Men at work
Fresh haircuts
who doesn't love a juicy nectarine - and THOSE EYES!!!As with most "trials", my prayer life has been strengthened. I was rummaging through my sisters old closet one day in search of lost treasure when I came across The Papa Prayer by Larry Crabb. I've been exposed to every formula and gimmick when it comes to prayer. Pray this way, use this acrostic, say these magic words and all your dreams will come true. Another book on prayer. It took me a while to get into it, timing is everything when it comes to books. For example: I read biographies on Holocaust survivors and islamic women - that straightened out my contentment issues ... for a while. God uses books and stories of others' lives to impact our own.
Anyway, David and I have been praying constantly. I know others have been praying for us. And yet, the headaches and muscle aches and numbness and overall pain & discomfort continue for him. Worse are the plagues of "what if" that sometimes overwhelm him. We always go back to TRUTH - we know that fear is not of God, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind." I'm exhausted with this situation. I can't see the forest for the trees. And prayer ... does God really answer prayer? Then another wave of fatigue hits David just as the kids start fighting or someone needs their bottom wiped or someone falls and hurts themselves and I have to keep myself from getting angry. I'm finding that I need to be cautious of placing my satisfaction as the measure of what is right, because if I'm not comfortable, well-rested and happy - look out!
Would I hope in His mercy if I had no needs? Would my longing soul be satisfied in Him if there were no longing to begin with? Would my hunger and thirst be filled with goodness if I had no hunger pangs or parched throat? Of course not. But I want the formula for whatever prayer it takes to make these things go away. I want something that puts me in control and gives me the power to make things happen. I want to pray in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit and wah-la! It's all better! So the spotlight shines on my own pride and spirit of entitlement and I realize how strongly I don't want God's kingdom to come if it interferes with the arrival of my own.
Stepping back to look at the big picture: I deserve nothing. Every breath is a gift. Then I see my emptiness ... and Christ's sufficiency. I'm beginning to understand that it's more important to get God than to get things from God.
"It pleased the Father to bruise Him." Isaiah 53:10
2 comments:
It is a bit ironic to me. this post basically summarized my lesson yesterday. I taught 30 somethings couples and had a record attendance of 12 couples. It was amazing that I taught James 1:2-18, that starts out with "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God ..."
I listed eight purposes for the Lord's allowance of trials in the lives of His people:
1. To test the strength of our faith
2. to humble us (eliminating presumption)
3. To wean us from our dependance on worlding things.
4. To call us to eternal & Heavenly hope.
5. To reveal what we really love.
6. To teach us to value Gods blessing
7. To develope enduring strength for greater usefulness.
8. To enable us to better help others.
~ And then: How do I persever?
1. with a joyful attitude (v. 2)
2. with an understanding mind (v. 3)
3. with a submissive will (v. 4)
4. with a beliveing heart (v. 5- 8)
5. with a humble spirit (vv. 9-11)
~ The reward for Perseverence: the crown of life (v. 12)
Final note: Born to Holiness
It is Gods will, he does it himself (v 18a)
What did he do? Regineration (v. 12b) note: if you don't have trials, your not one of his
How does it happen? by his word (v. 18c)
Why is it done? (v 18d - so that we would be the first fruits of His creatures)
I hope this passage helps a bit. Rom 5:1-5 also might fit in your current and/or future trials. I closed with Hab. 3:16-19, which I recall is one of your favorites.
Call or come by any time, day or night.
Love love love,
DAD
Thanks dad - that's about the longest comment I've ever seen!
Post a Comment