"My child, if you are going to serve the Lord, be prepared for times when you will be put to the test. 2 Be sincere and determined. Keep calm when trouble comes. 3 Stay with the Lord; never abandon him..." Sirach 2:1-3 / Good News Bible
Today's passage reminds us to keep our wits about us when tests and trials come our way. This reading points to something that veteran Christians all over the world have long ago realized--That is, that challenges and obstacles often follow those who serve the Lord.
There really is no need for despair or dismay over what occurs in ones life when you lay your life in Jesus' hands. It is simply part of a servants life to be tested. Physical infirmity, mental illness, persecution... All are training grounds that help answer the great question that Jesus asked Peter 3 times... "Do you love me?" True, some people try to blame others for the trials and tribulations in their lives, or Satan, but it is indisputable that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life--Omniscient, Almighty and He is in control. What happens in our lives that is beyond our control is what the Lord allows to happen.
I have wrestled for years with coming to terms with how God can allow certain things to happen in this life. But I have concluded that it is not really always our privilege to know the plans of God.; He is in control. However, I also believe it is imperative to assume that He has a wonderful plan for each of us, and it is specially tailored for you and me. Best of all, this assumption takes the guessing out of life's toughest challenges, and replaces conjecture with a great boost of confidence, trust and peace in God's Divine Plan, and Jesus Christ--The greatest hope this world has ever known!
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
The Secret of Contentment
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13
If I were to embrace one goal in this life, it would be 'to be content in any and every situation,' through Jesus Christ, as this scripture reads. For to see whatever adversity that occurs in your life as blessing and privilege is to truly embrace the cross of Jesus Christ. It is to deeply believe Romans 8:28 > "All things work for good for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose."
When you view adversity as simply part of God's plan while embarking on this journey with your full focus on Jesus, you are far better able to accept all that comes and goes in this life. Your impoverished childhood can be seen as a valuable training time for working with the poor later in adult life. Infirmity becomes a time for learning empathy and compassion for others. As you grow in compassion for others in crisis and in need, memories of your own personal tragedies begin to fade, eventually becoming the foundation for your own outreach ministry.
Moreover, as you pray and thank Jesus, praising Him for saving you by airlifting you through your darkest days, you are able to see His Almighty power as Wonderful Counselor, Tireless Comforter, the Great Healer, Omnipotent Protector and Savior working in your life. The divine outcome of praising the Lord is an unleashing of the fruit of the Holy Spirit which prepares you to rejoice and share Him with others in your life, regardless of your situation.
May you be profoundly blest with prayers of praise, and subsequent contentment in every circumstance!
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
If I were to embrace one goal in this life, it would be 'to be content in any and every situation,' through Jesus Christ, as this scripture reads. For to see whatever adversity that occurs in your life as blessing and privilege is to truly embrace the cross of Jesus Christ. It is to deeply believe Romans 8:28 > "All things work for good for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose."
When you view adversity as simply part of God's plan while embarking on this journey with your full focus on Jesus, you are far better able to accept all that comes and goes in this life. Your impoverished childhood can be seen as a valuable training time for working with the poor later in adult life. Infirmity becomes a time for learning empathy and compassion for others. As you grow in compassion for others in crisis and in need, memories of your own personal tragedies begin to fade, eventually becoming the foundation for your own outreach ministry.
Moreover, as you pray and thank Jesus, praising Him for saving you by airlifting you through your darkest days, you are able to see His Almighty power as Wonderful Counselor, Tireless Comforter, the Great Healer, Omnipotent Protector and Savior working in your life. The divine outcome of praising the Lord is an unleashing of the fruit of the Holy Spirit which prepares you to rejoice and share Him with others in your life, regardless of your situation.
May you be profoundly blest with prayers of praise, and subsequent contentment in every circumstance!
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Prodigal Joy
"Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18
In our humanness, it is difficult, if not seemingly impossible, to be joyful always, but as a striving Christian people, we try hard to walk in gratitude and prayer to The Lord. Truth is, sometimes the best one can do is to cry out loud, "Heaven help me!" And yes, that simple, yet powerful prayer, may be sufficient to carry you until the fog of darkness, the "dark night of the soul" passes over, and you can see your life clearly once more.
