But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
There is a change coming! This is the topic of every New Year since I have been born. Yes, there is truth here; this year will be like no other. There has never been a 2014 and there will never be again.
I am getting a little more specific when it comes to my life. Changes are coming and have already started. Today is the day; the day where I will have to follow a new plan, a new direction for me. My body has been afflicted by Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 16 years old. As of last night, medication that I have been on for years has been retracted from me. Possible latent effects from this medication are now surfacing. So what now? I don't know except for this.....
God has given us a compass; a direction in which to go; and I must follow by faith. When I got saved 25 years ago the direction of my life shifted. No longer would I trust in the processes of this world, but I would begin a journey lead by sweet whisper of the Spirit of God. Will this journey mean no suffering? No, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Everyone likes continuity, stability; let's not "rock the boat" mentality. Well, me too! But change is coming! In the gospel we read when Jesus told his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” The Compass was redirecting them. But what happens; the Scripture reads, "A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger". What do we do when the direction we are walking in brings trouble or something unfamiliar; a new road if you will; we cry out to Jesus! “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”. Now we know that their was a rebuke after the Lord silenced the wind, Where is your faith?”. But I see men who obeyed the direction of the Lord, even if they were frighten, unaware of a storm that was pending.
Obedience is better! At the end of this story, we hear the "men of faith" or "little faith" exclaiming, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:22-25)
Obedience is better! At the end of this story, we hear the "men of faith" or "little faith" exclaiming, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:22-25)
When the Lord asked Moses to scout out the "promise land", the leaders he sent obeyed and went foraging. The Compass leading; giving a command to change routes, go scout and return. When the Lord asks us to change direction, we are to obey and unlike most of these leaders....we are NOT to complain. If he is the Beginning and the End, why do we shrink back and allow fear to cloud over us; to hinder a course where the Lord is leading us? Only two returned with faith, Caleb and Joshua. Fear did not grip them and they did not allow disobedience to rest in them. These two saw the promise fulfilled!
Fear is not of God! It's a spirit that comes to confuse and discourage and create and unnecessary alarm as if we were alone.
So it's a new season and truly a new day! I share this with you so you can pray for me. It's a new adventure, a new chapter in my life and I need wisdom. God does things in his own way and his own time. What may seem unfamiliar to me; well, he already sees the end from the beginning.
Pray that the Lord would give me understanding, insight and courage; that in his mercy he would bring healing to me. I will obey and not worry about this "body". “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. (Matthew 6:5)
The difference between the Arthritis diagnosis at the age of 16 and the new direction now, is no other than the Lord! I have learned to follow though sometimes I may be afraid; with the help of the Spirit of God I try to obey, though sometimes I fail. I pray for courage and that my heart would not be dismayed.
It's a new season; where is He taking you? Do not be afraid, he commands even the wind and the water from overtaking us!
God bless you!~Liz
www.LizRod.com
www.LizRod.com
