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SEEDS FOR HIS GLORY
I hear from a lot of people that a Good God [implying that God is not Good] wouldn't allow our lives be hard, I disagree. I believe first we are purified in the fire and second that we are hardened like a chunk of metal in the furnace then on the anvil into a warrior's sword for the Lord's work. I had some well-meaning friends question my choice in just toughing out the thorns in my life and not seeking relief by pleading with God to take them away. Like St. John of the Cross, I will endure the Dark night of the soul, and be stronger and a better tool in the hands of the Lord!
I recently met some people who are so pampered and coddled that their worst problems are, oh dear which shoes should I wear...[out of a collection of over 200 pairs!] women who are afraid to use a ladies room when the lights are out.
I used to be upset that God allowed my life to be so difficult-homeless several times, never being gainfully employed due to having a massive stroke -AT AGE 20! Struggling with my physical weaknesses, being in pain most of my life.... But I'm able to use a dark bathroom. And when hard times come I can grow, cook, catch, and butcher my food. I can make my own clothing even without electricity, I can fix my car, a truck, plumbing, electrical and pretty much any appliance, I can find the right natural medicines to cure my own ills. I may not dress in couture or live in a perfect, fancy house but I'll bet I can survive just about any disaster that might happen in my world. I'm tougher than I seem and I know God made this happen for me so that when hard times hit I might be able to help someone else survive. Still I wish life could be just a little easier. Jeremiah said this about the time that is coming in our world... JER 12:3 Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter! JER 12:4 How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, "He will not see what happens to us." JER 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?
So much in our world is so perilous, we have too many problems, I can't see one more law or a few more dollars will cure the ills of this wicked world. God's plan for us: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. &nb sp; Ephesians 1:9-12
In this sense He is perfecting us to reflect his glory when the time comes for Him to take His rightful place as Our true and glorious King and Lord of All; Acknowledged by ALL! We are with this perfecting and purifying process becoming seeds for His Glory.
Lord. I sigh and whimper when I hurt and my life becomes just a bit harder, but I am becoming harder, I tempered and taken from brittle and weak by the blows against the anvil, my life and spirit have been purified by the fire of cleansing. I thank you for the work you done in my life, for you alone are God eternal throughout Earth and heaven above!In Jesus Name. Amen.
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