I overslept this morning and have a million things to so before going to work...I didn't get today's message finished...it is a deep one about sacrifice and obedience. The only thing I will say this morning is that even though I write these messages every day...even though I pray every day and feel closer to God than ever before, I STILL feel like something is holding me back from obeying God "with ALL my heart." There are things I can't seem to overcome no matter how hard I try...at 43 years old...am I supposed to be in total obedience?
Anyway, sorry for the mini "pity party"... I just know there is SO MUCH more work for me to do to be totally obedient and sacrificing the things that are holding me back. Sometimes it seems overwhelming...doesn't it?
My sun porch
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Becoming a slave...
This week's memory verse:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." -- Colossians 3:23
I have always been a big Civil War buff, and been intrigued by the time period. I also have never understood slavery. I grew up watching "Roots," "Gone with the Wind" and "North and South" and felt so much compassion for the men, women and children who were held captive. Living in today's world where I hear about numerous murders, wars and hate crimes, I guess I shouldn't be surprised by how hateful and hurtful one human being can be to another, but I have never fully understood why a master could threaten and beat his slaves just to get them to submit to them who held them captive.
The word "slave" has always held negative feelings for me, as it does for most people. No one WANTS to be a slave and have their freedom taken away. But, today's lesson talks about how we should be slaves to Christ.
Slavery was common practice in ancient times. Some slaves were prisoners of war, and some people sold themselves or family members into slavery to pay off debts. So, slavery is mentioned in the Bible often, as it was something that the people understood at the time.
Paul writes a lot about slaves and their masters in his letters. Read Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 3:22-4:1.
One way we might apply these principles to our lives today is to think of slaves as employees and masters as employers. In that light, whatever we do in our jobs, we should give it our best efforts, as if we were working for the Lord, serving wholeheartedly. AND if we are are the boss, we should do the same thing and treat our employees fairly, and with kindness, not threatening them into submission. If we ALL looked at our jobs in this light, wouldn't there be more people content with their jobs and less need to "vent" about how terrible things are? Hmmmmm.....
Paul also talks about being a slave to sin. Read Romans 6:6-7 and Romans 6:12-13. What does a slave to sin do?
A slave to sin lets sin rule or reign in their life...giving it control...offering up parts of their body to sin. A person can be a slave to food...we have to eat to sustain our bodies, but when the need and desire for comforting foods takes up a lot of your thoughts and your time...then you are a slave to food...you are offering up the health of your body to your food master. The food master doesn't care about your health...it just wants to be fed and NOW!
When you become a slave to Christ, or God, you allow obedience to HIM to rule your life instead of the unhealthy things that are trying to bring you down. Obedience to God leads to being a slave to righteousness which leads to being set free from your sins. Resisting your passions, not obeying them and letting them rule you will lead to allowing God to replace that NEED with peace in your heart. This won't happen over night...it takes work, strength and time to overcome the bonds of slavery to sin or whatever is holding you back.
Going back to my interest in the Civil War history...another thing that always fascinated me was the "Underground Railroad" and how it and the brave people who helped along the way led many slaves to freedom. It is hard to break the chains of slavery on your own. You need some helpers, some encouragers, along the way. You can always turn to God for guidance as to which way to go...but look for some friends who can walk the path to freedom with you!
Give yourself over as a servant of God and walk in obedience to His word. He will help you give yourself fully and completely over to him and you will be glad to be a slave to him. He is a master who will take care of you.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." -- Colossians 3:23
I have always been a big Civil War buff, and been intrigued by the time period. I also have never understood slavery. I grew up watching "Roots," "Gone with the Wind" and "North and South" and felt so much compassion for the men, women and children who were held captive. Living in today's world where I hear about numerous murders, wars and hate crimes, I guess I shouldn't be surprised by how hateful and hurtful one human being can be to another, but I have never fully understood why a master could threaten and beat his slaves just to get them to submit to them who held them captive.
