"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a painful word stirs up anger."
"A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."
And if we could play back your words from this day . . .?
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Words
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a painful word stirs up anger."
"A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a painful word stirs up anger."
"A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."
Sunday, July 24, 2016
The End of Our Rope
The end of our rope.
The end of ourselves.
Sometimes God has to take His children to that place. Invariably, it's because they have taken the reins of their own lives, decided that they know what will bring them happiness, and that they can achieve all that they want without God. Why we always want to rely on ourselves when we, better than anyone else, know how preposterous that is, is a human mystery. Pride, independence, men's approval--all the basics of self-worship are in play.
And the circumstances that bring us to the end of our rope--the end of ourselves--are, of course, His love--a Father's love--at work. As well as, I believe, His confidence that we will respond in humility when He reveals to us the futility of our endeavoring to find meaning in our life without Him at its center.
If there was an easier way to restore us to Him, He would have used it, but we are so stubborn, so resistant to His will. Yet, it is only in His will, resting in His love, relying on His wisdom and guidance that we can experience the abundant life that brings joy, meaning, fulfillment, and peace to all that we do. It's at the end of our rope that we see the consequences of our rebellion against His love. And so we let go of our pride and cling to Him, find His comfort, bring joy and encouragement to our souls (and the souls of those who love us) and are equipped to live fruitful lives that touch those to whom He has sent us. The end of our rope--the end of ourselves--is truly a new beginning, the beginning of a walk with Him that brings Him glory and us joy.
The end of ourselves.
Sometimes God has to take His children to that place. Invariably, it's because they have taken the reins of their own lives, decided that they know what will bring them happiness, and that they can achieve all that they want without God. Why we always want to rely on ourselves when we, better than anyone else, know how preposterous that is, is a human mystery. Pride, independence, men's approval--all the basics of self-worship are in play.
And the circumstances that bring us to the end of our rope--the end of ourselves--are, of course, His love--a Father's love--at work. As well as, I believe, His confidence that we will respond in humility when He reveals to us the futility of our endeavoring to find meaning in our life without Him at its center.
If there was an easier way to restore us to Him, He would have used it, but we are so stubborn, so resistant to His will. Yet, it is only in His will, resting in His love, relying on His wisdom and guidance that we can experience the abundant life that brings joy, meaning, fulfillment, and peace to all that we do. It's at the end of our rope that we see the consequences of our rebellion against His love. And so we let go of our pride and cling to Him, find His comfort, bring joy and encouragement to our souls (and the souls of those who love us) and are equipped to live fruitful lives that touch those to whom He has sent us. The end of our rope--the end of ourselves--is truly a new beginning, the beginning of a walk with Him that brings Him glory and us joy.
"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful;
yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the
peaceful fruit of righteousness."
Friday, July 22, 2016
All
Anxiety. Stress. Sorrow. Loss. Heartbreak. These are not
designed to push us away from Him, but to draw us close to Him. He is
the Loyal Lover. "All may fail but Jesus never, glory to His Name." In
difficult moments He wraps His arms around us and whispers, "I loved
you so much, I died for you. Please believe that you can trust Me with
your cares, anxieties, heartbreak. Please give them to Me." And if we
cast them all on Him, He--the Prince of Peace who does all things
well--sustains us, fills us with His presence, calms our hearts with His
peace. And astoundingly--yes, astoundingly-- even if we don't cast all
on Him, He still wraps us in His loving, caring, everlasting arms
"All may fail but Jesus never. Glory to His Name.".
"All may fail but Jesus never. Glory to His Name.".
Thursday, July 21, 2016
More Reflections
"This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through" is indeed true. It is our hope,
That I am here in The United States of America in 2016 to minister to all those around me as long as I have breath is also true. Such loving obedience is proof to the world that our hope is true.
-----------------
The true disciple comes to Jesus recognizing that his righteousness is as putrid as the filthy rags wrapped around the wounds of the leper. His prayer: "Nothing in my hands I bring; only to Thy cross I cling."
------------------
When I hate my enemies and refuse to pray for their spiritual well-being, my mind is being conformed not transformed. I am an enemy of God's will.
--------------------
Envy, jealousy, murmuring, complaining, coveting, gossip, discontentment are all synonyms for idolatry.
--------------------
The reason I struggle with commandments two through ten? I keep resisting--and refusing to embrace--the demands placed on my life by commandment number one: "You will have no other gods before Me."
-------------------
The key to discontentment, a loss of joy, and the failure to sense His presence and His love: Keep living like you are the most important person in your life.
--------------------
Love is not a feeling; it's a promise.
-------------------
Joy is not an escape from sorrow. It is the power that transforms the wounded and hurting into one of God's comforters.
-------------------
Peace is not an escape from the spiritual struggle--the inner spiritual warfare. It is the confidence that God's armor and the sword of the Spirit guarantee the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ.
That I am here in The United States of America in 2016 to minister to all those around me as long as I have breath is also true. Such loving obedience is proof to the world that our hope is true.
-----------------
The true disciple comes to Jesus recognizing that his righteousness is as putrid as the filthy rags wrapped around the wounds of the leper. His prayer: "Nothing in my hands I bring; only to Thy cross I cling."
------------------
When I hate my enemies and refuse to pray for their spiritual well-being, my mind is being conformed not transformed. I am an enemy of God's will.
--------------------
Envy, jealousy, murmuring, complaining, coveting, gossip, discontentment are all synonyms for idolatry.
--------------------
The reason I struggle with commandments two through ten? I keep resisting--and refusing to embrace--the demands placed on my life by commandment number one: "You will have no other gods before Me."
-------------------
The key to discontentment, a loss of joy, and the failure to sense His presence and His love: Keep living like you are the most important person in your life.
