It was one of those days! You’ve all had them. You know the day, the day when you want to go back to bed and start over because everything you touch goes wrong.

It started with God waking me up at 4:30ish am to do dishes and take out the trash. I had planned to do that the next day, but God would not let me go back to sleep (Praise #1). So, I got up and started working on the household chores. Not far into these chores, I noticed that the floor was wet between the bedroom and the living room which was really strange as there is no water source there and the ceiling was dry. Then I stepped in another spot that was wet. Then, a third.

I started praying for wisdom and God gave it (Praise #2). I realized that the water was coming up from under the carpet. The pipe from the outside spiggot split causing a “flood” in my apartment. I quickly moved all that I could, packed a bag as I knew I couldn’t sleep their that night, and called maintenance. With just having started a new job, I was concerned about being late for work. God helped me and I was less than 1/2 hour late with a very understanding supervisor (Praise #3). God also gave me a way to contact my friend so that I could stay with her a night early (Praise #4).

When I arrived at work, the phones were not allowing me to call out to contact a customer with a phone appointment. The phones were allowing him to call in, but not allowing me to call out or answer his calls. I tried two cell phones but neither worked. Email then went down preventing me from calling him back.

I decided to start the shredding while I waited for technology to come back up. The bag filled up. When I went to change it, it exploded causing a cloud of confetti. Then, the copier went down.

Eventually, the phone came up and I was able to contact the customer who was very understanding. (Praise #5)

So, what is the spiritual lesson in all this? Everything seemed to be going wrong. Yet , in the midst of it all, God was there. God was and is still in control. God will not give us more than we can bear. (I Corinthians 10:13)

There was still much to praise Him for!! God reminded me throughout the day that I was still to praise Him. I was to not only let the words of my mouth praise Him, but also the meditation of my heart praise Him!

I started to think of how a little smile had lit up her day. How often have I missed opportunities to encourage others when it was in my power with a small smile?

This summer has been amazing and challenging! God has shown His faithfulness over and over. As in His Word where we see God’s power over the elements, health, and financial needs, He showed His power in my life in these areas.

It started with an allergic reaction to some plants I was plant-sitting at work which then triggered a prolonged asthma attack. God sent a friend of mine (a doctor) to spend the weekend who recognized how bad my breathing had become and take me to the emergency room/take care of me afterwards. God took care of my needs before I called! He provided for my physical needs.

The next week, a new job opportunity opened up at work. To this point, I thought my job was secure for the year. God impressed on me to apply for this new job. God allowed me to get the job. Then, I found out that my former job was not secure at all. God provided the new job before I knew that my other one was soon to end. God provided for my financial needs.

God also showed Himself strong against the “elements” as well! A broken pipe flooded my apartment. I was not able to stay in my apartment a few days. But, God provided a place to stay, minimal time away from work in the midst of the disaster, and quick repair in the apartment. He truly showed Himself strong in the situation.

These may seem like small things, but God used them to help me grow in my faith. Before I called, He answered!

I’ve read this passage many times, probably even taught it more than once. This morning, the account came alive to me. Consider the following:

• In chapter 4, Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law. (In Luke - first mention of Peter.) Jesus cares for Peter’s hurting family member. Jesus showed compassion to him.
• Jesus requests Peter’s boat to go out on the water when the crowds are growing on shore.
• Jesus commands Peter to go back out to fish after He finished teaching. This command doesn’t make sense as they have fished all night with no success.
• Peter obeys although the command seems foolishness to him. He obeyed.
• Peter brings in so many fish that 2 boats begin to sink.
• Peter worships and realizes his unworthiness as He sees God’s power. He tells Jesus to depart from his unworthiness. When we truly get a glimpse of who Jesus is - His power and purity, we are overcome with how unworthy we are! We don’t even deserve to be in His presence.
• Jesus does not reject him. JESUS does NOT reject him! Oh, the love that Jesus has for us! This astounded me. Jesus loves us despite our complete unworthiness. Jesus doesn’t leave Peter. Instead, He beckons Peter to follow Him, to serve Him! (Notice, Peter now has a choice to follow.
• They (Peter, James, John) bring the boats to land, forsook all (even the amazing bounty of fish) and followed Him! I’d never thought about the fact that they left all those fish before. Wow!
• Being in Christ’s presence was greater than the amazing material blessing Christ had just given!!!

How do I value Christ? Am I willing to forsake all for Him?

Isaiah 6:8, “8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Mark 16:15, “15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

As I helped a friend plant part of her garden a few weeks ago, my hands got dirty. It also wasn’t always comfortable for me and could actually be called work. Don’t misunderstand - I loved doing it with her and look forward to helping more soon and putting in my own garden.

God spoke to my heart as we worked. You see, sometimes when we are willing to work for God, we want to keep our hands from getting dirty with the dirt of the world. We want to be comfortable and the way to be easy. So often we stop when hurting, broken, “dirty” people come along or when we are not in our comfort zone. If things get the least bit tough, we whine and complain and run back to God’s table instead of staying in the field.

