Bev and I are walking through the deepest valley we have ever experienced together. Despite knowing better, I let myself wonder what we did to deserve this awful circumstance. The next stop on that ride is - ‘this is so unfair!’ When I take my eyes from my Father and start looking at myself a kind of pride takes over that and I think, wrongly, “We’re the good guys, Lord. Why are You letting this happen to us?” With that thought, I play right into the schemes of the Devil.
Our Adversary wants us focus on being 'good enough' for God.
He cheers our religiosity, but fears our relationship with our Abba. He wants
us to believe that our goodness is producing the blessing of God, or
conversely, that our hard times are the direct result of His anger. From personal experience, I will tell that
that if you go there – you will lose the assurance of faith. Yes, of course, we suffer when we sin, because of the ancient
law of the harvest. We reap what we sow! If we plant rebellion, resistance to
God's will, and selfishness; we will create situations where we will find
misery. If we plant seeds to produce spiritual fruit, we will find love, joy,
and peace. The Word says, "The one who sows to
please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who
sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
(Galatians 6:8, NIV)
However, there is a mystery in the purposes of the Father that demands faith which is His gift, too. We glimpse this in the story of a blind man. "His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” (John 9:2, The Message) Jesus answer surprised them and challenges us to greater faith. "Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do." … "He said this and then spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man’s eyes, and said, “Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “Sent”). The man went and washed—and saw. Soon the town was buzzing." (John 9:3, 6-8, The Message) As ‘unfair’ as it may seem to us, God chose to glorify His Son through the man’s blindness. Frankly, I don’t like the story, but I get the principle.
However, there is a mystery in the purposes of the Father that demands faith which is His gift, too. We glimpse this in the story of a blind man. "His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” (John 9:2, The Message) Jesus answer surprised them and challenges us to greater faith. "Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do." … "He said this and then spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man’s eyes, and said, “Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “Sent”). The man went and washed—and saw. Soon the town was buzzing." (John 9:3, 6-8, The Message) As ‘unfair’ as it may seem to us, God chose to glorify His Son through the man’s blindness. Frankly, I don’t like the story, but I get the principle.
Our Father asks humble obedience and reliance. We live for His glory and therefore, it’s not
about us! Every day we simply present
ourselves to the Lord, thanking Him for His love, and asking the Spirit to
guide us, to help us say a ready 'yes, Lord!' when He speaks to us. And, He
will! The Bible says, "For in him you have been
enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because
our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any
spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed."
(1 Corinthians 1:5-7, NIV) Yes, we must recognize that the 'you' that is the
subject of this verse is a collective describing the Church. But, you and I am
'in the Church' and we can claim the promise of being empowered for a life of
wholeness and holiness personally! Do you?
Like most Christians, unconsciously I try to make God my
servant, praying that He will do my will, relieve my suffering, give me blue
skies and bright sunshine. Like it or
not, that is not His promise! There is
peace and joy but it is in knowing that we are centered in Him, glorifying HIM.
True prayer aligns us with His purposes,
opens our heart to His Presence, and strengthens us to live for His glory. He has called us and He declares, "I will enrich you in every way!"
That is why we must confess our weakness and claim His strength. These days, when overwhelmed by my fears, there is serenity for my soul. It rests on the
assurance of the Scripture that "It is not by force nor
by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty."
(Zechariah 4:6, NLT)
Here's a Word to take with you today...
Here's a Word to take with you today...
“God "chose these
"nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the
"somebodies"?
That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God.
Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.
That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." (1 Corinthians 1:28-31, The Message)
That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God.
Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.
That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." (1 Corinthians 1:28-31, The Message)
________________
by Keith Green
Make my life a
Prayer to You,
I want to do what
You want me to.
No empty words and
no white lies,
No token Prayers,
No Compromise.
I want to shine
the light You gave,
through Your Son,
You Sent to Save us
from ourselves and
our despair.
It comforts me
to know You're
really there.
Well, I want to
Thank You Now,
for being patient with me,
for being patient with me,
Oh it's so hard to
see,
when my eyes are
on me.
I guess I'll have
to trust and
just believe what You say...
just believe what You say...
Oh You're coming
again,
coming to take me away.
coming to take me away.
I want to die, and
let you give,
Your life to me,
that I might live.
and share the hope
You gave to me,
the Love that's
set me Free.
I want to tell the
world out there,
You're not some
fable or fairy tale,
that I've made up,
inside my head,
You're God the
Son,
You've Risen from
the Dead.
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