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Friday, December 28, 2007

why can't

why can't i do what i know to do
how long does romans 7 last on the same issues
what is the trigger to make romans 8 come

the current sin is
when i am offended for whatever reason
i sulk and withdraw (like a 3 year old)
so why can't
i be so filled with the love of Jesus and the knowledge of His sovereignity
that no matter what happens that is what flows out of me
why can't i

Thursday, December 20, 2007

the payoff

July 29th i started this blog and this was part of the purpose recorded on that day

My mission:To keep this blog honest open and transparent, which will probably mean ugly and filled with many frustrations and moments of ...crap.

so the last couple of posts have been ... well less than "happy happy joy joy"

but a breakthrough, a 'payoff' came this morning as i got up early popped open my Bible and spent some time in 5,6,7 of Proverbs, God was able to speak to me
to point out to me the root of the sin of not loving in the sense of Phil 2:3 "considering others more important than yourself" actually 2 roots i guess
#1 Not truly valuing others, so that i talked myself into NOT laying down my life because others are just going to 'waste' my sacrifice
#2 is connnected, not believing that GOD the sovereign good God would pick me up and provide for me with love and extravagant affection and i do not have to protect myself
so going back a few blogs those are the cures for the sins of selfishness and fear that were at the root of most of my struggles
sooooooooooooo praise God, now Lord, help me, enable me, to walk out these truths and to choose to obey You and love others and trust You every every every every step of the way.
AMEN

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.

Phillipians 2:3, the MOST Glaring lack in the "church" today
It is rarely seen
rarely modeled
on an individual level
I have never seen it on a corporate level
and the stench of it missing on a "people who run and are 'stars' of conferences"
level is gross (Heidi Baker being the exception)

It is missing in my life and that too is sin.
A couple versions of that verse to get the WHOLE meaning
Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. NLT
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. NIV
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; NASB
Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. The message

the lack of it shows the lack of love
and when love is lacking
God calls all the wonderful results and programs VOMIT!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

thanks eugene

eugene peterson that is translator of "the message"
two thoughts from a devotional by him
expanding on the scripture
"every good and perfect gift comes from above"
he states
"Therefore I don't have to be anxious. In a world of grace I do not live in laborious struggle trying to fashion a world that suits my needs and desires..... I simply discover and receive."

and here in is my greatest sin, the grumpy, mean-spirited, "this isn't all working out the way i wanted it to" thing... so i punish those around me by being short and annoyed with whatever situation is "not to my liking" silly, selfish, childish... i could go on but the main thing is
sinful... God is sovereign God is good I simply discover and receive....

the second thought

relates to the scripture
"grow in the grace and understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ"

our walk in God is described as growth, the change in our nature is immediate when being born again, but the change in "who we are" is an issue of perservering growth, choices, submission to the will of God, obedience when disobeying is so so so so so much easier

Sunday, December 9, 2007

results

well praise God, the "end times" discussion went well
and some did "reach up" to the truth that I was pointing to
and we did "just read" Matthew 24 and 2 Thes. 2
and the implication that Post-trib is the truth became
clear to those who were "reaching"

that was good and encouraging

then we had friends over after supper, and they were
very "easy to get to know" people so it was enjoyable

Saturday, December 8, 2007

hours

leading a discussion of the "end times" tommorow at church
i'll have about 30 minutes
i "need" hours or better yet
the true presence of God for 30 minutes
i always aim "higher" than my audience is
hoping that some will choose to jump, to look up,
to reach out for more truth

be it unto me (done to me) according to Your Will
i guess that is the key
take control Lord, i do not look on this "event" lightly
Help!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

i am blessed

a wonderful wife
great kids who receive instruction and love and are eager to please and "do right"
friends who would "take a bullet"
for me
a Bible that i can read
a good church
health
a loving patient kind slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness God
i am blessed

now Lord, make my attitude and mannerisms show it
let be known for my joy, true deep joy

Saturday, December 1, 2007

the necessary failure

there is a "failure" that is necessary
a failure of the flesh, our own attempts to
overcome sin, temptation, fear, pride, anything
without a total surrender to, and relying on, Jesus
and His finished work of grace

if your good idea, or method gets the
credit/glory and not Him, then there has to
be a failure at some point, in order for the ONE
who is worthy of all glory to get all Glory!