...which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.70 degrees...sun shine...light breeze
Sounds like a perfect day for lunch in the park.
Thursday, August 31
This is the day...
...which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.70 degrees...sun shine...light breeze
Sounds like a perfect day for lunch in the park.
Wednesday, August 30
Perspectives
Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven —Luke 10:20
Jesus Christ is saying here, "Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me." The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service— rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour "rivers of living water" through you ( John 7:38 ). And it is actually by His mercy that He does not let you know it. Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to "walk in the light as He is in the light" (1 John 1:7 ).
Tuesday, August 29
Monday, August 28
Joy of the Lord
It's Monday morning. It's cool and rainy outside. I'm quite tired from lack of sleep this weekend. It seems like it's been forever since I've seen the sun.
But this morning I was privileged to be able to read the words of the Son. What joy.
But this morning I was privileged to be able to read the words of the Son. What joy.
Thursday, August 24
In spite of ourselves
God is faithful in spite of our efforts.
Not through our efforts.
Not because of our efforts.
As we strive to become better mirrors of God's image let's remember to keep the focus on Christ, and not ourselves. Even when we think that we're focusing on "positive change"...it's always a temptation to focus on "will power" instead of "Christ power".
Just focus on Christ - Fill your heart with Christ - Fill your mind with Christ. Then trust in His power of sanctification.
It will come...in spite of (regardless of) our efforts.
Not through our efforts.
Not because of our efforts.
As we strive to become better mirrors of God's image let's remember to keep the focus on Christ, and not ourselves. Even when we think that we're focusing on "positive change"...it's always a temptation to focus on "will power" instead of "Christ power".
Just focus on Christ - Fill your heart with Christ - Fill your mind with Christ. Then trust in His power of sanctification.
It will come...in spite of (regardless of) our efforts.
Tuesday, August 22
Get up!
Get up off the floor, and stop making tired excuses.
Lay hold of the promises of the Word.
Let the Spirit flow through you!
Go.
Lay hold of the promises of the Word.
Let the Spirit flow through you!
Go.
Friday, August 18
Challenges and Pole Barns
*I know this is longish, but it's the best summary I could do*When you read the Word, do you read it to "prove what you've you been taught", or do you read it to examine whether these things were so?
It's something that's been on my heart for some time. It seems as though there are aspects of our church culture that reinforce our human tendency to read the Bible (or any book for that matter) with the mindset of cementing what you think you already know.
While I don't believe it's beneficial to wipe your mind clean every time you open the Word so you have to start from scratch (there's definitely a building process), I do think we tend to gloss over some very powerful truths and maybe even completely miss them, because they're outside the realm of what we're comfortable with.
I was chatting with my mentor this morning, and we were discussing the 4 pillars of a church that the elders have developed from their study of the Word. Being from a construction background, he explained it to me in terms of a pole building.
His tendency was to start at these four pillars and begin adding on from there. He was picturing getting into the word to begin adding "brackets" onto the pillars so that he could get the roof on this pole barn. In essence he was willing to accept the conclusions that the elders came to as final and as givens and build from there. However, while this isn't "wrong" per se (I have a lot of confidence in our elders), we discussed how we're missing out on blessings and growth by not digging down in our study of the Word and examining the foundations for ourselves.
Who knows, we might even find a couple more pillars to add, or maybe we don't see why one of the pillars is there, or maybe we find that we should replace one of the pillars with another. Then our challenge becomes finding out why we came to a different conclusion. Talk with your elder. See why he came to the conclusions he did. Maybe he'll explain some truths to you that you missed, or maybe you'll explain some that he missed. It becomes a give and take - an accountability - and in the process your faith is strengthened. You become much better equipped to give relevant answers to a world screaming for answers.
Now, when your pole barn gets the roof on it, you'll not only realize the blessing of residing in a building that keeps the elements out, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing the building intimately. You'll know the foundation is secure; you'll know the poles are strong; and you'll have confidence the roof will withstand when the strong winds blow outside. Your pole barn will be a place where you feel confident inviting those in who are standing out in the rain.
Let's be noble Christians!
