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Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ( Isaiah 41:10)
When I first got out of high school, I went into training to become an x-ray technologist. I did not have a relationship with Christ at that time and I constantly believed the worst about myself. I told myself that I probably would never finish my training and be able to pass the registry. I did not consider the notion that my life had any value and so I consistently sold myself short and made many poor choices. The devil couldn’t tell me anything bad about myself that I didn’t already believe. I set myself up for defeat. I felt alone and worthless. Even after I took my test and passed with high marks, it did little to convince me that my life mattered to anyone – much less to God! After all, I thought, where was he when I was going through so much pain in my life growing up and it seemed like no one protected me.
That is a question many people ask. Where is God when life hurts? The truth is that Christ is on the throne with complete authority over all that believers face in this perishing world. That is the most comforting of all truths and yet so many people still are unable to stand in faith in times of trouble and strife.
Without a doubt, we are living in perilous times. The increase of evil puts us all within the range of attack. We are trying to survive in a time when truth of God has been thrown to the ground and trampled. The hearts of most people have grown cold. It seems that everyday brings more heartache and pain as the forces of darkness have increased their effort to destroy lives. Yet, in spite of all this, Christ is still our hope.
For believers, the fact remains that we are not alone in our battles. We may be attacked from all sides but the outcome of assured victory was determined before the battle began. It was the price Jesus paid for us to defeat all of our enemies; we have been made more than conquerors. Our pain and our struggles are working out our transformation into the image of Christ. In the midst of darkness, God’s power is near enough to help us overcome every single weapon of warfare. The enemy has been rendered powerless and ineffective to destroy those who put their trust in the cross. Through it all, the presence of Christ is right by your side in every single storm you face. His angels have been commanded to guard your life. He loves you unconditionally just as you are! It is not dependent on what you do or how well you do it. The everlasting mercy of Christ is enough for all your needs.
Your painful trial is temporary. The enemy wants you to believe that things will never change but that is a lie. The truth is that he sees your struggle and is using it for your good. For that reason, you must never let your faith be nearsighted. Trust in God’s long-range plan for your future. You cannot fall so far that the grace of God is not able to restore your life and complete the purpose he began in you.
Sometimes it feels like I am always up against mountains in my life. That might be so but each time God takes me through my troubles, I realize that those mountains never had the power to block my path. My struggles have only served to reveal to me more of the love and power of Christ. I knew without a doubt that I never was alone. All of my battles are being led by the army of God. I am a conqueror because greater is He that is with me than any force that the enemy can ever use against me.
I know that so many of you are also facing problems of every kind. It may feel like you are losing the battle but that will never happen. In the center of each storm is the magnificent power of God who is working all things out for good. He has a divine purpose charted out for everything that touches your life. We read in God’s word in 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose hearts are fully committed to him”. He is looking for those who can trust him in the bad times as well as the good times. That is what defines a true believer.
God’s power is not limited by the impossibility of your situation. He knows how to allow your pain to work out the purpose for which he planned. That is why we never give up and never surrender. We are a royal army who are being trained to rule in a kingdom that will never end. Be mindful that your struggles won’t endure, but through Christ, your eternal future will!
Dear Lord,
I am lifting up those who are facing serious problems and feel that they have no hope. They are dealing with problems that are out of their control and some may wonder if you are even with them in their struggles. I pray that you will touch each and everyone who need your help and counsel. I pray that you will bring them peace and comfort as you draw them near to you. May you touch their hearts with the truth of your love. I pray that they will know that you will help them. I pray for healing from illness and disease. I pray for a restoration of broken marriages and relationships. I pray for those struggling with financial problems and have nowhere to turn. I plead for those who have addiction problems or have family with addictions and need your help. Lord, please show them that your strength is all that they need.
I pray for those in persecuted nations who are suffering for their faith. May you rescue them and give them hope. Protect them and their families. May your light shine through them to those who are lost.
I pray for the protection of Israel and the Jewish people. May you show them mercy and keep them from harm. I pray for their leaders to have wisdom, discernment and your favor against those who come against them for evil. And may you open their eyes to know the truth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
For anyone who is not saved or who has doubts regarding their eternal salvation, I pray that you will open their eyes and hearts to know that Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we can be saved.
To those who belong to you, dear Jesus, I pray that you bring them peace and hope during these dark times. Amen
“And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people…and I have come down to deliver them..(Exodus.3:7-8)
The snow was accumulating here in Ohio and that meant I had to get out and start shoveling it – and I don’t mean just my sidewalk and drive. In order for my 3 dogs to get out into the backyard, I had to shovel pathways in my grass! That is backbreaking work so you know I have to love them to do it. But then, that is a choice I make to keep them happy.
Our lives are a series of priorities. We choose what we will do and what we are unwilling to do. You usually put your best efforts doing what is important to you. As this year comes to a close, you may reflect about all that has touched your life and how it made a difference. Some things were good and maybe some of it was not so good. You may have gone through a trial that still is giving you pain. You can choose to allow your problems to keep your down or you can surrender them to Christ and allow him to work them out for your good. In this life filled with trouble, the only way to have true joy in your life is by understanding that you are here for God’s purpose and plan and that he alone holds your future.
Without a doubt, the days are filled with darkness and there is evil all around us. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Thess. 2:9-10 that, “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved”. My friends, we are witnessing the signs that Christ is getting ready to return. To those who have put their trust in him, there is nothing to fear in this perishing world. You just need to keep your eyes on him and know that he is with you. The redeemed of Christ can never be destroyed. We have the assurance of a lasting peace and joy that will never end.
Those who are struggling and trying to carry their own burdens, I pray that you will not let another day go by without asking Christ to come into your heart. He is the answer to every problem and heartache you face and he has a way to bring you joy in the midst of every conflict. Religion can’t save you. Only a relationship with Christ can give you eternal life. In John 11:25, Jesus said, ” I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” Jesus is the only way! ” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. “(Acts 4:12) Jesus has broken every bondage and chain that keeps you from having victory over all that comes against you.
The man of God, D.L. Moody wrote, “There isn’t an evil within or without but what He will deliver us from if we let Him. That is what He wants to do. As God said to Moses, “I have come down to deliver.” If He could deliver three million slaves from the hands of the mightiest monarch on earth, don’t you think He can deliver us from every besetting sin, and give us complete victory over ourselves, over our temper, over our dispositions, over our irritableness and peevishness and snappishness? If we want it and desire it above everything else, we can get victory.” Without a doubt, there is nothing to hinder you from having all that God has for you if you choose to take him at his word.
