Those people with whom I have a close relationship with , I find similarities in their journey and mine. Sometimes I wonder at the marvelous plan of God that He manages to put such friends into our lives.
Just as Christian had a comrade of some sort at all most all times in Pilgrim's Progress and Froto had Sam in Lord of the Rings , it seems we all get blessed with Sam's . How precious it is for our Father to not require that we travel our journey alone.
I was reminded today to not think of my God as a Sam. Don't think of Him as a person at all.
When I talk to Him don't think I have to hide what I am feeling . Don't think that He will condemn me and decide to leave me if I tell .
He is so far greater than our most faithful friend. So much more able to see us as we really are , and still love us.
I forget that at times.
I need to be reminded. His love is perfect. His love does not fail.
I can not even tell Him when I 'll be different. I can only believe that He knows I can through Jesus . I do believe He loves me and accepts me just as I am today.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE
It may be my human nature that always expects God to want me to give up something.
It may be that it is not always the Way.
Yet , when I look at Jesus , it was His way, everyday He gave up something for us.
With Joy, I want to add, with Joy .
I am expecting that I will be giving up something soon.
I am expecting that when I give it up , I will know that it was what God had asked for.
I also am expecting God to be faithful to fulfill all of His promises to me.
I do not want to run ahead of God and suggest that He would like me to give up something.
I want Him to be the boss.
I want Him to describe the offering He requires.
I want His words to me.
I can trust that He will be specific.
I can believe that He is involved in my life in a very intimate way.
I can believe that what He said He would do , He will do it.
I know that He LIVES !
It may be that it is not always the Way.
Yet , when I look at Jesus , it was His way, everyday He gave up something for us.
With Joy, I want to add, with Joy .
I am expecting that I will be giving up something soon.
I am expecting that when I give it up , I will know that it was what God had asked for.
I also am expecting God to be faithful to fulfill all of His promises to me.
I do not want to run ahead of God and suggest that He would like me to give up something.
I want Him to be the boss.
I want Him to describe the offering He requires.
I want His words to me.
I can trust that He will be specific.
I can believe that He is involved in my life in a very intimate way.
I can believe that what He said He would do , He will do it.
I know that He LIVES !
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Arise Shine
I get grouchy sometimes. In the winter when we have days in a row that the sun doesn't shine , I become grouchy.
Today the sun is suppose to come out . I am less grouchy just knowing that about 7:30 it will appear brightly through my window and give the light my body seems to crave.
There is a light that shines within me. There seems that there can be weather factors that can affect it's shining to.
Unbelief is probably comparable to a massive cloud cover , and depending on the density of the unbelief the lack of that light shining through me.
What causes that unbelief ?
Actually I would rather talk about the "belief" that I have today!
Looking ahead to the "sun" shining in me today.
You see I can become a complainer. This isn't right and that isn't right. Probably a symptom of a spirit of control trying to see if it can provoke me into making a difference. Oh, yes, I can change everything for the better. Right ! I've heard that lie before!
Well, the only thing I can do is choose to surrender my will to God.
This will make more of a difference than any other thing I can do.
I can accept that at His time , when He is ready , those things that need to change, will.
I can be glad that He is shining within me when I do all that I do , joyfully, cheerfully, heartily as unto Him.
I am thankful that it is His Spirit within me that gives me the strength to do just that.
Is. 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Today the sun is suppose to come out . I am less grouchy just knowing that about 7:30 it will appear brightly through my window and give the light my body seems to crave.
There is a light that shines within me. There seems that there can be weather factors that can affect it's shining to.
Unbelief is probably comparable to a massive cloud cover , and depending on the density of the unbelief the lack of that light shining through me.
What causes that unbelief ?
Actually I would rather talk about the "belief" that I have today!
Looking ahead to the "sun" shining in me today.
You see I can become a complainer. This isn't right and that isn't right. Probably a symptom of a spirit of control trying to see if it can provoke me into making a difference. Oh, yes, I can change everything for the better. Right ! I've heard that lie before!
Well, the only thing I can do is choose to surrender my will to God.
This will make more of a difference than any other thing I can do.
I can accept that at His time , when He is ready , those things that need to change, will.
I can be glad that He is shining within me when I do all that I do , joyfully, cheerfully, heartily as unto Him.
I am thankful that it is His Spirit within me that gives me the strength to do just that.
Is. 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Look At The Birds
My sweet daughter made an astute observation the other day.
While speaking about God , she said, "He did such a good job making us human."
He did , He did a great job of making us human and went to great lengths to convince us that we could be set free from all human bondage. Main thing He wants me to remember is that He cares about me , in my human state , and is cheering for me as I run this race to glorify Him.
While my favorite author Hannah Hurnard compares spiritual growth to that of a hind, (a kind of deer) I wonder if God's final metaphorical animal for us would be a bird.
Matt. 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
I will live this day remembering that I am of more value than the birds , and Jesus certainly does care for me.
While speaking about God , she said, "He did such a good job making us human."
He did , He did a great job of making us human and went to great lengths to convince us that we could be set free from all human bondage. Main thing He wants me to remember is that He cares about me , in my human state , and is cheering for me as I run this race to glorify Him.
