John 6.65

I walk up and down my driveway in the dark to pray. It always seems that whatever I need to say just comes out. When I sit at my desk it seems like a struggle. One of the things I always pray for is for something to write. As you can see I didn't get anything to write at that moment. I say all of that to say this. When I was praying this morning I felt like I was supposed to read in John chapter 5. So I read and I wasn't getting anything, so I continued through chapter 6 and then I got stuck on verse John 6.65 Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me." I thought …. I can write about that, but I couldn't. I tried but nothing. I researched the words … nothing. I didn't get it until today at lunch when I was eating with a friend of mind and we got to talking about stuff. He was telling me about a friend of his that he wanted to come to the Lord, but nothing was working. What he said to him was not working. Without going into a lot of detail. The lord showed me that the scripture this morning was for him. It was a good moment in time today at lunch … for him and me. I think he got some peace when he realized besides planting the seeds of righteousness he was also trying to water them. That is not our job and I think we are all guilty of that. We want people to have what we have so bad that we actually get in the way of the Lord and make it worse! Are there any takers? The other part to this story is I still got to write just not when I wanted to. I also heard the Lord this morning, but didn't think I was. It never dawned on me that what I was hearing this morning was preparing me for my time with my friend today at lunch. How many times do you or I hear the Lord and not even realize that is what you're hearing?

Faith or Doubt

Have you gotten to the point where you have hardened your Heart to the works of Jesus? Mark 6:52, "For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened." They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts. Mark 6.52 MSG. I just wonder if that is what happens to us. We see someone get healed but when it comes to our on healing then we harden our own hearts and maybe not believe we could be healed by the same power. Or we pray and God answers our prayer and we are amazed at that. Then time goes by …. A month or 6 months or maybe a year. Then we are not amazed anymore. Then we begin to listen to the doubt and fear of the enemy more than we listen to the truth of the Lord. We need to learn to be more sensitive to God's word and our faith than to satan and doubt.

So what's in your wallet? Faith or doubt?

Maybe our hearts need to be hardened to doubt

Just had a thought.
Are you relying on your emotions to get you through the day? Or do you rely on the truth?

It is for Freedom that christ has set you FREE!

2 Peter 1.5

2 Peter 1:5

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, ……………………….NKJV this whole passage goes on and on. Verse 10 says ………….. If you do these things you will never stumble! Cut and dry! I am reading May 10^th in Oswald. (As usual wrong day) It cause me to pause a moment and think about all of the things that I ask the Lord to do in my prayers. Things that I am responsible for, not Him. The Lord does not give me character; I do that by the choices I make. He does not give me good habits or bad, I do that by the choices I make. The scripture above says "ADD" I am walking in freedom because of the choice I made on March 14. So many times we ask the Lord to do things for us, when we should be doing ourselves. Are you asking the Lord to do something for you when really it is you that needs to do it? I have been asking the Lord about my eating and exercising. He is not going to change my eating o exercising habits.

You know how the prayer goes Lord I pray for discipline in my eating and give me the desire to workout. Change your eating habits and get your butt to the gym! (that goes for me) Or how about this one. Lord I am praying for work. I need to support my family. Then you sit around waiting for the Lord to bring that job to your doorstep. I don't think that is how it works. Sometimes you just have to do what needs to be done and trust. You will know if what you are doing is not the Lord. The lord is my protector, but I still have to lock my windows at night. The Lord is my provider, but I still have to work. The Lord is my healer, but I still have to go to the doctor. The Lord is my Rock, but I still have to make the right choice!

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue  knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Today this scripture

And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

What exactly does that mean to you? I have read this many times before but never noticed it. It comes after one of the most powerfull scriptures in the new testament.

18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

I like to read it like this. My name is Kevin and the Spirit of the Lord is upon me Because He has anointed Kevin To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Kevin to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

It is my belief that this scripture speaks to all of us not just me. Not because it is what I believe but because it is what Jesus said "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." I say read this passage and put your name in place of mine, but not just to hear your name but believe it when you say it.

