If you have wondered where I have been, then you are asking a reasonable question. As many of you can relate, life has become very busy lately. I have decided with much hesitation to postpone this year's challenge for another time. I still plan to offer my mouth to the Lord, however, I am not taking the time to meditate, study, pray, and blog about the challenge. I simply could not keep up with the challenge....frankly, It is quite a challenge.
I appreciate all the readers and support you have given me. I plan to blog as often as I find time. My blogs will pertain to anything under the sun. So please come back to visit whenever you have a chance.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Humility
The definition for humility left me wanting, empty, and lacking. I felt the definition didn't tell me enough about the state of being humble. I checked a thesaurus and found the following words: meekness, timidity, self-abasement, self-abnegation, submissiveness, servility, obedience, docility, modesty. Of course, I had to look up some of those words. Self-abasement means "humbling oneself." Self-abnegation means "lack of consideration for oneself or one's own interest; self-denial." (Webster New World Dictionary p. 1300.) Servility means to become like a servant or a slave. Even though the dictionary helps me to understand better the meaning of the word humility, the Bible provides an example that teaches far more.
Jesus left heaven and all its glory for me. He left his home not to make a name for himself. He gave up the comfort, tranquility, and love not to receive honor or praise. He gave up all things that made his life good so that mine would not be fatal. Jesus thought of me rather than himself.
Not only did Jesus leave heaven, he came to earth as a lesser, weaker being, a human. Not only did he become human, he became the lowest of humans. Isaiah 53:2b-3 says "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
I really like what Isaiah prophesies next in verse 4 and 5. "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed four our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Jesus, MY LORD, SAVIOR, AND KING, lowered himself into a person of no power, no wealth, of no beauty or position. He had no earthly comfort or acceptance. He abased himself. He abnegated himself. He humbled himself. He didn't consider his own interest. Rather, he considered my needs, my interests. He considered that I would die without him. He considered that I would be lost, sick, and broken unless he came. He knew he would not only live a life of humility, but humble himself unto death. He did this because I need it. My salvation depends upon it!
Paul depicts humility with the example of Jesus's life and death. "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)
Wow. I haven't known any greater humility. I haven't known any greater love! Jesus told his disciples "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. Love shows itself in humility. 1 Corinthians 13 speaks about love and says that love is not proud or self-seeking (verses 4 and 5).
In Philippians, Paul tells his readers to have the same attitude as Christ, to be humble. We are to not consider our own selves better than others but to consider the interest of others above our own (2:3-5). We are to be submissive to one another, obedient to the commands of God...you have heard the command, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself."
If you, like me, want to understand humility better. If you like me, need to learn how to become humble. If you like me, should self-abnegate, self-abase, become like a servant, obedient, then you as well as me, need to take a closer look at Jesus. We need to be reading about Jesus. We need to be spending time looking at His example of love and humility. We need to spend time with our LORD, SAVIOR, AND KING.
Allow me to leave you with a few scriptures:
Proverbs 22:4 "Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth, and honor and life."
Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor."
Psalm 149:4 "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation."
I don't know about you....Salvation sounds good to me!
Jesus left heaven and all its glory for me. He left his home not to make a name for himself. He gave up the comfort, tranquility, and love not to receive honor or praise. He gave up all things that made his life good so that mine would not be fatal. Jesus thought of me rather than himself.
Not only did Jesus leave heaven, he came to earth as a lesser, weaker being, a human. Not only did he become human, he became the lowest of humans. Isaiah 53:2b-3 says "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
I really like what Isaiah prophesies next in verse 4 and 5. "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed four our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Jesus, MY LORD, SAVIOR, AND KING, lowered himself into a person of no power, no wealth, of no beauty or position. He had no earthly comfort or acceptance. He abased himself. He abnegated himself. He humbled himself. He didn't consider his own interest. Rather, he considered my needs, my interests. He considered that I would die without him. He considered that I would be lost, sick, and broken unless he came. He knew he would not only live a life of humility, but humble himself unto death. He did this because I need it. My salvation depends upon it!
Paul depicts humility with the example of Jesus's life and death. "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)
Wow. I haven't known any greater humility. I haven't known any greater love! Jesus told his disciples "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. Love shows itself in humility. 1 Corinthians 13 speaks about love and says that love is not proud or self-seeking (verses 4 and 5).
In Philippians, Paul tells his readers to have the same attitude as Christ, to be humble. We are to not consider our own selves better than others but to consider the interest of others above our own (2:3-5). We are to be submissive to one another, obedient to the commands of God...you have heard the command, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself."
If you, like me, want to understand humility better. If you like me, need to learn how to become humble. If you like me, should self-abnegate, self-abase, become like a servant, obedient, then you as well as me, need to take a closer look at Jesus. We need to be reading about Jesus. We need to be spending time looking at His example of love and humility. We need to spend time with our LORD, SAVIOR, AND KING.
Allow me to leave you with a few scriptures:
Proverbs 22:4 "Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth, and honor and life."
Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor."
Psalm 149:4 "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation."
I don't know about you....Salvation sounds good to me!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Admirable & Rejoice
Philippians 4: 8 commands us think about anthing admirable. But what is admirable? Admirable means inspiring or deserving or adoration/praise. There are wonderful people, places, things and ideas that may fall into this catagory.
I have met people who give their lives to reach the lost and people who give their time to help the poor and sick. I know people who provide care for the elderly. There are places where anyone can recieve kindness, charity, and love. Many churches, nonprofit organizations that offer counseling, as well as places like Disaster Relief. There are events set up just to raise money to assist others whether it is for cancer research, monetary assistance to people suffering from a particular problem, or to raise funds to install a radio tower so that the world can hear the Gospel. Many of us think of ways to serve, be kind, to be generous, to be selfless, to love everyday.
These people, events, and ideas encourage us and inspire us. The apostle Paul has said, "think of such things!" These things are admirable. Instead of thinking about illness, pain, hurt feelings; rather than entertaining jealous thoughts, slanderous words, gossip, lies, and anger, we should fix our mind upon the Spirit of God whose fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control(Galatians 5:22, 23). We should stop the thoughts that lead us to think poorly of oneself and others and remember each other for the gifts that God has given us. We should think of whatever is admirable!
The ablility to think of admirable things comes from God alone. He alone gives us His Spirit which manifests itself with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. Therefore, our thoughts should be fixed on God. God is admirable. God inspires. God is worthy of adoration and praise.
"Let us rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 Let us be glad, happy, delighted and full of joy. Let us rejoice in the Lord. We don't have to give our minds over to the things of the world that are full of hate. So, let us fix our mind on Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2) and Rejoice! Let's offer our minds to God, who is the most admirable of all the heavens and earth.
I have met people who give their lives to reach the lost and people who give their time to help the poor and sick. I know people who provide care for the elderly. There are places where anyone can recieve kindness, charity, and love. Many churches, nonprofit organizations that offer counseling, as well as places like Disaster Relief. There are events set up just to raise money to assist others whether it is for cancer research, monetary assistance to people suffering from a particular problem, or to raise funds to install a radio tower so that the world can hear the Gospel. Many of us think of ways to serve, be kind, to be generous, to be selfless, to love everyday.
These people, events, and ideas encourage us and inspire us. The apostle Paul has said, "think of such things!" These things are admirable. Instead of thinking about illness, pain, hurt feelings; rather than entertaining jealous thoughts, slanderous words, gossip, lies, and anger, we should fix our mind upon the Spirit of God whose fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control(Galatians 5:22, 23). We should stop the thoughts that lead us to think poorly of oneself and others and remember each other for the gifts that God has given us. We should think of whatever is admirable!
The ablility to think of admirable things comes from God alone. He alone gives us His Spirit which manifests itself with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. Therefore, our thoughts should be fixed on God. God is admirable. God inspires. God is worthy of adoration and praise.
"Let us rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 Let us be glad, happy, delighted and full of joy. Let us rejoice in the Lord. We don't have to give our minds over to the things of the world that are full of hate. So, let us fix our mind on Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2) and Rejoice! Let's offer our minds to God, who is the most admirable of all the heavens and earth.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Majesty
What do you think of when you hear the word "MAJESTY"? I always thought of the spectacular views of creations such as grand mountains, trees glassed with ice, the vast ocean, wide open fields of the great plains, desert sunsets, grand water falls, lightening storms, etc. Everyone has an image of what they consider majestic whether it be the Grande Canyon or the Grand Cayman.
Majesty is defined as the dignigty or power of a sovereign, grandeur, illustriousness, greatness. Sovereign means superior to others, chief, supreme authority, power or rank. Grandeur means splendor, magnificence, impressiveness, eminence, glory, and brillancy. Perhaps these images of majesty within creation provide us with a glimpse of our Lord.
