When I say I love you, just you, I am talking to each of you-you who have been with Me from the beginning, My children, young and old. I'm talking to those who feel far away and distant from My love. I am talking to you who feel that you've failed and there is no forgiveness to be found, or who feel like, "What's the use? There is no hope!"
I love you, just you, just the way you are. My love is reaching out to you right now. My love, My forgiveness and My mercy are all right there, just for you, if you will just receive them. I love you! I need you! I long to hold you close to My heart of love. I long to feel you in My arms. I long to woo you and feel you and whisper in your ear.
If you feel weak and tired and battle-worn and weary, this message is for you. If you feel you are fainting in your mind, fainting in heart and soul, this message, My precious one, is for you. If you think your zeal has left you, and you feel like you are all washed up, I love you, and I need you now more than ever!
If you are standing on the threshold of new horizons, feeling overwhelmed at the challenges ahead, afraid of the future; if you feel you don't have it in you to meet the need that lies before you, I want you to know I love you. I will see you through.
I love you just the way you are-as if you were the only one. I love you, each of you, young and old. I am not stacking up all your faults and failures, all your mistakes and blunders to hold against you. My eyes are blind to all of these. I have X-ray eyes that enable Me to only see the good and the possibilities that others do not see. I only see straight through to your heart of hearts. I only see your precious, priceless, tender heart-and I love you.
I see your every tear. I hear your every cry. I feel your every frustration, your every worry, your every burden, your every desire. I know everything about you-all your wants, all your lacks. I see your very heart and all that is in it, and I deeply love you.
I long to hold you close, here on My gentle breast. I long for the day when our two hearts will beat as one, for I love you, just you. My precious child who feels far away, I long for you to know that I am right there by your side. I have never left you, and I will never, ever forsake you.
I love you, just you, and here I patiently wait-for you! Won't you please come running into My arms, where we can live and love and revel in this love forever, eternally, immortally, without end? I love you, I need you, and I want you! I'm yours. -- Jesus
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Can we understand God?
One wintry day a Christian was walking down the street and noticed some grain on the ground. A flock of hungry sparrows was having an unscheduled feast. As the man took a step toward the birds, they became uneasy. Another step, and their nervousness increased. When he was almost upon them, they suddenly flew away.
For a few moments the man stood there reflecting on what had happened. Why had those sparrows scattered in flight? He had meant no harm. But then he realized that he was too big.
Another question came to mind: How could he walk among those birds without frightening them by his size? Only if it were possible for him to become a sparrow and fly down among them.
The spiritual analogy is clear. In Old Testament times God appeared to people in various ways--to Abraham through heavenly messengers, to Moses out of the burning bush. They were afraid because of God's awesomeness. But centuries later the Angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds and announced, "There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Yes, God became a man so that we would not be afraid to come close to Him.
--Paul R. Van Gorder
* * *
He is a miserable man who knows all things but does not know God, and he is happy who knows God, even though he knows nothing else.
--Saint Augustine
* * *
We all use the power of electricity in our everyday lives, even though no one really understands it or where it comes from or how it got here--and certainly none of us has ever seen it, only its effects. In the same way, we must accept the existence of God, even though we don't fully understand Him or know where He came from. We simply know He does exist and He is here, ever-present, all-knowing and all-powerful!
All that most of us know about electricity is, it works! We flip the switch and make contact with this invisible power and it does the work for us. Just so, we must learn to make contact, personal contact, with the power of God through prayer, a spiritual seeking of contact with His Spirit through obedience to the laws of His Word. We must avail ourselves of God just as we do electricity, and let His light and power into the rooms of our lives to give us light and power and joy in living, by letting Him do many things for us that we cannot do for ourselves.
Just reach out your hand of faith and turn the switch of decision which makes the contact and starts the flow of that power into your life. You don't have to personally know all the answers. Just flip the switch and it works!
--David Brandt Berg
Greater Than Our Hearts
You might not remember,
but He died for you.
You might not believe it,
but He cares.
You might not consider yourself important,
but He does.
You might not accept it,
but He has forgiven you.
You might not sense Him,
but He is with you.
You might condemn yourself,
but He has chosen to love you.
He sees us differently.
He is so much more,
so much greater than our hearts.
