Today while reading in Proverbs, I ran across a verse that made me think.
Proverbs 14:4 "Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest."
In the commentary it talked about how sometimes as people, we retreat from the mess of relationships and being a light in the world. We would rather not deal with it. Although we need a chance to refresh and to be filled with the Spirit through his Word, if we are only about ourselves then we don't have much chance at being used for the Lord.
So if we refuse to go into the world & take part in relationships, how much are we being a part of the Lord's plans? We have less head ache, heart ache and chaos but our part in the harvest will be small. With God, we have the power of the Holy Spirit that will help us through.
Sometimes it may feel like all that we do for good, is in vain. That no one listens to truth, but rejects it. That serving others is of no use and unappreciated. That is when we need to remember who we are working for and that He is about "love". We are still to be obedient and leave the results up to Him.
Colossians 3:23 "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
When we are put down in relationships, how many times do we retaliate or have a come back when insulted? It just seems like the thing to do, right?
1Peter 3:9 "Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it."
If you are like me and frustrated with certain people, God is asking us to bless others and not retaliate. That is where prayer comes in and seeking the strength of the Lord. So I am praying now, for my mouth to be slow to speak when I am put down.
1Peter 2:23 (Jesus) "He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly."
Romans 5:8 "But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Jesus was our example of doing good, serving and loving sinful people. As a follower of Christ, I pray that I would be able to do the same. Listen to the words of this song and look inward. As I listen, I see many things I need to work on. I hope it inspires you, as it has me. :)
Here is the verse that is used in this song;
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If
I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making
everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain,
“Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If
I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be
burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter
what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. " (The Message Version)
Correction & Humility
This week in our family pride and foolishness occurred. Since we are all flawed in our humanness, it is bound to happen.
Our advice as parents was not accepted. Granted, I see awesomeness in our kids. We are so proud of their efforts, hard work, love for God and dedication to do good. But we all have areas we can improve on and the suggestion given, was not well received. It was rejected and made me feel disrespected and unappreciated. Not to mention the fact that I saw pride and foolishness in my child's response. So I went to the Lord in prayer.... asking what I should do. Here are some of the scriptures I read.
Genesis 4:5 "but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected." Here Cain is giving an offering to God that was not acceptable to God. And instead of being repentant, Cain went further into rebellion following his own will. Maybe this offering was not pleasing to God because of Cain's attitude or it was not up to God's standard. Either way, "Isaiah 55:9 says "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."
Proverbs 15:5 "Only a fool despises a parents discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise."
Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."
1 Peter 5:6 "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor."
While I was thinking about all of this, God started working on me too. He revealed to me something I wasn't even aware I was doing. I had become resentful of the time I was giving up for the sake of the kids. God gives us all we have. That includes our money, family, friends and TIME. I am to serve God and others with a joyful heart. I had lost focus of the privilege of serving God as a parent.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."
God also showed me a little bit of how He feels when we don't listen to his suggestions to us as adults. Does God feel disrespected, frustrated and unappreciated too, especially since He is all-knowing and all-powerful? This lead me to repentance and sorrow for going my own way. I am glad God is filled with grace for me. I can trust Him and surrender to His will because his motives are pure and good. Just as my motives are good for my child when I am giving suggestions.
God's after our hearts and our obedience. Thankfully, our family resolved the current issues, and humbled ourselves under God.
1 John 4:4 "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory..... because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
Our advice as parents was not accepted. Granted, I see awesomeness in our kids. We are so proud of their efforts, hard work, love for God and dedication to do good. But we all have areas we can improve on and the suggestion given, was not well received. It was rejected and made me feel disrespected and unappreciated. Not to mention the fact that I saw pride and foolishness in my child's response. So I went to the Lord in prayer.... asking what I should do. Here are some of the scriptures I read.
Genesis 4:5 "but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected." Here Cain is giving an offering to God that was not acceptable to God. And instead of being repentant, Cain went further into rebellion following his own will. Maybe this offering was not pleasing to God because of Cain's attitude or it was not up to God's standard. Either way, "Isaiah 55:9 says "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."
