Deuteronomy 4:25-31
Sometimes we need hard times to get us back on track with God. As difficult as this is to admit, that's certainly been my experience a number of times. We see that in our reading today as well. "When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice." (Deut. 4:30)
Thankfully we don't have to wait for tribulation to come to turn back and give our full love and attention to God. So here's my challenge. Wherever our relationships are today with the Lord, let's make them stronger and better. Here are a couple of suggestions: say an extra prayer of thanks, spend more time in the Word. Do you have any other suggestions? Pass them along so we can give them a try. Tami W.
P.S. Hey, if you haven't heard yet, Powered by 4 is going social...starting today! You can now find P4 on Facebook and Twitter. So go check it out. I'd love to hear from all of you!
Good morning. I too have found this to be true so many times in my life.. It reminds me though that God loves me so much that he is willing to do what it takes or allow things to take place in order to bring me back to Him or bring me back in fellowship/communion with Him. My prayer is these times will be few and far between. And what that means is more of my time will be walking with the Lord and not having to be chastened by Him. Thank you Lord for never leaving me or forsakeing me.
God knew everything that I would ever do right or wrong. Even though He knew how much I would fail, God still made provisions for even me to return to Him. Why? It is called unfailing love. I will never understand God's love to me in spite of myself and my numerous failings. Yet He still loves me and draws me to Himself. Will I ever learn to follow only Him and always keep His ways? No, not until I reach Heaven's shore will that type of perfection be possible. God made a way to return to Him every time that I err. Getting back on track is easy. Staying on track with God is HARD! Thank you, God, for loving me and for putting-up with me even when I fail so miserably. Thank you for drawing me back to You.
Someone once said that life is like a tapestry (or cross stitch, perhaps). Without the dark periods (of trials and tribulations) the bright areas / times would not stand out so well. We need both to appreciate both. Thankfully, it does not matter what situation we are presently experiencing, God will not leave us because He is the very definition of what love should be. We get to go through these times for understanding and mercy towards others. God needs us to be His hands and feet on earth,to help others around us.
God is love. although we fail him, he is faithful to us and he know our weakness and our struggles threw life.
I have been working on my relationship with God since last year. Last year, I devoted myself to reading through the Bible again in order to renew my relationship and to get closer to Him by understanding His word. It was a challenge and this year, I am back at it again. Reading through His word daily, being a part of P4, studying with the monthly "Meet With God", and taking some on-line courses to better my understanding and build my relationship with The Father. To know Him is to love Him.
I am thankful that God is a God of several chances. I have fell and He got me back up. I have struggled and He has seen me through. I have felt lost and He held me and showed me that I am on the right track with Him. God is Awesome!!