Hopeless situations.

I was reading one of my favorite books in the Bible today, Acts, and something stuck out at me. In this book the Apostles and Christians have been spreading the message around the world after Jesus rose from the dead and commanded them to

"Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all." Mark 16:15 MSG

People have been coming to God, amazing miracles have been happening, and lives were being transformed. Naturally, there were people who hated what God was doing. Many Christians where persecuted and killed. Now we come to chapter 12.

"That's when King Herod got it into his head to go after some of the church members. He murdered James, John's brother. When he saw how much it raised his popularity ratings with the Jews, he arrested Peter--all this during Passover Week, mind you-- and had him thrown in jail, putting four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He was planning a public lynching after Passover." Acts 12:1-4 MSG

The Apostle James was killed by Herod and Peter was thrown into prison and sentenced to publicly die very shortly. And not only that, but he was

"shackled to two soldiers, one on either side" Acts 12:6

with sixteen Roman guards total. If that's not a completely, totally, and utterly hopeless situation, I don't know what is.

You and me are also going to face challenges in life. Some are smaller, and some seem overwhelming and hopeless. If we're going to chase after God wholeheartedly and if our hearts are going to freely live for Him, plain and simple - it won't be easy.

Back to chapter 12. Notice one small verse:

"All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously." Acts 12:5 MSG

The people prayed, and when the people prayed, look at what happened:

"Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: 'Hurry!' The handcuffs fell off his wrists. The angel said, 'Get dressed. Put on your shoes.' Peter did it. Then, 'Grab your coat and let's get out of here.' Peter followed him, but didn't believe it was really an angel--he thought he was dreaming. Past the first guard and then the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city. It swung open before them on its own, and they were out on the street, free as the breeze. At the first intersection the angel left him, going his own way. That's when Peter realized it was no dream. 'I can't believe it--this really happened!' Acts 12:7-11 MSG

Peter was rescued out of a completely hopeless situation. God walked Him right out of prison and all those guards like it was nothing, because for Him - it was nothing!

I'm amazed at how small I think sometimes, at how faltering my faith can be, and at how double-minded I am.

"...but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 KJV

There is nothing too hard for God. There is nothing He can't do. There is no situation He can't work in. There is no person He can't use. There is no hurt that he can't fix. There is nothing too big for Him.

The truth is...

I was writing in my journal today and as I was writing, the thought hit me:

"I'm writing about Jesus..."

I would have never been writing at all (and certainly not about Jesus) only a few years ago. It was one of those reminders of how much He has transformed me.

Its good to have these reminders from time to time and to look back and see how much He has changed us. Remembering the work God has done in our lives is so important. This spiritual battle has never been easy. Satan started bombarding me with lies from day one:

"Your not really God's, you still belong to me."
"Your not really forgiven."
"You're just not good enough for God."

And the more current ones:

"God will never be able to use someone like you."
"Do you really think you're going to make a difference?"
"God will never use you for anything great."
"You just can't do it."

These lies are so subtle. They just go on and on, day after day, month after month, year after year - and we begin to believe them more and more. It's important for me and anyone reading this to make sure we don't fall into hopelessness and discouragment. Remember what God has done in your life. Remember what He has told you, and remember His word. Let those replace the lies that so easily and silently slip into your mind and heart.

The truth is:

God has changed me. I am His. I am forgiven. I am loved. I am a new creation. He has used me. He is using me. He will use me. He has a plan for my life. "I can do all things through Christ". I am going to make a difference. My life will not be wasted.

The Deadliest Lie...

I was reading The Sacred Romance some more today. The thing that stuck out the most was this passage:

"One of the most poisonous of all Satan's whispers is simply, 'Things will never change.' That lie kills expectation, trapping our hearts forever in the present. To keep desire alive and flourishing, we must renew our vision for what lies ahead. Things will not always be like this. Jesus has promised to 'make all things new.'"

That's probably the lie of all lies that always gets me, and is always buried deep in my heart.

"Things will always be this way...they will never change...God's given up on you...He's not going to use you...you're just going to sit here and never do anything...He's forgotten His plans for your life...Things will never change...so don't count on it."

"Pilgrim lay in despair because he had forgotten. Hopeful urges him to remember, both all he had been through as well as the assurances he has from the One who called him on the journey. Life on the road requires recollection of our Love's past deeds on our behalf and his promise of continued faithfulness to us. We will need courage and patience and those are strengthened by remembering. We will need memory, which is to say, we will need faith."

It can be very easy to forget all the past works that God has done, both in my life and the lives of the people who have followed Him before me. I need to remember all the things He has done and remember that He is still going to work in my life and use me in His Great Plan.

I've been feeling lately that this next while is going to be a time of change, a time to go further, a time for new things, and a time for greater intimacy with God. He has done great things in my life. He brought me out of a life of darkness and into His life of light. He has set me free from the power of sin and Satan. He has made me a new creation and given me a new heart. He has told me through other people and personally that He has a plan for my life and that He wants to use me for great things. I need to remember all that He has done and not get into a state of despair.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"

God is good. His heart is good. His plans are good. His adventure is good. My future in Him is good.