However, in my recent word study through scripture, I found majesty to depict a completely different idea. Exodus 15:6-11, the author describes the right arm of God wiping out the enemy within Egypt with His majesty.
Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power.
Your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble.
By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy boasted, I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword an my hand will destroy them.
But you blew with your breath and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
'Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?
Who is like you-
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?'
Other scriptures reference the majesty of God being something to fear and to flee. Isaiah 2:10 states, "Go into the rocks, hide in the ground fromt he dread of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!" Verse 19 states, "Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to the holes in the ground from the dread of the Lord adn the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth." And verse 21 states, "They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags from the dread of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth." This is the first I ever confronted majesty to be frightening. Yet, should I be? Have I a need to be frightened of the Lord's majesty? Should I dread the day when God shakes the earth?
Again, Psalm 110:3 says, "Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth." Troops? Battle? Does the author here really think of God's majesty being a vast army standing in power, authority ready for battle and dressed for victory? I hope so! I need this majestic God who overcomes my enemies, who shakes the earth, who goes into battle for me.
Sunday morning I accepted the invitation during worship service to receive prayer. I've been in battle with satan and have become exhausted, incapable of fighting, impotent in power. I need the majestic army of God to stand in battle for me. I need the majestic right arm of God to shatter the enemy. I need the Lord to be "glorious and majestic in deed and for His righteousness to endure forever," Psalm 111:3 Only God has the strength, the authority, the greatness, eminence, illustriousness, sovereign power, magnificent ability to shatter the enemy, my enemy.
I want the majestic Lord to go into battle for me. I want the majestic Lord to stand in my place and fight. For He doesn't become exhausted, he continues forever! I will rely upon the majesty of God. I will think upon the majesty of God. His majesty is more than I can fathom. His majesty is worth all my praise.
"The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength." Psalm 93:1
"Out of the north he comes in splendor; God comes in awesome majesty." Job 37:22
"To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 25
Why not chose Him to go into battle for you? You can't lose with God as your commander, your general, your chief! The victory already belongs to the Majestic Lord. GOD WINS!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Love
I've struggled with love over the years. It is a simple subject yet so difficult to put into action. Years ago, I prayed that God would put love into my heart for others. It helped! God gave me a deeper appreciation and respect for others, His church and this world. Eventhough, God gave me a portion of love for others, I still have far more growing to do. This year's challenge has awakened my eyes to the lack of love in my life. I understand the significance of love, the command to love, yet I struggle to humble myself, to put my own desires aside for the good of others. I am selfish and unloving.
There are a few verses that stand out in my mind when I think about love. The first verse comes from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. It states, "If I can speak in the tongues of men and of angles, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all my possession to the poor, or surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." What good am I to God, to you, or myself if I have not love? I don't want to be nothing or useless. I am useless and worthless without love.
I feel that there is no way for me to love without the love of God. It isn't natural or easy for me or any person (in my opinion) to love. I believe love is of God and from God. Therefore without God, love is foreign to us, to me. Without God, I can not know anything about love, how to love or to be loved. "We love because he first loved us," 1 John 4:19.
So eventhough nothing about me is loveable or capable of love, God loves me. He loves me first and teaches me about love. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us," Romans 5:8." "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us," 1 John 3:16a.
This type of love is unfathomable. I can't comprehend the depth of God's love. Jesus expressed to his disciples before giving up his own life upon the cross that gving one's life for another is the greatest love. He teaches us to lay down our lives, to humble ourselves, our own agendas, needs, desires for others. "My command is this, Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends," John 15:12-13.
I am supposed to love you, all others, as Jesus has loved me! How? I don't know how! Or do I? It begins with God. I must stay with God. I must reside with God. Love derives from God. I can only find love, the love that I can and must share with others, in God. Only if I dwell with God, will I be able to love others.
Why? 1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply because love covers a mulititude of sins." Huh? "Love is patient, love is kind. It doens't envy, it doesn't boast, it is not proud. it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it isn't easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love doesn't delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres," 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love, the love of God, keeps us from sin. God's love prevents sin. If I am loving at its fullness, like God, I will not sin. How great is this love!
Even better, "How great is the love of the Father has lavished on us that we should be called chilren of God," 1 John 3:1.
There are a few verses that stand out in my mind when I think about love. The first verse comes from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. It states, "If I can speak in the tongues of men and of angles, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all my possession to the poor, or surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." What good am I to God, to you, or myself if I have not love? I don't want to be nothing or useless. I am useless and worthless without love.
I feel that there is no way for me to love without the love of God. It isn't natural or easy for me or any person (in my opinion) to love. I believe love is of God and from God. Therefore without God, love is foreign to us, to me. Without God, I can not know anything about love, how to love or to be loved. "We love because he first loved us," 1 John 4:19.
So eventhough nothing about me is loveable or capable of love, God loves me. He loves me first and teaches me about love. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us," Romans 5:8." "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us," 1 John 3:16a.
This type of love is unfathomable. I can't comprehend the depth of God's love. Jesus expressed to his disciples before giving up his own life upon the cross that gving one's life for another is the greatest love. He teaches us to lay down our lives, to humble ourselves, our own agendas, needs, desires for others. "My command is this, Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends," John 15:12-13.
I am supposed to love you, all others, as Jesus has loved me! How? I don't know how! Or do I? It begins with God. I must stay with God. I must reside with God. Love derives from God. I can only find love, the love that I can and must share with others, in God. Only if I dwell with God, will I be able to love others.
Why? 1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply because love covers a mulititude of sins." Huh? "Love is patient, love is kind. It doens't envy, it doesn't boast, it is not proud. it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it isn't easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love doesn't delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres," 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love, the love of God, keeps us from sin. God's love prevents sin. If I am loving at its fullness, like God, I will not sin. How great is this love!
Even better, "How great is the love of the Father has lavished on us that we should be called chilren of God," 1 John 3:1.
"How deep the Fathers love for us,
how vast beyond all measure,
that he should give his only son,
to make a wretch his treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
the Father turns his face away,
as wounds which mar the chosen one,
bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
my sin upon his shoulders,
ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held him there,
until it was accomplished,
His dying breath has brought me life,
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
no gifts no power no wisdom,
but I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from his reward?
I can not give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom."
Lyrics by Stuart Towend, 1995.
Lyrics by Stuart Towend, 1995.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Update
I am now beginning week 11. The year has not been simple. I have fallen two weeks behind in postings. I struggle to dwell daily in the word of God. I am failing to meditate daily of the weekly words to fuel my mind. Please pray for me as I continue the challenge. Pray for transformation by the end of the year.
I am doing well to avoid the foods on my restriction list. I have had many weak moments but pushed through successfully. Only once have I failed. I ate cake for Michael's brithday. In my defense, I made him two very large and very delicious cakes. My slice was conservative! : ) I;m avoiding certain foods for two more weeks. Then I will allow a week long break before beginning the next series.
I've tried fasting. It is difficult. I haven't completed the number of fasts I set out to complete. Some fasts were food related while others restricted television. I find myself looking for distraction from the weakness in my flesh. However, I think God wants us to feel our weakness so that we can call upon Him and recognize His strength. When I distract myself from the weakened flesh during a fast, I fail to focus on God. So, I need to make adjustments when I fast.
On a good note, I went to the dentist last week for the first time in 7 years! I received a good report on my dental health and made an appoint for six months from now. I am developing a new healthy habit (flossing). I recommend flossing!
Thank you to all my readers. You give me encouragement to be steadfast.
I am doing well to avoid the foods on my restriction list. I have had many weak moments but pushed through successfully. Only once have I failed. I ate cake for Michael's brithday. In my defense, I made him two very large and very delicious cakes. My slice was conservative! : ) I;m avoiding certain foods for two more weeks. Then I will allow a week long break before beginning the next series.
I've tried fasting. It is difficult. I haven't completed the number of fasts I set out to complete. Some fasts were food related while others restricted television. I find myself looking for distraction from the weakness in my flesh. However, I think God wants us to feel our weakness so that we can call upon Him and recognize His strength. When I distract myself from the weakened flesh during a fast, I fail to focus on God. So, I need to make adjustments when I fast.
On a good note, I went to the dentist last week for the first time in 7 years! I received a good report on my dental health and made an appoint for six months from now. I am developing a new healthy habit (flossing). I recommend flossing!
Thank you to all my readers. You give me encouragement to be steadfast.
Pure
Is there anything pure left in this world? Perhaps this sounds cynical? Hear me out! For something to be pure it must be free from any adulterant, anything that taints, impairs, or infects. Something pure it must be clear, simple, faultless, perfect, and blameless. Being pure means to be genuine, unmingled, unmixed, undiluted, fair, true, immaculate, stainless, and spotless.
