Thankfulness - Part II

II Corinthians 4:1-7 “ . . .We do not lose heart, but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God . . . For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

In continuing on with my story . . .

The intenseness of my struggle you may never know . . . . but my flesh was battling hard as could be (Satan was trying to devour my soul). My love for Japheth, my fiancé, was tested . . . what would he do if I refused to hear his concerns. No, I just couldn’t think that far. . .
Yet would I humble myself and come back under the authority I had left? For days I cried and wept . . . my life hung in the balance. What would be my choice?

Romans 8:8- “For they that are in the flesh do mind the things of the flesh . . . So they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you,
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you . . .
For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die;
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (daughters) of God.”

Finally the time came . . . when I yielded. God’s still small voice mattered to me more than anything (Then why did I struggle so long?) . . . and the voice of Japheth was something to consider was it not? . . . and my Dad’s . . . and my Father-in-law-to-be.

(I know I’ve posted this recently, but here this is again now in its own context.)

The Testing

The testing, the fire burns hot at my feet.
Will I go under? Will I be beat?
By the evil that's out to suck in my soul,
BUT NO! THERE'S A GOD WHO IS IN CONTROL!
I have but to ask, His power is there.
He's wanting and longing to release it by prayer.
I've asked Him –
He's faithful and true!
He knows what's best and always will do . . .
Even though the pruning and chastening brings pain.
For each loss and heartache is exchanged by rich gain.
There's joy that follows sorrow -
God is there for each tomorrow.
I asked for courage to face the test,
Not run . . . or hide from what really is best.
But turn toward the battle and fight,
For the Lord in His strength and His might.
I asked for His blood, to rid my soul of its sin and its strife.
The sin that stains my heart and my life,
Can be washed and renewed -
Though scars bring remorse . . . it reminds me again,
Of what He's forgiven and cleansed from within.
He's promised to bless and repay -
The years the locasts have eaten away.
Who else can give all that I wonder?
My God is a God of strength and thunder!
I'm glad to place my life in His hands, . . . .
And rejoice when thorns almost break my song . . .
I rest in His care - I ask nothing more
Than His cleansing power and grace to restore.
He's given me all my hearts desire.
He's given it though through testing and fire.
It's worth all the pain, the heart-wrenching cries.
My soul is united to Him in the skies.
I'm going Home to Heaven above.
I can't wait to experience all of His love.
The look in His eyes, the loving smile on His face,
The warmth of His forgiveness and mercy and grace.
He's acquainted with sorrow and tears and grief;
He knows how to still my heart and bring relief.
My Savior, My Lord, and My King
HE IS WORTH EVERYTHING!
And to Him I come, just as I am -
Sinful and wicked, worn as a lamb.
Unable to save from the dreadful fall.
But He's sought me and bought me, He gave His all!
I'm listening for that great trumpeter call.
For the day the Father will give the word,
Then to all that call will be heard.
Some will go upward and others will perish
But not those who love Jesus and cherish -
All that He's done and all He can do,
I thank Him, My LORD, My Father too.
But I can't . . . express it enough . . .
To tell you the love that overflows my heart
With the joy of knowing we won't be apart.
The Bride and the Groom united will be . . .
AND LIVE IN HEAVEN ETERNALLY!
MY GOD REIGNS SUPREME!
- Written by Aimee Loraine Beery in August 2000 exactly six years ago

So . . . I talked with Dad . . . and he affirmed my decision to rejoin our church ( I had withdrawn my membership and currently wasn’t accountable anywhere.)

Hebrews 10:24-25” And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 3:12 “ Beware brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Then the time came when I stood before the McGaheysville congregation . . . and verbally expressed that I would like to be taken back in. I’m not sure what all I said but I do recall saying somewhere in there (I wanted to be honest.) that I know this is the right thing to do, God is asking this of me, but my heart is having a hard time following after.

(I guess this is the end of chapter two . . . I was going to finish it all but my husband said it ended too abruptly and I can’t seem to find the words to “fix” that problem . . . this still isn’t the end of the story.)