This quote from Charles Surgeon, pretty much sums it up I think.
When everything is going well, it can be easy to trust God. However when we’re challenged or face difficult situations, we can be guilty of turning away from God because we think he doesn’t care or isn’t there for us any more. However during those difficult times, that is when we should trust God more than ever.
When we do trust God through no matter what situations we face, our faith will keep us strong and keep us believing God will get us through whatever we’re facing.
In order to play a musical instrument, you must practice. By practicing you improve and gain experience. In a work environment you gain experience and knowledge by learning from those around you and being put in situations where you learn.
Life is similar – To learning how to get through life you must experience a difficult situation so that you learn from them. They then give you the strength and encouragement to know that you can face any difficult situation in the future, and you will get through it.
So even if you’re experiencing an earthquake in your life just now, be strong, and remember God is with you through it all and will help make you stronger.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
No matter what we face in this life, good or bad, God loves us.
No matter what we say or do, good or bad, God loves us.
Even in death, we are still never separated from God’s love.
I’m convinced God loves me, are you convinced He loves you?
Are you a ‘real’ Christian or are you just going through the motions?
If you hold back any part of your life from God, you haven’t given Him your all. So give God your all, your hurts, your heartaches, your memories and dreams, your plans and your desires, but most of all, give Him your heart.
Music has the ability to lift our spirits and bring us closer to God, but is it just the music that touches our hearts or is there more to it than that?
You can get the best musicians in the world to play a piece of music which means nothing to them and they’ll play it note perfect, but will it convey the story and the message behind the music?
Sometimes it might, but I’d suggest that when playing christian music, the true message behind the music will cannot truly be conveyed by the musicians unless they themselves have a real relationship with God. Only then can the full message and the emotions related to God’s sacrifice and love for us, really be portrayed by the musician.
Music is simply a series notes which together can evoke images and emotions held deep within us. When it is music that’s been inspired by God, it can stir our hearts and bring us closer to God. So listen to God’s music, but open your heart, and let God stir your emotions.
In the last few week I’ve found myself listening to the song Through It All – The music and words always evoke huge emotion for me, as God always seems so close to me when I hear it:
Do you ever wonder how Mary felt when she was told she was going to give birth to the Son of God?
Mary was frightened and felt so alone, but even then she still put her full trust in God because she knew God there with her and would keep her strong. So follow Mary’s lead and rely on God to get you through the unknown this Christmas and in the coming year.
Breath of heaven by The Three Sopranos
I have traveled many moonless nights Cold and weary with a babe inside And I wonder what I’ve done Holy Father, You have come And chosen me now to carry Your Son
I am waiting in a silent prayer I am frightened by the load I bear In a world as cold as stone Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now, be with me now
Breath of Heaven, hold me together Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy Breath of Heaven
Do you wonder as you watch my face If a wiser one should have had my place? But I offer all I am For the mercy of Your plan Help me be strong, help me be, help me
Breath of Heaven, hold me together Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy
Breath of Heaven, hold me together Be forever near me, breath of Heaven Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy Breath of Heaven, Breath of Heaven Breath of Heaven
In my wanderings around the internet, I came across a quote which really got me thinking about my own life and whether I would actually be able to say the following when I finally meet my maker at the end of my life here on earth:
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me. ~ Erma Bombeck
My honest answer to this questions today is, no. I haven’t used all my talent for God. However, I pray today that God will help me to use all the talents He has given me, whatever they me be, to help tell others about Him, so that by doing so, when I do come face to face with God at the end of my life, I can honestly say I have used all my talents for Him.
How about you, are you using all your talents for Him?
Here’s Richard Phillips beautiful melody to Sidney Cox‘s hymn All There is of Me, as sung by The Three Sopranos, which really sums up my thoughts for today:
The fourth step to recommitting your life to God is by becoming a Christian, by letting God into your whole life. i.e. Not just some parts of your life, but into the whole of your life. In John 1:12God said:
To all who received him [Christ], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
To enable you to give the whole of your life to God, you must have completed the steps I’ve detailed over the last 4 days. i.e. Admit your sins, follow God and believe in Him.
I hope you find the words and music of All There Is of Me(performed below by The Three Sopranos) helpful, as you recommit your life to God:
You can get the best musicians in the world to play a piece of music which means nothing to them and they’ll play it note perfect, but will it convey the story and the message behind the music?