Last Sunday Pastor James preached a sweet message on King David and Nathan, the prophet of GOD. While King David was Israel's greatest king, a man after GOD's own heart, a man who loved the LORD and sought HIM, the man who wrote most of the Psalms, still he was just as prone to fall into sin as you and me are. And he fell. And sin has a way of blinding us and David was blinded. Then David's counselor and friend Nathan approached him and confronted him. David was quick to repent and get right with GOD. But that needed a friend like Nathan. At the end of the message, Pastor James challenged us to go make a friend like Nathan and that got me thinking.
I was blessed to think about all the Nathans the LORD gave me during one of the most difficult trials of my own life. And even though they spoke the truth, it was hard for me to receive their words. They were not rude or self-righteous in their delivery but GOD's truth has a way of penetrating our very souls not very different from a physical surgery to slice away a tumor. I am likening that to a part of our soul that is growing or feeding an unnecessary feeling or attitude. The purpose of this post is to share the counsel that still continues to bless me...
Suzan Silva taught me the Genesis 22 principle. She taught me to leave the things I hold dear on the altar and to look away. To freely give to GOD what HE gives me. That GOD has the power to resurrect or provide.
Susan Scheel helped me get over the introspection and recognize the enemy's strategy in my life. She always had a way of helping me see the goodness of GOD rather than my weaknesses.
Deepa Haksar who taught me that nothing and no one is more important than JESUS is. And when I was utterly cast down, she pointed me to JESUS. She told me that disappointments that prolong only go to say that I don't trust that GOD is in control in that area of my life.
Mamta Jadhav said 'praise GOD!' even when there seems to be nothing to praise HIM for. Praise HIM for the salvation HE gave us. Just keep praising HIM for who HE is.
Luella Soans told me that GOD gives us tough lessons because HE knows we will take those lessons and learn from it. She showed me through her own life and choices that being teachable is most important during a trial.
Sandra Coutinho sat with me and unlike Job's friends she didn't say a word. For 5 hours I spoke and she listened. Then in the wise Sandra way she said, 'Don't let go of your faith in JESUS, because if you let go now, what will you hold on to?'
Cleo Fernandes, my dear brother and friend kept encouraging to look at HIM who at the end will stand on the circle of the earth. That I'm on my way to Heaven is the greatest joy, and that I will see JESUS face to face. He never let me get sentimental and he never once lost his cool.
Nisha Ewing always told me to take my disappointments to GOD and that applied for every situation of my life. And her husband Ben Ewing who wouldn't risk saying anything unwise but continued to pray. Their family held me close those cold and disappointing evenings and just prayed.
My mother who went through days and nights while I wept. She was resilient on my behalf. She too may have not understood what was happening. It isn't easy being my mum, and when I look back I know she will get a special crown for being the Godly mother only she can be to me.
And JESUS who has been the friend who stuck closer than a brother and poured HIS strength into my life. HE gave me these Nathans and prepared them to minister grace and comfort to me even before the foundation of the earth. As I type out this blog it amazes me to think that HE did this especially for me. Before what we call time began HE knew the exact moment this trial would strike me and HE made a provision for me through my friends' lives and counsel. What a great GOD I get to call my GOD!
I was blessed to think about all the Nathans the LORD gave me during one of the most difficult trials of my own life. And even though they spoke the truth, it was hard for me to receive their words. They were not rude or self-righteous in their delivery but GOD's truth has a way of penetrating our very souls not very different from a physical surgery to slice away a tumor. I am likening that to a part of our soul that is growing or feeding an unnecessary feeling or attitude. The purpose of this post is to share the counsel that still continues to bless me...
Suzan Silva taught me the Genesis 22 principle. She taught me to leave the things I hold dear on the altar and to look away. To freely give to GOD what HE gives me. That GOD has the power to resurrect or provide.
Susan Scheel helped me get over the introspection and recognize the enemy's strategy in my life. She always had a way of helping me see the goodness of GOD rather than my weaknesses.
Deepa Haksar who taught me that nothing and no one is more important than JESUS is. And when I was utterly cast down, she pointed me to JESUS. She told me that disappointments that prolong only go to say that I don't trust that GOD is in control in that area of my life.
Mamta Jadhav said 'praise GOD!' even when there seems to be nothing to praise HIM for. Praise HIM for the salvation HE gave us. Just keep praising HIM for who HE is.
Luella Soans told me that GOD gives us tough lessons because HE knows we will take those lessons and learn from it. She showed me through her own life and choices that being teachable is most important during a trial.
Sandra Coutinho sat with me and unlike Job's friends she didn't say a word. For 5 hours I spoke and she listened. Then in the wise Sandra way she said, 'Don't let go of your faith in JESUS, because if you let go now, what will you hold on to?'
Cleo Fernandes, my dear brother and friend kept encouraging to look at HIM who at the end will stand on the circle of the earth. That I'm on my way to Heaven is the greatest joy, and that I will see JESUS face to face. He never let me get sentimental and he never once lost his cool.
Nisha Ewing always told me to take my disappointments to GOD and that applied for every situation of my life. And her husband Ben Ewing who wouldn't risk saying anything unwise but continued to pray. Their family held me close those cold and disappointing evenings and just prayed.
My mother who went through days and nights while I wept. She was resilient on my behalf. She too may have not understood what was happening. It isn't easy being my mum, and when I look back I know she will get a special crown for being the Godly mother only she can be to me.
And JESUS who has been the friend who stuck closer than a brother and poured HIS strength into my life. HE gave me these Nathans and prepared them to minister grace and comfort to me even before the foundation of the earth. As I type out this blog it amazes me to think that HE did this especially for me. Before what we call time began HE knew the exact moment this trial would strike me and HE made a provision for me through my friends' lives and counsel. What a great GOD I get to call my GOD!
