Discipline, Guide, and Protect

 Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It doesn't matter where we are in life, God is always with us. We might literally be in a very dangerous place, or it may be that we are mentally in a bad place, either way, God is with us.

Psalm 27 asks who should we be afraid of if God is with us. 

Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

 Should we even fear our own thoughts?

God is our strength and guide. The purpose of the rod and staff is for discipline, guidance, and protection. God's ways are all those for us. His commands are not meant to make life hard for us, but to protect and guide us and when needed, discipline us. We should take comfort in the knowledge that God loves us enough to desire to do all that for us. Just as our children know that we love them by giving them guidelines and limits, so must we feel towards God.

Paths of Righteousness

 Psalms 23:3

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

At first glance, one gets the impression that "restoreth" mean a refreshing. While that may be the case here, it is important to look at how God restores our souls.

When we look at the original Hebrew and the meaning of the word, we see that it means to turn back to God, to repent, to come back to a dying relationship. We have a tendency to wander, but God draws us back to Him!

He leads us down the right paths-the paths that lead to Him and the blessing He has for us. When we follow Him and His commands, we can't go wrong. At times it may seem like we are going on the wrong path because it isn't the way everyone else is going, but God's paths always lead to righteousness and His blessings!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

 Proverbs 25:15 KJV

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

When I was young, I was taught a rhyme to say to myself (and sometimes others) when they would say mean things.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

Even though I would say this, I never truly believed it. Words can hurt and sometimes for many years. They can break us even if they are said gently. Words have power. Use them wisely.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

 

Proverbs 24:27 KJV

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Today I would like to view this scripture in light of marriage. Before one can be ready to build their house (ie: get married), they must know who they are in Christ. If you are dealing with any issues emotionally or spiritually, deal with those before trying to move on where those issues can affect others.

Still Waters

 Psalms 23:2

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Green pastures give the idea of abundance and complete provision. I find it interesting that it is a place where God "makes" us lie down. Why wouldn't it be something we wanted to do?

Still waters give a feeling of peace and tranquility. I learned something interesting about sheep and water that really helps bring understanding to this part of the verse.

Sheep can not drink from rough waters. Their nostrils are so close to their mouth that the water would choke them if it was bubbling up when they tried to drink. Still waters is a necessity.

In the same way, peace is a necessity for us. God is gracious enough to pour His peace on us. When we follow Him, we can experience true peace.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

 

 Proverbs 23:13 KJV

Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

It is our job as parents to discipline our children. It is up to us to correct bad behavior. Sometimes that may mean spanking, but it does not mean to cause harm. When we do it, it is our goal to turn them from the  bad road they are on. We want them to experience God's best for them.

Psalm 23

In his commentary of Psalm 23, Matthew Henry wrote of verse one:

I shall be supplied with whatever I need, and if I have not every thing I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me, or I shall have it in due time.

Oh, that I would have this perspective! Many times I have acted as a spoiled brat when I didn't get what I wanted, when I wanted it. Oh, Father, forgive me for all those times!

I should rest in knowing that God is a good shepherd and will take care of all I need, when I need it. I can rest in His perfect timing and perfect provisions. I can have peace that when I don't get something I desire, that there is good reason for it.

The Lord is my Shepherd

 Psalms 23:1 KJV

<<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

At first read, one would see this as not wanting a shepherd-a guide, a protector, a provider. This understanding fits  how people usually are. We want to be in control. We want to be independent. We want to say we did something on our own.

Another rendering is that with the Lord as our Shepherd, we shall never be in want of anything because He provides and takes care of all. This understanding also fits as it follows God's character.

No matter which way you choose to understand this scripture, both are true.

For far too long, I have lived believing the first and fighting against God wanting to protect me, provide for me, and take care of me. 

God led me to Psalm 23 at the beginning of this month and although I have read it every day and am working on memorizing it, I have decided to dig in and look closely at each verse. I know there is much here that I miss with just reading it and not studying it.

Unity and Peace

 Ephesians 4:1-6 KJV

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

As I read this passage, I was struck by how much Christians are not living this way. My biggest stressors during all this covid mess is the disunity among the nation and how Christians are treating one another. 

We are to walk worthy of being called Christ followers. This means we are to walk as Chirst would have walked. 

We are to humble ourselves, be gentle and have patience as we endure (and help others endure) these hard times.

We are called to be in unity and peace. Yet, it doesn't seem like God's people are even striving for unity. Have we forgotten what we are called to do?

Why I Haven't Been Posting

Isla Grace Josephine joined our family nine days after her due date on July 18th at 7:58 pm! She was 9 lbs 7 oz and 22" long.

We were able to experience another wonderful home water birth. I truly believe Plexus supplements helped me have another great experience.

As some of you know, I started Plexus during my pregnancy with Gordon and it was the best pregnancy since my first few. Well, this pregnancy went well, too. What was an even better benefit this time is that the labor went better than the last few. With the last two I had more bleeding than before, but this time it was back to normal. Also, active labor was only 3 hours long and I only had to push a few times. Recovery is going better, too!😁 Gordon was smaller than the two previous him and Isla was even smaller!