*disclaimer: So as not to be misunderstood, I want to clarify a few thoughts. I hope that makes sense. Feel free to question/challenge these thoughts!
Thursday, August 17
*yawn*
Slow day. I might take off early. It'd be nice to just relax for an afternoon. The weather's beautiful.
Wednesday, August 16
Heart Surgery vs Facelifts
When you're struggling with a re-occurring temptation in your life, how do you strive to overcome it?
One method that is often used is to change the physical circumstances that seem to lead to the temptation.
For example: If I'm struggling with gossiping about someone, I'll just avoid talking about that person all together. Or maybe I'm struggling with really wanting something that's out of my price range, so I'll avoid driving by the store that sells it.
While I believe these sorts of tactics are beneficial, I believe they are one piece of a bigger picture. However, if you rely solely on these tactics, your chances of overcoming are slim.
James tells us that it is our lust that ultimately leads us to sin. Lust comes from within us. It's internal. It's not something that we can physically block, or avoid.
Jeremiah warns us of the wickedness of our hearts.
The reality is that we all carry flesh and blood. We all have a "sin-nature" that we're born with. Children don't have to be taught to do wrong. It comes naturally. That's why exterior changes and blockades will never completely fix our state. We must change from within. We must allow Christ to work His work in us. Paul writes about this struggle in Romans when he talks about the war between his mind and his flesh - how he doesn't do the things his mind wants to do and he ends us doing the things his mind doesn't want to.
Notice in verse 24 and 25, when Paul writes about his wretchedness and asks who shall deliver him, he answers by thanking God for Jesus Christ.
We can put up all the barriers in the world, but we still have to live in the flesh. As long as we carry this body, the Spirit will war against the flesh. Let's acknowledge this battle and purposefully turn it over to Christ and His power. Let us come humbly before Christ and admit our wretchedness - asking Him to transform our hearts.
Don't get me wrong. Physical barriers to sin most definitely have their place in our spiritual battle. We're commanded to "flee"...Job made a covenant with his eyes...etc... However, let's remember that these things are part of a much bigger picture - a picture of Grace and of Power - a picture of sanctification. You've missed the point if you think that by not driving by the store you've gained victory, when your heart still desperately covets that item.
Allow Christ to do heart surgery!
One method that is often used is to change the physical circumstances that seem to lead to the temptation.
For example: If I'm struggling with gossiping about someone, I'll just avoid talking about that person all together. Or maybe I'm struggling with really wanting something that's out of my price range, so I'll avoid driving by the store that sells it.
While I believe these sorts of tactics are beneficial, I believe they are one piece of a bigger picture. However, if you rely solely on these tactics, your chances of overcoming are slim.
James tells us that it is our lust that ultimately leads us to sin. Lust comes from within us. It's internal. It's not something that we can physically block, or avoid.
Jeremiah warns us of the wickedness of our hearts.
The reality is that we all carry flesh and blood. We all have a "sin-nature" that we're born with. Children don't have to be taught to do wrong. It comes naturally. That's why exterior changes and blockades will never completely fix our state. We must change from within. We must allow Christ to work His work in us. Paul writes about this struggle in Romans when he talks about the war between his mind and his flesh - how he doesn't do the things his mind wants to do and he ends us doing the things his mind doesn't want to.
Notice in verse 24 and 25, when Paul writes about his wretchedness and asks who shall deliver him, he answers by thanking God for Jesus Christ.
We can put up all the barriers in the world, but we still have to live in the flesh. As long as we carry this body, the Spirit will war against the flesh. Let's acknowledge this battle and purposefully turn it over to Christ and His power. Let us come humbly before Christ and admit our wretchedness - asking Him to transform our hearts.
Don't get me wrong. Physical barriers to sin most definitely have their place in our spiritual battle. We're commanded to "flee"...Job made a covenant with his eyes...etc... However, let's remember that these things are part of a much bigger picture - a picture of Grace and of Power - a picture of sanctification. You've missed the point if you think that by not driving by the store you've gained victory, when your heart still desperately covets that item.
Allow Christ to do heart surgery!
Tuesday, August 15
Power of Christ
"By the power of Christ in me."