 

Here is what Jesus says later in Luke 10:19
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.NKJV

So you are anointed and you can trample

 

 

Psalm 94.19

Psalm 94.19  When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. NLT

Started reading in Psalm 91 …… always a good psalm to read…. One of my favorite. So I kept on reading and then I got to 94.19 and when I read it I hear "you never seek me for comfort, You don't get quiet anymore and just listen." "you pray and read and write" Some of my best times with the Lord come when I just close my mouth, close my bible and just listen. Just crawl up in His lap and just listen. It is so hard sometimes to just get quiet and it is so important. Maybe your next quiet time needs to be listening instead of reading and praying. Or better yet listening and then praying.

When I was upset and beside myself, You calmed me down and cheered me up. Msg

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. NASB95

In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul! AMP

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. NKJV

Which version speaks to you?

Your Fruit

7 "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7

I am reading this morning and I skipped right over this and read the whole chapter. When I get to the end verse 20 it says Matthew 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. It made me think back to verse 7 and 8. I thought if I am not doing the things that 7 and 8 are saying then what kind of fruit am I producing?

So here is my question, have you quit asking? Have quit receiving? Have you quit knocking? How is that working for you? God says draw near to me and I will draw near to you. That is a promise! If things aren't going YOUR way then maybe it is time to do something else! What kind of fruit are you producing? I think you should stop right now and ask, Lord, do people want to eat my fruit or is my fruit bad?

Today, my fruit is good; Seven weeks ago it was not. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Idols

We were talking about the temptations of Jesus in our men's group tonight. So naturally I woke up at three in the morning thinking about them. So I got up and begin reading in Deuteronomy chapter six. So as I am reading I keep hearing "idol" Not something I like hearing about. When I get to the end of chapter 8:19 "But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. 20 Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God. One of the things that I really struggle with is the computer and facebook and emails and such. The Lord showed me or told me or whispered. I don't remember exactly how it came. What was said was that I need to give Him the first part of my morning. That means before I turn on the computer I give him my time first. I don't do that all the time. Isaiah 44:20 He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"NKJV As I am writing this morning and thinking about idols this teaching I heard 10 years ago by Beth Moore at a passion conference came too thought and the above scripture from Isaiah. What is in your right hand that is a lie? Is it your smart phone? You're Facebook? You're Kids? You're Work? You're TV? What? Stop and ask right now …. Hold your fist in the air and ask the Lord, because if there is anything other than Jesus in your fist that you are leaning on then you need to deal with it and repent.

Amen

 

Your tone

So I am reading this devotion this morning. Kind of skipping around and I read May 31st. The week is about watching your words. I struggle in this area, like a lot of people do. What got my attention was this. Have you ever been in an argument with your spouse and the words were flying. You were being very loud or yelling and then the phone rings. Two things happen ….. One you make a decision right then to answer or not to answer. Two, you know if you do answer then you have to change your tone right then. You cannot answer the phone in the same way you were yelling at your spouse. Right? (Unless you want to look like a complete idiot …. Which you were already looking like a complete idiot by yelling at your spouse.) So you take a deep breath, and you pick up the phone, and say hello and you say "Oh not much just having a chat with my wife." LIAR! Now what have you done? You have lied to the other person on the phone and have shown your spouse that you CHOSE to yell at her. Think about that for a while. Believe me I am as guilty at this as I can be. Are you? Do you choose to yell at your kids? You're Spouse? If I talked to my friends the way I talk to my wife sometimes or my kids back in the day I would not have any friends. I don't think 31 and 32 are asking I think it is a command. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Thanks Kevin

Heaven

Been reading a book and finished it this morning. Never read "90 minutes in Heaven" still haven't. What I read was "Heaven is for real" by Todd Burbo. It is about a boy that is four years old who dies on the operating table and he goes to Heaven and then is revived. I am not going to go into details because it is really good. I finished it this morning. I read the last 10 chapters this morning and I was in tears for most of the time. It is very interesting because lately I have had a very unsettled feeling in my gut about getting old and dying. I know I am not that old, but the thoughts still come. Don't you think about it occasionally? Anyway I received peace about that this morning a very calm spirit. Thank You Jesus!