I am sure this is because of my Plexus supplements. I feel so much better overall and love that I had such a great labor and delivery at my age.🥰

Plexus is still offering wholesale pricing for an entire year for only $9.95! Also, because I am so happy with how well my delivery went, I will be giving a free gift to the first three that decide to start their own journey to better health with me!😊

Forgetting What is Behind

Philippians 3:13-14 KJV

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

How do we forget what is behind and move on? It seems like Satan is good at bringing up the past. It is hard to move on when there are constant reminders of past sins.

Don't Faint

"[M]en ought always to pray, and not to faint." ~ Luke 18:1b

Luke 18:1-8 tells us the parable of the widow and judge. The judge did not fear God, therefore, he would not serve justice for the widow. However, the widow did not give up! The widow continued to go to him and seek justice. The judge finally served justice because the widow did not relent and it was the only way to get her to stop.

I think we can glean much from this for our current life circumstances. There is no question that some of us in America live under unjust governors and political leaders. Let us not give up! May be be relentless in seeking truth and justice. God has given us rights and we must stand for those rights!

Sin Comes in the Waiting

Genesis 12:4 KJV

So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Genesis 15:1-6 KJV

1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Genesis 17:1 KJV 

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Genesis 17:21 KJV

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

I had been thinking about the story of Abraham so I opened my Bible and started reading to refresh my memory.

Abraham was 75 years old when God first told Him that He would make him a great nation. God then reminded Abraham years later of that promise. Then, ten years after God first told him taht He would bless him with children, Abraham and Sarah had felt they had waited long enough and he took Hagar so that he may have a child. Another ten years passed before Sarah conceived and had Isaac.

Now Abraham had believed God every time He said that He would make him a great nation, so why didn't he wait on His timing?

You see, sin often comes in the waiting.

We get impatient with God's timing. We think we need it now-or at least sooner than He is providing it. We try to take things into our own hands and it almost always causes grief and turmoil. Not only did Sarah end up sending Hagar and Ishmael away due to strife of having them around, but Ishmael's seed and Issac's seed have been fighting ever since.

When we are praying for something, we should also be praying that god strengthens us to wait on His timing. We know that His plans, His timing, is best, yet we still get impatient.

I think that after 40 years of trying to push my timing on His plans that I finally have my eyes opened enough to pray more for strength in waiting than for the desire itself. I am tired of the negative consequences. I am tired of the sin of not waiting leading to more sin. That first sin usually starts with a "small" disobedience, but it leads to larger and larger sins (if we don't catch ourselves and confess and repent right away).

Do you find that sin comes in the waiting? Do you pray for strength to wait on His timing?

Isaiah 60:22b 

I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

Change Begins with Us

Joel 2:12-13 KJV

12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

There is much evil in our world today. There is much unrest and division in the USA. There are many people calling for change.

Change IS needed; however, people are looking elsewhere for change. Change needs to begin in our own hearts!

Each individual person needs to start with themselves. When people are right with God and strong in faith, then we will have strong marriages and families. When we have strong marriages and families, we will have strong communities. When we have strong communities, we will have strong counties. With strong counties, we will have strong states. And then, with strong states, we can have a strong nation.

It all begins with us! Turn to God. Seek Him. Check you heart!

Walk Worthy

1 Thessalonians 2:12

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

We are called to walk worthy of God. What exactly does that mean?

Well, from reading scripture, we know it means following His commands. However, does that mean just following His commands sometimes? No! We are to live in a way that we would not be ashamed if others knew. We should not have to put on a show in front of some people. We should not fear embarrassment that others would discover a thought, word, or deed we have done.

Yes, we are sinners, but we must be ready to confess our sins and not hide them. We are to strive for perfection/holiness because that is what we are called to achieve.

1 Peter 1:12-16 KJV

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

May we all strive to walk worthy of God. May we all strive to follow His commands at all times. May we live a life that is not full of shame and embarrassment at our actions. May we confess our sins to God and others.

Honest with God

Luke 22:42-43 KJV

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

Most people have a hard time being honest with God about their feelings. We are either ashamed of them or think God doesn't care about or feelings and only our obedience. Here we see that He does want to hear.

Christ was honest with His father about how he was feeling. The key though is He didn't whine and complain. He simply stated His feelings and then acknowledged that God's will was great than His feelings. Christ transitioned from full honesty to full faith.

Do you see what happened next? God sent an angel to strengthen Him. The Father didn't scold Christ for His honesty; He strengthened Him for what was to come.

We need to be fully honest with God. We need to not only be honest, but we need to accept that God may call us to do something against our feelings and that is okay because if He calls us to something, He will strengthen us to do it!

Walk in Them

Ephesians 2:10 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We've looked at this verse not too long ago, but I would like to look at it in a different way today. Before we focused on the fact that God created us. Today, I would like to focus on the word, "walk".

What are we to walk in?

      The good works that God before hath ordained.

How are we to know what those good works are?

      By reading and studying the Bible.

One clue we can gather from the verses around this one is that most likely the good works will look different than the world around us. We are to walk in these good works after we have received new life through Christ Jesus.

