CMA HeartBeat January 2019 | Page 7

Evangelist Article By PETER Helgerson aren’t going to happen. Doing something according to God’s plan doesn’t mean the enemy isn’t going to try to stop you. He knows his time is near. We may not know how strong our faith is until we are test- ed. We need to stand firm where God has put us and obey God. Trust in the Lord! Don’t get discouraged! “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NLT). We are often referred to in Scripture as a “child” of God. This label reflects the need for a parent to care for us and teach us the knowledge we need to survive life’s experiences. God is our Father and He guides and teaches us through all of life’s trials and blessings too! We are to store or secure His teach- ings and commands in our hearts. This happens when we commit to growing in our relationship with Him through His Word. We also need to change the way we talk! We need to realize trusting God is the greatest privilege we have. What an honor to be able to say, “no matter what kind of problem I have in my life, I get to trust God!” God wants to take care of you, but He doesn’t until you stop trying to do it in your own understanding! We need to trust that He has things totally under control, if we rely on Him. This can be difficult, believe me, we know! But if we seek His will in all we do, even when we don’t under- stand, He will show us the path and direction for our life’s decisions each and every day. There is no issue we can face that is too big for God’s grace and wisdom if we put our trust in Him. Solomon knew we should not depend on man’s wisdom but instead, “fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” For when we do this, even though we do not under- stand at first, we will have “healing” for our bodies and renewed “strength” for our bones to perse- vere through the trials that come our way. Finally, Solomon instructs us to “honor the Lord with your wealth and the best part of everything you produce.” It is honoring to God when we give back to Him. This means “everything” not just what we think we can give, but remembering it is in Him who gave us everything we have. So, in reality we are returning what He has already given to us in the first place. This is truly trusting in the Lord. CMA Peter and Connie Helgerson oversee the Northeast Region as National Evangelist. as defined means: To have reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something, to place one’s confidence in, to hope. One of our family’s favorite sec- tions of Scripture is Proverbs 3:1-9. This has also been an inspiration to Connie and me as she goes through medical issues. Solomon, the author of these proverbs, through the wis- dom God gave him, knew what trusting God truly meant. “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my com- mands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loy- alty and kindness leave you. Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, and with the best part of everything you pro- duce” (NLT). Do we trust God with all our heart? Sometimes this means hav- ing unanswered questions in our life. If we received all the answers to our issues we wouldn’t need to trust a God who loves us unconditionally. Have you ever said, “Well there’s nothing else I can do but trust God for this issue in my life!” Even though you are doing what God has planned for your life, pressing on with God doesn’t mean “bad” things Trust