--------------------
Love is not a feeling; it's a promise.
-------------------
Joy is not an escape from sorrow. It is the power that transforms the wounded and hurting into one of God's comforters.
-------------------
Peace is not an escape from the spiritual struggle--the inner spiritual warfare. It is the confidence that God's armor and the sword of the Spirit guarantee the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Priesthood
Have you offered your sacrifices today?
"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."
"This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long."
"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."
"This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long."
"And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
"Love not in word only, but in deed." And don't forget the right hand, left hand admonition.
"I urge you, therefore brothers, because of the mercies of God, that, as an act of intelligent worship, you present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him,"
The ultimate sacrifice is not to die for Him but to live for Him by dying to self.
Continually.
Do not neglect.
It's urgent.
"Love not in word only, but in deed." And don't forget the right hand, left hand admonition.
"I urge you, therefore brothers, because of the mercies of God, that, as an act of intelligent worship, you present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him,"
The ultimate sacrifice is not to die for Him but to live for Him by dying to self.
Continually.
Do not neglect.
It's urgent.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Persecution
"All those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."
All
Persecution is not something to fear. Jesus said, "Rejoice." The early church saw it as a reason for rejoicing. Miraculously, God was actually using them to reflect His glory. Them!!
All
Persecution is not something to fear. Jesus said, "Rejoice." The early church saw it as a reason for rejoicing. Miraculously, God was actually using them to reflect His glory. Them!!
And reflect His love. For the commandments regarding our response to persecution are clear.
As much as possible live in peace with all men.
Pray for those who despitefully use you.
Always return good for evil. Always. Every time. Never repay evil with evil. Never. Not even once.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, making disciples.
Fear not what man can do to you.
Love one another. It is by that love that the world will know that I am who I claim to be.
I sometimes wonder--heretically, of course--if the church's response today in America is not actually self-defense--idolatry. Love of our "rights," not love of Him and love of the lost. The only way to do the latter--love the right "things"--is by a life of obedience.
(See commandments above.)
As much as possible live in peace with all men.
Pray for those who despitefully use you.
Always return good for evil. Always. Every time. Never repay evil with evil. Never. Not even once.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, making disciples.
Fear not what man can do to you.
Love one another. It is by that love that the world will know that I am who I claim to be.
I sometimes wonder--heretically, of course--if the church's response today in America is not actually self-defense--idolatry. Love of our "rights," not love of Him and love of the lost. The only way to do the latter--love the right "things"--is by a life of obedience.
(See commandments above.)
Sunday, July 17, 2016
The Disciple
Because he is a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, God's disciple:
Is spiritually prosperous, fearing the Lord, content with who he is in Christ and with the promise of His daily provision of all physical and spiritual needs.
Is a beggar in spirit--humbly resting in His grace as the power of faithfulness; has no confidence in the flesh--in his ability to be faithful apart from all-sufficient grace.
Mourns brokenheartedly the consequences of sin in the world, is deeply saddened by the evil that men do, and their love of it.
Stoops down to help the wounded, to lift up the fallen, to intercede for the struggling--and always with gentleness.
Can never get enough of God's Word--always hungers for more evidence of its transforming power in his daily walk.
Does not "strike back" in word or deed when injured--even the injury to the soul and spirit, seeks no revenge, despises the idea of "getting even." Soft answers not angry words of self-defense are his spontaneous response to angry words--and deeds--from others.
Strives for the Spirit's enabling to not only do the right things but to do the right things in the right way and for the right reasons--a pure love of the Savior, a pure love of other believers, and a pure love for the lost. Abhors spiritual masks.
Seeks to live at peace with all men, seeks to bring others into the kingdom of the Prince of Peace, wields the weapons of the cross--willing sacrifice, the lovingkindness of forgiveness, compassion for those who do not understand their actions, grace and mercy.
Knowing that "the more he becomes like Christ, the more he will be unlike everyone else," and knowing that, as a result, he will be despised, ridiculed, pitied, and scorned for his saltiness and the shining of the Light, continues to do good, to glorify Him, to make the Savior visible, to reveal His presence.
Is spiritually prosperous, fearing the Lord, content with who he is in Christ and with the promise of His daily provision of all physical and spiritual needs.
Is a beggar in spirit--humbly resting in His grace as the power of faithfulness; has no confidence in the flesh--in his ability to be faithful apart from all-sufficient grace.
Mourns brokenheartedly the consequences of sin in the world, is deeply saddened by the evil that men do, and their love of it.
Stoops down to help the wounded, to lift up the fallen, to intercede for the struggling--and always with gentleness.
Can never get enough of God's Word--always hungers for more evidence of its transforming power in his daily walk.
Does not "strike back" in word or deed when injured--even the injury to the soul and spirit, seeks no revenge, despises the idea of "getting even." Soft answers not angry words of self-defense are his spontaneous response to angry words--and deeds--from others.
Strives for the Spirit's enabling to not only do the right things but to do the right things in the right way and for the right reasons--a pure love of the Savior, a pure love of other believers, and a pure love for the lost. Abhors spiritual masks.
Seeks to live at peace with all men, seeks to bring others into the kingdom of the Prince of Peace, wields the weapons of the cross--willing sacrifice, the lovingkindness of forgiveness, compassion for those who do not understand their actions, grace and mercy.
Knowing that "the more he becomes like Christ, the more he will be unlike everyone else," and knowing that, as a result, he will be despised, ridiculed, pitied, and scorned for his saltiness and the shining of the Light, continues to do good, to glorify Him, to make the Savior visible, to reveal His presence.
If anyone will be my disciple, let him first--once for all--totally
deny himself, then, daily take up his cross of sacrificial love for
others, and continually--to the very end--follow--imitate Me.
If . . .
If . . .
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