On April 21, a comment was posted about having an "ah-ha" moment concerning Christ and a deeper realization of who He is. Perhaps I did have such a moment, but. . .
In spite of the few "ah-ha" moments I have, my Peterness continues to be an issue. Loud, proud Peter. Declaring Jesus is the "Son of the Living God" in Matt 16:16, then a short time later actually rebuking Christ concerning his (Jesus') own destiny (Matt. 16:21-23). In John 18, Peter is willing to fight for Jesus. Only to adamantly deny Jesus, not once but three times, a short while later.
I too suffer from Peter Syndrome. God is good, God is great to "why did I make such an unloving statement" all within a matter of a few hours. Telling someone I truly believe He will supply all that I need, yet losing sleep that same night because Standard and Poors may lower America's AAA rating.
In looking at the Garden scene, we find Peter's defense of Jesus came when Peter was in Jesus presence. Peter's denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75) came when Peter was apart from Jesus and not even in the presence of other believers. Hmmm. . . One doesn't have to be a rocket surgeon to see the lesson here.
The closer we stay to Jesus, the less likely the we are to deny Him in our words or actions. Spiritual proximity to Christ is a necessity to living a daily, meaningful Christian life.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Apr. 21- NDS- Discouraged People
Next Door Savior by Max Lucado
"Discouraged People" Luke 5:1-11
Today's reading resonated with me. When Kristi and I started attending church on a regular basis, I was one of those "it's too late" people Max describes in this chapter. I allowed myself to focus on the years I had wasted in nonservice to the Lord. The countless hours wasted either in sinful pasttimes, or at least Kingdom neutral activities loomed large in my mind. At times I felt a bit like Saul- raised in the church, Vacation Bible Schools, Training Union, church camps, but still persecuting God with my thoughts, words and deeds. It was actually easier to give up that lifestyle than to relinquish the self-accusatory mindset. Easier to control the body than the mind. Slowly I have allowed Christ to show me that the past is just that- past. There are many ways I can serve the Kingdom- ESL classes, door shaker on Wednesday nights. Humble service, not look-at-me activities. Quiet obedience as opposed to how-cool-am-I positions. Finally I have realized service to God is about just that- service TO God. Not glory for me.
Like Max points out from the passage in Luke, for Jesus, "it's too late" is not an acceptable excuse as long as we are on this side of the dirt. Maybe certain windows of opportunity are closed, but that doesn't mean we cannot serve the Kingdom in other ways. God does not write off individuals.
Max mentions on page 37 that Peter's obedience in letting down the nets after a futile night of fishing was admirable. An indeed it was this obedience that was the key to Peter's full net. However, Peter's obedience started before the casting of the net. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (v. 3 NIV) Peter was willing to allow Jesus to use his possessions, his business asset, his "stuff". At this point, Peter was not a disciple of Jesus. Perhaps he was had followed Jesus' ministry. Peter knew about this remarkable rabbi. But he still allowed Jesus to use his boat to further the kingdom.
I see three lessons on obedience in this reading.
1. Being obedient is first and foremost. No matter how mundane- Let Me borrow your boat for a few minutes, to the laughable- give the nets one more try even if you have met with failure the past 65 times.
2. With Jesus, all things are possible. Peter's night of fishing sans Christ were empty. Just like my life was empty w/out Jesus in the boat. However, as soon as Jesus was directing Peter's fishing, his nets were full.
3. Not all acts of obedience will lead to immediate "full nets". Peter's first act of allowing Jesus to preach from his boat, did nothing to fill Peter's net with fish. Not one minnow was added to Peter's stringer as a result of this first act. HOWEVER, if it were not for this initial act of obedience, I believe the full nets we see later would not have happened.
Obedience to God should not be out of an expectation of reward. Our obedience should come out of love for and trust in our Lord and Savior. If He chooses to fill out nets materially as a result, so be it. More often than not we may not see our "full obedience nets" this side of heaven.