Walked on Water

Matthew 14:29 KJV 

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

"walked on the water"

I find this so amazing. How exciting it would be to walk on water!

What is deeper, however, is more amaing.

It took great faith on Peter's part to walk on the water. When he took his eyes off his Lord, he began to sink.

This poses a great lesson for us. We must keep our eyes on Christ. We can not let oursleves get distracted by the things of this world. Focus on Christ and always walk toward Him.

Walk in the Way

Isaiah 30:21 KJV

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

"This is the way, walk ye in it." (emphasis mine)

God's Word tells us exactly how we should walk. All we need to do is pay attention and follow His commands.

What I find interesting is that the voice is heard from behind, not in front of us. Most leaders lead from the front, but God doesn't always lead that way. He leads by guiding us gently. He leads even though we turn from the right or the left and are niether in front or behind Him. No matter where we are, we can hear His voice if we listen. He never leaves us; He is always there.

Walk Honestly, part 2

Romans 13:13-14 KJV

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Luke 21:34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

chambering - a bed, marriage bed, adultery
wantonness - unbridled lust, promiscuous, offensive sexual behavior
envying - zeal in pursuing something
surfeiting - the "buzz"

I wrote on Romans 13:13-14 before, but I am digging deeper this time.

Envying is often equated to jealousy, however, it can also mean a zeal at pursuing or defending something. This could be having a passion for something so much that it is your focus and you put all other things aside to pursue/defend this thing.

It also speask about not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. Most people automatically think of sexual lusts (which in many cases it is), however, it is really just a desire or longing for something forbidden. God calls us to live for eternity. We are not to be of this world, yet I see many Christians more worried about/desiring for things of this world over eternity. This would be "lusts of the flesh."

We can then look at Luke 21:34. Here ist speaks of the same thing. What I see is the comparison of the "cares of this world" to "surfeiting and drunkenness."

Most alcoholics drinkto drown their sorrows (the cares of this life), but what I want to focus on is that when someone is drunk (or even buzzed), their senses are numbed; they don't think clearly, and they do and say things they normally wouldn't. Doesn't the same thing happen when someone is focused on the cares of this world? They will say mean and hurtful things to their friends and family. They will look down in judgement towards anyone not doing what they think they should be doing. They start accusing others of what they perceive instead of seeking understanding.

We are to put on Christ instead of making provision for the flesh. We are to fulfill Christ's calling, not the lusts of the flesh.

The comparison to thisis Ephesians 5:18,

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

We are to act this way while being filled ith the Spirit. This means we are to pour out love, comapssion, and understanding instead of jusgement, accusations, and contempt. We are to be so filled with the Spirit that He flows out of our mouths.

Walk and Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 KJV

1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

walk = peripotaeo - to make one's way, to live, to regulate one's life, to conduct one's self

Here we are encouraged to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. We know His commands and need to live by them. When we do so, we will abound (have abundance).

We do not need to wonder how to have a better life; we just need to follow God's commands. Wehne we do, we will learn that those commands are there for our good and not to be mean.

Prayer and Obedience

2 Chronicles 15:4-7 KJV

4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. . . . 7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

Christians often say that if God's people would just pray more, then He would hear and answer their prayers. At times, I have even thought that more prayer was the answer; however, the more I read and study my Bible, I see there is more needed than just prayer.

Here we see that the people are toldto seek God. This is usually done through study and prayer. What we also see is that just a few verses later it says that "your work will be rewarded." What work is this talking about? Wouldn't this workbe the doing of what God calls us to do? Our obedience?

You see, just praying and asking God for help won't always be enough. We have to be obedient and comply with what He has called us to do.

If we go back a few chapters to 2 Chronicles 7:14, we see that not only are we called to pray and seek, but also, humble ourselves and turn from our wickedness. These are not just suggestions! We need to be obedient.

While I agree that God's people need to pray more (prayer is often a last resort instead of a first line of defense), I also believe we need to be more obeident.

More prayer and more obedience!

Walk Uprightly

Psalms 84:11

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Proverbs 2:7

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

uprightly=tamiym, strong's #8549
     complete, whole, entire, sound

uprightly=tom, strong's #8537
     integrity, completeness

We are to alk completely with God. We are to give Him our entire life and be completely His.

This means that we can't just trust Him with our eternit, but we trust Him with our present. It doesn't mean that we only spend time with Him on Sundays and Wednesdays, but we give Him every day. It doesn't mean that we only pray when we need something, but we commune with Him always (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV, "Pray without ceasing.")

We can't just pick and choose God, we must give ourselves completely, wholly, perfectly to Him!

Walk Humbly

Micah 6:8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

According to my footnote, "walk humbly" can also be translated "humbly thyself to walk". This puts a little different twist on it for me.

Often, we want to do things our way; we want to be in control. Here we are told that we need to be humble ourselves to walk with God. We are not in contorl, instead, we are in commune with God. It also helpus us to understand that to walk humbly is a verb and not just an adverb. We have to do something-humble ourselves.

Other examples of how humbling ourselves is an action are Luke 18:14 and Philippians 2:6-8.