I don’t know what the future holds for you or for me. I just know one thing and that is that Christ has the plan and He is not going to fail us. I am facing problems in my own life but they have no power to take me down or to destroy my future. I hope you understand that God will always be sovereign and in complete authority over all that happens in your life. It might seem like he is not with you but the truth is that in the silence of your situation, the great power of God is at work and he will bring you through it! Never give up hope.
My love and prayers are always for those who come to this site. May the peace of God give you joy and hope through Jesus Christ. He has made you a victor in all the battles you face. Stand your ground – the armies of God are with you now.
I remind believers to continue to keep Israel in your prayers. May the hand of God continue to protect Israel. I pray for the leaders of Israel to have knowledge and wisdom to do what is good. May the Jewish people come to a saving knowledge of Christ.
I also pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ who live in hostile and restricted nations. May God protect them and provide for all their needs. I pray that they will know that we are standing with them.
Happy New Year to all of you. I am praying for all who come to this site.
Jesus said to him,”What do you want me to do for you?”
Sometimes it seems like Jesus will never get around to helping you out of your struggle. You have prayed and waited but nothing seems to have changed. Does he even see your pain? Why is it taking so long? You soon feel lost and alone in the darkness of your troubles.
In Mark 10:46, we read about a blind man named Bartimaeus. He lived in Jericho where all he could do was sit on the side of the road and beg for help. But on this one day, he heard the commotion of a crowd coming by. “What could be causing the people to be so excited?” he probably wondered. Someone then told him that it was Jesus of Nazareth who was heading this way.
Bartimaeus must have been overjoyed knowing that Jesus was nearby. I can only imagine how his heart quickened and his pulse raced as hope began to fill his heart! He had heard about this man. Many were made whole and healed of all their diseases by his touch. Some were set free from demons and others brought back to life. All he knew was that he needed to get to Jesus before it was too late. But Bartimaeus was blind and the crowd sounded large. What could he do? He didn’t have his sight, but he did have a voice. He cried out with all that he had , “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”. Many people in the crowd rebuked him, telling him to be silent. Silent? That would never happen! The King of kings was near. This blind man had no intention letting a chance to be touched by the Great Physician just pass him by. He called all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” The Scripture then tells us that Jesus stopped and he said to those near to call him up. When Bartimaeus heard this, he threw off his cloak and sprang up and came to Jesus! Jesus asked him,” What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, let me see.” And Jesus then told him to go his way saying ” Your faith has made you well”. And immediately, Bartimaeus received his sight and followed him on the way. This day had changed his life. He not only received his sight, but he was forgiven of his sins. All this happened because he believed that Jesus was all that he needed.
My friends, do you feel like you are in darkness as your troubles leave no light of hope? The truth is that if you belong to Christ, he will always find a way to meet you in your struggle and draw you to himself. He will reach through the crowd and take you to a place of healing and peace. Nothing is impossible to him who knew you before you were born.
Never lose sight of the truth that in each battle you face, you are completely surrounded by angels dispatched from God to protect and guide you.
Your cries do not go unanswered. He hears your every plea and he cares. The redeemed of the Lord cannot be destroyed by the slings and arrows of the enemy. Every single detail of your life from birth to death has been arranged and made perfect. You cannot fail. The enemy may taunt you with oppression and lies but you are protected by heaven’s royal guard! That is the truth that sets you free. Christ became your burden-bearer when he conquered the world and deprived it of its power to crush you.
Whatever trial you are facing, beloved, remember that it is all under the authority of Christ. Let God accomplish the work that he has begun in you. Whatever time he deems necessary for you to continue in your struggle is specifically designed to equip you for the work he has chosen for your life. It is a royal assignment and not without merit. All those whom God has chosen to do his greatest work have received their power as they patiently trusted him during a time when all hope seemed gone. You must remain steadfast and stand the test in order to receive the crown of life that Jesus has promised to those who love him. You are never alone and never without hope!
Dear Lord, we are living in ending days as the enemy increases his efforts to cause trouble and pain in the lives of your people. Help us to hold on even when we feel weary. I pray for blessings and strength for those who are facing hardships and trials of every kind. I pray for marriages and relationships to be restored. I lift up all those who are facing financial struggles and see no end in sight. I pray for you to help those who are under bondage to addictions and sin issues that are draining them of life. I pray for those who are lonely and brokenhearted. May they feel a very real sense of your presence and love. I pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith. May you give them a sense of peace and joy in the midst of their suffering for you, dear Lord. Protect and bless Israel and her leaders. I pray for the eyes of your people to be opened to the truth of Christ as their Messiah. Lord, may you work all things out for good to those who love you. Show them that you are very near and that you will not fail. To those who do not know you as Lord and Savior, dear Jesus, I pray for you to reveal yourself to them in a very personal way. Help us all to stand in faith as we patiently wait for your return . Give us your strength to fight the good fight and stay in the race. Amen
I am praying for all who come to this site. May you take rest knowing that Christ has a message just for you.
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. (Psalm 23)
There is nothing more painful than to be on your knees pouring out your heart to God only to watch as your dreams being crushed before your eyes. If you are a true believer, you know by faith that God heard your cries for help. He has said in his word that he would never leave you nor abandon you. Yet despite knowing that God is aware of your struggle, you still feel left with nothing but a broken heart, eyes that can’t stop crying and a question within as to why he would allow you to go through this pain.
It is difficult to understand when you are overwhelmed, but your attitude in times of trouble is an indicator of where your faith lies. When you face a trial in your life, it is a struggle to believe that God will be there to help you through it. You feel alone. Yet, the more serious your problem, the more grace he extends to you. You are never left to fight a battle on your own. We can all trust God when we have some control in the situation. But when the problem is impossible for us or anyone else to help, that is when our faith is put to the test.
Jesus told us in John 16:33, ” In this world you will have trials and tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” It doesn’t matter what we face for all things are under the sovereign authority of Christ. It is his will that prevails in the outcome of every problem we face. If you will try to understand that truth, it will bring you peace when all hope seems gone. Your struggle is actually the transforming power that reveals God’s strength. It is always his purpose to bring you through your heartache and reveal more of himself to you. Your battles are won long before they start because Christ paid the price for your victory. That may seem difficult to comprehend when your heart is breaking – but that is the truth.
You were created for God’s glory and his purpose. He has made ready the royal robes that those who trust in Christ shall wear one day in his kingdom. All things are being orchestrated in God’s magnificent plan for your life. As a sparrow does not fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father, I pray that you also know that every tear you shed is before God and subject to his ultimate authority. Your heart cannot be broken beyond our Creator’s hand to heal. It just can’t happen. There is no situation you face that can ever empty out the future God planned for you. Although you may not feel it now, your life is filled to overflow with God’s unending power and purpose. His angels are surrounding those who belong to him. There is nothing that has been left to chance.
