Thoughtful Gifts from Three Wise Men

Before I begin with today's post let me apologize for being away so long.  My life has been extremely busy lately.  I usually update the posts on Sunday afternoons but my time has been shortened  on Sunday afternoons due to the busy season.  But, here I am and here we are.  Christmas is upon us.  The REAL REASON FOR THIS SEASON. 

Sunday's sermon was a wonderful eye-opening history lesson into the Christmas story.  You have read in recent posts that our pastor, Edd Deaton, encourages us to read every word in our Bible spiritually.  We sometimes get so caught up in just reading the words that we overlook very important and purposeful meaning within the deep corridors of those chosen words.  The Christmas story shared in Matthew 2 should not be read by just skimming the surface.  There is within, some very deep and purposeful meaning behind the events of that night.  Let's dive in! 

We all know that 3 wise men followed the star to Bethlehem and brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  But do we really know what this part of the story really means?  There is some rich detail here that we must dive deeper into understanding so that we can completely understand the events of this Holy Night.  These wise men didn't have a map.  There were no land marks.  There were no street signs.  They traveled many, many, many miles by foot only following a star.  Now, people I can't even get uptown without my GPS directing me along the way.  These wise men only had a star to follow.  I can't imagine their thoughts along the way.  It makes me wonder if any of them ever questioned, "Are we going the right way?  Did we make a bad turn?  Should I turn around?  Did I miss the turn off?  Did we follow the wrong star?"  They never doubted themselves.  They arrived at the very stable and manger where Jesus lay all by following a star.  I find that event alone truly remarkable.  I couldn't have done it.  Jesus would have been 10 years old by the time I had found him. 

Many know the gifts they brought but many have no clue as to what they are, and many, many more have no clue as to the deep meaning behind each chosen gift.  Out of the three, I would say gold is the most recognizable.  We all know what gold is.  It is a rustfree metal.  It never evaporates no matter how long you boil it.  In fact, the longer you boil it, the more pure and worthy it becomes.  Kind of like us.  We are God's gold.  Sometimes we face the fire where we are molded and shapened.  But the more we go through the stronger we become and the stronger our faith becomes.  We are worth more and made more pure with every trial we go through.  We never become a rusty piece of junk to God.  We are more precious than anything else He created.  See some symbolism?  We are only beginning!

The second gift, frankincense.....anyone know what that is?  Frankincense is a milky white resin extracted from species of the genus Boswellia.  It is extremely fragrant and is used to make incense.  Anyone who has ever burned incense knows that the smoke rises.  Symbolically where do your prayers go?  They rise to the Heavens.  What color do you think of when you hear the word pure?  White!  You have heard it, "He washes you white as snow."  The frankincense symbolizes your forgiveness.  The Boswellia tree also has sparse bunches of paired leaves.  A pair.  You and God.  When your eyes are focused on God alone and all else is aside, that is when you are truly washed white as snow.  When it is just you and He, and you lift up the prayer asking God into your heart, you become as pure and white as snow.  He makes you a new person.  You have a clean slate.  All is forgiven like freshly fallen snow, untarnished and pure.

The third gift, myrrh....I am guessing you also don't know what it is.  Myrrh is a reddish resin that comes from species of the tree genus Commiphora.  The tree can be found in the shallow, rocky soils of Ethiopia, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Somalia. It boasts spiny branches with sparse leaves that grow in groups of three, and can reach a height of 9 feet (3 meters).  Where does this tree grow?  On the rock!  Where did God have his church built?  On the rock.  Also if you noticed the leaves grow in groups of three.  What else comes in threes?  Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!  Something else about myrrh....it is drawn by cutting a huge slit in the trunk of the tree and after the trunk is slit with a deep cut, the myrrh begins to ooze out first yellow in tint.  It begins to change color to a deep red as the air sets upon it.  As it oozes out, it does so in tear drop shaped droplets.  The symbolizm is not accidental.  Before blood fell to the ground the day our Savior was placed on that cross, a huge cut was made in his side.  He shed tears for us as His blood fell.  The third gift is a reminder of His gift for you.  He died for you.  He bled for you.  He shed tears for you.

