Psalm 33:22 says:
"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
My Lord and Savior has shown His unfailing love to me again this month as He held me close and gave me comfort beyond description as I went through another Valentine's Day without Ty. I say it so often in my blog, but "God is faithful". I can say with unwavering confidence that He will ALWAYS give you EVERYTHING you need to do in whatever He calls you to do.
Before I get into the specifics of what He's been challenging me with this month, I have to share some exciting news. "Nana" is going to be blessed with another grandchild in August. My grandson, Preston, who will be 2 on March 14 will have a new 1st cousin. My son, Yance and his wife Elaine are expecting and are very excited, and I can hardly wait!!! It's so nice to have them, as well as Wyatt, Laurel and Preston, all close--only a little over an hour away!
Last month, Suzanne Hildebrand, blog writer for Heart and Home Matters (access under my Blog List to the right) mentioned and gave a summary of the book, Radical, by David Platt. She said to prepare to be challenged if you read it. Well...I read the book this month and know that Jesus wants me to share with you very honestly some of the ways it challenged me.
This comes from my journal entry on February 19. At the time I wrote this, I had no idea that Jesus would want me to share it here, but I am convinced more and more that He wants us as His followers to share our hearts with each other, to be vulnerable and to encourage each other by sharing what He's teaching us. So...from my journal:
"Wow, Lord, you continue to challenge me from the book, "Radical" by David Platt. I ask myself as David does in the book--Am I really willing to take up my cross and follow you? Am I living for the reward of the American dream--safety, security and success found in more comfort, better stuff, and greater prosperity or for the reward of Christ that calls me to live for an eternal safety, security, and satisfaction that far outweigh everything the world has to offer? Jesus, you call me to follow you and remind me of the promises of your love and care and tell me "Do not be afraid" and yet in following you, I am reminded in this book that I need to expect to be betrayed, hated, and persecuted just like you were. That's so scary, Lord, and yet what's the worst that could happen--I could die. I agree with Paul in Philippians 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." In dying I would be with you forever, Lord!!! Please help me not to focus on the pain of following you in this world but on the reward of my forever home with you. Again, as David reminded me from his book: "We can rest confident in the fact that nothing will happen to us in this world apart from the gracious will of a sovereign (all-knowing) God. NOTHING! As seen in the stories of Stephen in the Bible (which as a result of his suffering and death the church multiplied throughout Judea and Samaria) as well as the story of Job--we see how Satan not only acts within the sovereign permission of God but also ends up accomplishing the sovereign purposes of God.This is what the cross is all about. Satan's strategy to defeat the Son of God only served to provide salvation for sinners." We have nothing to fear because God is sovereign (in control)! YEA!! Jesus, you know every detail of my life and you care for me deeply. You always know what's BEST for me! I have nothing to fear.
As I finished reading more in the "Radical" book, my question to you Lord is: "What are you asking me to do? What are you asking me to sacrifice? From the minute Ty was diagnosed with cancer, he was willing to die for you if that would bring you glory and draw others into a personal relationship with you. I also desire to bring honor and glory to you, Jesus, until you take me to my forever home with You.
The Lord continued to speak to me today through the devotional magazine Turning Point by David Jeremiah. More challenges came from the highlighted comments in the articles titled:
"When we've given our lives to Jesus Christ, the things of earth shall grow strangely dim."
"The more intimately we know the heart of God, the more likely we are to know how to invest our resources."
"We move beyond ourselves and our comfort zones to care for the bodies and souls of those in need."
"The more me-centered our lives, the more miserable we are."
"Only in the Christian life does surrender bring victory."
More from my journal:
Lord, you continue to challenge me with everything I read that you want my total allegiance, that you are enough, and that I don't need to be afraid because you know far better that I do what's BEST for me. Help me to be willing to risk everything for you and to be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. Help me to know your heart more intimately everyday so that I can hear your voice and know what your will is for me in regards to my time, money, and talents. Help me to become more and more like you, Jesus, even though that in doing so the world may hate me just as it hated you. Paul said in your Word that "everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Jesus Christ will be persecuted." You, Jesus, were betrayed, hated and persecuted.
From David in "Radical" ,"The more our lives are conformed to yours the more we will receive what you received in the world. To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus. The danger in our lives will always increase in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ." What a challenge, Lord. You know I don't like pain and suffering and yet--since Ty's cancer and my time as a widow, you have given me such joy, peace, and contentment amidst the heartache as I have lived one day at a time trusting you and choosing to seek you regardless of my feelings. Thanks for your faithfulness, love and patience with me. Give me courage to give up everything to follow you--to continue to focus not on this world but on my forever home with You. As David says: "Radical obedience to Christ is not easy; it is dangerous. It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ, and He is more than enough for us. When we risk our lives and run after Christ, we discover the safety that is found only in His sovereignty, the security that is found only in His love and the satisfaction that is found only in His presence. This is the eternal great reward, and we would be foolish to settle for anything less." As Jim Elliot once said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
So...there you have it--from my heart to yours--what Jesus has been teaching me. It gets back to the question that He asks me everyday, "Keva, am I enough?" God's Word does not promise us an easy life here, but I can promise you that the worst life with Jesus at your side is far better than the best life without Him.
Honestly, I spent alot of my life trying to find peace, joy and contentment in what the world had to offer, but those things only brought temporary happiness at best. It's only as you make Jesus your #1 priority and seek to know Him better everyday that your heart will be filled to overflowing with His amazing love, joy and peace regardless of your circumstances. NOTHING is better than that.
Please feel free to e-mail me at kevafarney@gmail.com if you have comments or questions that you don't want to put on the blog. May you also find much peace, joy and hope as you seek Jesus each day!
After listening to many songs, this one really summed up what I shared today. How can we not surrender all to Jesus who suffered and died for our sins so that we could have a relationship with Him?
