Back to Mom's journal again today. She wrote an entry on circumstances. I can't wait to see what she has written (I don't read them til I put them down here!!), being it a topic that has come up a lot in the last few days.
Circumstances
Genesis 50:15-21 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Betrayed by his brothers- we are betrayed by our own feelings.
Falsely accused- circumstances are not always what they appear to be.
Imprisoned unjustly- we feel this way when it seems Satan is having his way in our life in the present situation. But, remember, God is in control and allowing it for our own good, especially for the purpose His plans are fulfilled in our life so He is glorified.
Remember
Psalm 145: 8-9 The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone, He showers compassion on all His creation.
God is good, His purposes are good, as is everything He does.
Psalm 103:19 The Lord has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything.
God is Sovereign. There is nothing outside His control.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
God promises believers that He will work things together for our good.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding, "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means yes) ascends to God for His glory.
God keeps His promises. Ponder on, meditate on, think on, the deeper teachings of Scripture--start with the Lord's character and promises.
Refuse to accept the circumstances - grasp the deeper truths of God.
Is god in every circumstance? Yes He is. God is in both triumphs and tragedies of life. He either sends them or permits them.
From me"
That's a lot to think about. Some circumstances are so sad, so dire, so hard to endure and yet God is using them...maybe even using more than anything u
those that are the most painful and difficult for our good and for a even greater blessing for others. I think of an article I read yesterday about a man who was martyred for his faith in Bangladesh. He left behind a wife and children. And yet his family and church saw people become more open to the Gospel...the other villagers were asking questions about Christ and why this man died for him. Even his own brothers and parents were at the funeral (they had disowned him) and got to hear the Gospel. His wife was blessed and happy because of this turn of events, even as she walked through her grief. When we are going through trials and tragedies, it is hard to imagine or see anything good coming from them. And it is even harder to see past them to the future glory, to remember that our trials are working in us a greater good and an eternal purpose. And it's funny because this was all what I've been talking with a friend lately. God is so amazing how He confirms His message. And yesterday while I was running...more confirmation in a podcast from Joyce on the transitory nature of this life and the problems in it...LOL God is wonderful!
1 Peter 1:7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
Lord, help me and all of us to keep our eyes on You. Let us be watching You through all our struggles to see what You are doing and trying to accomplish. It is when we get our eyes off of You that we start sinking into the waves of turmoil. Lord, work in me Your purpose. Thank You. Only You know the beginning from the end, only You have the wisdom and knowledge to navigate me through this life. Be glorified in all of us today. In Jesus' name. AMEN
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Spring Visit
It's a beautiful spring day...sunshine, warm and bright. Daffodils popping up and reaching for the sun. The magnolia trees are blooming. All around is coming to life. Thank You Lord for renewal. I look to all You do and see Your presence.
Let the spring remind us of Your renewing work in our lives. After a long winter of cold deadness, there is new life. Please remind us that is is true in our own lives as well. Help us to remember that when all seems dark, You are still with us, still at work bringing about our spring in Your perfect timing. Lord help us to trust that timing. Sometimes it's our own lives that feel this way, sometimes we look toward the world around us and see it getting darker and more sinister all the time. But the new day will come. Just a spring comes after the winter, year after year, so too will You renew our lives, our situations and our world when the time is fully right. Thank You Lord. Focus our eyes on You and not on the world and the evil thereof. Not on our circumstance and the hopelessness we feel in them. But focus us on You and the everlasting hope of Your love.
Happy Spring!!
Let the spring remind us of Your renewing work in our lives. After a long winter of cold deadness, there is new life. Please remind us that is is true in our own lives as well. Help us to remember that when all seems dark, You are still with us, still at work bringing about our spring in Your perfect timing. Lord help us to trust that timing. Sometimes it's our own lives that feel this way, sometimes we look toward the world around us and see it getting darker and more sinister all the time. But the new day will come. Just a spring comes after the winter, year after year, so too will You renew our lives, our situations and our world when the time is fully right. Thank You Lord. Focus our eyes on You and not on the world and the evil thereof. Not on our circumstance and the hopelessness we feel in them. But focus us on You and the everlasting hope of Your love.
Happy Spring!!
God Question
Yes, another of those thought provoking, deep probing questions the Lord likes to throw at me from time to time. As always, this was a lulu!! It brought quick conviction to my heart.
