

## Time Alone With God

### A Devotional Study for Discovering

### Renewed Hope in God

### Diane K Hiltz Chamberlain

### Smashwords Edition

### Acknowledgements

First, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ because this book is only what it is because of Him. He has become the dear friend that has filled the empty voids of my life, while going through many, many years of pain and heartache. He has taught me how to rise above my own despair; that I may find a greater strength in Him. We have journeyed long together; but through our travels, I have come to see and know Him, for who He really is and I know that our journey will end in Heaven, where I will meet my friend face to face, for the very first time.

Second, I thank my husband, Keith, for the words of encouragement that he has given me throughout our marriage. When I did not believe in myself, God used my husband in a great way to encourage me and let me know that I could do anything with God's help. He believed in me, when I could not believe in myself and he stayed close, when others walked away. As I have seen, God use Keith in my life over time; I have found within my own life; the plan and purpose for our marriage and our life together.

Finally, I dedicate this book to all the people who I have come to know in my ministry, along with others who have cried out to God in need; to those who have felt alone or have had others walk out of their lives, while facing difficult circumstances. My prayer is that you too will discover a God who longs to love and care for you...a God that desires to exchange your weaknesses, for the strength of a mighty God!

### Preface

There are people, who are going through insurmountable moments of adversity, as we live in these end days and they are feeling lost, with no way out of the wilderness of their despair. "Time Alone With God: A Devotional Study for Discovering Renewed Hope in God" will help a person to reconnect with God, rather than the circumstance and help them to see that there is a way out, with God's help.

Throughout my own journey of endless surgeries and heartache, I remember the moments, when I felt so lost and alone and as I have allowed God to bring me through the trying times within my own life; it is my desire to share the words He has used with me, that others may find freedom from despair too.

A circumstance can become a lonely place, where a person only seems to experience the dark and dismal side of life. They can feel lost and wonder where the presence of God is, during the trying times in their life. A life can change from a fragrant pathway, to a pathway that only allows the person to feel distant from God. Instead of falling prey to these pathways that belong to Satan, it is time to stand up...shake the dust from our feet and allow God to safely walk us out of this wilderness of despair.

"Time Alone With God: A Devotional Study for Discovering Renewed Hope in God" will allow a person to discover moments alone with God that can draw them closer to Him and further away from the problem. This book will help a person to realize that there is renewed hope, even during moments of trial. Instead of facing our problems head on, there is a way that we can rise above the moments of despair, to discover God in a greater way.

Over time, I have written many devotions and blogs that became words of hope and inspiration but now God has allowed me to write a book that can become a daily manual to live by, with the Bible.

In the past, I remember many moments, when I could never see a way out of my circumstances. There were moments when I felt doomed and captivated within my problems but God proved me wrong and in His time, He brought me through moments that I thought would never exist in my life.

There are times, when I think that we allow ourselves to fall within the web of our problems and that is when we feel trapped, with no hope of escaping the circumstance but just as I stand here today; I want to testify that God is always faithful and will never abandon us.

Rather than giving into our circumstances, we need to work with God and show Him the desire of our hearts and this book will become a guide that will keep you connected with the most powerful source of help...Jesus Christ!

### Introduction

"Time Alone With God: A Devotional Study for Discovering Renewed Hope in God," is a book of devotions, that have been compiled into book form, so rather than reading a devotion every day, this book will become a personal Bible study, between you and God.

The book will become a study that will take you on a journey, from a point of weakness or suffering, right on through, to the time of discovering renewed hope in God.

The book has eight different sections, many chapters, and tidbits of hope throughout the book. The first section is dealing with an unsettled circumstance or the moment of adversity...the time when we feel the weakest. From there, we go into a section that helps us to understand, what can allow us to fall further into despair or what can lead us into other traps, set up by Satan and then we will do a study on Satan and the plan he has, for keeping us in despair.

As we come to the center of the book, we will study the things that will help us to view our trials in a different way, so we can see them through God's eyes, instead of our own. From there, we learn in section five, how we can weaken evil and as we enter section six, we begin to take a new turn, away from our despair and study the things that will bring us to a healing. Once we have discovered a healing through Jesus Christ, we will enter section seven and learn how we can continue to press on, with God's help, especially after overcoming a previous circumstance.

As we enter the final section of the book...section eight, we will study a renewed hope that can usher us into the presence

of God. In this section, we will study the peace of God...the peace that can calm any new storm that may arise. Then we will study different forms of love that can bring renewed hope back into our lives and finally, we will view eternity, as the final step of our journey. In this chapter, we will study how important it is to remain close to God, especially during times of adversity and we will come to see, that each choice we make in life, can keep us doomed within our despair or our choice can be a means of God, eternally lifting us out of despair.

We do not always understand the reasons for these moments of adversity but one thing we do know; is that with God in our lives, there is a way out... a means of walking beyond a powerful circumstance, to find a greater God!

### Table of Contents

Section 1: Unsettled Circumstance

Chapter 1: Suffering

Chapter 2: Why Do We Feel Abandoned By God?

Chapter 3: God has Not Answered My Prayer

Chapter 4: Suffering...A Means of Knowing Christ

in a Greater Way

Section 2: What Can Draw Us Into Further Despair?

Chapter 1: Our Thoughts Can Become the Culprit of Our Needs

Chapter 2: Limiting God

Chapter 3: Good Soil vs. Bad Soil

Chapter 4: An Addiction of the Mind...Controlled By Satan

Chapter 5: Allowing God to be God

Section 3: Satan's Plan for Keeping Us in Despair

Chapter 1: The Deceptive Personality of Satan

Chapter 2: The Battle

Chapter 3: Why Do I Do The Things I Desire Not

To Do?

Chapter 4: A Wrong Connection

Chapter 5: Using Prayer as a Last Resort

Section 4: What Will Help Us To View Our Trials

Differently?

Chapter 1: Asking Amiss

Chapter 2: Losing Strength vs. Gaining Strength

Chapter 3: Are We Missing God's Response?

Chapter 4: God's Power vs. The Power of our

Weakness

Chapter 5: God's Truth vs. Satan's Deception

Chapter 6: A Difference Between Despair and

Defeat

Section 5: Weakening Evil

Chapter 1: The Armor of God, Protection from the

Forces of Evil

Chapter 2: Looking Through the Eyes of God

Chapter 3: Praise...A Powerful Weapon

Chapter 4: Truth...The Gift That Keeps Us Free

Chapter 5: Communicating with God

Section 6: What Will Bring Us to a Healing

Chapter 1: Faith...Believing in an Unseen God

( Part 1)

Chapter 2: Faith...Believing in an Unseen God

( Part 2)

Chapter 3: Rising Above Despair

Chapter 4: A Means of Escape

Chapter 5: God's Provisions

Chapter 6: Accepting God's Will

Section 7: Pressing On With God's Help

Chapter 1: Knowing God in a Greater Way

Chapter 2: Understanding the Holy Spirit

Chapter 3: Discovering God through the Holy

Spirit

Chapter 4: Discernment...Knowing and Under-

Standing the Voice of God

Chapter 5: Making the Right Choice

Chapter 6: Letting God Do It His Way

Chapter 7: Mercy...God's Way of Never Letting

Go

Section 8: A Renewed Hope That Will Usher Us Into

the Presence of God

Chapter 1: The Only Peace that Can Calm the

Storm

Chapter 2: A Love that Brings Renewed Hope

Chapter 3: Eternity...The Final Step of our Journey

Dear Reader: A Note from Author Diane K Chamberlain

## Section 1

## Unsettled Circumstance

Chapter 1

Suffering

Any type of suffering can allow us to feel as though God has abandoned us. We can feel so alone and drained from the moments we endure, that we find it difficult to see anything good...let alone God.

In my own life, I went through numerous knee surgeries; trying to correct a problem from birth. Even while facing these moments in my life; I began to live with the painful memories of sexual abuse and the loss of many things; including the loss of children. Over time, my life began to feel so overwhelmed, as though my plate of circumstances were overflowing.

As we begin this chapter, I would like to discuss how we can take the word "suffering" and use it as a means of creating a closer relationship with God...a relationship that will allow us to see a glimpse of Gods light, instead of feeling surrounded by the darkness that stems from our problems. Matthew 26:39 says... "Going a little further, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." This verse takes us back to a time, just before Jesus' death on the cross. We are seeing two sides to this verse, as Jesus is beginning to get a glimpse of the suffering that He will go through before and during the moments of the cross. He is admitting to His Father, in the beginning of this verse, that if it is possible, could this cup or moment of suffering be taken from Him but at the same time; Jesus still longs to do his Father's will, even if it means living out God's will through extreme moments of pain and suffering.

After reading this verse, the first question we should ask ourselves, is "why would Jesus abandon us, when He Himself knows and understands the depth of suffering, due to what He experienced in His own life, at the time of the cross?" Jesus' death was to reveal a heart of understanding, rather than to be lived in vain.

How many times have we asked God to remove a moment of pain or heartache from our own lives but He never did? This is not a means of abandonment; instead, this is a means of God revealing His will for our lives. God understands that these moments will never be easy for us, just as He knew the same, while His Son, Jesus Christ hung on the cross. We need to realize that there may be moments, when God will turn His head, for just one moment of satisfaction; just as He did for His Son on the cross...a time when God allows something great to spring forth, through a time of pain and suffering.

We can begin our relationship with Jesus Christ, through our own moments of pain and heartache, when we allow ourselves to bond with a God who became the complete example of suffering. Instead of thinking that God has abandoned us, why do we not view Him as a God, who is turning His head, for one moment in time; that we may discover the true purpose He has for our lives.

Now that we are beginning to relate with God and the example He has set forth for us to follow, when it comes to moments of suffering; we may be asking ourselves next... "Why hasn't God completely relieved me of my suffering; especially since He claims to understand the meaning of suffering?" We may understand His reasons for turning His head for one moment of satisfaction; but at the same time; why have these moments of suffering lingered, with no end in sight? Mark 15:31 says... "In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself!" Jesus was in a position, as God's Son, where He could have saved Himself from the cross; but He chose not to because He knew that His death would save many people from their sins. Jesus was not only able to spare His own life but He could have had others put to death, for attempting to crucify an innocent man. If we are going to see our pain and heartache, as a means of drawing closer to God, instead of feeling abandoned by God, then we need to see these moments that we are going through, in a similar way...to the way that Jesus saw His own moments of suffering.

Jesus saw His moments of suffering, as a means of becoming the complete sacrifice for us, while revealing His great love, to a world that was lost in sin; but He also went through the moments of suffering because His love for us outweighed any moment of pain and suffering that He would have to endure. Are we willing to share in this part of the relationship with Christ? We need to ask ourselves this question... "Are we willing to lay down our own desires, that we may return our love back to Christ, while enduring pain and heartache; that we may allow His perfect will to be accomplished within our own lives?" We need to remind ourselves that our relationship with God, should allow us to share and connect with Him, rather than the world. Could we be viewing our moments of pain and heartache in the wrong way? We should not desire, for God to relieve us of our pain and heartache, just so we can move on with our lives and do, as we desire. We need to remember, that we gave our lives to God, so He could work in and through us. We may not always want to accept the road that He has given us to travel on; but in the end; we will see the results of His work, just as we have seen the result of His work, through Jesus Christ His Son.

Just as Jesus' death served a purpose, God may also be allowing our moments of pain and heartache, so he can make Himself known to the world. II Corinthians 12:9 says... "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." The next question we need to ask ourselves is this, "How are we going to experience the hand of God at work in our lives or how are we going to find the need to depend on God for something in our life, if we are never put to the test?" A relationship needs to be two-sided; otherwise, there can be no relationship at all...right? If we always have everything easy in life, then would we ever have a need for God? Our relationship with God should not only be a relationship, where we only know of Him through His word; but instead, it is about truly knowing Him, as we share in the sufferings of Christ. When we share our lives with Christ, whether it be through the good times or bad; we find that we relate more directly with Him, as we praise Him for the good He has done, while discovering a reason to lean on Him for guidance and strength, through the difficult moments.

We need to remember too, that God can only work His desires through us, when we give Him the room He needs to work. His desires may not always be what we desire but we must remember that we were the ones who gave Him the invitation, to come and live within our hearts. We were the ones who made the choice to say, that He could do anything He desired. It is amazing how the pain and heartache can manipulate us, to the place where we forget our vows to God. We find ourselves so deeply caught within the web of our suffering, that we do not see how God's desires can bud forth from our moments of pain and heartache. Acts 12:2-11, reads... "He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. (3)When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also, This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (4) After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. (5) So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (6) The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. (7) Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. (8) Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. (9) Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. (10) They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. (11) Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now, I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

One of the things that we lack in our relationship with God is the need to communicate with Him. Just because God has allowed something challenging into our lives, does not mean that He has forsaken us. As Christians, we not only need to share in the sufferings of Christ; but we need to share in a time of communication with God...a time when we can allow God to see the need of our heart.

Through the prayers that were given up for Peter; he soon was reminded of the power that God still held within His mighty hands, as God sent an angel to rescue Him.

If we are going to have a closer relationship with God, while facing these difficult moments in our lives, then we need to also share our feelings with God and continue to lean on Him for His help. Just because God allowed the moments of imprisonment to enter Peter's life, that did not mean that God had walked away and abandoned Peter. When we are able to experience the mighty hand of God, while going through these challenging moments in our lives; then we will not feel so abandoned by God; but instead, we will know that we are walking with a God that will never fail us.

Are we allowing our view of pain and heartache to control us by the world's standards or God's? This is an excellent question to ask ourselves because, when we allow our view of suffering, to control us by the world's standards, then we will never be able to see or experience a true relationship with God. Instead, we will find ourselves controlled by Satan, until he can convince us that God has completely abandoned us. Romans 8:17 says... "Now if we are children, then we are heirs...heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Suffering is not a matter of how much and how long; instead, it is more important to share our life and a true relationship with God, through the suffering...a relationship that will take us into an eternal life with Him. Do we find, that we are more concerned, as to where our moments of pain and heartache are taking us or are we more drawn to the suffering itself?

Why do we as Christians feel that we should have a perfect life, in an imperfect world? One thing we need to reflect on, when it comes to our circumstances and that is that we do not live in a perfect place called Heaven yet. This temporary home is a place where God is preparing us for Heaven and there may be moments in our lives, when we will feel the wind of circumstance surrounding us...that we may be able to discover new growth and a strength that will cause us to move one more step closer to Heaven. Philippians 1:29 says... "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him," How is God going to know us, when we meet Him for the first time, face to face? Will He know us, just because we accepted Him into our lives? I feel that God will recognize us, by the moments we share with Him now. As we enter Heaven, He may say... "I remember you because we shared in the moments of your pain and heartache and we formed a relationship through the difficult moments you faced in your life." Another thing God may say is... "You were the one who cried out to Me for help, while we talked about your needs." Maybe He will even say to us... "You were the one who allowed me to work in your life, so I could repair a flaw, which you could not see at the time." God does not want to know us only by the word "Christianity;" He wants to know us through the relationship that we form together over time, especially while walking down difficult pathways. This is not a time to run away from God or sit in our "pit of despair," while contemplating on whether He has abandoned us or not. Instead, this should become a time, when we use our difficult moments to connect with a higher power...a God that can walk with us, until the storm passes by.

We need to understand, that God is not abandoning us; instead, it can often times be the moments of suffering, which may be driving us away from God. The feelings we experience can become moments when Satan uses our weaknesses against us, while trying to convince us that God has truly forsaken us. Revelations 2:9-11 says... "I know your afflictions and your poverty...yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (10) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. (11) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death." First, God is stating that He understands and knows about our moments of pain and heartache and yet at the same time, He still is saying that we are rich. Why is that? Because verse 9 is pointing out to us, that we are rich in Him...not money. These verses are also telling us, that we should not fear the afflictions or circumstances that may come into our lives because even though we may feel imprisoned within our problems; in the end, if we are faithful; we will receive something better in life, which is the crown of life.

We need to understand, that these moments of pain and heartache are either going to help us relate to God or push Him out of our lives. We will find ourselves leaning on God, while facing moments like these or we will find ourselves leaning on the problem or ourselves. Whatever choice we make, this will determine whether we find God in a greater way or if we will make Him distant in our lives. How are we going to learn how to be overcomers or allow God to walk us out of a wilderness of affliction, if we have never experienced any form of suffering? The trials that we go through right now will allow us to become defeated or they will help us to rise above the despair in our lives...to a place where we come to find God, in a much richer way.

Right now, God is preparing us for Heaven, while we are going through the greatest test ever...the test that will either bring us into a closer relationship with God or allow us to become distant from His presence. Are we viewing our moments of affliction through the eyes of God or are we viewing them through a worldly standard? Do we focus on what we are going through, instead of looking at the good that can arise from the moments of pain and heartache? If we could begin to see our moments of affliction through the desires that God has for us, then we would find that we are able to cope with our circumstances, which would allow us to experience a renewed hope in God.

### An added tidbit of hope

I Peter 3:17, says... "It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." How many of us seem to say to God... "Lord, I do my best to remain close to you; but why do I still suffer?" We cannot seem to win, can we? We suffer for the good, just as much as for the bad. What is going on? First, we read in this verse, that if we are going to suffer in this life, then it is better to suffer for doing good, rather than for doing evil. Let us face it...if we do something wrong, then we deserve to pay the price. Even though we may have to go through a tough circumstance, in order that we may learn how to reverse our wrongs into what is right; that does not mean that God has stopped loving us. We need to realize, that God is rubbing out the flaws that will hinder us in our lives. Once the flaw is gone, then God will be able to make us into better vessels for Him.

We deserve to learn through the wrong that we have done; but why is it that we still experience moments of affliction, when we have done nothing wrong? God says in this verse... "It is better, if it's God's will, to suffer for doing well;" that we may grow stronger in Him.

No matter what we may be experiencing right now, we will always have a battle raging within us, when we know Jesus as our personal Savior. The battle will be between good and evil. As we aim to grow through our moments of affliction, Satan will always be right behind us, while he waits, as a lurking lion to feed on us, as a weak animal. This is why we need Christ's strength. These moments of strength come, when we are willing to exchange our moments of weakness, for a greater strength in God.

Chapter 2

Why Do We Feel Abandoned By God?

In the previous chapter, we talked a little, about why we tend to feel abandoned by God, while going through moments of affliction. In this chapter, we will continue to discuss some other experiences in life, which can cause us to feel distant from God.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." If this is true, then why do we feel as though God abandons us? We need to reflect on this thought; that the God we sometimes feel abandoned from; allowed His only S on to die a brutal death; but not as a means of forsaking His only Son; but instead, as a means of revealing love and forgiveness through the cross. We need to ask ourselves this question; why would a God of love and forgiveness...a God who never abandoned His only Son, during His death on the cross; abandon us, while going through our moments of affliction? God allowed His Son's death, as a means of revealing His great love for us. Since His Son's death on the cross was a means of saving us from our sins and revealing His great love to us; then how could we ever think, that God would turn around and abandon us, after all, He had already done for us.

As we have already discovered...pain and heartache can be one of the culprits, that can allow us to feel separated or abandoned by God. II Corinthians 4:8-12 says... "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; (9) persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (10) We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (11) For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. (12) So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." When we go through times of affliction, we can begin to wonder where God is, at this crucial time in our lives. At the time, when we are in pain or when we are dealing with grief and heartache, the circumstance can seem so overwhelming, that it is not always easy to feel the presence of God. When we view our moments of affliction with our own eyes, all we seem to see is the raging, and overwhelming presence of a problem...a presence that seems to control us, as if we were a puppet on a string. When we turn to God and focus on Him, then we see that our moments of affliction, eventually take us to a place where we experience new growth and a strength that can only come from the presence of a strong God. We need to remind ourselves, that God's plan is not to abandon us; but rather to use our afflictions; that He may be seen to others in need.

We may have moments in our lives, when we feel as though we are walking the last mile of our life, due to the overwhelming moments we are facing but what we are actually experiencing, is the spiritual death of our own self; that Christ may become more profound in our lives, through our affliction. These overwhelming moments of pain and heartache can cause us to cry out to God and say... "Where are you?" This is where we begin to lean on God and draw Him closer to us, as we depend on Him, to help us through these difficult moments. When we can relate to God in this way, while we experience the deep moments of affliction, then we will discover that He had been there all the time.

Discouragement is another way we can feel abandoned by God. Psalms 42:1-5 says... "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. (2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (3) My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"(4) These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the processions to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. (5) Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." During this time, David was going through moments of discouragement. He began to pour his heart out to God, in such a way, that his tears became his meat day and night. As David became more discouraged with his circumstance, he cried out to God, from a heart that had a deep longing for His presence. As David continued to pour his need out to God, it was as if he had stopped and discovered what he was doing wrong because David said to himself... "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. " In other words, David asked himself...why is it that I feel down and discouraged, when all I need to do is reach out to God? We can experience a similar situation, due to our circumstances. We can cry out, repeatedly... "Where are you God?" without realizing that God is already there for us. Discouragement can allow us to feel abandoned by God, when we are searching for a God that has already been there all the time.

When we experience failure in our lives, we can also feel forsaken or abandoned by God. Joshua 8:1 reads..."Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land." After Israel was free from Achan's sin, Joshua prepared to attack King Ai again. Joshua had to learn, to shake the dust of his mistakes from him, so he could press on, and continue to do Gods will. When we find that we are falling backwards in life; we can feel as though God has become so distant; but this isn't the time to give up; in fact, this is the moment when we must get back in touch with God, as He replenishes us with a new beginning each day.

There were many times in my own life, while facing multiple surgeries and other times of testing; that I found it very difficult to keep going. When I connected myself to God, through prayer and reading of His word, I found His presence to be closer. Our choices in life can either take us to a place, where we live alone in despair or we experience the true presence and power of God.

Loneliness can also lead us down a pathway, where we feel distant and away from God. Psalm 4:8 says... "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Our circumstances can allow us to feel alone in despair or we can also feel lonely because friends and family have grown tired of our afflictions and have walked away from us. After experiencing these times of loneliness in our lives, we can begin to convince ourselves that God has walked away too. As Jesus Christ experienced rejection and loneliness on the cross, we can find Him to be a good friend that can understand the loneliness that may come into our own lives. With His great heart of understanding, He can help us to lie down in perfect peace and rest within His sheltering presence, as the feelings of abandonment begin to fade away.

We can also feel as though God has abandoned us, when we feel the overwhelming loss of certain things in our lives. We can feel as though God is punishing us or we can feel as though He has quit loving us and has walked away. Matthew 16:25 says... "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

After going through multiple knee surgeries, counseling for sexual abuse and the loss of many things in my life, including the loss of children, I began to see my life, as though God had completely abandoned me. I watched other people go on with their lives, while my life began to feel empty...as though God had packed up and moved out. I felt as though He had stripped me of everything in my life, except for the very air I breathed. Why was He taking so many things away from me? I finally came to the realization, that each loss was becoming an opportunity for God to replenish the emptiness with His will and desire for my life. In other words, He was taking the desires away, that would detour me from following His will and He was exchanging them with a heart that could understand pain and heartache; that He may use these painful moments in my life, as a means of reaching out to others.

God desires to make us into a perfect vessel that He can use, to bring honor and glory to His name. If there are things in our lives, that may be blocking His will from happening, then sometimes God has to remove them; but just because He is at work in this way in our lives; does not mean that He has abandoned us; in fact, He is working, to make our lives more complete in Him.

Another experience in life, that can allow us to feel distant or abandoned by God, are the moments from our past. Psalm 23:4 says... "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." When we choose to walk into the past alone and deal with unresolved issues, then we will feel the loss of God's presence. We need to realize that God has not abandoned us during these moments; instead, we have abandoned Him, by choosing to walk into the past without Him. On the other hand, when we choose to walk into the past, as a means of remembering something good, like the moments when God brought us through a need, then we will feel His presence of peace and He will be there to protect us from the enemy.

This verse goes on to say, that even when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not have to fear any evil because God is with us. When we choose to leave God behind and try to walk the pathway alone, we will be open to the ways of darkness, which may cause us to experience fear and other negative feelings, including the feeling of abandonment.

When God opened the door for me to walk in and deal with my sexual abuse; at first I chose to try and work it out on my own but after doing that for a while; I began to feel the loneliness and what I thought was abandonment from God. I finally came to a time in my life, where I learned, that I had to be on the same pathway with God. Once we made a connection, then God and I began to walk together, rather than walking separately.

While dealing with an unresolved issue, we do not have to feel the emptiness of God's presence. He is more than willing to walk with us, until we are truly relieved of the past.

Another experience in life, that can allow us to feel abandoned by God, is God's timing. Exodus 2:23-25 says... "During this long period, the king of Egypt died, The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out , and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. (24) God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. (25) So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them." God's timing is not always the same as our timing. When we don't feel God's presence at work in our lives; we can begin to feel abandoned by God but could we be missing out on His presence because we are too busy trying to fashion God after our own timing? When we do this, then we can feel as though He has walked away from us; while all along, we have either ran ahead of God or lingered behind Him.

We need to remember that God's desires and timing for our lives, is not always going to match up with what we think they should be. When we become uncoordinated, with God's timing and desires for our lives, then we can begin to feel alone and away from the presence of God, which only allows us to feel abandoned by Him.

The final experience that can allow us to feel abandoned by God is when God's answers to our prayers do not always match up to our desires. II Samuel 7:8-13 says... "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. (9) I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. (10) And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning (11) and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. "'The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: (12) When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. (13) He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." In this reading...David thought that he would be the one that would build the house of the Lord. After all, that David had gone through, God was now blessing David with a place to rest his head and reign as king. David's desires were now to build the best house or temple for God to reside in but that was not God's plan. Instead, it was God's plan for David's son, Solomon, to build the house of the Lord.

We can experience similar moments in our own lives, when we ask God for something, only to find, that God has a different plan for us to follow. We can begin to feel as if we are traveling down a pathway, that is so distant from God, so we must remember that when we ask for God's help; then we must also be prepared for God's will to be accomplished, according to His desires for our lives. When we find ourselves looking for God's will, instead of what we desire, then we will always remain on the same pathway with Him.

Jesus has already proven Himself faithful to us, through the brutal death of the cross. If He did not abandon us at the cross, then why would He abandon us now? John 14:18 says... "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." How could a God of such love, rescue so many people in the Bible from defeat, such as Job, Joseph, Jeremiah, Esther, Ruth and so on, if He is a God of abandonment? Could it be, that maybe we have been the one who has abandoned God, through our own desires and ways of thinking? When we finally come to the realization, that we need to view our afflictions through God's eyes, instead of our own, then we will begin to experience the hope, that our God has not abandoned us; but instead, has drawn Himself closer to us, as He begins a new work within us.

### An added tidbit of hope

Isaiah 54:10 reads... "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you"

Our circumstances can resemble mountains...crumbling to the ground, while the hills disappear and attempt to take us with them. We can feel abandoned by God during these times, while we feel as if we are slowly slipping into despair but God says in this verse, that His kindness will never fade away and His promise of peace and mercy will always be with us, no matter what we may be facing for the moment.

The difficult moments in our lives, that can cause us to feel abandoned by God, become the moments when we discover that we have given up and walked away from Him. Seems as though we face a problem and before we know it, we have allowed the problem to pull us down; rather than finding God's strength, as a means of lifting ourselves up, so we can rise above the despair in our lives. This is a dangerous place to be because the despair will not only take us down; but it can also pull us away from the presence of God, where Satan can cause us to feel as though God has abandoned us.

No matter what the circumstance may be; God longs for us to stand up and shake the dust of the circumstance from us, so we can once more connect with Him. Psalm 112:7-8 says... "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (8) His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." When we begin to identify more deeply with God, instead of standing face to face with the circumstance, then we will be able to rest with a settled feeling; that my God is truly with me. We will not have doubt or fear creeping in; but rather, we will feel and know His presence, as a mighty God, that will never leave us or forsake us.

Chapter 3

God Has Not

Answered My Prayer

We can find ourselves frustrated, as to why God has not answered our prayers. Does God not love me? Why are there so many people afflicted, while a powerful God reigns over this world? Has God forgotten me? Ecclesiastes 3:11 says... "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." God has given us only a taste of Heaven, as we experience His presence each day; but some of His ways remain hidden from us, so that we may learn to lean on Him and long for His wisdom and truth in our lives.

What can make life difficult is when we cannot see how God is going to answer our prayers. We can feel as if we are on a pathway; looking into the darkness of the unknown; a place that only God can fathom and understand. This pathway ends up becoming a journey, where we find ourselves leaning on God to show us the way. The moments we spend with God on this journey, will eventually lead us to the completion of His will; but until that time comes, we need to trust God and believe that He knows the way. This journey can also be a journey of "blind faith;" in other words, we will only be able to keep pressing on; as we trust God for the things we cannot see with our own eyes.

Why are there times, when God withholds an answer to our prayers? Genesis 25:21 says... "Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant." As Isaac pleaded with God, to answer His prayer and bless Rebekah with a child, God also desires that we communicate with Him too. How often do we take God for granted? I guess we just feel that God already knows the need and He will answer the need; but that is not exactly how God operates. God longs to hear us talk with Him about our needs, as a means of letting Him know that we are depending on Him, instead of relying on our own thoughts and desires. God may decide to withhold an answer to a prayer because He wants us to connect with Him, in a way that will allow us to desire his will for our life; rather than using Him to grant us our own desires. He may be longing for us to appreciate more of His ways, as a means of pressing on with Him; rather than to remain idle, in our old life of despair. No matter what God's reasons are, He longs for us to have His desires etched upon our hearts, so that we will come out of the circumstance with new growth.

Prayer is more than asking for something from God; but rather, prayer can also become a means of relying or waiting on God, until His timing reveals a response. God may also need to work on a flaw in our life...something that will help us to see our lives in a different way, while we wait for a delayed response from God. I Samuel 28:15 says... "Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bring me up?" "I am in great distress," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do." Saul never received a response from God because he had turned his back on God and did not wait upon Him for His response. He took it upon himself to make decisions for him and his army; rather than waiting upon God, so God left Saul and chose David to become king in his place.

God needs us to look for His response to our prayer needs, instead of expecting Him to answer our prayers according to our own desires. How can God answer our prayers, when we are in tune with the circumstance or ourselves? Maybe God has something He wants us to do for Him; but instead, we choose to go our own direction, with our own desires and in the end, we become distant from His voice. When we pull ourselves away from His desires and persist on getting our own way, then we will never be able to know God's response because our own desires will be in the way. If we want God to hear our prayers and if we want to hear His response, then we need to lay our ideas before Him; but in the end, we must let Him make the final decision...knowing that He knows what's best.

Another Bible reference that refers to what we previously discussed is in II Samuel 7:10-16, which says... "And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning (11) and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. "The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: (12) When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. (13) He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (14) I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. (15) But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. (16) Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." David longed to build a temple for the Lord; but it was not God's desire for David to build it; but instead, it was God's desire for Solomon, David's son to build the temple of the Lord. Even though God did not give David his request, God continued to use David as a king for His people.

When God says "no" to a request; it doesn't mean that God has walked away and abandoned us; but rather, God has greater plans for us; but if we keep our thoughts so tightly fixed on the things that God never desired for us, then we will never find God's true desires for our lives.

In my own life; I longed to ride a bike, play tennis, and ice skate but at the time, I was enjoying them the most; I was losing them one by one, as I began to have more difficulties with my legs. It was not easy at first, to understand why God was saying "no" to the things I desired the most. For many years, I focused on what I could not have in life, until God began to reveal the reason behind each difficult loss. As I began to let go of each loving desire and surrender my life back to God, I began to understand that if I had everything I longed for, then I would not be walking on the pathway that God had destined for me. I had to learn, that just because God did not always answer a prayer, in the way I desired, that did not mean that He had walked out of my life.

Could it be that we are not seeing our prayers answered because we are too busy placing limitations on God's timing? Luke 1:13 says... "But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John" Do we place God's response to our prayers within an hourglass of our own choosing? If we are, then we are placing limitations on God. In this reading, Zechariah was burning incense in the temple, when the angel of the Lord appeared unto him and told him that Elizabeth would have a son, named John. Can you imagine what Zechariah was thinking, when he heard this? Later in the chapter, Zechariah responds back to the angel of the Lord and mentions that he is of old age and Elizabeth is barren and of old age too. At this point, Zechariah begins to place limitations on God. Instead of believing in the unlimited power of God, Zechariah allows his circumstance to control his way of thinking.

In a similar way, God can allow our prayers to be unanswered because His desire for the moment may be to answer our prayers, in a way that will open up His power to others and us. When we watch God at work in this way, then our faith begins to rise and we find ourselves humbled before a great and powerful God.

God may also respond much slowly to our prayer needs, so we may experience the power of His control over our prayers. Luke 6:19 says... "...and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all." For many who touched Jesus; this became a symbol of good fortune. They began to see Jesus as some form of magician that could heal their physical needs. Instead of desiring God's love and pardon, they longed for Him to heal them. Our prayers should never be a demand we place on God; instead, prayer should become a way of giving the control back to God. When we give God our needs and ask for His desires, then we are more likely to receive the help we need from God. When we choose not to leave the outcome in God's hands, then once more, we have disconnected ourselves from the only true source that can meet our needs. Let us ask ourselves this question...If we are going to demand God to answer a prayer, with our own desires attached, then why do we need God in the first place? When we find that our prayers are unanswered, it is not because God does not long to do them for us. Maybe we are in the way, so He cannot work and answer our prayers, in a way that will follow through with the plan He has for our lives.

Another reason, that may delay God's answers to our prayers, is that it may not be the right time, according to His plan for our lives. We need to remember that God's response to our prayer must line up with his will. Galatians 4:4 says... "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law." We must remember that when we are praying for God's help, the answer to our prayer must be in line with God's timing. Even though we cannot see or always understand His ways, He has reasons for why we do not always receive an answer, at the time we desire. Many prayed for the Messiah to come; but only God knew when the time would be and when that moment came; He brought His Son into the world; at the right time and for the right reason. We can become impatient with God and find ourselves demanding God, for the answer we desire; but we must remember that our timing may not be His timing. There may be times, when we can feel as though God has forsaken us and walked away but we must continue to remind ourselves that God can never be a defeated God and when the time is right, for Him to meet our needs; then we will once more experience His hand at work in our lives.

God can also use the answers to our prayers as a healing process. While waiting for God to meet a need in our lives, we can learn to lean and depend on Him, instead of ourselves. James 5:15 says... "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." "The prayer offered in faith", that is mentioned of in this reading does not refer to the faith of a sick person alone; but instead, it refers to the faith of the people who are praying. Our faith is a means of laying our desires before a powerful God...a God who we find, to be the only One who can heal and restore. Our prayers become a healing process, when we seek to find His will and desires over our own. As we begin to take a different turn towards God's direction, we find that our faith begins to become stronger...a faith that can keep us closely connected to God, rather than always being tightly focused on our own wants and desires.

No matter what God may be allowing for the moment, we need the assurance, that He will eventually meet our needs. As we keep focused on this thought, we will find a greater peace in our lives, instead of facing frustration and confusion. Psalm 3:5 says... "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me." When we can live with the assurance, that God will answer our prayer, one way, or another, then even during the most distressing moments, we will find peace and rest. In this verse, David spoke of the sustainment he received from God, even while David's son, Absalom rebelled and was pursuing to kill him, so he could reign as king instead. We do not have to feel defeated by God, when we know that there is an undefeated God living and working within us.

Why do we become more prone to fall into a pit of despair; rather than trust an undefeated God? God did not send His only Son, Jesus Christ to the cross, to die a brutal death, just so He could turn around and abandon us. When we experience moments, when we feel as though God has forsaken us, then maybe it is because we have not connected ourselves with His desires, as we first thought. Could it be that we are not leaving the complete decision for our needs up to God; but instead, we find that we have been demanding Him to meet our needs...our way? Are we pressuring Him for a response, when we should just wait on Him and trust Him to come through for us? Could it be that God may be using our prayers, as a process that will eventually strengthen our faith and allow us to look for His timing and will, rather than always anticipating our own wants and desires?

We can live with the assurance that God is in control, when we leave our needs in His hands and allow Him to make the decisions that are best for our lives. Psalm 112:7-8 says... "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (8) His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." When we place our needs in God's hands and give Him the room He needs to work, then we can settle back and know that our God will never fail us. He remained undefeated at the cross and as long as we know that an undefeated God lives within us, then we will always be able to trust Him with our needs.

### An added tidbit of hope

Matthew 6:11 says... "Give us today our daily bread." You may be asking me; what can we get out of this one small verse? What we need to understand, when we read, "Give us this day our daily bread," is that we are not praying for food in general. Our daily bread in this verse refers just to what we need for one day alone. How many times do we catch ourselves praying for things that we may need...months down the road, when we do not even know if we will need them at that time? When we pray, this is not a time to give God our wish list; instead, this is a time to tell Him our needs for the moment. When we can work with God, one day at a time, then we will find that we also work within His timing and will for our lives. When we choose to wait upon God, for each individual need, then we will find that we walk with Him, rather than separate ourselves from His presence.

Chapter 4

Suffering...A Means of Knowing

Christ in a Greater Way

While going through moments of suffering, we can find ourselves asking questions like... "I didn't think that Christians were supposed to suffer or why does He allow these moments of affliction to enter our lives?

We can face other dilemmas too, where people point their fingers, as though to say... "Your faith must not be strong enough; otherwise God would heal you." We must remember that God has His reasons for our afflictions and it is not always because of our lack of faith; rather, it can be because God has a plan to strengthen us or reveal Himself to others through our afflictions. Those of us who deal with continual health or emotional problems can feel as though we are in a world of our own. In this chapter, we are going to view the word "suffering", as God would view it; that we may find renewed hope, instead of frustration and despair.

As we begin, let's ask ourselves this question..."Are we as Christians supposed to suffer?" Philippians 1:29-30 reads... "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, (30) since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." When we look at suffering through the world's view, we see defeat and all the negative feelings that can associate us with suffering; but when we view our suffering through the eyes of God, then it reveals the complete opposite of the world's view. In fact, our moments of affliction reveal that we do connect with God. When we choose to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, then Satan is going to use any means he can, to control us and pull us away from God. Satan is not out to attack the unbeliever because he already has them within his grips; but for the one who is a child of God; the battle may rage worse before it gets better; but this should be a time, when we place our trust in a powerful God. As we remain devoted to God, even though we face moments of affliction; Satan may attempt to bring in reinforcements and other tactics; but as long as we remain standing through battle; God will ride the storm out with us.

I believe that God can use suffering, to bring about new growth, as a means of preparing us for a plan, which He has in store for our lives. I believe that God can use suffering as a means of keeping us close to Him; but I also believe that suffering can stand for a battle; between our devotion to God and our devotion to the world. These moments can weigh so heavily upon our spirits; that we tend to forget that it should be a privilege and an honor to share in the sufferings of Christ. Acts 5:41 says... "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." The weight of our affliction can cause us to feel as though the hand of Satan is crushing us but we must remember that the hand of God is also resting upon us, during these difficult moments. Even though Satan's power can appear strong, the hand of God remains greater and stronger than any blow we may receive from Satan.

Even though God may allow affliction into our lives, He has plans for these moments, so we need to steer our eyes away from the affliction and anticipate the hand of God, at work in our lives instead. God revealed His great love and overriding power over evil, when He died on the cross. His love for us was so great, as He walked one more step closer to His death on the cross, that He counted it a privilege to suffer for us. How are we relaying our love back to Him, especially during moments of affliction? Instead of viewing our suffering as a defeat with no cure, we should be excited to see what God will produce through our moments of suffering.

Our affliction can remove our eyes away from the worldly comforts, that we used to lean on and instead; we find that our eyes are looking for the comfort, which we long for from God...a comfort that can sustain us and bring peace to our weary souls. Our God also uses affliction, as a means of weeding out those who are just superficial believers. The person that is devoted to God will remain committed to Him and become close to Him, even during the moments of pain and heartache. Affliction can also be a means of discovering a stronger faith in God. Our faith should not falter; but instead, it should soar to a place that can take us away from the difficult moments of despair. God may also use our moments of affliction, as a means of being an example for Him, to others who are discouraged or who may need Him through salvation. Instead of falling head first into defeat, we should see our moments of affliction, as a means of rejoicing, for we are truly experiencing the mighty hand of God at work in our lives. Our moments of affliction should not hinder us either; but instead, they should help us to discover God in an even greater way, then before the affliction first began. When we can view our moments of affliction as a privilege or as a means of God using us, then we will be relaying a message to Satan, that he is losing the battle and instead of experiencing failure; his tactics will be allowing us to grow stronger and become closer to God.

Once we can see our affliction as a privilege to serve God, then we will find our relationship growing stronger between God and us. Philippians 3:10-11 says... "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." When we are afflicted in a way, that allows us to place our trust in God's direction, then we connect with the same power that allowed Jesus to rise from the dead. Even before Jesus' death on the cross, Jesus went through many painful moments but these moments allowed Jesus to focus on His Father in Heaven. These moments of pain and heartache are not a means of punishment, from what appears to be an unloving God. Instead, these moments are allowing us to share in the sufferings of Christ, while we find ourselves spiritually crucified, to all the flaws that lie deep within us; that we may arise, into a new life and a closer relationship with Christ.

As our relationship begins to grow stronger with Christ, we find that we gain a greater wisdom from God; but why do we suffer, for doing no wrong? I Peter 2:20 says... "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God." In the Bible, it states that we suffer, as a means of following Christ's example. When Jesus died on the cross; there hung 2 men who deserved death, for the sin that they had committed but then there was one, who hung on the cross and was completely innocent, which was Jesus Christ. Even though Jesus was innocent, His death had to portray a different story to the world. What if Jesus' death had been due to sin, then what would have set Jesus' death apart from the other men? Jesus' innocent death revealed to the world that He was willing to give up His own innocent life, to become the complete sacrifice for all sin. In other words, His innocent death was what made His true love stand out on the cross.

In a similar way, when we do something wrong, then we rightfully deserve a punishment but what about the moments when our lives remain innocent before God. When we go through the innocent moments of affliction, while remaining completely devoted to God, then the presence of His Spirit shines through the affliction. When we can remain committed to God, even while facing the most difficult moments of pain and heartache, then we are relaying a message to God that says, that we love Him and are devoted to Him.

Just because God allows us to endure affliction, does not mean that He longs for us to remain there. I Peter 5:10 says... "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." When we go through the difficult moments of affliction, sometimes we can appear to be as a vessel that has flaws running through it. One flaw may be, that we are not as close to God, as He would desire. Another flaw may be that we have some form of weakness in our life, which we need to exchange for God's strength. When God sees these flaws; He does not allow suffering to come upon us as wasted pain; but instead, He takes the flaw and works, to smooth them out. We may experience the distress and pain, while He is working on our vessel but as we allow God to rub out one of the flaws; we find that we feel a little more strengthened. As God continues to rub out other flaws, then we may notice that we see life through a different view, then before the hand of God began to work in our lives. As we find the need to lean on God, in a greater way, while learning through our imperfections, we also begin to see the moments of affliction fade out of view. The problem we can face though; is when we fight the affliction; instead, of walking through these times with God and because of this; we suffer needlessly, while we continue to hold tightly to the reigns of our suffering.

When we compare our moments of suffering, to an eternity with God, which becomes the greatest? Romans 8:18 says... "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." When we compare the present moments of affliction, with an eternal life with God, what weighs out to be the best? Let us take a closer view. On the one side of the scales, we have suffering, which can weigh heavily upon us. Even though we see the affliction before us and we feel the pain that these moments can produce; will they last forever? No, so suffering can only last, as long as we are living in an imperfect world.

Now on the other side, we see Heaven on the scales. Heaven is a place for those who have placed their belief and trust in God. Heaven also becomes a place, where there is no suffering and this place exists for all of eternity. Eternity is never ending, so we see Heaven as a place, where we can live without affliction, for all of eternity. This alone, should give us renewed hope! We may not always find it easy to cope with our afflictions; but we have the hope, that we will not have to endure these difficult moments forever.

