Supported to Thrive

At times I will begin to question if God is interested in what is going on in my life. Y'know, the great dreams you had for your life seem to be fading away and life as you know it is really a bummer. Let me encourage you to not give up!! If you have breath in your lungs and your heart is beating, then God has some great plans for your life. When I passed the 60 year old mark it was like so many people perceived me as "over the hill" and the desire to make me feel useless was piled on by the constant aches and pains, and the constant indoctrination by an apathetic worldview to just give up and wait for the end. That's so crazy isn't it? That attitude is even more depressing when you see those who just passed 30 thinking the same thing!! The enemy is all about doubt and depression and "giving up!" Oh, he would like for all believers to give up and ignore the fire that God has placed in us to live the abundant life.

God is all about us staying vibrant and growing in His Word and yes, in His grace. The more I realilze about God's grace, the more I am intrigued by it. To forgive sins as though they never happened? Now, that is really out there isn't it? If we try to look at grace through human reasoning and humanistic eyes, we won't understand it. But if we see grace a little more like God sees grace we begin to get a glimpse of "God's glory!" God is for us!! Duh.. Jesus....The Cross....The Grave.....The Victory!!! How soon we forget just how much God wants us to succeed and thrive. In 2 Chronicles 16:9 the scripture reads 9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. God is all about strengthening us and supporting us as His children. We are blood bought relatives, and it was the blood of His only Son who made that connection possible. Live in it and love in it and trust God's support for you. Age has nothing to do with it because we live from the inside out. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

God's support apparently has a great purpose in it. We cannot stand on our own, but with God's power WE CAN STAND!! So what should we do? STAND!! 1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. The modern day Christian is so much like those believers in the Corinthian church it is scary, but something CAN be done. Something MUST be done. STAND in the support of the Lord!! When you get the urge to give up and just let life go by, resist! Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. A lot of people are suffering right now and it is difficult for even Christians to get very enthusiastic about serving Jesus, but we must hold on to the faith and thus hold on to Jesus. Peter wrote this in his first letter in 1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. We are not alone. First of all, God is here to support us. Secondly, there are other believers all over the world who are having their faith tested. Thirdly, we must change. Romans 12:2 says Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. When we get to cranking out the abundant life we also need to have some changes take place in our lives. Pray more. Study God's Word more. Share your faith more. Fellowship more with other believers. Be the church!!

So what is going to be the end result. Jesus said it best (of course) in John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” That pretty well closes out today's blog for me, and I hope for you too. Keep the faith...God supports you....THRIVE!!

The Pilgrimage Continues....

David Warren