And yet, we make rare appearances to his Birthday party!  We make excuses for why we can't go.  On that night, 3 wise men gave Jesus gifts.  It is our turn now.  The only gift He wants is to have YOU!  It is not accidental that you are reading this.  He knew you would.  There is a reason.  This Christmas take time to reflect upon the REAL meaning behind the events that took place that night.  Read every word spiritually.  Dive in deep to the hidden meaning behind every chosen event.  You might actually receive a gift yourself!  Merry Christmas!

A Window of Hope

Our message comes from Genesis 6:15 - 16.  We all know the stories and facts presented in Genesis from Adam and Eve to Noah's Ark.  Most people know them so well that they just quickly skim the passages and overlook very important and purposefull text.  How many times d you think you would find Jesus in the old testament?  Physically you don't read His name anywhere till you get to the new testament.  BUT...
He is there as much in Genesis as he is in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John!  We often ovelook and read over too quickly the sotry of Noah.  Godtld Noah, "There is nothing but wicked on this Eart of mine.  I want you to build an ark to protect you and the your family and 2 of all the animals I created."  We know this.  We heard this story a thousand times growing up....but did we ever really look at the boat?  The Bible takes time to mention Noah putting a window in the boat.  On this enormous boat, he put only 1 teeny tiny window and guess where it was placed????  Above their heads!!  Would you have only put 1 window in that enormous boat?  But the meaning behind this particular scripture goes deeper than just a simple window. 

Think about it, sadness always looks down.  Lost always looks around.  But hope always looks up.  Where was that window again???  How many times do we stop and examine what we are reading or the purpose of the chosen text.  How many times do we honestly look up when the storms of life are raining down?  When storms roll in we aren't interested in loking at the sights.  God knew this and that is why Noah's instructions were to only put 1 window and it was up, not to the side, and not down.  When God destroyed the world the first time, He showed Noah and us that the only one way to look is up.  When your eyes of your head, life, and spirituality fail to look up you are doomed.  There is no way to succeed and make it i life's storms if you don't look up out that window of hope.

That window was there to remind the people on that boat not to lose hope and to keep looking up.  This window wasn't much of a window either.  It was very, very small.  You've heard the statement, "With any inkling of hope."  Isn't that a very small amount of hope?  That is all it takes.  If you look in Matthew 7, you will find a parallel verse for this particular passage in Genesis.  "Straight is the way and narrow is the gate."  Think about this small and narrow window.  Through that small and narrow window they see God.  That window is a symbol we are to use as a promise storms end only when we look up and follow our eyes through the narrow opening and find Jesus there.  When looking for Jesus in the old testament you have to pay attention to the details.  He is there.  This little window proves this.  Irony of Jesus in the Ark is that the Ark had to go through the storm.  We are the ark.  Just as Noah faced the storm for 40 days and 40 nights, we will also face storms.  Unless you have God to seal you in and protect you and have Faith that He will do so, you are doomed.  Like the ark sealed up, you should be sealed by the blood of Jesus.  Storms will continue to rage around you but is Jesus in place to open your window of hope?

Are You An Accomodating Host?

Today's message comes from 1 Corinthians 6:19 - 20
This is written by Paul.  Paul is telling the church that the 3rd part of the Holy Trinity lies within you.  This verse is often used when people are typically choosing to do things they shouldn't such as smoking, drinking, drugs, etc...

1 Corinthians 6:19 - 20 says:
¹⁹What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  ²⁰For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

If the Holy Ghost truly dwells in your heart, are you being a very accomodaing host?  You are supposed to light up a room when you walk in - people should say you are obviously living with God in you.  It should be radiating out of us.  People know a church is a place of worship upon seeing the  building.  Do people see you as a temple?  Are they able to see God in you by first glance?

Do you live like God would want you to live?  When you rent an apartment or a house, you always want to take care of it so that you don't have to pay that extra fine at the end of your stay.  Technically we are renting our bodies for a while on Earth.  God owns us so we are to take extra good care of our rental property for it isn't ours to mess with.  Maybe you are an overeater, a person whose language leaves less to be desirable, or maybe you are a heavy drinker.  Whatever the problem may be, we all have them.  We can all certainly admit we are not the most accomodating host or renters for that matter. 

The second part of the scripture says that you were bought with a huge price.  God sacrificed a lot to buy you.  Think about this:  When you buy something, don't you value it and want to show it off?  God views you as his.  God is so proud of each and everyone of us even though we make mistakes, he is still proud of us.  Just like you are proud to show off your new clothes or your new car or even your new lawnmower.  That is how proud God is to have you.

Everyone wants to be a part of something.  In John 15:16 we learn that we are a part of something.  God is telling us that we didn't choose Him but He chose us.  God loves you more than anyone else could ever possibly love you. 

Sadly, most of us devalue our purchase price everyday.  Pray, choose your words wisely, have patience, love your neighbor, read the Bible, take care of your rental property.......it isn't yours to begin with!

Launch Out into the Deep

Our message this week came from Luke 5:4-10
⁴Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
 ⁵And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
 ⁶And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
 ⁷And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
 ⁸When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
 ⁹For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
 ¹⁰And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

As Christians, it is very important that we examine this set of scriptures.  Just reading the above scriptures, it sounds like a story of an amazing fishing trip but it is much more than that.  This is a lesson for our daily lives as Christians.  Something happened here that we all need to look at.  We are given so much in these scriptures.  We are given instructions and actions, a reward, and a conviction all within these verses.

The first is:  To launch out into the deep and get ready for your catch. 
If we are going to do what God expects of us, we can't stay in the shallow end of the pool and expect to catch fish.  God tells us to launch out into the deep.  We go to church and ask people to go to church with us but how many of us are really launching out in the deep?  We ask those that we know and rarely even make eye contact with strangers.  All too often we are trying to catch fish in the shallow, comfortable end of the pool.  We can't win people to Christ by playing it safe.  We have to be willing to start conversation and get out of the comfort zone if we are going to truly do what God expects us to do.  I think about a mission trip I went on my junior year in college.  I attended a trip called Beach Reach where college students traveled to Panama City Beach, Florida the week of spring break to witness to kids our own age.  Do you know how hard it is to witness to people your own age?  We were stepping out into the least expected place a Christian would ever think about being.  We walked around in bar parking lots handing out cards inviting these teens to come to our free pancake breakfast where we planned on feeding them and witnessing to them.  We offered free van rides from bar to bar but while they were in our van we would witness to them.  We walked the beach handing out our cards to teens and witnessing to them right there on the beach.  It was scary but rewarding.  Talk about launching out into the deep.  You wouldn't expect to see a bunch of Christians walking around a bar parking lot, but we did all to get God's word out.  This is the type of witnessing we are to be doing.  Many times Christians avoid going to places Christians shouldn't be, but really if we are to do what God tells us, we shouldn't be avoiding those places but going there with the intent to win those people to Christ.  Witness to the lady checking you out at the grocery store, witness to the person trying to sell you a new cell phone in the mall, instead of just inviting your next door neighbor (though you should do that too.)  We are to witness to everyone we meet whether we are comfortable or not.  Jesus tells us to launch out into the deep.  This is an instruction.

The second is:  to be ready "AT HIS WORD"
Whether we are catching anything or not, we ar to act on God's word and not become discouraged.  The scriptures tell us that Simon spoke of toiling all through the night and still not catching anything.  In our case, we may be trying to catch fish but sadly without our nets cast. Often times, we think we know exactly what we are doing and don't want to be told what to do, but are we acting on God's will or are we conforming Him to ours?  Our pride often gets in the way of our ability to witness to others.  If we would just do what God is telling us to do and rely on His word through prayer and faith, we would catch a lot more fish.  As soon as Simon Peter casts that net as God tells him to, he begins to catch so many fish they need more boats.  Wouldn't it be amazing to have so many new believers in Christ that we need to build more churches to accomodate them?  Or make bigger Sunday School rooms to accomodate all the kids?  Are we acting on God's will?  When Simon Peter acted on God's word he needed help with all those fish!  Until we start yelling for help.....we really aren't fishing!

Third:  Look at what happened though....when everyone saw what was happening they were amazed!  From that day on they all went out to the deep to fish.  Think about it.....it only took that happening one time and then it caught on with everyone else.  It only takes one spark to get a fire going.  It only takes one to make a difference.  It is like planting one kernal of corn.....you end up with two ears full of more kernals to plant.  We are to plant and sow seeds so that those people also plant and sow seeds.  A Christian walk is to be like a ripple that spreads out and makes more ripples.  You witness to one person in the deep unexpected location and they will do the same.  One person turns to two, then four, then eight.  And then God smiles.

