Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Hold on to Your Britches!

So much uncertainty. It's everywhere, don't you think?

Fear of the future grips the unemployed. Global economy is crashing all about us. Disillusionment of our young abounds. Recession. Depression. Obsession...for everything except for the One Who sees all and knows all.

For a couple of years now, the Lord has been teaching me about His sovereignty. Sovereign is defined as "one who exercises supreme authority" (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary). I am learning that if I truly believe He is sovereign, then I must believe He is the absolute authority in my life. I must believe that He knows everything that concerns me long before it happens. Nothing takes my God by surprise.

Well, hold on to your britches, because I'm about to blow you away.

A friend of mine posted an article about the Aurora, Colorado theater massacre. It was the story of a miracle. Long story short: A young Christian woman was shot three times in her arm and once through her brain. The bullet entered through her nose, traveled through her brain and rested against the back skull. If she survived the surgery, doctors feared there would be enormous brain damage.

Boy, were they in for a surprise.

Unbeknownst to the patient or her family, the young woman had a birth defect. A "channel" traversed the entire length of her brain which allowed for extra fluid to travel. The bullet entered through her sinuses and followed this channel out to the other side. There was no scattered brain matter. There was no ripping and tearing of the brain. This was a miraculous provision against an attack of the evil one. (To read this inspiring story, click here.)

Even as this young woman was formed in her mother's womb, the Sovereign Lord knew that on July 19, 2012 there would be an assault on her life - an attempt to kill her before her days on this earth were scheduled to end. Isn't that amazing? Even in her mother's womb a way of deliverance was made for that fateful day!

This past Sunday I settled into my pew at church. It felt comfortable and inviting. As my husband preached I connected two amazing dots in our lives. Before I identify the "dots", you need to know that we have only been at this precious church for about two months. We feel safe there. And loved. We don't sense power struggles or hidden agendas. This tiny sanctuary is filled with the love and Spirit of God. That, in itself, is amazing.

Ready for the "dots"?

My husband, David, was involved in a serious car accident on December 14, 2011 that changed the direction of our lives. Prior to the car accident we were actively involved in a church plant. The accident stopped our momentum. Our vision dimmed. Our spirits lagged with disillusionment and confusion about how God wanted to use us in ministry. The very same week of David's accident, the pastor of this little mountain church was killed in a tractor accident. The congregation was left reeling in grief, traumatized by the sudden shock.

If there is anything David and I do well, it is overflow with the love of God into the lives of His people.

If there was anything this sweet congregation needed, it was the healing power of God's overflowing love.

During the second week of December, 2011, God set His sovereign plan in motion and joined our hearts together in His perfect provision of love.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" ~ Jeremiah 29:11. NIV

Are you left reeling by a sudden turn of events? Are you having a hard time making sense of the puzzle pieces in your life? Know this: Our God is Sovereign. He knows all things that concern you. He orchestrates our lives into a beautiful symphony of purpose, peace and provision. Charles Spurgeon once said, "God is too good to be unkind. He is too wise to make a mistake. So, when you cannot trace His hand, you can always trust His heart."  Be encouraged sweet friend. If God be for you, and He is, then who can be against you. You are the apple of His eye, His precious treasure.



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God bless you sweet friend. I am praying for you. If you need special prayer you may contact me at nan@jubilantlight.com. I would be honored to pray with you.
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Do you love Alison Krauss? Then, if you received Morning Glory via email, you will want to visit the Morning Glory page to be encouraged by her song, "I know Who Holds Tomorrow".