Psalm 119:161-176...
'Great peace have they who love your
law,
and nothing can make them
stumble.'
[Verse 165]
'I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.'
[Verse 168]
'May my lips overflow with praise...
May my tongue sing of your word...'
[Verses 171a, 172a]
'I long for your salvation, O Lord...'
[Verse 174a]
Jesus said that He came not t abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In my mind, He is [the] Law. By loving Him, Law, we have "great peace". We have peace in Him and through Him, for He is Peace, just as He is Law. He is also, then, our Delight, and we long for Him and the salvation He brings... that we may be in His presence for all eternity. My lips overflow and my tongue sings, indeed! For He is the righteous Teacher. And I obey Him because I love Him. And as verse 168 says, all my ways are known to Him. There is nothing I could say or do that would be unknown. There is no point in not submitting to Him.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 323.
Showing posts with label Submission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Submission. Show all posts
September 17, 2010
July 15, 2010
Ch. 715 - Perfect
The perfect Christian...
- is real.
- uses witty comments about the Church for their Facebook status...
... or writes "Christian" blog posts... better yet, how about both?
- thinks outside the box - and doesn't put God in one.
- is missions-minded.
- memorizes hundreds of Bible verses.
- realizes what their spiritual gifts are and utilizes them.
- prays all the time...
... and when they do, they close their eyes, bow their heads, and put on a nice, little smile.
- is humble.
- may or may not die for Christ.
- stands up for their beliefs.
- encompasses all the fruits of the Spirit...
... or, at the very least, actually knows what they are.
- points out the sins of others "in Christian love".
- knows they are saved.
- only listens to Christian music.
- is involved with [a] ministry.
- has attended, attends, or will attend a Bible college.
- shines the light of Jesus Christ.
- goes to church every Sunday...
... and Bible study. And small group. Plus the small group that they lead. And church choir. And women's group/men's group. And is on at least two church committees.
- constantly strives to be more like Christ.
- confesses their sins to others.
- reads their Bible.
- loves God.
- loves their neighbors as him or herself.
- does not sin. Oh wait...
... that's not possible.
Well.
I guess nobody's a perfect Christian.
Dang.
I suppose I should apologize for disappointing the multitude that thinks they are.
Sorry. But you're not.
So get off your high horse.
Perhaps you should get down on your knees.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 157.
- is real.
- uses witty comments about the Church for their Facebook status...
... or writes "Christian" blog posts... better yet, how about both?
- thinks outside the box - and doesn't put God in one.
- is missions-minded.
- memorizes hundreds of Bible verses.
- realizes what their spiritual gifts are and utilizes them.
- prays all the time...
... and when they do, they close their eyes, bow their heads, and put on a nice, little smile.
- is humble.
- may or may not die for Christ.
- stands up for their beliefs.
- encompasses all the fruits of the Spirit...
... or, at the very least, actually knows what they are.
- points out the sins of others "in Christian love".
- knows they are saved.
- only listens to Christian music.
- is involved with [a] ministry.
- has attended, attends, or will attend a Bible college.
- shines the light of Jesus Christ.
- goes to church every Sunday...
... and Bible study. And small group. Plus the small group that they lead. And church choir. And women's group/men's group. And is on at least two church committees.
- constantly strives to be more like Christ.
- confesses their sins to others.
- reads their Bible.
- loves God.
- loves their neighbors as him or herself.
- does not sin. Oh wait...
... that's not possible.
Well.
I guess nobody's a perfect Christian.
Dang.
I suppose I should apologize for disappointing the multitude that thinks they are.
Sorry. But you're not.
So get off your high horse.
Perhaps you should get down on your knees.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 157.
February 18, 2010
Ch. 655 - Vessels
God and man.
Potter and clay.
I like this.
A lot.
Overused?
Not to me.
We truly are like clay.
The transformation of clay into pots is involved.
The clay needs to be refined.
The removal of impurities takes time.
Water gives life to clay. Makes it pliable.
A solid base is given to each pot. Stability to build upon.
