Overwhelming Trials December 20, 2010

I love nature.  There are so many analogies in nature to the spiritual life.  Nature too, as scripture says, testifies to God’s greatness.  Of all the places in nature, the beach is my favorite.  It is so beautiful, but the sounds of the ocean remind me of the power of God.  The inability to see the end of the horizon remind me of God’s never ending love for me.  The sea life is amazing, and I am particularly fond of dolphins.

A couple of years ago we took a day trip to the beach.  I was not in very deep, maybe waist high.  A huge wave came and knocked me off balance.  I remember being swept away by that wave.  I was under the water but had no bearing as to where I was.  It seemed I was being swirled around in all directions.  I was thinking if I could just find the bottom with my feet I could push up and out of the water.  The problem was I didnt know which way was up and my feet never felt the bottom to find sure footing.  It was very frightening.  It seemed like a long time but Im sure the reality was it was only seconds.  I just wanted to get out of that water and feel safe.

Recently I have been going through a very difficult trial.  Actually difficult would not be a close enough word, heart wrenching may be a bit better.  I wont go through details as I have learned not to talk about my struggles until I am past them, not in them.   This trial has shaken my very foundations and I have felt like I didnt know which way was up.  I have looked for sure footing and find none, when I do it seems it is only a short while before it vanishes.  I feel all I know, my emotions, my security, all has been swept away and swirled around and I was buried under pain, fear, doubts and all I wanted was to get out and feel safe.

In spite of my crying out to God to please fix it, make it go away….He has chosen for me to go through this trial.  I am trying to embrace it as what is best for my growth and good.  I vacillate between the trust and questions and fears.  It is an intense mental battle.  I was reading one day in Streams in the Desert. It is the entry on November 1 for those of you that have it.

The passage is Num 9:19 ‘when the cloud tarried….then the children of Israel….journeyed not.’

It spoke of how much the Israelite people wanted to move on and get to the promised land.  When God moved in the cloud the people would pack up and move.  Im sure they got excited as they began to move.  Being encamped in the wilderness for long probably wasnt the ideal circumstances for them.  As with anyone, I am sure they were ready to get settled in their new home.  But if God stayed in a place, they stayed.  This is the place God had them.  The wilderness- not the best location, there were many difficulties there, dangers, ….several times the people even complained and looked back saying ‘we should have stayed in Egypt”…..

It was a true test for them to obey and trust God.

That is where I have felt in this trial.  Stuck. Ready to get out and settle in a better place.  I have even looked back and thought why cant we go back to there?  But in reality I know that while I dont like where I am at, I know that this is where I need to be. I know that God is teaching my and growing me and it will be better.  To go back, would mean to go to a place that had its subtle cracks and would keep me from experiencing the fullness of all God had for me.

While Im in this place, learning, growing, and waiting on God- I have His assurance that while Im here -He still provides my needs, and He is still with me going through it, not to end it or take it away.

Just as He never left His people, and He daily gave them their manna, and all they needed.

Yes God works all things out for good.  Even those things that are painful, hurt, arent fun, we wish were different, ……The challenging thing is to embrace them as being filtered through His hand and pressing on while we are looking forward with hopefulness at all God will do in us and through us in this trial.  By embracing the trial, I mean accepting it and looking for what you can learn as you go through it, trusting God will all you experience and taking it all to Him….and the hard part is not fearing and doubting.

For those who have been followers of God for some time, you have past faithfulness of God to get your sure footing.  You have experienced His goodness, Sovereignty and faithfulness.  Sometimes we get comfortable when things are going good, and sometimes we tend to forget those past lessons.  It is hard when new challenges to our faith come, because it seems to take an extra measure of faith for the trial we are in. That is what stretching our faith is.  It is because each trial comes with new unknowns and we have to trust God for the outcome.  That is faith- believing it what we cant see.