You can enjoy quiet peace in spite of your pain when you stop trying to control the way God deals with your situation and let him work it out his way. You can take rest knowing that whatever God allows in your life, he has planned it long before you were born to use it for your good. His ways will always be higher than ours, but his ways are the only path to victory. Surrender your pain to Christ who will heal you and give you back abundant hope from the ashes of your broken dreams. We read in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
We are all going through the battle of our life, dear friends. No one is exempt from the sufferings of this world. Whatever you are facing, there is always hope when you belong to Christ. There will be a time for your trial to end; and if you have held out in faith to the end, you will be rewarded in this life and the next. Why does God allow us to go through heartache and pain? It is only in the crucible that we gain an eternal perspective of the power of the God we serve. It is there that we see that Christ does meet us in every trial causing it all to work according to his perfect plan. It is there that we are strengthened as he draws us near to him.
Finally, believers who can praise Christ through the pain and keep their eyes on him no matter what storm surrounds them are proven to be the true sons and daughters of the King. Remember the words of God in Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” That is a promise from God.
I am praying for those who need to hear this message. May you know that your tears are not in vain. You still have hope regardless of what you are facing. This world is perishing and yet those who belong to Christ shall never be destroyed. Let him work out your problem and restore your peace. Don’t settle for the lies of the enemy. You were meant for more!
I would also like to remind those who visit to keep Rob Bohning and his family in prayer. Rob is battling a rare, incurable thyroid cancer ( Read article: Tried In The Furnace of Afflction on this site) but he is living each day in the power of Christ. He trusts that Christ is bigger than the cancer he has. He is an inspiration to me and to others who watch his faith in action. And God has gifted him as one the best artistic photographers I have ever seen! ( www.robbohningphotography.com)
In an update, Rob announced that he has to go back to Texas for more testing. He is still thanking God for all that he has done to keep him going. He has a prayer request that he would be grateful if we would pray for him on:
Friends, I have one big prayer request this month..
I go back to Texas the final week of September. September 25th and 26th are days packed with bloodwork, EKGs, CT scans, and 4 hours worth of MRIs.. then on Thursday, the 27th, I meet with Dr Sherman to discuss where I am in the big picture. September 27th is my wife’s birthday. Would you please pray that I return home on that day with good news… for her? Please would you make that your prayer? I would appreciate it SO MUCH.
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Rob
Rob knows the power of the God we serve! Please lift him and his family up in a big way. May God bless all who take the time to pray for Rob.
Are you willing to surrender all you have to get all that Christ has ?
God has given me a love for all those who visits this site. I believe that He has a purpose for bringing all of you to the messages that he gives me to write. It is for this reason that I take seriously my burden to pray for each of you.
A few weeks ago, a young man visited my site and then emailed me with a question. He seemed troubled and yet I could see that he had faith. I want you to read what he wrote:
“I was on the internet one night and I came across you. I really liked it. My name is Christopher. You see, I don’t understand life. God says He loves us, but yet, he took away the people I love. I only just started going to church. I enjoy it but life is still tough for me. My heart belongs to God. I know that, but it is so hard to walk away from my friends. I want to serve and give my whole life to Him, but I am going to lose my family and friends. Advise please.”
I responded to Chris and explained about the surrendered life to Christ. When you are a believer, Christ is first in your life and you must be willing to give him all that you have and allow him to work in you. I explained a lot of things to him and told him to keep praying for his family and friends but that he must move ahead with his new life in Christ.
I did not hear from him that month, but last week, I received an email from his sister. She told me that her family had no idea that her little brother was going through this. She went on to tell me that Chris was no longer with us. When I asked her what happened, she told me an amazing story. She said that her brother had made a decision to follow Christ. He stood firm in this decision despite the fact that his family and friends did not like it and thought he totally lost his mind. He even left a girlfriend of three years because she chose alcohol and her lifestyle over a relationship with Christ.
About two weeks after writing to me, Chris was driving on his way to church. Just before he arrived, Chris got into a very serious accident which left him dying. His last words to his family was a plea for them to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. He whispered that Jesus was near to him right then and that he was not afraid to die! With that, he left this earth. What a bold testimony of faith he had! Because of his faith, that 20-year-old young man is now with Jesus in heaven.
By the power of Christ alone, Chris was able to choose to do what was right. He made the hard decision to leave all that he had to get all that Christ had to give him. He was willing to go wherever Christ would lead him. That young man had no idea when he wrote to me for advice that he had only a few weeks left to live!
I am humbled that God brought Chris to my blog. I prayed for him and his family. Christopher’s sister wrote that his death changed everything for them. Now the whole family wants to honor Chris and his prayers for them, so they decided to start attending the local church. One young man with the courage of his conviction and a faith that stood the test was able to impact his whole family with the Good News of Jesus Christ!
After his death, the grieving family went through Christopher’s things and found his diary and the email he sent me. I was sent a copy of something that he had written in his diary. It brought me to tears. My dear friends, please read what this young man wrote from a heart that had been radically changed for Christ:
“ I’ve been in love before, but in love with God is nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life. A friend who I didn’t know existed and who was always around anytime 24/7. I don’t regret my decision. I regret not making this decision earlier. I always thought people who went to church are all perfect and holy. But no, they are just as broken as I am. God knows best. I pray that my family and friends will soon experience the love of God. I don’t have a dad. Never met him, never seen or heard from him. But I stopped looking for him and wondering what a father is because I just found a Father of all fathers—-God! ”
My beloved friends, I don’t know where you are right now or what you have done. The truth is that Jesus wants you with him. He has known your name long before he formed the world. His love is true and he is faithful. He has a way to bring you to victory no matter how impossible it may seem now. Your weakness is now made strong by his power. Christ can give you a future with hope and an eternity with him if you will surrender your heart to him.
The power of Christ gave a young man the courage to stand for his faith despite the outcome. He gave him hope for a future and an unconditional love that he had never know before. Chris never met his earthly father. But the God of all heaven was a Father to him whose eyes never left this young man for a second. His life was cut short, but Chris made the decision for Christ that would last into eternity!
Have you made that decision to follow Christ? You don’t have to wonder about it anymore. I am praying for you and I am here to talk to you if you have any questions. My hope is that those who need to hear the truth will be open to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. It is a free gift that is yours for the asking.
I am lifting up Christopher’s family in prayer for comfort and healing. I pray that they will continue to seek Christ and surrender to the only truth that matters! Just as Chris was not afraid to die – no believer ever has to fear death.