For it is not really necessary to recite long, eloquent prayers to get God's attention, especially in challenging times. What is important is that we continually seek God with all our heart, even while under great duress; pray with confidence knowing that He will hear and answer our prayers as only He can. Clearly, it is a matter of praying fervently and then trusting Jesus to be your Savior, your Protector, your Counselor, your Healer, and your Consoler. In actuality, it's all about trusting the God who created you and Who knows you and your circumstances better than you do.
Reaching out to God during infirmity in mind or body is an act of strong faith that is to be repeated again and again in our lifetime, as this life is full of ups and downs. All of us have times when, in times of sickness, mired in the sadness of depression, being too busy, or whatever else is the case, it is easy to 'forget about' our Lord, and focus on other things and depend solely on ourselves. However, He stands in wait for our "Prodigal return"--the time when we return to His loving arms knowing full well that He is first, the best, the only remedy for whatever pains us--He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, the source of unconditional love, enduring peace and sublime joy.
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
In our humanness, it is difficult, if not seemingly impossible, to be joyful always, but as a striving Christian people, we try hard to walk in gratitude and prayer to The Lord. Truth is, sometimes the best one can do is to cry out loud, "Heaven help me!" And yes, that simple, yet powerful prayer, may be sufficient to carry you until the fog of darkness, the "dark night of the soul" passes over, and you can see your life clearly once more.
For it is not really necessary to recite long, eloquent prayers to get God's attention, especially in challenging times. What is important is that we continually seek God with all our heart, even while under great duress; pray with confidence knowing that He will hear and answer our prayers as only He can. Clearly, it is a matter of praying fervently and then trusting Jesus to be your Savior, your Protector, your Counselor, your Healer, and your Consoler. In actuality, it's all about trusting the God who created you and Who knows you and your circumstances better than you do.
Reaching out to God during infirmity in mind or body is an act of strong faith that is to be repeated again and again in our lifetime, as this life is full of ups and downs. All of us have times when, in times of sickness, mired in the sadness of depression, being too busy, or whatever else is the case, it is easy to 'forget about' our Lord, and focus on other things and depend solely on ourselves. However, He stands in wait for our "Prodigal return"--the time when we return to His loving arms knowing full well that He is first, the best, the only remedy for whatever pains us--He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, the source of unconditional love, enduring peace and sublime joy.
Adele M. Gill 2013 Copyright
Thursday, May 9, 2013
God Will Restore Your Life
Psalm 71:20-23
New International Version (NIV)
20 "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up."
21 "You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. 22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered."
In prayer, The Word, Spirit dreams and daily life, God leads His people to truth and discernment to accomplish His purpose in this world. Even as adversity seems to close in around us at times, in Him there is no darkness at all. For even as you pass through the valley of death, He is ever present, truly alive and tirelessly interceding on your behalf. With one hand on your shoulder, the other as a shield, He will lead you through mayhem to His oasis of joy and peace if you but call upon the name of Jesus.
Putting aside all disbelief, worry, and fear, reach for His hand as He stands in wait for your hand to grasp. Lean in to hear as He speaks life into your hurting heart and soul, life that is to be shared freely, abundantly, with others. There is no situation too big for God, no sin beyond His mercy!
Adele M. Gill Copyright 2013
.
21 "You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. 22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered."
In prayer, The Word, Spirit dreams and daily life, God leads His people to truth and discernment to accomplish His purpose in this world. Even as adversity seems to close in around us at times, in Him there is no darkness at all. For even as you pass through the valley of death, He is ever present, truly alive and tirelessly interceding on your behalf. With one hand on your shoulder, the other as a shield, He will lead you through mayhem to His oasis of joy and peace if you but call upon the name of Jesus.
Putting aside all disbelief, worry, and fear, reach for His hand as He stands in wait for your hand to grasp. Lean in to hear as He speaks life into your hurting heart and soul, life that is to be shared freely, abundantly, with others. There is no situation too big for God, no sin beyond His mercy!
Adele M. Gill Copyright 2013
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)