There can be times when our moments of affliction can overwhelm us, so it is harder to remain focused on God and what awaits us in Heaven. Sometimes we just need a friend that can relate to these difficult moments. Hebrews 2:18 says... "And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed." Until the moment arrives, when we are delivered from our moments of affliction; whether it would be here on earth or in Heaven; we need a friend that will sit beside us and listen, as each tear falls from our faces. We need a friend that will not only listen to the words of a broken heart but we need a friend that can read our hearts and know what needs to be fixed and the only friend that can be trustworthy of these things, is Jesus Christ.

How many times do we feel alone, while walking down difficult pathways of pain and heartache? As I went through counseling, for sexual abuse, there would be many times when I would return home to an empty house, while my husband was at work. No one seemed to care or understand the depth of my heartache and pain. One day, I remembered coming home from a group session, which had taken a toll on me that day, to a place where I just wanted to give up. I remember going up to our bedroom and sitting on our bed, while I clung to the bedpost. The road was just too difficult to face and I could not see any light shining down upon my pathway. I cried out to God in desperation and He heard my cry. While still clinging to the bedpost; I felt His gentle spirit around me and as I cried and poured myself out before His presence; I felt, as though His arms were wrapping tightly around me. I felt Him speak to my spirit and say... "It's alright Diane...I am here, to go through this time with you and I am here to stay." Ever since that moment, about 15 years ago, I know that I can call out His name and He will be there for me.

You may be going through a very trying time in your life right now. You may feel like everyone has walked out of your life, with no care or concern, for the moments you may be going through right now. Now is not the time to give in to your feelings. This is what Satan would love to see you do...to fall into his trap of hopelessness, so he can take you away from God. Instead, now is the time to pour yourself out before a loving God, so He can pick up the broken pieces of your life and bring you through these difficult moments of affliction.

Our love and devotion to God should not only exist when everything is going well but rather, our love and devotion for God should also exist through our moments of affliction, when we admit to God, that we are weak but He is strong. When we can turn to Him, instead of giving in to our afflictions; then our relationship with Christ has already begun to form stronger roots, which will help us during the fiercest storm. Our relationship with God will either grow or deteriorate, by the way we respond to our moments of affliction.

Christ did not die on a cross, to save us from our sins, just so He could condemn us through suffering. It is through His great love, that He longs for us to become more like Him and sometimes these moments of renewal involve pain and heartache. Jesus is the same today, as He was when he died on the cross. Just as He freed us then, He can free us from our afflictions now. The final question remains... "Are we going to allow our moments of affliction to strangle us or are we going to work with God and allow Him to free us?" Our own ways and desires will only lead us down a difficult pathway of defeat and discouragement; but His pathway can not only relieve us of our suffering; but His pathway can allow our suffering to be used in a greater way, that will allow us to know Him better!

## Section 2

## What Can Draw Us

## Into Further Despair?

Chapter 1

Our Thoughts Can Become the

Culprit of our Needs

What pathway do our thoughts travel down, while walking through difficult times of need? Do we realize how our thoughts can affect our lives? Does our way of thinking reveal that our needs are truly with God?

Our thoughts can become the culprit, when it comes to leaving our needs with God. Can we give a need over to God and draw it back to ourselves, just by the way we think? We can find ourselves thinking thoughts that never seem to make us realize where they are leading us, until we find ourselves falling once more beneath the weight of our needs.

The first thing we need to realize is that we need to slow down, so we can think more clearly. When we allow our thoughts to race, instead of quietly meditating on what we need to say, then we find that our thoughts have allowed our speech to take back, what we first gave over to God. Proverbs 15:28 says... "The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil." When we weigh the consequences of our thoughts and speech, then we know when we are involved too much, into the need that we first gave over to God. Do we take the time to remember the vow we made before God...the vow that we would let Him have our every need?

When we give a need over to God, it can be as though we have taken a box and placed each need within it. From there...we place the lid on the box and hand it over to God; never to look back on the box again; but when we allow our thoughts to go back to the needs, then it is as if we are walking back to God and saying... "I'm sorry God, but I can't trust you with this box of needs." We need to remember, that our thoughts can determine where our needs will remain. When we can walk away from our needs and leave them with God, then we are not only leaving our needs with Him, so He can work in our lives but we are also relaying a message to God, that says, that we know that He is more than able to work and provide for our every need.

The next thing we should remember...is that we should not think on the things we do not have or may lack. Genesis 3:1-6 says..."Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?' (2) The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, (3) but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die." (4) "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. (5) "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (6) When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." In this reading, we see that Satan not only used temptation as a means of causing Eve to partake of the fruit, in which God had forbidden them to partake of; but it was the form of temptation that had made a big impact on Eve's decision. Satan's moment of deception, were meant to convince Eve to believe that this fruit would give them a greater power...like God's power and because Satan's words were so enticing, they both partook of the fruit, which in the end, only lead Adam and Eve into a more difficult life.

Satan has a way of twisting our thoughts, so that we end up or remain in a place of despair. He knows our weaknesses and works with our thoughts, so that we continue to reflect on our needs, instead of leaving them with God, where they belong. Satan can also remind us, of the things we lack in our lives, along with the needs that remain unanswered by God. These thoughts can become so intense, that before we realize it, we lose faith and once more, we take our needs away from God. When we remain idle and think too much on our circumstances, Satan can slither in and keep us wounded, while continually reminding us of our needs. If we are going to leave our needs with God, then we need to keep our thoughts busy and active in the thoughts that bring a positive and good report to us.

When we can learn how to control our thoughts, with God's help, then we will discover that we become further away from the clutches of evil. Philippians 4:8-9 says... "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...if anything is excellent or praiseworthy...think about such things. (9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me...put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." One of the first things, that will help us to see if we are on the right pathway with our thoughts, is this... "Do we feel peace?" If we are experiencing anxiety, frustration or any other negative feeling, then our thoughts may be taking us down a wrong pathway, away from God.

We need to acknowledge God's truth, instead of Satan's lies, so we can remain free from despair. We need to reflect only on the noble, right, pure, and lovely things in life; that our thoughts may remain in God's perfect peace. We need to remember, that when our thoughts are lead astray from these things, only to dwell on our problems, then we end up taking a weak need from a powerful God.

Our thoughts can become like stepping stones, which teach us how to walk through life. Do we really understand where our thoughts are taking us each day? Proverbs14:15 says..."A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." Racing through life will only cause us to make hasty decisions...decisions that may lead us down a different pathway away from God. Our thoughts will either cause us to walk in God's peace or feel the weight of our problems. Proverbs 14:16 says... "A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless." The secret to a peaceful walk with God, especially while facing moments of affliction, is to be wise and fear Him. When we think or speak, we need to stop and ask ourselves, if our thoughts connect to God or Satan. When we allow our thoughts to become action, then we will discover that we are in touch with a powerful God or we have entered a place that has become weak and filled with despair.

The final question we need to ask ourselves is this... "Are we allowing our thoughts to lead us to a wholesome life with Christ?" II Peter 3:1-2 says..."Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. (2) I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles." Peter is once more reminding the Christians to stimulate their thinking in a wholesome way...to recall the words from the past, by holy prophets and most of all, the command, given to them through the apostles, by their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

There may be moments in our own lives, when we need to go back and allow God to help us stimulate our thinking, while reminiscing on what God has taught us and shown us through His word. We may need to take scripture from God's word and use these words as tools, to get our thinking back on track with God.

We need to remember that our thoughts can unknowingly become the deceptive culprit that snatches our needs away from a powerful God, while keeping us in despair. Only the positive thoughts and the thoughts that bring a good report into our lives, will keep our thoughts on track with God, so we can leave our needs with Him. In addition, when we are able to praise God, especially during adversity, then we have given Him more room to work in our lives. When we can reflect and use these things, that we have learned, then our daily steps will lead us to a peace that only God can give us, which will only allow our lives to become more content, while we wait on Him.

What are we thinking about today? Are we dwelling on the thoughts that will keep us closely connected to God and further away from our needs or are we constantly finding ourselves drifting to the thoughts that will only keep us in despair?

### An added tidbit of hope

We need to remember that we are running a race, that will eventually take all those who believe in Christ to Heaven. The moments of testing and trial are not to make our lives more difficult; but instead, they are to help us climb upward towards Heaven. How can we press on, if first, we do not know how to grow and have the strength to move forward in our lives? Acts 20:24 says... "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me...the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

Each need in our lives can seem like an obstacle...something that tries to control us and keep us from pressing on. When we become too close to our needs, instead of allowing God to have them, then we are allowing the obstacle to take control, while it keeps us from the purpose and plan that God has for our lives.

The only way the obstacle can leave our lives, is when we give our needs directly to God; but at the same time, when we become involved too much, within our needs or circumstances; we find that we begin to cling to them, as a means of security. We need to allow ourselves to give up our needs to God, so He can mend or supply the need; that we may be able to walk beyond the obstacle, while keeping our focus completely on God.

When we can say that we are nothing; in comparison to the power of God and all that awaits us, then we will find it much easier to keep our thoughts away from our needs, while leaving them directly in the hands of a God that cannot fail. These are the experiences that teach us how to lean on God, which in the end become great and mighty tools, to help us along the journey.

Chapter 2

Limiting God

Are we placing limitations on God? As I looked up the meaning of the word "limitation," this is what I discovered... "something that limit's a quality or achievement." In other words, we can place barriers in front of us, which can stop the power and strength of a mighty God, from entering and working in our lives.

Just as we spoke of earlier in this book, we may place limitations on God, when we focus more directly on our problems, instead of concentrating on God's power. Luke 1:18 says... "Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." This verse refers to the story about Zechariah and Elizabeth. Just before the time of Christ's birth, the angel of the Lord also spoke to Zechariah in the temple and he told him that Elizabeth would conceive and have a son, named John. As the angel spoke to Zechariah in the temple, Zechariah began to focus too much on his circumstance, instead of the power of a mighty God. Zechariah and Elizabeth were old in age and Elisabeth was barren, so Zechariah began to place limitations on God's power, while looking deeply into the face of their own personal situation. How many times do we do the same? We read about the power of a great God; but when it comes time to experiencing His limitless power; we fall prey to our own circumstances, while limiting the power of a great and mighty God. It is as if we are walking down a pathway with God, when all of a sudden an obstacle appears before us. We know that God can lift us up and over the obstacle but yet we begin to see the obstacle as something greater than God, which causes us to lose faith, while we find ourselves falling deeper into despair.

We can fall prey to the way we limit God's power, just by living day to day. Numbers 11:23 says... "The Lord answered Moses, "Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you" Do we forget that God's power can work in such a great way, throughout our daily lives? Do we become busy or caught up into the moments of a day that we forget about the limitless power of God? We can experience a day, when the power of God overwhelms us; but then as days pass by, we can find ourselves back into the old way of thinking, which can allow us to forget that we have a powerful God living within us.

We need to remember, that God always remains the same and His power never changes. God's power continues to remain at a high level at all times; but we are the ones who bring the scale of His power slowly down, as we turn to the everyday problems we face. For example, let us say that we received a special gift in the mail...something we never expected. When the gift first arrived, we were so excited but as the days began to pass by; we discovered that the excitement was slowly dwindling down to nothing and before we realized it; we were back into the everyday feelings. In a similar way, we can experience God's blessings or experience an unexpected answer to prayer. For the moment, we can find ourselves loving and praising God; but as the days begin to pass us by; the excitement begins to fade away and before we know it; we have lost the experience of knowing God's power in our lives. Once we have lost the excitement, we once had with God; we find it more difficult to remain standing in the power of God. We find ourselves clinging more tightly to our day to day problems and with each new day that comes; we find ourselves stepping onto unknown footprints, instead of following the footprints of God...footprints that can allow us to experience His fullness and great power.

We can also limit God's power, when we turn inwardly to our own thoughts and wisdom. Job 15:8 says "Do you listen in on God's council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?" What happens when we place limitations on God, while turning inwardly to our own thoughts and desires? It is as if we are walking down God's pathway, while a boulder of circumstance lands directly in front of us. We pray and ask God to remove the boulder of circumstance but when He does; we get in the way, by turning inwardly to our own wisdom, while we try to fix the problem ourselves or we only allow God to remove a certain portion of our problem...a portion that we feel He is only strong enough to handle. Instead of standing out of God's way, so He can repair or remove the problem, we find ourselves taking charge. I think that the moments when we feel the need to be in charge; are also the moments that tell us, that the problem is safer with us; that way, we can know at all times, what is happening in our lives. The only thing bad about handling our problems in this way; is that we lose trust in God and so we find that our limitations are not helping us but instead, they are disabling us.

Our thoughts and wisdom can become barriers that we place around ourselves, so God can only work a little at a time. When we place these barriers up to protect ourselves, then we are only allowing more harm to enter our lives because we are building barriers, that represent bad habits, which will only stunt our growth and keep us further away from God.

When we turn our backs on God, then we become spiritually disabled and distant from God's power. Psalm 78:41-42 says... "Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel. (42) They did not remember his power...the day he redeemed them from the oppressor." The weight of an overwhelming circumstance can become so heavy or overwhelming, that we find ourselves turning away from God, instead of allowing these moments to draw us closer to Him. When we find ourselves in this predicament, we also find that we have made our situation worse, by the limitation we have place on God. How is it that we turn to the old ways...the ways we experienced before we came to know Jesus? Do we feel in some way that our problems will diminish? Satan seems to have a way of convincing us, that God is not powerful enough to handle our needs. When we lose our connection with God, by going back to the old life; then we discover in the end, that we find it to be more difficult to keep our heads above the water of our circumstance. What we really need to do, is walk back to God and fall into His loving arms, and give Him the place that He rightfully deserves to have in our lives. We need to give Him room to work, so He can sustain, repair, or remove any circumstance that may be keeping us distant from Him. Once we are able to make room for God to work, then our faith will begin to soar and take us to places that we thought we could never achieve.

When we can find the strength through God, to walk away from our circumstances and focus on the power of God, then we will once more experience the hand of God at work in our lives. We need to think back on the moments when God rescued us and we need to look back at these moments and remind ourselves of the distance we have come with Christ. When we fix our minds on positive thoughts, then we will begin to experience the strong and greatest power of all in our lives...the power of God!

Doubt can play a big part, in limiting the power of God. James 1:5-6 says... "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (6) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

When we watch the waves of the sea, it is as if they come to us for one moment in time, while the next moment, they pull away, as they flow back into the sea. In a similar way, we can become like the waves of the sea; one moment we find ourselves drawn to the power of God, while the next moment, we find ourselves driven away, with a mind of doubt.

When God created the lakes and oceans, it was as if He had drawn a boundary line around them, so they would not flood the earth. In a similar way, do we allow God to draw a boundary line around our hearts and minds, so that only His presence resides within us...a line that will also keep the destructive ways of Satan out?

We have come to realize, that when we view our circumstances, as something that is more powerful than God is, then we will only experience a limited source of help from God. We learned that we could live day to day and discover unknowingly, that we are taking God's power for granted. We can become so deeply embedded into the problems that face us from day to day, that we forget the power that we once experienced with God. We also found that we could allow our thoughts and wisdom to get in the way, so we limit or stop the power of God from working in our daily lives. When we turn our backs on God and begin to doubt Him and His word, we can feel as though this may be a more comfortable way to deal with our problems but what we do not always realize, is that we end up experiencing more of our circumstance, instead of the power of a great and mighty God.

Everyday should be a new experience with God! We should be looking for the power of God to free us, instead of looking into the face of our problems. II Chronicles 14:11 says... "Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, "Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you." We should be experiencing such a close relationship with God...a relationship that will help us to enter each new day...knowing that His power is a limitless power...a power that will prevail above evil. We should not have to dwell on the problems we are facing because God has a greater wisdom...a wisdom that can help us...sustain us and deliver us from evil. When we know the depth of Christ' love and the care and concern He has for us, then we will not have to think on this thing or wonder about that thing because our minds and hearts will be at peace with Him.

When we enter a new day, we should talk with God about our needs, in a way that will send a message to Him that we believe in the limitless power that only comes from His presence. We should be able to walk into a battle zone and know that He is not a God of failure but instead, a God of strength, stability and a sustaining God that never fails. When we connect to the King of all Kings, we should see our problems as nothing, in comparison to His limitless power. The problem we face is that we have had everything backwards in our way of thinking; rather than placing a powerful and limitless God above weakness, we have placed a weak circumstance above a powerful God.

Are we setting up barriers in our lives...barriers that keep us from experiencing the limitless power of God? Do these barriers read, "our circumstances," "day to day living," "self-thoughts and wisdom," "pulling away from God," and "doubt"? Do we only believe in God to an extent? Are we just testing the waters with God or have we plunged deep within, to experience the depth of His limitless power? Maybe it's about time, that we allow God to help us remove the barriers that are keeping us distant from Him, that we may desire and allow God's limitless power, to flow through each of us!

Chapter 3

Good Soil vs. Bad Soil

What can be drawing us further into despair? Why is it that we experience the side effects of our circumstance, rather than the hand of God at work in our lives? God gives to us, by how we apply His word to our circumstances. Are we facing our circumstances alone or are we using His word as a tool, while we spend time with Him in prayer? Do we find that we only use God's word and prayer as a last resort, when we fall into a place of desperate need? Mark 4:14 says... "The farmer sows the word." Just as a farmer sows seed into the ground, God gives us His word, so we can have His word planted deep within our hearts. When God's words are flowing through the stream of our being, then we can use His words of wisdom, to discover new growth, so we can reap a closer relationship with God, instead of always facing the failure of our problems.

Once we allow God's word to plant itself within our hearts, we need to allow His word to remain there. Mark 4:15 says... "Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." When we think of a plowed and prepared field, in comparison to the side of a road, then we can understand why the seed is more likely to grow healthy in the field, rather than along a weed infested roadside. In a similar way; when we do not have our hearts prepared and we allow God's word to be thrown along the wayside, then we are more likely to have God's word (the seed), snatched away by Satan. We need to have a heart and mind that is prepared and ready to receive God's word, so when we receive the seed of His word, then we will have a place in our hearts and minds, where His word can grow and produce a greater wisdom and strength. This will cause us to flourish, rather than fall beneath the weight of our circumstances.

We not only need to have our hearts prepared for the seed of God's word but once we receive it, we need to make sure that it's planted deep within our hearts. Mark 4:16-17 says... "Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. (17) But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." After preparing our hearts to receive the wisdom of God's word, we need to nurture the seed of His word, so that His word will begin to take root and keep us strong in Him. What would happen if a person sowed seed among the rocks? Maybe something would begin to grow; but the roots would not be strong enough because the rocks would be in the way. In a similar way...when we allow God's word to enter our lives for the first time, it seems that at the beginning we find ourselves all excited, at what we discovered; but when we don't allow God's words of wisdom to take root, than we lose touch with what we've learned. When we are not rooted deep enough with God, especially during a difficult moment in our lives, then the first storm that comes along will cause us to fall back into despair.

When we choose to allow God's words to choke us out, by the cares of our lives, then we are not able to move forward with God, which only allows us to feel distant from His presence. Mark 4:18-19 says... "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; (19) but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.."

We would never begin to think of planting a seed among thorns because the thorns would eventually choke out or destroy the plant. In a similar way, when we allow God's wisdom to plant itself among the thorns of our problems, then how can His word flourish and allow us to become strengthened in Him? When we choose to allow the circumstance or affliction, to remain the stronghold of our lives, then the circumstance will gradually choke out the word of God and cause us to remain weak. We will find that it is more difficult to do greater things for God because the circumstance will have control of our lives instead. God will become more predominant in our lives or the circumstance, by how we respond to God's word and the time spent with Him.

The one thing we need to do is make sure that there is a "Welcome Mat" out for God and His word. As a farmer prepares his field for the seed, we need to keep God's word alive and nurtured on a daily basis, so the roots of His word, will become stronger than our circumstance. We need to remember that when we allow the cares of our lives to become greater or stronger than the seed of God's word, then the circumstance will eventually choke out the words of God that can help and sustain us.

Now that we have learned how to keep the seed of God's word planted deep within our hearts, we need to learn how to remain connected with God and His word. Mark 4:20 says... "Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop...thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."

After a farmer plants his seed in good soil, he continues to care for the seed, by nurturing the plants, so they will grow strong and produce much fruit. If we are discovering the truth, which we find in God's word but we are not nurturing the word within our hearts, by reflecting on it daily, then it will die and wither away. We need to have roots that sprout from the seed of God's word, so no matter how hard Satan tries to pluck them up, He will fail. How are we going to move forward with God and allow Him to use our affliction, to produce fruit for Him, if we are not keeping the seed of God's word alive within us?

We need to ask ourselves these questions... "Are we allowing the seed of God's word to be planted within our hearts?" "Are we prepared to receive the seed of God's word or is the seed of His word being scattered along the wayside?" "Are we receiving the seed of God's word for a moment, while it's fresh and alive within our hearts or are we allowing the seed of His word to take root, deep within us, so He will remain close, when we need His help?" "Are we allowing the cares and concerns of our lives to become more deeply rooted within us, so that Satan ends up with the control stick, instead of God?"

If we are going to produce more than affliction and failure in our lives, then we need to be prepared, so our relationship with God does not cause us to sway back and forth. When we experience a swayed relationship with God, then we are more likely to give up on God and the help He can offer us.

We need to focus on a relationship with God, just as the farmer focuses on his crops. As the farmer produces a good soil for his seed, we need to allow God's word to have a special place within our hearts, so that we will be able to know it's there, for the moments we need it.

Where will we allow God's seed to fall today? Will we allow God's seed of hope, to embed itself within our hearts or will we leave the seed along the wayside, to die and wither away. God has already given us the best seed...His word; now it is up to us, to allow the seed of His word, to plant itself deep within our hearts.

Chapter 4

An Addiction of the Mind...

Controlled by Satan

Our minds can feel brought low, by the battles we face, so instead of looking for a way out, we find ourselves becoming addicted to the thoughts that Satan uses. Satan can fill our minds with thoughts that say, that there is no hope...thoughts that tell us that the power of our affliction is greater than God is. These thoughts can attempt to drag us away from a place of renewal, to a place of despair.

Our minds can become a target for Satan...a place where he can lead us into an addiction of the mind, where we become drawn into his deceptive ways. Instead of believing that all things are possible through God, we tend to listen too much to the hopeless lies that come about through our weaknesses and afflictions.

As I began to work on this writing, I looked up the meaning of the word "addiction" and this is what I discovered, "a state of being enslaved to something." We hear the word "addiction" all the time. People can be addicted to drugs or alcohol or they may even be addicted to different habits that have formed over time; but what I want to do is uncover another addiction and this addiction comes about, through the thoughts that enter our minds from Satan.

Satan is lurking all around us and he is waiting for just the right moment to attack us, so he can keep us wounded and away from God. I Peter 5:8 says... "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Satan may appear powerful but we must remember that he will never be more powerful than God is. He is someone who can only feed on our weaknesses. Since God is our greatest strength, we can remain close to Him, in a way that will keep us high above despair, where Satan does not have a chance, only when we succumb to our afflictions or weaknesses.

We can feel as though we are just experiencing the weight of our affliction; but Satan has another motive, to help enhance the affliction and keep it alive and that is through the mind. When we tangle ourselves within a web of negative thoughts, then we find that we are not only experiencing weakness but also our weakness is beginning to control us. Over time, our negative thinking can become a habit; that we do not realize that Satan has more control over us, then what we first thought.

Satan has a way of whispering thoughts within the mind, such as..."I'm too tired; I just don't have the strength to pull through this," or..."I just keep experiencing one thing after another...what's next?" After repeating these thoughts to ourselves, repeatedly, we do not realize it but we have become addicted to a negative form of thinking. When we think in this manner, then we can find ourselves imprisoned within our circumstance, while we continually believe the lies that Satan uses to keep our minds focused on despair. Romans 7:23 says... "But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." When we allow Satan to have his way with our circumstances and our minds, then we find that we lose sight of God's help, while we remain controlled by evil.

A great example, of how Satan works within our thoughts, was during the moments when he was tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-10 says... "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. (2) After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. (3) The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." (4) Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' (5) Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. (6) "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down." For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." (7) Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' (8) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. (9) "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." (10) Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." First, we see that the Spirit is leading Jesus into the desert, while being tempted by the devil, where He was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights. Next, we find Jesus fasting and hungry, as he remains in the desert. Satan approaches Jesus at this point and says... "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Satan uses Jesus' moments of fasting, as a means of not only tempting Him but also as a means of attacking His mind, while Satan reminds Jesus of His hunger. From there...Satan suggests to Jesus, that He turn the stones before Him, into loaves of bread but Jesus did not fall prey to Satan's thoughts and desires; instead, Jesus responded to Satan and said... "It is written, Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. "Jesus was making a point, that we need spiritual food, even more than bread. Food will give us physical strength but spiritual food, which is the word of God, will give us new life. Jesus never allowed Satan's suggestions to have control over Him; but instead, He turned a negative thought into a positive word...a word with power, that could shut the mouth of Satan.

As we move on...Satan took Jesus to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. Satan goes on to say... "If you are the Son of God, he said, "throw yourself down." For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Once more, Satan took a weak moment and began to attack Jesus. Satan tried to convince Him in His mind, that if He was to fall down from the highest peak of the temple; that His angels would be there to catch Him but once again, Jesus replies..."It is written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test." I believe that it was Satan's desire to attack Jesus at a weak moment. I'm sure that Satan thought that Jesus would go through with His desires and fall down and be destroyed; but Jesus stood up to Satan, even during the weak moments and told Satan, that he was not to put the Lord God to the test, which once more closed the mouth of Satan.

At this point, Satan did not give in to Jesus; but instead, he took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and said... "All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me" but once more, Jesus replied..."Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."

At the end of these verses, Jesus stood up to Satan, for one final time and Satan left Him. Let us read on into Matthew 4, verse 11, which says... "Then the devil left him and angels came and attended him." While Satan attempts to control our thoughts, he may not leave the first time. We need to remember that he is going to go the distance with us, until we weaken him with our responses, just as Jesus did. Are we discovering that we have become addicted to the thoughts of Satan or are we standing up and saying, "No, this is a lie...away from me, Satan!"

We have learned that we can resist Satan's thoughts from entering our minds; but what else can help us? It is bad enough, when Satan has afflicted us; but how do we stop his control over our thoughts? First, we need to allow God to fight the battle for us, because He is stronger and can stop the war that is raging between us. I Peter 2:11 says... "Dear friend, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." We need to realize, that when we come to know Jesus, that we become heirs of God and strangers to the world and because of this, we should no longer respond to our circumstances, in the way the world responds to theirs. We should no longer fall prey to the thoughts that Satan whispers within our minds; but instead, we need to remain connected to God, that His strength may allow us to remain risen above weakness, where we can find His thoughts and ways to be more desirable. When we connect ourselves with God, while facing these times in our lives, then we are allowing Him to be strength for us, so Satan can no longer feed on our weaknesses.

To stop the addiction of deceiving thoughts; we need a renewed mind. Romans 12:2 says... "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is...his good, pleasing, and perfect will." We will never be able to acknowledge the quiet whispers of deceit that enter our minds from Satan, if first; we do not allow God to renew our minds. As Christians, we need to realize that we need a new mind...a mind that God controls, instead of the world or Satan...a mind that takes us to a place where we hear God's voice of peace, instead of Satan's whispers of deceit and despair. We also need to remember, that even though we are Christians; we can face weakness and afflictions, which can cause us to fall back into a worldly way of thinking; so in other words, we need God to do a cleansing of the mind and allow Him to remove the things that do not belong there. Searching God's word and time in prayer can allow God to help us and remove the unwanted clutter.

Once we have allowed God to renew our minds in His Spirit, then we need to fashion our minds to think differently, especially while facing moments of affliction. Philippians 4:8 says... "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...if anything is excellent or praiseworthy...think about such things." What we need to do, is trade a negative for a positive. As we pray and ask God to remove the negativity, that was planted in our minds by evil; we need to replace our negative thoughts with a positive thought...something that will keep us on track with God, instead of remaining in despair with Satan. Instead of falling prey to Satan's deceitful lies, such as..."I will never get better or I will never walk out of this circumstance," we need to replace these words, with a word of truth, such as... Philippians 4:13, which reads..."I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Next, we need to think on whatever is noble, so instead of listening to the thoughts that bring low self-esteem; we need to believe words, which remind us of how precious we are in God's sight. Then we need to think on whatever is right, instead of allowing the negative lie to control our thinking. From there, we need to think on whatever is pure, so we do not fall into a trap of unrighteous thoughts. When we can think on the things that are lovely, then our minds will no longer reveal weakness; associating us to Satan's thoughts of despair. Anything that will allow our minds to rise above despair and praise God is what we should be doing. When our minds our constantly striving to remain on the thoughts of a powerful God, then we will not fall prey to an addictive mind...controlled by Satan.

We need to remind ourselves that our moments of affliction, are not just a moment of despair; but instead, we can also discover that Satan is using our affliction, as part one, of a two-part problem. We not only come to see our affliction as a difficult time in our lives; but we also find that we may be too busy...believing the deceptive whispers that enter our minds...whispers that take control, so we continue to believe more deeply in despair, rather than the freedom that we can obtain through Jesus Christ.

We need to realize that every negative thought or word becomes one more door of the mind that opens us up to Satan. When we can strive to remain in the positive thoughts that can only come from God and His word, then we will find that our struggles are not so overpowering.

God allows affliction to enter our lives in different ways. He uses some afflictions, to produce new growth, while at other times; He may use our affliction to reveal His great power to those around us but what about the other times? Are we suffering needlessly because we have an addiction of the mind...a deceptive thought from Satan, which keeps us in despair?

We need to look deep within ourselves and see where our thoughts and words are taking us. If we are only focusing on the things that keep us in a negative state of mind, then maybe it is time for us to allow God to renew our thinking, so He can block these unrighteous thoughts, which are disabling us.

Once we are able to experience a renewed mind through Christ, then we need to ask Him to teach us, what His desires are for our lives; that we may be able to continue and anticipate his will and purpose for our lives.

Chapter 5

Allowing God to be God

How many times do we cry out for God's help but we do not allow Him to handle our needs according to His plan and will for our lives? Why is it that we need His help; but we go back to the circumstance; only to handle our needs, in the way we think is right?

We can fall further into despair, when we do not allow God to fix our needs according to His desires. We can find that we have not had a response to our needs because we are not allowing God to have His rightful place...a place that makes room for the most powerful being to work in our lives and mend the things that have been broken. Numbers 9:23 says... "At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out, They obeyed the Lord's order, in accordance with his command through Moses." In this verse, the Israelites obeyed God's commands, while God used Moses to direct their paths. We need to stop and think about how we are handling God's guidance within our own lives. Are we allowing Him to direct our paths or are we trying to follow His path, through our own desires? We need to remember one thing; if we are going to ask for God's advice or help, then His desires may not always be, in the way that we expect them to be but we need to let it be His way. If we are mixing our desires in with His plan, then we will never come to experience his true will for our lives.

Another thing we must remember, when we ask for God's help, is to be willing to walk through our trials with God and not run away from His desires for our lives. We find that when we run away from God's desires, then we are trying to make our own desires become His pathway to follow, instead of allowing ourselves to work side by side with God. Numbers 23:27 says... "Then Balak said to Balaam, "Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there." Balak was trying to talk Balaam into going to another place...thinking that he would change his mind and curse the Israelites. He thought that a new location would allow Balaam to see the situation differently. The thing we must remember is that changing locations will not change our problems or God's desires for us. We find that we are only delaying the obvious. We are allowing ourselves to suffer needlessly; only because we are not willing to allow God's will to become our will.

We may be facing difficult issues in our lives right now and we do not like the road that God is using in our lives. We try to find an easier road...a road that is less painful but we must realize that this man made road serves no purpose, but God's road does. We need to come to a realization in our lives, that no matter what we try to do, to escape God's will and desire for our lives...God's will is always going to remain the only road to freedom.

No matter how much we try to convince God or demand Him to do His will our way; there is no human way to prevent God's will from taking place. II Chronicles 18:33 says... "But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told the chariot driver, "Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I've been wounded." In this reading, Micaiah prophesied death for Ahab, so Ahab tried to disguise himself, in a way that would attempt to fool the enemy but even though Ahab tried to keep the prophecy from happening, he found that there was no human way for him to escape his circumstance.

God may have a reason, for the moments we go through. He may have a plan that He longs to have fulfilled within our lives; just as Micaiah first prophesied about Ahab; but one thing we must remember is this...God is God and He will always remain God. No matter how much we try to disguise ourselves and keep ourselves away from the painful moments; God is still going to remain God and He will accomplish His desires in our lives, at one moment or another. We can walk the road that God longs for us to follow or we can choose to walk down our own pathway...a pathway that will eventually allow the journey to become much more difficult. Even though God's desires may not always seem right to us, we can save ourselves more pain, if we are only willing to begin with God's will and do His will according to His desires.

Something else we should not do is pray for God's will to happen according to our own wants and desires. I John 5:14-15 says... "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. (15) And if we know that he hears us...whatever we ask...we know that we have what we asked of him." Where do we get the idea, that just because we are Christians, that God will do everything our way? We need to remember that God is God...the most powerful being in this universe and we need to give Him the reverence and respect that He deserves.

Some of the common problems we face, when it comes to talking with God are these...first, do we talk with God on a daily basis? Do we know God enough, to know how we should pray? Are we too busy, asking God for things that only please our own selfish desires? James 4:2-3 says... "You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (3) When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your own pleasures." Do we ever stop to think that God is only giving us, what is in accordance to his will? Why do we accept Jesus to come into our hearts and why do we ask for His help and for Him to have control over our lives; but we get upset when He does not provide in the way we desire? We as people do wrong things that become sin but we still expect God to give us everything we want, as though we were a spoiled child. Are we examining our lives, before coming before the throne of God? If not, then sin may be shutting off the power switch that leads to God. How can we expect God to give us His best, when we have not done the same in return? Near the end of verse 2, it says... "You do not have, because you do not ask God?" In other words, are we only talking to God, when we are in dire need of something? God does not want us to think of Him as a magician. He wants us to communicate and remain in touch with Him, instead of just talking to Him, when we are in desperate need of His help. Let us ask ourselves two questions... "Are we only asking Him to meet a specific need, just for our own selfish pleasure?" "Are we seeking God's will, when we ask for His help?" We should never find ourselves demanding God to do anything, just to meet our own pleasures and selfish desires.

We should also allow God to be God, when it comes to a healing. If we find that we are in need of His help, while going through pain and heartache, then we should just lay our need before His throne, while leaving the outcome up to Him. Let us ask ourselves this question... "What if God has a plan or purpose behind our illness or heartache?" Luke 6:19 says... "...and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all."

Asking for God's help should never become a way for us to control God. During Jesus' day, many experienced His healing but there were many who never experienced His healing at all. This did not mean that Jesus only loved some people, while He shunned others. Jesus can heal but He is not a magician, as we would see at a circus show. In other words, He should never have to act upon command. Just because a healing has not taken place in a person's life, does not mean that God does not love them or that their faith is always weak. God may have a plan and a purpose behind the particular need that this person is going through. I know in my own life, that God never healed me but He did sustain me and through the moments of His sustainment, He also gave me a new heart...a heart that may have never come to be, unless I had gone down a difficult pathway of pain and heartache.

We should never demand God to do anything in our lives, as though He is out to perform for us. We should always desire his will to be first in our lives. When we pray in this manner, then we will experience peace...a peace that reminds us, that God has everything in control. Are we more concerned about escaping our pain and heartache or do we really long for Gods will and purpose to be accomplished within our lives? When we can leave our needs completely with God, then we will not only live in His peace; but we will also be sending God a message, that we desire His will above our desires.

When a person desires to see God's will accomplished in their life, then they will allow God to be God. Psalm 5:1-3 says... "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. (2) Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. (3) In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." When we demonstrate a daily relationship with God, then we will also be able to allow Him to be who He can truly be in our lives. He will know our voice each morning and throughout each day and we will feel and know His presence, as He responds within our spirits. We will also find that we no longer have to play a game with God...a game that only brings disappointment, heartache, and confusion into our lives. A natural way of prayer will come to us, by the way we have watch God at work in our lives. When we are in touch with Him, to the place that we know how to talk to Him and seek His will, then we will always find the answers that can bring renewed hope and peace back into our lives. When we begin and end our day with God, we will find that it is easier to leave every need in His loving hands, instead of always crying with a heart of desperation.

We look at marriages and friendships every day and we see them grow because they are always in touch with one another but we also see marriages and friendships fail because they have lost touch with each other. In a similar way, when we remain close to God and communicate with Him, then we will never find the need to demand or ask anything of Him that would take us away from His will or His presence.

Do we know God enough, to trust Him with the answers to life's questions or have we become a stranger, while we become overly frustrated and confused, as to why God hasn't done this or that in our lives? We will never learn how to communicate with God, if we do not make the first move. He's already waiting to pull up a chair and have a heart-to- heart visit; but are we willing to allow God to be who He is for our lives? Are we willing to trust Him with our needs; rather than demand our way? The only way we are going to be free from frustration, questions, anxiety and doubt, is to allow God to be who He really is...God.

### An added tidbit of hope

In order that we may continue to allow God to be who He longs to be in each of our lives; we must also allow His perfect timing to take place in each of our lives. Galatians 4:4 says... "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law," When we look back at all the events that took place, from the birth of Christ, to His death; we see a time frame that God had set up, so everything could happen just at the right time; that in the end, many could be brought to Him through salvation.

Just as God completed the period of time that would reveal the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ, He also has timing, for each of our lives. When we do not allow God to be God, then we find that we disconnect ourselves from Him, which only allows everything to turn sour in our lives. We need God's timing, for our lives, so everything will fall into its rightful place, according to His plan for our lives.

When we begin to demand God to do things our way, then we find that the connection between Him and us becomes temporarily broken and the only door that remains open at the time is the door that leads to Satan. The only way that we are going to be able to allow God to be God in our lives; is to seek Him, with a heart that is seeking only for His will to be accomplished in His time. When we discover a broken connection between God, and us then we need to ask His forgiveness and allow the moments of forgiveness to reconnect us back with Him. Once we have reached the rightful place that God has for us, then we need to work with God, on a stronger relationship...one that will always keep us connected with Him. We also need to converse with God on a daily basis...starting out with a morning talk and ending with a nightly prayer. Once we are able to connect with God in this way, then we will not feel the need to handle life on our own.

No matter what we may be facing today, God's timing is what we need, so we can remain closely in touch with Him. We need to allow Him to keep us side by side with Him, so as He directs our footsteps, we will head in the right direction, for that particular moment in time. When we come to understand the period of time and the plan that God has laid out, for our own individual lives, then we will never have to feel deserted or abandoned by God.

## Section 3

## Satan's Plan for Keeping

## Us in Despair

Chapter 1

The Deceptive

Personality of Satan

If we can understand the way Satan operates, then we will not find ourselves so vulnerable to his deceptive ways. I believe that as we are entering the end times, Satan is working overtime to draw us further away from God. Satan's desire is to work on our weaknesses, so we become frail, vulnerable, and completely controlled by him.

Who really is Satan? First, he is a deceiver...someone who uses deception to try to get his way. Revelation 12:9 says... "The great dragon was hurled down...that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." If we were to look up the word deception, this is what we would find, "...to cause to believe what is not true or mislead." Satan is not out for the unbeliever; but instead, he is out to destroy the one who is weak and vulnerable...the one who is trying to maintain a relationship with God. Satan reveals himself in a deceptive way, by using a disguise that will not allow us to see him for who he really is. Satan takes what seems wrong to us and deceives us into thinking that what we are experiencing is from God, so we will blame God and walk away from Him. He uses this means of deception, so he can trap us and pull us away from God, while using our weaknesses to keep us down and out of commission.

Second, Satan has another side to his personality...He is the father of lies. John 8:44 says... "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

When we do not choose to follow God, then the alternative pathway leads to Satan. When we find ourselves following the desires of Satan, instead of following after God's truth, then we reap from the deceitfulness of Satan. Only God can stand for truth and hope, while evil only stands for deceitfulness and lies.

Satan not only knows how to put on his disguise and deceive us but he is also good at causing us to believe a lie, rather than the truth that can keep us free through Jesus Christ. Satan can allow a lie to appear, as though it's truth from God, when all along, it's a deceptive lie, that's meant to create deep wounds...wounds that will keep us afflicted and further away from God.

The third side to Satan's personality; is that he is the adversary. I Peter 5:9 says..."Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." As I looked up the word "adversary," I found that it means enemy or opponent and that is exactly what Satan should be in the life of a Christian. Satan is looking for the first chance to bring us down, and he's lurking around...waiting for the first weak moment to attack. He becomes our greatest enemy, when we are weak in faith or while we are going through a moment of affliction or weakness in our lives, so we need to remain strong in God and keep His words of truth close to our hearts.

Will God converse with Satan over our circumstances? Now that we know, whom Satan really is and how he can affect our lives, let us see how God and Satan can converse, when it comes to a raging battle of circumstance. Job 1:7-12 says... "The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan

answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it. (8) Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." (9) Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied, (10) Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. (11) But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." (12) The Lord said to Satan, "Very well then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." In this reading, God and Satan are having a conversation about Job. God begins by asking Satan where he came from and Satan replies back to God and says that he is continually walking back and forth, and roaming around the earth. Then God speaks with Satan about Job and they talk about the way that Job is upright in all of his ways; never fearing God and refusing evil; but then Satan replies and says that Job is only living this way because God has placed a hedge of protection around Job. From there, Satan goes on to say, that if God was to take everything away from Job, then Job would change in his ways and curse God; but then God responds back to Satan and says...very well...everything he has is in your hands but you are not allowed to lay one finger on Job.

First, we see that God is always on the alert, when it comes to Satan's tactics. We can become so tied up into a day that we forget that Satan is lurking around us; seeking whom he may devour, as a means of taking us away from God. Even though we may walk down painful pathways in life...brought on by Satan, God is always waiting with compassion, to help us overcome any obstacle in our lives. Satan can try to make us believe that we have been defeated, while facing a trying circumstance but he is actually the one who gets the surprise in the end because God takes our circumstances and uses them, to create new growth and a greater strength, for the difficulties that may lie ahead of us. We need to remember one thing...God can never be defeated in our lives; otherwise evil becomes victorious, so if we can remind ourselves of this, then we will experience a renewed hope once more in God.

One of the greatest things I caught onto in this reading is that God remains more powerful than any circumstance or the power of evil itself. We can face a similar situation like Job and we can find ourselves completely faithful to God, when everything is fine but what if God allowed Satan to take everything away from us? Would we pass the test and remain committed to God? Would we find God's strength to be strong enough for us, so we could discover new growth, during the difficult times?

What can we do to neutralize the works of Satan? John 14:30-31 says... "I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, (31) but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." Just as Jesus resisted the devil, by committing Himself to the desires of His Father, through the death of the cross, we need to remain connected with God, so we can always remain faithful to God and obey Him. When we begin to wander down pathways that do not belong to God, then we become a target to Satan but if we listen to God and obey His desires, then God can be a barrier of protection against Satan.

What else can we do, to help counteract Satan's attacks? First, we need to have God strengthen us. Ephesians 6:10-17 says... "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (13) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (14) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, (15) and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (16) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (17) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The first thing we need to do, to keep ourselves away from the clutches of evil, is to get our lives back on track with God and prepare ourselves for battle. When men and women go to war, they prepare themselves and cover themselves for times of conflict. In a similar way, we need to do the same and begin by placing the whole armor of God about us. If we only have certain pieces of the armor on, then Satan will know where our weak point of attack is and wound us.

Another thing we need to be aware of is Satan's strategy. His strategy is to try to use his powers against the things we stand for. Satan will attempt to remove the power of God from our lives, so we need to remember that when we are facing a difficult circumstance, then we are actually dealing with the ruler of darkness. We need to place the armor of God on and allow God's power to rise up within us, so we can defeat this evil worker of iniquity; rather than sitting in our ashes of despair, where we only remain a target for Satan's deceptive ways.

