"I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things. ’" (Isaiah 45:5-7 NKJV)
When you realize that it is God that "creates calamity" and that it has a purpose; it changes your view on the events of your life!
You see, I had always been taught that the devil did the bad things to us. I would curse the sicknesses. I would pray for rapid relief of adversity. I would quote scripture in my desire to end the trial and get back to life as usual!
But if we believe the above scripture and others that it is His will to work all things for our good, it puts "storms" in a different light!
Looking back at my life of rebellion, I see God's hand trying to gently guide me back to the narrow path, but I was determined to have it my way! His corrections would become stronger and I would dig my heals. I was going to "stand!" The storm would increase in intensity and a big wave would come and knock me down and in my stiffnecked, open defiance, I'd wave my fist at the devil and yell, "I will not be moved!"
Never ever knowing I was in error!
That all along it was God trying to get my attention!
To my shame, I was defying God!
"My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction;" (Proverbs 3:11 NKJV)
I don't know how I thought The LORD, chastened and corrected! But I had been told by my teachers that it was the devil making my life miserable! Never did they say the stuff I was going through was from God, for my own good!
" Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die." (Proverbs 15:10 NKJV)
We have all lived in open rebellion for so long, taught by a traditions of men and doctrines of demons that we are supposed to live long and prosper, in complete happiness!
That just is not true! Our life is not ours and it is for His good pleasure we exist! When we grasp that and humble ourselves in submission, that is when the blessings of God and His peace and joy abounds! "Happiness is a 'by product' of obedience, not the means to an end!" (Paris Reidhead)
If you are going through storms; if your trials seem never ending, try something different! Try obedience to The Word of God! I know it's a novel concept, but it works!!!!
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."(James 4:10 NKJV)
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8 NKJV)
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19 NKJV)
If you are at the end of your rope, repent! Turn to God! Humble yourself and sincerely repent of your sins!
"But I'm a good person! What sins?" you say!
Sins common to all of us are: unforgiveness, bitterness, judgments, gossip, anger, worry, fear! These sins permeate the church and are deemed acceptable by everyone but God! Unforgiveness all by itself will keep you out of heaven!
"“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."(Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)
Walking in repentance; walking in forgiveness; walking in love is obedience to Him, and makes us "overcomers"!
"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:7 NKJV)
Stop grumbling and complaining! In everything give thanks! Keep your eyes on Jesus! Seek first the kingdom of God! Do not fear! Look not to the things that are seen! Humble yourself! Repent!
Time is running out! Church we have got to get this right!
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA
From 10/10/15, 12/15/15
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