A memory was brought back to me while reading, it was a memory that I thought that I had dealt with and I still believe I have. It was the memory of my previous wife Karen and our miscarriage of Taylor in 1993. I have had people tell me "you will see him again when you go to Heaven" Yeah I know, No big deal right? I think sometimes we just kind of brush those remarks off. The quote in the book says this…… Colton (4 yrs. old who is the one who went to Heaven during surgery and came back, this is part of the conversation he had with his sister while in Heaven) says, "She just can't wait for you and Daddy to get to Heaven" (He is saying this to his mom after he said "I have two sisters" He did not know about the other sister, he did not know about the miscarriage.) I felt that is what I was hearing Taylor say to me right then. It broke me big time. I wanted to call Karen and tell her right then. I will tell Karen another day, because today this was for me.

Amen

Matthew 18 33-35

Forgiveness or un-forgiveness:

Don't you hate when something is bothering you and you just can't place it? You talk about it amongst yourself and you end up making it worse! What I am trying to say is bitterness, anger, un-forgiveness. They do not have a place in your heart if you are going to walk with Jesus. What does Jesus say Matthew 18.33 Shouldn't you have treated the other servant as mercifully as I treated you?' 34 "His master was so angry that he handed him over to the torturers until he would repay everything that he owed. 35 That is what my Father in heaven will do to you if each of you does not sincerely forgive other believers." I am in my men's group last night and we are talking about this very subject. I got called out. I have men in my group that love me enough to call me out instead of saying. "I am sorry did you pray about that" or "Wow that is a tough place to be" or " here is what you need to do" but instead I hear" Brother? You know what this group is about you are walking in unforgiveness." I thought "Really" screw you I am not. Then I set there for moment a quick moment and heard "yep you sure are" So I received what was spoken to me

Now what do I do? I took it to the Lord, that is what I did. I prayed about this several times last night in bed and then this morning I walked around my house and prayed about it. I finally got peace and then I was able to write. Last night was when I realized after I got in bed that this week I was turned over to the tormentors and didn't like it.

When does a deceived person know he is deceived?

2 Cor 4:17-18

Yesterday, this word was giving, God said, "Good eyes! I am sticking with you; I will make every word I give you come true."
Jeremiah 1.12 This is a word for everyone! Believe it and walk in it. Today I get this ¹⁷ for our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! ¹⁸ So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Cor.4:17-18 I am so guilty of this myself. It is so easy to focus on what is right in front of you. You know the "woe is me attitude." Do you know this person? The complainer. Nothing ever goes right, nothing is never enough. I have been this person. In the last three and a half months there were several times I was this person. I was not easy to live with. Instead of the mind of Christ, I was the complainer, the griper or whatever you want to call me. I had my good days but the bad days were more frequent. So the word today is a good word for me and I receive it. Could this word be for you as well? I would stop right now and ask Holy Spirit, Where is my focus?

I have 17 and 18 underlined in my bible but have never seen this. It says our present troubles produce glory that vastly outweighs them and lasts forever.

Peace

 

So what did you hear when you asked Holy Spirit?

God said, "Good eyes! I am sticking with you, I will make every word I give you come true." This is a word for everyone! Believe it and walk in it. Jeremiah 1.12

Romans 6.9

Oswald says on April 12

If it is difficult to get right with God, it is because we will not decide definitely about sin. Immediately we do decide, the full life of God comes in. When I read this devo this morning it was not really speaking to me until I got to this phrase... I guess I was ready to receive it this morning. So if you have that struggle … overeating, lying, lazy, sexual sin, finances, you depravity …. Whatever that may be. You have to make a decision if you are going to continue down that road. Which dog you going to feed? Which road you going to take? Here is what scripture says. Romans 6:9-11 because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. AMP so after readying the quote and the above passage it is plain to see. Freedom is a choice. You can continue to believe what Holy Spirit says in Roman's or believe that it does not apply to you. Then you believe the lies of the enemy. You don't have to be the sharpest spoon in the drawer to figure this out. You just have to believe and have faith

FAITH = Fear is Annihilated as Incarnate Truth is Heard

 

 

Do you know Me?

