God is a Sustainer

 Infusions of Faith

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."  Isaiah 46:4 NIV

I have to remember this important truth...God is a sustainer.

Recently a few family members have accepted new positions at their organizations. They had little time between the interviews and having to make a decision on an offer. For one person they will have to move across the country. Fortunately, they will be moving closer to home. The other has received a position that restores them to a salary reminiscent of what they had made five or so years ago. Through it all, God has carried them and sustained and their families.

An associate is facing health challenges, along with the internal struggles, concerns about work, and worries about who will be there to assist during recovery. Yet another person is basking in the joys of having a young baby and sharing the excitement of young parenthood. Though both are overwhelmed with sleepless nights, God is a sustainer. All of the above are in situations that cause real concerns and life decisions.

Each of their experiences reminds me of the highs and lows that make up life. I am surprised at how quickly life can change. One minute it feels as if we are riding high and the next it feels like we are treading water, praying to keep our heads above water. At times this can be frustrating.

God declares that He is a sustainer. Through job transitions and medical trials, He is a sustainer. In the throws of marital discord, He is a sustainer. In the miracle of a relationship restored, He is a sustainer.  In the loss of a child, to the streets, to their anger, or to drugs, He is a sustainer. When your heart swells with emotions too grand to contain, He is a sustainer.

I think it was David, the psalmist, who said that he would have fainted unless he had confidence that he would see God’s goodness while he was alive. I echo that statement. Life is good, until suddenly it seems like it isn’t. In these times of swift change at work, church and during the pandemic, I feel that I am fast approaching another major transition in my life; this is where things usually go haywire. It is my prayer that I do not forget his promise to sustain me. God knows his plans for me and He has guided me safely thus far.

James Cleveland said,” I don’t believe that he brought me this far to leave me.”  I join him in declaring this as well. I am also reminded of the old folks saying,” I guess I’ll run on to see what the end will be.”  When I get drained and tired like I am right now, it is easy to forget that life is made up of these ups and downs. This is life. I am not waiting for life to happen. I am living life now and my attitude and “heart-a-tude” are impacted by my ability to remember that He is sustaining me. Even now.

 

Key Thoughts

·         Life is what happens now, not just later. God is concerned about everything you experience. 

·         We need a sustainer when we feel we can’t make it on our own. We may not always feel like God is with us, but He is.

Resources

I Don’t’ Feel No ways Tired by James Cleveland

 The One – God is our Sustainer (Video)

Overcoming Contention in Your Soul

 Infusions of Faith

"For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us—has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith. 3 For only we who believe God can enter into his place of rest." Heb 4:2-3a (TLB)

"We have heard the Good News even as they did, but it did them no good because it was not mixed with faith. 3 We who have put our trust in God go into His rest." Heb 4:2-3a (NLV)

I have always been intrigued with the written text of the Bible and how the stories were told. For example, I like to research how a verse was phrased, discover the hidden meaning in a name, how a word's definition has changed or endured over time, and to work at understanding the idioms and/or connotations of a specific historical time. It may seem nerdy, but haven't you ever wondered why in John 13:23, the disciple John refers to himself as, “the disciple Jesus loved?” Jesus loved all the disciples and everyone else for that matter, so why does John single himself out here? Was he being petty and prideful? Have you read the lineage of Christ in Matthew 1 and wondered why did the first sixteen verses of the chapter consist of names we cannot pronounce? It's not exactly an easy read starting the new testament.

 I'm going somewhere with this...every word, phrase, verse, chapter and book isn't just telling a summary of events, they're telling a detailed story, full of meaning. So, when reading one or a few verses, you can actually get a full story of the who, what, why, when, where, & how of a passage. And don't get me started on comparing biblical translations, the Hebrew/Greek word definitions, lexical aids and commentary notes. A single verse can yield a lot of meaning and understanding if you invest the time and have the materials. I don't engage in such a study to tickle my fancies, but to seek revelation from God.

