Who's In Charge?

Who’s In Charge?

Let us remember the Sovereignty of God Copyright Doug Blair, Waterloo ON, 2020

In charge they said You call the shots The best of Love The best of thoughts And Highest Power And without lack.

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So you must always Have my back.

But pain now comes In wicked ways Disheartened, aching Nowadays.

So why no help?

I search your Writ.

I bow in prayer And beg for it.

I will not let The troubles mar Your Father’s Love

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It’s who you are.

There must be gain In wrestling so I trust you Lord And closer grow.

Don't Waste Your Sorrows - ​October 03, 2010

Years ago I was given a copy of a book by this title. The donor, Bob was a friend who taught a class of special needs children. He was aware that Hilary and I were going through difficulties and he wanted to encourage us with honest insight on the purposes of suffering.

The author Paul Billheimer had enjoyed a vibrant ministry together with his wife until a serious heart attack put him on his back with little or no chance of returning to his beloved vocation. The Billheimers stayed close to the promises of God regarding healing and submitted to extensive 3

treatment. The sense of hopelessness passed with the increasing realization of God's presence and love. Paul was returned to activity as counsel for the TBN Network (Paul and Jan Crouch).

The testing and victory led to the above-mentioned book which is a part of a trilogy of titles (Purposes in prayer; purposes in suffering; priority of love). I strongly recommend this writer.

He suggests that the greatest Sufferer of all is God who is so grossly misunderstood and maligned by the greater number of people. He is sovereign however, and His plans will succeed. He desires to partner with faithful children who are learning progressively to understand His nature and to walk in His ways. He wishes to accomplish His will in response to faithful prayer. Indeed, John Wesley went so far as to say that God will do nothing on this planet except in response to prayers and supplications from His children. We have a huge job to do in the way of intercession and we are told repeatedly in the New Testament that we are to PRAY - for friends, ministers, persons in authority, the sick, the deprived, the lonely, the wayward.

But how are such prayers to be offered with fervency? The answer is Christ-like compassion. How is that compassion to come? Identification

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with the real facts and issues and challenges behind the case. How is that identification to come? SUFFERING.

Therefore one must not "waste" his sorrows, through fretting, self-pity, anger or despondency. Look for the opportunities. Gain the audacity and the resource. Grow in Christ. Allow the greatness of His suffering and ultimate victory to chisel away at the size of your portion of gloom.

And whatever the circumstances there is always cause to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4) and one's inevitable inheritance by faith.

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Someone needs to hear this today. Someone needs to know that there is a precious currency and partnership in suffering.

Might Have Been... February 04, 2020

sand castles disappear but bountiful Ocean remains

Might have been Oh so many Those hopes and dreams

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Of the past Invested heavily In many of them But good vibes Did not last.

I grumbled at All my bad luck.

(And this before Prayer life began.)

A saga of grim Perseverance But still just the Sweat of a man.

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Then shockingly Hard times so pressing That God had to Show or die.

And one tiny prayer For mercy Conveyed me His Open Sky. And fellowship Scarcely imagined Contentment in His Flock.

The greatest of joy For this rescued boy

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To kneel and To hear Him talk.

On Target February 02, 2020

The place spins round And sun looks down And moon will calm the weary.

Some battles rage

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And work’s slim wage And grief assaults the teary.

But all is mine And comes the time When Grace brings rest to waiting.

They know for sure Christ brings the cure With hatred’s curse abating.

I plan a Home For those who roam And look for love unmeasured The faithful there Beyond all care

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And endless joy so treasured. http://momentsmidstream.blogspot.com/2010/09/with-beasts.html

https://issuudotcomslashdewane.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/hope-from-the-hill/

Prayer:​ Heavenly Father please forgive us for the times when we thought that you could have done otherwise; said otherwise. This amounts to grievous denial of your Love and Fatherly Wisdom. You have indeed saved our red little necks so often. We choose to trust, follow and dream large dreams requiring us to act for your Glory and the Kingdom of Heaven.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen

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