Our Sovereign God

Wow – It has been a minute since I have posted a blog. Busy with ministry, kids, husband…life period I suppose. I must say that other than being with my family, working with Examples brings me the most peace and joy. I believe I have found what God has destined me to do. What a blessing to have that in my life.

This week has been a really rough week. This past Saturday, a dear family at my church lost their 21-month old daughter in a horrible car accident in their driveway. Then, three days later, I lost a dear friend of mine (a friend since my high school days) to…well…I am not even sure how and why she died. She was 40.5 weeks pregnant, due to deliver any day, and something went horribly wrong. She ended up losing the baby and then she passed a few hours later. Tragic and sad to say the least.

There are so many questions that swirl in people’s heads in regards to the what’s and why’s of what happened in both scenarios. Both situations are just about as horrible as it can get – I mean, I just cannot imagine living without either one of my children (my daughter is 17-months old at the time of this post, so this is such a “hitting home” situation). In the midst of the questions and confusion, I do have some certainties that I hold on to as I live this life of faith:

1. Satan is the one that comes to kill, steal and destroy. Not our loving God. It was not His intent for any of this to happen.

2. What Satan may have meant for bad, God can make good. He is the One that turns mourning into dancing again.

3. In this world we may have trouble, but we can be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world.

4. Our lives are redeemed from destruction and angels are encamped around about my life and the lives of my family keeping us safe from harm and danger.

5. God is sovereign and His ways are so much higher than ours.

This is where my faith is. I have to believe the Word is true for my life and my family’s life despite the horrible, horrible things that happen in this world. I can’t explain any of it, but I know what is true for my home and where my faith is for my family. Without it, I am certain that I would be overcome with fear and worry – and there is NO way I could effectively walk in line with God and in His perfect will for me with that in my life.

So, what am I saying? I am saying that although I know that there are horrible situations that happen to us, God’s Word will forever be true. He is a good God, and His desires for us are good. His plans for us are good. And despite the evil the world has to offer, He is and forever will be Lord. EVERY knee will eventually bow and confess this.

I have made Him my Lord over the safety and protection of my family, and there is where my peace remains…and there is where all of our faith should be.

Thank you Father.

seeking God

“…He [God] rewards those who sincerely seek Him”. – Hebrews 11:6 New Living Translation

Take a moment to think about the things you have done to get or seek the attention of someone you really liked. You probably went out of your way to talk to them, be around them or wore an outfit you thought they might like. You also may have showed up at places you thought they would be or even hung around people who knew them. And you probably did things you thought would please them or make them like you more. Whatever you did, your actions were focused on letting them know you knew they existed and that you were interested in getting to know them. The reward you received from your actions was the birth of a new relationship or friendship.

But, the most important relationship in your life is your relationship with God. All the energy you put into seeking the attention of other people should not compare to the amount of energy you put into seeking God.

Simple ways you can seek God and let Him know you know He exists:

1. Read your bible daily – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Pray/Talk to Him on a regular basis – Philippians 4:6-7
3. Hang around people who know Him – Proverbs 27:17
4. Attend church on a regular basis – Hebrews 10:25

By doing these things over time, you will develop a relationship and friendship with God that will far surpass any other. And the rewards for doing will be so much greater too. So, make a quality decision to do these things on a consistent basis and reap the rewards of your actions.

youth health watch

Doritos by third period and a Snicker for lunch was my usual menu in high school. So it’s no surprise that in my 20’s, I’d rather choose Burger King over a salad and Kool-Aid over water. It just tastes better! However, it’s not the better option.

Cancer, heart disease, and high-blood pressure is not something that older people just “get.” These problems mostly “develop” over time when we don’t take care of our bodies. But we have to be healthy so we can be ready to fulfill the destiny that God created for all of our lives.

We only get one life, and that’s it. Yes, heaven is a far better place than earth. But why be in a rush to get there? I rather not eat the foods I love, or eat them in smaller portions so I can live longer and appreciate the gift of life that God has given me. It can be hard to give up cheeseburgers and steak, but consider your life to be a more valuable trade off.

We’re young now, but we won’t be always. I don’t want to turn 60 years old, be retired and full of life experiences and wisdom, but can’t enjoy life because 24-year-old Teresa ate too many Whoppers and refused to stop eating so much candy.

So pass up the corner store before heading to school sometimes. You can go without sneaking candy into classroom at least three days a week. And stay away from those small juices that contain 5 percent or no percent of fruit juices! Look closer at those food labels…you’ll be surprised at what your digesting, as well as what you’re not.

If you make wiser choices now, it’ll be easier to adapt to possible changes recommended by your doctor as you get older. You guys have a while before that’s even an issue in your life, but when you visit the doc, you want the best news possible. So don’t overindulge in your favorite meats and sweets now, because you may pay for them later.

Teresa Sewell