I was at work (my wonderful training ground, wilderness, Holy Spirit University...), and I was complaining in my head about a fellow worker, thoughts like,"oh, they just keep disappearing." "So and so is not here working, helping like the rest of us." "What, another 45 minute break!!" Things like that. I am so not sure if I am supposed to put thoughts in quotation marks....guess I should have paid more attention in English class, huh? LOL Anyways, you can see nothing I was thinking was complimentary or kind. And then God popped a little question in my head. "How can you love people when you are thinking evil of them?"
Hmmmm. Good question. And the answer is I can't. I can't show the love of the Lord, nor will I even want to when I am entertaining angry, hateful, disparaging thoughts about another person. When I am focusing on all they are doing wrong (justified or not) I become filled with anger and malice. I cannot connect with them, love them as Jesus loved me. I do not care about them or want to share the Gospel with them, be a blessing to them.
Just because someone is not living up to "my standards" does not mean I get to sit in judgement of them. "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37 If that verse alone is not enough to swear us off of judging and condemning others, I don't know what is. I do not want the Lord to judge or condemn me the way I do others. I want His forgiveness for my mistakes, which are many.
Gosh this is hard to live up to. I know what the answer to this question is and I know where my thoughts should turn when I start going down this condemning road in my head. But it's so easy to feel justified in my judgments!
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 8:7 ...Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (perhaps holding grudges is not such a good idea.)
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Judgments against another person (right or wrong), cause my thoughts to be filled with animosity. When I am filled with animosity I am not walking in the Spirit and will not want to, nor will be able to share God's love with someone who needs it. It is impossible to build a relationship with a person I am angry with.
So that was my question the Lord wanted answered. And now I have to start cooperating with Him to change this thought pattern. It's so easy for me to go with the flow, as it were in my mind. And doesn't it feel so good, make us feel so superior and righteous when we can point to another and say "well I don't do that....or I am better than them." Oh Lord forgive me!! Drive this from my life!!
I was at work (my wonderful training ground, wilderness, Holy Spirit University...), and I was complaining in my head about a fellow worker, thoughts like,"oh, they just keep disappearing." "So and so is not here working, helping like the rest of us." "What, another 45 minute break!!" Things like that. I am so not sure if I am supposed to put thoughts in quotation marks....guess I should have paid more attention in English class, huh? LOL Anyways, you can see nothing I was thinking was complimentary or kind. And then God popped a little question in my head. "How can you love people when you are thinking evil of them?"
Hmmmm. Good question. And the answer is I can't. I can't show the love of the Lord, nor will I even want to when I am entertaining angry, hateful, disparaging thoughts about another person. When I am focusing on all they are doing wrong (justified or not) I become filled with anger and malice. I cannot connect with them, love them as Jesus loved me. I do not care about them or want to share the Gospel with them, be a blessing to them.
Just because someone is not living up to "my standards" does not mean I get to sit in judgement of them. "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37 If that verse alone is not enough to swear us off of judging and condemning others, I don't know what is. I do not want the Lord to judge or condemn me the way I do others. I want His forgiveness for my mistakes, which are many.
Gosh this is hard to live up to. I know what the answer to this question is and I know where my thoughts should turn when I start going down this condemning road in my head. But it's so easy to feel justified in my judgments!
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 8:7 ...Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (perhaps holding grudges is not such a good idea.)
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Judgments against another person (right or wrong), cause my thoughts to be filled with animosity. When I am filled with animosity I am not walking in the Spirit and will not want to, nor will be able to share God's love with someone who needs it. It is impossible to build a relationship with a person I am angry with.
So that was my question the Lord wanted answered. And now I have to start cooperating with Him to change this thought pattern. It's so easy for me to go with the flow, as it were in my mind. And doesn't it feel so good, make us feel so superior and righteous when we can point to another and say "well I don't do that....or I am better than them." Oh Lord forgive me!! Drive this from my life!!
Monday, April 20, 2015
Inspiration Everywhere
Yesterday our church service was beautiful. From the music to Communion, to the sermon I found inspiration in all of it. It felt like one big eye opening, heart touching God visit!!
Starting with two of the songs we sang, "All Creatures of Our God and King" and "In the Garden". Both reminded me that Jesus is everywhere and in everything. His praises are sung by sun and moon, water and fire, as well as humans and angels. When the sun shines it is praising God. When the water flows it too is fulfilling it's purpose and making music to it's Creator. When the breeze blows, the clouds sail....from birdsong to a roaring lion, from the songs sung in our churches to the choruses echoing the halls of heaven....all give praise to the One who made them, who loves them. It's a wonderfully diverse world and the Lord gets praise from all of it. Only we as humans get to decide whether or not to join in this worship song.