The clay is molded by hands into the form the potter desires.
No pot is the same, even though they all come from the ground.
If the pot is not coming along the way the potter imagined, the potter will break it down and start anew. There is no hurry. Even though no pot turns out to be perfect, each is perfect in the eyes of the potter.
Each pot is unique.
Traits.
Character.
But they are made to be used.
Filled.
Poured out.
Filled.
Poured out.
Be thankful that you do not sit on a shelf as a dry, decorated vessel.
For what good is a pot that remains empty and still all of its days?
' "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." '
[Jeremiah 18:6]
Potter and clay.
I like this.
A lot.
Overused?
Not to me.
We truly are like clay.
The transformation of clay into pots is involved.
The clay needs to be refined.
The removal of impurities takes time.
Water gives life to clay. Makes it pliable.
A solid base is given to each pot. Stability to build upon.
The clay is molded by hands into the form the potter desires.
No pot is the same, even though they all come from the ground.
If the pot is not coming along the way the potter imagined, the potter will break it down and start anew. There is no hurry. Even though no pot turns out to be perfect, each is perfect in the eyes of the potter.
Each pot is unique.
Traits.
Character.
But they are made to be used.
Filled.
Poured out.
Filled.
Poured out.
Be thankful that you do not sit on a shelf as a dry, decorated vessel.
For what good is a pot that remains empty and still all of its days?
' "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." '
[Jeremiah 18:6]
August 18, 2008
Ch. 166 - Wide Open Spaces
GOALS. Do you have any? No? Well, you and me both! If you answered yes, then I envy you. Setting goals is tough for me, for some unbeknownst reason. I've been here two and a half days and having goals has come up quite a few times. At times it was just blaring in my face, other times it was so subtle I barely noticed the topic had been breached. Honestly, though, I simply haven't thought about goals very often.
Thus, I'm trying to see what I can come up with goal-wise. There are the obvious goals that I'm sure most people think of, such as having a good life with a nice job or career. Being successful. Getting married and having a family. Of course, 'being successful' would depend on your definition of success. These said goals seem kind of cliché, but they work. I mean, I do want to have a good life. I do want to be successful. I do want to get married and have a family. But that's just skimming the surface, I think.
I believe God's throwing this at me because yes, it is important, and by setting goals I will be able to focus on what He wants me to do and where He wants me to be. What I want is to please Him. Serve Him. Love Him. And I want to serve others. Love others. Share God. What I want are the skills, courage, knowledge, leadership, and gifts to do so. I suppose if those are what I want then I will work, pray, ask, and strive for them. I know God will help me achieve my goals, which I'm sure will multiply as time goes on. Always learning...
'So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.'
[2 Corinthians 5:9]
Thus, I'm trying to see what I can come up with goal-wise. There are the obvious goals that I'm sure most people think of, such as having a good life with a nice job or career. Being successful. Getting married and having a family. Of course, 'being successful' would depend on your definition of success. These said goals seem kind of cliché, but they work. I mean, I do want to have a good life. I do want to be successful. I do want to get married and have a family. But that's just skimming the surface, I think.
I believe God's throwing this at me because yes, it is important, and by setting goals I will be able to focus on what He wants me to do and where He wants me to be. What I want is to please Him. Serve Him. Love Him. And I want to serve others. Love others. Share God. What I want are the skills, courage, knowledge, leadership, and gifts to do so. I suppose if those are what I want then I will work, pray, ask, and strive for them. I know God will help me achieve my goals, which I'm sure will multiply as time goes on. Always learning...
'So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.'
[2 Corinthians 5:9]
August 5, 2008
Ch. 153 - One Step at a Time
Sometimes you need a bit of encouragement from someone you don't technically know that well - but sincerely love - in order to take that next step forward... or realize that the step you're already taking isn't quite as scary as you think it is.
