"GOD WON'T GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN BEAR".................Really?

Over the last few weeks I've been asked by our pastor to preach a couple of times.  Sometimes I think that many of us who preach, or occasionally preach hope that we can present something that will have a "wow" factor, or bring some new soul shaking experience to all who will be listening.   The truth is if we just allow the Lord to decide what He wants said, we don't have to be concerned over such silly things.  I also tend to get excited about the miraculous and supernatural, especially since over the last couple of years I've been able to witness an increase in both.

In getting ready to preach these last two times God seemed to speak to me and tell me to not get so hung up on those things.  He reminded me of the passage in Luke where after Jesus had sent out the seventy to testify and minister on His behalf,  had returned to Him with joy and rejoicing that even the demons obeyed them.  If I can paraphrase, to me it's like Jesus basically said to them with a smile, "Hey guys listen.  When you follow me, those things will just automatically  happen.  That's the way it works.  After-all I saw satan fall from heaven.  Instead get excited that for all eternity, your names are written down in heaven!"  As I was reminded of that passage it was as if the Lord was saying the same thing to me.  "Stop getting so excited about miracles.  Instead remind people of how much I love them.  The rest of that stuff will follow.  Don't worry about it................lol."  (Okay, I don't remember Jesus saying "lol" to me, but I pictured  Him looking at me and smiling in a way that He almost "laughed out loud.)  So the last two times I spoke I simply talked about God's love.  His deep love for mankind.  His deep love for you.  I also spoke about Jesus saying to "love one another, as I have loved you."

There is a verse found in Ephesians 2:10 that speaks of how we are God's workmanship.  When you take a deeper look at the word "workmanship" you will see that it was taken from a greek word spelled poeima.  (Poy-a-mah)  This hints at something that has been made by a master craftsmen; an artisan if you will.    Picture an artist, or maybe the potter carefully shaping and molding his prized piece of work or art.  That is how God created you and formed you.  You are God's most prized piece of art and because of His love for you.... His creation.... He brought balance to your life by sending Jesus to redeem you back to Him!  For those who write poetry you can think of it in this way, too.  You were God's poem!  Take the "i" out of that greek word and you have "poem" with an "a" on the end for added emphasis!!!!!

"Jesus loves me this I know;
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
we are weak but He is strong!"
Yes, Jesus loves me....yes, Jesus loves me.....yes, Jesus love me.......the Bible tells me so."

WOW!  You have to love the simplicity of the good news of Jesus.  As I spoke on the love of God I saw people being ministered to, blessed and encouraged.  I have to say that the last two messages were two of the best received out of all the times I have spoken.  I've received more encouraging comments the last couple of weeks than I think I ever have and it's all because of God and His love being felt.  It wasn't anything special about me, I was just God's vessel, and that makes me smile.

There is something else that I want to bring out here that I spoke about last time, too.  God is a good Father.  He only wants the best for you ALL THE TIME.  Yes, there are times when, like all kids, we need to be corrected.  Something in our lives may have us out of alignment with the ways of the Lord.  When that happens, Abba wants to get us back in alignment for the purpose of us becoming more like Jesus.  Sometimes He uses the Holy Spirit to convict us of something that needs to be changed in our hearts and lives.  God loves us.  He loves us more than a godly father here on earth who raises His children to become good people.

But listen, God DOES NOT pile a bunch of stuff on us just to test us and take us to an almost breaking point.  God is not an abusive Father.  I don't think it's coincidence that along with these messages of God's love that I've also heard people saying over the last few weeks about how life has become so hard, or how problems just keep piling up.  I've had friends say that God just doesn't seem like He wants to help or care. Along with that frustration often comes a famous phrase or comment.  I've  heard it and you have, too. Maybe you've even said it yourself.  "BUT THE BIBLE SAYS THAT GOD WON'T GIVE ME MORE THAN I CAN HANDLE," or "PEOPLE SAY THAT GOD WON'T GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN BEAR."  It makes it sound like our God just slams and piles stuff on us to see how far He can push us to a breaking point and then He will take His foot off.

I'm just going to say it.  That kind of thinking is NONSENSE and where in the world do people get that?  Sadly, I think that sometimes it comes from some well meaning man standing in a pulpit.  If you tell me it comes from the Bible, I will tell you that you better read your Bible in context.  The closest thing that I can find in the scriptures, and I'm pretty sure this is where that craziness comes from, is in 1 Corinthians 10:13. If that's the case that entire chapter needs to be read.  That entire chapter deals with temptation and how the Israelites gave in to temptation when they were in the wilderness and many of them died as a result.  The lesson in that chapter is to not give in to temptation and end up sinning.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  God is faithful and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear; but when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."  (New International Version)

There is nothing in that chapter that speaks of how when all the kids are sick and the bills aren't paid and your goldfish have the measles that it's God giving you a bunch of stuff to see if you can make it through or not.  Sometimes you need to recognize where that stuff is really coming from and every time you need to stand your ground and remind yourself that you are a man or woman who belongs to the Kingdom of God.  Sometimes you need to also be violent in your prayers and faith in reminding the devil as to who you are in Christ, too.

Our God, our ABBA, is One to run to for help when these things happen much like a 4 year old runs to his daddy and the safety of his arms for safety, care and love when something has scared or hurt him.

Now listen, I know that things happen.  Sometimes the stuff of this life is hard and it can try to beat you down, but that isn't God and that isn't the message of Jesus.  It is the thief who comes to "steal, kill and destroy."  Please don't get him and God confused.  Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  (John 10:10, NKV)

If you are going through the fires, please find caring people who will stand with you and see you through it.  If you don't have anyone, let me know.  Don't go through it alone.  I have email.  I see comments when they come in.   If you need me to pray with you, let's pray, but you are God's most valuable piece of art, His poem, His workmanship.  God sees you as a man, or a woman belonging to His kingdom.  He wants you to have the confidence that you see yourself in that way, too.

You are an over-comer, because you have a God who was willing to die for you.  There is no greater love.

......................................"Yes, Jesus love me.................................."

If you aren't feeling loved today, you need to watch the video I am embedding.  You need to watch for  the picture of Jesus hanging on the cross.  You need to allow the words to soak deep into your soul.

I, too, love you my friend,
Mark S.