Crazy Life

Life gets crazy sometimes. This past week has been a testimony to that fact. There are times when we question God on where He is and what He is doing in our lives. We shed many tears, and almost lose our faith. During these times, we learn who our true friends are.

When I was feeling that way this week, my best friends in the whole world gathered around me to help me back up. It didn't matter that I was an emotional disaster... they just were there to help me, give me words of advice and wisdom, and get a laugh out of me once in a while. They were also there to point me back to the One Who controls everything... God. They told me stories of how God had been faithful to them in the past, and encouraged me that God had everything under control.

God reminded me this week of how much He loves me. He showed me that His plans are always for my good, and for the good of those around me, even if I don't understand. When I was struggling to understand why God allows young people to be really sick and in some cases die, God reminded me that our breath belongs to Him... He has the right to give it, and the right to take it away. We cannot question Him on His ability to provide for us. He always comes through. This morning while I was in church, God pointed me to this verse,

 

Psalm 32:7

 

You are my hiding place;

You shall preserve me from trouble;

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.

 

This verse reminded me that God has been there all week, in the good and bad times. And I am so thankful that even when I was angry with Him, He stayed with me and never gave up on me, and showed me this promise that I can hold on to. He reveals things to us as we need to learn them, and He is always faithful to provide for us.

 

I just encourage you to lean in to God no matter what is going on in your life. He's the only One who can fix the mess you are in. And you can tell Him anything. Even if you are mad, tell Him. You'll be surprised how He can work in your heart and life. 



Living for Christ

      My mother, Natalie Gidney, preached a sermon last Sunday that really impacted me. Her title was "Pursue the Promised Prize." Philippians 3:12-16 was her main Scripture passage for the sermon. One thing in the passage stuck out to me. It was in verse 16--"let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind."
      Paul is speaking about us, Christians. Yes, I know everyone has opinions. But really, do our opinions matter? Shouldn't we pray and allow God to be the One to decide what is to be done and how it is to be done?
      I'll be honest. We won't always like what God says; at the time. But eventually, everything will be revealed, and we will see (if we follow what He says) that it was the right thing to do. But, if we are too busy being focused upon our opinions, how can we see any of God's plan? I know that I've asked about specific things and God has said no at that time. Do I like it? No, not at the time! But later I see that it was the best thing to be done at that time. I know that God always has a plan that is bigger and better than my own.
      Mum's sermon had three main points; Pass Up (the old self: see Philippians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17) Press On ( 1 Timothy 1:12-15, Philippians 3:12), and finally, Possess the Prize (see 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Revelation 21:1-7).
     Look up these passages and read them. They all have great things in them. Basically, once you read them, you'll see how they relate to the topic they follow.
     In the end, no one is perfect! Like my Mum said in her sermon, "Stop waiting to be perfected, press on for Him!" And, "It's not about comfort; it's about what God is calling us to."
     A song that I really like is "Dangerous" by Group 1 Crew. This song basically explains the whole sermon! Please look it up, listen to it, and apply it. Our world needs us! When would be a better time than now?

NKJV USED

Facing the Lions

     Most of you have probably at one time or other heard the story of Daniel in the lions den. He had three friends-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego who have quite a story too. They loved and served God with all of their heart. The king that ruled at the time was evil; he wanted people to bow down and worship a statue he had made of himself. Daniel's friends, however refused to worship the statue. This was reported to the king, and he called Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego into his presence. He told them, "But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?" (Daniel 3:15)
     Shadrach and his friends told the king, "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. BUT IF NOT let it be known to you, O king, that we DO NOT serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." (Daniel 3: 17-18, emphasis mine.)
     Can you imagine? Picture three people who work for the king rejecting what he wants! Can't you see the king turning redder and redder with rage as these young men spoke to him without fear or repentance? As soon as they were done speaking, he commanded that the furnace be heated SEVEN TIMES HOTTER THAN NORMAL. This was done quickly, of course. Then, Nebuchadnezzar, the king, ordered some of his mighty men to bind the three and put them in the furnace. (Sidenote: Why would Nebuchadnezzar order mighty men to tie up the three? Was it because of the heat, or his fear? Please share your thoughts with me!:) The mighty men took them to the furnace and threw them in. And guess what? The mighty men were killed because of the heat! How did the three friends make out? Well, lets look at verse 24 and 25 to see what happens.
     Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."
"Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
     The king could hardly believe his eyes! He went close to the fire to call them out, and told them that a decree would be made that anyone who did not worship their God would die.
     In the end, there are a few things we can learn from this story. (1)Standing up for God will result in blessing; whether evident at the moment or not; (2) we need to serve the One True God, and not whatever comes our way; and (3) God will protect and be with those who love Him. These three young men had a lot of faith, trust, and belief in God. They knew that He would be with them no matter whether He showed Himself at the moment or not. Faith goes a long way. Will you trust Him and give Him yours?

Used NKJV version.