Do You Know Me?

 

 

This is a long read but well worth it. My friend Kyle Hargrove wrote this and I asked him if I could post this on my blog. He said Go For It!

It's difficult to even contemplate. Have you ever thought about the hundreds of thousands of ways our lives are impacted every day because of our relationships with other people? Wow! Just sitting here thinking about it has my brow furrowed in wonder. If you do give it some thought, my guess is that you, like I, would determine that it is a rhetorical question – one to which we already know the answer. Truth is, there is no way to answer the question with any degree of accuracy. What we can say, however, is that our lives would indeed be a dry, barren desert – hardly worth living – were it not for the good, and even the bad that our relationships are guaranteed to bring. There is nothing like it. When you and another person find common ground and begin to familiarize yourselves with one another, you can almost hear the pieces of the puzzle clicking together.

Discovering common friends and interests, realizing the similarities between your families, and spending enjoyable time getting to know a new friend is almost like a rebirth of sorts. God sometimes sends us new relationships just when we need them most. Remember getting to know your newborn child? An adventure every moment of every day. I remember making a new friend when in my early 20's. We began to discover first off that we were comfortable with one another. After we determined that we had numerous common interests and passions, a bond was sealed and we have been friends for life. Though he now lives in another state and our contact is very limited, we can pick up where we left off anytime we make contact. We have seen the best and the worst of times together. We've been through births, deaths, marriages and divorces, frozen pipes, hurt feelings, ski trips, survival treks, and even years of no contact. I feel that I know this man inside and out. I know the good in him, and I know his faults. Trouble is, he also knows mine!!

Let me tell you about someone else I know – someone who also knows me inside and out, upside and down, good side, bad side, funny side, sad side, over and out, sometimes better than I even know myself. She is my partner for the rest of my life. She eats, sleeps, plays, works, laughs, cries, worships, sings, worries, mothers, cleans, cooks, vacates, and recreates with me. No doubt that she loves me – or that I love her equally. All the things just listed that she does, I do as well. Our relationship is one of reciprocity. Not perfect, but the best ever. We work hard to maintain the philosophy of give first, take last. When implemented, it never fails. As I have shared with clients for more than a decade, those who focus on giving first, are never disappointed with what they receive in return. Those who are constantly worried about "what's in it for me," are never satisfied with what they get.

Truth is, however, this relationship poses a problem for me. Though I crave the intimacy that my wife gives out of an overflow, it sometimes makes for trouble in my walk with God, and consequently, my willingness to take on the leadership role in my house. I sort of feel like Adam in the Garden of Eden. God has commanded that this role be mine – not hers. I can picture myself looking upward, hiding behind a bush, wearing only a fig leaf, in desperation, pleading with God. "But Lord, I am having so much trouble doing what you expect. And while we're on the subject, it's not me, it's this woman you gave me!" Now that you have this image burned into your mind, please withhold any comments about the fig leaf. It's just part of the story.

Here's the problem. And research shows that I am among the majority of Christian men when this topic is at hand. Men often struggle when it comes to praying with their wives. Our intentions are good. Our motives are pure. But the end result, far too often for many of us, is that we neglect to spend that precious time talking to the Lord with our best earthly friend. We fail to initiate that time together, and have a dozen excuses at the ready. It's too late, or we're too tired, or we'll do it tomorrow, or we've already done it once this week, or we don't feel good, or we have a headache, or we have to get up early, or blah blah blah blah blah.

Do you notice how those excuses sound like the same ones made to avoid sexual intimacy? That's no coincidence. Women are not as physically attracted to a man who does not fulfill his obligations as the leader of the house – the husband of the wife – or the father of the children. This includes spiritual leadership. And boys, bedtime can be far more adventurous when we get on our knees with our wives instead of getting on our soapboxes against them. Ask any Christian woman. Experiencing spiritual intimacy with their mate increases their desire for the physical blessing as well. But many of our wives have gotten to the point where they're surprised if we do stop and take the time to pray with them. And I'm not talking about blessing the food at the dinner table. The harsh truth? They have given up on us.

