His Strength is Made Perfect in My Weakness

Sometimes it is so hard to understand why we are faced with the battles that come our way. One of our favorite things to say is that God will not put more on us than what we can handle. It would be great if that is what the scripture actually says. Lets take a look at that scripture. In order to understand the true meaning, we have to look at the verses before and after the one in question. It is very important to keep the scripture in context or the true meaning will be lost.

For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the fact that all of our ancestors were under the cloud, and they all went through the sea, and they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and they all ate the same spiritual food, and they all drank the same spiritual drink, for they continually drank from the spiritual Rock that went with them, and that Rock was Christ. But God wasn't pleased with most of them, and so they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things became examples for us so that we won't set our hearts on evil as they did. Let us stop being idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to play." Let us stop sinning sexually, as some of them were doing, and on a single day 23,000 fell dead. Let us stop putting the Lord to the test, as some of them were doing, and were destroyed by snakes. You must stop complaining, as some of them were doing, and were destroyed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down as a warning for us in whom the climax of the ages has been realized. Therefore, the person who thinks he is standing securely should watch out that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it. And so, my dear friends, keep on running away from idolatry. (1Co 10:1-14 ISV)

This scripture is clearly talking about temptation. One of the biggest problems going on in that time was idolatry. This scripture is warning against being caught up in sin. The truth is that we are all tempted to sin. But with that temptation always comes a way out. God always gives us a choice. sometimes in our own strength we are not strong enough to choose that way out but one of the tools the Holy Spirit gives us is self control. We do not use self control in our own strength but the strength given us by God.
As far as our everyday struggles go, sometimes we do have too much on us. Sometimes it is more than we can bear in our imperfect human state. But the word of God says that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. when the burden is too hard to bear, step aside. Give it to God. Let Him take care of it. Have faith that He can and He will if we trust Him to do so.
When the burdens of this life become too hard for me to bear on my own, I am encouraged to know that He can lift that burden. And He gives me His strength to make it trough anything this world can throw at me. I can do all things TROUGH CHRIST who gives me strength...and so can you.
Think about that. And be encouraged with me today!
In Christ,
Shirley

I know what you are like!

I ran across a passage today that was very encouraging to me.
I know what you are like! But I will heal you, lead you, and give you comfort, until those who are mourning start singing my praises. No matter where you are, I, the LORD, will heal you and give you peace. (Isa 57:18-19)
Did you get that? He says, "I know what you are like!"
That could be a scary statement were it not followed by the word "but". That small word is really a very big deal! Sometimes it makes all the difference. God says, "I know what you are like! But I will heal you, lead you and give you comfort..." He knows I am a sinner. He knows I mess up all the time. He knows I am a failure. He knows about that one thing that I know I shouldn't do but keep doing anyway. He knows just what I'm like. And you know what? He loves me anyway! He knows what I am like and He still promises to heal me and lead me and comfort me...and not just a little either! He promises to do those things for me until my mourning turns into an uncontrollable urge to sing His praises!
Verse 19 promises this, "No matter where you are, I, The LORD, will heal you and give you peace"
It doesn't matter where you are with God right now. There is a way to get where you need to be. Believe His words. Know they are meant for you. Wait for them to happen in your life. I promise it will happen.
Be encouraged with me today!
Trusting in HIM,
Shirley

I've been reading about Achan and the accursed thing. Not a very "happy" story to read... unless you back up a bit to Joshua chapter 6. Then we get to read about the crumbling wall of Jericho. What a victory! What an amazing work of God that was!! It wasn't the sound of the horns or the strength of the people's shouts that dropped that wall. It was the power of God, put in motion by the obedience of His people. Had they not done things exactly like He instructed, the power would have been withheld and that wall might still be standing today. Obedience. It may not have any power on it's own...but it unleashes the power if the Almighty God every time.
Just like obedience, disobedience may not have any power of it's own, but it holds back the power of God. It can also unleash his wrath. For proof of this, we need only read of the last days of Achan in Chapter 7 of Joshua.
Just after God dropped the wall of Jericho and gave the Israelites one more example of His awesome power and His ability to take care of them, Achan did a very unwise thing. He disobeyed the Almighty God. But that isn't all. He also stole from Him.
To properly understand this, we have to go over His instructions to the Israelites concerning the entire city of Jericho and EVERYTHING in it.

