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Another Blessing! 2012 Forward and Beyond to Eternity!
by Cresenti Squire Williams on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 10:36pm ·
May I be ever mindful to give thanks for all
of my experiences of 2009, 10 11 and 2012! As We come to the end of
2012 and the beginning of another Blessed Year, I am finally really
happy within my OWN heart, mind and spirit! I lost a lot of myself in
2009, after going through the worst of my 28th year career as a Sales
Manager with J C Penney! Unfortunately, the next year was not much
better as I all but drowned in the confused sea of resumes and cover
letters seeking employment for the first time in over 25 years. I had
actually hoped to retire early at age 55 to began a transitioned career
into Christian Education. Unfortunately, the "Worst Economic Downturn
since the Great Depression", made my plans and those of many other
Americans, null and void! I have only recently begun to have the ability
to discuss the events of 2009 and 10 without breaking down in tears of
dispair, frustration and literal heartbreak! One of the things I enjoyed
the most about my work was the ability to interact with people. Even
the hectic, crazy world of "Black Friday" shoppers and Back to School
kiddies all over the Children's department, did not dampen my "Purpose
Driven, Zoned Mind" of determined Customer Service efforts! Ironically,
circumstances way beyond my control, led to many days of needed quiet,
focused, reflection on how my life was evolving. The resulted Spiritual
Growth and Trust in Almighty God which has come to fruition in my life
today is the Blessed side Effect spoken of by The Apostle James in James
1:2-4 where he reminds us to "2 Consider it pure joy,
my brothers and sisters,[1] whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything...12 Blessed is the one who
perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will
receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love
him.
The last 2 Christmas seasons, 2011 and 2012, have been so good for me as I have taken the time to reflect on those things which make life really worth living! First, I had the privilege of seeing the birth of my youngest son's first children (Twins!) on November 29, 2011. Being able to spend time with Brandon, Sarah, and their babies, Jayden and Lailie, has been a big part of my recovery process. For several months, regardless of whatever problems I have had to face, I have determined in my spirit to Trust God to take me "through" them in a way that only He can. I understand the assurance of what God wants me to feel when I read Romans 8:28-39 where the Apostle Paul tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestine to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestine, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
So, you see, It is all for the Glory of God that many of us endure hardships. No, it may not 'feel' good as we 'go through', but TRUST ME, it will turn out to be for the good of those who really love God! I now know that satan tried to block me from what God would have me to do. God gave me the vision of a "teaching ministry" and the name of it, (Harmony 2000) over a decade ago. In turn, I promised Him that I would leave full time employment several years later in order to preach and teach others about Him; to let Him place me on Mission to The Great Commission. I promised to Let Him take me to "where ever" His Will for me would lead. I had almost let go of the vision that The Lord had given me, that is, until I returned to myself as I understood His Word in Hebrews 10:23 where we read, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;). So then, in the year of Our Lord, AD 2013, each and every day, I do hereby resolve, to Let The Lord God Jehovah have His Way in my Sanctified, Glorified, Purpose Directed Life. That way, no matter what happens, it will all be to the Glory of God Who justifies and condemns; and not to the 'perceived trials that my enemies will surely try to use to distract me from the promises of my Faithful Father! Come what may, now and forever, I will yet TRUST Him; for He is God, He is Faithful, and He is Good All The Time! Amen to the Glory of God!
Footnotes:
The last 2 Christmas seasons, 2011 and 2012, have been so good for me as I have taken the time to reflect on those things which make life really worth living! First, I had the privilege of seeing the birth of my youngest son's first children (Twins!) on November 29, 2011. Being able to spend time with Brandon, Sarah, and their babies, Jayden and Lailie, has been a big part of my recovery process. For several months, regardless of whatever problems I have had to face, I have determined in my spirit to Trust God to take me "through" them in a way that only He can. I understand the assurance of what God wants me to feel when I read Romans 8:28-39 where the Apostle Paul tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestine to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestine, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
So, you see, It is all for the Glory of God that many of us endure hardships. No, it may not 'feel' good as we 'go through', but TRUST ME, it will turn out to be for the good of those who really love God! I now know that satan tried to block me from what God would have me to do. God gave me the vision of a "teaching ministry" and the name of it, (Harmony 2000) over a decade ago. In turn, I promised Him that I would leave full time employment several years later in order to preach and teach others about Him; to let Him place me on Mission to The Great Commission. I promised to Let Him take me to "where ever" His Will for me would lead. I had almost let go of the vision that The Lord had given me, that is, until I returned to myself as I understood His Word in Hebrews 10:23 where we read, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;). So then, in the year of Our Lord, AD 2013, each and every day, I do hereby resolve, to Let The Lord God Jehovah have His Way in my Sanctified, Glorified, Purpose Directed Life. That way, no matter what happens, it will all be to the Glory of God Who justifies and condemns; and not to the 'perceived trials that my enemies will surely try to use to distract me from the promises of my Faithful Father! Come what may, now and forever, I will yet TRUST Him; for He is God, He is Faithful, and He is Good All The Time! Amen to the Glory of God!
Footnotes:
- James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) often translated "Brethren" refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.