By definition, I can assure you, nothing in my life or about my life is pure. Nothing about me is unadulterated or untainted. Just by turning on my television I become subjected to the adulterated/tainted ways of this world. If you don't believe this, turn on your television! Better yet, don't!!! Even if you turned on your television to watch the news, you will find murder and molestation, teft, greed, addiction, and slander. What is so pure about any of these things?
Again, my life isn't pure. It is far from simple, clear, faultless or perfection. Will I ever be considered blameless? As much as I might pretend or wish, I am not blameless. Even my good intentions can damage someone. Perhaps you think this is pessimistic as well. Consider, have you ever offended someone or hurt someone by accident or when trying to do good or to be helpful? It happens. This world is not pure and the effects of sin ripples.
This world is mingled, mixed, diluted, unfair, untrue, stained, and spotted. Why do you think our Lord called Israel to be separated from other nations? He called them to purity: to worship Him alone and to have the pure life that comes only by being fully saturated in God and unmingled with the rest of the world.
Why would God call His people to do the impossible? All people live in this world. Who can be separated from it? Maybe that is the point! We can't be pure! Nothing about our lives or this world is blameless nor can be pure. Only God is pure and makes things blameless.
"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-if indeed you continue in faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel." Colossians 1:21-23
"He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him." Ephesians 1:4
"Do all things without grumbling and disputing; so that yo uwill prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life." Philippians 2:14-16
Notice: before Jesus we (everyone of us) were estranged and opossed to God in mind and behavior. Our desire to do our own thing rather than God's will, separated us from Him and made us unfriendly toward God. Yet what did God do? Did God say to his beloved creation, "Okay, suffer. I didn't want you anyway! Burn."
On the contrary, he continued to love all of us, his very enemies. "He demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 He could not wait until we stopped sinning to bring us back to him as friends and family. It couldn't happen. It is not possible for us to make ourselves pure, blamesless, holy, unspotted, untainted, unadulterated.
If you find yourself to be in midst of this adulterated world, living a life hostile toward God; know that He has done all you need to become blameless and pure before him. You don't have to live as an enemy of God any longer. You don't have to be tainted. You don't have to burn with the ways of this world nor eternally in the next. God doesn't want to throw you into the fire. He wants to keep you.
Christ died for you. Christ died for me. Only Christ can present you and I blameless before God. Only Christ empowers us to to live by faith and steadfast until His return. Only Christ shows us how to be blameless and pure, for he is blameless and pure. For this reason, we must talk to Him daily, study his life so that we can immitate it. We must read the word of God. It is a living word that will teach us to be pure. "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." James 3:17
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and don not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Retore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:10-13
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
By definition, I can assure you, nothing in my life or about my life is pure. Nothing about me is unadulterated or untainted. Just by turning on my television I become subjected to the adulterated/tainted ways of this world. If you don't believe this, turn on your television! Better yet, don't!!! Even if you turned on your television to watch the news, you will find murder and molestation, teft, greed, addiction, and slander. What is so pure about any of these things?
Again, my life isn't pure. It is far from simple, clear, faultless or perfection. Will I ever be considered blameless? As much as I might pretend or wish, I am not blameless. Even my good intentions can damage someone. Perhaps you think this is pessimistic as well. Consider, have you ever offended someone or hurt someone by accident or when trying to do good or to be helpful? It happens. This world is not pure and the effects of sin ripples.
This world is mingled, mixed, diluted, unfair, untrue, stained, and spotted. Why do you think our Lord called Israel to be separated from other nations? He called them to purity: to worship Him alone and to have the pure life that comes only by being fully saturated in God and unmingled with the rest of the world.
Why would God call His people to do the impossible? All people live in this world. Who can be separated from it? Maybe that is the point! We can't be pure! Nothing about our lives or this world is blameless nor can be pure. Only God is pure and makes things blameless.
"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-if indeed you continue in faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel." Colossians 1:21-23
"He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him." Ephesians 1:4
"Do all things without grumbling and disputing; so that yo uwill prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life." Philippians 2:14-16
Notice: before Jesus we (everyone of us) were estranged and opossed to God in mind and behavior. Our desire to do our own thing rather than God's will, separated us from Him and made us unfriendly toward God. Yet what did God do? Did God say to his beloved creation, "Okay, suffer. I didn't want you anyway! Burn."
On the contrary, he continued to love all of us, his very enemies. "He demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 He could not wait until we stopped sinning to bring us back to him as friends and family. It couldn't happen. It is not possible for us to make ourselves pure, blamesless, holy, unspotted, untainted, unadulterated.
If you find yourself to be in midst of this adulterated world, living a life hostile toward God; know that He has done all you need to become blameless and pure before him. You don't have to live as an enemy of God any longer. You don't have to be tainted. You don't have to burn with the ways of this world nor eternally in the next. God doesn't want to throw you into the fire. He wants to keep you.
Christ died for you. Christ died for me. Only Christ can present you and I blameless before God. Only Christ empowers us to to live by faith and steadfast until His return. Only Christ shows us how to be blameless and pure, for he is blameless and pure. For this reason, we must talk to Him daily, study his life so that we can immitate it. We must read the word of God. It is a living word that will teach us to be pure. "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." James 3:17
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and don not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Retore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:10-13
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
True
How do you know what is true? For all you Lost fans, do you find yourself confused between what and who to believe? I do. I wonder what is true; who or what can be trusted. What will happen to the people on the island? Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? What is good? Where do I put my trust? Perhaps we can ask similar questions about life? What is true? What is real? Who can we trust with our lives? Where do we find answers we can rely upon? How do we know what is true? How do we distinguish the truth from lies? Why is it so easy to get confused?
I looked up true in Webster's dictionary and thesaurus and found the following words: faithful, loyal, constant, certain, in accordance with fact, that agrees with reality, not false, precise, exact, right, correct, valid, sure, dependable, sincere, authentic, pure, genuine. I don't know about you, but I believe most people are looking for what is true. No one wants to be bamboozled, tricked, lied to, deceived.
Lately, I've spent some time identifying lies that I have been guilty of believing. These are the lies that Satan whispers in your head when hungry (physically or spiritually) angry, lonely, or tired. These are the lies Satan has convinced the world as truth and therefore leads me to believe them and get confused. These are the lies that separate me from the ones that I love. It causes resentment, bitterness in heart, pride, greed, vanity. It leads me to "store up treasure" on earth, in the things that will fade away and be destroyed. It leads me to focus on the temporary rather than the eternal. It leads me to believe that I am either entitled to whatever my heart desires or the opposite, unlovable and unworthy of anything. These lies believe in instant gratification. Identifying the lies of Satan helps me to distinguish what is true and where to put my hope.
I want to be certain about where to put my hope. I want the foundation of my life decisions to be dependable. I want to know that in the end, I will be safe and happy. I want to be sure of my future and to trust that he who holds the future is faithful and loyal. The following is my incomplete list of what is true.
I put my trust in God. Why? I believe he is the only hope for me. I trust His word and His promises. I think He is faithful, loyal, dependable, sincere. I believe He can and will give me life eternal. I believe God is the only one who can do these things.
God is the only answer when life gets confusing. The world is full of lies, lies that sound convincing yet leave me empty and alone. Only God offers the full truth and nothing but the truth.
What is true? The ultimate search in life....."seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find." Matthew 6:33 & 7:7 May the following scriptures inspire you on your quest for what is true.
"For the Lord is right and true, he is faithful in all he does." Psalm 33:4
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:3
"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:5
"All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal." Psalm 119:160
"We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20
One last thought...ask the Lord to show you what is true. Ask that he open your eyes, your ears, your mind, and your heart. God will prove himself to you! Just ask.
I looked up true in Webster's dictionary and thesaurus and found the following words: faithful, loyal, constant, certain, in accordance with fact, that agrees with reality, not false, precise, exact, right, correct, valid, sure, dependable, sincere, authentic, pure, genuine. I don't know about you, but I believe most people are looking for what is true. No one wants to be bamboozled, tricked, lied to, deceived.
Lately, I've spent some time identifying lies that I have been guilty of believing. These are the lies that Satan whispers in your head when hungry (physically or spiritually) angry, lonely, or tired. These are the lies Satan has convinced the world as truth and therefore leads me to believe them and get confused. These are the lies that separate me from the ones that I love. It causes resentment, bitterness in heart, pride, greed, vanity. It leads me to "store up treasure" on earth, in the things that will fade away and be destroyed. It leads me to focus on the temporary rather than the eternal. It leads me to believe that I am either entitled to whatever my heart desires or the opposite, unlovable and unworthy of anything. These lies believe in instant gratification. Identifying the lies of Satan helps me to distinguish what is true and where to put my hope.