 Looking at the verses above: Heb. 4:2-3a

• Who: is referenced by how the text was written -- "...has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses." It speaks of the historical context of Jews being a chosen people through whom God showed his creation who He is. The "who" has expanded to us today; so, in essence the “who” is God and the special relationship He has with created beings submitted to his Kingdom and Lordship.
• What: His plan of salvation, care and provision shown by His intentional thought -- "For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us..."
• Why: To celebrate and share His gift of rest -- "For only we who believe God can enter into his place of rest."
• When/Where/How: Where were you in life when you first heard the message of salvation preached - geographically & symbolically - at a bible study, talking with a friend, in a hospital, in jail? When – in a drunken stupor, in a dream, alone? When and where is always individual, but whenever and however you heard the gospel preached, you received it - with mental ascent as a necessary thing and/or with spiritual desperation and depravity. God reached your heart, but how did you receive His message? "But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith." I don’t know about you, but often we receive Jesus because we realize we need help, His help to get out of some trouble. However, the control or flow of that help getting to our heart, as well as our submission to Him and his help, is an ongoing-faith process displaying our true belief.

This is all pretty basic reasoning so far, but the phrase "mixed with faith" jumps out at me because I have questions about my 'mixin'. Can you relate? What does God require and how can I be at rest in my faith, without doubt? I know there is contention in my belief because my life is not evidencing the continual, promised rest mentioned here in Hebrews. In fact, I am conflicted between doubt, submission, suffering from past experiences and faith; and this tugs away at my soul. So, I search for revelation to settle this contention. Where the soul questions, the spirit answers.

Here's how I find myself in the Heb 4:2-3a context: Christians then were suffering and considering turning back to religion or self-willed behavior to try and escape the hardships they were facing. The Jewish believers knew about Christ, but did they know The Christ amid their suffering? Was their faith based on their past experiences, self-righteousness, expectations of safety, and their own power to believe?

While I'm not considering deserting my faith, I do know what it feels like to compromise to escape pain. Since this world is full of pain and suffering, I must be alert to confess any self-deception and weakness to God in prayer. The bible mentions even the elect might almost slip away in times of great trials. Keeping this in mind, I recognize that knowledge is good to have, and a determined mind is necessary, but I/we cannot rely on human effort alone to overcome our trials, doubts, persecutions, fear and suffering from this earthly life. It was the same in Moses’ time as it is now: present difficulties try to eclipse and overshadow the realities of God's promises to us. Do/Will we believe God in the nitty-gritty, messy middle?

It takes an otherworldly faith to hope against hope, to transcend struggles, and to overcome human failings and demonic wickedness. Overcoming is possible only through a humble, “even if” kind of faith that’s available through the power of God's love and strength. To trust God with the only life you have daily is to mix/submit your knowledge of everything under the belief in God’s character & word. Faith is a personal conviction and assurance of the truth and love of God, our Creator. When I struggle, the word is there to bring me into a deeper revelation of God and faith. Learning the bible and spending time with God is helping me to trust and have faith as I lay my contentions down. I need to rest.

Key Themes:

--Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith.  His Word, the Bible, answers everything that conflicts with faith.

--Life is hard, so handle with prayer. In prayer and submission, God can settle any contention. 

Resources:

1. Know what you're up against and contend for the faith.

2. Trusting God in a Storm. Dr. Anthony Evans https://youtu.be/m_9LYyXR4l8

3. Understanding the meaning of contention.

con·ten·tion

/kənˈten(t)SH(ə)n/

Learn to pronounce

noun

1. 1.

   heated disagreement. 2. 

   an assertion, especially one maintained in argument. 3. something (such as a belief, opinion, or idea) that is argued or stated. : anger and disagreement. : a situation in which you have a chance to win something that you are trying to win.  
2. For example, "Why, Lord, Why? When, Lord, when? How could you let this happen to me?" He sees and knows our contentions and helps us overcome in faith. Selah!

Overcoming the Voices that Hinder You

 Infusions of Faith 

"Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always." --Phil. 4:6-8 (TPT)

"My own sheep will hear my voice and I know each one, and they will follow me." --John 10:27 (TPT)

No, I do not mean I am hearing real, audible voices in my head these days (and I do not say this mockingly regarding those who do). But I am talking about negative self-talk, ill-spoken comments from others and lies from the enemy. These "voices" often convey a running narrative that accompanies us throughout the day. These narratives can be so loud that they drown out any words of faith and encouragement we receive; and they may even seem to deafen the promptings of Christ. 

