Sunday, February 22, 2009

Trust And Obey, For There’s No Other Way…

I may need to change the title of my blog to “That Trust May Abound”. God has seen fit to allow another trial for my family and myself. This one will have some major implications as well as the last one that I mentioned a few blogs back. Thankfully the Lord has been preparing me for this for a while now in so many ways that are becoming evident to me every day. I cannot stress enough the importance of a strong; Christ centered church family and how they minister to someone in need. I have experienced this first hand over the time that I have been at Oak Grove Baptist Church. All I can say is praise the Lord for his gracious ways and allowing me to be lead to this wonderful family.

My current trial is more in depth and requires me to once again place my total trust in the Lord. This is very hard for me to do, because I want to try and do all I can to work this one out. I do feel like I am just adding to the issue when I do try, so out of recently gained wisdom I have given control to the Lord. Actually I have realized I never had control in the first place and just acknowledged that fact. God is in control of everything. Period. If He weren’t, then and only then would I really need to worry. So I have gone to a deeper place of trust in the Lord, which is good. I know that He is in control and I know that what happens will be right for me. After all, I am His child. What Earthly parent would do something that wasn’t for the best of their child? So why would I think that the God of all would be trying to hurt me or punish me in some way? He’s not and I don’t blame Him for anything.

I know that my Father is in control. I may not understand why this is happening totally, but I can see (or I can speculate) as to why. I do trust in Him and in that I am obeying His Word, not because I feel that it is something I should be doing, but it is all I can do. I am perfectly content as to whatever direction the Lord has in store for me. There are 3 different outcomes and I am content with any He has chosen for me in His sovereignty. Through this I am also confident in knowledge that God will be glorified. He is being glorified already and He will continue to be glorified throughout this trial and beyond. God has shown more grace to me than I could ever have hoped for. Even on my worst day God is still gracious in not giving me what I deserve and instead gives me love, grace and forgiveness.

I am doing as Psalm 46:10 says – Being still and knowing that He is God. I am not pushing any issues, I am not trying to persuade anyone to do anything, I am only doing what I should be and trusting. Not that I have not realized some things I was doing wrong and made corrections, but I am trusting totally in Gods wisdom of the outcome of this. I will not waver from His Word and I will not compromise. Ephesians 6:10 says to be strong in the Lord… and I am. He is my strength and my refuge through it all and I praise Him for His goodness to me.

Some verses shared with me by a good friend have helped me, not with the situation itself, but in strengthening my relationship with the Lord. Please if you are going through a trial, take comfort in these verses as well. If you are not, then you may want to bookmark this page for future reference, because a trial is just around the corner. I will divulge in the future about this trial in its entirety, to show how God is working through it and what I have learned and gained from it. I will not speculate at the outcome or what I think may happen, but I will once again say God will be glorified.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxiouse) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD your God will hold your right hand, saying unto you, Fear not; I will help you.
Isaiah 43:1-4 But now thus says the LORD that created you, O Jacob, and he that formed you, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; you aret mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior: I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for you. Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honorable, and I have loved you: therefore will I give men for you, and people for your life.
Psalms 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:3 Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalms 138:3 In the day when I cried You answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.
Psalms 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me: You shall stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand shall save me.
Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Proverbs 16:1-3 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works unto the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:20 He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

5 comments:

Camillia said...

One of my friends recently gave me the verses of Isaiah 43 that you posted...I am clinging to that promise (among others) right now too...God has led me to Ephesians 3:16-21 as well, how much more I want to know His love, and whatever means He chooses to show it to me, I must trust in Him 100%, with my entire being.

Anonymous said...

What great verses. You and Chandra and your family are in my prayers daily. When you mentioned three possible outcomes, it reminded me of 2 Samuel 24. Of course David was under God's judgment which I am NOT presuming in your case... it was just the three outcomes thing.

So anyway, David was asked to choose one of the outcomes, and he said in verse 14, "Please let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man."

How wonderful to know that whatever He ordains, His mercies are great. I pray it is resolved in the way that is best for you and your family and brings maximum glory to Him.

Jeff said...

Thanks guys (gals) for the encouragements and the prayers especially. Camillia, I'll let ou in on a secret.... it was your Dad that shared the verses with me. He's a very Godly man and I am very happy that the Lord is allowing me to get to know him better.

Camillia said...

My dad is a very wise man...I am thankful so much for him :)

I got to put my thoughts in better order thru out the day....hope you dont mind me reiterating...

Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

and then

Ephesians 3:16-21
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

So...in regards to all the things our family is currently experiencing...Claiming the promise in Isaiah...God will be with us, waters wont sweep over us, we will not be burned, or set ablaze...Changing my focus to what it says in Ephesians that God may strengthen me with power thru His spirit in my inner being (which was totally upside down and inside out over these issues) thru faith...God is teaching me how much He loves me (more than any other earthly love, even from mother to son, daddy to daughter) So I can be filled to the measure of ALL the fullness of God (which is my desire), He is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than I ask, or can even imagine (and I have a great imagination....) trusting totally in Him during these "rivers, fires, and flames" So He can get all the Glory.

Sophie said...

This blessed me so much. I'm so thankful God brought you to our church, and that He allows me to learn from you. Trust is so hard when you want to control everything, but like you said we have no control anyway... Thanks for sharing this. You're both in my prayers.

(and my daddy is a very wise man... I'm glad he's opening up enough with people to share some of his learned wisdom.)