I want to be certain about where to put my hope. I want the foundation of my life decisions to be dependable. I want to know that in the end, I will be safe and happy. I want to be sure of my future and to trust that he who holds the future is faithful and loyal. The following is my incomplete list of what is true.
- God made the heavens, the earth, and all that is in it.
- God created me to be in a relationship with Him.
- I fail no matter how hard I try to to good.
- My failure, sin and selfishness keep me apart from God.
- God sent His Son, the Christ, to die so that I would not have to die.
- Jesus died because my sin brings about death eternal.
- Jesus gave up His life out of love and took up His life out of authority.
- Jesus restores the relationship God wants with me.
- He provides His Spirit to teach and to guide me.
- The resurrection will take place.
I put my trust in God. Why? I believe he is the only hope for me. I trust His word and His promises. I think He is faithful, loyal, dependable, sincere. I believe He can and will give me life eternal. I believe God is the only one who can do these things.
God is the only answer when life gets confusing. The world is full of lies, lies that sound convincing yet leave me empty and alone. Only God offers the full truth and nothing but the truth.
What is true? The ultimate search in life....."seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find." Matthew 6:33 & 7:7 May the following scriptures inspire you on your quest for what is true.
"For the Lord is right and true, he is faithful in all he does." Psalm 33:4
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:3
"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:5
"All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal." Psalm 119:160
"We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20
One last thought...ask the Lord to show you what is true. Ask that he open your eyes, your ears, your mind, and your heart. God will prove himself to you! Just ask.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Respect
Respect. What is it anyway? It is to feel or show honor for someone or something. It is to hold that someone or thing in high regard. It is to esteem. What or who do you esteem? Some respect money, political figures, sports (and heroes in sports), Holywood figures, education, beauty and the list goes on. What should we all esteem, but we fail to do so justly?
Isaiah 53:3 says, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Christ our Lord, who gave up heaven to be nothing among the selfish and greedy beings, who gave his life for the most unworthy sinful man, deserves our respect. He teaches us to respect others. The word of God tells us to show proper respect to everyone (1 Peter 2:17). We are to respect the aged and our parents (Leviticus 19:3 & 32). We are to respect our spouses and employers (Ephesians 5:33 & 6:5). We are to respect those who serve and lead us in God's church (1 Thessalonians 5:12) We are to respect governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13).
How do you show respect? The idea of respect sounds great, but sometimes it is a bit confusing. When we say that we respect someone, yet do not show love, submission, kindness, or honor; then how is this respect? Respect isn't something we just offer with our lips. "Mom, I respect you, now get out of my life and let me live it my way." "O, darling, I respect you, but I want you to be different." "I respect the president, but he isn't my president. I didn't vote for him. He shouldn't be in office." "I respect my elders but they could have done a better job. If they had done it this way, everything would be better." No. It goes beyond our lips and must be in our actions.
I googled how to show respect and found a webpage titled 100 ways you can love your husband. Wow. Here are 100 ways I can offer my respect to Michael with my actions. After I quick glance at just a few, I felt ashamed at my lack of respect for him. Maybe I should spend the next 100 days offering him 100 ways of respect. I have noted a few and I am trying to add them to my life.
Again, I googled respect for our country. I even considered the respect we as Americans are supposed to offer to the flag. If you look while driving down any road, you will find flags that are torn, weathered, or just neglected. The American flag is disrespected regularly and mostly from negligence and possibly ignorance. Maybe we have failed to learn about respect and how to show respect.
Can you teach respect to your children just by telling them to show respect? I think not. It must be taught by example. Respect is not a concrete thing. It is an idea that helps to establish unity and comes from a heart of love.
My mom just told me about her vacation to St. Thomas. She told me how she met a woman who knew my mom was a christian just by the respect she showed by standing in honor to the national anthem. My mother loves God and loves America, she esteems God by offerring respect to those God has called her to esteem, even her country. God empowers us to respect even the least respectable.
I'm not suggesting that I know about respect. I am just beginning my journey in understanding my call to respect God, the church and its elders, my parents, my husband, my country, the authorities that govern me, and the aged. I have a lot to learn about respect. I want to become a person who offers respect and is worthy of respect as well. May you join me in this effort to give proper respect to everyone as our Mighty God has called us to do.
One last thought from the Word of God and a good reason to offer respect...........
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 says, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your won business adn to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that yo will not be dependent on anybody."
Isaiah 53:3 says, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Christ our Lord, who gave up heaven to be nothing among the selfish and greedy beings, who gave his life for the most unworthy sinful man, deserves our respect. He teaches us to respect others. The word of God tells us to show proper respect to everyone (1 Peter 2:17). We are to respect the aged and our parents (Leviticus 19:3 & 32). We are to respect our spouses and employers (Ephesians 5:33 & 6:5). We are to respect those who serve and lead us in God's church (1 Thessalonians 5:12) We are to respect governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13).
How do you show respect? The idea of respect sounds great, but sometimes it is a bit confusing. When we say that we respect someone, yet do not show love, submission, kindness, or honor; then how is this respect? Respect isn't something we just offer with our lips. "Mom, I respect you, now get out of my life and let me live it my way." "O, darling, I respect you, but I want you to be different." "I respect the president, but he isn't my president. I didn't vote for him. He shouldn't be in office." "I respect my elders but they could have done a better job. If they had done it this way, everything would be better." No. It goes beyond our lips and must be in our actions.
I googled how to show respect and found a webpage titled 100 ways you can love your husband. Wow. Here are 100 ways I can offer my respect to Michael with my actions. After I quick glance at just a few, I felt ashamed at my lack of respect for him. Maybe I should spend the next 100 days offering him 100 ways of respect. I have noted a few and I am trying to add them to my life.
Again, I googled respect for our country. I even considered the respect we as Americans are supposed to offer to the flag. If you look while driving down any road, you will find flags that are torn, weathered, or just neglected. The American flag is disrespected regularly and mostly from negligence and possibly ignorance. Maybe we have failed to learn about respect and how to show respect.
Can you teach respect to your children just by telling them to show respect? I think not. It must be taught by example. Respect is not a concrete thing. It is an idea that helps to establish unity and comes from a heart of love.
My mom just told me about her vacation to St. Thomas. She told me how she met a woman who knew my mom was a christian just by the respect she showed by standing in honor to the national anthem. My mother loves God and loves America, she esteems God by offerring respect to those God has called her to esteem, even her country. God empowers us to respect even the least respectable.
I'm not suggesting that I know about respect. I am just beginning my journey in understanding my call to respect God, the church and its elders, my parents, my husband, my country, the authorities that govern me, and the aged. I have a lot to learn about respect. I want to become a person who offers respect and is worthy of respect as well. May you join me in this effort to give proper respect to everyone as our Mighty God has called us to do.
One last thought from the Word of God and a good reason to offer respect...........
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 says, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your won business adn to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that yo will not be dependent on anybody."
Friday, February 5, 2010
Gentle
Over the past month, I realized one thing I neglected: prayer. Eventhough I have been talking to God, I have forgotten to ask Him to bless me with a spirit of self-control, praise, confession, and meditation. So this week, I've been asking God to give me gentleness. Everyday I see my daughter and immediately realize the neccessity to be gentle. She is so innocent and beautiful. I don't want to harm her.
However, she isn't the only reason I want to be gentle. I want to be gentle with my husband who is more often gentle with me than I am with him. I want to be gentle with my sisters who are kind and beautiful women. I want to be gentle with my mother, who has loved me and been gentle with me for almost 30 years. I want to be gentle with my father who has provided not only my needs and wants until I married Michael, he taught me about the One who is gentle and humble in heart.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your weary souls. For my yoke easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Just to be clear: my life is not what I consider burdened or weary. But this week has been one tough week. God has heard my call for gentleness. Most of the week I felt His gentle spirit guide me. Today has been a different story. I have felt burdened and weary.
Michael has been working a different shift for two weeks (with a small break over last weekend). The change in schedule has really taken its toll on all of us. We are all weary and burdened. Add a cold weather and a dreary winter, potty training a two year old, history of depression and the desire to grow closer to God (satan attacks when we want God). You got it, its been one tough week...and today, a disaster.
I have cried and exclaimed words that I am ashamed to admit. I have slept when Michael should have been sleeping instead. I lay around with pity and loneliness. If only I would kneel before the Lord, my God and Creator. He can shield me and lift my head so that I will see His glory and know that I am not alone. (Psalm 3:3)
How many of you have found yourself just a little less gentle than you want to be? Why is it so difficult to be gentle? A gentle spirit is beautiful and desirable. I want to be gentle. 1 Peter 3:4 says that a gentle and quiet spirit is beautiful and never fading.
