God wants to keep you from sin

“... Do not be afraid.  God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 

Exodus 20:20

When in the midst of life’s fiery trials, fears, decisions, and torments, remember: God is with you!  Therefore, prove to him that you are faithful by staying away from sin and doing what he is telling you to do.  

So step out of the loud noises of the world and hear God, otherwise, you will keep God drowned out and the blessings of life he is leading you to will be washed away by this crazy world in which we live.

Running away from God

“ The word of the Lord came to Jonah… But Jonah ran away from the Lord… Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.”

Jonah 1:1,3,4

If your life is in a complete whirlwind of stress, confusion, and fear right now; if your life seems cluttered, out of order and going in circles, then maybe it’s time to stop and listen, LISTEN, to God… there is a good chance he’s just trying to get your attention.

Staying focused in the midst of the storms

“When you focus on God, (a consistent focus, a deep focus), your sadness will develop into gladness [joy]; a joy no one can ever rob from you.  It will be joy like a river over-flowing its banks!”  

Adapted from John 16:21-24 MSG

Yes, when we stay focused on God in the midst of the storms, the waves will calm and the shores of peace will be awaiting our grand arrivals.

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Real faith

“… Real faith cannot be reduced to spiritual bromides and merchandised in success stories.  It is refined in the fires and storms of pain.” 

Quoted out of The Message, by Eugene H. Peterson

Real faith comes from living for, and believing in God during the good, bad, and ugly times of our lives.

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God is there

1 Kings 19:11-12The Message (MSG)

^11-12 Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

Many times we will see and hear God through the big storms and miracles of life.  However, most of the time we can only hear him when we stand quietly and wait for him.  So, take time every day to be quiet before God.  No,  you may not hear him every time, but you will feel him in your presence.  As well, if you look closely, you will find him everywhere you are.

So, look around – God is there; listen – God is speaking; stand still – God is holding you.

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 

 

The apple of God's eye

“… God’s great love and purposes for us are worked out in the messes, storms and sins, blue skies, daily work, and dreams of our common lives, working with us as we are and not as we should be.” 

Introduction to Joshua, The Message

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Never think that you are not good enough for God, because you, my friend, in all your imperfections, are the apple of God’s eye.