The next song, "In the Garden". reminded me that I need to stop and take time to listen to Jesus. He has something to say, and He wants to spend peaceful, quiet time together so we can commune. Sometimes it gets hard to take that time, but it is so important to my life. And I do love those sweet moments together, it's hard to go out from them into the hard world.
Our sermon got me thinking of the Holy Spirit and the simple way we are to live in Him and let Him live through us. Let the gifts He gives us shine through us. Something else caught my attention as well, and it's funny as this comes on the heels of my Mom's journal entries on church. The simpleness of the early church....they devoted themselves to study, fellowship, the Lord's table and worship. What a wonderful formula for our churches, learn God's Word, be together, share in communion remembrance, pray and worship as one. It's funny how God just makes everything so much simpler.
Praising, spending time, living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, study, fellowship, communion, worship, and prayer....these are the the Lord's simple guidelines for a successful Christian life. And as we spoke about in Bible study that morning, we may not be able to obtain perfection in life, in our love for the Lord or in our behavior, but if we keep going forward in these things, Christ will do what we cannot do. And that brings me to another song on the radio as I drove home from church....Toby Mac's "Beyond Me". This simple perfection is beyond me but it spurs me closer to the Lord and reminds me to press on.
Acts 2:46
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity
Philippians 3:14
14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Starting with two of the songs we sang, "All Creatures of Our God and King" and "In the Garden". Both reminded me that Jesus is everywhere and in everything. His praises are sung by sun and moon, water and fire, as well as humans and angels. When the sun shines it is praising God. When the water flows it too is fulfilling it's purpose and making music to it's Creator. When the breeze blows, the clouds sail....from birdsong to a roaring lion, from the songs sung in our churches to the choruses echoing the halls of heaven....all give praise to the One who made them, who loves them. It's a wonderfully diverse world and the Lord gets praise from all of it. Only we as humans get to decide whether or not to join in this worship song.
The next song, "In the Garden". reminded me that I need to stop and take time to listen to Jesus. He has something to say, and He wants to spend peaceful, quiet time together so we can commune. Sometimes it gets hard to take that time, but it is so important to my life. And I do love those sweet moments together, it's hard to go out from them into the hard world.
Our sermon got me thinking of the Holy Spirit and the simple way we are to live in Him and let Him live through us. Let the gifts He gives us shine through us. Something else caught my attention as well, and it's funny as this comes on the heels of my Mom's journal entries on church. The simpleness of the early church....they devoted themselves to study, fellowship, the Lord's table and worship. What a wonderful formula for our churches, learn God's Word, be together, share in communion remembrance, pray and worship as one. It's funny how God just makes everything so much simpler.
Praising, spending time, living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, study, fellowship, communion, worship, and prayer....these are the the Lord's simple guidelines for a successful Christian life. And as we spoke about in Bible study that morning, we may not be able to obtain perfection in life, in our love for the Lord or in our behavior, but if we keep going forward in these things, Christ will do what we cannot do. And that brings me to another song on the radio as I drove home from church....Toby Mac's "Beyond Me". This simple perfection is beyond me but it spurs me closer to the Lord and reminds me to press on.
Acts 2:46
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity
Philippians 3:14
14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Masterpiece
Just a little moment and encouragement from the Lord to me. I have been a little down about my seeming lack of progress lately, just seeming to get stuck in the same old sins....and twice this morning the Lord gave me the same verse.....
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
God sees me as His workmanship, His masterpiece some Bible translations say, and He is the one doing the work in me, and it is His work I am to do. This is a done deal. I may not be seeing all I want to see, but He has determined that I am His workmanship and He has plans that I should be a blessing....If God says so than it must be true!!
Thank You Lord for the little encouragements with big impact You give throughout my day.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
God sees me as His workmanship, His masterpiece some Bible translations say, and He is the one doing the work in me, and it is His work I am to do. This is a done deal. I may not be seeing all I want to see, but He has determined that I am His workmanship and He has plans that I should be a blessing....If God says so than it must be true!!
Thank You Lord for the little encouragements with big impact You give throughout my day.
Mom's Info on Finding a Healthy Church
Guide to the right Church
1) Doctrinal text
a. Believes the Bible to be the Word of God is true and don't change anything (the church)
b. Deity of Christ is God
c. Jesus was virgin born
e. Jesus is going to return
f. There is going to be a judgement
g. There is a heaven and hell
h. Jesus went to the Cross and died a sacrificial death for you and me.
