"Sit Down and Be Quiet"

 

 

 

2020, what a year right? I think it’s safe to say that this year will go down in history as one of the craziest. I was sitting in a waiting area, and a man walk in with a t-shirt that read “2020 Sucks”, and his wife was wearing a “SNAPPED” t-shirt.  I think this is the only time you can wear something like that, and people not think you are suicidal or homicidal, well, because we all get it! 

 

This year all the things that you could never imagine happened, and all at the same time.  In addition to the pandemic many of us are experiencing personal tragedies.  The waters are turbulent, everyone has an opinion about it, and our government leaders don’t have a viable solution. 

 

The phase uncertain times has been used a lot, and it is exactly that.   We have nothing solid to stand on.  A global pandemic, civil injustice and unrest, a political circus, a shook educational system, unemployment, businesses shutting down, and on top of that everyone is tired of social distancing and wearing masks! 

 

So, what can we do?  Well, as my momma use to say to me when I was a kid; “Get somewhere, sit your tail down, and be quiet!”   I am pretty sure she didn’t know she was being biblical at the time, but folks God has us right where He wants us, don’t believe me? Read Psalm 46:10, and the entire chapter for that matter.     

 

Psalm 46 reminds us, that God is our refuge and strength. Our place of safety and substance.  God is a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear no matter how devastating the storm.  It can be difficult to rest in this truth when we are listening to everyone and everything but, God. 

 

People.  God wants us to sit down,and be quiet long enough to know Him. He wants us to hear what He has to say right now. He wants to keep us safe; give us real knowledge, wisdom and peace.  We can have peace right now.  However, peace won’t come while we are having futile arguments with people on social media every chance we get, or while watching endless hours of CNN or Fox news as they scare the daylights out of us from sunup to sun down?

 

    Only God knows everything about everyone, and every situation. Only God knows the heart of every individual including ours. Take this time to know God. Block out all the noise. Too many opinions, theories, and stores will steal your clarity of thought. It muffles the sound of God’s voice; if you can hear it at all? 

 

To know God is to understand Him, to observe and recognize what He is trying to do through your situations, and the world’s. To know God is to know Him well enough to understand why these things have to happen, and what you should be doing as a result of them.  Be still in Him, and He will keep you still, as in poised, calm, clear, obedient to Him, and active where it counts the most.

 

Exchanging my wants for His

We usually do this the other way around right? And when things don't go the way we want we become angry with the world, and with God.  This scripture in the 37th Psalm has given us the "secret sauce" to our happiness.  "Delight yourself in the Lord."  

 This means spending time with Him.  Read about Him.  Pray to Him.  Studying Him, asking Him questions, and WAITING for an answer. (This is always the hardest part).  We make our life about Him. 

 I know we have often asked: "What do I really want"?

I feel after we've gone around the mountain and back, we all will arrive at the same answer:  peace and happiness.  However, the means by which this happiness is delivered to us is what can muddy the waters.  We think we know what will make us happy so we put all of our energy into that "thing" we think will do it for us. Most of the time it's natural things: 

A house,  a car,  a person, or a relationship.  For all of you younger folks reading this, Spoiler alert: those aren't it! lol.  Although you may feel pretty happy in the beginning, all of these things will fizzle out and ultimately disappoint. 

Delighting in God first is going to save you a lot of time and frustration. 

We've got to put our wants to the side and start exploring what it is that God wants. And in doing this:  love, peace, and happiness will flow through you regardless of what is going on around you, and in your life. 

Be Blessed! 

You've Got Troubles..

How do you handle life's disappointments? When trouble arrives do you stress or host your own pity party? Do you have a meltdown or seek unhealthy escape routes? I think it's safe to say fear of failure and the unknown has gotten the best of all of us a time or two. But, I love St John 16:33 because it keeps it all the way real with us. "In this world, you're going to have trouble." 

The above biblical truth is in my top 3 because it dispels the myth that going through troubles, loss, and hard times somehow exempts you from God's favor. But Jesus is pretty clear here...make no mistake about it, troubles are hitched to your wagon from the moment you exit your mother's womb and enter this fallen world, clearly pointed out in Job 14:1 But,...(that conjunction is key.) Take heart, in ME you SHALL have PEACE because I have overcome This World.

