Posted on 06/16/2012 12:05:26 AM PDT by Frank Broom
You might be going through a tough time right now, but taken from the life of Isaac God is able to shower you with his goodness even in the middle of your circumstance and have everyone around you amazed. And that should be normal because we serve a supernatural God that doesn't need circumstances to line up for people to see his goodness, but right where you are right now. I was reading through Genesis and how Isaac was traveling and God told him don't go down to Egypt because there was a famine in the land and he pitched his tent in the land of the Philistines. And it says Isaac sowed and reaped an hundredfold in that same year. And he waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great. He became so great that the people asked him to depart from them. What's so supernatural about that, because he sowed and reaped an hundredfold with no water. There was no rain and the Philistines stopped up the wells of his father Abraham after his death. So, you could say God made a way out of no way. And after he departed they came to him to make a covenant with him because they saw certainly that the Lord was with him. They saw that the Lord was with him because they saw the goodness of God manifested in his life. And God can do the same thing for you, and have people wonder how in the world did that happen. The goodness of God can manifest in your situation at any given moment.
Even his son Jacob after he had deceived his father Isaac and stole his brother's blessing and his mother told him to flee to her brother's house unless his brother kills him. And he fled and during his journey he fell asleep one night and had a dream where he saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven and angels ascending and descending on it and the Lord stood above it and told him that he would be with him wherever he went and Jacob woke up and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not." I know sometimes the way might get rough, but God is there. And he will never leave you nor foresake you. Put your trust in him and line yourself up with his word. Think, speak, and act in line with his word and people will say the same about you, "We saw certainly that the Lord was with you." (Taken from Genesis 26 & 27)
And if you want the assurance that God the father is with you I urge you to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It's not hard all you have to do is believe God raised Jesus from the dead and confess him as your Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9,10). "Dear God I confess that I have sinned, but I receive what Jesus did for me on the cross. He took my sins that I can be forgiven. And I believe that you raised him from the dead and I confess Jesus is my Lord and Savior." Amen!
I know that He is doing something whether to chastise and perfect or to teach me to trust in Him alone. I don't know just what He is doing but I have faith that what He is doing is for good. It's still hard going through it though
Hang in there. I had/have gone through some tough times the past 6 years, all could have been avoided if I had some self control. But in 2009 it was the worst in my adult life, laid off, 2 months searching, moved with family to another state for a contract that was then cut short. Interview after interview was a closed door - even a good Christian brother, with whom I wept over the phone, could not offer me at that time. I realized then that God was stripping everything material away from me. I called on His name, He who remains Faithful and True, and He had a better plan. Now that plan moved me back to where I had been living and desired to live, but it only lasted 2 1/2 years. February I got laid off again. But you know what - this time I had my faith ready. I trusted God had me in His hand. And He again opened a door.
I have long since learned that God IS faithful. When you trust Him - He WILL lead you to where you should be. But I wink at the phrase ‘he has something better for you’ - because HIS better isn’t always MY better. My better would be nice house, comfortable salary, new car, spending money, good health insurance, etc.
So I take each day now as thankful for what I have, what I gain, and what way I can be generous.
I think one of the things He is teaching is to learn to accept help when you need it and don't try to go it alone. Many times the way He shows His presence in our trials is through His people.
And yes, His ways are not our ways — But they are the best ways.
Thank you ransomenote for taking the time to read it and for your comment. Thanks!
I appreciate you taking the time to read it unkus. Thanks!
Thank you Talisker I’m glad you got something out of it. Thanks!
BigCinBigD you don’t have to see him for him to be there. Thanks for reading!
Yes, piytar we do have that choice. I just hope they make the right choice. Thanks!
Thank you FrdmLvr for reading. Thanks!
Berlin_Freeper I’m glad things are better. Do you know why God felt close then, because he’s your rock. And most times you only need that support in times of distress and that’s when he supports you.
That small voice in your head telling you those things over, and over is the great deceiver. It is he who wants you to believe those things.
That voice that tells us we're not good enough, we don't deserve God's love or his forgiveness, and no matter how hard we try we fall short isn't from the Lord. I know, I've been right where you are and it's a struggle to get past it.
What you must do, is learn to forgive YOURSELF. The Lord already has.
None of us are perfect, we'll never be "good enough" and we all fall short of the Grace and Glory of the Lord. That's ok, He knows that. That's why Jesus came to be the perfect sacrifice the Lord required as forgiveness of our Sins. Your father in Heaven loves you so much, he gave His one and only Son, Jesus who forgave you your sins long before you were born.
There is nothing you can do to earn that forgiveness my friend, it is a gift from our Father in Heaven. All you have to do is accept it, embrace it and be thankful in heart and spirit.
