In His Time

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 NIV

Have you ever been in a situation when everything seems hopeless? These past two years several things have happened that seemed like we were never going to get out or improve. Still I prayed continually and kept the faith.

Sometimes waiting is the hardest part. I have spent days, months, years praying about our church. Each of us as a church, the body of Christ, have sought God's will and have tried to accomplish it. Some at church have even experienced a dread like things were going to end. At times we would see a glimpse of hope, but still feel frustrated because maybe the end was near.

This month it was especially hard because this was the month that we would hear the news. I was glad that no date had been set for the final decision, so that felt like good news. No date, no closure. My husband last week was going to be recertified as a pastor, I had some uncertain thoughts about this meeting like maybe he wouldn't be relicensed. Still I knew God is in control.

Everything went well he was recertified, but the good news came a bit later. Our church has been removed from the to be closed list! God is so good! There are things that still need to improve like our finances and we still need to grow. But we are headed in the right direction-God's direction.

Good things come to those who wait! Everything in his time!

A Little Different

Therefore, if any one is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone and the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

A couple of weeks I was able to take part in a wonderful surprise. We were each handed a paper that contained a butterfly that we each released. As I opened my paper the little butterfly opened up his wings, fluttered them a little bit, and then took off in flight. But each butterfly reacted in different ways.

Some of them did what mine had and took off right away. Others opened their wings and sat there for awhile with their wings opened to the sun. Others jumped up on the ladies fingers or shirts and hung around awhile before taking off. One just sat around waiting until another butterfly came close and encouraged it to take off. The last one left hung around for awhile, stayed on a lady's finger, and when it took off it didn't go far just to the ground in front of her. Eventually it to soared.

Each of us approaches our relationship with Christ differently as well. Some of us accept Him and immediately take off doing what he calls us to. Others accepted him and sit around waiting for just the right moment to soar. Sometimes we need to hang around with other Christians until we are ready to follow God's plan. Some of us need encouragement from a friend before we are ready to do what we're called to. And some of us hang around awhile, staying close to a Christian example and maybe step out of our comfort zone a little bit before we soar.

No matter how we react to Christ, the good news is our old way of life is gone:the mistakes of the past, the choices we made, anything that separated us from God. We are a new creation, created in Christ Jesus to soar.

Another thing I learned about butterflies is how important they are the the world. The fluttering of their wings affects the weather in different parts of the world. If one little butterfly can do that, what do you think you can do as a child of God? It's time to soar!

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV

A lot of us our heart is broken for families who lost their children, spouse, or friend. Whenever something like this happens we want to do something so that it doesn't happen again. Unfortunately, in this world we will have trouble. Jesus even told us we would. He also gave us hope because He has overcome the world.

There has been trouble in the world since the first family. God had placed people in a peaceful, sin free place. They had all the beauty and all the food they could eat and they didn't have to work for it. They got to walk and talk with God and see Him face to face.

So how in the world did they mess up? Because a choice came into the garden, a choice of whether they should obey God or give into the temptation. The temptation was there calling to them, confusing them about what God said. Instead of stopping and checking with God, Eve gave in she took a bite of the forbidden fruit and Adam who was right there with her also took a bite and therefore turned their back on God.

And so the downward spiral began...

We also have choices to make. We each have the choice if we are going to follow God or give into the temptations. Even God's chosen people had a choice to make. As they were about to enter the Promised Land, Joshua reminds them they have a choice to make "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then chose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

As a country the government gave into the temptation to take God out of things. When we take God away then evil can come in a lot easier. Without Him as our guide it makes it harder to live a peaceful life. When we chose not to attend church, when we chose not to pray, or when we chose not to read the Bible then we allow the evil to come in easier.

When we take away the One who can guide us into making the right choice, then it's becomes easier to make the wrong choice.

So it comes back to who are you going to serve, are you going to serve the world? Or are you going to serve God?

For me I will serve God! Without Him in my life, chaos happens. He is my guide and my light! He helps guide me to make the right choices! With Him on my side, He will help me overcome troubles.