BETTER THAN SUGAR

BETTER THAN SUGAR

By Dwight Cunkle

Oh Taste, and See that the Lord is good

We know sugar is addictive, yet the more we have of it the more we crave, unless we get sick. On the other hand, when we decrease our intake of it we become more healthy and our craving decreases. "Desire begets desire." The more we want something the stronger our "wanter" wants it.  The Psalmist sang, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." How can we delight in God? Prayer and meditating in His word is a good beginning. Why Pray? The more you pray the more you will pray. The more we "will for God to pray in us" the more He becomes prayer in us; the more we will pray.

A highpoint of the week is our Wednesday 7PM prayer time together: quietly waiting on God, worshipping, listening, then prayer begins to rise in us and we become more aware that God lives in us and is praying through us-effortless words or quiet singing meditations flow from our spirits-God breathes in our souls and we rise together in his presence. We become His house of prayer and feel the good effect of His will both within us and his will being effected in the earth through us as we make our petitions known with the help of His Spirit.

It’s not that we love prayer. We are learning to love Him. It's not that we are mighty or skilled intercessors. We love this time because it is for Him and in Him. It is not about us. It is not even so much about prayer or needs, although He helps us know what needs prayer and how to pray. We want to know and love Him more than just have a good meeting.  

Body ministry prayer for one another often flows without strain. Words of knowledge and prophetic prayers simply come, birthed in God's love and comfort to encourage weary hearts. But whatever good comes in any time of prayer it is the sweet gift of our God. So let us seek Him. Ask his grace to draw your heart after him and enable you to pray.

Be prayer not just try to do prayer. Let him pray in you, not just active and vocal, but also heart prayer and wordless contemplation of Him. Let his praise be in your mouth always as a good taste-wanting more all the time. But also be in awe; be still; rest and know that He is God-not only in heaven but in you.

Psalm 34:4 

4 I will bless the Lord at all times;

    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me 

and delivered me from all my fears.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,

    for those who fear him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

"Blessed be The Lord who gives and who takes away." (Job)

"Blessed be The Lord who gives

and who takes away." (Job)

By Dwight Cunkle

What can we say about God in response to death, loss and hardship and suffering in the aftermath of these storms? Worship is always the best first
response. Can we say, “God is good.”

We need wisdom to represent God's mercy mixed with judgment; then bring comfort to people who are suffering. “‘If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve. Lev 26:20-22
“What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins deserved and have given us a remnant like this.” Ezra 9:12-14

Jeremiah  lamented over the destruction and
judgment of Jerusalem: "It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed. His favors are never
exhausted. They are new every morning." (Lam 3:22-23)

Joseph's faithfulness overcame false accusation and captivity declaring that God used what was "intended for evil to bring about his good purpose."
Even when the devil works his worst God holds the
injury in his skillfull hand to bring good in the soul of those who will turn to Him. So, let us turn to HIM!

(Paraphrased from Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence by J P de Caussade.) Our God is so good that he is careful to fit all things to our position and character. We do out part and trust God to do what He alone can do in us and in all things. His design makes what is needed such as air and water
accessible to us (though we pollute the air and many suffer malnutrition and scarcity of clean water).

His grace also places within easy reach of all
people holiness, fidelity and loving action, though the world, the flesh and devil work together to
hinder these too. We have to exhale the bad air and breathe in the good. Likewise we exchange our sin for his goodness. “What has God required, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” Micah 6:8

First, we ask the grace to have faith and see God’s goodness and help us do our duty to God and neighbor in each present moment.

Second, we abandon ourselves to God's love in all things whatever we suffer. God is good and will bring good. Let us be his good hands and praise his goodness, while we accept affliction in the dark night and mystery of His Divine Providence.