If I Try Hard Enough

"I want to change! I want to be different! I will try...I will do it! If  I try hard enough I can do it!"

  A year ago I prayed, "Lord, do whatever it takes! Whatever it takes to make me like You!" I was sincere and ready to face anything that could be placed upon me....
  About a month ago I was studying one morning as usual but I felt a bigger burden than usual. I dove into my Bible....
  Oh the perfectness, the beauty, the never failing love, the never ending patience of Christ! As I pondered His perfect character tears trickled down my cheeks. Oh His love for me! He gave everything for me! And here I am...I'm nothing near perfect, there's nothing beautiful in me, my love is failing at times, my patience runs out and I had even failed Him at times! As I sat there, the tears still running, I thought of all the times I failed the One who gave His life for me, the scene of Him in agony and pain on the cross giving all for me flashed into my mind. "Maybe all the times I failed Him...did I put Him through the cross all over again?"
  "I want to change! I don't want Him hurt ever again! I want to be like Him in all ways! I want His love to never fail through me, I want HIS beauty to shine in and through me, I want selflessness, and I want to have the patience that never runs out!" 
   I decided that if I tried hard enough I could do it! I could smile and be kind even when I felt like blowing up. If I tried hard enough I could overcome....so I thought.
  So I began...at first everything didn't go too bad...but as the days past I got more irritable, more inpatient, it was not the result I wanted. Everything seemed to go wrong and I was nearly in tears no matter what happened. Everyday it got worse and worse till one day I couldn't hold out any longer. I ran to a room fell down on my knees and sobbed like a child. My heart was broken. I had tried and tried but failed. I was tired, and I was done. In my distress I cried out to my Savior.
"Oh Lord, I'm done. I have tried and tried and I'm finished. If You want me to change You will have to change me!"
  Yes, that's what I should of done in the beginning...but it took tears and much pain for me to learn the simple lesson. It wasn't that I didn't know the lesson...I just didn't realize where I had gone wrong in my self-reliance! As I knelt there and prayed I felt as if Jesus was standing right beside me with His hand on my shoulder looking down upon me with a smile saying, "Yes, My child....yes...!" Peace filled my soul, the tears ceased to flow, I felt new...fresh....strong....in my realization of my nothingness and weakness, He made me strong...the strength that only comes from Him and FULL surrender to Him.
  I'm praising the Lord, for the heartache, pain and tears He let me go through to teach me such a simple lesson.... And I assure I will never try to do anything in my own strength ever again! :) Being filled with His strength is by far, better than any strength I could ever possess!

Christian Leadership

 Christian Leadership - Praying Leadership--The path of men who are placed as leaders is not an easy one.  But they are to see in every difficulty a call to prayer.  Never are they to fail of consulting the great Source of all wisdom.  Strengthened and enlightened by the Master Worker, they will be enabled to stand firm against unholy influences and to discern right from wrong, good from evil.  They will approve that which God approves, and will strive earnestly against the introduction of wrong principles into His cause.--Prophets and Kings, p. 31. {ChL 4.1} 

     Christian Leadership is in Touch With God--Those engaged in the work of God cannot serve His cause acceptably unless they make the best use possible of the religious privileges they enjoy.  We are as trees planted in the garden of the Lord; and He comes to us seeking the fruit He has a right to expect.  His eye is upon each of us; He reads our hearts and understands our lives.  This is a solemn search, for it has reference to duty and to destiny; and with what interest is it prosecuted. {ChL 4.2} 

     Let each of those to whom are committed sacred trusts inquire: "How do I meet the inspecting eye of God?  Is my heart cleansed from its defilement? or have its temple courts become so desecrated, so occupied with buyers and sellers, that Christ finds no room?" The bustle of business, if continuous, will dry up spirituality and leave the soul Christless. {ChL 4.3} 

     Although they may profess the truth, yet if men pass along day by day with no living connection with God, they will be led to do strange things; decisions will be made not in accordance with the will of God.  There is no safety for our leading brethren while they shall go forward according to their own impulses.  They will not be yoked up with Christ, and so will not move in harmony with Him.  They will be unable to see and realize the wants of the cause, and Satan will move upon them to take positions that will embarrass and hinder.--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 423. {ChL 4.4}

