answers...I don't have them all. What I do have is an inside scoop to THE Answer Man.('search the scriptures....they testify of Me.' John5:39) Sometimes I get answers immediately. Some I'm still waiting on. Sometimes I get a 'yes'....sometimes a clear 'no'.
There is nothing special about me, you have the same opportunity to this Answer Man. But following Christ must really be about following HIM...seeking His FACE, not just the blessings of His Hand. Oh, don't think I've got this down pat...I'm a work in progress. But I am confident that He will continue His work in me till it is completed.(James1:4... See More) 'Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked,"What do you want?"...'(John 1:38) So...what is it you want from Jesus. Do you seek His kingdom?... or yours? His glory?....or yours? Be honest with yourself. He knows the truth of it anyway...but do you ? Lord Jesus, give us sight.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Friends..
friends...Our culture calls lots of things friendship. But having a true friend is a treasure, being one is not easy. It is a relationship and requires commitment and work. On Facebook, we collect friends and number them. People 'request' to be your friend, and we have the option of accepting or rejecting. I rejected... a request last night, and it has made me wonder if I do that in 'real life'.(continued in comment)
"Every man is a friend to him that gives gifts"(Prov.19:6) Do I look for friendship only from those who have something to offer me in return? When it's beneficial for ME? When I am comfortable with it? Jesus Himself calls us friend. If we look for benefits from friendship, He is THE ONE. But it's a relationship and requires commitment and work. "... See MoreYou are my friends when you do the things I command you"(John 15:14MSG) That would be a tall order without His grace, without being connected to Him, for He is the PowerSource. "..apart from Me, you can do nothing"(John 15:5) Lord help us be good friends to each other.
"Every man is a friend to him that gives gifts"(Prov.19:6) Do I look for friendship only from those who have something to offer me in return? When it's beneficial for ME? When I am comfortable with it? Jesus Himself calls us friend. If we look for benefits from friendship, He is THE ONE. But it's a relationship and requires commitment and work. "... See MoreYou are my friends when you do the things I command you"(John 15:14MSG) That would be a tall order without His grace, without being connected to Him, for He is the PowerSource. "..apart from Me, you can do nothing"(John 15:5) Lord help us be good friends to each other.
Alarm...
alarm..woke up this morning to our smoke detector going off. When that sounds, take heed...your house may be on fire. Relax...we didn't have a fire, just need new batteries. But we got up and checked the house. What alarms do I ignore? And what do I suffer that would be avoided if I'd just heed the warning?
In scripture, Jesus has issued a 'take heed...' many times. Luke 17:3 issues a 'take heed' about forgiveness. I am to recognize sin and confront it, but in Mark 4:24 He addresses how I measure and reminds me of His advice about the mote in my brother's eye and the beam in mine. (Matt.7:3) I could list dozens.
But even if we could hear all the ... See Morealarms, even if we respond to every threat, we can never defeat sin and death. We can not fix the problem of humanity. But we can live without feeling alarm. "The peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus."(Phil.4:7) Yes, I take that personally. My heart and mind feels no alarm.
(I'm hearing the old hymn 'Living By Faith' in my head....)
In scripture, Jesus has issued a 'take heed...' many times. Luke 17:3 issues a 'take heed' about forgiveness. I am to recognize sin and confront it, but in Mark 4:24 He addresses how I measure and reminds me of His advice about the mote in my brother's eye and the beam in mine. (Matt.7:3) I could list dozens.
But even if we could hear all the ... See Morealarms, even if we respond to every threat, we can never defeat sin and death. We can not fix the problem of humanity. But we can live without feeling alarm. "The peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus."(Phil.4:7) Yes, I take that personally. My heart and mind feels no alarm.
(I'm hearing the old hymn 'Living By Faith' in my head....)
Cold....
cold...bitter cold, on such a difficult day for a friend. Many condolences offered."Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land."(Prov.31:23) Paul had a lot of relationships, many friends. It is hard to know how to be a friend in a time like this when you have no experience to draw o...n. I found this advice...
..."As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart."(Prov.25:20) God help us listen if an ear is needed..hug, cry, or laugh in remembering. Help us to allow grief into our presence, that we not seek to draw it out, but neither run from it. And God keep us from EVER making light of it. May we be the garments You use to bring warmth and comfort to a grieving heart.
..."As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart."(Prov.25:20) God help us listen if an ear is needed..hug, cry, or laugh in remembering. Help us to allow grief into our presence, that we not seek to draw it out, but neither run from it. And God keep us from EVER making light of it. May we be the garments You use to bring warmth and comfort to a grieving heart.
Sliding..
sliding...dread driving on ice to work...don't like that feeling of sliding.. But I managed to do it yesterday morning...in the sunshine. Yesterday, I said I'd speak life with my mouth.
'If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall.'(1Co.10:13) You guessed it. Backslide!!!
Using my tongue is like driving on ice..better slow it way down, think before every action, and be aware of everyone around you...but I CAN use my brakes on my words. I just don't always……I know I'm probably the only one with that problem.... :)
'If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall.'(1Co.10:13) You guessed it. Backslide!!!
Using my tongue is like driving on ice..better slow it way down, think before every action, and be aware of everyone around you...but I CAN use my brakes on my words. I just don't always……I know I'm probably the only one with that problem.... :)
Fire...
fire..in weather like this, it is so comforting to hear it crackling from our Earth Stove. But it can be so destructive. My words are so often like that. I confess."The tongue is a small part of the body....consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."(Jam.3:5) "The tongue has the power of life and dea...th"(Prov.18:21)Today, I will speak life with my mouth.
Cold...
cold..anybody complaining about it? Want to be hot? Nope...we complain about that too. We want to be somewhere in the middle. What about your spiritual heart? Is it cold or hot? If it's somewhere in the middle, I urge you to the consider this..our God is a consuming fire( Dt.4:24) and it's one or the other...all or nothing...hot or cold. No lukewarm. (Rev.3:16) Don't think to follow God somewhere in the middle.(Rev.3:16)
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