As we begin to put on the armor of God, let us begin by putting on the armor of truth. When we stand in the truth and wisdom of God and we know what God is conveying to us, then the presence of God will protects us, from the fiery darts of lies that Satan tries to use against us.

The next piece of armor should be the armor of righteousness. When we place this piece of armor on, then we are revealing to Satan that we stand for everything that pertains to Christ. We find ourselves shunning the dart of circumstance, for the gift that God has given us through the cross and this is what weakens Satan.

Another piece of armor would be the gospel of God's peace. When we wear this piece of armor, then we are walking in God's ways and we live with settled, peaceful feelings that God's presence alone will be more than able to destroy anything that comes from Satan's direction.

The piece of armor that we really can use is the shield of faith. When we stand in the presence of evil, while holding true to our faith, then all the darts of defeat will fall powerless to the ground.

Once we have the shield of faith, we definitely need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We can use these as great and mighty weapons against the evil one. While wearing the helmet of salvation, we should be on the alert, through a heart of prayer, always talking to God and resisting the devil.

So we have discovered that we not only need to obey God, in order to counteract Satan's attacks but we need to continually wear the armor of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the word of God. We need every one of these pieces of armor, so we can resist Satan's deceptive attacks, while walking side by side with God.

We not only need the armor of God to protect us from Satan but we also need to use prayer as a weapon in our lives too. II Thessalonians 3:1-3 says... "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. (2) And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. (3) But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." After turning our lives completely over to God through obedience and after putting on the complete armor of God, we need to use prayer as a weapon against evil. When we pray; we are allowing God to sustain us, so we can keep walking down the right pathway, that He has chosen for us to follow...a pathway that will keep us away from the traps and snares that Satan has set up for us. When we remain completely connected to God through prayer, then we will be able to communicate with God on a one to one basis, which will keep us disconnected from Satan. If we are not talking with God on a regular basis, then we can find ourselves disconnected from the One whose power can keep us strong and away from the traps of evil. These traps can be like land mines, so we need someone who can tell us where they are, so we can walk away safely and unharmed by evil.

Why do Satan's attacks keep coming, when we have Christ in our lives? As Christians, should everything not be going better for us? Revelation 12:12 says..."Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!" Satan knows that the final days are upon us and even though he displays his power in a very strong way; by things we see and experience around us; he remains under God's control. I believe that we are at a time in our lives, when God is seeking out His true followers. God is not the one who is bringing these difficult moments into our lives; but rather, He is the One who is allowing them to take place, so He can weed out the true followers of Jesus Christ...the followers that remain committed to Him, even during moments of adversity. Those who truly belong to God will not only go through difficult moments in their lives but they will be the ones who remain faithful to God. They will not give up and allow evil to win; but instead, they will grow stronger through their weaknesses and allow God to become greater than their defeats. They will be the ones who will see troubles in their lives; but will not choose to follow the circumstance and travel down a road that will only lead them further away from God. Just as Jesus discovered temptation from Satan, while making His way to the cross, we too face these same trying moments but just as Jesus remained faithful through tribulation, we must do the same.

If we can realize who Satan is and what he is trying to accomplish, then we will be able to be on the alert to his ways. We have the hope that God is in control over Satan, just as He was in control, during the time of Job's suffering. While God is doing His part, we must join into the relationship with Him, by obeying him and walking daily in His paths. We must be prepared to fight off evil, while wearing the armor of God's truth, faith, righteousness, salvation, and his words. We must communicate with God, so we do not find ourselves deceived by Satan. As long as we remain plugged into God, then we will not find ourselves connected into the thoughts and ways of evil. We need to let God know our concerns but at the same time, we must be willing to listen to His response.

We know that the end times are upon us and as God is getting ready to step out on His cloud of glory, we will face difficult moments, as Satan rages a battle, to try to take us captive. We must remember that no matter how powerful Satan can appear to be; God remains the greatest and most powerful being of all.

If we could view the battles in our lives, as a means of God strengthening us, then we would not be as bothered by them. Instead, we tend to look too deeply into our problems and that is where Satan steps in and begins to take control. We must remember who is greater and allow Him to rise up within our wounded hearts and spirits and defeat the adversary for us. When we can do this and allow our thoughts, hearts, minds and spirits, to connect with God, then we will become strong and mighty warriors for Him!

Chapter 2

The Battle

There is a battle that is raging in this world and it is not only battles between countries but the battle I am speaking of is between good and evil. While soldiers are fighting, in faraway countries, we are also fighting and struggling with the enemy, which is Satan. Do we feel as if we are on a roller coaster, while we are high on God one moment and down and out with Satan the next moment? This will give you an idea of what we will be discussing in this chapter, titled "The Battle."

Today, a battle is raging in many of our lives and that battle seems to keep going, as we find our lives frustrated by the never-ending weapons of destruction that come from Satan's direction, so let us begin, by studying the weapon that Satan uses...a weapon that is meant to detour us away from God. Genesis 3:6 says... "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." Satan has a way of detouring us down a pathway that is thought to be from God, when all along, it is meant to separate us from God. Satan works to convince us, that this is the right pathway to take; but if we are not careful and alert to his ways, then we can fall into a trap, where we may not realize at first where we are, until we realize that the pathway is not taking us anywhere but further down.

No matter what deceitful way Satan chooses to use against us, God still has the upper hand in our battles and can counteract the evil that attempts to trap us. Genesis 50:20 says... "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." While we are at war with evil, the battle can weigh us down and allow us to feel as if Satan is winning. We can feel weak, while our bodies are exhausted and drained from the battles, we face, and we can feel as if evil will win, until God steps into the battle, takes the weapons of evil, and turns them into something that can display His mighty power.

We find that the closer we are to God; the harder the battle becomes. If we were to look through a worldly eye, we would see that this does not seem right but in the eye of righteousness, this should be a reason to rejoice. When Satan is using every tactic to try to keep us separated from God, then that means that we truly do belong to God. We need to remember that Satan already has the unbeliever within his clutches, so rather than waste time on what he already has; he reaches for the one who is truly devoted to God...the one he does not have. We need to quit looking at these battles as something strange and realize that these battles have been raging since the beginning of time. Revelation 12:17 says... "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring...those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus." Even though the battle was victorious over evil, through Jesus' death on the cross, Satan continues to fight on an individual basis, while seeking to remove others from God, so he can place them into his ranks. We must remember, that if we are fighting on God's side, no matter how difficult the battle may seem, we have already won the battle because of Jesus' death on the cross. We must continue to remain committed to the cause of Christ and remain connected to God on a daily basis, so we will not fall prey and lose our own personal battle in the end.

Satan may attempt to convince us of his power, through the attacks that head our direction; but as long as we are following in the footsteps of God; we will always remain victorious through Him. The battle we are facing can allow us to feel defeated at times but we must remember that we are bearing the battle scars of a wounded spirit over evil. II Chronicles 20:15 says..."He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discoursed because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."

Our battle with evil can become so overwhelming, that we begin to see the battle as something more powerful than God is. Once we take our eyes away from God, we find ourselves sinking in the trap that Satan had prepared for us. We need to realize that we cannot fight this battle on our own. The battle is too fierce for us to handle alone; but there is One who has the power to rise above the overwhelming, raging battle and that One is Jesus Christ. When we fall in the midst of this raging battle, it is only because we have allowed the overwhelming feelings from the battle, to appear as though we are about to be hit with as fierce wave.

Satan not only has a way of taking us away from God's pathway, by deceiving us and making himself seem more powerful than God but he also has a way of reminding us of our affliction. II Corinthians 12:7 says... "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me."

Satan can trick us and attempt to take us down the wrong pathway. He can deceive us into thinking that his ways are God's ways and he can allow us to view the battle as something greater than God's power. Satan is also good at reminding us of our weaknesses, as a means of keeping us wounded, so we cannot move forward with God. While afflicting us, Satan likes to stick around and move "the thorn of affliction" deeper, so he can keep us down and away from Gods will for our lives. Satan also longs to keep the salt applied to our wounded spirit, so he can remind us of the weapon that once dug deep within us. It is his plan to keep us down and out of commission, so we cannot complete the purpose that God has for our lives.

One thing God does not want us to do, is to give in to the weakness or the wound. He wants us to move forward and not allow the "thorn" to affect the way we fight for God. Philippians 3:14 says..."I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." When we allow the pain of our wounded spirit to take us down, then we find ourselves in a pit or trap that Satan had set up for us but when we can press on, even though we are wounded and weak, then we are throwing a weapon back at him. I believe that the greatest weapon formed against evil, is when we can take a hold of the "thorn" or weakness that Satan has afflicted us with and allow God to use the affliction, as not only a means of helping ourselves but also defeating Satan. We need to remember that Satan can only work on weakness, so when weakness is strengthened through God, then Satan's weapon becomes of no affect to us.

The next weapon that Satan may try to use against us; would be to blind us through his darkness, so that God can no longer shine through us. II Corinthians 4:4 says... "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Through deceitfulness and weakness, Satan knows that he can attempt to keep us blinded from God's truth. When we are walking in darkness, he also knows that the struggle becomes greater and much more difficult to overcome. His plan is to keep us blinded to God's ways and trap us in a snare that will keep us weak and wounded. When Satan can get us to believe in our weakness, instead of the power of God, then he knows that he has us right where he desires us to be...right within his clutches.

Satan's power may try to keep us so overwhelmed and blinded, that we forget that we are already overcomer's through Christ. Revelation 12:11 says..."They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." When we find ourselves wounded, in a battle over evil, the best medicine that can heal the wound is the blood of Jesus Christ, which He shed for all of our sins, weaknesses, and afflictions. When we can accomplish good through evil, then we have allowed the blood of Christ, to enter the wounds of affliction. There is nothing to fear, when a battle is raging between Satan and us. Instead, we should stand strong, with the faith of Jesus Christ and know in our hearts that Satan has been defeated.

The scars that cover our hearts and bodies, remind us of the long and weary battles we have faced throughout our lives but the scars also remind us, that we have remained completely devoted to Jesus Christ. When we can understand Satan's strategies and are able to see the battle head on, then maybe we will find that the battle is not so difficult to get through. II Timothy 2:10 says... "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." The battles that are raging within our lives today may not be easy battles to face. We may be facing battles with our health, our emotions, and spiritual battles too. Even though Jesus died for the sins of the world and completed His battle on the cross, we too will face battles of devotion to Jesus Christ. For those who endure the battles until the end, they will receive the prize of eternal life with Christ.

We know that Satan is going to be lurking around us and wiggling the "thorn of affliction" within us but these things are not happening to us because Jesus does not love us; but rather, these are tests and battles, to prove our love and devotion to Jesus Christ. We have the hope that if we continue to fight our battles in Jesus name, then the battles will end. The battle may appear overwhelming at times but with Jesus Christ, the battle will seem easier. For those of us who remain true soldiers of Jesus Christ, in the end, we will receive the crown of righteousness.

As we close out this chapter, I would like to close with II Timothy 2:3-4, which reads... "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (4) No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs...he wants to please his commanding officer." If we are going to fight to the end...that we may gain eternity with God in Heaven, then we must obey the commander of our army and remain committed to His strategies of war; that we may end this battle victoriously through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Chapter 3

Why Do I Do the Things

I Desire Not To Do?

We can find ourselves living with so many questions...questions that can try to keep us in bondage and allow our walk with God to become more difficult. How is it that I am a Christian but I struggle so much in my life? Why does sin enter my life, when I do not desire it to begin with? I thought that since Christ died for my sins, that life would be much easier for me.

As we begin this chapter, we will be reading some verses from Romans 7:15-25. As we continue through the study, we will begin to take each verse apart and find the answers we so desperately need for our lives...so let us read Romans 7:15-25, which says... "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (16) And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. (17) As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. (18) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (19) For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do...this I keep on doing. (20) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (21) So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. (22) For in my inner being I delight in God's law; (23) but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (24) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (25) Thanks be to God...through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

As we begin the study, let us begin with our first

Verse...verse 15, which reads... "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Why do we still reach out and do the things that keep us away from God, when all we desire is God? We need to remember that even though Jesus died for our sins, we remain surrounded by a sinful nature. We are facing battles every day...battles that Satan longs to use against us, as a means of weakening us and keeping us distant from God. Our hearts cry out... "O God help me!", as we fall beneath the weight of sin and temptation. We long to do what is right; but we never seem to reach the goal that is set before us.

The verse above relates to the feelings that Paul experienced, while trying to remain committed to God. Paul had to learn that His own strength, knowledge, and wisdom were going to keep him from the right pathway to God.

Some of the battles we face could be a result of living out our own thoughts and desires; rather than seeking God's desires and will for our lives. We try to remain strong and seek out our own earthly wisdom to get us through a trying moment in our lives but we do not realize the error of our way until we fall flat on our face before God.

Let us move on to our next verse...verse 16, which reads... "And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good." Are we facing up to the things we do wrong in our lives? If not, then how do we expect God to repair what has been broken? I think that we find it easier to make excuses for our sins, like... "The devil made me do it."...that way we do not have to accept that we did something wrong; but while we are thinking this way, we find that we are agreeing, that the law of sin is ok.

We as humans seem to find it difficult to face our mistakes head on because then we have to tell ourselves that we are not a good person. God does not want us to view sin, as though we are doomed or as though we are not good people. Instead, he wants us to face the wrong that we have done, so He can mend the need and place us back on the pathway with Him. We also need to realize that God is not a God who blames us for our sins; but instead, He is a God that longs to use our mistakes, so we can become stronger people for Him. It is not God's desire to keep us down in life; but instead, He longs to use the mistake, so we can learn how to rise above the defeat in our lives and find new growth through Him.

Our next verse of study is verse 17, which reads... "As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me." We as Christian's are going to experience more battles and struggles in life because we are aiming our lives to please God. Satan is going to use sin as a weapon, to try to defeat us and keep us weak. One thing we must remember is that God is greater than any weapon of evil, formed against us. When we try to live our lives our own way and according to our own desires, then we have unplugged ourselves from a God who can sustain us and help us through these battles we face in life. Satan has a way of candy coating his work, so we will begin to believe it is from God, when all along, it is coming from Satan himself.

The weapon of sin that Satan longs to place in our lives can be so convincing, especially if we are trying to make our lives work for ourselves. When we unplug ourselves from the greatest God...Jesus Christ, then sin becomes the most powerful weapon in our lives, which only allows the battles to become even fiercer.

Let us move on now to verse 18, which reads..."I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." We need to realize that our desires will not come to life, unless we follow through with some form of action. To just sit and desire something will not do a thing for us. We need to allow God's desire to become the form of a weapon...a weapon that can keep us away from the deceitful desires of Satan. We also need to accept that nothing is going to work, when we are doing it alone. When God is not there to help us, then it is as if we are standing before the greatest giant...sin.

As we read verse 19...Paul is trying to convince himself that no matter how hard he tries to live his life, he still falls prey to the sin that surrounds him. Let us read verse 19, which says... "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do...this I keep doing." I think that the keyword in this verse is "I". How many times do we speak and never realize that the word "I" is in our speech? A great example of this is... "I tried but still I failed." Who tried? Instead, it should have been..."I tried, with the help of God." When we use God as our means of trying, then we know that we cannot fail because God is a god that never fails. He is a god that made everything and us so why would He fail us.

Again, Paul is trying to convince himself that the sin is at work in his life. He is trying to use sin as a means of escape, from the wrong he faces. Let us continue and read verse 20, which says... "Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." Paul is saying that he never desired sin in the first place, so could he be sinning. When we are using sin as a crutch to lean on, to escape the problems we are facing, then where do we stand with God? As long as we have ourselves believing that sin itself is affecting our lives, then we will only find ourselves living in another world...a world where we escape our problems and never find new strength and growth through Jesus Christ. Again, we need to remind ourselves, that it is Christ's desire to use sin for our good, instead of using our sin to destroy us and if we never admit to our wrongs, then how will Christ make a way for us to rise above the sin in our lives?

In verse 21, we begin to view a battle...a battle between what is good and what is evil, so let us read on... "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me?" Why would evil become so heavy for the heart of a Christian? As we face the end times, we need to remember that Satan is not after the unbeliever. Instead, he is working overtime to take those away from God that are truly devoted to Him. We need to remember that the test is not what God is viewing; instead, God is looking at how we handle the testing. The battles we face at this time will either lift us up or take us down and whom we lean on during the battle will either help us or fail us. Are we leaning on God or ourselves? Are we going to succumb to the shackles of pain and heartache or are we wearing our shackles with hope attached; that one-day we will exchange them for a robe and a crown?

Here is one of the answers we are looking for, so let us read on into verse 22, which says... "For in my inner being I delight in God's law;" Are we delighting in ourselves or in God? If we are taking delight in our own thoughts, desires and ways, then we may find ourselves crushed by the weight of sin and weakness. We need something that is more powerful and greater than sin itself and the answer is Jesus Christ.

As verse 22 continues into verse 23, we read... "but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." Satan has a way of convincing us that we cannot handle life on our own, so he uses this as a form of weakness in our lives, so he can control us, like a puppet on a string. We find that he controls us through our own desires, while the battle continues to rage deep within us; but there is a cure...a remedy...a way to be set free from this prison of despair, so let us continue, and learn more...

The first thing we need to recognize is that we are the sinner. Verse 24 says..."What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" Even though Paul faced moments of confusion, he came to realize that he was the one that allowed the moments of sin to enter his life. He had actually reached the first step, to gaining God's help and guidance for his life, by admitting the error of his ways.

Instead of fighting all the denials that rage within our thoughts and instead of living a life imprisoned within itself, why do we not just come to grips with our lives and lay everything on the line before God? Once more, we need to remember that God is not waiting around the corner to strike us down, while we tell Him of our sin. Instead, He is waiting with arms opened wide, as we repent and bring our need before Him. Once we do this, He can begin the process of rebuilding our lives and restoring us back to Him.

We can rejoice, while experiencing the moments of sin and weakness in our lives. How is it that we can rejoice through adversity? Let us find out in verse 25, which says... "Thanks be to God...through Jesus Christ our Lord." If we have nothing else to be thankful for, let us find a way to thank God for choosing us to be His very own. The hope that we can have, while experiencing weakness and sin in our lives, is that we have Jesus Christ...the One who died on the cross, who saved us from the wretched sins and weaknesses that we would experience in our lives.

As we close another chapter, my thoughts turn to an old hymn that goes like this... "Where could I go...Oh where could I go, needing a refuge oh my soul. Needing a friend who will help me to the end; where could I go but to the Lord." We may experience sin, through our own selfish desires. God longs to set us free but we must be the one to call upon His name for help. He holds the keys of death and hell, in which He took possession of at the cross. He can unlock the most difficult prison cell and set us free but we must first be willing to call out to Him and admit our mistakes. Instead of using Satan or the sin itself as an excuse, we need to say like Paul... "What a wretched man I am!" Once God receives our message for help, He will come to us and place us on wings of love...wings that will cause us to rise above the despair, so we can discover Christ, in an even greater way than before.

Have we found ourselves in prison because of the sin that Satan has brought into our lives; that we cannot see the truth that can free us and cause us to rise above Satan's evil ways? If so, then maybe we need to sit down and have a good talk with God. Remember, He can handle anything we give him because He is God. God is more concerned that our relationship remains strong with Him. He loves us so much and it is not His desire to see us fall into the clutches of evil. Where do we stand with God today? Are we still controlling the circumstances in our own lives or are we willing to hand it all over to a God that can do so much more for us?

### An Added Tidbit of Hope

II Corinthians 12:9 says..."But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." We do not have to face our weaknesses alone; in fact, I have come to learn that when we face our weaknesses alone, then we have disconnected ourselves from a great power that comes from God and when we do this, then we are facing a giant of sin and weakness alone, which makes the battle more difficult to face.

We as Christian's need to know in our hearts that God's grace is sufficient for all of our needs, which means that we can sit back with a settled feeling and know that God's hand is at work in our lives. We need to remember that God does not show up best when everything is going right. Instead, He is in the midst of a dark and dismal storm, where we fall to a place of humbleness, so he can rise in our place and work in a great and mighty way. Because of His loving and giving spirit, we can find a reason to rejoice in God and as we lift up our praise to Him, even while facing the darkest hours of our lives; we find that we have sent God a message...a message that reveals to Him, that we trust him to take care of our needs.

When we can remain connected to God and continue to press on and praise Him at the same time, especially during difficult moments of pain and heartache, then we will find that He comes and meets us at the place of our need, while His power begins to rest upon us in a greater way.

Chapter 4

A Wrong Connection

What causes us to form a relationship with our problems, instead of God? What can cause us to detour away from a powerful God, to form a bond with a weak circumstance? Genesis 16:3 says... "So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife." Instead of waiting on God, we seem to grow impatient and turn our own direction, just as Sarai did. As Sarai was getting older, she grew discouraged because she had not given Abram a child, so instead of trusting God and waiting on Him to help her; she took the problem upon herself and allowed her handmaid to give Abram a child instead.

While facing a problem in our own lives, we can grow impatient with God and because of this; we end up trying to do whatever we can think of to resolve the circumstance that we are going through. Little do we know at the time, that when we try to handle our problems in this way, that we are falling into a web with the problem. Instead of trusting God, we begin to see our problem as something greater then God, while the problem begins to dominate our lives.

When we grow impatient with God, then we allow the problem to control us, while we complain to God, instead of talking with Him about the need. Exodus 17:2 says... "So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?" Instead of talking with God about their lack of water, all they did was complain to Moses, as to why God had not given them any water. We can find ourselves doing the same. Instead of praying and talking with God about our needs, we seem to allow our problems to manipulate us, while we find it easier to complain to God about our problems. We do not realize it at the time; but we are allowing our problems to speak through us and control us, instead of going to the source of our needs, which is Jesus Christ. This is once more allowing us to form a closer bond with our circumstances, rather than with God.

Our complaints not only remind us of the problems we are facing but they lead us to a lack of trust in God because we begin to believe the words that our problems dictate to us. Numbers 14:5-9 says... "Then Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. (6) Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes (7) and said to the entire Israelite assembly. "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. (8) If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. (9)Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." After all the children of Israel had already been through and after all they had watched the Lord their God do for them, they still doubted God's faithfulness; that they would soon enter the promise land, which the Lord their God had promised them from the beginning. The stories we read from the Bible are there to help us relate to what these people went through, so we can learn to trust in God, but are we using God's word in this way? Instead of trusting in God, are we placing too many limitations on God and are we only allowing Him to work on the smaller problems in our lives, while we cling to the larger problems?

When we begin to form a deep bond with our problems, we can discover that our problems may begin to lead us down a different pathway, then the pathway God had originally planned for us to follow. Numbers 16:13-14 says... "Isn't it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with mild and honey to kill us in the desert? And now you also want to lord it over us? (14) Moreover, you haven't brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!" In this reading, Dathan and Abiram took their eyes away from God and began to form a bond with their present problem, until the problem began to enlarge and exaggerate itself, which only lead them to begin a search for the answer to their need, by choosing to go their own way.

When we get too close to our problems instead of God, then the problem begins to look larger, more exaggerated and blown out of proportion, until we give up or go searching for the answers on our own. We allow this to happen, when we lose complete touch with God and we begin to dwell more on the problem, while God begins to fade out of the picture.

We can find ourselves relating with a problem, to the point that we forget about God and underestimate His power. Mark 4:41 says... "They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" One of the most amazing things to me is that Jesus' disciples walked with Him, through most of His journey. They were present to see the miraculous things that Jesus had done but they still underestimated the power of His presence. Are we doing the same? We have watched God at work in our lives and in other people's lives around us but when another problem arises; we tend to form a greater bond with the problem, while we underestimate the power of a living God. When we decide to go our own direction because we are not willing to wait on God, then we become complainers instead of prayer warriors. When we place limitations on God, by how we trust Him, then we allow the problem to become something larger, than a God that is rich in power. When we make the problem more powerful in our lives, while we underestimate the power of a living God, then we have formed a bond with our problem. Instead of becoming friends with God, we now have a new friend and that friend's name is "my problem".

How can we destroy the bond that we have with our problem or circumstance? First, we need to turn to God and walk away from the problem, while keeping a clear focus on God. Judges 4:3 says... "Because he had nine hundred iron chariots and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help." After 20 years of hardship, the children of Israel finally cried out to God for help. How many times do we suffer needlessly, until we can no longer bare the circumstance? After going through a long period of needless suffering, we cry out to God, when we could have done that to begin with. We as humans dislike suffering but why do we allow ourselves to go through it needlessly? We need to have a daily talk with God, a time to pour out our needs before the feet of God, that way we do not find ourselves talking about the problem. When our words and hearts connect to God, then our relationship with God begins to come back, while the bond with our problem begins to weaken.

The next thing we can do to weaken the bond with our problem, is to put the problem into proper perspective. I Samuel 17:26 says... "David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" We need to place, what appears to be a large circumstance, into proper perspective. David saw Goliath as a normal man, who was defying the ways of God, while others around him saw Goliath only by his size. David went in the power of God, while others trusted in their swords to save them. When we see our problems, as something greater than God's power, then we lose touch with God and begin to make our problem a friend, instead of an enemy. If we are going to deaden our relationship with the problem, then we must see God as something stronger and more powerful than the circumstance.

Another thing we should do, to reverse the bond with our problems, while making God our friend, is to run towards God, rather than walking away from Him. II Corinthians 1:8-10 says... "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. (9) Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. (10) He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us." When we allow God to see, that we are powerless without Him, then we are not only going to reveal our need for Him but we are also going to show Him, that He can do much more for us, then the problem. Through acknowledging His power over our weakness, we are relaying a message to Him, that we need His friendship even more. The key here is that whatever or whomever we relate to, will also determine whom we form a relationship with; in other words, are we leaning on the power of God or the power that stems from our problems?

The next thing we need to do is to discover a different attitude towards our problems. Luke 12:13-14 says... "Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." (14) Jesus replied, "Man who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Jesus did not actually refer back to the problem in these verses but He did try to make a point, that we can see our problems in different ways, if we are willing to discover a different attitude towards them. We need to allow God to use the problem, to change us and allow us to mature and grow in Him. If we are always revealing weakness because of the problem, then we find that we remain attached to the problem.

Finally, if we are going to allow a stronger relationship to form with God, rather than our problems, then we need to allow Jesus to control the storms in our lives. Matthew 8:25 says... "The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" How often do we label our problems, as though God can do this but He cannot do that? The disciples saw Jesus perform many miracles but they looked at the storm, through the eye of a fisherman, rather than through the eye of God. They had fished the seas long enough to know, that this was not a storm, that they would be able to safely get through, so instead of trusting in the master of the sea, they placed their focus on the problem, which became the storm.

If we are not experiencing a close relationship with God, then how are we going to be able to trust the Master of the sea, to free us from the storms that enter our lives? Just as Jesus calmed the storm in this story; He is also a powerful God who can calm the storms in a human's life but if we are too connected with the problem, then we will never be able to experience His kind of power; instead, we will find a bond forming with the enemy.

Who are we forming a bond with today...God or the problem? The longer we form a bond with the problem, the more we will face fiercer battles. Jesus did not go through a brutal death of love on the cross, so that we could make friends with our problems. He died to free us, if we are willing to run to Him, instead of allowing the problem to control us. Whatever we focus on today, will become our friend in life. We have two choices; we can form a close relationship with God and experience the power and strength He has to offer us or we can find ourselves falling deeper into our problems, while we form a bond with our problems. We can wait on God or let the problem run our lives. We can either sit and complain about our problems or turn to God and tell Him everything. We can either place limitations on God or trust Him all the way. We can continue to allow our problem to grow, through thought of exaggerations or we can allow ourselves to view the situation through God's eyes and finally, we can underestimate God's power in our lives or we can see him as a powerful God that is greater than our problems. What kind of a relationship are we forming today? Are we forming a relationship with our problems or are we forming a relationship with God that will allow us to press on with Him?

An Added Tidbit of Hope

James 1:2-4 says... "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

If we are going to become more like Jesus, then we may have to walk down some difficult pathways to get there. Even though Jesus died for our sins, sometimes there may be a flaw or two that may be in the way, so God cannot work through us. In order that we may become like Him, we need to go through the refinery, so God can work out the flaws and make us stronger in Him, instead of stronger in the problems we face.

The reason we can find joy, while going through difficult trials, is that God is at work in our lives. It is a time of celebration, not grief, for the Most High God is revealing His great love for us, by working in our lives. We are actually experiencing the hand of God upon us.

The only way we can keep a bond from forming between our problems and us is to see the good that can come forth from the problems. This is not a time to complain; but instead, it is a time to thank God for the wondrous work He is doing. This is a time to be grateful, that we have a loving God, to walk through the fire with us. One problem we can face is that we are too busy looking at what we think; instead of what God has promised us and that is that He will never abandon us or leave us alone in despair. We need to remember that if we desire a greater connection with God, then we must react to our problems, in a way that allows God to see that we are fully trusting in Him.

Chapter 5

Using Prayer as a Last Resort

How often do we say..."Well, I've done everything I can do; I guess I should pray now?" Why do we use prayer as a last resort? Why do we feel that we need to turn inwardly with our problems, before looking up to a powerful God for help?

I believe that Satan uses strategies like these, to keep our thoughts away from God, so we can remain focused on the problem before us. Satan not only longs to afflict us but he also longs to keep us in that position of affliction. One of his greatest strategies is to trap us so deeply within the circumstance that our minds and hearts disconnect from the power of a great and mighty God.

In this chapter, we are going to discuss four things that can keep us disabled within the circumstance, while making prayer a last resort. The first one that we are going to discuss is "worry." II Timothy 2:4 says... "No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs...he wants to please his commanding officer." When we worry, then we have gotten ourselves tangled up within the problem. Our thoughts become a message to Satan, that reveal that we are not coping with our situation and when he sees that the weakness is making us weaker through worry, then he walks right on in and adds more, to the problems we already have, which keeps us weighed down, frustrated and filled with anxiety.

God wants us to remember; that if we are going to be a true soldier for Him, then we need to stand strong for Him, instead of falling prey to the enemy. I'm sure that when David went off to battle, that he didn't walk into battle and say..."Here I am!" No, instead, he went with the power and strength of the Most High God. When we allow worry to become greater than prayer; then instead of fighting the battle, with the help of God, we find ourselves standing alone, as a wounded animal, while Satan preys upon our weaknesses.

The next thing we can end up placing above prayer is a heart that panics or loses control. As the problem begins to surround us, we lose control over our feelings, while our trust in God begins to fade into the background. Exodus 16:12-15 says..."I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, "At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God." (13)That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. (14) When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. (15) When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them. "It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat." Moses and the children of Israel had just crossed the Red Sea, where they had experienced the power of God; but they lost faith...thinking that God had brought them that far, just so they could die from starvation. Instead of connecting to God through prayer, they panicked and found themselves caught within the circumstance that was surrounding them.

How many times do we know that God has helped us in the past but still we find ourselves quickly forgetting what He has done for us, while we stand before another circumstance? Instead of reminiscing back on God's faithfulness, we allow ourselves to fall into a pit of panic and fear, which only allows our circumstance to become more difficult to deal with. When we make the choice to turn inwardly to the problem, instead of talking to God about our need, then once more, Satan discovers a message of despair and feeds on the weakness that we have placed before him.

Once we find that worry does not make our situation any better and once we see that panic makes the situation worse, we tend to take our trust away from God and trust in ourselves. Psalm 44:6 says... "I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;" We need to remember, that the only way that we will be able to accomplish anything in our lives, is to have the power of God working behind us. When David went off to battle, he did not trust in his bow or sword to save him; instead, he knew that he could only win the battle, when the power of God was working through his weapon. David talked with God, through prayer, as he entered the battle zone and that is why he came out of the battle victorious.

While entering our own battle zone, are we trusting in ourselves or are we placing our trust in what God can accomplish for us, through prayer? Only through prayer and a heart that is willing to listen for God's response, will we understand and know what strategy God has for us to use against the enemy. Proverbs 28:26 says... "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."

One of the most important parts of our relationship with God is to converse with Him in prayer. How do we expect to form a relationship with God, if we are not willing to tell Him about our needs, while listening for His answers? When we try to fix the problems on our own, then we begin to experience a separation in our relationship with God. The hand that we once held tightly too, is now falling away from ours. Only when we connect ourselves with God, through a heart of prayer, can we regain the connection we lost. As an example...let us say that we wanted to call a friend and share what has been going on in our lives; wouldn't we need to make sure that the phone is connected to a source...a source that would allow us to speak to the other person? In a similar way, if we are going to call up God and talk with Him, then we need to make sure that we connect with Him first.

Self-pity and giving up altogether can become the fourth thing that takes us away from the power of prayer. Self-pity and giving up on life can form a pit...that through moments of despair becomes a wallowing hole. Job 10:1 says... "I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul." How many times, while dealing with chronic pain, heartache, grief or even a bad day; do we succumb to the weakness we're facing; rather than taking the time to look up to God in prayer? We sit in our pain and heartache and we say like Job... "Oh how I'm so tired of living like this," "I can't take this anymore," "When is this problem going to end?" While we are speaking these words, Satan is listening, as our moments of weakness become weaker, while he lurks around us...waiting for the right moment to devise another plan of attack.

When we speak words of self-pity, we find that depression follows our words of despair and we find that we are fighting an even more difficult battle, then when we first began the fight. When we can find the strength we need to open our mouths and talk to God and allow Him to become our counselor, then we will find that the burden that once weighed heavily upon us, is no longer there. We find that instead of walking through a pit of despair, we are now closer to God, while we view the despair below us that once captivated us.

Self-pity, instead of prayer can lead us to a place, where we want to quit. We feel as if we are the only one who is feeling low and discouraged, so the moments of hope we once held onto are now becoming bleak. We need to remember, that Jesus experienced these moments in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke 22:43-44 says... "An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. (44) And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Jesus faced very difficult moments of temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane, before going to the cross. Satan thought that if he could allow temptation to weigh heavily upon Jesus, then Jesus would give in and end His journey to the cross. Satan knew that the cross was going to allow Jesus to become victorious over sin and he knew that the cross would defeat him, so he pressured Jesus, to the point, where Jesus' sweat became drops of blood. Even through it all, Jesus remained faithful, as He conversed with His Father in Heaven through prayer and in return, His Father sent an angel to Him...an angel that would minister and strengthen Him through this difficult time. Through this reading, we discover that if God was faithful to His Son, through some of the most difficult moments of temptation, then He is more than able to do the same for us.

We need to ask ourselves this question... "What would have happened, if Jesus would have succumbed to the weakness of Satan's temptation; rather than talking with His Father in Heaven during this time?" When we succumb to a weakness and we talk about giving up, then we give Satan the victory, while we allow God to become a defeated god in our lives. When we take the time, to give the need to God and talk it over with Him, then just as He helped His Son in the Garden of Gethsemane, He will do the same for us. He will send His angels to minister to our hearts, so He can create a new strength within us that will help us to press on with Him. We need to remind ourselves that the victory over our weaknesses, accomplished freedom from these moments at the cross. One thing we need to ask ourselves is this... "Are we going to allow the victory through the cross to remain a victory or are we going to allow the victory at the cross to become defeat in our lives, by the way we respond to our problems?"

How easily we fall within our circumstances, as though they become a web of deceit. These traps that Satan is setting out for us, can lead us down roads of worry, panic, trust in ourselves and especially self-pity, which only takes us to a dead end road, where we eventually desire to give up and quit. These roads can become detour roads, that can keep us stuck within the problem, instead of allowing ourselves to rise above the problem. We need to get away from these detour roads and ask God to lead us back onto the pathway that will keep us close to Him, where He can begin a new work within us and help us through the difficult times. Matthew 21:22 says... "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." We sit in our moments of despair, while we say... "Well, I talked with God but I don't know why He isn't doing anything about my needs?" Right there is where we make a mistake; by seeking God, while we wonder where He is, through words of unbelief or negativity. Talking with God is not the complete answer to our problem. We need to believe in our prayers. We need to talk with God and then walk away, saying..."I've given my need to God and I don't know how He's going to respond but I know that He will work it all out for His good." We need to remember that even though Jesus became victorious over His death on the cross and the grave; our belief is what keeps His victory alive within us. When we go to God and we talk to him about our needs but then we turn back to worry...a state of panic and trust in ourselves, while falling into a pit of self-pity, then we have in some way stomped out our prayer to God.

How can we keep our minds focused on prayer, instead of trying to figure everything out for ourselves? I Corinthians 4:10 says... "We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!" We need to remember who is weak and who is strong. If we are placing ourselves in the "strong category" and God in the "weak category," then we will never find peace, contentment or renewed hope. In order for us to feel hope again, we need to place prayer above our circumstances and ourselves. When we turn to the problem, or ourselves then we find that we are only adding wood to a fire that has already been burning; rather than allowing God to distinguish the flames of our circumstance.

We already know that our problems cannot fix themselves and we know that we are already too weak...with no wisdom or knowledge of our own, so we need someone who is stronger and can handle not only our complaints but also fix the need too and the only One that meets these criteria is God. Instead of turning to the things that will make our problems worse, we need to sit and have a chat with God. We need to treat Him like a good friend that will listen to our aching hearts. We need to quit having a relationship with the problem and ourselves and begin to relate with God instead.

Why are we wasting life's precious moments, by falling prey to Satan's deceitful ways; rather than turning to a God that can fix what is wrong within our lives? We need to remember, that it is Satan's plan to keep us down and out of commission with God. Satan not only longs to see us in despair; but he longs to keep us there. If we can slow down in life and take the time to be on alert to Satan's desires for our lives, then we would find that we would not have to suffer so needlessly.

## Section 4

## What Will Help Us

## To View Our Trials Differently?

Chapter 1

Asking Amiss

Are we experiencing the hand of God at work in our lives? When we come to God in prayer, are we looking for His answers or are we seeking for our own desires? James 4:1-3, 7-10, 13-16 says... "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? (2) You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (3) When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (7)Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8)Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (9)Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (13) Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." (14)Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanished. (15) Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (16)Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

How can our prayer life seem like a battle? Let us refresh ourselves with verse 1-2 of our reading, which says... "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? (2) You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God." Could it be that we are too busy aiming our prayers towards our own desires, instead of God's will? When we pray; are we looking for Gods will to be done or are we looking for God to grant our own desires? Why do we need to go to God in prayer, if we are going to remain steadfast in the things we desire? When we meet God through prayer, are we walking away with an open mind, looking for His will and desires or are we determined to see God answer our prayers...our way. A battle can begin to take form, when we find ourselves fighting God's will over our desires. When God longs to reveal His plan to us; but yet we are only looking for our own desires, then a war begins to rage within our hearts and minds. Once Satan sees this battle as a weakness, he steps in and brings more conflict with him. Satan begins to remind us, that God must not love us because our need was not met our way, so from there; we find ourselves turning towards the direction of evil, while we question God, as to why He did not meet our need...our way.

Verse 3 goes on to say... "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." What does it mean to ask amiss? We can go to God and lay our needs before Him; but when we begin to ask for things, we really do not need, like wealth and fame, to meet the desires of our own hearts, than we are asking amiss. Why do we turn to God with stubborn hearts, instead of humble hearts? We go to God with the thought that He is able to give us the answers we need; but we are not willing to listen to Him. God is not a source we turn to, like a magician. God sees pathways ahead of us that we are not always able to see, so when He does not answer a prayer in the way we desire, then it could be that it is because He is looking out for our wellbeing. In my own life; I think of prayer time, as the "Holy of Holies;" mentioned of in the Bible. We should see God as someone we go to with our needs, while waiting patiently...listening for His response. When we come to God, with this kind of humbleness, then we are giving Him all the room He needs to work.

When we turn to God in prayer, are we submitting ourselves completely to Him? Who are we, that we should go before the Most High God and demand Him to meet our desires...our way? If we want to know how to approach God and find His blessings, instead of our desires, then we need to submit ourselves to God. Verses 7-8 of our reading says... "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." How do we go to God, with a sincere heart of prayer? First, we need humbleness. We need to fix our priorities and put God above ourselves. We can go and talk with God and lay our need completely on the line before Him; but from there, we must let Him be who He is, which is God.

The next thing we definitely need to do is resist the devil or keep our distance from him. We cannot allow his ways to entice us and weaken us in our thoughts. We need to allow God to cleanse our thoughts, so we can hear the voice of God and no other. When we are double-minded, then we find ourselves going to God with our needs, while we choose to continue our direction, with our own desires in mind.

When we have discovered, that we have been going to God with the wrong motives, then how do we stop this two-sided battle from raging? Verses 9-10, from our reading says... "Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." Why would verse 9 tell us to be afflicted...to mourn and to weep, while allowing our laughter to change into mourning? I believe that the laughter mentioned of in this verse, is illustrating the moments when we allow our own pride and desires to take over. When our laughter changed into mourning then we need to turn from a place of pride...to a place of humbleness before God. If we expect God to bring us back up to His level, then we must become humble before Him. When He sees our humbleness, then He will know that we are willing to listen to Him. God will then begin to lift us back up to His level, where His work can begin once more. God is willing to listen to us; but He also wants us to share in the relationship and listen to His advice too. Why do we turn to God, if we are not willing to hear His opinion or request?

Why do we ask God to fulfill our requests, on our terms, when we cannot even foresee the future ahead of us? Verses 13-14 goes on to say... "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." (14) Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Do we know what tomorrow holds? Will we even be here tomorrow? If we cannot answer these questions, then how is it that we know more than God knows? We can say that we may do this or that tomorrow but do we have the mind of God, to know what He will do for us. How many times have we allowed ourselves to become anxious over something that has not even happened? We may sit and worry about something on Monday, that we think will happen on Friday and when we reach Friday, we find ourselves saying..."That turned out better than I thought!" This example reveals how much we need to rely on God, instead of ourselves. Can we sit here today and know that we will be here a few days from now? If not, then why are we worrying about events that have not even taken place? The Bible says that our lives are like a vapor; we can be here today and gone tomorrow. Why are we more willing to live with worry, anxiety, and doubt, when we could just live one day at a time?

If we are going to know God's will for our lives, then we need to change our way of thinking and allow Him to give us the answers to our needs. Verse 15, from our reading says... "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that" When we ask for God's will to done in our lives, instead of our own wants and desires, then we will find the answers that will bring peace into our lives. If we are going to seek for God's response to our needs, then we must be willing to accept His answers. His will may not always be what we expect or desire; but in the end, if we choose to accept it, then we will see that His ways are best.

When we rejoice in our own desires, rather than seeking God's best for our lives, then we discover that we connect to Satan, which only allows us to become more distant from God. Verse 16 of our reading says... "As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil." How can we pray and ask God for His help and then go back to our own thoughts and desires? When we react in this way, then we stomp out the power of prayer. It is similar to the "pause and play" buttons on a remote control. When we turn to God with our needs, it is as if we are playing our prayer request to God; but then we move to the "pause" button and turn back to our own way of handling our needs, which only places us in a stand still. If we are longing for God's answers, then we must lay our needs before Him and seek out His response, while laying our own desires to the side.

We need to be careful, when it comes to prayer but at the same time, prayer should be a time, when we approach God as a child...a child who is need of His Father's help. We should not feel tense, when it comes to talking with God but we must remember who is greater and most of all, we should have respect, reverence and humbleness before Him. Do we truly feel, as though we are finding the answers to our needs? If not, then maybe we need to look deep within ourselves and see whose making the decisions.

Chapter 2

Losing Strength vs. Gaining Strength

What causes us to decrease in God's strength, when we need it the most? What can help us to turn away from our own strength, so we can experience a much greater strength in God? Why do we continue to take a downward spin, when it comes to our circumstances, if we feel that our own strength is strong enough to pull us through the difficult moments? In this chapter, we will be discussing the things that can rob us of God's strength and then we will be studying the things that can allow God's strength to increase within our lives.

