Experiences and our faith

 

One of the things that pose an obstacle to our faith is our past experiences.

You’ve seen it happen before. You’ve been through that hell before.

Now, when God tells you it could be different this time you find it hard to believe because you are haunted by past experiences.

God is always doing a new thing and it is in our own interest to key in to whatever He is doing and not stay prisoners of our past experiences.

Yes, we unavoidably learn from past experiences and they teach us wisdom. But we must never become too wise for God to handle.

When it comes to trusting God, we must let go of any thing that is a hindrance to our faith, including the fear of “it could happen again” in the negative sense of the that expression.

Now, be careful not to fall into the same ditch again, but be careful also not to miss your miracle because of that old ditch.

Get out of that rut you call “my experiences” and live again.

Shalom, Gretiana.

Lord, if it be your will take this away…

 

If you’ve never been there, then you’re never going to really understand what is at stake in their life; so why not just pray for them and leave it at that?

Why not just hold back that comment and observe instead?

They may not be as complacent as you think.

They may be spending sleepless nights over it.

They may be in the middle of a fast because of it.

They might have begged God a hundred times to take that thing away.

Perhaps they’ve got their lessons to learn;

Perhaps it’s a thorn in their flesh they have to live with;

Perhaps their faith is being tried;

Perhaps….God alone knows why.

Do not put that label on them;

Do not make that conclusion you are about to make;

Do not judge, categorize and condemn.

Rather, ask from God the wisdom and discernment to see beyond the physical,

Then you may begin to understand what they are having to endure.

 

 

To hold on or to let go?

Life is made of seasons. Some seasons require that we let go while other seasons need a holding on.

If you hold on when you are supposed to let go, you are in trouble; and if you let go when you are expected to keep holding on, you are in as much trouble.

Now you ask me, when do I know it’s time to hold on or to let go? Good question.

For this we need discernment. Ask of God and He will give you of this spirit abundantly and free of charge.

In addition to this we need wisdom; not the wisdom of this world that comes to nothing but divine wisdom that leads to sure victory. “Is it wise for me to hold on or to let go in this situation?”

Furthermore you need to know your bigger purpose in life. “Does letting go, or holding on, fit into the bigger purpose, vision, plan for my life?”

For all of these to work together for your good you need faith, the kind of unshakable faith that defies all odds. You must have self-confidence and the right kind of self-esteem so that you don’t get tossed from one opinion to another by public opinion.

There will be times in your life wherein the whole world (including your spouse, father, pastor, child etc) is against you. At the same time, the Spirit of God, and your deepest conviction are saying the contrary. What will you do in this case? Give in to the pressure?

There is a time to hold on and a time to let go. May you never hold on to dry branches, and may you never let go of God-given opportunities.

Discern, be wise, be purposeful, then take a stand and be ready to defend it with your faith.

To hold on or to let go?

THANK YOU LORD

I thank you Lord for being alive
I am thankful for lessons learned
I am thankful for battles won
I am thankful for traps escaped
I thank you for the faith to go on
When I carefully consider it all
I see your invisible hand at work
That wrought many a miracle
To bring me this far.

I will not weep for battles lost
Or whine for wounds incurred
I will sing praises to my God
Because He did see me through.
Though weather-beaten and woe-stricken
I look to the future full of hope
For He who has promised
Faithful is He
To bring me home save to Him.

CHEER UP!

Cheer up, fear not.

The Lord has not abdicated His throne.

He is still in control of the universe.