The word "slave" has always held negative feelings for me, as it does for most people. No one WANTS to be a slave and have their freedom taken away. But, today's lesson talks about how we should be slaves to Christ.
Slavery was common practice in ancient times. Some slaves were prisoners of war, and some people sold themselves or family members into slavery to pay off debts. So, slavery is mentioned in the Bible often, as it was something that the people understood at the time.
Paul writes a lot about slaves and their masters in his letters. Read Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 3:22-4:1.
One way we might apply these principles to our lives today is to think of slaves as employees and masters as employers. In that light, whatever we do in our jobs, we should give it our best efforts, as if we were working for the Lord, serving wholeheartedly. AND if we are are the boss, we should do the same thing and treat our employees fairly, and with kindness, not threatening them into submission. If we ALL looked at our jobs in this light, wouldn't there be more people content with their jobs and less need to "vent" about how terrible things are? Hmmmmm.....
Paul also talks about being a slave to sin. Read Romans 6:6-7 and Romans 6:12-13. What does a slave to sin do?
A slave to sin lets sin rule or reign in their life...giving it control...offering up parts of their body to sin. A person can be a slave to food...we have to eat to sustain our bodies, but when the need and desire for comforting foods takes up a lot of your thoughts and your time...then you are a slave to food...you are offering up the health of your body to your food master. The food master doesn't care about your health...it just wants to be fed and NOW!
When you become a slave to Christ, or God, you allow obedience to HIM to rule your life instead of the unhealthy things that are trying to bring you down. Obedience to God leads to being a slave to righteousness which leads to being set free from your sins. Resisting your passions, not obeying them and letting them rule you will lead to allowing God to replace that NEED with peace in your heart. This won't happen over night...it takes work, strength and time to overcome the bonds of slavery to sin or whatever is holding you back.
Going back to my interest in the Civil War history...another thing that always fascinated me was the "Underground Railroad" and how it and the brave people who helped along the way led many slaves to freedom. It is hard to break the chains of slavery on your own. You need some helpers, some encouragers, along the way. You can always turn to God for guidance as to which way to go...but look for some friends who can walk the path to freedom with you!
Give yourself over as a servant of God and walk in obedience to His word. He will help you give yourself fully and completely over to him and you will be glad to be a slave to him. He is a master who will take care of you.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
An undivided heart...
This week's memory verse:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." -- Colossians 3:23
Ladies and gentlemen...may I have your undivided attention please? That means, turn off the radio, TV or IPod and place ALL your attention on these words that I have written just for you...
Our attention, efforts and our HEARTS have so many places to focus today...so many directions to be looking...so many things to distract us. "With all your heart" sounds good, but is it possible to really do anything "with ALL your heart?"
The Bible, and therefore, God thinks it is. Look up the following verses about what we are to do "with all your heart."
Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love
Deuteronomy 26:16 - Observe
Psalm 9:1 - Praise
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust
Jeremiah 29:13 - Seek
Ephesians 6:7 - Serve
Colossians 3:23 - Work
God is telling us...using the verbs (ACTION words) above...what we are to be doing with ALL our heart.
Psalm 86:11-12 - the writer of these words is asking God to teach him AND to give him an UNDIVIDED heart...a heart that is not torn between God and the world. He wants this so he can fear God (do what God tells him to do) AND praise him WITH ALL HIS HEART. This man knew that his attention and his heart was easily distracted and was asking God to help him do what he was having trouble doing on his own.
Exodus 20:5 says God is a jealous god who wants our complete devotion. I don't think this is for his own glory...that he NEEDS our devotion. I believe that God KNOWS that when we are fully devoted and focused on him, we are not as apt to get ourselves in trouble...we are safer and happier when our hearts totally belong to God.
Revelations 3:15-16 speaks about being "lukewarm"...lukewarm is neither hot nor cold...not totally devoted...not whole-heartedly. I think a lot of us are lukewarm about a lot of things, including our God.
