Tags
Christian Aspie, Christian Living, Christianity for Seekers, Faith, living for God, Persecution, relationship with Jesus, Spiritual warfare
Do you have a “but” God? Wait, before you answer, read on. You may think otherwise by the end of this post.
I was talking to a friend recently about some troubles she was experiencing at work. She was fearful to do something because she was afraid that bringing her faith into the workplace would have negative ramifications. To her credit, some would likely not approve, but it wasn’t anything that would involve those who did not want to be involved. This was something in one person’s office, door closed and Bibles open during lunch hour. No one would know unless someone said something or the came in while it was going on.
Anyway, she told me, “The devil can really get to you. He has ways of doing terrible things and that is why I don’t want to do this.” (I suggested another place, off-site, and she agreed).
This made me think, though. This woman loves Jesus and praises Him. Her faith, however, seems to need a little work. She was afraid of the people that Satan was influencing, afraid that they would cause trouble with her Job. She did not realize the power she actually has as a child of God.
She has a “but” God.
Get the picture?
God is everything, He is mighty, He is powerful, I can overcome all things through Him…
BUT
- · He can’t help me with my finances
- · He can’t protect me from certain attacks from the enemy
- · He can’t heal me
- · He can’t take my emotional pain away
- · He can’t take control of this situation
- · He can’t, He can’t, He can’t
It is this thinking that causes our faith to falter and leads us to try to do things ourselves. Yes, we should help ourselves, but the key word is help. In these situations, when we see no end, no relief, we need to give it all to God.
Give it ALL to God, not the “but” God.
The “but” God undermines our trust in the promises that God made that He will provide for us, protect us and hold us. We will have troubles (at least to us they are troubles – but God is working them into his wonderful plan – Romans 8:2 , but in the end, we will emerge smarter, wiser, stronger, whatever lessons we needed to learn. His hand is always in your life – if you let Him.
Deuteronomy 4:31~ 31(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Jesus said that when we put our trust in Him, when we are His, we have the power to tread on serpents and scorpions.
Luke 10:19~ 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
We have authority and power in the Kingdom of God. WE can rebuke demons in Jesus’ name and invoke the power of Jesus Christ in any situation.
Phillipians 4:13~ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
That is not about a “but” God, but an ALL GOD.
Faith means jumping in with both feet. It means trusting in God’s protection when you know you are doing His will (do you know His voice?). Persecution may come, but just as Jesus promises He will take care of us, so does He say that Christians will be persecuted for what we believe. But He also says that those who are persecuted in His name will have special blessings.
Matthew 5:10~ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:12~ Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for sopersecuted they the prophets which were before you.
(Hallelujah! Doesn’t that make you want to just get up and praise Him?!)
So, I am asking you today, who is your God? Is He a “but” God or an ALL God?