Monday, August 30, 2021

When Life Suddenly Makes Sense


"We live life forward, but understand it backward."   --- Joyce Meyer

"... the Holy Spirit will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."   ---John 16:13


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My longtime readers might recall when Tom lost his job in 2010. He and 3 other guys were downsized and yeah, not a good day.

But you know? Earlier, the Holy Spirit kept leading me to folks online who told me, "Store extra food!" "Replace worn-out items while you can!" "Save-up 6 months' worth of paychecks!"

Did I do that? Er, only kinda sorta, in spurts and starts and -- well, mostly, no. It's like, where was the writing in the sky or angels with scrolls appearing at the front door?  

Oh, the regret.

And even though God proved amazingly merciful over those next 22 months, I felt both gratitude and sorry for not listening to that still, small voice of warning. For not acting upon what, yeah, I did feel deep, deep inside (if we're being honest).

Well, we all experience life-altering, face-splashing stuff like that, right? And because we serve a forgiving God, He doesn't rub our nose in past mistakes, but teaches our humbler selves specific ways to do better next time.

So today I would say if you keep running across videos/books/conversations about certain, specific topics like--


prepping for emergencies
overcoming offenses
gardening
forgiveness
low-cost cooking
moving past guilt
decluttering
spiritual warfare
discovering daily joy
mind rest
health/sleep/exercise
releasing worry, fear, anger
giving to others
becoming strong in the Lord
craving wisdom
letting go 


---it could be because God makes Himself obvious in non-obvious ways, often while we're waiting for loud trumpet blasts that never come. 

God knows what's ahead, all the hard stuff.  We don't, so His warnings can be confusing and that's why we need to walk that (sometimes scary) tightrope of trust. 

He longs to ready and strengthen us for anything up the road.

If we proceed only after (thinking) we understand all the details, oh dear. We'll often be running late, struggling and limping without Grace. 

Always, Grace cooperates with God's time schedule--and we can, also.







"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."   --- 1 Peter 1:13


 "But the Holy Spirit ... will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."   --- John 14:26, 27


Always whatever God asks of us, He equips us to do. (So technically, no excuses are truthful. Yikes.)  It's better to long to obey God out of love than to figure everything out before we take a step.


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If one of your latest convictions is to learn to make low-cost meals, you may want to check out The Simplified Saver. Her meals are easy, as well (my favorite part.)  ツ


Oh, and for my fellow bird lovers, here's a gift for you.


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We're not waiting to go to Heaven to have victory--there's victory now!"   ---  Jim Hodges


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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful post Debra ! I needed this today ! Thank you my dear friend !

Betsy said...

I grocery shopped this morning and stocked up again on a few things. Not a lot but we could keep going for a long time, at least 12 months if need be.
Thank you for keeping on reminding us all.
I have read your last posts but Blogger won't let me use my phone to comment and I didn't take my laptop with me.
Take care my friend.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy

Pam said...

"We live life forward, but understand it backward." Joyce Meyer is absolutely right about that. I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit is patient with us and keeps on trying to help us. He's our only hope!

Sandi said...

I like your list!

Debi @ Tuesdays Child said...

I'm sure that I've said it before (or if I haven't, I know that I meant to!) ... you Debra, are such a blessing. Thank you!! (Have an awesome day!)