I fall at my Lord's feet begging to give me rest. Lord, teach me to be gentle and humble like you. May others who find themselves in a similar situation, look to you for rest. Your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Forgive me for being less than gentle. May we all see your glory and be gentle like you.
However, she isn't the only reason I want to be gentle. I want to be gentle with my husband who is more often gentle with me than I am with him. I want to be gentle with my sisters who are kind and beautiful women. I want to be gentle with my mother, who has loved me and been gentle with me for almost 30 years. I want to be gentle with my father who has provided not only my needs and wants until I married Michael, he taught me about the One who is gentle and humble in heart.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your weary souls. For my yoke easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Just to be clear: my life is not what I consider burdened or weary. But this week has been one tough week. God has heard my call for gentleness. Most of the week I felt His gentle spirit guide me. Today has been a different story. I have felt burdened and weary.
Michael has been working a different shift for two weeks (with a small break over last weekend). The change in schedule has really taken its toll on all of us. We are all weary and burdened. Add a cold weather and a dreary winter, potty training a two year old, history of depression and the desire to grow closer to God (satan attacks when we want God). You got it, its been one tough week...and today, a disaster.
I have cried and exclaimed words that I am ashamed to admit. I have slept when Michael should have been sleeping instead. I lay around with pity and loneliness. If only I would kneel before the Lord, my God and Creator. He can shield me and lift my head so that I will see His glory and know that I am not alone. (Psalm 3:3)
How many of you have found yourself just a little less gentle than you want to be? Why is it so difficult to be gentle? A gentle spirit is beautiful and desirable. I want to be gentle. 1 Peter 3:4 says that a gentle and quiet spirit is beautiful and never fading.
I fall at my Lord's feet begging to give me rest. Lord, teach me to be gentle and humble like you. May others who find themselves in a similar situation, look to you for rest. Your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Forgive me for being less than gentle. May we all see your glory and be gentle like you.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Self-Control
Who wants it? No one really! Nope, no one wants to be responsible, unselfish, and delay gratification. What I want, I want and I want it now....and not self-control. I don't just want soup and salad, I want steak and potatoes. After dinner I want pie, but pie alone won't satisfy, I need the slice to be really big with huge scoops of ice cream.
What is self-contol anyway? I hear it most when it comes to dieting. "I need a little self-control so I can lose a few pounds." How about a lot of self-control? How about self-control wholistically and not just here and there, wherever it suits or looks good?
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying its power."
The way I see it, the lack of self-control has a lot to do with the list here in 2 Timothy. If I lack self-control I will make selfish decisions, I will hoard my money or spend it on myself, boast, disobey, etc...I just see the lack of self-control all over this. Let's say I have a little self-control, maybe I will not be treacherous or brutal but sometimes a little conceited or rash. I just don't see why not seek for as much self-control as I can get. But then I would have to give up something, the flesh!
Did you notice the last part of the 2 Timothy verse? "Having a form of godliness but denying its power." Woe! Guilty! Again, this is just more evidence of little self-control. Imagine a God"s people relying upon the power of the Spirit and giving up the flesh. Imagine God's people living by the Spirit. I am supposed to be a lover of God! I am supposed to be self-controlled.
Proverbs 25:28 says "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." In other words, when the devil attacks (which is all the time) I won't be able to defend myself or my boundaries, mostly because I won't have boundaries. I will most likely lose the battle.
I am a child of light and of the day. I don't belong to the night or to the darkness. I m not to be like others who are asleep, but I am to be alert and self-controlled. (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6) I am to be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. (vs 8) I have been called, chosen, and equipped to fight the attacks of the devil. I am to prepare my mind for action, to be self-controlled, setting my hope fully on the grace to be given to me when Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:13)
I'm going to be in action. I am going to be attacked. Will I just surrender my life, my body, my soul because I just didn't have enough self-control? Should I live a life of pleasure, giving into the flesh because its easy and available or the fight is just too hard? I mean, how could a little giving in hurt me or anyone else? Why can't I have a little of the world and its pleasure? Because the flesh is weak giving in to sin which leads to death! How about I listen to the God who has called me? How about I get prepared? What if I avoid death and choose life? How about I start living in His power rather than denying it?
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "NO" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14
God is the source of self-control. He is the reason I need self-control and the reason I want self-control. He is the the provider of self-control. I just need to submit my own will for pleasure, indulgence, material goods, power, fame, etc., and I need to praise my God for His abundant power to give my more than a little self-control, but all the self-control I need to live an upright and godly life.
God will give me self-control that not only empowers me to resist a little chocolate, but the attacks of the flesh that call me to be lazy, unloving, selfish, hateful, angry, bitter, impulsive, materialistic, vain. pleasure seeking, ignorant, lacking in hope, and denying the power of God.
I haven't reached the point of full surrender. I still hold on to my own will. I may have released my little pinky finger, but my fist is still holds a grip. I struggle to submit my desires and live for God. The world just tastes so good. Don't get me wrong, I have been drunk on the Spirit of God and it is awesome and powerful and fulfilling. A life of Spirit would be ultimately satisfying, it would be a life with God, all His glory and power. Why wouldn't I want to live on the Spirit?
I pray that over this year my life will no longer reveal little self-control, but a life living on the power of God for full self-control....God-control. May God have control over my mouth and my life. It will take time. May God and all of you be patient with me. May God give me the power to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life.
What is self-contol anyway? I hear it most when it comes to dieting. "I need a little self-control so I can lose a few pounds." How about a lot of self-control? How about self-control wholistically and not just here and there, wherever it suits or looks good?
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying its power."
The way I see it, the lack of self-control has a lot to do with the list here in 2 Timothy. If I lack self-control I will make selfish decisions, I will hoard my money or spend it on myself, boast, disobey, etc...I just see the lack of self-control all over this. Let's say I have a little self-control, maybe I will not be treacherous or brutal but sometimes a little conceited or rash. I just don't see why not seek for as much self-control as I can get. But then I would have to give up something, the flesh!
Did you notice the last part of the 2 Timothy verse? "Having a form of godliness but denying its power." Woe! Guilty! Again, this is just more evidence of little self-control. Imagine a God"s people relying upon the power of the Spirit and giving up the flesh. Imagine God's people living by the Spirit. I am supposed to be a lover of God! I am supposed to be self-controlled.
Proverbs 25:28 says "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." In other words, when the devil attacks (which is all the time) I won't be able to defend myself or my boundaries, mostly because I won't have boundaries. I will most likely lose the battle.
I am a child of light and of the day. I don't belong to the night or to the darkness. I m not to be like others who are asleep, but I am to be alert and self-controlled. (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6) I am to be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. (vs 8) I have been called, chosen, and equipped to fight the attacks of the devil. I am to prepare my mind for action, to be self-controlled, setting my hope fully on the grace to be given to me when Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:13)
I'm going to be in action. I am going to be attacked. Will I just surrender my life, my body, my soul because I just didn't have enough self-control? Should I live a life of pleasure, giving into the flesh because its easy and available or the fight is just too hard? I mean, how could a little giving in hurt me or anyone else? Why can't I have a little of the world and its pleasure? Because the flesh is weak giving in to sin which leads to death! How about I listen to the God who has called me? How about I get prepared? What if I avoid death and choose life? How about I start living in His power rather than denying it?
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "NO" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14
God is the source of self-control. He is the reason I need self-control and the reason I want self-control. He is the the provider of self-control. I just need to submit my own will for pleasure, indulgence, material goods, power, fame, etc., and I need to praise my God for His abundant power to give my more than a little self-control, but all the self-control I need to live an upright and godly life.
God will give me self-control that not only empowers me to resist a little chocolate, but the attacks of the flesh that call me to be lazy, unloving, selfish, hateful, angry, bitter, impulsive, materialistic, vain. pleasure seeking, ignorant, lacking in hope, and denying the power of God.
I haven't reached the point of full surrender. I still hold on to my own will. I may have released my little pinky finger, but my fist is still holds a grip. I struggle to submit my desires and live for God. The world just tastes so good. Don't get me wrong, I have been drunk on the Spirit of God and it is awesome and powerful and fulfilling. A life of Spirit would be ultimately satisfying, it would be a life with God, all His glory and power. Why wouldn't I want to live on the Spirit?
I pray that over this year my life will no longer reveal little self-control, but a life living on the power of God for full self-control....God-control. May God have control over my mouth and my life. It will take time. May God and all of you be patient with me. May God give me the power to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Praise
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6
Wow, the journey this year has already had some interesting days. Through normal everday vision, you might say the days have been ordinary, very typical. You might say, "I don't really see the challenge!" Oh, there has definitely been a challenge. Praise God for the journey!