Have you ever thought about that phrase?- what it means?- what it implies?
Sometimes when I'm on a spiritual mountain top - when I've been able to resist some temptation for a period of time - when I'm feeling close to my Savior, satan will whisper in my ear, "You can't keep this up. You've had good times before, and you've always slipped up. You've overcame before, and it hasn't lasted."
You know what? He's right. I can't keep overcoming. It's that simple. I can't.
But, by the power of Christ in me...well...that's a different story. Satan has no authority over the power of Christ. In the power of Christ satan has already lost, and he knows it.
That's why, so often, Satan focuses his attacks on getting us to forget that we have access to Christ's power. If he can get us discouraged, if he can get us focused on our abilities, or if he can, in some way, distract us from allowing Christ's power to work, that is the only way he can win a battle.
So what battles are you fighting? What strongholds of sin are you trying to tear down in your life? In what area's are you striving to grow spiritually?
Whatever they are, take them to Christ. Acknowledge our weakness. Acknowledge to Him that these things are so much bigger than we are, but don't let it stop there. Acknowledge to Him that, by faith, you want to lay hold of His power and allow it to transform.
May we all come to the place that Paul found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Have you ever thought about that phrase?- what it means?- what it implies?
Sometimes when I'm on a spiritual mountain top - when I've been able to resist some temptation for a period of time - when I'm feeling close to my Savior, satan will whisper in my ear, "You can't keep this up. You've had good times before, and you've always slipped up. You've overcame before, and it hasn't lasted."
You know what? He's right. I can't keep overcoming. It's that simple. I can't.
But, by the power of Christ in me...well...that's a different story. Satan has no authority over the power of Christ. In the power of Christ satan has already lost, and he knows it.
That's why, so often, Satan focuses his attacks on getting us to forget that we have access to Christ's power. If he can get us discouraged, if he can get us focused on our abilities, or if he can, in some way, distract us from allowing Christ's power to work, that is the only way he can win a battle.
So what battles are you fighting? What strongholds of sin are you trying to tear down in your life? In what area's are you striving to grow spiritually?
Whatever they are, take them to Christ. Acknowledge our weakness. Acknowledge to Him that these things are so much bigger than we are, but don't let it stop there. Acknowledge to Him that, by faith, you want to lay hold of His power and allow it to transform.
May we all come to the place that Paul found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Monday, August 14
A Hot Cup of Humility
This may seem long, but it's got a great message!!
A Hot Cup of Humility
Jennifer Morris
Contributing Writer
When I heard a crash and muffled giggling, I rolled over and squinted at the alarm clock and groaned. I meant to get up two hours ago.
Normally, I wake up at 5:30, way before the kid-chaos begins. I love my quiet time: my Bible, a cup of tea, a notebook--ninety minutes of peace and stillness before the kids hit the ground buzzing with energy, ideas and needs. Sometimes I eat breakfast (hot!) by candlelight. Once I realized the value in starting a day before the kids started it for me, I became a committed early riser. As a homeschooling mom, I've come to cherish that quiet time.
But this particular morning, good intentions didn't overcome fatigue, and I slept in. I snoozed right through it: the morning stillness, the prayer time during which I always feel close to the Lord, a few moments of reflective Bible study. I sighed and sat up.
The truth is, I'm a lot more pleasant to be around when I've had my quiet time. I just have more to give after I've been filled up. But oh well. Maybe I'd pray in the shower, I thought. Complete my Bible study lesson over breakfast. I'd make the best of it, roll with the punches. I've always wanted to be someone who could roll with the punches. Be flexible, I told myself.
In the kitchen I boiled water for tea and laid my Bible on the table. I needed to finish today's lesson in order to be ready for the meeting tonight. (Truth be told, I'm pleased with myself for always having my homework done.) Maybe the kids would stay occupied with Lego's or books for a while.
I brewed my tea, found my place in my Bible and workbook, and thirty seconds later, seven-year-old Eli stood at my elbow. "Morning, Mommy. May I have a cup of cocoa?"
Because I was being flexible, and rolling with the punches despite my late start to the day, and because I was determined not to be resentful (it was my fault, after all) that I missed 'my' quiet time, I said brightly, "Sure!"
