Changing One Life, Reaching Many....

Ain't That A Kick In The Head...

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. (Genesis 3:18 NIV)

Have you ever been attacked by enemies? It is hard to understand unprovoked attacks and even harder to reconcile why they sometimes continue without end. No matter how much good you try to do, the enemies simply won't be satisfied until they see you destroyed. This may seem harsh, but the truth is this happens to many good people. It happens in families, on the jobs and yes, even in our churches. No one is immune to the disease of evil, and I believe that Christians face more enemies than most.

The Bible tells us that "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28 NIV). But, we often think that in order for something to turn out for our good, it will all be good in the process. My friend, this is where the lines get blurred. God says, "all things work together for the good of those who are the called according to God for his purpose." It doesn't say, all things will be good to work out for good. 

Today, I am reminded of the Chief Priest Caiaphas. This man was largely responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. If you are acquainted with Christ's betrayal, you know that Scripture clearly tell us  "that no man took Jesus life, He himself laid it down" (John 10:18). But, a process was in place in order for the "cross' to become a reality. The night Jesus was handed over, an evil plot was dispatched against him. He was falsely accused, no one wanted to hear the truth, even if they knew it themselves! Anyone who didn't stay silent and went to defend him, was quickly hushed up and hurried away.

It Is Possible!

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of the Midians." The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midians hand. Am I not sending you?"(Judges 6:12-14 NIV)

Beautiful One, in an unstable world full of uncertainty, how do we keep our head above the waters of life? The answer for Christians is an easy one: Jesus Christ! But, did you know you can be rooted in the Lord, and still feel like you are drowning? Did you know that head knowledge is completely different than heart knowledge? And, it is possible to have wounds within our minds that go deeper than the faith within our hearts.

It is possible, to believe pain more than to believe God!

What makes this statement true is that sometimes we feel God evades us. But, there never seems to be a shortage of pain, adversity, and hardship; they like to surprise us from around every corner of life. After turning enough corners, you realize that in order to get passed them, you must first go through them.

It hardly seems fair, especially if you have encountered many hardships in life. Sometimes, you can look around and think things could be worse; other times you realize things could be a whole lot better!

As you look back over the pages of life, it's easier to identify the defining moments in your life; places where choices were made, offenses occurred, and successes had their moments! But, why is it that we are so easily derailed and stalled by the wounds of life? Is that what we really want? Personally, I don't believe any sane person wants to be tormented and plagued by their pain. But sometimes when the pain is great, it's easier to not take that risk and believe for something better.

It is so much easier to not have any expectation, than to have one, and have it elude you.

It's so much easier to not do anything, than to do something and have it all fall apart, again.

Beautiful One, it's easier, but it's a lie!

When times of turmoil hit our homes and pierce our very hearts, we face a defining moment! We may despise the trial, shed buckets of tears, and act foolish in the process. But it's OK so long as we keep going, never give up hope, and believe for something greater than we could imagine!

When Gideon was in a cave hiding from the Mideanites, God came to him. God told him to get up and out of the cave, and go! He had a job for Gideon. But, Gideon, by his own admission was afraid, alone, and worn out. All he could see was his pain. He loved the Lord and knew all about God's strength and might. But, Gideon also knew the pain of oppression and injustice, because they stood on the corner in his life and daily called his name.