If we are truly followers of Jesus Christ, we will face trials of every kind. We are a tested people and each trial has been designed for the purposes for which God allows. We are all being made ready to wear the regal robes of eternal royalty. Christ is in each storm we face and it is his power that is causing all things to work for our good.
It is especially trying in these dark days as believers endure trials of every kind marking the countdown to Christ’ return. The faith of all is being put to the fire. None of us are exempt. Are you willing to stand and believe in spite of all that is happening in your life?
The above photo is one of the remarkable works done by a man named Rob Bohning. If you click on the picture, you will see the true majesty of his work. He has captured God’s creation as no one I have ever seen. Rob is a godly, loving husband and father. He is an amazing photographer. He has two gorgeous young children. And, he has a rare incurable cancer called Medullary Thyroid cancer. But Rob is not about to give up! What makes this man stand out is that he has unwavering faith that God cares about his affliction and is more than able to bring him through it. Rob is in the fiery furnace of testing but he knows full well that his Savior, Jesus Christ, is with him!
Rob and his wife, Lori, had emailed me after visiting my blog. I can say from my heart that I am blessed to have them now as friends. When writing to me of his cancer, Rob said, ” All I know is God is good and wastes nothing! That includes this cancer.” It was shortly after his forty-second birthday that Rob received this cancer diagnosis. Sadly, that was not all. The following day, Rob’s dad died from another kind of cancer. How does Rob keep his faith so strong while facing surgeries and treatments that he must endure?
My dear friends, the reason that Rob can have peace despite his affliction is because his faith has been tested and proven to be real. He understands that God’s will is good no matter what form it takes. He is a man who knows the God who created him and is willing to serve him in any way that he is called to. In his weakness, he has found God’s strength!
True sons and daughters will suffer for Christ. It has been written that blessed is the person whom the storm drives to God. It is only there that you will find true happiness. The worth of a soldier is never known in times of peace. It is only in the battle that the true strength and courage of a believer is revealed. Faith is not faith until it has been tested! Those who draw near to God in times of trials will find that they cannot leave his Presence without receiving his strength.
God has put a lot of wonderful people in my life through this blog. Rob Bohning and Lori have touched my life in such a way that I will never be the same. When I recently wrote about how I was going through some painful struggles of my own, Rob wrote again asking me how he can pray for me! I am humbled by this man’s faith and dedication to God. He has taught me that trusting that God is with us in our problems is the greatest honor we can give to him.
Rob will be having his first chest surgery on February 22nd to remove some nodes. I am humbly asking all of those who come to this site to please pray for Rob’s surgery. Please also keep him, Lori and their children in prayer. We are all in the battle as long as we are on this earth. But God never leaves us to fight alone. I am asking for the army of God’s people to rally for Rob. I am sure that he prays for all of us here on this site too. We are members of Christ’ own body. We cannot be defeated. There are no casualties in God’s army. We are performing the purpose for which he has created us. This body of death will not always be with us. Our victory has been declared. Christ has set us free!
What should you do in times of trouble? Rejoice! Great trials bring out God’s greatness in you.
UPDATE:
Rob had his surgery. The doctors were able to take some large nodes out but had to leave some with hopes of going back later. He needs our prayers still. He is determined to fight and he continues to hold on in faith that his God is going to take him through this. I believe him.
Recently, on the Caringbridge site, Rob’s wife, Lori, wrote this on March 2nd:
Many of you have not known my husband until now, many of you have known him, but not when faced with such adversity. We have been hit by bad new after another, to the point where I physically get a reaction whenever we walk into a small doctor’s room. Nothing will ever explain the feeling when I sat in one of those rooms, waiting for the surgeon to give me the status of Rob’s surgery. Nothing. Four walls and words of little or no real hope. Words like, “aggressive” “spreading” “tumors of concrete” bounced off the walls as I sat there an hour after the surgeon had left the room. I crumbled and couldn’t find my breath, as you can imagine. A few hours later I was able to see Rob in post op. There he was looking at me and holding my hand. I took a deep breath just seeing him so strong, only a few hours after surgery. We were together for a few days in the hospital room, and when night hit, the demons lurked in and took over my fears. That’s when Satan plays on my thoughts, at night when I am at my weakest. Rob talked and prayed with me all night long that first night, as I cried. He would wake up, on and off throughout the night, praying for me and for the fears to go away. That’s my husband. The same husband that would sing to me when we went through infertility. He is an amazing man, and the strongest person I have ever met in my life. I adore him and he is my life. He won’t be defeated and he will fight this beast of cancer. We are never defeated if we have the Lord, there is always victory. Through the storm, we have the peace of knowing that “all is well” and we keep our eyes on our Savior.
Lori Bohning
Rob’s Caringbridge address for those who wish to send him good wishes: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/robbohning/guestbook
My heart and my prayers continue to go out to this family whose faith has inspired me so greatly!
I pray for all who visit my site. You matter to me and I thank God for bringing you here to see the messages he gives me for you. I hope you will find peace from the truth. I am blessed to have met so many prayer warriors who also teach the good news and hope through Jesus Christ. One of them, Charles Woodruff has a powerful blog that I visit everyday. I never leave his site without gleaning strength and hope from his biblical teachings. I urge you to visit his site, CyberWord of Truth, and be blessed. He never fails to pray for me and for all those who visit him.
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? (Psalm 13:2)
Remembering that God is sovereign while we are in the battles of life can be very difficult. Probably the last thing you think about as you suffer in a trial is that God is working all things out for your good. When you are overwhelmed with problems, it takes all the strength you have to just barely whisper a prayer.
My friends, I write this message to again empathize with so many of you that are feeling literally torn apart by painful trials. I struggle also. We are definitely living in a time of darkness. The laws of God simply don’t matter as the evil spirit of self-righteousness fills the hearts of most. Satan’s main weapon of attack is to destroy families. He works to divide and conquer. If he can break up loved ones, he can use their pain to do his work. I cannot believe how extensively marriages are ending. A marriage vow has just become another way of saying, “I’ll love you until I don’t”. The promise made before God is simply swept under the rug and forgotten. How sad that we have strayed so far.
We read in 2 Timothy 3 that there will be terrible times in the last days. Paul describes a time when people will become lovers of themselves and lovers of money. He goes on to say that they will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God and have form of godliness but deny its power. While sin has always been in this world, the extent of evil to which Paul is speaking is much greater. Paul was warning of a time when self-love and entitlement would rule over this earth and God would be considered an intrusion. We are in that prophecy now! Is there any wonder that this whole world is suffering financially, physically and under the devastation of earthquakes, floods and storms of every kind? Judgment is upon us! Wars and weapons of mass destruction are being prepared for a battle that could conceivably destroy every living thing. It is evident that the rulers and powers of darkness have geared up efforts to unleash a prodigious force of wickedness on this earth to take down those who are unprepared.
