True to Form

Well, as always happens with me, I have let my Bible Study go as things in my life started to improve. That last phrase sounds like something else caused it to happen, though, not me. Another fault of mine! I chose to spend my time on other things, not contemplating the word of God each day. There, I said it. I'm woefully imperfect.

I didn't completely abandon all Bible Study, I just sort of let things slide here at home, in my quiet time. I have lots of excuses (Simon being home, end of the school year hustle, walking more, therefore doing more around the house and getting out more, etc, etc, etc) but the sad fact is this: when things aren't so bad, I rely on my own devices more often.

And really, isn't it a good thing that I'm feeling better? Walking better? Doing better?

Well, of course it is! But here's the thing about feeling better - if it pulls me away from a close relationship with God, what is the benefit? This brings me back around to this: what is the benefit of hard times? Is there a good that comes from suffering?

You bet! I've already written about verses that talk about everything working to the good, etc, and so many of the men who wrote the Bible were going through personal suffering that there are lots of verses that address this issue.

The verse I'm focusing on today is 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, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Yup, you read that right - consider it joy to encounter trials because the testing of your faith produces endurance. This is what will make you strong, then, going through trials.

So - what kinds of benefits do we get from the good times? Well, it's easy. Yup - that's about it. Good times don't test our faith at all, really, do they? We coast along, sometimes even in the illusion that we're doing it all on our own! Well, bully for us, eh?

I'm praying today that, even as things get easier for me, the Lord will bring to my mind the lessons I've learned during my trials:

• He is most important
• My relationship with God is my most important relationship - all others will fall into place if this one is in good standing
• My family comes next
• My job is down the line - not as important as God or Family (go figure)
• Everything that is good about me or what I do comes from God working through me - not from my own power
  
• God working through me is pretty damn fabulous!

I start back to work (part time at first) next Monday. If you've a mind to, please pray that these lessons will be with me, and that I will approach each day prayerfully.

Remembering

The thing about trusting in God is that it is sometimes hard to remember His promises when you're in the midst of tough times and hardships. I guess that is why it is important to have memory verses and fellowship and good friends. We often have to go to those things to remind ourselves that God is good. God is loving. God's plans will not fail, even when the people making things happen are not Godly people.

I am a child of God.

I know that God's plan will come to fruition even when it seems like nothing is going right.

I know that God loves me.

I know that God will use trials and difficulties in my life to make me stronger, to give me opportunities to serve in new ways, and to bring me back to Him.


Why, though, does it have to be so hard sometimes?

Memory Verses wk 4

Again, all from the book of Isaiah. Tonight is our last class. It has gone too quickly!

Is 57:15
For thus says the high and exalted one who lives forever, whose name is Holy. "I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spiriti in order to revive the heart of the contrite."

Is 64:4
For from or old they have not heard nor perceived by ear, neither has the eyes seen a God besides Thee, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.

Is 66:2b:
but to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trebles at My word.

Now to do my homework . . .

Memory verses, wk 3

Here is this week's memory verse list:

Is. 40: 27-31
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, my way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God?"
Do you not know? have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

God will not get tired and stop caring for you. He is eternal, and will always understand your needs. He will build you up. I love the end of this passage - and I know a song for it. It deserves songs, for it's a wonderful thing. If you wait upon the Lord He will renew your strength.

Teach me, Lord, to wait.


Is 46: 9-10
Remember the former things long past. For I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is no one like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying "My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure."


Is 55: 11
So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

God's word will always accomplish what He intends. That is a vast, hard to grasp idea for me. So absolute.

Memory verses, wk 2

I neglected to post the memory verses from week 2, so I'll post them now.

Isaiah 26: 3-4
The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord we have an everlasting Rock.

Trust - it is hard sometimes. I've heard people say - if you can't trust the one who made you, who can you trust? But here's my roadblock . . . I'm not overly impressed with the functioning of my body, ya know? It doesn't hold together well, it has a lot of flaws (heart, gall bladder, hearing, legs diff lengths, etc), and frankly, I have some issues.

So faith takes more than some kind of blind trust in some kind of sugar daddy in the sky. I have to keep my mind steadfast. I have to CHOOSE to trust Him because He has kept his promises . .. on the larger scale. I have to remember that when I am living for Him, things work out better overall than when I'm living for comfort, or ease, or work, or myself.

I have an everlasting (eternal) Rock.

Promises

Studying Isaiah, I am overwhelmed by some of the promises that God made to Isreal and Judah, and consequently to us today. This book has a lot of horrible consequences for the unbelievers, but of course, wanting to stay positive, I'm looking harder at the promises. Here are a few I've found today in my reading:

45:22
Turn to me and be saves, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

46: 4
Even to your old age, i shall be the same, and even to your graying years I shall bear you. I have done it, and I shall carry you and I shall bear you and I shall deliver you.


I love the clear and direct language in some of these verses . . .
46:12-13
Listen to me, you stubborn-minded, (who, me?) who are far from righteousness. I bring near my righteousness, it is not far off; and my salvation will not delay,
and I will grant salvation in Zion,
and my glory for Israel.

49:13
Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have compassion on His afflicted.

But this one really struck me this morning, for I often hold my tongue when I fear that I will face ridicule or judgement because I am a Christian:
50:4-7
The Lord God has given me the tonue of disciples, that I man know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning yb morning. He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not disobedient. Nor did I turn back. I gave my back to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who pluck out the beard. I did not cover my face from humiliation and spitting. for the Lord God helps me. Therefore, I am not disgraces' therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

I don't think there is anyone who knows me who would say that I am timid or shy, yet when faced with sharing my faith in God, I hesitate. I keep my mouth closed when I know that I have words of life. What have I to fear? Nothing! I should not be ashamed to share God's word! So what holds me back? I think I might offend someone, I fear that someone will think that I'm vaccuous or vapid for believing, and I worry that people won't like me. Did you get that? I'm worried about receiving judgement from people, who have no power to judge (and, indeed, who would lambast me at the first sign of myself being judgmental, right?)

I am praying today for boldness to show the strong, real love of God to those around me by respecting them (and myself, and God) enough to these life-affirming words of love, hope and salvation.

I will remember this verse;
53:12
But you will not go out in haste, nor will you go as fugitives; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Memory verses, wk 1

Is 2:22
Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

Is 7:9b
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

I have read through a lot of history in 2Kings and 2 Chronicles, and some of it was very dry. These two verses, though, are good ones to remember. Put God first, and stand firm in your faith.

Valuable. Now I just have to actually remember them w/o looking!