For those who havent been followers of God for long, each trial is an opportunity for you to trust God and see Him work.  A new chance to lay it down at His feet and rest in His ability to work all things out.  Those things that deal with our heart and emotions seem to be more difficult cause we want to protect ourself.  The issues that involve other people and us are hard because we may trust God but we dont know if the other person will follow Him and do the right thing.  If it involves other people and not really us, then it is usually easier because we dont fear any harm to us or hurt.  Nevertheless, whatever issue we are struggling with is a time to bring it to God, to trust Him, to see HIm work and for our faith to grow.

What challenge do you need to bring to Him today?  I encourage you to bring it to the Lord.  Give it to Him, with all your fears adn doubts.  Everytime those fears and doubts pop us, regive it to the Lord.  Satan will continue to target those weak areas but if you want to win the battle through Christ and in Him, you have to keep turning it over to Him.  Make those fiery darts work for you not against you.  They work against us when we give in to them and dwell on the negative thoughts they encourage.  They work for us when the send us running into the arms of our Savior for refuge and strength.

What are you going to do with your struggles today?

Sincerely

Being Persuaded October 16, 2009

Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? as it is written ‘for your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter;. Yet in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height or depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is such a popular and amazing verse but this morning I saw something in it that i haven’t ever noticed before. To recap vs 18-21 speaks of how we as Christians will suffer hardship and persecutions. That will be part of the christian life. But we consider that minor when we compare to what we will receive. vs 22-25 speak of that. We eagerly look forward to and patiently wait for what we are hoping for and that is to be with Jesus, our bodies redeemed. vs 26-27 speak of how the Spirit prays for us when we are too weak and dont know what to pray ourselves. How awesome! We have the Spirit praying for us and through us, guaranteed in Gods will!
vs 28-29 is another popular verse about how God uses all things , good and bad, He sovereignly, purposefully, intently orchestrates everything in our life to be used for our benefit now and eternally. Only for those who love HIm and are called to His purpose. What is His purpose? vs 29 to be conformed to the image of His Son.
vs 30 is the verse i want to point out something. He predestined (chose before the creation), He called (drew us to Himself for salvation) He justified (saved by making us right with God, taking our sin and imputing Christ’s righteousness on us) and GLORIFIED. Paul has this written in past tense. I never really paid attention to this before. But Paul being so certain of Gods promises and his future hope spoke of it as if it was already done, knowing that it would be.
Im amazed by that. I speak with faith and certainty of His promises but i dont speak of them as past tense!
So for the rest of this passage. vs 31-36 Paul talks about how no one has any foundation or right to accuse us or condemn us. It is God who created us, He chose us, Jesus died for us, Jesus rose for us and justified us and He glorifiED us. He sought us, gave all for us and lavishes His love on us; not to quit on us, forsake us or leave us. He who began a good work in us will complete it (Phil 1:6)

vs 37-39 are powerful words that speak of the power, strength and commitment of Gods love for us.
vs 38 pauls says he is persuaded. Because Paul is persuaded is the reason He could use the past tense, glorified. Paul had no doubts, his faith didnt waver. How? Cause Paul had been through tribulations, distresses, persecutions, peril…….(list in vs 35) He wasnt just talking- he was persuaded because he experienced Gods amazing love in all those circumstances. Paul experienced being a conqueror through Him who loved him (vs 37)

In what ways have you so experienced Gods love that you are persuaded of HIs love and His promises?
Seriously, share on here, let others see, and give God the praise!

NOTHING can separate us from Gods love. The only thing that will pull us away is our own self, but God wont let you get to far if your His.

