Finding Me - Day 16

September 29, 2014

It used to be how much can you lift, what is your bench press or dead lift.  Let me see your bicep and we’ll know how strong you are.  It can be defined as the amount of physical strength one might possess.   But I pose a different definition: the amount of courage one has to get back up when this life knocks you down.  The ability to stand up when things are tough, when bills can’t be paid, when you lose your loved one, when your children tell you they hate you or when it seems that you just can’t go on.  Something inside rises up, and it has nothing at all to do with your muscular structure.

There have been times in my life when every fiber of my being felt weak and collapsed, when I couldn’t bare to take another breath and my heart was filled with bitterness, loss and despair.  It was at these moments when I found it hardest to take another step, but it was also at these moments when I have felt closest to God Almighty.  My desperation, my lack of confidence, my utter weakness brought me to the realization that I am incapable of pressing on.  It was at these times in my life when I have fallen before the Lord, humble and reverent to His authority and His sovereignty, reaching for His help, His guidance and His strength. 


Day 16: I Am Weak
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

The realization that He carries His children through the good and the bad has become a pillar in my life.  I need His strength and courage each and every day to press on, to stand strong in the face of adversity.  This world is full of evil, anger, hatred, self-righteousness, pain, pride and suffering.  Where can we turn in this world to find peace, courage, compassion for others, purpose and reason for the fire that rages against His truth?  He alone is the source of our abilities and willingness to defy the ways of this world and forge the paths of righteousness and purpose.  When this life kicks you down and presses down upon you, reach deep into your heart, realize He alone is in control and will lift you back up.

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When You Don't Believe

You ought to be sharing this.

“Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”   - Mark 9:24

Have you ever found yourself applying human limitations on the Creator of the Universe?  Seriously, we think about problems in our life and immediately think about how difficult these problems are and how unachievable they might be.  We look at our own personal experiences and then try to determine how we will solve the difficult circumstance.  Often times, we go days, weeks and even months without looking to God for help.

The man in this scripture brought his demon possessed son before Christ to be healed.  In vs. 21 the man states to Christ, “IF You can do anything, …”  Seriously.  To stand before the Son of God and ask Him if He can do something.  This man was grasping at every straw, taking every opportunity to rid his son of these demons.  He came to the disciples first, and they were unable to cast out the demon, so then he comes to Christ.  Where was his faith?  Where was his confidence in the authority and power of God and His Son?  Are there circumstances when you really question whether God can or will participate in a situation.  Are there times in your life when everything you know about the character of God tells you that He loves you and will help you through all circumstances, yet you look at the situation in front of you and are convinced that despite all of this knowledge, you really don’t trust that He can or will help?

We all come to this reality check at some point in our life.  The enemy plants a seed in our mind that God doesn’t really love us, or that He won’t forgive this sin or that sin, or that we aren’t good enough to deserve His love and grace.  The enemy will use these worldly thoughts to create areas of “unbelief” in your life and weaken your faith in the power and authority of God the Father.  Not one of us are worthy or deserving of God’s love, no not one.  But, in our filth and unrighteousness He provides us mercy and grace, forgiveness and love.  He stands beside us when we are weak and hopeless, to give us strength, courage and wisdom in times of need.  God is never turning from you or pulling away.  If you are feeling distant from God, you are the one who moved and chose not to believe with the full conviction of what He has done for you.  Trust in the Word, which tells us in Hebrews 13:5; “. . . because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  You have His promise, and you have His grace for all circumstances.  The first one you should turn to in every situation or circumstance is God the Father, and lay out your fears, concerns and worries before Him.  He will see you through it.


             

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