Courage For Today

bible

When You Sometimes Wonder if God Cares

Strength

I’ve been burdened lately for so many of my friends and loved ones that are going through tough times in their life.  I so appreciate that others share their pain and hurt and, honestly, I hurt with them.  Their burdens are real.  Their hurt is deep.  Their pain is relentless.  At the center of their pain and hurt is an underlying feeling that no one cares.  The world has shut them out in many cases.  Their family and friends seemingly turn their backs.  And, through the heartache, they sometimes give up on God and wonder if HE really cares about them.

After all, God is busy running the universe.  He doesn’t have time for little old me.  I know He may care about me in the “big picture,” but does He really care about my problems and my situations?  The answer is an emphatic YES!  As you sit there reading this post, I pray that you stop whatever you’re doing for a brief moment and just relish in the fact that God does care about you.  Stop and realize that God is wrapping His heavenly arms around you even at this moment.

If you don’t believe me, here are some verses from God’s word to simply remind you of how truly special you are:

  • You are an heir of God and co-heir with Christ.  Romans 8:17
  • You are eternal, like an angel.  Luke 20:36
  • You have a crown that will last forever.  1 Corinthians 9:25
  • You are a treasured possession.  Exodus 19:5
  • You were chosen before the creation of the world.  Ephesians 1:4
  • You will be a holy people to the Lord your God.  Deuteronomy 26:19

You are God’s child.  Your place in life, your title in life, or your position in life don’t mean anything in relation to God.  What matters is that you are in the palm of God’s hand.

I wanted to give you one additional verse from the Bible to hang on to; one of my favorite versus in all the Bible.  I love the verse because it is written in a way for those of  us that are sometimes skeptical of God’s Love.  The verse is 1 John 3:1  and it reads:  ” See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called Children of God; and such we are.”  The last part of the verse is what I really want you to grasp.  When He says “and such we are” what He is saying is that “you really are.”  He knew that we would be skeptical.  God, in His infinite wisdom, is basically saying, “remember, you’re a child of God—really you are, I’m not kidding.”

He does care for you.  If it matters to you, it matters to Him. Nothing is too significant or insignificant to bring forth to God.

Always remember, you are a child of God—really, He’s not kidding.

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It’s Always About the Encounter

Encouragement

One of my grandsons’ favorite activities is swimming.  I don’t think it would matter if they were swimming in a pool; in a lake; in a stream; or even splashing in a puddle of water.  If they can get wet, they will do it.  When they come visit us at our pool, it’s all out fun and excitement.  They can’t wait to slip on their swim trunks and head off to the pool.

I don’t know about you, but when I actually do get into the water during one of those rare times, it’s slow and easy into the water for me.  It’s just too cold usually.  First, it’s my feet and ankles.  Then up to my knees, and slowly inching my way up until I can go under the water.  I’m not one of those people that immediately jumps in the water.  My grandsons, on the other hand, are jumpers.  As soon as they hit the pool deck, it’s off they go.  Straight into the water.  No shock for them.  They don’t wait for to see if the water is warm enough.  They don’t wait for us to give them detailed swimming instructions.  They don’t wait to see who might be looking at them or observing what they do.  They don’t wait to see if they have all their swimming gear in tact.  They just jump.  And they jump some more.  For them, it’s not about getting all the answers and insight about swimming.  It’s about enjoying the water.

It reminds me so much of a conversation I had with an acquaintance many, many years ago.  This person was struggling with Christianity in general and the Bible, specifically.  He spoke about how the Bible was confusing to him and that he had too many questions that couldn’t be answered.  He cited several examples and I could tell that he really, really wanted to be a believer in Christ, but just couldn’t make himself take that leap of faith until he found all the answers to his questions.  To his surprise, I agreed with him that Christianity and the Bible had many unanswered questions, even in my own mind.  There were many things I didn’t fully understand and wouldn’t ever know the answers to until I reached Heaven one day.  He seemed a little perplexed and confused that I would embrace God, as I do, with so many confusing issues swirling in my head.

I spent the next several minutes explaining that my relationship with Christ was not about answers.  it was about an encounter.  It was about an encounter with an almighty God that changes live.  I explained how God had truly worked in my life and changed me.  How God had worked miracles in my own life and my family’s.  And, I shared how my relationship with Christ was personal and intimate.  I may not understand all HE does and why HE does things, but there was no question that I had the encounter and relationship that forever changed my life.

I went on and shared that I didn’t wait around to see if Christianity was the next “big” thing or popular with others.  I didn’t wait around to see what others were doing with “their” Christianity.  I didn’t’ wait around to get the next greatest Bible translation so I could understand things better.  I just jumped in the water.  I didn’t care about all those other things.  I just wanted Christ and what he brought to my life and I haven’t had one regret.

I’m not quite sure why the Lord brought this particular message to me on this particular day, but I’ve got to believe it’s because someone reading this passage is struggling with this same issue.  If you are, don’t wait for all the answers, because you’ll never find them.  Instead, embrace the encounter and the new relationship that awaits you when you accept Christ.  I promise that you won’t regret your decision.

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