Today's project was to attend Bible study and continue learning more of the Lord, His Word, and His ways through our video and workbook study, "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. On the way home, my neighbor Cindy and I were talking about prayer, and answers to prayer, whether they be "yes," "no," or "wait." And we also talked about what our reactions can tend to be when the answer is not to our liking! In other words, how do we resolve our desires and petitions with God's seeming denials at times?
I even told my friend, "in some of my current situations, I don't even know how to pray!" And there is an odd peace in that, because Romans 8:26 says, "For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered." Now that is a guarantee of calm in the storm right there, because the Holy Spirit knows the mind of the Father in any and all situations I will face in this life!
One friend at Bible study, Linda, shared a definition of peace that she had come across that makes so much sense: "Peace is the deliberate adjustment to the will of God." Let God be God, always know how much He loves His children, and let Him put your life in the order He has designed for it all along!
On Facebook today, a precious young mom had posted Romans 2:8,16 concerning God's judgment:
"but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath... in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ."
A following comment from someone unknown to me, claimed that "if there is an analogy between God and us and a parent and child, then God should be charged with child abuse. ..It's not okay to stick a child's hand in the fire to teach them to stay away." The individual also added later in the dialogue, words to the effect that "it seems like we're just God's puppets, and that some puppets just get thrown into hell when they're done being played with."
Oh, no! That is not the God of the Bible, and certainly not the God I have come to know personally "who loved me and gave Himself for me!" (Galatians 2:20). I added my part to the dialogue, saying, "Read James 1:12-17 for a scriptural perspective [on God and man's sin]."
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been tempted, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation nor shadow of turning."
Our Heavenly Father knows all of our weaknesses and temptations! He always helps us to stay close to Him; exhorts us to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17); to study His Word for guidance on every conceivable topic (Psalm 119); and to stay in fellowship with likeminded believers (Hebrews 10:25). If we will do these things, we can know His love, glean hope in even the most hopeless of situations, spread His love to others we meet, snatch unbelievers out of eternal fire, and avoid eternal judgment as well!
We are God's children, but we are fully grown people capable of making our own choices--as I have done, along with millions of other believers in Jesus Christ!
In Deuteronomy 30:15, God set before His people life and good, death and evil--I choose life and good!!
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