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From
the April, 1996 edition of The Doulos monthly
newsletter
by
Joe Fitler
Early
spring is always a time of ups and downs, yet it seems to be even more
so this year for me. The weather forecasts change constantly.
Beautiful weather one minute, then wham, the bottom
falls out of the thermometer again, or maybe a few more inches of the
white stuff appears on the ground. It can be quite discouraging. We
bundle up, drag out the snow shovel one more time and press on. Yet
when this happens, we all take comfort in that we know warmer
weather is ahead. It is that "certainty" that makes the
discouragement endurable.
Situations
change in our lives, changes that can greatly shake and discourage us.
It is easy to let worry and anguish take over, pushing aside faith and
dependence on God. It is one of Satan's more well-used tools, using
discouragement to separate us from God, blinding us to seeing beyond
the situation.
But
we must take heart. Do not forget the eternal perspectives and the
unshakable promises offered in Scripture. In Matthew
6:25-34, during the Sermon on the Mount, Christ uses many
illustrations to show us our place in God's plan, challenging us not
to lose the eternal perspective. We must all pray for the endurance
(and patience) to keep this perspective. We have the certainty of
knowing that if we "...seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness..." (Matthew
6:33), that our lives will be cared for.
Please
don't forget that we have been given, through Scripture, the most
accurate "forecast" there is. It is that our God is a
faithful God and the promise of the eternal Spring that awaits us in
Heaven.
For
everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so
that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we
might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement
give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ
Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Romans
15:4-6
In
Christ,
Joe
Fitler
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