I am always so amazed when all the little random things I've been learning all of the sudden come together in a light bulb moment. It's so beautiful how God orchestrates our surroundings to remind us and emphasize things he wants to teach us.
1 Thess. 5:16-18:
Rejoice always
Pray continually
Give thanks in all circumstances
For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
I've noticed recently how so many of us are always asking for God's will.
God, is your will for me to take this job, move to this city, make these friends, get involved with this congregation? God, I want to do your will.
We basically ask him to tell us exactly what to do.
When I was praying about going to Australia versus not going to Australia, I learned this lesson from Colossians 3:17.
"WHATEVER you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
As I prayed and asked for God's will, to go or not to go, he simply said....
"You decide."
That was NOT the answer I wanted.
But in his sweet, loving, gentle voice he reminded me that I can serve him there or here. He told me that it really didn't matter what I chose, as long as I did it for his name.
The important thing was not the location or the work, but the motive.
And Thessalonians says the same exact thing!
Whatever circumstance you are in- rejoice, pray, and give thanks.
That is God's will!
How simple!
So when I go to God and ask him if it's his will to do this or that, I need to remember that if it is for him, and through him, and makes his name famous, then it is his will.
Jesus, is it your will for me to stay in Tyler? To go to Haiti? To go to Bethel? To work at Pine Cove? Etc.....
If you rejoice, pray, give thanks, and do those things in my name....then YES.
Wheph, that gives me so much peace and relief. It releases me to stop worrying so much about doing his will that I miss the opportunities right in front of me to rejoice, pray, give thanks, and work in His Name.
And so now, I'm going to go clean my room, get my medical records sent off, and do some random chores while rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks....so that Jesus is glorified!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Nothing like Colossians to bring a down day up!
Today was a day when I just felt down.
Ever have those days?
They come when you least expect them; like after a really good day. And they come for no specific reason.
They steal your joy. They taunt you. They laugh in your face. They bring up all the things you want that you cannot have. They bring up all the things you have that you do not want. They take away your passion and energy.
Well, I was having one of those days until...
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.."
"In Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. "
"God has made you alive in Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge for our legal indeptedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
"We are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved..."
"And be thankful."
Okay, so my day is not so down anymore. :)
Ever have those days?
They come when you least expect them; like after a really good day. And they come for no specific reason.
They steal your joy. They taunt you. They laugh in your face. They bring up all the things you want that you cannot have. They bring up all the things you have that you do not want. They take away your passion and energy.
Well, I was having one of those days until...
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.."
"In Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. "
"God has made you alive in Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge for our legal indeptedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
"We are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved..."
"And be thankful."
Okay, so my day is not so down anymore. :)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Philippians goodness...
Today I read Philippians. It's lovely!
Words that stuck out to me...
Partnership in the Gospel
May your love abound more in knowledge and depth of insight, so you are able to discern what is best
What does it matter? The important thing is that Christ is preached!
Strive together with one accord for the faith of the Gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
"God works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." 2:13
That verse leads me to ask this question: What is his good purpose?
As I sit and thought and asked for wisdom to understand, all I heard was...
LOVE.
God's good purpose is to LOVE us and use us to LOVE others.
Simply LOVE.
"For as I have often told you before and now tell you again, even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ." 3:18
Am I moved to tears because people don't know Christ?
"Forgetting what is behind.." 3:13
Jesus, help me forget what is behind.
Help me receive your GRACE.
"And we eagerly await a Savior..." 3:20
Do I awake each morning and live each afternoon and lay down each night in eagerness to meet my Savior?
Jesus, teach me these things. May my love abound more in knowledge and depth of insight. Place these truths like a seal upon my heart so that they will transform my life. Teach me your ways oh Lord.
Oh, how I love you!
Words that stuck out to me...
Partnership in the Gospel
May your love abound more in knowledge and depth of insight, so you are able to discern what is best
What does it matter? The important thing is that Christ is preached!
Strive together with one accord for the faith of the Gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
"God works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." 2:13
That verse leads me to ask this question: What is his good purpose?
As I sit and thought and asked for wisdom to understand, all I heard was...
LOVE.
God's good purpose is to LOVE us and use us to LOVE others.
Simply LOVE.
"For as I have often told you before and now tell you again, even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ." 3:18
Am I moved to tears because people don't know Christ?
"Forgetting what is behind.." 3:13
Jesus, help me forget what is behind.
Help me receive your GRACE.
"And we eagerly await a Savior..." 3:20
Do I awake each morning and live each afternoon and lay down each night in eagerness to meet my Savior?
Jesus, teach me these things. May my love abound more in knowledge and depth of insight. Place these truths like a seal upon my heart so that they will transform my life. Teach me your ways oh Lord.
Oh, how I love you!
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