That doesn't mean you won't slip and fall again, it doesn't mean you won't sin. You will, so will I and everyone else on this thread. What you must remember is that the Lord forgave you before you were born. His love was poured into you as he knit you together in your mothers womb, and his love has always been there.
Grab onto it, hold it like you'll never let it go, and forgive yourself. You'll never reach your full potential, or be what God wants you to be while you hang onto the guilt of sins past, and listen to the Deceiver's voice.
You are so much better than the voice that deceives you into thinking otherwise. Stop listening to it, calm yourself, and listen for the Lord.
Amen to that! That’s why Satan’s called The Accuser of the brethren.
One verse (of many) to keep in mind:
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Dear GR_Jr. did you know you have the same problem that the apostle Paul had. He said the things I should do I don’t do and the things I shouldn’t do that’s what I do. I try to serve God with my mind, but my flesh keep sinning. Then he said something wonderful in Romans 8:1 “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ.” There is no more condemnation because Jesus already paid for your sins. And that is what grace is for, to lift you out of whatever mess you might find yourself in. People misunderstood Paul when he said “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans5:20). That doesn’t mean sin more to get more grace it means there is an empowerment for you to come out. That’s why Jesus told Paul “My grace is sufficient for thee(and you): for MY strenght is made perfect in weakness” (2Corinthians 12:9). If you lean on his grace and don’t condemn yourself there is an empowerment from him. That’s why Paul said “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). So hold on. God Bless!
Thank you autumnraine, I’m glad you found it at the right time. Thanks!
Thank *you*!
Cowman when one door closes another one opens. And God can tell you just what you need to do. He is a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). You can ask for divine instructios and He will answer. God Bless!
What we forget sometimes in being a Christian is also an action word . I have been studying scripture more since not working my traditional job.
I have found there are like layers to this spiritual Christian walking we do here on earth. It is like going through one valley to the next Peak Mountain top experience then to the next at times. But always through the valley. God does not have to be a feeling all the time. But when I have a time I always do this:
Please Remember this is an action word verses for believers!
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Notice: And the PEACE of God, which Transcends all Understanding, will GUARD your Hearts and your MINDS in Christ Jesus.
Reread until it finally mediates into true form for real living.
Also work towards piecemeal learning of doing partial or full Fasts with these verses.
One thing that happen to me was whether to leave a job in 2009.
I did partial fasts with prayers and went to chapel prayers at church. Then felt in my heart to leave my job with early payout with lowest retirement monthly stipend. My company had 2900 people working the tristate area of Ny within a year only 550employers in 2009.
So I prayed fervently. Well I did it. It was the best thing. Two months later all the leaving payout and retirement rules changed. I would have to wait another eleven years to retire if the company existed. By retiring the money was guaranteed(? so far) to be there by the investment funds.
It proved to be the best decision. If I did not do the fasting and prayering I would not be telling you about it. Now I have more time with the Lord and his work.
Praise be to Jesus!
Amen!!= So it will be!
"The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." - E. M. Bounds
Say this Prayer
Lord Jesus I ask for Holy boldness in Prayer as I walk with thee.
Eternal Father, we offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all my relations, friends and enemies, for the poor, the sick, and those in tribulation, and for all those for whom Thou willest I should pray, or knowest that I ought to pray.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Blessed and praised forevermore be Jesus Who hath saved us by His Precious Blood!
P.S. I have been Fasting this month like I never have done before in my life. I realize why the apostles always fasted. It is like there is a separation of the outward man(body) and innerman(soul). When you fast even if your body wants to react to the carnal your Holy Spirit soul supersedes the physical in life. The Holy Spirit becomes very profound in our walk.
I pray this will help you. AMEN!!!
Sorry piytar, you are right. I think I meant to post to Frank Broom this comment and somehow I goofed and it went to you. I know that my comment may seem a bit petty, but when you have been heavily involved in the occult like I was at one point in my life you are more sensitive to any verbiage that reflects the occult heavily, used in reference to The LORD.
I know that many people use the term "supernatural" when referring to The LORD's special intervention into our earthly realm, but for me using the term to refer to The LORD's power is a bit like the sound of fingernails run over a chalkboard. It's a personal thing with me, I guess. But I do believe that God's intervention in miraculous ways in our lives goes way, way beyond the "supernatural", and comes from the highest heaven, where He resides. The word "supernatural" can refer to any manifestation from the realm of spirits which rule over the atmosphere of earth. The Bible uses the terms miracles, signs and wonders to refer to God's power manifested outside of the normal laws of nature.
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Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
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Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
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James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
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