Oh NO!

Jim and I are both going through health issues.  I have been living with chronic pain/illness for over 25 years, with the past 10 years mostly home-bound and needing assistance in my daily life.  Now Jim is going through some serious health issues as well.  So what do you do when your main care-giver needs assistance as well? 

The other day when a family member called to check to see how Jim and I are feeling, she said, “This is so depressing. You two much be devastated!”  I was a little taken back with that reaction at first, then I replied, “no way, maybe a little perplexed, but not depressed.  God is in control.  He will never allow us to go through more than we can handle.”  Although to be honest, there are moments that I think to myself, “I wish God did not trust me enough to ‘handle’ this much!” 

In all seriousness, I believe in the Sovereignty of God.  That all things are under God's rule and control, and nothing happens without His permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the guidance of His own will (Eph. 1:11). God’s purposes are all-inclusive and never thwarted (Isa. 46:11).  There is nothing that takes Him by surprise. The sovereignty of God is not only that God has the power and right to rule all things, but that He does so, continually and without exception.

A.W. Pink said it beautifully in The Sovereignty of God, Chapter 1. 

"What do we mean by [the sovereignty of God]? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the god-hood of God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that God is God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him what doest Thou? (Dan. 4:35). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in Heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will (Psa. 115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is "The Governor among the nations" (Psa. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the "Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible."

So what do you do when the care-giver needs a care-giver?  You trust in the Sovereignty of God.  I rest assured, “… that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

What's In It For Me?

“You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord. “But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’  “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins?  From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”  Malachi 3:13-18 NLT

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the expression, “What’s in it for me?”  I have heard parents ask their children to do something and the child will barter with them before they do what they have been asked to do. 

Sometimes I feel that our nation has become a selfish society.  Many have the attitude that unless it benefits them in some particular way they will not do ‘it’. 

Unfortunately, this attitude has been brought into the church as well.  Serving and Worshipping God has become more about the worshipper and not the One whom we are to Worship.  Church attendance is not a priority in many Christian lives.  Parents wonder why their grown children no longer attend church.  Maybe those same parents need to think back to when their children were in their home.  Did they, as parents, show their children that God is the number one priority in their home as well in their life?  When a child’s ball game was scheduled at the same time as church did these parents choose worshipping God instead of going to the game?  I believe that if enough Christian parents stand up for what is right there will not be ball games on Sunday mornings. 

As Christians we should not go to church or serve the Lord only when it is convenient or we don’t have anything better to do.  When we do we are saying, “What’s in it for me?”  We should worship and serve our Lord because He is worthy of all praise, glory and service.  For He is God! 

God will remember those who have been faithful to Him; for those who are faithful will be called His very own special treasure. 

So my questions for you today, “Why do you Worship God?”  Do you have the attitude as some, “What’s in it for me?” or “I Worship and serve my risen Savior because He is God and worthy of all honor and praise.”?

Are You at Risk for Fibromyalgia?

The latest research points to changes in the brain's chemical makeup that increase sensitivity to pain as a possible cause of fibromyalgia symptoms.

About 5 million Americans, most of whom are women, live with fibromyalgia. And while the root causes of the disorder haven't yet been clearly identified, research has turned up some differences in how people with fibromyalgia experience pain — which may help to shed light on who is more likely to develop it.

Fibromyalgia symptoms are rooted in a dysfunction in the way pain is processed in the brain. "Fibromyalgia patients have been shown to have lower levels of brain chemicals that inhibit pain signals, including serotonin and norepinephrine, as well as higher levels of brain chemicals that cause pain signals, including substance P and glutamate," explains rheumatologist Chad S. Boomershine, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the division of rheumatology and immunology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. These chemical imbalances may explain why people with fibromyalgia find changes in temperature, light, and pressure on their skin painful while others do not. To continue with the article please visit:  http://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/are-you-at-risk.aspx?xid=aol_eh-fibro_1_20120305_&aolcat=AJA&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing11%7Cdl29%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D140954

What is Your Standard of Truth?

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”  Romans 1:25 (NLT)

Wherever we go, or whatever we watch, whether TV, movies, the Internet or standing in line at the checkout in the grocery store, we see what the “world” views as “super stars” – people to emulate.   It seems that every day there is some “star”, athlete, or even politician admitting or caught in uncompromising situation.  These are the individuals that the world is trying to get our children as well as ourselves to emulate- even worship. 

Even in the Christian realm we must be careful not to put the Christian artist, authors, or even pastors in position of worship over God.  The created is flawed in this sinful world; but the Creator is not flawed, He is Truth.  People tend to believe lies that reinforce their own self-centered personal beliefs.  We need to be careful- even watchful that we do not trade the truth about God for a lie.  Today, more than ever, we need to know what the foundation is for our beliefs.   The influences of TV, music, movies and even the media often presents sinful life-styles and objectionable values  that we often find ourselves bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally contrary to the Bible.  We need to be careful of what influences us to form our opinions.  The Bible is the only standard of truth so we must evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings. 

 This world desires us to worship the things that God has created instead of the Creator Himself!  Even though some of the created may seem good, we must be careful of crossing the line from admiration to adoration.  The created can disappoint us, ever fail us, but the Creator will never fail- He is forever faithful and just.   He is our standard of Truth.   Our God, is always worthy of our praise and adoration.  Let us always give honor and glory to One who is worthy of all praise!  Amen!