God has ordered each step you take and He is with you on each and every one of those steps. That is such a comforting thought, is it not? I mean, even though I know that He has a plan for me, sometimes I don't think about all the steps and points of that plan. I spend so much time worrying about the future and trying to plan it out for myself that I don't take the time to think about the here and now - or hand the reins over to God and put my absolute trust in Him day after day after day. I can't just surrender myself to God every now and then and expect something to great to happen. I need to give my whole being to him without even thinking about doing so. If I want to be the ears, hands and feet of Christ I have to first give Him my heart.
This is what I learned today as God spoke to me through a woman whom He is doing some amazing things. I was at such a loss for words today as I was overcome with feelings of relief, gratitude and hope.
I still am.
A simple 'thank you' was all I could muster. Please accept a thousand thanks, Aunt Barbara. You touched me in more than one way today and I will truly treasure that short amount of time we had together for many years to come.
'Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.'
[Romans 12:1-2]
God has ordered each step you take and He is with you on each and every one of those steps. That is such a comforting thought, is it not? I mean, even though I know that He has a plan for me, sometimes I don't think about all the steps and points of that plan. I spend so much time worrying about the future and trying to plan it out for myself that I don't take the time to think about the here and now - or hand the reins over to God and put my absolute trust in Him day after day after day. I can't just surrender myself to God every now and then and expect something to great to happen. I need to give my whole being to him without even thinking about doing so. If I want to be the ears, hands and feet of Christ I have to first give Him my heart.
This is what I learned today as God spoke to me through a woman whom He is doing some amazing things. I was at such a loss for words today as I was overcome with feelings of relief, gratitude and hope.
I still am.
A simple 'thank you' was all I could muster. Please accept a thousand thanks, Aunt Barbara. You touched me in more than one way today and I will truly treasure that short amount of time we had together for many years to come.
'Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.'
[Romans 12:1-2]
May 25, 2008
Ch. 81 - A Simple Reminder
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
He is everything.
I am nothing without Him.
'Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." '
[John 14:6-7]
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
JESUS
He is everything.
I am nothing without Him.
'Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." '
[John 14:6-7]
April 1, 2008
Ch. 78 - Godliness and Evil
'But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.'
[1 Timothy 6:6-10]
4. May 2010 Edit:
It is saddening to see what turning away from God can do to someone.
To their health.
Their happiness.
Their family.
Their faith.
Their life.
Especially when they have turned away on the account of greed and envy and jealousy. I think it is incredibly difficult to learn how to be content. And I do think it is something to be learned, because of the times we live in. We can never have enough. We want more. We want bigger and better. We want flashy. We want expensive. We want "priceless".
But we should be desiring the things in this life which are truly priceless... such as love and grace from our Lord God. Salvation. Eternal life.
We can never have enough love.
We should want more of it.
And learn to be truly content with what God gives us.
[1 Timothy 6:6-10]
4. May 2010 Edit:
It is saddening to see what turning away from God can do to someone.
To their health.
Their happiness.
Their family.
Their faith.
Their life.
Especially when they have turned away on the account of greed and envy and jealousy. I think it is incredibly difficult to learn how to be content. And I do think it is something to be learned, because of the times we live in. We can never have enough. We want more. We want bigger and better. We want flashy. We want expensive. We want "priceless".
But we should be desiring the things in this life which are truly priceless... such as love and grace from our Lord God. Salvation. Eternal life.
We can never have enough love.
We should want more of it.
And learn to be truly content with what God gives us.
February 15, 2008
Ch. 31 - 'Go and Tell'
Send me.
I'll go.
I don't know what to say. As much as I do want to just... go... I don't think I'm ready. But I want to. And that has to count for something.
Soon.
'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" '
[Isaiah 6:8]
I'll go.
I don't know what to say. As much as I do want to just... go... I don't think I'm ready. But I want to. And that has to count for something.
Soon.
'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" '
[Isaiah 6:8]
February 13, 2008
Ch. 28 - Following Him
As much as I want to take the lead again and do things my way, I can't. I won't. I finally realized a while ago that I have to follow God. And I want to follow God. Sometimes, though, I find myself pulling at the bit some, trying to hint that I want to go one way - but I usually find myself corrected and continue walking on the path I'm already on. The path God has chosen and put before me.
