…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Pet. 1:6-7
If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14
Right now there seems to be a lot of insecurity and uncertainty in our country. I know it is true in my life. My husband could lose his job, our investments are down, our church is struggling, and the U.S. as a whole is in a recession. I have realized that this uncertainty affects every sphere of my life, my personal relationship with God, my family, my church, and my country as a whole.
BUT what if we saw these struggles as catalysts to revival and unity in God? What if we saw them as reasons to cling to Him and to learn to trust Him wholeheartedly? There is power for transformation as we are tested in the heat of the fire. What if we used this insecurity to allow God to do great things in us, bonding us to our fellow Christians and setting our hearts on fire with love for Jesus? What if we use the chaos and satan’s evil plans and allow God to turn it upside down and accomplish the OPPOSITE of the evil one’s intentions? We know throughout history and even now, whenever the church is persecuted, great growth often follows. We can thrive in the midst of struggle if we submit to God and allow Him to change us. Then all of these struggles would be worthwhile. They would create lasting value, worth far more than gold.
Our Great God, use these uncertainties to make us fall more deeply in love with You. Make us absolutely confident that You are trustworthy. Make our families stronger and make us love each other more deeply. Unify our churches, drawing us closer and more tightly together than we were before the chaos. Make us a unified body serving you and worshiping you as one. Lead our nation to repentance and set our hearts on fire with love for You. Unify our nation, and turn our hearts back to You. Make us desire and seek You. Lord God, make us a godly nation, a nation after Your own heart. We praise You, God, and give you all honor and glory. You are awesome! We love You, precious God. In Jesus Name, amen.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… Matt. 6:19-20
"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17
thanks Cyndi! - warrenfamilylife.blogspot.com
thank you IJ! - channelofhealing.com
thanks Robin! - girlforgod.wordpress.com
I like what you wrote here: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14″
But I have a question for you.
What are your thoughts about my blog entry about Yeshua HaMashiach?
http://777denny.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/grapejuice-evangelicalism-versus-jesus-christ-the-gift-of-eternal-life/
Thank you,
777denny
James 2:1-13
1 Timothy 4:16
Luke 15:4
1 Timothy 1:3-7
Titus 1:9
I think this is Exactly why bad things or uncertainties happen in our lives; so we Will turn to God for answers, for hope, for healing, for trust, love, acceptance, ect…….
Everything in life, good or bad is used to Glorify God. The Bible tells us that everyting works for the glory of God, as well as “in this world you will have trouble”. I think it is safe to say, with soo many vivid examples in the Bible that we need to not worry, (another Biblical command), and Truly trust God. I don’t know what it is, but it seems that many of the blogs that I have read today are filled with doubt, fear, and lack of trust. I understand we are all at different points in our jouney, but I am boldly praying for God to bring Christians out of their “lack of faith” in whatever issue or circumstance they are facing and truly be the strong, bold, trusting, confident Christians that He has callled us to be. This too, is a prayer for me, that the confidence that I am currently being blessed with will grow and that as soon as I have a negative thought go through my head, I will quickly tell satan to take a hike. God Bless you. Robin
I agree with you, Robin. I think God is using uncertainties to turn our attention towards Him. He wants us to believe His promise that He will take care of us. We will look back when the trials are over and be amazed and thankful for what God has done, so why not just assume that He is going to do that now and save all the worry and heartache through the whole trial? I like what you said about telling satan to take a hike! Sounds good! Bless you, Robin!
I love your thoughts as always. It is a time, as in any time of trial, that we as Christians can stand out because we are trusting in God. People around us will desire to know why we are not panicking and panting that the sky is falling. Rather, we can have the calm to reach out and serve others in their time of despair and need. It is a time to stand in His name. I would add Philippians 4:4-6.
God bless. -Bryan
I am just sayin’… It is all Eve’s fault and when I see her in heaven I will punch her square on the jaw…She an I have a LOT of talking to do!
Anyway… I love these Jenny! Thank you for your insight!
Amen!
The Lord will always make God of the ill that comes to man.
Years ago my pastor told me that what this country really needs (from a theological standpoint) is an economic depression. Then maybe people would realize that they need God after all.
Tough medicine. But much needed medicine.
Thanks and God bless!
