What We Count On

   In an uncertain world where we experience trials, pain, and loss, what can we count on?

LIFE IS TROUBLED
  In the most ancient book in the Bible, a man named Job learned firsthand the pain of loss. He lost his children, his possessions, even his friends. Such a magnitude of loss would be devastating, but Job didn't see it as surprising.
    His testimony shares the stark reality of living in a fallen world. Job said, "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). It's not necessarily true that we are being singled out or facing something out of ordinary. Difficulty is to be expected because life is troubled.

WE ARE NOT ALONE
    If we feel that we are isolated in our circumstances, we've lost sight of the most critical certainty of all - God is still there, even when the bottom drops out of the world.
    In Hebrews 13:5-6, we read: "Let your conduct be without coveteousness; be content of such things what you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'"
    When life becomes overwhelming, there's nothing more important than knowing that we don't face those burdens alone, God is there.

WE HAVE SOURCES BEYOND OURSELVES
    In Matthew 6:33, Jesus spoke to people who were fearful. They were also uncertain about how they would live and how their needs would be met. Jesus wanted them to look higher when He said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." It may be the pressures we feel are a result of pursuing the wrong goals. A right relationship with God is significant because of who He is, and because a relationship with Him is the one thing in life that lasts forever. In Him, we have an eternal supply that this world cannot destroy.

OUR PAIN CAN GROW OUR FAITH
    We dread pain, largely because we see it as so negative. The fact is, however, that our struggles can provide opportunities for us to  grow in ways that times of ease could never produce. The apostle Paul wrote: "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in dispair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body"
(2 Corinthians 4:7-10).
    If you know Christ, you can be assured that you serve the God who doesn't t waste anything-including our pain.

OUR PAIN CAN HELP OTHERS
    Not only can our struggles help us to grow, they can also provide an opportunity to help others. Our experiences can give us the background to help others when the pain of life visits them. To that end, Paul wrote: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
    We are never so well equipped to help hurting people as when we ourselves have experienced pain and loss. Then we can take God's encouragement and share it with others.

THIS IS NOT THE END
    When we face a serious life crises it can seem like the end of the world, that life will never be good again, and that there's nothing to live for.
    Be assured however, that it's not the end. Paul wrote: "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
    Whatever dark experiences we face in this life, one day they will be overwhelmed by the perfect and complete reality of eternity in the presence of the Christ who loves us and gave Himself for us.

GOD'S LOVE IS REAL
    When we are going through seasons of trial and hurt, it's easy to question whether God loves us at all. The experience of loss, however, is not capable of disrupting His love for us. Paul said: "I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
    The trials of life are crushing and heart-breaking. They are not, however, what matters most. Nothing in all the universe can separate us from the love of God - and that does matter the most.

Note to God

You saw me before I was born.  Everyday of my life  was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalm 139:16).  You clear my path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.  Every moment you know where I am (Psalm 139:3). For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well(Psalm 139:13-14).Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life (Psalm 119:104).Teach me your ways, Oh Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of my heart, that I may honor you (Psalm 86:11).  May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, Oh Lord,my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).  Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).   My heart has heard You say “ Come and talk with me” and my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming (Psalm 27:8).  Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).  You have done full well to share with me in my present difficulty (Phil 4:14).  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is my strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26). I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13).  You are worthy, Oh Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.  For you created everything and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created (Rev 4:11).  There is a season for everything, a season for every activity under heaven (Ecc 3:1).  Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things He does for me (Psalm 103:2).

...thank You Lord for this wonderful assurance:-----Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

God Hears

How can I know that God hears my prayers?

     Prayer is talking to God and building a relationship with Him.  As you talk to Him, you praise and thank Him, make requests, confess sins, express pain and frustrations, and simply share what is happening in your life.  Good conversation also includes listening, so make time for God to speak to you.  When you listen to God, He can make His wisdom and resources available to you.  Prayer can also soften your heart and help you to avoid the debilitating effects of anger, resentment, and bitterness..

   Sometimes it seems that our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling.  Is God paying attention?  The bigger question is, are you paying attention to God's answers?  God does answer prayer, and He wants to do so because He is loving and good.  His answer maybe (a)yes, (b)no,(c) or wait, not now.  Doesn't your loving parent give all three responses to a child?  Answering "yes" to every request would spoil you and be dangerous to your well-being.  Answering "no" to every request would vindictive, stingy, and kill our spirit.  Answering "wait" to every prayer would be frustrating.  When you don't get the answer you want, your spiritual maturity will grow as you seek to understand why God's answer is in your best interest. It is His nature to give good things to His people.  Sometimes, after work out, we fail to give God the credit.  When we pray, be alert and watch for God's answer,and then don't forget to thank Him for it!

   

    God often works more in your own heart through the act of prayer that He does in actually answering your prayer.  Your prayers are often self-centered ,and God changes your heart to be more "other-centered".  As you persist in asking, seeking, and knocking; you often gain greater understanding of yourself, your situation, your motivation, and God's nature and direction for your life.