When things go wrong do we see the God moment or insight in it? I truly believe that when times get tough Father God not only wants us to press into Him but He also wants us to grow. It can be a powerful time of revelation. Just recently we as a family were heading down to Victoria to do ministry when about 20klms from base we had a major blow out on the caravan. It was so bad that it bent a metal support bar that holds everything together. Towing a van is hard enough but when you have a tyre on a 23foot van that's burst, lets just say it can be a bit scary. It never ceases to amaze me though how the Lord protects. We were on a flat straight road only about 40klms from Maryborough so after pulling off the road and changing the tyre we made this our destination. It was a miracle that when we pulled into the tyre shop they weren't busy. On inspection we needed four new tyres. One of our spares was over 16 years old and would have blown had we tried to use it. We questioned the Lord at the time as to what was going on. Our eldest girl quipped 'maybe it's a sign that we shouldn't be going'. We recognised that this situation was the hand of God once again directing and protecting us. He knew that we were about to undertake a lot of miles inland where towns were scarce. Let's not whinge about life, but embrace every aspect of it knowing that 'all things work together for good to those who love Him'. Are you open to His revelation?
Apostasy it seems has been around for awhile. In the book of Hebrews we see the author encouraging the reader not to turn away from the faith but to stay the course. In the time of its writing many were confused by false teachers. They were lured away by wrong enticing theology which tickled their fleshly desires. Today is no different. We are told in the word that people in the last days will go to places to get their ears tickled. They will follow the feel good teaching above the truth and turn away from Gods ways. Idols are idols.They worshiped stone images, we worship self. The thing is though, from the past to the now present, we know what the outcome is. Turning away from God has severe eternal and present consequences. We are privilaged to have the written word, the bible at our finger tips to give us insight and warning. We also have the Holy Spirits guidance to reveal God to us through Jesus. Here and now no one has an excuse not to follow Jesus. Don't be fooled into believing that other ways are better. Jesus said "follow me". Will you say 'yes Lord'. The choice is yours.
While staying with friends this year Eric had a go at using a bow and arrow to shoot at a sugar cane bale with a target drawn on it. If you have ever tried this precision sport you will soon realise that there are certain rules that need to be followed. The first of these was shoot in a safe designated area which is void of people. Keep your eye on the target. Hold the bow firmly then slowly release the arrow. Eric did really well coming close to the bullseye every time. As he was shooting I thought if we would only live by the same principles as these I’m sure our lives would be so much better. Firstly, God gives us safe boundaries to live by in the word but so often we think we know best and we start to live life outside the safe designated area. This is disobedience to the word of God. Secondly, Father God tells us not to look to the left or to the right Deuteronomy 5:32. Don’t be distracted. Can you imagine if a person in a running race lost focus on the finish line and started running all over the track? What a mess he would make of his run let alone the confusion that it would cause to the other runners. Thirdly, as Paul says in the book of Philippians 3, we are to “take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me”. Let’s make sure we understand the true depth of His love and live a life fully aware that He can be trusted. He has our best interests in mind. So relax and enjoy the journey.
Friends 1 Corinthians 9: 24 states “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize”.
Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life” John 14:6. He is the standard by which we live and heaven is the eternal prize. Be encouraged we can hit the target with the Lords help all things are possible!
Be blessed........ Olga
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