And when the sky was starless In the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)
He spoke into the darkness And created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)
Judgement and wrath He poured out on Sodom,
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God.
– Rich Mullins – “Awesome God”
Our God truly is an Awesome God. We can have faith in His great power and mercy, knowing that He is always with us. We can give thanks for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon us.
The words of Rich Mullins 1988 Contemporary Worship Song echo in our hearts as we contemplate the magnitude of God’s awesome presence in our lives. His song, “Our God is an Awesome God, He reigns from Heaven Above,” is a great song for me to start singing to you while I tell you this story, but I’m not going to do that. You wouldn’t have to suffer through listening to me sing. Instead, I want to help you comprehend and leave you with the conviction that we can serve an awesome God if we have true confidence in Him.
As believers, we are truly blessed to have a God who is more than capable of doing anything we could ever imagine. With faith in Him, we can experience a life that’s full of joy and abundance. We can be certain that He will never leave us and that He’s always with us. Through faith, we can experience the peace that comes from knowing that God loves us and has our best interests in mind.
It is easy for me to say that God is good, that God is great, and have you say Amen afterwards; but do you really, deep down in your heart, believe it? Do you accept that God’s goodness and greatness are true and unchangeable, regardless of the circumstances around you? Or do you struggle to accept it, even in difficult times?
The truth is that God’s goodness and greatness are real, and they are not contingent on anything. This truth is there whether or not we choose to believe it. We can choose to accept it and live in the joy and peace of knowing that God is truly great and good, or we can choose to reject it and remain in a place of doubt and confusion.
So, the question remains: do you, deep down in your heart, believe that God is indeed good and great and that His love for us is real? That His promises and blessings are true and will never fail us? If so, then all you have to do is to say Amen.
We all face trials and difficulties at some point in our lives. Whether it be a global pandemic, a personal setback, or simply the everyday struggles of life, every individual experiences some form of difficulty. Just how many of us have had, or are having, these trials and difficulties is difficult to determine. Life is unpredictable and often throws us curveballs, meaning that it is impossible to accurately gauge how many people have been affected by these struggles. But it is safe to say that we have all, in some way, faced difficulty at some stage in our lives.
Our hardships and battles with debt, employment, illness, death, pain, suffering, and other issues. We are compelled to ask, “Why me?” and “When will it end?”
You might be thinking, “No one knows the specific trials, pain and struggles I’m going through; no one has experienced my suffering. In actuality, you are correct; we do not know. However, I can assure you that you are not alone; we all experience difficulties. No one can truly understand the specific trials and pain you have endured, and that can be a lonely feeling. But I’m here to remind you that you are not alone in this; we all go through trials in our lives. Everyone experiences difficult times, and it can be hard to carry the burden of those alone.
I am at a loss for words when it comes to describing the struggles I have gone through and am currently dealing with. Beloved, know this: nowhere in the Bible does it declare that you will never go through difficulties.
The passage from James is a great reminder that we should not shy away from challenge, but instead use it to further our development.
James 1:2-4 – English Standard Version
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The trials I have faced and continue to face are difficult and challenging. But as I hold on to my faith and trust in God, I am reminded that although the journey is difficult, the rewards will be great. I am confident that, in time, I will be able to look back and see how God has used these experiences for my benefit.
I have come to realize that even in the darkest of times, I am never alone. There are those who have come before me and those who will come after me. There is a divine plan that is unfolding and I am part of it. I am forever thankful for the trials I have faced and those that I still continue to endure for they have shaped me into the person I am today.
We have been living through this pandemic for three years now, and it’s not helping us to relieve our stress, find peace, or ease our minds in any way. It’s easy to feel a sense of hopelessness and despair during times like these. We look around and wonder, “Where is God?”
The answer is not a simple one, but there is hope; I will do my best to respond to your query.
Despite all of the darkness and challenges in the world, God is still here. He is always with us, even when it feels like He’s far away. God is by your side. He is crying beside you. God is standing in front of you, waiting for you to reach out with Open Arms and outstretched hands. The Bible reminds us that,
Psalm 46:1 – New International Version
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever- present help in trouble.”