Luke 18:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Philippians 2:6-8 KJV

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Since it is an action, how do we go about humbling ourselves? Here are some ideas from Kyle Idleman in his book, the end of me.

• To humble myself, I voluntarily confess sin.

• To humble myself, I give sacrificingly and anonymously.

• To humble myself, I treat others better than myself.

• To humble myself, I ask for help. 

[H]umbling yourself is not beating yourself up or believing you should be treated poorly.

Would you add anything to the list of ways we can humble ourselves?

Walk in His Truth

Psalms 86:11

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Walk in His truth.

What does that mean? It means to remember His promisses and to walk in them. It means to fear Him and not things of this world.

Psalm 86 is full of the truths we need to remember and walk in.

• God is good (all the time!)-verse 5
• He is ready to forgive-verse 5
• He is mericful-verse 5
• God hears our prayers and attends to them-verse 6
• God answers-verse 7
• There is no other god-verses 8 & 10
• He is great and does wonderous things-verse 10
• He delivers souls from hell-verse 13
• He is full of compassion, gracious longsuffering, merciful, and full of truth-verse 15
• He gives strength-verse 16
• He helps and comforts-verse 17

Live as Conquerors!

Romans 8:31

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

In these days of distress and peril and according to some, famine, these verses are of great comfort to me. God has already overcome this world and everything in it. This COVID-19 is no surprise to Him; however, we need to remember that He has already conquered this!

God is in control. Our time will end when He says it will end. But until that time comes, we need to live as conquerors because that is what we are!

Plan and Purpose

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. It may not always look like what we think it should be or what we desire it to be, but that doesn't mean there isn't purpose.

God dos not desire bad things for us, but we may see something as bad even thought it is for our good. For example, when in college, I was engaged to my high-school sweet heart. That came to a crashing end when he confessed he was cheating on me and had before. I thought my world had come to a crashing end. However, as I grew and matured in my relationship with Christ, I saw that it was for my good.

It was through that experience that I realized I had nothing to offer God. I realized I truly needed Him and a relationship with Him. It is what drove me to my knees and caused me to be at the end of myself and give myself fully to Christ.  It also opened up avenues for me to meet and get to know my husband.

I definitely didn't like going through the pain, and even after I gave my life to Christ, I would question His goodness in the situation, but that didn't change the fact that it was good.

Difficult times can cause us to pull away from God or run closer to Him. I suggest running to Him. Seek His peace, His strength, His love. He desires to give us an expected end!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Most people, even Christians, desire to become rich some day. They work lots of hours to make more money and have many things. However, scripture tells us that shouldn't be our goal. I am not saying being rich is bad (because it can be a blessing from obedience to God), but we shouldn't strive for that. We should strive to obtain and keep a good name and loving favor. It should be our goal to be like Christ-that is better than silver or gold.

Walk Worthy

Colossians 1:10-12 KJV

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father,

Walk worthy.

Be fruitful to good works.

Increase in knowledge of God.

Strengthened by His might.

Be patient and longsuffering with joyfulness.

Give thanks to God.

It seems so simple, yet it is difficult when we let our flesh and the world get in the way.

I desire to walk worthy. I need to look to Him and seek His strength.

Thankful for Sin

1 Timothy 1:15

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

After reading 1 Timothy, I read a quote by A.W. Tozer. He was talking about being bold in prayer.

"Only last Friday night I said to God in prayer: "I am glad I sinned, God; I'm glad I sinned, for Thou dids't come to save sinners."

Wow!

The Word tells us to give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.), but I never thought about being thankful for my sin! But if you think about it, Tozer is right; it is only by our sin that we come to know Christ!

We also know, by God's Word, that God is in control of all things so we know He will use all things for His honor and His glory.

This makes me even consider our current situation of having our freedoms removed under the guise of a virus. God will use even this for His glory; therefore, we must be thankful for this.

He used the Israelites' bondage in Egypt for His glory when He led them to the Promise Land. He used the religious persecution of the pilgrims to His glory by leading them to America which started a new nation. He used the persecution of the Jews under Hitler to strengthen His people and weed out the unfaithful to show future generations the atrocities of being "lukewarm" in faith and following evil under the guise of "protection".

Let us be thankful for our current situation and bold in prayers!

Bless the Lord!

Psalms 103:1-5 KJV

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Praise God! He loves us and does so much for us even though we don't deserve it!

Sometimes it may not always feel like love because it doesn't happen the way we think it should, but it is love nonetheless.

He forgives all our sin. It isn't that He only forgives some of it or that He picks and chooses. He forgives all.

He heals all diseases. This is one that people might debate. We know people die from cancer or even the latest, the coronavirus; however, if that person is a child of God, then even in death, they are healed. They are pain free and healthy for eternity.

He redeems our lives from destruction. If we continue in a life of sin, it will lead to destruction whether here on earth or eternity in hell. He saves us from all of that!

He shows us loving kindness and mercy. Even though we don't deserve to be treated with mercy, He gives it anyway. He loves us beyond measure.

