Good morning, everyone.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 8:23, “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.”
Perhaps you have had the occasion such as I have recently to speak out to God and say you needed some evidence that all this stuff is for real. Song after sermon after verse after talk repeatedly declares the power and presence and peace of following Jesus. He is praised for always being there, for never letting go, for being our best friend and surest hope. We are told to take all of our cares, hurts, and concerns to Him and He will give us what we need. Assurance is given that He can make old things new, replace the bad with the good, and wash away shame and guilt and despair. Regular folk give testimony of crying out to God when they were at the end of their rope, and God was there for them. Such is the world of the average Christian who goes to church, listens to Christian music, and reads his bible. But is all this enough? More specifically, does all that I have mentioned equip and enable you and me to live the life we should, the way we should, for the One we should? What about on a Thursday night when that thing happens that always sets you off, the thing that you have prayed about endlessly? Have you translated the sermons and the songs into a viable way to overcome the temptation and abide in Christ, like the verses say? And when you fail again and are inundated with guilt, are you able to believe that He can wash you white as snow and change your heart?
I think it’s not uncommon to eventually conclude that God can do some amazing things, He can change lives and rescue people, but some things in most of us He doesn’t get around to fully addressing. You know your weaknesses and faults, or at least you should, and at some point they simply become who you are, part of your imperfections that cannot be overcome. So, which is truth? Well, our blunders and shortcomings are most certainly real. But so, too, is victory in Jesus. And if you can’t seem to get the taste of losing out of your mouth, there are others on your team who can and want to help. Truth is, your struggles will help them, too, as you strive together to get closer to Jesus and glorify Him more. This stuff is for real, so please do not grow weary.
As we seek Him today, allow someone to come along side of you to be a comforter and encourager, and be that for someone else.
Have a sweet Wednesday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