--Ulrich Schaffer
For a few moments the man stood there reflecting on what had happened. Why had those sparrows scattered in flight? He had meant no harm. But then he realized that he was too big.
Another question came to mind: How could he walk among those birds without frightening them by his size? Only if it were possible for him to become a sparrow and fly down among them.
The spiritual analogy is clear. In Old Testament times God appeared to people in various ways--to Abraham through heavenly messengers, to Moses out of the burning bush. They were afraid because of God's awesomeness. But centuries later the Angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds and announced, "There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Yes, God became a man so that we would not be afraid to come close to Him.
--Paul R. Van Gorder
* * *
He is a miserable man who knows all things but does not know God, and he is happy who knows God, even though he knows nothing else.
--Saint Augustine
* * *
We all use the power of electricity in our everyday lives, even though no one really understands it or where it comes from or how it got here--and certainly none of us has ever seen it, only its effects. In the same way, we must accept the existence of God, even though we don't fully understand Him or know where He came from. We simply know He does exist and He is here, ever-present, all-knowing and all-powerful!
All that most of us know about electricity is, it works! We flip the switch and make contact with this invisible power and it does the work for us. Just so, we must learn to make contact, personal contact, with the power of God through prayer, a spiritual seeking of contact with His Spirit through obedience to the laws of His Word. We must avail ourselves of God just as we do electricity, and let His light and power into the rooms of our lives to give us light and power and joy in living, by letting Him do many things for us that we cannot do for ourselves.
Just reach out your hand of faith and turn the switch of decision which makes the contact and starts the flow of that power into your life. You don't have to personally know all the answers. Just flip the switch and it works!
--David Brandt Berg
Greater Than Our Hearts
You might not remember,
but He died for you.
You might not believe it,
but He cares.
You might not consider yourself important,
but He does.
You might not accept it,
but He has forgiven you.
You might not sense Him,
but He is with you.
You might condemn yourself,
but He has chosen to love you.
He sees us differently.
He is so much more,
so much greater than our hearts.
--Ulrich Schaffer
Safe & Secure
I'm only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me.
I know there are many sparrows--
All over the world they are found;
But our heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.
Though small, we are never forgotten;
Though weak we are never afraid;
For we know that the dear Lord keepeth
The life of the creatures He made.
I just fold my wings at nightfall,
Wherever I happen to be;
For the Father is always watching,
And no harm can happen to me.
I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
But I know that the Father loves me,
Dost thou know of His love for thee?
--Author Unknown
*
You may forget God, but He will never forget you.
*
Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life (The Bible, Psalm 42:8).
*
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast.
Here no fears alarm me,
Here can my soul find rest.
--Fanny Crosby
* * *
Peace that Comes from Faith
THOUGHTS FROM DAVID BRANDT BERG
If you're in a big stew, confused and worrying and fretting and fuming, you're not trusting. You don't have the faith you ought to have. Trusting is a picture of complete rest, peace and quiet of mind, heart and spirit. The body may have to continue working, but your attitude and spirit is calm. Thou [God] shalt keep in perfect peace he whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee (The Bible, Isaiah 26:3).
That's why you can have peace in the midst of storm. That reminds me of the picture that won a contest where the artists were supposed to illustrate peace. Most of the artists handed in quiet, calm country scenes absolute total quiet. Well, that's a form of peace! But the hardest kind of peace to have is the picture that won the award! That was a picture of roaring, raging rapids a river in all its foaming and fury. But on a slim branch overhanging the raging current, was a beautiful little nest with a tiny bird sitting there and peacefully singing away in spite of the storm. That's when your faith gets tested in the midst of the storm.
Faith in God, trust in God, gives you a feeling of rest of body, peace of mind, contentment of heart and spiritual well-being. When we know that God loves us, we know everything is going to be okay, including His taking care of everything! Then you have peace of mind and you can just rest in the Lord.
Help us not to worry, Lord, because we trust You, and we keep our mind stayed on You, and You'll keep us in perfect peace. We know You're going to handle everything and You know what's best to do, and we know that You're in control.
A bird of low degree;
My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me.
I know there are many sparrows--
All over the world they are found;
But our heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.
Though small, we are never forgotten;
Though weak we are never afraid;
For we know that the dear Lord keepeth
The life of the creatures He made.
I just fold my wings at nightfall,
Wherever I happen to be;
For the Father is always watching,
And no harm can happen to me.