The first thing that can rob us of God's strength is doubt. James 1:6-7 says... "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (7) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

How can we experience God's strength each day, if we are wavering between His strength and our own strength? Are we placing limitations on what God's strength can accomplish? When David fought Goliath, what would have happened, if he had wavered between his own strength and God's strength? Then David's moments of doubt and lack of faith would have probably brought him defeat.

When we go to the beach, we see the waves drifting in, while pulling away from us the next moment. Are we experiencing God's strength, like the waves upon a shore? Are we drifting towards God's strength one moment, only to pull away and go back to our own so called strength the next moment?

Self-sufficiency can also be another thing that robs us of God's strength. Judges 7:2 says... "The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her," Self-sufficiency can allow us to become more dependent upon ourselves, while walking further away from the strength of a strong and powerful God. When we set our minds on our own thoughts and ways, then self-sufficiency is relaying a message to God, that we can do everything without Him. Self-sufficiency keeps us from leaning on God for strength...a strength that can cause us to keep standing, when we feel as if we are about to fall.

In the verse above, God took away a large amount of Gideon's soldiers, so that God's strength could display a powerful god, while the soldiers learned to depend on God, instead of themselves. When a lesser amount of soldiers win the battle, then a higher power of strength can shine through the darkness. In a similar way, God may allow moments like these into our own lives. He may allow certain things to leave our lives, so His strength and power reveals Himself to others, as He works through our weakness.

When we rely on own strength, then we are just waiting for a fall to take place. We need God's strength all the way, so when we face the fiercest battles, His strength will keep us away from the pit of despair.

When we become stubborn and set in our own way, we can discover that we have lost God's strength. Psalm 81:4-8 says... "...this is a decree for Israel, and ordinance of the God of Jacob. (5) He established it as a stature for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where he heard a language we did not understand. (6) He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. (7) In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. (8) "Hear, O my people, and I will warn you...if you would but listen to me, O Israel!"

Could it be that we are lacking God's complete strength because we have become stubborn in our own ways? If we are not listening to God and if we are not leaning on His strength, then how do we expect to draw from His strength? How we react, will relay a message to God, that we are in need of His strength or that we can handle our problems on our own.

Our own weaknesses can also become a culprit that can rob us of God's strength. Nehemiah 13:26 says... "Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women." In this reading, Nehemiah is using the example of King Solomon, to his people. Even as great of a king, as King Solomon was, he still lived with weaknesses too.

How can we live with God's strength, while caught into the snare of our own weaknesses? God's strength can be there for us, if we are willing to allow His strength to become greater than our weaknesses or circumstances. We must be willing to lay aside our weaknesses and exchange them for a greater strength in God; otherwise, we will find ourselves robbed of the strength we so desperately need.

Iniquity or sin can also rob us from God's powerful strength. Psalm 31:10 says... "My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak." Sin can separate us from God, so when we find ourselves separated from God, we also find ourselves separated from His strength. When we choose to follow our own pathway in life, then we will find that we are also living with a minimal amount of strength. We find that the pathway begins to become hopeless without God's strength, so we find ourselves falling into despair or crying out to God in desperation.

When we become too caught up into our own lives, through moments of doubt, self-sufficiency, stubbornness, or our own weaknesses and sin, then we discover that we have been robbed of the strength we need the most, which is God's strength. If we are lacking in God's strength, then maybe it is time to take inventory, to see what may be robbing us of His strength. Once we are able to discover the problem, then we have the hope of rediscovering God's strength once more.

Now that we know what can rob us of God's strength, what can bring God's strength back into our lives? Ephesians 3:16 says... "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,"

Do we truly understand the depth of God's strength? He is the God who created all things, including you and me. He not only created everything but He controls each thing too. Do we doubt or place limitations on God's strength? Let us stop for a moment and think about our own strength. How does man gain strength on his own? Since we are not the source of strength, we cannot obtain strength from ourselves. Instead, God is the source that gives us the physical strength we need, while giving strength that helps us to cope and deal with our everyday lives.

Next, we need to follow through with God's will for our lives, if we are going to increase in His strength. II Timothy 4:17 says... "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth." Daniel experienced God's strength, while in a den of lion's and David experienced God's strength, while fighting Goliath and Joseph also experienced God's strength, while being held captive in Egypt. These men, along with others in the Bible began to experience God's strength, when they chose to step into the footprints of God's will for their lives. These men did not wait and say... "Well, when God gives me His strength, then I will do His will for my life." No, instead, they stepped into God's will, through faith and God's strength met them there.

We can also discover how great God's strength is, when we give to others. Luke 22:32 says... "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." While facing difficult moments of adversity, we can feel drained and weakened by our circumstance but when we share the moments with others, that have kept us strengthened in God, then others not only receive strength from our words but we also find a renewed strength too. Sitting in "ashes of despair" will only keep us weak and that is why we must continue to reach out, even though we face moments of affliction.

When we can turn our eyes upon Jesus, while turning our eyes away from our weaknesses, then we will discover an increase in God's strength. Isaiah 41:10 says... "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." This verse does not say... "So do not fear, for your weaknesses will eventually go away." No, instead, it says that we are not to fear anything; but rather, we should be able to live with a settled feeling, knowing that God is there for us, and because of this, His strength is there too. When we turn to God, instead of our weaknesses, then His victorious right hand of righteousness will uphold us and strengthen us.

We can rob ourselves of the mighty strength of God, through doubt, self-sufficiency, stubbornness and our own weaknesses and sin or we can discover the strength of God, by understanding the depth of who He really is. When we can walk in the footprints, that God has set out for each of us to follow and share the strength we've already discovered with others in need, then God's strength will continue to increase in size and power, while our weaknesses begin to fade into the background.

Whose strength are we leaning on today? Even though we may be facing moments of adversity, are we finding it easier to make it through the tough times? Do we feel God's sustaining strength or are we struggling constantly to keep our heads above the waters of circumstance? The choices we make and the footsteps we follow, will determine how much of God's strength lives within us.

Chapter 3

Are We Missing God's Response?

Why are we waiting for a greater response to our needs, when God may have already given us His answer? Why do we turn to Him in the first place, if we are going to expect His answers to be according to our expectations? I Corinthians 2:9-10 reads... "However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him (10) but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."

We need to ask ourselves this question... "Are we able to know the mind of Christ?" If we cannot read His mind, then how are we going to be able to understand the way He longs to meet our need? We can only know the answers He has for us, as He reveals the answers from His Spirit to ours.

We can also miss the answer that God has for our needs, when we are leaning on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 says... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

We can find ourselves going down a different "pathway of the mind," when we try to figure out God's desires for our lives. When we are leaning on our own thoughts and desires, then we are going to bypass God's desires altogether. When we do not seek and acknowledge his ways and we allow ourselves to think in a higher realm than God, then we find ourselves disconnected from a god that is trying to reveal answers to us that can free us from despair. Instead, we should be saying to God... "Lord what are the answers that can free me from these moments of adversity," instead of trying to figure out the problem on our own and from there, we must be willing to wait for His response.

When we begin to seek for God's answers to our needs, with our own thoughts, then we could possibly be too high above God in our thinking. We not only forget that God is greater and holds the key that can unlock our needs; but we also go wrong, when we seek our own wisdom, instead of God's wisdom. Proverbs 4:5-7 says... "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. (6) Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. (7) Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." The answers we receive, to our daily needs, will be determined upon whose wisdom we seek. We can feel as though we have been lead to a fork in the road. We can either turn God's direction for the answers to our needs or we can go our own direction...the choice is up to us. Whatever we seek after and whichever direction we choose to go; will determine what we discover for our lives in the end. When we seek, find, and cling to God's wisdom, then God will open us up to the hidden treasures of His word that will allow us to hear His response to our needs.

Have we ever thought that maybe our expectations are not in harmony with God's answers? Genesis 18:33 says... "When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home." God allowed Abraham to ask anything of Him; but in the end, God would have the final say. We need to be in harmony with God, instead of being too far ahead of Him. When we find ourselves out of place with God, then we may be setting ourselves up for a fall.

Without realizing it, we can take charge and forget that God is the only One who holds the answers to all of our needs. We can find ourselves leaning on our own desires, instead of leaning on God's truth and understanding. We can also find ourselves seeking our own wisdom, for the answers to our needs, rather than the treasure of God's richest wisdom. Finally, we can place our expectations so high, that we find ourselves completely out of place with God.

Maybe we have chosen the wrong pathway and maybe we have found ourselves caught into a snare that has trapped us, where all we experience is questions and confusion. One thing we must remember; is that with God, there is always a way out...a way to find the right pathway, that leads us to the right answers that God has for us.

What can turn our thinking around, so we will turn to God, for the answers to our needs? One of the first things that will help is when we can get to know God better, while developing a greater faith in Him. Job 1:1 says... "In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." I am sure that many of us are familiar with the book of Job. He was a man that had everything; but then as he experienced loss in his life, Job had to seek for the answers to his needs, through a greater faith in God. When we can seek for the answers to our needs, like Job, then we will come to know God, in such a way that will cause us to seek Him for other needs too.

The next thing that can help us to seek after God's answers is when we come to see His ways, as hidden treasure. Proverbs 2:4-5 says... "...and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, (5) then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." Ok...the knowledge of God becomes the hidden treasure or the answers to our needs. In order that we may find the treasure that God has for us, we need to go to God for the map, so we can obtain the answers and directions that will lead us to His hidden treasure. As an example...if we receive a treasure map but we choose to go our own direction, then in the end, would we find the hidden treasure? No, because we have not followed the map but instead, we have chosen to go our own way. When we choose our own desires above God's desires, then in the end, we will find nothing, to show forth our effort.

The next thing that can help us to discover God's answers to our needs is when we follow God's pathway of truth. Psalm 86:11 says... "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name." When we allow God to lead us in His direction, then His pathway will lead us to the "answers of truth," which will allow our hearts to be united with Him, in a way that will allow us to follow His lead. While waiting for a response from God, we should not think that He is going to respond this way or that way; but instead, we should be open to the answers He places within our spirits.

When we can acknowledge God's ways above our own, then we will find it easier to remain focused on the answers He has for our needs. Proverbs 3:6-7 says... "...in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (7) Do not be wise in your own eye; fear the Lord and shun evil." When we can place our focus back on God and acknowledge Him, as the only One who holds the answers to our needs, then He will lead us down the right pathway that will lead us into true peace, instead of despair. When we try to become wiser than God is and we take our focus away from what He has to offer us, then we have not only found ourselves further away from the answers to our needs; but we have also found ourselves to be more distant from God.

One more thing we must understand before we close this chapter; is that God is the only One who holds the key that can free us from our needs. This key becomes the answer we need that can unlock our prison cell of despair and free us. Matthew 11:25 says... "At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." Jesus is revealing to us, in this reading, that there are two groups of people. There are the ones who are wise in their own eyes and there are the ones who are humble and open to the truth of God. Are we willing to humble ourselves before God and say that we have not found the answers to our needs because we have become too wise within ourselves? We can find ourselves traveling down one side of the road...looking for the answers that can free us, while God's answers are traveling down another lane of the road...passing us by.

God is all knowing and we cannot begin to fathom the knowledge and wisdom that lives within His Spirit. If we understand that such a God exists, then why are we looking within ourselves for the answers to our needs? We can find ourselves walking down a pathway of disappointment and heartache, when we try to figure out God. We need to wait upon God for the answers to our needs; but at the same time, we must have our minds open to His ways. For all we know; He could have already answered our prayer.

### An added tidbit of hope

Matthew 11:28-30 says... "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Why do we feel that we must carry a load that we are not able to bear alone? We seem to be determined at times, to move on alone and make it, when we have a god that longs to make life easier for us. In fact, He already has, through His death on the cross. He's the One who carried our load...the load that He knew would wear us down and allow us to become unproductive in life.

Jesus never said that life would be easy but through these verses, He is giving us a piece of renewed hope, so that we may be able to experience more of His peace and presence, that He may turn a meaningless and wearisome life, into a life that's filled with new meaning and a purpose to live for.

When we fight His loving ways, then we become weak, to the place where we become more vulnerable to Satan's ways instead. We need to fall into the loving arms of One so true and allow His presence to revitalize us and give us a new strength to stand on...a strength that will allow us to continue to walk on the pathway with Him.

Chapter 4

God's Power vs. The Power of

Our Weakness

Are there moments when our circumstances seem to become more powerful then God? How do we rise above the power of despair, to find the power of a living God? Let us begin by weighing out the benefits of God's power vs. the so-called benefits that we think can come out of our circumstances. This will determine and help us to see, if we are placing our trust in God or the circumstance.

The first benefit that can come out of God's power is "Life." John 17:2 says... "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him." When we are dwelling on the power of God, instead of the power that tries to reveal itself through our circumstance, then God grants us freedom to live and function through His power. Even though we may experience a trial, His power allows us to leave a place of bondage, for a shelter under His almighty wing.

Now, let us see what happens when we focus our attention on the power that attempts to arise from our circumstance. Galatians 4:9 says... "But that you know God...or rather are known by God...how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" When Jesus died on the cross, He rescued us and gave us freedom, especially for the moments, when we would endure adversity. When we know God and understand the depth of His power but we still turn back to the weak things in life and allow them to dictate us, as if they are more powerful then God, then we are placing ourselves in a place we don't need to be...in bondage. Christ's power is what frees us and even though the power of the circumstance can seem more powerful then God, the circumstance has a way of controlling us in a wrong way, while it leads us to a place that is further away from God and closer to a prison cell of despair.

The next benefit we can receive from God's power is renewed strength. Philippians 4:13 says... "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." We can never obtain a healthy strength from our circumstance but we can definitely obtain a healthy strength through the power of God. God can take us a great distance in life, even while experiencing pain and heartache. He can allow His strength to kick into overdrive, when our strength is gone. Without God's strength and power residing in us, we become like a car without gas. We find that we cannot move forward in life, until His power indwells within us.

When we can allow God to exchange our weaknesses for His strength, then we will find ourselves experiencing a genuine power that only comes from God. II Corinthians 12:9 says... "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." The first part of this verse is saying that God's grace is sufficient for us. In other words, His death on the cross became a sufficient way, to free us from sin and adversity. Why are we trying to lean on our circumstances, when we already have what we need through Jesus Christ? In this verse, Jesus is reminding us that His grace is sufficient or enough, for whatever we may be facing for the moment, then the verse goes on to say that His strength or power "is made perfect through weakness." He did not say that the problem or the circumstance would give us strength; but rather, He said that His power would become strength for our weakness, which gives us a reason to rejoice in God. When we know that His grace is sufficient for our needs and His strength is greater than our weakness, then we will experience a relaxed and settled back feeling, knowing that nothing can rise above the power of God and all that He desires for our lives. Through my own life experiences, I have found that when I can rejoice through despair, or praise God through despair, then from there, I will begin to experience the powerful hand of God at work in my life.

We have two choices...we can follow the power of a great God and reap the benefits that He longs to offer us or we can choose to allow the power of the circumstance to control us, which will only keep us in bondage and locked up within chains of despair.

Throughout this chapter, we have discovered that when we can allow God's power to become greater than the power of our circumstance, then we can experience a perfect and powerful strength through our weaknesses. What happens though, when we choose to view our circumstance as something that is greater and more powerful than God is? Matthew 26:41 says... "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Jesus quoted this verse to His disciples. He wanted His disciples to watch and pray, while He went off alone, to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane; but instead, they fell asleep. We can experience similar situations to what the disciples experienced. We can speak words of strength, until we face a form of adversity, where we find ourselves falling prey to the power of the circumstance. This is why we need a close relationship with God, where we know and understand the depth of His power, so when Satan strikes us with a blow, then we will remember to turn to the all-powerful God that lives within us, rather than bowing down to the power that tries to display itself to us through the circumstance.

The next benefit we can receive, when we connect to God's power; is to overcome temptation, while going through times of adversity. Hebrews 2:18 says..."Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." The power that comes from our circumstances will not be able to lead us away from temptation; in fact, the power of our circumstance will only lead us closer towards temptation. The thought of this alone should cause us to leave our circumstance and run back into the arms of Christ. Jesus knew what temptation was, as Satan attempted to reveal himself as something more powerful than God was. Through temptation, Satan worked with Jesus' thoughts, as he tried to detour Jesus from the cross but Jesus remained focused on God, His Father instead and because Jesus turned to the right source of power, He became victorious over Satan's temptations. Jesus can help us through moments of temptation because He walked the road before us.

We learned that God's power is able to keep us from temptation. What happens though, when we turn to the circumstance instead of God? When we get too close to the circumstance, then we find that it only leads us into a trap of bondage. James 1:14 says... "...but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." I believe that it is not only Satan's desire to trap us within a circumstance but his desire is to allow the suffering to be ongoing. He longs to wiggle the "thorn", so we remain within the web of our circumstance, where we will become distant from God. When we fall prey to the power of the circumstance, then we also fall within the clutches of evil, where the weaknesses in our lives begin to control us. Even though Christ made a way for us through the cross, He still gives us choices in life. Whatever we choose to focus on, will determine what power has control over our lives.

As we begin to close this chapter, the final benefit that we will receive through Christ's power, is glorification. Philippians 3:20-21 says... "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like his glorious body." Can the power that appears to come from our circumstance, allow us to head in a positive direction? If not, then why do we somehow choose to pursue this dangerous form of power? I know that there are times when we do not realize it; but if we could only remember the downfalls that can take place, while following this form of power; then we would find it easier to remain focused on the power of God.

We as Christians are on a pathway that will eventually lead us into Heaven with God. When we discover how to remain focused on the power of God, then God's power will become like a magnet that will allow us to connect with Him, even while going through moments of adversity. Until we can follow through in this way, we will continue to feel the powerful blows of our circumstance, hitting us head on, as the powerful circumstance tries to take us down and away from God. When we can take our focus away from the circumstance and back on the power of God, then we will continue to travel the pathway that will eventually free us of all our struggles.

After studying the benefits of God's power vs. the benefits of focusing on a so-called power that stems from a circumstance, we have found that the power of our circumstance will not take us anywhere but further away from the true power that can free us through Jesus Christ. Let us wrap up this chapter with Matthew 6:24, which says... "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Today, we have a choice to make. We can see God as the all-powerful God, as we continually reap from His love and sustaining power or we can allow our circumstance or some other form of a god, such as money, to become more powerful than what God can be for us.

The journey of life isn't always easy and it seems like we are always facing one storm or another; but what is more important, is that we focus on the true power of God, while turning our faces away from a so-called power, that only exists through a destructive circumstance. Our decision will either help us or defeat us. Whatever power we choose to follow, will either keep us Heaven bound or in bondage.

We know that a circumstance can seem overwhelming but when we connect to a powerful God, rather than a dangerous form of power that dictates our lives, then we will know in our hearts that we are on the right pathway with God.

What are we looking for today? Do we see God as the most powerful being or have we allowed the dangerous power of a circumstance, to draw us away from God, while Satan sits on the sidelines...wiggling our "thorn" of despair?

Chapter 5

God's Truth vs. Satan's Deception

As we journey with God, we need to understand His desires for our lives, so we will always remain on the right pathway with Him. The only way, that we will be able to understand and know which direction to take, is when we remain connected and close to His truth. John 8:32 says... "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." How can we know if we have found the right pathway of truth or if we are on a detour road that is leading us a different direction...further away from God?

In this chapter, we are going to study four different Bible references that will help us to identify with the pathway that can end up leading us towards the direction of Satan's deception, while we continue to study five other Bible references that will help us to identify with God's pathway of truth.

The first Bible reference we will study is in Genesis 3:6, which reads... "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." Satan has a way of deceiving us into thinking that something is from God, when all along, it is from him. Even though God told Adam and Eve not to partake of the fruit of a specific tree that was found in the middle of the garden; Satan tried to convince Eve that nothing would happen or go wrong, so they believed him and partook of the fruit.

We can end up choosing the pathway of deception, by what we believe in. Are we looking for God's truth or are we falling prey to what Satan is trying to convince us, of doing? Satan can try to convince us that our own thoughts and desires are good, so he can detour us away from God, while we go our own direction. We need to look for the attractive temptations that Satan attempts to use, as deception in our lives.

Now, let us move on into our second Bible reference, which is in Genesis 27:5-10, which reads... "Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, (6) Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, (7) 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.' (8) Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you. (9) Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. (10) Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies." Even though Rebekah knew that God had plans for Jacob, she took matters into her own hands, rather than allowing God to work out His plan, in the way He desired. We can miss God's truth, when we take matters into our own hands. Even though we know, like Rebekah, that God is going to work everything out; we need to understand that we do not know God's complete plan for our lives, in the way that He has purposed. When we find the need to take matters into our own hands, then we may discover later, that Satan has deceived us.

The third Bible reference that refers to Satan's deception is in Exodus 7:12, which reads... "Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs." In this verse, God performs a miracle, by using Moses and Aaron's staff to become a snake, as a means of demonstrating God's power before Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh's men try to compete, by using their own powers and trickery, to make their staffs appear as snakes; but in the end, the Bible reveals that Moses staff (snake) devours their staffs (snakes). Satan can try to misguide us into thinking that God's truth is not the right pathway to follow. He may try to convince us, that his powers are equal to God's, through deception; but one thing we must remember, is that no miracle can represent truth, when it appears contrary to God's word.

Satan's deception enters our lives, when we choose to believe in the things that are contrary to God and our final Bible reference for this section is in Judges 16:15, which reads... "Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." Even though Samson was close to God, he was deceived through the beauty of Delilah. Satan saw Samson's feelings for Delilah as a weakness, so instead of remaining focused on God's truth, Samson began to follow a different pathway that lead to deception. We can feel as though we connect to God in a way, that we could never see ourselves falling prey to Satan. When we begin to think with our own minds, instead of drawing wisdom from the truth of God, then we discover how Satan can distort the truth and begin to lead us blindly down a detour road towards despair.

Satan may allow us to view God's truth in a different form, which becomes one of Satan's many ways of deception. We need to be on the alert and ready for any red flags that may pop up around us. Satan can attempt, to make us believe that something is good, when in God's eyes it is not. We need to understand, that if we take matters into our own hands, then this can become something deceptive...something that can remove us from the pathway that leads to God's truth. When we have found ourselves wound around Satan's finger, through deception and lies, then we have found ourselves in a dangerous place. The only hope that can free us is when we can reconnect with God and walk away from Satan's deception, to discover the pathway that God has for us to follow.

Now that we have uncovered a few of Satan's, deceptive ways, let us study five Bible references that will help us to connect with God's truth. Our first Bible reference is in Job 32:7-9, which says... "I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' (8) But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. (9) It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right." We need to realize, that seeking God's truth comes on a day-to-day basis. When we find ourselves drifting off into our own world of thoughts and desires, while trying to figure out our problems, then we find, that we aren't even connected to God's truth...the truth that can keep us free from Satan's deceptive ways. We need to remember that there is only God and Satan, when it comes to the pathways we take in life. When we are not allowing our thoughts and desires to connect with God's ways, then we will never come to know the truth that God longs to give us.

The next Bible reference that will help us to find God's truth, instead of Satan's deception, is in Mark 4:24-25, which reads... "Consider carefully what you hear," he continues, "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you...and even more. (25) Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." These verses are saying that God's truth is there for us but we can only receive His truth, as we live in His truth. We can identify with His truth, as we seek Him for it. The more we reach out for His truth; the more we receive His truth but when we become so deeply caught, into what we think is the truth, then we find that we have lost our connection with God. One of the most dangerous things to do; is figure out God's ways because when we do this, then we become sidetracked from the truth that can keep us free. The only way we are going to be able to understand God's truth, is when we seek God directly.

Another Bible reference that can connect us to God's truth is in Luke 9:35, which reads... "A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." We need to be ready to receive God's truth, rather than listen to a worldly form of ideas and opinions. God's truth is something that we should anticipate and long for, as we walk daily with Him. God is sending a clear message in this verse to Peter and to others that we need to listen to His Son and follow His ways. We can share our needs with another Christian or friend and listen to their thoughts and opinions but we must make sure that these ideas are going to lead us to God's truth and will for our lives. We need to slow down and weigh out the situation and make sure that we are going to remain on the right pathway with God.

Another Bible reference that will help us to identify with God's truth is in John 14:6, which reads... "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." When we discover, that we are searching for the truth, through ourselves or by some other means, then how is God going to receive the message, that says we need His help? We can only seek for His truth, by turning His direction. When we have discovered the truth that can lead us from a place of despair, to a place of freedom, then we will know that we are walking down the right pathway. If we are not experiencing this kind of peace, then we need to ask ourselves if we are trying to look for the truth on our own.

The final Bible reference that can help us to identify with God's pathway of truth is in Acts 1:16, which reads... "...and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus..." Do we just know about the truth that can keep us free from bondage or are we committed to the truth of God, through a heart that continually seeks His truth? In this reading, Judas received the same calling, as the other disciples received; but even though he knew God's teachings, he chose to remain committed to his own thoughts and ways; rather than the truth that could free him forever. In the end, Judas could only see suicide as a way out. We too can end up following a similar pathway as Judas. Our own mangled up ideas can lead us down a pathway that only takes us into further despair.

God's truth vs. the deceptive ways of Satan...one will lift us up, while one will lead us further down...one will place us in bondage, while the other one will free us. Which one are we seeking today? Do we find ourselves seeking after our own so-called wisdom or the opinions of others? We need to be conscious of the things that can lead us away from God's pathway of truth. Romans 1:25 says... "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator...who is forever praised. Amen." We need to be careful, as to the input we allow to enter within our minds and spirits. We can find ourselves searching for the truth, even while watching a TV program. Instead of seeking the truth that comes from God, we can find ourselves following other ideas that may lead us off the beaten pathway instead. We can end up fashioning ourselves after someone or something else, that is not real, instead of living with something that is real...the truth that comes from God.

Life can be easier than what we make it out to be, when we discover for ourselves, that God has all the answers of truth we need. We become confused and overwhelmed with day-to-day issues because we are searching for the truth, through other means. God gave us His words of truth, so that each verse could become a tool, to keep us free from despair. As an example, let us say that we were going to plant a garden and some tools were within sight. We notice that they are leaning against a fence; but we chose to dig in the dirt with our hands, rather than use the tools. Would we not find our work to be much easier if we just walked over and got the tools? We can react in a similar way, with our day-to-day lives. The tools of truth are there for us but all we need to do is use them.

Jesus says...I am the way, the truth and the life; so why are we looking for another way to remain free...a way that only ends up leading us onto a detour road, that's aimed towards destruction? We need to keep looking for the red flags of temptation and deception that can become a warning for us, to walk away from a road that leads us to despair. If we are not feeling God's peace in our lives, while facing a trying circumstance in our life, then maybe we need to ask God to lead us to the place, where He can make a way for us, through His truth. Let me leave you with this final question... "Are we looking to the Creator for truth or are we searching for the truth through creation?"

Chapter 6

The Difference Between

Despair and Defeat

While dealing with difficult circumstances, we can walk right beyond despair and feel totally defeated. How can we identify, with the feelings of despair vs. defeat? As I began this chapter, I looked up the meanings, of despair and defeat and this is what I found. Despair means to lose all hope or confidence, while defeat means an unsuccessful ending. No matter what we may be facing for the moment, we can feel so defeated, when all along, we are feeling the wounds from a moment of despair. Numbers 11:10-15 reads... "Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. (11) He asked the Lord, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? (12) Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? (13) Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, 'Give us meat to eat!' (14) I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. (15) If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now...if I have found favor in your eyes...and do not let me face my own ruin." In this reading, Moses felt overwhelmed or burdensome because the people were looking to him as a means of supplying their needs. I cannot even imagine how overwhelmed Moses felt at this time! Here is a man...called by God to lead His people to the promise land but as Moses lead them, He was constantly overwhelmed by the burden of the people. In a similar way, we can feel burdened by all that we experience from day to day. We can feel like all hope is gone, to a place where we begin to feel defeated; but if we were to look at our circumstance, in a similar way that Christ would, we would begin to see that the bullet of our circumstance braised us.

Even the wounds of a broken heart can cause us to feel as though all hope is gone. Deuteronomy 32:39 reads... "See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life. I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand." When we experience a wound of the heart, we see a moment, when God is allowing a wound to enter our lives, not as a means of harming us but as a means of teaching us to lean on Him and discover new growth and renewed strength. As we live with the wound, it is easy to fall into a trap that tries to relay to us, that all hope is gone, while we continue to feel as though we will never survive these moments of adversity. The verse above gives us renewed hope, while we realize that no other god...not even Satan can rise above the mighty and powerful hand of God. Even though God is allowing these moments into our lives, He also has the control stick and can easily rid us of this adversity.

There can be times, when moments of adversity can deceive us into thinking that we have been defeated. Matthew 27:3-5 reads... "When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. (4) "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." (5) So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself." When Judas betrayed Jesus, it could have been that Judas was trying to force the power of Jesus' hand, to get Him to lead a revolt against Rome. From that point of time, Judas began to realize that his plan was not going to work. After realizing this, Judas tried to stop the trial but it was too late because the trial had already been set in motion. From there, Judas threw down the pieces of silver and hung himself.

Satan can trick us or deceive us in a similar way, while he whispers within our conscious, that there is no hope in Jesus. Satan can work in a way, where he only allows us to see our problems as defeat, while he tries to convince us to give in and give up. The only way that we are going to be able to see our circumstance as a wound, instead of defeat, is when we connect to God, instead of the circumstance. When we find ourselves involved, too deeply with the circumstance, then we discover that the circumstance begins to dictate our lives.

We can experience moments of defeat, when we fall into a place of hopelessness. Proverbs 13:12 reads..."Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" When we cannot experience a glimpse of hope, then instead of seeing a temporary wound that God can heal, we begin to walk away from God, into a dark pathway of hopelessness, which can lead us towards a defeated life. If we can turn away from the darkness, to see our circumstances through the eyes of God, then we will begin to receive a piece of hope, that will tell us that we are only experiencing a temporary wound, that will heal with time.

Job 13:15 says..."Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face." In other words...no matter how deep our wounds may seem, when we can remain faithful to God and continue to trust in Him, then we will be able to see the difference between despair and defeat. We need to remember too, that God can never be defeated in Himself or in our lives, as Christians, unless we choose to walk away from Him. He only allows these moments to enter our lives, so that He can reveal Himself to others and us that we may grow and become more like Him.

Now that we have discovered the difference between despair and defeat, what can actually bring us to a level of defeat? Luke 9:24-25 reads... "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. (25) What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" Where do we get the idea that we should never go through any moments of testing, as Christians? If we make the decision to follow Christ, then there may be moments, when we will face pain, heartache, and even loss but that does not mean that we are in a category, titled "Defeat." In this reading, the disciples began to lose faith, thinking that defeat was right around the corner, as the storm became fierce. As their faith began to weaken, while looking into the eye of the storm, the Master of the sea came and with one word, He rebuked the wind and stormy waters and all was peaceful again. In a similar way, we can face a storm that is raging in our lives, to a place, where all we feel is defeat. I believe that the disciples were going through a test, to see if their faith could weather the storm that was raging around them. Even though we experience similar storms in our own life that does not mean that, they will defeat us. The only way we can experience defeat, is when we turn our faith away from God and place it on the circumstance completely.

When we discover that we are losing our faith in God, then we begin to feel distant from Him, while we attach ourselves completely to our problems, which only allow us to plummet down towards a life of defeat. Isaiah 1:4-9 reads... "Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. (5) Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist to rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. (6) From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness...only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil. (7) Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. (8) The Daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a city under siege. (9) Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah." As long as the people of Judah continued to sin, they remained distant from the presence of God, which only allowed their weakened faith to place them in moments of affliction. We need to remember that God is not a god of abandonment and defeat. It is not His desire for us to separate ourselves from His presence...but at the same time, we need to realize that the choices we make will either draw us closer to God or further down, towards a life of defeat.

The moments of pain and heartache we experience can cause us to feel completely defeated and taken away from the presence of God; but we must remember that God will never leave us or forsake us...only if we choose to separate ourselves from His presence. Romans 8:35-38 reads... "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (36) As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." (37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." We may feel as though trouble and hardship has defeated us and taken us away from the presence of God. We must remind ourselves, that we are in the midst of a battle...a battle between good and evil and any soldier that fights in a battle, faces risks of being wounded but just because we are wounded, that doesn't mean that these wounds can destroy us. When we can keep our minds away from the negativity and realize that we are already more than conquerors through Christ because of His death on the cross, then we can rise and pursue the pathway that God has placed before us.

Our trials may try to dictate our thinking and cause us to feel defeated, with no reason to go on. It does not matter what comes our way, whether it be things from the past or present times of illness, depression, or just a bad day. We need to remember that in order for God to remain undefeated in our lives, we must come through these difficult times and allow Him to heal the wounds, that we may discover new growth and renewed hope.

### An added tidbit of hope

Ephesians 2:12-13 reads... "...remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."

No matter what we may be facing right now, we can never separate ourselves from the love of God, when we have connected ourselves to Him, through our faith and belief in Him. The blood, which Christ shed on the cross, will keep us cleansed and free from sin, so we can remain closely bonded to Him. While walking down these difficult pathways, we can feel as though God has given up on us. Instead of feeling a temporary wound within our hearts, we seem to be convinced, that we have become defeated and that God does not love or care for us anymore; but I want to tell you today, that this is not true.

As Christians, we face difficult moments, just as others who have gone on before us but these moments are not to harm us; but instead, they are to bring about a greater strength within us, while producing new growth. These moments we go through can feel as though the battle will never end. We can feel so drained and overwhelmed by our needs, that we feel as though we have lost the battle. If we could view the battle through the eyes of God, we would come to see that we received a wound and in God's time; He will make all things new again.

In my own life, I have had some very difficult battles of pain and heartache...to the place where I thought that I could not face the battle another day. As the surgeries kept piling up, I actually had moments, when I felt as though God had walked out of my life but now as I look back to those moments, I see that I only had received a wound. Through time, God did heal the wounds that my heart experienced, from all the surgeries, sexual abuse and the loss of many things including the loss of children and to this day, God continues to heal and restore my life, into something for Him.

No matter what you may be facing right now, just know that God has not forgotten you. You have just received a wound from battle and even though the battle has seemed fierce at times, God will reign victorious in your life once more!

## Section 5

## Weakening Evil

Chapter 1

The Armor of God,

Protection from the Forces of Evil

Even though Satan has a means of wounding our spirits, we should always keep this thought close to our hearts that God is and will always remain undefeated. For these trials are only wounds...wounds that will eventually heal, as God restores our lives again.

Do we know how to put on the full armor of God? What can happen, if we are missing a piece of the armor? We will be discussing these couple of things in this chapter.

Are we sure that we are wearing the full armor of God, as we begin each day? Are we experiencing further problems or wounds because we are missing pieces of the armor? Ephesians 6:10-17 reads... "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (13) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (14) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, (15) and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (16) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (17) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God."

When a soldier goes into battle, they must make sure that they are equipped with every important piece of armor. Would they not become more vulnerable to the enemy, if they were missing even one piece of their armor? Well...in a similar way, if we are missing a piece of the armor of God, then we will become more vulnerable to Satan's attacks.

How do we actually put on the armor of God? As an example, we take our clothes from the closet and we put them on, one leg at a time and one arm at a time; but how do we wear the armor of God? We can only wear a piece of the armor, by how we live and believe in each piece. When we come to believe in what each part of the armor of God stands for, while placing our belief into practice, then we are wearing the armor of God. If we do not believe in what a piece of the armor stands for, then how are we going to remain completely protected from the enemy?

Let us begin this chapter, by discussing what each piece of God's armor stands for. We will begin with the first verse...verse 14, which reads... "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..." Let us stop here for a minute. The first part of God's armor is the "belt of truth." In this reading, the belt stands for God's truth and in God's word..."truth" stands for something that keeps us free from bondage. If we do not believe in God's truth or if we are not living the truth that God gives us through His word, then we are going to be missing the "belt of truth," which we need to keep the rest of God's armor in place. If we are missing this important part of the armor, then we may also find ourselves caught within the clutches of evil, instead of the freedom we can discover through the truth of God.

Ok...let us finish verse 14 and learn about the next piece of armor, which is the breastplate of righteousness. The second part of verse 14 reads, "...with the breastplate of righteousness in place," The breastplate of righteousness stands for an upright walk with God, while walking away from sin. This piece of the armor is also important because this piece of armor keeps us guarded from sin and the things that can wound us and take us away from God. When we choose to sin and live our lives, the way we desire, then we no longer have this piece of armor on...to protect our hearts from wounds of destruction.

The next piece of armor that we are going to study is in verse 15 of our reading, which says, "...and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." When our feet are fitted with the gospel of God's peace, then our spirits will walk on pathways of peace. If we feel as though our feet are fitted with battle shoes that take us down pathways of frustration, anxiety, etc..., then our feet may become more vulnerable to the traps, set up by Satan...traps that can place us in bondage of uncertainty, instead of peace.

Our next piece of armor is the shield of faith, so let us read verse 16, which reads... "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." When we do not have faith in what God can do for us, then we are going to feel the blows that come from Satan's flaming arrows. Faith becomes a special shield that guards us from the unknown ways of Satan. When we have faith, that God will take care of us and guard us from Satan's deceptive attacks, then the shield of faith will always stand before us, while Satan's flaming arrows will fall powerless to the ground.

After putting on the shield of faith, we need the helmet of salvation, which is in verse 17a of our reading...which says... "Take the helmet of salvation..." This piece of armor is just as important as the "breastplate of righteousness" because these two pieces of the armor pertain to our relationship with God. Most people understand the meaning of salvation but I thought that I would read the meaning from my study bible, which says... "...deliverance from danger or difficulty; deliverance from the power or penalty of sin," so this piece of armor stands for deliverance from the enemy, which is Satan. When we do not live a life that reflects deliverance from evil, then we have taken off the helmet of salvation, which allows our minds to become vulnerable and open to the things that Satan longs to whisper within our thoughts. We need to wear the "helmet of salvation," so we will always be shielded and drawn within a shelter...a shelter where we can continually experience God's thoughts and desires for our lives.

Our final piece of armor is the sword of the spirit and our reading is in verse 17b, which says... "...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..." When we are trying to live a life that reflects our own desires, then we are no longer carrying the sword of the Spirit with us. We need to not only read God's word but we must also allow His word to become a strong and mighty sword, that can destroy the deceitful and destructive forces, in which Satan may attempt to use against us...to destroy, weaken or make us vulnerable to his ways. The words we read within the pages of the Bible should become strong and mighty weapons that can destroy the works of evil. When we are not in God's word, then we no longer carry the sword of the spirit with us; instead, we end up carrying a make shift weapon that comes from our own thoughts and desires. We may think that our ways are the right ways, until we have to use them against the forces of darkness.

So let us review the armor of God. We have the "belt of truth, "...the breastplate of righteousness," "...our feet fitted with the gospel of peace," "...a shield of faith," "...a helmet of salvation" and finally, "the sword of the Spirit." We need to make sure that we are experiencing each piece of God's armor every day because when we lack one piece of the armor of God, then Satan sees it as a point of weakness...a place where he can wound us and attempt to keep us weak in spirit.

Would it not be nice, if we could slip on the armor of God, as we do a piece of clothing? Yes, that would make it seem easier but what would we learn? Would we have any reason to depend on God? God longs for us to wear His armor, with a heart of belief and a life that reveals His presence. Each piece of God's armor not only becomes a piece of protection from the enemy but each piece of the armor teaches us how to live with truth...a righteous life, and a life of peace. Instead of frustration...faith in the unknown...a sinless life and a chance to not only read His word, we experience the power that comes through each word we read.

How does God's armor appear to others and us? Do we have any missing pieces, which may be allowing us to become vulnerable to the ways and desires of Satan? If so, then all we need to do is allow God to repair the weaknesses within us, so we can once more find the strength through Him, to put on the complete armor of God.

### An added tidbit of hope

Galatians 4:9 reads... "But now that you know God...or rather are known by God...how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?"

When we know God and connect ourselves to Him, then why do we need to seek out the answers of truth on our own? Why do we turn to the things that can take us back into a life of bondage? When we seek our own ways and desires, instead of God's, then we may find ourselves controlled and wrapped around the finger of Satan, while we remain on the bottom step of despair.

Why do we pray to a mighty God, while we turn around and turn inwardly within ourselves for the answers? What purpose does this serve? When we became Christians, our hearts were not offered only to Him as a place to reside; instead, we invited Him into our hearts, so He could work out His perfect plan through us and make us better people for Him. How are we going to find the answers we need for our lives, if we are searching through every other source for the answers, rather than seeking God for His truth?

When we search for His truth, then His truth will point us down the right pathway, while leading us away from the darkness of evil. His truth will also keep us free from evil, so we can live a life of peace. We need to slow down and remember that God's truth can become the key that can unlock our hearts and keep us free; but the decision is up to us...will we allow Him to do His work?

Chapter 2

Looking Through the Eyes of God

While going through difficult moments, do we find ourselves looking through our own, so-called eyes of wisdom or are we truly looking for God's perspective, when it comes to our circumstances? Do we focus too much on our problems that we find that we are losing touch with God?

As Satan attempts to throw afflictions and circumstances our direction, we find that they can seem so large and overwhelming to us; that without realizing it; we find ourselves tangled within the web of our own problems; instead of seeing God as something stronger than the problem. In this chapter, I would like to discuss eight things that may help us to steer our thinking in God's direction, that we may see God as something greater than our problems.

Let us begin with our first Bible reference, which is in Exodus 4:10-13, so we can see how God perceives our problems, in comparison to how we see them. Exodus 4:10-13 reads... "Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." (11) The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? (12) Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (13) But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." In this reading, Moses feared the mission that God had called Him to do. He told God that he would not have the right words to speak and he asked God to send someone else but God had plans...plans to take his weakness and make Him stronger. The problem Moses was facing was that his thoughts were into the circumstance too much, that he could not see the purpose that God had for his life.

We may feel as though a circumstance has weakened us; to a place where evil is controlling our self-esteem and courage but we must remember that with God, we can view our circumstance differently...a view that will take us to a place, where we can rise instead of fall.

Many times, we can discover that we have allowed our circumstance or problem to dictate us; but if we were to stop and think for a minute, we would come to realize that this is only going to take us further down into despair. Why do we turn to our circumstance and dwell more deeply on our problems, instead of focusing on a powerful God...a god that is much more powerful than our problems? Could we be pointing our minds in the wrong direction because we have our eyes so deeply fixed on the strength that we see in a temporary problem? When we begin to see our problems, as something that appears to be more powerful than God is, than we end up falling prey to the problems demands.

Let us move on into our next Bible reference, which is in Matthew, 16:23, which reads... "Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." The reason why Jesus rebuked Peter for his attitude was that he had gone from the place of acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah; to a place where Peter viewed Jesus through a worldly eye.

When we view our problems, we see them through a human eye but God longs for us to view our problems through His eyes of hope. When we try to view our circumstances without God, then Satan gets involved and tries to convince us of things that are not true...things that do not include God and before we know it, our eyes become deeply fixed on the problem, instead of viewing our problems through God's perspective. Once we have attached our eyes to the problem, then Satan not only controls the problem; but he also has control over our thoughts and the way we see our circumstance. At this point, Satan gets us into a place of weakness, where he uses these moments to keep us in a pit of despair, away from God. If we can turn our eyes upward towards God, instead of looking head on into the problem, then God will help us to view a purpose for the affliction, instead of experiencing moments of hopelessness and despair.

What makes it difficult to remain connected to God, while dwelling on a problem? Numbers 16:13-14 reads... "Isn't it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert? And now you also want to lord it over us? (14) Moreover, you haven't brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!"

When we exaggerate over our afflictions, then we are allowing the affliction to grow in strength. Just like this short story, we can easily forget the good things that God has done for us, while our focus remains on every negative view of the circumstance. Rather than dwell on our problems, we need to remember the moments when God sustained and delivered us from other afflictions. In this way, we will be able to keep our focus on God and view our situation through His perspective.

