"But for now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace". Ephesians 2:13-14
Peace...we ALL want it...but why does it seem so hard to find and then when we do, to hold on to it?
If our hearts are truly set on Him, it isn't hard at all and that is the amazing thing, the breathtaking thing, the beautiful thing.
I am currently doing a Beth Moore Bible study with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law every other Tuesday night entitled, Living Beyond Yourself, Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit. It has been VERY good so far. The "fruit" that we are studying right now is peace.
I've been struggling with a few specific things lately and today God decided to lay it all out to me and boy did I hear him LOUD AND CLEAR!! It was beautiful. I like it when He speaks to me and I like being obedient; it's a stretch at times, and at times painful, but it is always good.
I am going to type out what I read at the end of one of my studies today and then add some personal notes following. The day ended with a scripture...For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18
Now Beth's words of closing...
ACCESS to God. Can you even imagine? If such privilege has become commonplace to you, or if you simply desire a greater sense of awe to appreciate your access, read Psalm 104.
I don't know about you, but this psalm makes me feel rather minuscule, and yet we, of all creatures great and small, have access. Why? Because Christ became our peace on Calvary.
I will never forget watching an evening talk show featuring the story of the parents and killer of a young college student. The killer was his best friend. The weapon was high alcohol content inside a speeding automobile. We've heard so many stories about drunk drivers and their victims. What made this particular feature prime-time viewing? The parents had forgiven the young driver...and if that was not enough, they had taken him in as their own.
This young man sat at the table in the chair which was once occupied by their only son. He slept in the son's bed. He worked with the victim's father, teaching seminars on safety. He shared their fortune and supported their causes. He spoke about the one he had slain in ways only someone who knew him intimately could have.
Why did these parents do such a thing? Because it gave them peace. The interviewer was amazed; I was amazed. I kept trying to put myself in the parents' position--but I could not. Then, as the tears streamed down my cheeks, I heard the Spirit of God whisper to my heart and say: "No wonder you cannot relate. You have put yourself in the wrong position. You, my child, are the driver."
God was the parent--who not only forgave-but also invited me to sit at His table in the space my Savior left for me. As a result, I have peace.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of you who read this will know what I'm speaking of and some of you won't...either way, it doesn't matter, it is the end result in the story that matters.
God taught me what grace was and gave me the strength and the true Christ-like ability to give the gift of grace myself. Something that I thought would completely destroy me has brought me the closest to God that I have ever been and He in turn has made me the strongest that I have ever been. Through giving this gift of grace I have found my true peace in Christ and my desire is that it shines through me in everything that I do.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Something pretty profound...
I was reading tonight at my Mother-in-law's house and it was from a little daily devotional book which had some pretty interesting things in it. I read one day and then another and another and so on...you get the picture. ;o) The book was entitled... Turning Points-Moments of Decision in the Presence of God by David Jeremiah.
I'm going to share a few of them with you and pray that you will hear God through these words as I did.
Will You Hear Me Now? October 8
My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding. Proverbs 5:1
Does anyone really listen anymore? Are you frustrated by shallow conversation with the people you deal with from day to day? If so, you might want to check your newspaper. A woman once placed an ad in a suburban newspaper offering to listen to anyone talk for thirty minutes for five dollars. The next thing she knew, her phone was ringing off the hook! People were hungry to be heard, and they were more than willing to pay someone to listen to them. Listening intently with one's mouth firmly shut is an elusive grace.
Not being heard in relationships is equal to not being valued. We can't always offer a potential masterpiece in our relationship conversation, but we can always respond to others as thought it were just that. When Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha, they responded in very different ways. Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His words, while Martha busied herself in the kitchen.
There is a time and place for everything, but the highest priority with each other should be the willingness to listen. In Luke 10:41-42, Jesus responded to Martha, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one things is needed. Mary has chosen what is better".
Choose what is better: choose to listen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marks of a Servant October 7
Nevertheless we...endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:12
Philip Pillsbury had an international reputation as a connoisseur of fine foods. But to his employees, he was one of the troops. He bore the unmistakable mark of a journeyman grain miller--the tips of three of his fingers were missing. He would not allow his wealth and prestige to separate him from the workers he led, and he had the factory scars to prove it.
The term servant leader describes leaders who serve those whom they lead--leaders whose main task is to remove the obstacles that might keep their followers from succeeding, Jesus Christ was certainly a servant leader, as was the apostle Paul. In fact, Paul confessed that he would rather do anything than hinder the spread of the gospel. So he gave up his rights in order that none would be confused about his motives. He adapted himself to the lifestyle of those he sought to win to Christ. And he bore in his body the telltale marks of a follower of Jesus (Galatians 6:17).
