Early on, when my husband lost lots and lots of income... God so graciously led me to this scripture,
Philippians 1:18b-20
"Yes, I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."
I knew as soon as I read this... that what was happening in our family was for OUR deliverance. This was "FOR" us and not "TO" us. There are many things that we needed to be delivered from.... some being..... pride, materialism, self reliance, sporadic prayer lives, dependence on self, and many others. So... I need to just say... this is all well with my soul.
Do I like it?? "NO!"
Would I love for it to be over? "YES!"
Do I love God enough to go through this with Him? "ABSOLUTELY YES"
Will I continue to love Him and serve Him if things never change? "You better believe it!!"
God has shown Himself faithful to me over and over. Is it always in a financial way??? No.
BUT... I will take God's faithfulness... to meet me every morning in "our spot", or to show Himself to me through His Word, or to remind me of His love in a song, or to fill my spirit with a desire to know Him better and love Him more... OVER a financial miracle ANYTIME!!!
By the worlds standards... we are a disaster. By God's standards... we are right where He wants us to be. This is plan A. There is no plan B. This can and will be used for God's glory. I will not allow the enemy to convince me that God doesn't care about us or love us... actually it has convinced me of the opposite,
God cares so much about us, that He will not allow us to continue on the path that we were on... He wants to change us. He wants to change us into the likeness of His precious Son.
I can accept that. I can accept all of this hardship knowing that God wants us to go through this for His glory.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us,
"Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
So... I can thank God for the circumstances that we find ourselves in right now. He is showing me things about Himself that I may not have ever known without this. So... I covet your prayers... for us to be close to God... and to hear His voice when He teaches us... not for this to just go away. I want to be where God wants us to be. This will be over when He chooses to allow it to be over. Or, if it never changes... I will still love Him and serve Him. BUT... I want us to be different on the other side of this. I want God to deliver us from the things that He sees in us that cannot be used by Him.
This is really well with my soul.
1Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared in give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
12 comments:
This statement you made:
"This will be over when He chooses to allow it to be over. Or, if it never changes... I will still love Him and serve Him," reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (I'm not sure of the spellings). :)
It sounds like what they all said to King Neb as they were being thrown into the fire....I know it makes God smile to hear you say it too. And He did bring them all out of the fire, and they did not even smell like smoke, amen? :)
My family and I are in a very similar fire, it is tough. But you are right when you say, you find out things you would of other wise never known.:)
God Bless,
Amy:)
Okay, I totally had this AWESOME encouraging comment and my internet connection went down...AGHH!!! So I don't know if it went through, but it went something like this.
Lynn,
You are an inspiration. When Abraham and Isaac climbed the hill, Abe told his servants, "We'll be back ya'll" because He KNEW the faithfulness of our God. That is what I hear from you. It's untelling the lives that will be standing at the gate that you are touching...even though you aren't where YOU want to be right now...you KNOW you are where God wants you to be. That is the mustard seed that will move your mountains!!
Father,
I pray for Lynn and her hubby. I know that a man can get down when all his hard work and sweat appears by our standards to go unrewarded. I pray that you will so fill him and Lynn with a clear sense of your purpose and power that they will soar like eagles through their circumstances. Thank you for such a dear sister who wants to serve you no matter what!! I know YOU are taking notice because your word tells us that when those who fear you speak to each other about it, that you listen and write it in the book of remembrance. Lord, you also tell us that you actually shout over us with joy. May Lynn find peace in knowing that the creator of the universe actually shouts over her with joy because of her love for you. God please break the bondage on their finances, hold back the devourer, and stretch their money beyond their wildest dreams. Thank you God for her honesty and openess and may she be richly blessed because of it.
Amen.
Have a good day with our Daddy tomorrow, girl!
The comments here inspire me just as much as Lynn's story. I just want to praise and worship the Father. He is so good. What love He has for us!
Amanda said, "I know YOU are taking notice because your word tells us that when those who fear you speak to each other about it, that you listen and write it in the book of remembrance" in her prayer. Beth Moore spoke of the same thing at the conference last weekend. She said that she could see Jesus sitting at the Father's right hand saying, "there talking about YOU again" and the Father would turn to Him and say, "I thought they were talking about YOU." :-) I just love that word picture.
I got another one, picture this:
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Lynn, that there is none like her on the earth, a blameless and upright woman, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Lynn fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around her, around her household, and around all that she has on every side? You have blessed the work of her hands, and her possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that she has, and she will surely curse You to Your face!” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that she has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on her person.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
You know how its gonna end? I do. . .Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Lynn more than her beginning.
Can I just say. . . BOO! devil. . . YAY God!
Love ya sister see you at church today ready to worship.
It's hard to totally surrender but when we do,that's when God can do His work.
My mom would always say "Why worry,God's in control."
Our pastor message for today was from Acts 12...Peter was jailed,death was coming in the morning and he was sound to sleep.
May your days and nights be full of rest...resting in God.
Thanks Lynn for being real with us. It helps us to see the reality in our own lives when we see other people facing similar things that we do. I so much appreciate all your life stories and they give me so much encouragement in my growth with the Lord.
Love ya and I look forward to participating in the weekly Bible studies. Thanks for having me join up with all of you! I can't wait to see what God will change in me.
Great word!!! I love that you are so transparent....it is hard to remain faithful in the tough times.....
I am so with you! Thanks for sharing this.
Lynn,
ENCOURAGEMENT...for all of us.
Thank you for keeping it real, as many on the other side reading this, desire and strive to be real also.
Love,
Yolanda
Oh my new friend Lynn!
You don't know how much I needed to hear this today! My job was cut in half last Friday! I needed this verse and this challenge!
Look for an e-mail or phone call soon!
Your friend
Pamela
I want all of these things for you and more! I will be praying toward that end. Thanks for keeping it real.
peace~elaine
Thanks for your blog and for this post. I have enjoyed my visit and thank you for your honesty. This is exactly where the Lord has been leading me. And to take it even a step beyond. I believe He is asking me to desire the trials. Oh my. It will be well with my soul ONLY if I hold on tight to Jesus.
Girl, you're right on. Only from Him... only for Him. He's stretching you... and He holds you. He's so good... He's love. Keep that shield up. Great post lovey.
I'd rather have Jesus Christ than anything.
Amen girl. Amen.
Blessings this year, Lynn. And loads of love today.
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