It's a lovely path, really, and I enjoy walking it. It's I've met wonderful people alongside the path, had some adventures (some while straying off the path, I must admit - you know, while taking those 'shortcuts'), seen a lot of God's beauty, and drawn closer to God each step of the way. What more could I ask for?
Following God makes life easy. It makes things simple. And trust me when I say I like my life simple. I also like the simple things in life. And it seems to me that now that I'm following God all the more, I see more of those simple things and am able to revel in the beauty of them all.
Perfect.
'When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." '
[John 8:12]
It's a lovely path, really, and I enjoy walking it. It's I've met wonderful people alongside the path, had some adventures (some while straying off the path, I must admit - you know, while taking those 'shortcuts'), seen a lot of God's beauty, and drawn closer to God each step of the way. What more could I ask for?
Following God makes life easy. It makes things simple. And trust me when I say I like my life simple. I also like the simple things in life. And it seems to me that now that I'm following God all the more, I see more of those simple things and am able to revel in the beauty of them all.
Perfect.
'When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." '
[John 8:12]
February 7, 2008
Ch. 22 - The Breaking Point
I give up.
I am so tired of trying to figure everything out. It is such a mystery to me and I'm tired of trying to solve it. I wish I had never come to Utah at this point. I had gone back to thinking about transferring yesterday - and maybe I will after all. Today pushed me pretty close to the edge. Two more steps and I'm gone.
What does it all mean?
Is it a spiritual connection that is supposed to bring us closer to God together? Are we meant to be more than friends? Should we really think about going into ministry together - or at least attending the same graduate school/seminary? I simply have no idea.
The last time this happened he said, "Don't dwell on it." I didn't listen. I didn't care. Now I'm really taking that to heart and trying my best not to, but it's easier said than done. I promised myself that I wouldn't talk about any of this not only to him, but also her anymore... that I'd just give it all to God. I don't want to bother them anymore. That's how I feel. Bothersome. But I've come to find that is one of the most difficult things to do for me. I want to be able to talk to someone about it all; I want to bounce ideas and thoughts off of them and get immediate response and advice. That's not always how it works with God. I pray about it a lot, but I'm tired of doing so. Not of praying, but praying about this situation and not getting anything. I simply don't know where to go with it or what to do.
I just pray that God will give me peace of mind and insight into... everything. Oh, how I wish He would simply reveal it all in layman's terms. That'd be wonderful.
Until then...
I do, indeed, give up.
'Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.'
[Psalm 86:6-7]
I am so tired of trying to figure everything out. It is such a mystery to me and I'm tired of trying to solve it. I wish I had never come to Utah at this point. I had gone back to thinking about transferring yesterday - and maybe I will after all. Today pushed me pretty close to the edge. Two more steps and I'm gone.
What does it all mean?
Is it a spiritual connection that is supposed to bring us closer to God together? Are we meant to be more than friends? Should we really think about going into ministry together - or at least attending the same graduate school/seminary? I simply have no idea.
The last time this happened he said, "Don't dwell on it." I didn't listen. I didn't care. Now I'm really taking that to heart and trying my best not to, but it's easier said than done. I promised myself that I wouldn't talk about any of this not only to him, but also her anymore... that I'd just give it all to God. I don't want to bother them anymore. That's how I feel. Bothersome. But I've come to find that is one of the most difficult things to do for me. I want to be able to talk to someone about it all; I want to bounce ideas and thoughts off of them and get immediate response and advice. That's not always how it works with God. I pray about it a lot, but I'm tired of doing so. Not of praying, but praying about this situation and not getting anything. I simply don't know where to go with it or what to do.
I just pray that God will give me peace of mind and insight into... everything. Oh, how I wish He would simply reveal it all in layman's terms. That'd be wonderful.
Until then...
I do, indeed, give up.
'Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.'
[Psalm 86:6-7]
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