What marks do we bear that reveal our willingness to serve those we are called to lead? Commitment to a cause is measured by the self-denial we're willing to endure to see it accomplished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reasons to Be Content October 5
Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles?
1 Corinthians 9:5
If you need a new appliance, where do you start looking? You probably do an Internet search to find the best combination of value, price, and warranty. That same mindset has caused matchmaking and dating-service Web sites to be the fastest-growing segment of online business. Singles are shopping for mates the same way they'd shop for a toaster.
Marriage partners have become a commodity in our culture--something to be used up and discarded as tastes, desires, or circumstances dictate. The existing standard seems to be: if you're tired of being single, get married; if you're tired of being married, get single. The state most people seem to be most discontent with is the state they're in.
While it's true that God told Adam it was not good for him to be alone (Genesis 2:18), that statement was tied more to the procreative function of humans to fill the earth than to Adam's constitution as a single person. Every human being, single or married, should find his or her ultimate contentment in God.
Whether we are married or single should not determine our contentment in life. The way we live our lives is an expression of contentment with God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a few quotes to leave you with...
It's good to talk about your salvation, but it's even better to let your actions speak louder than your words. The world is waiting to meet Christians whose talk is drowned out by their walk.
Watch out for the hearts that are cruising along the sea of life, and love the way you want to be loved. Practice humility.
Righteousness means being right in the eyes of God, not men.
I'm going to share a few of them with you and pray that you will hear God through these words as I did.
Will You Hear Me Now? October 8
My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding. Proverbs 5:1
Does anyone really listen anymore? Are you frustrated by shallow conversation with the people you deal with from day to day? If so, you might want to check your newspaper. A woman once placed an ad in a suburban newspaper offering to listen to anyone talk for thirty minutes for five dollars. The next thing she knew, her phone was ringing off the hook! People were hungry to be heard, and they were more than willing to pay someone to listen to them. Listening intently with one's mouth firmly shut is an elusive grace.
Not being heard in relationships is equal to not being valued. We can't always offer a potential masterpiece in our relationship conversation, but we can always respond to others as thought it were just that. When Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha, they responded in very different ways. Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His words, while Martha busied herself in the kitchen.
There is a time and place for everything, but the highest priority with each other should be the willingness to listen. In Luke 10:41-42, Jesus responded to Martha, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one things is needed. Mary has chosen what is better".
Choose what is better: choose to listen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marks of a Servant October 7
Nevertheless we...endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:12
Philip Pillsbury had an international reputation as a connoisseur of fine foods. But to his employees, he was one of the troops. He bore the unmistakable mark of a journeyman grain miller--the tips of three of his fingers were missing. He would not allow his wealth and prestige to separate him from the workers he led, and he had the factory scars to prove it.
The term servant leader describes leaders who serve those whom they lead--leaders whose main task is to remove the obstacles that might keep their followers from succeeding, Jesus Christ was certainly a servant leader, as was the apostle Paul. In fact, Paul confessed that he would rather do anything than hinder the spread of the gospel. So he gave up his rights in order that none would be confused about his motives. He adapted himself to the lifestyle of those he sought to win to Christ. And he bore in his body the telltale marks of a follower of Jesus (Galatians 6:17).
What marks do we bear that reveal our willingness to serve those we are called to lead? Commitment to a cause is measured by the self-denial we're willing to endure to see it accomplished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reasons to Be Content October 5
Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles?
1 Corinthians 9:5
If you need a new appliance, where do you start looking? You probably do an Internet search to find the best combination of value, price, and warranty. That same mindset has caused matchmaking and dating-service Web sites to be the fastest-growing segment of online business. Singles are shopping for mates the same way they'd shop for a toaster.
Marriage partners have become a commodity in our culture--something to be used up and discarded as tastes, desires, or circumstances dictate. The existing standard seems to be: if you're tired of being single, get married; if you're tired of being married, get single. The state most people seem to be most discontent with is the state they're in.
While it's true that God told Adam it was not good for him to be alone (Genesis 2:18), that statement was tied more to the procreative function of humans to fill the earth than to Adam's constitution as a single person. Every human being, single or married, should find his or her ultimate contentment in God.
Whether we are married or single should not determine our contentment in life. The way we live our lives is an expression of contentment with God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a few quotes to leave you with...
It's good to talk about your salvation, but it's even better to let your actions speak louder than your words. The world is waiting to meet Christians whose talk is drowned out by their walk.
Watch out for the hearts that are cruising along the sea of life, and love the way you want to be loved. Practice humility.
Righteousness means being right in the eyes of God, not men.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)