(I’m taking a few days off and decided to repost some of the more well-received “More Than Useless” posts.)
A new week lies ahead, Father. May I do and say and be what is pleasing in Your eyes. May I find my strength to do so in Your strength, in Your wisdom, and with Your love. Amen.
Revelation 2:8-9 (<<click green)
Lord, the Christian culture in which we live has developed, erroneously, the idea that if we are truly faithful believers in You that pain, suffering and earthly poverty should have no part in our lives. If we just have enough “faith” we should not be plagued by these difficulties in life. But that is not the case.
It reminds me of a song from my childhood, “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden”) made famous by Lynn Anderson. The first lines read,
I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there’s gotta be a little rain sometime
There will be hardship and heartache in this life – not that that was God’s intention. We brought those things upon ourselves when we invited sin into the world. But the one thing that will get us through these difficulties is the fact that we do not have to go this life alone. Lord, You are with us every step of the way, if we will but ask. You “know about [our] suffering and poverty – but [we] are rich” in You.
Lord, I thank You for the blessings I experience in life – for these are from Your bounteous hand. I realize that trials will come because of sin and the enemy of my soul is out to undermine all the good You bring my way. But with Your strength…and wisdom…and love, I will stand strong. Amen!
July 3rd, 2017, Mon, 6:30 am