Many of the narratives we hear started a long time ago, as a young child, in junior high or high school, or from a past relationship. They bully our thoughts and can become the main "voices" that we listen to, though they are often contrary to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and other faith-filled believers. Without the continual renewing of the mind that Romans 12 talks about, the "voices" we may listen to could all be rooted in the soul without interruption or correction from the Holy Spirit.

Recently, I began counseling sessions to talk through certain narratives or issues I felt the need to process. I found out that many times I lack the vocabulary and skills to adequately express some experiences and emotions that I have. It has been insightful hearing my words reflected back to me from the counselor, as I am being challenged to be more open and authentic. There is so much to share on this topic but any further discussion on this would divert me from what I need to share with you at this time. However, I will share this concept which is helping me think through how to handle my negative "voices" and story lines. 

When I was attempting to talk about specific fears, the counselor asked me, "Do you have any evidence of this particular fear (narrative) being real in your life?” As I stopped and reflected, I realized that I had built beliefs about myself and others regarding a hurtful and painful experience. And even though I had truly experienced something, I had moved beyond the experience and continued to let my thoughts run wild about what "might have, could have, and should have" happened.

What I’m trying to say is these negative beliefs built around my painful experiences had somehow overpowered the experiences themselves within my thoughts. Over time, the negative beliefs wielded power over my subsequent actions and behavior. I realized that the power of belief, whether positive or negative, drives a person to think and behave differently, and it can greatly determine a life's course. My point: Pay careful attention to who and what is speaking to you because the narrative you permit influences you, whether it is true or the truth has been stretched.

This may not seem like a revelation or rocket science to you. It sounds simplistic; however, deception is a frequent visitor to belief. Beware! Since we often pride ourselves on our beliefs and morals, our beliefs may actually be image-driven and soulish versus faith-filled. By examining our thoughts and humbly submitting them to God, we can draw close to Him, hear His voice and put the devil on the run. (James 4:6-8) I am praying for genuine faith that carries me through to overcoming -- a faith where I relinquish fearful "beliefs" rooted deep in my soul. In exchange I can cling to the healing, delivering and grace-based narrative God now provides me.

While overcoming the narratives that hinder involves renewing the mind about who God says we are and what we will and can do, please consider these guidelines as you process past pain.

• Know hurtful memories are a mixture of the true facts of an event, our feelings about what happened, and fears about what others think about us after the event. In essence, we remember past events painfully, but also imperfectly.
• We can create a positive perspective through an addendum to a painful memory. For example, we can recognize the lessons learned or empathy shared from the experience versus just ruminating over the emotion of the painful experience.
• We can allow ourselves to forget or let go of a painful memory. Sometimes we may make ourselves remember an experience as a type of memorial to stay on guard -- to keep that pain from happening again. In reality, we torture ourselves with the painful memory over and over. And we cannot control whether someone will hurt us in the same way in the future. Just think, if God can throw my sin into the Sea of Forgetfulness, can He put my painful experiences there, too?

Key Themes:

--Have you checked your narratives lately? Who is speaking? What's being said? Examine whether it is louder than or subject to the voice of God in your life.

--Have you built up walls of negative beliefs around "bad story lines" in your life? Have you submitted your "beliefs" to God? What is God speaking over you?

--Apart from God, people are willfully sinful and self-serving; they will do and say hurtful things that feel very personal. You can choose to take their words and actions personally, but you can also learn to reject people's negativity while still loving them despite their faults.

--Lean into God when you're ready to face painful narratives, realizing He never leaves you to struggle alone in discomfort.

Resources:

--Pray to the loving God regarding your hurts -- He made you and knows how to restore you to wholeness in time.

--https://psychcentral.com/blog/letting-go-of-the-past-why-memories-remain-painful-over-time/

--https://youtu.be/lKw6uqtGFfo

--https://youtu.be/o3VT2bMpoYY