1 Samuel 15:22
I've been thinking about obedience the past couple of days. A long time ago, when I was a very young Christian (about 35 years ago), the Lord gave me a word I've never forgotten. "We have been called not to a faith of feeling, but a faith of obedience."
Obedience is HARD!!! It is much easier to go with the flow of feelings! "Oh, today I feel so much love for the Lord... I want to praise and worship Him all day and being His presence all day!"
Another day might be: "Lord, I have so much on my plate today- it'd be great if You'd hang with me but I understand if You don't."
Or even worse are the days that we don't even think of Him and go through our day and realize (maybe even a couple days later when we slow down) that He hasn't been a steady presence in our lives through those days.
Such is living the life of feelings.
But to live a life of obedience... it gently demands an adherence to a discipline... to diligently remind OURSELVES to live outside of ourselves.
To focus on the One. To submit our hearts to Him and construct our days to purposefully include Him. Not because we have to, but because our hearts WANT to, and desire to live a daily life that is pleasing to Him.
"To obey is better than sacrifice." An obedient child, an obedient dog... there is a submission of the will that precludes desires.
We can all give an (outward) sacrifice as the Israelites did. But God desired the dedication of obedience from their hearts above the (fat of rams).
We are stubborn. We are hard headed. We are independent and think we know our own way.
But His thoughts are not our thoughts... And if we "trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and lean not to our own understanding, if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, then He will direct our paths."
Obedience and trust go hand in hand. If you trust someone, you know that your obedience is well founded. Just think if you didn't trust someone. Would you want to obey them?
But He is the Lord of Lords... We can trust him with our hearts, and our lives.
Practicing daily disciplines is hard (in the flesh), but there is also a joy in knowing that your Lord adores you. He wants the best for you. He longs for fellowship and relationship with His creation.
Obedience becomes freedom.
https://youtu.be/ahSp1QLLw5I
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Friday, June 12, 2020
He will hold me fast...
I heard a song last night for the first time, and it so touched my heart. Enough that I wanted to share it with you, with maybe a little commentary (in parentheses) 😉 To me, this is one of those "new hymns" that seems timeless and that it's been around forever. (This one is only 4 yrs old) ☺ I hope you will listen to it and be blessed! 😇 The line that so wrapped itself around my heart was "For my Savior loves me so...." He loves us so very, very much. It's not just that He died for us (He had to do that to satisfy the sin price)... But He did it BECAUSE HE LOVES US SO... He will hold me fast. Be blessed, and know you are so, so loved. ❤
*******
When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast
(Oh how we run cold but His love never leaves us)...
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast
Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast
(Those He has in His hand, He will not lose....)
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast
For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
'Til our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
'Til our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!
(He won a spiritual battle FOR MY SAKE, and He will never let me go...)
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast...https://youtu.be/unLKmJJPExk
For my Savior loves me so
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast...https://youtu.be/unLKmJJPExk
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Daily "mindfulness"
I am sure that I will learn time and time again the challenge of blogging is putting one's thoughts into words that are meaningful when shared with others. Today presents an opportunity to explore that challenge!
I often ponder the meaning of "walk in the Spirit/ by the Spirit". The first is used Galatians 5:16- Paul says, "But I say walk and live in the Spirit"... The Amplified Bible adds to live [habitually] and [to be responsive and controlled and guided by the Spirit].
The second reference is later in that chapter (in verse 25)- it says "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit", to which the Amplified Bible adds [if by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit].
I start my day with a desire to walk through it with a deliberate mindfulness of the presence of God. Yet sometimes at the end of that day, I think back and realize that I 'did that day' largely in my own "mindfulness of self"!
I have a good friend who has a running conversation with the Lord all day. He talks and she listens. I love to be around her because it is a beautiful example of a *relationship*.
I believe it is something that must be practiced and developed. In our flesh, it is all about *us*. When we have a consciousness of being sensitive to the Spirit, it takes our minds off ourselves and into a place of a different awareness. As a result, the fruit of the Spirit blossoms. But the "WE" (our innermost) is changed as we welcome Him into our daily sphere.
It is not a natural thing to do, but when we are in Christ, we are a new creation, and we can live in a spiritual plane, and indeed grow to a place where we walk in that realm as naturally as we walk on terra firma.
My husband said something very profound last night. We were talking about current events, and he said, "How you died isn't how you should be remembered."
Wow. Yes and amen. Please Lord, let me be remembered for how I lived!!!
"For in Him we live and move and have our being"! (Acts 17:28)
Blessings!
I often ponder the meaning of "walk in the Spirit/ by the Spirit". The first is used Galatians 5:16- Paul says, "But I say walk and live in the Spirit"... The Amplified Bible adds to live [habitually] and [to be responsive and controlled and guided by the Spirit].
The second reference is later in that chapter (in verse 25)- it says "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit", to which the Amplified Bible adds [if by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit].
I start my day with a desire to walk through it with a deliberate mindfulness of the presence of God. Yet sometimes at the end of that day, I think back and realize that I 'did that day' largely in my own "mindfulness of self"!