God warns us of the spiritual battle and tells us to take up the armor of God. The Living Bible states it this way in Ephesians 6:13, "so use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up." 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roarying lion looking for someone to devour." We know the devil will attack. He attacks the ones he does not already own. He attacks the children of God. The devil attacks. Praise God for warning us!
I went into the year knowing the devil attacks. I knew that reading and studying the Bible and praying would give me strength. However, I forgot something I learned awhile ago: when the devil attacks. The devil attacks anytime we draw closer to God. He will do anything to stop us on our journey to be more like God. Anytime we set our minds and our hearts to serious devotion (which should be all the time), the devil attacks to stop us in our tracks! If he can stop us, he might just gain an extra soul to spend eternity with him in eternal death. Praise God for keeping us from eternal death!
Misery loves company! Actually this is a lie. Misery loves loneliness. He will drop you and leave you suffering all by yourself. There is no gain, no friendship, no joy, no fulfillment, no satisfaction. And no, there is no party in hell. Misery loves company only means that devil in all his misery only loves one thing, and it comes from hate. He hates you so much, that he wants you to suffer, too. He will attack when you are not self-controlled and alert. Praise God for truth and revealing the lies of satan!
So, I'm on this challenge to learn self-control. I am paying so much attention to self-control by listening to both flesh and spirit trying to determine which is which. I am trying to recognize the Spirit and rely upon him to make my decisions and ignore my fleshly desires to indulge, especially the indulgence of my stomach, more precisely my mouth. Not only does my flesh want food, it wants to say whatever I think is clever, funny, smart, self-promoting, and even hurtful if I'm angry. The Spirit leads me to be full, to only feast upon the Lord's provision. The Spirit helps me not to steal/take more than God intends. The Spirit let's me know when I've said things that are ungodly. I am trying to rely upon the Spirit to keep me from saying ungodly things at all. Praise God for the gift of his Spirit, the counselor who guides us in God's path.
To get to the point, I was so busy focusing on self-control, I had forgotten to be alert. Over the past few weeks, the devil has attacked and therefore making what seems like ordinary days, not so ordinary. Why does chaos, hate, indulgence, and all the tactics of the devil appear ordinary. I think we get so accustomed to the devils tactics that we don't even realize the battles before us. We just dismiss these events saying, 'that's life' or 'life happened.'
Woe. Eventhough this world has been given over to the evil one, who roams around looking for anyone and everyone to devour, we must remember the author of life. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," Genesis 1:1. "Then God formed the man form the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Genesis 1:7. Jesus says, "The theif (the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they (all people) may have life, and have it to the full. I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 10:10 and 14:6) Who is life? God is life. Praise God for he is life!
I'll say it again, GOD IS LIFE! He is not the reason for the stress and ordinary battles we endure regularly that we are so accustomed to. We can not dismiss the problems of this world to "life," for God authors life. What we are dealing with is this fallen world being ripped apart by the devil. Praise God who authors life and protects life with extra ordinary measures!
The devil found me giving myself over to God in a whole new way. He sees that I don't want to be a slave to my flesh any longer. He sees my challenge for self-control and sees my focus on it. He then recognized that he would lose another foothold on my life. So, the evil one searched for a way to attack. It really wasn't hard! I wasn't on alert. Praise God for his revelations!
He took ordinary everyday means to attack me. Yep, I wasn't on alert. Here is a list of some of the attacks of the evil one in just 22 days:
1. I experienced nausea from January 1-4.
2. Sadie coughed during the night from January 1-9 rendering me exhausted.
3. Michael borrowed Sadie's cough rendering me fearful that I too may catch it.
4. The weather dropped below freezing for a record breaking time period, leaving me cold and captive in my own home.
5. Michael worked overtime due to factors at his employment requiring his time, rendering me alone at home.
6. I take on a diet and feel my flesh craving food, food, and more food. I have given in to eating past 8 o'clock several times, which is something I am trying to avoid.
7. Some one approaches me for being offensive. This breaks my heart and opens the door for attacks of the mind. (yes, I had offended and took responsibility for it. Now, it is okay.)
8. The mind games begin. I experience a few days (nonconsecutive) of depression. Just what I call "down days." These could be hormonal...who knows!
9. I get sick again with a cold for three days.
10. I miss church two sundays out of three.
11. Mind games: Loneliness
12. Mind games: Self-criticism
13. Mind games: keeping a ledger with loved ones
14. Sadie won't take a full nap making it more difficult for me to spend quiet time in study, prayer, and writing/posting.
15. Television calls out to me...watch, watch, watch, sit, do nothing, relax, watch.
16. Busy: I am busy, friends are busy, family are busy and leaving little time for fellowship.
17. I catch myself saying something I wish I hadn't. Then I call myself names that don't help. (mind games, a tactic the devil uses often on me)
18. Material things: I have found myself thinking about the things I want but don't need.
19. Distractions on the web...you know, facebook, email, youtube, tv shows, googling...anything that I'm fiddling around with that keeps me from his word and his work.
20. Exercise: I gave myself a two week break. Ahhhh! I needed the release that comes through exercise.
21. Laziness: I had days I just wanted to be lazy, sleep on the couch a couple of hours while Sadie watches Sesame Street.
22. Chores: I get so tired of laundry, dirty dishes, and the relentless kitchen chores: sweeping, cleaning, cooking. I avoided this some and felt guilty.
23. Tinker had to stay indoors with us for most of the past 22 day due to the weather. It just gets annoying keeping up a gate, Sadie and the dog arguing, and the floor being dirty.
Woe. Sounds negative? Not really, this is just normal stuff. The devil has thrown all this at me just to slow me down or to stop me from drawing near to God. I list these things just to be honest about the challenge I am experiencing. Had I been alert, I wouldn't have experienced this. On the contrary, the devil would have still attacked and I still would be challenged. However, I would have been prepared to resist. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Praise God for His living Word!
First, submit to God. Do this first! You will only be able to resist the devil under this condition. Give yourself over to God's will, His plan. Dwell in his word. Only then, resisting the devil is possible. It will be possible because God has the armor properly designed for battle. God is the victorious one over evil. Only God is good. Only God wins. Only God gives victory. Praise God for victory!
Needless to say, I'm becoming alert. Now, I expect the attack. These days are not what I consider ordinary because of my God. He is an extra ordinary God who provides me with all that I need to resist the devil. Then, the devil will flee. Again, Praise the Lord.
The Lord's prayer offers me hope and peace in the battle that lies ahead. "and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:13) This is another prayer I will be offering up to my Lord. I beg Him to deliver me. Praise God for teaching us to pray!
Praise the Lord for He promises deliverance. Praise the Lord for He promises life. He is worthy of praise. This week I took a look at the word praise to draw near to God and to develop self-control. Psalm 145:1-3 reminds me to praise God everyday. Psalm 146:1-2 reminds me to praise God all my life and with my life. Psalm 148:13 says, "Let them praise the name of the Lord for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens." The rest of the book of Psalms speaks of praising God. This is the psalmist's final thought: "Praise the Lord."
What if I offered myself daily to praising God? I would definitely have my mind set on things above. I would be thinking about the greatness of my God. I would be submitting myself to the Lord. I would recognize and reflect upon the graetness of God all the time. A life of praise to the Lord will reflect the Lord who is worthy of praise.
Get behind me satan, today I praise God! Praise the Lord.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Confession
What is confession? Well, it's the act of confessing! Oh, that really helps. So what does it mean to confess? Zondervan's Pictorial Bible Dictionary, gerneral edition, states "To confess is openly to acknowledge one's faith in anything as in the existence and authority of God, or the sins of which one has been guilty (p 180). "
Can you imagine the great and glorious day when "every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11)?" It will be the great and glorious day we who put our hope in God anxiously await. We want this day to come. It will be the day when God will fulfill all His promises. We wait in earnest expection...huh? We wait with confidence, wanting the day to come quickly. We don't wait with worry and with anxiety that sins will remain and the resurrection will not take place. We don't wait with the desire for this day to be prolonged. No, we want it now! We know our Lord will make good on His promises. He is so big and so mighty that He forgives sin and gives life eternal. This day will be spectacular, the day of praise. It will be the day God deserves, to be given the full honor, respect, praise, glory, etc.!
So, I confess to you, Jesus is Lord and has all authority on heaven and on earth. There is no authority over Him. He left His home with all pure love and completeness and came into this broken and sinful world in the lowest conditions to live amongst broken and sinful people. He endured temptation relying upon the Father and remained faithful, without sin. He endured a horrible death for me so that my sins would be forgiven. He didn't stay in the grave. No, He came to life again. He has the authority to lay down His life and to take it up again. Therefore, He has only one confession: the good news, God is life, the author of life, and the authority over life."
