Nearer To My Final Destination

 Life isn't all cake and cappuccino, and it isn't all sorrow and stress.

Sometimes it may seem like the latter, but even in this crazy world there can be reasons to laugh or an encouraging word.  The best encouragement comes from reminders of God's lovingkindness and His ultimately good purposes.  

Sometimes sunshine, rabbits, and flowers are a reminder of God's blessings in this life.  Even the rain and thunder can remind a person of God's power.  He rules over the weather...not the weatherman or anything we do.

I recently finished the Biblical Doctrine book, and I listened to and watched other things about future times.  Knowing of the final outcome...Christ's future reign here and into eternity with a new heaven and earth...it really is like a true happily ever after for those who belong to the Lord.  Some of what is now and in between seems fearsome, but I know it is only temporary.

Daily a reminder is needed to trust God through the difficulties and suffering and uncertainty.  The world truly seems to have gone insane, and often we seem helpless.

God is our helper though, even if sometimes we seem to be about to drown without care.  Even when I don't know what to do, I know that only in Him is my hope.  I must trust Him not to let go of us, and it doesn't depend on me.  Even in the tossing waves, God is bringing us nearer to our final destination.  May God cause the waves to grow me closer to Him.  The fires that destroy wood also purifies gold.  The waves that can topple a sandcastle or cause a bird to run can cleanse a wound with the salt though it stings.  I may not know all of God's purposes, so I must remind myself of the truth about Him and pray that He will work in me and through all of the insanity going on in the world.

There are so many little things to remind myself of that God has given me to enjoy, and He's given me His Word to learn from.  I just need to remember to look and find there is something to be thankful for.

Immigration from the Soviet Union - God's Faithfulness in Harrowing Times

Their parents were arrested as Christians in a communist country.

Christian literature was hidden under one of them as a baby (and discovered).
This is a really interesting account of how God brought Mark & Joe as children to the U.S. from Russia (Latvia) 30 years ago, and how it can relate to our own difficult situations.

Thinking Biblically with Mark and Joe Zhakevich
Mark and Joe Zhakevich, elders at our church and professors at The Master’s Seminary, reflect on God’s faithfulness, family, and immigrating to the United States.
Posted by Grace Community Church on Saturday, April 25, 2020

When I was young and went to Grace Community Church, letters were sent to encourage Christians in the Soviet Union.
I later met some others who came from Russia and were trying to minister to people still there.

Before glasnost and perestroika, I used to listen to the news in my youth and about how close war could be with the Soviet Union.
I also remember imagining as a young person about somehow being a missionary in Russia, but then young people often think they are braver than they really are or turn out to be as adults.

I found the story of these guys fascinating.
I'm sure it was frightening in reality for the adults, and yet, God was faithful!
That doesn't mean that God isn't faithful when people do get imprisoned or sick or in hardships.
The Lord is still the faithful Shepherd of His sheep.  He will be with us and help us.
I know I need to keep reminding myself of these things.

God Is Faithful In The Shadowland

Have you ever noticed that in the Bible you often see people going over and reminding themselves about what God has already done for them and for Israel in the past?

I believe that is a great example for me.  When I struggle with anxiety and lack of faith in God's taking care of me when I get stressed, I find it's helpful to remember that God has always taken care of me in the past as well.

Having grown up in a home where my Dad  was doing a ministry for many years, we sometimes were in the position where we didn't know where the money would come from to support us and the ministry.  Then God would provide for us ... sometimes from unexpected sources.

One time we were feeling the need to move from a house that had a mold issue in it that my parents were renting.  We prayed as a family one night and during the prayer time a phone call came from a man telling us about a house for rent!

There are just so many situations that God has helped me through.  Sometimes I have felt I couldn't stand pain or more recently dizziness and head ringing any longer.  I know that God knows more what I can stand better than I do ... which is often more than I think I can.  There are so many people out there suffering.  I know that God has a purpose in trials for me.  My desire is to have joy and faith in God during the trial.  I want to please God even in the shadowland.  He is faithful.

Sometimes the best way to go forward in faith is to remember God's role in the past.
I hope you can enjoy this lighthearted song by Josh Wilson which is another good reminder of God's faithfulness and sovereignty.