Hello,

I hope all is well with you today,

Is there a point we come to that God turns away from us and we just can’t find him? For the last few months I have not been studying or reading his word. Days went by that I didn’t even think about him or anything to do with the bible. I had become so depressed and so wrapped up in the world with all that is going on like the swine flu and all the other things.
Then I got an email from Sandi about overcoming shyness, and it was like a rock hit me. I woke up at 4 a. m. and went and read my bible. It all came to me that it is all of the Lord – the good, the bad and the ugly. My depression has been lifting, and I am not worried about all that is going on now. I do still read some of it each day but don’t worry about it, because I know it is of the Lord.
I had a chance to witness the other day and could not believe the verses that I just put out there and without even thinking about it. If it did any good, only the Lord knows.
I miss talking to you guys. I will write more when I can think easier. This asthma is not fun and sets off some panic when I can’t get air.

Love and miss you guys,
T____

Hi T____,
It is so good to hear from you again and to know that our Lord is working your life after the counsel of His own will.
You ask,

Is there a point we come to that God turns away from us and we just can’t find him?

The answer is, yes, that time will come to every man who has ever lived, but it does not come to very many in this present age. Only those who are being chosen will endure the fiery judgment that simply must accompany the life of a future world ruler. Christ had that experience, so how can we expect anything less?

Mat 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Like our Lord, we must be killed and crucified.

Rom 8:36  Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

It all sounds so very dire, but it is all part of the pains of birth, and it must all be lived and endured. In Truth, like Christ, it is when we feel so abandoned that we are actually closest to our heavenly Father.

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

These are words of the comfort of scripture to those who are being prepared to rule this world. God will have no one in a position of rulership who has not been qualified for that position by enduring a life of rejection and suffering within their life just as Christ did.

Heb 2:18  For in that he suffered, himself being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (YLT)

We are as He is in this world, and that is something that is missing in the world’s understanding.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

You cannot teach the lie that “Christ died for you so that you don’t have to die” and at the same time teach the Truth which is “I die daily.” You cannot teach the lie that Christ does not want you to suffer, and at the same time teach “If we suffer with Him we will also be glorified with Him.”

1Co 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

If we are “daily… crucified with Christ,” then we are daily “filling up what is behind of His afflictions,” and that is exactly what we are expected to do if He is living His life of suffering within us. The reason for that life of suffering is that “we are like Him in this world.”

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

If we lived lives of ease, then we would be unqualified to help His body the church. We too, must be tried so that we too, can help those who are tried.

Heb 2:18  For in that he suffered, himself being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

The Christ of scripture is despised by all who are in the churches of this world. They literally hate his doctrine and will not tolerate it in their midst. “Love thine enemies” is only to be spoken if your enemy doesn’t really want to do you bodily harm. If you enemy intends to harm you or your family or your country, then you are expected to “step on him like a cockroach,” to quote one very highly regarded Christian minister who has a world- wide ministry. That is but one of many doctrines of Christ which will not be tolerated by those who profess to believe in Him.
But I am preaching to the choir. You know all of this but you feel as if God has, for a time, turned away from you. What God had done to you, is what He does to us all when we need it. He simply reminds us how hollow life is without Him being in it. Our very happiness and purpose depend upon knowing Him and His mind and thoughts and His doctrine.
You are wise to be aware of what is about to happen to this world, but you will do yourself and your family no favors by succumbing to the anxiousness that the whole world will soon be experiencing as they struggle under their false illusion of free will, and their belief that their salvation depends upon themselves and their own efforts.

We are twice told:

Pro 22:3  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Pro 27:12  A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Those are primarily spiritual words about spiritual dangers. The outward application is for those who think outwardly. Our safety truly is in the hands of our Lord, as surely as was Israel’s at the shores of the Red Sea.
‘Our refuge is the Lord, and if He is not guarding our city then our watching  is in vain.’

Psa 127:1 <A Song of degrees for Solomon.> Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psa 46:1 <To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I am sorry to hear that your asthma is bothering you. Sandi and I will be praying for God to heal you of that affliction, and preserve you as a witness to Him and His Truth. Stay in His Word, and in so doing you will stay in Christ and get to know Him better each day.

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike