STILL A BELIEVER

For the which cause I also suffer

these things: nevertheless I am not

ashamed; for I know whom I have

believed, and am persuaded that

he is able to keep that which I

have committed unto him

against that day.

I Timothy 1:12

It's not unusual to hear from varied spiritual sources that Paul was perhaps the greatest Christian after Jesus there was. I wouldn't argue with that. It's amazing all he went through physically and every way for the spreading of the Gospel. In his humanity, I have wondered how he dealt with hardest of times of threat, imprisonment, physical difficulties and almost always being misunderstood. Despite it all, we see phrases in the above verse that shows us the nitty-gritty of who Paul was, such as: “I am not ashamed....I know....I am persuaded...I have committed.”

What a peace and joy I find in being a believer. All of us can cross our t's and dot our i's when it comes to how deep our believer-ship goes. I know I believe all that's contained in our Church Covenant regarding all of the basics of our faith found in Scripture. However, when the difficult times come, our beliefs can be put to some practical testing. I deeply believe what we fellow believers treasure in those elements of our faith. I've gone through some serious thinking as of late as to those special things that are having meaning in my life right now. They are in my own words, not someone elses. Some of these are:

*God is Sovereign. He's the boss of my life and totally in charge.
*God loves me beyond any love I can ever know.
*God loves our times of talking with one another.
*God is very capable in protecting and providing for me.
*God always has a plan for my life. I may not understand it all but can rest in His working.
*God never makes a mistake. He's never late nor does he ever say “oops.”
*God's Word is as true and accurate today in my life as it's been in any past days.
*God has reserved a place for me with Him in eternity.
*and, as the song goes, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.”

I'm sure there are even more things that have crossed my mind. I choose to believe that God does all things well and will continue to do so. Let me encourage you to think through in every day experience, what God means to you in common, ordinary ways. We are so blessed beyond measure. Trying times will come...none of us are exempt. God is faithful and we need to take eyes off of problems as much as we can and focus lovingly on our Heavenly Father.

How wonderful, Father, that You continue to love and teach us no matter our circumstances. Thank You for your keeping us close under Your wings no matter what's going on. We praise You for all You are and for Jesus, our Savior. In His name....Amen