While my favorite author Hannah Hurnard compares spiritual growth to that of a hind, (a kind of deer) I wonder if God's final metaphorical animal for us would be a bird.
Matt. 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
I will live this day remembering that I am of more value than the birds , and Jesus certainly does care for me.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Where I Stand
On Christ the solid rock I stand.
He went through the trying and testing for my faith.
Gave me this fruit and now my faith is victorious , because of what He did.
I have faith that He gave me , and I know His word to be true.
Can I love ?
Can I receive the fruit of love , just as I received the fruit of faith ?
Am I allowing it to blossom , or am I knocking the buds off with unbelief ?
Can I believe to love ?
On Christ the solid rock I stand.
He went through the trying and testing for my faith.
He has words for me to speak that will act as the sword of the Spirit , which is the Word of God.
I stand on a rock with a shield of faith and a sword of the Spirit and I love.
He went through the trying and testing for my faith.
Gave me this fruit and now my faith is victorious , because of what He did.
I have faith that He gave me , and I know His word to be true.
Can I love ?
Can I receive the fruit of love , just as I received the fruit of faith ?
Am I allowing it to blossom , or am I knocking the buds off with unbelief ?
Can I believe to love ?
On Christ the solid rock I stand.
He went through the trying and testing for my faith.
He has words for me to speak that will act as the sword of the Spirit , which is the Word of God.
I stand on a rock with a shield of faith and a sword of the Spirit and I love.
Monday, January 26, 2009
A voice of Truth
There are so many voices out there . I think the classic parable for learning to listen to the right voices is the parable of prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32 When I read this parable I can almost hear the Elder brother talking.
I however know there is another brother there for us , should we be in the spot the prodigal son found himself in.
That brother is saying , "Yes, go in and enjoy the banquet. Yes, I too am so glad you are now wanting to obey our Father. Yes, there is much joy in my heart because you once were dead, but now you are alive, you were lost but now you are found.
Since I know how the story can go , if only you hear the elder brother , I want to pray for my friends whose hearing seems to be tuned in to hear him too.
I want to pray that the voice of truth come to them LOUDLY. So loud that it will drown out the elder brother voice. Or more effectively would be a strong , truthful word. One that just knocks the wind out of the lie that the elder brother has been telling them for so long.
How do I know they have been listening to the elder brother ? Because they are still not in the banquet room enjoying a feast with the father.
Lord , give me words of encouragement to speak to those who are still standing on the porch , rather than going in to enjoy a feast with our father.
These words must come from You LORD , for only You have the voice of truth.
I however know there is another brother there for us , should we be in the spot the prodigal son found himself in.
That brother is saying , "Yes, go in and enjoy the banquet. Yes, I too am so glad you are now wanting to obey our Father. Yes, there is much joy in my heart because you once were dead, but now you are alive, you were lost but now you are found.
Since I know how the story can go , if only you hear the elder brother , I want to pray for my friends whose hearing seems to be tuned in to hear him too.
I want to pray that the voice of truth come to them LOUDLY. So loud that it will drown out the elder brother voice. Or more effectively would be a strong , truthful word. One that just knocks the wind out of the lie that the elder brother has been telling them for so long.
How do I know they have been listening to the elder brother ? Because they are still not in the banquet room enjoying a feast with the father.
Lord , give me words of encouragement to speak to those who are still standing on the porch , rather than going in to enjoy a feast with our father.
These words must come from You LORD , for only You have the voice of truth.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the LORD [is] upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to [the] poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to [the] captives And recovery of sight to [the] blind, [To] set at liberty those who are oppressed;To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."
When I read this I am assured that Jesus wants me to be healed. I do not have to wonder if He does. I know He does . Jesus was sent to heal the brokenhearted .
My word of testimony today is that I choose to actively live this word by seeing myself and those around me as people Jesus came to :
preach the gospel to,
heal the brokenhearted,
proclaim liberty to captives ,
give sight to the blind,
set at liberty those are oppressed
and
proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.
What Jesus did is still done.
I can choose to believe He did what He was sent to do.
I can live it by looking at myself and others (who know who Jesus is) with this attitude :
we are so blessed to have the gospel preached to us
we are so blessed to have healing for our broken hearts
we are so blessed to hear that liberty has been given to captives
we are so blessed to receive sight , we are not blind
we are so blessed to have been set free , we are not oppressed
and
we can celebrate because we are living in the acceptable year of our LORD !
When I read this I am assured that Jesus wants me to be healed. I do not have to wonder if He does. I know He does . Jesus was sent to heal the brokenhearted .
My word of testimony today is that I choose to actively live this word by seeing myself and those around me as people Jesus came to :
preach the gospel to,
heal the brokenhearted,
proclaim liberty to captives ,
give sight to the blind,
set at liberty those are oppressed
and
proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.
What Jesus did is still done.
I can choose to believe He did what He was sent to do.
I can live it by looking at myself and others (who know who Jesus is) with this attitude :
we are so blessed to have the gospel preached to us
we are so blessed to have healing for our broken hearts
we are so blessed to hear that liberty has been given to captives
we are so blessed to receive sight , we are not blind
we are so blessed to have been set free , we are not oppressed
and
we can celebrate because we are living in the acceptable year of our LORD !
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