It is easy for us to point fingers at every person and every problem that has caused us the pain and sorrow we feel; we even blame God for our suffering.
“Why is God allowing me to experience these challenges if He is a loving God and if He cares?”
Actually, the question we should be asking is, “Why haven’t I given the Lord these trials?” Why haven’t I jumped into His Wide Open Arms?
God loves us so much that He will allow us to go through trials, so that we may be strengthened and learn to rely on Him for strength and guidance. He promises to answer us if we call upon Him, and this is a sign of His love. Through these trials, He is teaching us to trust Him, and to seek Him in all things. He will never leave us nor forsake us, despite the trials we face. He is a loving God, and only allows us to go through these trials because it is for our own good, and for us to be closer to Him.
Bare with me for a moment as we elaborate more on God’s love. God’s love is something that is hard to put into words. It is an ever-present force that can be felt in our lives even during our hardest times. God’s love is unconditional, meaning it is not based on our actions or our results. Instead, it is a desire to see us reach our fullest potential and to be our best selves. God’s love is constant, and no matter what we do or where we go, it is always with us. It is something that can never be taken away, and it is something that can never be exhausted. God’s love is powerful and can be used to help us overcome any obstacle that we may face in life. It can be a source of strength, comfort, and peace. God’s love is an endless source of hope and of joy, even in the darkest of times. It is something that we can always rely on, and it is something that will always be there for us.
For those of you who are married or even divorced, think back to when you first fell in love with your spouse. Do you remember the feeling of holding each other for the first time as a boyfriend and girlfriend? Those moments were filled with such joy and innocent excitement. Hugging each other would bring out the most innocent of smiles and giggles. Each embrace was like a warm hug of familiarity, a feeling of pure joy that could never be replaced. Holding hands was a different kind of excitement. It was the kind of joy that made your heart skip a beat, a feeling of butterflies in your stomach, and sweaty palms. Every time you looked into each other’s eyes, you both couldn’t help but to smile in shyness and embarrassment. It was a moment of pure bliss, a moment of true connection and understanding. Every hug, every handhold, and every glance was a reminder of how much you both meant to each other.
When you embraced one another, you both knew this was it. It was the moment you had been waiting for, the moment you had been dreaming of. You felt loved, adored, and comforted like never before. You never wanted this moment to end, you wanted it to last forever and never let go. But, unfortunately, moments like this don’t last forever and sometimes, they do come to an end. But no matter what, you will never forget that moment of pure bliss and happiness. That moment will stay with you for a lifetime, reminding you of the power of love and the beauty of life.
The memories of your children running into the room and jumping on you in the morning are some of the most cherished memories you have. They would hug you and sometimes even kiss you, and it was impossible to not be filled with love and joy seeing their bright, smiling faces. Their enthusiasm for life and for seeing you was infectious, and you found yourself holding them much longer than you’d planned. You were so happy to be able to spend those precious moments with them and to see them so full of life. Those moments are ones you will treasure forever.
As a parent, it is both satisfying and heartbreaking to see your children grow up and out of their childhoods. You enjoy the milestones they reach and the independence they gain, but it can also be a sad reminder of how quickly time passes. When your children reach a certain age, it can be difficult to accept that they are no longer the little babies you once held in your Open Arms. Suddenly, those warm hugs and giddy greetings are replaced by a more grown-up hello and any attempts to embrace them are greeted with a polite yet firm, “Dad, I’m not a baby anymore!”
We all can relate to needing love and feeling that comfort from the embrace of those around us. It is a powerful emotion and one that can be taken for granted, as we get older it may not come as regularly or to some, may not come at all. That is why it is important to cherish and appreciate those moments of love and comfort, to remind us of why we should be thankful for the people in our lives. Not everyone has had the same experiences, but each of us can recognize the significance of feeling that love and comfort. It is a feeling that we all need and deserve.
Throughout life, there are times when we all need a little extra love. Whether it’s a hug, an encouraging word, or just someone to listen, we all crave a connection with someone who cares. Unfortunately, many of us don’t get this kind of attention as often as we’d like, or, in some cases, never again.