Yet, despite all that is going on in this lost world, there is always hope for those who trust in the finished work of Christ. No situation and trial you face will ever be stronger than the blood of Christ that was shed ensuring that you will always have the future he planned for your life. Sadly, many believers accept the lies of the enemy when a crisis hits instead of holding on in faith. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope , patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”. In every battle you must be joyful, patient and faithful knowing without a doubt that God is not going to fail you. You are not alone and the power of Christ that resides in you is greater than the pain you are facing. You have a Living Hope that reigns eternal.
Until the day I die, I will proclaim the truth that Christ is enough for everything you must endure on this earth. Though we all grow weary at times, God knows how to rescue his people in times of need. Christ has promised us his peace despite the trouble in our lives. It is a peace that defies understanding knowing in your heart that God is orchestrating his divine will through every struggle. Each heartache and trial you face is an opportunity for God to reveal more of himself to you. The purpose and plan are guiding you on the path of your destiny!
You will always gain freedom as you surrender up your power to his. There is a short poem written by L.E. Maxwell in his book, Born Crucified, that makes this point:
“Make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be free. Force me to render up my sword and I shall conqueror be. My will is not my own, til Thou has made it Thine. If it would reach the monarch’s throne, it must its crown resign!”
We aren’t always going to be in control of our circumstances. There will be times when all we can do is surrender them to Christ and trust that he will work them out for our good. It may be scary to wait in the deep water for Jesus to bring you to safety but that is exactly what you must do! Get your eyes off of the sharks in the waters of life and the storm clouds that are brewing. They are under the authority of God, their Master, and cannot harm you. You may feel weary and alone in the dark sea of trouble but you are not alone and you are never without his strength!
I pray that those who feel God does not hear their prayers will come to know the truth of this message. Don’t let your weariness cloud your judgment. If you belong to Christ, legions of his angels surround you right at this moment. There is not a tear he does not see nor a broken heart he cannot mend! Your lonely whispers are heard. You have been set apart and made ready for him. While you wait in expectation of Christ, understand that your calling is secure. As a child of the King, you have already been declared royalty. Stand firm in your faith for the army of the living God is with you.
“And to the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” ( 1 Peter 5:10)
Be in peace, my friends. I am praying for you.
You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light
(2 Samuel 22:29)
Our future is in the hands of God. He alone has numbered our days and it is by his will that we live or die. Many people can trust God with their salvation but then find it difficult to trust him to work things out in their lives.
All around the earth, fear is mounting as we experience an increase in sickness, disease, famine, storms, earthquakes, floods and drought. There has always been sin and evil in this world, but it has now reached a point of no return. Darkness has blanketed the earth because mankind has chosen to remove all traces of God and his laws. When Jesus promised believers to give them peace that surpasses our understanding, he did not mean that our problems and struggles would end. He was telling us that despite the battles we face, his power would be the strength that we needed to overcome and be victorious. That fact is one that many find difficult to believe.
It is hard to wait out the storms of life and trust that things will work out. But, the truth is that God is just as much in power and authority in the darkness as he is in the light. Whatever problem you think you can’t overcome has already been overcome by the power of Christ! There is nothing that can move a believer from the position God has assigned to them from the beginning of time. The recent storms and hurricanes have destroyed houses and has taken down trees, but with all the power of God that is in me, I assure you that no storm ever has any power to hinder a child of God! Christ is coming back soon to make all things new. Do you actually think that he cannot take you to victory even now because of your painful trial?
Just this week my heart was broken by the pain of a man who had visited my blog and began writing to me. He said that he was feeling hopeless and weary. He felt he had no future and that God was just not hearing him. I pointed out to him that all that he was thinking was a lie from the destroyer from hell. God is with us in all things and in all of our pain. This man wanted to believe what I said but he was extremely overwhelmed by an obvious clinical depression. I prayed desperately for him. Yesterday, I got an email from his daughter. Sadly, she informed me that her father had killed himself. He could not take the pain of any more tomorrows. I am crying now as I write this.
Thoughts immediately began filling my mind: Did I say enough? Did I say too much? Did I pray enough for him? I soon realized that the enemy now wanted to discourage me with lies. I did pray for him with all my heart. I take seriously the mission God has given me with my writing. I care about every single person who visits whether they comment or not. I intercede on behalf of everyone who is led here. I could not stop this man from committing suicide, but I can continue to pray for his family and for those like him who feel like there is no hope.
My dear friends, remember that we are in the throes of a vicious battle with evil as time grows short. The enemy will try to take all of your joy and peace if you let him. He wants to destroy families so marriages are failing at an unbelievable alarming rate. Our children are his prime target and he has pulled out all the stops to lead them on the path of destruction. The economy is in a crisis situation as millions of people all over the world are losing homes and jobs with little chance of recovering. Crime, sickness and troubles of every kind are upon us. The struggle is escalating just to stay alive. And unfortunately for that reason, many grow tired and just give up.
We are told throughout Scripture that we will have to endure suffering. What the enemy doesn’t want you to remember is that all that you endure is working out a perfect divine destiny for you. You will not one day be a conqueror. You are one now! The power of the risen Christ is taking you through the darkness even when you can’t see or feel him. He has a purpose for all that he let allows but he knows how to give you his rest despite the battle.
Whatever dark situation you are in, please remember that you are not out of view from the One who sees all. It may seem like you are alone but you will never be. In the battle that you are facing, don’t give up! God is with you in your pain today and he holds your tomorrows in his hand. That is his truth. I ask that you take time each day to read your bible and let the promises of God give you strength in every struggle you face. I am praying now for all who need to understand that there is always hope through Christ.
For I am the LORD, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)
I humbly ask that you keep the family of this suicide victim in prayer.
(Picture by Francesco Cosi )
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? (Psalm 121:1-2)
We have all suffered setbacks in our lives. In this time of uncertainty, our personal struggles can bring fear and doubt into our lives. It is hard enough to survive much less have any hope for the future. We are told in Scripture that God sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Why is that? I mean if you are trying to live and do what is right, why must you endure such the same hardship as evildoers?
God always has a plan. For believers, whether you are experiencing a time of peace in your life or enduring the heat of a painful struggle, you have the assurance of knowing that all things are being directed by the hand of God. When it seems as though you are being defeated, it just means that your victory is near. There is nothing to fear in any battle for the war of life has already been won at the cross! Jesus has made you a conqueror over all that comes against you. For that reason, the enemy’s tactic is to fill your mind with despair and hopelessness since he knows that you can never be destroyed. He is attempting to kill, steal and destroy the hope you have been given in Christ. Never surrender to him what Christ has paid a price to give you!
