“thanks for the reminder, DP!”
( I took the title from something my friend and fraternity brother, Rob Howard told me…)
I know that many of you who read this are going through some major struggles right now, physically, mentally and spiritually. How do I know this, well some of you have told me, and because I go through struggles of my own. Anyone who would say that they have not and/or are not, are just not admitting it to themselves.
These struggles that we all continue to go through at different seasons in our lives are probably the best thing for us and definitely where God is strongest in our lives (according to his word in 2 Cor. 12:9 and don’t forget Isaiah 4:31) for it is through these times of darkness and/or times in the desert that God is teaching us to depend on Him. This is a tough and humiliating lesson to learn that is vital to our survival and growth as Christians. Are we up for it, do we really know what we have gotten ourselves into when we gave our hearts to Jesus?
Well, it does not matter if we are up for it or not, because Christ said that he loves us and he will never leave us or forsake us (Dt. 31:6, Josh. 1:5, Ps. 94:14, Heb. 13:5. Yikes, that promise in the Bible always sounds so great when we need God, yet it can be annoying when we are doing fine or are running from the Lord. I personally got tired of running from the Lord back in 1998. And I am no longer annoyed with God’s amazing promise through His Son, Jesus Christ and yet it does not make it any easier to live in the reality of growing, knowing and daily living as a Christian in a world that is a total mess… However, knowing that the struggles are always going to present themselves and that they have a purpose allows me to respond differently and run to the cross for help. That is why when I read God’s word and get to a place in scripture like this morning, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness and renewed vigor for pressing on in my pursuit to be a godly man and want to pass it along…
‘Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes… Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your word gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple (amen). I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I my keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law… [Psalm 119: 124 – 136, ESV]
Don’t give up, God bless you today…
I close this morning with 3 things that I have taken from a friend and say to my boys every night: (1.) God loves you and there is nothing you can ever do to change that (2.) I love you and there is nothing that you can ever do to change that (3.) God has a very special plan and purpose for your life…
Sincerely in Christ,
Rob Springer
Proverbs 21:21
Build THE Dream – Nehemiah
Rob Springer ETX 
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