Why is it that we seem to have little or no problem praying for our wives, but not with them? Why can we pray aloud in Sunday School or at the table, but not in the bedroom? Why is it that we can teach a bible lesson to 75 people, but can't manage to crack that same bible open at home? I think there are two reasons at least.

First, and most obvious, this requires self-discipline, submission and vulnerability – all traits with which men are not often comfortable. Being the spiritual leader in the household means getting on our faces before God, and submitting to Him – DAILY. It means turning over the reins and following His leadership. It means not being in total control. These expectations are unnatural! But so is God. He is supernatural. And so are the blessings we receive from Him when we submit to His will. Numerous times scripture reminds us that He is at his best and strongest, when we are at our weakest. And that's not a weakened state brought on by hunger or sickness. It's a "willing weakness" that He's asking for. Very, very unnatural for a man.

The second reason, however, is the one that seems to be harder for us to get. Why is it that we have such a difficult time with spiritual intimacy when it comes to our wives? I think it's because they know us. And we know that they know us. They know us better than anyone else. They know our gifts, and abilities, and the best in us, and that's good. But it's what else they know that causes the problem.

They know our faults. They know our weaknesses. They know our sins. They know everything about us that we would not want them or anyone else to know. I've only recently discovered that the unwillingness to make prayer and bible study a priority with my wife, is because I fear she sees me as a hypocrite. It's not a "front of the brain" conscious fear, but one that permeates my soul very subtly. It's hard to recognize. It's difficult to diagnose. And it's still a challenge to overcome even after I've figured it out.

Know what else it is?

It's Satan's best and most utilized tool in the home. God would never put in our minds thoughts that convince us that we are inadequate. But Satan would. God acknowledges our weakness and fallibility. But He forgives those shortcomings and still expects us to do great things. For in Him we are more than conquerors. In Him we are perfect and faultless and blameless. He wants us to go against the flow – break the chain, if you will – and stick out our collective tongues at Satan by breaking out God's Word and praying it into and for our spouses and children. Sort of a justifiable "nanny-nanny-boo-boo."

So often the devil's preferred methods utilize subtlety and a slow erosion of standards and character. Remember that when you see that you are leaving your intentions behind and following through with behavior which is inconsistent, even with your own best intentions.

So, do you know me? If so, it's a good thing.

 

 

 

 

Can you hear Him?

So now that I have had confession with my wife and I am off the crutches, my walk with the Lord seems to be on the rise again. I am not sure I like that … I mean I hate the thought that my walk with the Lord depends on my attitude instead of spending time with Him to help me with my attitude. So…. I am reading this morning in Mark and before I read I always pray and ask for something I can write about. As you can see I don't write every day. My devotion this morning was out of Oswald and I thought it was the 7^th so that is what I read … this is a quote "Say nothing until the Son of man is risen in you—until the life of the risen Christ so dominates you that you understand what the historic Christ taught. When you get to the right state on the inside, the word which Jesus has spoken is so plain that you are amazed you did not see it before. You could not understand it before; you were not in the place in disposition where it could be borne. This explains a lot of things, have you ever noticed when you make yourself read the word a lot of times you don't get anything? It is a common thing. So the big question or one of the questions this morning is this; Are you being dominated by the Risen Lord or is something else dominating you? So here is the second part verse 49 out of Mark says
…………………………………….."Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you."NASB95. Are you in the frame of mind to hear Him when He is calling you?

 

Who do you obey?

^26 But ^gthe ⁷Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will ^hsend in My name, ⁱHe will teach you all things, and bring to your ^jremembrance all things that I said to you. John 14-17 are 4 chapters of the Gospels that are my favorites. So it was no surprise this morning when I woke to here John 14. So I read and it really spoke to me. You hear the Holy Spirit … I hear the Holy Spirit. So you can do like I did and hear Him and disobey for two months or hear Him and obey. After my confession I have had a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. I wish I had obeyed sooner. So what is Holy Spirit telling you or better yet, what has He told you to do? and you deliberately disobeyed Him? What I mean is … You heard Him and you know you heard Him and you just turned your back on Him. That is what I did and it did not work well for me.

