Road Blocks; Help or Hinderance?

I Thessalonians 3:11-13

"Now God himself and our father, an our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God. even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

Detours, roadblocks, delays, changes in plans....What is your usual reaction when these occur in your lives? Anger? Frustration? Worse?

How can you discern if a 'roadblock' in your life is a 'detour' from the Lord or a distraction from Satan? God often gives us a change in plans. But Satan tries to get us off into the mud and muck of uselessness. God never leads us to something that is contrary to His will. He would never lead us to do something contrary to scripture. A very wise person said "When God closes a door, He always opens a window" what can you do to circumvent a road block that is keeping you from ministering?

Pray-This seems obvious but usually we don't think of praying first. We often feel like we need to try and extricate ourselves from tough situations. God wants to hear from us as much as possible. He loves His children and especially loves it when we ask for His help and guidance. He gives His advice through His word directly, through wise friends or a godly preacher.

Praise-Rejoicing it wherever God has you is vital. If God placed us here then it is exactly where he wants us. If we are not where he wants us, we will know it better and sooner if we are staying close to him and his word.

Perseverance-If you are not sure what to do keep on doing what you have been doing (providing it's a godly thing) God can steer you easier when you are already in motion.

In the last few years I have noticed times when I was hindered from going where I wanted to on the roads. Then after the lights changed green, or the hinderance was removed I went along the road and saw a fender bender or worse... it was then I realized that had I not been hindered I might have been in those accidents. So now when things don't go the way I think they should I stop and think and remind my self... "God has allowed this for a reasons"

When we see Christ-words by Esther Kerry Rusthio:

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,

We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;

But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away

All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

Refrain

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;One gliimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/seechrist.html

(above artwork copyright Gerda Collins 2008)

Busy-ness is not always God's business

Matthew 10: 38-42
"Now it came to pass , as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken way from her.

WOW, so many things to think about in this passage. First I want to say the title for this entry was not original with me, though I have heard it, or similar, many time.

In this passage Jesus recognized Martha's care as well as Mary's devotion. I want to focus on the contrast and how it applies to us. Martha is a generous lady, willingly opening her home to the Savior. All that planning and preparation I think distracted her from what was really important here. Just doing 'good things' is not enough, you should be doing what you are truly called to do with out recognition.

I have been guilty of the same (and I am sure others of you out there will agree) we get so wrapped up in planning some event that when the time for the event comes we are running around in the back of the room, kitchen, or wherever trying to keep everything together (usually do to poor planning or last minute changes we made) so much that we don't get to sit and hear the speaker, eat a bite or even visit a moment with our friends. Often, like Martha, we forget the PRE-in 'preparation'. Confession time: In the past I have relished in this 'martyr' type of situation "oh , look at me, I am working SO hard over here." As I recently studied this passage in Matthew it really made me think, "why am I doing this... or that... or the other thing?"

Christ wanted Martha's heart MORE than her home, (you can insert your money, time, talents or whatever in that spot).


(also given to me by a friend):
"Jesus would live had Martha not fed him,
but.....
Martha would not live if Jesus had not fed HER."

Don't get so busy in doing or tied down in 'appearing' that you forget you are called to BE a Christian, a follower of Christ. How can we be like Christ if we don't spend the needed time at 'His feet', in his word, listening and adoring HIM.

"Mary hath chosen" Jesus said. It's a choice, putting your priorities in place. Intimacy with God should always have first place. Jesus patiently waits for us to come sit at HIS feet. He does not come in the kitchen (or the office) and drag us out ... He just waits.... how long will He have to wait?

I Kings 19:12-13 "And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it...."

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Are You Walking Worthy??

I Thessalonians 2: 11-12 , As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye should walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

What would be the response if you told every unbeliever you met that you were a beliver? Would they respond, "Are you serious??" or "Yeah, I can tell"

My dear husband posed this question as he taught the adults Sunday School class yesterday.

This is really a rather weighty question. Usually we tend to go about our days, just happy to get through the 'to do list' and home again, make dinner and look on to the next day. But lately I have been more and more aware of those around me. Sometimes I feel frustrated and other times I feel sad that people tend to be so closed to hearing God message..... it's such a GREAT message. Yet, Satan works so hard to keep peoples ears, hearts and minds closed to this wonderful message. This we know is because Satan is more and more at work in these end times :( , it should not stop us from continuing to show forth His love and share His message, for if they reject it, they are rejecting God, they are just doing it through us, because we are His messengers.

We are charged by Christ to spread The GOOD News, and we are responsible to tell others... and yet they are also responsible to recieve it and to respond to it. So it is vital that we remember little things we do, often unspoken could be 'the seed' that causes someone to respond to God and seek more information. It is often not the obvious things that direct someone to God. Our world is so filled with hate and intolerance that God's message should really 'shout' His love and care. Let us strive to be open and aware of all the opportunities that God sends our way to witness for Him and let us not get angry or frustrated when people don't respond. God is in control, we need to just do our part and let Him "take it from there"

May you be blessed by these simple words.

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

This has been one of my life's verses. By trusting in Jesus my life has been directed. That does not mean all things have been pleasant but that I have had a guide, an all knowing guide, to show me the way.