I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
But I know that the Father loves me,
Dost thou know of His love for thee?
--Author Unknown
*
You may forget God, but He will never forget you.
*
Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life (The Bible, Psalm 42:8).
*
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast.
Here no fears alarm me,
Here can my soul find rest.
--Fanny Crosby
* * *
Peace that Comes from Faith
THOUGHTS FROM DAVID BRANDT BERG
If you're in a big stew, confused and worrying and fretting and fuming, you're not trusting. You don't have the faith you ought to have. Trusting is a picture of complete rest, peace and quiet of mind, heart and spirit. The body may have to continue working, but your attitude and spirit is calm. Thou [God] shalt keep in perfect peace he whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee (The Bible, Isaiah 26:3).
That's why you can have peace in the midst of storm. That reminds me of the picture that won a contest where the artists were supposed to illustrate peace. Most of the artists handed in quiet, calm country scenes absolute total quiet. Well, that's a form of peace! But the hardest kind of peace to have is the picture that won the award! That was a picture of roaring, raging rapids a river in all its foaming and fury. But on a slim branch overhanging the raging current, was a beautiful little nest with a tiny bird sitting there and peacefully singing away in spite of the storm. That's when your faith gets tested in the midst of the storm.
Faith in God, trust in God, gives you a feeling of rest of body, peace of mind, contentment of heart and spiritual well-being. When we know that God loves us, we know everything is going to be okay, including His taking care of everything! Then you have peace of mind and you can just rest in the Lord.
Help us not to worry, Lord, because we trust You, and we keep our mind stayed on You, and You'll keep us in perfect peace. We know You're going to handle everything and You know what's best to do, and we know that You're in control.
Who made it?
Many years ago Sir Isaac Newton had an exact replica of our solar system made in miniature. At its center was a large golden ball representing the sun, and revolving around it were smaller spheres attached at the ends of rods of varying lengths. They represented Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and the other planets. These were all geared together by cogs and belts to make them move around the "sun" in perfect harmony.
One day as Newton was studying the model, a friend who did not believe in the Biblical account of creation, stopped by for a visit. Marveling at the device and watching as the scientist made the heavenly bodies move in their orbits, the man exclaimed, "My, Newton, what an exquisite thing! Who made it for you?"
Without looking up, Sir Isaac replied, "Nobody."
"Nobody?" his friend asked.
"That's right! I said nobody! All of these cogs and belts and gears just happened to come together, and wonder of wonders, by chance they began revolving in their set orbits and with perfect timing."
The unbeliever got the message! It was foolish to suppose that the model merely happened. But it was even more senseless to accept the theory that the Earth and the vast Universe came into being by chance.--Richard W. DeHaan
*
To assert that a world as intricate as ours emerged from chaos by chance is about as sensible as to claim that Shakespeare's dramas were composed by rioting monkeys in a print shop.--Merrill C. Tenney
*
Lord Kelvin (1824-1907), British inventor after whom the absolute scale of temperature is named, is known for his work on the first transatlantic telegraph cable and for formulating the Second Law of Thermodynamics. He said: "The commencement of life upon Earth certainly did not take place by any action of chemistry or electricity or crystalline grouping of molecules. We must pause, face to face with the mystery and miracle of the creation of living creatures."
*
For myself, faith begins with a realization that a Supreme Intelligence brought the universe into being and created man. It is not difficult for me to have this faith, for it is incontrovertible that where there is a plan there is intelligence. An orderly unfolding universe testifies of the truth of the most majestic statement ever uttered: "In the beginning God ... "--Dr. Arthur Compton (1892-1962, Nobel Prize winner in physics)
*
All that I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all that I have not seen.-Ralph Waldo Emerson
*
Blind
"Show me your God!" the doubter cries.
I point him to the smiling skies;
I show him all the woodland greens;
I show him peaceful sylvan scenes;
I show him winter snows and frost;
I show him waters tempest-tossed;
I show him hills rock-ribbed and strong;
I bid him hear the thrush's song;
I show him flowers in the close--
The lily, violet, and rose;
I show him rivers, babbling streams;
I show him youthful hopes and dreams;
I show him maids with eager hearts;
I show him toilers in the marts;
I show him stars, the moon, the sun;
I show him deeds of kindness done;
I show him joy; I show him care;
And still he holds his doubting air,
And faithless goes his way, for he
Is blind of soul, and cannot see!
