Reflections on September 28

I share the following with you from Jamie Howen:

Today my friend Pastor Brian shared with our church family about “the adventure” he has been on with God since his 44-year-old wife Sheila passed away unexpectedly this past March. He shared many ideas that resonated with me. I hope these few will bless you as well:

• We live thinking we are “self-sufficient” until God allows a trial in our lives that makes us realize how utterly dependent we are on Him. We live in a fallen world and will encounter hard times, but the Lord promises that He will always be with us and help us in every situation.

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.”

• Do you really believe his Word is true?

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

• God has made each one of us unique and we are not here by accident. We are here to do His work all the days He has ordained for us. The day Sheila died, God was not taken by surprise. (Our days are numbered and I truly praise the Lord that He has been merciful to my mother and sister, specifically, who danced on the edge of death, yet are still with us. I pray they will see His mercy and grace and receive the eternal life He has for them through Jesus our Messiah)

Psalm 139:13-16 For You formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.

• God will use everything in our lives to further develop our character, to form patience and faith and trust in Him.

• God does not want us to be stuck in our painful past, but to move on or we will miss the opportunities of the present to help others and share His power and love with those that need to hear His message of love and reconciliation. How do we respond to our trials? With trust in God? With anger or bitterness? You cannot move on to accomplish the work the Lord has prepared for you to do, unless you give your hurts and bitterness to Him.

Ephesians 2: 8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Messiah Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.