Christian Author and Speaker
Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name . . . And now the Lord says–he who formed me in the womb to be his servant . . . for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength–“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant . . . I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:1-6
We’ve waited and trusted. In hope and anticipation. Looking for the miracle. Trusting in the miracle. Seeing the miracle. Of healing. Of growth. And of birth.
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:16-18
Her baby was sick.
All your [daughters] will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. Isaiah 54:13,17b
Wow! In our brief study of Romans 5: 1-5, I was overwhelmed by what God taught me through His Word and my study partners. How can we rejoice in suffering? I’ve gleaned from these honest ladies, and I’d like to share it with you:
Amy commented, “It really is JOY. Is it the happy, skipping, life is wonderful, kind of joy? NO. But.. It is the incredible joy of having that intimate, deep, dependence on, and relationship with HIM. When nothing makes sense . . . when all is dark . . . when all seems lost . . . that’s when His light of peace and JOY penetrate your soul. Yes indeed, there is joy in suffering. The wonderful, incredible joy of holding hands, and being held by our Great, Loving, Compassionate Father.”
Deb openly confessed from the depths of her heart, “I’m not rejoicing in my sufferings – I’m still waiting to rejoice.”
Our passage shows the steps it takes: suffering > perseverance > character > hope.
Please read Deb and Amy’s comments in full – see the Bible Study posting, “Rejoice in Suffering? How?”
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“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Jesus. (Matthew 25:40)
Further Reading: Matthew 10:40-42
More to come on what I must now do.
(Be sure to read my previous post, “God Is Using You.”)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Just imagine it! Imagine those clay jars, which have been placed around you, on the shelf, on the floor, on the table–placed there–for us–for you and for me! They’re free. And they’re filled with treasures.
I pick up one jar. It’s heavy. I’m hesitant. I’ve heard that the treasures are magnificent, but I’m still hesitant. I lift it and slowly begin to pour the content out! I pour it only on my feet. I’m hurting–it heals me. I’m grieving–it consoles me.
I become a bit more trusting, so I begin to pour it on my legs and arms.
I’m praising–it enables me.
I’m homesick–it comforts me.
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The clay jar is still filled to the brim! But it’s not as heavy now! I lift it up, over my head. I pour it out.
I’m famished–it fills me.
I’m thankful –it blesses me.
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I don’t want it to end. I’m anxious–it fills me with peace. I’m suffering–it fills me with hope. The content–the treasure–saturates me!
And it never ends.
It never runs out.
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Today, pick up that jar of clay–pour out the treasure–saturate yourself with it–let it fill your mouth and penetrate your heart:
“. . . that is, the word of faith (I) am proclaiming”
Read about it in Romans 10:9-13.
Thanksgiving! Turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie! Sounds wonderful! Our family usually gathers around the table, and before asking the blessing, one by one, we tell what we are thankful for. But this year was different. We didn’t gather. One family went to Decker, Michigan ; one family went to Richland, Michigan; and one family was separated by . . . well, if you have been reading my posts, you already know.
So on this Thanksgiving, Ron and I didn’t feel like sitting around the table.
We are thankful that our children and their spouses love and honor God.
We are thankful for our nine grandchildren and for the two baby boys on the way.
We are thankful that God continues to be our refuge through our most difficult year ever.
We are thankful that we have hope and a future.
Further Reading: Jeremiah 29: 10-14
2 Corinthians 4: 6
Friends, Tuesday morning, after a heartbreaking Monday, after telling our grandchildren that Mommy and Daddy were in jail, and after a miserable night, I opened my Bible to Joshua 5:14b, to ask the Lord the question I have been trying to remember to ask him every day, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Me!) Was I expecting something new? Something dramatic? Something unusual? As I flipped through the pages of my Bible, my eyes fell upon highlighted passages, post-it notes, and ink writings, smeared by time and wear. I read His promises–the same promises I’d been given in His Word before Monday’s sentencing–were true for me on Tuesday. The same God who loved me (and Ron and Amber and Jesse and . . .) before Monday’s sentencing loved me on Tuesday. And loves me today. And will love me tomorrow . . . and . . .
Do you see?
He doesn’t change.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Ron and I are heartbroken. But He is here with us.
Amber is hurting and lonely. But he is there with her.
Jesse is humiliated and broken. But he is there with him.
He will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5
You see, we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God . . . We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Why? Because we always carry around . . . Jesus!
2 Corintians 4: 7-9
So, grab your jars of clay and go fill them with His treasures.
More to come . . .
“I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4
If you’ve followed my postings, you know that this is a trying time for me. Waiting. Wondering. Praying. Fearing. Trusting. Crying. Praising. I wait for Monday. And as I wait, God uses you to comfort and wait with me. To pray, to fear, to trust, to cry, and to praise with me. God is using you.
It started with a facebook message, a “Like,” an I’m praying for you. Then a phone call. A message from Pastor. A blog comment and an offer of prayer. An email from a student–I’m praying that God will strengthen you. It continues with a note from a sweet cousin—Praying for Monday—and a hand-painted poppy from a dear friend. It ends with –well, it doesn’t end . . .
It doesn’t end because God says that His purpose will stand. He summons a bird, or a man (or a woman!) to fulfill his purpose. And He has summoned you for His purpose of comforting me. And you have answered Him.
It’s all a part of His plan – for you – for me– for Monday.
And aren’t you glad that He makes the plans?
“I am God,” He says. “And there is no other; I make known the end from the beginning . . . I say: My purpose will stand . . . I summon a bird . . . from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness. I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel” (Isaiah 46: 9-13)
Salvation and His splendor to Kathi and to her facebook friend. To her Pastor and to her sweet cousin. And to her blog follower and to . . . .
God is using you. And because He is, peace fills me now. If only for today, it is refreshing.
“Summon your power, O God;show us your strength, O God,as you have done before. . . Rebuke the beast.”
“‘The Word is near you.; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is the word of faith we are proclaiming.”
“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.In righteousness you will be established. Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.Terror will be far removed;it will not come near you.If anyone does attack you,it will not be my doing;whoever attacks you will surrender to you.See it is I who created the blacksmith . . . who . . . forges a weapon. . .And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;no weapon forged against you will prevail,and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD.”
The Word reminds me that because my children have been established in righteousness, they will not experience tyranny and terror, nor will I. The attack is not from God; in fact, any who attacks will have to surrender to us. God created the one who forges the weapon. Their weapons will not prevail. Only what God wants will prevail. There is peace in His Word – in His promises. I am desperate for Him at this time. And as I have done a thousand times before, I pray His Word, trusting Him to complete it:“Summon your power, O God;show us your strength, O God,as you have done before. . . Rebuke the beast.”