The next Bible reference I have chosen, which goes right along with the previous paragraph, is in I Samuel 17:26, which reads... "David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" In this reading, others saw Goliath as a giant and because they were so focused on his size; their fear brought defeat into their lives, through the hand of Goliath but David went to fight Goliath with a different perspective. Instead of viewing Goliath as a giant, David saw Goliath as a nuisance or as someone who was defying God. When David went in the strength of His God, instead of viewing the size of Goliath, then David was able to destroy Goliath. Are we like David or are we like the other men in the army, who focused more on the size of Goliath? When our hearts and minds are set on the size of our Goliath, then we will never be overcomers; but instead, our Goliath will just keep taking us further down, until Satan has complete control of our lives. The way we view our affliction makes a great difference, as to whether we continue to climb the staircase with God or whether we fall further into darkness.

The only way that we are going to be able to find hope through our afflictions, is when we understand God's perspective or see it His way, rather than trying to figure out our problems on our own. Leviticus 26:40-45 reads... "But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers...their treachery against me and their hostility toward me, (41) which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies...then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pray for their sin, (42) I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. (43) For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy it's Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. (44) Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. (45) But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors who I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord." These verses are revealing to us; what God meant, when He said that He was slow to anger. Even though the people sinned, He still looked beyond their faults, to find the need and forgive them. If we could view our struggles through God's eyes in a similar way, then we would see a God that longs to do the same within our own lives. When we look for a purpose, instead of a circumstance, then we will find new ways to grow and become the person God intended for us to be but when we view the circumstance head on, then our view of God's purpose begins to fade from our sight.

There may be times when we become overwhelmed by the problems we are facing, that we cannot seem to see God's purpose for our affliction. Could prayer allow us to have a clearer view of our problems? Psalm 13:1 reads... "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Why do we find it so easy to talk with a friend about our problems, when God is already more than willing to help us through our needs? I have discovered that when I talk with God, as though we are face to face, then I am able to see my situation His way. When we are talking one to one with the most powerful being, then we are not only attached to His presence; but we are attached to everything that pertains to Him. Instead of viewing despair or a feeling of pain and heartache, we find that when we talk with God, a bond begins to form, as His healing words begin to enter our spirits and from there, we begin to experience renewed hope and the need to press on. In my own life, I not only talk with God; but I also listen for His response. There are moments when He may respond, as thoughts or a song flood my mind and when I listen to each word of a song or the thoughts that are playing over and over within me, I realize that God heard my spoken words and now what I am experiencing, is His response within my spirit. We may pray or talk to God on a daily basis but are we willing to linger a little longer, while we wait for His response? When we can feel the touch of His presence within our spirits, then while our thoughts are on Him, our circumstances will begin to appear smaller and not so overwhelming.

When we look through the eyes of God, we not only see our problems through a different perspective but we also find contentment. Philippians 4:12-13 reads... "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. (13) I can do everything through him who gives me strength." When we live with a settled feeling, that our God is in charge of everything that pertains to our lives, then we find that we experience peace instead of anxiety. We also discover that we do not need to think about anything, because God will always give us just what we need for the journey ahead.

Our circumstances can sometimes be more trying, when we try to view them through God's eyes, while living in a fallen world. The pressures we face from day to day can take us deeper into the problem; that we discover that our focus on God is no longer there. Ecclesiastes 9:10-11 reads... "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. (11) I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." When we see those in the world who never care about God but yet they prosper; we can feel like we have been treated in an unfair way; but we must remember that Satan is working overtime, to keep our eyes away from God, so we will focus more on the things that will keep us in bondage. The world may seem to have it all now but one day, God will reverse, what sin has taken from us and we will find Gods very best, for faithfully following Him. What is more important...a temporary life that consists of the best the world can offer us or an eternity that consists of the best that God can offer us?

As we finish this chapter, how can we gain an eternal view through God's eyes...a view that will allow us to keep pressing on, until we reach Heaven? Matthew 16:26 reads... "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" There are many who have suffered for a long time, while there are others who enter one moment of affliction into another. There are times when we wish that we could have a better life...a life like others experience; but are we willing to forfeit our souls, just so we can live a comfortable life, with no pain or heartache? We need to remember as Christians, that this life is only the beginning of the life to come. Can we receive a free ticket into Heaven, through the material goods that this world offers us? God is looking for those who are willing to live a life that aims itself towards Heaven. We need to remember that we are not here on earth for ourselves; but rather, we are here to learn and grow and become more like Christ and sometimes that means going through moments of adversity. When we can evaluate our lives, through a Godly perspective, then our eyes will remain clear and open to His will.

The roads we travel on now may not always be the best. We may go from a smooth road to a rocky one; but we can see the rocky moments, as moments for new growth or we can view them through our own worldly eyes, which will keep us distant from God and all He longs for us to learn.

How are we viewing our circumstances today? Are we looking through eyes that tell a story about our life...a story that will help us to discover God's purpose for our lives...a story that will take us away from despair and teach us how to rise above it? Does our vision seem to cloud up because of the stench of evil; where all we view is the darkness of our problems? We will only be able to move ahead in life and discover God in a greater way, when we are looking through His eyes instead of our own. We will see a clear view of God's purpose for our lives or a blurred view of the defeat that Satan longs for us to experience. We need to take a second look and make sure that we are viewing our circumstances through the eyes of a great and powerful God!

### An added tidbit of hope

Psalm 25:15 reads... "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare." The only way that we are going to be able to rise above the weaknesses in our lives, is when we have our eyes fixed on God. When our eyes focus directly on the circumstance, then all we experience is the dark and dismal feelings of despair, which Satan uses to keep us down and out of commission with God.

Let us think about our sight for a moment. When we watch fireworks on the Fourth of July, we find that our eyes focus so deeply on them, while other things around us seem to fade away from us. Well, in a similar way, we discover that our eyes can easily focus on the explosion of our circumstance...a circumstance that portrays itself in an overpowering way. We discover that it becomes more difficult to turn away from the circumstance and view other things; but in order for us to find the purpose behind the circumstance, we need to remove our eyes from the problem and place our focus back on God.

We can discover moments, when it is easier to speak words, then to walk away from the problem but what happens when we discover that we are not strong enough to turn our eyes away from a circumstance? Well...the first thing we should consider is prayer, where we can find God's help for our needs. Psalm 119:18 reads... "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." How is it, that we make prayer our final resort for help? When we find it difficult to keep our eyes on God, rather than the problem, then we need to pray and ask God to open up our eyes to His help and desires. While we are talking with Him, we also need to believe in what we are asking for.

We need to realize that when we view our circumstance without God's perspective, then the circumstance will begin to dictate our thinking. We may have moments when our circumstances allow us to feel defeated; but when we begin to view them through God's eyes, then we will begin to see a different picture...a picture of hope, that reveals a purpose and a reason for the affliction. We are never going to understand God's reasons for our adversity, if our eyes close to His ways.

Chapter 3

Praise...A Powerful Weapon

Are we focusing too deeply on our affliction, that we cannot understand God's plan for our lives? How can praise weaken our afflictions and help us to discover God in a closer way?

Praising God, even though we face affliction, can allow the chains of darkness to fall powerless to the ground. While fixing our attention on God, we discover that our words of praise become weapons of destruction, in the face of the evil one.

After looking up the meaning of the word "praise," in my Bible dictionary, this is what I discovered, "...to worship, commend, or give honor to God," even at the moments when we may feel the most afflicted. You are probably saying by now... "This doesn't make any sense to me." When we are able to give honor and praise to God, especially through times of affliction, then we are sending a message to God that says that we still trust and have faith in Him. Psalm 9:1 reads... "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders." In other words, praise becomes something that bubbles up within us, as we feel the depth of who God really is. Praise enters our lips, when we can no longer contain the feelings we have in our hearts toward God. Do we feel this way, when everything is right or can we still feel a love and praise for God, while experiencing the toughest moments of affliction? Does our love for God waver with our moments of adversity or is our love for God steadfast and sure?

Now that we understand more about the word "praise, what can praise accomplish within our lives? The last five chapters of the Psalms are a great example of what can happen through a heart of praise. Please take the time to read the last five chapters of the Psalms, since we do not have the space to type all five chapters.

Since we are unable to type the last five chapters of the Psalms, I thought that I would choose some of the verses that highlight the word "praise." Psalm 146:5-8, 10 reads... "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, (6) the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them...the Lord, who remains faithful forever. (7) He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, (8) the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. (10) The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord." Look at these words, as the psalmist is praising God. One of the first things that praise will accomplish; is to keep our minds away from our circumstance. Instead of dwelling on the problem, the psalmist is acknowledging God, through a heart of praise. When we can discover a way to praise God, while going through difficult moments of affliction, then we find that God is more than able to work with our needs. I believe that our praise connects us with God and through our praise, God draws Himself back to us.

As we move on into another part of our reading, let us turn to Psalm 147:1, which reads... "Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!" The next thing that praise can do for us; is to allow our feelings for God to grow, while taking us to a higher realm, where we feel further away from our problems and closer to God. I would like to refer to this, as a means of rising above despair. When individual moments of praise begin to rise into a complete heart of praise, then we have left the problem behind us, rather than head on in front of us. In other words, we have risen to a height, where Satan can no longer touch us. This alone should cause us to praise God!

The last five chapters in the book of Psalms continue to reveal to us, that praise can take us to a place where we no longer think with a worldly mind; but instead, praise lifts our spirits heaven bound. As we continue to praise God, He becomes greater than the strength we first saw in our moments of affliction.

If we were to be honest with ourselves, we would admit, that praise can sometimes seem difficult, while feeling overwhelmed by an affliction. Acts 16:22-26 reads... "The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. (23) After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. (24) Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. (25) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (26) Suddenly, there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose."

I never grow tired of this story, about Paul and Silas. This story is a great example, when it comes to praising God through adversity. Here, Paul and Silas had experienced beatings, and a prison sentence, that shackled them to the walls of the prison cell. Can anyone see where there would be a reason to praise God, after all of this? No matter what we think, they did praise God through their adversity and as their minds began to focus on God, through a heart of praise, a great earthquake hit the prison and all the cell doors opened, while the shackles fell from their feet. This is a great story to live by. It does not matter what we are facing, because nothing is too big for a powerful God! Praising God, even through adversity; not only takes our minds away from our problems but praising God opens up a means for Him to work, while breaking loose the shackles, that seem to be controlling our lives.

The next thing I would like to discuss is how to move from prayer to praise. Psalm 54:3-4 reads... "Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life...men without regard for God. (4) Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." How many times do we hold our feelings inwardly, until we become so overwhelmed with our problem? In this reading...David began by laying everything before God. He told God about those who were coming after him and how they were seeking to destroy him; but then as we read verse 4; we see that after laying everything before God; David began to see his situation in a different light. In other words, David's prayer of hopelessness began to turn into a prayer of praise. He began to recognize God as his helper and the Lord who could be there to sustain him.

There may be times, when we need to do the same. After we are able to release everything into His presence, we will begin to see our situation in a different light and we will begin to view God as a strong and sustaining God.

Now as we continue...we are going to learn how to put praise into our prayers. Luke 11:1-4 reads... "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." (2) He said to them, "When you pray, say...Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. (3) Give us each day our daily bread. (4) Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation." While reading this prayer, did you notice that Jesus praised His Father in Heaven, before He even asked anything of Him? Do we find that we are turning our prayer time into a "to do" list for God? Are we so connected to what needs to be done, that we forget to praise God and allow Him to see the love and respect we have for Him, as the God above all things in our lives, including our problems? When we hand a "to do" list over to God, then it is as if we are approaching Him, as though He is a magician; rather than approaching God, as the greatest being, above all else. When we can begin our prayers with a moment of praise, then we are allowing ourselves to connect with God and rise above despair, where we can visit with Him, on a one to one basis.

As we close this chapter, we need to remember to allow our praise, to become a continual part of our lives. When we can praise God, even during moments of adversity, then we will remain connected to Him. I Chronicles 16:4 reads... "He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel:" In this reading, certain Levites were appointed to give continued praise and thanks to God. In a similar way, do we wait for a special holiday or event, to come before a mighty God and praise Him? Do we wait until life goes our way; to thank and praise God for all He does for us? Our praise should become a daily and continual part of our lives. When we can praise God, no matter what we may be going through, then we find ourselves plugged into the greatest God. The God we serve longs for our praise and He longs to know that we love Him at all times, not just when something is going right in our lives. When we can offer up a heart of praise continually, then we will never take the love and goodness He offers us for granted.

When we can praise God on a daily basis, then this will help us in our relationship with Him. Instead of experiencing the presence of God once and a while, our moments of praise will keep us connected to Him at all times.

How are we handling our circumstances today? Are we skipping over the moments in our day, when we should be praising God with a heart of love and adoration, just so we can make out our "to do list" for God? Do we see God, as something stronger than our circumstances that we may rise above the despair in our lives and become more deeply connected to Him instead of the problem? Do we view God, as a God that is mighty and powerful; to the place where we cannot contain our loving praise for Him or are we more concerned about the circumstance and the desperation we have to be set free?

Maybe it is time to take our minds away from despair, so we can begin to praise a powerful God! Remember...praising God, even through adversity, can allow the shackles of darkness to fall powerless to the ground.

### An added tidbit of hope

Matthew 3:4 reads... "John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." We can find ourselves more preoccupied with what we wear and how we look to others. Even though others who served God were dressed in fine apparel, John the Baptist was sending a different message to the people, who came to find Jesus and experience baptism. Instead of revealing God, through His apparel or through his own personal life, John was more interested in praising God and sharing his praise with others who needed Christ.

Seems like people have become more concerned, by how they look to the world, instead of what they are revealing to the world. Trying to live up to man's standards can be very tiresome, which only makes life more difficult. God is not looking at our outward appearance; instead, He is looking at the inward heart and the relationship we have with Him. God longs for our praise, rather than for us to receive the praise of men. We need to stop and ask ourselves these questions... "Who are we living for?" and "Where are our lives taking us?" I think that we will find that it is much easier to please a God of love, rather than a world of demands.

Chapter 4

Truth...The Gift That Keeps Us Free

In these days that we are living in, Satan is trying to confuse us and keep us from the truth of God. In this chapter, we are going to study some truths from God's word that will help us to identify and understand more about the truth that God can use to keep us free from evil.

How many times does God reveal the truth to us but that is as far as it goes? Do we really know how important it is to walk in the footsteps of God's truth? What can happen when we leave the pathway of God's truth, to walk in our own footsteps of desire?

As we begin, we are going to study twelve truths that will help us to connect with God's truth, that way; we can understand how His truth is able to keep us free from evil. Our first one is "Recognizing the truth vs. living the truth" and our Bible reference is in Job 32:7-9, which reads... "I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' (8) But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. (9) It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right." In this reading Elihu recognized God as the only source of wisdom and truth; but at the same time, Elihu never used the wisdom that God gave him to help Job. How many of us live like Elihu? When God gives us the truth, are we taking God's words of wisdom and placing them into action? How do we expect God's truth to set us free, if we are only identifying with the truth, rather than walking in it? When we live this way, how do we expect God to help us? We can pray and beg God to help us all we want; but until we step into the footprints of truth that God has laid out before us, we will never be able to press on with our lives.

The next truth that we are going to discuss is similar to the previous paragraph. Instead of recognizing the truth vs. living the truth, we are going to discuss... "Being close to the truth vs. being committed to the truth" and the Bible reference is in Acts 1:16-17, which reads... "...and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus...(17) he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." When Judas followed Jesus, he was just as close to Him as the other disciples. Judas knew the truth, which Jesus spoke of; but instead of remaining committed to Jesus' truth; Judas' heart became hardened, while choosing to go his own direction and live out his own thoughts and desires. There is a difference between being close to God's truth and actually being committed to it. We can understand the true gift of truth that God is offering us but are we committed to His ways of truth or are we moving towards the direction of our own desires?

The third truth that can keep us from experiencing God's freedom, is "Stubborn Disobedience" and our Bible reference is in Exodus 8:19, which reads..."The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the Lord had said." When we allow our own stubbornness to get in the way of God's truth, then we blind ourselves from the truth. God gave Pharaoh the opportunity to know the truth of God's ways but because he became stubborn in his own ways, he never was able to understand the truth that God was offering him. Stubbornness can become an obstacle that gets in the way, so we are not able to discover the truth that can keep us free. We need to lay all of our own thoughts and desires to the side and keep the pathway open, so God can continually use His truth, to keep us free from the deception of Satan.

What can happen when we apply a true principle in the wrong way? This is the next truth that we are going to discuss and our Bible reference is in Job 13:4, which reads... "You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!" In this reading, Job compared his three friends to physicians that did not know what they were doing. His friends were not helping the situation; in fact, they were taking the truth and using it to judge Job, rather than to encourage him. We can find ourselves doing the same thing. In order that we may use the true principle of what God may be laying upon our hearts; we should first look beyond the fault and see the need of the person instead. When we can live this way, then we are not going to be using God's principles of truth in the wrong way; rather, we will be using them to help the person, instead of judging the person.

God not only can use His truth to set us free from a circumstance but especially from a sin in our life but first we must be willing to accept the truth that can free us. The next truth we will be discussing is... "Denying the Truth Does Not Change It" and the Bible reference is found in Jeremiah 6:14, which reads... "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace." It is so easy to ignore the truth; thinking that the problem will just disappear and everything will be alright; but until we accept the truth that God is offering us, we will remain in our sin or trial, no matter how much we try to ignore it. In this reading, God was using Jeremiah to speak the truth; but instead of using the words of truth, which God was trying to give to Israel, they were covering up the problem, by listening to other predictions of peace. When we deny God's truth...the truth that can free us from sin or a circumstance, we find that no matter how much we try to ignore the sin or problem it remains with us. Instead, we must get back with God and take advantage of the truth that can restore us back to Him.

What happens, when we feel that we know more than God does? Will we ever be able to understand His ways? Our sixth truth is... "God's Truth Becomes Distant, When We Think We Know It All" and our Bible verses are in John 7:46-49, which reads... "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared. (47) "You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. (48) "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? (49) No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law...there is a curse on them." The Pharisees resisted the truth of Christ; thinking that their way was the true way to follow. They did not follow the truth of Christ because they never had it to begin with. When we choose to follow our own so called truth, then like the Pharisees...we will never obtain the truth that can come from God. Our thoughts and hearts need to remain open, so we can understand God's truth...the only truth that can set us free.

Why is it that we are seeking for God's truth one minute, while the next minute...we begin to pull away from God's truth, to turn back and do everything our own way? Let us see why, through the next truth, which is... "Why Many People Pull Away From God's Truth" and the Bible reference is found in Acts 13:50, which reads..."But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region." Instead of accepting God's truth, the people pushed the truth away by running Paul and Barnabas out of town. Truth does not always come, in the way we expect it to. Sometimes the truth can be difficult to accept; but when we push God's truth away, we will only discover that our circumstance remains or becomes worse. The more we push God's truth away, the more we are going to become distant from the only truth that can free our lives from sin and circumstance.

Do we really know what the truth is? Are we confused, when it comes to understanding God's truth? Our next truth is "Determining Between, What Is The Truth And What Is Not The Truth" and the Bible reading is in Luke 9:35, which reads..."A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." We can find it easy to go to others for help and guidance but the way to know if God's truth is there, is through His word. If we are not comfortable with the advice or the opinion of another person, which we receive as truth, then we need to go directly into God's word and ask Him to guide us into His real words of truth. We need to remember that the truth we are receiving from another person should coincide with God's word. We can ask ourselves... "Is this something God would do?" If not, then we need to check again and make sure that the help we are receiving from another person is not a trick, set up by Satan...a trick that may take us away from God's pathway, while placing us on his pathway instead.

The ninth truth that I have chosen to study is... "Who Does God Reveal Truth To?" and our Bible reference is found in Mark 4:11-12, which reads..."He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables (12) so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!" There may be times when we do not always understand God's truth and that can happen because we are not always ready to accept the truth. Maybe it is because the truth will allow more pain into our lives. People who have been down a long road of pain and heartache already; find it difficult to accept the truth that God is trying to reveal to them because they feel as though they cannot deal with one more thing. One thing that will help us to receive and accept the truth that God is offering us, is when we pray and ask God to give us a heart that will be willing, able, and open to accept whatever He has for us.

Let us move on to our tenth truth, which is... "How Does God Reveal His Truth to Us?" and our scripture reading is found in Mark 4:24-25, which reads..."Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you...and even more. (25) Whosoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." God's light may not always reveal the complete truth of what He has for us now. As He sheds His light within our hearts and minds, He will sometimes unveil His truth, as He longs for us to walk in it. Only as we walk daily with Him and follow in His footprints, will we begin to see His truth unveiled before our very eyes. As we obey and follow only in His ways, we will have a clearer vision of His truth. Sometimes, the problem can be that we see His truth but we do not trust enough in His truth, to live it.

The eleventh truth that we are going to study is... "Truth Provides the Right Pathway to Walk In" and our Bible reading is in Psalm 43:3-4, which reads... "Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. (4) Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight, I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God." The psalmist was asking God to send forth His light and truth, so Gods truth could guide him on the right pathway, to where God was. How many times do we find ourselves walking through a dark circumstance; but instead of asking God to shed forth His light and truth, we continue to suffer needlessly in the darkness of our circumstance? If we are only feeling the dark and dismal feeling that comes from a circumstance, then we need to ask for God to shed his light of truth upon us, so once more, we can discover His pathway...the pathway that will lead us to where He dwells.

Our twelfth and final truth is... "How Do We Hold Tight To God's Truth?" I have chosen two different Bible references to go with this one, so let us begin with the first one, which is in II Thessalonians 2:15, which reads... "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." We can face pressures that come from Satan's direction and these pressures can cause us to walk away from the truth, rather than to cling to the truth, so we need to build a closer relationship with God and stand firm, in what we believe. When we connect ourselves to God, then there will never be any room for Satan to interfere.

Let us continue on now, into the second Bible reference, which is found in Revelation 2:6b, which reads..."You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." First, we learned that we need to remain close to God and His truth and now we are learning that we must not make compromises or excuses, when it comes to living God's truth. The Nicolaitans were people of compromise. They compromised their faith, so that they could live the way they desired. When we compromise God's truth, for excuses, we find that we fall away from the truth...the truth that can keep us free. When we feel the need to make excuses like, "that isn't as bad as it seems or that won't hurt my faith," then we are compromising God's truth for our desires.

We need to remember that recognizing God's truth is nothing, in comparison to living the truth. We need to ask ourselves these questions... "Am I close to the truth or am I committed to the truth?" "Are we allowing our own stubborn ways to blind us from God's truth?" "Are we living the truth according to our own desires, instead of living God's truth, according to His will?" "Are we trying to deny God's truth and push it away, so we do not have to deal with the things that God wants us to make right before Him?" "Do we seem to know more than God does?" "Do we really know how to find God's truth, so He can reveal His desires to us?" Truth can become a pathway for us to walk on...a pathway that will keep leading us closer and closer to God. When we are more willing to walk in our own direction and make up our own footprints to follow, then we will discover that we have become more distant from God and His truth, which only puts us back into a place of bondage.

If we are going to hold tightly to God's truth and remain free through Him, then we need to do it His way and be willing at the same time, to lay our own thoughts and desires to the side. Truth can become distant from us, while keeping us away from God or truth can bring freedom and peace into our lives, through Jesus Christ. What direction are we choosing to take today...our own direction or God's direction...a direction that will lead us to His truth?

### An added tidbit of hope

John 14:6 reads... "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." We can only obtain God's truth, as we come to Him. We need to allow God to become the way that leads us to truth and Heaven. We need to allow Him to become the truth that keeps us free from evil, pain and heartache and finally, we need to allow God to become the life that can give us new life, as we allow Him to live in and through us. We will never discover freedom from evil or any other circumstance, until we let go of our own thoughts and desires and turn back to God through His truth.

John 8:32 reads... "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." God Himself is truth, so when we follow in His paths and live according to His desires, then His paths and desires create freedom for us to live in. We need to remember one thing...Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we desire; He only gives us freedom, as He unveils His own desires for us to live by.

We may feel as though we have fallen into a net of bondage. When we experience no hope, then we have a tendency to turn to our own thoughts and desires instead but a good question to ask ourselves is this..."Is our way working?" If we can say that every thought of our own has failed, then we need to reconsider and turn to God for the answers and truth that can keep us free and away from the clutches of evil.

Chapter 5

Communicating With God

How should we approach the throne of a mighty God? Our prayer time should never be artificial but how do we communicate with God? Are we selfish, in regards to how we pray or are we seeking God's will, while we open our hearts before His throne?

As I prepared the outline for this chapter, I discovered six different things that will help us, when it comes to communicating with God. The first one that we are going to discuss is Jesus' teachings on prayer. Matthew 6:7-13 reads... "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (8) Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (9) This, then is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (10) your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (11) Give us today our daily bread. (12) Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

Do we realize that God knows our needs, before we even bring them to Him? Just knowing this should not be an excuse for a lack of prayer; but instead, we should find it easier to talk with God. When we understand how God sees our needs, before even approaching Him, then we should not find that we have to elaborate or beat around the bush with God, when it comes to sharing our needs with Him.

In the previous verses, Jesus is teaching us the simplicity of prayer. We do not have to be something we are not before Him, especially since He already knows us; by the way, He created us. The prayer spoken of above is a prayer that Jesus shared with His disciples. He taught them how to see Him as a great and majestic God but at the same time, He allowed them to see Him in a loving and caring way.

When verse 11 speaks of our daily bread, it means, that we should only ask God to provide, for one day at a time. We need to remember that we have not experienced our tomorrows, so all we need for this moment is our daily bread.

We also need to approach God with a clean heart. When the priests would enter the "Holy of Holies," which is mentioned of in the Bible, they would have to confess their sins and become spiritually clean, before entering the presence of God. We should not see our prayer time, as a means of getting what we want or desire. Instead, we should want to be spiritually clean, before entering the presence of God. We also need to remember that our prayer time should not become just an everyday event; but instead, our prayers should take us to a place, where we find ourselves standing before the Most High God.

Now that we understand prayer a little more, let us ask ourselves another question... "Are we asking God for the right things...the things that will improve our walk with God or are we only asking for selfish gain?" Let us move on and discuss what God desires for us, as we seek Him and talk with Him in prayer. In this paragraph, we have two Bible references and they are in Matthew 7:9-11 and James 4:15, so let us begin, by reading our first reference in Matthew 7:9-11, which reads... " Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? (10) Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? (11) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Jesus illustrates to us, in these verses, that He is a loving and giving God, and if we as sinful people are willing to help each other, then could He not do even more for us?

How many times do we try to tell God what to do in our lives...when He already knows our needs? When we communicate with God, do we feel as though we have to fill in the blanks for Him? In other words, do we end up asking for what we desire, because maybe...just maybe we do not believe that He can accomplish our needs, in His way?

Let us move on into our second Bible reference, which is in James 4:15, which reads..."Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." When we communicate with God in prayer, do we say, "Lord, please do this for me and please do that for me?" If so, then are we not treating God, as if He is some magician? Instead, we need to say... "Lord, this is what I would like you to do; but only if this is connected to your will for my life." This way, we are allowing God to look down the pathway for us...a pathway that we cannot visualize, so He can know what will be in the best interest for us.

As we continue...the next topic I would like to discuss is an example of David's prayer. Many times, as I have read the words of David in the Psalms, I have come to see a pattern in his prayer that has helped me in my own personal communication with God, so let us read and discuss Psalm 13, which says... "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (2) How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? (3) Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; (4) my enemy will say, "I have overcome him." And my foes will rejoice when I fall. (5) But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. (6) I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me."

This has been one of my favorite chapters in the Psalms because in this chapter, we can see that David is truly going through a tough time, as he pours himself out to God. From there, David begins to turn from a moment of complaint, to a moment of prayer, as he asks God to help him, lest his enemies should triumph over him. David goes from a moment of prayer, to another moment...a moment, when he begins to see a glimpse of light, as he reminisces on the love of a mighty and powerful God. What if David would have complained to God rather than looking back on the moments, when he experienced God's faithfulness? We may have our moments of overwhelming needs; but we must not stay there, while communicating with God. We can find it so easy to do so; but instead we need to pour everything out before God and empty ourselves of every need, so we can press on with Him and ask Him for His help, as we discover trust once more, while reminiscing on the moments of the past, when God proved Himself faithful to us.

Another great example of prayer was the prayer that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mark 14:35-36 reads... "Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. (36) "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." This is a great example of prayer! Jesus knew that His Father had a plan for Him to go to the cross; but He still approached His Father and asked Him, if this cup of death could pass from Him. In this reading, Jesus was mainly asking His Father, if there would be another way. Even as He asked His Father this question, Jesus remained open to His Father's will. Jesus never demanded his Father to do anything; but instead, He left the outcome up to His Father. Are we doing the same? There may be plans that God has for our lives...plans that we do not want to experience. These plans may involve a difficult road ahead; but we should be able to share in the same prayer as Jesus, when He spoke to His Father and said..."Yet not what I will, but what you will." Prayer should not become a time, when we tell the Most High God, what He should do in our lives; but instead, we should make sure to leave room for His decision; after all, He made us and He knows us, so should He not know what is best for our lives?

As we move on. I would like to take the previous paragraph a step further, as we discuss a similar topic titled..."Handing Our Plans over to God." Proverbs 16:1 reads..."To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue." Do we give God space to work through our prayers? In other words, after giving our needs or plans over to God, are we allowing Him to have the final response, to the outcome of our need or plan? We need to ask ourselves this question... "Why are we turning to a powerful God for help, if we are going to tell Him what needs to be done?" If we think we already know what we need to do, then why did we accept Jesus to come and work within our hearts and lives? If we were to answer these questions honestly, we would come to realize that He knows more about what is best for our lives, then we do. When we communicate with God, we enter a place, where we can openly ask for His help...a place where we can give God our ideas and plans; but at the same time, we should remember to leave the outcome up to Him.

Our final topic for this chapter is..."Understanding God's Will for Our Lives through Prayer." I John 5:14-15 reads..."This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (15) And if we know that he hears us...whatever we ask...we know that we have what we asked of him."

When we ask for something from God, we need to ask ourselves if we are asking for our own selfish gain or if we are seeking for His best. We can find that we are treating God, as though He is some magical god, instead of a God who longs to work out His perfect plan through our needs. Our moments of communication with God should become a discussion time, instead of going to God and demanding Him to do something our way. When we align ourselves with God's will, while communicating with Him in prayer, then He will be able to see that we are more concerned about His will being accomplished. When He sees that we are only looking for His best, then He will give us His best.

God chose us to be His very own; but not so, we could run the show. When we accepted His invitation offer, we were saying at that time... "Lord, I can't do anything but You can do everything, so please come into my heart and cleanup this mess I've created and rearrange my life into something that pleases You."

We need to learn how to communicate with God and get to know Him in a way that will draw His plans and desires into our lives. We need to allow Him, through a state of humbleness, to teach us how to communicate with Him through prayer, while we seek for His desires, instead of our own. We need to take the time and refer back to the prayers of Jesus and David, along with others mentioned of in the Bible; for these prayers will help us to discover God in a much greater way. Finally, we need to be willing to communicate with God, in a way that shuts out our own selfish desires. We need to quit using God as a magical god and begin to form a relationship with Him, through prayer. As we do this, we will truly come to discover the will of God for our lives.

If we are living with confusion, anxiety, and frustration, when it comes to understanding God's will for our lives, then maybe we need to see how we are communicating with Him. We should not make prayer a difficult time; but at the same time, we need to make sure that our prayers are going to be effective, in a way that will bring about new growth and a greater wisdom, which only God can give us.

As we close this chapter, I would like to share one more prayer with you and it is in I Kings 3:7-12, which reads... "Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. (8) Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. (9) So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? (10) The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. (11) So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, (12) I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be."

In this reading...Solomon is communicating with God. He admits His weaknesses before God and asks Him only for wisdom and discernment, so he can understand and know how to rule the people and because Solomon did not ask for selfish gain or wealth, God grants Solomon his request. This is a perfect example of how we should communicate with God. We should be able to discuss our needs with God and seek out the ways that will make us better, as children of the Most High God.

### An added tidbit of hope

Luke 18:1-8 reads... "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (2)He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. (3) And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' (4)For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or care about men, (5) yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' (6) And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. (7) And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? (8) I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? "

Here, we have a parable, about a judge that does not fear God or man but after the widow kept bothering him about her need, he gave her justice. If an uncaring judge would succumb to the cries of this widow; then just think how much more, a loving God would respond to our prayers.

We do not have to pray a prayer that will take us to a place, where the prayer eventually becomes an everyday event; but rather, we should never give up on God but use these moments, as an opportunity, to discuss our needs with Him and become more acquainted with His will, in regards to our needs. Instead of reciting the same prayer repeatedly, we need to dig deep within ourselves and seek out the purpose behind the need. When we can begin to understand our needs, in the way God wants us to view them, than we will learn how to communicate more directly with Him.

We may not be able to view God in human form; but He gives us the opportunity to get to know Him more, as we talk with Him through prayer. Our prayers can become like a well-read letter or they can become moments, when we come to understand God and all He can do for us.

## Section 6

## What Will Bring

## Us to a Healing?

Chapter 1

Faith...Believing In an Unseen God

(Part 1)

As we begin this new section of the book, we are going to begin by studying two-part devotion, on "Faith...Believing in an Unseen God." We will see how our faith is able to pass the test, while going through moments of adversity; but we will also see how our faith can bring about a healing within our lives.

What is faith and how do we obtain faith? What is the difference between faith and belief? How can we use faith to help us bond more closely to God?

Before beginning this discussion, I looked up the meaning of faith in my study Bible and this is what I found, "...reliance, loyalty, or complete trust in God or someone else." What motivates our faith? In our lives, do we look for faith in God out of fear or do we desire to have a great relationship with God...a relationship that will allow our faith to be a loyal faith in God, instead of a loyal fear to our problems? Luke 3:7 reads..."John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" When John referred to the crowd, as a "brood of vipers, he was referring to people who were only being baptized out of fear of the future. Some people wanted John to baptize them, just so they could escape the coming wrath. Some of the people were not using the symbol of baptism, as faith in an unseen God, in a way that would bring about salvation. Are we only using faith in our lives, so the world can see us as one of God's followers or are we using our faith in God to produce a closer relationship with Him...a relationship that will keep us close to God and further away from our problems? If we are just using our faith as a free ticket to Heaven, then we will never be able to get through the tough times of adversity. Faith is a substance that should grow, instead of remaining at the same level forever. Faith should continue to flourish, as we go through each trial.

Now that we understand, what faith is and how we can apply faith to our lives, the next question we should ask ourselves is this... "Are we talking about our faith or are we putting faith into practice?" I Corinthians 4:18-20 reads..."Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. (19) But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. (20) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." Now that we understand the motivation, we should have towards faith, are we just talking about our faith in God, or are we putting our faith into practice? Words are easy to speak but when it comes to living the faith that we speak of, are we picking up the tool of faith, so we can use it, as a means of helping ourselves climb out of the pit of despair? When we know the right words to speak; but yet we are not living them, then it is as if our words are falling to the ground. When we take our words of faith and allow them to work for us, then our words of faith will continue to live on and become a means of keeping us further away from the moments of weakness.

Now that we are motivated and ready to live the faith we speak of, how can we identify the difference between faith and belief? Matthew 8:28 reads... "When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way." The two demons, mentioned of in this reading are from the region of the Gadarenes, which is near a major city of Gadara. The demons remained powerful, while being used directly by Satan but when they felt the power that came from Jesus Christ, they lost their own evil power completely because they recognized Jesus as God's only Son, even though they did not believe that they had to obey Him. The verse above teaches us that just believing in Christ is not enough. When we have faith and believe in the power of the Most High God, then we will experience His complete presence but when we experience belief without faith, then it is as if a person is saying... "Oh yea...I know God...I've read about Him in the Bible" and that is as far as it goes. When the presence of God is present, with a heart of belief, then a person can say, with no hesitation... "Oh yes...I know God...I've read about Him and I've also experienced His presence at work in my life." When we can truly have faith in God, instead of just believing in Him alone, then we have truly accepted Jesus and all that He stands for.

Now that we know how to apply faith to our lives..."How can we turn small faith into sufficient faith?" Matthew 17:17-20 reads... "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." (18) Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. (19) Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" (20) He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." In this reading, the disciples were unable to drive out the demon, mentioned of in these verses. As they turned to God and asked why, Jesus pointed out to them, that their faith was weak. If we are going to allow God to work through us, then the first thing we need to have is faith. As an example, if a person were to work on a project, then before they would begin, would they not need to make sure they have all the tools to complete the project? In a similar way, faith becomes the tool that God can use to do great and mighty things in our lives. If we are talking one way, while we think another, then we will never accomplish anything through God. We need to remember that we are the instrument that God uses. If we do not allow Him to go to work for us, then He will never be able to complete His work through us.

Now that we have discovered how to turn a small faith into a sufficient faith, we need to keep in mind that God will only provide according to the size of our faith. II Kings 4:6 reads..."When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing." In this reading, a woman and her son were filling oil jars for them and their neighbors. The oil they were using was probably olive oil that they found many uses for at that time. The oil only flowed for the number of jars that they had, than it stopped. In a similar way to this story, we limit God's power, when we only have a limited faith. We only receive the amount of God's goodness, as our faith allows. Two things that will help us, is to remember that God is never a defeated God and He is never a God that is limited by the things He is able to do for us. As our faith grows, His provisions and blessings keep pouring out to us. When we lose our faith and trust in God, than we shut off the faucet of God's blessings.

Once we are able to allow our faith to grow and become strengthened through God, then our faith can open up doors to new resources. II Kings 6:16-17 reads... "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those we are with them." (17) And Elisha prayed, O Lord, open his eyes, so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." Some things in this life we recognize by sight but God can work through the unseen things too. When we have to see it to believe it, then we are limiting the work of God in our lives. When we experience moments, when we feel as though God is no longer working in our lives, then maybe we need to see if our sight is bad, rather than thinking that there is a problem with God's power because God's power remains the same all the time. If we were to check out our level of faith, we may find that we need to bring our level of faith up to the level of God's power, so that they can work together for our good. When we do this, then we also discover that our relationship with God has grown.

In this chapter, we have learned how to turn small faith into sufficient faith and we have learned how God's provisions only come to us, by the size of our faith. Now we need to remember that faith only comes, when we are willing to let go of our own thoughts and desires. Job 1:1 reads... "In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." As many of us know, Job lost everything in his life and went through great trials, so he could learn to depend on God, instead of himself or his great wealth. When we think that we know all of the answers to our problems, than we find that we do not have a need for God and when we walk away from Him, to look for our own answers, then our faith weakens and we soon discover that our answers and thoughts get in the way of God's response. When our own thoughts and answers, to life's problems become a way of living for us, then we take our faith and dependence away from the real source of our needs, which is God.

As we end the first part of our two-part study on faith, we have learned that we need to motivate our faith and place our faith into action. Instead of being hearers and speakers...we need to become seekers and users of God's faith. From there, we have learned the difference between faith and belief and we have learned how we should turn small faith into sufficient faith. We have learned that God's provisions and blessings only come to us, in accordance to the size of faith we have. We have also discovered that our faith can open doors to new resources and when we look to God for the answers, our faith begins to sprout new roots that keeps us grounded and stronger in God. Now as we prepare to end the first part of this study, we need to realize that when we have true faith, then we will continue to follow God, despite the circumstances. Deuteronomy 1:22 reads..."Then all of you came to me and said, "Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to." In this reading, the spies went out to see if it was safe, to enter the land, talked about in this verse. They brought a report back and based upon their findings, they determined that it was not safe to fight. Instead of trusting in God, they made the decision, based upon their own findings. We may run into difficult obstacles too; but instead of viewing the size of the obstacle; we should be allowing our faith in God to take control. We can be too busy, sizing up the problem, that we forget that God is much more powerful than the problem. We should not look down the pathway and say... "Oh my, look at all these obstacles ahead of me!" If we base our decisions upon the size and the amount of the obstacles ahead of us, then we will continue to wallow within the painful moments that are ahead of us. Another thing we need to remember is this, while we are sizing up the obstacles ahead of us, they can begin to appear as a risk, which only produces fear of the unknown, rather than allowing our focus to remain on God. We must learn not to allow these circumstances or obstacles to get in the way and control our lives. We need to remember that true faith in God, means that we can follow Him, despite the circumstance.

How well do we handle pressure? Does the pressure of the problem become greater than the faith of a powerful God? Judges 6:25-30 reads... "That same night the Lord said to him, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. (26) Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering." (27)So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the men of the town, he did it at night rather than in the daytime. (28) In the morning when the men of the town got up, there was Baal's alter, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar! (29) They asked each other, "Who did this?" When they carefully investigated, they were told, "Gideon son of Joash did it." (30) The men of the town demanded of Joash, "Bring out your son, He must die, because he has broken down Baal's altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it." After God had called Gideon to be Israel's way of deliverance, God asked Gideon to remove the altar of Baal, which was a pagan god. Gideon was under great pressure, knowing that this would create a lot of havoc among the rulers of this land but Gideon remained obedient to God. When we face similar pressures as a Christian, does our faith remain standing or does it take a nosedive downward? Faith in God is not just a way to receive but faith also stands for the way we are committed to God. We are learning that life, as a Christian is not going to be easy but the final question I would like to ask is this... "When the pressures of this world or a circumstance begin to weigh heavily upon us, does our faith remain standing in the midst of it all?"

I pray that you have enjoyed the first part of this two-part study on faith. As we begin the second part of this study, in the following chapter, we will see if our faith can withstand persecution. We will also be continuing our study, by learning how God tested Abraham's faith, while going through great moments of adversity. In addition, we will learn how a lack of faith can bring about more problems and how the world will always challenge our faith in God. From there, we will see how our faith does not always exempt us from suffering and how adversity can destroy counterfeit faith. Finally, as we end this study, we will discover how faith involves endurance to the end, along with a couple of ways that people can lose their faith and then we will complete the study, by asking ourselves, if our faith is real.

Chapter 2

Faith...Believing in an Unseen God

(Part 2)

As we review the previous chapter, we learned about the meaning of faith. We also learned how to motivate our faith through God. We discovered what it means to talk about our faith vs. living true faith in God, while understanding the difference between faith and unbelief. We learned how we can turn our own small faith into sufficient faith and how God only provides, according to the size of our faith. We also discovered that faith could open new doors of resources to us, if we are willing to let go and allow God to work for us. Overall, we discovered that faith is following God, despite the difficulties we face in this life.

Now we are going to move on and see how strong our faith really is, especially while we experience trials and temptations. Can our faith truly withstand persecutions? Matthew 26:35 reads... "But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same." In this reading, Peter and all the disciples were willing to die for Jesus; but then we find later, that their words never went into action, while God tested their faith. Is our faith strong enough to keep our words alive, during difficult moments of persecution? How can our faith remain alive and flourish, if we are only speaking empty words, with no meaning? God longs to hear our words of faith but even more, He longs to see them working for us. When we allow the words, we speak, to become words of true faith in God, even while experiencing the darkest moments in our lives, then our faith has grown stronger in God.

Times of persecution and trial can allow our words of faith to become more difficult to live. If we were to read the Old Testament, then we would find stories, about Joseph, Jeremiah, Job, Esther, Ruth, and many others, who faced very difficult times of adversity, while God tested their faith. Genesis 12:10 reads..."Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe." In this reading, Abraham, who was Abram at the time, was experiencing a time of severe famine. Here, God had lead Abraham and the children of Israel to the place where God desired for them to be; but why would God take them to a place where there was famine? God was using the situation for the moment, to test Abraham's faith. Instead of trying to figure out the problem, by questioning God, Abram's faith grew, as he counseled with God, as to what they should do next. We can go through a similar situation, while God is testing our faith. We can have our hearts and minds so fixed on why God has lead us to where we are that we do not see the difficult moments that we are going through, as a time of testing...a time when God is drawing us closer to Him, through the adversity. We can find ourselves living wasted moments in our lives, while we try to figure this out or that out, when all along, we should be seeking God for the answers, so through faith, we can once more walk out of these times of adversity with God.

