Monday, September 4, 2023

Trust God No Matter What

This (2023) has been a year of unprecedented hardship and heartache for so many.  Just as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, global warming and gun violence blindsided us and took the top spot in the news. Mental health issues, addiction, chronic illness, financial hardship, unprecedented natural disasters, war, human trafficking, and immigration have all escalated as well, making ever more certain the reality that we live in a fallen world that is careening toward death and destruction.  But there is hope!

Those of us who know God, know that we can TRUST GOD NO MATTER WHAT.  We know that He remains in control, sovereign over all, and that this world is not all there is.  We have the hope of heaven and the assurance in His Word that in heaven, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, ESV).  Praise God!  What a lifeline He has given us in the midst of a stormy sea!  His is the Unshakeable Kingdom.  His is the peace that surpasses all understanding, promised to those whose mind is fixed on Him.  “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV).  Although circumstances may be unbearable at times, we can have joy knowing that God the Father cares for us, that Jesus still saves, and that the Holy Spirit lives and moves within each of us who have called on the name of Jesus for salvation.

Many people, including me, believe that we are living in the last days, but no one truly knows how long “the last days” will last or when Christ will return for His Church.    Even Jesus doesn’t know the day or hour of His return.  In Matthew 24, Jesus said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only…Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (vs. 36, 44). 

Are you ready?  Have you received Jesus as Savior and surrendered your life to His Lordship? Are you reading His Word and living in the light of His promises?  Are you actively engaged in worship and fellowship with a Bible-teaching church?  If not, I pray you will invite Jesus into your life today by acknowledging your sin (we are all sinners, by the way), seeking His forgiveness purchased for you on the cross, and receiving His salvation.  It will be the best decision you ever make.  Then look for a Bible-believing church where you can be taught and built up in your newfound faith and enjoy the fellowship of likeminded believers.  As one separated from my own family, I wouldn’t take one dime for my church family!  I know that when things get tough they will be there to pray for and encourage me.

But what about those who don’t know God?  How can we who believe reach the ones who have no hope?  We need to live out our faith with authenticity, love others as Jesus did, pray for them without ceasing,  give and serve to meet their needs, and be obedient to God’s Word, not only as it pertains to us but also as it pertains to them.  God’s Word has much to say about the lost and how we are to treat our fellow humans.  Sadly, we sometimes fail to exhibit the winsome character attributes of Christ by choosing what the world values rather than what Christ values and teaches, and in so doing lose the opportunity to reach and impact those who are lost.  How tragic for them and shameful for us!   

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.  Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace…You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.  (2 Peter 3:9-14,17-18, ESV).

As believers and Christ-followers let us resolve to TRUST GOD NO MATTER WHAT.  May our faith in a good, gracious, loving Heavenly Father be the light that draws the lost to Jesus and brings hope to others in these troublesome times.

 




Copyright © 2023 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.blogspot.com

Monday, January 2, 2023

One Word: INTENTIONAL

Although INTENTIONAL is not my one word for 2023, it is a word by which I try to live my life each day.  It is a word which many of us would do well to consider as we enter a new year.

Being intentional means more than merely setting goals.  It also means working with focus, determination, and commitment to accomplish those goals, and to do and be what we desire.  For those with weight-loss goals, it means making healthier dietary choices and sticking to an exercise regiment.  For those who desire to build a nest egg, it means spending less and saving more.  For someone like me, it entails making a to-do list then actively working to accomplish the tasks listed on it so that my work hours and leisure time are both productive and enjoyable.

Being intentional also implies that the thing you intend to do is something that truly matters to you or would make a difference in the life of someone else.  One of the things I want to be intentional about in 2023 is spending time not only with those I love but also with those who are lonely or sorrowful.  This might not necessarily mean I will physically visit -- though I do as often as I can -- but also that I keep in touch by phone and letter or email.  Life is too short not to share God's love with others who really need to know how much He loves them.

What is it that you would be intentional about this year?  I can think of nothing better than to be intentional about growing in your relationship with the Lord by committing yourself to a daily quiet time of prayer and Bible study -- not for the purpose of knowing Him more, but to love Him more and experience His love for you.  God desires to have an personal, intimate relationship with you and He made that possible by sending Jesus to die for your sins so that you might have access to God by faith in Him.

2023 can be a year of true adventure and abundance if we will prioritize our love relationship with Jesus.  We know that the enemy will continue to wage war against us and our families, country, and the world, but Jesus promises us a fulfilling and abundant life in Him.  

Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10, ESV).  

As a Christ-follower and lover, I can attest to the fact that even when life is hard, His love and grace are sufficient to carry us through.  Why not be intentional about the one thing that will yield the greatest blessings you could ever imagine?  Let this be the year you fall in love with Jesus and His Word.



Copyright © 2023 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com

Sunday, January 1, 2023

One Word: WORSHIP

WORSHIP is my one word for 2023.  

Worship is not something I am convinced I fully understand, nor what God intended it to be.  My prayer is that by the end of 2023 I will know what it means to worship God in spirit and in truth. 

Just as our understanding of God is limited, so is our concept of worship.  For many of us, worship involves preference, such as music style (contemporary, traditional, blended), body posture (hands raised or not), and location where we worship (in church, at the beach, in the quiet solitude of our hearts).  For some worship must include music and for others, worship doesn't involve music at all.  

Is there a wrong way or right way to worship?  Who is worship really for -- God or us?  If we are honest, we have made worship about us and our preferences, and we have allowed worship to divide our churches and our hearts.

Matt Redman so beautifully captures the essence of this struggle in his song, "The Heart of Worship." 
When the music fadesAll is stripped awayAnd I simply come
Longin' just to bringSomething that's of worthThat will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a songFor a song in itselfIs not what You have required
You search much deeper withinThrough the ways things appearYou're looking into my heart
I'm comin' back to the heart of worshipAnd it's all about YouIt's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made itWhen it's all about YouIt's all about You, Jesus

We learn to worship in various ways and through the experiences along our journey.  We go through seasons where worship is everything we think it should be, only to find ourselves in seasons where worship seems lacking.  For me, that has certainly been the case as I have moved from a particular worship environment to its polar opposite in terms of musical style and content.  I still struggle with this at times until I remember that it's not about me.  Worship is about Jesus.

"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."-- John 4:24, NIV

Lord, as I embark on this journey of discovery in 2023, I pray for a deeper understanding of worship and a more intimate relationship with the object of my worship -- Jesus.  Thank you for Your Word, the Spirit of Truth, and the privilege to even speak the name of Jesus.  How I love you, Lord.  Let my life praise You.



Copyright © 2023 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com

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