Meshach | considering the word

Pr. 13:20: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”

So, yesterday I admitted that God corrected me for doubting. Am I alone in that? I have asked God to increase my faith. Maybe you guys are already full of faith.

See, it’s not that I doubt that God is able. My goodness, if He can split the Red Sea, He can heal me. If He can send so much fire from heaven that it burns up Elijah’s offering, including the wood, the rock altar, the ground around the altar, and the water in the ditch, He can do anything! I believe He is the God of the Bible.

I believe He is the God that led David’s stone into Goliath’s forehead. I believe He is the God who kept Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from even smelling of smoke when they were thrown into the fiery furnace. I believe He is the same God who kept Paul from even getting sick when he was bit by a poisonous viper.

I believe He is the same God today that He was even then!

The trouble I have had in the past is when it comes to His will. Does He desire for me to be healed? Paul prayed 3 times to be delivered from the thorn in his flesh and the Lord told him no. The Lord told Him that His grace was sufficient and that His strength was made perfect in weakness.

What I have found since 2012, when I first became afflicted, is that God’s grace is indeed sufficient. And although I fought it so many times at first, His strength is made most perfect in my weakness. I can honestly say that I could not have been brought to the place I am with God had I not gone through what I have. I can truly say, “what the enemy meant for evil, God has used for good.”

Does that mean that I can’t ask for healing and have the faith that it’s still possible? No. And in my Bible study of faith what better place to start than Heb. 11? I want to walk with wise men, like this proverb says. I want to walk with the hall-of-famers of faith! I’m going to start there and keep walking. I’m going to keep believing and keep increasing in my faith.

Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for…

jamie

I went to church yesterday feeling tired, heavy, and regretful.

I taught my 5th graders in Sunday school about 3 superheros named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Even in the face of great pain and death, they stood up for what was right, and because of their conviction, others could literally see God, and came to believe that He was the Most High God.

What is the worst thing we can do about this story? Forget. Without reminding ourselves of what God can do and has done, we forget that we can be delivered from the fiery furnaces in our own lives. We forget that if we stand up for and believe in God, even in our painful situation, others may be able to see God and come to believe that He is the Most High God, as well.

During the church service I was reminded that anything I can’t stop thinking about is an idol. I could list several things that my mind couldn’t shake at that moment. Do I want to be a servant of regrets, money, sickness, fashion, or cultural acceptance; or do I want to be a servant of the Most High God? If it’s the later, then I need to be thinking about Him. Trusting in Him means thinking about His goodness, His faithfulness, and His constant provision and abilities.

I then heard a testimony that reminded me that I am still alive because I still have work to do for Christ. I don’t need to become so distracted that I forget why I’m here.

Last night I was heard that the Lord made dry bones live (Ez. 37), and that if He can bring dry bones back together into a perfect person, breathe life back into them, and join their ranks into an exceedingly great army; then He can breathe life back into the places that feel dry in my life, and that rivers of Living Water can still pour forth from me to reach those in need.

I was still tired when I left church last night; however, I was tired from being taught and ministered to all day long. This morning, I feel the rivers stirring around in me. My hope is not cut off. I am not dry and desolate. I am full of the Lord and His goodness, and because I am choosing to stand on His promises, I believe that others will be able to see Him in my life.

What’s the big deal about going to church? Had I sat home with my heaviness and regrets yesterday, this morning would have looked a lot more dismal. When you go to church and focus on God, allowing yourself to be open to His wisdom and encouragement brought in unexpected ways, He will minister to you, dust you off, and breathe life into you for the rest of the journey ahead.

I’m so thankful for a place to refuel, and for those who encourage and pray for me.

Gushing,

jamie