 

I can remember growing up and my father telling me. (17yrs old) "Son, when you go down to Dallas for that concert, do not do anything to get thrown in jail," "Okay dad no problem." The consequences of the sin are bigger than the sin itself. I got thrown in jail.
When I got home I was disciplined. My vehicle was taken away and I was grounded for six weeks. I didn't have a cell phone or they would have taken that as well. My point is if you choose to walk in disobedience then you better be ready for the discipline. He disciplines those He loves and He loves you.

Confession

Confession is good for the Soul. Anyone read James lately? I have not but I know what He says about confessing and being healed. James 5:16
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.The Message. Over the last two to three months, )not sure how long actually )I have felt that I needed to confess some particular things to my wife. Things that only the men I walk with know about. Evil things! I listened to a message the other day by Robert Morris on Pride and Purity. Lets just say that those messages hit my about as hard as I hit the concrete 8 weeks ago today. So Sunday night I confessed to my wife and I am on my way back up the mountain. My attitude has changed, My outlook has changed and the way I see my wife has changed. Sometimes it is the smallest things in life that have the biggest results. So my question is this…….. do you have anything you need to confess and who do you need to confess it too besides the Lord?

3.00 in the morning

I fought it this morning. I woke up at three this morning knowing it was the Lord ….. I lay in bed. 3.30 I lost that battle and got up and went and set at my computer and still fought it. I DID NOT WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU THIS MORNING!!!. I uploaded more pictures to my website still fighting that pull I was feeling in my gut. I hear John 17 so I read, but it was John 18 that nailed me where Jesus says Shall I not drink from this cup of suffering the Father has given me? Now I know the Lord did not break my leg, but I also know that He could have immediately healed me right then and there if He had wanted too. So I just have to wonder what exactly was or is going on. So I chewed on that for a minute or two and then this one came to me. Hebrew 12:3-5
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. The Message. Can I tell you …. I don't really believe in the last 7 ½ weeks that I have gone over the story of Jesus in my mind once. Many people have asked me this question to the point where I am sick of hearing it. What do you think the Lord is trying to show you? My response has been "Hell I don't know" and I probably won't know for a couple of months or maybe even years, but I am sure I will see it sometime. It has been really hard the last couple of weeks to understand just exactly what is happening? I have lost a bathroom remodel and a kitchen remodel because my leg was broken. The kitchen remodel was my job, but they decided without talking to me that I could not do the job and I am a general contractor. So they hired someone else. They approached me first and didn't even give me a chance. That hurt deeply. I have also been working on a $41000, 00 addition estimate I got it all done and when I am ready to present the numbers (and it is looking really good that I am going to get this job) She has a stroke and they find out she has leukemia and now they are giving her less than a year to live. So that job is dead at least for now. So …. What is God trying to show me? Hmmm

So I ask, Lord I just bleed all over the place how can I end this? Immediately these passages come to me. Proverbs 3:5-7
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.AMP

 

A Great Reply

A great reply to my post

Great questions to ask. I would guess that many of us are like you - I know I am. Here is what Daddy is telling me. #1 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial... you know the verse. #2 and I'm not sure I like this but He said it so I know it is true. How deep do my roots go? When the winds blow hard, am I uprooted or will I bend but not be uprooted? How will I know if I see Him as a Sugar Daddy if I don't ever experience tough times? Ouch, that hurts for me because I have two times of the year for contracts and I am in the middle of one of them. Yesterday, I find out a contract I have had since 2002 was beat by 40%. That stinks - who is my provider? Is Daddy good in my mind as long as all my contracts come back or as long I am healthy? Daddy, I confess that I have not trusted in you but have trusted in myself. I repent of my sin and ask you to forgive me. I thank you that you are a good Daddy and that you don't always give me what I want , but you always give me what I need ( even if it is a little kick in the pants ) . Kee, thanks for being open and honest - you inspire me. Thank you for being my friend! Iron sharpens Iron. Blessings, Chuck

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴ Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.