"Peace that Plows on through the Storm"

It has been a while since I have posted, for a variety of reasons; vacations, summer schedules, and trials. Often, when I am in the midst of a trial or getting my heart around something God is teaching me, I can't quite put it into words.

I learned this Spring that God operates in 3 different ways during trials. (Thanks to a lady who I have never met personally, but mentors me through her bible studies. ) God rescues us completely which builds our faith, He allows us to go through the storm which purifies our faith (building stamina and character), or He perfects our faith by taking those who trust Him as Savior HOME! Home, for those who believe that Jesus is the perfect lamb slain for all our imperfections is Heaven, dwelling in the presence of God for eternity. Heaven is described throughout the Bible. For those who don't believe Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life; Earth is the closest they will ever get to Heaven. I find many like to talk about Heaven, but Hell doesn't seem to be quite as popular. For Christians Earth is the closest they will ever get to Hell. Our adversary HATES that! If you don't own a bible, please feel free to look it up online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/. Many of these ideas are specifically captured in John chapters 14-17. Scripture is either entirely true or not worth the paper it is written on.

As people experience storms in their lives, the question of God's goodness often arises. How could He be good and allow this horrific experience in my life? What have I done to deserve this? Scripture says that God is unchanging. (Hebrews 6:17) It says that He is Holy (meaning set apart) and yet filled with love, justice, and compassion. (Exodus 15:7, Exodus 34:6, Psalm 45:6) Scripture assures us He can't contradict Himself. (Hebrews 6) That can be difficult to wrap our minds around, especially when it seems the world is falling apart. Children are starving, natural disasters are becoming more and more common, war abounds; people are so filled with self that personal gratification has justified hateful words, killing, affairs, divorce, and so on.... Scripture says this wasn't His intention in the book of Genesis. He loved us enough to allow the human race to make their own choices. When Adam and Eve consciously chose disobedience, Satan gained access to power on Earth. He is crafty, Satan loves to make us hurt and then points the finger at God. Scripture says this will all be redeemed one day. Satan will be held accountable. (Revelations 20: 7-10)

I believe scripture tells those who are Christians that they have the ability to affect change on Earth through prayer and intercession. (Psalm 34:1-6, Daniel 10:12-14 ) I believe the Church needs to practice this. We have to get better at this. I believe we need to teach our kids as they gain maturity in their own relationships with God. We cannot be fixed on expectations of security in what we have. We must find our security in its entirety in the Lord. As finances are changing in America, we are finding out just how tied to this stuff we are. I believe God is extending his grace to us. We may be on the precipice of trials that God uses to purify our faith. We must fix our eyes on Christ. We must remember what we are living for. We must choose to develop a deeper relationship with God, diving into His Word. We must ask Him to reveal the Truth on subjects we don't understand. He will be faithful. We must find the peace that plows on through the storm.

I found this gifted sister when my husband and I went on a date weekend. We traveled to a church in California called Bethel. She is young, but the maturity of her music overwhelms me.

The first few stanzas of: I have found

I have found a peace that plows on through the storm
I have found a joy that jumps over sadness
I have found a love that lights up every room
I have found, I found you

You are all I want
You are all I need
Everything my heart could hope for
We are longing for the glory of the Lord
'Cuz we know there is so much more

Listen for yourself!
http://www.imeem.com/people/0kXr7ME/music/W1RhZ2QB/kim_walker_i_have_found/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=92209677

Abundant blessings in your life-in whatever shape or form God chooses...