Following The Leader has it's Blessings, AND Consequences

Today, my heart is faint. Today, I "feel" icky. Not so great, in other words. "Life" has most definitely thrown me a curve ball. (or should I say, satan?) Yeah- that would be more accurate. He's good at those. Get to work for God-and you'd better be aware...those curve balls are headed your way.

Today, I am remembering that with the many blessings of serving Christ...you have to stay on guard-definite trials are ahead, and they do abound. This is a promise in God's Word...but I have to remember also (not taking "part" of His Word, but the WHOLE), that He also will deliver those who are His.

2Ti 3:12

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Psa 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

I count on this, this morning. I rest in this. Although my trials may endure for the night...joy WILL "come in the morning." Psa. 30:5b

What an honor to be called a child of The KING. I thank Him that He resides in me, so much so-that persecution must follow me. Sound crazy? It should... because I "am" after all, part of a strange group... a "peculiar people."

Exodus 19:5, Deut. 14:2, Deut. 26:18, Titus 2:14, and 1 Peter 2:9 ALL tell me that I am a peculiar people-being one of HIS!

Have you ever noticed that satan does not bother those with whom he does not have to worry about? Those who are out of God's will or just plain lost...satan has indeed gained his victory, and goes to work elsewhere...wherever someone is striving to do the Lord's will. It seems that those who plug away working hard at the construction of His Kingdom's expansion- are afflicted the most, at times.

God's Word tells me that if I will but "hang in there" and continue in His will...I WILL be delivered. Not "MAYBE"...I WILL.

I can't help but still be excited somewhat...even in the midst of a great, grevious trial...because I know God's promises to be true. He has proven Himself time and time again. I believe He WANTS us to take Him up on these promises.

He desires that we would put Him to the test-by putting our complete faith in His capabilities to perform...as only the LORD can. Fully rely on Him. I am telling myself this today as satan tries to lie in my ears (as he's good at lying, ya know). Satan says that I need to "dwell on the negatives because I can't fix them." Well, NO KIDDING that "I" can't fix it. I've learned the hard way quite a few times, that I, in my own power and strength, can do NOTHING. God's Word ALSO tells me that!

Jhn 15:5

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jhn 9:33

If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

We have access to the complete "Instruction Manuel" that has ALL the answers to our every day needs. The Bible. What a powerful tool at our very disposal. What in the world are we thinking when we refuse to use that which is FREE to us- to make our lives so much more transformed for the better? And WHO could know us any better and what we need...more than our own Creator?

Sometimes, I recognize satan's voice when I hear it...and all I have to do is rebuke him...in Jesus' name- with God's WORD. God tells us to "resist the devil, and he will flee." (James 4:7)

Sometimes that's a hard one for some folks- to fully rely on God and step back out of the picture and let Him have it. Not typically me. He is still the God of miracles. I believe that. He still performs them to show Himself very real. I'm banking on it.

I mean, after all- look at what God HAS and is willing to do>

Psa 50:10

For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.

I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine.

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Yup. Today is a good day...even if I don't "feel" so great every second of it. I CHOOSE Grace. I choose to rejoice in the Lord...EVEN SO.

He is WORTHY to be praised. He tells us that, too...the same way- in two separate Scriptures:

2Sa 22:4

I will call on the LORD, [who is] worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psa 18:3

I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

GUESS THAT MEANS I NEED TO DOUBLY-PRAISE TODAY WHILE I AM IN TURMOIL, EH?

:-)

YEAH. GOOD IDEA.