He blesses us with good things. Sometimes we may not initially see that gift as a good thing, but He always desires the best for us and knows what we need. Through something may be difficult doesn't mean it isn't good.

He renews our strength. There are times when we feel we can't go on, but He helps us. He sends comfort and encouragement through His Spirit and/or the people around us. We were not designed to live this life alone and with Him, we are never alone.

Abundant Life, Part 2

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Before, I mentioned that people are living in fear and anxiety. They are allowing Satan to steal their joy, kill their hope, and destroy faith. What I have realized is that although I am not living in fear of this virus, I am still allowing Satan to destroy. He is destroying friendship. He is stealing the opportunity to be open and honest with those we are close to.

My husband has commented lately that his "wife is gone". I am not the same.

I have been upset about broken friendships. I have been struggling with mothering issues and can't  go to my normal  tribe for advice or encouragement. I am allowing the unknowns of financial changes stress me out. All of this has me questioning if I am actually doing what God has called me to do.

This all seems normal to me and the one friend I have that still talks to me about issues says that it isn't out of the ordinary, however, I am still allowing Satan to destroy. This is affecting my relationship with my husband. I have allowed these struggles to affect my home.

Christ came so I could have a life of joy, peace, and love, yet I am not embracing that right now.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 21:14

A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

It is much better to give a gift without the expectation of a gift in return. Most often, other people will now if you re giving because you want to or because you feel obligated. It is a matter of the heart. It is joyful to both parties when the gift is given out of love.

Abundant Life, Part 1

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

God sent His only Son to earth so that we could have hope for something better-eternal life. Christ died on the cross for our sins, but He rose again! He defeated death!

Not only did He take our punishment for our sins, He also lived as an example for us. He had a life filled with peace, joy, and love. Sure He endured difficult trials, but He didn't endure them alone; He had God with Him at all times.

We, too, have God with us through the Holy Spirit. It is through this indwelling and Christ's sacrifice that we can have an abundant life.

Christ's life and death wasn't just to give us eternal life. It was to give us an abundant life (on earth and in heaven).

I was brought to  tears recently when pondering Christ's sacrifice and how many people are living today. I was overcome with the thought that He died in vain.

Satan comes to steal our joy. He comes to destroy our peace. He comes to bring fear and anxiety and kill our hope. However, Christ came for the opposite! He came to bring joy, peace, and hope! When we live in fear and anxiety, are we not saying that what Christ did wasn't enough?

I am sometimes guilty of this myself, but then I remember what Christ has already done. He didn't give His life so I can live in fear! I have a hope-a hope and knowledge that all is in God's control and that He loves me and wants the best (His best) for me.

Christ's shed blood is enough! It is enough to give us life and to live it abundantly. It is not just for certain people; it is for everyone!

I pray I never live in a way that Christ's sacrifice seems in vain. I want to embrace all He has for me.Sometimes that means walking through the hard things with Him in order to get to the abundance on the other side.

Focusing on all that Satan is doing or trying to do isn't honoring Christ's sacrifice. Focusing on how Christ has already defeated Satan helps us keep the hope alive and draws us closer to a truly abundant life-a life filled with love, joy, and peace.

2 Year Anniversary!

Two years ago I made the decision to work on my health. I sold some items I had around the house and used that money to sign as an ambassador for Plexus and get my first month products. I didn't know how I was going to pay for future months, but I knew I needed to do something.

Within just a few days I saw improvements in my energy levels. Then I realized I was sleeping better. I went on to realize that I wasn't experiencing the normal aches and pains that I usually did during pregnancy.

God has provided for my supplements each month. The first month I earned enough to pay for most of the supplements I needed. The next month even more was paid for. The next month, all my supplements were paid for. After that, I was able to start Chad on the supplements as well using what I made to pay for them.

Over the next year, my income was enough some months to not only pay for our supplements, but provided some extra as well. We have also been able to try even more of what Plexus offers and have been able to have our children also use the products. I have even earned prizes during incentives that are above and beyond my earnings!

Plexus has been such a blessing to us in more that just our health. The financial benefits have been tremendous (especially now with Chad being laid off work due to the governor's mandates). I also found that I joined a family that day that has walked beside me in my journey. They offer encouragement, pray for me, and help me grow as a person regardless of the business.

I am so thankful that God brought Plexus into my life. I am thankful for my friend who continued to patiently share with me the benefits of Plexus. I am thankful for the financial help it has brought to our family.

Do any of these benefits sound like something you would like to see? I would love to share with you as my friend shared with me!

Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We are to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called."

I am thankful that Paul goes on to tell us how that looks.

lowliness = humbleness

meekness = gentleness

longsuffering = persevering with patience

forbearing one another in love = holding each other up with love/taking care of each others/ supporting each other lovingly

endeavouring to keep unity = doing as much as we can to be unified but also realizing it will take the Spirit to help us.

I have the tendency to turn things like this into a checklist of how I am to live, but that is not the intent. This is a guide for us. In the end, it can't be just about how we act, but it is an heart issue. These actions need to come from a heart that loves God and loves others. If we are just worried about how it looks externally then we truly aren't walking worthy of God's calling on our lives.