Here's a little secret: I find it a hassle to make cocoa for the kids. I always spill the powder on the counter, the kids always want straws, that they invariably use to flick sticky brown droplets all over the table, and they never drink it all.
Maybe Eli would sip his cocoa while I did my lesson. And the water was already hot. So I rushed through the fixing, grabbing, spilling, and stashing, thinking, Watch out Presence, here I come.
Just as I set Eli's cup down, Zoe shuffled in, sniffing her blankie. "Oh boy. Can I have cocoa, too?"
Sigh. "Well, of course," I said, hauling myself out of my chair a second time. At least the water was still hot. I put my bookmark in my workbook before it fell closed, and fixed another cocoa. More spills, more powder, more dashing.
They chattered and slurped while I tried to focus. It was getting more difficult. Out came the straws. Soon they would be hungry . . . but I charged through the reading, determined to keep first things first. (Truthfully, I was pleased with my own dedication.) Zoe jumped up and grabbed a handful of napkins. I squinted at the lesson, trying to concentrate.
At the end of the page, I realized I hadn't comprehended any of it. So much for coming away to a quiet place. Just as I reread the first paragraph, my oldest son walked in and surveyed the table. Mugs, chocolate droplets, crazy straws. Big party. "All right! Can I have cocoa, too?"
I rolled my eyes and shut my Bible abruptly. "Why not?" I asked. I confess my tone was irritated. Quite irritated. The chair screeched when I stood up.
I grabbed the empty kettle and clanked it in the sink as I refilled it.
"That's okay," Brady said quickly. At eleven, he's adept at reading me. Of course, an ox could have read me just then. "You don't have to," he said.
"Oh, it's no bother!" I said, in a voice that showed it was indeed a bother. "I'm happy to do it." Eli and Zoe stared at me over the rims of their mugs. I turned on the burner and glared at it, one hand on my hip. Brady slumped into his seat.
Sunlight streamed in the windows, but a black scribble-cloud hung in our kitchen. "I want to do my Bible study," I said, as though that explained my dramatics.
Then Brady said, "I don't have to have cocoa, Mom."
"I'll fix you cocoa," I growled.
I was frustrated that I couldn't do what I wanted to do, and frustrated with myself for being frustrated, for being a prime example of how not to behave, for flicking anger all over everyone like hot cocoa off the end of a straw.
Brady looked up at me, and in a quiet voice he said, "I wouldn't have asked if I knew you were going to do it with that attitude."
Well, that big selfish balloon in me deflated. My hand dropped from my hip and my chin lowered.
Out of my son's mouth I heard God's lesson for me that day, more clearly than if I'd read it and spent an hour meditating on it. While it may be that I like my quiet time so much simply because I'm holier than most other folks (ha!), it became painfully clear that my motivation was partly rooted in pride. What I do, even the good stuff, doesn't matter nearly as much as the heart-attitude with which I do it. And while Bible study, prayer and meditation are important, we can expect object lessons to see if anything we're learning is sinking in.
So I sat down with Brady's cocoa and my cold tea and apologized. "I messed up," I said as I sponged the spots off my Bible. I asked if they would forgive me. Familiar with the Land of Messing Up, the kids grinned and nodded. For a while we just hunkered over our mugs. My mind skimmed over the day and I thought about the heart of Christ, which I wanted to bring to each task I encounter. And in between slurps and sips, I heard something like peace.
A Hot Cup of Humility
Jennifer Morris
Contributing Writer
When I heard a crash and muffled giggling, I rolled over and squinted at the alarm clock and groaned. I meant to get up two hours ago.
Normally, I wake up at 5:30, way before the kid-chaos begins. I love my quiet time: my Bible, a cup of tea, a notebook--ninety minutes of peace and stillness before the kids hit the ground buzzing with energy, ideas and needs. Sometimes I eat breakfast (hot!) by candlelight. Once I realized the value in starting a day before the kids started it for me, I became a committed early riser. As a homeschooling mom, I've come to cherish that quiet time.
