God IS Working in The Deserts of Our Lives

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[Janet Easson Martin]

GOD IS WORKING IN THE DESERTS OF OUR LIVES

The Word says in seasons of our lives when life looks barren, that God is busy producing unseen things in and for us. When we don't feel successful or "fruitful" he is taken up with compassion toward us and pays MUCH attention to us. He doesn't forsake us even if we are angry at him. He promises to remember our sins no more.

There were quite a number of years of my own life I felt were a desert. I wondered how any good could come out of them? Too many of those years seemed wasted by GCx; nearly a decade. BUT GOD, showed me while reading His Word that EVEN in those he produced fruit WHILE I FELT DESERTED. Here's the passage he spoke to me in:

"I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...

Lift up your eyes and look around...

Though you were ruined and made desolate and your land laid waste,
now you will be too small for your people...

The children born during your bereavement will yet say in your hearing,
'This place is too small for us;
Give us more space to live in.'
Then you will say in your heart, 'Who bore me these?  I was bereaved and barren;
I was exiled and rejected.  Who brought these up?
I was left alone, but these--where have they come from?"

Isaiah 49:16, 18, 19, 20-21

God does work in the deserts of our lives, where it seems highly unlikely and even impossible! It's not because we have earned it. It's because he's full of mercy and compassion, and CANNOT forget or abandon us. I can now see him working out MUCH good where I thought there was none, and at the time felt abandoned.

The link I posted yesterday (by Tony Evans) in 'Recommended Reading' speaks to this, and definitely this song below by Toby Mac, "Move, Keep Walkin'" -- "It ain't over yet!"


(Tap here to watch)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MX1G71WK-FA

[Janet Easson Martin]

When We're Not Feelin' It

When God seems quiet and we're "Not Feelin' It", we need to act like the verses (from Scripture) are true and will be fulfilled.  (Of course they are true, but our mind and emotions are sometimes out of tune with the Spirit.)  Praising and Thanking Him for His particular promises by speaking and claiming them out of our own mouths as declarations does something divine in us and in God's Kingdom.

This is often obstructed by demonic whispers to us that we are hypocrites or fools if we're not feeling it and still thank or praise him.  But God says stand firm, not feel firm.  David spoke to his soul, even though his feelings didn't agree.  His declarations kept him from taking his eyes off his Divine Rescuer.  

We are allowed and encouraged to act in faith (without feelings) all through the Bible.  Our Faith, God says, is what has GREAT reward.

"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"

Romans 10:17

[Jamepoison]

Read the story here. It is knowledge that is very useful for me and for many people.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Walk and Don't Faint

Reading Isaiah 40 today I was summoned by the very last phrase in it, "They will walk and not be faint".  God has given us each missions.  Just for the day, or for the present time, or for a season.  He really means for us to enter them by faith, from small to big.  He has ordained our days for us from before the time we were born. Nothing is random with God.  He is a 24/7 shepherd!  Our oppressing circumstances and our suffering are NOT disregarded by him.  I believe our pain grieves him even more than us.  His understanding of our daily (sometimes seemingly mundane) lives, including our emotions, is beyond what we can comprehend.  

He has given us promises and encouragement for walking out this life of faith.  Usually we accept them with joy, but after awhile often get distracted. We start to put our hopes in what we perceive brings immediate happiness. We all too often FORGET the promises and encouragement Our Father gave us.  We even forget our righteous standing with him and his unconditional love.  We forget his promise that He will truly NEVER LEAVE us.  As long as we are alive on this earth we can still ask him again to renew our spiritual strength.  He says whoever believes and hopes in Him will NOT be disappointed.  Sometimes he tests our faith by having us wait a little longer so we can be STRONGER (like Mandisa describes in her song).  The waiting is NEVER to harm us.

So whether you wisely recall the divine words or ask God to give you some anew, he LONGS for you to WALK IN THEM BY FAITH.  Keep walking.  Keep doing what God is showing you - though there be no fanfare now. Though there even be no feelings of affirmation sometimes.  Don't faint.  Don't be afraid.  Don't give up.  Keep walking with Him BY FAITH!


Here is link to Mandisa's "Stonger"

 https://g.co/kgs/HVFsDX

[Janet Easson Martin]

“DON’T YOU LOVE ME??”

This evening, I pictured the calming rhythm of ocean waves lapping over the shore as I envisioned God’s faithfulness over us.  His word promises:  

“The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.”  (Lamentations 3:22)

But, I struggle with the same doubts other believers have had toward God.  Perhaps I haven’t done enough to earn his love.  Maybe he isn’t paying attention to me anymore.  Have I not been a good enough Christian to deserve his help?  Why would he forsake me in this affliction?  It sometimes seems we are not even on his radar!