Also, notice that all these things can be done by everyone. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, if you have a job outside the home or if you keep the home, or even if you have lots of friends or just a few. We can all walk worthy if we have a heart that truly loves God.

Workmanship

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

I love this verse! It is a great reminder that God made us! The word, "workmanship" has a connotation of high quality. So, not only did God make us, but we are of high quality!

Created has the literal sense of forming and shaping us with His hands, but in the Greek, it also means to completely change or transform. So, God formed us, but then also transformed us through Christ Jesus!

God desires all to know Him! He has ordained (made ready) that all should be transformed and walk with Christ.

Have you accepted His transformative power and walk with Christ?

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 20:29

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

So many women spend hundreds of dollars a year on covering their gray hair. Why? God tells us that gray hair is a beauty in old age. It shouldn't be something that we try to cover up.

God's Gift

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

There is absolutely no way we can save ourselves. When we try to be good enough or do enough good, it can never be enough. It is only through the blood of a perfect sacrifice that our sins can be covered.

The only thing we can do is to accept the gift from God of His Son. A gift doesn't mean that it is automatically ours. Just as you need to receive a gift on your birthday, you need to receive the gift from God. He makes the gift available to everyone; however, not everyone accepts it.

Have you accepted God's gift?

Raised Up

Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

For some reason, as I read this verse, I picture the scene from Lion King where the father lifts up Simba so all the animals can see. He was so proud of having a son that he wanted all to know.

Isn't it similar with God and us? His desire is for us to know Him and accept Christ's sacrifice. When we do, He is excited about happy. He wants others to know that there is a new addition to His family.

He not only raises us up to be recognized, but raises us from our lowly state to the heavenly realms where we will reside with Christ.

Oh, what a glorious thought!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 19:14

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

I read this and see instructions for life. We are to live in such a way as to leave things for our children. I have heard some people say that their children don't deserve anything and they are going to spend it all while they can, but that is just not biblical. As a woman, I am called to be prudent which means wise, understanding, to give attention, to teach. I can't just set back and let my husband do all the hard work.

By Grace

Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Sin brings death (Genesis 2:17, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.). While Adam and Eve may have thought physical death, it actually meant the spiritual death-death of the relationship with God.

We are able to restore/make alive that relationship with God but there is only one way-through the blood of Christ. God, in His grace and mercy, created a way for us to live again.

We can't do enough good works to revive the relationship. Renewal of life only comes by confession and redemption by Christ's shed blood for us.

Thank you, Lord, for Your grace!

But God

Ephesians 2:4

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

But God.

I have come to love those two words. It means that when we feel one way or think one way, that God is different and has different plans.

In the verses preceding this, we are told of how wicked we were before knowing Christ-how depraved our lives were. However, even in that depraved state, God loved us! His love for us was so great that He sacrificed His only Son for us. He showed us mercy not because we deserved it, but because He loves us.

But God.

Those words bring me hope when I hear them!

Quickened

Ephesians 2:1

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

quickened = made alive

Why would we need to be made alive? It says right there-because we were dead in our sins.

We aren't physically dead (although physical death is a part of sin), but we are spiritually dead due to sin. Sin separates us from God; therefore, we are spiritually dead.

What I find amazing in all of this is that God not only loved us enough to want to make us alive again-to be spiritually alive, but the cost of doing so. He sacrificed His only Son for us! That is some amazing love!

Holy and Without Blame

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

I have been reading Ephesians 1:1-14 everyday for a while as I study who I am in Christ. For some reason the second half of verse four stood out to me, "that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

The idea that I can be "holy and without blame" is humbling and mind blowing to me.

As humans, we tend to hold on to past hurts-either our own or those done to us, or even those we have done to others. However, this verse shows that we can stand before God without any of those hurts!

It is not until we are washed in the blood of Christ that we are truly clean. It is only then that we can be found "holy and without blame" because God only sees Christ.

Revelation 1:5 tells us that we are washed "from our sins in his own blood."

The purpose of washing is to remove dirt and grim. We do it to be clean and without blemish. The only way to do that with our sin is with what is pure and holy-Christ's shed blood-blood that was shed for us for that purpose.

Once we are washed, God removes our sin "as far as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12). That means they are removed from us so far they are gone. We no longer need to carry them or see them when we look in the mirror.

Praise God for His mercy and grace!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Pride usually blinds our eyes to our shortcomings and areas that need improvement. If we continue to ignore the problems, they will continue to  grow and will cause destruction. However, when we are humble enough to look at our faults and seek wisdom, then we can grow, mature, and become worthy of honor. No one is perfect and only those who are humble enough to know that will receive true honor.

Choose Praise

Acts 16:25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Paul and Silas were in prison-not just in prison, but in the inner prison with their feet in stocks (and this was after being beaten). They could have spent their time depressed about where they were. They could have spent their time worried about what would happen to them in the morning. They could have worried about if they were going to die.

But they didn't.

They "sang praises unto God." They chose to think on the good. They chose to remember who was in control.

And do you know what? Those around them were paying attention! Whether we like it or not, others are watching us. Our life is our testimony. Others are paying attention to how we deal with stress and the unknown. They may not say anything, but our actions and our words are affecting many of those around us.