No one loves us with this depth, purity, commitment….it is humanly impossible. How incredible to be loved this way, to be shown it this way, to experience it.
This day is a day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it, cause your HIs and you know His love.

be persuaded, live persuaded
Koen

Life is Like Chocolates January 28, 2009

You know the famous movie line, ‘ Life is like a box of chocolates’

I was thinking about that. It is kinda true.  I have gotten a few box of chocolates over the years.  Being an enormous fan of chocolate,  I anticipate what each one will be like and look forward to eating it.  There are times I bite into a chocolate and it is just nasty.  There may be different things that make it so, whether it be a fruity flavor I dont like or a higher percentage of cocoa than I like, but I just want to spit it out.  Other times, I bite into something and just savor it.  It tastes so good and soon I am ready for another one.  Still other times, I am expecting a chocolate to be something and when I bite into it, it is totally different than what I expect.  Sometimes it is unpleasant and other times it is a delightful surprise.  There are definitely times it is just what I expect, (especially when I read the instructions!)

But  I do think life is like that.  We experience things that we just do not like.  Sometimes they are bitter, others hurtful and even physically painful.  Then we have times in our life filled with joy and blessing.  Times when things are going good and smoothly.  There are times when we are expecting something to be one way, we may be disappointed or delightfully surprised.

Whatever life brings us, there are many things about God that we can be assured of, be strengthed by and count on.  Here are a few:

1.  God is in control of all things. Psalm 47:1-4  Psalm 115:3  Psalm 33:10

Isaiah 46:10  Psalm 135:6

Psalm 33:6  by the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Psalm 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Psalm 119:90 Thy faithfulness [is] unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth

2. He uses all things in our life for a purpose and works them out for our good and the good of those around us.  Romans 8:28  Isaiah 45:5-7

3. He allows things in our life so that when we have passed through  that trial He can use us to help someone else who is going through the same kind of difficulty.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Cor 1:3-4

4. He is always there, He never leaves us, He will carry us through

Hebrew 13:5

Isaiah 43:2 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.

5. From Him we can expect great things.

james 4:17  Psalm 5:3   Psalm 62:5

Be encouraged.  We serve a great and mighty God.

Because of Him

Koen

Disgusting Revelation January 13, 2009

Last night, my husband and I pulled up the carpet in our den in order to lay wood floors.  I was totally surprised by the amount of dirt underneath.  When i swept it up, it was a huge mound!  It took several trips with the dust pan to get ut up.  After it appeared swept up, I kept sweeping and amazingly more dirt kept coming and i had little mounds throughout the den.

I began to think about how often we vacuumed, shampooed the carpet, and had it cleaned.  Yet this was alot of dirt.  I thought about when people would come over, of course we had a cleaning spree beforehand, and they would say how nice the house looked.  Had I known what was underneath, I would have thought “yeah, but i know what you dont know!”

It reminded me of us!  We are born sinners.  We have that problem.  We can ‘turn over a new leaf’, resolve to do good, and we can even make changes for the better, yet all the while we still have the problem of sin.  On the outside, we can be wonderfully nice people.  People may even say very complimentary things about us.  Nevertheless, we still have a problem.  There may be times when someone praises us but inside we are thinking ‘yeah but you dont know what i know”.     We know deep down the hidden things that we think or even do and say that others dont know.

There is One that we cant hide from.  He knows our most secret parts.  He is the only One who can remove our sin problem and truly make us clean.  The beauty that He gives us is a real and deeper beauty than just what is seen on the outside; it goes deeper.  It begins on the inside and radiates on the outside.

I challenge you today, if you dont know Him.  Come clean.  Turn to Him.  If any of you dont know how, I will be happy to help you by sharing with you His Word if you want to email me.

Have a beautiful Day!

koen

Ezekiel 12 January 5, 2009

God tells Ezekiel that he is living among a rebellious people.

VS 1-2 Israel reminds me of my son, who has eyes to see, ears to hear but choses to rebel against all he has been taught, seen and learned of God.

vs 3 God tells Ezekiel to pack his bags for exile.  It made me think, what would an exile pack?  Just necessities?  What is sentimental and special?

The purpose of this was to show the people that they were going to experience exile.  God is using Ezekiel to reach the people and bring them back to Himself because God loves them.  In the same way, God who loves my son, will by whatever means He chooses bring my son back because God loves him.

