Comments on: Please Deliver http://www.thephilfiles.com/2009/09/23/please-deliver/ Musings & messages on everyday worship, Jesus, and the stuff of life. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:49:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Linda Hoeck http://www.thephilfiles.com/2009/09/23/please-deliver/comment-page-1/#comment-5546 Linda Hoeck Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:34:19 +0000 http://www.thephilfiles.com/?p=1057#comment-5546 My favorite “God story” is Joseph (not my favorite Bible person, just my favorite story). He was torn from a father that adored him; had everything except respect of his brothers. Not only did he lose his home, mother and father, possessions; he suddenly went from master to slave – all this at the hands of those who should have protected him. Still, he continued to trust God and in each situation, rather than having a pity party, he worked as hard as he could. When he became king in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself and had the opportunity for revenge on his brothers, he instead told them (paraphrase), “God planned it that way, so I could save all of you.” He told them, \"it was not you who sent me here, but God.\" Many times I have seen the same work of God in my life, when, by following Christ’s command to “love your enemies” things happened I could never have imagined. I realized He was using me to show His love to people who did not know Him. This has taught me that no matter what Satan brings on, God is ALWAYS in control. Even if I don’t reach my human goals, it is what I do to bring Him glory that matters. In the end, it is giving my life to HIM that will make a difference; not whether people saw me as successful in an earthly way. When troubles come my way, I thank God for Jesus. I realize that I deserve anything bad that happens – after all I am the one who sinned, not Christ, and He took “the hit” for me. EVEN IF Christ had not died for me, I would deserve anything bad that happened, because I am a sinner. This makes me realize that anything GOOD I have is just a phenomenon of God’s love! It totally changes my outlook on life – instead of thinking I DESERVE good things and am cursed when I receive bad, I realize I DESERVE bad things and am totally blessed by God’s love when I receive good. It has created a thankfulness in my heart I cannot express – and that for Jesus Christ! God the Father is the friend with whom I share my deepest struggles. I do have 2 great friends – like you and your brothers-in-law, we used to do everything together. (they called us the “Three Musketeers”). Unfortunately, right now, the one friend has a sister with parkinson’s to care for and the other a husband with an aneurysm. I try to do what I can, but my health has no been great, either. Still, we are there for each other when we can be and I have found that just like Joseph God has used the situation to cause me to reach out to other women who have needs. We live in a community where the church is not strong. There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer in our county, but I believe I need to spend all the time I have on church work. In the end, that will make more difference for eternity! My favorite “God story” is Joseph (not my favorite Bible person, just my favorite story). He was torn from a father that adored him; had everything except respect of his brothers. Not only did he lose his home, mother and father, possessions; he suddenly went from master to slave – all this at the hands of those who should have protected him. Still, he continued to trust God and in each situation, rather than having a pity party, he worked as hard as he could. When he became king in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself and had the opportunity for revenge on his brothers, he instead told them (paraphrase), “God planned it that way, so I could save all of you.” He told them, \"it was not you who sent me here, but God.\"

Many times I have seen the same work of God in my life, when, by following Christ’s command to “love your enemies” things happened I could never have imagined. I realized He was using me to show His love to people who did not know Him.

This has taught me that no matter what Satan brings on, God is ALWAYS in control. Even if I don’t reach my human goals, it is what I do to bring Him glory that matters. In the end, it is giving my life to HIM that will make a difference; not whether people saw me as successful in an earthly way.

When troubles come my way, I thank God for Jesus. I realize that I deserve anything bad that happens – after all I am the one who sinned, not Christ, and He took “the hit” for me. EVEN IF Christ had not died for me, I would deserve anything bad that happened, because I am a sinner.

This makes me realize that anything GOOD I have is just a phenomenon of God’s love! It totally changes my outlook on life – instead of thinking I DESERVE good things and am cursed when I receive bad, I realize I DESERVE bad things and am totally blessed by God’s love when I receive good. It has created a thankfulness in my heart I cannot express – and that for Jesus Christ!

God the Father is the friend with whom I share my deepest struggles. I do have 2 great friends – like you and your brothers-in-law, we used to do everything together. (they called us the “Three Musketeers”). Unfortunately, right now, the one friend has a sister with parkinson’s to care for and the other a husband with an aneurysm. I try to do what I can, but my health has no been great, either. Still, we are there for each other when we can be and I have found that just like Joseph God has used the situation to cause me to reach out to other women who have needs.
We live in a community where the church is not strong. There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer in our county, but I believe I need to spend all the time I have on church work. In the end, that will make more difference for eternity!

]]> By: Craig Lawson http://www.thephilfiles.com/2009/09/23/please-deliver/comment-page-1/#comment-5541 Craig Lawson Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:19:51 +0000 http://www.thephilfiles.com/?p=1057#comment-5541 Phil, I probably say the Lord's prayer each day. Each time it brings me not just to rely on God but also calls me to my responsibility. How can I expect God's will do be done in this world without doing God’s will in my life? How can I chase after riches when I must rely on God for just basic needs? How can I ask God to deliver me from evil without making an effort to avoid temptation myself? It is interesting that this is the prayer that Christ gave as an example when we compare it to the many prayers we have heard. One of many other great reflections on this passage is that it certainly does not leave any room for us to boast. I hope that I will continue to meditate on this prayer daily. Craig Phil, I probably say the Lord’s prayer each day. Each time it brings me not just to rely on God but also calls me to my responsibility. How can I expect God’s will do be done in this world without doing God’s will in my life? How can I chase after riches when I must rely on God for just basic needs? How can I ask God to deliver me from evil without making an effort to avoid temptation myself? It is interesting that this is the prayer that Christ gave as an example when we compare it to the many prayers we have heard. One of many other great reflections on this passage is that it certainly does not leave any room for us to boast. I hope that I will continue to meditate on this prayer daily.
Craig

]]> By: Cindy Johanneson http://www.thephilfiles.com/2009/09/23/please-deliver/comment-page-1/#comment-5540 Cindy Johanneson Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:12:11 +0000 http://www.thephilfiles.com/?p=1057#comment-5540 Dear Phil, Your article today was a blessing!! So many I know, myself included, are walking around dazed by the drama and hardship in their lives. We're stuck in that "rut" you spoke of and you're right, it's hard to look past the moment. Praise GOD you offer some tools for enlightment. Praise GOD you send out a recipe, a perscription, for a more healthy outlook. I will follow your advice, and pass it on to those I know. Thank you for being a mentor for those of us "stuck" and struggling. Sincerely, CindyJo Dear Phil, Your article today was a blessing!! So many I know, myself included, are walking around dazed by the drama and hardship in their lives. We’re stuck in that “rut” you spoke of and you’re right, it’s hard to look past the moment. Praise GOD you offer some tools for enlightment. Praise GOD you send out a recipe, a perscription, for a more healthy outlook. I will follow your advice, and pass it on to those I know. Thank you for being a mentor for those of us “stuck” and struggling.
Sincerely, CindyJo

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