Drawing Strength In Your Circumstances
by LuAnne Anderson

Over the last few months, I have been trying to inspire my Mother to eat healthy organic foods, and have turned her onto some different types of granola cereals. So, I guess it is no surprise when I sent her a love package with some pictures, and gourmet dog food without a note, or explanation, she felt I might be turning her on to some new granola delight. When she received the package she took a bite of this new, not so attractive morsel. Unfortunately, she called after the tasting and said, “Honey, I got your package, and the pictures are great, but what is in this zip lock bag? Do I eat it, throw it on the ground, or feed it to Koalie (her dog).” I had to laugh, but in a different situation it is not so funny when we don’t have instructions. We could possibly hurt ourselves.

This is why it is so important to take our instruction book, the Word of God, and apply it in our lives. The Lord tells us. It adds health to your naval, and morrow to your bones (Proverbs 3: 8). His words are "life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:21-22)." When you go to bed your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3). He says, My son do not forget my teachings, and in your heart keep my commands for length of days, and years of life it will add to you. (Proverbs 3: 2)

This is our guide to a much simpler life. It teaches us how to live like Christ, and how to love like God ¬– unconditionally. If we seek God’s wisdom, through digging deep in His word, it increases our faith, and our desire to love others and ourselves, as He does.

Our bible study this week was about how we need to share the love of God to those around us, whether friend, or foe. Through the study these words kept coming to mind: The basis of the bible is God’s way of teaching us His faithfulness, and love.

Returning home from my study, this small voice with in said, “When you walk in faithfulness, and My love, you fill Me with joy, and I then give you strength.” What an epiphany! Nehemiah stated (in Nehemiah 8:10) the joy of the Lord is my strength. He was really saying, when we walk in Gods love, and faithfulness, which only comes through seeking His word, it fills Him with joy, and He then gives me strength in the circumstances. What a revelation.

While writing this letter I felt lead to look up epiphany, as this is not a word I often use. I was surprised to find it had a spiritual meaning. Epiphany is a Christian festival held on January 6, celebrating the revealing of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi. What I find interesting is this message was a revelation of Him to me. We serve an awesome God. I pray you all get to know Him well.

His desire is for you to dig deep in His word, and watch how He will transform you. Don’t wait until you get yourself right. Then who gets the glory. He loves it when you come to Him just as you are, flaws and all, and He will change your bad habits into new desires, and make you in His image. He gives hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak. He comforts you when you think nothing can fulfill that need. His love is all consuming, and unconditional.
He is all you need!