ONE Step at a Time

The testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3 (NIV 1984)

Hardship...it sometimes destroys a spirit. But character can be strengthened in the crucible of suffering. Do you ask God to develop perseverance in you through each trial you face? I didn’t use to ask God for anything but relief! But I have learned through the most difficult trials in my life there is great value in asking God to develop in me perseverance so that when the next trial comes... I will be more fully prepared to know how to respond in it. Remembering God's strong arm of faithfulness will be all we will ever need to help us withstand any crisis. 

God’’s Word is my Guide... and it is good to remember that it is God who is leading me. So I have learned to banish my worries by adopting these words..."one step ~ enough for me.”  

God desire to lead you too. You might as well quit straining to know what tomorrow will hold since God doesn't give us a crystal ball to see into the future. His Word is like a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path, (Psalms 119:105). God's Word tells us we don't need to know what will happen tomorrow. Praise the Lord! I can leave tomorrows problems until tomorrow...so this gives me at least one less thing to persevere through today! 

I have been given today to walk one step at a time... unafraid because I’m walking on the lighted path with Jesus. 

God has many ways that He might use to achieve His ends, but His wisdom determined the best way to accomplish them. ~Samuel Willard

The Victory is Yours...

    ...They will fight against you,
       but they will not defeat you,
    because I am with you.
    I will rescue you and save you," says the Lord. ~Jeremiah 15:20b (NCV)

We’ve all been there. Life seems to be going along peacefully and your problems are small, when suddenly out of “nowhere” you are engaged in a battle! 

Like a peaceful nation that must defend it’s walls and enter into battle when attacked from it’s enemies, our peaceful lives are called to battle when we are attacked by life’s harsh realities. When our lives are touched by serious illnesses, broken relationships or financial worries...to name just a few...we must leave our “mountaintop retreat” and go down into the valley. The valley is a sandy battlefield where keeping a firm footing on the solid foundation of God’s promises will be necessary for our victory.

One of our most difficult struggles we will engaged in will be to resist the noise of the enemy’s taunts and seek the Lord’s voice instead. Thankfully, the Lord understands our weaknesses and weariness and He is faithful to lead us firmly to victory in the valley. Yet, how bittersweet the victories can be when the battle ends. 

Feeling tired but grateful for all God has done...the Lord gives us His strength for our victory journey up to the summit with Him. Gently He guides us to sit with him high above the trees and look out with Him to a breath-taking view of what He has created. While resting with God in this moment of peace and beauty, it seemed safe to ask him...”Why?” Feeling a bit bolder still, we may even make a heartfelt request, “Please Lord, no more tough battles...this last one was too hard”. 

 It is here in these intimate moments with God that the Lord has chosen to speak to our hears and imparts the godly wisdom we pray so often for.

“What is necessary will come.” he reveals, “There is nowhere you will ever go that I have not also been. My truth always wins...you are assured the victory.”

Ahh... the sacred summit. In a world of constant change...there is a place that we can find a permanence. That place is in the person of Jesus Christ.

This is why You are great, Lord GOD . There is no one like You, and there is no God besides You, as all we have heard confirms. 2 Samuel 7:22