So, I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, yet use my mouth for great destruction. What is wrong with me? Seriously, how can I allow my mouth to do this? James 3:9-10 states, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brother, this should not be." I agree. How can I use my mouth to degrade and destroy the beautiful creation of my God, especially the creation designed like God? How can I give my mouth over to evil works, yet claim Jesus is the authority and life? This is quite a controversy! Jesus warns against this in Matthew 12:34-37, "for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." So, the problem lies within my heart? Oh, this is just getting worse. Not only is my mouth being used for destruction, my heart is evil. Jesus continues to say, "the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words yo will be acquitted, and by your words yo uwill be condemned." So, I am standing condemned before my God?
What about those promises of God in which I hope: forgiveness and resurrection? Ah, Let's talk about the promise in forgiveness. 1 John 1:8-9 says, "if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins." Did you catch that? He is faithful to forgive. Acts 19:18 gives us a great example of confession, "many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds."
Can you imagine people coming together and confessing? I'm not talking about the confession of "I sinned." I'm speaking about confession of evil deeds, admitting the deeds done, acknowledging guilt."James 5:16 says, "confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." There is more purpose in confession: healing. Does this mean, my mouth will eventually stop the destroying and tearing down? I sure hope so!
This is just the beginning for me. I am learning about confession and its link to forgiveness and transformation. What I do know, I want my mouth to be used for God's good pleasure. I am tired of hurting others, bringing down others, disrespecting, cutting, destroying God's most precious creation, the creature He designed in His likeness. These creatures were made just as God made me. Confession is just part of the plan for giving my mouth over to God.
Here are some confessions about my mouth:
1. I haven't had my mouth checked by a dentist in almost 7 years. Yuck! I know....
2. I don't floss regularly...again...this is gross!
3. I use my mouth to indulge in food...all kinds of food...the more I can taste the better!
4. I have used my mouth to share my frustrations with people not invovled in the situation!
5. I have used my mouth to disrespect my parents and my husband.
6. I have used my mouth to protect my vainity and to self promote.
7. I have used my mouth to dishonor and speak unkind words about others.
May I be courageous to go to those I have sinned against and to the Lord to confess these sins. May a righteous man (check Ecclesiaster 7:20 for another discussion topic) pray with me and for me so that I will be healed. May God keep His promise to forgive. I want my mouth to be His forever!
Can you imagine the great and glorious day when "every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11)?" It will be the great and glorious day we who put our hope in God anxiously await. We want this day to come. It will be the day when God will fulfill all His promises. We wait in earnest expection...huh? We wait with confidence, wanting the day to come quickly. We don't wait with worry and with anxiety that sins will remain and the resurrection will not take place. We don't wait with the desire for this day to be prolonged. No, we want it now! We know our Lord will make good on His promises. He is so big and so mighty that He forgives sin and gives life eternal. This day will be spectacular, the day of praise. It will be the day God deserves, to be given the full honor, respect, praise, glory, etc.!
So, I confess to you, Jesus is Lord and has all authority on heaven and on earth. There is no authority over Him. He left His home with all pure love and completeness and came into this broken and sinful world in the lowest conditions to live amongst broken and sinful people. He endured temptation relying upon the Father and remained faithful, without sin. He endured a horrible death for me so that my sins would be forgiven. He didn't stay in the grave. No, He came to life again. He has the authority to lay down His life and to take it up again. Therefore, He has only one confession: the good news, God is life, the author of life, and the authority over life."
So, I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, yet use my mouth for great destruction. What is wrong with me? Seriously, how can I allow my mouth to do this? James 3:9-10 states, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brother, this should not be." I agree. How can I use my mouth to degrade and destroy the beautiful creation of my God, especially the creation designed like God? How can I give my mouth over to evil works, yet claim Jesus is the authority and life? This is quite a controversy! Jesus warns against this in Matthew 12:34-37, "for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." So, the problem lies within my heart? Oh, this is just getting worse. Not only is my mouth being used for destruction, my heart is evil. Jesus continues to say, "the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words yo will be acquitted, and by your words yo uwill be condemned." So, I am standing condemned before my God?
What about those promises of God in which I hope: forgiveness and resurrection? Ah, Let's talk about the promise in forgiveness. 1 John 1:8-9 says, "if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins." Did you catch that? He is faithful to forgive. Acts 19:18 gives us a great example of confession, "many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds."
Can you imagine people coming together and confessing? I'm not talking about the confession of "I sinned." I'm speaking about confession of evil deeds, admitting the deeds done, acknowledging guilt."James 5:16 says, "confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." There is more purpose in confession: healing. Does this mean, my mouth will eventually stop the destroying and tearing down? I sure hope so!
This is just the beginning for me. I am learning about confession and its link to forgiveness and transformation. What I do know, I want my mouth to be used for God's good pleasure. I am tired of hurting others, bringing down others, disrespecting, cutting, destroying God's most precious creation, the creature He designed in His likeness. These creatures were made just as God made me. Confession is just part of the plan for giving my mouth over to God.
Here are some confessions about my mouth:
1. I haven't had my mouth checked by a dentist in almost 7 years. Yuck! I know....
2. I don't floss regularly...again...this is gross!
3. I use my mouth to indulge in food...all kinds of food...the more I can taste the better!
4. I have used my mouth to share my frustrations with people not invovled in the situation!
5. I have used my mouth to disrespect my parents and my husband.
6. I have used my mouth to protect my vainity and to self promote.
7. I have used my mouth to dishonor and speak unkind words about others.
May I be courageous to go to those I have sinned against and to the Lord to confess these sins. May a righteous man (check Ecclesiaster 7:20 for another discussion topic) pray with me and for me so that I will be healed. May God keep His promise to forgive. I want my mouth to be His forever!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Meditation
Each week I will be studying a different word found in scripture and using scripture to guide my in this challenge. This week I am taking a deeper look at the word "meditation." Meditation means deep continued thought; solemn reflection on sacred matters as a devotional act (Webster's New World College Dictionary). Without deep continued thought or reflection over the Word of God, I will not be successful this year in my goal "captivating my mouth for His good pleasure". Psalm 19:14 states, "May the words or my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." I want my words to be pleasing, and those start in my heart. Therefore, I must watch carefully over my heart. My deep continued thoughts need to be over God's Word. Only in the Bible will I find anything worthy of meditation. Once I fill my heart with God's Word will my heart and my mouth become pleasing to Him. So I pray the same prayer as David.
Earlier today in study, I found more meaning in meditation. I set out to read through the Bible in a year using a daily genre method. (If you want to know more about this, just ask.) Today's planned reading was Joshua 1-5. Immediately I came across 1:8 stating, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate upon it day and night, so that you may be careful to do accoding to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." Wow! God has spoken.
The only way my mouth will be transformed, they only way I will successfully reach my goal for 2010, they only way my mouth will be pleasing to God.... I must meditate upon His Word and do what it says.
Ok...the challenge has already been a challenge! Sadie has been keeping Michael and myself awake through the night since January 1st. Odd? I don't think so. Even though Sadie has always been a good sleeper, I don't find this odd. I believe it is my first lesson, and a challenging lesson at that. How hard is it to have the right heart and pleasing words at 4am when your child has been coughing for hours and there isn't much you can do. Boy does my heart need to meditate upon God's Word. So here is my first mile marker in 2010...I have a lonnnnnng way to go!
Earlier today in study, I found more meaning in meditation. I set out to read through the Bible in a year using a daily genre method. (If you want to know more about this, just ask.) Today's planned reading was Joshua 1-5. Immediately I came across 1:8 stating, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate upon it day and night, so that you may be careful to do accoding to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." Wow! God has spoken.
The only way my mouth will be transformed, they only way I will successfully reach my goal for 2010, they only way my mouth will be pleasing to God.... I must meditate upon His Word and do what it says.
Ok...the challenge has already been a challenge! Sadie has been keeping Michael and myself awake through the night since January 1st. Odd? I don't think so. Even though Sadie has always been a good sleeper, I don't find this odd. I believe it is my first lesson, and a challenging lesson at that. How hard is it to have the right heart and pleasing words at 4am when your child has been coughing for hours and there isn't much you can do. Boy does my heart need to meditate upon God's Word. So here is my first mile marker in 2010...I have a lonnnnnng way to go!
Monday, January 4, 2010
2010 Challenge
Praise our Lord for 2009. He provided a wonderful year. I praise Him for carrying me to a victory that just a few years ago seemed impossible for me. To give God due praise, I must back up and tell the story from the beginning.
