Everyone?

I've started rereading the book, "Suffer Strong", because living with a disability in this physical world calls for encouragement.  We are all disabled in some way, seen or unseen.  We can't do this life on our own, we need each other and most of all, we need Jesus.

The Bible was written and given for all peoples of this world.  The only condition to the reference of 'everyone' is that they believe in Jesus, as their Lord and Savior.  For example in Acts 10:43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

Who is 'everyone' to you?  Does it only include those who look like you, dress like you, or act like you?  'Everyone' is every other human on this planet.  Exclusions to 'everyone' are man-made discriminations and are from an ugly heart. 

Often as part of the disabled community, we aren't always included in the 'everyone' part of society. We may get overlooked, because someone feels too awkward to say 'Hi' or to even give a friendly nod.  We may have to go through the back door of a restaurant to get to our table, because there's not another accessible way to enter.  We may get a child's menu at a restaurant, because assumptions take over about size, stature and ability.  We often have to prove ourselves to others; as physically able, mentally fit and not an idiot.

As for myself, I've gone thru different stages of disability throughout my life.  I am the same person at any stage of life  and I have confidence in that, but the discriminating people of my world see me differently.  To them I say, "Shame on you!"  They are not better than me, but are in a different place in life--for now.  I struggled for years pushing myself in my leg braces, but now I am in some ways wheelchair-bound but mostly I am wheelchair-free.  I go more places than most people, because my wheelchair allows me to go further than I could ever walk.  Jesus has promised that disability is only a temporary part of this life. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10"  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. " 

Yes, there are difficult times for all of us, seen as disabled or not, but how we respond to those times is the most important character trait of all.

I challenge you to consider who fits into the  'everyone' in your life.

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My Comfort

Yesterday in my daily reading, I came across a verse that spoke to my heart.  Psalms 119:50  "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."

David's comfort here is the word of God.  Also the word 'comfort' is found in Job 6:10   "At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One."  We can find encouragement, solace and comfort from Scripture in all our circumstances in life.  The Holy Spirit not only speaks to us as believers, but guides us on our journey.   "What the Word has already done is to faith a pledge of what it shall yet do."

From Matthew Henry's commentary, “Here is David's experience of benefit by the word. 1. As a means of his sanctification: "Thy word has quickened me. It made me alive when I was dead in sin; it has many a time made me lively when I was dead in duty; it has quickened me to that which is good when I was backward and averse to it, and it has quickened me in that which is good when I was cold and indifferent." 2. Therefore as a means of his consolation when he was in affliction and needed something to support him: "Because thy word has quickened my at other times, it has comforted me then." The word of God has much in it that speaks comfort in affliction; but those only may apply it to themselves who have experienced in some measure the quickening power of the word. If through grace it make us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions, under all events."

"In the season of affliction, and in the silent hours of the night, he remembers the name of the Lord, and is stirred up to keep the law. All who have made religion the first thing, will own that they have been unspeakable gainers by it."  [kingjamesbibleonline.com]

As for myself, I do draw more and more from God's Word as I grow progressively weaker.  It makes me view the world in a different light and perspective.  To long to be absent from this body and to be with the Lord is my new prayer and wish to come.  The Holy Spirit helps me hang on, knowing God's timing is perfect for me.  The Bible gives much to look forward to and to let go of, as the affliction gets harder and harder to bear.  Phillipians 3:7-14  "Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." 

Revelation 21:3-4  "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

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Envy

Social media and just everyday life can lead us down the path of comparison. It's an easy, yet dangerous, road to take. We want more, instead of being grateful for what we have. It is rebellion against what God deems for our unique life. You cannot live the life God created for someone else and your efforts to do so will lead to frustration, fatigue and failure. "Envy is a destructive attitude that God outlawed in The Ten Commandments with 'Do not covet.'"

Four harmful effects of envy.....[from A Purpose Driven Life]
---Envy denies your uniqueness
---Envy divides your attention
---Envy misuses your time and energy
---Envy leads you to other sins

Instead of comparing ourselves with others, we must learn to be happy in the joys and successes of others. If you think life should be fair and equal for all, then you're doubting God's goodness to you. 'Envy is the enemy of contentment.'

