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Trusting God in Difficult Times

2/25/2018

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Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary.
                                                                       1 Samuel 1:11 (Message Bible)

Hello Friend,
 
            Hannah, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.  She was barren and had to suffer taunting from Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, who had many children.  This doesn’t seem like a big deal to some of you, but for her it was a source of major pain.   You might be thinking, there really isn’t anything in my life that I would call a crisis.   I don’t think this message is for me.  The point I want you to see is that if something is a big deal to you, even though other people might not think so, God understands.  God wants us to trust Him and to look to Him in both the big and the small.
 
            And that is what Hannah did; she trusted in God, and she trusted in Him first.  Hannah’s faith in God was revealed through her crisis.  Anyone can follow God when things are easy.  There are a lot of people who follow Christ as long as it’s convenient.  They generally obey His word, but their reason has more to do with morality than it does their faith. That’s why when things start going really bad, these people drop their faith and start taking matters into their own hands.  They’ll threaten, harass, toil, and plot to make sure everything works out the way they want.
 
            Pay attention next time something is going wrong and see where you turn first.  If it isn’t God, then you need to pray like the disciples and ask God to increase your faith (Luke 17:5).    Hannah had faith in God that He would hear and answer her prayer.  She completely gave away the one thing she asked for before she even got it.  For us, this kind of trust might look something like this prayer:  “God, whatever you want and whatever you say,  I’m going to do because I know that you always lead me to do what is best.  Even if I don’t understand, and even if I don’t agree, I’m going to obey.  I trust you.”    Can you, in all honesty, pray this prayer?
 
                        Trusting God in all circumstances,                                                                                                                          Linda

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February 18th, 2018

2/18/2018

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I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking.  You’re not cold, you’re not hot. 
                                                                         Revelation 3: 15 (Message Bible)
Hello Friend,
 
            The apostle John wrote letters to the seven churches in Asia (and to all believers everywhere) to reveal the true identity of Christ and to give warning and hope to believers.  In this passage, he is writing to the church of Laodicea which had become warm and thus distasteful and repugnant.    John continues, “You’re stale.  You’re stagnant.  You make me want to vomit. . . The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best.  Up on your feet, then!  About face!  Run after God!”
 
            So,  my question for you this morning is, “What does a “hot” Christian look like?”
Does a hot Christian wear a cross around their neck and carry a Bible?  Must they wear Christian emblem-emblazoned clothing?  Are they walking around inquiring of every stranger if they have been saved?  Is that how you would identify a hot Christian? 
 
            I think you can recognize a hot Christian by their works.  Is their heart soft toward the hungry and homeless?  Are they involved in missions?  Mission work can be in your own neighborhood.  A warm Christian sees a need and says, “Oh, that is really so sad.”  A hot Christian rolls up his sleeves and gets to work being the hands of Christ. 
 
            Are you lukewarm?  Or, on fire for God?  Think about the last time you saw a wrong and tried to right it.  Think about the last time you saw a need and tried to meet it.  And don’t even suggest that you brought in cans for the food drive!  Don’t settle for following God halfway.  Put your faith into action!
 
Prayer:  Use me, Lord.  I’m ready for a mission.  I’m all yours.
 
                     My heart is full of burning love,                                                                                                                                                                         Linda
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Grow your love~

2/11/2018

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In a word what I’m saying is, Grow up. 
                                                                          Mathew 5: 48 (Message Bible)
Hello Friend,
 
            Wednesday is Valentine’s Day.  I looked up the scripture reference for my devotional in the Message Bible and it gives the familiar passage an updated, fresh twist.  Listen with an open heart.
            “You’re familiar with the old written law, “Love your friend,” and its unwritten companion, “Hate your enemy.” I’m challenging that.  I’m telling you to love your enemies.  Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.  When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.  This is what God does.  He gives his best – the sun to warm and the rain to nourish – to everyone, regardless:  the good and bad, the nice and nasty.  If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus?  Anybody can do that.  If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?  Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.  In a word, what I’m saying is Grow up.  You’re kingdom subjects.  Now live like it.  Live out your God-created identity.  Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you” (43-48).
            How can you apply this message in your life?  Go ahead and express your love and give cards to your family and friends.  Then give a valentine to your cranky neighbor.  How might that relationship change?  Did you ever consider that there might be a sad or lonely interior beneath that angry expression?  And what about that irritable co-worker?  Could you bring her a valentine with a Starbuck’s gift card tucked inside?  And perhaps, the best valentine you could offer is forgiveness to one who has hurt you.  Reach out and mend that relationship!  God offers grace and mercy to us and surely we don’t deserve it.  Let’s grow up and be our best God-created selves. 
Affirmation:  I will extend love to all:  the nice and the nasty.

            I love you bunches,
                          LInda

                                                                      
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