April 2014 Archives
Everybody’s Going Through Something
“If everybody’s going through something, I’d rather go through something with Him.” I’m thinking about the truth of that statement from a song on Karen Peck and New River’s Revival CD. Jesus does not promise to take away the stresses of life if we follow Him but He has promised to walk through those stresses with us, and I am so grateful to Him for not failing to keep His promises.
I am also grateful for the Brothers and Sisters God has put in my life to encourage me when I begin to get discouraged. God did not create us to go through life alone but He told us to encourage each other, to lift up the downhearted. I pray I am faithful to do that.
Praise the Lord that He does not leave you when the going gets rough. Though all else may forsake, our Lord walks ever nearer holding our hand and carrying us when we are too weak to walk on our own. He is so faithful.
Joy Restored
“Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.” Oh, how I have prayed this so many times the past few years. This morning, as I listened to Karen Peck and New River and sang with them “Joy in My Heart,” I began praising God that He has answered my prayer. It was a long time coming but I am so grateful that God is not finished with me. As I near the end of my 40th year of life, I needed that confirmation.
The Christian life is a battle. The enemy wants you to be discouraged, defeated, and depressed while God wants you to be full of life, joy, and victory. It is vital that you not let the enemy win. I know it’s not always easy but a Christian does not have the option to quit. We must be faithful to the end.
I cried during the song, “Finish Well” and prayed again for God’s help to do exactly that. Sometimes I feel so weak but, in my weakness, He is strong. That is not a cliche; it is truth. And I am so grateful.
No matter what you are going through, don’t lose heart. Jesus loves you. He cares. He still has a plan for your life. Stay close to Him. No matter how busy you are, don’t neglect time with Him. Ask Him to speak to you. You may not hear His voice immediately but the more you draw near and fervently seek His face, the more you will begin to see Him and feel His presence and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He loves you.
Take it from one who knows. I don’t deserve His love and His grace but He loves me just the same. I am so grateful. He has never left me or forsaken me, and I know He never will. I know He won’t forsake you either. He truly is faithful who called you, and He will complete the work He has begun in you … just like He is doing in me.
How Could You Say No
This is the song I’ve been focusing on this Easter. I think even the hardest heart would have a hard time walking away from the reality of what Christ went through for us and at least not think about saying Yes to Him. I watched Jesus of Nazareth last night but I didn’t watch the crucifixion. Instead, I closed my eyes and imagined in my mine’s eye the pain that must have went through Jesus’ body with every blow of that cruel hammer. Yet every day, people go about life as if He doesn’t exist. That must pain Him even more.
I pray that, for those of us who know Him, we never fail to show our love for Him and let Him know how grateful we are for His sacrifice. As we do, we can sing wholeheartedly, “Glorious morning! Jesus has risen!!!”
Forgiveness
Such an important topic but one that I don’t hear many sermons on. In Jesus’ final moments on the cross, He cried out, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they do.” He told His disciples, “If you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses.” As He taught His disciples to pray, He included the line, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Forgiveness is not optional.
I think all of us would admit that we have had much to be forgiven for in our lives. Yet, when others wrong us, we are quick to retaliate and want to see them pay. This is not the example Jesus gave us. He told us to turn the other cheek, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who despitefully use us. This is what sets us apart from the world.
Christianity is not for wimps. It is a strong person who can walk away from someone who has slandered them or done them wrong in some way and yet, instead of retaliating, stop and pray for that same person. It’s not easy but it is pleasing to our Father.
If there is someone in your life that you have not been able to forgive, ask God daily to help you. Pray for that person. This in itself can help to soften your heart. Forgiveness does not mean letting your guard down and acting as if nothing has happened but it does mean refusing to hate the person or to return evil for evil. Without God, this is impossible but I believe God will give you the strength you need if you cry out to Him on a daily basis. After all, that was His example.
Pat Barker to Leave Mark Trammell Quartet
I am one of those who was saddened to hear about Pat Barker leaving The Mark Trammell Quartet in a few weeks but I am old enough to realize that, to everything, there is a season. Although I do not like change, I do know that change is rarely as bad as I think it will be. God has a plan. I wish Pat the best and hope to see him singing again one day. Please keep The Mark Trammell Quartet in your prayers as they try to find a replacement for Brother Pat.
Going Through God’s School
Life has been hectic lately. The ministry I work for is in the throes of convention season which means I have been on the road since March 1. I now have a couple weeks at home before we hit the road again. Although exhausting, it’s a blessing to be able to serve the Lord full time.
Recently, I have also started a couple other ventures to earn some extra income. Humanly, I am really eager to get some business but I know God’s timing is perfect. If I’m following Him, He will give me the business I need.
I have learned a lot about faith and patience these last few years but a student of God never graduates. I am constantly learning how to hear God’s voice, to be patient with others, to walk in love and humility. The apostle Paul summed it up best when he said, “Brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). I pray that each day finds me becoming more and more like Jesus. May I never stop learning but continually seek His face, listening for His voice so that I become the daughter He desires me to be.
