Welcome back to Heartstrings!

Like many of you this week has been a trial of some sort. All the way we can be assured that the Lord is with us. Mine was due to a spider bite. Infection set in and I wondered why God allowed this. Haven't you had those thoughts at times? But, everywhere I turned it seemed my Bible was speaking the same message. God is so much more involved in shaping our soul into the image of His Son, that a simple spider bite can be used to get a message across to a simple minded person like me.

I read this yesterday from Streams in the Desert. Authored by Margaret Bottome. "Triumphing over them in it" Colossians 2:15. That is the real triumph--triumphing over sickness, in it; triumphing over death, dying; triumphing over adverse circumstances, in them. Oh, believe me, there is a power that can make us victors in the strife. There are heights to be reached where we can look down and over the way we have come, and sing our song of triumph on this side of heaven. We can make others regard us as rich, while we are poor, and make many rich in our poverty. Our triumph is to be in it. Christ's triumph was in His humiliation. Possibly our triumph, also, is to be made manifest in what seems to others humiliation."

It might be your trial is one of fear. You come to a point where you wonder what's the use? If you have that thought, take care my friend, return to Christ and forget the lies you are paying attention to! The enemy wants to rob you blind to the message and evidence of hope. Turn your whole heart to Jesus. Don't worry how messed up you are. He already paid for that healing on the cross and when He rose from the dead He conquered the liar.

Take this from Matthew 10:26 where Jesus says, "So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known." And it goes on to tell us that the Father takes notice when even a little sparrow falls. Are you not of more value to Him than these? Do you have an answer?

There is so much about the Love of God for people in the Bible. But, you have to open it and read for yourself. Take it off the shelf or that nice coffee table where it is supposed to impress others. God sees your heart and mine.

I had a thought this morning that if in all the crazy happenings of our world this would be my last message to you what would I say? I have to say what Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the LORD with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." Amen.

This is what I keep coming back to on my own journey with God. Each time I read God's Love Letter to me it is as fresh and new as the first time. Only now am I understanding. All those years I thought were wasted in religion and trying to keep the laws, always finding failure waiting on my pillow each night...now I find peace just like Proverbs 3:24 says, "When yo lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet." Read on and find your peace!

Let me end with this little poem. "When each earthly prop gives under, and life seems a restless sea, are you then a God-kept wonder, satisfied and calm and free?" 

The Lord bless you as you glorify Him in the fires in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Abundance is...you will not be burned