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Posted: 10-26-2007 1:48:03
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During my illness I have become rather isolated. Having time off work for a time and not encountering the regular contacts that I once had enjoyed daily. I was feeling a bit down. Joy seemed in short supply in my heart. A few doubts about my own walk with God were playing at the edge of my mind. Then God brought a wonderful man in my life, and many new friends. we pray together and read the ures together. I was reminded how much we need each other.
Isolation comes at various times in our lives. Sometimes after the birth of a baby, sometimes with a move, with being off work, or sometimes after the death of someone we love or even a relationship change. When these things happen in our lives we can often find an unexpected hardness creeping in at the edges of our heart as we struggle with the change.
Whatever the reason for the subtle heart changes we feel, we need to be aware that God has instructions for us in these times of life.
"Beware then of your own hearts, dear brothers , lest you find that they too are evil and unbelieving and are leading you away from the living God. Encourage each other about these things every day …so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Hebrews 4: 12 & 13).
Find someone to encourage you in God's ways regularly. Keep your heart soft. Get comfortable with praying over the phone with a Christian friend. Seek out encouragement and find those who need the encouragement you can give.
Encouragement in the things of God helps keep the ground of your heart tilled up. It helps you guard against unbelief and that subtle deceitfulness that leads us away from the Living God.
Seek out encouragement in God's ways today….both to give and to receive! It is essential and oh so refreshing! |
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Posted: 10-16-2008 9:51:47
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I have been in a place in my life, that seems to repeat itself. I left the church in which I accepted the Lord as my savior. Where my focus was mostly on man and not on God. Did not realize that until last year when I lost my job of five years. I became rebellious right before I left the church because of practices in the church body that will remain unmentioned. I drew farther away and did not read the word as often as I used to. In other words, little by little I was becoming like the folks at this job, only did not curse. When I lost my job, I would pray and cry out to the Lord everyday. At that point I started to read the word everyday. I regained my faith in God and started as if from scratch. I found another job, nothing to write home about. I stayed there for eight months and left because of a comment the employer made. The Lord blesses me with another job in less than a month. I'm reading the word, doing my devotional, and I pray everyday and night. As I would leave for work, I would pray, and as I waited outside for someone to open this office I would pray. Yet someone here did not like the mention of our Fathers name. For two days I felt so isolated in this place. Yes I felt out of place because I was coming up against something that I thought I would be ready for. But I have come to the realization, that not only was I not prepared for the situation that occured, but that I am not strong enough. I really do not have anyone that I immediately go to for encouragement. The only ones have jobs, and one of them lives in Puerto Rico. So when the situation enfolds, I crumble and forfeit my blessing. Now I am home trying to settle myself after a day of crying and talking with the Lord. All this to say, as I am alone in my home, I ponder upon if the decision I made was a God inspired decision. I believe not. We have to continuely, at every breathing moment, stay focused on God. I focused like Peter, on the circumstances around him when he stepped out of the boat to go to where Jesus was. As the sinking feeling overcame him, I too felt the same. But instead of calling upon the name of Jesus, I became overwhelmed with emotion and just gave up. Yes, I still consider this person a friend, and I pray for them. This person was determined I was there to take their position. But God knows I was not. Now as I thank my Lord for the eye opening situation, I also thank Him for my job. As it says in His word in the book of Matthew 21:22"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." So I am thanking Him for my job, and believing that I have it... |
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