"Don’t panic!" Those are the words I frequently say when someone has come to see me and they are in the midst of a crisis. They may have lost their job, had a marital crisis, a problem with a child, or found themselves in serious financial trouble. They are anxious. It seems like the world is caving in on them. They feel lonely and afraid. They can’t see anyway out of their predicament.
It has been my experience over the years as a pastor that when folks are desperate they tend to run, quit or act in haste. I am not discounting their pain or minimizing the crisis, rather I am merely helping them to see that their perceptions have exaggerated the crisis. Or, they have a distorted perception of reality.
This was the case with the disciples. They were being persecuted by an oppressive government. They were powerless and under immense pressure. All seemed dark and hopeless, so much so that they wondered if the "end" was near. They were desperate, blinded by their anxiety and totally unable to see into the future.
They are no different than us. Whenever things are happening in the world of epic proportions, like hurricanes, wars, catastrophes or plagues there are those who believe that the world is coming to an end.
Keith Wagner, Are You Having an Anxiety Attack?
Showing posts with label Trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trials. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, February 8, 2008
Not mine but Yours
Do listen to this song as you read through this post. :)
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are filled with much truths and principles. As I read through the Book of Luke, I came across a verse that we have seen so often, but maybe have zoom past it too quickly so often.
At a time when you are facing death in the face, when you know you are about to go through mankind worse form of torture and punishment, when you know that you are going to be betrayed, when you know that you are going to be abused physically, whipped, punched, kicked and slapped, when you know you are going to be insulted, mocked and laughed at, when you know that the people melting out all this punishment to you are the same people you love and created, when you know that you will be separated from God and go through this alone, what will you do?
I believe everyone would run away, everyone would want to escape, no one would be willing to go through this tough time, no one would be willing to be subjected to such pain and suffering. But look at what Christ did...
At such a time, He was still wanting and willing to obey God. He was willing to fulfill God's will. He wanted to please God.
The song below is entitled 'Blessed be Your name' and it's probably a favourite for many. But I hope that it is a favourite not because of its tune only, but for the lyrics and what it means. May each time we sing this song, we mean it as an act of worship and not a showcase of our voices.
My dear friend, whatever you are going through today or at this point in your life happens for a purpose. It may be tough, it may be rough, it may be challenging, it may be problematic, it may be tiring, it may be draining, but we know, by FAITH, that ALL things work together for good to them that love God and to those who are called according to His purpose.
Can we say, when trials come and when things don't go our way, 'Father, not my will, but Yours be done'? Can we say, when the pain, hurts and sufferings of life comes, 'Lord, blessed be Your name'?
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are filled with much truths and principles. As I read through the Book of Luke, I came across a verse that we have seen so often, but maybe have zoom past it too quickly so often.
Luke 22:42
'Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.'
'Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.'
At a time when you are facing death in the face, when you know you are about to go through mankind worse form of torture and punishment, when you know that you are going to be betrayed, when you know that you are going to be abused physically, whipped, punched, kicked and slapped, when you know you are going to be insulted, mocked and laughed at, when you know that the people melting out all this punishment to you are the same people you love and created, when you know that you will be separated from God and go through this alone, what will you do?
I believe everyone would run away, everyone would want to escape, no one would be willing to go through this tough time, no one would be willing to be subjected to such pain and suffering. But look at what Christ did...
'Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.'
At such a time, He was still wanting and willing to obey God. He was willing to fulfill God's will. He wanted to please God.
The song below is entitled 'Blessed be Your name' and it's probably a favourite for many. But I hope that it is a favourite not because of its tune only, but for the lyrics and what it means. May each time we sing this song, we mean it as an act of worship and not a showcase of our voices.
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be Your name
My dear friend, whatever you are going through today or at this point in your life happens for a purpose. It may be tough, it may be rough, it may be challenging, it may be problematic, it may be tiring, it may be draining, but we know, by FAITH, that ALL things work together for good to them that love God and to those who are called according to His purpose.
Can we say, when trials come and when things don't go our way, 'Father, not my will, but Yours be done'? Can we say, when the pain, hurts and sufferings of life comes, 'Lord, blessed be Your name'?
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Giving up is not an option
I got this story from an email and I decided to share it. Hope it will be a blessing to you.
One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds,
I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
"I would not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots.
Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of My creations a challenge they could not handle.
He said to me. "Did you know, My child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots"
"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others." He said.
"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.
Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high!"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and bring back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
He will never give up on you.
God says in Psalms 84: 11 that the Lord Jesus is your "sun (to give you warmth and joy) and shield (to protect you) and He will not withhold good things from those who walk uprighteously." No problem is too big for God to carry on His shoulder. Come to Him in prayer.
Never regret a day in you life.
Good days give you happiness;
Bad days give you experiences;
Both are essential to life.
Keep going....
God's way of saying 'Have a nice day'?
One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds,
I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
"I would not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots.
Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of My creations a challenge they could not handle.
He said to me. "Did you know, My child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots"
"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others." He said.
"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.
Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high!"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and bring back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
He will never give up on you.
God says in Psalms 84: 11 that the Lord Jesus is your "sun (to give you warmth and joy) and shield (to protect you) and He will not withhold good things from those who walk uprighteously." No problem is too big for God to carry on His shoulder. Come to Him in prayer.
Never regret a day in you life.
Good days give you happiness;
Bad days give you experiences;
Both are essential to life.
Keep going....
God's way of saying 'Have a nice day'?
Sunday, November 11, 2007
James 1:2-4
Moving on to the Book of James. Was reading and thinking through James 1:2-4.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)
Trials and struggles is something that every Christian faces. It could come in the form of a failed relationship, a broken family, a insult or slander, bad results, etc. Yet, we are told to count it all joy when we fall into various trials. This is the response to trials - JOY!
Then we are told that the testing of our faith produces patience. This is the reason for trials - PATIENCE!
And finally, we are told to let patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Perfect doesn't mean sinless but mature. When patience is allowed to grow and bear fruit, we will be spiritually mature, lacking nothing (as we are able to claim God's promises in His Word). This is the result of trials - MATURITY!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
