at the moment. All I can see, based upon my circumstances, is bankruptcy looming on the horizon. We have done our best to follow His voice, knowing we have made bad decisions and huge mistakes along the way; not intentionally, but still mistakes none-the-less. But we have followed His leading based upon our feeble understanding. When I arrived at the church today, I needed to get a cold bottle of water for my throat as it was dry and I knew I would have a hard time talking through my counseling sessions without it. As I was walking back to the church from the gas station where I purchased the water, I noticed the words on the sign in front of the church. “Eyes of faith see God at work in everything...” At that moment it was like God reached out and hugged me, and He reminded me that I cannot walk based upon what I see or what I don’t see. I have to trust Him in ALL things. He is in our situation, and He is working through it. He DOES cause ALL things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I’ve preached and counseled those same words thousands of times, but knowing that truth does nothing to encourage. The words are only an encouragement when Jesus is the one speaking them. Only then are they the words of LIFE. Becky and I may go bankrupt; we may not. But that really is irrelevant. What matters is that Jesus is still on the throne. He is God and He will cause ALL things to work together for His good, and that ultimately is what is BEST for us. Amen!!! Verses for Reflection “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. For faithful is the Word, for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we do not believe Him, yet He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (2Ti 2:10-13)” “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, He comforting us in all our trouble, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in every trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ. And if we are troubled, it is for your consolation and salvation, being worked out in the endurance of the same sufferings which we also suffer; if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (2Co 1:3-6)” “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Rom 8:35)” |
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