Romans 5:3-5 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
3. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance;
4. perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
James 1:3-5 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
5. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
There are times (more often than I would like to admit) that I want to give up...
Due to my stubborness and pridefulness - I usually don't stay with that thought for very long...but stubborness and pridefulness did not develop a Godly Character in me, did not bring me to maturity and a place of not lacking anything. At times I have been less than hopeful and times that I certainly lacked wisdom...
But I believe that God is working a new thing in me...working in me to will and do of His good pleasure...I am a new creation in Christ Jesus...the old has passed away...
so today I ask my Lord and Savior to work perseverance in me...that I begin to be steadfast in Him...looking toward Him and achieving His goals in His time rather than relying on self - running the race that He has set before me...as this is a new beginning for me I am not sure what the subtle and not so subtle differences will be between not giving up due to stubborness and not giving up due to perseverance...God's word says that it will work Character, Hope and Maturity...I am looking forward to receiving those promises.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
A new begining - trusting others at all times
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (NIV)
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
this is the first and great commandment.
and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22: 37-40 (KJ)
Love always trust..
Do I always trust those I love? I confess that there are times that I suspect those I love...I question motives and I don't always believe that they will do what they say they will do. I have a hard time delegating responsibility to some because I don't trust that they will keep their word. Based on their past behavior I am reluctant to trust them in the present. I am working on renewing my thoughts and this will be a good place to start. I don't remember a time when the Lord has ever told me -You messed up in the past so now you will forever be untrustworthy...the Lord does provide opportunity for me to be faithful with little so I can grow into being faithful with much...If the Lord can trust me with little then I can certainly do the same for others...expect and believe the best of those I love...the Lord encourages and supports me with being faithful in the little...I too can support and encourage others in being faithful in the little...I can stop being prideful and stop thinking that what others do or don't do is a reflection on me...how egotistical can one be?...I can learn to confront with love and compassion instead of seething inside but say nothing or waiting until I am so filled with resentment and disappointment that I become hurtful and offensive...
I know how it hurts to be overlooked or when others have low expectations of me...I do not want to do this to anyone ever again. I will begin to renew my mind with prayer and God's word-I will seek to change my actions and thoughts toward others...to begin to trust.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (NIV)
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
this is the first and great commandment.
and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22: 37-40 (KJ)
Love always trust..
Do I always trust those I love? I confess that there are times that I suspect those I love...I question motives and I don't always believe that they will do what they say they will do. I have a hard time delegating responsibility to some because I don't trust that they will keep their word. Based on their past behavior I am reluctant to trust them in the present. I am working on renewing my thoughts and this will be a good place to start. I don't remember a time when the Lord has ever told me -You messed up in the past so now you will forever be untrustworthy...the Lord does provide opportunity for me to be faithful with little so I can grow into being faithful with much...If the Lord can trust me with little then I can certainly do the same for others...expect and believe the best of those I love...the Lord encourages and supports me with being faithful in the little...I too can support and encourage others in being faithful in the little...I can stop being prideful and stop thinking that what others do or don't do is a reflection on me...how egotistical can one be?...I can learn to confront with love and compassion instead of seething inside but say nothing or waiting until I am so filled with resentment and disappointment that I become hurtful and offensive...
I know how it hurts to be overlooked or when others have low expectations of me...I do not want to do this to anyone ever again. I will begin to renew my mind with prayer and God's word-I will seek to change my actions and thoughts toward others...to begin to trust.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
God is doing a work here- Let it Be
I was speaking to my best friend about what I posted yesterday...we shared how great it is to have a friend who will just let you cry...sometimes well meaning friends can interrupt the work that the Lord is doing in our life by trying to "soften" the blow...
Our words have power...in the past I only thought of mean and cruel words as those I needed to be on guard against...but at times I need to curb my desire to "make it all better"... be careful not to use words that build someone up in an area that God never intended for them - sometimes it is best to stand by and support the work that the Lord is doing in someone. Sometimes that may mean they need to go through the pain and need you to just listen,hand them a tissue or give a hug.