"Discouraged People" Luke 5:1-11
Today's reading resonated with me. When Kristi and I started attending church on a regular basis, I was one of those "it's too late" people Max describes in this chapter. I allowed myself to focus on the years I had wasted in nonservice to the Lord. The countless hours wasted either in sinful pasttimes, or at least Kingdom neutral activities loomed large in my mind. At times I felt a bit like Saul- raised in the church, Vacation Bible Schools, Training Union, church camps, but still persecuting God with my thoughts, words and deeds. It was actually easier to give up that lifestyle than to relinquish the self-accusatory mindset. Easier to control the body than the mind. Slowly I have allowed Christ to show me that the past is just that- past. There are many ways I can serve the Kingdom- ESL classes, door shaker on Wednesday nights. Humble service, not look-at-me activities. Quiet obedience as opposed to how-cool-am-I positions. Finally I have realized service to God is about just that- service TO God. Not glory for me.
Like Max points out from the passage in Luke, for Jesus, "it's too late" is not an acceptable excuse as long as we are on this side of the dirt. Maybe certain windows of opportunity are closed, but that doesn't mean we cannot serve the Kingdom in other ways. God does not write off individuals.
Max mentions on page 37 that Peter's obedience in letting down the nets after a futile night of fishing was admirable. An indeed it was this obedience that was the key to Peter's full net. However, Peter's obedience started before the casting of the net. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (v. 3 NIV) Peter was willing to allow Jesus to use his possessions, his business asset, his "stuff". At this point, Peter was not a disciple of Jesus. Perhaps he was had followed Jesus' ministry. Peter knew about this remarkable rabbi. But he still allowed Jesus to use his boat to further the kingdom.
I see three lessons on obedience in this reading.
1. Being obedient is first and foremost. No matter how mundane- Let Me borrow your boat for a few minutes, to the laughable- give the nets one more try even if you have met with failure the past 65 times.
2. With Jesus, all things are possible. Peter's night of fishing sans Christ were empty. Just like my life was empty w/out Jesus in the boat. However, as soon as Jesus was directing Peter's fishing, his nets were full.
3. Not all acts of obedience will lead to immediate "full nets". Peter's first act of allowing Jesus to preach from his boat, did nothing to fill Peter's net with fish. Not one minnow was added to Peter's stringer as a result of this first act. HOWEVER, if it were not for this initial act of obedience, I believe the full nets we see later would not have happened.
Obedience to God should not be out of an expectation of reward. Our obedience should come out of love for and trust in our Lord and Savior. If He chooses to fill out nets materially as a result, so be it. More often than not we may not see our "full obedience nets" this side of heaven.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Apr. 20- NDS- Desperate People
Next Door Savior by Max Lucado
"Desperate People" Mark 5:25-34
It is hard to find new insights to scripture readings when you are up against Max Lucado. (I know it is not a competition, but being a guy that competition sort of goes with the territory.) :-)
I do find it interesting that even though the New Testament is almost 2000 years old, human nature has not changed at all over time. The woman in the story tries all other avenues for relief before turning to Jesus. "She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse." (v. 26 NIV) I know in my own life I tired for years to find relief through many nonGod avenues. Alcohol, promiscuity, work addiction were just some of the fixes I hoped would give me the contentment and joy for which I longed. It was not until I allowed Jesus to not only be my Savior, but also my Lord that I began to feel fulfilled. I still have times of inner turmoil, but at least now I turn to prayer and the Bible, not the bars and parties. The wonder is that it took so long for me to realize just how close that relief was.
The danger of this story in Mark is that it could lead the reader to think that all relief from God is immediate. As simple as "touching His cloak". While God can and does still perform radical, immediate healing of both the body, heart and mind, I believe more often the restoration comes gradually and requires an ongoing commitment from the believer. (Perhaps is it this very attitude that has created such a slow metamorphosis in my own life.) Jesus does say, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (v. 33 NIV) Greater Faith = Greater Healing? Greater Faith = Faster Healing?
So many of the "healing" stories in the New Testament involve immediate relief- sight, mobility, even resurrection. If we base our restoration possibilities on these stories, there is a temptation to give up when we make the same mistakes, have the same maladies or suffer from the same addiction for days, weeks or months after going to Christ on bended knee.