Like the son in yesterday's story who said he wouldn't go to the fields, but changed his mind and went...do we go...do we do what God tells us to, but grumbling all the way? Do we complain about HAVING to eat right...HAVING to exercise...HAVING to spend wisely...HAVING to forgive???
If we were giving God our undivided heart, we would realize these were things we don't HAVE to do...these are things we GET to do...we CHOOSE to do them to be more balanced and healthy for our benefit but also to give God the glory. When we do these things in the name of Jesus, we are showing the world that our heart TOTALLY belongs to God...we are allowing his light to shine through us so people will see God and want to give their hearts to him as well.
So the next time you are tempted to grumble and say "I HAVE TO..." replace that phrase with an expression of love for God. Thank him for teaching you self- discipline and for putting your divided heart back together again.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." -- Colossians 3:23
Ladies and gentlemen...may I have your undivided attention please? That means, turn off the radio, TV or IPod and place ALL your attention on these words that I have written just for you...
Our attention, efforts and our HEARTS have so many places to focus today...so many directions to be looking...so many things to distract us. "With all your heart" sounds good, but is it possible to really do anything "with ALL your heart?"
The Bible, and therefore, God thinks it is. Look up the following verses about what we are to do "with all your heart."
Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love
Deuteronomy 26:16 - Observe
Psalm 9:1 - Praise
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust
Jeremiah 29:13 - Seek
Ephesians 6:7 - Serve
Colossians 3:23 - Work
God is telling us...using the verbs (ACTION words) above...what we are to be doing with ALL our heart.
Psalm 86:11-12 - the writer of these words is asking God to teach him AND to give him an UNDIVIDED heart...a heart that is not torn between God and the world. He wants this so he can fear God (do what God tells him to do) AND praise him WITH ALL HIS HEART. This man knew that his attention and his heart was easily distracted and was asking God to help him do what he was having trouble doing on his own.
Exodus 20:5 says God is a jealous god who wants our complete devotion. I don't think this is for his own glory...that he NEEDS our devotion. I believe that God KNOWS that when we are fully devoted and focused on him, we are not as apt to get ourselves in trouble...we are safer and happier when our hearts totally belong to God.
Revelations 3:15-16 speaks about being "lukewarm"...lukewarm is neither hot nor cold...not totally devoted...not whole-heartedly. I think a lot of us are lukewarm about a lot of things, including our God.
Like the son in yesterday's story who said he wouldn't go to the fields, but changed his mind and went...do we go...do we do what God tells us to, but grumbling all the way? Do we complain about HAVING to eat right...HAVING to exercise...HAVING to spend wisely...HAVING to forgive???
If we were giving God our undivided heart, we would realize these were things we don't HAVE to do...these are things we GET to do...we CHOOSE to do them to be more balanced and healthy for our benefit but also to give God the glory. When we do these things in the name of Jesus, we are showing the world that our heart TOTALLY belongs to God...we are allowing his light to shine through us so people will see God and want to give their hearts to him as well.
So the next time you are tempted to grumble and say "I HAVE TO..." replace that phrase with an expression of love for God. Thank him for teaching you self- discipline and for putting your divided heart back together again.
Monday, June 20, 2011
No half-hearted efforts today!
This week's memory verse:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men." -- Colossians 3:23
The introduction to this week's lessons talks about Matthew 21:28-31. Jesus tells a story about a man with 2 sons. When he told the sons to go to the fields and work, the first son said, "No, I will not," but later changed his mind and went. The second son said, "Yes, sir, I will go." but he never went.
Of course, the first son is the hero of the story, even if he threw a tantrum and said he wouldn't do what he was told...he DID go! My problem is...I tend to be a people-pleaser, saying and doing things to make others happy. I need to make sure I follow through and DO the things I say I will do.
But I worry about that first son's story...yes he did what he was told, even if he grumbled and refused at first...but HOW did he do the job? Did he go to the fields still grumbling? Did he tend to the crop half-heartedly, just to say he did as his father asked?