The truth is, life can be tough and it’s not always easy to find people who understand our struggles. That’s why it’s so important to remember that there is still love out there, even in times of difficulty. We just have to be brave enough to reach out and accept it when it comes our way.
God Is The Way.
God is the one who is always ready with a comforting embrace and a loving hug. He stands with His arms open, inviting us to come running to Him in need of His love and warmth. His embrace is unlike any other, for unlike that of a spouse or a child, it never grows tired. When God takes us in His Open Arms, He promises to never let go. He will remain with us, forever showering us with His infinite love and tenderness. He is the one who will never leave our side, always holding us close and protecting us. That is the thing about God – He is always waiting for us to come running to Him, to feel His embrace and be reminded of His love.
Romans 8:38 – New Life Version
For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot!
When we embrace our children, our spouse, we are showing them that they are safe and loved in our arms. A simple kiss can do wonders for a child’s wellbeing, and can often take away any pain or worries that may have been troubling them. The embrace itself provides a sense of comfort and security that is hard to find elsewhere, and the kiss just reinforces that feeling of security. Receiving an embrace from our loved ones can be a powerful reminder that we are not alone, that we are loved and supported. It is a reminder that we are held in the arms of those who care for us, and that no matter what happens, we will always have a place of safety and comfort in our lives.
When our child gets hurt, and comes running to us in tears, it is a reminder of how much they rely on us to make them feel better. We have the power to give them the sign of comfort, security, and assurance that everything will be alright and that things will get better. That is the same feeling God provides us when we are hurting, scared, and uncertain. He is the ultimate source of comfort and hope, and He always promises us that everything will be okay.
We call Him Father because He is much more than just our parent. He is our comforter, our assurance that everything is going to be OK. We know that no matter how hard things may be, we can always turn to Him for comfort and support. He is always there with Open Arms, ready to welcome us into His loving embrace and provide us with the understanding and guidance we need. He never fails to provide us with the love and care we need to get through any situation. He is always there to show us the way and provide us with the strength and courage to make it through. He is the one we can turn to no matter what and He will never turn us away. He is our Father and He is always ready to receive us with Open Arms.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – English Standard Version
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
When life gets tough, it can be easy to blame God for our woes. We can feel like we are in a dark place, struggling to make sense of what’s happening and why. But instead of blaming God, we should cast all our anxieties on Him. By doing this, we are able to let go of our burdens and find peace. We can also find strength from God, which we may not be able to find elsewhere.
The pain and suffering of life can be difficult to bear. In moments of despair, it can be easy to drift away from the plan that God has for us. We can find ourselves blaming Him for our struggles and hardships, instead of turning to Him and asking for His help. It’s easy to forget that God loves us and is always there for us, just as a father is always there for his children. We can forget that He is our Father and that He loves us unconditionally. Instead of blaming Him, I should be asking Him, “Daddy, can you kiss them and make them all better?”
Psalm 23:4 – English Standard Version
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Although you could find yourself giving up on God, He will never give up on you. The unfortunate part is that no matter how far away we feel from Him, He is still there with Open Arms, patiently awaiting our return. (Not really unfortunate, but you understand what I mean.) He never grows weary of our absence and never tires of our hugs and kisses unlike our marriage and unlike our children who are now too old for hugs and kisses. He is always ready to welcome us home, no matter how long we’ve been away. We may feel lost and broken, but God never tires of loving us and never stops reaching out to us. “He never gives up on us, and he will never let go.“
Psalm 55:22 – New International Version
Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
The Lord is calling for you right now, not later, not tomorrow, but in this moment. He wants all of you, including your brokenness, your pain, your hurt, your sadness, your anger, and your sorrows. He is calling for you to come to Him, to surrender all of your burdens, and to find healing and restoration. The Lord is ready and willing to take you in, to provide you with the comfort and hope that you need in this difficult time. He is ready to meet you where you are, not where you wish to be, and to offer unconditional love and compassion. All He is asking is for you to come, to come now, and to trust in His goodness.