--John Kendrick Bangs
*
Behind every watch there had to be a watchmaker, and so behind the intricate precision of this great universe there had to be a divine Designer and Creator.--Dr. Robert Millikan (1868-1953, physicist and Nobel prize winner.)
One day as Newton was studying the model, a friend who did not believe in the Biblical account of creation, stopped by for a visit. Marveling at the device and watching as the scientist made the heavenly bodies move in their orbits, the man exclaimed, "My, Newton, what an exquisite thing! Who made it for you?"
Without looking up, Sir Isaac replied, "Nobody."
"Nobody?" his friend asked.
"That's right! I said nobody! All of these cogs and belts and gears just happened to come together, and wonder of wonders, by chance they began revolving in their set orbits and with perfect timing."
The unbeliever got the message! It was foolish to suppose that the model merely happened. But it was even more senseless to accept the theory that the Earth and the vast Universe came into being by chance.--Richard W. DeHaan
*
To assert that a world as intricate as ours emerged from chaos by chance is about as sensible as to claim that Shakespeare's dramas were composed by rioting monkeys in a print shop.--Merrill C. Tenney
*
Lord Kelvin (1824-1907), British inventor after whom the absolute scale of temperature is named, is known for his work on the first transatlantic telegraph cable and for formulating the Second Law of Thermodynamics. He said: "The commencement of life upon Earth certainly did not take place by any action of chemistry or electricity or crystalline grouping of molecules. We must pause, face to face with the mystery and miracle of the creation of living creatures."
*
For myself, faith begins with a realization that a Supreme Intelligence brought the universe into being and created man. It is not difficult for me to have this faith, for it is incontrovertible that where there is a plan there is intelligence. An orderly unfolding universe testifies of the truth of the most majestic statement ever uttered: "In the beginning God ... "--Dr. Arthur Compton (1892-1962, Nobel Prize winner in physics)
*
All that I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all that I have not seen.-Ralph Waldo Emerson
*
Blind
"Show me your God!" the doubter cries.
I point him to the smiling skies;
I show him all the woodland greens;
I show him peaceful sylvan scenes;
I show him winter snows and frost;
I show him waters tempest-tossed;
I show him hills rock-ribbed and strong;
I bid him hear the thrush's song;
I show him flowers in the close--
The lily, violet, and rose;
I show him rivers, babbling streams;
I show him youthful hopes and dreams;
I show him maids with eager hearts;
I show him toilers in the marts;
I show him stars, the moon, the sun;
I show him deeds of kindness done;
I show him joy; I show him care;
And still he holds his doubting air,
And faithless goes his way, for he
Is blind of soul, and cannot see!
--John Kendrick Bangs
*
Behind every watch there had to be a watchmaker, and so behind the intricate precision of this great universe there had to be a divine Designer and Creator.--Dr. Robert Millikan (1868-1953, physicist and Nobel prize winner.)
Love's Gift
In the days before the Civil War in the United States, a young black girl was being sold at an auction. She was a beautiful girl, tall and slender. The bidding was intense, and quickly mounted higher and higher until at last only two were left vying for her ownership: one a coarse man who cursed and swore as he raised his bids against the other, a dignified gentleman. Finally the bidding stopped, and to the quiet man who had so earnestly bid were given the papers which made him the lawful owner of the young girl.
With a shove the auctioneer presented her to her new master. She stood defiantly before him, hating him with every fibre of her being. Suddenly a change came over her face; a look of amazement changed to incredulity as she saw her owner ripping up the papers of ownership. With a kind smile he said, "My dear, you are free. I bought you that I might free you."
Too stunned for speech, the girl merely stared until finally she threw herself at his feet, crying out with tears and happiness, "Oh master! I'll love and serve you all my life!"
What the papers of ownership could not do, the man's kindness had won completely.
Someone has loved you and has "paid" for you with His life!--A high price indeed! By suffering a cruel death in your place, Jesus paid the price that was necessary for the bonds of evil to be loosed from you. Whatever has bound you--your past, your sins, your weaknesses--He has broken those bonds, and all you need to do to experience the freedom He gives is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Master, to invite Him into your heart and to let Him have His way in your life. He has "bought" you, so that He can set you free.