Our memory verse AND Colossians 3:17 say we are to do EVERYTHING we do or say in the name of Jesus...which means we should do our best effort...with ALL OUR HEART...
I have many tasks in my life...things that I have to do every day...some are not so much fun...like paying bills and exercising...but since I say I am going to do them, I should give them by BEST effort.
I don't like to think of myself doing anything half-heartedly...but truth be told...I think that happens more times than I want to admit, even to myself. Is there enough of my heart, my energy in me to give EVERYTHING I do that much effort and do it for the Lord? Can I really do things like...cleaning out the cat box (I HATE that job!!!) with high energy and thanksgiving as I do it? If that job helps to take care of my family, then yes I can and I will.
There are MANY things in this life we don't want to do, but there are negative consequences if we don't do them...those are "thankless jobs." But if we look at those jobs in a different light...do them in Jesus' name...with the honor and glory that goes with that...AND remember to give thanks to God at the same time...those tasks may seem easier to deal with.
AND, we can remember that Colossians 3:24 says that when we do things with all our heart, the Lord with give us our inheritance as a reward. We are children of the Lord...the King! If we believe his promises, then we will receive our inheritance and live with him in heaven forever!
I think I will try to remember that the next time I am cleaning out the cat box and paying the monthly bills...doing those not-so-fun tasks with all my heart, giving thanks for the opportunity to do them and KNOW that one day I will be in heaven forever...I know there will be no pain or tears in heaven, but I sure hope there are cat boxes in heaven either!
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men." -- Colossians 3:23
The introduction to this week's lessons talks about Matthew 21:28-31. Jesus tells a story about a man with 2 sons. When he told the sons to go to the fields and work, the first son said, "No, I will not," but later changed his mind and went. The second son said, "Yes, sir, I will go." but he never went.
Of course, the first son is the hero of the story, even if he threw a tantrum and said he wouldn't do what he was told...he DID go! My problem is...I tend to be a people-pleaser, saying and doing things to make others happy. I need to make sure I follow through and DO the things I say I will do.
But I worry about that first son's story...yes he did what he was told, even if he grumbled and refused at first...but HOW did he do the job? Did he go to the fields still grumbling? Did he tend to the crop half-heartedly, just to say he did as his father asked?
Our memory verse AND Colossians 3:17 say we are to do EVERYTHING we do or say in the name of Jesus...which means we should do our best effort...with ALL OUR HEART...
I have many tasks in my life...things that I have to do every day...some are not so much fun...like paying bills and exercising...but since I say I am going to do them, I should give them by BEST effort.
I don't like to think of myself doing anything half-heartedly...but truth be told...I think that happens more times than I want to admit, even to myself. Is there enough of my heart, my energy in me to give EVERYTHING I do that much effort and do it for the Lord? Can I really do things like...cleaning out the cat box (I HATE that job!!!) with high energy and thanksgiving as I do it? If that job helps to take care of my family, then yes I can and I will.
There are MANY things in this life we don't want to do, but there are negative consequences if we don't do them...those are "thankless jobs." But if we look at those jobs in a different light...do them in Jesus' name...with the honor and glory that goes with that...AND remember to give thanks to God at the same time...those tasks may seem easier to deal with.
AND, we can remember that Colossians 3:24 says that when we do things with all our heart, the Lord with give us our inheritance as a reward. We are children of the Lord...the King! If we believe his promises, then we will receive our inheritance and live with him in heaven forever!
I think I will try to remember that the next time I am cleaning out the cat box and paying the monthly bills...doing those not-so-fun tasks with all my heart, giving thanks for the opportunity to do them and KNOW that one day I will be in heaven forever...I know there will be no pain or tears in heaven, but I sure hope there are cat boxes in heaven either!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Hell...and other things I don't understand
This week's memory verse:
"Being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 1:6
Even though I rely on God's leading and pray for his peace every day, there are so many things that I don't understand about God and his word. Several years ago, I bought a study Bible that has a concordance...this helps me TRY to understand better. I can look up a word or phrase that is troubling to me, and look for all the times it is mentioned in the Bible. Then there are notes at the bottom of each page that attempt to explain what each verse is saying. There are still many things that confuse me or things that keep me thinking.