Will I say, “Here am I, Lord, send me.” even when that means being around the dirt and misery of the world, going out of my comfort zone, or working hard?

During those hard days of the migraine and working, I was tempted frequently to despair. I cried out to God, waited, and cried out to Him more. I was struggling with discouragement, weakness, fatigue, and more discouragement. Finally, I told my close friend and prayer partner of my struggles so that she could pray with me as I continued to cry out to my Father.

God then used this friend as she sent me songs and quotes to point me back to God. One of the quotes was from the song “Put on the Garment of Praise,” “Lift up the hands that hang down, Lift up the voice now still, give unto God continuous praise, sing forth from Zion’s hill.” Sing when my heart was down and all looked gray? Yes. Sing. Praise God.

Discouragement is a loss of focus on God. Although I had chosen the passage months before this hard time, God had orchestrated that my passage to memorize the first week of this migraine was Psalm 112, “1Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 6Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. 10The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.”

Notice that it starts with PRAISING the LORD! As we praise Him, our focus is directed to Him! Notice that this Psalm continues to bring our focus on God through fearing Him and delighting in His commandments (v.1), seeing Him as our light (v.4), and trusting in Him (v.7-8). In applying this verse, it was helpful to me to be accountable to someone. Daily praise updates to my prayer partner helped me purposely, intentionally focus on God and His goodness through the valley. Graciously and patiently she praised with me while praying for me. Slowly, but in God’s time, He began to “sweep me off my feet” as only our precious loving God can do with comfort and love.

The migraine finally “broke” and hours and hours of sweet rest came. Then, our precious Saviour gave me a special gift. The next week He gave me literally hours upon hours of time alone with Him and His Word. It was a sweet time of fellowship with Him and in His Word. My heart soon was overflowing with joy and more praise!

Discouraged? Praise Him! It chases the storm clouds away!

In one way, my story is not unique. I am a person created of God with a sin nature who has trusted in God’s Son for redemption and been not only gloriously saved from sin and spiritual death to a new eternal life in Him, but also gloriously changed to be a new person in Christ. God has this purpose and plan of salvation for each and every one of us. He wants to have a dynamic, intimate relationship with us through the sacrifice of His precious Son, Jesus. The Bible says that He is not willing that any should perish. Yet, He leaves the choice up to us.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour as a young child. Trusting Him as Saviour did not mean that I never had trials. God has allowed me to go through physical hardships, moves, financial difficulties and other life challenges. Through it all, though, God has been teaching me, guiding me, loving me, and providing for me. His Word and time spent with Him in prayer have been my source of comfort and sustenance.

As I grew, many people would have said that I was a “good Christian.” I went to church, read my Bible, prayed, avoided the “big” sins, and even served in a Christian ministry. God even was amazingly able to use me to bring others to Him. (I never cease to stand in awe of what God can accomplish through His children - frail and broken as we are.) However, although I knew Christ as my Saviour, I was not loving Him with my all or relying on Him to fulfill my every need. My focus was all about me, not others. I was needy and some may have said that I had low self-esteem. But in reality, I esteemed self very, very highly. Often, my disability was used to draw attention to myself or, sadly, even to make things go my way. During those years, God was working in my life as a Father does with a child, molding me, making me, and bringing me to a place where I recognized my self-will and my needs and was willing to turn to Him.

It was in 2004 and into 2005 that God really chastened me in order to bring me closer to Himself. God took everything away that I held dear. After nearly 15 years on my own in a ministry I loved, health difficulties forced me to move back to my parent’s home one thousand miles away. Not only did I leave a job and friends that I loved behind, but one close friend even went Home to be with God just a few days after I moved. I was fearful, filled with self, and very needy although I had not yet recognized these things.

In this condition far from God, my loving, merciful Heavenly Father reached out to me by introducing me to some very dear friends and using them to draw me closer to Himself. Their love for God was different than I had ever seen or known before as they truly strove to live each moment Biblically, to base every decision on what the Bible taught and to always love and forgive as Christ loves and forgives, no matter what. In the coming weeks and months, they prayed fervently for me while patiently putting up with my selfishness, lovingly taking me back to God’s Word and continually reminding me of how truly powerful and awesome our God is.

Through their living out God’s command to be salt and light, I have become thirstier for God than ever before and am being drawn away from the darkness of self into His light. These changes have been and continue to be difficult and wonderful all at the same time. God’s work in my life has meant much confession, repentance, and seeking of forgiveness from many that I had wronged with my selfish attitude over the years and also when I stumble. It means that freedom and joy are growing in my heart, mind, and soul. Jeremiah 29:13 has become real to me as I seek and find my God and Saviour. ” 13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

One verse that God is using to work in my heart and life is Luke 10:27, “²⁷And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” I strive to live this verse in God’s strength, not my own. It is amazing what has and is changing as I seek to love God with my all. My focus is shifting from fears, uncertainties, aches, pains, and frustrating people to trusting my daily trials to an all-loving, all-powerful God and seeing others through my love for Him.