The Israelites had fought and rebelled so hard to have things ‘their way’ and now they will lose all they fought to have.

It reminds me of the verse in the NT that says

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Luke 9:24

we must be willing to give up all that we want, what we feel like doing,  think is best or think that we deserve; lay all that down, to have what He knows is best, wants to bless us with, and gives abundantly out of His mercy.  Those things that we strive to hold on to can often become a hinderance that He may remove.

In vs 24-28 God warned that His word would come to pass without delay.  The people felt all these visions came to nothing. (vs 22)

We may be tempted to doubt the coming to pass of God’s word.  Many people doubt His word is truth at all.  Some say, it has been so long, it wont really happen like the Bible says.

We must remember that God keeps His word.  He is not bound by time, neither is He impatient as we are.  He has a plan and it will all unfold in His time.  God is faithful and all things will come to pass in His perfect timing and way.

Throughout His word we can see His consistency and faithfulness in keeping His word, it may have been hundreds of years later but His word was fulfilled.  a Thousand years are as a day to Him.  Rather than look at the calender, we need to look at Him and who He is, who He has proven Himself to be.

He is our trustworthy God.

Trusting

Koen

Ezekiel 11 continued December 29, 2008

Ezekiel 11:5  God tells Ezekiel to tell the people that He knows the things that come into their minds.

That remains a truth today, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He knows our thoughts.  That is a truly sobering thought to think on.

Jeremiah 17:10 says that God searches the heart and tests them mind. (the mind is our secret most part)

There may be things we struggle with in our minds. Our thoughts, we think, are kept as thoughts and no one can be hurt by them because they are secret.  BUT nothing is hidden from God.  He knows our thoughts and when our thoughts are displeasing, dishonoring to Him, disobeying His word–then they are sin.  All we do should be for His glory and honor; and be done out of love for Him- even our thoughts.

so how do we combat thoughts, when often thoughts just come into our mind? When thoughts pop into our mind, sometimes they are triggered by emotion or something we have seen on TV or heard, but other times thoughts just come out of nowhere.  Just like any other sin, which starts with the thought, it is not sin but temptation.  It is sin when we act on that thought.  So it is with thoughts, they become sin when we dwell on them, take pleasure in them.  So what do we do when they enter our minds initially?  Our minds are battlefields.  God does have something to say about it.

2 Corinthians 10:5- says for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguements and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of  God, bringing every thought  captive to the obedience of Christ… (to take captive means to bind it up)

We must stop our thoughts in their tracks, dont dwell on them. God usually brings conviction when we arent thinking correctly.  Repent- change direction.  Change the direction of your thoughts.  How?

Phillipians 4:8  redirect your thoughts to think on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if thre is any virtue, anything praiseworthy, think on these things.

Be intent.  Dont allow yourself to flippantly wonder in your thoughts.  Take a verse with you each morning to think on, memorize, meditate on.  Your mind will be taken up with business at hand, but always veer back to Him and His word when your mind is free.

In Him

koen

Psalm 1 December 5, 2008

Dec 2- Today I just read Psalm 1. It was rather rushed because of my schedule for the day and not getting up early enough. I was reminded of how my nourishment comes from Him when I read about the tree that flourishes. A dead and barren tree is pretty ugly and not much to look at. Bland and doesn’t offer much. But there is such a beauty and strength in a tree that is healthy and flourishing. At certain times and seasons those trees may have added beauty and benefit with flowers or fruit. I desire to be that healthy, strong, flourishing life and I pray that because of His work in me I can even add a beauty in the lives of others.

Offering Your Best December 5, 2008

Dec 3- For reading today, my son and I read Exodus 10. Pharaoh was about to let the Israelites leave but said they had to leave without their livestock.