God can test our faith, through difficult moments of circumstance but what happens when we lack faith? When our faith is weak, our lack of faith can bring on a series of other problems. Genesis 16:3 reads..."So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife." In this reading, God had made a promise to Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah), that he would bless them with a son and their son's name would be Isaac. Instead of keeping the faith, while believing in the promise that God had made them, Sarai (Sarah) took matters into her own hands and had her maidservant (Hagar), go onto Abram (Abraham), and conceive. Later, Hagar had a son, and his name was Ishmael. Following the birth of Ishmael, Sarai (Sarah) eventually had a son of her own, and his name was Isaac, just as God had promised. As time passed by, Sarah became envious of Hagar and Ishmael and there was great strife between her and Hagar. The story shows, that if Sarai (Sarah) would have kept the faith and waited upon God, instead of dealing with the circumstance on her own, then she could have avoided much strife within her life. How many times do we grow tired of waiting on God's promises? When we do not wait for God to act and we take matters within our own hands, then we find ourselves letting go of the faith we once had in God and we find that we begin to have more problems, then at the beginning. We soon discover that we have added fuel to the fire, which allows our problems to become even more complicated.

We can discover another obstacle that can put our faith to the test and that is when the world challenges our faith. II Peter 3:18 reads "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." Peter ends his writings, by urging those who believe in God, to continually grow and remain strong in God. When we come to know God in a greater way, then we will find that we will not need to depend on the world for advice. When we turn to our own thoughts and desires or to the worlds opinions, then our faith is not growing; but rather, it is weakening, as the connection we once had with God, is slowly being unplugged. We may have moments when we want to talk with someone or ask for his or her advice; but we must remember that we should seek God for the final answer, so we can make sure that the other person's opinion matches up with God's response.

So far, we have learned that our faith must remain strong in God, so it can withstand persecution and moments of adversity. From there, we have learned that if we lack faith, then we can end up with more problems. We also discussed, that the world can challenge our faith and attempt to remove us from the presence of God. Now we are going to move on and see that faith does not always exempt us from moments of suffering. Acts 5:17-18 reads... "Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. (18) They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail." Even though the apostles preached the good news of Christ and performed miracles, this did not keep them from trials and persecutions. Many times, they flogged and sentenced them to prison, while being rejected by the people. We also see other stories throughout the Bible, where God tested certain people's faith, through moments of great suffering. Sometimes, standing up for the cause of Christ, will result in moments of suffering and hardships. I have found that the more I write or encourage a person...the more suffering I endure. We need to realize that there is a battle going on for our soul...a battle, where evil is constantly trying to take us away from what is good. Seems as though we try to remain standing with Christ but then a weakness creeps into our lives and Satan uses the weakness against us, by striking us with a debilitating blow. Many people speak, that we suffer because of a lack in faith, which can sometimes happen but we can also suffer greatly, just because of the devoted faith we have in God. Just because we are Christians and just because we have true faith and belief in God, does not mean that we will always have an easy life. As we are living in the end times, I believe that Satan is working overtime, to take us away from Jesus Christ, so Satan can have control over us. This is why we need to keep our faith and relationship with God strong. Satan is not out for the unbeliever; but rather he is working overtime to afflict us and do anything he can to take us away from the presence of God. I have come to discover within my own life, that the greatest weapon formed against evil, is to remain strong in God, especially during moments of adversity. We need to be equipped and fully armed with the armor of God, so there will be no reason for Satan to lurk around us or seek to destroy us through weak moments of faith.

The best way to put our faith to the test is through the tough times of adversity, that way we will be able to see for ourselves, if our faith is real or counterfeit. Job 1:9 reads... "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied," In this verse, Satan was out to prove that Job's faith in God was counterfeit. Satan wanted to prove that Job only loved God, by how much God had given him. How does our faith work, while going through difficult moments of loss and adversity? It is so easy to love God and speak of God, when everything is going well; but what happens when afflictions strike us? Does our faith waver, while we find our faith at its highest, only when everything is going our way? The true test of faith is when adversity strikes. In other words, do we see God in the same way, as when everything was previously going well? When we have true faith in God, our faith will produce roots that will embed themselves, deep within the soil of our hearts, so when a storm of adversity strikes, then we will remain standing. When we find ourselves wavering, during moments of adversity, we need to turn our faith in God's direction, rather than turning to the old counterfeit faith.

Our faith should not become an occasional faith; but rather, faith involves endurance to the end. Joshua 14:6-12 reads..."Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him. You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. (7) I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, (8) but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. (9)So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.' (10) "Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! (11) I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. (12) Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." In this reading, Caleb remained faithful to God from the start and because of his faith; God promised him an inheritance of land. Even after 45 years, God remained faithful to Caleb and gave him the land and even though there remained obstacles for Caleb to face, his faith remained unraveled. In a similar way, God wants us to have unwavering faith in Him. He does not want our faith to be at an all-time high, just when everything is going well. He wants our faith to be working at all times. When our faith has that kind of strength, then our trust in God will become more stable and grounded in Him. Our faith in God should endure to the very end.

There are two ways, in which we can lose our faith in God. Matthew 18:7 reads... "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!" Jesus was warning the disciples of two ways, in which a person can fall away from their faith and they are... "...to neglect a person or demean a person." For those who are Christians, our faith should not be a faith that causes us to judge other people. Instead, we should use our faith to encourage and uplift others. When we neglect people and demean people, then we are not showing Christ and the faith they can experience through Him. When I began this ministry, God taught me to look beyond the fault and see the need of the heart and that need is for people to experience the same faith in God that He has given freely to us, through the cross. When we are not living the example of Christ to others, through our own faith in God, then how are they going to find the faith, that God longs for them to have?

In this two-part devotional study on faith, we have learned so much! We have discovered that we need to motivate our faith and keep it alive, rather than just talking about our faith. We have learned how to match up faith with belief, so we can turn our small faith into a sufficient faith. From there, we discovered, that we only receive God's provisions, by the amount of faith we have in God. When our faith is rich in God, then we can discover new doors of opportunity for our lives. Then from there, we learned that our faith should be strong enough to weather the storms of persecutions and adversity and we discovered that when our faith is weak, we could find ourselves experiencing more problems, then from the beginning.

From there, we learned that the world might try to challenge our faith, when we take a stand for God. Finally, we came to understand that faith does not exempt us from suffering, while adversity can test our faith, as to whether it is real or counterfeit. We also learned that faith involves endurance to the end and that our faith should be something that we pass on to others, rather than inflicting judgment on another person.

As we wrap up this study on faith, the final question we need to ask ourselves is this..."Is our faith real?" Matthew 3:9-10 reads..."And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. (10) The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." If we are only wearing a sign on our forehead that says "Christian," then God has no use for this type of person. God is not looking to the one who only calls themselves "Christian;" but He longs for us to live the life that reveals to Him, that we truly are His children. Just as the example, quoted of in this reading says..."and every tree that does not produce good fruit, will be cut down and thrown into the fire." If we are not producing good fruit in our lives and sharing our faith with others, then we are of no use to God. When we have real faith, then we will not only strive to use our faith; but we will pass our faith along to others in need, that they may experience the freedom we have through Christ. If others are not seeing the faith that we say we have in God, then maybe we need to go back and ask ourselves..."Is our faith for real?"

### An added tidbit of hope

As Christians, we can begin with a strong faith in God; but what do we do when our faith falters? Matthew 14:30-31 reads... "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" (31) Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Just like Peter, we can begin by experiencing faith; but then we quickly fall. What causes this to happen? When Peter was walking out to Jesus on the water, he had his eyes fixed on Jesus but the moment he heard, saw, and felt the storm surrounding him, he became too caught up into the storm that he lost faith in God and instead, he placed his faith in the storm, which caused him to fall into the sea. We can find ourselves doing the same thing. The minute we see the storm coming at us, we begin to view the size of the storm, rather than the faith we once placed in God. When we allow our eyes to become so tightly fixed on the storm, instead of on God, then this is what causes us to fall.

What can help us to remain more focused on Jesus, rather than the circumstance? Why do we not try an attitude of expectation? John 6:18-19 reads... "A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. (19) When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified." In these verses, the disciples became terrified of what they were seeing with their eyes. To them, it appeared to be, as if a ghost was out on the sea, when all along, it was really Jesus. They could have identified this spirit, as Jesus' spirit, if that is what they were expecting in the first place but because their fear took over, they became even more terrified of what they were seeing. Faith should become a means of automatically alerting ourselves, to the presence of Jesus, especially while we are facing a terrifying storm in our lives. When we react in this way, then we can overcome the fears of our circumstances. We need to remember that what we perceive is what we will receive into our lives. If our faith connects to the presence of Jesus, then we will not perceive the worst that can come out of a surrounding storm.

How are we going to come to know Christ in a greater way, if we are afraid to test the waters, through faith? In order that we may partake of all that God has to offer us, we must be willing to put our faith into action. Matthew 21:19 reads... "Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered." In this verse, Jesus was not speaking with an act of anger; but rather, Jesus was showing His anger at religion without substance or faith. Do we portray a life that is productive, a life that allows others to see Christ? What good can a sign of Christianity do on our foreheads, if our lives do not match up with what we are advertising? How can we allow our faith to work for us, if we are not living the words we believe in?

No matter what we may be experiencing today, God has already made the way for us. He has laid out every footprint, for us to follow. All we have to do is trust in Him enough, to step into the footprints. Do we find ourselves talking about our faith, rather than living it? God does not want to see us as a beautiful tree, along the wayside; instead, He wants to see the fruit that can come forth from our relationship with Him. Faith is the only unseen substance that is going to lead us in God's direction. We may not see where we are placing our feet, as we attempt to walk forward with God; but if we trust in God and believe in Him and all He can do for us, then that will help us to have the faith we need, so we can continue to press on!

Chapter 3

Rising Above Despair

Therefore, I am a Christian...how do I rise above my circumstances? What does it mean to rise above despair and what can I do to help my situation today? In this chapter of the book, we are going to discover six different things that will help us to climb to a place, where we can rise above despair...a place where we can feel the fullness of God's presence, instead of the circumstance.

The first one we are going to study is "Dying to ourselves." Philippians 1:21-22 reads... "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (22) If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!" Before we can go anywhere with God, we must be willing to spiritually die to ourselves. We are either going to completely die to our own thoughts, ways, and desires and live for Christ or we are going to live for ourselves, which will only cause us to remain on the same step in life. We cannot choose Christ, without accepting His will and desires for our lives. When we accept Jesus to come into our hearts; but we choose to do what we desire, then it is as if we have tied up God's hands and when we allow this to happen, then we stop His power from working in our lives. Until we accomplish this first step in our lives, then we will not be able to move forward and accomplish the other steps ahead. We need to slow down and re-examine our lives and see how we are living. Are we living completely for God, in a way, that He can work in our lives or are we avoiding this step, by going our own direction?

The next step that we are going to study is "Frustrating God's grace with the law." Galatians 2:20-21 reads... "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (21) I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" It is so easy to frustrate God's ways with ours because we do not think about God's ways, as being separate from ours, because of a worldly way of living. The way we speak, listen, think and see life, should be patterned after God and the new life we have chosen.

When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, it is as if we spiritually crucify ourselves with Him. In a physical sense, we have not crucified ourselves on a cross to die but in a spiritual sense, we are dying to the sinful nature, within our lives. We allow the old self to die, so the new life can take its place. We move our own desires out of the way, so Christ can fill the empty areas of our lives, with His desires instead. When we allow this to happen, then we are living and doing the complete will of Christ for our lives.

We cannot rise above despair, if we have fallen back into the old life. In other words, a circumstance cannot heal itself. How can a circumstance that is not of God rid itself of the problem? Evil cannot make itself good, only something good can repair what damages us by evil, and the only remedy is Jesus Christ. If we turn to our own desires, as a remedy for our circumstances, then why did Jesus have to go to the cross and die for us? If God knew that we could repair ourselves, then why would He have sent His only Son to die on a cross and go through such a horrible death for nothing? That would have made the death of the cross in vain.

As we move on, our third step is, "A battle between good and evil." Galatians 5:16-17 reads... "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (17) For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want."

This can be one of the most difficult steps to accomplish. When we have a deep desire to follow Christ, Satan is going to try to keep us from climbing to the next step. As we press on, we are going to feel the battle raging between good and evil. Many people get confused, when it comes to despair. They feel, as though Christ is the one who is causing the affliction to take place in their lives. We need to ask ourselves this question... "Why would Christ allow affliction, so that we are taken away from Him?" Christ represents that which is good, so good cannot produce evil but on the other hand; Christ may allow an affliction to remain for a while, so that He can use the affliction, as a means of allowing us to become stronger people, while overcoming a step in our lives that may keep us away from Him.

When we desire to do our best for Christ, then Satan may try to step in and do everything he can to keep us away from Christ. This step may become the most difficult step to overcome, because we can find ourselves deceived by Satan. In other words, Satan may use his deceptive ways to make us believe that our adversity is truly coming from Christ, when all along it is coming from him. We must learn to recognize Satan's deceptive ways, so the power of Christ can destroy them; otherwise, we may become disabled by our adversity.

Do we recognize this step, as the one that is slowing us down in life? Do we feel drained and lacking in strength? Call out to God right now and ask for His help. If you have found this to be, a difficult step in your walk with Christ, He will come to you and lift you out of the battle zone, and He will place you firmly on the step that will allow you to press on.

The fourth step that we are going to study is... "Have we fallen back into bondage?" Galatians 4:9 reads... "But now that you know God...or rather are known by God...how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" Why do we turn to the past, before we are willing to turn to God? Why would we ever desire to turn back to the old life...a life that once kept us in bondage? We all do this. We find ourselves climbing to the next step that can bring us closer to Christ, only to discover ourselves falling back into the old steps. Do we find it easier to live after the circumstance, rather than to follow a God, who has already freed us through the cross?

When we fall back into a place of bondage, I feel it is because we have lost our connection with God. When we choose to live for the mistakes we make, rather than to acknowledge the freedom of the cross, which can walk us away from our mistakes, then we soon discover that our mistakes are disabling us, so we cannot get back up and press on. We need to come to grips with what we have done wrong and begin again. Instead of viewing our situation as a failure, we need to see it as a lesson that God is teaching us. Maybe God sees that we need to become stronger, in the area of our life, where we constantly make mistakes. God does not point the finger and blame us, for what happens in our lives; but instead, He longs to keep working with the flaw, so we can eventually stand and become a stronger vessel for Him.

Are we having trouble rising above the despair in our lives, because we have fallen into a place of bondage? If so, then we need to ask God to strengthen us in the weak areas of our lives, so we can get back up and begin again.

The fifth step we are about to study is "Are we looking for the next step or the next problem?" Colossians 3:1-3 reads..."Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (3) For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" Do we know who God is and what He stands for? If so, then why are we chasing after our problems, rather than seeking after the things above, which belong to God? If we rise with Christ, through salvation, then should we not be looking for the things that He longs for us to see and experience in our lives? As an example, let us say that we lost our car keys. Would we look for something other than the car keys? No, that does not make sense. Why would we waste our time looking for something, other than what we lost? In a similar way, why would we seek after more despair and remain focused on our problems, rather than to search for the answers that could bring us out of despair?

Sometimes, I do not think we realize it at the time; but when we are so overwhelmed with a problem; we tend to attach ourselves to the problem...face to face, which only allows more problems to stem from the main problem. We need to remember, that whatever we seek after, that is what we will discover to be in the end.

Could this be the reason why we cannot step out of despair? Are we so busy looking so deeply into the eye of our problems, that we lose sight of the step that God can use in our lives, to take us away from despair?

Our sixth and final step is... "Has the root of faith become dormant in our lives?" Colossians 2:6-7 reads..."So then, just as you receive Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, (7) rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Have our circumstances become so overwhelming, that the root of our faith has died or become dormant within us? Do we feel like there has been so many things going wrong, that we just seem to know that nothing can ever go right? When we experience moments like these, we feel as though a dense fog has covered our pathway. We begin to feel so hopeless, always seeming to know within ourselves, that we will never be able to move ahead and discover the feeling of freedom, from our moments of despair. One thing we must remember though, is if we have journeyed this far and we are still existing through it all, then we can make it. Our circumstances seem to have a way of dictating their way into our thoughts. We may not always view the final step as an easy one; but when we can look behind us and see the steps we have already accomplished through Christ, then we will begin to believe that we can accomplish this step too.

We need to go through each of these six steps and see if we have missed a step...a step that could be keeping us in despair. Let us ask ourselves these questions... "Are we completely connected to God?" "Are we in touch with Him or are we in touch with our problems?" We experience the feelings of despair because we connect ourselves to the circumstance that brought on despair. When our plate is so overflowing with problems and we allow them to overwhelm us, then all we will experience are the symptoms that associate us with despair.

Are we frustrating God's desires, with the world's ways? In other words, are we trying to resolve the problem in our own lives, after the old life...the life we lived, before coming to Christ? This can make a big difference for sure because we will be acknowledging either the wisdom that comes from Christ or the wisdom that comes from a worldly standpoint. God designed us in a way, so He could understand everything that goes on in our lives, so He should be the only source we turn to.

Next, we need to ask ourselves some other questions... "Are we caught in a battle between good and evil?" "Are we allowing our problems to weaken us, so we end up giving into evil?" If we give into evil, there is no way that we will be able to rise above despair, until we acknowledge God once more. Whatever direction we choose to take, will determine what we live with, so we need to allow God to strengthen us through the battle, so we can become strong enough through Christ, to overcome despair.

Another question we need to ask ourselves is this... "Have we fallen back into bondage again?" We will make mistakes in life and we will fall backwards from time to time because no one is perfect; but we cannot remain there. Falling back into bondage can end up becoming a place, where we wallow in our despair.

The next question we should ask ourselves is... "Do we have our minds fixed on Christ and the things above or are we focusing too tightly on our problems and what could happen next?" If we are doing this, then we will only discover the next problem, rather than the next step.

The final question we need to ask ourselves is this... "Have we allowed our moments of adversity, to deaden the root of our faith?" Faith is what keeps hope alive within us. Faith is the step that will help us to rise spiritually above despair and into the heavens, where God is. If our root of faith has gone dormant or died, then we need to allow the sunshine of God's presence to restore our faith. Faith dies or becomes dormant during moments of adversity because we have pushed out God's light, while only allowing the darkness from our affliction to enter in. We also need to allow the tears of a humble heart, to flow before God. When we can do this, then we are sending God a message that says that we cannot make it without Him. When His light filters our hearts and our tears water the dead or dormant root of our faith, then we will once more see life come back in and our faith will become stronger, so we can truly have the hope, that God can lift us high above despair.

We can rise above despair, when we know that we can live for an undefeated god. Once we allow God to help us clear the obstacles from our pathway, that are keeping us from pressing on, then we will be able to reach the top of the steps and find renewed hope once more!

Chapter 4

A Means of Escape

How do we rise to a place, where we have never been in life? For instance, how do we rise to a place of peace, when all we have known in our life is anger? How do we rise to a place of contentment, when all we have lived through is abuse and heartache? What can lift us up to a new place...a place where we can experience freedom, from the shackles that have kept us bound into despair?

We may have been born into a world, where all we seem to experience, is the result of sin. We may have lived in an abusive relationship or we may have lived with anger, hate, or heartache. When we have grown up for years around these negative, deep hearted feelings, how do we experience the right and true feelings that God longs for us to experience in this life? Seems like every attempt we make to be free, just takes us one more step backwards, where we first began. After a while, we wonder if we will ever be free. What can we do, with God's help, so we can break through the prison walls that only seem to keep us down in despair?

The first thing we are going to have to do, is find a way through Christ, that will help us to let go of the past, so there is enough room for the positive feelings to come in and flourish. Matthew 10:39 reads... "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." We need to realize that the ongoing feelings from the past, can keep us in a prison, where all we know and experience, are the same old feelings of despair. In order for the prison doors to open, we must send a message to God that says, that we are willing to let go of the past feelings, which may have brought about a negative spirit, so He can create new feelings...the healthy feelings that He has always longed for us to have. We need to realize that the only way, that we are going to be able to walk into what is right and true, is to allow the life of the past...the life that wounded us, to become as loss. That way, we can gain God in a greater way, which will allow us to be lifted high above despair, rather than having to face despair head on.

Without realizing it, we can discover that these painful feelings from the past have become excess baggage that only clutters our lives and allows us to fall beneath the weight of our circumstance. We need to discover a way through Christ that will help us to shed the excess weight, so we can live with feelings that will allow us to walk on air with Christ.

A way that will help us to let go of the negative feelings, from the past, is to trust in Christ completely and no other. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Do we view our direction in life, as something altered because we leaned on the negative feelings and problems that may have followed us, while going through a difficult time of adversity? Have we lived with these feelings and hurts for so long, that we have turned them into a crutch to lean on, rather than leaning on God? Have we become so blinded by what we have gone through, that we find ourselves trusting in the feelings that have stemmed from our circumstance? Satan, can bring about this problem during long, drawn out moments of weakness. It is Satan's desire to keep us in the past and with the negative feelings that accompany the past, so that we will always remain wounded within our hearts and lives.

A verse that goes right along with what we have just studied is in I Peter 3:13, which reads... "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?" We just talked about "trust" and we learned that if we are trusting in the wrong feelings, that have accompanied us through time, then we will remain on the wrong pathway that leads us nowhere, except for deeper into despair. Trust can be a difficult thing to do, especially when a person has placed their trust in something, other than God. We can also experience fear, as though we feel we need to test the waters, before actually stepping onto the right pathway. We need to remember one thing, as long as we are choosing to seek God's pathway of freedom, there is nothing that can harm us. We can attach ourselves to the old feelings and way of thinking; that we find it to be more difficult to move forward in life. We may feel as though we have sat in a prison cell of weakness for so long; that we find it to be much more difficult to trust the One who is on the other side of the door; but we must remember that God is the only One who can free us. We need to go to the door of our heart, where God is knocking and know that even though others have hurt us in life, that God can still become the key to freedom...the key that will place us on the right pathway towards Him.

Once we have allowed God to open our prison cell of despair, we must be willing to learn the new ways, in which God can help us, to discover a better life. Psalm 86:7, 10-11 reads... "In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. (10) For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. (11) Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Once we have acknowledged, that God is the only One who holds the key to our prison door, we must be willing to become a pupil, while God teaches us a new life...a life that can replace the old way of living. We must be willing to accept His ways of truth, which will eventually free us for good. We must unite our hearts with His, so we can learn to fear His name, rather than, to fear the feelings that had wounded us.

If we are going to allow God to lay out a new pathway of feelings to follow, then we must allow His words of truth to become the map for our journey. The only way we are going to be able to discover the positive feelings, in which God longs for us to have, is to allow God to erase the old feelings, so He can replace them with a new beginning of positive thoughts. There is no quick method because what God teaches, is through a day-to-day experience. Just as we may have grown up through time, with the wrong feelings of heartache or abuse, the new feelings may take some time to discover. I have found in my own life, that God does not always allow our experiences with Him to happen quickly because He wants to etch them upon our hearts, that we may not only learn them but that they may become a part of us through time.

While we are in the learning process with God, there is one thing that we must remember and that is to refuse the temptations, which may keep us attached to the old feelings and the ways of the past. I Peter 3:11 reads... "He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it" As we begin to seek the feelings that will bring a life of hope to us, we may also experience a time of testing and temptation, from the opposition, which is Satan. He may try to plant thoughts of discouragement, as a means of convincing us to give up and give in to the old feelings. If we could just remind ourselves, that these old feelings of negativity have been with us for a while, then we will be able to remind ourselves, that it may take a little time to reverse them. Time, will soon become a reminder to us, that we are carrying less baggage from the past. This becomes a time, when God is stepping in, to remove the negative feelings that have become excess baggage to us over time. As we shun the feelings of the past, for the feelings that can free us, then we will soon discover that the heavier load is becoming much lighter.

Once we have discovered a way through God that will walk us away from the weight of our past feelings, then we need to keep pursuing His ways more and more. Remember, whatever we seek for, we will find it through Christ or the world. It is our choice. If we choose to seek after anger, then we will experience anger in our lives; but when we choose to seek after peace, as a replacement for anger, then we will find God's perfect peace instead.

Once we begin to shun the negative feelings from the past...to pursue the freedom we long for through Christ, then He will make a way for us to escape the feelings of the past. I Corinthians 10:13 reads... "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." When we send God a message, that says that we no longer accept the feelings and hurts of the past and we have made ourselves open to His teachings, then He will see our desire and meet us there. He will provide a way of escape that we could never devise. We could continue on forever, while we speak words that say, that we long to be free from the past; but until we are able to show God what we desire, with a heart that longs to be set free, rather than just talking about it, we will never be free. When God notices that we are seeking His ways and resisting the old feelings of the past, for the new life He longs to give us, then He will create a new pathway, from the moments we just walked out of, to give us a new means of escape. The question we need to ask ourselves is this... "Are we just talking about our desires or are we willing to work with God, to create a better future for ourselves?"

Once we have relayed a message to God, that reveals that we are seeking after His desires and ways, with a humble heart, then we must be willing to allow God to walk us through the fire, so when we come out of the affliction, we will be refined as gold. Job 23:10 says... "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." God knows our desires, by the direction we take in life. We may have been deeply hurt throughout our lives but when we choose to turn our face away from the abuse or heartache, so we can experience a lighter load for the journey, then God will come to us and walk us through the fire of our past, so we can be made new again. We cannot sit back and expect God to produce a brand new pathway of healing for us, by just our words alone. The desire presents itself, when we place our foot forward, instead of sitting in the past moments of despair, while waiting for God to do it all.

If we are going to experience a new pathway, which will allow the load to remain lighter, then we must first be willing to let go of the excess baggage. We must be willing also, to go to the prison door, where the past has placed us and be willing to trust the One who can help us, on the other side of the door. Once we have found God to be trustworthy, then we must humble ourselves and allow ourselves to become the pupil to God's teachings. Since we do not know the way, then we need Him to teach it to us. As we begin to learn, we may find that temptation gets in our way. We may feel as though Satan is working overtime, to keep us confined within the prison cell of the past; but we must refuse his ways and continue to seek out the new pathway that God longs for us to travel on.

Finally, we must be willing to give the new feelings, time to sprout new roots. Time with God will eventually bring us to a new place that God desires for us and when that moment arrives, He will walk us out of the past and all that we have accomplished, through the time we have spent with Him, will allow us to become refined as gold, in the Master's eye.

We all have probably experienced some kind of a difficult past. Maybe we learned the wrong way for living or maybe it was emotional abused. Whatever the situation; there is a way out. We do not need to remain in a wallowing hole of despair forever, when God holds the keys that can unlock each door and free us. He is just waiting to see how much we long for His help. Once we have turned to Him and cried out to Him for help, then He will come to us and time will eventually take us to a safer pathway...a pathway that will begin to tell a new story for our lives. No matter how difficult the journey may be, just know that there is a means of escape and that way is through Jesus Christ.

Chapter 5

God's Provisions

In an economy we live in, we tend to give up on hope, when money is not available, to provide for our needs. In this life, we attach ourselves too much, to our own means of provision, so when our means of provision fails us, then we find ourselves losing hope. As I looked up the definition of the word "provision," this is what I found..."The act of providing or making previous preparation." In other words, money by itself cannot make previous preparations or become a means of completely providing for every one of our needs. God can use money in our lives but money is not the true source of provision. Philippians 4:19 says..."And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Since God is the Creator of all things, then He also becomes the true source of provision, for all that He has created.

Do we attach ourselves to money, to the place, that we have made it a god in our lives? Leviticus 26:1 reads... "Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves; and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the Lord your God." God will use money, as a means of blessing us or as a means of meeting a need but at the same time; He does not want us to allow money to become our god. When we depend on money too much, then we are aiming ourselves for a hopeless fall. If we were to slow down and think it over, the dollar bill is only what it is because of the value that man has place on it; but if we were to look at a dollar bill, we would only see a piece of paper, with ink on it. God is of much more value, then money could ever be, because He holds the source of everything within His hands. He is not only God but He is the god that created every living thing and He can provide through many resources. Just as we take care of our children, pets, or any other thing, He does the same, only in a much greater way. He is such a great God, that He not only has the means of creation within His hands but the means of provision too. When we depend on money alone, as a means of making it in this life, then we have made money our god and while we are worshipping the dollar bill, we are missing the provisions of a God that loves us so much!

Money is not the only thing that detours us away from God's provisions. We can miss other ways for God to provide, when we only allow Him to provide according to our faith. II Kings 4:6 reads... "When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing." In this verse, the woman and her sons were gathering oil, probably olive oil, from their neighbors and they were pouring the oil into their own pot. The oil only stopped, when they ran out of jars. The number of jars they gathered, indicated the amount of faith they had, while gathering the oil. The measure of their faith was by the amount of oil they were seeking after and because of their lack of faith, there was oil left behind. Are we placing limitations on God's provisions? Do we only see God, as a god that can only produce so much in our lives and then we stop believing? We do not realize it at the time; but when we place limitations on God and what He is able to do in our lives, then we miss the complete experience, of all that God is able to offer us.

We can find ourselves placing boundaries on God's provisions too and this could be keeping us in an unproductive place in life. How large is our faith? Is our lack of faith becoming a roadblock, so God cannot cross and continue to provide for our needs? What other thing could be hindering God's provisions from our lives? Could it be that we have not humbled ourselves enough? II Kings 5:9-15 reads... "So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. (10) Elisha sent a messenger to say to him,"Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." (11) But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. (12) Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage. (13)Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" (14)So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. (15)Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant." In this reading, Naaman was used to the very best of everything. He was outraged, when Elisha treated him as an ordinary person. Naaman had expected to wash in a larger and cleaner river; but instead, there was only the river Jordan, which was small and dirty but in order for God to heal Naaman of his leprosy, he had to humble himself and obey God. Once Naaman humbled himself and dipped himself in the Jordan River seven times, God healed him of his leprosy. When we come to a place in our lives, when we feel that our way is greater than God's is, then we will never experience His great provisions. If we are in God's way, due to lack of humbleness and obedience, then He cannot do the work that He longs to do within our lives. Could it be that we are missing God's help and provision because we are too busy, trying to figure out the problem on our own?

Are we demonstrating our need for God's provision? Ruth 2:2-3 reads... "And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor. Naomi said to her, "Go ahead, my daughter." (3) So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech." Are we sending a message to God that says, "That we are in need of His help or are we sending Him empty words, due to no actions?" In this story, Ruth could have depended on Naomi, her mother-in-law, to provide for them both; but instead, Ruth went out into the fields and gleaned, as a means of revealing her faith and desire for God's help. I am sure that the fields did not have much to glean; but instead of sitting back and waiting for God to drop His blessings in her lap, Ruth revealed her faith in God, through her work. God began to bless her even more, as she worked side by side with God. Is there something we can do, to send a message to God...a message that says that my God can do beyond what I could ever begin to do? It does not take much to get God's attention. What may seem as nothing to us is everything to God. When He sees our faith budding forth, then He will cause our efforts to bloom and flourish. I am learning more and more, that words are truly empty, until an act of faith accompanies each word. When God sees that we are doing all we can, then He will complete what we have begun.

When God created us, He knew exactly what we would need in life to exist. Do we trust enough in God's provisions and all He can accomplish for us? Matthew 6:25-32 reads... "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? (26) Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (27) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life. (28) And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (29) Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (30)If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (31)So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (32) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." Jesus is stating that there are other important things in life, to think on, than to worry about what we should eat or drink. From there, Jesus uses a couple of illustrations to encourage us. First, Jesus refers to the birds and fowls of the air and He says that they are not able to sow seed and harvest the seed; but God provides for them each day. How many times do we sit and look outside at God's creation? Each year the trees become larger, all of creation continues to produce and feast off this planet, and yet they do nothing but depend on the Creator. What allows everything to turn green, after a dead and dormant winter? Who allows a sunset to portray itself as a beautiful painting in the sky, at the end of the day? These things just do not happen without a provider. As we go on into our reading, Jesus is asking us a question. He is saying in verse 27... "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Will our concerns and worries allow our circumstance to change or become better? How can we find new growth and provision, while worrying about a trying moment in our lives? I think that we will find that after we have worried about a need, that the problem just remains the same.

From here, Jesus is comparing the lilies of the field, to the worries we experience, through a lack of material things. Here is a god that not only allows a bud and stem, to produce itself within a lily but also the beautiful white clothing of the lily flower. Let us stop for a moment and think about the growth of a flower. One day, we may see the bud peeking through the ground and then the next time, we may see a stem that is revealing even more life, and then before we know it; a flower begins to burst open. Who could allow so much to happen, to just one flowering plant? It is not as though we see the growth process appear all at once. This is how God works in our own lives, if we allow Him to do so. Each moment in time becomes a process that eventually allows the beauty of his presence to shine through us.

Let us look at the grass. In the springtime, the grass begins to green up, then we find ourselves mowing the grass, as it grows taller and taller; but then once more the grass keeps growing. Each seed of grass keeps the process going. How could this happen without God?

When we take the time to see and experience the power of God at work around us, then we will depend on Him, to be our provider. Could it be that we live in such a fast-paced life, that we attach ourselves to material things...things that eventually become a god to us? When we find that we have focused too deeply on the provision; rather than the source of provision, then we come to realize that our attention has become too tightly fixed on "things," instead of God.

Have we found the true source of all provision or are we making other things, like money, a god in our lives? If so, we will soon discover that these small gods will only lead us down a pathway to hopelessness. If we are going to experience the true provision, that only God can offer us, then we need to make Him our god and not the things that surround us each day. We need to allow our faith to expand, so we can experience the depth of what God can truly do in our lives, then we need to remind ourselves, to remain humble before God and be willing to accept His ways, on His terms; knowing that in the end, God will deliver us and make a way for us. Once we have learned to make Him the true god and once we have learned to increase in faith and humbleness before Him; we need to demonstrate our need for His provision, by doing what we can, even if it is not much. Finally, we need to trust Him and know that if He already cares for all of creation, then He will certainly care for us.

Are we in God's way, because we allowing material things to reign above God? Are we feeling distant from God, while we are not experiencing His provision in our lives? Why do we not turn to God today and make Him our only source of provision. When we have accomplished this, then we will be out of the way and once more, we will begin to see a mighty God at work in our lives!

Chapter 6

Accepting God's Will

How many of us can truly accept the will of God for our lives, even if it is not what we expect? How can suffering be a part of God's will? This is what we will be discussing in this chapter.

We can become so preoccupied with our own desires that we turn away from the true will of God. Joshua 24:24-26 reads... "And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. (25) So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute with an ordinance in Shechem. (26) And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the Lord." The children of Israel were so preoccupied with the land that God had given them; that they forgot the covenant that they had made with each other and God...a covenant to worship and follow after God's will. God's purpose for the children of Israel was to become a great nation that would be a great influence to others; that those abroad may know Him.

We too, can have God's will standing right before us; but because we are more interested in our own desires; we miss what He longs for us to receive within our lives. We need to remember that God's will is not just a purpose for our lives; like a place of employment. God's will and purpose for our lives becomes a way of revealing Him to ourselves and to those around us. When we are following God's footsteps, then we are drawing closer to Him and becoming acquainted with His ways.

When we accept Jesus to come and live within our lives, it is because we believe in Him but it is also for another reason. It is so His will can work through us in a way that will help us to experience His presence, in a much greater way. II Thessalonians 1:11-12 reads... "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: (12) That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." What an honor and privilege it is to serve the Most High God; but when we become so caught up in what we would like to see accomplished in our lives, then we are not only missing out on His will for our lives; but also, we are not allowing His presence to work in and through us. I believe that when we were born, God allowed us to be born for a specific reason. God had our lives planned out from the very beginning. When we get in the way of His work, with our own ideas, plans and desires, then we place His will to the side. When we give our lives to Jesus, then that means that He has complete control, whether we think it is right or not. When we are working on our own desires, we place God's will in the background, and because of this, we have taken a detour road away from God's pathway and instead of experiencing His peace, we have fallen into a trap of confusion and despair.

The next thing we should think about, when it comes to living out God's will for our lives; is that Jesus became the complete example for us to follow, so we could know how to follow in His footsteps. John 6:37-38 reads... "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." Why are we looking for God's will through our own desires? When Jesus was preparing to go to the cross, I am sure that He was dreading the thought of all that He would have to endure; but instead of focusing on the worst of His Father's plan; He looked for the best, which would be to save the sins of the entire world. It is so easy for us to desire something better, then what God has desired for us; but we must remember, that our desires, cannot determine the outcome of His will. He is the One that we are to follow. We are here, not to follow ourselves, so why are we trying to figure out God's plan on our own? Jesus became an example to live by, not only through love but also through sacrifice. He spread His arms of love out on a cross, as He sacrificed Himself for us; but how are we responding back? Is our love for Him only in words? Are we willing to live out His will for our lives, no matter what pathway we may have to travel?

When we are allowing God to have free reign in our lives, then we need to accept His direction for our lives and know that He has a purpose, for whatever we may experience along the way. Esther 4:12-14 reads... "When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, (13) he sent back this answer; "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. (14) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" After the decree came down, to kill the Jews; Esther and Mordecai could have despaired or they could have tried to figure out a means of escape for Esther; but as Esther and Mordecai conversed, they began to see a plan. They began to see God's reasons, for allowing Esther to be in the king's palace. God was using Esther's position with the king, to free the Jews. Just as Esther and Mordecai did not understand the reason for God's plan at the beginning, later God opened their eyes to the truth, as they began to watch God's plan unfold before them.

We can be in a place, where we do not always understand why God is allowing certain things to enter our lives; but what will bring us peace, is when we can truly see that we are in the center of God's plan for our lives. We may not always understand His reasoning right now but in the end; He will reveal the true purpose behind His plan. When we can begin to look for a reason or a purpose, behind the circumstance, rather than, becoming so deeply focused on what we are going through, then we will once more have confidence that our God is in control.

When we are in the center of God's will, then we will walk hand in hand with Him, as He directs us into each part of His plan and as He leads us, He will use His will to point us in the right direction. Ruth 2:20 reads... "And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our kinsmen." Even though Ruth did not always recognize God in her life, God still worked with her and allowed her to follow in His direction, as He led her to the fields, where she would glean the leftover crop for her and Naomi. While in the fields; God not only used these moments as a means of provision for her and Naomi; but He lead Ruth to Boaz...the man that she would later marry. Even though Ruth probably felt as though she was walking in blind faith, God was still leading her directly in His footsteps because she chose to follow God's will for her life.

When we choose to be in the center of Gods, will, rather than choosing to follow our own desires, then God will allow us to walk in His footsteps...the footsteps that will lead us to His blessings and renewed hope. The things that we experience in this life are not luck or coincidence; but through our obedience; in following after the will of God, no matter what the price.

Why does God allow suffering to become a part of His will for our lives? How can moments of suffering be a part of His will, when all we feel is destruction? Job 3:23-26 reads... "Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (24) For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. (25) For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. (26) And I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came." The story of Job has always inspired me. Here he is...trying to figure out why God is allowing these difficult moments into his life. Even though Job chose to worship God alone, he was experiencing great moments of affliction. He must have asked himself many times... "How could this be God's will for my life?" I guess that our own way of thinking, can cause us to believe that life should always bring happiness as a Christian and that the roads we travel down should be smooth and peaceful; but as we continue to live our lives; we soon discover that this is not always true. Sometimes, God's will involves heartache, pain, and grief; but at the same time, it is not His intension to hurt us but to use these moments of weakness, as a means of strengthening us. We become so overwhelmed by these moments because we aren't expecting them to happen; especially as a form of God's will but just as many others have suffered in the Bible, like Job, Jeremiah, Joseph, etc...a purpose comes behind each moment of trial. I am sure that these other people from the Bible had similar feelings; but as God's plan began to unfold and take shape before them, they were able to see the purpose and the plan for these difficult moments. We can find ourselves so fixed on what we are going through in life that we cannot see these moments as God's plan for our lives. When we completely give our lives over to God; we aren't stating in a contract, that He should only allow this or that to enter our lives...no...when we gave Him our lives; we gave everything to Him, so He could work out His perfect will, in the way He desired.

We need to remember that we only exist because of God and in order for our lives to be complete in Him; we must know and follow His complete will for our lives; no matter where He leads us. John 1:3 reads... "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made." Have you ever thought of it this way; when we choose to figure out life for ourselves, then we are abandoning God and the desires He had for us, since the moment He created us. No matter what pathway God has chosen us to walk down; we become something unique in His eyes, when we are following through with His plan. When we choose to go our own direction, rather than to follow the desires that God has purposed for our lives, then we have made His puzzle or plan incomplete. I believe that when God formed us, He gave us a piece of His puzzle or plan. It does not matter who has the largest piece or it does not matter if one piece is more rugged than another person's piece because each piece was fashioned and designed by God, to fit together and make life what He destined it to be. When we try to change the shape of the piece He has given us, then the picture of His complete plan distorts itself and is not clear to the eye. In order that His plan is completed, in the way He has desired; our piece must fit into place. God has already made the way; all we need to do is follow through, with the piece, He has given us.

As we complete this chapter, we have learned that we can lose sight of God's will, by seeking after our own desires. We have also seen the reason why we need God's will to be complete within our lives and how Jesus became the first and complete example for us to live by. We have learned that there is a purpose, for each moment that God brings into our lives and we have discovered that God leads us in a specific direction, for a specific reason. We have learned that suffering can also be in God's plan and that it does not lead us to destruction but rather to a greater life of renewed hope and strength in God. Now we are going to find out, if we truly know God's will for our lives or if we are trying to figure life out for ourselves. Titus 1:1-2 reads... "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (2) in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; "When we are in the center of God's we will have peace, as we use these moments in our lives, to fulfill God's purpose. In this reading...Paul titles his purpose, as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. Do we know the purpose that God has for us or are we so busy trying to find it on our own? When we believe in God's truth and follow His pathway, instead of trying to make a road for ourselves, then we are true followers of Jesus Christ.

We as Christians have chosen to give God our lives and to live for Him; but how are we going to be able to do that, if we are trying to walk down a different pathway; rather than the pathway God has chosen for us? Our pathway may not always be beautiful and our pathway may sometimes seem dark, with weeds, growing along the wayside; but it is still God's way and that is what counts. There have been times in my own life, when all I could see before me, were what appeared as rocks and a dusty road. There were moments when I wanted to sit down on one of the rocks and give up; but God continued to show me, that His will was not for me to give in to these struggles. Through time, God always rescued me and lifted me over the obstacles in my life. I began to see the reason and purpose behind every difficult pathway I faced. God was using the dismal moments of my life, to recreate a new heart within me...a heart that would be at God's level, instead of my own. The journey has not always been an easy one and I still face other rocks in my pathway; but God continues to remind me, that I need to keep pressing on; especially since this is the only pathway that can lead me to Him.

What pathway are we walking down today? Do we know if we are on the right pathway? Could we be discouraged and tired because our pathway seems to lead us nowhere? No matter what we are facing today; if we are walking down God's pathway, then His pathway will eventually lead us home to Him. Are we willing to accept what God has for our lives, even if we did not expect our pathway to appear the way we desired? Does our love for God cause us to follow the right pathway or is it all about us? Either we will focus on the ruggedness of the pathway and give in or we will choose to find the reason and purpose behind each struggle. The choice is up to us. As we close this chapter, let me ask this final question...Are we too busy looking for the perfect pathway...the way that will eventually lead us nowhere or are we looking for the pathway that will take us to Heaven, for all of eternity?

### An added tidbit of hope

Acts 1:6-8 reads... "So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (7) He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

We may grow impatient, when it comes to our trials and moments of adversity, while we long for Jesus to come and remove the pain and heartache from our lives. We may not always understand why God cannot step in and remove these painful moments from us; but we must remember that even though God's plan is on a timetable; He will give us His Holy Spirit, to help us and comfort us, through the difficult times.