What are people seeing? Are they seeing you filled with fear, or are they seeing your complete faith in God? Are they seeing anxiety and unrest, or are they seeing peace?

Paul and Silas showed others about God and they came to know Him. None of the prisoners left when the doors opened. That would have only happened if their hearts were changed. Then, the guard and his family came to know God as well.

Our responses can have lasting affects on the kingdom of God and the eternal lives of others.

Think on Whatever is Good

Philippians 4:4-9 KJV

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

"Rejoice in the Lord alway." (emphasis mine)

We are to always be praising God and looking for the positive in all situations. This reminds me of James 1:2.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

"moderation" = suitable, equitable, fair, mild, gentle

As Christians we are to be different from the world. Our actions should be fair and gentle so much so that we are known for it.

"careful" = anxious

We should not let anxiety rule in our hearts. Whenever we feel anxiety rising, we need to go to the Lord in prayer. We need to ask Him for his peace and thank Him that he is in control. When we go to Him and request peace, His peace will fill our hearts.

In verse 8, Paul admonishes us to think on the good. Studies have shown that what we focus on is more likely to happen. So, if we focus on fear and anxiety, then we will get more fear and anxiety. However, when we focus on truth and those things that are lovely and true, we will get more peace. This is why having a heart of gratitude is so important!

It is important for us to put into practice what we learn in God's Word. When we live life as God calls us to live, then "the God of peace shall be with you."

Sealed

Ephesians 1:13

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

To be sealed means we have a mark on us which shows others that we are different. That mark is the Holy Spirit in us. Once the Holy Spirit resides in our hearts, then our lives should be marked by many differences from those of this world.

To be sealed also conjures a type of protection. We are sealed and protected from Satan. Just as Satan had to get permission from God to attack Job, so he needs permission from God to attack those of us sealed by Him. God does not give us more than we can handle because we can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13).

We shouldn't stress about the trials we endure because we know that we are sealed by the Spirit. I 'm not saying that is easy, but if we remember that we have the power of the Spirit in us, then we are more able to fight and endure the trials.

Redemption

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Redemption.

What a wonderful word. I never thought about it much until after watching Beyond the Mask. It is a great movie that demonstrates redemption. But let's look closer.

redemption = a releasing effected by payment of ransom.

Christ redeemed us by paying our debt for us. His shed blood paid for what we should have paid. He paid the ransom for us!

When I think of that word, ransom, I feel even further loved. Most experts will tell you not to pay a ransom because not only may you not actually get back what you desire, but they may come gain and demand more money.

Christ loves us enough that He paid the ransom even though there is the risk that we don't want to be with Him. He paid even thought He knew that Satan wasn't going to give up and would continue to attack.

Let's look at another word, forgiveness.

forgiveness = release from bondage or imprisonment; forgiveness or pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty.

When we commit sin, we are placing our selves in bondage to that sin. We will remain in that sin until we are freed through forgiveness. The bonus is that when Christ forgives, He forgets about the offense! It is like it never happened because we are an new. That is the richness of His grace!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 17:6

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

I don't think I have met a grandparent who didn't love being a grandparent. I am always being told how wonderful it is. Grandparents gush over their grandchildren and usually spoil them. Most children see their fathers as a type of super hero. They look up to their fathers as if they can conquer the world. I love the image of family this portrays as God's will.

Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This seems like a paradox, but let's dig deeper.

poor = lacking in anything , helpless, powerless, reduced to begging

When we are at the end of ourselves, that is exactly how we are. We can't "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps" because we don't have bootstraps to pull. We have nothing to offer. That is when God moves in and gives us His kingdom.

We can receive His gift because we are no longer trying to get there on our own. There is the saying that sometimes people need to hit rock bottom before they will look up. Well, that is being poor in spirit.

I can't do this life on my own. My sin is too great. I don't have enough strength to endure the trials. I need Him!

Accepted

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Accepted.

I always thought that just meant that He wanted us, that He chose us. However, when I look up the original Greek, it means, "to make graceful, charming, lovely, agreeable."

The word, "make", threw me so I looked back at the verse and it says, "made." Hmm. This is important.

In our sin, we are not lovely or even agreeable to God. We oppose Him and His ways. Our sin makes us filthy and even when we think we are doing good, "our righteousness are as filthy rags."

The important thing to realize is that He chose to make us clean and acceptable! He did all the world. It is nothing we can do!

Adopted

Romans 8:14-16 KJV

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

If we are adopted, we are certainly wanted/chosen. God desired us to have a closer relationship with Him than to just be His creation.

When we are led by the Spirit of God, we then have His power! We no longer need to be slaves to sin and fear. That is why we can cry out to Abba Father, and He will answer. He has sent His Spirit to speak to our hearts to comfort, encourage, and reprimand just like we parents do for our earthly children.

A.W. Tozer explains it well in His book, God's Pursuit of Man.

