Things for which I am thankful.
The brother in our church who collapsed on the softball field had successful triple-bypass and aortic valve replacement surgery. He has a long recovery ahead of him, but this gives the church an opportunity to practically serve him and his family in the days ahead.
I have been talking to myself as Martyn Lloyd-Jones recommends. I've been telling myself that nothing has happened or ever will happen outside of God's sovereign will. Things seemed like they were settling down with post-divorce issues, but then something else reared its head. It is very tempting to get anxious and think, "but what if [fill in the blank] happens?" But regardless of how I feel or how things look, the truth is that God is sovereign, God is good, and His ways are not my ways. God is just. God is righteous. God is on His throne ruling over the entire universe down to my little life.
The brother in our church who collapsed on the softball field had successful triple-bypass and aortic valve replacement surgery. He has a long recovery ahead of him, but this gives the church an opportunity to practically serve him and his family in the days ahead.
I have been talking to myself as Martyn Lloyd-Jones recommends. I've been telling myself that nothing has happened or ever will happen outside of God's sovereign will. Things seemed like they were settling down with post-divorce issues, but then something else reared its head. It is very tempting to get anxious and think, "but what if [fill in the blank] happens?" But regardless of how I feel or how things look, the truth is that God is sovereign, God is good, and His ways are not my ways. God is just. God is righteous. God is on His throne ruling over the entire universe down to my little life.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
~ John Rippon
Praise God for this man's recovery back to his family and his church.
ReplyDeleteI will also be praying for you. Yes, how we all must lay hold of the fact that our God makes no mistakes. He orders each of our days, and there is no trial or affliction that He has not preordained for our ultimate good and for His glory.
Blessings!
Praise God your fellow congregant is going to be ok! I trust your fellowship does rise up and demonstrates that they truly are the hands and feet of our Lord to him and his family.
ReplyDeleteThat is my favorite hymn. I love the words so much more than the music, but I love the message in this song!
Keep talking to yourself. I am right there with you. We'll be two of "those" who mutter to themselves.
I liked your comment about talking to yourself "nothing has happened or ever will happen outside of God's sovereign will".
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite scriptures that has helped me is:
2 Corinthians 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
Be anxious for nothing! Have a great day in Christ.