But this particular morning, good intentions didn't overcome fatigue, and I slept in. I snoozed right through it: the morning stillness, the prayer time during which I always feel close to the Lord, a few moments of reflective Bible study. I sighed and sat up.
The truth is, I'm a lot more pleasant to be around when I've had my quiet time. I just have more to give after I've been filled up. But oh well. Maybe I'd pray in the shower, I thought. Complete my Bible study lesson over breakfast. I'd make the best of it, roll with the punches. I've always wanted to be someone who could roll with the punches. Be flexible, I told myself.
In the kitchen I boiled water for tea and laid my Bible on the table. I needed to finish today's lesson in order to be ready for the meeting tonight. (Truth be told, I'm pleased with myself for always having my homework done.) Maybe the kids would stay occupied with Lego's or books for a while.
I brewed my tea, found my place in my Bible and workbook, and thirty seconds later, seven-year-old Eli stood at my elbow. "Morning, Mommy. May I have a cup of cocoa?"
Because I was being flexible, and rolling with the punches despite my late start to the day, and because I was determined not to be resentful (it was my fault, after all) that I missed 'my' quiet time, I said brightly, "Sure!"
Here's a little secret: I find it a hassle to make cocoa for the kids. I always spill the powder on the counter, the kids always want straws, that they invariably use to flick sticky brown droplets all over the table, and they never drink it all.
Maybe Eli would sip his cocoa while I did my lesson. And the water was already hot. So I rushed through the fixing, grabbing, spilling, and stashing, thinking, Watch out Presence, here I come.
Just as I set Eli's cup down, Zoe shuffled in, sniffing her blankie. "Oh boy. Can I have cocoa, too?"
Sigh. "Well, of course," I said, hauling myself out of my chair a second time. At least the water was still hot. I put my bookmark in my workbook before it fell closed, and fixed another cocoa. More spills, more powder, more dashing.
They chattered and slurped while I tried to focus. It was getting more difficult. Out came the straws. Soon they would be hungry . . . but I charged through the reading, determined to keep first things first. (Truthfully, I was pleased with my own dedication.) Zoe jumped up and grabbed a handful of napkins. I squinted at the lesson, trying to concentrate.
At the end of the page, I realized I hadn't comprehended any of it. So much for coming away to a quiet place. Just as I reread the first paragraph, my oldest son walked in and surveyed the table. Mugs, chocolate droplets, crazy straws. Big party. "All right! Can I have cocoa, too?"
I rolled my eyes and shut my Bible abruptly. "Why not?" I asked. I confess my tone was irritated. Quite irritated. The chair screeched when I stood up.
I grabbed the empty kettle and clanked it in the sink as I refilled it.
"That's okay," Brady said quickly. At eleven, he's adept at reading me. Of course, an ox could have read me just then. "You don't have to," he said.
"Oh, it's no bother!" I said, in a voice that showed it was indeed a bother. "I'm happy to do it." Eli and Zoe stared at me over the rims of their mugs. I turned on the burner and glared at it, one hand on my hip. Brady slumped into his seat.
Sunlight streamed in the windows, but a black scribble-cloud hung in our kitchen. "I want to do my Bible study," I said, as though that explained my dramatics.
Then Brady said, "I don't have to have cocoa, Mom."
"I'll fix you cocoa," I growled.
I was frustrated that I couldn't do what I wanted to do, and frustrated with myself for being frustrated, for being a prime example of how not to behave, for flicking anger all over everyone like hot cocoa off the end of a straw.
Brady looked up at me, and in a quiet voice he said, "I wouldn't have asked if I knew you were going to do it with that attitude."
Well, that big selfish balloon in me deflated. My hand dropped from my hip and my chin lowered.
Out of my son's mouth I heard God's lesson for me that day, more clearly than if I'd read it and spent an hour meditating on it. While it may be that I like my quiet time so much simply because I'm holier than most other folks (ha!), it became painfully clear that my motivation was partly rooted in pride. What I do, even the good stuff, doesn't matter nearly as much as the heart-attitude with which I do it. And while Bible study, prayer and meditation are important, we can expect object lessons to see if anything we're learning is sinking in.