Are you scared, worried, overwhelmed? You don’t have to be alone in this. He is there with you, ready to be your rock and be the shoulder to cry on in times of distress. He has a box of tissues ready to wipe away your tears and will wrap you in a comforting embrace to let you know that He knows exactly what you are going through and will never let you be shaken. He is there to listen and to give you the strength to keep going, no matter how hard it may be. He will never leave your side and will always be there to support you when you need it the most.
Matthew 11:28-30 — English Standard Version
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I know that I should give God all my worries, anxieties, and struggles, but I still find it difficult to do so. My prayer life is far from perfect and I don’t pray as often as I should or want to. When I do pray, it’s often because I’m asking God why am I struggling. I want to know why I’m experiencing anger, envy, and jealousy, why I can’t have the things I want, why I feel resentment.
I know it’s hard to surrender my burdens to God, especially when I feel like I’m not worthy. I can feel my pride holding me back and the devil whispering in my ear, “God does not have time for your problems. You should be ashamed of yourself. How can you face God now? You really didn’t think you were good enough, did you?”
But I know that I am worth so much more than these negative thoughts. I know that God looks past my failings and loves me unconditionally, no matter what. I know that God has more than enough time for my problems, and He is always ready to listen, even when I’m not.
“When I pray and offer my worries, fears, and cares to God, He responds in a way that is so overwhelming. I find myself in awe of the way He takes all of those worries away, and gives me even more than I asked for or anticipated.”
I recently had an experience that I can only describe as God moving in my midst. It was a year ago and I had shared with some Brothers in Christ how I was in need of prayer. I had just suffered an unfortunate turn of events; both of my appliances, the stove and the refrigerator, had gone bad, ((Isn’t that the way things always happen)? As the sole provider for my home, I was living paycheck to paycheck and had no idea how I would be able to afford to fix or purchase the necessary replacements. It really wasn’t the best situation for me.
I understand the struggle of trying to give up my troubles to God. My pride makes it difficult to ask for help, and so I try to figure it out myself. I know that I am not invincible, but I still try to tackle the problems on my own.
My brothers were an incredible support system when I shared what was going on with the appliances. It was such a difficult thing for me to do, to share my burden, as it was way out of my comfort zone. I am sure that their prayers to God were heard, because right away, He was at work. I was overwhelmed by how quickly they responded to my need for help – they were calling and texting, asking me what was wrong and offering advice on how to fix the problem. One brother in particular offered to help in any way he could, utilizing his job to give me special discounts. I could hardly believe it when I received a financial blessing from another brother whom I had never met in person. It felt like a miracle, a gift from God’s grace and glory. This kind of care and support is something that can only be described as a blessing from God. My brothers and sisters, if that is not God at work, I don’t know what is.
As we reflect on James 1:2 where it states, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” we can see the importance of rejoicing in the midst of trying times. It is easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged in the face of adversity, but we must remember to stay positive and turn to the Lord for strength and guidance. Verse 4 of James 1 continues to encourage us, reminding us that if we remain faithful and obedient to God, we will be lacking in nothing. We can be confident that God will provide us with all that we need and that He will never leave us or forsake us. Therefore, in every trial, let us count it all joy, trusting that the Lord will give us the strength and the grace to overcome it and to be lacking in nothing, and this is what He did for me; I was not lacking in nothing, because He provided even when I felt overwhelmed.
This is the God we serve. The God who wants to be a part of your life. He is the God who stands before you.
Can you picture Him, standing there with Open Arms and His hands held out, waiting for you and telling you, “I know, and I am here.” His presence is filled with love and compassion, offering a refuge and solace from the storms of life.
Romans 5:3-4 – English Standard Version
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces’ endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
With that being said, it is important to remember that joy can be found in the midst of suffering. Despite the hardships that life may bring, it is essential to take time to appreciate the good that is happening around us. Knowing that God is with us through it all, just like he was when we said “I do” on our wedding day, can bring us peace. God’s vow to us is one of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. He promises never to leave us nor forsake us, understanding the struggles we may face. When we remember this, we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us, always.
