November 22, 2005 – GOD’S WONDERFUL, MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

Ephesians 3:3  that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.  Luke 8:10  He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

We often forget that God knows all about us, our beginning and ending and every hour and minute in between. It is wonderful to know that even before we knew Him, He loved and cared for us.  God makes detailed plans for us and we are awed that He loves us so unconditionally.  He is so busy running the universe that it’s amazing how He involves himself so deeply in each of our lives.  When you consider that He completely and lovingly gave his all for us, maybe it isn’t so surprising that He wants us to be a part of His kingdom forever and ever.  When He needs to intervene in our lives, He does so for our good.  Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I hope my recent experience will help you realize and understand the all-encompassing and unconditional love God has for His children and all of those that do not know Him.  Isaiah 1:19  If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;  20  but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

About four months ago, I wrote a lesson called, “What to do in the Time of Relentless Storms.”  In the lesson, I relayed the following message God gave me:  “For a period of time you are going to undergo agony.” Even though God told me that I was going to undergo a heavy trial, I questioned whether he was really speaking to me, “Agony is such a strong word, and surely you didn’t mean it.” It was not on my radar screen so I went happily on my way. But, God never makes a mistake and He always means exactly what He says.  We may misinterpret, but God speaks truth. I marvel at His love and kindness to warn me in advance.

I walked through many relentless storms and experienced agony just as He foretold! First I was diagnosed with Lupus, then suddenly, for the first time in my life, I was seriously ill. My mind was failing and I couldn’t eat. I grew weaker day by day and lost 30 pounds. I was examined by several doctors and none could find the cause of these new symptoms. All of my test results came back negative.  I lay in bed, helpless, except for the God of the entire universe who was by my side.  I thought, ‘you were right, God. I do not understand, but you told me you would raise me up and that your purposes would be accomplished.’

When I was at my lowest and seriously thought I was going home to be with my Lord, God told me it was time to raise me up.  Within two days, (TWO DAYS!), I began to walk and I could tell my mind was coming back.  I am now fully recovered. Last week, I had a follow-up appointment with a specialist, who had examined me only a short time before.  She asked me several times if I was the same lady that had arrived in a wheel chair and couldn’t walk or think clearly.  I joyfully told her I was.  I could tell she was in shock.  My own doctor asked me very seriously, “What do you think happened to you?”  It was obvious he did not have a medical explanation that answered such a complete recovery (almost overnight).  I told him about God and how He foretold my illness and raised me up for His purposes.

As I sit here writing to you, my heart fills with praise and worship for the Lord.  He led every step I took through each storm and was by my side through all the things I didn’t understand.  He wonderfully provided family and loved ones who supported me while I was too weak to stand with God on my own. Two weeks ago, I was wondering if God would allow me to sing in His heavenly choir (I have a terrible voice).  Now I anticipate each new day with God.  I can feel His presence with me as I trust in Him.  I know beyond any doubt that God has a plan for our lives.  It is so important to Him and to us as His children that we acknowledge Him in all of our ways.  Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  6  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

I have come away from this experience with a depth of compassion and a strong desire to intercede in prayer for anyone that is undergoing agony of body or spirit.  No one has to ask for prayer, my spirit automatically begins to cry out to God for them. I reluctantly gave up my Tuesday prayer meeting to make room for His perfect will for my life. I know that I must study more and devote more time to my website, which I have sorely neglected.  I thank God for my granddaughter who loves and continually prays for the website. Her work is invaluable and she has a deep burden for the people that come to the website. I will wait upon God for the things He is going to put on the website.

For over thirty years, God has told me that the latter portion of my life would be more fruitful than the beginning of my walk with Him.  I have wondered about that because in my self I can do nothing.  I have no dreams or fleshly ambitions, I just want to walk with God and hear His voice directing me.  I have had that wonderful privilege since I gave my life completely to Him.  God never fails, He never disappoints, and He is always loving, kind, and works out the very best for us.  I cannot make any such statement about myself. The motto for my life is: Philippians 1:20  I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  ~To Live Is Christ  Philippians 1:21  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  No wonder Christ said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”  Without Him there is no life that matters for now or eternity!  However, with Him we can do all things! Philippians 4:13  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  Ephesians 1:11  In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

My life only has importance as it is given to God for His ordained will.  My life is filled with joy and the certain knowledge that “he alone is God and He alone is the life and the truth.”  I tried life without Him for 26 years and found no lasting joy or happiness.  Since then, I have been able to share in God’s perfect plans and to see the wonderful and mysterious ways He works.  My greatest earthly treasures are the experiences I have had with God and the miracles and provision I have seen Him make for His children. To see God at work is a miracle that only the spirit of God can provide. He wants to share His great love and majesty with us. ZEP 1:7  Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.

If we miss that close relationship with the Lord, it is because we did not take time to seek Him and ask Him to give us that closeness that the Holy Spirit brings to us.  Jacob was serious about his need for the closeness of God.  Genesis 32:23  After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions.  ~Jacob Wrestles  24  So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.  25  When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.  26  Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”  27  The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered.  28  Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”  29  Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.  30  So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.

When our lives are barren of God’s blessings, wisdom and understanding, and we are worrying about the necessities of life, God told us to:  Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

As I traveled home today from a weekend away with my family, this thought constantly ran through my head: “This is the first day of the rest of my life.” Each day, I will seek God first and be available to Him for what ever He wants me to do. Most importantly, I want God to renew my mind and reveal to me those things most needed for the work He has for me. I am asking the Lord to send the gifts of the Spirit in greater power.  The Lord has been saying to me, “I will show you shadows of things to come” and I do not want to miss out on anything God has for me.  I want to honor Him in all things, and I want to make Him known every opportunity I get.  I long to see the gifts, healings, and miracles God has promised for the last days. 1 Corinthians 2:9  However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” –  10  but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  11  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  12  We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.  13  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.  14  The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  15  The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:  16  “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

ANITA