Recently, I found myself doubting God’s faithfulness to me in a particular affliction.  Praying came MUCH harder than usual, sometimes seeming impossible.  Reading the word seemed to bring less encouragement than it had for years.  Church became stale for a time.  The Spirit in me seemed unable to be stirred.  Spiritual feelings went silent inside me.  I felt forsaken.  This went on for some time.

As I mentioned, I found myself almost mute toward God - not talking to him much.  I happened to watch a documentary about a woman suffering a great affliction and how she kept honestly talking to God even though her prayers of deliverance were not answered the way she wanted.  Strangely, I found her story encouraging. (The film was The Kara Tippetts Story - The Long Goodbye.)  So, that evening I finally honestly voiced very personally to God what I had been feeling in my heart, “Don’t you love me??”  Instead of silence I heard God speak to my spirit inside, “Remember when you thought I was ignoring you and excluding you from my favor when I didn’t set you up with the guy you had a crush on, or when marriage seemed no where in sight?”

He reminded me how I was very disappointed with him then because he didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted.   How I often felt ignored by him and even excluded from blessing regarding marriage.  I probably had that question in my heart back then, “Don’t you love me?”  (Unfortunately, as many have stated on here, GCx’s “approval” of women they recommended for marriage to leading men added much unnecessary stress, competition and even rejection to many in its ranks, myself included.)

What God was leading me to in his question in response to mine was actually to RECALL just HOW MUCH HE DID LOVE ME!  I learned a few years later that that unrequited crush developed some very debilitating issues.  In fact, he became a homeless man on the streets!  There were other men I thought would be good for me, but God kept them away, too.  He reminded me of my questioning his quotient of love toward me then also.  I truly struggled with this area for years.  We all have things that are very hard to trust God in.  It may be our finances, our careers, our children or lack of them, our spouse or lack of one, our friendships, our health, or our future.  

I remembered again how God did indeed pay attention to me all along.  He had inclined to my many prayers. But, precisely because he loved me more than I could understand he shut those doors and windows. It wasn’t until thirteen years later, when I was nearly turning 33, that God brought a man into my life that has without a doubt been the strongest demonstration of his love to me in the last 28 years.  I believe God knew all along his plan, but I was not privy to it.  God practiced fatherly faithfulness to me, as his child, no matter how I complained.  And he loved me even through it.  

As I meditated on this and reminiscently thanked him for not giving me what I wanted, but what he wanted.  I naturally praised him that his way was truly best.  And most of all, REALIZED that my present affliction truly is allowed out of his incomprehensible love for me.  He has ALWAYS been unceasingly working in me and for me. His compassions have NEVER stopped toward me like the waves washing over the shore.  Perhaps I will not fully understand why he allows some things until I see him, but I believe I will unceasingly praise him then.

Heavenly Father, I praise you that your love is so large toward us it is incomprehensible!  I praise you that when so many things seem out of control, you are very much calmly in control.  I thank you that you have so much love for us, your children, and that you do highly favor us in the One you love.  I thank you that we are in Jesus’s secure hands surrounded by your protective hands.  I thank you that we will SEE your faithfulness in all things in heaven, and we will SEE You [LOVE] as you really are.  Help us in the meantime to put our trust in you and not in our ourselves.  In Jesus’ name we ask.

[Linda]

Thank you, Janet. I needed that today. ❤️

[Janet Easson Martin]

Two Simple Syllables

TRUST GOD

A short inspiring video.  It’s 14 minutes so you could listen to 2 minutes every morning this week.  We can taste and see how those two simple syllables on our lips and in our hearts each morning can transform our world in just one week.


https://youtu.be/FrNamnkxzkA

[Janet Easson Martin]

...Listen to His voice and hold fast to Him. For the Lord IS your Life...

[Janet Easson Martin]

The excerpt below from “Dear Jesus” (Page 44-45) by Sarah Young was quite comforting to me.  I hope it also brings you encouragement.  Those formerly in GCx need to be reminded of it quite often because it seems we were trained to believe just the opposite.

My kingdom is not about earning and deserving;
it is about believing and receiving.

Dear Jesus,

That is very good news, because I could never work hard enough or be good enough to deserve Your kingdom. Yet I struggle with a strong desire to earn my way—at least partially—rather and receiving seem more difficult than earning and deserving. I find myself wanting recognition for my efforts and accomplishments. Help me to desire Your way more than mine.