God knows what you are going through, and He is the way out. God is ever-present in our lives, and He is the answer to our struggles. He knows what we need before we even ask, and He is our provider. It’s not about what we desire, but what He can give us that will bring us closer to Him. He may not answer our prayers straight away, but as a witness to His many gifts and blessings, I can assure you that when He does answer, it will be greater than we can imagine. His love and faithfulness are sure, and He will never give up on us. He will always be there to provide us with the strength and guidance we need, so that we may walk in His path and glorify Him.
God will never let go. He is always with us, no matter what we do or where we go. But the question is, are we willing to accept His embrace and keep holding on to Him? No matter what situation we find ourselves in, God will never let go. So, will you receive His embrace and cling to Him until your dying days, even through Eternal Life?
In scripture, the Apostle Paul tells us our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God!
2 Corinthians 10:4 – English Standard Version
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
No matter what we are facing, we can be sure of God’s faithfulness and strength. He will fight our battles if we stand in faith, trusting in His promises and praising Him. He will always show up and fight for us if we put our faith in Him.
Jesus said, “I know, and I am here.” When you feel overwhelmed, helpless, and defeated, give it all to Him. He will carry what you cannot handle and mend what is tearing you apart. He will help you find what was lost and mend what was broken. He has forgiven and cleansed your old ways, creating something new. You can trust Him to take care of all that is too much for you. Let Him be your refuge and source of strength.
So, let us take a moment to stop and reflect. Let us open our hearts and minds to Him and accept His love. Let us take a leap of faith and embrace Him, allowing Him to make it all better. He is here, waiting for us, with open arms. Will we embrace Him? Will we run to His open arms? Will we say, “Daddy, can you make it all better?”
Let Us Pray …
Heavenly Father, You alone are Worthy to be Praised! You have filled the Heavens and the earth with your Glory and Your Praise. We, Your children, offer up our praises to You and You have established a stronghold against the enemy. We come before You, Lord, filled with gratitude and joy. With all our hearts, we give thanks to You. I am so glad and rejoice in you, my Lord! We sing Praises of your Precious Name, O’ Lord Most High, for You reign over this world forever. Your Glory and Majesty are infinite and ever-lasting. You are forever worthy of all our Praise and Adoration. May your name be praised forever and ever. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Never-ending Agape Love.
Willie Torres Jr.
Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ. My name is William Torres (My family and friends call me Willie).
I am a New Christian or as I like to say, “A Toddler Christian,’ being saved as of 2017.
From a very young age, my family always told me that I had a calling. I got involved with the church in my early teen years and served as a Altar Boy at my church, was a Youth Group Leader, and even a member of a Trio music group (Church Group), which we would perform in Church Youth Rallies.
Their was definitely a calling. What I was missing throughout all this was a relationship with Jesus Christ. I was serving and loving the church and those around me, but not serving and loving the Lord.
It wasn’t until depression, isolation and suicidal thoughts that the Lord, finally said, “Okay, Willie, are you done? Let me In, Take a hold of my Hand,” and that was 2017, and I have been walking, skipping, singing and dancing with the Lord ever since.
Since 2017, the Lord has led me to sharing testimonies, putting myself out on YouTube (being shy, this was very hard for me to do) Click here to visit my YouTube page, Willie Torres Jr.
I started to write stories which I believe were led by the Holy Spirit; many of which are testimonies and different trials I have endured and how the Lord has gotten me through them and to overcome them.
I enjoy encouraging others in the Lord Jesus Christ through my writings, and I can only pray that those who read them, will be Blessed by Gods Words.
I am nowhere near perfect but I Worship a God who is.
I have a long way to go and so much yet to learn, but one thing is for certain, I Am Not Alone, and as hard as this was to accept and Believe, I thank God for creating in me a clean heart.
The Lord has also led me to start a Social Media Ministry on Facebook, CLICK HERE to visit my Facebook Page, Being Crazy For Christ.
I thank Truth Hunters and Lyn Leahz for the opportunity to allow me to share my writings with you all and as we say in Our Facebook Ministry, I Hope to Grow In Christ Together With You.
You Are Loved
Willie Torres Jr.