Oh Please Help Me Lord!

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior”. Habakkuk 3:17-18

If you lost everything and there seemed to be no hope could you honestly say this verse above and mean it? God does care but often times things don't go the way we think they should and we tend to think God has abandoned us. 

Sometimes we have tests and trials to make our walk with the Lord stronger. Atheists would tend to mock this thinking God was going to make everything right and perfect. The Bible never says that. Why is it when someone dies the first to get the blame is God? Why not blame Satan? Satan comes to "kill, steal, and destroy" it says in John 10:10.  All people are going to die someday we just don't know when. It is sad when a young person, an infant, or even your 99 year old mom dies but we can not live forever down here on this earth. 

A Christian has faith and trust that God is behind the scenes and is working out all Things for the good. No matter if it is in the loss of life, property,health, or whatever God can and will see you through each calamity that comes your way, you only need to call out to Him. 

PRAYER: I know you do not cause bad things to happen. Show me how to answer people when they are confused about this. Help me be able to share God's love with someone who is hurting or grieving or just be a listening ear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Don't Stop Running

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

What kind of challenges are you facing in your life? Some folks have pretty big ones. Incarceration, divorce, life threatening illness, estrangement from family, drug or alcohol addiction. Now you may not face the 'big ones' listed here but even a small issue in life can be overwhelming at times. No matter what, we are not to quit and give up but to keep charging and running the race ahead of us to win. 

How do you do that when life overwhelms you and you feel hopeless. First try to get your mind off yourself for just a moment. By this I do not mean your problem is unimportant because it is important. Focusing on other needs somehow lessens the impact of ours. Seeing how you can help another person. Suggestions would be volunteer at a homeless shelter, prison, jail, nursing home, hospital, after school program. Get involved in the lives of others who need care. Somehow your cares diminish when you get involved in another's life. 

Whatever you are doing today stay focused on the prize and that is Heaven. Keep focused on Jesus and do not allow the enemy Satan to rob your joy and lie to you. Defeat him at his own game by standing up joyfully and thanking the Lord for another day and the blessing coming your way. 

PRAYER: I want to keep running my race of life to win the crown of life. Help me not get distracted by minor problems or issues meant to trip me up. Give me the desire to plant love and hope into another's life. In Jesus' name. Amen.