HIS WAY

This devotion today really blessed me. I hope others will be blessed by it as well.

March 30th's devotion from
Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

In regards to Isaiah 50:11...

Beloved, never try to get out of a dark place except in God's timing and in His way. A time of trouble and darkness is meant to teach you lessons you desperately need. Premature deliverance may circumvent God's work of grace in your life. Commit the entire situation to Him, and be willing to abide in darkness knowing He is present.Remember, it is better to walk in the dark with God, than to walk alone in the light, from The Still Small Voice.Stop interfering with God's plans and with His will. Touching anything of His mars the work. Moving the hands of a clock to suit you does not change the time. You may be able to rush the unfolding of some aspect's of God's will, but you will harm His work in the long run. You can force a rosebud open, but you spoil the flower. Leave everything to Him, without exception. "Not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:36)
Stephen Merritt

HIS WAY
from Sunday School Times

God sent me on when I would stay
('Twas cool within the wood);
I did not know the reason why.
I heard a boulder crashing by
'Cross the path where I had stood.

He had me stay when I would go;
"Your will be done," I said.
They found one day at early dawn,
Across the way I would have gone,
A serpent with a mangled head.

I ask no more the reason why,
Although I may not see
The path ahead, His way I go;
For though I know not, He does know,
And He will choose safe paths for me.

A Recent Prayer Request

Here is a prayer request I put through to my church's online prayer chain. This is a less dramatic way of sharing what my family is going through. Oh, how I am learning compassion.
My father is coming home today [from the hospital.] Please keep my mom and dad in your prayers. My dad has been diagnosed with dementia so this is an entirely new thing for my mom. Some days he is himself, but he is progressively having more off days. Along with his diabetes, he also has congestive heart failure as well as calcified arteries that they are saying are too hardened for a safe surgery. There are many things to sort out as you can imagine. We know God is in control and He is good--all the time. I wanted to just add this verse...Rom 5:3...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Rom 5:4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. Rom 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Rom 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Thank you Liberty family for your prayers.
Katrina

Except Through Trials

From Streams in the Dessert for March 7th...

"Why is it that God leads us in this way, allowing such strong and constant pressure on us? One of His purposes is to show us His all-sufficient strength and grace more effectively than if we were free from difficulties and trials...
...greater awareness of our dependence on Him...
...this is exactly where Jesus stood and where He desires us to stand...
...There is no way to learn of faith except through trials. They are God's school of faith and it is much better for us to learn to trust Him than to live a life of enjoyment...
it is an everylasting possession and an eternal fortune gained. Yet, without trust in God, even great riches will leave is in poverty. "

So often I hear Christians blame the devil, think that they can rebuke the devil and just give so much glory to the devil. Blech.

How can I rebuke what God has lead me to...how can I rebuke the trial that God has allowed--allowed so that I may learn of faith...allowed so I may gain an everlasting possession and an eternal fortune gained. God was not sleeping...He's not surprised what is happening even though I may act like that most of the time.

Romans 5:3 tells me that I ought to thank God for my troubles...for they will build my endurance--and God will approve...(wow!)...and I will have hope in my salvation. Or at least that's what Paul told the Romans--and it's a principal I can surely grab hold of and learn from.
For while I was still a sinner says Paul...Christ died for me.
So, who am I that I think life should be smooth and glorious and happy? I deserve...nothing--yet not only did Christ die for me, undeserving me, but now he allows these trials so that I'll even grow to be more like Him.

Forgive me Lord for complaining about the stresses of my life...I forgot that you are in control...I forgot that you've allowed it all to go on...you've allowed it all for a reason. Help me to fulfill all that Lord and to know that it is much better for me to learn to trust in you than to live a life of enjoyment.

Ah...it is so good to gain His perspective and get out of my own dreary self.

Cupcakes: the breakfast of babies of youth group leaders.

So, do you think my little guy is remorseful that he ate the left over cupcakes from the youth group the night before, or just remorseful that he got caught--with the left over cupcakes from the youth group the night before--before he could finish chowing them for breakfast!?Well, at least he ate them before I did!