2) Is that Church building my faith.
3) Does that Church have a ministry to the world, missions, etc.
Titus 2:1-10 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. 3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. 9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
Qualities of a Sound Church (Spirit Filled Living Bible)
Doctrine: A right thinking church will not compromise on scriptural doctrine
1) The Bible is the Lord's inerrant Word and every verse is true.
2) Jesus Christ was born to a virgin, born of a human being and the divine Son of God.
3) A church must believe that Christ died a substitutionary, sacrificial death on the Cross.
Two other critical doctrines are the existence of heaven and hell, and the reality of a coming judgement.
Faith: The Church should be edifying to our relationship with God. We need teaching and encouragement to live a holy life of submission. We should be taught we are not victims of the world system but rather overcomers.
Evangilism: There should be ministry to non-believers with compassion toward the poor and a burden to share the Gospel with the lost.
The Church's responsibility is three-fold:
1) We worship God through song, prayer, testimony and many other activities. Exalting the Lord blesses Him and simultaneously feeds our spirit as we recall His blessings,think about His nature and remember He cares for us.
2) The local church is to teach the congregation. Spiritually, believers should always be involved in "continuing education." How do we do this? By reading Scripture, having Biblical principles explained.
3) The body of believers is to carry what we learn out into the world. Through evangelism and missions, we reach the lost with the Gospel.
From me.
The church has a big job here on this earth Thankfully we have the power of the Lord to accomplish it. Being in a church is essential for believers, we can't do this alone. I am so blessed to be part of a wonderful, living congregation where I can worship jointly, find refreshment from the world and be built up with like-minded people so we can all get on with the work God has given us to do, Lord, thank You for my church. And thank You for setting up Your body just this way. To need one another, to work with one another and to be led and empowered by You to accomplish Your purpose throughout the world. Let us be unified, let us be effective and glorify Yourself in Your people. Amen.
1) Doctrinal text
a. Believes the Bible to be the Word of God is true and don't change anything (the church)
b. Deity of Christ is God
c. Jesus was virgin born
e. Jesus is going to return
f. There is going to be a judgement
g. There is a heaven and hell
h. Jesus went to the Cross and died a sacrificial death for you and me.
2) Is that Church building my faith.
3) Does that Church have a ministry to the world, missions, etc.
Titus 2:1-10 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. 3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. 9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
Qualities of a Sound Church (Spirit Filled Living Bible)
Doctrine: A right thinking church will not compromise on scriptural doctrine
1) The Bible is the Lord's inerrant Word and every verse is true.
2) Jesus Christ was born to a virgin, born of a human being and the divine Son of God.
3) A church must believe that Christ died a substitutionary, sacrificial death on the Cross.
Two other critical doctrines are the existence of heaven and hell, and the reality of a coming judgement.
Faith: The Church should be edifying to our relationship with God. We need teaching and encouragement to live a holy life of submission. We should be taught we are not victims of the world system but rather overcomers.
Evangilism: There should be ministry to non-believers with compassion toward the poor and a burden to share the Gospel with the lost.
The Church's responsibility is three-fold:
1) We worship God through song, prayer, testimony and many other activities. Exalting the Lord blesses Him and simultaneously feeds our spirit as we recall His blessings,think about His nature and remember He cares for us.
2) The local church is to teach the congregation. Spiritually, believers should always be involved in "continuing education." How do we do this? By reading Scripture, having Biblical principles explained.
3) The body of believers is to carry what we learn out into the world. Through evangelism and missions, we reach the lost with the Gospel.
From me.
The church has a big job here on this earth Thankfully we have the power of the Lord to accomplish it. Being in a church is essential for believers, we can't do this alone. I am so blessed to be part of a wonderful, living congregation where I can worship jointly, find refreshment from the world and be built up with like-minded people so we can all get on with the work God has given us to do, Lord, thank You for my church. And thank You for setting up Your body just this way. To need one another, to work with one another and to be led and empowered by You to accomplish Your purpose throughout the world. Let us be unified, let us be effective and glorify Yourself in Your people. Amen.
More on Church from Mom
Mom wrote a few more pages of her thoughts and study on church. I am still loving the insight of expect to see God a church....something I always just took for granted in a way. When you get down to it, this Christian walk doesn't just happen...it's something we have to be actively seeking, working on, and open during. I am to be a participant not just a bystander watching from the sidelines. That's one of the things this blog is about...looking for God in all our moments, knowing He shows up and is present each and every day. But we need to be watching and open to His entrance into our lives. So lets see what Mom wanted to share on church. Let's see where God shows up today!