"Desperate People" Mark 5:25-34
It is hard to find new insights to scripture readings when you are up against Max Lucado. (I know it is not a competition, but being a guy that competition sort of goes with the territory.) :-)
I do find it interesting that even though the New Testament is almost 2000 years old, human nature has not changed at all over time. The woman in the story tries all other avenues for relief before turning to Jesus. "She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse." (v. 26 NIV) I know in my own life I tired for years to find relief through many nonGod avenues. Alcohol, promiscuity, work addiction were just some of the fixes I hoped would give me the contentment and joy for which I longed. It was not until I allowed Jesus to not only be my Savior, but also my Lord that I began to feel fulfilled. I still have times of inner turmoil, but at least now I turn to prayer and the Bible, not the bars and parties. The wonder is that it took so long for me to realize just how close that relief was.
The danger of this story in Mark is that it could lead the reader to think that all relief from God is immediate. As simple as "touching His cloak". While God can and does still perform radical, immediate healing of both the body, heart and mind, I believe more often the restoration comes gradually and requires an ongoing commitment from the believer. (Perhaps is it this very attitude that has created such a slow metamorphosis in my own life.) Jesus does say, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (v. 33 NIV) Greater Faith = Greater Healing? Greater Faith = Faster Healing?
So many of the "healing" stories in the New Testament involve immediate relief- sight, mobility, even resurrection. If we base our restoration possibilities on these stories, there is a temptation to give up when we make the same mistakes, have the same maladies or suffer from the same addiction for days, weeks or months after going to Christ on bended knee.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Apr. 19- NDS- Friend of Flops
Next Door Savior by Max Lucado
"Friend of Flops"- Matthew 9:19-13
For most of us raised in the church, the story of Matthew is not new. He was a public tax collector. A Roman lap dog used to cheat the Jewish people out of their hard-earned money. Matthew was a despised figure among the Jewish population. Yet, Jesus saw something in Matthew. Something that made him worthy of being one of the select twelve to help Jesus with His earthly ministry. We would do well to look at person's potential rather than a person's position.
As I was reading the section from Matthew that accompanies today's chapter, I was struck by the second half of verse 11 "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” I wondered if sometimes today's church has this backwards. We think that we do well if we get the "sinners" to eat with us. We invite them to church. Have outreach programs. Offer concerts at church as an opportunity to invite our unchurched friends.
But, verse 11 reminds us that Jesus did not invite Matthew's friends to a potluck dinner in the church basement. No, Jesus was "eating with tax collectors and sinners" at a former sinner's house. A subtle difference, but an important one. Perhaps a backyard bar-b-que should replace (or at least accompany) an Easter Sunday church invitation. Maybe a night of cards and iced tea has a greater evangelism quotient than three free tickets to the Heygoods Concert. Hmmmm. . . .
"Friend of Flops"- Matthew 9:19-13
For most of us raised in the church, the story of Matthew is not new. He was a public tax collector. A Roman lap dog used to cheat the Jewish people out of their hard-earned money. Matthew was a despised figure among the Jewish population. Yet, Jesus saw something in Matthew. Something that made him worthy of being one of the select twelve to help Jesus with His earthly ministry. We would do well to look at person's potential rather than a person's position.
As I was reading the section from Matthew that accompanies today's chapter, I was struck by the second half of verse 11 "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” I wondered if sometimes today's church has this backwards. We think that we do well if we get the "sinners" to eat with us. We invite them to church. Have outreach programs. Offer concerts at church as an opportunity to invite our unchurched friends.
But, verse 11 reminds us that Jesus did not invite Matthew's friends to a potluck dinner in the church basement. No, Jesus was "eating with tax collectors and sinners" at a former sinner's house. A subtle difference, but an important one. Perhaps a backyard bar-b-que should replace (or at least accompany) an Easter Sunday church invitation. Maybe a night of cards and iced tea has a greater evangelism quotient than three free tickets to the Heygoods Concert. Hmmmm. . . .
Thursday, April 14, 2011
April 14
Gonna' switch directions at this time. Facing Your Giants lost its appeal a few chapters in. Not saying it won't be worth finishing, but not engaging enough for blogging.
I will be starting on another Max Lucado book recommended by my dad. The title is Next Door Savior.
I have read the first couple of chapters and find it intriguing. I will slow down and examine each chapter closely, but as I was reading the chapter entitled "Every Person" a thought came to me.
