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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Hi: Welcome to simple Truths. If you’re anything like me and I imagine that at least in this area you are, more often than I would like to admit I allow how my circumstances appear to dictate my thoughts, and thus affect my faith. It’s easy to be distracted by them; they are always present in one form or another right in our face demanding our attention. Often they’re so overwhelming that we can’t even imagine relief from them. The more we focus on them the bigger they seem and the more power they exercise over us. You’ve been there too. They are real and they do deserve our attention, but we determine to what extent we allow them to control us….
For you see just beyond our circumstances --- right behind them, and in truth inseparably woven throughout them ---
the God of all creation is working to complete His will and His plans for us. He uses them to teach us, to strengthen us, and to prepare us for the wondrous things that He, in His perfect timing will bring to fruition. When we allow our circumstances to control us we’re really surrendering to Satan’s schemes, for his desire is to use them to destroy our faith if he can. As we choose to surrender to God’s sovereignty in the midst of them and trust that He is in complete control of them our faith in Him is proven and grows stronger.
When we focus beyond them they melt into the sovereign plan of a loving Father.
So the question we must answer is simple, which is bigger our circumstances or our God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, You make the way of the righteous smooth. Isaiah 26:7
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
In the days of the Bible paths were very important, nearly all travel was done by foot, sometimes animals were ridden, but usually people walked. They didn’t have $100 hiking boots or tennis shoes; no they wore hard leather soled sandals, or walked bare-footed. When they read the promises of straight paths, or familiar paths, or smooth paths, they were intimately familiar with what the speaker was saying, and the benefits thereof. Likewise when they were taught from Proverbs about crooked paths, and dangerous paths, and paths with snares hidden in them, they understood the danger that was being alluded to. No story better speaks more clearly about the perils of paths to me than the story of the Good Samaritan. This man was just going along minding his own business, the path seemed safe enough. Then, he’s mugged!! Other people were on the path, there was possibly no sign of danger, but it was lurking in the shadows, awaiting an opportunity. Oh to know that by prayer we have a loving father who goes before us to straighten, smooth, and lighten our path, but we must desire to stay on the path He is leading us on. When we feel like we’ve been mugged, He has already been there, and is still there to carry us, and see to our healing. Thank You Lord †
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Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed. John 20:29
Boy I had some Thomas kind of a days over the Holidays, missing my family, feeling abandoned, and quite honestly tired, and doubtful. Not of standing, I have no choice, I’ve heard from the Lord, but of the circumstances. So I read all four Gospel accounts of the Resurrection. The Bible tells us that the apostles were locked in the upper room on that first day of the week “for fear of the Jewish leaders “these men of God, who had witnessed first hand every one of Jesus’ miracles, were huddled in the upper room in fear. Satan’s tactics have not changed throughout time; one of his primary weapons is fear. You’ve heard it - What if this, or what if that, or your spouse will never, or is whatever. Doubt goes hand in hand with fear following close on it’s heels. I asked the Holy Spirit to give me a verse to encourage me and flipped to Job 8:20,21 “Surely, God does not reject a blameless man, nor does he grasp the hand of the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with gladness. Well I was contemplating this and didn’t see my pages flip but the next time I looked at my Bible it was on Zech. 2:10 “Sing out and be happy, Zion my daughter! For look, I have come; I will settle in your midst,” says the Lord. The Lord is so good. As I’m writing this tonight I am reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Satan’s tactics haven’t changed, but he is powerless in the face of Almighty God. Jesus Christ stripped him of all authority. Well after reading the accounts of the Gospels, I read through Acts. These very men who had huddled in fear, grasped 2 Timothy 1:7. They were filled with the Holy Spirit , and went out and turned the world upside down for Jesus . They lived the wonder of the Bible. How amazing and encouraging. We are writing Acts 29 right now you and I; and just like they, we are not alone. Our loving Savior is right here with us, fulfilling His promises that “All things work together for good”,” and “if we resist Satan he must flee”. When Acts 29 is written I want it said of me that I was faithful, and obedient. I bet you do too. Believe in the Lord’s love, power, and plan for you, and your loved ones. I pray God’s peace, mercy, provision, and restoration for you, and your marriage in Jesus’ name. Amen. †
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3,4
Father God thank You for Your mercy, and Your grace. Jesus thank You for Your sacrifice for my sins. There is no other name by which man can be saved or have access to the Father. The Bible says, and I believe that the word of God is sharper than any two edged sword, discerns the thoughts of the heart (1), and will accomplish that for which it is purposed (2). “I pray that names will flee the evil desires of their youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. I pray that names will not have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because they produce quarrels. ... Lord I pray that You will grant names , repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (3). Father God I know that this struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, who seek to destroy names (4). You Lord are almighty, and high above any of these. Lord the word promises that “no weapon formed against us will prosper (5) and that the weapons we fight with were specifically designed with divine power to the destruction of strongholds (6). I stand on that promise Lord and plead the blood of Jesus over any and every stronghold that is at work against names , and at work against our marriage, and family. There are so many things that I don’t understand Lord, yet I know that You are directing names paths (7), and Your purposes will prevail (8). Help me to trust, to obey, to believe, and to be patient. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Scriptures: 1. Heb. 4:12, 2. Isaiah 55:11, 3. 2Tim. 2:22,23,25,26, 4. Eph. 6:12, 5. Isaiah 54:17, 6. 2 Cor. 10:4, 7. Prov. 16:9, 8. Prov. 19:21 †
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