COUNTING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD, AND HIS LOVE FOR US

The past few months have taught me how important it is to rely on God, and remember all the promises that he has given us as believers. It is easy to become frustrated in circumstances, and yet, God has so many uses for our lives when things seem difficult. I am watching my sister go through the difficulty of a stroke, and the long recovery that will accompany it. I am watching one of my best friends go through removal of a brain tumor, radiation, chemotherapy, and neuropathy. My brother in law recently lost his mom. Multiple friends have lost children to suicides. Cover 19 rages on, crushing lives, creating fear, ruining small businesses, hurting so many people financially…..IT IS FRUSTRATING, AND I WANT IT TO END….like so many others. My country, America, is so divided and has changed so much in the past few years that I hardly recognize it. I contemplate how many other countries have been in a far worse place for a much longer time. I grieve for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who have been persecuted, stripped of their security and lives, perhaps even killed. In the midst of it all, one thing stands clear and strong for me. GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US, AND HIS LOVE FOR US IS UNENDING, GUIDING US WITH A PURPOSE THAT HE HAS DESIGNED JUST FOR EACH OF US AS INDIVIDUALS.

FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. Ephesians 2:10

THE LORD OF HOSTS HAS SWORN: “ AS I HAVE PLANNED, SO SHALL IT BE, AND AS I HAVE PURPOSED, SO SHALL IT STAND. Isaiah 14:24

THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER, THE PLANS OF HIS HEART TO ALL GENERATIONS. Psalm 33:11

Is there anything more reassuring in times like we are in to know that God is in control, with purpose, and that He ultimately will prevail in all He has planned for us from the very beginning ? It is not only reassuring, it is critical to our faith and our very life ! It is truly a struggle to watch the people that we love struggle. It is hard when we see evil and corrupt people seemingly find a way to control many nations and societies with processes and purposes that seem so clearly contrary to God ! Why ? I have asked myself this question a lot in the last year…..and the answer has always been loud and clear to me. GOD”S DESIRE FOR US IS THAT WE WALK WITH HIM IN HIS WAYS, AND THAT WE FIND OUR LIFE IN HIS SON, JESUS. God and His Kingdom are our priority. The world is a place of iniquity. It is full of many many people who do not know God, follow God, nor have an interest in anything other than Self, and Control. In the midst of this iniquity, evil, lies, and hatred thrive. But as believers, the world does not control us. It may effect us for a season, but WE ARE GOD”S CHILDREN ! He made us, and He holds us in His Hands.

THE LORD HIMSELF GOES BEFORE YOU AND WILL BE WITH YOU; HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU. DO NOT BE AFRAID; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. Deuteronomy 31:8

COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART, AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. Matthew 11: 28-29

AND MY GOD WILL MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS. Philippians 4:19

The promises of God are so good and complete. I encourage you to immerse yourself in His Word, and let the absolute joy and promise of all He proclaims fill your heart and your life. Place your trust in Him, and His enduring and eternal love for you. Seek Him In Prayer, and make your needs known to Him. As a follower of Christ, I know I am not perfect. I know I will have times when I sin. I will have times of frustration. I will have times when I don’t understand why some things happen. THE KEY IS WHO I SEEK IN THESE TIMES, AND WHERE I PLACE MY TRUST. WHO I COUNT ON, AND WHO I TURN TO. I TURN TO GOD. I COUNT ON JESUS. I SEEK GOD’S KINGDOM. I SEEK HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS LOVE FOR ME….BECAUSE, …..HIS LOVE IS PERFECT, COMPLETE, AND ETERNAL ! COUNT ON JESUS IN EVERYTHING/JAA

THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU; YOU NEED ONLY BE STILL. Exodus 14:14