Trials as blessings

The valley sits in a haze as fires ignite everywhere. Smoke settles as low as the treetops, thick as cotton, hiding the light of the sun from even the keenest eye. Everyone was so happy for the skip of springs showers, yet unknown to all was the great price we were to pay for it. It seems as dusk in the middle of the day.

How many times do we fear the storms in our own life? How often do we despair at even the smallest trials? As one band put it, "Cuz' the pain that you've been feeling / Is just the dark before the morning". How difficult would it be to recognize the blessings in our life, if we did not experience trials and heartbreak? Perhaps they are a reminder, adjusting our perspective, to see how great the little joys are in life. Perhaps they themselves are blessings in disguise, allowing us to truly appreciate a happy moment, a blessed moment, a moment of opportunity when they arise.

Count your trials as blessings and hardships as reminders. Without them there would be no contrast to illuminate the great times, and life would then fade into a mundane, monotonous rhythm.

What am I without You my Lord and Savior?

What am I without You my sweet Redeemer?

What am I without You my God, my Leader?

What am I without You? Who am I without You?

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Acts 2:21)

How beautiful! How simple! Amazingly, God pours forth all His mercy, love and great blessings to those who call upon His majestic name. By placing all faith in Christ, the believer is given the ultimate promise: glorious eternity with his Creator and Saviour. This demands praise and rejoicing to the Most High God. For He is worthy.

God You alone know the heart of man. You alone know who I am. You know my fears, failures and insecurities. You know the imperfections that no one else can see. Yet in You I am made strong. I am made brave to win any victory. In You I will endure, as Your love, joy and peace converge.

I want to go someplace. I am so antsy. I know the Lord desires I remain in the valley to continue my schooling, but I am quickly losing motivation. I love studying and learning, but I'm afraid I have lost sight of where I am headed. There are so many things I want to do, yet all require years of commitment. I wish I could live for a thousand years. I wish I could live a hundred lifetimes.

There is one thing I know I must do. I must reconnect with the Lord. God rekindle the fire within me. Bring me to my knees and before your feet. Cause me to remember your loving kindness. Initiate that passion within me to illuminate and proclaim Your name. God, above all I desire you. Above all, I want to serve you all my days. I would give up anything. Though I am easily distracted, and though I fall short continually, at the end of the day I choose You. God I'm choosing You.

Ebola...

Pray for those in Africa and elsewhere who struggle with the Ebola outbreak. Over the news we hear of countless stories, of refugee camps, of the study for treatments and vaccines. But while they yet strive to control the situation people are dying. Victims are suffering. 90% of men, women, and children who catch it are likely to die. Outreach organizations like Doctors Without Borders go to their limits to help those in need, but they can only go so far.

Pray the Lord lay His hand on this situation. Pray many are healed, miraculously even. Pray many are given the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Let this time of suffering be an opportunity to manifest God's glory. May He give the physicians the clear minds to do their work. May He give peace and rest to those hurting.

He doesn't always pull us from the fire, but He is always there. May He show Himself and strengthen the hearts of those whom are weak. May He lay His hands on the countries of Africa and heal their nations.

For more information visit:
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/our-work/medical-issues/ebola

A Glass Pane

What is true joy? Some days one strives for it to no end. No one can deny the ill depression that sweeps our Nation. We long for happiness. Isn't that the goal of all individuals? The pursuit of happiness? To many that is a fountain of wealth, a fairytale romance, whole health, or success. The definition of fulfillment and contentment lies in what we can reap from this world.

As a Christian one finds joy in Christ, and in salvation. We find joy in the midst of a raging storm (that is not to say we don't have our ups and downs, for we too struggle to find hope in the fierce trials). But even the greatest joy in this world, cannot compare to that which we will discover when we come into the presence of our Lord in Heaven.

It is like looking through the pane of a bakery: unable to touch, to taste, to fully experience the goodness of those sweets.

  

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

I Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)

When this world fades away, when our mortal lives come to an end, when we stand before our Savior, He will look into our eyes and He will smile. We will feel His love like we have never felt before. We will be overwhelmed in a joy so great it surpasses understanding. Peace will rule so powerfully in our hearts it will shake the foundation of our souls. And suddenly... suddenly we will realize we were looking through a glass pane this whole time.

We are disconnected to a degree here on this earth, encompassed entirely by a world unworthy of God's glory. For He is a perfect God, and we live in an imperfect world. We are saved by grace, but we live in a world where Satan is the prince. We see God's glory as it were through a glass, separated. 

Yet take heart, there comes a day when the Lord will shatter that glass with an iron fist and His glory will resound like a thousand trumpets. We will be drawn to our knees everyone, and with our tongues confess that He is Lord. One day this world will fade and when it does, the Heaven's will roll back and we will behold His glory. The glory of the Father. And we will be encompassed, bathed, and baptized in His love, peace and joy.