“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV
Persuaded
The Lord has worked diligently to teach me that life is but a vapor, and that there is little that we can do to lengthen our days beyond the appointed time that we are given. He taught me most shockingly yesterday morning. I had risen from sleep to go to see to the needs of my body, and just before I was to get back into bed, I looked down and saw a largish pool of blood forming around my foot. A leg wound for which I had been receiving treatment, had burst an artery.
Once the panic had abated, I called nine one one, and applied pressure to the wound site. Once at hospital, I found myself on a gurney, in a cold emergency room bay, once again having the opportunity to reflect on eternity. In the midst of that moment, watching the bag of blood drain into me to replace the unit I had lost, I was filled with a peace that surpassed all understanding, for I knew that this situation, and any other situation I may encounter could not separate me from God’s eternal plan for my life.
I knew that the moment was just one more, where the Lord was using adversity to refine me, and remind me that all these things that befall the follower of Jesus are but His means of bringing about the replication of His Son Jesus in us.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
Romans 8:28-30 NKJV
It was more step along this long, winding path toward eternity where the Lord is, and one more bit of guidance in helping me complete my mission.
It was also one more opportunity to remind me that the best of my hard work in the faith is meaningless, for the Lord has used me far more in my current weakness than when I pressed on trying to please the Lord in the flesh. I have learned that I can do nothing by my own hard work, for when I do so, I am making it about me, and not about the Lord who has enabled me. When I am weak, I am strong.
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
II Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV
I have found that I bristle and counter those who seek to elevate me or what I have done for the Lord, for I know that it is God who has chosen to use me for His work, and He can also cease to use when He is done. I do what I do by His power, walking in the Spirit. I liken it to floating on the water.
The struggles of these present times, both in my own flesh and what I perceive in this present world, are reminders that the Lord is sovereign, for even in my situation yesterday, the Lord could have chosen to taken me home in my sleep, never wiser to the danger, suffering exsanguination quietly in my slumber.
But He still has a purpose for me.
Brothers and sisters, let us not be fearful in these late days, as we look upon a world that is increasingly out of control. Let us not lose sight of the reality that our world is in the grips of the supernatural, and that any natural solution we may seek is worthless.
Let us go and be bold in the work the Lord has called us to do, going forth knowing that the Lord is powering us, and guiding us by His Holy Spirit, instructed by the Holy Scriptures. In these late times we can be assured that the Lord is for us, with us, and in us, for we have been persuaded.
In any time of doubt, let us run to the word, being reminded that the Lord is indeed with us in whatever we may encounter, for He is the one who is our benefactor and guarantor.
Be persuaded my people! My life has been set before you as an example. Not of my ability, not of my strength, but of the power of God and His faithfulness. I am but a tool for for His work. A role for which I rejoice, even in pain and pools of blood.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
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Musings from an idle mind 
I’m praying for you brother.
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
II Peter 1:1-4 NKJV
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I love your attitude Bernie! Our Lord is worthy to be praised and adored!!!
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