T.G.I.F.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  
I Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

Yes. I know..it's Monday, not Friday.   But knowing what feelings "a typical Monday" brings---tired, a bit of dread for "what will this week bring," just plum overwhelmed, we need to remember something special... 'tis the key to experiencing a "T.G.I.F feeling" even on a Monday.

We serve The One and Only God...Creator of the Universe..the One Who not only established the earth---but go back even before that:  He fashioned the earth from nothing....so before it could be established, He had the power to create something to establish --- He made something from "nothing," by simply speaking the WORD.   Ever since the onset of "time" our God, The God, has been!  The Uncreated has always been and always will be.  To serve This one and only True God is an honor and yet so humbling isn't it?

Because He is unchanging, He can never be anything but True to Who He is.   God's Word tells us that He is faithful.  That means He has been and always WILL BE faithful.  Our verse for today tells us that no matter what test or "experiment" we are going through, He has already planted within us the (His) power to overcome, or bear this.  He will provide a "way out."   The Greek word for that is "ekbasin," which means "an exit or outcome."  How many times have we longed for the "nearest exit" in the "theater of life's dramas or tragedies?"  Then the Holy Spirit brings to mind the Words of our Savior, Who said, "...Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep."  (John 10:7 KJV)   The Greek word for "door" is "thura," which means simply "door."   Jesus is our Way, the "thura" (doesn't that remind you of "through"???) the Door to Endure the storms of life.  He is our Escape Route.  And the wonderful part to remember is "a way out" ("ekbasin"--an exit or OUTCOME)--that means that Jesus is our OUTCOME.  We will not only GET THROUGH this trial, BUT also will BECOME more like Jesus Himself.  That is after all the "outcome" God is "after" in every trial or storm, right?

So...with all of that being said..God has promised us that He is Faithful.  "God Is Faithful."  There's our "G.I.F."  What about the "T?"  The God...The One and only True God, Creator and Maker of the universe IS Faithful...and He is after a SPECIFIC outcome in each of our lives.

Each of us may be surrounded by walls of a different "theater."  The "picture playing" may be a drama....or tragedy....maybe someone is taking a more comical approach to a particular situation you are facing, and you just don't appreciate their "not taking your burden seriously."  Either way..no matter "what is playing," when you are looking for the "nearest Exit," remember...HE is Your Exit..and also He is YOUR OUTCOME!  Walk through The Door..The ONLY WAY to be able to bear whatever it is you're going through.

If we're honest with ourselves, we'll admit the temptation to look at different exit routes:  running away, becoming bitter, turning to things of this world, caving in....but these are NOT the way of Escape God has intended or so graciously provided.  He has provided His Son...FAITHFUL and TRUE is HE.  (Rev. 19:11.)  Our Knight in Shining Armor is Himself Faithful and True.

So---no matter the day:  we can say T.G.I.F.!  The God Is Faithful!  The one and only True God, that we are so privileged to serve and call our Abba Father, Is (not WAS, but IS) Faithful!

Thank You Father, for this T.G.I.F. moment!  Help us to always remember You are Faithful, and You have provided the Escape Route...the Escape not only from Hell but also from life's tests and trials!  Jesus is the Way Out, and He is THE OUTcome or results You are after in our lives!  We praise You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for we know that today and EVERY DAY You Are Faithful!  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Fossilized Faith

But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. 
II Thessalonians 3:3

More than likely you're familiar with Philippians 1:6.  You know the verse, "He who began a good work in you...will be FAITHFUL to complete it." 

Oh.  Being a mom of two young children, I catch myself thinking, "If only I had a dollar for every time I hear, 'I'll do it later, Mom'."    Or how about, "Sure, Mom, I'll do it" only to find that the requested task has not yet been completed.   *sigh*  

In my walk with the Lord, many times I find myself frustrated with myself, with the lack of immediate progress---or worse:   The problem I "thought I had overcome" yesterday creeps back up a day or two later, and I seem to have completely forgotten how to apply what I learned a few days earlier.  OH!   When will this "work in ME" ever be done?    When will the lessons I've learned really "SINK IN???"

Ever been there?   If so, there is good news for you today.   When I was studying II Thessalonians 3:3, the Lord revealed a wonderful treasure to me in three words:   Faithful, Establish, Evil.