Hell is one of those things. There are some that believe that this life is as good as it gets...there is no heaven, no hell, just this life....when your dead, you're dead. There are several Bible scholars, including author Randy Alcorn, who believes this is true...for unbelievers. He says that for those who don't put their trust in Jesus, for those who refuse his gift of salvation, this world is as close to heaven as they are ever going to get. This world full of war, poverty, famine, disease, hardship...this is as much paradise as they will ever experience. And he goes on to say that it gets worse...they will experience hell on top of it.
In the Bible, Hell is mentioned 14 times, and Hades (the place of death) is mentioned 5 times. I looked them all up. Hell actually refers to a place near Jerusalem...a cavern where people threw trash, and where human sacrifices made by ancient pagans. Many times, fires were started in this cavern...making it a "hellish" place. Again, Jesus uses things people are familiar with to help them understand his teachings. When he mentions hell, he is talking about a place that you don't want to end up. (Matthew 5:22)
There are also verses where the dead are in hades or hell and are separated from God. Take Luke 16:23, where Jesus is talking about Lazarus and a rich man. Lazarus was a beggar outside the gate of the rich man's house. Both men died...Lazarus goes to the side of Abraham (Father of the Jews; home of the righteous) and the rich man was in torment in hell. These two places were separated by a deep and impossible to cross chasm.
I heard a pastor explain hell as a place totally separated from God. There may or may not be flames and terrible heat, but the torment of being apart from God and everything good, beautiful, pleasant, happy, restful and peaceful was apparent....for ETERNITY!
Why am I talking about hell today...well, that was the topic of today's Bible study...and it is one of those things I struggle to understand. Since I tend to be a worrier by nature, I worry about the people I love who don't believe in Jesus...I don't want my loved ones (and other people as well) to go to hell. I struggle to understand why God would destroy his creations just because they don't believe. Talking about hell makes me uncomfortable...but you can't avoid difficult topics just because they make you uncomfortable. I try to study and understand things better.
I do know and have confidence that because I do believe, I will see Jesus face to face one day...I will have all my questions answered and live in paradise for eternity. Why do I know that? Why do I believe something I don't understand? It all goes back to faith...believing in something you can't see because of all the miracles you can see. I have seen too much proof that there is a God...I have felt the peace and calm of his presence...I have seen the beauties of his creation and the marvels of the human body...these things bring me comfort and get me through each day...these things give me hope. I would much rather go through my life with this hope than to live a hopeless life of thinking this is all there is, and be separate from God for eternity.
"Being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 1:6
Even though I rely on God's leading and pray for his peace every day, there are so many things that I don't understand about God and his word. Several years ago, I bought a study Bible that has a concordance...this helps me TRY to understand better. I can look up a word or phrase that is troubling to me, and look for all the times it is mentioned in the Bible. Then there are notes at the bottom of each page that attempt to explain what each verse is saying. There are still many things that confuse me or things that keep me thinking.
Hell is one of those things. There are some that believe that this life is as good as it gets...there is no heaven, no hell, just this life....when your dead, you're dead. There are several Bible scholars, including author Randy Alcorn, who believes this is true...for unbelievers. He says that for those who don't put their trust in Jesus, for those who refuse his gift of salvation, this world is as close to heaven as they are ever going to get. This world full of war, poverty, famine, disease, hardship...this is as much paradise as they will ever experience. And he goes on to say that it gets worse...they will experience hell on top of it.
