[Faith-talk] Morning Thoughts for Wednesday

[Amy Ragain]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Stephen Smith <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Date: June 15, 2011 7:21:58 AM CDT
> To: Morning Thoughts 1 <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Subject: Morning Thoughts for Wednesday, June 15, 2011
> 
> Psalms 46:1-11 (NASB)
> God the Refuge of His People.
> [46:1] God is our refuge and strength,
> *A very present help in trouble.
> [2] Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
> And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
> [3] Though its waters roar and foam,
> Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
> [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
> The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
> [5] God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
> God will help her when morning dawns.
> [6] The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
> He raised His voice, the earth melted.
> [7] The LORD of hosts is with us;
> The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
> [8] Come, behold the works of the LORD,
> Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
> [9] He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
> He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
> He burns the chariots with fire.
> [10] “Cease striving and know that I am God;
> I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
> [11] The LORD of hosts is with us;
> The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
> 
> Good morning blessed family!!  So precious you are!!  I thank God for each of you, but especially for the work He is doing in your lives!!
> 
> I was allowed to witness a drama yesterday in which I believe God was teaching a lesson of love and wisdom. The principals in it acted with courage and with heart.  From the human perspective, perhaps not with the wisdom of the cautious, but rather from the abandon of the heart.  The result - a safe conclusion, but not without a period of trepidation and fear from those of us on the sidelines.  With the benefit of a night to contemplate, I am so in awe of the ability of God's Holy Spirit to move in the hearts and minds of willing, available believers.  Would I have taken the time to show God's love the way they did?  I am ashamed to say, probably not.  Would the results of my actions have been as impacting as theirs - I doubt it.  Through it all, was God glorified?  I believe He was, and isn't that the reason for our being?
> 
> God has been testing me recently.  His methodology - surprise, requiring a response.  It may appear as an earthquake, tornado, tsunami, or heart attack, accident, assault, or some action of the heart in relation to another.   The common denominator - surprise, requiring immediate action.  We are all potential "first responders", and must be equipped for every good work.  But we are not trained specifically for the event requiring response, so what to do?
> 
> I believe the only suitable response is one which is guided by God's Holy Spirit; but what about those who have not trusted in God?  Can His Holy Spirit guide them?  Well, God can do anything He wants.  But as for me, I feel much more secure in knowing I can rely on Him whenever I'm in need.  I know that my response to any test of God will depend on my willingness to allow Him full reign in my life.  At my age, it may be more difficult to break away from the bonds of inhibition, generated by living in a society of legalities and prejudices, than for a youth.  sometimes it takes a test, like the one I witnessed, for me to revaluate my priorities in the light of God's Unfailing Love.  I am humbled.
> 
> With great love and hope - and that through faith in Jesus Christ,
> 
> <3Steve:-))
>