Our words have power...in the past I only thought of mean and cruel words as those I needed to be on guard against...but at times I need to curb my desire to "make it all better"... be careful not to use words that build someone up in an area that God never intended for them - sometimes it is best to stand by and support the work that the Lord is doing in someone. Sometimes that may mean they need to go through the pain and need you to just listen,hand them a tissue or give a hug.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Jesus -Lover of my Soul
Yesterday when I began to do my daily reading...I opened up my bible and began to read from Isaiah(I find nothing in Isaiah that triggered this)...then all of a sudden I started weeping...I could feel the pain in my heart...thus began a conversation with the Lord...He showed me the hurt I felt from being pushed aside...how much pain I carry because others perceive me as useless...what hurt and humiliation I have because people will say good and excellent things about me and their action toward me state something very different. How it doesn't really make a difference to me that the person who pushes me aside is insecure...the result is still painful...How much I regret all that I never read or never learned. How frustrated at my inability to learn on my own. How sad I am that no one wants to teach me. How it hurts to be someone who is so easily discarded and pushed aside. There is so much that I don't know...so much that I want to know.
At this time the only thing I know is that this is now in the Lord's hand and He is healing me. He revealed what was in my heart and mind: He let me know that He knows what is there and that He wants to heal me. I have no idea how this will work out but feel the peace, joy, and a great anticipation knowing that I and all that I am are in the hands of my Lord and Savior. Once again the Lord shows how much He cares about our concerns and that nothing is too little and does not escape His attention.
My post yesterday was about the futility of searching for self...then at a time I was not looking for self...the Lord showed me a bit of me but so much more He showed Himself as a very personal, intimate and loving God.
At this time the only thing I know is that this is now in the Lord's hand and He is healing me. He revealed what was in my heart and mind: He let me know that He knows what is there and that He wants to heal me. I have no idea how this will work out but feel the peace, joy, and a great anticipation knowing that I and all that I am are in the hands of my Lord and Savior. Once again the Lord shows how much He cares about our concerns and that nothing is too little and does not escape His attention.
My post yesterday was about the futility of searching for self...then at a time I was not looking for self...the Lord showed me a bit of me but so much more He showed Himself as a very personal, intimate and loving God.
Monday, August 18, 2008
What Kind of Fool am I
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. Proverbs 18:2
In the world we seek to "find ourselves". We want to know how to improve ourself for ourself. Show the world our best self. God's word also tells us that the wisdom of the world is foolishness with Him and that the Wisdom of God is foolishness with the world.
God tells us to love the the Lord God with all our heart and to Love others. We are not to consider ourself above others. The world certainly does make a good show of caring for others-they feed and clothe the poor, they stand for those who cannot stand for themselves, create and enforce laws for our protection. But to whom do they give the glory? If not to God then they are claiming it for themselves therefore they are truly serving self.
I have been on a search for self and while there seem to be periodic revelation of self...there is no growth based on my finding of self. I often don't like what I find and without the Lord I am unable to do anything about the findings.
I have come to the conclusion that it is wiser to seek and to know Jesus. To obey His commandments to Love God and Others. By losing self I may truly discover the person Jesus Created me to be.
In the world we seek to "find ourselves". We want to know how to improve ourself for ourself. Show the world our best self. God's word also tells us that the wisdom of the world is foolishness with Him and that the Wisdom of God is foolishness with the world.
God tells us to love the the Lord God with all our heart and to Love others. We are not to consider ourself above others. The world certainly does make a good show of caring for others-they feed and clothe the poor, they stand for those who cannot stand for themselves, create and enforce laws for our protection. But to whom do they give the glory? If not to God then they are claiming it for themselves therefore they are truly serving self.
I have been on a search for self and while there seem to be periodic revelation of self...there is no growth based on my finding of self. I often don't like what I find and without the Lord I am unable to do anything about the findings.
I have come to the conclusion that it is wiser to seek and to know Jesus. To obey His commandments to Love God and Others. By losing self I may truly discover the person Jesus Created me to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)