Readings

For the second year, I am reading through the bible. Last year I read The Daily Bible, it contains 365 chronological readings. Starting in Genesis and ending in Revelation. It was great - and I stuck with it. This year I selected The Power of a Praying Woman Bible by Stormie Omartian. This has been more difficult to stick with, since I have been on my own as far as how much to read each day and then when summer hit , I was out of my school schedule - I not very consistent. But over the last month I have been catching up - reading more daily.

When Aaron came home one day, after we had been talking about namesfor our boy, he arrived with Jeremy. What book was I reading at the time??? Jeremiah. We felt confirmed that Jeremiah would be our sons name and we would call him Jeremy. Where does Parker come from .. not the bible. But from the maternal side of the family. Samuel Parker was a Presbyterian Missionary that headed west on the Oregon Trail and assisted in setting up Oregon as a State. His name is in the Rotunda in the State Capitol in Eugene, Oregon. My Mothers family still lives in Oregon.

So what does this have to do with my daily reading, well since the 17 week ultra sound and devastating news from the Doctors my daily reading has become powerful. The prayers from Stormie provide guidance for me in the word of God. Through out the bible she has placed short articles called "From Stormie's Heart". They help to understand how to pray and provide a study of the word. Which brings me to my reading today I am paraphrasing and not writing the entire article ...
"Four Reasons We Go Through Difficult Times"
1: Sometimes difficult things happen to us so that the glory and power of God can be revealed in and through us.
(John 9:3) Jesus passes by a blind man and the disciples ask if he sinned or his parents sinned to cause the blindness from birth. Jesus says neither - this happened so that the work of God could be displayed in his life.
WE often do not understand way certain things happen and my never know why - until we go to be with the Lord. We must turn to God in the midst of difficult times, Gods Glory will be seen in them and on you.
2: Sometimes God uses difficult times to purify us.
(1 peter 4:1 ) (Hebrews 12:10) God wants us to let go of the the things we lust after - God wants us to cling to what is most important in life -Him
3: Sometimes our misery is caused by God disciplining us.
(Hebrews 12:11) " No discipline at the time seems pleasant, but later on it is going to bring a great harvest" God must prune us continually.What comes from the pruning will be better then imagined. We must be careful not to resist or hate it ... (Hebrews 12:5-6)
4: Sometimes we are caught in the midst of the enemy's work.
It is the delight of the enemy to make us miserable. Often your reason for anguish, sorrow, sadness, grief, or pain felt is entirely his doing and is of no fault of your own. Comfort comes from knowing that as you praise God in the midst of it, He will defeat the enemy and bring good out of it. Good that we can not even fathom - HOW COOL! God wants for us to walk in faith with Him. As He leads we will learn to trust Him in all things.

STORMIE: Every time you raise above the pain in your life and find goodness, clarity, peace, and light of the Lord there, your faith will increase. God will meet you in the midst of your pain and not only perfect you, but increase your compassion for the sufferings of others. As you continue to live in the presence of the Lord, His glory will be revealed in you.

This entry seems long - but the Word of God is so rich with encouragement, thanksgiving and understanding. What an awesome experience to be drawn into the Word of God with clarity, faith and hope. With His strength - we can do anything and come out better.
Blessings to you all

GRACE AND PEACE!