– Steve Martin San Clemente, CA
Hey Bryan, I think you are right about that. We can be a witness to the world of how God’s children react in a crisis because we KNOW our God is taking care of us. Thanks for the verse reference. I love it!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil. 4:4-6
Gypsy, you always crack me up! Thanks for making me laugh! :) Jenny
Theoldadam, thanks for your comment. Bless you!
God is awesome and definitely using you for His glory.
IIchron 7:14, is one of my favorites. I see it as a wake up call to us as a nation. God is telling us what to do. Let us continue to pray for obedience. I love the way you write and look forward to reading more. God Bless.
God’s Girl… I just happened to post today, about something on much the same vein. I flipped over to someone’s blog, where I read a comment by someone, clicked on their blog, and saw your comment and remembered I had visited here not long ago.
I would love for you to check out my entry… and let me know what you think, if you will… (no pressure, lol). Just excited that the Spirit of God moves in His people about the same things at the same time. Exciting!!!
http://pearlsoftruth.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/they-perish-on-prayer-and-travailing/
Thank you for an excellent post…
Blessings in Yeshua,
Amanda
very well put–this was what our sermon was about today–and i been thinking about how “god” brought all of us brothers and sisters and christ bloggers together too–there seems to be so much strife in this world, etc and we all need to stand together–and use it all for the good–blessings to you
wendy
This is a note that I received shortly before reading yours. It was written to encourage us personally but I think you can apply all of them to us coorporately as well. I keep hearing everywhere I turn that the “tests” are not for us to prove something to God but for God to do something in us. Thanks for your word. Diane
Testing
Whenever you find yourself going through times of testing, there is always a reason – a very good reason. In fact, there are several reasons. Testing times are to:
UNCOVER SOMETHING: When God allows pressures and trials, it is so that you might uncover something in your life He wants to deal with. Hardships reveal areas of weakness and vulnerability. God wants to strengthen us in those very areas, and better equip us not only to stand strong in the storms ourselves, but also to be a shelter for others.
RECOVER SOMETHING: God allows us to be tested so that we might recover something we’ve lost over the months and years. Perhaps it is our delight in the Word of God, a habit of daily prayer, or the delight of regular fellowship with those of like-precious faith. Trials may force us back to that “first love” walk with the Lord that has slipped away from us.
DISCOVER SOMETHING: Even though it’s a test you may not like or enjoy, you discover that He’s your God, you’re His child, and that He loves you. He’ll care for you and see you through.
I hear people talk about this trial and that trial, this test and that test. People will say, “Pray for me, I’m going through a trial in my marriage (or in my job or in my finances or in my relationships at home).” But in reality, those aren’t the things being tested at all. What’s being tested is our faith, whether we will really trust Him to work in and through our circumstances.
That’s what’s really at stake. When the heat’s on, when the shadows fall, when disappointment rips through my heart – am I going to trust Him? Am I going to wait on Him, worship Him, and give my anxieties to Him? Or am I going to turn away from Him in my doubt and discouragement?
Beautiful and well written blogpost JenDear – I give you the “post of the day” award (2 days late, sorry ’bout that).
I love the inspiration your words bring, giving God all the glory. Scriptures are spot on too. Keep em coming faithful servant!!
How true this is! I have seen so many people give up on life during this recession and not just take the time to leave it in God’s hands and enjoy all the wealth we have right in front of us.
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed reading your note.
Karen
Yolie, thanks for your comment! I read the latest post on your site. I love it about God wanting us to spend time with Him. But I didn’t see a place to leave a comment. Thanks for your encouragement! Bless you! Jenny
Amanda, I love it when the Spirit speaks the same thing to several people too. It is exciting to think of wha He is up to! Bless you! Jen
Wen, I think we do need to stand together and show the world that we trust God! Bless you! Jenny
Diane, I think you are right. Times like these test if we truly trust God or just say we do. It gives us a chance to live out and practice the trust God as been teaching us. And also gives us a chance to glorify Him as we say to God, “Yes, we believe you will do as you promised and take care of us,” and “No” to satans lies.
Hey Nancy! Thanks for the blog of the day award! ;) I don’t mind two days late! Better late than never, right?! You are always such an encouragement to me. Thank you!
Karen, thanks for reading my blog! I think you are right, even during the recession, we are still an extremely blessed nation. But also, and maybe this is what you are referring to, what is more important is our relationship with God, our families, our friends. We are truly blessed all the way around!
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