In His Sight

Original Image by: Wesley Fryer

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (NKJV)

Every problem we have is an opportunity for a miracle. Every circumstance in our lives is an opportunity to garner more knowledge of God. All that God requires of us is to be faithful to Him. Imagine, the Creator of the universe itself, eagerly searches for someone for whom He can “show Himself strong”. God’s eyes are ever fixed on His children – ever fixed. Think about that for a minute.

It’s very easy for us to get caught up in the minutiae of our lives and push God’s presence to the background. We relegate Him to the corner, next to Tommy’s soccer schedule and that business appointment we don’t want to keep. It’s convenient for some to forget that God is always watching us. His eyes are fixed on us when we’re cutting in line, sneaking a snack in the grocery store, cutting eyes at a fellow worshiper, murmuring about the length of the service or giving someone the cold shoulder.

When I was a child, playing in the backyard of my childhood home, my mother would set limits on how far I could move from a certain spot. She had to be able to see me from the kitchen window; if I strayed out of sight I could be sure that I would soon hear, “Rebecca! Where are you? Get back to where I can see you!” I was none too happy about Mom’s restrictions but as I grew older and wise to the world, I realized that it was for my benefit and proof of her love. But, for all my mother’s love and protectiveness – she is only human. At any given second someone could have snatched me away. I could have had a seizure, fallen and struck my head or gotten bit by a snake.

The uncomfortable truth is: there is a limit to what we as humans can do. Loving parents can’t keep their eyes on their children twenty-four hours a day; it’s impossible. Not so with God! It’s never a good thing to forget God’s presence; it’s never a good thing to become comfortable not feeling Him near.

To live outside the presence of God is to leave the ark of safety. Worse, it means condemning one’s self to a lonely and pitiful existence. Ask me how I know. I tried it and it was the most miserable existence I’ve ever had. But! Even when we do stray, God is so faithful that even if He withdraws His presence, His mercy still remains. What a God!

He is always with us, always protecting us, He never sleeps, never tires and we’re never out of His sight! He is the definition of faithfulness. This great God, this loving Savior and Creator, the keeper of my soul, desires a relationship with me. It’s unfathomable and yet, it’s true.

Jesus. He’s more than a name in a book. He’s more than some glorified character birthed in the imaginings of talented writers. He is the Living God, the Word made flesh. He thought it not robbery to set aside His royal diadem in order to walk among His creation as the humblest of servants. Yes, just like Mom, He too requires us to stay in His presence (we’re never out of His sight). That means dedication, hard work, suffering, being rejected, being laughed at, misunderstood, and alienated. But you know what? It also means having the most powerful force in existence backing you all the way! It means when sickness comes, we’re assured healing (insurance coverage is not needed). When we’re facing charges, we’re assured a victorious outcome (court appointed attorneys needn’t apply). When we’re pushed to the back by people, we’re assured a front row seat in Heaven. When danger surrounds us on every side, we’re assured the protecting arm of God Himself! It’s a dangerous thing to mess with a child of God.

Oh yes, He’s much more than a name in a book. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. And He wants an intimate relationship with you and me. Let God show Himself strong on your behalf. Avail yourself of His presence, seek Him in the midst of your trials and I promise you will be guaranteed victory! God will never let you do more for Him than He’ll do for you. You can’t out-give God. Be faithful beloved.

No matter how much the lions may roar or how bad the pain may feel, stay the course and be faithful.

Healing the Broken Pieces

Photo by: Juan Pablo Colasso

 

Today’s post concerns the sensitive subject matter of the hidden wounds of sexual abuse. This great evil has affected the lives of women and men of all ages, backgrounds, races and religions. For many, it’s something that occurred during childhood.

Why are these wounds hidden? Sexual abuse leaves wounds that never heal and invisible scars that only the victim can see. They are the suppressed secrets of the heart which work to silence the mouth from speaking that which cannot be understood by children or can’t be spoken of by adults.

In most cases, children or young adults know their abuser. He or she is someone whom they are familiar with or close to through familial ties or school friends. We must come to understand that when we are children it is the innocence of childhood that allows us to trust the ones who raise us and those with whom we grow-up. These are the adults we felt safe around, loved and respected because our parents taught us to do so. We do not have any reason to do otherwise. It’s only natural to give honor and respect to our parents and family members. Indeed, according to scripture, they are deserving of honor.

But family members are not the only ones we hold in high regard. There are preachers, teachers and close friends of the family who are kind to us. Innocently, we trust every smile, the hugs and words that were spoken to our trusting nature. Being cautious never enter into the mind of a child!

How could we have known that a smile can be deceitful and hugs are not always pure? How could we have discerned the wicked hearts masked by the friendly face of a sexual predator?

All we had was the mind God gave us – a mind of innocence, a mind of a child. It is after adult hood that we realize the hearts, actions and thoughts of children speak trust, not maturity nor can we, at such a young age, use reason or wisdom. 1 Corinthians 13:11 expresses this fact so well:

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (This means he’s reached maturity.)

Precious hearts, whoever you are, this scripture has found you faultless and proclaims your innocence! Hallelujah and Glory to God!

I too carried shame and blame and unwarranted guilt from childhood into my adulthood. I allowed the false accusations of the Enemy to bring me misery. I felt so unworthy of anything good. Low self-esteem robbed me of so much! For so many years I allowed the hurts of my past to keep me a victim, not realizing the effect it was having on my relationship with God and how it was blocking His will for my life from being fulfilled.

