Struggling With the "Whys" of Life

 

In the book of Job in the Old Testament we read about a godly man who lost everything he owned and all his children in a series of disasters.  As if that was not sufficient suffering, he was afflicted with a horrible disease himself.

Do you ever wonder, dear Christian, why God has allowed the illness of your loved ones for whom you are caring? Have you ever wondered why you have to go through all the heartaches and challenges of caring for your ill or disabled loved one? Have you ever wondered why you, a child of God, have to endure these trials or perhaps other trials?

In the book of Job in the Old Testament, Job, began to ask these questions. God responded to Job in chapter 42. In effect God says, “Who are you to question My ways and My plans? Why should you question Me without knowledge, without understanding My wisdom? You have no right to question Me. Your knowledge is too limited to understand My ways. You do not have My power and wisdom.” Later Job said to God that he had spoken of things that were far beyond his understanding. These were things only God could understand, and Job repented of questioning God’s ways.

I do not understand why my first husband and then later my second husband (although the diseases are different) were afflicted with devastating neurological diseases.  I do not know why I had to go through all the heartaches of being my first husband's caregiver and eventually losing him to death or why my second husband of only a little more than five years later needed to be confined to a skilled nursing home.  However, I must trust God that He kew what He was doing, no matter how difficult life became then.

The Bible reminds us that we can trust in the Lord, for He has and never forsaken us or will forsake us.   His ways are perfect even when we do not understand His ways. He is our shield, and we can take refuge in Him. I can trust in Him and not be afraid of what the future holds. Even in difficult times He is my strength and song.

I do know that I have been strengthened in my faith, and my relationship with the Lord is more precious than ever because of all that has happened to me. God has been my help and support through it all. I needed and still need to trust in Him alone. I don’t understand all God’s ways; but I do know He is a wise, faithful, and loving God. I do know that He is worthy of my trust.

Christian, you do not know what the future holds for you, but you do know that the Lord God holds your future. You may not understand His ways, but He asks you to trust Him. His ways are not always your ways, but He knows what He is doing in what He allows in your life. Rest in Him.

The Cross

 

I recently listened again to the hymn,  It is Well."   I especially like the words in the third verse which  speak of the Lord Jesus forgiving my sins, nailing them to the cross.  Thank You, Lord!!

The words for this hymn say this:

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well with my soul,
     It is well, it is well with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

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Prayer

(This is taken from a devotional from Facebook.)

Prayer is relationship. When Jesus walked the earth, He repeatedly withdrew to pray - even though He was the Son of God. Before major decisions, before miracles, and before the cross, Jesus stepped away from the noise of the world and into communion with the Father.

If the One who had perfect authority still chose to pray, that should tell us something about how essential it is.

Prayer does three things that nothing else can do.

1) It aligns us with God. Prayer isn’t primarily about convincing God to adopt our will. It’s about surrendering our will so that we can step into His. In prayer, our fears shrink, pride softens, and our perspective transforms.

2) Prayer reminds us we aren't alone. The modern world teaches radical independence - handle it yourself, solve it yourself, and carry it yourself. Christianity teaches the opposite. Prayer is a daily reminder that the Creator of the universe invites you to speak with Him directly.

3) Prayer changes us. God certainly answers prayers - but the first transformation happens in the person praying. Our anxieties steady, bitterness becomes forgiveness, and we begin to see more clearly.

Prayer doesn't always remove the storm, but it connects you to the One who rules above the storm.

Peace

Below is a post I posted a few days ago on my regular Facebook page in a different format. I hope it will be a blessing to you here today as well.

Peace is found in Jesus.

It is His presence with me while things are still unresolved, while the story is still unfolding, while prayers seem to linger in the silence.

He is never shaken by what shakes me.

He is never alarmed by what feels impossible to me.

He is never burdened beyond measure by the weight I carry.

So if He is with me now, then peace is available now.

Lord, teach me to remain near You in seasons of waiting, in the uncomfortable middle, in the space where I do not yet see the outcome. Keep me from pushing peace into the future, as though I must wait for circumstances to change before my soul can rest.

When fear tries to pull my mind forward into all the unknowns of tomorrow, draw me back into the safety of Your presence today.

Calm the noise within me.

Steady my heart.

Help Your truth sink deep into me.

You have told me that Your peace is a gift, and that I do not have to live troubled or afraid. Let that truth fill every anxious thought and every restless place inside me.

You are my peace in this moment, not just someday, but here, now, even before anything changes.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27

From the Rising of the sun

 

There is nothing more beautiful than things which the Lord God of the universe created!  I especially enjoy the early morning sunrises and evening sunsets.   Psalm 113:3 (NIV) reads: "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised"

Here is  beautiful verse Psalm 113:3  in the King James version of the Bible:

Finally, for your pleasue and praise of the Lord is the link to a rendering of the beloved hymn,  HOW Great Thou Art:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf6C0L_7-CA

Chistmas Catcus Blooms Again!

 

I already posted this on regular Facebook a few days ago, but I am also going to post it on my blog.  I am not sure how clear you can see it in the picture but my Christmas catcus is starting to bloom again! The last couple years it has bloomed both around Christmas, and as we begin to contemplate Easter!  How appropriate as we celebrate Christ's coming to this earth to be born, to die for our sins, and to rise victorious over sin and death!  Praise His name for all He has done for us!

Thoughts About Heaven Revisited

 

The last book in the Bible, the book of Revelation, describes Heaven as a beautiful place, but what will make Heaven the most beautiful is that the Lord Jesus is there!  The PERSON of Jesus will be with us eternally!  Jesus is and will be the treasure of Heaven.

The only way to Heaven, however, is by repenting and throwing ourselves on Jesus for forgiveness from our sins and becoming His child.  That may sound narrow minded, but Scripture teaches us that Jesus alone is the only Way, the Truth. and the Life.  He is our only Light to lead us to Heaven.

In spite of our own assurance of Heaven and of our loved ones who have gone ahead of us, we still grieve the death of our loved ones.  I was reminded recently of my sister's death three years ago now.  Let us not forget to grieve with those who grieve and to walk with them in their grief walk.