Ephesian 1:22-23 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Footnote from the Spirit Filled Bible:
The Church is:
-the present, physical presence of Christ.
-to be filled with Him by the Holy Spirit
-assigned by the Lord Jesus to represent Him, to minister His life, love and power.
Ephesians 2:1-10 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Footnote:
God's power is formidable (awesome), has influenced my life and I am truly transformed by Christ Jesus.
Looks like Mom was seeing that as His church we are in Him and to be like Him, saved and changed by Jesus, and to be an extension of Jesus in this world...sharing God's good news, His love and grace with the world around us.
Lord, help us to see ourselves as You do. Saved. Changed. Make us ambassadors to the lost. We are YOUR masterpieces, doing YOUR work. Lord....make this happen in me. Glorify Your name in Your church today.
Ephesian 1:22-23 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Footnote from the Spirit Filled Bible:
The Church is:
-the present, physical presence of Christ.
-to be filled with Him by the Holy Spirit
-assigned by the Lord Jesus to represent Him, to minister His life, love and power.
Ephesians 2:1-10 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Footnote:
God's power is formidable (awesome), has influenced my life and I am truly transformed by Christ Jesus.
Looks like Mom was seeing that as His church we are in Him and to be like Him, saved and changed by Jesus, and to be an extension of Jesus in this world...sharing God's good news, His love and grace with the world around us.
Lord, help us to see ourselves as You do. Saved. Changed. Make us ambassadors to the lost. We are YOUR masterpieces, doing YOUR work. Lord....make this happen in me. Glorify Your name in Your church today.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Quiet
Lately it seems quiet. Quiet in my spiritual walk that is. Perhaps I have let life crowd out my relationship with the Lord a bit too much. Or maybe it's just one of those times when we are just in a dry place. A little of both I believe. I was thinking about this yesterday and of course God came through with a couple of visits to let me know He was still there, even in the silence. Only God can make sense out of that!! LOL
So like I said a couple of things He spoke out in....one was my daily devotional from "Jesus Calling". The opening sentences: "When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing you everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you." Further in the reading it spoke on being thankful when nothing special seemed to be happening, when all was quiet. What seems to be silent and uneventful here may be a remarkable time in the spiritual realm. Things may be shifting and changing in a place where we can't see God's hand at work. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
Next was the song "Good Fight" by Unspoken. Just an uplifting song reminding me to keep pressing on, whether it seems an uphill climb or a dusty dry flat path...keep fighting, keep putting one foot in front of the other, Jesus is there with me.
,
So whatever stage we are in, He is there. It's His plan and He is working it out. Thank You Lord, for being there through all the times of our lives. Help us to focus on You and keep pressing on, in the noisy tumultuous time and in monotony.
So like I said a couple of things He spoke out in....one was my daily devotional from "Jesus Calling". The opening sentences: "When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing you everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you." Further in the reading it spoke on being thankful when nothing special seemed to be happening, when all was quiet. What seems to be silent and uneventful here may be a remarkable time in the spiritual realm. Things may be shifting and changing in a place where we can't see God's hand at work. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
Next was the song "Good Fight" by Unspoken. Just an uplifting song reminding me to keep pressing on, whether it seems an uphill climb or a dusty dry flat path...keep fighting, keep putting one foot in front of the other, Jesus is there with me.
So whatever stage we are in, He is there. It's His plan and He is working it out. Thank You Lord, for being there through all the times of our lives. Help us to focus on You and keep pressing on, in the noisy tumultuous time and in monotony.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Lost Phone....Again!
Yesterday I misplaced my phone. Ugh. You know that feeling....it's like a lump in the pit of your stomach and feels like a small disaster is lurking at the edges of your mind. I stood there waiting for cold cuts at the grocery store and went to check my phone so as to pass the time.....(probably time for another round of candy crush soda..LOL) And it was gone....not in my pockets, my pocketbook....no where I could find. Now the time is ticking by, waiting waiting waiting for what seemed like the slowest deli guy in the world to finish my order. All I wanted to do was run to my car and see if it was there, Run back to Target to see if I left it there. (which is what I thought since it was the last time I used it) Every muscle in my body was screaming TENSION!! And I kept saying to myself..."I will trust You Lord. I will praise You." All the lessons He's been giving in trusting and thanking in difficult situations, I stood there trying to put into practice. My brain wanted to panic and complain against the Lord, but yaaay me I stood my ground...I praised and thanked !! Then I got to the register. And the really nice cashier was talking to me, and talking to me, and talking to me! LOL This was just getting better and better. The Lord was really stretching this out, stretching my faith. Ugh!! This did NOT feel good. But I continued to praise and thank. Every muscle stressed, my mind wanting to freak out....but I didn't give in. Now, before anyone thinks this is about me, it's not.....it's all about the Holy Spirit and how He worked that victory in me.