While we await the return of Christ, we are going to face trials of every kind. Although you may be feeling overwhelmed in your pain, God is always in control with full authority to bring your sufferings under submission to his will. Everything, big or small, is being worked out for the best for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. If you become anxious and hopeless in the midst of a trial, it is because you are listening to the lies of an enemy who has no power over you. There will never be a need too great or a heartache so painful that the amazing, never-failing love of Christ cannot heal.
The consequence of sin and evil is all around us. Sadly, most people have become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. But even as darkness fills the earth for all creation, God has provided a way for the righteous to escape. In the days of Noah, we read in Genesis 6:5, “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only for evil. “ Although the rain flooded the earth killing everything that walked on it, Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD and he and his family was spared. God knows how to rescue the righteous from their troubles no matter how impossible it may seem.
Those who put their hope in the things of this world will perish with it. No one is exempt from the trials of this world, but the faithful who trust in the cross of Christ shall never fall. God has a deliberate, eternal purpose in allowing trials in the life of believers. You are being molded and shaped for the world to come. He is preparing a place of royalty in heaven for you that will more than compensate for your momentary troubles here on earth.
David was a young man anointed by God to be King of Israel. Yet for many years he had to live his life in hiding from King Saul who wanted him dead. In Psalm 23, David wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” He was a man who believed that God could keep his promise to make him King even though things looked bad. He continued to trust his God and not his circumstance! David knew that God was with him despite the fact that Saul’s whole army was out to kill him.
Your battles are not yours to fight when you surrender them to Christ. Whatever valley of despair you may be in right now, remember that it is not your permanent location. It is actually a meeting place where you come to the knowledge and understanding of the God of all your strength.
David trusted and knew that his struggles were just an opportunity for God to show his power. In Psalm 18:18, David wrote: “ He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters”.
Whatever deep waters of problems that you have, take hope knowing that Christ died to give you a future. He reached down and took you this far and he has the power to take you to the end!
Dear Lord, I pray for all who visit here to understand the truth of this message. May you lift up those who are struggling and bring them to a place of your peace. May they know beyond a doubt that you are always with them. Amen
I know that God is with you
and he hears your every prayer
He never sleeps nor slumbers
as he holds your every tear.
As days seem overwhelming
and pain just fills your night
Remember that you’re not alone
You’re always in his sight.
When troubles seem to have no end
and strength is fading too
You have no fear, you’ve been set free
Christ paid the price for you.
There is no way that you can fail
though battles fill your day
For Christ has said that he alone
will always make a way.
When you no longer have the strength
to cast out all your fear
Just call his name, his holy name
and Jesus will be there!
My friends, my heart is with all of you who are going through a difficult time in your life. In one way or another, we all are suffering trials of every kind. I pray that you will take to heart the message that the love of Christ will never fail you.
Whatever struggle you are facing in your life, let the truth be your guide. There is nothing to stop the purpose for which God created you. You days were numbered and a plan was made for you long before you were born. There is always hope in every battle because the power of God is with you to the end.
When you are feeling overwhelmed and weary, please remember that someone is praying for you. Be blessed and stay in peace. All things are being worked out for your good!
“…but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13)
Stop the world, I want to get off! How many of us have had that thought? As the days grow shorter, the enemy has pulled out all the stops in his attacks. For that reason, there is an alarming number of people who just want to give up and some have even committed suicide. Many more have given thought to ending their life. In all these cases, Satan was able to convince them that there is no reason to live. His voice has tempted them to believe that the trial they are facing will never get better and it will never end. Jesus paid the price to overcome in every trouble and yet too many of us sadly cannot believe him.
We have all experienced those times in life when the battles we faced were so overwhelming that all hope just vanished. It can be very hard to recover when a loved one dies too soon and your heart is breaking from sadness. Marriages hardly seem worth the price of the license as spouses can leave their families without a hint of compunction. They always offer some excuse, but the bottom line is their vow and commitment to God meant nothing.
Financial problems are plaguing all of us in some way. Homes are being foreclosed and many are facing homelessness for the first time. Too often single mothers are destitute trying to raise their children alone. It seems never-ending as each day brings more problems.
To add to all of this, there is an overwhelming number of those with addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling and pornography. Crime has greatly increased and prisons are filled with dark forces of evil. Poverty and deadly diseases are at an all time high throughout this world. Earthquakes, tornadoes and floods have literally changed the geography of several states and countries.
Finally, never before have we seen the degree of sin and evil that defy understanding. News of parents who kill their own children without reason or remorse is becoming commonplace! Children are no longer protected from harm. We are literally living in a time when truth has been exchanged for a destructive lie. The hearts of most have grown cold as godlessness fills the earth to overflow.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3 :”There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” We are in those “terrible” times and it is now that you must choose what is right.
The forecast for this world is indeed dim. My heart breaks as I watch the massive deception that is filling this earth. In every country, people are crying out for God’s help in the midst of their struggles, but yet they are unwilling to surrender their lives to his will. Most do not understand that there will never be victory for them unless Christ rules in their hearts.
My friends, I want you to understand the most important part of this message. We are all living in perilous, troublesome times. Until Christ returns to make all things new, there is going to be trials and storms in the life of every believer. Those trials are not meant to drive you away from God and his purpose. They are permitted in your life to bring you to the power of God and his strength. For that reason, the enemy keeps taunting you to give up and believe that Christ was not enough or that he did not show up in time. The fact is that the legions of God’s angels are surrounding you right now. Your faith is being perfected as each battle brings you further up the mountain and closer to the face of God!
Those who feel that they cannot endure this life anymore and who want to die are listening to the lies from a defeated foe who has been rendered powerless and hopeless by the cross of Christ. That lie cannot hurt you unless you believe it! Take heart, my weary friends, for God is willing to breathe into you new life if you will just keep your eyes on him. You have the authority to move mountains and that means that you can take hope knowing that there is no boundary, no ocean, no pain and no bondage that can keep you a prisoner when the blood of Christ has set you free!
Whatever you are struggling with, your God is bigger. To those who are suffering with depression and even self-mutilation, there is a way out. That prison of affliction cannot keep you chained up any longer! Put your trust in Christ who paid the price to heal every disease and to restore marriages, homes and heal heartaches. He will get you through your financial battle and it is then that you will know Christ and his love for you that never fails.