"Ye are bought with a price.... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (1 Corinthians 6:20; John 8:36, KJV).
* * *
When I came to believe in Christ's teaching, I ceased desiring what I had wished for before. The direction of my life, my desires, became different. What was good & bad changed places.--Leo Tolstoy
Love Is
Love is the filling from one's own,
Another's cup;
Love is the daily laying down
And taking up;
A choosing of the stony path
Through each new day,
That other feet may tread with ease
A smoother way.
Love is not blind, but looks abroad
Through other eyes;
And asks not, "Must I give?" but "May
I sacrifice?"
Love hides its grief, that other hearts
And lips may sing;
And burdened walks, that other lives
May buoyant wing.
Hast thou a love like this that dwells
Within thy soul?
'Twill crown thy life with bliss when thou
Dost reach the goal.
--Author Unknown
Dost thou so love and give to all
To such degree?
"Nay," thou answeredst still, "alas,
"'Tis not in me."
But from our meagre store, 'tis true,
We cannot share
Such wealth unless Another puts
This love in there.
Dost ask Who puts a love
So great within?
The Prince of Peace Who loved and gave!--
Now I love Him.
In loving Him my soul has found
Its joy and rest;
Through Him I give to others of
His love, His best.
--Chloe West
With a shove the auctioneer presented her to her new master. She stood defiantly before him, hating him with every fibre of her being. Suddenly a change came over her face; a look of amazement changed to incredulity as she saw her owner ripping up the papers of ownership. With a kind smile he said, "My dear, you are free. I bought you that I might free you."
Too stunned for speech, the girl merely stared until finally she threw herself at his feet, crying out with tears and happiness, "Oh master! I'll love and serve you all my life!"
What the papers of ownership could not do, the man's kindness had won completely.
Someone has loved you and has "paid" for you with His life!--A high price indeed! By suffering a cruel death in your place, Jesus paid the price that was necessary for the bonds of evil to be loosed from you. Whatever has bound you--your past, your sins, your weaknesses--He has broken those bonds, and all you need to do to experience the freedom He gives is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Master, to invite Him into your heart and to let Him have His way in your life. He has "bought" you, so that He can set you free.
"Ye are bought with a price.... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (1 Corinthians 6:20; John 8:36, KJV).
* * *
When I came to believe in Christ's teaching, I ceased desiring what I had wished for before. The direction of my life, my desires, became different. What was good & bad changed places.--Leo Tolstoy
Love Is
Love is the filling from one's own,
Another's cup;
Love is the daily laying down
And taking up;
A choosing of the stony path
Through each new day,
That other feet may tread with ease
A smoother way.
Love is not blind, but looks abroad
Through other eyes;
And asks not, "Must I give?" but "May
I sacrifice?"
Love hides its grief, that other hearts
And lips may sing;
And burdened walks, that other lives
May buoyant wing.
Hast thou a love like this that dwells
Within thy soul?
'Twill crown thy life with bliss when thou
Dost reach the goal.
--Author Unknown
Dost thou so love and give to all
To such degree?
"Nay," thou answeredst still, "alas,
"'Tis not in me."
But from our meagre store, 'tis true,
We cannot share
Such wealth unless Another puts
This love in there.
Dost ask Who puts a love
So great within?
The Prince of Peace Who loved and gave!--
Now I love Him.
In loving Him my soul has found
Its joy and rest;
Through Him I give to others of
His love, His best.
--Chloe West
Turning Trials into Treasures!
Were there no night, we could not read the stars;
The heavens would turn into a blinding glare.
Freedom is best seen through prison bars,
And rough seas calmed make a passing fair.
We cannot measure joys but by their loss;
When blessings fade away, we see them then.
Our richest clusters grow around the cross,
And in the nighttime angels sing to men.
--Author Unknown
An oyster on the ocean floor opened wide its shell to let the water pass over it. As the water flushed through, its gills picked out food, sending it to its stomach. Suddenly a large fish nearby stirred up a cloud of sand and silt with a flip of its tail. Sand! Oh, how the oyster disliked sand. It was so rough and made life so unpleasant and uncomfortable and was such a bother whenever any got inside its shell. Quickly the oyster slammed its shell shut, but it was too late. One hard gritty grain of sand had gotten in and lodged itself between his inner flesh and his shell.
