re-building the walls

Nov. 18, 2005

When He speaks

"Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (luke 7:23)

Do you ever have one of those moments......when you know the Lord is speaking directly to you? i had one of those moments this morning. thru His word, He revealed the above scripture to me, and I had to just stop, and allow it to sink in....because i had done this. i had become 'offended in HIM'.

i guess you can say.... we as a family we have experienced a season of some difficulties. the miscarriage, soon after that - a very painful rift in our extended family...(which has left me with some very heavy burdens on my heart that i am working and praying hard to get thru)...not to mention a whole bunch of other little things...just annoyances, but all the same....it hasn't been an easy road.

i have found myself actually 'going there' you know that place....asking God 'why'. now to be honest, i have made it a point to never ask Him this. when things don't go the way i have planned, i choose to surrender it to Him....in TRUST. but....(and this is a big 'butt'...) lately i have floundered in these circumstances and found myself slipping under them.

His words this morning were a balm of healing to me. He gently showed me that this is what i have done, i have become 'offended' in Christ. but he also showed me thru His precious word, that He understands it. God knows it is easy to fall under the burden of our circumstances, to take our eyes off of Him, and focus in on our own pain. emotions can become 'aphrodiasics for the flesh' if we allow them to. our emotions crave a pity party. ....but we must always remember, emotions are feelings...feelings aren't truth. the word of GOD is truth.

I know that He hears my prayers. my prayer time has been rich and deep because of these trials. I know this is a time of spiritual warfare for me and my family. I know that i need to put on the 'armor' and walk in truth. and I thank my God for revealing things to me thru His word...in order to keep me from slipping further.

the one thing these trials have taught me is to keep my eyes on what is eternal...and not to focus in on what is temporary. this world is passing away, and we are only 'passing through'. it is easy to get caught up in the trials of this life. But as believers we have the 'truth'...and that truth gives up HOPE. even when hope is hard to find.

blessed is he whose faith is not offended,

when all around his way

the power of God is working out deliverance

for others day by day;

Blessed are you, O child of God, who does suffer,

And cannot understand

The reason for your pain, yet will gladly leave

Your life in His blest Hand.

Yes blessed ar you whose faith is "not offended"

By trials unexplained,

By mysteries unsolved, past understanding,

Until the goal is gained.