Through thick and thin.

Learn from the puppy. His eyes are on you, His trust is in you. His joy is his home. Jesus can be that for you. 

Hebrews chapter 12 verses 10-13.

Our earthly fathers trained us for a few years, doing the best for us that they knew how, but God's correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share His holiness. Being punished is not enjoyable while it is happening---it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character. So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, and mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves, but become strong. 

Sometimes our troubles can seem overwhelming. You know they have to be dealt with but you are fed up and frustrated. Ready to blow a cork. But you remember the last time you broke down and lost it. It did no one any good especially yourself. In fact it just created more problems as you may have physically hurt yourself and definitely distanced yourself from others. 

   Maybe going somewhere away from others and having a good cry helps or yelling into a pillow. Maybe you pray to Jesus for help and ask God for forgiveness. You don't like being upset but your circumstances have led you here. You realize that sitting idle is not helping, so you stand back, make out a plan and work hard. 

   You need to be patient, but that is hard to do when everyone around you has an opinion. It's just another trial. You have dealt with them before, but this time something is different. You can't seem to shake off the frustration. You feel alone and helpless. You know that others have the same issues and surly it must drive them crazy too. What ever happened to just wanting a peaceful life where, you could laugh and play with others without wondering about expectations or if they are out to take advantage of you.

   Getting older sucks, you have so many responsibilities and others call upon you to do this or that. Love can be a funny thing. The best example of love is Jesus. God loves us so much that He gave His Son as our way to have His everlasting forgiveness. That is love. Jesus went through the same troubles and trials that we do except that His ended in His death given by people who did not understand His claims. Jesus lived out God's plan so that all people can have an opportunity to believe in who He is and find peace. In John chapter 14 verse 27 Jesus tells them; "I am leaving you with a gift---peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give is not fragile like the peace the world gives. So do not be afraid."

   We have the choice, to deal with our lives as we see fit or to give our lives over to Jesus and trust in God's promise to care and protect us forever. The thing is we find it very hard to let someone else have total control over all that we do. The moment you find yourself so fed up with trying to control your feelings and call out to God seeking His forgiveness is the moment you enter into His world of joy. 

   Colossians chapter 1 verse 13 says; "For He has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan's kingdom and brought us into the kingdom of His dear Son, who bought our freedom with His blood and forgave us all our sins." Who would ever think that you need saving. From what? You are not in jail or in trouble to the point where you need saving from something. Yet, you get frustrated and tired, weary, worn down and fed up.

   Jesus is God's saving grace. You may not be wanted by others for crimes, but you are not happy with how your life is going. And because you have experienced close friends suffering in sickness and possibly dying, you are aware of how short your time could be. God is peace and refuge from trials and temptations. Jesus has brought God to all who believe in who He claims to be. And for those who do believe, there is no looking back, but only happiness in a life with God. 

   If your life is haunted with one circumstance after another. If you feel down and miserable, why not say a prayer to God. He is the one who can lift you into the presence of Jesus. Isaiah chapter 41 verse 10 says; "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed. I am your God. I will help you; I will strengthen you; I will lift you upon My victorious right hand." Life can be too tough to deal with on your own. 

   If you think the secret to all your personal, hidden thoughts lies in someone else or some moment of joy; then your past experiences should have taught you that it is not true. True peace is only found in Jesus and having life with God. Through thick and thin He will always be by your side. Others may not understand why your happiness prevails, but it is seen in your faith and in your joy. No matter what happens God is with you always, all because you have opened yourself up to Jesus.

   Thank you Father for Jesus. You heard my prayer and took what was a mess and gave me a place in life with You. 😊      

   

        

James chapter 1 verses 2-4.

Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.  

Hebrews chapter 2 verses 16-18.

We all know Jesus did not come as an angel but as a human being---yes, a Jew. And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, His brothers, so that He could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God, a Priest who would be both merciful to us and faithful to God in dealing with the sins of the people. For since He Himself has now been through suffering and temptation, He knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and He is wonderfully able to help us. 

2 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9.

Each time God said, "No, But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people."

1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 50-53.

These perishable bodies of ours are not the right kind to live forever. But I am telling you this strange and wonderful secret: we shall not all die, but we shall all be given new bodies! It will all happen in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For there will be a trumpet blast from the sky and all the Christians who have died will suddenly become alive, with new bodies that will never, never die; and then we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies too. For our earthly bodies, the ones we have now that can die, must be transformed into heavenly bodies that cannot perish but will live forever. 

John chapter 4 verse 10.

Jesus replied, "If you only knew what a wonderful gift God has for you, and who I am, you would ask me for some living water!"

Psalms chapter 119 verses 67 and 68.

I used to wander off until You punished me; now I closely follow all You say. You are good and do only good; make me follow Your lead. 

Psalms chapter 88 verse 9.

My eyes grow dim with weeping. Each day I beg Your help; O Lord, I reach my pleading hands to You for mercy.