How can one personality enter another? The candid reply would be simply that we do not know, but a near approach to an understanding may be made by a simple analogy borrowed from the old devotional writers of several hundred years ago. We place a piece of iron in a fire and blow up the coals. At first we have two distinct substances, iron and fire. When we insert the iron in the fire we achieve the penetration of the iron and we have not only the iron in the fire but the fire in the iron as well. They are two distinct substances, but they have co-mingled and interpenetrated to a point where the two have become one.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 16:32

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

This verse is pretty straightforward that it is important to control yourself and your anger. Anger can cause division and strife. Anger is also a fleshly response to our selfishness. God desires us to overcome our flesh and strive to be like Christ. It is much harder to overcome our own flesh than to overcome other people. We should admire those who desire self-control over their anger.

Elect

1 Peter 1:2

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

The children and I are studying 1 Peter in our Bible class for school. we have read through the whole book and again through chapter one a few times (and we have been studying 1 Peter on Wednesday nights at church, too!), but it wasn't until recently that the word "elect" stood out to me.

elect = picked out, chosen, chosen by God

Maybe it is because I am really trying to learn who I am in Christ, but this hit me. Not only was I chosen, but He chose me before the world began. The foreknowledge of God the Father means He created a way of sanctification (Christ) because He had already chosen me!

Doesn't it feel good knowing you have been chosen? As children, we desire to be chosen to play on teams and as long as we aren't "chosen" last, we feel good. But do you remember how it felt on the rare occasion you were chosen first? It made my day!

Well, this is even better! God chose us before we even knew we were available to be chosen! We don't have to wonder if we were just the best option available. He wanted us!

In fact, He desired us so much that He sent His Son to earth do die for us-our sins, our wrongdoings. As a mother, I can't imagine that level of sacrifice, but God did it freely!

Chosen

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

chosen-to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one's self.

Being chosen means we are wanted, desired, and loved.

Before God created this world, He knew man would sin. He knew He would have to send His only Son to shed His blood for us. Yet He still created this world knowing the sacrifice that was needed. He did so because He loves us and wanted us. He desires us to be with Him.

He doesn't just want us to love Him because He created us to do that, He desires us to choose Him back. This cannot be a one way relationship! I have chosen to follow Him, but I can't forget that He chose me first.

Even despite knowing that I would forsake Him, that I would follow fleshly lusts, that I would break His heart-He still chose me!

I am special because He chose me, but that doesn't mean others are special! He chose all of us. Christ can so that all may be saved!

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Our identities should rest in the knowledge that the creator of this world desires us-chose us. If you would be excited to be chosen to meet the president of the US or the Queen of England, how much more special are you that God chose you?!

Walk With a Heart of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Remember when I wrote about how we are to walk in love? I discussed things that Christ did that are examples of walking in love; however, I now see that we could do those things, but if our heart isn't right, they would mean nothing. We can do all the "right" things, but if our heart isn't doing them out of love, then they mean nothing.

I don't want to be like an empty vessel. I don't want to be all talk and not walk.

Lord, Help me have a heart of love. May I live with love towards You and others. May my actions be backed by love for others and not love for myself. Help me go against the way the world says and live how You call me to live. It will take true love to withstand the opposition of the world and I pray that Your love would be in me.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

It is easy to yell at someone whey they are yelling at you. It is easy to "fight back" with words when someone is speaking harshly to you. However, what does that accomplish? Usually more of the same.

It takes great control to speak quietly and calmly and to be careful of word choice, but it does help. It can bring a sense of calm to the situation when one does this.

I have been trying to do this and it does work (surprise, surprise!). I have found if I say a prayer and ask God to help me, it is easier to give a soft answer.

Walk Together

Amos 3:3

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

At first read, my mind goes to a marriage relationship. A couple will not be successful unless they are in agreement with one another; they must be one.

However, A.W. Tozer puts it in the context of our relationship with Christ. "[W]e cannot walk with Him unless we are agreed; and if we are not agreed, we will not walk with Him in harmony and fruitfulness and blessing."

How can we be in agreement with Christ? We must cultivate the relationship! We must spend time with Him. We must seek His discernment. We cannot experience His power and revelation without being in agreement with Him.

Walking with God Will Include Suffering

1 Peter 3:17

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

1 Peter 4:19

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

I wrote in the past about how we need to walk the path God has for us and that our path isn't going to be the same as someone else (Walk Your Path). We see here in these verses that sometimes the path He has for us may include suffering.

We may wonder why God would will us to suffer. Isn't life supposed to be better with God?

Well, do we think we are better than Christ? Christ was perfect yet endured much suffering. If we expect to not suffer, then we think we are better than Christ.

Also, if Christ suffered for us (taking on our sin and the punishment of death), then is it really too much for Him to ask us to suffer for Him? No! We should be willing and ready to suffer for well doing.

Besides, God will use our suffering for good (Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.).

We see how God will do this in:

1 Peter 2:12

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 1:6-7

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4:16 

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Our sufferings may lead others to Christ. They may strengthen our faith or the faith of others. And above all, our sufferings give glory to God.

The next time I am enduring suffering for doing good, I need to remind myself that it might be God's will. I shouldn't ask why, but instead give Him glory for what He will do through it.