Saturday, April 30, 2005

Adversity

by Donna L. Watkins

Adversity is a fact of life --- it's how you handle it and from what perspective you see it that makes the difference!

© Donna L. Watkins - Sunrise on Cedar After Rain

From our perspective of life and living in this flesh, adversity is not a happy thing. With the media pouring out such warped concepts about happiness, we tend to have the idea that the Christian life is supposed to be trouble-free if we just buy something or get a certain look [with makeup, clothes, hairstyle, etc.].

We have to realize that this is a training ground. We are not going to be floating all over clouds in Heaven. There will be a purpose and we will have tasks. We are being prepared for Heaven.

Affliction isn't a thief that steals our joy unless we allow it to. It is a friend bringing the gift of staying power. It's a classroom that teaches many things. And I hear you saying, "I never did like school."

Through it all God promises us His wisdom and His strength. We can make it through with peace and joy if we will focus on His Word and Truth. He gives us all we need, but we tend to look inward to the flesh and mind to resolve such issues, and flesh will never handle spiritual issues the right way.

James 1 says we should "count it all joy" and to the flesh that sounds insane.

J. B. Phillips translates James 1:2-3 this way: "When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends. Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance."

Smith Wigglesworth says, "All lack of faith is due to not feeding on God's Word."

Jesus paid the price so we could have joy not based on what you want life to be, but because of what God's doing in your life, even if you can't see what that is.

Do you know?

There is approximately 18 tons of pressure being exerted by the stretched steel piano strings. In a concert grand, it is close to 30 tons of pressure.

Does that give you a visual image of pressure forming beautiful music in our lives? We want to be music to others in our family and those we meet along our way in life. It seems it takes a lot of pressure to bring that beauty out of us.

God is turning us into perfect harmony for the heavenlies. That's what we are here for. It's not about us! It's about eternity!

James Creelman once journeyed through the Balkans in search of Natalie, the exiled queen of Serbia. In one of his letters he mentioned this:

I learned that the world's supply of rose oil comes from the Balkan Mountains. The thing that interested me most was that the roses had to be gathered during the darkest hours, with the pickers starting at 1:00 AM and finishing by 2:00 AM. Initially this practice seemed to me to be a relic of superstition or tradition, but as I investigated further, I learned that actual scientific tests had proved that a full 40% of the fragrance of the roses disappeared in the light of the day."

Our character and faith is built in the darkest of times and like roses we can release a heavenly scent to others by trusting in our Father. So instead of trying to pressure God because we think He's obligated to us, we as trustful children gladly commit to Him our desires. Whatever He grants will prove in the end to be the best of blessings.

If I trust that God is for me and not against me, then I can believe that all is good in this very moment of my life.

Remember Abraham's faith with Isaac, his only son. Remember Daniel in the lion's den. Faith moves mountains in our lives. Don't give your outcome to the devil. Have faith in God!

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Never Be Afraid

by Donna L. Watkins

There are two opposing forces in this world: one is fear and the other one faith.

© Donna L. Watkins - Clematis Bloom
If you truly and deeply believe in God, there is no fear. Fear always brings bondage and it’s so easy to slip over that line because human nature tends to rely on what is seen. Even our thoughts guide us into one or the other realm.

A noise in the night can instantly let loose an army of possibilities for that noise. Our human reaction is to fear the unknown, but we Christians are not of this world. We belong to the Kingdom of Christ and His power and life in us allows us to choose faith instead of fear.

Faith that God is for us and not against us so no matter what the noise, if we believe we are under God’s protection, we are safe. Our reaction to things sometimes dictate the circumstances and if we stand in faith, we are more than conquerers.

Smith Wigglesworth says, “There is a place of perfect love for Christ in which you are always casting out all fear and you are living in the place of freedom (See I John 4:18). Be sure you never allow anything to make you afraid. God is for you, who can be against you (Romans 8:31)?”

Many battles are lost because of feelings. We cannot operate in life based on feelings. We must walk through life on the solid path of God’s principles. It seems with all the books and devotions, such as this email, people no longer find time to read the Word of God. They are too busy reading what others say about the Bible to let the Holy Spirit make it come alive for them.

Our age of technology is not always a good thing. It can lure us away from time in the Word and time with our Father. We are sons and daughters of God and should desire to do things that please our Father. Psalm 112 says, “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands.”

“Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 Are you delighting in Him?

