Don't Be Blind to God's Works!

It seems like there has been so much tragedy and illness in our community lately and with people I know and love. There have been tragic deaths, injuries, illnesses. We try to help others in need but often they say "I don't need help. God is in control. He will help me."

Well, that brings to mind a story of a man who was sitting on his roof during a flood. First, a boat came by to take him to safety. He refused help and said he trusted God to save him. Next, another boat came by and tried to take him to safety. He again refused and gave the same response. Finally, a helicopter came and tried to take him to safety. Again he refused, saying he trusted God to take care of him.

Finally, the man drowned and went to heaven. He had one pressing question - "Lord, I trusted in you. Why didn't you save me?" The Lord replied: "I tried - I sent two boats and a helicopter!"

The point to this story is don't be blind to the ways that God may be trying to help you! He may be sending friends your way to ease your load and to rescue you from your problems! And, on the other hand, if you see a way to do good and to help someone. Don't deny God the chance to use you as an instrument for his Kingdom!

Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.
Ephesians 5:16 (TLB)

TRUST IN GOD COMPLETELY

I am trying to make a major decision in my life and having trouble deciding what to do. I have been praying for answers as I try to make this decision. I have found a few steps that I think are helpful and I have tried to follow in this and every decision I make.

1. Get quiet. I find a place where it is quiet and I can relax and compose my thoughts.

2. I go to God for answers! Psalms 73:24 says: You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory. God is the greatest counselor there is! His advice is better than any other advice you can receive. If you take His advice, how can you go wrong???

3. Truly listen to God's advice. You may not see anything in writing or actually hear someone talking, but you will hear His voice. God will tell you what to do. He may not tell you the minute you pray, He may not tell you tomorrow, but He will tell you what you need to hear when you need to hear it!!

4. Consciously condition your mind to allow correct thinking - the thinking of Christ. Phillipians 2:5 says: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Think of what Jesus would do in the situation you are in.

5. Be patient. Don't hurry any decision. Wait until you truly hear what God is trying to tell you.

6. Thank God for giving you the right answer because He truly is giving you the right answer! You will have a peace about you when you have followed God's advice and done as He has told you to do.

7. When you have received the answer to your problem from God, trust it completely! Do not doubt the answer. Do not look back and think about what you might have done. Take the answer with faith! Know that you have sought God's advice and that you can trust Him completely! Know that God will see you through all your problems!

Although I sometimes have difficulty making decisions and not looking back and questioning myself, I do find that when I go to God for answers and follow His advice completely and without doubt, things truly work out for the best!

WHEN I NEED TO TRUST MORE

Sometimes I get discouraged. I know we all do. But sometimes I just wonder why my life has turned out like it has - why my health is so poor, why I am so financially strapped all the time even though I try so hard to be a good steward of the money I do have, why I feel so all alone. I often joke that I know that God has a reason for everything but that will be the first question I ask Him when I do see Him face to face - WHY????

But then I realize that no matter what happens, He is beside me every step of the way. He is always there for me to give the strength and courage I need to face each day. He is there to comfort me when I am afraid. He is there to encourage me when I feel overwhelmed. He is there to give me insight and inspiration to confront the problems I face. All I need to do is to trust in the Lord and turn everything over to Him and relinquish my imaginary control!

I thank you, Lord, for all You do in my life - the precious daughter You have given me, for the strength and courage You give me, the friends I have in my life that mean so much, the comfort You give me. I ask your forgiveness for those times that I do lose my trust and get discouraged. I do trust in You!!

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust. Psalm 18:1-2