In the Bible, Hell is mentioned 14 times, and Hades (the place of death) is mentioned 5 times. I looked them all up. Hell actually refers to a place near Jerusalem...a cavern where people threw trash, and where human sacrifices made by ancient pagans. Many times, fires were started in this cavern...making it a "hellish" place. Again, Jesus uses things people are familiar with to help them understand his teachings. When he mentions hell, he is talking about a place that you don't want to end up. (Matthew 5:22)
There are also verses where the dead are in hades or hell and are separated from God. Take Luke 16:23, where Jesus is talking about Lazarus and a rich man. Lazarus was a beggar outside the gate of the rich man's house. Both men died...Lazarus goes to the side of Abraham (Father of the Jews; home of the righteous) and the rich man was in torment in hell. These two places were separated by a deep and impossible to cross chasm.
I heard a pastor explain hell as a place totally separated from God. There may or may not be flames and terrible heat, but the torment of being apart from God and everything good, beautiful, pleasant, happy, restful and peaceful was apparent....for ETERNITY!
Why am I talking about hell today...well, that was the topic of today's Bible study...and it is one of those things I struggle to understand. Since I tend to be a worrier by nature, I worry about the people I love who don't believe in Jesus...I don't want my loved ones (and other people as well) to go to hell. I struggle to understand why God would destroy his creations just because they don't believe. Talking about hell makes me uncomfortable...but you can't avoid difficult topics just because they make you uncomfortable. I try to study and understand things better.
I do know and have confidence that because I do believe, I will see Jesus face to face one day...I will have all my questions answered and live in paradise for eternity. Why do I know that? Why do I believe something I don't understand? It all goes back to faith...believing in something you can't see because of all the miracles you can see. I have seen too much proof that there is a God...I have felt the peace and calm of his presence...I have seen the beauties of his creation and the marvels of the human body...these things bring me comfort and get me through each day...these things give me hope. I would much rather go through my life with this hope than to live a hopeless life of thinking this is all there is, and be separate from God for eternity.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Peace--God's protective custody
This week's memory verse:
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 1:6
Peace -- we long for it, but we wonder if it really exists. I don't think the kind of peace we really want does exist. A life without conflict and trials and problems...we are NEVER promised that, but we want it. We need to come to the realization that real peace may mean something else.
In Isaiah 26:3, God does promise perfect peace to those who are steadfast and trust in him.
In John 14:27, Jesus describes peace as a gift, a gift from God, THROUGH Jesus.
That verse goes on to say that he doesn't give as the world gives...the world describes peace as an absence of conflict. Jesus says HIS peace is confident assurance in any circumstance. A person who believes in God, trusts his word, and believes that through Christ her sins are forgiven is given a peace that is the opposite of anxiety. This peace comes when that person gives all cares and concerns to God in prayer and worries about them no more.
Philippians 4:7 describes this peace as something that we cannot understand, but it will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus. My study bible says this means that the believer is in "God's protective custody."
All of these verses do not say this peace comes easily or that is stays with us every day, every moment. I have found this peace several times in my life...where I had peace about a tough situation I was dealing with...I could deal with it...I was ok with it...this didn't just HAPPEN...I went to God in prayer and GAVE the situation TO HIM...and THEN I had peace about it. The conflict and hard stuff didn't just go away...it was how I FELT about it...I didn't worry about it any more...I KNEW God was taking care of it.
I know this peace doesn't come to me all the time...I still have problems, I still worry. But, when I stop trying to figure it out by myself and pray about it...LISTEN for God's leading...pray with friends about it and listen to their guidance as well...a peace comes over me about it...it is like the verse says...I don't UNDERSTAND how it happens, but I just get a peaceful feeling about it. It is too bad I don't do this more often, and with ALL the conflicts in my life...but I am human and for whatever reason, I tend to hang on to some issues. Do you do that too?
I want to hang on instead, to the idea that I am in God's protective custody...that he is watching out for me in EVERY situation...if I believed that more often, I would find that peaceful feeling more often. What if MORE of us felt that way more often? I know that there will always be reasons for anxiety, but maybe if more people turned to God more often, we would find more peace in the world...it's a nice thought, isn't it?