     Looking to Jesus--No man is so high in power and authority but that Satan will assail him with temptation.  And the more responsible the position a man occupies, the fiercer and more determined are the assaults of the enemy.  Let God's servants in every place study His word, looking constantly to Jesus, that they may be changed into His image.  The inexhaustible fullness and the all-sufficiency of Christ are at our command if we walk before God in humility and contrition.--Manuscript 140, 1902. {ChL 5.1} 

    Strong, Godly Leaders.--The man at the head of any work in God's cause is to be a man of intelligence, a man capable of managing large interests successfully, a man of even temper, Christlike forbearance, and perfect self-control. He only whose heart is transformed by the grace of Christ can be a proper leader.--MM 164.  {PM 255.2}  

     The path of men who are placed as leaders is not an easy one. But they are to see in every difficulty a call to prayer. Never are they to fail of consulting the great Source of all wisdom. Strengthened and enlightened by the Master Worker, they will be enabled to stand firm against unholy influences and to discern right from wrong, good from evil. They will approve that which God approves, and will strive earnestly against the introduction of wrong principles into His cause.--PK 31.  {PM 255.3}

Trust In the Lord

The wind's not always at our back,

The sky is not always blue.

Sometimes we crave the things we lack,

And don't know what to do.

~

Sometimes life's an uphill ride,

With mountains we must climb.

At times the river's deep and wide,

And crossing takes some time.

~

No one said that life is easy,

There are no guarantees.

So Trust in the Lord continually,

On calm or stormy seas.

~

The challenges we face today,

Prepares us for tomorrow.

For faith takes our fears away,

And peace replaces sorrow.

-Unknown Author

Sunlight

1. I wandered in the shades of night,
   Till Jesus came to me,
   And with the sunlight of His love
   Bid all my darkness flee.
   • Refrain:
     Sunlight, sunlight in my soul today,
     Sunlight, sunlight all along the way;
     Since the Savior found me, took away my sin,
     I have had the sunlight of His love within.
2. Though clouds may gather in the sky,
   And billows ’round me roll,
   However dark the world may be
   I've sunlight in my soul.
3. 
   
   
   While walking in the light of God,
   I sweet communion find;
   I press with holy vigor on
   And leave the world behind.
4. I cross the wide, extended fields,
   I journey o’er the plain,
   And in the sunlight of His love
   I reap the golden grain.
5. Soon I shall see Him as He is,
   The Light that came to me;
   Behold the brightness of His face,
   Throughout eternity.
   -Judson W. Van DeVenter, 1897 

Love, Joy, Peace

 This is a little something I wrote about Love, Joy and Peace. Three fruits of the spirit. We are having a youth Sabbath at a church tomorrow and this is my little 'sermon'.
Love:

1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love”. It is no surprise that love is the greatest. Love is the virtue of a Christian because love is the trait that characterized God most. Matthew 22:37-39 says, “..You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This love we are talking about isn't sentimental love and infatuation but selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love.  To love your neighbor as yourself is to love people with all your heart.  To love someone else the same way you love yourself is to care for someone as you care for yourself.  Love Does not envy, Love is not puffed up, Love is not rude, love does not seek its own, love is not easily provoked, love thinks no evil, love does not rejoice in iniquity.

The bible also tells us to love our enemies not just people who are good to us.   Matthew 5:43-44 says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Luke 6:27-28 says, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” It is a lot easier to love someone who loves you then to love someone who doesn’t. Jesus is our perfect example on how to love our enemies. He was once hated by all men but He always treated them with love and compassion.  “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34.  

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 15:10.

“Love suffers long and is kind;…thinks no evil;…rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails”.

Joy:

The definition of Joy is- A lively emotion of happiness, delight, to be glad, rejoice, cheerfulness.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11.

“Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.”Psalms 4:7. Joy is a everlasting joy that is deeper than pain or any pleasure. Inward joy defeats discouragement and despair, it focuses on goodness and the love of God.  Joy comes from knowing and trusting in Jesus. As long as we trust in Jesus joy is steady and lasting. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8. When Jesus comes again we will rejoice in being in his presence and the heavenly place prepared for us. But until than its a joy to know that God will supply all our needs.

I have found that there is no greater joy than to be obedient  to the will of God. Satan disobeyed God which brought war upon Heaven, sin, and death. All the sin and suffering in this world is the result of humans disobeying God and His law.  By obedience to the will of God by faith helps restore joy.  