I have a good friend who has a running conversation with the Lord all day. He talks and she listens. I love to be around her because it is a beautiful example of a *relationship*.
I believe it is something that must be practiced and developed. In our flesh, it is all about *us*. When we have a consciousness of being sensitive to the Spirit, it takes our minds off ourselves and into a place of a different awareness. As a result, the fruit of the Spirit blossoms. But the "WE" (our innermost) is changed as we welcome Him into our daily sphere.
It is not a natural thing to do, but when we are in Christ, we are a new creation, and we can live in a spiritual plane, and indeed grow to a place where we walk in that realm as naturally as we walk on terra firma.
My husband said something very profound last night. We were talking about current events, and he said, "How you died isn't how you should be remembered."
Wow. Yes and amen. Please Lord, let me be remembered for how I lived!!!
"For in Him we live and move and have our being"! (Acts 17:28)
Blessings!
Thursday, June 4, 2020
What will people say??
Recently in the news, there has been commentary of a particular person's life. To hear it, you would think that he was an upstanding Christian man; there are reports of street ministry and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Other reports detail a criminal past and a string of poor life choices. The two can go hand in hand. Many is the saved soul that can tell a tale of the redemptive love of Christ and a life that was changed forever. Which is the one that people will hear???
Sometimes I think of what people will say of me when I am no longer walking this earth. Not that it is my motivation for my actions, but a bigger care is whether or not I would have represented the Lord well. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 3:20- "But our citizenship is in heaven..." ...
You have a passport of the country that you are from. You are a citizen of that country. I am just a pilgrim passing through!!
Many years ago, a work friend whom I had known for years (had even been to a "candle party" at her house!) told me she was moving. I asked why and she said that she and her husband were going to go plant a church. I was so surprised - I never knew she was a Christian!! That one hit me hard and has stayed in my mind to this day. If that was me in her place, would people be surprised to learn of my faith???
Ephesians 4:1 says "In all that you do, live in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called..." I know I can pray more, serve more, love more. But in the end, did I live above reproach (Col 1:22)? Did my light shine before men? Will there be two tales to tell??
I am accountable to God. It is of utmost importance to me that He is pleased with me. That as I am going through trials, I will honor Him in my thoughts, words and actions, and at the end of the trial, He will say, "Good job. You handled that well and I am proud of you." That people know that He is the Source and the Light of my life.
That is my hope. That in the final account, that will be the story that will be told. "She loved Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwelt within her and the Father was well pleased".
Blessings!
Sometimes I think of what people will say of me when I am no longer walking this earth. Not that it is my motivation for my actions, but a bigger care is whether or not I would have represented the Lord well. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 3:20- "But our citizenship is in heaven..." ...
You have a passport of the country that you are from. You are a citizen of that country. I am just a pilgrim passing through!!
Many years ago, a work friend whom I had known for years (had even been to a "candle party" at her house!) told me she was moving. I asked why and she said that she and her husband were going to go plant a church. I was so surprised - I never knew she was a Christian!! That one hit me hard and has stayed in my mind to this day. If that was me in her place, would people be surprised to learn of my faith???
Ephesians 4:1 says "In all that you do, live in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called..." I know I can pray more, serve more, love more. But in the end, did I live above reproach (Col 1:22)? Did my light shine before men? Will there be two tales to tell??
I am accountable to God. It is of utmost importance to me that He is pleased with me. That as I am going through trials, I will honor Him in my thoughts, words and actions, and at the end of the trial, He will say, "Good job. You handled that well and I am proud of you." That people know that He is the Source and the Light of my life.
That is my hope. That in the final account, that will be the story that will be told. "She loved Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwelt within her and the Father was well pleased".
Blessings!
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Quiet amidst the noise
Isaiah 30:15- in quietness and trust (confidence) is your strength.
Psalm 131:2- But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
When we turn our eyes upon Jesus... The things of this world grow strangely dim...
These verses roll through my mind as a cascading waterfall in the forest. Our focus moves to Him, and we are quieted. I think of a searchlight, moving 'to and fro' until it finds its target, and once it does, it stops searching.
I am so thankful I live in a place where I can sit and listen to the wind in the trees, the birds, and the windchime 🎵
I think of the verse above from Isaiah and substitute the word 'simplicity' for quietness... I take a breath, turn my attention and energy to Him and am still.
What peace. What comfort. What rest!
Blessings!
https://youtu.be/B2hGhWiAMQk
Psalm 131:2- But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
When we turn our eyes upon Jesus... The things of this world grow strangely dim...
These verses roll through my mind as a cascading waterfall in the forest. Our focus moves to Him, and we are quieted. I think of a searchlight, moving 'to and fro' until it finds its target, and once it does, it stops searching.
I am so thankful I live in a place where I can sit and listen to the wind in the trees, the birds, and the windchime 🎵
I think of the verse above from Isaiah and substitute the word 'simplicity' for quietness... I take a breath, turn my attention and energy to Him and am still.
What peace. What comfort. What rest!
Blessings!
https://youtu.be/B2hGhWiAMQk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)