One of my early teachers 1-16-14
To say we are living in troublesome times is a major understatement. Daily I receive emails, snail mails, phone calls, tweets and messages from folks who think this is the end, I can’t take anymore. Sometimes while I’m answering such notes of woe, I catch myself thinking, their trouble sounds like mine.
We are not alone when these thoughts hit like a 3 o’clock in the morning kick in the stomach. It’s been this way since Adam traded naked innocence for a coat of skin and walked out of Eden. Job said it this way, “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7.
C. H. Mackintosh said this concerning the plight of the Israelites near the beginning of their journey from Egypt, “The Sea was before them, Pharaoh’s hosts behind them, and the mountains around them. And all this, be it observed, permitted and ordered by God.”
I have a dear friend who though middle aged is young in the ministry. The Economic Tsunami is flooding him out financially. Surrounded by debt, serious medical problems with a son, and the carping of fellow clergy on dry land, for now, heaping mountains of criticism upon him to the point he screams his prayers to God for help. He knows God’s Word and God’s ways and this knowledge enables him to abide faithful, though eager for the sea to roll back its waves and he and his family getting to walk through on dry ground.
His ministry continues as did the work of Isaiah, Jeremiah, John of Patmos and a grocery list of faithful men and women in the Saints Hall of Fame. It pays to keep in mind that many on the Roll Call of Faith died still surrounded by the obstacles and people around them, yet like Paul just prior to his beheading in Rome we can utter the paean of praise found in 2 Timothy 4:6, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
A mountain philosopher said, “This here life ain’t all they is.” We must not only live through the terrifying circumstances of life that surround us, we must do this living knowing that soon, it will be worth it all. When Jesus died on the cross the observing world assumed His defeat. Three days later all doubt was removed; that seeming defeat was really the greatest victory of all the ages.
As Moses held his rod over the Red Sea and said, “Stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord,” a number of things were implied. I am convinced the “stand still” means to quit your fretting, lay off the fear, turn your eyes and hearts from the circumstances and trust God for the outcome. It makes sense that if you never have “circumstances” you will never have a victory. The thing above all else that we must do “when all the world forsakes us and Satan tempts sure, we rest upon His mercy and trust Him more.”
Jesus Christ is greater than your circumstances and He has proved this by His resurrection from the Dead.
Many of our forefathers went to fiery stakes, the original “hot seats” hanging, drowning and being torn to pieces by beasts. They were not delivered, but their faith and patience under the severest fire, singing to God with their last earthly breath, inspires us to continue with trust and faith in our hearts that when the last breath has been expelled from our lungs, the next one is for sure the breath of heaven.
Times may get better or they may get worse. One thing is certain as mentioned by the writer of Hebrews, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. And in verse 5 of this chapter He promises never to leave or forsake us.
This will help you to sleep soundly while the bill collectors, purveyors of bad news, rebellious children and frowns from other believers, are arming their minds for yet another assault upon your courage to hang in there and sing with faith, Amazing Grace.
Tis a sweet sound indeed.
Copyright © 2014 Larry Lilly
For really good IT services check out My Guru:
http://development-resources.com/index.html
To say we are living in troublesome times is a major understatement. Daily I receive emails, snail mails, phone calls, tweets and messages from folks who think this is the end, I can’t take anymore. Sometimes while I’m answering such notes of woe, I catch myself thinking, their trouble sounds like mine.
We are not alone when these thoughts hit like a 3 o’clock in the morning kick in the stomach. It’s been this way since Adam traded naked innocence for a coat of skin and walked out of Eden. Job said it this way, “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7.
C. H. Mackintosh said this concerning the plight of the Israelites near the beginning of their journey from Egypt, “The Sea was before them, Pharaoh’s hosts behind them, and the mountains around them. And all this, be it observed, permitted and ordered by God.”
I have a dear friend who though middle aged is young in the ministry. The Economic Tsunami is flooding him out financially. Surrounded by debt, serious medical problems with a son, and the carping of fellow clergy on dry land, for now, heaping mountains of criticism upon him to the point he screams his prayers to God for help. He knows God’s Word and God’s ways and this knowledge enables him to abide faithful, though eager for the sea to roll back its waves and he and his family getting to walk through on dry ground.
His ministry continues as did the work of Isaiah, Jeremiah, John of Patmos and a grocery list of faithful men and women in the Saints Hall of Fame. It pays to keep in mind that many on the Roll Call of Faith died still surrounded by the obstacles and people around them, yet like Paul just prior to his beheading in Rome we can utter the paean of praise found in 2 Timothy 4:6, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
A mountain philosopher said, “This here life ain’t all they is.” We must not only live through the terrifying circumstances of life that surround us, we must do this living knowing that soon, it will be worth it all. When Jesus died on the cross the observing world assumed His defeat. Three days later all doubt was removed; that seeming defeat was really the greatest victory of all the ages.
As Moses held his rod over the Red Sea and said, “Stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord,” a number of things were implied. I am convinced the “stand still” means to quit your fretting, lay off the fear, turn your eyes and hearts from the circumstances and trust God for the outcome. It makes sense that if you never have “circumstances” you will never have a victory. The thing above all else that we must do “when all the world forsakes us and Satan tempts sure, we rest upon His mercy and trust Him more.”
Jesus Christ is greater than your circumstances and He has proved this by His resurrection from the Dead.
Many of our forefathers went to fiery stakes, the original “hot seats” hanging, drowning and being torn to pieces by beasts. They were not delivered, but their faith and patience under the severest fire, singing to God with their last earthly breath, inspires us to continue with trust and faith in our hearts that when the last breath has been expelled from our lungs, the next one is for sure the breath of heaven.
Times may get better or they may get worse. One thing is certain as mentioned by the writer of Hebrews, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. And in verse 5 of this chapter He promises never to leave or forsake us.
This will help you to sleep soundly while the bill collectors, purveyors of bad news, rebellious children and frowns from other believers, are arming their minds for yet another assault upon your courage to hang in there and sing with faith, Amazing Grace.
Tis a sweet sound indeed.
Copyright © 2014 Larry Lilly
For really good IT services check out My Guru:
http://development-resources.com/index.html
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