So I get to my car, and there are to many bags to really search, but it's only a quick car ride home so I drive home (and of course had to wait for 2 people to make turns into the traffic!) and use the house phone to call my cell. Oh happy day!! I hear the beautiful sounds of Ozzy Osborne's Crazy Train in my car. Ok, but here is the real blessing...the real joy giver. It was not that I found my phone. Yes that was great and I was and am very glad. But it was the fact that the Holy Spirit worked in me the victory of praise and thanksgiving during this trial. I was so overjoyed at that progress. When everything in me wanted to run screaming at the Lord, complaining about why He allowed this and how could He do this to me when He knew my time and money was so tight...I thanked Him. And I praised. And I trusted. And if that is not a beautiful work He did in my heart I don't know what is. I am so grateful for this victory. And I pray that it continues and becomes my "go to" reaction more and more.
Lord, I thank You know for the victories You give in our lives. Please help us to see them and You more each day.
So I get to my car, and there are to many bags to really search, but it's only a quick car ride home so I drive home (and of course had to wait for 2 people to make turns into the traffic!) and use the house phone to call my cell. Oh happy day!! I hear the beautiful sounds of Ozzy Osborne's Crazy Train in my car. Ok, but here is the real blessing...the real joy giver. It was not that I found my phone. Yes that was great and I was and am very glad. But it was the fact that the Holy Spirit worked in me the victory of praise and thanksgiving during this trial. I was so overjoyed at that progress. When everything in me wanted to run screaming at the Lord, complaining about why He allowed this and how could He do this to me when He knew my time and money was so tight...I thanked Him. And I praised. And I trusted. And if that is not a beautiful work He did in my heart I don't know what is. I am so grateful for this victory. And I pray that it continues and becomes my "go to" reaction more and more.
Lord, I thank You know for the victories You give in our lives. Please help us to see them and You more each day.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Memories from Mom's journal. Church
He is Risen! Those three simple words fill us with hope and joy. I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Our's was quiet, filled with a beautiful Resurrection Sunday service and good food.
But as holidays always do, it brought back memories of years past with Mom and Dad, and all the fun we had doing Easter egg hunts and spending time with Aunts and Uncles. I find as I get older I miss them more. So with that I would like to share from Mom's journal today.
This entry finds my Mom thinking about "Church." And when I think about that I am so grateful to have a place to call "home" as a church. A place of acceptance and teaching and strengthening. A place to help and be helped. Worshiping with others, growing in the Lord together. It's no wonder the Lord told us to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together....He knew how much of a necessity it is. So on to Mom's thoughts.
Church--an assembly of Christians gathering for worship, sharing and teaching.
Acts 8:1,4,5 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution aroses against the church which was at Jerusalem and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.....Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Phillip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
The survival of the Christian church is assured in Jesus' words from Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
The church is made up of those who are called out of the world's system to practice a godly lifestyle.
Each person who receives Jesus Christ as their personal Savior belongs to the universal church, which is composed of the saints in heaven and on earth.
James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Hearers of the word, be not forgetful hearers, be doers of the Word.
Psalm 100:1-5 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations.
Enter into His gates (His sanctuary) with thanksgiving and with praises. Footnote: Enter into God's presence by means of dynamic praise, including singing, gladness, thanksgiving and worship.
The heart of worship is from the "heart." Prepare your heart. Expect to see God there (in the church). Humbly enter into God's house. Enter expecting. Be totally involved, singing, worship. Approach God as a congregation in purity of heart and mind.
All should be actively involved in the service. Listen intently to the teaching of God's Word. Work together for the glory of God. Worship together. Be unified: commit yourself to bring unity within the church.
Ephesisan 4:4-16 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and though all and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, til we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of Christ; that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into all things into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
footnotes (Spirit filled living Bible) vs 2-6 Unity is the responsibility of each believer and is to be pursued earnestly.
vs 13-16 A progressive maturity, stability and integrity taking place in every individual member's experience results in the whole body's growth (numerical expansion).
