Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Trusting God in the Storm

I woke up this morning consumed with thoughts about how we will pay the bills and how we will afford our trip to California to visit Tom’s family. I questioned whether I should have taken one of the job offers, wondering if I had made the wrong choice.

Right now, the rent is paid, but none of the other bills have been, and in my limited thinking—without considering God’s provision—it looks like everything will be shut off before long. As I brushed my teeth, I recalled something one of the girls from the Upper Room meeting said last night: If we can’t pay our bills, we need to do what we can to earn the money to pay them.

Again, doubt crept in. Are we crazy to be “waiting” on God like this instead of “doing” something to help ourselves? But then, God spoke through today’s Spirit of Prophecy:

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns — May 21, 2008
"Re-establish your priorities, and keep a tight rein on your thoughts and activities. For the enemy will try to draw you away from your kingdom focus through distractions. Be sensitive to a check in your spirit in any given situation, and allow My Holy Spirit to direct your steps and be your restraining power. If you will do this, you will enjoy the fullness of the season without confusion or hindrance. And remember that I will not ask you to be responsible for more than you can effectively handle, says the Lord.

'For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.'" — Philippians 2:13

Thank You, Lord, for Your quick response to the enemy’s distractions! This is so hard. Thank You for reminding me that You are the One who works in me to will and to act according to Your good pleasure. Right now, I feel so weak, but I know You are my strength in weakness.

Even in the midst of my doubt, God is at work. This week, I received two referrals from DN for my group, which means I will be busy helping them get set up and on track for healing.

Lord, I trust You. Strengthen me and help me keep my eyes on You during this storm. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Timely Confirmation

Oh, and look at today’s Utmost for His Highest devotional!

May 21 — Having God's "Unreasonable" Faith

"But let your first care be for His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these other things will be given to you in addition." — Matthew 6:33

When we look at these words of Jesus, we immediately recognize them as the most revolutionary ever spoken. "Seek first the kingdom of God." But even the most spiritually-minded among us often argue the exact opposite: "But I must live; I must make money; I must be clothed and fed." Our greatest concern is not the kingdom of God, but how we will take care of ourselves.

Jesus reversed the order. He told us to get our relationship with God right first, to make that our primary concern, and to trust that everything else will fall into place.

"Do not worry about your life..." — Matthew 6:25

From Jesus' perspective, it is completely unreasonable for us to be anxious about how we will live. He didn’t say the person who takes no thought for life is blessed—no, that person is a fool. Instead, He taught that His disciples must focus on their relationship with God above all else and be cautiously carefree about everything else.

In essence, Jesus was saying: Don’t let food, drink, or money be the controlling factors in your life. Instead, be absolutely focused on God. Some people are careless with their earthly matters, and God holds them accountable. But Jesus is calling us to a higher way—one that places our relationship with God first and everything else second.

This is one of the hardest disciplines in the Christian life, but it is absolutely critical. Lord, help me align my heart with Your truth!

You are so cool, God! :)