My, how that piece of sand bothered the oyster! But almost immediately, special glands God had given him for coating the inside of his shell began working to coat the irritating grain of sand with a lovely smooth and shiny covering. Year after year the oyster added a few more layers of the coating onto the tiny grain of sand until at last, it had produced a beautiful lustrous pearl of great value.
Sometimes the problems we have are a bit like that grain of sand. They bother us and we wonder why we have the irritation and inconvenience they can be. But the grace of God begins to work a wonder with our problems and weaknesses, if we let Him. We become more humble and yielded, more desperate in prayer, closer to the Lord, wiser, and better able to resist the problems. Like blessings in disguise, the Lord soon takes the rough pieces of sand in our life and turns them into precious pearls of strength and power and they become a hope and inspiration to many.
* * *
The Lord makes you stronger with each victory. It's sort of like inoculation: He gives you small doses so you won't catch the disease, so you will constantly gradually build up your resistance to it. Whereas, if you are never tested, never given a small dose, you will never be able to take the big dose.
In the Middle Ages, because assassination by poison was so common, kings and important men used to take small doses of poison every day. They'd start off with a very tiny portion, just a few grains, and keep taking a little more each day, until they gradually built up a resistance, so that if somebody gave them a large dose, it wouldn't be fatal.
It's kind of like the Lord does with us: He gives us a little more each day to test us, to try us, to build up our strength and resistance. He inoculates us with a little more serum of sacrifice and trial and trouble and battle each day.
He's trying to make you stronger every day and make you able to give a little more, sacrifice a little more, suffer a little more, fight a little more, and grow a little more.--David Brandt Berg
* * *
Your sorrow is meant to be a strength-giver to you, and to equip you for giving strength to others.--David Brandt Berg
* * *
"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:4-5).
The heavens would turn into a blinding glare.
Freedom is best seen through prison bars,
And rough seas calmed make a passing fair.
We cannot measure joys but by their loss;
When blessings fade away, we see them then.
Our richest clusters grow around the cross,
And in the nighttime angels sing to men.
--Author Unknown
An oyster on the ocean floor opened wide its shell to let the water pass over it. As the water flushed through, its gills picked out food, sending it to its stomach. Suddenly a large fish nearby stirred up a cloud of sand and silt with a flip of its tail. Sand! Oh, how the oyster disliked sand. It was so rough and made life so unpleasant and uncomfortable and was such a bother whenever any got inside its shell. Quickly the oyster slammed its shell shut, but it was too late. One hard gritty grain of sand had gotten in and lodged itself between his inner flesh and his shell.
My, how that piece of sand bothered the oyster! But almost immediately, special glands God had given him for coating the inside of his shell began working to coat the irritating grain of sand with a lovely smooth and shiny covering. Year after year the oyster added a few more layers of the coating onto the tiny grain of sand until at last, it had produced a beautiful lustrous pearl of great value.
Sometimes the problems we have are a bit like that grain of sand. They bother us and we wonder why we have the irritation and inconvenience they can be. But the grace of God begins to work a wonder with our problems and weaknesses, if we let Him. We become more humble and yielded, more desperate in prayer, closer to the Lord, wiser, and better able to resist the problems. Like blessings in disguise, the Lord soon takes the rough pieces of sand in our life and turns them into precious pearls of strength and power and they become a hope and inspiration to many.
* * *
The Lord makes you stronger with each victory. It's sort of like inoculation: He gives you small doses so you won't catch the disease, so you will constantly gradually build up your resistance to it. Whereas, if you are never tested, never given a small dose, you will never be able to take the big dose.
In the Middle Ages, because assassination by poison was so common, kings and important men used to take small doses of poison every day. They'd start off with a very tiny portion, just a few grains, and keep taking a little more each day, until they gradually built up a resistance, so that if somebody gave them a large dose, it wouldn't be fatal.
It's kind of like the Lord does with us: He gives us a little more each day to test us, to try us, to build up our strength and resistance. He inoculates us with a little more serum of sacrifice and trial and trouble and battle each day.
He's trying to make you stronger every day and make you able to give a little more, sacrifice a little more, suffer a little more, fight a little more, and grow a little more.--David Brandt Berg
* * *
Your sorrow is meant to be a strength-giver to you, and to equip you for giving strength to others.--David Brandt Berg
* * *
"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:4-5).
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