Since I was a wee lad attending First Baptist Church in Bolivar, MO (Go, Liberators!) I was taught that Jesus Christ was tempted in all ways just like you or me. He knew hunger. He was ridiculed. He felt rejection. However, the one thing that Jesus never had to face was knowing that some the troubles in His life were caused by His mistakes, miscalculations or sin. Guilt- not in His personal vocabulary. "Shoulda'"- never uttered in reference to Himself. "If only I had of"- never crossed His lips.
For me, the hardest things to let go of, to quit worrying about, to put out of my mind, are those situations that I have created due to my own folly. Talking to a Christian mentor helps. Meditation really helps. Prayer is the most powerful antivenom.
Why does it still take me so long to run to my prayer closet when the woulda's and shoulda's start coming around? (Rhetorical.)
I will be starting on another Max Lucado book recommended by my dad. The title is Next Door Savior.
I have read the first couple of chapters and find it intriguing. I will slow down and examine each chapter closely, but as I was reading the chapter entitled "Every Person" a thought came to me.
Since I was a wee lad attending First Baptist Church in Bolivar, MO (Go, Liberators!) I was taught that Jesus Christ was tempted in all ways just like you or me. He knew hunger. He was ridiculed. He felt rejection. However, the one thing that Jesus never had to face was knowing that some the troubles in His life were caused by His mistakes, miscalculations or sin. Guilt- not in His personal vocabulary. "Shoulda'"- never uttered in reference to Himself. "If only I had of"- never crossed His lips.
For me, the hardest things to let go of, to quit worrying about, to put out of my mind, are those situations that I have created due to my own folly. Talking to a Christian mentor helps. Meditation really helps. Prayer is the most powerful antivenom.
Why does it still take me so long to run to my prayer closet when the woulda's and shoulda's start coming around? (Rhetorical.)
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Apr. 9- FYG- Chapter 5
Facing Your Giants 1 Samuel 19-21
In this chapter, Max points out that until David found refuge in the cave of Adullam he did not appear to be focused on God. When David finally slowed down enough to find time alone with God, he was able to regain his Heavenly focus. While in the cave of Adullam he wrote the 53rd Psalm. The first verse of is Psalm is the attitude we should all take when faced with giants.
In this chapter, Max points out that until David found refuge in the cave of Adullam he did not appear to be focused on God. When David finally slowed down enough to find time alone with God, he was able to regain his Heavenly focus. While in the cave of Adullam he wrote the 53rd Psalm. The first verse of is Psalm is the attitude we should all take when faced with giants.
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
Why is it that so many times we forget to go to the caves first when problems arise? I know in my life I have spent many hours of needless worry and anxiety over problems that were either A) not issues I could control OR B) issues that resolved themselves with the passage of time. Yet I never went to my "cave" to be alone with God and let him be my refuge.
I can only imagine the relief and release David must have felt when he penned Psalm 53. Finally he admitted he could not slay his giants alone. God is the giant slayer.
Where is your cave? A spare bedroom converted into a study? A Greenway trail early in the morning? A tent pitched on the Buffalo River? It is only recently I have begun to value "cave" time with God. I need to arrange my daily planner so that I build in daily cave time and not just when a problem arises.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Apr. 6- FYG
Facing Your Giants 1 Samuel 21
Some of the comments I had intended to post in this section ended up on my comments on this morning's blog entry. The main point being that after David told the first lie to the priest, it seemed to get much easier for him to twist and misrepresent the truth. One rationalization leads to another then to another. . .
Max seems to be playing both sides of the fence in this chapter. On pages 29 to the top part of 31, he seems to condemn David for lying and "losing God-focus". Then further down on page 31, Max seems to be justifying the means by the end. He writes "the one (David) who entered the sanctuary hungry and weaponless leaves with a bellyful of bread and the sword of a giant." No mention of the deceit that David used to garner these necessities.
I know that Max's point is that the church should be a place where both the saved and unsaved can find peace, nourishment and the encouragement to face another day. Whether David's lies were justified is but a side bar, but it troubles me that Max seems to ride the fence. Or does he? Max goes on to write on page 33, "the question is not how many laws were broken, but how many Davids were nourished and equipped."
Are today's churches more worried about unwritten church laws/procedures than desperate people? I think that many churches have made great strides in this area. As an individual do I focus more on the needs of a person or on their behavior- People who get food stamps shouldn't be able to buy cigarettes. Why is she buying lottery tickets when her kids are filthy?