Proverbs 15:5 "Only a fool despises a parents discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise."
Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."
1 Peter 5:6 "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor."
While I was thinking about all of this, God started working on me too. He revealed to me something I wasn't even aware I was doing. I had become resentful of the time I was giving up for the sake of the kids. God gives us all we have. That includes our money, family, friends and TIME. I am to serve God and others with a joyful heart. I had lost focus of the privilege of serving God as a parent.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."
God also showed me a little bit of how He feels when we don't listen to his suggestions to us as adults. Does God feel disrespected, frustrated and unappreciated too, especially since He is all-knowing and all-powerful? This lead me to repentance and sorrow for going my own way. I am glad God is filled with grace for me. I can trust Him and surrender to His will because his motives are pure and good. Just as my motives are good for my child when I am giving suggestions.
God's after our hearts and our obedience. Thankfully, our family resolved the current issues, and humbled ourselves under God.
1 John 4:4 "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory..... because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
Christian Soldiers
This morning, I got Noah off to his first "Fellowship of Christian Athletes" meeting before his day at high school. Then Rylee and I did our devotions. We studied 2 Timothy 2. What a great chapter from Paul as He wrote with a heart full of love for Timothy. It was his last writing to him too, so it meant a lot.
Paul told Timothy to teach great truths to trustworthy people who would pass it on. What great advice!
I love verse 4 that says "And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army." I can so relate to this because Jesus has told us to be in the world, but not of the world as His followers. It makes me think of things like school, work, and church. We are all selfish by nature. We start out with good intentions, and at times we end up being in the middle of quarrels, selfish ambition or things like gossip. Staying in God's word will help us keep on track. We are tempted by materials things and building our own kingdom here on earth. But Jesus didn't come to build His kingdom on earth. If we are to be like Jesus, we are not to focus on that either. He told us to store up our treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-20)
In Phillipians 2:13-16 Paul also is inspired by God to teach this:
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless."
In 2 Timothy 2 verses 11-13, Paul goes on to give us hope in following Jesus.
"This is a true saying:
If we die with him, (physically or to our own will)
We will also live with him.
If we endure hardship, (standing for Christ despite the costs)
we will reign with him,
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, (because we all fall short- Romans 3:23)
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself." (God is trustworthy at all times)
So no matter where God plants us, we are to keep pressing on towards His will. God has enlisted us and will equip us. Our part is to be willing and obedient to His calling. Loving people and not forgetting our armor. (Eph 6:11-18)
God, we pray for hearts without fear, filled with the power and love of your Spirit and for self-discipline. In Jesus name, Amen.
Paul told Timothy to teach great truths to trustworthy people who would pass it on. What great advice!
I love verse 4 that says "And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army." I can so relate to this because Jesus has told us to be in the world, but not of the world as His followers. It makes me think of things like school, work, and church. We are all selfish by nature. We start out with good intentions, and at times we end up being in the middle of quarrels, selfish ambition or things like gossip. Staying in God's word will help us keep on track. We are tempted by materials things and building our own kingdom here on earth. But Jesus didn't come to build His kingdom on earth. If we are to be like Jesus, we are not to focus on that either. He told us to store up our treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-20)
In Phillipians 2:13-16 Paul also is inspired by God to teach this:
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless."
In 2 Timothy 2 verses 11-13, Paul goes on to give us hope in following Jesus.
"This is a true saying:
If we die with him, (physically or to our own will)
We will also live with him.
If we endure hardship, (standing for Christ despite the costs)
we will reign with him,
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, (because we all fall short- Romans 3:23)
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself." (God is trustworthy at all times)
So no matter where God plants us, we are to keep pressing on towards His will. God has enlisted us and will equip us. Our part is to be willing and obedient to His calling. Loving people and not forgetting our armor. (Eph 6:11-18)
God, we pray for hearts without fear, filled with the power and love of your Spirit and for self-discipline. In Jesus name, Amen.
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