It's time to launch out into the deep and do some fishin!

All Have Sinned and Fall Short of the Glory of God!

I was blessed today by the children in our church.  I got to lead Children's Church this morning and it was a true blessing.  I probably got more out of the lesson than they did.  If you read this blog often, you will know that usually I recap the sermon each week.  Bro. Edd was away leading revival this week and we had a guest pastor with us today.  However; my heart was still satisfied even though I wasn't sitting in a pew this morning.  My Children's Church lesson came from Matthew 20: 1 - 16.  Many of you may know this to be the parable of the workers.  Funny how, the lesson though written for children to understand, made me reflect on my own attitude and life.  I think sometimes, we adults, need to be like children.  Afterall, we are His children and sometimes He chooses the strangest of ways to speak to us.  And yes, sometimes it is through a lesson meant for a child!

One of the hardest lessons we learn is that sometimes life just doesn't seem fair.  Last week, the post talked about people who we felt die too early.  We hear it all the time, "Why do the good ones always go first?"  We walk around admiring people who live like there is no debt and wonder how they do it.  You've been there.  I know you have.  You've said it....."Life isn't fair."

But isn't it?

Let's look at the parable Jesus shared.  Read Matthew 20:1 - 16.  To paraphrase what happened.  So an owner of a vineyard needed help for just one day.  He goes out at 6 am and finds men to work.  He promises them money for their work.  They are to work all day.  He sets them to work.  He then goes back out around lunchtime and finds more men to work.  He promises them the same amount of money as the first group and they are to work the remainder of the day.  He sets them to work alongside the men who got there at 6 am.  He then goes back out close to quitting time and finds even more men to work.  He promises even them the same amount of money as the first two groups and they are to only work for the next hour.  He sets them to work alongside all the other men.  When it comes time to quit the job for the day, he pays them all the same.  Obviously the men who had been there the longest worked more,  but were paid exactly the same as the ones who had only worked for an hour.  And yes, obviously they felt they deserved more.  But isn't the money the landowner's and didn't he have the right to decide what to do with it? 

The parable tells us at the beginning that "The kindgom of heaven is like the person who owned the land."  And you know what?  God is the owner of that land.  He sent His son, Jesus to gather us as His workers in the field.  Some of us were called at 6 am (or early in life) while some of us are called close to quitting time.  Our pay is eternal life in heaven. 

This is the part that hit me when I was studying for this lesson.  You see, back in 1996, my uncle was murdered.  He was a good man in the wrong place at the wrong time.  He couldn't hear very well, and had been hired to paint the interior of a new huge home.  The owner of this new home was a well known doctor who collected rare guns and artifacts.  Someone broke into this new home while my uncle was there painting.  He didn't hear the burgular come in till it was too late.  What does this have to do with the lesson?  Well, it hit me.  This guy that murdered my uncle, he could be one of those called close to quitting time by God.  His pay is the same as mine.  We will both be paid with eternal life in heaven.  Did you see that coming?  How many of your enemies on earth will walk beside you in Heaven because they were called close to quitting time?  Doesn't seem fair does it?  I mean, here I am......someone that tries to live my life making choices God would be pleased with.  Since I can remember, I have been in church.  I have always tried to live right by God.  I was called at 6 am to work.  I know my pay is coming, but really, I get the same pay as the man who committed murder if he accepts God?  YES!  Doesn't seem fair but honestly, if we got what was fair, NO ONE WOULD GO TO HEAVEN!!!!!  Is it fair of us to claim we are workers for God, yet we just sit in a pew every Sunday?  Is it fair of us to claim we talk to God but really the only time we ever talk to Him is on Sunday or when we need something?  Really.....are we deserving of the pay we are promised?  Thankfully, God loves me even though I am the one being unfair.

Romans 3:23....."All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!" 

Meaning?  In God's eyes, all of us are sinners.  All of us make mistakes and no mistake, though we tend to rate them on Earth, is bigger than the next in God's eyes.  I am so thankful that God is a forgiving God.  I have so much that I don't deserve and I know I owe it all to Him.  He blesses all of us with so much each day.  We often take those blessings for granted.  God gives us blessings because He loves us and cares for us......EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US!  We are ALL loved the same. 