The church MUST be a place of relief from giants. Even thought the giants will waiting Monday morning at work or Sunday afternoon at home, time spent with God and other believers should be a time of release and comfort. As Christian brothers and sisters, we can be God's instruments in helping a others fight their giants.
As I read back over this evening's entry, one word comes to mind, "incoherent". It seems if I am rambling a bit, so I will call it a night.
Some of the comments I had intended to post in this section ended up on my comments on this morning's blog entry. The main point being that after David told the first lie to the priest, it seemed to get much easier for him to twist and misrepresent the truth. One rationalization leads to another then to another. . .
Max seems to be playing both sides of the fence in this chapter. On pages 29 to the top part of 31, he seems to condemn David for lying and "losing God-focus". Then further down on page 31, Max seems to be justifying the means by the end. He writes "the one (David) who entered the sanctuary hungry and weaponless leaves with a bellyful of bread and the sword of a giant." No mention of the deceit that David used to garner these necessities.
I know that Max's point is that the church should be a place where both the saved and unsaved can find peace, nourishment and the encouragement to face another day. Whether David's lies were justified is but a side bar, but it troubles me that Max seems to ride the fence. Or does he? Max goes on to write on page 33, "the question is not how many laws were broken, but how many Davids were nourished and equipped."
Are today's churches more worried about unwritten church laws/procedures than desperate people? I think that many churches have made great strides in this area. As an individual do I focus more on the needs of a person or on their behavior- People who get food stamps shouldn't be able to buy cigarettes. Why is she buying lottery tickets when her kids are filthy?
The church MUST be a place of relief from giants. Even thought the giants will waiting Monday morning at work or Sunday afternoon at home, time spent with God and other believers should be a time of release and comfort. As Christian brothers and sisters, we can be God's instruments in helping a others fight their giants.
As I read back over this evening's entry, one word comes to mind, "incoherent". It seems if I am rambling a bit, so I will call it a night.
Apr. 6- FYG
Facing Your Giants 1 Samuel 21
I will endeavor to make another entry this evening that deals with Chapter 4 in FYG, but this morning's musings are thoughts that came to me as I read the 21st chapter of 1 Samuel.
v. 2 2 David answered Ahimelek the priest, “The king sent me on a mission and said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about the mission I am sending you on.’ As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. This was a lie. Saul had not send David on a mission. In fact, David was on the run from Saul, in fear for his life. Was this a God-sanctioned lie, or was this David showing us, once again, even a "man after God's own heart" was not perfect?
v. 5 5 David replied, “. . .The men’s bodies are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!” At our last Life Group, a member expressed some discontent he felt. The dis-ease he felt was due to the fact that the economics of life forced him to work in a secular job, but he felt lead to something more. Given his current situation, that "something more" was not a possibility.
Verse 5 drove home to me the point that regardless of whether we feel our current job/career is "holy" or not, we are to keep ourselves holy. This point is reinforced in Colossians 3:23- 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
My attitudes, actions, thoughts must not be controlled by the situations I find myself in each day. All I do, think and say should be dictated by the leading of the Holy Spirit and the precepts set forth in God's word.
Easier said than done.
I will endeavor to make another entry this evening that deals with Chapter 4 in FYG, but this morning's musings are thoughts that came to me as I read the 21st chapter of 1 Samuel.
v. 2 2 David answered Ahimelek the priest, “The king sent me on a mission and said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about the mission I am sending you on.’ As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. This was a lie. Saul had not send David on a mission. In fact, David was on the run from Saul, in fear for his life. Was this a God-sanctioned lie, or was this David showing us, once again, even a "man after God's own heart" was not perfect?
v. 5 5 David replied, “. . .The men’s bodies are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!” At our last Life Group, a member expressed some discontent he felt. The dis-ease he felt was due to the fact that the economics of life forced him to work in a secular job, but he felt lead to something more. Given his current situation, that "something more" was not a possibility.
Verse 5 drove home to me the point that regardless of whether we feel our current job/career is "holy" or not, we are to keep ourselves holy. This point is reinforced in Colossians 3:23- 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
My attitudes, actions, thoughts must not be controlled by the situations I find myself in each day. All I do, think and say should be dictated by the leading of the Holy Spirit and the precepts set forth in God's word.