I pray that the God of peace, who loved us so much that he sent Jesus to be our Shepard and take care of us, equips you with everything good to do his will today, and may he bring you the peace that you need today and in days to come. (taken from Hebrews 13:20-21, put in my own words)
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 1:6
Peace -- we long for it, but we wonder if it really exists. I don't think the kind of peace we really want does exist. A life without conflict and trials and problems...we are NEVER promised that, but we want it. We need to come to the realization that real peace may mean something else.
In Isaiah 26:3, God does promise perfect peace to those who are steadfast and trust in him.
In John 14:27, Jesus describes peace as a gift, a gift from God, THROUGH Jesus.
That verse goes on to say that he doesn't give as the world gives...the world describes peace as an absence of conflict. Jesus says HIS peace is confident assurance in any circumstance. A person who believes in God, trusts his word, and believes that through Christ her sins are forgiven is given a peace that is the opposite of anxiety. This peace comes when that person gives all cares and concerns to God in prayer and worries about them no more.
Philippians 4:7 describes this peace as something that we cannot understand, but it will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus. My study bible says this means that the believer is in "God's protective custody."
All of these verses do not say this peace comes easily or that is stays with us every day, every moment. I have found this peace several times in my life...where I had peace about a tough situation I was dealing with...I could deal with it...I was ok with it...this didn't just HAPPEN...I went to God in prayer and GAVE the situation TO HIM...and THEN I had peace about it. The conflict and hard stuff didn't just go away...it was how I FELT about it...I didn't worry about it any more...I KNEW God was taking care of it.
I know this peace doesn't come to me all the time...I still have problems, I still worry. But, when I stop trying to figure it out by myself and pray about it...LISTEN for God's leading...pray with friends about it and listen to their guidance as well...a peace comes over me about it...it is like the verse says...I don't UNDERSTAND how it happens, but I just get a peaceful feeling about it. It is too bad I don't do this more often, and with ALL the conflicts in my life...but I am human and for whatever reason, I tend to hang on to some issues. Do you do that too?
I want to hang on instead, to the idea that I am in God's protective custody...that he is watching out for me in EVERY situation...if I believed that more often, I would find that peaceful feeling more often. What if MORE of us felt that way more often? I know that there will always be reasons for anxiety, but maybe if more people turned to God more often, we would find more peace in the world...it's a nice thought, isn't it?
I pray that the God of peace, who loved us so much that he sent Jesus to be our Shepard and take care of us, equips you with everything good to do his will today, and may he bring you the peace that you need today and in days to come. (taken from Hebrews 13:20-21, put in my own words)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
But what if I'm not a runner?
This week's memory verse:
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 1:6
I began reading my Bible study lesson today and immediately thought..."Here we go again...Paul and his 'running the race' analogy!" Let me tell you...I am sure there are those who are athletic, who have run in races and marathons that TRULY understand this. But, unfortunately, the only races I have ever been in (and NEVER won!) were in gym class.
I know, the above paragraph seems pretty negative for the "glass is half full" kind of gal I am, doesn't it? Perhaps this attitude, along with the fact that running is NOT my idea of a good time, is what keeps me from reaching some of my goals. There are many things that I have worked hard for and have accomplished, so I get the idea. But, it seems that a runner's "never give up, keep pushing until you get there" mentality is hard for me in some areas of my life.
I have read that Paul uses the analogy of the race because the people he was writing to were familiar with running races, in games like the Olympics. It was something they understood...an analogy that they would get. Only, he wasn't talking about a race...he was talking about our human life and eternity.
Our journey to eternity, a life in heaven with God FOREVER should be our only focus...we should be giving it everything we've got. No sloppy living but staying alert, keeping our minds and hearts in top "Christ-like" condition. We don't want to be telling everyone about the joys of heaven and miss out on it ourselves! (1Corinthians 9:24-27 in my own words)
When we have moments, days, months or even years of trials and hardships, our faith is tested. If we hang on to that faith and hope of eternity during those tough times, we learn perseverance...we learn to lean on God and not give up or give in. And Sometimes, we do give up on our faith for a time...but God has a way of drawing us back to him. Learning to trust in a God we can't see is hard...it is a process that lasts our whole lives. It makes us mature in our faith and complete in God's eyes. (James 1:2-4)
The hardships and trials we are facing now are just temporary. Our few years here on earth are but a blink of an eye in heaven. The pain and discomfort we experience in our lives will be overcome by the renewal God has in store for us.
