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Eureka! I got it! The light bulbs have gone off!
Let me just tell you the last few weeks, well let's be honest, the last month, has really sucked lemons, oops I mean stunk Muenster cheese. I have been in a pity party for one. I have been angry at God, and angry at the world. Quite frankly, I have been in places emotionally that I never thought I would have to go to again in my life since I have known Him, and walked with Him.
Although through it all, I have remembered what has been taught to me: to be joyful in all trials. Furthermore, that I am supposed to praise Him for these trials.
Ha!!! Be Joyful??..... AND Praise??.. You have got to be kidding! HOW?!?!?! This trial really stinks, and I can't seem to find ANY joy in it at all! And I haven't, until recently.....
After a few weeks, it took all I could muster up enough in my spirit to realize that my JOY was in the afterlife that I would be living with Jesus and not have to feel any pain, or sorrows, or struggle in the flesh ANYMORE.
But, I knew there was more to what God is trying to teach me about the Joy in your sorrows, Joy in your pain, Joy in your trials, Joy in your temptations. Finally, I stumbled on this verse again: 1:2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (patience). 1:4 And let steadfastness (patience) have its (her) full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (parenthesized words added by me from other versions of the bible that I believe add substance to the verse)
OK.
So it is just a test, if you will God, to increase my endurance, patience, steadfastness. Kind of like when you are training for a run or bike ride, and you have to go through the pain to be able to make that 20 mile walk or that 100 mile bike ride. It may hurt, for a while, but you will be able to accomplish your goal. I get it!
Knowing this has made me VERY Joyful. Why?
Because every trial, tribulation, temptation is just another fight and more training. Just another battle in perseverance, steadfastness and patience in the Lord. I have always been a fighter. My Joy comes from the greatest fighter of all, Paul. Paul encourages me with 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
So even if my Joy came to me at first in knowing of that day when I get to meet Him, it eventually reminded me of the strength He is teaching me in my Faith, and that in that strength of Faith in HIM, I lack NOTHING.
So Lord, I thank you for this trial. You are so Good and Awesome. I am learning to praise you in the storm. I am learning, please be patient with me. Even though it hurts I lack NOTHING for 12:9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
GOD YOU ARE AWESOME! I PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME FOREVER AND EVER!
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So my girls and I went to PF Chang's a few weeks ago and we received a few fortune cookies that really made us think. We were having a discussions about God anyway and when we read them, my mind turned to verses that related to that fortune. Of course I couldn't quote these verses, only paraphrase, but I promised to research the verses I was talking about to them in relation to the fortunes they received.
Anyway, I thought I would share the fortunes we found in our cookies as we finished our Chinese meals with you.
"A new outlook brightens your image and brings new friends." I was going through some serious spiritual growth at the time. I can't remember when I got this, that was how difficult the trying time was at that moment.
12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
"A happy and harmonious home is very important to you." I got this fortune after just moving into our new house and was fearful their were bad spirits in the house due to all the sibling rivalries occurring that first month. I also taped it up on the refrigerator. It is the only thing on the front of the fridge.
12:25 And having knowledge of their thoughts he said to them, Every kingdom having division in itself is made waste, and every town or house having division in itself will come to destruction.
"There's a good chance of a romantic encounter soon." Hubby was returning from a business trip later that day. I got this on our girls day out at PF Chang's
1:2 O that you would kiss me with the kisses of your mouth! For your love is better than wine,
"Love is a present that can be given every single day you live." Miss thing daughter #2 was experiencing that special euphoria of a brand new boyfriend she was dating. She received this one on our girls day outing.
5:8 I say to you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you see my loved one, what will you say to him? That I am overcome with love.
"The secret of vast riches begins with a single penny." Miss thing daughter #3 also received this on girls day outing with me. She is like the bank of the house, she saves everything and spends less than 20% of all she earns from her jobs. This can be hard for a teenage girl who loves fashion and shopping.
13:11 Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased.
"Everyone feels lucky for having you as a friend." Can't remember who got this one, but both girls can be very good friends to their peers.
17:17 A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble.
"Patience is a key to joy." Miss thing daughter #3 was having dinner with her boyfriend who was leaving the next day for marine boot camp. 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;
"A smile is a curve that can get a lot of things straight." Miss thing daughter #2 is a lot like me in that she wears her emotions on her sleeves. When you are smiling/happy you are pleasant to be around, when your are otherwise you can cause discord or continue to be full of sorrow.
