Golden Truths

Trust His Heart

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

Rainbow TreeThis weekend I was reminded of God’s faithfulness to His children as I watched my friend smiling and laughing with a friend he hadn’t seen since his surgery. It was a happy reunion as the two—like schoolboys—caught up on old news.

Both are walking testimonies. Both have had open heart surgery. The elder—in his eighties—has been in and out of the hospital this past year. Twice, we’ve feared for his life. Yet God decided his journey wasn’t over. The younger, not feeling well, was diagnosed with a 100% blockage of the widowmaker earlier this year. Needless to say, God was indeed the strength of his heart. He is doing well. Thank you for your prayers.

On the other hand, I’ve watched several family members grieve the loss of a loved one who unexpectedly slipped from this world. Yet, through their struggles, God is still faithful in the midst of their heartache.

Why does He choose to leave some, while others are taken? I don’t know. But, I do know one thing. He has my best interest at heart. He loves me and wants the very best for me. So, with each heartache comes a choice. Do I trust Him when I can’t see His purpose?

Easy? Sometimes. Other times, not so easy. At times, trusting Him has been the hardest thing to do. But through my heartaches, I’ve held on to His promises like a drowning man clinging to a life-preserver.

His ways are higher

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

I am not alone

“for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5b

I will find comfort in Him

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18

I will see my loved one again

Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the life:” John 11:25

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” 1 Thessalonians 4:16

I have hope

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

 

Yes, I have hope in Him. I may not always see His hands or know His thoughts. But I can always trust His heart.

 

 

 

My Purpose Is Growth

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

Trimming the fat, or excess, is the first step to organization. Organization is the first step to discipline. And discipline is the first step to growth.

For me, becoming organized is the first priority. I begin by removing everything that is counterproductive to growth. This isn’t easy at first. After a plan of action, I watch and wait. Then, I decide what is helping or hindering me from achieving my goal. With my decision made, I cut my losses and move ahead.

Once I’m organized, there’s no excuse for being undisciplined. Everything I need is at my fingertips. Therefore, I’m able to concentrate on the job and meet my goals. And the result is growth.

This rule works for my physical and spiritual needs. In the first chapter of his second epistle, Peter tells me through God’s precious promises, Christ’s perfect sacrifice, I have escaped this world. Through these promises, God has given me the ability to grow into a mature vessel. No excuse. Everything is given.

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8 KJV)

When reading this passage, I understand that I can’t “add” to what isn’t there in the first place. To obtain these attributes, I must lay aside all that hinders me from spending time with Him. It isn’t enough to have a casual relationship. I crave intimacy.

When I spend time waiting on the Lord my heart’s cry is for Him to search me and know me. Remove all that displeases. Create in me a clean heart. Draw me near. All unnecessary things fade as my heart focuses on Him.

Some say the order of the words is insignificant. Yet, I’ve learned knowledge of right and wrong helps me to practice self-control in all things. With self-control, I learn patience. And if I haven’t affection for others, how can I have Christ-like love? But, if I seek to add all these things, then I’ll not be barren but fruitful and able to make a difference thereby, fulfilling my purpose—growth.

Life quickly become cluttered as I take on more and more. I find myself needing to trim some things to lighten the load. Combining several social media sites is one thing I am in the process of doing. Another is learning to say no.

What do you do to remove the excess?