“It is the duty of Christians to convince the world that the religion of Christ disrobes the soul of the garments of heaviness and mourning and clothes it with joy and gladness. Those who receive Christ as a sin pardoning Saviour are clothed with His garments of light. He takes away their sin and imparts to them His righteousness. Their joy is full.

“Who have better right than Christians to sing songs of rejoicing? Have they not the expectation of being members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King? Is not the gospel good tidings of great joy? When the promises of God are freely and fully accepted, heaven’s brightness is brought into the life.” A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education, p. 26 by Ellen G White.

Peace:

The definition of peace is- Completeness, or well being.

In John 14:27 it says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God doesn’t want us to be afraid, He wants us to put our trust in Him, that we may have peace in knowing everything is under control. When I think of peace in this manner, I think of letting go of something I may be worrying about and put full trust in God.  I think of having peace between someone I know, not having tension between me and someone else.   

We may not realize but it is the love of self that brings unrest. If we take Christ at His word, and surrender to Him, rest our lives in his Hands, we will find true peace. Nothing can make a shadow cross our face when Jesus’ presence is with us.

By dying on the cross, Jesus won peace for us.  It is a free gift we may have by earnestly asking Christ Jesus. But there isn’t a person in this world that doesn’t go through some trails, pain, and suffering.  Peace comes through full surrender in trust in the loving and caring God Almighty!

“ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts….” Colossians 3:15

WHATEVER It Takes

"There’s a voice calling me

From an old rugged tree

And He whispers, “Draw closer to Me

Leave this world far behind,

There are new heights to climb,

And a new place in Me you will find.”

~

For whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord

That’s what I’ll be willing to do.

For whatever it takes to be more like You,

That’s what I’ll be willing to do.

~

Take the dearest things to me,

If that’s how it must be,

To draw me closer to Thee,

Let the disappointments come,

Lonely days without the sun,

If through sorrow more like You I’ll become.

~

~

Take my houses, my lands,

change my dreams, change my plans

For I’m placing my whole life in Your hands

and if You call me today…

To a place far away

Lord, I’ll go, and Your will I’ll obey.

~

For whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord

That’s what I’ll be willing to do.

For whatever it takes to be more like You,

That’s what I’ll be willing to do.

~

I’ll trade sunshine for rain

Comfort for pain –

That’s what I’ll be willing to do -

For whatever it takes for my will to break

That’s what I’ll be willing to do

That’s what I’ll be willing to do."

-Unknown

These Days Are Stepping Stones

Someday when we look back

On days that seem unblessed,

We'll see how God used them

To Lead us to life's best.

~

Someday when we look back

On days when things went wrong,

We'll say, That brought us to

The place where we belong.

~

~

Someday when home at last-

Sade in Heaven above,

We'll praise God for dark days

As stepping stones of love.

-Perry Tanksley 

A Special Prayer For You- All My Wonderful Friends

May the Lord's presence

guard you day and night

And guide your every step

And give you strength and light.

~ 

~

May the spirit of God

Uphold you with his hand

When crisis moments come

Which you don't understand.

~

And may the peace of Christ

In all you say and do,

Increase and overflow-

This is my prayer for you.

-Perry Tanksley 

To Trust You Is To Believe

Sometimes it seems impossible

To trust in you, my Lord,

But then again, it's all I have

When my back's against the wall

~

The pressures forever mounting up

And worsens with little hope,

Though I pray and leave it with you,

It's so hard for me to cope

~

I know, O Lord, you teach us patience

Especially at those times,

You want us to trust completely,

Though answers are hard to find

~

And there are times it seems as though

You have stepped back from us,

We feel so much alone in our mess

Not knowing, you're watching with love

~

You never really leave us, Lord,

Nor forsake us in our need,

You only want us to trust you

And in your word believe

~

You know the circumstances we're in

And know the struggles we face,

The situation, when given to you,

Can empower our faltering faith

~

For in your word we're told to give

To you all our anxieties

And all the worries and fears we have,

Praying for the needed victory

~

For in due course you will come through

To bring the needed relief

And through it all we shall develop

A stronger and deeper belief.

© By M.S.Lowndes