It was Moses’ reply that amazed me. Think about it. They had been in bondage for 400 years. Through 9 plagues Pharaoh has continually said no they cant go. Finally, Pharaoh says ‘Go-take only men, women, children; just leave your flocks (vs 24) It would seem here that this would be the great opportunity they have been looking and waiting for. But Moses tells Pharaoh that he must let them take the livestock TO USE IN WORSHIPPING THE LORD.

What I find interesting and convicting-is that it wasn’t that they needed animals for travel or food but to properly and wholly worship God the best and right way. Moses did not settle for what seemed good enough or for second best. He wanted to give God their best worship.

We worship God all day in the things we do and how we do them.

I challenge myself and you, Do we give God our best or do we settle for ‘good enough’ cause we are to tired, its too hard, ….

Col 3:17, 24 says Whatever you do I word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart….

We are suppose to love God with all our heart. Do we worship Him each moment of the day with our hearts? What does it mean to do what we do ‘in the name of the Lord’?

It means that they way we do things and what we do and say are worthy of His name being attached to it. His stamp of approval is on them.

We are His representative on this earth to all those around us. We are to represent His character, attributes, principles and standards. We are to be a reflection of Him.

So is how we live, worthy of that His name. Eph 5:1 says to be imitators of God

Philippians 1:27 and col 1:10 and 1 Thess 2:12 all speak of living worthy of His name.

I must confess how often I lack in this area. I fail daily. I thank Him for His grace and patience. Because I love Him so much, I want to grow in Him and love Him better. I desire to consciously worship Him in all I do through the day and how I go about my day (attitude, motivation..) to be an expression of my love for Him. The results of that would naturally benefit me but also those around me (family, friends, visitors in my home…) I do not want to go about duties, performing them as second nature, routine with no thought of Him or with a complaining spirit. I confess my need for less of a selfish heart and rather a heart overflowing with love and worship for my Father.

Praying

Koen

A True Friend December 5, 2008

Dec 1, 2008

Today I read 1 Samuel 23

Verse 16-17 spoke

Saul had been pursuing David. David learned that the Philistines were attacking Keilah, a city that was gated in. David, rightly so, asked God what to do. God told him to go and attack the Philistines.(vs 2)

David told his men what God said and they expressed fear and doubt. (vs 3)

So David again asked the Lord what to do. (vs 4) God replied with the same instructions affirming to David that He would give the Philistines in Davids hands.

I wonder….did the doubt and fear of his men spark a little doubt in Davids own mind. Is that the reason Gods first answer wasn’t enough and he had to ask again. I do that sometimes, when I know something (or think I do) and I hear differing facts (say a Bible verse I memorized since age 8)- if I hear someone give a different reference I will automatically second guess myself. (a lot due to my failing memory and some lack of confidence in my memory) It doesn’t say, but it seems to me that David maybe doubted after hearing his men’s doubt and fear.

So after seeking God, David and his men went to attack Philistines. They defeated the Philistines and were within the gates of Keilah. David was told that Saul was on his way with an army, hoping to trap David and kill him. David and his men fled and hid in the desert for days and days while Saul hunted for him. God did not allow David to be found. God was David’s protector.

I imagine that hiding in the desert is tiresome and that sitting and waiting, a person could get fearful. Left to our own thoughts, we normally focus on the negative and the human probabilities rather than the supernatural abilities of the Lord. Is it possible that David was weakening or getting discouraged?

Vs 16 says that Jonathan went to David. Jonathan helped David find strength in God.

That is what I am focused on. I see the 2 contrasts. The response of Davids men that may have caused David to doubt verses Jonathan, who helped David find strength in God, during a time that had potential to be negative.

That is the kind of friends we need to surround ourselves with. That is the kind of friend I want to be. A true friend will point you to God, not away from Him. A godly friend will help you find strength in God, not feed you negatively.

How does a friend do that?

