Looking for Trouble?

thanks, Flickr

We talked about God being the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort - the perfect source of comfort when we are need - on Monday. Today we are going to talk about the fact that we will suffer, we will endure hard times, we will face trials. But in those trials and troubles, we are able to experience God.

For just as Christ’s [own] sufferings fall to our lot [as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them] abundantly, so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us. 2 Corinthians 1:5 AMP

The overflowing of suffering AND comfort. Paul is saying that sure we will have difficulties. In fact, hardships will abound!  But just as we have an abundance of suffering, we will be overwhelmed with comfort and consolation. Ironic it seems, but as Christians the two – suffering and comfort – really do go hand in hand. Our relationship with Christ guarantees suffering, but it also guarantees His comfort!

There are many times that I find myself praying for someone who is going through a “trouble” or hardship in life. This difficult situation may be tragic, or just a temporary trial. But, God has taught me lately that when I pray for these people and their situations I am to pray that God Himself will be revealed to them. I truly believe that His word teaches that His glory is revealed through our sufferings and trials. Many think that “His glory revealed” speaks of heaven or His return. No doubt it does. However, I believe that His glory is also revealed all around us here on earth if we look for it. What is God’s glory? What are we searching for? Christian author, teacher, and speaker Beth Moore says, “God’s glory is the way He makes Himself recognizable.” 


Think of the people in the Bible that God used in extraordinary ways to accomplish His purposes and make Himself recognizable. Abraham. Moses. Daniel. Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. The disciples. Paul. Can you think of one of them that did not go through a trial or some form of trouble?


In every situation above, God’s glory was ultimately revealed.  He “was recognizable” in these difficult situations to show who He is to not only the one involved in the trial, but also the spectators looking on! Difficulties that we face ultimately reveal God to us and others. They often bring an intimacy with God we have never experienced before. 



So now, I ask you, are you looking for “TROUBLE?”  Probably not.  In fact, you are probably hoping that your relationship with Christ can grow without all the difficulties and heartache.  No, we would never ask for hardships in life.  But, when troubles come, and they will, we need to meet them with the longing and the anticipation of a closer walk with the Lord.  Because on the other side of that trouble is the knowledge and experience that God has revealed Himself and shown Himself to be the God of comfort and the Father of compassion.  


I want you to know that I am praying for you today, my friend. God loves you, He has a plan for your life, and He will never leave you or forsake you. He wants to reveal Himself to you. 


Living for ONE by getting off the throne,


Kelli




Linking with Winsome Wednesday, Internet Cafe Devotions, and Getting Down with Jesus

All in All

When I tell people that my favorite book in the bible is Second Corinthians, they often look at me funny. You can tell they are scanning their scripture memorization bank to recall any verse that might be worthy of memorizing in Second Corinthians. There are others who don't even know that there was a second letter written to the church at Corinth. 


For me, these thirteen chapters hold truths and powerful statements that have been transformational in my life and ministry. If you missed the first two posts of this series, I invite you to go back and read When God has a Different Objective and There's Only Room for One. 


So, if 2 Corinthians has never been your favorite book of the bible or if you've never memorized any scripture from this book, I pray that by the end of this series, you will have been prompted by the Spirit to do so. 


So, let's jump in! The third verse in the very first chapter of 2 Corinthians will stop you in your tracks. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  (2 Co 1:3–4)

There's so much packed in these verses, but I want to focus on the "alls" and the "any."  The God of all comfort is the One who comforts us in all our troubles. It does not say the God of some comfort is the One who comforts us in some of our troubles. Praise God, He doesn’t choose which situation in my life He will be there for me! He is always there for me.  And this verse even tells me that when I do run to others (spouse, family, friends) for comfort, guess what? He is the One who has empowered them to share it with me. The point is: God is the source of your comfort.  

I am reminded of a personal illustration. You see, if you know me, you know I enjoy talking – with just about anyone for just about any reason. Therefore, if a “trouble” comes my way, I often pick up the phone to call my Mom, or one of my closest friends to vent, and to seek the answers I want to hear. After “venting” recently to my Grandmother about a situation, she called me the next morning.  The conversation went like this:




“Hello?”
“Hey, Honey.” (She always calls me “Honey.”)
“Hey, Grandmother.”  (I always call her “Grandmother.”)
“Listen, Honey, I can’t talk long, but I just wanted to know if you were doing better today.”
“Yes, Grandmother, I am.  Thank you for letting me “vent” yesterday.”
“Well, Honey, I was listening to a pastor speak on the radio last night and I heard a very interesting comment.  In fact, I feel like the Lord wanted me to share it with you.”
“What, Grandmother?” 
“Well, this pastor said, ‘Get off the phone and go to the throne.’”
Silence.
“Ok, Honey, I’ll be going now.  I love you.” Click.
I. was. stunned.


You see, He is the source of all comfort. Our family and friends, or whomever we go to for comfort, are just the empowered distributors. Though it is great that we have people that we can go to and talk to, He would love to be your first stop for comfort. Tell Him what you are feeling. Let Him know your hurts and your fears. Tell Him how lonely you are. And when you can’t even put your thoughts into words, don’t worry; the Spirit is right there interceding on your behalf. Our Lord wants to be our Comforter, our Source of Compassion. He wants to be our All in All.  


What are you thinking right now? Do you allow Jesus to be your All in All? How has God been your source of compassion and comfort? I would love to hear your comments. In fact, as I prepare to write this book, your comments are more needed than ever. Please let me know if God moves you or if you have any insight. Reading by email? click here to go to the site to comment. If not, scroll down to comment.


