"God Should Fix My Problems"

The book I am currently reading is Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  I just finished the second chapter - Lies Women Believe About God.  Nancy lists six:

• God is not really good
• God doesn't love me
• God is just like my father
• God is not really enough
• God's ways are too restrictive
• God should fix my problems 

The last one caught my attention, probably because I have thought at one time or another this was true.  We battle Satan's lies with the Truth.  Here is the Truth:

•  Life is hard.  Romans 8:21-22 - "...that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God."

• God is more concerned about glorifying Himself and changing me than about solving all my problems.  2 Corinthians 4:17 - "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison."

• God has an eternal purpose He is fulfilling in the midst of my problems.  Romans 5:3,4 - "And not only this, we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope..."  James 1:2-4 - "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

• God wants to use my problems as part of His sanctifying process in my life.  Job 23:10 - "But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

• No matter what problem I am facing, God's grace is sufficient for me.  2 Corinthians 12:9 - "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."

We love it when our circumstances are easy, don't we?  Problems come our way in all different shapes and sizes because we live in a fallen world.  Someday life will not be hard.  But for right now, everything exists to serve God's purposes.  Even our problems.  The Psalmist said that is was good for him to be afflicted.  It caused him to learn God's Word.

God doesn't always grant relief from our problems because He knows hurt is good for us.

Hmm...I really like the second bullet.  I think I should make it a refrigerator magnet...

And So Shall We Always Be With The Lord

"Jesus is Lord" came spilling off of Steve's lips again, just as the sword reached its apex and then sliced into the old saint's neck.  His body crumpled and fell limp, next to his son's and his grandson's bodies.

Up in the Throne Room a Voice thundered, "Their number is complete!"

The ground beneath Linda, who knelt next to her slain husband, began to sway.  She was sobbing but yet her heart was steadfast, strong.  Neither would she deny Him.

The earth groaned and then lurched and heaved.  The noise was tremendous.  As the sword was raised for her, the blinding sun, reflecting in the steel, suddenly vanished.  With another heave of the earth, the sword veered off its intended path, glancing off the stump instead.

The earth was plunged into blackness.   

Linda's heart leapt.  She caught her breath and then raised her bent head.  The glory of the Son of God, her Redemption, shattered the darkness.  His brilliant form drew nearer.  Linda's heart leapt a second time.  

A shout pierced the air, and a trumpet.

Steve's limp body came to life as well as her son's and grandson's.  All three were lifted, each by a strong, glowing figure.  A fourth wrapped its arm around Linda and swept her towards her King as her tears turned from deep grief to utter joy, "Jesus, my Lord, my Savior!"

When tempted to doubt God's love, remember the cross.  When tempted to doubt God's power, remember the resurrection.

"Beliefs produce behavior...

Believing things that aren't true produces sinful behavior.  What we believe will be seen in the way we live.  Conversely, the way we behave is invariably based on what we believe to be true-not what we say we believe, but what we actually believe." 

"As a man  thinketh in his heart, so is he" - Proverbs 23:7

Nancy Leigh DeMoss in Lies Women Believe
 
Nancy also writes that every act of sin in our lives begins with a lie.  We listen to it, we dwell on it until we believe it and then finally, we act on it.  When we first reject the Truth and violate God's Word one time, it can seem like just a little matter.  But then the next time we are tempted we find it easier to sin.  It just becomes easier and easier until we've worn a groove in our hearts, a sinful pattern.

Here is a list of issues in which we are prone to fall into bondage...

• overeating
• an eating disorder
• substance abuse
• anxiety
• fear
• depression
• chronic emotional disorders
• pornography
• lust 
• fornication
• homosexuality
• overspending
• greed
• stinginess
• anger
• lying
• the need for approval
• excessive shyness
• talking too much
• addiction to TV, romance novels

We need to ask God to identify our areas of bondage. Once they are identified we should not just try to eliminate them.  We have to "pull the bush out by the roots."

After we've identified the area of sinful behavior then we need to identify the lie at the root of that bondage or behavior.  What lies have we listened to, believed, and acted on that have put us in bondage?  Roots are generally hidden beneath the surface and lies are deceptive.  We need the Lord to help us see what we have been believing that is not true.

