Who Is Training You?

I have come to the conclusion that there is only one sure way to move through (and sometimes sit in) the pain and joy of life. It involves the hard work of being on our knees and studying the word of God. 

While there are numerous good and God-given ways to improve the quality of life, there is only one Source, Jesus Christ, who provides all we need. Compared to Him, everything else is background and some of it even counterfeit. He is the Counselor and Teacher of all time. He is the King of all kings. He is love. We need food and water to survive physically, but to survive and thrive emotionally and spiritually we need Jesus. There is no way around it. A couple prayers a month won't do it. A devotional here and there won't do it. A visit to church won't do it. The obligatory hour spent volunteering won't do it. A chapter from the Bible every month or so will not do it. Talk won't do it. 

As I thought about the difficult and time consuming training soldiers do in order to prepare for possible deployment, it made me think about what kind of training I have been doing to prepare me for my life - the hit of anxiety, work stress, health scare, relationship strain, unexpected phone call, death of a loved one or betrayal. 

Who is preparing us? While pouring out our heart to a trusted friend is a great blessing from God and can be incredibly healing, it still won't compare to being on our knees crying out to the One who knows - to the One who pours His power, love and wisdom into us from a cup that never sees it's last drop. Over and over we must do this. It can become as natural as breathing. It is not enough to know a little bit about the Bible from stories of childhood. 

How often is our relationship with God's word just plain stale? I was not always able to say this, but I can say it today: God's word is full of life, color, meat, wisdom and joy. It has even made me laugh. It is alive and bursting with truth, just for us. 

I have not arrived anywhere by any stretch. I have filled my time with counterfeit comfort too many times to count; leaving my Bible unopened for weeks with heartless prayers squeezed in here and there. I did not even know what I was missing! 

Today, I want more of Him and less of this world. My training is not even close to being over but the precious times spent with God have served me more than well. I have been reminded of what God has taught me over the years. I am reminded that He is real, alive, loving and tender, and all-powerful. I am reminded that He is faithful and true to His word. I have been taught to walk by faith and not by sight. Oh, I have stumbled and will continue to stumble, but I know Who will be there to pick me up.

♥️It is never too late to cultivate a beautiful relationship with Jesus Christ.♥️

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:26 (The words of Jesus)

Written by,

Dee M. Kostelyk

Wisdom

Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations where we have been represented falsely. We may have been accused of something that is untrue. We have the feeling that we cannot win either way. It starts to feel that another is not interested in truth but only a personal agenda.

Among other things, this can leave us feeling wounded, unsafe, and defensive.

Jesus knew all about this. The words that come to mind can be found in Matthew 11: 18-19 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunk - and, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

The people had expectations of prophets and the coming Messiah that fit their own narrative. They had more interest in being right than seeing the truth, and while the truth does set us free, it must first convict. The people did not like their life style being challenged. They were squirming in their contradictory accusations.

We can learn much from Jesus by that last sentence, "But wisdom is proved right by her actions." Isn't that the truth? Real and godly wisdom will produce fruit in our lives. Those who are sincere in seeking God's truth, will accept the consequences of that truth. Being God's obedient beloved will come before anything else including our own pride and discomfort.

When the evidence of wisdom is obvious, that can be enough. We do not always have to explain ourselves or come to our own defense. If we can take that scripture to heart and know it to be true in our life, it will help with those feelings of insecurity and woundedness. We will feel better about not having to tell our side. The truth will plainly speak for itself as evidenced by the fruit it has produced.

God will affirm that.

What others think will not hurt the way it used to.

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5

You are loved by Him.

Written by,

Dee M. Kostelyk