Wherever you are, God sees you and knows your pain. Hold on and keep trusting for he knows how to rescue you if you don’t give up.
I am praying for all who need to hear this message. You are not alone for God has burdened others to pray for you. I hope that you will take to heart all that God has given me to write. Remember that your pain will not last forever. Only believe!
”Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22)
I know that times are tough and everyone is being hit with seemingly endless trials and tribulations. As the devil realizes that his time is growing short, the furor of hell has darkened this earth. We are living in a time of deception when many are compromising the truth. In an attempt to mollify those who just want to hear what tickles the ear, false teachers have watered down the gospel to the extent that even the devil isn’t offended! It is no wonder that as life’s storms grow fiercer, many people are having difficulty trusting that God’s power is enough.
The absolute truth to this is that Christ will always have the authority over everything that touches your life. God does not take a walk to the other side of heaven and forget about your pain and heartache. He sees each tear you shed. He has a full view of all that concerns you. All the storms in a believer’s life are permitted for an eternal reason. You are being made stronger and powerfully equipped for battle as you grow in your understanding of God’s limitless power.
It was with this knowledge that Job was able to cry out , “I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth” ( Job 19:25). Despite losing his children, his fortune and his health, Job still believed that God was with him! He said of God, “When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:9-10) You don’t have to see God to know that he is with you every second and leading you on the path that he has chosen for you long before the foundation of the earth. The devil himself can see God’s presence and protection surrounding you. One thing I have said before but is important enough to say again and that is that everything that comes against you MUST bow to the will of God for your life! You have nothing to fear for God will be with you to the end.
The perfect love of Christ breaks the bondage of fear. You belong to Christ and his will for your life cannot be hindered by any of your problems or weaknesses. Neither the world, the flesh nor the devil can alter the purpose and plan of God for you. There are no impossible situations for God. You need to look past the fiery furnace of every affliction and see the presence of Christ who is there to protect you. He alone has the final word on what happens to you in every circumstance. Problems increase when you start doubting that God will help you. It always leads to failure when you can’t wait on God and try to work things out your way. Nothing will prevent Christ from completing the job he started in you. Your pain will not crush you and it has no power to destroy you. When you shrink back in fear over your problems, you allow the lie of Satan to rule in your life.
I know that you may be feeling overwhelmed by all that is causing you pain right now, but don’t give up. You need to remember that Jesus paid the price for you to have an abundant life in spite of all the troubles you face. As he was dying on the cross for us, he cried out with his last breath, ”IT IS FINISHED!”. That means that nothing on this earth can keep you in bondage! You have been set free. Anything that opposes God’s will for you has now been rendered powerless. The impact of those words should stay in your heart always. Victory is living within you and the power that raised Christ from the dead is now your strength. The trial you are in cannot take you from God’s sight nor stop him from helping you.
In order to defeat the enemy, you must know the truth. In James 4:7, we read, “Submit yourselves; then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you“. The main command is to “submit yourselves to God” first. It is by humbling yourself before him and trusting that he will help you that you get all the strength that you need to make the devil and his schemes flee from you! The forces of hell shudder at the sight of one believer in prayer who trusts that God can do all things.
YOU are that believer! Let go of the lies and begin to trust in the power of God. He will keep you in his perfect peace beyond your power to understand. You can take God at his word who says: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.” ( Isaiah 26:3)
God is with you and I will be praying for you. You are never alone!
Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard” (Daniel 10:12)
Probably one of the hardest steps of faith is believing that God hears and will help us when we call on him in prayer. We are still living in a world that has dimensions and boundaries and our finite minds have limits to our understanding in difficult matters. We therefore need a measure of faith to see past that which is seen and go deeper into that which is unseen. The only way to please God is by trusting him despite the storms that we face in a world that is literally being destroyed by sin. Although it is not visible to our eyes right now, there is a battle that is taking place all around us in the heavenly realms. Darkness is covering the horizons in every corner of this world as evil is seeking to destroy everything in God’s creation. So when we are faced with a painful trial, it is easier to believe what we can see than what we can’t see. Yet, it is at our lowest point of struggle that we must lift our eyes in prayer and believe that our God is not going to let us be devoured by the enemy of destruction.
It may seem impossible to live with a heart that is breaking but God has promised us in his word that He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3) He is not slow to help and he will never fail you even when it seems that you are being crushed by the weight of your pain. If you could see the very real battle that is taking place all around you, you would understand that you are being guarded by the forces of heaven. Every step you take as a believer is guided by the hand of God who knows the path you must take to victory. Every prayer that you present to Christ is heard and he knows what is right and perfect for you. Your whole life is before his eyes and he is answering you in ways that for now you may not understand. The solid truth is that Christ never stops working all things out for your good! When you lift up your prayers and petitions, you are surrendering all of your struggles to the will of God. You are seeking his strength and his power to help you stand in faith believing the God who saw your unformed body in the womb and who numbered all of your days before even one of them came to be. Nothing of your life is hidden from him. Your fear and despair in a trial stem from not understanding the power of God and his unfailing love for you. Never will his eyes leave you for one second! Why can you not understand that you are worrying about things that Jesus already has worked out?
I have been through a lot of pain in my life but I can now rest in the fact that the purpose and plan God has for my life cannot be stopped. I can trust that he is right next to me when I pray and that he always hears. No pain can consume my life because my God will always be bigger that anything I face. I believe that God will go ahead of me in every battle and lead me into victory against my enemies. I know that God is faithful and that I can take him at his word. My future is in his hands and he is the joy of my life. At the moment of Christ’ death, the temple veil that enclosed the holy of holies was torn signifying our new access to the throne of God in every prayer! Believers are right there with Christ in every petition that is made to him. The devil can’t stop our prayers nor can he hinder God from answering them.
My dear friends, I say all this to encourage you through the trials you are facing. You can still have a future despite a broken marriage or a relationship that is not working out. Your financial struggles are not going to be forever. Job situations and serious health issues are still under the sovereignty of God. My greatest lesson in God’s love came when I trusted him at a time when I had no strength of my own in an impossible situation. His power is greater than a painful struggle or addiction. His strength is perfected in any weakness that we surrender to him. We can trust our God in every area of life and we can trust him in death. There is nothing good that he will ever withhold from those who belong to him. Never let the silence make you think that God is not doing something for your cause. Remember that Elijah had to wait on the mountain top for the quiet whisper of God after he faced the powerful wind, the earthquake and the great fire. No matter how or when he chooses to do it, never doubt that God will show up and fight against that which is coming against you!
