Then and Now

On Sunday afternoon, I faced some complexities that had developed in my life that I never dreamed I would have to be working through. For awhile, I thought about how things had changed, what decisions I have been making and what consequences have arisen. My dominant thought however was what I desired most and what my passion was. This opened up a heightened consciousness of how much we have to battle with, in our christian walk.

In my work with drug addicts, I have watched many struggle through attempts at sobriety and repeated relapses. Many have no family support as their addictive behaviour and subsequent actions have destroyed relationships. Many have had repeated incarcerations and myriad negative life experiences. Thay have lost good jobs, squandered cash, stole and just developed a level of devious thinking that have kept them trapped. Yet despite the pain and obvious loss in so many ways, the cycle of addictive behaviour remains.

With various interventions through rehabilitation and many therapeutic activities some are helped and are experiencing a new lease on life. A converstaion with them will reveal an explanation of what works, how they face cravings, the stucture and activities that serve as a buffer to preventing relapse.

Similarly, I had to look at what works for me in dealing with my complications. The word of the Lord is potent in that regard. My christian walk is not a bed of roses but a life of conscious realisation that I have to put on the whole armour in order to face the wiles of the enemy-Ephesians 6:11-10. It is a relentless battle against the forces of darkness that come to steal kill and destroy, so I cannot venture into paths that my shepherd is not leading.

So what do you do when you face your challenges, failures, setbacks, wrong choices, your addictions and personal demons? Pause and face where you are at. Affirm where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Never forget you have the power of the word, prayer, other christians and a host of divine interventions that will keep you walking in the path of righteousness.

Stay blessed.

Total Trust!

This morning I woke up singing the song "We'll talk it over." I could only recall a few lines of it so I searched on line and used it along with scripture verses to start my day. It was a comforting reminder that the christian walk is really one of TOTAL TRUST!

Phillipians 4:6-7 says, Be careful for nothing, but IN EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


The world's crises and conflicts and our own day to day challenges can often overwhelm us, but let us not forget that we have divine favour on our side. We may not understand it all fully, but let's trust God's leading through shadows, heartaches and burdens.


Tho shadows deepen, and my heart bleeds,
I will not question the way He leads;
This side of Heaven we know in part,
I will not question a broken heart.


Chorus
We'll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We'll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I'll ask the reasons - He'll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye.


I'll trust His leading, He'll never fail,
Thru darkest tunnels or misty vales.
Obey his bidding and faithful be,
Tho' only one step ahead I see.


I'll hide my heartache behind a smile
And wait for reasons 'til after while.
And tho' He try me, I know I'll find
That all my burdens are silver lined.

He favours me

..."for thou hast found favour with God." Luke 1:30

On Friday last, while driving home and listening to music from a local gospel station, I heard a song being played that captured my thoughts and really began to resonate in my spirit. I recalled the intoduction spoke of a 'tesimony' and the repeated phrase 'God favours me'. I could not recall hearing the song before, but realised I wanted to listen to it some more.

Later on in the evening, I searched for it on youtube and listened to it over and over. I really began to rejoice and worship as I could identify with this testimony in song. My spirit was really refreshed and the Lord reminded me of the experience of Mary when she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. The angel announced the favour of God and following this Mary worshipped through the Magnificat recorded in Luke 1:46-55.

The Magnificat is a wonderful song of worship to one who indeed has favourd us. It was an awesome worship experience for me. But the enemy tried to attack. On my way to church on Sunday, while driving into the parking lot, a lady reversed right into my car, on my side.

I ended up spending the next three hours on processing and police meeting because she refused to take responsibility despite the overwhelming evidence of her being at fault. What did I do? I continued to rejoice knowing that I am still under God's favour. I could rejoice and sing...GOD BLOCKED IT...my life was spared.

Friends, a deep recognition of God's favour allows us to continue trusting, no matter what. Some things may be diffcult but God who 'is mighty hath done to me great things'-Luke 1:49.