It has been awhile. Since I am nursing a cold...or allergies??? whatever has me by the throat, I thought I would just write today and see where God would lead.
This week, I was blessed beyond what my wildest mind could even imagine.
Several months ago...in early spring, the Lord began to stir my heart about a fall class. I had really laid down alot of things this year to take up a prayer watch for my family, and seek God on how to pray effectively for them to know Him more and love Him better. As I pondered on the thought of a class, I knew that He wanted to bring to full circle what He had been teaching me for several years. I approached with fear and trembling what He may want me to do. I ask Him, "are You saying teach from my experiences?" His answer was...YES! I was afraid of that to be honest with you. However, I surrendered to His will and became subject to the Holy Spirit's leading. Months have passed and this week on Wednesday evening we launched the fall semester with the first class of 8 weeks of Running to WIN!!! Lessons on Faith, Hope Love, and Joy for the Journey.
We greeted a room full of beautiful women of all ages and the race was on. What I want to share with you today is...well, just how faithful God is. My journey on this path to His heart and to a life lived for Him has had many bumps in the road...or path. Though God always remains the same I have zigged when I should've zagged and jumped up when I should've set a spell....longer. Fell down skinned knees and elbows. Life comes at you fast sometimes. Amazingly...I never lost Him. What that says to me is He is faithful even when we are not. He is the pursuer of our souls and He loves for us to know that....I mean really know that!
1Cor. 8:3"But, the man who loves God is known by God."
We may miss the mark of God's divine standard, which is sin. But, He never misses loving those who love Him. His love for us is not based on our doing everything right...we are not perfect, but we are forgiven...so His love for us is based only on the blood of Christ, His Son. It is God's goodness that brings us to repentance that leads to salvation. Mercy over judgment is His heart toward us.
It is faith that pleases our faithful God. Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." I just believe God honors faith and I have seen Him work in the many facets of my life and every account that comes to my mind has a common thread...faith. Then there is faithfulness...what He loves is faithfulness...staying the course....walking it out....pressing on...trusting and obeying Him...leaving no room for being disqualified for the PRIZE...or rewards laid up for us.
My word of encouragement to you today is...trust Him with your life. He can manage and do so much more with it then we can. Make it your one aspiration...your determined purpose... to KNOW Him and be fully KNOWN by Him. Paul says it like this in Phil3:8-9 "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
Stay faithful and full of faith!!! Meet you at the finish line!!!!!!!!!!
Simply His,
Alta