Heaven can become a place we long for...to be free from these moments of affliction; but we must remember that God is already with us; only in a different form...through the Holy Spirit. His Spirit can give us renewed strength, for the moments when we are weak, from the trial. His Spirit can give us courage, when we fear the darkness that surrounds us. His Spirit can give us boldness to stand tall, instead of wallowing down to Satan's ways. We can also gain confidence from His Spirit, when we feel as though we are sitting in a pit of low self-esteem. His Spirit can give us insight and the ability to do anything in His name, which will allow us to rise above evil, rather than facing evil head on.

No matter what we are going through today, just remember that God is already with us. We may not be able to see Him, as we do each other; but we can know His presence, as He works through each circumstance we are facing.

The challenging moments in our lives can seem to be almost hopeless at times; but we must remember that God always has to remain undefeated because of the cross and He cannot do so, if He keeps us shut up within our moments of adversity. God is the only way to discover a healing for your hurting soul. I pray that we all will truly discover that today!

## Section 7

## Pressing On

## With God's Help

Chapter 1

Knowing God in a Greater Way

Do we know God or do we just know of Him? Do we believe in what He stands for? Do we carry a sign that says, "Christianity" or does the world see God, through our relationship with Him? This is what we will be discussing in this chapter.

Many seem to be going through overwhelming circumstances in their lives, as we are living in the end times. We can feel weakness creeping in, due to the blows we encounter from Satan. Could it be that we believe in God; but our faith is so weak, when it comes to believing in all that God stands for? Deuteronomy 27:9-10 reads... "The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways. (10) Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you." In this reading...Moses was reviewing God's law to the people. The words in these verses are saying that we cannot say that we believe in God, while we are trying to figure out our own direction for life. When we say we believe in God; but we choose to turn and go our own way, then we are not only facing a battle with our circumstances; but we are also facing a battle that becomes a struggle, between our ways and God's ways. When we choose to believe in God, we also need to believe in all God stands for. We may have a completely different idea, of what God longs for in our lives; but until we are truly willing to lay our own desires to the side, so God can begin to work, then we will always struggle to find God's direction for our lives.

At times, we can view our belief in God, in too much of a simple way. While we are looking for a dramatic reaction from God, we could be missing the simple things that God desires for us. Here we are...just mere man, in comparison to the greatness of God and yet we are looking for the solution to our problem through our own eyes. In the first place, why are we turning to God, if we are not willing to listen to Him? When we go to God and ask for His help, then we should be willing to listen for His response, rather than just focusing on our own desires. Many times, we find that we struggle with a circumstance needlessly because we are not willing to let go and allow God to step in and reveal His true plan for our lives.

Our attitudes and reactions to our circumstances will either send a message of belief or unbelief to God. We cannot mix the old life, with the new faith we have in God because this will create a clash between the two and keep us from discovering the answers to our problems. II Kings 17:27-29 reads... "Then the king of Assyria gave this order: "Have one of the priests you took captive from Samaria go back to live there and teach the people what the god of the land requires." (28) So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the Lord. (29) Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the several towns where they settled, and set them up in the shrines that people of Samaria had made at the high places." If we expect God to do His very best for us, then we must be willing to lay our own lives down, so there is room for Him to work. If we are not willing to lay our own thoughts, ideas and desires to the side, then it is as if we have removed the control stick from His hands, while we make Him useless in our lives. In other words, He becomes more of an idol to us, instead of a living God. If we are going to live for Him, then we must also live for His ways, even if they are not what we expect them to be. God must always be the One and only One in our lives!

God also wants us to believe in Him, so our belief can produce courage. Psalm 18:30 reads... "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." We need our belief in God, to produce strength within our lives, especially while fighting the battles that rage around us. God does not want us to use our wounds as a crutch; for this will only keep us weak. God does not want us to remain so drawn within the circumstance, that we end up living for the circumstance, instead of God. Often, we look too deeply into the face of our problems that we end up believing in the circumstance, rather than, how God can use the circumstance, to better our lives.

If we are going to discover relief from our circumstances, then we need to realize that faith requires a heart that truly believes in God. Even though we say that we believe in God, do we believe in what He stands for? Do we truly know within our hearts, that God stands for strength, instead of weakness? Luke 9:18-20 reads... "Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them "Who do the crowds say I am?" (19) They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life." (20) "But what about you?" He asked, "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." What does our belief in God reveal? Do we say...Oh yes, I know God and I know all about Him from the Bible or do we say...He is the Christ, the living God, who can do all things in my life? When we do not see God for who He really is, then how do we expect Him to help us?

Our belief in God becomes stronger, as we form a relationship with Him. When we see Him at work in our lives, then faith joins belief and allows us to say... "I KNOW that God will not abandon me" and "I KNOW that God will provide for me" and "I KNOW that God will make a way for me and be everything for me." Let me ask this question... "If we believe that Jesus went through a brutal death on the cross...to save us from sin, then why would He go back on His word and not be there for us, when we need Him?" Our belief in God should show Him that we see Him as something greater than any other thing.

Have we lost our faith and belief in God because we have become so caught up in the moments that we are living in...moments that take us away, from what God has already done for us? Are we placing limitations on our belief in God? Mark 8:17-18 reads... "Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having now bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? (18) Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember?" Have we left some ingredients out, when it comes to believing in God? As an example, when a person bakes a cake and leaves out the sugar, then the cake loses the flavor it should have. In a similar way, when we forget and lose sight of what God has done for us in the past, then we will find it to be more difficult, to have faith and belief in God now. When we say that we believe in God, then we need to allow Him to become greater than our circumstance, otherwise, we will find ourselves sinking slowly in the depth of despair, instead of allowing God to pull us out of the muck and mire of our problems.

Does our belief in God, represent something that God stands for or do we find that our belief in God is a tradition we live by? We could be missing God's best, if we are only seeing our belief in God, as a tradition or habit. I John 2:19 reads... "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that no one of them belonged to us." This verse can seem confusing but what this verse is saying, is that we may say we believe in God but has our belief in God become like a sign on our forehead, rather than something that we truly experience in a genuine relationship with God? Do we go to God in prayer, while we are in need; expecting for His response or answers, or do we go to Him in prayer and walk away, while we seek the things that we think He desires? When we truly know His desires for our lives, then His ways will begin to take shape and reveal His plan to us.

Even during Bible times, the Pharisees knew about God but they never experienced the living God because their minds were more set on what they thought was right, rather than living and believing the truth. Matthew 15:9 reads... "They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." We can find ourselves so caught up in religion that we miss the experience of God's presence, for which He really is. It is as if we have our belief sorted out within our minds and hearts and nothing is going to change, what we feel or believe. By reacting in this way, we find ourselves closing the curtains to God's ways, while we live within our own world of belief or religion. If we are going to come up and out of despair, then the first tool we will need to help us; would be to experience a genuine belief in what God can do for us, in a personal way.

We face relationships in this world every day but when one side of a relationship takes charge, than the relationship becomes broken and ends up going nowhere. In order for a relationship to work, there must be communication from both sides, before we can see a difference. In a similar way, we must talk with God about our needs but we must also be willing to let Him respond. When we come to a place in our lives, where we realize that God's ways are the only way that will produce better things for us, then we will be able to hear His response.

The questions we need to think about are these... "First, do we truly know who God is or has He become a god that we just know of, through His word." When we understand and know who God is, then that means that we have also experienced His presence in our lives. The second question we should ask ourselves is this... "How do we believe in God?" "Do we believe by what we know, within our own manmade wisdom or do we know Him through the experiences of life, while sharing in a personal relationship?" "Do we see God, in a way that makes Him powerless in our lives or do we see him as the Christ...the living God, who longs to work in our lives?" "Could it be, that we live for despair because we are too busy looking for the answers, while God already holds them within His mighty hands?" "Does our belief send a message to God, that we know He can do anything in our lives?" "Does our belief send a message that we are willing to look for His answers and response and follow through with His desires, rather than our own?" Finally, "Does our belief send God a message that we are willing to lay our lives, desires, and thoughts to the side, so we can truly know Him for who He is?"

God is only going to seem greater than the circumstance, when we truly believe in His greatness and all He can accomplish within our lives. When we can make His presence known, through a deep faith and belief in God, then our circumstances will begin to fade into the background, as we truly begin to experience a living God at work within our lives.

Chapter 2

Understanding the Holy Spirit

Do our lives reveal that God is alive or dead? While walking down a difficult pathway in life, do we feel a connection between God and ourselves...a connection that will keep hope alive within us? This is what we will be discussing in this chapter.

When we can feel a deep connection with God, while experiencing His presence within our lives, through the Holy Spirit, then we will always have renewed hope, for whatever we may be facing. In this chapter, we will be studying different ways, in which God allows His children to experience His presence through the Holy Spirit.

When we are a true follower of Christ, then we gain all of His benefits and one of His benefits is to understand His ways through the Holy Spirit. II Corinthians 2:15-16 reads... "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (16) To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?" We cannot comprehend God to His fullest; but we can receive the mind of Christ, through the thoughts that He places within us, through His Holy Spirit. We cannot relate with Christ, in human form, as we do with each other but we can communicate with Him, as He relays His desires through our hearts. We can entangle ourselves too deeply within our problems that His connection with us becomes difficult to identify. Our minds were not designed to concentrate on two things at once, so when we become deeply embedded within our thoughts or problems, then God's end of the connection will not come through, which will make it difficult, for us to understand, what He longs for us to know.

If we do not have a close connection with God, then how do we know which direction, the Holy Spirit is leading us. I John 2:26-27 reads... "I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (27) As for you, the anointing you received from him remains to you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit...just as it has taught you, remain in him." If we find ourselves drawn too deeply to our own thoughts or the opinions of others, instead of turning to Christ, then how will we discover the true answers we need, that will help us through our circumstances? Only God knows what He has for our lives, so we must follow His word and use His word to discern between what God desires for our lives and what we feel are God's desires for our lives. When He speaks to our hearts and places His desires within us, then there will be no questions to ask ourselves.

When we connect ourselves to the Holy Spirit, then we will be able to understand what direction we should take in life and what areas we should avoid walking into. Acts 16:7-9 reads... "When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. (8)So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. (9) During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." What happens, when we connect ourselves to a circumstance, to the place where we can no longer feel the leading of the Holy Spirit? Our circumstances can end up placing us on a detour or dead end road that takes us away from Christ and keeps us connected with the evil ways of Satan. God's spirit works to guide us in His direction; but His Spirit also works in a way, that keeps us away from a place, where we can end up falling into a deep pit of despair. As Christians, we already have the Holy Spirit at work in our lives; but we must continue to remain focused on the presence of God, as a means of a daily communication with Him, so we can see the red flags that God is placing before us, that will keep us away from further problems.

Another way God uses His Holy Spirit, to work within our lives, is through the understanding of His word...the Bible. Luke 24:45 reads... "Then he opened their minds, so they could understand the Scriptures." God's word can be one of the greatest guides, to understanding Him and all He desires for our lives. When we seek His word, then we can find His answers of hope and encouragement, for whatever we may be facing in life. Have you ever lost something; but you remained determined to keep looking, until you found what you had lost? In a similar way, we need to seek God's word, with all of our hearts, until we find what is missing within our own lives. When God sees that we are seeking for the answers to our needs, then He places them before us, through His word. I have had moments, when I wondered what I should write. I find myself thumbing through God's word and as I seek His word, for the answer to my question, then within a short time, He is laying everything right before me. When God sees a heart that is desperately searching for the answers, then He uses His word to respond to us.

God will allow His Holy Spirit to work within us, until He has completed the tasks for our lives. Philippians 1:6 reads, "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Our lives can be similar to a book. Each chapter of our life tells a different story that reveals the desires that God longs for us to live out. When God has filled up all the pages of a chapter, then He begins another. This process will continue, until the book is complete in Heaven. If we are not communicating with God through the Holy Spirit, then how do we know when the next chapter begins or ends?

We can feel as though God has begun a chapter of events in our lives but at the same time, it seems as though the chapter has no ending. We begin to wonder if we will keep living out the same chapter forever; but this is not true because we have God's promise, that His Holy Spirit will complete what He has begun. We must remember that it is God's desire for us to climb each step towards Heaven. He already knows that we cannot press on with our lives, if He keeps us on the same step forever. The problem is that if we are reading too much into the chapter that we are living, then how will we be able to follow God's lead? We need to read along, as He prints the pages, so when God is ready to end the chapter and begin something new within us, then we will be able to follow directly with Him. If we can remember that God never leaves anything incomplete within our lives, then we will always have hope that this too shall pass.

There can be times, when we find ourselves drained from the circumstances we face. We may discover that it is difficult to connect with God during these times but through the Holy Spirit, the way is always available to all who believe in Him. Romans 8:26-27 reads... "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (27) And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will" God has such a great love for us, that when we cannot find the right words to speak to Him, His Spirit will intercede for us. He will fill us with the words that our hearts are trying to relay to Him, especially during deep moments of despair. Often, we suffer more than we need to because we allow ourselves to be drawn into the hopelessness that stems from the problem we're facing; but God wants us to know, that when we connect our hearts to His, then He will make a way for us to communicate with Him, about our needs.

I remember a time, when I was going through one surgery after another. Instead of connecting with God from the start, I found myself slowly sinking deeper into a pit of despair. As I went into the bathroom one evening, to take a shower, I remember the deep feelings of despair swelling up within me...feelings that were keeping me from talking with God. As I looked deeply into the steam of the shower curtain, I found myself writing... "Oh God, help me!" From that moment on, God began to place a song of hope within my heart and as I began to sing the song, I listened to each word and found it to be a message of hope from God...a message that helped me to understand, that God had not forsaken me.

God has made life so easy for us, yet we are the ones who seem to make life more difficult. God not only gave us a free life through the cross; but He also gave us the Holy Spirit, so we do not have to walk through deep, dark moments of despair alone.

I sometimes think, that we do not communicate with God because we cannot see Him face to face, as we do each other. We talk with family members, neighbors and other acquaintances each day. We visit with them at church or on the streets, so we find it easier to communicate in this way; but even though we cannot see God face to face at this time, He has given us another way to communicate with Him and that is once more through His Holy Spirit. He longs for us to treat Him as a best friend; not just someone we read about in His word.

We can lack peace in our lives, especially during difficult circumstances, when we turn to our problems instead of God. When we connect to His presence, through the Holy Spirit, then we can find His peace instead of despair. John 14:27 reads... "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Even though we may go through difficult moments of trial, we do not have to feel the despair that can come from our problems. A person without God experiences only temporary peace, until a storm arrives. They find that they have nothing to hold to, except for the problem; but we as Christians experience a peace from God that is not like the world's temporary peace. God's peace comes from the presence of His comforting Spirit. His peace is a peace that can keep us from a troubled and fearful heart.

If we have found that, we have unplugged ourselves, from our connection with God and have become plugged into our problems instead, then all we have to do is allow God's Holy Spirit to fill us and restore our spirit back to Him, so once more we can become plugged into His presence. God never promised that life would be easy; but He did promise to give us His Holy Spirit, as a means of holding us within His loving arms and sustaining us, until the storm passes by. God loves us so much, that He is willing to ride the storm out with us, while replacing the difficult moments with His loving peace.

Have we allowed our problems to thrive and grow, while we keep God's Son in the grave? God hears our words of love but He wants a relationship with us, so He can know our needs and we can feel His response in return. He has given us a means of understanding His ways and all that He longs for us to experience in our lives. He is willing to speak to us and lead us in the right direction, while keeping us from the things that would make life more difficult for us. His Spirit longs to respond to us, as we seek His word for guidance and He longs to reveal the complete way that He has for us to follow. God also longs to make us complete in Him, while picking up the broken pieces in our lives and most of all, He longs to give us His peace; but how are we going to experience all He longs to offer us, if we are forming a relationship with our problems instead?

We need to know God, rather than just knowing of Him and the only way that we are going to be able to relate to Him and allow a relationship to form, is through His Holy Spirit. God's Son died on the cross and is now on the right hand of His Father; but even though He no longer walks on this earth in the flesh, He has left us all with a gift...His Spirit. The question is, "Are we willing to communicate back with His Spirit, through His word and prayer?" He longs to do so much in our lives; but we need to connect with Him, in order that we may experience all that He has to offer us.

Chapter 3

Discovering God through the Holy Spirit

Our circumstances can take us to a different level of thinking at times. We somehow begin to feel that we will never experience the presence of God, until we reach Heaven. We hear ourselves saying... "I can't wait to get to Heaven, where all my trials will come to an end!" Heaven will relieve us from our difficult moments of trial but what we tend to forget, is that God has left a piece of Himself with us now, which is the Holy Spirit. Through salvation, God has placed a "brand" of ownership upon us that lets us know that we belong to Him. II Corinthians 1:21-22 reads... "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, (22) set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." When we choose to accept Jesus, to live within our hearts, we also receive His Spirit, as a mark of ownership. As Jesus died and ascended into Heaven, He left His Spirit behind, so we as Christians would have a way to relate and communicate with Him on a daily basis.

How do we learn to listen for God's answers, as He speaks to our hearts through the Holy Spirit? Why do we not always feel His Spirit within ours? Proverbs 1:23-28 reads... "If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. (24) But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, (25) since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, (26) I in turn will laugh at your disaster; (27) when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. (28) Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me." We seem to find it easier to cry out to God, rather than to listen for His response. We can be too close to our circumstance, that we lose trust in God and allow our own desires to get in the way. Listening for God's response is just as important, as giving Him our needs. God is more than able to give us the answers to our questions; but if we are not listening for His response, then our connection with God will become broken, and all we will continue to live with is the problem. When we can listen for God's response, then we discover what it means to wait on Him.

As we listen for God's response, we also need His Spirit, as a means of discernment. I Corinthians 2:10-16 reads... "...but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (11) For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (12) We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. (13) This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. (14) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (15) The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: (16) "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ." When we connect to man's wisdom, then we will never discover the words of truth that can free us from our circumstances. Only when we connect through His Holy Spirit, will we discover the key that can open up our prison of despair. Even as we read God's word, we should be allowing God to give us the hidden treasures that lie between each word and sentence. When we seek with a heart that longs for His response and answers, then we will discover them. As an example, on a hot day, we may plug in a fan or air conditioner but what happens when the plug is not in the wall socket? We never are able to experience the coolness that can help our bodies to remain cool. In a similar way, when we do not remain plugged into God, while searching for an answer to a need, then we will never discover the answers that can help us and sustain us. How are we supposed to know, how to live our lives and what to avoid in life, if we do not plug ourselves into God's Spirit? When we are always listening within our spirits, for whatever God may want to relay to us, then we are not only seeking for the right answers that can free us; but we are also making room for God to work, so He can respond to our needs.

When we are listening to God, by allowing room, for His Spirit to respond, then His Spirit will be able to guide us in the right direction, while keeping us away from the dangerous traps of Satan. John 16:13 reads... "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." How are we going to be able to know the truth that can free us, if we are never looking for it? We need to remain connected to the Spirit of God at all times, so we can know His truth and understand the difference between God's truth and the lies that Satan may be trying to use against us. When we come to accept Jesus into our lives, He places us on a pathway that will allow us to journey with Him but how can we move forward or know what direction to take, if we do not have His truth with us to begin with? God is the only source of truth, so if we are not looking for His response to our needs and we are not giving room for His Spirit to work within us, then Satan may be misguiding us instead.

We need God's Spirit, so we can communicate with Him; but also, we need His Spirit, to become a comforter to us. John 14:15-17 reads... "If you love me, you will obey what I command. (16) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever...(17) the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." As Christians, we do not have to face our circumstances alone. The world has no one to turn to; but we have a god that is mighty in Spirit. After Jesus' death on the cross, He not only left His Spirit with us, so we could form a relationship with Him, and come to understand His ways; but He also left us His Spirit as a comfort, to our hurting minds, bodies, and spirits. Only those who have accepted Jesus can reap from this benefit. How many times do we choose to sit in despair, while His Spirit longs to be there for us, in any way we may need Him? When we live our lives as though God is only in Heaven, then we have placed a restraint on His work, while we continue to suffer needlessly here on earth.

One of the main benefits we can receive from Gods Holy Spirit is a renewed spirit. II Corinthians 4:16 reads... "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." In this reading, Paul concentrated on the strength, found through God's Holy Spirit, rather than allowing the difficult moments he faced, to have control over his life. The moments of pain and heartache, that we experience in this life, can take us to a place, where Satan attempts to discourage us, while trying to remove us away from God; but we must remember, that when we are weak from a trial, we too can draw from the strength of Gods mighty Holy Spirit. As an example; when a car's gas tank is on empty, it may spit and sputter and not run; but when the car has gas, then the car will begin to run again. In a similar way, we may have moments when we feel drained and on empty; but this should be the time, when we turn back to God and allow His Spirit to fill us, so we can press on once more. When we know that we have God's Spirit to turn to, then we also know that we do not have to forfeit the prize that awaits us, at the end of the journey.

Are we suffering needlessly as Christians, by waiting for God's return, rather than acknowledging His Spirit right now? No matter where we are in life, there still is hope because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

Every day begins with a new start and all we need to do is begin again and come to know the Christ that longs to live and work within each of us. As Christians, we need to go back to the time when we first gave Christ an invitation to live within our hearts. We need to accept His gift of sustainment, through the power of His Holy Spirit, by learning to listen for His response, instead of always talking. We need to realize that we can have a mind of discernment...a mind that will help us to make the right decisions for our lives, through His Holy Spirit and we also need Him as a guide, so we do not end up on a detour or dead end road...set up by Satan. We also need to realize that as we form an intimate relationship with God, that we will find Him to be a great counselor and friend to talk to, when problems arise. We do not have to face our weaknesses alone, when His Spirit is already living within us because He is able to relate to our own problems, due to His own moments of suffering.

When we come to the place, where we are able to recognize His presence within ours, then we will begin to feel renewed each day, in His presence. We will not feel as though our rope is turning into a thread that is about ready to give way. We long for the Lord's return someday; but for now, we must remember that His Spirit surrounds us. When we find ourselves still searching for the answers to our problems, then maybe we have been turning to the wrong source. Remember, the most powerful being lives within us, as Christians. If you have not accepted Christ's Spirit into your life...now is the time. He loves you and longs to give you the answers that can free your broken spirit. Just pray... "Lord Jesus, I recognize myself as a sinner. I thank you, that you were willing to reveal Your great love to me, through Your sacrificial death on the cross. I realize that my life is nothing, without Your Spirit residing within me, so please enter my heart and life and do a mighty work within me, so I can live in your love and freedom. Amen."

God created everything on this planet, including us and then He sent His only Son to die a sacrificial death, that we may be free from sin. God turned His head, for one moment of satisfaction, while His only Son died a brutal death. This was His way of saying "I love you" to the whole world. He has already shown His power through the cross, so why are we allowing His Spirit to remain dormant within us?

### An added tidbit of hope

Romans 8:9-11 reads... "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (10) But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. (11) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you."

When we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives, we received His Spirit, as a means of connecting ourselves to Him, since we cannot relate to Him in human form. When we commit our lives to Christ, then the old spirit of sin begins to die, as we long to replace the past and follow Christ and His ways. Even though our old spirit is dead to the old ways, He is allowing a new life to spring forth within us, just as new life came within Him, as He arose from the grave.

It is so easy to forget that His Spirit is alive within us and this can cause us to wonder where He is at times but when we begin to recognize His presence and remain connected to Him, through His word and prayer, then a personal relationship begins to form. As we begin to lean and depend on Him, rather than ourselves, then we find that He is alive. We begin to see and experience His presence at work in our lives, which allows us to live with renewed hope each day.

When we feel like life is getting to be more difficult and we are beginning to experience loneliness, rather than a loving presence, then we need to take the time and go back to the moments, when we first discovered Christ and allow His Spirit to fill us once more.

Chapter 4

Discernment...Knowing and

Understanding the Voice of God

As we begin this chapter, we are going to study the word "discernment" and we are going to learn how to distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of Satan. We know that Satan can represent himself through different disguises but now we need to understand how we can identify with the voice of God vs. the voice of Satan.

Before we study the difference between the voices of God and Satan, we need to understand the word "discernment," so I have chosen two Bible references that will help us to know what the word "discernment" really means.

Our first reference is in Philippians 1:9-10, which reads... "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, (10) so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ." In order that we may discover discernment, we must first have a relationship with Christ, so as we grow spiritually, we will come to know His voice. We cannot discern or recognize Christ's voice on our own; but rather, we can only recognize His voice, from a daily walk with Him. If we do not know Him first, then how will we know His voice? If we are not walking side by side with Christ, then we may find ourselves walking down the wrong road.

As we continue on, our second Bible reference is in James 1:5, which reads... "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." As we study this verse, let us discuss the difference between knowledge and wisdom. In the dictionary, the word, knowledge means, "...knowing; what one knows; all that is or may be known," while the word wisdom mean, "...ability to make good use of knowledge, ability to recognize right from wrong; good judgment." First, we need to have knowledge, so knowledge can connect itself to wisdom, as a means of helping us to discern between right and wrong. If we have knowledge, then we have the truth from God, which leads us to wisdom. In other words, wisdom teaches us how to be wise, with what we already know. If we do not have knowledge and wisdom working together, then we will never be able to discern between the voices of God and Satan. Whenever we need wisdom, to be added to the knowledge we already have, then all we have to do is pray and God will give us a wise heart and mind, that will help us to sift through the things that may be right and wrong. We need to ask ourselves this question, "Why are we stumbling through the darkness of our circumstances, when we could be spending quality time with God?" We need to remember, that when we are asking God for the answers to our needs, that we must also wait upon Him, patiently for His response. We need to slow down and wait upon God, so we do not use the knowledge we have in the wrong way. Another thing we must remember; is that the wisdom we receive, after waiting upon God, for His answers, can come through a life that is obedient to Him. If we are distant from God, while calling out for His help and guidance, then this distance between God and ourselves can allow His response to become distant too. We need to mix God's word with respect, prayer, and obedience, and then we will receive the answers that will lead us onto a better pathway, which will keep us distant from Satan.

Now that we have a clearer view of the word "discernment," we need to separate the words discernment, from negativity. Matthew 7:1-5 reads... "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (2)For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (3) Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (4) How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? (5) You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." A question we should ask ourselves is this, "How are we going to be able to hear the voice of God within our spirits, if we are taking control, by following the negative ways of the world?" In order that we should gain discernment from God, we must become humble before Him, while we leave the judgment and other negative feelings, behind with God. When we allow negativity to step in and dictate our lives, then we will never have the heart to discern between what is wrong and what is right, within our own lives.

Once we have truly discovered discernment and how we can apply it to our lives, then discernment can teach us how to ask God for the right things. Matthew 7:9-10 reads... "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? (10) Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?" In this reading, the fish and bread resembled the good things in life, while the stone and snake resembled the bad things in life. If we do not live with discernment, then we can find ourselves asking for the wrong things. We can feel as though God has abandoned us, while we wait for Him to answer the requests that do not match up with His will for our lives. When we have discernment, then we will know what to ask for and they will be things that are in accordance with God's will. When we have a relationship that connects to the thoughts and desires of God, then we will be able to discern, from the truth and a deceptive lie. Once we are able to reach this place in our lives, then we will be able to see God at work, while we work together, to complete His will for our lives. As an example, we can find ourselves begging for God's help, while going through a difficult circumstance. Is this wise discernment on our part? Instead of handling our circumstance in this manner, maybe we need to pray and say... "Lord, I don't understand why you are allowing these difficult moments into my life; but I ask that you sustain me with Your strength and bring me through this time, according to Your will." When we can handle our circumstances in this way, then we have allowed discernment to help us with our prayer, while we have allowed God to work freely, according to His will and desire for our lives.

As we studied this chapter, we learned the meaning of discernment and we discovered how much we need knowledge and wisdom to work together, in order that we may know God's desires for our lives. From there, we learned that if we are living for ourselves, rather than listening for the voice of God, then we would never have a heart of discernment. We also learned that we need a heart of discernment, in order that we may know how to connect with God, so we will not find ourselves asking God for things that will never be in accordance with His desires for our lives. As we close, we are going to finish by discussing, how discernment is essential for spiritual growth. Hebrews 5:12-14 reads... "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! (13) Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. (14) But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." When we are new Christians, we have the tendency to jump in head first, rather than to allow God to lead us gradually, one-step at a time. As new Christians, we are infant Christians, according to these verses, which reveal to us, that we need to gain new growth that will allow us to become mature Christians. We may look at those who are knowledgeable in scripture, while we view their lives, as lives that God blesses; but that is only because they have walked with God, through a journey of renewed growth. Let us say that a person needed to climb a ladder. Would they take a running start and hop to the top of the ladder? No, instead, they would begin from the bottom and work their way up to the top, while using the muscles in their arms and legs, to help them. In a similar way, when we begin as a new Christian, then we may feel weak but as we continue to remain connected with God and listen for His voice, than we will be able to overcome the steps ahead, with His help.

If we are walking without a heart and mind of discernment, then we need to see if we connect with God or if we connect to our own thoughts and desires. From there we need to become listeners, rather than always talking and telling God what we desire. When we talk with God but never listen, then how are we going to be able to hear His voice within our spirits?

Once we have connected to God on a daily basis, then we need to quit running the show and let Him have His rightful place in our lives. After all, is that not the reason, for why we gave Him permission to come and live in our lives to begin with? What happens, when we accept Jesus into our lives and then we take control? It is as though we have allowed God to move in; but then we tied His hands, so He can no longer work, while we take over. We need to learn to work side by side with God; otherwise, we will not be in tune with Him. From there, we need to allow God the space He needs, to mold us and make us into the people that He has destined us to be. Once we connect with God and once we are walking side by side with Him, then we will begin to discover new growth and a bond in our relationship with Him that helps us to understand the mind of Christ.

What will happen though, if we do not apply the things that we have learned today, to our hearts? The only other option left; is to connect to the world and once we find ourselves connected back with the world, then Satan moves in and takes control of our lives, in a much greater way. If we are going to allow God to live within our hearts, then we must allow His desires, to teach us how to live day to day, with a heart of discernment.

### An added tidbit of hope

How can a person easily gain the knowledge to become wise with discernment? Proverbs 14:6 reads... "The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning." The one who mocks God's ways and never seeks for His wisdom, will never discover the answers to their needs; instead, the answers will remain hidden to them; but the one who seeks, with a heart of discernment or a heart that longs to know more and more about the ways of Christ, will find the hidden treasures of God. A good example is the Bible. If a person reads the Bible, as any other ordinary book...a book filled with stories and quotes, then would they be able to discover the hidden treasure that lies between each sentence and paragraph? No, they would not. A heart of discernment only comes, from a heart that constantly seeks for God's knowledge, wisdom, and truth. In a similar way, we would never be able to find a hidden treasure, if we only looked at the map and did nothing. The only way we can find a treasure, is when we seek after it.

Another way, a person can gain a heart of discernment, is when they keep wisdom within clear view. Proverbs 17:24 reads..."A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." When a person is seeking for a heart of discernment, they do not choose to follow their own dreams; but rather, they seek after God's desires. When we align ourselves with God's desires, then we will find the wisdom that will match up with the knowledge we have already gained through Christ, so we can have a heart of discernment that will open us up to God's ways, instead of our own.

No matter what we may be going through, we will never be able to walk out of the wilderness of despair, until we discover God's wisdom, through a heart of discernment. We can try it our way; but we will never find ourselves going anywhere in life. If we long to grow and mature with God, then our hearts need to go after His desires, instead of our own desires and dreams. In my own personal life, I tried it my way but I found that it never lead me anywhere, except into a pit of despair. Since I discovered God's desires for my own life, I can continue to journey with Him, until we walk through Heaven's gates together.

Chapter 5

Making the Right Choice

How do we know what the right choices are for our lives? Why does God give us freedom to choose, when He already knows what direction He wants us to take? How can we know for sure that we have made the right choice?

God has given us the freedom to choose and make decisions but He also wants us to make them, in accordance to His will. In this chapter, we are going to study some things that will give us peace...a peace that will reassure us that we are walking down the right pathway with God.

While giving us responsibilities, God is looking to see if we make the right choices. Choices are a gift from God; but at the same time, He wants us to accept the gift and use it in the right way. Genesis 2:15-17 reads... "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (16) And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; (17) but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." In this reading, God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden and told him that he could freely eat from any tree in the garden, except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God could have kept this particular tree out of the garden, where Adam would not have been tempted to partake of it but God used this tree, as a means of teaching Adam how to make the right choices, just as God allows similar situations to happen within our own lives. Later in the story, Adam made the wrong choice and ate of the fruit, from the tree that God had forbidden from Adam and Eve. Through this experience, Adam and Eve paid the price, for making the wrong choice. We too can go through moments, when we make the wrong choice. We may end up going through a painful experience, due to the wrong choices we made but even while we are going through these difficult moments, God is allowing us to learn from our mistakes, so we can make the right choice, the next time we encounter a similar situation. I also believe that when we are in a situation as this, then God may use it as a means of testing us, to see if we long to obey Him or fall prey to temptation.

What seems to be the wise choice may not always be what is truly wise. Genesis 13:12 reads..."Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom." Sodom was one of the most sinful places to live, at this time. While Abram chose to live in Canaan, Lot, Abram's nephew chose to live near Sodom. Lot had a choice...a choice to live near good pasture and water or to reside close to one of the most sinful cities around. Lot failed to see the wickedness of the city of Sodom and the temptations that he and his family would face. We can be like Lot. We may feel that we are making the right choice for our lives but we must remember to be open to what God desires. We should never shun the world but at the same time, we must be open to the temptations that could cause us to fall prey to Satan's desires. We need to move forward with God's plan for our lives, so we can understand and follow His ways.

Before we make a choice, we also need to seek out the options that come with making that choice. II Samuel 11:14-15 reads... "In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. (15) In it he wrote, "Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die," David made the wrong choice to commit adultery with Bathsheba...Uriah's wife. After discovering that Bathsheba was pregnant, David continued to add to the bad decisions he had already made, by having Uriah, Bathsheba's husband killed. While learning from David's mistake, we need to remember that when the only choice available is a bad choice, then we need to keep looking to God, for the right choice, until we find it. There can be times, when we feel as if we have reached a dead end of bad choices; but rather than giving in to what is wrong, we need to ask God to open up more avenues to us, rather than to accept the only choice that seems available to us...the bad choice.

If we still feel confused, as to what choice we should make for our lives, then we can ask ourselves some questions that will help us to make the right choice. John 5:19-23 reads... "Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (20) For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. (21) For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (22) Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, (23) that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him." As Jesus has always remained united with His Father, He also chose to trust in His Father, as a means of making the right choices that would be pleasing to Him. If we still find, we are confused, after weighing out whether this is the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do, then we can find it easier to make the right choice, when we ask ourselves this question... "Would God handle this choice in the same way?" I find this to be the easiest way to make the right choice. If we do not feel that God would approve of our choice, then we have already made the right choice, by choosing to go in God's direction, rather than our own. When we are making choices that go along with God's guidelines, then we will always be where God wants us to be. Many times, we do not think about God's feelings; but instead, we just move ahead and hastily make the wrong decision. When we include God in the choice, then we will be able to make the decision much easier.

There may be times when we may have to view our choice in a long-range effect. If we can take the time to see where our decision will take us, then this may also be an easier way to determine the right choice from the wrong choice. Proverbs 1:10-19 reads... "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. (11) If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul; (12) let's swallow them alive, like the grave and whole, like those who go down to the pit; (13) we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; (14) throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse...(15) my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; (16) for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. (17) How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! (18) These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! (19) Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it." When we begin to listen to our own voice, rather than seek for God's advice, then we find ourselves making wrong choices that lead us to a dead end pathway of despair. We need to look at the full view, of the choice we are about to make and if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. When we can view our choice, as a means of new growth, while walking closer to God, then we know that our choice will end up leading us even closer to Him. However, when we feel that our conscious is trying to warn us of something, then it is better to make the right choice of not walking down the wrong pathway.

The next thing we need to remember to do, while making a choice, is to maintain an eternal perspective, while making our decision. Matthew 16:26 reads... "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man exchange for his soul?" The choices we make for our lives should be choices that will keep us moving forward, on the right pathway with God. The choices we make now, will lead us either closer to God or away from Him. If we had everything we wanted in this life, would it count for anything in the end? When Christ returns, can we take these possessions, with us to Heaven. The choices we make for our soul now, will count either for all of eternity, or only for this present time. We need to ask ourselves these questions... "Can we see eternity, through the choices that we have already made for ourselves?"... "Do we know that our choices are leading us to Heaven?"

As Christians, we may find that the choices we make are becoming more difficult. Why is that? Matthew 9:9 reads... "As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him." In this verse, Matthew chose to follow Jesus, above the job he had as a tax collector. As Christians, we may face a situation, where we need to choose between something luxurious and something of comfort. Our choices to follow God may not always be the easiest but in the end; we will find that our lives are right where God longs for them to be. It is so easy to fall into the traditions of the world and make choices that are according to the world's ways but we must remember that each choice we make should be in harmony with Gods plan for our lives.

In the end, the choices that we make will bring about a greater trust in God or we will find ourselves further away from Him. Romans 9:12-14 reads, "...not by works but by him who calls...she was told, "The older will serve the younger," (13) Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (14) What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!" There will be moments when our choices do not always line up with God's decision for our lives. In this reading, when God was talking about loving Jacob and hating Esau; He was not referring to them as individuals; instead, God was referring to the nations of Israel and Edom. God chose Jacob because of his heart and God knew that Jacob's heart would be able to remain in tune with Him, so he could continue to serve God. Even though God did not choose Esau, as the first born, to carry out God's plan, God still did not exclude him from loving and knowing Him. We need to remember that the choices God makes for each of our lives, is in accordance to what He feels is best for our lives. He is not looking at one person, as someone greater, while viewing another person as something lesser. When we can understand God's will for our lives in this way, then we can know the right choices He would have us to make and the confusion and frustration we once experienced, will begin to fade away.

When we choose to follow God, then our choices must be in accordance to His will for our lives; otherwise, we will begin to find ourselves walking down a dark pathway, while being surrounded by questions, anxiety, and frustration. We need to remember, that what may seem to be the wise choice, may not always be wise, as what we first thought. What we think to be the right choice may take us through other difficult moments and we may find ourselves surrounded by temptations.

When we are experiencing the weight of the world upon our shoulders, then maybe we need to ask ourselves, if God would make the same decision that we are contemplating. Maybe we have not sought out the long-range effects, that may come from the choice that we are about to make. We can keep ourselves from suffering needlessly, when we take the time to think more deeply upon the choice we are about to make. While we are looking at the long-range effects on our decision, we may also want to look at the choice we are about to make, through an eternal perspective. In other words, will this choice cause my life to be more in tune with God or the world? Will I be able to continue on the pathway that God has for me, by making this choice?

When we make a choice to follow God, we must keep in mind that the decisions may not always be easy decisions. We may have to give up things in our lives that we may long for, in order that we may continue to follow God, on the right pathway, which He has chosen for us. If we can keep making the right choices, in accordance to God's will, then we will find that our trust in Him has matured and has brought us even closer to Him.

How are we determining what choice to make for our lives? Is it in accordance to our own desires or what God longs for us to have? These are good questions to ask ourselves. We must remember one thing; only the right choice will keep us headed in the right direction with God.

Chapter 6

Letting God Do It His Way

Are we demanding God to do His will our way, without realizing it? Do we know how to discover God's will for our lives? This is what we will be discussing in this chapter.

As we begin, what do we think of, when we say..."I want God's will to be done in my life?" When we single out the words..."God's will," then this means, that we should want what God desires for our lives, instead of what we desire. If we are going to seek Gods will for our lives, then our prayers should be in accordance to what God desires for our lives, instead of what we desire. John 14:14 reads..."You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." When Jesus says that we can ask any thing of Him, we must remember that it must be in His name or accordance to His will. This verse can easily cause us to think that God will give us anything we desire but the Bible verse says, "...in my name, I will do it," which means His way...not our way. When our prayers and requests are in line with God's will, then He will give them to us. We need to remember, that there may be moments when God cannot always give us what we desire. Maybe He has a reason or a purpose for an unanswered prayer and if our desires get in the way, then He must protect us, by not answering our request at this time. When we do not see that God has answered a prayer, in the way we first thought He would, then we can feel as though God has let us down, when all along, He is looking out for our good.

The next verse that I have chosen, that will help us to be in line with God's desires, is in Matthew 21:22, which reads... "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." When we pray to God, our request must be in harmony with His will. It is so easy to think, that just because we are Christians, that God will give us everything we desire but that is not always true. When a parent is looking out for their child's best interest, the child may not always get what they want. The parent is not doing this to hurt the child but instead, the parent may be holding back because they feel that the child may not learn and grow, if they are always getting what they desire. In other words, the parent makes decisions that the child may not always understand at the time but later in life, the child begins to understand, as they mature and raise children of their own. In a similar way, God is our Father and we are His children. He is protecting us, in ways that we may not always understand at this time; but as we journey further down the road with Him, we will begin to understand the reasons for His decisions.

Our prayers must not only be in line with God's desires but we must look for His will, instead of our own. Psalm 16:7-8 reads... "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. (8) I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." It is so easy to find ourselves demanding things from God, without even realizing it at the time. We can demand Him to do something in His name but are we allowing God's will to be done? Here we stand before a great and awesome God, who made us and already knows the will He has for each of our lives and then we begin to tell God what to do? When we do this, we are not seeking for God's will but instead, we are demanding God to do something that might be contrary to His will for our lives. We need to remember, to set God always before us, instead of placing ourselves before Him. He is a god who can see us by name and by need and He is a god that can see what is down the road, before we can see it for ourselves, so why are we trying to do His job and tell Him what should be done? When we do this, then we are not able to hear His desires, through our demands. God is the One who counsels us and helps us, so He should be the One to make the decisions. When we get in God's way, then we will never find the answers we need.

What must we do, while seeking for God's help? Acts 16:6 reads... "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia" We do not fully understand how the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul; telling him that he and his companions should not go into Asia and preach. It may have been through a prophet, a vision or by some other means of communication. God can use different ways to get our attention and lead us into His will. He may not always speak directly to our spirits but He can reveal His will, in whatever way He chooses. We must remain on the alert, for whatever God may be trying to reveal to us and we must remember to look for His will, in His way. If we are too busy, thinking that it is this way or that way, then we will end up on some detour road that leads us in circles or takes us completely out of God's view. One thing that can help us; is when we can pray and ask God to open the doors that are right for us to walk through, while closing other doors, that may lead us into further problems.

As we are seeking for God's will, we must be willing to accept anything that may come along with God's will. Acts 21:13-14 reads... "Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (14)When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." Even though Paul knew that he would be in prison in Jerusalem, his friends were trying to discourage him from going. All that Paul longed for was to be in the center of God's will, even if that meant death in Jerusalem.

God's will for our lives may not always be the way we would like it to be. His will may mean pain, suffering, and heartache; but instead of begging God to remove us from these moments, we should be asking God, for the reason He has allowed these moments into our lives. God does not always give us the things that will make life more comfortable. Sometimes, God will allow hardship, so we can learn and grow or allow our experiences to be a means of others viewing His hand at work in our lives. Look at Job, Jeremiah, Joseph, and many others in the Bible. They never had the comforts of home. In fact, many of them lived for years in prison cells but instead of pleading for God to remove their affliction, they allowed God to use these moments in their lives. When we can follow through with the afflictions that may be associated with God's will, then we can say with Paul... "Thy will be done."

As we continue on, let us read Luke 2, verses 3-6, which reads... "And everyone went to his own town to register. (4) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and the line of David. (5) He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (6) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born," Even though we think of Jesus' birth at Christmas; we should always remember the difficult journey they faced, so that God's Son could be born. At that time, Mary was about to deliver and the Bible says that they traveled at least 80 miles, with a donkey and by foot. For you women out there, could you imagine being in your ninth month of pregnancy, while riding sideways on a donkey, for that long of a journey?...And men, can you imagine walking all of those miles, while leading your wife on a donkey to Bethlehem? The journey was very difficult and once they did arrive, they went to pay their taxes and from there, they went to a stable...the only place that was available, for the birth of the new Messiah. What would have happened, if they had not followed through with Gods will? If we were to think about it, from the time Mary conceived, to the time of delivery, this whole journey with God became God's will for her life and for Joseph's life. We may not always care for the conditions we are in, while living out Gods will but what is more important; is how we live with our situation and how we follow Gods leading.

