This prayer was printed on the front page of the bulletin of the church I attend. With everything that's happened over the last few months - and in some cases, still happening - the timing could not have been more perfect (thank you, Lord!). I hope it will be an encouragement to you, as well.
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
"The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand." Psalm 37:23-24
No words can even begin to describe the myriad of feelings I experienced when I learned of the tragic shooting that occurred today. Part of my responsibilities as a teacher's assistant involves reading stories to children, helping them pick out books for them to read at home - children the same age as the little ones who whose lives were cut short this morning. How and why anyone could murder such dear ones is unfathomable to me.
"The majority of those who died today were children - beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them - birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers - men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.
So our hearts are broken today - for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost. Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors as well, for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early, and there are no words that will ease their pain."- President Obama
Why was such a terrible tragedy allowed to happen? How could someone commit such a heinous crime?
I won't even attempt to try making sense of this heartbreaking situation, because, in all honesty, it doesn't make sense to me. I don't know why it was allowed to happen. I don't know how (and why) anyone could bring themselves to gun down another human being made in the image of God, especially a child.Such acts of brutality rarely ever make sense to our finite, limited minds (humanly speaking). We may never know why a young man was permitted to take the lives of 20 innocent little bundles of joy, laughter and happiness and the lives of 6 of their teachers, this side of Heaven.
Parents, hug your children a little tighter tonight. Fellow teachers and child caretakers, be on the alert.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this heartbreaking catastrophe. May God give you comfort and peace as you grieve the loss of those dear children and teachers.
I came across this video yesterday evening. It really gave me a lot to think about.
Jerry Bridges, a man God has used to further His Kingdom, almost gave up on God? Jerry Bridges, one of the most prominent spiritual giants/theologians of today, almost let doubt (brought on by Satan) cause him to lose his faith?
It shocked me.
Then, after some thought, I realized that it shouldn't shock me when a fellow Christian - well-known theologian or not - admits struggling with doubt at some point in their life. It's part of the natural, or the "old man" that still likes to hang around after we accept Christ. Satan loves to use this "old man" to try to tear us away from our faith.
Some of us struggle more with doubt than others. It has to do with our God-given personality, our life experiences, our own unique viewpoints.
How, then, are we to fight doubt? How are we to fight Satan's blistering attacks on our relationship with God?
We fight it with truth.
This means immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, digging deep to find the truth found in its pages.
This means surrounding ourselves with people who want to know God's truth.
This means becoming part of a church that is committed to teaching the truths found in God's Word.
This means trusting what God says over what man has to say whenever there is a discrepancy or contradiction between the two. Remember that your "favorite" pastors and theologians can be wrong.
There is nothing wrong with seeking advice from your pastor or a spiritually mature Christian about a spiritual/biblical issue or question. Just remember that person you're seeking advice from is human, too, and is subsequently prone to error - unintentional or not.
Not sure what to think about a particular issue? Confused about a spiritual problem/question you have? Don't take [insert your pastor's name here]'s word for it. Take God's Word for it.
You may be seriously considering giving up on God. Let me ask you to resist the temptation to give in to doubt. Seek godly counsel (with a grain of salt). Most importantly, pore over Scripture to find the answers you seek. Ask God to help you find the answers you need in His Word. He'll do it. You just have to ask.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:31-32
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
II Timothy 3:16-17
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
I John 4:1-6
“I believe that in the end the truth will conquer.”
If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world. - Vance Havner
About This Blog
Thoughts from a Fellow Traveler exists to encourage you, help you, and strengthen you in your walk with the Lord. I trust He will use it to that end in your life.
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About Me
Myrna Moore
Sinner saved by the grace of God. Follower of Jesus Christ. Blog author. Headline writer for The Helvetica Times. Fitness guru. Triple threat. Aspiring media professional. Book lover. News junkie. Music connoisseur. Dreamer. Patriot.
On occasion, I use quotes, poems, and song lyrics in my posts and share resources (online or otherwise) that have been helpful to me as I seek to learn and grow spiritually. This is not intended to imply that I fully endorse any of the persons, books, artists, web sites, blogs, or organizations that I cite.
I frequently include photos in my posts. To the best of my knowledge, all of the photos are taken by me or are royalty-free stock images unless noted otherwise. No copyright infringement is intended.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
