A Reminder About Our Sorrows

Psalm 56:8, "You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."

1 Peter 1:6-7, “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

December is a harder month for some people.  It can be a time of joy, but for others a time of remembering past hurts. We live in a world of hurts; people will tun their back on others, people will cause tears to fall, and people will stop talking with others.  All of these afflictions are not only known by God but noted in His book of record. [Psalm 56:8]  What a consolation to us, as believers.  The following are reminders from Matthew Henry's Commentary about how God is in control over our sorrows and how we are to reach out in prayer.

"God takes cognizance of all the afflictions of his people; and he does not cast out from his care and love those whom men have cast out from their acquaintance and converse."  [M. Henry]

"God has a bottle and a book for his people’s tears, both those for their sins and those for their afflictions. "  [M. Henry]

"God will not forget the sorrows of his people. The tears of God’s persecuted people are bottled up and sealed among God’s treasures; and, when these books come to be opened, they will be found vials of wrath, which will be poured out upon their persecutors, whom God will surely reckon with for all the tears they have forced from his people’s eyes; and they will be breasts of consolation to God’s mourners, whose sackcloth will be turned into garments of praise. God will comfort his people according to the time wherein he has afflicted them, and give to those to reap in joy who sowed in tears. What was sown a tear will come up a pearl."  [M. Henry]

"The saints have God for them; they may know it; and to him they must cry when they are surrounded with enemies; and, if they do this in faith, they shall find a divine power exerted and engaged for them; their enemies shall be made to turn back, their spiritual enemies, against whom we fight best upon our knees."  [M. Henry]

We must remember thru 1 Peter 1:6-7, that our trials are temporary and working for our good.  The struggle is real, but it's making us better and more Christ-like.  Be happy that you were chosen for this suffering because your reward in heaven will be worth it all.

As for myself, I've stocked up my fair share of bottles of tears.  But, no one can steal my joy because it is secure in Jesus and His promises.  Yes, I've had trials of abandonment and hard suffering, but I know my struggles are temporary.  Jesus has never and will never disappoint me.  He doesn't take my trials away, but helps me through them.  What is unseen is getting clearer to me everyday, as my time draws nearer.

"Only God has the final say over your life. Your future is secure. Your Father is faithful. His promises are true. The unseen world is a far more reliable anchor than the seen one. Your trustworthy God holds you and all you love. You can choose to be immensely and deeply grateful for that, always. And gratitude is the breeding ground of joy.” [bible.com]

Ask Yourself

Genesis 18:14, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

Have you ever asked yourself the question from Genesis 18:14,  "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  We all have doubts, like Abraham and Sarah.  God promised them a son, though both were past child-bearing age.  Wouldn't we all question the possibility of that?  We must remember Mark 19:26, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

"That is what we need to ask. Is anything too hard for God? Does he ever give up because the problem is too great? Does he ever throw up his hands and quit? Does he ever shake his head at the sound of a prayer request and say, “I can’t handle that problem”?"  [M. Lucado]

We must believe and trust that 'nothing is too hard for our God'.  He is bigger than any storm we face.  Even when we feel that He is miles away, He is right beside us.  We are the ones who have moved, yet He still pursues us with His great love.

"Our tendency is to magnify our fears. We place a magnifying glass on the diagnosis, the disease, or debt. Stop that! Meditate less on the mess and more on the Master. Less on the problems and more on his power."  [M. Lucado]

As for myself, God has amazed me with making my impossible thoughts into God-made realities.  He has turned my doubts into proven faithfulness.  He has got me thru every trial and mountain of fear.  I trust Him more and more every day.  More Jesus, less me...that's the way it should be.

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A Grateful Heart

It's the time of year to recognize our thankfulness more.  A grateful heart is a healthy heart.  Many people only seek to be thankful of and not to be thankful for.  Max Lucado speaks of "The 'If Only River' as being on it's shore and being one step away from the good life." 

What is your 'if only' that keeps you from a life of gratitude and a good life? 

If only, you had a better job?  the kids moved away? the kids lived closer? you were married?  you were richer?  you were ____?   

Instead, look at what you are already blessed with.  

Colossians 3:15-17,  "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

As for myself, I am thankful for where I have been, where I am now, and where I am headed.  I am grateful that God created in me a heart that hasn't turned bitter despite all the hardships I have been through. 

Lord, help me to continue to recognize that this world is not my home.

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Speak Life

Proverbs 16:24

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 12:18

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Psalm 19:14

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Our words matter, more than we realize.  What we say to others and to ourselves can make a difference.  Words can uplift or tear down, so we must use them wisely.  Words can entangle our thoughts, where we replay them over and over.  It is better to turn to God's word and defeat Satan's ploy to try to beat us down and destroy us.  May we always be mindful of the words being circulated throughout our own worlds, by our mouths or our minds.  Seek to inspire!!

"Many things are pleasant that are not profitable, but these pleasant words are health to the bones, to the inward man, as well as sweet to the soul. They make the bones, which sin has broken and put out of joint, to rejoice. The bones are the strength of the body; and the good word of God is a means of spiritual strength, curing the diseases that weaken us."  [M.Henry]

As for myself, I've recently been dealing with uncertainty about my health.  The lack of encouraging words from others made my own thoughts even darker.  The words I told myself went in a downward spiral.  What I did cling to were God's promises..He will never forsake me and that He is working out all things for my good because I believe in Him.  My words to myself were based on fear and impatience, not truth.  Finally, this week I got the good news of my test results.  I was reminded again of Matthew 6:27,  "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" 

The unknown is a pit that we fall in that really tests our trust in the Lord.  God's word is what speaks life into my soul to uplift it, like no other words can. So, when you're feeling uncertain turn to His word that never fails.

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Scales, Money, and Honesty

Proverbs 11:1

The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.  [NIV}

A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord, But an accurate scale is His delight.  [AMP]

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.  [ESV]

God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.  [MSG}

Proverbs 20:23

The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. [NIV}

With all the translations above, we can see how God requires us to be honest in our financial dealings with one another.  It is an offense to God's justice to practice wrongdoing.  "However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord." [M. Henry]

"Nothing is more offensive to God than deceit in commerce.  Nothing is more pleasing to God than fair and honest dealing, nor more necessary to make us and our devotions acceptable to him." [M.Henry]

“Christians shouldn’t hoard but give as much as God directs. It is God’s money. His rewards outweigh the cost. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”  [gotquestions.org]

When I was 13-14 years old, I had a vegetable stand by the side of the road in front of our house.  I setup a table with scales, brown paper bags, a calculator, and a sign with prices per pound for each vegetable.  I would call out to my dad, "I need more washed tomatoes" or okra, squash, etc.  I sometimes had a friend join me and help with my little stand.  It was a fun, but honest way to earn some extra cash.  If a customer ever questioned the price, I would always double-check my math.  I wanted my little veggie stand to be God honoring and pleasing in His sight.

I think most of us have accidentally passed thru security with an item that we meant to pay for.  Did you go back and return it or pay for it?  Or did you think the big store wouldn't care?  God cares!  Recently, I went to Ross and as we were loading the van, I noticed my unpaid for leggings were on my dog, Jack's stroller.  As soon as Jaile got me in the van, she went in to pay for them with my purse.

"Integrity in money matters is a rare thing. But God wants His people marked by financial integrity. What someone does when no one is looking indicates their true character. Integrity in money matters has to do with being honest and upright when no one is looking. It means acting according to biblical principles, even if you think you’ll never get caught, because you know that God is watching and you want to please Him."  [bible.org]

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