Sometimes we try to make it too hard and we get nowhere with our efforts. Take one short Scripture, memorize it, place it in your mind and heart and when a situation arises use it as a sword in battle. Instead of letting your mind run wild with fear and uncontrolled thoughts, reign it in by repeating the Word in your heart. “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:3

How many times in Psalms did David begin with anguish and fear of his enemies only to finish up with faith and trust in God. Human nature to divine nature exemplified. The opposite of that is the story of Israel’s journey in the wilderness to the land of Canaan. Twelve spies were sent out and only two returned with the faith that they could take the giants and the land. The others returned in fear. Either one is contagious, but with 10 to 2, they lost the promise to enter in, as fear spread throughout the camp. It took 40 years for that fear to die off, so that Joshua, one of the two faithful, could lead them into the Promised Land.

Prayer:
Father, you know my frame and my mind flies away with evil if I do not control it with Your Word. I do not want to stay in the desert any longer. Help me to search the Scriptures for Your words to me that I can place in my heart that I might not sin against Thee by being fearful. You have given me faith sufficient to enter into the promises you have for me. Your Word says, “Fear Not!” and today I accept that command into my own life and with your power will choose to obey. You provide a resting place and a haven for me in the storms of life. When I forget, carry me to that place where I will find your protection from the storms.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Sunday, April 17, 2005

Phobias

by Donna L. Watkins

© Donna L. Watkins - Tufted Titmouse
The definition of a phobia is "an irrational fear."

Some phobias are now accepted as "normal." Such as fear of germs. The chemical manufacturers certainly have instilled into most of the advertising viewers that germs are an enemy and chemicals must be used to kill them. So people spray and wash and pour chemicals all over their homes making it a real challenge for the body to detoxify. The liver is bombarded in this toxic world we live in. Our body was designed to deal with germs. Germs were part of Creation. Chemicals are man-made and we are rapidly seeing what they are doing to Creation and the resources that God gave us to survive.

Then there are those who fear chemicals. I went through many years of my life with Environmental Illness or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity as they call it now ... reacting to almost every chemical known.

The word "chemical" would bring on a reaction. A reaction that I now know has fear at the root of it. NOT that there isn't a definite physiological response, but having been delivered from MCS after 20 years of misery, I now see the darkness involved in it. The A More Excellent Way book provides information on MCS since it was the most successful area of victory he has had in the area of health problems with a spiritual/emotional roots.

The news media has certainly convinced us that strangers are a possible danger, so we should not approach any body we don't know....even if they need help. And the list of fears goes on and on ...

The Bible tells us that we should "FEAR NOT." If you look for those words in the Bible (KJV), they appear 144 times. If you've been reading "A More Excellent Way" you've been made aware at how much fear is at the root of many health issues. The book is a definite way to shed light on dark issues.

Phobias are a real challenge since we tend to not want anybody to know about them, so it's as much of a challenge "handling" our phobias to keep them private, as it is living with them.

I was thinking about how to discover what fear is at the bottom of a particular phobia. My Mom was fearful of a long list of things....which never bothered me. Heights, water, storms, flying, even car travel wasn't comfortable for her. I guess somewhere as a teen I decided that I wasn't going to have those problems.

And I didn't. However, the devil always does a twistie from one generation to the next so it's not so obvious to those seeking relief from a generational curse, which may sometimes be called a hereditary issue.

I've still got fragments of various "habits" I've identified as phobias and I am continually seeking answers to them. I was doing a devotion a few weeks ago and a Scripture caught my eye since this topic was on my mind.

Ps. 34:4 "I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears." Well, surely David had fears he didn't even know about. I realized that I could chew up and digest and get the nutrition from this Scripture for phobias. So, I've been thinking about it and internalizing it. Not as a routine, but as I have a phobia problem or think about phobias.

We could spend lots of time and energy and health (mental and physical) trying to deal with each small issue in our lives that relate to fear ... or we could use the power and energy of the WORD to do it for us.

As I meditate on that Scripture, I'm realizing that things are changing. I'm doing things that I don't normally do because had phobias limited me. So ... I realize that the Word is really going down deep and beginning to DELIVER me. I'm so excited. I don't "feel" like the Scripture has changed me, but I see the evidence. Meditating on Scripture is apparently very powerful.

I also saw something else after I'd decided to internalize the above Scripture that I thought I was supposed to include:

Ps. 25:15 "My eyes are ever on the Lord for only He will release my feet
from the snare."

We really can't do it in our own power. BUT HE CAN!