And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. (Joshua 6:17-19)



In Hebrew, this word (strongs #H2763) accurse(d), means to dedicate to religious purposes or to completely destroy.

This word, (Strongs # H6944) consecrate(d), means sacred, holy or dedicated.

They were supposed to destroy everything in the city except the things that were to be consecrated for his temple.

So long story short, Achan took for himself some fancy Babylonian clothes, some silver and a big chunk of gold and buried it in his tent and thought no one would ever know. The trouble is, someone did know. God knew. And our sins never only effect us. So the next time the Israelites went out to battle, they did so without the power of the Lord. They lost and they were so confused. So God explained the situation and told them to get ready to find out who did what.

Achan's sins were revealed. His treasures were taken. He and his family were killed.

After reading this, the thing I am left to ponder is this; After trecking through the wilderness with the rest of the Isrealites and experiencing the MANY miracles and provisions of God, why did he need such a small treasure. Why did he still trust in what he could aquire for himself instead of trusting in the Lord to provide the very best for him...He had always provided the very best for them all. But Achan still felt the overwhelming urge to provide for himself instead of depending on God.

We all do that don't we. If we didn't we wouldn't spend more time and energy in pursuit of money and things than we spent in pursuit of God. If we really trusted Him to provide all we need....like He already promised He would....we wouldn't run ourselves ragged and stress ourselves out. We would simply pray, trust and relax.

In this. I am just as guilty as Achan. But I am encouraged to know that it doesn't HAVE to be this way. God allows do overs! I can stop stressing right now and trust Him to come through for me like He promised He would! I am encouraged to know that where there is repentance, there is forgiveness. I can repent of my mistrust. I can be forgiven and renewed...and so can you.

I am encouraged to know of (and receive) His love and grace. It is sufficient for me. It is sufficient for you. I am encouraged. Won't you be encouraged with me today?

Everyday Miracles

Have you ever looked back on your life and completely understood what God was doing years after He had done it? I had a moment like that today.
About 4 years ago my husband and I were looking for a piece of land to make our home on. We thought we had finally found the perfect place. We were approved for the loan and gave our down payment to the bank. We were on our way to a better place to live...one that was all ours!
Suddenly the seller backed out, for conscience sake. They said that there was something wrong with the property and they refused to sell it to us. Once the property was off the table...so was the loan.
Needless to say, we were utterly confused and so very disappointed We remained in the same place for another painful year.
We have been in our new home for the last 2 years. God brought a fantastic blessing from a bad situation. Had we bought that property we would spend the next 40 years paying for second best.
God new 4 years ago. I realized it today.
God had the miracles of the past recorded for the present so that we would know about them today and be encouraged. Think back on some of the ways that God has worked miracles in your life and be encouraged with me today!

Above all, brothers, do not swear oaths by heaven, by earth, or by any other object. Instead, let your "Yes" mean yes and your "No" mean no, lest you fall under condemnation.
(James 5:12)
So why don't we all just say what we really mean; and really mean what we say?
So many people could avoid so much pain if we all lived by that motto!
This post wasn't brought on by the actions of anyone I know. Actually I was watching one of those movies where 2 people refused to admit that they loved each other for fear of exposing their vulnerable hearts one to the other.
So, it is my conclusion that we all are afraid to be honest, completely honest with each other because we don't want to become vulnerable. We have to stay guarded to stay safe. After all, what would people think if they knew what we really think, how we really feel, who we really are? It is exhausting to wade through all of the facial expressions and body language and cues, codes and just plain lies. We are all so afraid to be found out.