So what brings you security? Is it money or things? Is it solid relationships, friendships, a spouse? All of these things are wonderful to have, but when life rocks the boat or tips it all the way over what will you do? How will you see yourself? Hardships or "failure" can really chip away at your self worth if you let it. But if you remember this scripture, and strive to keep your Identity with Christ and not in this world you WILL have peace no matter what occurs in this life.

HE SEES YOU "ROYAL"

Children of God. How does the world see you? Your friends, family, colleagues, strangers. Do you know what they think about you?  Do you care?  Lets be honest, most of us like for people to view us in a positive light. Although it may not always affect the way you do things, it feels good to be respected.  Fortunately the way the world sees us is not a true reflection of ourselves. Shoot, the way you see yourself isn't an authentic picture of who you really are!  We humans can be very narrow minded.

They way we see ourselves and they way others see us is tainted by situations, sin, and short sightedness. Be careful not to form your identity based on carnal( non spiritual things.)

 Our brain us incapable of seeing others and ourselves the way  God sees us. The reason for this is because God sees us from a place of what He created us to be, not what we currently see.  When others give their opinions of you, whether they be good or bad it comes from a carnal place. They can only speak on what they see, where they are currently in life. It is impossible for people to comprehend past the place of their spiritual revelations.  It is God who illuminates.  

 I love this scripture in the Bible that says, man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. (1 Sam 16:7).  Let your daily prayer be that God will allow you to see as He sees.

Remember you are Chosen by God...You are light, You are special, You are ROYAL! .

Disappointed in The Church

 I hear a knock at my hotel room door, and it is a woman with a distinct accent announcing that she is with housekeeping.  I am usually gone when they make their rounds.  I didn't want to miss her services so I opened the door!  

As she walks in with continued greetings she says,  "I've noticed that you are an Author?"  hum, She sounds Dutch, I love that accent!   She is very sweet, extremely friendly, and always smiling.  I've noticed her before. I didn't have any of my books currently lying around so she says,  "I've noticed your books before" and I say, "Yes I am an Author, it is my first book!"  

The lady congratulated me and said,  I noticed it is about God.  "Your book will do well here.  I see that in the United States many people believe in God,  not so in Europe."  I could not intelligently respond to that as I have never spent time in Europe.  All I could say is, "surely there are a lot of godly people in Europe,  perhaps they are more silent?"     

She says; "No, they aren't silent, they are disappointed.  Disappointed in the Religion. Not God."

WOW! I did not feel more resolute, in God's reasoning for calling me to write "Accountable to God",  than I felt in that moment.   

I looked at her, and she had a look of disappointment stuck on her face. I said to her, "Do you know that this is what my book is about?"  She began to beam, while saying.."It is?"   

We continued to talk about God.  Who God really is, and what He really wants, and how people definitely have a way of convoluting His message.  She seemed to be encouraged, and actually left with a copy of the book!  I signed it with a message of hope, and asked her to please share it with her family in Europe. 

Why do you think people are disappointed in Church, thus causing them to be disappointed in God?




Accountable to God
-Chan H.

My Books are on the way!

My books are coming!

YAAAAAY! I received an email that my first bulk order of books "Accountable to God" have been shipped!  They should be here any day, and I can't wait to share them with you!  

I am so excited to have this assignment out. When I first began writing this book I never thought about writing it to sell and make a ton of money.  This book was birthed out of a burden that God placed on my heart for His people.   There is a huge misunderstanding about God, what He wants, and  the people who represent Him.  

 Accountable to God will bring so much light into your life.  This book during the edits continued to minister and encourage  me again and again!  It will give you and those you love the faith and hope they need to power forward in life. 

You can get your copy via Amazon or you can order through this blog!  As a matter a fact this book should be shared, so go ahead gift one to a friend! (When ordering through this blog I will sign your copy, and add a personal message!)  

Stay tuned for some interactive post as we go through each Chapter together!  (I will post more about that soon.)