Laced With Grace

Jim and I are both going through health issues.  I have been living with chronic pain/illness for over 25 years, with the past 10 years mostly home-bound and needing assistance in my daily life.  Now Jim is going through some serious health issues as well.  So what do you do when your main care-giver needs assistance as well?

The other day when a family member called to check to see how Jim and I are feeling, she said, “This is so depressing. You two much be devastated!”  I was a little taken back with that reaction at first, then I replied, “no way, maybe a little perplexed, but not depressed.  God is in control.  He will never allow us to go through more than we can handle.”  Although to be honest, there are moments that I think to myself, “I wish God did not trust me enough to ‘handle’ this much!”

In all seriousness, I believe in the Sovereignty of God.  That all things are under God’s rule and control, and nothing happens without His permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the guidance of His own will (Eph. 1:11). God’s purposes are all-inclusive and never thwarted (Isa. 46:11).  There is nothing that takes Him by surprise. The sovereignty of God is not only that God has the power and right to rule all things, but that He does so, continually and without exception.

A.W. Pink said it beautifully in The Sovereignty of God, Chapter 1.

“What do we mean by [the sovereignty of God]? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the god-hood of God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that God is God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him what doest Thou? (Dan. 4:35). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in Heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will (Psa. 115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is “The Governor among the nations” (Psa. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the “Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.”

So what do you do when the care-giver needs a care-giver?  You trust in the Sovereignty of God.  I rest assured, “… that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

“You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord. “But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’  “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins?  From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”  Malachi 3:13-18 NLT

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the expression, “What’s in it for me?”  I have heard parents ask their children to do something and the child will barter with them before they do what they have been asked to do.

Sometimes I feel that our nation has become a selfish society.  Many have the attitude that unless it benefits them in some particular way they will not do ‘it’.

Unfortunately, this attitude has been brought into the church as well.  Serving and Worshipping God has become more about the worshipper and not the One whom we are to Worship.  Church attendance is not a priority in many Christian lives.  Parents wonder why their grown children no longer attend church.  Maybe those same parents need to think back to when their children were in their home.  Did they, as parents, show their children that God is the number one priority in their home as well in their life?  When a child’s ball game was scheduled at the same time as church did these parents choose worshipping God instead of going to the game?  I believe that if enough Christian parents stand up for what is right there will not be ball games on Sunday mornings.

As Christians we should not go to church or serve the Lord only when it is convenient or we don’t have anything better to do.  When we do we are saying, “What’s in it for me?”  We should worship and serve our Lord because He is worthy of all praise, glory and service.  For He is God!

God will remember those who have been faithful to Him; for those who are faithful will be called His very own special treasure.

So my questions for you today, “Why do you Worship God?”  Do you have the attitude as some, “What’s in it for me?” or “I Worship and serve my risen Savior because He is God and worthy of all honor and praise.”?

In His Time

  For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die.  A time to plant and a time to harvest.  A time to kill and a time to heal.  A time to tear down and a time to build up.  A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.  A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.  A time to embrace and a time to turn away.   A time to search and a time to quit searching.  A time to keep and a time to throw away.   A time to tear and a time to mend.  A time to be quiet and a time to speak.  A time to love and a time to hate.  A time for war and a time for peace.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT)

Timing is so important.  All the experiences listed in the above scripture are appropriate at certain times.

Jim and I have some important decisions to make; most of which have to do with our finances. One of our major decisions right now is in regards to our 17 year old car. Since purchasing the car in 2009 we have spent more money on repairs than it is currently worth.  We hate the thought of going into debt to purchase another vehicle – new or used.    In today’s economy one does not want to make a wrong or hasty decision.  When we do – it can lead to despair and even cause us to doubt or resent God’s timing.

The key to making sure we do not make hasty decisions is a four letter word most of us do not like to hear – WAIT.  This is so difficult when we believe we NEED whatever it may be – and sometimes we really may have a need, but God may want us to wait for His timing.  He only wants the best for us.  When we make a decision we need to have peace with God through prayer to discern, accept and appreciate God’s perfect timing.

So until Jim and I have peace, we choose to wait on God’s timing; trusting in His providence that our prayers will be answered in His time.