1- Remind them of Gods promises (Jonathan reminded David that he was to be king)

2- Have friends best interest in mind (Jonathan wasn’t trying to be king and let David know he was willingly 2^nd to him)

3- Be humble- share in love and concern as Jonathan did

4- Pray with and for your friend

Your friend,

Koen

God’s Dwelling Place November 26, 2008

November 25, 2008

Ezekiel 8

This chapter God gives Ezekiel visions. These visions represent the things the people did that provoked God to jealousy and anger and thus the judgment they will have.

God takes Ezekiel in the inner court of the temple and the sacred inner court. It would help to be reminded of, what was the temple for?

This was the temple that Solomon had built The temple was to worship God, seek Him and where His glory dwelt. His presence abided in the temple. .

I read that this vision was a synopsis of the glory of God from the beginning (creation) to the end (coming of the Messiah).

Psalm 19:1 says the glory of God has always been from the beginning (creation)

Christ is the glory of God. Colossians 1:19, Heb 1:3, 1 Cor 2:8

The glory of God often led the people in a pillar of cloud (Ex 13), covered a mountain when Moses was called up it for the commandments (Ex 24), the Tent of Meeting (Ex 33 and 40), 1 King 8:10-12, Num 16 and Lev. 16:2 Aaron was told he would die if he entered the Most Holy Place anytime because the Lord’s presence was in the cloud that was behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark. This visible manifestation of God’s presence is known as His shekinah glory. Shekinah means ‘the One who dwells”

Yet the priests, who were to be leading the people in worship, were leaders of the abominations taking place that made God want to leave. (Abominations means disgusting things, wickedness, and unclean)

Vs 6 really hit me in this chapter. God asks Ezekiel, “do you see what they are doing …..to make Me go far away from My sanctuary?”

God was so disgusted that He wanted to leave. The place the He dwelled was no longer a place He was ‘at home’.

This made me think about the churches today that are suppose to be the places people go to worship Him. Where 2 or 3 are gathered He is there, but is He in our churches today? Are our churches today a place He desires to be? What would He say to our churches today and the leaders of the churches? (I am certainly not being all inclusive, I do believe there are some great churches doing God’s work and worshipping Him, but I do believe they are the exception not the rule)

The word sanctuary means a sacred place, holy place. Websters 1828 definition is A house consecrated to the worship of God; a place where divine service is performed. Ps. 73 In addition to its meaning, we view it as a resting place, a haven, or refuge.

As His child, I, we are His temple. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 1 Cor 3:16

To make it more personal, I ask myself, what would He say to me? What does He see in me? Is there anything I think, do, say, feel that would be an abomination to Him? While He promises to never leave me, does He ever feel like it? Does He ever have to turn His face? Does He feel His dwelling place within me is a sanctuary and home or a place He isn’t comfortable? Is divine service being lived out in my life or religious activity? Is worship in spirit and truth happening or motions being carried out, or even idol worship? Is God the first and true love of my life or am I pursuing other things more passionately? Am I willing to die for Him?

Can His shekinah glory be seen in my life through His radiance or is it smothered out by secular life and selfish ambitions? Am I driven and motivated by love and passion for Him and His Kingdom work or do I just dutifully go about my routines? Do I fulfill my responsibilities with joy serving Him or do I view my responsibilities as mundane and burdensome?

These are the questions I must ask to examine myself. It is easy to gradually and blindly fall into the trap of duty and service without truly heartfully serving.

Don’t let satan rob your joy and don’t lose your focus pursing things and His blessings and yet forgetting Him.

Father, It is my prayer that you would do what is necessary to refine me. De-root those things that I have blindly allowed to grab hold of my heart or snuck in like weeds that hinder my growth in You and dishonor You. Lord, restore to me the joy of my salvation! Help me in my weakness to turn to You and find in You all that I need. I love you Lord Jesus and Savior of my life. I praise You for your grace and mercies in my life and ask for You to continue Your work in me and that I would be pliable in Your loving hands.

Give me an undivided heart that I would fear Your name. Amen