I once sang the song "I Can Only Imagine" at my friend's father's funeral. That song talks about how we can only imagine what heaven and eternity will be like...we don't really know and we WON'T know...until we get there.
Skeptics may say it is a waste to live your life in hopes of a life in heaven that we aren't even sure exists. I disagree. Focusing and believing in something unseen takes faith, and faith gives us hope....hope in a better life to come. I know people who don't have faith OR hope, and honestly, they are part of what makes this life on earth less pleasant! Their hopeless life makes them miserable and they want everyone around them to be miserable too.
Oswald Chambers once said, "perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen."
This message was meant for me today. Every now and then, I get discouraged...I feel overwhelmed and spinning out of control. Today I am reminded of what I know and believe...this discouragement I feel is only temporary. Even though I am NOT a runner...I need to stay on the track and finish the race. I think I will just WALK it out...what does it matter, as long as I cross the finish line and get my reward!
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 1:6
I began reading my Bible study lesson today and immediately thought..."Here we go again...Paul and his 'running the race' analogy!" Let me tell you...I am sure there are those who are athletic, who have run in races and marathons that TRULY understand this. But, unfortunately, the only races I have ever been in (and NEVER won!) were in gym class.
I know, the above paragraph seems pretty negative for the "glass is half full" kind of gal I am, doesn't it? Perhaps this attitude, along with the fact that running is NOT my idea of a good time, is what keeps me from reaching some of my goals. There are many things that I have worked hard for and have accomplished, so I get the idea. But, it seems that a runner's "never give up, keep pushing until you get there" mentality is hard for me in some areas of my life.
I have read that Paul uses the analogy of the race because the people he was writing to were familiar with running races, in games like the Olympics. It was something they understood...an analogy that they would get. Only, he wasn't talking about a race...he was talking about our human life and eternity.
Our journey to eternity, a life in heaven with God FOREVER should be our only focus...we should be giving it everything we've got. No sloppy living but staying alert, keeping our minds and hearts in top "Christ-like" condition. We don't want to be telling everyone about the joys of heaven and miss out on it ourselves! (1Corinthians 9:24-27 in my own words)
When we have moments, days, months or even years of trials and hardships, our faith is tested. If we hang on to that faith and hope of eternity during those tough times, we learn perseverance...we learn to lean on God and not give up or give in. And Sometimes, we do give up on our faith for a time...but God has a way of drawing us back to him. Learning to trust in a God we can't see is hard...it is a process that lasts our whole lives. It makes us mature in our faith and complete in God's eyes. (James 1:2-4)
The hardships and trials we are facing now are just temporary. Our few years here on earth are but a blink of an eye in heaven. The pain and discomfort we experience in our lives will be overcome by the renewal God has in store for us.
I once sang the song "I Can Only Imagine" at my friend's father's funeral. That song talks about how we can only imagine what heaven and eternity will be like...we don't really know and we WON'T know...until we get there.
Skeptics may say it is a waste to live your life in hopes of a life in heaven that we aren't even sure exists. I disagree. Focusing and believing in something unseen takes faith, and faith gives us hope....hope in a better life to come. I know people who don't have faith OR hope, and honestly, they are part of what makes this life on earth less pleasant! Their hopeless life makes them miserable and they want everyone around them to be miserable too.
Oswald Chambers once said, "perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen."
This message was meant for me today. Every now and then, I get discouraged...I feel overwhelmed and spinning out of control. Today I am reminded of what I know and believe...this discouragement I feel is only temporary. Even though I am NOT a runner...I need to stay on the track and finish the race. I think I will just WALK it out...what does it matter, as long as I cross the finish line and get my reward!
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