The theme this time seems to be looking beyond what we see. Our Pastor taught on this subject from the book of James Sunday. James 1:9-11 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
Nothing of this world is lasting. Not achievements, or riches, not needs, or problems....no circumstance, good or bad. It's only God's love and our place in Jesus that never fails. That alone is eternal and everlasting.
As I have chronicled here over the past month or so, I have really been struggling with my faith. Faith in God, faith in me, faith in general...LOL Every time I turned around something else seemed to be going wrong and life just feels like an uphill battle. God has been so faithful throughout my crisis of belief, and I am so grateful for that. And now He has a new message for me, for us....Look beyond the current circumstances. From "Be Still and Know: by Julie Rayburn, " When our attention is focused on God rather than our circumstances, we can have confidence that He is maturing our faith." Ugh, a true statement, but it sure doesn't feel good at the time it's happening!! But when we take our eyes off the difficulty and place them on the Lord, trusting His love, then we can experience the peace of His presence and care. That is my goal.
Believing is a choice. I've had difficulty making that choice lately. But the Lord doesn't leave us in our mess. He keeps reaching, keeps teaching, keeps loving. I am so grateful He never forsakes His child.
From music, to readings, to teachings--this has been God's message to me, and through me to you as well...look beyond present troubles to the fact that Heaven awaits, God is at work and His love never fails. If we look beyond, we can live beyond.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 20:29 You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me.
1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives inn the world.
Lord, thank You for Your never ending care and patience for and with Your children. I can' imagine what it would be like if you gave up on me. Sometimes I feel like I must be Your most difficult child. Lord, help me, help each of us to take our eyes of earthly things and put them firmly on You and the love You have for us. Give us all a greater faith, a greater desire for You, and a closer walk with You. I want to stay in Your will all day, every day. HELP!!! Thank You.
Pick a verse today for meditation and to focus on that will encourage you to look and live beyond.
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