Author: marquitabp

God Favors Me

 

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11 NIV

 

After two "pep" talks and really these were more like, hmmmm uhmmm, thought realignment talks you know kinda stern, some crying, and a powerful sermon at church I'm almost back to normal.  Nothing like a little heat to make you go crazy huh?  Well, I'm thankful because I could be in a much worse position.  I have a job, I have food, clothes, and shelter.  I have family and friends that truly love me and in spite of how I feel–gotta get these thoughts and emotions in line, haha–I am truly blessed and favored by God.  As my cousin said, believers are equipped with the tools to get through tough times.  And we are blessed with the Holy Spirit to intercede for us.  Here it is in Romans 8:26 GWT:  "At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don't know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words."  Although I have not received the leading I need to leave yet,  rather than run without counsel and direction I will wait.  God knows I detest and loathe SC–so just from looking at those two words of extreme hatred lets you know how I feel riiiighttt?  But I digress because I seek God's will not my own.  I will kick around a few rocks though, trust, lol.

 

Anyway, I attended a wonderful service at church today, entitled "A Testimony You can see."  I won't go into detail too much because I only want the reference of God's power.  When Jesus did not hurry upon Mary and Martha's call about Lazarus' illness, Lazarus eventually died in John 11.  Jesus got there after Lazarus had been dead for 4 days and already had begun to decay.  After He wept, Jesus told Lazarus to come forth and the funeral clothes to let him loose.  Lazarus was raised from the dead.  In the next chapter, John 12, several people gathered to their home to see Jesus and the "testimony" of a once dead Lazarus alive again.  Hearing this sermon was great!  I had been in a depressed state off and on since my cousin's passing and with receiving different types of bad news, and just confusion all around, I forgot just how blessed and favored I am.  First and foremost, I am alive.  God saw fit to keep me here for some reason and in doing so delivered me from the devil's attempts to destroy my body, my faith, and my spirit.  In the midst of the battle, we need to realize that it is for a reason; its not God doing it, but its for your good because God will make it so.(Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11)  I really had to cry then because sometimes we get so wrapped up in the attack that we can't see the path through it.  God can do anything!  Nothing limits His power.  Again today, 2 days in a row, trusting God was said again.  I don't know about you, but I have always had a problem trusting people, so this is currently something I am battling with.  But I'm getting it, painfully.  TRUST.  It's very, very easy to spell, but one of the hardest things to do especially when you've been hurt in the past.  We have got to put God's word in action fully–Proverbs 3:5,6 GWT says "Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth."  I'm listening to Darwin Hobb's song, He's Able and part of the hook says "Don't give up on God cause He won't give up on you."  God's promises are real, we just have to listen to Him, and do His will and they are PROMISED to us.  Listen to Hezekiah Walker's "God Favored Me" Pt. 1 and 2…  Let Him lead you and carry your burdens so your difficult roads will be easy.  Be blessed and know that you are the favored of the Lord!  He will give you the peace to get through it.

The Boiling Point

 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.  1 Peter 4:12-13

 

Hey!  Hope you are having a great weekend.  As I stood in the bathroom doing my hair this morning/afternoon, this came to my mind.  I hope it blesses you!

 

In science, there are three states of matter: a solid, liquid, and gas.  The process of changing from one state to another can only occur if the element is heated or cooled.  For example, take plain ole water.  The solid state of water as we commonly know it is called ice.  Ice is made when water freezes and solidifies at 32°F/0°C.  Ice melts to become water(liquid) when the surrounding temperature is higher than that (and a few other physics ideals not needed here).  Water becomes the oh not so friendly steam (gas) when it is heated to 212°F/100°C.  It can begin to separate into its elemental parts, hydrogen and oxygen, when heated beyond that.  Because you cannot really tell how hot steam is, that is why its always a warning to be careful; ever had a steam burn…VERY painful.  Steam condenses into water when said surrounding temperature falls below that as well.  Okay, well when a solid element reaches its boiling point, it changes phase.  After pressure and high temperatures are applied, it liquefies and often becomes easier to work with; i.e. liquid gold is used to make jewelry. 

 

God has a way of making and organizing situations in life get us to our various boiling points—no person's boiling point is the same—so that we can become easier for Him to work with.  One situation after another comes at us, slowly raising our temperature so that we eventually change phase; we liquefy so that He can do a great work in us.  Now if I were gold, whose boiling point is at 5084.6 °F/2807.0 °C—mind you it is already a liquid at this point, it melts from what we wear at 1947.9741 °F—I'm sure I could take a lot more than 100°F outside to get irritable.  In fact some of us have very high boiling points.  You may have experienced death of a loved one, love loss, job loss, someone in your family driving you crazy, and then, simply someone cutting you off is the ignition to your fire. 

 

Sadly, I cannot tell you exactly what God is trying to teach you, because our lessons are often not the same and have different applications.  In my case it can be to trust Him, that I cannot help everyone and quite simply some people do not want to be helped or to change, and to be patient.  Sometimes we reach our boiling point several times only to cool down too much and have to be reheated again.  I will tell you that God gives us hope!  So rest in knowing that it is for your good; do not resist the boiling point, because after all the impurities evaporate during boiling, you will be perfectly prepared for His work.  Changing for God is good!