Easier said than done.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Apr. 4- FYG
Facing Your Giants Psalm 18-46-49
Chapter 3 discusses two major points. It begins by examining some of the possible giants in our world. The critical boss. The sadistic coach. The "self-appointed cubical commandant". Who are those Sauls in our lives that make us worried, afraid, depressed? Most of us could identify at least one. David's giant was Saul. The benefactor turned scourge.
Lucado then moves from the relationship of David and Saul to David and Jonathan. While Saul was trying to destroy David, Jonathan was a source of encouragement and salvation for David. Jonathan's main concern was David's well-being---even to the point of rejecting his father, King Saul.
Those David/Jonathan relationships are rare for men in today's society. We are True Gritters. Clint Eastwood wannabes. However, we see in scripture time and time again, the importance of that deep emotional/spiritual connection between men. Does today's church do enough to foster that?
A final thought on today's chapter relates to the first section of chapter 3. As already mentioned, Lucado lists several possible giants in our lives. However, I would challenge the reader to ask the Lord, "Am I someone else's giant?" Is it my voice that a coworker dreads when I say, "Hey, can we talk for a minute?" What is the emotional response of my spouse when I pull my car in the drive at the end of the day? It is easy to point the giant-seeking finger at others, but what if that finger did a u-turn and landed on us?
Chapter 3 discusses two major points. It begins by examining some of the possible giants in our world. The critical boss. The sadistic coach. The "self-appointed cubical commandant". Who are those Sauls in our lives that make us worried, afraid, depressed? Most of us could identify at least one. David's giant was Saul. The benefactor turned scourge.
Lucado then moves from the relationship of David and Saul to David and Jonathan. While Saul was trying to destroy David, Jonathan was a source of encouragement and salvation for David. Jonathan's main concern was David's well-being---even to the point of rejecting his father, King Saul.
Those David/Jonathan relationships are rare for men in today's society. We are True Gritters. Clint Eastwood wannabes. However, we see in scripture time and time again, the importance of that deep emotional/spiritual connection between men. Does today's church do enough to foster that?
A final thought on today's chapter relates to the first section of chapter 3. As already mentioned, Lucado lists several possible giants in our lives. However, I would challenge the reader to ask the Lord, "Am I someone else's giant?" Is it my voice that a coworker dreads when I say, "Hey, can we talk for a minute?" What is the emotional response of my spouse when I pull my car in the drive at the end of the day? It is easy to point the giant-seeking finger at others, but what if that finger did a u-turn and landed on us?
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Apr. 3- FYG
At some point I will just have to admit that nighttime blog entries are not my forte. I have been trying to readjust my morning time and spend time "being still and knowing that He is God". That time has been beneficial, but my plan to put off blogging until the evening had not materialized. A.M. is where I need to be.
Before I get to Chapter 3, one thought about facing our giants. Last week at Life Group, Kristi brought up the question, "Are we really supposed to actually thank God when things go wrong?" I believe we are to do just that. How else are we ever gonna' "face our giants" if God does not allow those giants to enter our lives? Kind of hard to put worry in God's hands if nothing worriable comes along. Won't see much reason to lean on God to supply our needs if we never go through tough financial times. That doesn't mean we should make foolhardy decisions just so God will bail us out, thereby increasing our trust in Him. However, when God allows a rough patch, Thank Him, Trust Him, Obey Him.
How about I save Chapter 3 until the morning? Facing Your Giants
Before I get to Chapter 3, one thought about facing our giants. Last week at Life Group, Kristi brought up the question, "Are we really supposed to actually thank God when things go wrong?" I believe we are to do just that. How else are we ever gonna' "face our giants" if God does not allow those giants to enter our lives? Kind of hard to put worry in God's hands if nothing worriable comes along. Won't see much reason to lean on God to supply our needs if we never go through tough financial times. That doesn't mean we should make foolhardy decisions just so God will bail us out, thereby increasing our trust in Him. However, when God allows a rough patch, Thank Him, Trust Him, Obey Him.
How about I save Chapter 3 until the morning? Facing Your Giants
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