struggle shows we need God

The struggle is real, but it is not always what it seems. As we talked about on Monday much of the struggle is in the spirit world and not in what we can see or feel or is right in front of us.

We have heard that for a very long time, and God has been transforming our lives, making us more like Jesus, while we in a world that is fallen and broken. People live in the middle of struggles and are being continually bombarded with pain. Yet God meets us in the middle of the struggle.

God has reminded us over and over that He is what we need, better yet who we need. Often people seek what God can do rather than seek God. Stop there. Ask yourself a vital question. Do I want more of His presence or more of His blessings?

The answer might lead you to understand the struggle even more. That is why we keep on for the rest of the week examining how the struggle is real. Now it is our choice how we deal with the struggle we encounter.

Proverbs 10:8 NASB

The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will come to ruin.

Proverbs 12:15 NASB

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise.

Proverbs 14:16 NASB

A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.

I love the contrast of the wise and the foolish person as Proverbs depicts for us. It is eye opening. Seeing those contrasts is one more reason to spend time each day in Proverbs (one chapter each day corresponding to the day of the month).

Go a little further with me in this struggle. There is another spiritual reason why the struggle continues to be hard and maybe even a little lonely.

Galatians 5:16 NASB

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Hebrews 6:12 NLT

Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

I hope you get my point. The struggle gets harder when we try to walk alone, without God or neglecting the truth of Scripture in our daily life.

The struggle is real. That is why we need God.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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