Slowly, a patient God was (and is) transforming my life. God continues to teach me the truth of this quote from Revive Our Hearts “Anything that makes me long for God is a blessing. Anything that makes me desperate for Him, anything that brings me to the end of my own resources, my own strength, my own power, that’s a good thing. Thank God if He is creating circumstances to make you desperate for Him, and then you seek the Lord with diligence.” He also shows me that while I can not ignore my disability, my focus should be on Him and His working through it rather than the disability. I am to glorify Him in everything. (2 Corinthians 6:1-10)

The disability and chronic illnesses that I focused so much on before have now become vehicles for blessing. (I must admit that there are days that I have to remind my heart of this fact, but God is faithful!) I now can truly thank God for these trials. Praising Him for what I once despised. Only God can change someone’s heart like that!

Another outcome of this growing relationship with God is that the more I learn of His perfect love, the more my fears are vanishing just as He promises. I John 4:18, ” 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” Peace and joy are coming into my inner being even when things are falling apart around me.

There are many, many other areas that God has worked in my life and many Scriptures that have become so precious to me - some of which are shared in the posts of this blog. I stand in awe of how God (and God alone) can change a person from self, frustration and fear to glorifying Him, love and peace! And, yes, He is still working on me. God continues to convict, love and change me as I draw near to Him. Oh, how I want to know Him more! To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

I also long for others to know the peace, freedom, joy, and love of knowing God intimately. This amazing God longs to show You His love and give you peace and contentment as well.

As I was contemplating all the gear, I began thinking about our spiritual lives. What “splints” do I have in place spiritually to intentionally prevent or correct problems?

Ephesians 6:10-18 came to mind. “10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

How is your armor today?

“Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.

Philippians 2:17
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=php+2:17&sr=1

Are you willing to be offered for the work of the faithful - to pour out your life blood as a libation on the sacrifice of the faith of others? Or do you say - “I am not going to be offered up just yet, I do not want God to choose my work. I want to choose the scenery of my own sacrifice; I want to have the right kind of people watching and saying, ‘Well done.’

It is one thing to go on the lonely way with dignified heroism, but quite another thing if the line mapped out for you by God means being a door-mat under other people’s feet. Suppose God wants to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased” - are you ready to be offered up like that? Are you ready to be not so much as a drop in a bucket - to be so hopelessly insignificant that you are never thought of again in connection with the life you served? Are you willing to spend and be spent; not seeking to be ministered unto, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work and remain saints because it is beneath their dignity.”

God worked in my heart and repentance came. A couple days later, came another hard day. But, that day, I had a song in my heart that kept spilling forth. I could not contain the joy in my heart. Stresses came and so did the joy. It was a pretty gruelling day with many challenges which left me in intense pain that night. Yet, the joy continued to overflow.

As I waited for sleep to come that night, God was speaking to my heart. I contemplated the difference between the two days and the example of a balloon came to mind. When pressure is put on a balloon that is full of air, it bursts easily. However, when pressure is put on a balloon that is not completely full of hot air, the balloon flexes easily and conforms to the pressure put on it.

The next morning, I was reading Luke 1:38 and was impressed by Mary’s attitude when God asked her to do an impossible task that would cause her to be rejected. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” She was a flexible, pliable balloon ready to be molded and conformed to the pressure that God allowed.

So, am I going to be a balloon full of hot air (myself) today that pops when pressures come? Or, will I be a balloon that is flexible and pliable and ready to conform to how God wants to work in my life? How about you?

The appointed day arrives and God comes down to the mount. Smoke, heavy smoke covers the mountain. The mountain quakes. Thunder roars. Lightning flashes. A loud trumpet sounds. God has come down. Moses speaks to Him; He answers back in an audible voice.

Then, in the midst of all the fury and power of God’s presence, God calls Moses to come up to the top of the mount (v. 20). What? I had to read that again. Heavy smoke, thunder, lightning, a mountain quaking, a voice as a loud trumpet, and as far as Moses knows, sure death. God had not told Moses yet that it was okay for him to go up on the mount without dying (v. 24).

What amazes me most is Moses’ response! “…and Moses went up.” Simple. He went up. He did not complain, question, or compromise. He went up. He could have been facing death, but obedience to and fellowship with God were more important. He went up. He trusted God. Whoa! Selah!

A close friend of mine recently posted this quote, “When Augustine read those words, ‘Thou canst not see my face and live,’ he was bold enough to answer, ‘Let me die to see thy face.’” I do not know the originator of the quote, but what an awesome spirit!

What about in my life today? Am I that eager to obey and fellowship with my God?