Just because we are going through difficult times, where we live; does not mean that God will always take us away from that place and move us away from the circumstance. Ephesians 6:19-20 reads... "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Paul did not pray or ask that others should pray for God to remove him from prison; but instead, Paul prayed that God would use him, even while shackled within a prison cell. We need to be like Paul and not always see God's desire as a means of escape, from the circumstance; but instead, we should look to see if God has a plan, for where we may be at the time. I think the thing we do wrong, is when we try to look for our own way out of the problem, rather than asking God to reveal His way to us. We need to remember, that when we are following in God's footprints; whether it be through pain, heartache, grief or just a bad day, that He will always be with us, until His will is made complete.

God also longs for us to carry out His will for our lives, by participating in His will. Exodus 40:16 reads... "Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him." In this reading, God told Moses how to build the tabernacle, so Moses appointed different jobs, to different people and they worked together, so that God's will could be accomplished according to His desires. There can be moments, when we think that God will give us His will, like a package that comes in the mail. We can feel that it will just happen; but in order that God's will be done in our lives; His desire, is that we meet him there and work together with Him. We should not just sit on the sidelines, while we watch God do it all. When we work with him, then we work in harmony with Him and when one task is complete, we will already be there with Him, as He leads us into the next part of His plan for our lives. Working with God, is also a sign that we are truly in God's will. When we are doing everything on our own, and all we feel is anxiety and frustration, then we need to take a second look and see where we are with God.

If we are going to understand Gods will for our lives, then we must always ask God for guidance. Numbers 9:23 reads..."At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order, in accordance with his command through Moses." The Israelites only rested and journeyed, as the Lord lead them, through the hand of Moses. We can only understand what direction to take in life, when we are allowing Gods hand to guide us. When we are planning a move, do we feel peace or frustration? Could it be that if there is no peace, then God is not in whatever we are trying to do? We should feel so connected with God, that we do not make one decision, without God being the One to lead us first. Instead of always asking God..."What shall I do next;" maybe we need to ask God... "What shall I do, while I am right here?" When we can understand what we are to do now, then God will lead us from there, into the moments that are set before us. We can be on a journey with God and instead of standing with Him, to see what His desire may be at that moment, we can find ourselves racing ahead of Him; totally disconnected from the footsteps that He is trying to lay before us.

No matter what kind of help we need from God; whether it be for our health, pain, guidance or through grief and heartache; we should always be willing to accept God's will for our lives, instead of trying to make it, with our own desires in mind. John 6:37-38 reads... "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (38) For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." Jesus did not have the choice, to do whatever He desired with His life. His Father had a plan, so that in the end, the world would experience His love and forgiveness. What if Jesus would have grown up and did whatever He pleased? Would we have the gift of salvation? No, in fact, salvation would not exist right now. In a similar way, when we were born, I believe that God touched each of us with a special purpose, so more and more people would come to discover His love and forgiveness. If we are living for our own desires, instead of God's will, then pieces of God's plan will be missing from our lives.

If we are experiencing frustration and anxiety and nothing seems to be falling into place, then maybe we have tried to figure God out on our own. We need to allow our prayers to be in tune with what God desires and we need to quit demanding God, to do His will our way and begin to seek His will for our lives instead. We need to be prepared because God's will may mean that we are not always guaranteed comfort or we may not find His way to be what we first desired. We need to meet God, where the need is and seek His guidance. When we can find God's purpose for our lives, instead of what we think His will is, then we will experience all the benefits that come from following His will.

Let us ask ourselves a couple of questions today. "Do we feel peace, in the decisions we are making?" "Do we feel as though we are stepping directly in the footsteps that God has laid out for us or are we stumbling down a road, while we try to hop from one-step to the other?" "Are we too busy demanding God to do something our way, while we lack His desires for our lives?" If so, all we need to do is come back to God and place our needs before Him, while we wait for Him to show us His desires. God has a plan for each of us and He has already done the work; all we need to do is seek it out, as we follow side by side with God.

### An added tidbit of hope

Numbers 23:27 reads..."Then Balak said to Balaam, Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there." Balak took Balaam to several places, trying to entice Balaam to curse the Israelites. He thought that a change of scenery might change Balaam's mind but changing locations, will not change God's will. In similarity, we can become like this story and feel that we can escape our circumstances by moving here and there. We think that they will not follow us but they do.

When we leave God's will behind, to try and make life easier for ourselves, then we find that we struggle even more, while our circumstances become greater in strength. God's will does not always mean that we will walk down pleasant pathways, where flowers grow and birds sing. His will for us, may lead us down difficult pathways, where all we seem to experience is a rocky pathway, with ugly weeds growing along the wayside.

What is more important in our lives? Is it more important to have what we desire, while we lose touch with God or is it more important to experience a close connection with God? I think that we as Christians see our life, as something that should always be pleasant to our eyes but that is not always true. We need to realize that if God allows us to walk down a dark and dismal pathway, then He will be right beside us. Living out God's will does not lead us only to a purpose for life. Living out God's will, may also take us down difficult pathways of learning and new growth but in the end, we will see Him, for who He is, as He accomplishes His desires for our lives.

Chapter 7

Mercy...God's Way of Never Letting Go

What does the word "mercy" really mean? How can mercy become a means of hope, while going through very difficult moments in our lives and how do we obtain mercy? Let us begin by understanding the definition of the word "mercy," which means... "Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, enemy or other person in one's power." In other words, when we see God as a merciful God, then we are viewing a god who longs to give us His best, no matter what kind of a person we may be. God gives us a heart of compassion, even when we cannot find our way back to Him. His heart of love and compassion allows us to view Him as a god who will never walk away from us. We live in a world where people are more concerned about themselves; but God is the complete opposite. His love for us is so great, that He is willing to show us compassion, even when we cannot foresee it.

As we move on, let us study some examples from God's word that will help us to view God's mercy and bring it to life, within our own lives. The first example is in I Samuel 24:10-11, which reads... "This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the Lord's anointed. (11) See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life." This reading is a great example of mercy. Through sin and jealousy, Saul was out to pursue the life of David. God had now anointed David as King of Israel but Saul was not willing to accept God's decision. In the midst of all this confusion, David went down into the cave where Saul was sleeping and cut a piece of his garment, to show Saul that if he wanted to kill him, he could have done it at that moment. David's decision was not an example of cowardice but rather, a sign of mercy. Do we take the time, to see how merciful God can be towards us? We may do things that are not pleasing to God; but in the midst of a very confusing life; God steps down and reveals a heart of compassion. I think the problem we face, is that we are too busy trying to see God, as we see others in this world. We need to remember that God is a god...not a human, with frailties and weaknesses.

The second and final example that we are going to discuss is in Matthew 9:13, which reads... "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners." How do we view mercy? Can we view mercy through perfection or through a righteous attitude? No... because God's mercy is felt, when we lay our old self to the side, while we fall humbly before Him; realizing that we cannot do anything or accomplish anything without Him. God can only work in those who are willing to surrender their lives to Him. How can we expect God to have mercy on us, through times of trial, if we are not willing to let Him be all that He longs to be for us?

How do we receive God's mercy? Is there anything we must do? Zechariah 3:2-4 reads... "The Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" (3)Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. (4) The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you." How many of us can say that we allow God to be who He is for us? Do we find ourselves telling God, what we think He should do? If so, then we are camouflaging the work of God, through our own thoughts and desires. Are we removing the filth from our lives that comes from sin and self-righteous ways, so God can step in and clothe us with His rich garments of mercy? In this reading, the filth of Joshua's clothing was a comparison, to the filth that attempts to cover us, through sin and our own selfish desires. Once the angel of the Lord asked to have Joshua's filthy clothing removed, then the angel of the Lord was able to cloth Joshua in rich garments. When we are willing to remove the filth of our own selfish ways and make room for God to work, then He will be able to clothe us with His loving mercy.

There is a way that can help us to experience mercy, and that is when we denounce pride. Luke 18:11-14 reads... "The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men...robbers, evildoers, adulterers...or even like this tax collector. (12) I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' (13) But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' (14) I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Wow! What a perfect example of the word, "mercy!" Here was a Pharisee that could only see himself as a perfect being. He was not willing to accept any failure in his life, which only allowed him to become a man of pride. While on the other hand, the tax collector stood before God, with a humble heart that cried for mercy and because of this, he revealed himself as a man who greatly feared a powerful God. When pride gets in the way and we are not willing to see our lives for what they really are, then we will never be able to experience the hand of God at work in our lives. We can cry out as loud as we want, for God's mercy but until we are willing to humble our lives and our weaknesses before God, then we will always be facing a difficult battle alone.

How quickly do we forget God's mercy? Do we only see God, as a lightning bolt that will strike us down for the first sin or failure we commit within our lives? Jonah 4:3 reads... "Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live." God had a plan for Jonah but Jonah ended up walking down a difficult road to get to God's plan because he had disobeyed God and had chosen to go his own way instead. We can end up like Jonah and walk our own direction, rather than follow God's direction. In this verse, Jonah saw death as a means of escape, instead of understanding the mercy that God had for him. How many times do we want to hide from the face of God because of some wrong thing in our lives? We need to remember once more, that God is not a god that strikes us down for our mistakes; but rather, He uses our mistakes, through a loving heart of mercy, to lift us up, so we can continue to press on for Him. Why would God send His only Son to the cross, as a means of mercy, only to turn around and treat us differently? God wants to give us His mercy but first, we must be willing to allow Him that pleasure.

As we come to the end of this chapter, I would like to share some special verses from God's word, which will bring renewed hope into our lives...a hope that tells us, that God is what He says He is...a merciful God. Lamentations 3:22-23 reads... "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (23) They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." First, we need to reflect on the love of God, if we are going to be able to understand His mercy. God's love is not a love that is temporal; but rather, we need to see God's love as something different from a worldly love. The love that we experience on earth can come and go with time but the love God so freely offers us, is here to stay and because of His perfect love, then we can count on Him to be faithful in our lives. One thing I have learned; is that we cannot try to visualize God's desires, to be the same as our desires. God is a god, who made us and knows what is best for us, so when He does not always work, in the way we expect Him to work, then we should not write Him off, as an unfaithful God. Instead, we need to praise Him, because He knows how to look out for us, in ways that we could never fathom or understand. Once we understand God's love and see Him as a faithful God, then we will be able to understand Him as a merciful God. Are we seeing God for who he really is or are we comparing his ways, to the world's ways?

As we continue, we find that God's mercies are new every day. God is not a god, who takes our mistakes and constantly reminds us of our faults; but rather, He is a god, who gives us a new beginning each day but it is up to us to accept the gift of mercy that He is offering us. We may linger with our mistakes and weaknesses because this is what we've experienced in the past but with God, we must remember that we are to view these weaknesses in our lives, through a different eye...a Heavenly eye that gives us love and mercy, rather than condemnation.

After seeing God for who He is, then we will know how much He loves and cares for us. Instead of knowing God as a worldly kind of god, we will see a God, who is faithful...a god who stands on every promise He speaks.

How can we discover renewed hope? We know that we cannot find it through the advice or ways of this world. We can come to discover humbleness and quietness, in the presence of God, when we come to know Him, for who He really is. Maybe we need to sit quietly and meditate on His presence or maybe we need to start viewing His mercy, through the things that He desires for us, instead of what we desire for Him to do in our lives.

No matter what we may be going through today, we do not have to feel like Job or Jonah. We do not have to hide or flee from the presence of God. In fact, He longs so much for us to experience His mercy and to understand His ways and see Him for who He really is. The first thing we must do though; is lay everything before Him. We cannot give Him, just pieces of our lives...no, we need to lay everything before Him. When we can do this, then no matter what we may have done or experienced in our lives; He will come to us on wings of mercy and He will show us how to stand once more to our feet, so we can remain close to Him and keep pressing on, until we meet him face to face in Heaven. God has given us a gift today...a gift of mercy...a means of keeping us connected with Him at all times. The question remains... "Will we humble ourselves before Him and accept His loving gift of mercy?"

## Section 8

## A Renewed Hope That Will

## Usher Us Into

The Presence of God

Chapter 1

The Only Peace that Can Calm the Storm

When disasters come into this world, the first words we hear seem to be "pray for peace." I believe that we can pray for peace but I also believe that we obtain peace, when we look for it. In this chapter, we are going to go through a series of Bible verses that will help us to understand God's peace, in a greater way. What is the comparison, between a worldly view of peace and the peace that comes from God?

We need to remember, that the peace w experience in this world, is only a temporary peace. The peace that we experience in this world is a man made peace that only comes, when everything is going our way. This kind of peace only last for a short time. As an example, when we are experiencing difficulties in our lives, then we may buy ourselves something to make ourselves happy or we may turn to food or other things, as a means of finding peace from our problems but when the newness wears off and the food has been eaten, then we find that the problem still remains. We can travel from one side of the world to the other; thinking that we can escape our problems and find peace but after a while, we find that the problem seems to follow us, wherever we go. On the other hand, what kind of peace comes from the Holy Spirit and how is this kind of peace different from the peace that the world offers us? John 14:27 reads... "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." We find that the peace that comes from the Holy Spirit is something that indwells within us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to become our prince of peace, then we discover a God that will wait the storm out with us and will not walk away, until a renewed spirit has taken over the circumstance.

Something that will help us to experience God's perfect peace is when we focus on His promises. Genesis 21:7 reads... "And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age." When the angel of the Lord visited Sarah and Abraham, they told her that she would conceive a son but rather than focus on God's promises; Sarah laughed and became focused on their ages or the circumstance surrounding them. After Sarah finally believed, she cried out with surprise and became joyful over the conception of her son but because Sarah focused on her circumstance, instead of God's promises, she forfeited the peace and joy she could have experienced from the beginning. When we focus on our circumstances, rather than on the promises that God gives us in His word, than we also suffer needlessly and no matter how much we pray for peace, we never experience His peace, until we take our focus away from our problems and place our focus back on God's promises for our lives.

There is another way, in which we can discover God's perfect peace and that is when we become obedient to His desires for our lives. II Chronicles 14:1-6 reads... "And Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. Asa his son succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years. (2) Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. (3) He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. (4) He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands. (5) He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. (6)He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during these years, for the Lord gave him rest." Asa obeyed God and considered God's desires to be more important in his life, then what the people might have desired, so he received peace through his obedience, which also lead to national peace. Our obedience to God may not always bring peace between us and man but it will with God, which is far more important. We not only experience peace, through our obedience to God but we also experience hope, which tells us that we belong to Him. When God becomes more pleased with our obedience to Him, then we soon discover that we are right in the center of God's will.

We can also experience God's eternal peace, when we reflect on His means of answering our prayers. We can have a settled back feeling of peace, when we know that God is in control of our lives. Psalm 3:5 reads... "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me." In this chapter, David knew that his son, Absalom, was seeking to kill him and take over the crown but David was able to be at peace because he knew that God was in control and that God would accomplish His will for him. How many nights go by, while we stay awake and worry about our circumstances? Just as David believed that God would hear his prayer and work everything out, we too should have the assurance that God has everything in His hands. I have found that when I get ready for bed, the thing to do; is to get alone with God and give Him everything from the day. Let Him know that you believe that everything will be all right, so He can have control of the situation. We will never find Gods love, peace, and rest, until we have given everything, completely to Him.

What are we willing to give up for peace? Are we willing to give up certain things in our lives that would only take us into more worry and despair? Genesis 26:17-22 reads... "So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. (18) Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them. (19) Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. (20) But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen and said, "The water is ours!" So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. (21) Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also, so he named it Sitnah. (22) He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land." Three times, Isaac moved his men to dig another well, due to the dispute that came about, between them and the herdsmen of Gerar. Isaac and his men could have fought but instead, they desired peace above the dispute. Are we willing to exchange a higher up position or something of value, just so we can experience peace? When we seek God's wisdom, instead of our own desires, then we will find that His peace comes along with His response. We can have the highest paid position in a job or we can have the most valuable home, along with other material goods but are we experiencing God's peace at the same time? We can lose God's eternal peace, when we find ourselves too attached to the world's ideas or desires.

If we want to experience God's perfect peace, then there may be times when we need to pursue it. Psalm 34:14 reads... "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Where do we get the idea that God's peace should come with no effort? If we are pursuing a life, after our own liking, then we are going to find that it is much harder to obtain an eternal peace. I believe that whatever we long for, we should pursue it. Instead of being involved with the world, we should be seeking the good things that God has to offer us. If we long for peace, then we need to go after the things in life that will allow us to experience His peace. Prayer is not the only source for peace. God wants us to become seekers too. Once God begins to notice that we are looking for His peace, then He will allow us to find His eternal peace and experience it.

Discovering peace becomes more than the absence of our conflicts. Psalm 122:6-9 reads... "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. (7) May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. (8) For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be with you." (9) For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity." These verses are talking, not only about peace that's found during the absence of conflict but it's also talking about the peace that brings wholeness, good health, justice, prosperity, and protection. In order to obtain this kind of peace, we must have peace with God first. The world cannot provide this kind of peace because only real peace comes from our faith in a living God. God holds the complete personality of peace...for He is the only One that can give us wholeness, good health, justice, prosperity, and protection. God made us and so He knows how to make our lives complete and when we find a completeness in Him, then we have also discovered eternal peace.

We can also discover a peace through God that can make us winners in life. Psalm 120:7 reads... "I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war." God's ways of peace are not always popular with the world's way of thinking. A worldly desire for peace is to be the winner, in every dispute or circumstance but we must face the fact, that when we follow the world's way for peace, then someone will be the winner and someone will be the loser. When we allow God's peace to enter into the dispute, as a means of making God the peacemaker, then there is a way for both sides to win. By being a peacemaker through Christ, we are also learning how to compromise and work together for a greater cause, which is the cause of Christ.

We can experience God's peace on earth, if we follow His ways; but the ultimate peace will come, when Christ returns. Luke 21:28 reads... "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing nearer." We may go through times that seem to bring more despair into our lives, instead of peace but when we think about the return of Christ; we also find that we will soon experience an eternal peace...a peace that will never cease. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the troubles we face in these days, we should be looking for the return of the true prince of peace. He will take the darkness that we once experienced and allow the perfect light of peace to shine forth within the hearts of those who believe in Him.

When Jesus left this earth, to ascend up into Heaven, He did not abandon us. He knew that we would need something to bring peace and comfort into our lives, so He gave us the gift of His Holy Spirit. The world cannot offer us, God's form of peace. In fact, we could search from one end of the earth to the other and try everything within our means, to find true peace but until we realize that He is the only way, then we will continue to live a life of gloom and despair.

The world seems to deny the presence of God, until there is a disaster and then they come and cry out to Him...looking for His peace. We must remember that the only way we will be able to obtain His peace, is when we connect to Him, as our only source of peace. We will never find the true source of peace...a peace that can calm the roughest storm, until we become as one with Him.

We must also remember that there are other ways to discover true peace, other than prayer. We must remain focused on God's promises and remember that He will never fail those who follow Him. We also need to obey Him and seek after His desires, instead of trying to follow our own direction. When we are not walking side by side with God, then His peace will also become distant to us.

Knowing that God has the power to answer our needs will help us to experience a restful peace in Him. When our hearts can experience a settled back feeling that, everything will be all right, than we will live in the center of His perfect peace. Just as we need to know that God has the power to answer prayer, we also need to pursue His will for our lives. When we find ourselves looking for His desires, instead of our own, then we will find peace, from a God who has everything under control.

We can discover God's peace in different ways but I have found that discovering His peace comes, when we discover who He truly is. Do we know God enough to say that we have experienced His peace? We can only experience His perfect peace, when we have made God first place in our hearts and lives. If we are working hard, when it comes to discovering peace, and we still feel despair, then maybe we have become more connected to a temporary form of peace that the world offers. When Jesus walked out on the water to His disciples, the only reason the storm ceased, was due to the peace they were experiencing, from a living God. Are we too busy trying to find our own form of peace? The only peace that will be able to calm the fiercest storm in our lives is the true peace of God. John 14:27a reads... "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives..." Does this verse say that we can receive God's form of peace through a person, such as a neighbor...a friend...a pastor? No, it is saying that the only peace we should be looking for should be through God. If God is saying that His form of peace is different from the worlds, then why are we looking to the world for peace?

### An added tidbit of hope

Romans 8:5-6 reads... "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (6) The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;"

There are times, when we can miss the true peace of God because of the pathway we have chosen to follow. In these verses, Paul is placing people in two categories. First, he is talking about the group of people who choose to follow the sinful nature and second, he is talking about the group of people who choose to follow the Spirit of God. The only thing bad about the first group of people; is that they will never find the true peace that God can offer them because they connect to the desires and ways that come with a sinful nature.

We need to remember that we can only reap the good benefits of God, when we choose to follow the Spirit of God. For example, let us say that we were going to apply for two different jobs. Let us say that the jobs were offering different benefits or maybe the one job was higher in pay. Whatever job we choose, then we will reap from the benefits of that job. We cannot take the one job and collect benefits from another job, so in a similar way, we can only reap benefits, from the pathway we choose to follow. We cannot have it all.

How many times do we experience the benefits from the circumstance, rather than the benefit of peace that comes from God, due to the pathway we chose to follow? When we can reconnect with God and begin to follow the Spirit of God, then we will experience peace and even though the pathway may get rugged at times, the problems will not seem as difficult because we will have God's peace residing within our hearts, minds, and spirits.

No matter what we are experiencing today, remember that God is offering you a gift of peace. It is not God's desire to see us suffer needlessly, so He created a pathway that will allow us to follow Him and discover an eternal peace and all we need to do is follow.

Chapter 2

A Love That Brings Renewed Hope

In this chapter, we are going to discuss the word "Love." Can we accept the love that God offers us? Are we able to see a difference between the love of God and the love we experience on earth? As I was looking up the true meaning of the word "love," this is what I discovered, "...Love is not blind or deaf or dumb. In fact, it sees far more than it will ever tell." When we can lay ourselves to the side, to love another person, then this is the true meaning of love. When we are "in love," then our love for a person becomes an artificial love...a love that only wants to see a person, for who we wish they were; but to "love them," means that we see them for the person they are, while still caring for them." Do we see our love as a genuine love or is our love only superficial? A genuine love will look beyond the fault of a person, to see the need of their heart, while a superficial love just becomes empty words, with no actions attached.

As we begin our study, I would like to discuss five different forms of love, so let us begin with a "Sacrificial Love." Romans 8:31-32 reads..."What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? (32) He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all...how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" First, a sacrificial love is a love that does not think about one's self, but rather, this kind of love is willing to give, rather than take. This love will allow one's self to lay everything completely to the side, so that someone else's heart can be touched, especially during time of need. This is what God did for us, when He gave up the One, who was the closest to Him...His Son, Jesus Christ. Since His heart was so full of love for us, then why would He not be willing to do even more for us? God's love allowed Him to turn His head away, for one moment of satisfaction, while His Son died a brutal death on the cross, so that He could show the greatest love He had to offer us...a sacrificial love.

Are we willing to sacrifice our love to God, by allowing ourselves to let go of the old life, so we can gain Him in a greater way? Matthew 16:24-25 reads... "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (25) For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." God gave us a sacrificial gift of love, through the death of His only Son. What gift of love are we sacrificing for Him? Are we willing to let go of the old life, in order that we may discover God in a greater way? Are we willing to lay our own thoughts, desires, and dreams to the side, so that we may pick up our cross and follow Him? When we save our life, only to lose it in the end, it is because we have chosen to follow our own pathway, rather than giving our lives up for God. When we do this, we find that we lose our life in the end. The pathway we choose to follow now; no matter how difficult it may be, will either take us towards God or further away from Him. The choice is up to us.

The next form of love that we are going to study is "A Forgiving Love." Luke 23:34a reads... "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." In this verse; Jesus is hanging on the cross, while He says..."Father, forgiven them; for they know not what they do." Jesus' journey to the cross began with brutal beatings, while facing rejection from the people that once followed Him. If that was not enough, they nailed Him to a cross, with spikes that went through each hand, and the feet, before He even spoke His words of forgiveness. He also had a crown of thorns thrust into His skull but still He was able to say..."Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Jesus was handing out a lot of love through these words of forgiveness, after going through insurmountable suffering. If we were to be honest with ourselves, could we be that forgiving?

Are we living the example that Christ has lived? Are we handing over a forgiving love, to those who have offended us? Matthew 5:44-46 reads... "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (46) If you lose those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" After Jesus had went through the complete suffering of the cross; He remained willing to forgive those who had come against Him and most of all; He was willing to forgive our sins too. Are we following the example that Christ set before us or have we chosen not to reflect on God's loving forgiveness, by allowing our hearts to become cold and callused, through a heart that chooses not to forgive? When we can give others a forgiving heart, then we are giving God a gift of forgiving love.

God's love is greater than any problem that we may experience, so are we accepting His gift of love, by allowing Him to become greater than our problems? Our next form of love is a "Greater Love," so let us read John 1:3-5, which says... "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (4) In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." When God made creation, He was the only One who could understand the answers to every question we may face. Darkness or evil is not capable of understanding the ways of God, so God is the only One who holds the keys of hope and because of this; we see a love that extends from God in Heaven, to all mankind. We also see a love that understands the depth of each need, while walking beyond our faults. The question we need to ask ourselves is this... "Do we see the love He is offering us or do we have our focus more tightly fixed upon the circumstance?"

As we continue, John 3:30 reads... "He must become greater; I must become less." Are we allowing these words, in this verse, to become alive within us? Are we allowing our problems to decrease, so we can experience a great increase of love from God? The only way we are going to experience the loving care that God is offering us, is when we give Him the rightful place He deserves in our lives. God's presence must become greater than our circumstances, so He can work in our lives, rather than the circumstance placing us in a pit of despair.

Is our love for God truly genuine, as His love is for us? Let us move on and study another form of love...a "Genuine Love vs. a Love that is Superficial." John 3:16 reads... "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus revealed a genuine love to us, not only by talking about His journey to the cross; but rather, by actually doing it. Jesus did not say... "I love you so much, that maybe someday I will die for your sins." No, He was still willing to die for us, no matter what He knew He would have to endure because He had a genuine, deep- hearted love for us that remains to this day. Do we have that same kind of love for Him? Are we willing to go through the difficult moments, so that we can give our love and devotion back to Him?

As we continue, let us read Mark 10:21, which says... "Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said, "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Jesus had no second thoughts about dying on the cross for us because His love for us was greater than the pain and suffering that He was about to go through. The moments He spent on the cross were nothing, in comparison to life eternal. His life was not a superficial life, instead, His life revealed a genuine love for us. Are we having second thoughts, when it comes to our love for Him? Are we willing to reveal a genuine love to Him, by giving up our own life to follow Him or is our love for Him a superficial love; a love that only speaks but never reveals the words we speak? Do we live with a surface love, as Christians or are we giving a genuine heart of love back to the One who loved us first?

The final form of love we are going to study in this chapter; is a "Never Ending Love." Psalm 139:8-10 reads... "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. (9) If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, (10) even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." God has such a genuine love for us that no matter where we are in life, He will come and find us. Nothing can hide from His presence because He is the most powerful being. If we are walking with Him, on the pathway He has chosen for us; He will be there. If we have wondered away from Him and have fallen into a pit of despair, then He will be there. If we try to hide or run from His presence, then He knows where to find us. No matter if He is leading us down a righteous pathway or if He is leading us out of a fall or gently leading us back to Him; He will be there to help us, while holding us in His arms of love. What a comfort to know this! How many times do we feel that God has abandoned us, because we have fallen off the pathway He had in mind for us? How many times do we face difficult moments in our lives and we feel as if we will never find a way out? God's love is a never-ending love. It is not His desire for us to fall into hell, for all of eternity; otherwise, He would not have gone to the cross. He longs for us to be with Him one day and He will do whatever it takes, to make that happen. That is a lot of love!

As humans, how can we give a strong love back to God? John 15:12-14 reads... "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (13) Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (14) You are my friends if you do what I command." The greatest way to reveal our love back to God; is when we share His love with others. When we show love to one another, then we are giving our love directly back to Him but how do we allow our love to become a greater love? God receives the greatest love from us, when we lay aside our own desires, to care about someone else. If we are going to take up our cross and follow Jesus, then we must be willing to give everything completely up for Him. Jesus became the first and greatest example of love, through the death of the cross. From the time, that He was born, to the moment when He died; He gave up His complete life for us, as a gift of free love. He was not able to enjoy His life, as you and I live each day. As soon as He became of age, He began to give His love away, by preaching in the temple. From there, He led his disciples from place to place, in order that He may share the good news of His Father's love to many and from there, He went to a brutal cross, to prove His love for us. None of the life He lived was for Himself but rather, He gave up His entire life, so that many could know about His Father's love and forgiveness.

God has given us the greatest love that we could ever experience. Are we giving Him a genuine kind of love in return or is our love for Him just a superficial love? Do our lives reveal to Him, a life of love or sin? Are we allowing Him to see the love we have for Him...a love that shows sacrifice, forgiveness, and a greater love for Him or are we living in the old man's body, while we continue to live for ourselves?

Love is not blind, so let us begin to open our eyes to God's ways. Love is not deaf, so let us begin to listen to God's words and live for them. When Jesus went to the cross, He had not created us yet but He loved us anyway. Are we willing to go beyond our own needs, for someone else in need? Are we revealing our love to God, only when our lives go the way we want them to go or are we willing to accept God's will for our lives, through the love He has for us? When we begin to reach out and share God's love with others, then we are giving God the greatest gift that we could ever give to Him...our love!

Chapter 3

Eternity...The Final Step of our Journey

What really is eternity? How often do we sit and think about the word eternity? It is so easy for us to speak this word but when it comes to believing or living the word "eternity", do we know what the word "eternity" stands for?

As I began this chapter, I looked up the meaning, of the word "eternity," and this is what I found, "...infinite duration, without beginning in the past or end in the future; endless time; ongoing and never ending." Eternity is a word that we so easily walk pass. We tell ourselves that we are Christians and that we will one day live with God, for all of eternity but do we understand how this word will one day affect our lives? I like the one definition of the word "eternity," where it says, "...without beginning in the past or end in the future." In other words, eternity means that we do not pick up, from where we left off in the past and we never will see an end to what the future holds for us. We need to understand that when God created each of us, He intended for our lives to live on and because the spirit lives within each of us now, then once our journey is complete on earth, then our spirit will lead us into Heaven or Hell. Even though one day our bodies cease to function, our spirit will continue to live on. Whether we choose to live a life for Christ or for ourselves, the pathway we choose to walk on in this life, will lead us closer to Christ in Heaven or further away from Him in Hell. Once our spirit reaches its destination, we must remember that there is no turning back and that this is when we begin to experience eternity.

Whatever we choose in this life, we will live that life forever and ever, with no end. We will not have the choices that we experience now, that bring new beginnings into our lives because once Christ has returned or we have passed on, the sacrifice of the cross will no longer be in effect for us. Deuteronomy 33:27 reads... "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!" In this verse, we are seeing God as a god of refuge but also a god that is everlasting. God's ways never end or fail, only if we make the wrong choices for our lives; like when we choose to make something else a god above Him. There is no end to the things that God can do for us and when we have Him living within our hearts, while choosing to walk side by side with Him, then His benefits will never fade away but instead, they will be ongoing, even into Heaven. God's arms are always there, for the moments that may attempt to trip us into a fall. He is not a god that only works on a part-time basis but instead, His mercies are eternal. Here, in this world, we experience only temporary relationships. These relationships, we experience now, will only last for a period of time but when we know God, our relationship with Him is not only for the time we spend here on earth; but rather, our relationship with Him will become a relationship that will continue on into Heaven. Just think; we can experience a relationship with God that begins here on earth and continues into Heaven! The relationship we form with God here on earth should be through trust, love, and complete devotion to Him.

Just as God is eternal, so is His word. I Peter 1:25 reads... "...but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you." When we choose to read a favorite book, what happens when we have finished the book? Do we not end up placing it on a shelf or in a cabinet? When it comes to God's word, the Bible, we need to view His word as something separate, from other books we read. We must see God's words, as something that is eternal. An ordinary novel cannot help us and sustain us through the difficult moments in our lives...only God's perfect word is able to do that. God has placed His word together, in a way that can keep us lifted up, time after time. His word never ceases to amaze us, through the hope and inspiration it offers us. His book becomes a book of hidden treasures and when we seek His word, we find that each word becomes open to us, so we can discover words of healing that can help us in our minds, hearts, and spirits. God's word is not only eternal but through each word we read, we find God to be a friend that we can relate to, so we can remain in touch with Him, during any time of need.

In this chapter, we have learned that God is an eternal god...a god that has been with us since the beginning of time and He will always be there for those who trust and believe in His name. From there, we learned that God's word is eternal too, so if God and His word are eternal, then His righteous law must be eternal also. Psalm 119:160 reads... "All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal." First, this verse is saying that God's word is true, which means that God stands for truth. The verse goes on to say, that His righteous judgments endure forever, which means that there is no end to God or His ways. So, if this is true, then why do we live a life that portrays a part-time relationship with God? When we accept Jesus to live within our hearts, then our relationship with Him should be forever...a relationship that will become strong enough to continue into Heaven. God wants us to see our relationship with Him, as a time, when we are getting to know Him...a relationship that will prepare us to meet Him face to face and a relationship that will last, even into eternity.

Now that we see God as an eternal god...a god that began this world and has control for all of eternity; we need to obey God's commands and view them, as a means of leading us into Heaven...a place that will never have an end. John 12:50 reads... "I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." We will choose a life that points us to a life eternal with Christ...a life that will never have an end or we will choose to live the way we desire and live a life that never ends, away from God, in Hell. We cannot twist God's eternal commands, to fit our own lifestyle. When we do this, then we are disconnecting ourselves from an eternal God. God did not accept us, so we could live with a stamp on our forehead that reads... "Christian." He took us at our word, when we allowed Him to fill our hearts with His presence. When we try to mix our own desires with God's desires or when we try to twist His words around our lives, then we are not obeying Him. Instead, the sin that resulted from our own way of living begins to fill the places of our hearts that were for an eternal God.

If we are going to experience an ongoing relationship with God...a relationship that will allow us to live for all of eternity, then we must be willing to let go of some things in this life, to make room for an eternal god. John 12:25 reads... "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." We need to ask ourselves this question... "Do we love our life too much on earth that we are finding ourselves conformed to this world?" Have we found ourselves too caught up into money, homes, boats, cars, or any other material thing, that we find ourselves, to be more in love with this life, then the life that is awaiting us? When we hate this life, then this means that we are more committed to an eternal life with God, then the life we live now. We should never find that we hate this life, as a means of escape, from something we may be going through at the time. We should not long to die, just so we can leave our tired and worn out bodies behind, but rather, we should long to be with God for all of eternity. Our relationship with God will reveal if we love this life or if we are willing to lose this life for Him.

When Jesus died on the cross, He not only died to save us from sin but He also died to give us a place that would become an everlasting place...a place from sin and despair. After giving us this gift, He left the choice up to us, as to whether we will go to heaven or hell because there is no in between.

We can choose a relationship with God, that will lead to an eternal life with Him or we can choose our own pathway, which will only cause us to become distant from God and will eventually lead to an eternal separation in hell. II Thessalonians 1:6-9 reads... "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you (7) and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. (8) He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (9) They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power..." When Jesus died on the cross, His love for us, was such a great love, that He became the complete sacrifice for sin but we must remember, that when we die or Christ returns; the sacrifice He gave us through the cross, will become of no effect. The cross that allows us to connect with an eternal god will no longer be available to us.

Hell became a place that God created, for those who reject Him...a place that began with Satan, after he had tried to rise above the power of God. God longs for us to find Him as an eternal god...a god that we can share with, in this life and into a new life to come. When we choose to walk away from God and twist up His words, to make our lives work for ourselves, then the only place that is available, in the life to come, is hell. In these days we live in, there is always a new beginning for the mistakes and sins we commit, due to Christ' sacrifice but when this life comes to a final end, then we must remember, that Christ's supreme sacrifice will no longer be of effect.

Do we really understand the meaning of eternity, when it comes to hell? For those who never knew God, they will live a life with no end in a horrible place called hell. Did we really understand that thought? There will be no end, which means that the pain and anguish of hell will go on and on and on, with no end in sight. There will be no turning back, once a person has entered hell. This place will become a place where a person will not be able to have a drink of cool water, when they are thirsty. This will be a place where a person will not be able to rest or eat, when they are tired and hungry and most of all, this will be a place where there will be pain and agony and there will be no pain medications to ease the pain. All of these things will take place, due to a complete separation from the god that controls all things. Let us reflect back on the meaning of the word "eternity." Eternity means, infinite duration, endless times and ongoing and never ending. If a person enters hell, then this kind of a life will become a place of infinite duration...a place that is endless and ongoing, with no end. In this life right now, we live and we die. There is a beginning and an end, when we think about this temporary life on earth but when a person's spirit leaves their body, to enter hell, then that person's spirit will only live an everlasting beginning and will never die.

On the other hand, when a person has a true relationship with God, then God will know them when they enter heaven's gates. God will remember the times of prayer and the moments when we talked openly with Him, as though He was our best friend. God will also remember the moments when we placed our complete trust in Him, rather than turning to the world or ourselves. For the person who discovers this kind of life, there is hope, no matter what we go through at the time. II Corinthians 5:1 reads... "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." For the one who knows God, there is always hope, even when we go through difficult moments of affliction or leave our earthly bodies. This new home, where we will spend all of eternity with God, will be a place, where we will never experience affliction or die; but instead, this place, called heaven, will become a place, where we will always live an eternal life with God in eternal peace.

Are we really grasping on to this word called "eternity?" "Do we take this word for granted and think... "Oh, everything in my life will never change or one day I'll just die and go to sleep." "Do we know God in a personal way...a way that connects our spirit to His spirit?" "Do we believe that He is an eternal God...a god that brought us a gift of renewed hope through the cross?" "Do we believe in His word or are we too busy twisting up His words, to our liking?" "Are we obeying Him, with a healthy fear of His presence...a fear that allows us to do everything that we can to please Him?" "Do we see Christianity, as a free ticket to heaven, while we wear a sign that spells out the word "Christian?" Remember that eternity has no end. Whether we end up in heaven or hell, there will no longer remain the sacrificial gift that allows us to begin anew each day.

Where do we stand with God today? If we were to find ourselves standing before God, at this very moment, would He know us or would we seem as a stranger to Him? A life eternal does not come from good deeds; it only comes from knowing a loving and merciful God. In this chapter, we have come to discover an eternal god, whose words and ways are eternal. He longs so much, for us to share eternity with Him but how can we imagine sharing this beautiful place with God, if we do not even know Him? God longs for a relationship...a relationship that will not only get us through this life but will carry us into a new life...a life for all of eternity. Will God know our name, when we meet Him for the first time? Do we live with the hope, that even though we experience moments of adversity that this life of pain and heartache will not continue on forever?

God was the One, who chose us, now we need to ask ourselves, if we are going to choose an eternal god or an eternity that separates us from Him. We hold the choice now, within ourselves, as to where we will be for eternity...a choice that only happens once in a lifetime. Will it be with Christ or will it be in a place where suffering, hurt and anguish continues on, with no end in sight?

The decision we make now, will lead us to a place, where we long to be with God or our choice will lead us to a place of more darkness and despair. We need to keep in mind, that once we make our choice and commit ourselves to our choice...our choice will be final and for all of eternity. Luke 13:27 reads... "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!" When this temporary life ends, will God know you? If you are not sure, that God will know you and you have never accepted Christ, to come and live within your heart, then please read this verse and pray with me. John 3:16 reads... "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God gave up His only Son because of His great love for you, so He could give you a gift of eternal life. God created a place out of love, where you can be free from the afflictions that haunt you each day and most of all...a place where you can live with Him, for all of eternity...a place where the sun never sets and life is lived without pain and heartache. If you would like to know God and understand the fullness, of all He longs to offer you, in this life and the life to come, just pray... "Lord Jesus, I've never met You before but I do long to know You now. I long for You to know my name; that one day I may come and live a life with You, for all of eternity. Please come into my heart, Lord Jesus, cleanse me from all of my sins, and help me to live for You, instead of living for the world or myself. Teach me Your way, that we may connect and be as one for all of eternity...Amen."

As I close this book, I would like to share my heart with you. Throughout many challenges, in my life, God has given me hope through a personal thought...a thought that came from His spirit to mine and I would like to share this with you too. In this thought or vision, I am walking down a pathway and the pathway does not seem to be too bad at first, until these boulders appear before me. Some of the boulders in front of me are not quite as large as other boulders but for some reason, I feel that they all serve a purpose. As I continue to look through the rocky pathway that is before me, I see a glimpse of heaven and for some reason, I know that as long as I can remain focused on this beautiful place and the God who reigns over it, then I can keep pressing on.

God never said that life would be easy, for any one of us. In fact, if life were too easy and perfect, then what purpose would we serve here on earth? How would we gain God's strength, if we already lived with perfect strength? How would we learn to become people who pursue and keep pressing on, if God had everything fixed for us, from the start?

If we plan to accomplish the things that are right for our lives, we need to be persistent and relay a message to God that says that we are not going to give in to our circumstances. We need to seek for the good things that will bring glory and honor to His name, while we travel these difficult pathways. We need to do everything we can think of, through the power of a living God, that will bring honor to His name, rather than to dishonor Him. If we can keep pressing on, no matter what the pathway may appear to be before us, then in the end, we will exchange the shackles of despair, for a life eternal with Christ. Even though the problems of this life can make themselves known to us, in an overwhelming way, we need to take our eyes away from them and seek the things that will lead us to our eternal home.

My prayer, as I close this book, would be that God would give each of us, the strength we need to be persistent, so we will never give in to our moments of adversity and I pray that each of us will discover Gods very best to come...Himself and an eternity with Him.

Dear Reader;

I was born in a small town, in the state of Michigan and God allowed me to meet a great person by the name of Keith. As of this year, we will have been married for 28 years.

As I look back on my life, I see that my life was a journey that was destined by God, so that the difficult moments in my life would not only be used to help myself, but also, as a means of reaching out to so many people who are hurting in this world.

When I began this journey, all I saw this journey as, was a lot of pain and heartache. Many times, I asked God, as to why He was allowing so many things to go wrong in my life but I never received a response from Him, until I chose to let Him lead me down this journey. Once I fell to my feet before Him...drained and weary from the fight, He began to show me, what He had purposed for my life, since He created me.

No journey is going to be easy, especially when we decide to remain committed to God but when we turn to Him, instead of our problems and make Him the friend we need, then we have access to all of His ways.

When I look back on all the pain, surgeries and loss in my life; I no longer see it as a miserable life; but instead, I see how God allowed each wrong thing to die within myself, so He could rise up in its place. Since I was a teenager, I have always been fascinated with the verse in Matthew 16:25, which reads... "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Never did I know that I would live this verse. God had to take me to a place of total loss, so I could find Him.

When I was a young girl, I lost everything I loved...ice skating, tennis and most of all, my bike. Later into my adulthood, I lost the chance to have children and to drive and enjoy a day without pain but if you were to ask me, if I would want that life back; I would say no because I have a new life now and it is a life that offers much more, than what I've lost. You see, I have a life that will eventually take me to heaven...a life that will allow me to meet the best friend I could ever have...the friend that always remained committed to me, even if I didn't care for what He was allowing into my life.

My heart's prayer for you; is that you will find that same contentment within your own life, no matter what God seems to be allowing at this time. Do not take the words that God gives you and hold them within your hands but take them and use them as tools in your life; that you may always find yourself connected to the best friend; you could ever have...Jesus Christ!

Only Because of Him;

Diane

Look for Diane at Risen Hope Ministries

http://www.risenhopeministries.com

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