When I was young, my parents taught me the value of a strong work ethic. As a child, others pushed and motivated me to accomplish and succeed. I never really relied upon myself or our Lord to set a goal and move toward that goal in victory. I even took credit for the things accompolished as if they were challenging, when truly I had not really challenged myself. I was displeasing to our Lord.
During my senior year of high school, I injured my back and pretty much gave up all forms of exercise. Over time, laziness took hold of my life. It gave the devil a foothold over my mind and my body. Eventhough I had a strong work ethic, I truly lacked discipline. I knew about God. I loved God. However, I didn't understand what God could do for me. I didn't really know how to listen to His Spirit or how to let His Spirit guide me. So, I listened to my flesh. I battled with my flesh. I gave into my flesh. I lacked discipline to delay gratification, and I indulged. I sinned. Eventually, like I stated before, it took its toll upon me. However, God wasn't finished with me.
God taught me lessons along life's road. He gave me several tutors. Some of the lessons didn't make sense alone. Over time, the lessons compiled and my God brought me to the "o, my Lord, I have sinned against you," moment that He desired. (This isn't something that happens just once. I am just speaking about a particular moment necessary in my growth as a child of God.)
He showed me how lazy and indulgent I had become. This isn't the life God wants for me. It tears away at my mind and breaks down my body with age and illness. God wants an abundant life for me. My lack of discipline and self-control was/is evident in my life and keeping me from the fullness God promises. God has plans for me.
I don't know what God plans for my future other than eternal life with Him (which is all I need to know). I do know that God plans for me to bear fruit. Galatians 5:23 states self-control as fruit of the Spirit. God wasn't finished with me. He gave me opportunities and His desire to learn self-control. I am still learning and will through out my life.
To move this story along (yes it is already too long ask me if you want the longer version).....in 2009 I set out to run/walk 1000 miles. God had me in training over the past few years with tutors like Gillian and Lindsay (as well as many others). These ladies reminded me of the statement Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
So, God and I set out on our journey together. He took me back to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, a lesson I thought I had learned in 2007. (Oops, I guess I needed a review of that one.) Here, he reminded me that I am weak and only in Him will I find strength. God shows his power in weakness. Therefore, I had to proclaim like Paul, "for when I am weak, then I am strong."
God took me to other places in 2009. He took me to Hebrews 12:1-2. Again, this was another review lesson. This time it took on more meaning. I had known about the witnesses that have lived and struggled and walked with God before me. I had known about Jesus, the cross, and fixing my eyes. The new lesson here..."throwing off the sin that so easily entangles so that I can run with perseverance the race marked out for me." I've been learning about confession and repentance. A friend of mine recently wrote in his blog about the psalmist David and God's promise to forgive (Psalm 32:5). This scipture has a recent power in my life. I am beginning to understand 1 John 1:9. I am learning to trust God at His Word. "You really will forgive me Lord, me, a _______?" (I leave this line blank. God, my self and a few of my brothers/sisters in Christ have heard my confession. I have prayed. They have prayed. This blog isn't being writen as a confession.) I want to be forgiven. I firmly believe confession is the way of throwing off the sin that so easily entangles. God took it to the cross.
So on our journey in 2009, God lifted my eyes to Him so that I could see that my help comes from Him, the maker of heaven and earth (psalm 121:1-2). The Lord is my helper. He sent His Spirit to help me. He not only helps me to throw off the sin, but to lift my eyes. It is like I had been blind trying to feel my way around not really able to fix my eyes upon Jesus. Now, I can fix my eyes upon Jesus, "who endured the cross with the joy set before Him, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God."
My helper lifted me to new heights in 2009. Like the you read in Habakkuk 3:19, "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights." Eventhough, you can see with your own eyes that I am not a fast runner, it is the Lord that carries me further than I can take myself. He receives all glory for the victory in our 1000 mile journey.
He taught me that "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." God gives me strength. God is my helper. God recieves all glory and praise.
He isn't finished. We have now entered into a new year, 2010. The Lord has given me a new challenge: to captivate everything that enters my mouth and to captivate everything that comes out of my mouth, so that I can give my mouth to Him for His good pleasure.
Yep, it's going to be an exciting year! I hope you will stick around. I will be blogging about this challenge. It isn't as tangible as 1000 miles, but it is the next set of lessons in learning self-control in my life. My next blog will explain the plans for this journey. I don't plan to be as lengthy next time. I should have another blog sometime this week. Check it out!
When I was young, my parents taught me the value of a strong work ethic. As a child, others pushed and motivated me to accomplish and succeed. I never really relied upon myself or our Lord to set a goal and move toward that goal in victory. I even took credit for the things accompolished as if they were challenging, when truly I had not really challenged myself. I was displeasing to our Lord.
During my senior year of high school, I injured my back and pretty much gave up all forms of exercise. Over time, laziness took hold of my life. It gave the devil a foothold over my mind and my body. Eventhough I had a strong work ethic, I truly lacked discipline. I knew about God. I loved God. However, I didn't understand what God could do for me. I didn't really know how to listen to His Spirit or how to let His Spirit guide me. So, I listened to my flesh. I battled with my flesh. I gave into my flesh. I lacked discipline to delay gratification, and I indulged. I sinned. Eventually, like I stated before, it took its toll upon me. However, God wasn't finished with me.
God taught me lessons along life's road. He gave me several tutors. Some of the lessons didn't make sense alone. Over time, the lessons compiled and my God brought me to the "o, my Lord, I have sinned against you," moment that He desired. (This isn't something that happens just once. I am just speaking about a particular moment necessary in my growth as a child of God.)
He showed me how lazy and indulgent I had become. This isn't the life God wants for me. It tears away at my mind and breaks down my body with age and illness. God wants an abundant life for me. My lack of discipline and self-control was/is evident in my life and keeping me from the fullness God promises. God has plans for me.
I don't know what God plans for my future other than eternal life with Him (which is all I need to know). I do know that God plans for me to bear fruit. Galatians 5:23 states self-control as fruit of the Spirit. God wasn't finished with me. He gave me opportunities and His desire to learn self-control. I am still learning and will through out my life.
To move this story along (yes it is already too long ask me if you want the longer version).....in 2009 I set out to run/walk 1000 miles. God had me in training over the past few years with tutors like Gillian and Lindsay (as well as many others). These ladies reminded me of the statement Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
So, God and I set out on our journey together. He took me back to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, a lesson I thought I had learned in 2007. (Oops, I guess I needed a review of that one.) Here, he reminded me that I am weak and only in Him will I find strength. God shows his power in weakness. Therefore, I had to proclaim like Paul, "for when I am weak, then I am strong."
God took me to other places in 2009. He took me to Hebrews 12:1-2. Again, this was another review lesson. This time it took on more meaning. I had known about the witnesses that have lived and struggled and walked with God before me. I had known about Jesus, the cross, and fixing my eyes. The new lesson here..."throwing off the sin that so easily entangles so that I can run with perseverance the race marked out for me." I've been learning about confession and repentance. A friend of mine recently wrote in his blog about the psalmist David and God's promise to forgive (Psalm 32:5). This scipture has a recent power in my life. I am beginning to understand 1 John 1:9. I am learning to trust God at His Word. "You really will forgive me Lord, me, a _______?" (I leave this line blank. God, my self and a few of my brothers/sisters in Christ have heard my confession. I have prayed. They have prayed. This blog isn't being writen as a confession.) I want to be forgiven. I firmly believe confession is the way of throwing off the sin that so easily entangles. God took it to the cross.
So on our journey in 2009, God lifted my eyes to Him so that I could see that my help comes from Him, the maker of heaven and earth (psalm 121:1-2). The Lord is my helper. He sent His Spirit to help me. He not only helps me to throw off the sin, but to lift my eyes. It is like I had been blind trying to feel my way around not really able to fix my eyes upon Jesus. Now, I can fix my eyes upon Jesus, "who endured the cross with the joy set before Him, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God."
My helper lifted me to new heights in 2009. Like the you read in Habakkuk 3:19, "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights." Eventhough, you can see with your own eyes that I am not a fast runner, it is the Lord that carries me further than I can take myself. He receives all glory for the victory in our 1000 mile journey.
He taught me that "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." God gives me strength. God is my helper. God recieves all glory and praise.
He isn't finished. We have now entered into a new year, 2010. The Lord has given me a new challenge: to captivate everything that enters my mouth and to captivate everything that comes out of my mouth, so that I can give my mouth to Him for His good pleasure.
Yep, it's going to be an exciting year! I hope you will stick around. I will be blogging about this challenge. It isn't as tangible as 1000 miles, but it is the next set of lessons in learning self-control in my life. My next blog will explain the plans for this journey. I don't plan to be as lengthy next time. I should have another blog sometime this week. Check it out!
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