You might ask where this post all derived from. Well I am subject to the sin of envy too and these days stuck at home makes it more prevalent. I am prone to the envy of my abilities of my past and the tasks of others on facebook. That is when I have to stop and be grateful for all I do have and take into account the new abilities I have now. No, I don't want the power to go off to force me into counting my blessings. I have much and others are praying now for the things I take for granted.

''The next time you start to rant about God’s unfairness to you, remind yourself of these facts:
1. Everything I have is an undeserved gift from God. I wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for God’s grace. The next breath of air I take is a gift of God.
2. I don’t know what God knows and I can’t see what God sees, so I should trust him.
3. Life on earth is unfair because of sin, not because of God. Our rebellion against God has broken everything on the planet. This isn’t heaven, where everything works perfectly. Nothing works perfectly here.
4. God sent Jesus to save us from the judgment day when he will balance the books, right all wrongs, and administer justice.
5. It was not fair for Jesus to die in my place for my sins. But he did.'' James 3:16 '' For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.''

Warren, Rick (2012-10-23). The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 421). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Unnoticed

Have you ever thought about how God feels about going unnoticed and unrecognized for all He has does for us?  

One might think about how the the stay-at-home mom feels, who does countless things throughout the day to keep the house running but often goes unappreciated.  Without her work and efforts, there would be chaos.  She deserves a thank you and a spotlight of recognition.

Jesus, however, deserves all honor and praise from us for everything!  From our very being to the promise of eternity and everything in between.  He covered every one of our sins, biggest to smallest, on the cross.  He sustains us, protects us, comforts us and most of all, loves us more than anything or anyone can.  Praising God helps us recall His goodness that never ends.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast and unchanging love. 

Psalm 67,  verses 1-5

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face shine on us—

 so that your ways may be known on earth,

your salvation among all nations.

 May the peoples praise you, God;

may all the peoples praise you.

 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you rule the peoples with equity

and guide the nations of the earth.

 May the peoples praise you, God; may all

     the peoples praise you.

 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

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God's Benefits

Psalm 103:2

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits"

Does your prayer life or daily talk with God ever leave out praise?  We can often be filled with desires, wants and needs from God, but forget to praise Him for his abundant goodness.  We are so blessed by Him everyday that we should give Him ceaseless thankfulness.  

In Psalm 103, David tells himself to 'bless he Lord' six times and 'not to forget all of God's benefits'.  This blog is a reminder of the godly benefits that we sometimes forget or overlook in our lives. "The Lord’s “benefits” represent all the good things the Lord provides to aid or promote the well-being of His children."  [gotquestions.org]

In Deuteronomy, Moses warned the people that forgetting God's benefits and goodness was the first step to spiritual destruction.   Deuteronomy 4:9  "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

God's benefits are too numerous to count, but here are a few....

Psalm 103:3-6  "He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.  He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly."

How wonderful to be cleared of all our wrongs!  How great is it to know that death isn't a fear and his love is fullof grace and mercy.  How awesome will it be to have our youthful energy and vigor again.  How great will it be to have our wrongs against us by others to be truly righted.

Colossians 1:13-14  "For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom* and forgave our sins."

How wonderful is God's forgiveness and that Jesus paid the painful price for our wickedness.  We are set free from our sin debt and can live in God's kingdom.

Psalm 63:3-4  "Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you, as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands."

How awesome is God's mercy and grace that it is better than the life we know. We should honor God all the days of our lives, as long as we have breath.

Psalm 103:8  "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

How wonderful is God to be so patient and understanding with His children and shows His love over the course of our lives.

Hebrews 2:1-3  "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

Paul warns us of not forgetting what we know to be true from all the evidence given to us, regarding our forgiveness and salvation.  God's will has allowed us to  know all we need to know for now, and that's enough.

As for myself, I can see, in hindsight, how much God has blessed my life in so many ways.  My trust in Him has been proven over and over.  Therefore, I fully trust Him with my future and eagerly await joining and walking with Jesus in eternity.

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