January,
2003
"Living
Above Your Circumstances"
The ramifications and repercussions of the events
of September 11, 2001 are still looming on the horizon in the
form of terrorist attacks around the globe, potential war with
Iraq, stockpiling of smallpox vaccine, terrorism and unrest as
never before in the relations between the PLO and Israel. In addition,
this year marks the 30 year anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision
which legalized the murder of unborn children by giving the mother
the sole authority and choice over the life or death of the fetus
in her womb. Divorce rates among church going couples are now
at levels which are near or even higher than those of people who
do not proclaim to know God. Young girls are being taken to the
doctor by their mothers for strep throat swabs only to find out
they have gonorrhea of the mouth from participating in oral sexual
activities. I know that we all could go on and on about the plight
of the world and the evil that seems to be running rampant.
And so – here we are at the start of a new calendar year.
Where does this all mean? Where does that leave you? --- looking
forward to another “Happy New Year”? How many times
have you heard or said that phrase since midnight of December
31, 2002? Well, if you are like most who used it, it was only
wishful thinking, because the truth is that in light of world
affairs and the affairs of our lives, we would not say we were
happy. No, if our happiness and peace is dependent upon the circumstances
of the world and of our lives, then just reading the above paragraph
is enough to make even the most positive person sink into despair.
I looked up synonyms for the word “circumstance”
and came up with the following: controlling factors, environment,
basis, particulars, state of affairs. I was intrigued to see the
expression “controlling factors” in the list. I guess
that is why so many of us are so affected emotionally, physically
and spiritually by our circumstances – because we do let
them be the controlling factors in our lives.
Is there a better way to live? How do you turn over control of
these life issues to God so that you can have peace in the midst
of the war going on in our hearts and homes and world? Is this
really possible? God’s word says that we can have a peace
that surpasses our circumstances and is so great that we cannot
even understand it.
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world."
Philippians 4:6-8
“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
God desires for us to have a heavenly perspective on life –
to live above our circumstances, to overcome them and not be victim
to them.
The world system and the evil in it is of the antichrist spirit
– against Christ and His plan, but if we are God’s,
and acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and as our Lord and Savior,
we can be strong and overcome the world and the circumstances
that come into our lives to overthrow us and deter us. It is by
the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and by the word of our testimony.
And we must be willing to die to our own desires and to all things
in our life that keep the life and love of God from flowing in
us and through us.
1 John 4
3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from
God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard
is coming and even now is already in the world.
4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because
the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 5
3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands
are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world.
This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that
Jesus is the Son of God.
Oh, there are so many great promises in the Bible, especially
in the Book of Revelation, to those who overcome -–who live
above their circumstances! Wouldn’t you like that to be
you?
Revelation 12:11
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of
their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink
from death.
Oh yes, it is hard to imagine being at rest and in perfect peace
in this world, in the midst of your hopelessness, while watching
your children destroy their lives on drugs or hate you for trying
to be a good parent, or watching your spouse leave you after years
of trying to make a good marriage, or of sitting beside a lifelong
friend whose body is racked with cancer, or having to go to dialysis
three times a week for who knows how long, or having to live with
the scars of being sexually abused by your own father, or losing
your job and your home and having to live at shelters with your
children…
Oh my dearest ones…I know the pain and Jesus knows the
pain and suffering of your life. Won’t you let Him come
in and be your Shepherd and take you to the place of green pastures
and restore your soul and fill you with His living water?
You are more than a conqueror in Him. Arise and let the Spirit
of God within you, that same Spirit and power which raised Jesus
from the dead, empower you to live the abundant life Jesus came
to give.
I am including a beautiful and heartfelt rewriting and defining
of the green pastures of the 23rd Psalm by a friend of mine, Anita
Brueck. She shared it at a women’s leadership class she
teaches at her church and I wanted to share it with you. May it
bless and encourage you in these troubling times in which we live.
LIVING ABOVE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!!!!!
“Green Pastures” Defined – The
Practical 23rd Psalm
When you can look at your heart-breaking, gut-wrenching,
over-your-head, out-of-your hands - circumstances,
That you’ve dreamed of,
That you’ve devoted hours of prayer for,
That you’ve believed beyond hope for,
That you’ve claimed victory for,
That you’ve “bound and loosed” for,
That you’ve fasted for,
That you’ve put out a fleece for,
That you’ve agreed in prayer for,
That you’ve humbled yourself for,
That you’ve pledged your resources, believing for,
That you’ve shared with every ministry you know of to pray
for,
That you’ve travailed and wept and reached for,
That you’ve finally been willing to die for
– and you still don’t see it – you aren’t
walking in it – you don’t have it –
– it just hasn’t come to pass…
NEVERTHELESS…
You come to that cool, shaded place where you can look up toward
Heaven,
With all Honesty and Humility and Joy and Thankfulness,
And Say,
Lord, you knew what you were doing all the while! Thank you!
That is my idea of Green Pastures – it’s
beside Still Waters -- Mine is the Restored Soul!
And that is His Heart for
YOU too!!!!!
Anita Brueck
December 18, 2002
I love the NEVERTHELESS part…oh, such refreshment is brought
to our soul when we look up toward Heaven and acknowledge Him
as Lord.
That is God’s heart for you….And mine, too.
L.O.V.E.,
Patty
© The LOVE Club, All Rights Reserved.