It has been a while since posting, so I hope to come back and share more often now. I felt this video teaching was a wonderful way to return. This is so powerful.
My friend, Amie Patrick, provided incredible teaching on pain and suffering and hearing from God through all of it. She shares with humility her story and what she has learned.
It is with her permission that I share this with you.
A couple of weeks ago, I woke up with 1 Peter on my mind. I usually don’t dream about specific books of the Bible, so I made a mental note to read and study it.
I was already doing a study on Revelation (Amir Tsarfati’s “Revealing Revelation,” which is one of the best studies I have ever done.) But, not wanting to get off track, I put Peter off.
For someone who seems to forget things rather easily, 1 Peter would not go away! I finally began to read it and was not surprised that immediately it spoke to my heart and right where I was emotionally and spiritually. And as I read on, I realized its theme was hope for believers in their suffering. And as believers, it continue to let us know that we can allow the grace of God to be amplified in our lives.
“Praised [honored, blessed] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [the Messiah]. By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,[born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who are being guarded by God’s power through[your] faith [until you full inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.” I Peter 1:3-5 AMP
I have always believed that I was called to be an encourager, thus my participation in particular ministries over the last three decades and these blog posts and books, among other things. It truly is “in giving we receive”. Life has often gotten in the way, but I pray that through these trials, “the grace of God has been amplified in…my life.”
As God continued to speak to me through His word, I realized how timely it was several times throughout the week. After having a couple of conversations with people, I would come upon the very situation we were talking about…you guessed it, right in 1 Peter!
Why even my desk calendar for August 6 was on 1 Peter 5:6-7 AMP “Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care[all your anxieties, worries, concerns once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
Why does any of this matter? Because we matter…to God. He wants to have an intimate relationship with us. He wants to save us! The God of the Universe wants us to know that He loves us, and that He has a plan for our lives. He wants to encourage us, but as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, sometimes we are too busy…to hear what He has to say.
We get so “busy” with the things we think we should be busy with and those “good things” that we miss the very Word He wants to speak into our heart for the moment we need it most.
I simply don’t want to miss Him and what He has to say. He has always been faithful and will continue to be so. I know that to always be true, even when its hard…even if it doesn’t turn out like I want it to….He is faithful.
Some see an almost barren, winter gum ball tree. A representation of the season that is not a favorite of mine. All I have to do is mention “gum balls” and everyone knows it has no value other than its ability to produce a seed ball that can get in lawn mowers and shoot out at ankles causing a deep gash, depending on the distance and speed of its trajectory! And forget walking barefoot.
Yet others see a chance to recharge, a chance to rest in a way that will bring the beauty of spring and renewal. All the while still seeing the irritating gum balls.
Now look closely.
I saw something in this lonely looking tree that I have never seen before.
Ever.
And I have looked at that tree for over 35 years.
Yellow Birds.
Dozens of yellow birds, picking out the seeds from those dreaded gum balls! I always wondered where my precious yellow birds went in the winter, and would wait patiently each spring to see my first one. Were they always in my front yard and I was too busy to see them?(That’s another post for another time!)
I know that God is very personal, and “yellow bird” has shown up over and over when I have needed him too. This day I described was no exception.
Except I wasn’t looking. The most I have ever seen together. My heart has been emotionally broken for several reasons of late and I have been praying for so many serious issues…on the very day they showed up!
Is your heart broken too?
What’s the big deal? It is just a coincidence.
I feel differently. It was if God reached down and gave me His love in a way in which I was not expecting on a cold, blustery day in January. He reminded me that He was here with me and had not left nor forsaken me.
And in an irritating gum ball tree that I thought had no purpose at all. Looks like the birds thought differently.
And the Father did too. He uses all situations, no matter how uncomfortable, how frustrating, how misunderstood… for His glory and He builds my faith.
Encouragement for Today 