Finally, we need to replace the lies with the Truth.  Satan's lies are powerful but the Truth is even more powerful.  Each lie must be countered with the corresponding Truth.  Where we have listened to, dwelt on, believed, and acted on lies, we must begin to listen to, meditate on, believe, and act on the Truth.  This is how we move from bondage to freedom, by the power of God's Spirit.

The Truth will set us free...

"What I Say to You I Say to All"

So are you still wondering if Jesus teaching on His return in Mark 13 is for you or not?  According to Jesus...it is...

Mark 13:37  "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!' "

Here's what we are to watch for before He returns and gathers His elect from all over -

• Others claiming they are Christ
• Wars and rumors of wars
• Famines
• Believers being persecuted and killed
• The gospel going out to all nations during this time
• Family betrayal
• Hatred because we align ourselves with Christ
• The abomination of desolation
• The worst persecution against believers of all time
• The natural lights going out

Don't be mislead by any other teaching... 

Pray

These are Jesus' words of exhortation which provide the climax of His teaching regarding His return, recorded by Luke:

"But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man" - Luke 21:36.

"Prayer is an indispensible part of preparation for the end of the age.  We are to pray for the strength to endure the fires of tribulation that we may encounter.  We are to pray for the power to proclaim the word of the gospel with conviction and boldness.  We are to pray for the name of our King to be magnified.  In doing this now, by God's grace, we are well equipped to endure the rough terrain that lays before us."

Ryan Habenna in The Parable of the Fig Tree

New Blog

Same writer...

Be sure and check out The Orange Mailman's new blog.  Orange is an Historic Pre-Millennialist.  (I think that's what I am too...still trying to take it all in and figure it all out.)  If you've never read him, you will not be disappointed, especially if you love the study of prophecy.  You will have to put your thinking cap on though because he will stretch you.  Hey Orange, I was looking at the Lord's instruction on prayer in Matthew 6.  Do you know what amillennialists do with "Thy kingdom come?"  Just wonderin'...

Totally off topic:  Mai is at 36 weeks, 5 days.  She had an ultrasound today.  Charlie is at about 5 lbs. 10 oz.  He is now bigger than his daddy was when he was born.  We are starting to get a little excited around here!  And so happy for Karin.  She is going to be a gramma of a little boy a week or so into the new year!  Daniel, Charlie, and ?  Oh the fun!

Nothing...

will ever happen to you that God does not already know about.  Nothing will ever happen to you that is a mistake. (Psalm 139:4,16)  Nothing will ever happen that you cannot handle by God's power and grace.  (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)  Nothing will ever happen to you that will not eventually be used by God for some good purpose in your life.  (Roman 8:28-29)  And nothing will ever happen to you apart from God's presence.  (Matthew 28:20)

Elizabeth George in Loving God with All Your Mind

The Worthy Walk

Ephesians 4:1,2 - "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love..."

Humility, gentleness, and patience are reflected in a forbearing love for others that is continuous and unconditional...this is part of the worthy walk to which we are called.  Because of all the blessings we have in Christ, we are to live this way, and because of all the blessings we have in Christ, we are empowered to live this way.  

Here are some of my favorite images from our recent visit with the Wisens.  Such great hosts!  We really had a fun, relaxed week.  Thanks, Dave and Kristen!

 

The best cookies, ever!

Another Highlight of My Week...

Seeing Beth!

Western Washington Meets West Michigan

Just a quick post, to put up a picture from my vacation last week.  I think just about all my readers knew my husband and I were in Michigan visiting our friend, Kristen.  One of the highlights for me was getting to meet The Orange Mailman while we were there.  Orange, Kristen, and I nose our way around Fulfilled Prophecy.  I go by the screen name of revelation12eleven, or Overcomer.  Kristen is Nike, and Orange is well, The Orange Mailman.  (Click on the picture and it will enlarge, and then you can get a better look at what is written on the t-shirts.)  I love to read Orange's blog and what he posts at FP.  Sometimes I have to read it two and three times because it is so deep.  I have learned  much from this diligent student of the Word and master of comparing Scripture with Scripture.  It was great to meet you and Michelle, Orange.  Thanks for the t-shirt and sweat shirt, so thoughtful.  May the Lord richly bless you for your faithful study.

One of your greatest fans,
  Overcomer 

(Your latest study was superb, by the way.)