Praying with power for the church
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Philippians 2:1-4 (Unity thru Humility) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Footnote: We are to follow Jesus' example, Jesus is the perfect example of unselfishness. As Christ willingly laid aside His heavenly glory to come to Earth to die, we should be willing to look beyone our own interests for the sake of others.
Psalm 100:2 Serve the Lord with gladness and a right heart attitude.
Psalm 100:4 enter into His gates with thanksgiving.
From me:
A lot of thinking Mom!! And there are 3 more sections on Church which I will continue on a later writing. Something that really hit me was the section where she described our attitude coming into church....expecting to see God. That was my God visit from this entry of hers. That whole section she penned regarding our attitude in going to church.....Do I really go into church expecting to SEE God? Hmmmmm, something for consideration. And something to start doing!! I've never really thought of it that way.
I hope this gives you some food for thought everyone!! Praying that we all are rooting and grounded in His love together.
But as holidays always do, it brought back memories of years past with Mom and Dad, and all the fun we had doing Easter egg hunts and spending time with Aunts and Uncles. I find as I get older I miss them more. So with that I would like to share from Mom's journal today.
This entry finds my Mom thinking about "Church." And when I think about that I am so grateful to have a place to call "home" as a church. A place of acceptance and teaching and strengthening. A place to help and be helped. Worshiping with others, growing in the Lord together. It's no wonder the Lord told us to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together....He knew how much of a necessity it is. So on to Mom's thoughts.
Church--an assembly of Christians gathering for worship, sharing and teaching.
Acts 8:1,4,5 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution aroses against the church which was at Jerusalem and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.....Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Phillip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
The survival of the Christian church is assured in Jesus' words from Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
The church is made up of those who are called out of the world's system to practice a godly lifestyle.
Each person who receives Jesus Christ as their personal Savior belongs to the universal church, which is composed of the saints in heaven and on earth.
James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Hearers of the word, be not forgetful hearers, be doers of the Word.
Psalm 100:1-5 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations.
Enter into His gates (His sanctuary) with thanksgiving and with praises. Footnote: Enter into God's presence by means of dynamic praise, including singing, gladness, thanksgiving and worship.
The heart of worship is from the "heart." Prepare your heart. Expect to see God there (in the church). Humbly enter into God's house. Enter expecting. Be totally involved, singing, worship. Approach God as a congregation in purity of heart and mind.
All should be actively involved in the service. Listen intently to the teaching of God's Word. Work together for the glory of God. Worship together. Be unified: commit yourself to bring unity within the church.
Ephesisan 4:4-16 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and though all and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, til we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of Christ; that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into all things into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
footnotes (Spirit filled living Bible) vs 2-6 Unity is the responsibility of each believer and is to be pursued earnestly.
vs 13-16 A progressive maturity, stability and integrity taking place in every individual member's experience results in the whole body's growth (numerical expansion).
Praying with power for the church
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Philippians 2:1-4 (Unity thru Humility) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Footnote: We are to follow Jesus' example, Jesus is the perfect example of unselfishness. As Christ willingly laid aside His heavenly glory to come to Earth to die, we should be willing to look beyone our own interests for the sake of others.
Psalm 100:2 Serve the Lord with gladness and a right heart attitude.
Psalm 100:4 enter into His gates with thanksgiving.
From me:
A lot of thinking Mom!! And there are 3 more sections on Church which I will continue on a later writing. Something that really hit me was the section where she described our attitude coming into church....expecting to see God. That was my God visit from this entry of hers. That whole section she penned regarding our attitude in going to church.....Do I really go into church expecting to SEE God? Hmmmmm, something for consideration. And something to start doing!! I've never really thought of it that way.
I hope this gives you some food for thought everyone!! Praying that we all are rooting and grounded in His love together.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Praise Him
I was listening to Crowder's "Praise Him" on the radio today and thinking about the events of Good Friday all those centuries ago. Jesus is so worthy to be praised and worshiped. I imagined worshiping at the foot of the Cross the dying King and Savior. I am finding it difficult to put into words the thoughts and feelings that I experienced as this song played. How many Kings have died to save their people. How many Kings could warrant worship while they were dying. Imagine the Ruler of the Universe, the Creator, dying on that hard cross. There at the foot at that cross, He deserves our worship. It was almost as if I could place myself there at the base of that old tree where He hung dying and picture myself worshiping Him. And it was wonderful.
One did worship that day. As many hurled curses and insults, poked fun and cruelly mocked, others wept and despaired, one looked and saw a King, a Savior.
Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
One person there recognized Him and honored Him. He saw salvation.
Blessed Good Friday friends.
One did worship that day. As many hurled curses and insults, poked fun and cruelly mocked, others wept and despaired, one looked and saw a King, a Savior.
Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
One person there recognized Him and honored Him. He saw salvation.
Blessed Good Friday friends.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Does Someone Need This....Not Alone in the Furnace
From Daniel 3
The Blazing Furnace
19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.
24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god[g]!”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.
Romans 8:35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[o]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
I was listening to a Joyce Meyer teaching today and these verses came up. I felt the Lord wanted me to post them here on the blog....I am praying for whoever He is trying to reach that you will feel His love and support even in the midst of you fiery furnace. He is with you and will never forsake you.
Not my job!
"Remember that your ultimate goal is not to fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with me."
That was the line that bounded off the page in my "Jesus Calling" devotional last night. I had read this twice before that day, but it was the last reading that caused a jump in my thinking. Is that what I try to do? Is that causing anger and stress in my heart? That fact that things are wrong around me, whether at work, at home, in the world....wherever, so much of my frustration comes when I can't "fix" or change things. When all the complaining in the world provides only more frustration because nothing gets better, what happens? I get more agitated and more irritated and I lose my peace, my witness, I lose sight of the one good thing....Jesus.
So now this one line causing a shift in my thought process....it's not my job to change things around me (at least not in this sense). It's my job to focus on Jesus and let His love come through. The more I am in contact with Jesus, the more "sane" I stay. The more at peace I remain. I know a few weeks ago I was experiencing this to a greater degree than ever, but somewhere along the way I fell back into my old pattern of looking for, expecting perfection (and that is my idea of perfection) around me. Perfect house, perfect co-workers, perfect spouse, perfect drivers, perfect world around me, perfect me, everyone and everything performing and playing out as I see fit. When did I get to be God? LOL All the complaining in the world wasn't changing anything. Whether I complained to myself, my supervisor, my coworkers, my husband, to God....nothing changed.
So then this one sentence and it clicked. "Get your eyes off everything but Me", the Lord seemed to be saying. Wow, what a concept, focusing on the Lord! LOL
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staying on you.
The New Living Translation puts it this way:
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.
It all comes down to what am I letting rent space in my head. Where are my thoughts going. Thank You Lord for this rebuke and correction. Help me to focus my heart and mind on You this day and forget about the troubles around me. You are so good that You continually work with me on my weak areas. Your patience is awesome. Thank You. If You desire people, circumstances and events to change around me it is Your job to facilitate that change, not mine. I fix my eyes on You today, Please help me to keep them there.
That was the line that bounded off the page in my "Jesus Calling" devotional last night. I had read this twice before that day, but it was the last reading that caused a jump in my thinking. Is that what I try to do? Is that causing anger and stress in my heart? That fact that things are wrong around me, whether at work, at home, in the world....wherever, so much of my frustration comes when I can't "fix" or change things. When all the complaining in the world provides only more frustration because nothing gets better, what happens? I get more agitated and more irritated and I lose my peace, my witness, I lose sight of the one good thing....Jesus.
So now this one line causing a shift in my thought process....it's not my job to change things around me (at least not in this sense). It's my job to focus on Jesus and let His love come through. The more I am in contact with Jesus, the more "sane" I stay. The more at peace I remain. I know a few weeks ago I was experiencing this to a greater degree than ever, but somewhere along the way I fell back into my old pattern of looking for, expecting perfection (and that is my idea of perfection) around me. Perfect house, perfect co-workers, perfect spouse, perfect drivers, perfect world around me, perfect me, everyone and everything performing and playing out as I see fit. When did I get to be God? LOL All the complaining in the world wasn't changing anything. Whether I complained to myself, my supervisor, my coworkers, my husband, to God....nothing changed.
So then this one sentence and it clicked. "Get your eyes off everything but Me", the Lord seemed to be saying. Wow, what a concept, focusing on the Lord! LOL
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staying on you.
The New Living Translation puts it this way:
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.
It all comes down to what am I letting rent space in my head. Where are my thoughts going. Thank You Lord for this rebuke and correction. Help me to focus my heart and mind on You this day and forget about the troubles around me. You are so good that You continually work with me on my weak areas. Your patience is awesome. Thank You. If You desire people, circumstances and events to change around me it is Your job to facilitate that change, not mine. I fix my eyes on You today, Please help me to keep them there.
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