AN ANSWER LONG SOUGHT FOR

There are many who ask the question, "Why does trouble come my way?" or at least some version of that question. Usually, it is asked when the "heat" is on so to speak. To use a different illustration, the thought does not usually cross one's mind until a storm is upon them and then the question arises, "Why this trouble?". The Bible has the answer to your question. You may not like the answer but it is definitely the answer to the question.

Why do troubles come? According to Paul in II Corinthians 1:9, trouble comes "that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God...". Now, in Paul's particular situation, the trouble was death and Paul's hope in this particular situation was that God raises the dead. But the core principle of this verse is that Paul says he was learning to trust in God, not in himself.

Isn't that really were we all run amok. We like to think that we have things all under control. We like to think that we have things all planned out. We have our calendars and our day planners and our computer programs and everything is timed to the "T" to work out just right. Therein lies our problem. We are trusting in ourselves rather than God. Troubles come, therefore, to teach us NOT to trust ourselves but rather to have faith in God.

There is NO SITUATION you can find yourself in where God cannot sustain you. And maybe, just maybe, that trouble that is upon you now or coming your way is to reveal that you have been trusting yourself more than trusting God. Certainly it is not something we love to experience, trouble, but the experience will certainly teach us to love our God more than we love ourselves.

May God's grace super-abound in your life today.

IT TAKES RAIN!

Even as I am typing this, rain is falling outside. I am quite sure that there are some home builders who are not happy with the liquid sunshine. I am also sure that there are others who had plans and this rain is washing away at those plans. But I LOVE the rain.

I am a gardener of two sorts. I have a vegetable garden and the beginnings of a rose garden as well as other plants and flowers. These veggies and flowers depend upon this rain for their growth. I can use city water but it does not have the same effect as rain water. After a rain, the grass grows much darker and fuller and the garden veggies as well. The city water does not have as good an effect as the rain water. I placed a 55 gallon plastic drum under one of my gutters to catch the rain water and I use it to water my plants and veggies until it runs dry. Then I hope for rain to fill it up again. Rain water is so much better than man's "purified" water.

The Word of God is likened to water. It washes and regenerates. Sure, you can use "man-made" water for your soul, but it does not produce, it cannot produce what only the pure Word of God can do. Have you had your water today? Do you long for the rain of the Word of God to quench your soul's thirst? Do you long for the real rain and not some man-made, second rate HOH with additives? Read your Bible. Meditate on either a Scripture you are memorizing or one that you have already memorized. Let God, through His Word, quench the thirst of a pilgrim traveling through a dry and thirsty land. Remember, it takes rain!

BLOG RECOMMENDATION

If you would take the time, I would encourage you to stop over at BYRON'S place and read his latest article, "Be Skeptical of the Skeptics". It is informative and I believe it will bless you to read the truth that is uncovered in this article.

A CALL TO PRAYER

Please pray for the family of Debbie Kaufman. She is a blogger herself and a frequent commenter on sites that I visit. Her 20 year old daughter has lost her husband in an motor vehicle accident. We pray that the grace of God may super-abound during this time of trial.

ARE YOU SOWING?

Well, it is that time of year and Spring is in the air. The temperature stays in the upper 70's during the day and is even venturing into the lower 80's. The azaleas have bloomed and now need trimming. The roses are beginning to yield their blooms and the wisteria is beginning to wind down. The grass is green, hummingbirds have returned and the lawn mower shops are bustling with sales and activities. It is also time, actually about 2 weeks past, to plant the old garden. It can be a lot of work getting a garden together. There are weeds to pull, rows to make, decisions to be made about what to plant and where to plant it. But one thing is sure, if you do not plant, you cannot reap. If you do not put seeds into the garden, your garden will not bear fruit. And, besides weeds, you only reap what you plant. You cannot plant corn and expect to get green beans or vice-versa. You plant knowing that it is about 2 months away before you can begin to expect fruit but you plant anyway. The payoff is tremendous. The hard work is fruitful and can be very rewarding. There is nothing like a pot of fresh green beans, seasoned with smoked bacon or sausage.

Our spiritual lives need the same amount of attention and care. We cannot reap where we have not sown. AND, we reap what we sow. Sow weeds and you profit weeds. Sow fruit and you will profit with fruit. How can we sow as Christians? First, I would say you need to sow the Word of God in your minds. Memorize Scripture. Read Scripture. Study Scripture. Meditate on Scripture. Secondly, I would say you need to sow by sharing the Word of God. Whether words given to encourage, heal, challenge or evangelize, share with the hope of seeing God bless the work with returns. Third, I would say you need to sow by supporting those who are sowing the Word of God. That usually means finances but more importantly, your prayers and your involvement in helping them are what are most desired.

So, what are you sowing?

Galatians 6:7-10 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Check Out My New Blog

I have started another blog that will allow me to keep the sanctity of this blog and yet still venture into the world of the Southern Baptist Convention, its politics and its problems. It is found at:

All Things SBC

Stop in and visit.