An Outstretched Hand – June 12, 2010

Our lives change as naturally as the seasons...some may seem better than others, but when looking at the broader picture they really all flow perfectly into one another. Seasons work together to produce the very best...A storm may be rolling in. The forewarning signs of the sky turning a crazy shade of a greenish gray, the wind picking up, and with it bringing in an eerie hush, which is quickly broken by the cracking thunder and lightening. The rain pelts the earth, testing it's limit, sometimes carrying on longer than it has before. Shortly the thunder and lightening ceases, the rain lessens it's speed, and the storm rolls out as naturally as it rolled in. The most beautiful moments are after the storms. The sun never seemed as bright, the earth never seemed as green, and the fragrance never seemed as sweet. Sometimes our moments of greatest sacrifice are the precise moments of our greatest most miraculous blessings. God allows circumstances to test and refine us. Psalm 66:10, 12 "For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver...we went through the fire and the water, but You brought us to a place of abundance." Deut. 13:3 "The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul." It is a pattern we see over and over that when God takes from us - He takes with fire...it is how He deals with those who are prepared to obey Him WHATEVER the cost. (Numbers 31:23) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego really experienced what it meant to be thrown into the fire, and yet amazingly they were content in it! Their eyes were not focused on the scorching flames around them, but on the "Son of God" (Dan. 3:23). We too in our trials and storms, must look for the hand of God, take hold of it, and cling to Him. If our focus is on the Lord, He will give you spiritual eyes to see beyond the chaos, which seems to be raging all around you. BE STILL and KNOW that HE IS GOD! (Ps. 46:10). Things will continually change in your life that's a given, but He will never change. He will never leave you nor forsake you.(Deut. 31:8) Everything will someday dissolve, so what manner of person ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? (2 Pet. 3:11) May we be able to say whatever my lot Thou has taught me to say even so IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL! Remember friend this is just a season to refine and strengthen. We have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-2 If our hope and our future is in Him alone you will never ever be shaken and you will find yourself exceedingly abundantly blessed. For in Him you have been enriched in EVERY way! 1 Cor. 1:5