GOD'S PROMISES

The Shelter of God's Promises, by Sheila Walsh and Tracey Lawrence, is the small group study I am in. This study is about finding shelter. Shelter in the promises of God.

SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:20

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.

SHELTER -- PROMISES

If there is anyone who can say they have never had a storm in their life or needed to find shelter, I want to meet them. God has promised us many, many things, but He never promised life would be easy. Life a piece of cake? I don't think so.

But where do we seek shelter? So many times, we run here and there. We try to fix it on our own. We go to friends. We go to family. Sadly, often we only go to God when all our efforts have failed.

Week one, of The Shelter of God's Promises, said that when the threat of the storm comes, we should remember these survival tips: my comments in ( )

1. Trust in the Promise, Jesus. (To do this we need to know Jesus. Start getting to know him now so when the storm comes you have trust in Him.)

2. Keep your gaze on Him. (Don't look down. Look up. Make God bigger than the problem. He is you know. Bigger than the problem.)

3. Praise Him for the profit that will come from enduring hardship. (The key here is enduring hardship. That means you make it through. You are not stuck there forever. There will be an end.)

4. Find reason to be grateful in the midst of loss and pain. (Yes, this sounds hard, but start small. Thank you that I woke up this morning. Thank you for the noise of the TV. Thank you for furniture to dust. Thank you for that cup of coffee.)

There was a quote: "I would not have made it this far without the promises of God." The exercise was: Fill in the blank based on your experiences: "I would not have made it this far without _____"

My answer: I would not have made it this far without God being patient with me, because when I am in the storm I have trouble holding onto or even seeing the promises. God's patience gives me the time I need to find my way.

AND NOW

Where do you go when a storm takes over your life?

SOMEDAY

Vacations! Good for the body and soul. Thank you Lord for a hubby that drives me on flat land, curvy roads and mountain tops.

My kind of road: Crooked, no other cars and surrounded by God's handiwork.

Yes, I am back, the desk is cleared off, attended a CASA Convention and ready to get into the daily grind. A daily grind that includes reading.

The Book of Someday jumped off the library shelf and shouted, "Read me." Only a few pages in, the main character is not a loved child and writes in a book about Someday.

Someday I will have a birthday party with people and singing.

Someday I will be pretty and not have long, heavy hair that aches my head.

Someday when I'm a mommy I'll never run away because I'm selfish and bad. I'll stay and I'll say I love you. I'll say it all the time, and give hugs. And I won't hit, especially not with a wooden hairbrush because of the hurt not ever stopping, even after the bruises go.

Someday I'll go to town in a golden gown and have my fortune told.

I have no idea where this book will go but I cannot wait to see how Someday turns out.

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 62:8

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

AND NOW

Life is not always easy. Much harder for some than others. Sometimes the hardships can easily be seen, as with certain illness. Sometimes the hardships are hidden, visible only on the inside and to God.

The character uses Someday as a way to cope. How do you cope?

PRAYER: I cannot write the prayer for today. It would have to be way too general. Today, talk to God. Tell him about your hardships. Pour your heart out. ALL OF IT! God can take it. Then allow God to be your refuge. Allow God to be your Someday.