Monday, August 10, 2009

Saturday, August 8, 2009

I'm blessed



To have the friends that I do...

August 8th-A days Journey

… That ye may know what is the hope of his calling …
Ephesians 1:18

Throughout Scripture, the word ‘hope’ always refers to that which is coming, to that which is ahead. I’m convinced the single greatest problem carnal Christians have is that they don’t know the hope of His calling. They don’t know the reality of heaven. Consequently, they are constantly striving for material things and are continually chasing carnal pursuits. They remain in bondage, depressed, and discouraged because they don’t see the big picture of eternity.

If you’re not happy at this moment, neither will you be with a change of location, salary, or ministry. You’ll not be happy until you know the hope of His calling. That’s why Jesus said, ‘Let not your hearts be troubled ... I go to prepare a place for you,’ (John 14:1-2). The key to overcoming a troubled, perplexed, stressed heart is to focus on the hope of his calling, on what’s ahead, on heaven.

‘But heaven seems so far away,’ you say. ‘For years, I’ve been hearing Jesus could come at any time. But where is He?’

‘Beloved,’ Peter said, ‘be not ignorant of this one thing: One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day,’ (II Peter 3:8).

A day is as a thousand years. Maybe you’re saying, ‘Is that ever true! Will this day ever end?’ If you are in a strained marriage, a single person aware of your loneliness, or if you’re physically afflicted, a day can indeed seem like a thousand years.

‘Lord, where are You?’ you cry. ‘I’ve been talking to You. I have total trust in You. But where are You?’

This day is as a thousand years because in your day of difficulty and dilemma, pressure and pain, sadness and sorrow, you have the unique opportunity to share the fellowship of the Lord’s suffering, and to pray for others in a way you never would have been able to otherwise. We want to get out of the trial, solve the problem, move on.

The Lord, however, says, ‘Not so fast. I want this day to be as a thousand years for you. The discoveries you’ll make, the understanding you will glean, the gifts of praise, the expression of even frustrated prayer will affect you for the next zillion years. Because My coming is near, and your heavenly account is pretty small, I’m giving you an opportunity to make some huge investments in the few days that remain before you go to heaven.’

You for whom this day has seemed as a thousand years — rejoice. Savor each moment. Extract each minute. Take every opportunity in this long, long day you’re in to thank the Father for the opportunity to store up treasure which will make you rich for eternity.

-Jon Courson

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Or in the earthquake..

"Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking." Ezekiel 1:28

This verse blesses me all throughout, but especially at the end of the verse, when it says "I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking." For me, I'm 100% selfish on most days.I've been thinking a lot about how, sometimes the only time we talk to Jesus, is to ask Him for something, to ask Him to give us what we want. We want answers NOW, and we want to know what He can give us right NOW. I feel, and know, that when this is the case, He's silent.He wants to give us, what HE has planned,what HE knows is best for us, WHEN He wants to give them to us. I'm anxious daily..I've read Philippians 4:6-8 a trillion times, and every time it blesses me, but then 10 minutes after I've read it, I see/hear something that makes me anxious again. I've found that ONLY after I have spent time seeking the Lord's face, and talking to Him like the best friend that He is...THAT is when the anxiety leaves me. When I remember that He's not in the wind,the fire,or the earthquake (1Kings 19:11-12), but in the still small voice-I feel peace, because I know that my heart is safe with Him,when I am on my face,not even having the words to say, to express how much love I have in my heart for Him,that's when I stop feeling anxious.