Panning for gold in the natural is labor intensive with conditions that are far from comfortable, braving the icy waters of a remote river to gather the sandy grit, stooping and bending for hours to shake out the gravel and sand, the sun beating down on your back, or the chill wind cutting through to your aching bones like a knife. Tired and wet, aching and stiff, you finally stand in triumph, having separated from the grit and gravel, a few small shiny amber nuggets of gold. Alas! you've found the hidden treasure. All of the discomfort was worth the treasure at hand.
Life occasionally propels us into one of those cold, icy rivers, that is a trial. The current varies in turbulence and discomfort from trial to trial but in every one there is treasure to be gleaned. I've found, that as I focus on discovering the treasure, those precious gold nuggets, rather than the circumstances and the threats, that our enemy projects, I will emerge every time rejoicing in triumph, His triumph.
In my heart there will be a fresh deposit of heavenly gold, His wisdom and understanding. Often those gold nuggets can be forged into a key to unlock a mystery or another opportunity. That is the reward of serving a God of abundant blessing that causes "ALL THINGS to WORK for GOOD for those who LOVE HIM."
INSPECTING the GOLD I'VE COLLECTED in the JOURNEY
I invite you to examine some of the gold nuggets that I have extracted over the years, as I've panned in the river that flows from the throne of God, and in some of its tributaries, as I've walked with Him through the years.
No one can steal your peace. It is always a choice, whether or not, to let go of it. If you let it go, you can choose to take it back. God gave it to you and it is rightfully yours. It is up to each of us to seek and hold onto our own peace
The right thing to do is not always the best thing to do. The best thing to do is always the right thing to do.
Pressure is not of God. It is torment and a work of darkness, not light. It is the overshadowing of death and not life.
More fruitfulness will be produced in your rest than in your striving. The vine doesn't strive to bear fruit but languishes in the light.
Jesus ONLY DID what He saw the FATHER doing. Hmmmmm, does that mean He did not strive to meet EVERY need?
"Be STILL and know that I am God!" Might that be why I have a hard time finding Him when I am thrashing about trying to fix my situation myself.
Thanksgiving and praise is my most effective stealth weapon when I am being attacked by the enemy.
Forgetting to remember His great victories and many kindnesses, can cause my ship to start sinking when I am on stormy seas.
God remembers His promises even when I've forgotten them.
Offenses we hold on to will become a trip wire that we will stumble over again and again until we let go.
Forgiving is about freeing us from the offense that we might walk in the blessings while God deals with the offender.
Every need I have is found in Jesus. If it is not met in Him it's not something I need.
Humility is a sweet fragrance no matter who is wearing it.