15:13 A glad heart makes a shining face, but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
I try to teach my kids to find God in everything. Particularly what they experience, hear or even see. Sometimes I hear songs that I don't particularly like, or don't want to go into my head because I think they are not good for my soul. See the girls always change the station when they drive from my Christian music station to whatever. Sometimes they surf during commercials and they don't change it quick enough when a song with bad language comes on, I still try to look for God in it. Sometimes all I can do is just quickly pray for the soul who writes/and or sings it. Who knows just like Brian Welch, former lead singer and guitarist for Korn, who used to sing some very questionable songs. He gave his life to Christ and is becoming a great vessel for God to using the talents He gave this artist towards His Glory.
See God is in control of everything, even fortune cookie fortunes.
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Ok so today You taught me that I am going through another stage: Sanctification and Separation. The godly grief is just too much to bear sometimes and I wonder will I ever become Job and praise you in the storms. Now that I am at such a point that the grief is too much to bear You show me this.
7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.
(Repentance + Salvation + Joy + Grace)*Never ending continual processes or trials = destination and direction (Your Will)
7:12 So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your zeal for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 7:13 Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his mind has been set at rest by you all.
Yep Lord, I should have known you would always be there to comfort me. I am sorry I didn't rejoice nor did I seem to trust the light at the end of the tunnel was there in the dark.
6:17 Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Cause you always promise me that the more You draw me closer and refine me in all areas if when I believe I am stretched past points I never thought possible. You told me You would be my Father and I would be you princess daughter.
Just Thanks Lord. Praise be Your Holy name for ever and ever.
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Ok Lord,
I give up. I am tired of dancing and not listening to you. I am tired of trying to lead and not follow.
9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; For thou, Jehovah, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Whatever it is Lord, I will do. Wherever you tell me to go, I will go. Whatever you tell me to give up, I will say yes. 51:5 Truly, I was formed in evil, and in sin did my mother give me birth. 51:6 Your desire is for what is true in the inner parts: in the secrets of my soul you will give me knowledge of wisdom.
51:17 The offerings of God are a broken spirit; a broken and sorrowing heart, O God, you will not put from you.
So Lord I come to you now broken and with sorrow. I know that you said you would give me wisdom, Lord. I also know that all I really need to do is 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he. So as I have many times before give up and give everything to you. Lord I just hope I can be still enough to hear your words, and if not will you just make it happen the way that is Your will.
Thanks Lord
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Ever felt like the Father God gave you a spanking. You know a trial or tribulation that you think the master is just going to rip up your posterior? Thank God he hasn't turned me into a pillar of salt yet.
Well even with baby Luke I can find a God lesson. See he is about 3 or 4 now in human years, as he is 14 weeks in dog years. I take him out often to take a break or smoke (yeah I know shame on me). He will do his business and what not some times he will just sit and dare me to come out and get him.
Today was the worse this morning. He went out, so did I in my socks, it is drizzling rain today. He went further, I called, he ignored. He heard the birds... those stinking birds. He thinks he is a cat, he plays with string, or chases butterflies. He saw a cardinal. He ran clear out by the ditch by the street.
I was so mad I wanted to spank him severly and make him remember this. I have only spanked him a few times. The first few he acted like this, and when he tried to jump on my grandson Braden, when he came to visit saturday. Braden is 18 months.
So I decided it was probably my fault for walking out in my socks and so I walked towards the ditch all the time yelling out Luke's name. Trying to be sweet, trying to be mean. As usual when I got really close to him he made a bee line for the house. Then he tried to rebel a little more. When I finally coaxed him into the house. I didn't give him a treat. I wish he would just learn I am his master, and obey?
Isn't that how God treats us? For our own protection he lets us stray or rebel a little against Him the Master of all. Then the concequenses of our past or whatever makes us feel like we didn't get a treat. But in reality, He was just protecting us from harm, like Luke and the street.
25:21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for thee.
Sometimes God spanking hurt a little, sometimes they bring safety and peace. Sometimes they just help you grow into the person He wants you to be. Sometimes they keep you from the dangers of the streets.
I believe dogs go to heaven, cause they hear whispers from the ultimate Master. Even baby Luke
LL
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