Thought of the week commens for March 28th

God is Faithful... How many times have you heard that saying? What do you think when you hear it? It's difficult to believe He is faithful, especially in the midst of suffering. 1 John 1:9 says "He is faithful and just." A just God is hard to understand when we are facing betrayal, rejection, hostile environments, suffering and loss. It's during these circumstances when the rubber meets the road and our faith in God either is either real or not. We sometimes can get confused because we think our faith in God is to prevent us from loss, shield us from harm, and protect us from disappointment. The writers of the Bible saw evidence of God's faithfulness not in their comfort level or circumstance but in God's CONSTANT companionship. God was with them throught the trials, fires, and aches of life. God's faithfulness is not a passport out of trouble in this world. HIs faithfulness is a promise of his presence in this world and in the world to come!! I know God is faithful when I have a peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of my pain and suffering. Our faithfulness in God does not keep us free from pain and suffering, but it focuses our life on an eternal perspective. Heb 10:23 says "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." In the midst of your suffering, rest on his CONSTANT companionship. This is what builds our faith in him!!

Thought of the week comments for March 21st

It's the first week of Spring. Wow dont you just love it!! As I am driving through our city, I cant help but notice the bright green hills. The winter barren trees are starting to bud. Beautiful, colorful lillies will soon be in bloom. Spring is a time for rebirth, regrowth, and a chance to get out and feel the warm sun after a long cold winter. For many of us, we feel we have been in a winter season for a long time, but its encouraging to know we don't stay there forever!!I love the parable of the sower. If we sow our seeds on good soil, at the proper time we will bear good fruit. However, WE must go through the winter season first so our soil is ready to bear good fruit. God wants us to bear good fruit in our lives, but its up to us where we scatter our seeds (on good soil or bad soil). Spring time is a testimony to our winter season. Have you planted your seeds (life) on good soil (God's word)? If so, get ready your Spring will be in full bloom. When we plant our lives on the word of God during the winter season, we are guaranteed to have regrowth and rebirth take root in our lives. Staying grounded in Him during the rough winter season will be the difference of good fruit in our lives. Happy Spring!!

Thought of the week comments for March 6

How many of you have heard the saying, "let go and let God"? Easier said than done right!! It's hard to let go because it's in our nature to take control of our life. It's uncomfortable to hand things over, we feel out of control when we do this. I know for myself, I am such a control freak so this is not an easy task for me. God has been pruning many areas in my life which has caused me to be on my knees and let go. I am seeing marriages heal because a spouse has chosen to let go of their control and put the marriage in God's hands. Regardless if they feel bitter, angry, or hurt, they are allowing God to be the healer instead of throwing in the towel. Life isnt easy and it takes work to let go and let God!! Sometimes God gets us to a point where we have no choice but to let go and let God. I believe in times like this he is testing our perseverance to see if we truly trust in him. James 1:3 says, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." If we are in a situation where we are forced to let go, try to look at the bigger picture. God wants to mature our faith so the next time life gets rocky, it is easier to put our trust in him. Life really is less stressful when we can come to a point of letting go and letting God!!