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.