the situation......

"It's all good..... It's all God!!!"

While riding and listening to the radio, these words to a song caught my attention. I was drawn in.... and as the song writer went on to reverence God for the good and the bad that life can bring.... he said "even if things don't look good... we (believers) know that all things work for the good for those who love God (ref. Romans 8:28). This song was a reminder that no matter what life brings.... the good.... and especially the not so good.... as long as we keep our hearts focused on God.... Yes, It's all good..... It's all God!

That means my situation..... your circumstance.... the place we are right now in our lives..... no matter what.... when things don't look the way we think they should.... when the dark clouds loom and seemingly linger.... when we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.... we must continue to keep our focus on God.... knowing and believing that ALL things work together for the good of those called according to HIS purpose. Yes, It's all Good..... It's all God!!!!!

Psalm 27:13 states "I had fainted, unless I had "believed" to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." As I meditated on this scripture, I began to imagine the state that King David must have been in.... with his enemies all around him, it would have been easy to give up..... give in.... let go. But instead, he thought on the goodness of God.... his light.... his strength (27:1) and diligently sought to stay in the presence of the Lord (27:4). He knew of God's goodness to him in past situations... how God had brought him through.... brought him out.... kept him. In the midst of David's trial he chose to seek God..... magnify Him.... singing praises to the God of his salvation (27:6-8). That was enough to give him a renewed hope.... courage.... and strength (27:14). Yes, It's all good..... It's all God!

..... So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT).

So, in the midst of the going through.... the tough times.... the situations.... the circumstances.... bringing to remembrance the faithfulness of our Sovereign God.... gives us the assurance.... no matter the outcome.... that Yes, It's all good.... It's all God!

Hunger...... for God!

"Hunger" for God is the deep desire to know and experience God more.

All night long I search for You. In the morning I earnestly seek for God. For only when You come to judge the earth will people learn what is right. Isaiah 26:6

Many of us, when being honest with ourselves, find that our greatest hunger... that deep desire to commune with God.... occurs in times when no one else can help... but God! King David describes such times as our "pit" time. (Psalm 40:2)

In times when problems arise... dreams go unfulfilled... just the daily "living" of life wears us down.... we find ourselves "seeking" God... desiring His presence... longing to know that He is near and He cares about our situation.

Peter Lundell states in his book "Prayer Power" that when we recognize that all the things that claim to satisfy us, really WON'T, then the habitual desire for God becomes more and more natural.

Our hunger for God should be a "natural" response.... like breathing! The desire to experience Him more is the heart of our relationship. Our ultimate desire should be God.... Himself.... not what He can or will do for us.... But simply who He is to us.... God!

MEDITATION SCRIPTURES

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. Psalm 84:2

The one thing I ask of the Lord- the thing I seek most- is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating in His Temple. Psalm 27:4

I lift my hands to You in prayer. I thirst for You as parched land thirst for rain. Psalm 143:6

Standing Together.......

"If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me," Joab told his brother. "And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you. Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord's will be done." 2 Samuel 10:11-12

When two brothers, fighting a battle in David's army, found themselves surrounded by the enemy.... they positioned themselves and vowed to support each other if the fighting got to tough to handle. But as they vowed to support... help each other they were ultimately depending on the Lord to do His will!!!! Yes, they agreed to do what they could to help each other through the situation, but they also realized the finale.... the outcome was totally in God's hands!!!!!

In our lives we face hard times.... trials and tribulations..... struggles and temptations. But God never intended for us to go through it alone. On our Christian journey, having support... encouragement.... someone who has "our back".... someone we can turn to.... can make the load lighter. Having someone we can trust to pray with with or for us.... offer spiritual counsel or advice.... just to listen or help us stand strong can minimize a tough situation or troubling times. And then when we have done all that we can do.... knowing God and accepting His will in the matter.... helps us all to be at peace.... no matter what!

So think about it.... who stands with you during your struggles? Who encourages you in you faith and life? We were not meant to function alone.... God designed us to function best in community!

Tuesday: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiates 4:9-12

Wednesday: As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

Thursday: All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Friday: Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

A Living Example......

So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

In Paul's first letter to the church of Thessalonica, he began by commending them on their reputation of faith, hope and love (v 3).