So I sat down with Brady's cocoa and my cold tea and apologized. "I messed up," I said as I sponged the spots off my Bible. I asked if they would forgive me. Familiar with the Land of Messing Up, the kids grinned and nodded. For a while we just hunkered over our mugs. My mind skimmed over the day and I thought about the heart of Christ, which I wanted to bring to each task I encounter. And in between slurps and sips, I heard something like peace.
Thankfully
I'm thankful for the power of prayer. I'm thankful that followers of Christ never have to feel helpless. I'm thankful that God is sovereign - even when things that I don't understand are occuring. I'm thankful for friends who are willing to help me grow in Christ. I'm thankful for friends who are willing to help me through my failures instead of reject me for them. I'm thankful for friends and family who challenge me. I'm thankful for sanctification. I'm thankful for imputed righteousness.
What are you thankful for?
What are you thankful for?
Friday, August 11
Holiness longed for
Something about this song just struck me. Notice how the verse explains our desire for holiness, our need for holiness, and God's desire that we be holy. Now, notice the chorus. It's as notable for what it doesn't say as for what it does say.
It doesn't say: I'll take my heart and form it.
It doesn't say: I'll take my mind and transform it.
It doesn't say: I'll take my will and conform it To Yours...
No, the author is speaking to the Lord, and he's speaking in terms of a request.
I need to realize that I can't will holiness into my life. Only Christ can take my heart, my mind, and my will and change them, through sanctification, into holiness.
It's not about focusing all my willpower on my area of struggle until I break free. It's about focusing all my life on my Savior until I find myself poured out at His feet.
Thursday, August 10
empty page
Something's different.
I'm not sure what it is - but it's something.
I just haven't had the desire to write posts lately. I mean, things have still been happening in my life. I even think about stuff that would make good posts...I just haven't been able to put the thoughts into writing.
I think it may have something to do with the fact that my thoughts have been really abstract lately. When I think about writing a post, I just can't get the thought into sentence form.
Holiness - Priorities - Conversation - Love - These are a few of the ideas I've been kicking around in my head lately.
Life's funny like that.
I'm thankful for the sovereignty of God.
I'm not sure what it is - but it's something.
I just haven't had the desire to write posts lately. I mean, things have still been happening in my life. I even think about stuff that would make good posts...I just haven't been able to put the thoughts into writing.
I think it may have something to do with the fact that my thoughts have been really abstract lately. When I think about writing a post, I just can't get the thought into sentence form.
Holiness - Priorities - Conversation - Love - These are a few of the ideas I've been kicking around in my head lately.
Life's funny like that.
I'm thankful for the sovereignty of God.
Friday, August 4
I Stand Amazed in the Presence
God is so amazing. I had the awesome opportunity this morning to start my day out by meeting with my new mentor for breakfast and discussing Kingdom issues. We met at Cracker Barrel at 6:00am and we talked until 7:30. It felt like we could have just sat and talked until noon. :-) I'm really excited about this new opportunity for growth and accountability in my life. We spent this first session just getting to know eachother's background a little bit and discussing where we saw this relationship going. We discussed God's sovereignty. We discussed being vulnerable before God. We discussed rising above the "grind of life" to focus on Christ 24/7. We discussed some of satan's tactics and how to resist those. We found out that we have some very similar struggles, and we're both excited that God brought us to this point of mentorship.
The joy Christ plants in our hearts, when we start our day out focused on Him, is truly an amazing blessing. There's just something special about verbalizing spiritual things with another brother in Christ.
Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God IN Christ Jesus.
Thursday, August 3
Trick Bike Show
This is absolutely amazing. Even if you have a slow internet connection, I would recommend watching this. I can't even begin to understand the balance some of these tricks would take!
Power or Poverty?
Every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory (1 John 5:4 NLT).
Dear friends: Are you experiencing spiritual power or spiritual poverty in your life? Many people are experiencing poverty. Dr. Billy Graham has said that according to his research, at least 90 percent of all Christians in America are living defeated lives. Others who are in a position to know the spiritual pulse of America have made similar statements.
