I can't imagine not knowing God. I know there were many years that I tried to do things without Him. Growing up I didn't know the first thing about God and His love for me. I only remember going to church one time as a child. It was a Easter Sunday; My sister, brother and I received what I thought to be, some lovely clothes for our Easter gift. We dressed all up and headed off to church. On our way home from church my parents argued about us not being dressed well enough for "those people". I thought if that is what church is all about, why would I want to go to it. (I was only around 5, but it left me with some very bad thoughts about God, church and church people). What an impact that church could have had on an unsaved family. I PTL that in my teen years my Step-dad and Mom received Christ as their personal Savior and not long after that I did.
Last night I read about Jesus taking the little children into His arms speaking about the love, care and protection with which He embraces all those who come to Him. This is how God is, He doesn't care about the clothes we wear. In my forever and ever persuit for complete holiness (I know I can't receive complete holiness until I see Jesus someday). I am forever searching the scriptures to see how God wants me to live my life. I was so comforted by these verses below. Knowing His arms are forever around me helping me make it through each day, carrying me when I run in to some hard times. These verses remind me and show me, how things in my life, that I think are troublesome are nothing for God.
I am so glad God’s arms are everlasting. My arms grow tired too soon. I can only do so much with my arms, before my arms fall limp by my side, but His arms are everlasting. They never grow old, they never weaken and they never need to rest. Their strength never fail and they last forever. Long after they have done all the saving, comforting and creating that needs to be done, they will still be as strong as the day it all started.
Chronicles 32:8 speaks about the weakness of the arm of flesh (man’s arm) and yet I so often put my trust in the arm of flesh which is very weak, limited and will fade away. If I were being swept away by a powerful river and a child stretched out his arm, but at the same time, a giant stretched out his arm, would I grab the hand of the child or the giant? Why then do I grab the arm of flesh when God’s mighty arm is also outstretched? Seems crazy, yet that is exactly what I do most of the time.
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms… (Deuteronomy 33:27
Psalm 89:13 says: “You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.” Yes God’s arm is mighty. In fact it is almighty. We have real limits to how much weight we can pick up, but there is no limit to God’s strength. He is all-powerful and has unlimited power.
Throw yourself on Him with all your cares, fears and weakness. Lean on Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)
When I stumble and fall God is always there to catch me. Psalm 37:17 says “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.”
How reassuring to know He is not only steadying me when our legs feel weak but He also holds me up. Unfortunately I often think I am standing on my own feet and don’t realize that I am being upheld by Him.
Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
Just when I falter, just when I fear;
Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him, Jesus is true,
Never forsaking, all the way thro',
Giving for burdens pleasures anew,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong,
Bearing my burdens all the day long;
For all my sorrow giving a song,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him, He is my all,
Answering when upon Him I call;
Tenderly watching lest I should fall,
Just when I need Him most.
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.
Great post today Lori. What a wonderful song and thought for the day. People tend to not reach for God until their life is a mess and they finally realize that they can't make it alone. I too turned away from Chruch for a while because of some people that were going there. I was blaming God when I should have realized that God was still good, it was the people that were evil.
ReplyDeleteWONDERFUL post, Lori! And it's not weird that you grab man's outstretched hands instead of God's 'coz I do the same, too. Need to remind myself not to do it again and again and again he he he...
ReplyDeleteThat was great, Lori, so encouraging!
ReplyDeleteReassuring. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou forgot the part of them not wanting little brother in the service but to put him in the Nursery. Like the first time I ever went there I was going to let my little one into strangers hands.
ReplyDeleteAnyway Praise the Lord we went to a church that showed the TRUTH...Jesus. Thank You for the reminder of how we are so vunerable to being pushed away.
I love you and my internet has been down Yikes!
Love
MaMa
Amen! Lovely to read some of your testimony AND your Mama's words to you. :~D
ReplyDeleteI've heard others say they left a church because their clothes weren't right. Fortunately, Christians come in all "flavors," shapes and sizes! Hugs.
This is so beautiful especially the part when you said, "Knowing His arms are forever around me helping me make it through each day, carrying me when I run in to some hard times." Thank you for such an inspiring post, Lori. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me that "His arm is not so short that it cannot save." I really need to remember that, especially when I think of my grown son who is not walking with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI will have to see if I can apply some of your wonderful post to my singing.
ReplyDelete[Remember, when we went to the new church in New Hampshire, the choir director said he'd rather not have me in his choir. I had been singing in one for a few years in El Paso, and in a men's chorus also. I haven't sang with people since, "I have a bad ear."]
I hope you are OK now after having Aaron leave. Life goes on and people grow up, but it is hard for Moms to see it happen.
I'm sure you are like my Mom was about me, always telling of him, the good things he did and is doing. I practically ran the NASA Manned Space Center at Houston all by myself, according to her. :-)
..
Beeeeautiful post, my friend.
ReplyDeleteLove your heart, girl!
Blessings ~
Hey Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI want you all to forgive me for not commenting back to this post. I've been a little under the weather lately. I sat down to blog and just couldn't seem to think of anything to say.
I think I'm back in action again.
Blessings & hugs to all,
Lori