This "young church".... "new converts".... had only a few years earlier received Paul's life changing message.... the gospel of Jesus Christ and was embracing it with total commitment.

Although they were suffering for their beliefs.... in a society that did not believe in Jesus but worshiped pagan gods and many idols.... this church continued to stand firm in their faith and hope in the one true God! They were living their lives according to the example set for them by Paul.... imitating the life of Jesus. As a result of their steadfastness, many believers in other regions heard of the commitment and were encouraged to do the same (v 7).

As Christians, living in a secular society, we face many trials, tribulations and temptations. These things could easily come against.... challenge our devotion... our commitment to living a life that imitates that of Jesus. But we too... as the church at Thessalonica are called to turn away from these influences, stand firm and live so that others may be encouraged to find out more about Jesus Christ!

DAILY MEDITATION SCRIPTURE

Tuesday: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Wednesday: We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Thursday: For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:8-9

Friday: Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world. 1 Peter 2:12

understanding.......

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT)

Knowledge is power..... or is it? We live in an age where knowledge is basically at our fingertips. At the click or push of a button we have a wealth of "knowledge". The resources are abundant.... overflowing.... seemingly, unending! But what is knowledge without understanding how to apply it?

In the above scripture, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colosse to encourage them. He wanted them to know that he had heard of their faithfulness in obtaining..... seeking.... knowledge about God. But he also wanted them to know that his prayer for them was that they would also receive spiritual wisdom and understanding of the knowledge..... direction on how God would have them to apply what they learn to their lives. This is the only way, he wrote to the people, that they would know how to live lives pleasing to God!

As believers, this should also be our prayer for ourselves and others. We should encourage and pray for each other as Paul did for the people of Colosse. As we gain spiritual knowledge, we must ask God for the wisdom and understanding of His WORD in order for us to grow in Him. Because knowledge without understanding is simply that "just knowledge". But a true understanding of how God wants us to apply the spiritual knowledge that we gain to our lives leads to our transformation.... in spirit.... mind.... and attitude. It produces good fruit..... righteous living!!!!!!

For the Lord grants wisdom!

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

He guards the paths of the just

and protects those who are faithful to Him.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,

and you will find the right way to go.

For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will fill you with joy.

Wise choices will watch over you.

UNDERSTANDING will keep you safe.

Proverbs 2:6-11 (NLT)

all knowing.....

O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand. Psalm 139: 1-6 (NLT)

Is the fact that God knows everything about you frightening or encouraging..... comforting or unsettling? There is nothing we can hide from God.... no where we can go to escape Him. He is an omnipotent God! OMNIPRESENT!!!!

He knew us before we were born (v 13).... He knows our hearts (v 1).... He knows our words before we even say them (v 4).... He knows our every move (v 3).... He knows all the days of our life (v 16).... We reverence God for this knowledge that is too great for us to understand!

Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!

Romans 11:33 (NLT)

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

When we seek God for our lives.... our source of being.... these facts should offer us peace. Knowing that God cares so much for us.... His intimate knowledge of us.... His workmanship in us.... should bring us comfort. He is concerned about every detail of our lives. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Therefore, He is able to provide for our every need.... protect us.... and guide us along His everlasting path.

good hands....

A well known insurance company promises that if you are one of their policy holders, you are in "good hands!" But if you file too many claims... have too many accidents... in other words become "high risk".... you may have to pay a high cost to be in relationship with the company or worse.... you could be dropped.... cancelled!

We do not have this worry with God! We know that when we make the decision to put our lives in His hands we are "fully covered!" His plan is secure... there is no waiting period... and we have full access to the benefits of being a part of His family!

In God's hands we don't have to be afraid!

For I hold you by your right hand- I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.'

Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)

In God's hands we have support and protection!

You have given me Your shield and victory. Your right hand supports me; Your help has made me great.

Psalm 18:35 (NLT)

In God's hands we have constant help!

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and shield.

Psalm 33:20 (NLT)

In God's hands we have security!

I cling to You; Your strong right hand holds me securely.

Psalm 63:8 (NLT)

WHO IS HOLDING YOU!!!!! Put your trust in God and be covered for ETERNITY! He offers true "ACCIDENT FORGIVENESS"!!!!!!