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
(Hebrews 4:13)
There is One to whom all things are laid bare. There is One who knows every single thing about us. No matter how deep or dark or scary or secret, no matter how well we think it is hidden or how deep we think it is buried, there is One who sees and knows all.
His name is Jesus. And He loves you anyway. He wants you anyway. He died in your place anyway. He knew what you would become and He still chose to create you. You are wonderful and valuable to Him. Don't hide from Him. Don't try to pretend or put on an act. You can't fool Him.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:14-16)
The great thing is that He has been where you are. He understands your weaknesses and because of that, He is there to give you strength to overcome them.
Knowing this, I am encouraged to be open and honest with Him so that I can accept His strength in my weakness.
I hope you are encouraged with me today.

I have a question. DO we really believe what we say we do? Do we really believe that the lost will go to an eternal hell if they are not told the truth of the gospel? Do we really believe that there is an eternal home in heaven for those who believe and give their hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus? DO we really believe that He is coming soon?
If we really believe all that we say we do then why aren't we out there preaching the gospel with urgency? Why are we not spreading the good news to the lost and telling them about the choice they MUST make if they want to spend eternity with Jesus instead of an eternal hell.
That is just something to think about .
I encourage you today to go out and spread the good news before it is too late for the lost.
I know I am encouraged to do so. So wont you be encouraged with me today?

I'm sure you've heard the term, "the grass is greener on the other side". I think we all have that mentality to some extent. We tend to want more than we have and sometimes we even want things we shouldn't have. There are two subjects in the scriptures that deal with this very thing. One is envy/covetousness and the other is contentment. Those words clash like plaid and polka-dots. We can't be content and covet at the same time.

Have you ever watched a child open a gift they didn't like? They are disappointed and sometimes even throw tantrums. I have always thought that this behavior was so disrespectful and I would never have acted in such a way when I was a child.

The truth is that, even as adults, we are sometimes no different than that ungrateful child. We must break the heart of our Father as we try to "keep up with the Jones'". We are ever after the bigger house, the newer car, the latest fashions, the next best thing. What a slap in the face to the one that the scripture says is the giver of all good and perfect things. James 1:17 says this, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning."

Did you catch that? Every good and perfect gift is from Him. HE knows what we need and what we want. He knows the deepest desires of our hearts and His gifts are always perfect for us...whether we know it or not.

We all know not to covet and we know that envy is a no no as well. But what do we know about contentment?

Webster defines content in this way;

CONTENT, n.

1. Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implying a moderate degree of happiness.

What does the Bible say about contentment?

Actually, God has plenty to say about contentment and it is mostly packed in to a few powerful verses. In Luke we are told that Soldiers were coming to John to be baptized and they were asking him, " What shall we do?". He said," Do not forcibly extort anyone, nor accuse any falsely. And be content with your wages."

Paul tells us that he has learned to be content no matter what happens to him. "...for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13)

For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out. But having food and clothing, we will be content. But they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which plunge men into destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some having lusted after, they were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. (1 Timothy 6:7-11)

Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, "Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!" (Hebrews 13:4-5)

Most of these verses speak of being content with what money and possessions we have. We don't always have to want more and more. If we need it God will give it to us. He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. NEVER. He knows what we need before we need it and He always provides, doesn't He?

Another thing to look at is the marriage. I don't think it is mere coincidence that this verse is included here. So many marriages end because people have grown bored and discontent so they go out looking for the next best thing and this breaks hearts and destroys marriages.

When were are not content with the gifts and blessings that God has given us in our lives, we are acting like that spoiled child. We are being ungrateful and disrespectful to our Heavenly Father. We are telling Him that His gifts and blessings are just not good enough, even though He is the giver of perfect gifts. How that must break His heart.

I won't say that I haven't struggled with these issues. I struggle with all of them. But I know that He has given me the perfect gift of His Holy Spirit to give me strength to run the race and to help me make the right decisions along the way. And that tells me that no matter the struggles that I have, I can make it. I can be pleasing to Him. That is encouraging to me. And I hope that you will be encouraged with me today.

In Christ,

Shirley