Beloved, I know how vulnerable you are to idolatry. One of the most prevalent temptations is to idolize yourself or your own good works. For this reason, I often withhold success until people are weak enough to handle it. When they have been sufficiently broken by adversity and failure, they are better able to deal with success. So, when trials of many kinds come your way, receive those things as gifts from Me. Believe that I know what I am doing and My way is perfect. After you have suffered a little while, I Myself will make you what you ought to be, ground you securely, and strengthen you. This is how I prepare you to share in My eternal Glory.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2–3

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
2 Samuel 22:31

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10 AMP

[Janet Easson Martin]

Does Anybody Care?

I came across this video which made my eyes water. I hope it ministers to someone asking, “Does Anybody Care?”

https://youtu.be/sz81dIfwf4Y

[Janet Easson Martin]

This is taken from a daily devotional by Max Lucado titled, “Grace Is With You Every Day” (page 857). It is interesting how we so often tend to look for God’s hand by his taking away challenging circumstances rather than the sustaining grace he offers in them in which we experience his PRESENCE.

Sufficient, Sustaining Grace

I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

 2 Corinthians 12:7–9 NIV

A thorn in the flesh. Such vivid imagery. The sharp end of a thorn pierces the soft skin of life and lodges beneath the surface. Every step is a reminder of the thorn in the flesh.

The cancer in the body.
The child in the rehab center.
The red ink on the ledger.
The tears in the middle of the night.

“Take it away,” you’ve pleaded. Not once, twice, or even three times. You’ve outprayed Paul. He prayed a sprint; you’ve prayed a marathon. But what you hear is this: “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Grace takes on an added dimension here. Paul is referring to sustaining grace. Saving grace saves us from our sins. Sustaining grace meets us at our point of need and equips us with courage, wisdom, and strength. Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.

And according to Paul, God has sufficient sustaining grace to meet every single challenge of our lives. Sufficient. We fear its antonym: insufficient. We’ve written checks only to see the words insufficient funds. Will we offer prayers only to discover insufficient strength? Never.

Grace

[Janet Easson Martin]

Broken Roads

“God Bless the Broken Road” is not a corny or contrived picture, but one that seeks to fully explore great disappointment and deep pain in our lives. The kind that sometimes leaves us questioning God’s love and care. This movie depicts flawed people who find it very difficult to give and be present for those they love when they feel that their own joy and stability have been “taken” away.

I love how God knows our words before we say them, our thoughts before we think them, our movements before we make them, because he DEEPLY understands us more than we can fathom. He has such infinite compassion for us - as much as the heavens above the earth. He longs to walk beside us in our deserts and steadily hold our hand. He has an abundantly divine dispatch of encouragement just for us in precisely our circumstances because his Word is living and is spoken by a living Counselor and Comforter who gives us our anchor of hope in treacherous waters. 

The fresh starts he desires to give us are new every morning. We are always invited to trust him once again no matter how long it’s been. So, if you’re in need of hope in your desert right now, or you want to watch something inspiring, “God Bless the Broken Road” is one you’ll want to see. It’s available for free now on Netflix with a regular subscription.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Thanking Him By Faith

Something I’ve been thinking about is God’s instruction to us, “in everything give thanks.” This seems to be a command that can only be done by faith - not trying to understand it all. It’s not my strength. I am too often challenged by it. But, it offers such relief and peace so I am prompted by the Spirit to cooperate.  

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Below is a link to a devotion from someone who has cultivated this habit that I found encouraging. Hope it is a blessing to you.

Link to Devotion:
https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/everything-give-thanks

[Janet Easson Martin]

Focus on Him for Real Hope

I just started listening to and watching this very motivational YouTube video. I may watch a small portion of it each day. It is really helpful! It would be good to have in our “saved” list to watch whenever we feel lost, disappointed, down or woefully depressed. It may also be quite encouraging when we are baffled by our present circumstances.

Ever since I read 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 I keep thinking about the phrase in the NIV —“in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but God.” It seems during very difficult times it’s easy to forget that God has a good purpose and plan for us. That is often completely invisible to us in those hours or days. We simply cannot see it. And if, we only look at the view right before us we may despair because hope can not be felt or seen. But it is there, because Jesus is there, with us.

When we focus on Him and the faithfulness he has shown in the past and we purposely recall all that he has done for us, we remember that he has delivered us out of trouble whenever we looked to Him. When we choose to believe he will never forsake us in our present we can take comfort in His presence. When we focus on Him for our future through his promises we are lifted out of the darkness that seems to surround us.

