Monday, December 31, 2007

LET GOD BE GOD!

Hello Fellow Bloggers!!

I know it's been a while since I've posted...my laptop died a few months ago making my computer time hard to come by. But now I have a new one, praise God, so hopefully blogging will be a little easier.

I re-read my old blog from October (yes, way back in October), and found it continously applies to my everyday life. We cannot let our fears stop us from doing God's will! I have so many overwhelming fears that I, yes, even fear over having fears. How is that possible when I KNOW that God will be there for me, no matter what?

Over the past few months, I have struggled with these same issues. Afraid of this and that, these little fears threaten to consume me. When trying to do God's will, bumps and struggles are bound to happen and when they do, we each have a personal decision to make. Will we continue on the path that God wants us to travel or will we take the easy road that might seem to bring a safer, if not more comforting way.

And then for the first time in a long time after an upsetting situation unfolded a month ago, I found it hard to hear what the Holy Spirit had to say regarding this particular issue. I couldn't imagine living my life without the Spirit's guidance. I realized that I hadn't been in the Word like I should be. It should go hand in hand. I know this yet when I get baffled by something, I turn away from the very things that sustain me. Why is this?

I could blame it all on the evil one and wouldn't that be easy? But is that all there is to it? I don't think so. I think it's about letting fear get the best of me, little by little. Before I know it, I'm in a situation where I am weak and then yes, evil can worm its way into my heart, soul and mind, leading me astray, leading me away from God, his Word. While it's all right to admit that even as our faith grows, our fear is still a part of us, we cannot forget that we must keep up the basics of our faith to keep these same fears from overwhelming us to the point that we turn away from our God. This can be a gradual process and it takes an emotional experience to show that we might just not be right in our walk with the Lord.

We cannot be consumed by the "what-ifs" so that we let fear keep us from doing God's will. I really feel this is the message that God has been sending me over the past few months, and instead of digging deeper into the Word to listen to the Holy Spirit, I have been praying for easy answers that just weren't forthcoming. Imagine that.

Although God wants us to pray and I believe in the power of prayer, I feel he wants us to work at a personal relationship with Him. Key word being work. That means at a very minimum doing the right thing even though it's uncomfortable, grabbing ahold of Jesus' hand and dig into the Word to seek the Holy one's counsel, and receive a peace that only He can give.

Okay, I have brought this to my OWN attention once again, what am I going to do about it? First of all, I'm going to "LET GOD BE GOD!" Realize that I will be instructed to do God's will, BUT...he is in control of all situations... I do my part as instructed to the best of my ability, and HE does his. My pastor used this expression in a sermon when I felt most confused about the above mentioned issue. It is really so simple. Secondly, go to the Word! Seek out the message that God wants me to hear coming from Him. Then the Holy Spirit will show me the way! I cannot merely demand an answer without the proper understanding of his ways, his will.

Will this miracously cure all ills of the world, or even make my problems go away? No, but it will bring me one step closer to finding my way in this crazy world. One step closer to the place that God wants me to be at this point in my journey. Then and only then will I understand what to do in critical situations, and the smaller daily events of my life for fulfillment and joy.

This verse gives me great comfort and joy...

Romans 5:1-5
Peace and Joy 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Ah, now don't you feel better? I know I do... ;)

SUMMER! REMEMBER THE SUN?


Yes, that's me and my 14" bass! Why post a summer pic now? Well, I'm hoping to keep my spirits up during the sometimes dreary winter...especially when I look at the radar and see more snow coming!
Thank you Lord for all of your wonderful blessings!