Jesus said, “I come that you might have life, and that more abundantly!” John 10:10 I embrace that promise! I am free from shame, from guilt and self-blame. Now I say that I am no longer my own victim. We can’t help it if we are made a victim by others but we can help it if we make ourselves a victim. Don’t let your past destroy your future precious hearts. God has so much more for us than what we have allowed Him to give us.

Have I stopped crying? No. But the tears are less, my smiles are broader and my relationship with Jesus Christ is much happier. I’ve learned to trust Him more – Wow, did I really say that!?  Yes I sure did and you can too!

A few nights ago I awoke from sleep and heard a song on the Christian station. These words caught my attention, “God can mend broken pieces.” Not only did I have a smile on my face listening to that song but there was a smile in my heart too.

Precious hearts, those of you who are still carrying the broken pieces of your past in your heart I encourage you today, give them over to God. You may not have been sexually abused but physically or emotionally abused but this is for you too. Our heavenly Father understands more about us than anyone else. He knows more about us than we know about ourselves!

His patience is never ending and His love, Oh! His love is everlasting. Let Him love you today. Let Him heal you right now, open the door to your heart and let Him walk in. I promise you all the hidden hurts, wounds and secrets will not withstand the glory of the Lord.

May God bless you, may He keep you and may Heaven shine upon you always. Be healed and I say again, Be Ye Healed!

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This article was written by guest writer, Christine Wilcox. I’d like to thank her for writing this powerful and encouraging testimony. She and I pray that it will bless you as much as it has blessed us. Truly God is a merciful and loving Savior. He knows just what to say and how. We love you but God loves you so much more. If you’re in need of a prayer partner please know that we’re here. You can contact either of us at faithabounds-4ever@yahoo.com and we will gladly pray with you. Walk in your victory and know that the best is yet to come!

Leave All and Follow Me

 

I once saw a movie; you may know it, The Gladiator (starring Russell Crowe). In it there is a sequence where he’s praying to his ancestors concerning the well-being of his wife and child. He says, “I live only to see them again, for without them all else is but dust and air.” It struck me then and I’ve remembered it ever since, in applying it to our relationship with God. What if we live only to see Him, to please Him? All else is but dust and air.

We are too easily distracted from our call to live holy and wholly for Him by the things and people of this world. Jesus said if we do not hate our mother, our father, our sister or brother, our children – we are none of His. He does not mean for us to literally hate them of course (we’re to love all) but He means for us to be willing to leave all, everything and everyone for His sake. If mother doesn’t want to follow Christ – leave her where she stands. If sister refuses to follow Him – leave her too. Pray for them yes, encourage them but don’t leave the Way for their sake! If family is content with a superficial fellowship, while you seek a deeper knowledge of God, pray for them to follow but you put God first – whatever the cost.

For many years I desired to get married, to have a husband with 2.0 children: the American dream. I wanted to finish college, get a degree and get a job where I would be successful – just as society said I should. There is nothing inherently wrong with these dreams, nothing at all. But, my desire for them was beginning to be a distraction. Distractions destroy our focus and threaten our relationship with God. I realize now that not everyone is meant to be married. Some are, yes, but there are some who are meant to walk alone in life in order to fulfill God’s greater purpose. Is not life more than bread? Is it not more than the pursuit of happiness? To live is Christ, to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

I don’t know what my future may hold but never the less, I determined in my heart that I would endeavor to not lose focus. Let me put it this way, if I don’t seek God with all my heart, in hopes of pursuing my dreams, and God were to return – I would still be unmarried, childless, with no degree but I would also be separated from God for eternity. The scales of faith will always weigh in favor of God. In Christ I live, I move and I have my being. Acts 17: 28 In Him is everything, and He’s everything to me.

I work, I eat, I have good times but these are transitory. They are corporal; I am spiritual and spirit-filled. I live for Christ.

Do you know that “living for the Lord” can also be a distraction? It sounds absurd doesn’t it? But sometimes we can be so busy about doing our Father’s business that we forget our first duty, and that’s to live for Him. Feeding the hungry, tending the sick and doing useful and good things such as these are blessings to the body of Christ to be sure and are profitable to our brothers and sisters in the Gospel and the world at large, however, the disciples said should we leave off spreading the gospel to serve tables? Acts 6:2-4  No, of course not! Our first duties are, immersing ourselves in the word of God, praying daily to establish and maintain our relationship with God and evangelizing the world.

Unfortunately, many of today’s churches focus on community programs, church auxiliaries, and the like and forget that God did not come to give us religion or spirituality – those things were here before Christ came. He came that we would have life, life in Him. And before he ascended, he said, greater works than these will you do. I’m more than sure He wasn’t referring to putting on the best Gospel Concert in the city or raising funds for new pews. These things are not evil but they’re not what we’re called to do.

As children of God, as saints of God, we must strive toward and make an earnest effort to foster our relationship first with Him and then to exhort and compel the world toward Him. While we’re busy entertaining each other, there’s someone out there fighting to be freed from drug addiction or thoughts of suicide. These are the lost of the world and it’s our responsibility to compel them to come to the Lord. He is our salvation but the gift of salvation doesn’t stop with us! There’s a world that needs saving and as God’s ambassadors, indeed, as God’s hands and feet it is we, His children who must go out into the world and spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So beloved, remember to keep your lights burning bright, pull out the shining light that is the Word of God, raise it high and proud and proclaim His truth to all you meet.

Don’t be distracted from the Call but rather, call the distracted to follow you as you follow Christ! Pray for me, as I pray for you, that we will ever follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and fulfill the call He’s placed over our lives.