Though God may not cause the trial, he allowed it so that we could experience his supernatural power, his glory, his abundant life, being carried along by the Holy Spirit. The same power that raises the dead. These are things we pray and long for — it’s just the method God uses too often throws us for a loop. Here is the great Apostle Paul’s reaction to his very difficult circumstances:

”We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death,
in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.”

2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Link to Video: “Focus on God, Not Our Problems” from Grace for Purpose

https://youtu.be/CS2vya9adz0

[Janet Easson Martin]

Our God Who Sees

My husband and I have been walking through something that is difficult. It seems the very people who are “supposed” to be listening to us have almost turned a deaf ear in order to follow “policies” and keep to their overloaded schedule. So we end up kind of left in the dust. The frustration was more than I could bare. The immense care of our Heavenly Father portrayed in this very short music film is what I believe God wants us to cling to.

There are two links below. The first is the very moving choreographed music film. The second provides just the lyrics on a still screen. This piece was pointed out to me by a friend last night (though I’d seen & posted it quite a while back). It was precisely when and what we needed to hear.

Thank you SO much, Lord. 😢



The God Who Sees - Modern Oratorio

https://youtu.be/sz81dIfwf4Y



The God Who Sees Official Lyric Video - Nicole Mullins

https://youtu.be/l6sX4Vw8mx0

[Janet Easson Martin]

I found this brief article to be helpful and encouraging. But, what was even more encouraging was the path a woman took amidst her suffering (in the video that follows the article). The Guideposts Video is titled “How Gratitude Helps Roberta Messner Cope with ...” An eye-opener and life-changer. Tap the link at the bottom of this post to find below article.

Here is an excerpt:


5.  Father, I thank You for how I can take what I’ve learned through these difficult days and use it for You.
None of our life experiences goes to waste. God can use all of them if we’ll let Him. Whether it’s a hug, taking time to pray with a hurting friend, giving a monetary gift to someone who needs it or sharing how God was faithful to us when we needed Him, we can help comfort others because of what we’ve lived through.


God, we thank You for being with us through difficult days. Help us look for the blessings in the hard times and help us to be faithful to serve You no matter what circumstances we face. Amen.

-Michelle Cox, Guideposts



5 Reasons to Thank God for Difficult Days - Guideposts

https://www.guideposts.org/better-living/positive-living/positive-thinking/5-reasons-to-thank-god-for-difficult-days

[Janet Easson Martin]

There are hours or days when we feel dry spiritually. I think that is part of being human. They often could actually be times when God wants to increase our faith by allowing it to be tested. The passage below that I read this morning seemed to declare that we should praise Him while we are in the “desert” because we trust and claim that we will rejoice and exult again soon. We strengthen our endurance by offering praise in faith.

We also enjoy envisioning God’s promised provision rather than hanging our head in dismay. Our eyes get lifted to Jesus and we are consoled. Before long we are being refreshed in His spiritual rain.



But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the LORD;
exult before him!

Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;

your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy

Psalm 68:3-4, 9-10

[Janet Easson Martin]

Today I was moved to pray these promises for the victims of GCx. Perhaps we can pray them for ourselves or others. God longs to bring back the gushing springs of joy of his love and grace!

1The wilderness and the land will be glad;
the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
2It will bloom profusely
and rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon.
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.

3Strengthen the limp hands
and steady the feeble knees!
4Say to those with anxious hearts:
“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance.
With divine retribution He will come to save you.”

5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6Then the lame will leap like a deer
and the mute tongue will shout for joy.
For waters will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert.
7The parched ground will become a pool,
the thirsty land springs of water.

Isaiah 35:1-7   BSB

[Janet Easson Martin]

Seeing From God’s Point of View

Just finished watching “Corrie ten Boom: A Faith Undefeated,” an engaging and encouraging documentary on her life. In the midst of suffering and darkness she chose to believe God’s promises and the visions he gave her dying sister for their future. Here are some of her words shared at the end that tell the secret to her hope and happiness.


The great joy is when we have the word of God,
we can see the things as it were from God‘s point of view.

Look around and be distressed.
Look within and be depressed.
Look at Jesus and be at rest.

-Corrie ten Boom

[Janet Easson Martin]

This is a message that can settle your heart. It is worth a listen to re-think difficulties in our lives. It reminds me of the fountain of truth in James 1:2-3. Interestingly, the word joy in that verse means “take delight in or exceeding joy.”

The message below is simple yet profound.



God Loves Me - Pastor Robert Morris
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QrzsO_vvmX4