The Backyard Dog Named Trouble

   Jesus promised that as long as we are in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), but we sure don't like it much, do we? We many times will go out of our way to avoid it if at all possible with our all-powerful back up plans. And even some of us dare not get involved too closely with people for fear of hurting someone or worse - them hurting & offending us! Then there are the ridiculous things that just happen as we go on about our daily lives; anything from dropping lids on the floor 10 times in 5 minutes, spilling your drink all over your chin again & again to a complete misunderstanding with a family member that drove them up the wall. You do your best to live at peace with everyone most days and stuff still seems to go completely wrong over and over again.
  Several years ago, some new neighbors moved in behind us. While I was working out in the backyard there was this deep raspy bark coming from our neighbors' backyard. It never failed every single time we went out back to do anything, he was there barking up a storm. After a few months of this, we met the new owner at a Neighborhood Night Out event in our area - we discovered the dog's name was Trouble! One day I was drying off my car after a car wash and cleaning the inside and there was Trouble with his loud obnoxious bark peering through the fence hole at me. He sounded pretty ferocious and in his mind I am sure he was. But to me, his annoying bark just drained me of the focus I needed to complete my task at hand with joy. I began to complain about Trouble, even telling him to please shut up. His response? He got all the more louder of course! I even talked to myself about Trouble, then I proceeded to come inside and tell my husband about Trouble. I laughed it off, but later realized the effect that Trouble had on me. There was a great lesson and correlation between this dog and the real trouble that reeks havoc in our lives in spite of all our excellent planning.                                                                                                                                     

   Though this dog sounded as though he'd tear you apart if he could get close enough, he couldn't because he had a fence around him. That's just the way it is with real trouble when it comes but sometimes we forget the purpose of trouble and we fret, we get anxious and complain. This is the only way trouble gains access to you. After Jesus said we would have trouble, then He also said, "But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." I know I know, when you are irritated beyond belief "cheer up!" is the last thing you want to hear! But just receive the full meaning of that statement. He's basically saying, "Don't lose your joy, hold on to it! I've already taken care of the tough stuff, I've got you covered." 

   Most of my life I felt I had to have everything figured out. Addicted to reasoning you might say, though I do still struggle with that though from time to time, God showed me a better way - which is to look for the deeper purpose of our challenges whether large or small - there is a lesson just waiting to be revealed, but you must look for it. So while pondering the purpose for trouble and still faltering in & out of self -pity over my troubles that seemed so constant and so much bigger than anyone else's, I heard a well-known pastor say, "Trouble that drives you to Jesus is a great priceless treasure." He went on to point out all the great benefits of trouble one right after another. My perspective at that point began to change even more than ever before. 
   When you belong to Jesus, you are safe from the power of trouble to harm you or bring you down, but it is first our responsibility to believe this truth and trust Jesus completely to bring you through it and work good from it in your own life. Because He gave the promise that He will work all things together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
    So the bottom line is, Trouble has a boundary on him and he's been deprived of the power to harm you. So just remember that truth when you're in the thick issues of life and you can't seem to see straight ahead. Get in your quiet place with God immediately and let Him calm your spirit and soul with this Truth. You love God, you are called for His purpose in the earth and He will use this for your good somehow, someway. God knows how even though we don't see it - He sees it clearly. He never wastes a hurt or a trial. He's so faithful and worth all our trust. Amen.

  Til we meet again - may His grace, mercy, love & Truth be revealed to you more & more! Rise up church!
~DustyFaith

DRFARMER(c)2015

I Want, I Think, I Feel - But What Does God Say?

   If indeed you have declared your status as a believer in Jesus, His death, burial & resurrection, then this question is highly important to you. If you belong to Jesus then you no doubt have experienced mistreatment of some form or another whether on an extreme level or not. 

  I felt a heightened need to to address importance of turning all our questions to the Lover of our souls. In light of so many injustices done to a huge number of people whether related to race, culture, creed, gender or individual personality differences - we need to remember that we are called as the Body of Christ to walk in unity & love. You have to do some deep research and soul searching with God to find out what that looks like in your own life. Vast numbers of people around us are deeply hurting & lashing out at others around them and it's seems as though it is increasing! How are we reacting to this outbreak of wretched behavior? 

   Sometimes I notice myself looking for perfection rather than the heart of the matter and see the opportunity to reveal God's love, grace & mercy. If you seek perfection in people you will find yourself constantly offended! So what is the answer? Seek perfection and all the love you need in the One Who is, was and always will be - perfect. He is love. 

   Cast off the self-righteousness that always seeks to be right & is always concerned about it's own rights. Self righteousness will have you constantly judging and comparing till you are blue in the face - enough is enough already! 

   Isaiah 64:6 says that our own righteousness is as filthy rags. What is self - righteousness? It's all about what we think is right or we think should be the right way. Many people will even take certain scriptures in order to back up their own lifestyles. This is false Christianity. Just as Jesus laid down His life for us on the cross, we are called to sacrifice our own lives and many times what we think for the sake of His call. (Romans 12:1-3) He gave up everything He desired for us, why would we think we should give any less than that for Him? 

   Instead of twisting scripture out of context and only taking verses that you like to fit who you think you are - get real with God, let Him know you hunger & thirst for true righteousness and you surrender to however He wants to change you, whatever He planned for you when He first created you. You want His perfect will now because that is your true destiny. God does most of His work in you little by little - so don't force anything but just pay close attention to learning to be sensitive to His voice, spend time in His presence daily as often as you can, receiving His love & acceptance of you as you are. Let God's Word read you as often as your inner self wants. Spiritual hunger is very similar to physical hunger - so don't get it confused & start eating food when your spirit is hungry! Learn to lay down your life daily for Him. 

   Do not be like the "self-righteous" & foolish person who builds their house on sand & great is the eventual fall of that house. (Matthew 7:21-27) "Sand" in verse 26 represents mankind or man's way of thinking to be more specific, since we were literally made from dirt. 

   Our goal, those who truly know they belong to Jesus is to build our house (our lives) on the Rock - on the revelation of God's Word, taking all scripture not just the parts we prefer and walk in obedience to the best of own personal ability. The key is to honestly give God all your best and He will do the rest. You do your part and He does His part. 

   There is so much more to say about walking in God's righteousness and not our own - so it's quite likely you'll see a Part 2 & 3. Questions or comments please! Even prayer requests are very welcome!!

DRFARMER(c)2015