For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)
This passage, seen above, is my life verse, and has carried me victoriously through many challenges and difficulties. My greatest treasure is the sovereignty of God! What hope, joy and peace comes from knowing my perfect, all-wise Lord is a sun and shield, and that no good, Christ-conforming thing will He withhold from His obedient children.
Recently, I took a serious fall that could easily have taken my life, but God protected me, and convinced me that it was time to stabilize myself with the use of a cane. The progressing neuropathy in my feet has made that imperative.
I definitely have had the opportunity to do what I teach, as it was absolutely necessary to make that submissive commitment to God. What a blessing it was when, for the very first time, I realized the thing that I had originally resented was actually God's 1 Corinthians 10:13 "way of escape" for my continuing life and ministry. Now I find myself thanking God for it! Is it ever necessary to run back again to that place of submission? Yes, but only when my focus moves to what people think or how it must look more than what God is doing in me for His glory. The apostle Paul said it best when his human desire was thrice denied and the promise of sufficient grace given. He said simply, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9b.
"God has every right and my permission (yielded-ness)
to rearrange my life in any way, at any time, in order to
fulfill His plan for its influence, to His glory."
(C) 1992, 2014 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy.
This passage, seen above, is my life verse, and has carried me victoriously through many challenges and difficulties. My greatest treasure is the sovereignty of God! What hope, joy and peace comes from knowing my perfect, all-wise Lord is a sun and shield, and that no good, Christ-conforming thing will He withhold from His obedient children.
Recently, I took a serious fall that could easily have taken my life, but God protected me, and convinced me that it was time to stabilize myself with the use of a cane. The progressing neuropathy in my feet has made that imperative.
I definitely have had the opportunity to do what I teach, as it was absolutely necessary to make that submissive commitment to God. What a blessing it was when, for the very first time, I realized the thing that I had originally resented was actually God's 1 Corinthians 10:13 "way of escape" for my continuing life and ministry. Now I find myself thanking God for it! Is it ever necessary to run back again to that place of submission? Yes, but only when my focus moves to what people think or how it must look more than what God is doing in me for His glory. The apostle Paul said it best when his human desire was thrice denied and the promise of sufficient grace given. He said simply, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9b.
"God has every right and my permission (yielded-ness)
to rearrange my life in any way, at any time, in order to
fulfill His plan for its influence, to His glory."
(C) 1992, 2014 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy.
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