TRUST IN HIM - He is ever Faithful to deliver us ... we only have to Believe!

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Thursday, April 7, 2005

Keeping The Connection

by Donna L. Watkins

There are so many promises in the Bible and most of them are Scriptures we've heard again and again. People who live by the tram tracks may not being able to tell you if the tram passed by in the last half hour, unless they have the schedule memorized. Their brain is so used to it, they don't really hear it as noise any more.

© Donna L. Watkins - Gray Catbird
If you're a city person, have you ever slept out in the country and had a hard time going to sleep because of all the "noise" outside from the frogs, crickets, locusts, etc? It seems like the outside is screaming and if you're not used to it, it can be too much noise to go to sleep.

Yet those who have lived in the country don't seem to notice it. It's just part of the night. They sleep better because of it. If they visited you, by the tram tracks, in the city, they would have a hard time adjusting.

We have to make sure our ears do not become dull to God's Word. We have to take it, trust it, believe in it and apply it to our lives no matter how many times we've heard it.

When we have a problem we may have people give us Scriptures to help us through the difficulty and many times, their words just remind us that we've heard that Word before. It's like we are looking for something new and different. An easier answer! But it all goes back to trusting and believing. Consider these words from a recent devotional I read:

From "Days of Heaven Upon Earth"

There is a natural law in sin and sickness; and if we just let ourselves go and sink into the trend of circumstances, we shall go down and sink under the power of the tempter. But there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in Christ Jesus to which we can rise, and through which we can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down.

But to do this requires real spiritual energy and fixed purpose and a settled posture and habit of faith. It is just the same as when we use the power in a factory. We must turn on the belt and keep it on. The power is there, but we must keep the connection; and while we do so, the higher power will work and all the machinery will be in operation.

There is a spiritual law of choosing, believing, abiding, and holding steady in our walk with God, which is essential to the working of the Holy Ghost either in our sanctification or healing.
-- Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Study these words and instill them into your mind so that you can stay connected and stay strong in faith for what God has already said you have.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Trusting In Him

by Donna L. Watkins
© Donna L. Watkins - Squirrel With Apple

 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass." Psalm 37:5

This entire Psalm would be good to read as you struggle to muddle through some rough waters of your life. In the Christian teachings, we are mostly directed to stand in faith and to believe and receive. 

I'm certainly one who believes in belief! I believe that believing changes our course of life and the course of those we are believing for. Not hoping, or wishing, or repeating the same prayer or Scripture for another or ourselves, but truly believing in our hearts no matter what our mouth is saying makes the difference.

I have great faith for the future of our son and I truly believe in many things that God will do in and through him .... but sometimes my mouth says something different and often my mind thinks another way .... but I know that my belief is what changes life itself on a spiritual realm of our planet.

We have to reach that place for things to happen because I've found that no matter how many times I read or quote a Scripture, that if I don't truly believe it in my innermost parts, it is not going to happen but for the grace of God in my life.

So....faith and belief have their place in our lives ... but what do they have to stand on? How do we reach and change our hearts and minds so that we truly believe?

It begins with trust. Trust in our Heavenly Papa to truly have our good at heart and in His love for us.
Consider these words from "Streams in the Desert" by L. B. Cowman: "The word "trust" is the heart of faith and is the Old Testament word given to the infant or early stages of faith. The word "faith" conveys more an act of the will, while the world "belief" conveys an act of the mind or intellect, but trust is the language of the heart. The words "faith and "belief" refer more to a truth believed or to something expected to happen.

Trust implies more than this, for it sees and feels and it leans on those who have a great, living, and genuine heart of love. Therefore, let us "trust also in him" (Psalm 37:5), through all the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, and in the face of all the rejection we encounter in life.

And in spite of our feelings and evidence to the contrary, and even when we cannot understand our way or our situation, may we still "trust also in him; [for] He shall bring it to pass."

The way will open, our situation will be changed and the end result will be peace. The cloud will finally be lifted, and the light of eternal noonday will shine at last."

It would be hard to believe in your hopes and dreams and regaining your health, if you didn't first believe in the love of God for us and that our Creator knows more than we do about what our lives need. Only true love allows the good and bad to pass through His hands to us and if we don't get to the place where we know that all is good in every day of our lives, I don't see how we can ever believe and have faith for any particular prayer or promise.

His ways are not our ways and we must be willing to trust that He does truly know best. Isaiah 55:9 says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Trust is a decision. Make that decision today!

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Share This Post