Post by JasonPensa on Dec 5, 2003 21:04:09 GMT -5
God is Always at Work: Even when I'm not seeing It.[/u][/b]
Part II
Trusting God with My Future: Letting God do His Work (Part I)
Breaking Addiction to Sight
Not to long ago I was visiting a camp up in Wisconsin. It would get really cold at night. It was dark and quiet, not like here in Chicago. I was out taking a walk in the chilly air one night. Even though I had only been there for half the day, I knew my way around the camp grounds. As I approached a more dense area of trees, it hit me. I realized I was standing at the top of the steep hill at the bottom of which was the huge lake. But I couldn't see the lake. I couldn't feel the lake. I couldn't taste the lake. I couldn't touch the lake. I couldn't even hear the lake. Yet I knew instantly that the lake was there. How?? I could feel the wind pick big time. Living in the windy city of Chicago I know few things that cause wind to pick up: Big bodies of water, Tall-big buildings (like skyscrapers), and just recently I found out that prairies can be quite windy... but that's another story for another day. So I stood there looking out seeing nothing but trees. Feeling the wind and talking to God, I realized something allot bigger deal then wind. No one has ever seen God. Far to often most of us probably don't even feel God. Yet He is there. Despite how you're feeling, or what you're seeing, He is there. Jesus said in John 20:29, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "We walk by faith, not by sight."
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarded of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
"Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." (Genesis 28:16)
God is at Work: At all times, in all situations...even when I’m not feeling it.
I don’t doubt that any one reading this wants to know that God is working in your life. If you want to break that addiction to seeing, you first must confess that at times you’ve judged God harshly. Perhaps even demanded to understand Him and His ways. (As if.) Then you must acknowledge to Him: "Lord, I know it’s true. You’re working, always working. Thank You for Your work in my life today, even when I’m not seeing it. Thank You for Your work in my church today. Forgive me for needing chills and thrills before I acknowledge Your hand. Teach me what it means to live, not by sight, but by faith. Make me a man or a woman who stands strong—not just for myself, but for my family and for generations to come. I want to make a covenant with You today, Lord. I want to tell You again that I am Yours; I belong to You; all that I have is Yours. You’re everything to me. Help me in these uncertain times to be filled with faith and obedience. Help me today to break my addiction to sight and instead to take hold by faith that You are at work, even when I’m not seeing it. Amen."
"That they may see and recognize, And consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it." (Isaiah 41:20)
Godis4u! - Romans 8:28, 31
His Servant,
Jason
Part II
Trusting God with My Future: Letting God do His Work (Part I)
Breaking Addiction to Sight
Not to long ago I was visiting a camp up in Wisconsin. It would get really cold at night. It was dark and quiet, not like here in Chicago. I was out taking a walk in the chilly air one night. Even though I had only been there for half the day, I knew my way around the camp grounds. As I approached a more dense area of trees, it hit me. I realized I was standing at the top of the steep hill at the bottom of which was the huge lake. But I couldn't see the lake. I couldn't feel the lake. I couldn't taste the lake. I couldn't touch the lake. I couldn't even hear the lake. Yet I knew instantly that the lake was there. How?? I could feel the wind pick big time. Living in the windy city of Chicago I know few things that cause wind to pick up: Big bodies of water, Tall-big buildings (like skyscrapers), and just recently I found out that prairies can be quite windy... but that's another story for another day. So I stood there looking out seeing nothing but trees. Feeling the wind and talking to God, I realized something allot bigger deal then wind. No one has ever seen God. Far to often most of us probably don't even feel God. Yet He is there. Despite how you're feeling, or what you're seeing, He is there. Jesus said in John 20:29, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "We walk by faith, not by sight."
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarded of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
"Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." (Genesis 28:16)
God is at Work: At all times, in all situations...even when I’m not feeling it.
I don’t doubt that any one reading this wants to know that God is working in your life. If you want to break that addiction to seeing, you first must confess that at times you’ve judged God harshly. Perhaps even demanded to understand Him and His ways. (As if.) Then you must acknowledge to Him: "Lord, I know it’s true. You’re working, always working. Thank You for Your work in my life today, even when I’m not seeing it. Thank You for Your work in my church today. Forgive me for needing chills and thrills before I acknowledge Your hand. Teach me what it means to live, not by sight, but by faith. Make me a man or a woman who stands strong—not just for myself, but for my family and for generations to come. I want to make a covenant with You today, Lord. I want to tell You again that I am Yours; I belong to You; all that I have is Yours. You’re everything to me. Help me in these uncertain times to be filled with faith and obedience. Help me today to break my addiction to sight and instead to take hold by faith that You are at work, even when I’m not seeing it. Amen."
"That they may see and recognize, And consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it." (Isaiah 41:20)
Godis4u! - Romans 8:28, 31
His Servant,
Jason