A life of spiritual poverty is completely unnecessary, and does not glorify God. The many thousands of promises recorded in the Word of God apply to every Christian. These promises include: assurance of God's love (John 3:16), eternal life (Romans 6:23), forgiveness of sin (1 John 1:9), peace, comfort, provision, and many other promises.
The Bible promises that every Christian can possess love, joy, peace, faith, and many other beneficial qualities and be an effective witness for Christ. What is wrong? Why is the average Christian not experiencing this quality of life?
It is quite likely that, according to the law of averages, you are among that 90 percent to which Dr. Graham referred. You may have a heart for God. You read your Bible faithfully, you pray, you witness, you are active in your church; yet year after year you continue to fight a losing battle. Up, down, victories, defeats! Soon you cry out with Paul in Romans 7:24, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (NIV.)
The answer is not in ourselves, but in Christ. In the very next verse, Paul goes on to say, "Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Our Lord Jesus sent His Holy Spirit, the Helper, to indwell us, to fill us, and to help us live victorious, fruitful lives, which glorify Him. That is why God commands us, "Be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18, NIV). Father knows best.
We are filled with the Holy Spirit according to His COMMAND in Ephesians 5:18 (thus we know it is His will), and by faith in His PROMISE that, "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us -- whatever we ask -- we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14, NIV).
All of God's promises are for all believers, but they are not all automatic. They must be received, by faith.
Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright
Tuesday, August 1
Cry out to Jesus
Have you ever been in that place where you felt that all you could do was cry out to Jesus?
When's the last time you were there?
Are you there now?
What brought you to that place?
Ultimately was it a good place or a bad place?
I've been there. Recently actually. I got chewed out and lectured when I strongly felt I didn't deserve it. It's happened to me a few times in the last couple of months, and it's came from the same person.
Let me tell ya, it puts a whole new perspective on 1 Peter 2:20!It is incredibly hard for the flesh to patiently take an unjust accusation.
This experience also gave me an entirely new perspective on Ephesians 4:26. I was angry. I was very angry. Inside I was seething. My adrenaline was pumping like crazy, and I could feel my heartbeat. I wanted to hurt this person. But more than that I wanted to respond in a Christian manner, so I fell to my knees by my bed. I'm thankful that Christ can understand our hearts, because I'm pretty sure I would've been incoherent to another person.
So tonight I'm thankful. I'm thankful for growth. I'm thankful for sanctification. I'm thankful that I serve a God that knows what I'm going through and who's ultimate goal is my sanctification for His glory! How exciting! I'm thankful that I'm minutely closer to who Christ wants me to be than I was before this experience. I'm thankful for the potter, even when His shaping methods hurt.
When's the last time you were there?
Are you there now?
What brought you to that place?
Ultimately was it a good place or a bad place?
I've been there. Recently actually. I got chewed out and lectured when I strongly felt I didn't deserve it. It's happened to me a few times in the last couple of months, and it's came from the same person.
Let me tell ya, it puts a whole new perspective on 1 Peter 2:20!It is incredibly hard for the flesh to patiently take an unjust accusation.
This experience also gave me an entirely new perspective on Ephesians 4:26. I was angry. I was very angry. Inside I was seething. My adrenaline was pumping like crazy, and I could feel my heartbeat. I wanted to hurt this person. But more than that I wanted to respond in a Christian manner, so I fell to my knees by my bed. I'm thankful that Christ can understand our hearts, because I'm pretty sure I would've been incoherent to another person.
So tonight I'm thankful. I'm thankful for growth. I'm thankful for sanctification. I'm thankful that I serve a God that knows what I'm going through and who's ultimate goal is my sanctification for His glory! How exciting! I'm thankful that I'm minutely closer to who Christ wants me to be than I was before this experience. I'm thankful for the potter, even when His shaping methods hurt.
Group Pic
Here's one of the group pics from the weekend. I apologize for leaving so much space around the group, but through the manual viewfinder it was a lot closer than that, and I couldn't see the LCD screen because of the bright sunlight.
It was around 98 degree's with a heat index pushing 110. NOT fun conditions for a group photo. Thanks to everyone for cooperating so well!
It was around 98 degree's with a heat index pushing 110. NOT fun conditions for a group photo. Thanks to everyone for cooperating so well!
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