I personally know people, ones I have begged to come to church, that say, "I have done so many bad things in my life."  Guess what?!!!  It doesn't matter!  We have ALL sinned!  Their sins are no different than mine.  Do not let your mistakes fall on an earthly rating scale.  Allow your mistakes to fall on a Heavenly rating scale!  Mistakes all weigh the same!  God still takes me in day after day, month after month, and minute after minute though my life is not perfect.  He loves me through every mistake I make and teaches me valuable lessons in life.  Don't wait till quitting time to accept God's calling.....you will miss the blessings of an earthly life with God by your side.  I consider that a BONUS on my paycheck!  Don't you?

The Question Isn't: "Where Were You?" It is...."Where Will You Be?"

Brother Edd Deaton shared a wonderful message this morning.  In the shadows of the 10 year anniversary of the falling of heroes in this United States of America, Sparta Baptist gathered together for a moment of silence and then took a step out of our sheltered box to look at where our country is headed.  Many would say that our country has found power and strength, that we are finally united as we should be.  But are we where we should be?  Brother Deaton took us into the book of Isaiah. 

We will focus on Isaiah 1:18 - 31.  I encourage you to dig out that Bible and read the scriptures.  And as you read them I want you to take out the word "Jerusalem" and substitute it with the "United States of America".  Wow!  As tragedies occur all around us, we often hear people question God.  "Why did God let this happen and to so many good people?"  Sadly it isn't God's choice to let this happen.  We cause much of this ourselves.  Look at how times have changed.  Look at what is acceptable now compared to what was acceptable 100 years ago.  So much bad is now just accepted as part of being free in this country of ours.  God gives us warning to not be polluted by such foolishness.  United States is further away from God than we have ever been.  As I watch the specials and memorials for 9/11 victims I see people holding hands and crying together and comforting each other, yet I wonder how many of them have cried out to God.  How many have accepted Him because they saw no other way out of their misery?  How many now thank God for thier lives and blessings with their waking breath?  How many made that promise to never take anything for granted, not even their salvation?

Are we fooling ourselves to believe this country is heading in the right direction?  Our society has killed our spirt.  No longer do women teach their children right from wrong nor do we see kids respecting their parents or elders.  We no longer have schools or political systems built on God and His laws.  Prayer has been swiped from our children.  Unless a child attends church he/she is most likely not exposed to God in any way.  And even then, some of our churches have become too politically correct that we are scared to speak God's warnings and laws.  What are we doing?  Read the scripture!  We are turning our backs on God.

You know the song, "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning".  Everyone that lived that day can tell you where they were and what they were doing.  It is forever sketched into our memories and will be until the day we no longer take breath.  But really it isn't about where you "were", it is really where you will "be" that is important!  Where will you be when the world changes back to the way God expects it to be?  Where will you be when teachers unite together and say, "This isn't right to tell me I can't teach about God or say God or even pray to God and we won't stand for it anymore"?  Where will you be when our judges unite together and say, "I can't worry anymore about hurting your feelings or embarrassing you....you did the crime and you will pay the consequence."  Where will you be when everyone around you stops thinking selfishly and agrees to help their neighbor in need?  Where will you be when it becomes the norm to walk outside and be rushed by a group of people caring about witnessing to you?  When our kids' role models stop parading around town like fools in little to no clothing?  When television becomes wholesome and shows Christians how to be Christians instead of polluting our minds with filth?  When you can turn on the radio and finally hear a song that hit number 1 on the charts and it doesn't have a single curse word in it or talk about sex, drugs, or violence but instead talks about one's walk with God?  Imagine living in God's United States of America.  It seems so far away from reality because we have just become so immune to the filth around us.

God is asking and begging for a change in our world.  We aren't "one nation under God" anymore.  We are "one nation in need of God"!  And we are fooling ourselves into believing that if we stand united we can overpower anyone.  And, unless we are united and following God with our actions we not going to overpower anyone but ourselves.

Where will you be when all Christians stand together to fight for what our country SHOULD be built on?
The sacrifice has already been made and we must not forget.  They laid the path, sadly many of us refused to walk the right path and have chosen the path where our pride has wedged itself between us and God.

Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones that day and days since due to the horrible conditions they had to face.  The world has not stopped and we must move forward.  Our hearts now, more than ever, need to be set on changing our country into a country and world that God is proud of.  And where will you be when that happens?

A Lesson For My Heart

I usually post about the message given in church on Sunday morning but this morning I have been led to do something different.  This morning my devotional spoke right to me and my heart.  This past week has been a difficult one for me.  It seems to be true what they say, "When it rains, it pours."  It has been one problem right after another this past week for me.  I have cried a lot.  Early in the week, I found myself saying, "When you get closer to God, Satan gets closer to you....this is just Satan trying to beat on you."  I convinced myself everything was going to work out because I am a child of God.  Then Saturday rolls around and I have a health scare.  Right now, as I type, it is still unknown what is wrong with me.  The scariest part is the unknown.  What will be done?  What will the outcome be?  Is it fixable?  Is it life threatening?  All these thoughts staring me in the face as I type right now.  Satan again, sitting in my head laughing at me for being scared.  He thinks he has won.....He is mistaken.  I opened my bible this morning to do a daily devotion and prayed that God speak to me.  Guess what?!  He did.

I am a believer that God speaks to me through the great Book!  I often in times of question, just let my Bible fall open and believe God will show me answers on the page it opens to.  This morning, my Bible opened up to a special devotional page titled: "FEAR"!  Wow!  When He speaks, He speaks!  It wasn't too long ago that my husband and I walked through a storm of fear.  In a past post, I shared the devotional message God gave to me then about being on the anvil and that my faith had been restored when God took care of that situation.  I still believe He gave us that situation to help us through other trials......um....like the one I am now facing.  Sometimes we don't understand why we go through trials in our lives but I can tell you that it is so you can face other trials with more faith than you had in the last trial.  Each time you face trials in your life, your faith builds and begin to realize you can depend on God to carry you through every storm.  I want to share word for word what my Bible gave me this morning.  This comes from the Max Lucado Devotional Bible.

It says:
"Faith is often the child of fear.  Fear propelled Peter out of the boat.  He'd ridden these waves before.  He knew what these storms could do.  He'd heard the stories.  He'd seen the wreckage.  He knew the widos.  He knew the storm could kill.  And he wanted out....  Look into his eyes tonight and see fear - a suffocating heart racing fear of a man who has no way out.  But out of this fear would be born an act of faith, for faith is often the child of fear.  If Peter had seen Jesus walking on the water during a calm peaceful day, do you think that he would have walked out to him?  Nor do I.  Had the lake been carpet smooth and the journey pleasant do you think that Peter would have begged Jesus to take him on a stroll across the top of the water?  Doubtful.  But give a man a choice between sure death and a crazy chance, and he'll take the chance....every time.  Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation.  It wasn't logic that caused Moses to raise his staff on the bank of the Red Sea.  It wasn't medical research that convinced Naaman to dip seven times in the river.  It wasn't common sense that caused Paul to abandon the Law ans embrace grace.  And it wasn't a confident committee that prayed in a small room in Jerusalem for Peter's release from prison.  It was a fearful, desperate, band of backed-into-a-corner believers.  It was a church with no options.  A congregation of have nots pleading for help.  And never were they stronger.  At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear."

God is speaking to me it seems, almost all the time.  My faith in Him will not be shaken.  I know that whatever comes my way, He will use this to build me up and make me stronger for my next little storm.  This is not going to be the last and I know that.  Walking beside God will not always be a smooth road.  Without rocks and roadblocks along the way, I would probably be walking the path alone but I realize that God is there walking beside me.  If I walk out ahead of Him, I will stumble and get hurt.  If I walk beside Him He is there to save me and help me across these hurdles in the way.  I can't do this alone.  He has to carry me and He will as long as I am willing to crawl up into His arms.  I have to trust He knows what He is doing.  He counted these tears and knew this day before I was born.  He knows the outcome.  I just have to trust and have faith in my God. 

I know I am not alone.  Many people out there are facing trials too.  I pray that you are comforted by the words I found this morning in my devotion.  I often can feel God cradling me when I need that comfort.  I can hear Him saying, "Fear not my child.  I am with you.  I will take care of it."  It gives me peace to know that my God is so awesome that He does teach me faith through my little storms of life.  What has He taught you?  Think about it.