HOLD ON TIGHT

As I write today today I know that some of you are facing incredible trials and pain. For some of you are feeling that you are at breaking point, that you just can't bare any more. you have been crying out to Jesus , enough enough . I know for me that walking through my health issues these past few months have been the most difficult circumstance I have ever had to face in my life and I can tell you I have had many times that I have felt that God had abandoned me . But there is hope there is comfort in the knowledge that all that Jesus withstood on the cross, that he came out the other side to sit at the right hand of God He rescued me from the miry clay and set my feet on a rock, we all have times that we feel we are sinking, I know I truly do , but god wants to set our feet on the rock that's steadfast and firm not soft under foot that allows us to sink. The best way to get on the rock is to stay connected with Jesus, through prayer, worship and finding verses that you can hold onto . Promises in his word that will pull you from the clay look through the bible for yourself and see The steadfast ability Jesus to withstand incredible pain How much pain ? How long did he endure such incredible pain ? Why did he endure the pain when he was the son of God ? Being thankful of the answers you will find in the bible will give you an open door to all that God has to offer's to deal with our own trials and sufferings
Isaiah 40 ;3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD make straight in the desert a highway for our God Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
How steadfast are we ? What is our tolerance level ? If it falls short ask yourself what can we do to build it up ? The ball is in our court god does not just magically create a perfect pain free life for us But then does give us the tools to withstand the pain this world throw at us to endure. I love the Lifehouse "broken" song Holding on barley breathing.. In your name I find healing ... There is nothing to hold on to other than you Jesus Everyhing else will fail you or slip through your hands You will loose your grip because when you hold on to worldly things the Grip is only one handed When you hold onto God the grip is two handed, he hold on to you as you are holding onto him. It is his desire to cradle you in his arms and hold you ever so tightly for as long as it takes. Friends will stand by you for a time but not forever. God is there forever and he also knows the outcome of what you are going through, he has an insight that nothing or no one in this world can offer.

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, 'Destroy them!' Psalm 18:32 God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. Psalm 68:19 Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude John 19:-30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."

God wants to restore our broken bodies, loss of health, loss of hope, loss of faith , and so much more and bring us back to a place of wholeness Jesus suffered and endured so much pain for us and then he rose again. Our hope today is in him and him alone , keep pushing through because Jesus promises us victory on the other side.

TEACHABLE MOMENTS

He is here for the broken and life to the one who is undone
He is peace to the wounded and hope to the helpless one
HE IS HERE, HE IS HERE
Be still my soul be still
Be still my soul be still
Wait patiently upon the Lord
BE STILL MY SOUL BE STILL ( Lyrics Kari Jobe )
I have just purchased a Kari Jobe cd and as usual always in Gods perfect timing.
Isn't it funny how often we come across something that is so part of Gods timing and plan for us, things that if they came week earlier we may not have noticed or listened to.
How often do the conversations of the past week all point to something that God is trying to teach us, a pastoral word here, a friendly correction there, a piece of music, a scripture that you may have read 100 times before but never felt the fire in the words.

I have struggled for so long it seems with health issues and been almost begging God to put an end to it now, almost demanding and threatening God, "right now, if you know whats good for you God ". All my efforts and prayers have been based on my own agenda, my own desires, my own need to be healthy so I can achieve goals, to feel worthy of love, To get the job done , whilst all along I have been completely missing the "Teachable moments " That God has been wanting to reveal to me.

Do you know it is all going to have a good ending , because thankfully for some of we "Bull at a gate Christians ". God Will sometimes use people around us to bring us a word of truth that we so desperately have needed to hear. Through the tender words of a friend I was able to finally hear what God has been trying to tell me all along and when I am obedient to this teaching I will finally see the breakthrough that I have been waiting for.

The key here is that brick by brick God has been trying to pull down a wall that I have built myself to protect a place deep inside of me that I have allowed myself to believe was what was keeping me safe, what i could rely on always.
When in actual fact my own self reliance was beginning to destroy me and God wanted to show me that it is Himself and only him that I can rely on , who will bring me internal peace , no matter what the situations around me hold.
Psalm 46;10-11 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

God often does not create the situation that we find ourselves in but he will often use that situation to teach us and bring about change in us. He loves us beyond our wildest dreams and will do all that he can to draw us into a new and fruitful season in our lives for the better of ourselves and the better of the people that he wants us to share himself with.

So I am going to submit myself to the refining fire of God safe in the knowledge that he is bringing about change for the better and a new season of life for me . I bet I am not the only one out there who could do with some refining. Malachi 3;3 "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver "
As my very wise Pastor said to me recently , sit quietly take time to be at PEACE with God , TRUST that God has it all under control and that looking to external situations all the time to bring me peace will always fail me if I dont have INTERNAL PEACE OF GOD first.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.