Valleys

To say life has been chaotic would be falling short of the truth. I have wanted to post on here for so long but just have not been able to find the time. Today, I have 30 minutes! My family has been going through a lot related to my brother's trial and it has been such an emotional roller coaster. Hope's are for it to start (as it has been delayed) because we have to emotionally prepare ourselves for what is to come each week we have thought it would begin. Prayers are needed during this time of uncertainty and despair. As I have been doing my devotions this week out of a little magazine that is sent monthly from In Touch Ministries, which I have found to be wonderful as they are quick life lessons. The magazine is always free if you are interested you can click on the link above.

A few days ago there was a study that really hit me and touched my heart to see things in a new light. It was called "The Believers Valley Experiences." The scripture reading for that day was Psalm 23.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever.
This was the scripture used as the focal point at my brother's funeral. It is also on the Remembrance sticker I have on my back window. The devotion targeted the valleys of life.
"Where there are mountains, there must always be valleys and the same is true for our spiritual life. To reach the place God is leading us, we must sometimes traverse 'the valley of the shadow of death' (23:4)
We get to the mountaintops or the high places at times to rest a while, we feel close to God and sure of his love. But to get there we have to toil through the valley, where we discover His character, the truth of His promises, our own weakness. There are aspects of the Lord that we see only as we journey through the shadow. God wanted his followers to rely solely on him.
While walking in valleys is an inevitable part of life, believers aren't comfortless. Verse 23:5 talked about having needs met, including the desire to be soothed. God promises assurance, healing, and safety, even in HARDSHIP.
As believers we can shout 'Trust God' from the mountaintops because we have learned to live by faith in the valley. Walking in the shadow of evil is difficult and frightening work. But we surrender to whatever the Lord has to teach us in this dark place, our spirit is quieted and our faith is strengthened."

The devotion continues talking about the valley in the next lesson, "Equipped for the Valley."
Psalm 27:11-14
¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD;
   lead me in a straight path
   because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
   for false witnesses rise up against me,
   spouting malicious accusations.
 ¹³ I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD.

He touches on those who have a good biblical foundation will grow wiser through the valleys. He says "People with shaky theological foundation don't realize;
1. God is upholding them through their difficulty
2. It has a purpose
3. They must surrender to His work in their life or be set aside-still a believer but useless to the Kingdom
We, as believers, must know how the scripture applies to life. Those without a belief system that can withstand pressure, pain, criticism, , are at high risk. We need to build a biblical foundation so it will help in times of need.
Continuing the lesson he went on the third day about "God's Provision." Matthew 14:22-34 "No one gets through life without storms. We are in one, just getting out of one, or about to enter one. Jesus provides for us today just as he did for his disciples in uncertain situations."
The ways he does this:
1. Father gives Christians His presence and the promise that he will NEVER leave us.
- He offers comfort, courage, and confidence
2. He blesses his children with a pathway through trouble
- He is in total control of our storm and will use the trial for his purpose. We may not understand but we can trust his hand to guild us and accomplish good.
2. He offers believers the potential to grow.
- Hardships are excercises in trust and times to learn more fully who God is and how great His power and love are.
The last lesson, which is for today, is "Gratitude in the Storms of Life."

I haven't studied it so far, but am eager to do so. My typical devotion time is at night when I get home from work around 2AM when there is peace and quiet as I wind down for the evening so I can rest peacefully.

I know this was a long post but I found it most helpful. I am still working on the design for my blog so it may look a mess right now. Again, another time thing. Well, I have exceeded my time limit, as usual, and need to get going. But ask for your prayers as we continue through this valley.

God Bless, With Love