for thought and meditation

[Markopolo]

cloudy and cool here...

The Explanation For Our Difficulties
By Oswald Chambers

…that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us… —John 17:21

If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17 . It will explain exactly why you are where you are— because Jesus has prayed that you “may be one” with the Father as He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or do you have some other goal for your life? Since you became a disciple, you cannot be as independent as you used to be.

God reveals in John 17 that His purpose is not just to answer our prayers, but that through prayer we might come to discern His mind. Yet there is one prayer which God must answer, and that is the prayer of Jesus— “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22). Are we as close to Jesus Christ as that?

God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn’t ask, “Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?” No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy. If we will pray, regarding our own lives, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42), then we will be encouraged and comforted by John 17, knowing that our Father is working according to His own wisdom, accomplishing what is best. When we understand God’s purpose, we will not become small-minded and cynical. Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself, just as He was one with the Father. Some of us are far from this oneness; yet God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him— because Jesus prayed, “…that they all may be one….”

have a blessed Friday!!

[Blackwater]

How appropriate for this time of the pandemic. Some people are re-learning how wonderful family can be. Others are abusing each other. It all depends on what kind of relationship they have with the Lord. The wise are always looking for good instruction. The foolish just for "fun" and "high times." Life is indeed what we make of it, and it's so sad to see so many turning to spousal abuse, child abuse, etc. when they wind up HAVING to be alone with each other. Many don't like to be alone with themselves, but that's when we're supposed to do our best thinking, and develop our attitudes and personalities and philosophy. It seems that for many of us, our only wish is for what we don't have at the time. Now isn't that just about the most "human" thing for us to do? But we weren't put here to be "human." We were put here to come to know and follow the Lord, and if we follow Him well, we find satisfaction. If we follow that other fellow, Satan, we can never really know satisfaction - only temporary and fleeting glee that always leads to sorrow in the end.

Life is so simple! Why and how do so many, many people miss this????