Living for ONE by getting off the throne!


Kelli

Linking with: Jen  at Finding Heaven Today and

My Life on the Mine Train

I remember it vividly. As we loaded onto the cars that would take us up and down and twisting and turning, there was a mixture of fear and thrill. You know that blending of emotions that causes you to want to throw up and jump up and down simultaneously. The fear starts to produce doubts, but the opportunity of a thrill enables you to get on this crazy roller coaster.

Yes, we climbed into our two-passenger seats and waited for the rote instruction... "Arms up as the safety bar comes down and locks in front of you." Except it didn't come down. The safety bar did not come down! We screamed for help and for the attendant to stop the train from beginning to move, but no one could hear us above all the other noise.

Thrill seemed to fade quickly as we literally hung on for life to the front of our car. Thankfully, there were only minor turns and hills before we saw another attendant. As we ascended onto one of the major hills, we yelled for the attendant to stop the train and pull down the safety bar. Once again, we were not heard. By now fear was our faithful attender. My aunt who was in the car with me did her best to support my twelve year old frame. The mine train coaster was in full motion now and we were about to rise to our highest peak. 

There at the top of the biggest hill was another attendant. Screaming at the top of our voices, we frantically yelled for the car to stop. Finally we were heard. The coaster was halted. Our safety bar which served as a belt to hold us in finally came down around our waists. Relief does not describe our feelings. Had we not been protected with the safety bar at that time, we most likely would have been thrown from the cars and badly injured.

My life has resembled that crazy mine train roller coaster lately. 

I am having my first article published in a printed magazine in April. UP.

My parents are both going through cancer treatment right now - Mom in chemo and Dad in radiation. DOWN.

My speaking ministry is taking off and I am so excited to see what God is going to do! TWIST.

My house is so disorganized, it is a miracle that I ever get anything accomplished. TURN.

Just spent the weekend with my husband of 20 years ministering together at a Marriage conference. UP.

There are relationships in my life that desperately need healing. DOWN.

You get the picture. There are times I jump on board this roller coaster called life with that same mixture of fear and thrill. And there are times that I wonder if Someone forgot to pull down the safety bar. I feel out of control. Desperate. I cry out and don't feel heard at times.

BUT JESUS. Even though life is crazy, unpredictable, lonely, and broken, we have a GOD WITH US. We have a GOD WHO SEES. We have a GOD WHO HEARS AND LISTENS. We have a PROTECTOR and a PROVIDER. JESUS is our SAFETY BAR. He is our ATTENDANT. He will never leave us or forsake us. He LOVES US! 

I hold on to you for dear life,

and you hold me steady as a post.  Psalm 63:8

Friend, whatever you are going through, I want you to know that God loves you and He will never abandon you. Even when you feel you are not being heard, He is there. Trust Him. He has a plan for your life and it is greater than you could ever ask or imagine. I feel that we are a community here. I have shared some of my struggles, would you share yours, so we can pray for you?

Living for ONE,


Kelli 


joining in with Jen at SDG...come join us!

eMpowering Mondays: Life in my Deadness

^{Question: Do we live our lives empowered by the fact that our God raises the dead?}

In 2 Corinthians 1: 8 - 9, Paul describes some major gut-wrenching, devastating trials he was going through. Though he doesn't tell us exactly what the trials were, we can infer that they could have been internal (sickness, anguish, depression) or external (persecution, physical abuse, or even wild animal attacks!) I am actually glad that Paul doesn't tell us exactly what those trials were.  Not being specific enables us to apply this verse to our own lives, especially when we are in desperate circumstances.

^"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."(NIV)

This verse reminds us that:

1. Our difficult life experiences increase our need to totally rely on God.  Would you agree?  When life is going great and smoothly, we tend to lean on our on power and understanding. We run the show. But when life gets difficult, we are reminded of how inadequate we are on our own and of how much we need a Savior.  God is always worthy of our trust and reliance on Him. But we often make the choice to put Him aside and direct our own steps. 

2. Our reliance on God increases our realization of His power.  When we are at our wits end, and we decide to fully give ourselves and our situations to Him, He shows up in a mighty and miraculous way. We say, "I don't know what to do!"  He responds,"Great. I'll take it from here!" We realize how powerful He is. We realize He is able. 

Ever been in a situation you thought was hopeless? Ever thought a relationship or a dream or a circumstance was virtually dead? You did all you could do. You tried all you knew to try. And wearily, hopelessly, you laid it at the feet of Jesus. Paul says that in the most desperate of circumstances, it feels as we have been given the death sentence. And then Paul gives purpose to those painful circumstances - "that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God." And then he adds these four little words that make all the difference in the world.

who raises the dead. This is not about relying on just any god. This is about placing our lives in the hands of an Almighty God. Our God raises the dead! God can bring life to a dead situation. He can bring hope to your hopelessness. There is no one like Him. Are you living your life as if you are empowered by a god? A god who isn't real? A god who doesn't hear you? A god who doesn't love you and have a plan and purpose for your life?

Or are you living your life knowing that you are empowered by THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE? The Great I AM? The Lover of Your Soul? The God Who Has a Plan for Your Life? THE GOD WHO RAISES THE DEAD?

Would you join me in praying that we can live empowered by the fact that our God raises the dead? 

Lord, help us to see our need to more fully rely on You and by doing so, see Your power at work in our lives.

Would love your comments!

Unwrapping the gift of Him bringing life to my deadness,

Kelli

Linking up with my sisters at: