By a thread...

“Please tell me what makes you so strong.” Judges 16:6 NLT 

Where does the secret strength of faith come from? It comes from the food it feeds on. Faith studies what the promise is—an emanation of divine grace, an overflowing of the great heart of God—and says, “My God could not have given this promise, except out of love and grace, so it is quite certain His Word will be fulfilled.” Then faith thinks, “Who gave this promise?” It considers not so much the greatness of the promise as the Author of it. Faith remembers that God cannot lie, that God is omnipotent, and that God is unchanging. Therefore, faith concludes that the promise must be fulfilled, and moves forward in this firm conviction. Faith remembers why the promise was given—namely, for God’s glory—and feels perfectly sure that God’s glory is safe. He will never stain His own flag or mar the luster of His own crown, so the promise must and will stand. Faith also considers the amazing work of Christ as clear proof of the Father’s intention to fulfill His word. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 ESV). And faith looks back on the past, for battles have strengthened it, and victories have given it courage. Faith remembers that God has never failed, never once failed any of His children. It recalls times of great peril, when deliverance came; hours of awful need, when as the day required it, strength was found. Faith cries, “No, I will never be led to think that God can change and leave His servant now. The Lord has helped me to this point, and He will still help me.” So faith views each promise in connection with the Promise-Giver and, because it does, can say with assurance, “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life!” (Psalm 23:6 NLT). - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

When you wake up to a song in your mind and heart that speaks of glorifying God, share it.  Reading Spurgeon this morning it seems to tie into it.

Build My Life 

Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Oh, we live for You

Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

Worthy
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Oh, we live for You
Jesus

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Oh, we live for You

And holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those (around me)
Holy
Oh, holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

Lead me in Your love
Lead me in Your love

And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken

You are holy

Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me (You are holy, Lord)
And holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will, I will not be shaken

All my life for You, Lord
All my days for You, Lord
You can have it all
You can have it all
You can have it all

And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken (I will build my life upon)
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
I will not be shaken
I will not be shaken

Quite often our lives are so busy in a moment's notice that we don't have time to think things through as we ought. 

Considering what all you have just read, I also think of Job.  Of all his friends who spoke out of their brand of wisdom, only the youngest present was not rebuked by the Lord.  Evidently the others needed Job to pray for them so that they could be healed.  Wisdom should indeed come from years of experience, but the worst kind is when it comes from years of missing the point God was making in a person's life. 

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. 

My hardest times it seems are probably when I have been doing all the talking and not enough listening in my times of difficulty concerning Jesus.  Not that it's been across the face, but more than once it's been the back of my head that was popped in order to get my attention.  You have seen it either in real life or tv/movies. The hysterical person someone is trying to rescue needs slapped or popped on the head to get them to stop what they are doing in order for them to be rescued. 

We often don't understand God's ways and rather than trusting we panic. The world goes even more crazy and we start going crazy along with it rather than calmly sitting at Jesus's feet. 

Sometimes we feel like we are hanging on by a thread.  

We are quick to forget all the work Jesus has done in us by way of the Holy Spirit. 

I know that I am prone to do that.  Nobody's immune to that.  I think even Paul was not taking into consideration the work of Jesus in the life of Mark when he and Barnabas had a disagreement on taking him with them.  

Regardless of what life feels like, regardless of what it looks like, 

Regardless of anything we think we are experiencing, the Spirit is always working in the lives of God's children. 

What feels like life hanging by a thread is life held on by a chain to the will of God. 

But I can't see how...

But what if...

But...

You know I work with a very much varied group of people.  Some are busier than others.  The business world is uncertain at the moment and people are concerned about having enough to do.  I used to.  But it's taken a lot of time to get to the point if just trusting God to keep me busy during the day.   I may not know moment to moment what it may be. I am where He wants me, I am to do what He gives me to do.  It may seem like a thread but it's His thread.  

Panic and worry are easy to find in a society that is bent on amplifying it.  The Spirit manipulates nobody. He shows people their true need in Christ.  The world wants to control.  The Spirit says to look to Christ for what we need in life.  When the Spirit is in control, God sized things happen.  

People don't realize it but this world is indeed being transformed.  Generations are being taught to seek out someone to lead them. Not only to lead but to seek someone to revere and worship.  The foundations of our nation are being attacked.  If you publicly stand for what our forefathers did you get labeled as all kinds of things.  The largest thing that our forefathers clung to was their faith in God. 

A very potent and powerful quote is to forget the past means you are doomed to repeat your mistakes in the future. 

What are you clinging to today? Are you looking to Jesus or are you fixated on what's going on in the world? Are you believing everything you are being told or are you asking questions?  I am a troubleshooter by nature.  I have, since I was a toddler, been curious as to the why's behind things and how they work or were made.  I often challenge what others accept.  I live by the notion that the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask. 

I ask Jesus a lot of questions.  I ask many people questions they probably didn't want said out loud.  Do you stop to think about life or do you question it?

There are times when I do get ahead of myself or almost ahead of what God is doing.  He either speaks louder or does something to slow me down.  But He's never told me to stop questioning or asking.  I may not get an answer now but I know that I will have eternity to get those answers later.

Are you hanging by a thread this morning? Are you at all talking to Jesus?  Are you at all laying down your burdens at His feet?  Are your concerns too heavy for you?  He tells us to bring that stuff to Him. His burden is easy and His load is light.

Pray pray pray.  You don't need to think of big words to use.  Just be yourself.  Jesus already knows the real you.  Just speak whatever is bothering you.  That thread will soon appear to be your chain between you and your Savior.