GOOD MORNING ERRBODY… 2DAYS DEVOTIONAL: MY JOURNEY: In a conversation with someone last night this statement was made to me: “It seems like you have has a lot of trails in your life” Yes that statement is very true and very real. It seems like since childhood, in one form or another life for me has had its struggles, and continues even today to have hand out its share of difficulties. As I read David’s passage in Psalms I felt a tear began to form and a lump in my throat this morning as I know God Is now using me as an instrument of faith and a light in a dark world. Going thru all I have and all I will go thru now, He will use me for His Glory! “Before I was afflicted I went astray” (Ps. 119:67).” Sometimes I wonder why God allowed at such a young age for me to be lead astray by the influences in my childhood and teenage years. Why did the events of my younger days cause me to do the things or become that person for which the consequences and the inner pain has lasted a life time. To what purpose is it serving for now at almost 50yrs old do I find myself still facing battles of a huge proportion. So many unanswered questions, so many days of tears and pain. But By God’s Grace I am saved. One day no more tears, no more pain, no more looking deep inside to find or want answers. I can’t blame all the wrong I did, or all the trials in my life even current to now on those who influenced a young, tender, naïve boy to wonder off path in life. Accountability must play its part in restoration. I must agree and find comfort in forgiving myself and accepting responsibility for the wrongs I did and for the paths later in life I chose that lead me “way way off track” Psalms 119: 71 says …..” It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees.” I guess that should help me answer the question of “Why God?” The road ahead is still very rocky and I do see valleys ahead, but By Gods wonderful marvelous and miraculous Grace, one day will have better understanding. As I stood on the porch, I looked to the eastern sky, thinking of my family and daughter and loved ones back home in Tennessee. I saw a beautiful wonder sign. Just as the Texas sunrise this morning has shown its beauty after the darkness, Gods Son (Christ) has also risen out of the darkness of death so that we no longer will have to live in that darkness but are now able to live in the Light of His Grace! PLEASE: Continue to pray for me and may God bless you all today! LIVE FROM THE DESERT OF WESTERN TEXAS… I LOVE YOU ALL! CHAPPY DAILY DEVOTIONAL: One of the first things people tend to do in times of hardship is to point a finger, trying to find someone or something to blame for their adversity. If we are hurting in life, certainly it must be someone else’s fault, right? But more often than not, our attempts to blame others are hollow and fruitless. Sadly, a probable cause of our difficulty tends to go largely unnoticed—namely, ourselves. Although it may hurt our pride to admit, we are frequently to blame for our own adversity. This is certainly a tough lesson for any believer. Today’s passage reveals David’s own struggle in this very area. However, he reached a point when he realized his own culpability in his turmoil. He cried, “Before I was afflicted I went astray” (Ps. 119:67). That is, he recognized that his affliction was not anyone else’s fault, but rather, it was the result of his own wandering heart and mind. In this sense, adversity can be a powerful tool in the hands of our heavenly Father. Why would He allow us to fall into such hard times? The answer may be that He desires to teach us the result of our own sin and misdirection. He wants to impress upon our minds the results of our sin. By doing so, He helps us avoid these problems in the future. That is why David was able to make the rather surprising statement, “It is good for me that I was afflicted” (v. 71). The second part of that verse—”that I may learn Your statutes”—explains the long-term protective benefit. If you are going through adversity, perhaps God is trying to teach you something. Be open to His lesson, and seek to find meaning in your hardship. SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Psalm 119:67-72 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. 69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. 72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 12:03:01 +0000