Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and
cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for
what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
The first thing I want you to do is pray.
Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.
I’ve been at Kettering Medical Center with my dad
a bunch since this past Thursday. His
health has been a concern since a poorly executed gall bladder removal back in
April. He has been in and out of doctor’s
offices and the hospital multiple times since, then including this weekend after
a pretty significant scare. I thank all
of you who have been and are continuing to pray for him.
He is blessed.
But it was while there at the hospital, I stumbled
upon a little pamphlet in the lobby. It
is called PRESENCE, God Weighing in When Life is Weighing You Down.
And in this little tract they quote Tony Evans who
once remarked that, Sometimes God lets you hit rock bottom so that you will
discover He is the Rock at the bottom.
Tony also says that, Sometimes God lets you be
in a situation that only He can fix so that you can see that He is the One who
fixes it. Rest. He's got it.
Reminded me of this tried and true passage.
Come to me and I will give you rest—all
of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and
let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your
souls… – Matthew 11:28 (LB)
This notion of ROCK BOTTOM is discussed A LOT in
my circles. Some practitioners of recovery adhere to the idea that ROCK BOTTOM
is NECESSARY for one to begin the path to recovery. Step One is AA leans heavily on this idea. While others don’t believe that “ROCK BOTTOM”
is a pre-requisite to RECOVERY.
(See ADDICTION POLICY FORUM Video 4)
Yet regardless of what position you find more palatable,
the PROMISE is that REGARDLESS of whether a BOTTOM must be experienced
for one to find their way “back” or TO the FATHER for the first time, GOD HAS
GOT IT.
And that is for WHATEVER IT, might be.
Your challenge today didn’t catch GOD by
surprise. He occupies the VALLEY you are
in. (Psalm 23). It doesn’t matter HOW
FAR you have FALLEN or are currently falling, GOD RESTS FIRMLY at the bottom. And it is there at the bottom that His arms
are open WIDE, and HIS FEET are FIRMLY SET to catch you and restore you.
James Dobson remarked that,
“Trust involves knowing God WILL catch you.”
And I would say that even if your “BOTTOM” has a
trap door or a basement. GOD WILL STILL CATCH YOU!
In a FREE FALL this morning?
It’s OK!
The LORD is at the bottom of it. Restoration is waiting. Redemption is poised to intercede.
The “fix” the “rest” is waiting.
Trust Him.
I love you all!
Opportunities
for Hope
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