Dear Lord, I am lifting up those who are going through a storm in life that is making them weary. They want to believe that you will show up in time to help them but the enemy has been filling their minds with lies. I pray that you will give them your peace that passes understanding and open their hearts to know that you are with them right now. They don’t have to see you or feel you to know that you are there. Show them that their prayers are heard by you and you will resolve the issues they face. Let them know that you will never leave them to fight against the battles of this world alone. I pray that they will listen for that small whisper of hope that you are ready to give them. Lord Jesus, I believe your promises never fail. Amen
Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
As this new year begins, I am praying for all who visit this site. I don’t have to know you to understand that God has a purpose in leading you here. I have learned in my life one important fact and that is that God hears our prayers and answers. For whatever reason he brought you here, I welcome you with love. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your need is, God’s strength is powerful enough to cover it all. Your pain, your struggles and your broken heart cannot stop the perfect plan God has for those who seek him. At some time in our lives, we all make bad choices and fall; but to those who take hold of the hand of Christ, there can be no failures. The truth is that there is no limit to what God can do through you and for you if you are willing to surrender your brokenness to him.
I want to share something that happened to me a few years ago that impacted my life. My elderly father had been living with me and my husband in our home. Almost four years to the month, my father got ill and I had to take him into the emergency room. I felt weary and alone sitting in dad’s room waiting for tests to be done when I heard the nurse talking to a man on the other side of the curtain. Apparently the young man tried to commit suicide when he found out his wife and kids were moving out. He sounded sad as he told the nurse that he felt like foolish for attempting something like that. After talking to him a bit, the nurse left to get his discharge papers. I had some of my faith articles with me and I felt strongly led to go over and give them to this stranger. I hesitated and decided to think it over before letting this man know I overheard his story. What if he got angry that I listened in? What do I even say to him? I panicked! After a few seconds, I just got up and went over. I turned back the curtain a little and quietly said to him, “Hi, I am so sorry but I overheard what happened and I want you to know that I care. More importantly, God cares, and he has a future for you even if your marriage ends. He can give you hope and healing no matter what you are feeling. I will be praying for you and I have some articles I wrote that I think may help you, if that is okay with you.” The young man simply looked me in the eyes with tears and said, “Thank you!” I went over and hugged him and he told me his name and I told him mine. We talked for a little and I tried to encourage him. Then he said something that truly humbled me to my soul. He said, “I know you don’t realize it, but you just saved my life today!” Amazing. Even though I was dealing with my seriously ill father, God still wanted to use me to bring his love and hope to someone who was ready to give up.
The next day, my daughter and I were with my father at the hospital when he passed away. It was a crushing ordeal for me, but somehow in all of my pain I remembered how Christ had used me to show his love to a stranger. God’s power was with me even as my father was dying. His peace just filled me as I understood without a doubt that God was now taking care of my father in heaven! His perfect plan did not fail me.
Life here on earth is not easy. We are still on the battle ground of a perishing world awaiting the final call of Christ. Our momentary problems are working out eternal ramifications. They are preparing us for royalty in a kingdom that will never end. We are always going to have struggles and pain, but we must never lose our focus for God’s is always with us on the path that he has prepared for our lives.
My hope for every believer is that you understand that the storms in your life have no power to destroy you because God will always be bigger. No matter how devastating it may seem, there is a purpose and plan for all that you must endure and he knows how to work it out for your good. I am praying for you now.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid
It is way too hard to hold on in this perishing world by your own efforts. Anyone who is trying to do so will fail. All of our force and all of our strength comes only from our relationship with Christ who has promised to give us all that we need. It is for that reason that we can have hope knowing that our life is being worked out by divine hands!
Struggles and storms are filling the lives of everyone. No one is exempt from the dark skies that have filled this world. As time grows short, the enemy has stepped up his attacks and they are brutal. Even the strongest Christians are being tossed by the winds of trouble. There is no air, land or sea to go where the war for souls is not fiercely raging. The enemy is relentless. Yet, the truth remains that there is a place of peace to rest when we are weary from the battle. That is the hiding place of Jesus Christ and in his mighty promise.
I have never witnessed such evil and darkness as I do in this present time. Believers are experiencing testing of all kinds as they are proven to be true sons and daughters of the living God. Jesus left us a promise that needs to be understood. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33) Your problems are ALL being worked out in the plan that he has set for you. Nothing you face comes as a surprise to him. You may not understand now why he is allowing you to suffer as you do, but you must continue to trust him despite what you feel. Every word in Scripture is utter truth and written for you to use as the power to stand against the attacks you face. When Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan, he did not use physical force to defeat him. He could have turned him to ashes with just a look. Instead, he used the powerful, unfailing word of God for which Satan had no power over! Jesus wasn’t just proving his strength to the enemy, he was showing us that we also have that power to overcome all obstacles that stand in our way. As bad as it now appears, the light of Christ is still a consuming fire with power to overcome all obstacles of battle.
There are many people suffering oppressive financial problems all over this world. The forecast is bleak as homes are foreclosed and many have to do without the basic necessities to live. Marriages are collapsing like dominoes as the lie of the enemy fills homes and destroys families. Health issues are increasing as families must deal with loved ones who have serious or terminal illnesses. My heart breaks to watch so many fall into the trap of addictive substances and literally exist to get their next fix. Pornography is destroying many and making slaves to those who are caught in its deadly obsession. Not even Christians aren’t exempt from this trap.
In addition to all this, we are facing wars and threats of wars, earthquakes, severe weather conditions and pandemic diseases. Through it all we may wonder, is Christ still sovereign when bad things are happening to good people? Can we still trust God to get us through all of these problems? The answer is a resounding yes! We can still rely on God to help us no matter what is happening in this world. He will never let the faithful in him be destroyed!
Psalm 34:19 tells us, “ A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” God will not fail in his promises to us. All circumstances of our lives have been predestined to work out for our good. There are no conditions that Satan puts in our lives that have power enough to take from the promise that Jesus died to give us. It may be tough for you now, but these times will not last. When the purpose for which they were allowed has been fulfilled than God will raise you above the waters and take you up the mountain of victory. You can’t lose if you keep your trust in the One who paid the price for your redemption.
The point is not whether or not you can rely on Christ to take you through these turbulent times. The truth is that you must rely on him and trust him even when all of your hope is gone. Your trials in this life are merely the workings of your transformation into the image of Christ. If God can create the heavens and the earth with just a word, he surely can move the mountains that come against your marriage, finances, health and everything else that stand in the way of what God has promised for you!
Those who wait upon the LORD will never be disappointed. God’s promise says in Psalm 72:26, ” My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” You may be down but you are not out. God still has a plan for your life. It is my prayer that those who are struggling in a trial will know that God will make a way!
