Thursday, February 28, 2013

Restore


Brethren, If any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an active eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.  Galatians 6:1

I have studied this verse several time recently.  Most of that study encompassed how as a Christian, we are called to help other Christians be restored to the Father through repentance.  Also how this is something most Christians avoid or make fodder for their own sin- gossip.

It wasn’t until God began revealing the aspect of pride I’m entangled in did the last part of this verse make sense to me.  At first I thought I would be in danger of sinning in the same manner as the one I’m trying to set right and restore. 

In the Amplified translation, it helps to see what sin we’re tempted by – superiority – how I am so above you, I can judge you.  Also, if a person is restored to God, I am tempted to steal the glory from God for their repentance, as if I have the power to cause someone to repent.

If I am to help a fellow Christian restore their relationship to God, I must:
  • Examine my own heart – do I need restored in the same manner?  It is easy to see my sin in others.
  • Be convicted that I am the tool the Holy Spirit wants to use.  Realizing I am a tool means I am humble to God – submissive to His will – motivated out of love for Him and for those He loves.  This attitude guards against the pride of superiority.
  • Come along side of them to be the tool.  Be thankful that I am used in this way.  I encourage and help them feed on God’s word, sticking by until a change takes place.
  • Allow God to do the work in His time.  I can’t force it, get frustrated over something I can see is so simple.  That again is my pride kicking in and leaking over to superiority.

Going forth in counseling, I will have to cling to this verse to encourage and convict me, lest I should be tempted.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Compromise Question



How do I compromise in my example for my daughter?  It’s good to always listen for the Holy Spirit conviction on compromises you may make.  This question was posed to me by the Holy Spirit.

Do I compromise on money?  On my time with God?  What is she seeing?
For now my patience was revealed to me.  I lose patience with my girl.  I’m usually convicted and I ask her to forgive me.  The added bonus is the example of seeking forgiveness when I am in the wrong and that Mama isn’t perfect.

Yet, there is another area where I show impatience: driving.  This occurred to me when I was repeatedly behind someone going ten plus miles under the speed limit.  I just wanted to get to where I was going and then get home.  There it is again, my selfish pride saying I deserve to get moving. 

God has cleaned me up in this area.  I no longer spew curse words like I did in my younger years.  I’d look forward to making no comment unless it is needed for safety reasons, about other people’s driving.  Every time words come out of my mouth, I listen to the conviction that quickly comes, repent and seek God’s grace to move past the sin.

Monday, February 25, 2013

The Big What If..

The big what if that hangs over any wife.  What if he didn't come home today?  What if God calls him home today?  No more morning wake-up kisses.  No more hugs.  No more phone calls.  No more special emails.  No more, no more. 

This post was spurred by The Time Warped Wife post.  She had a guest post from Nicole.  Nicole did go through just that.  The post was an attitude adjustment for me.  I love my husband.  I don't usually grumble in my heart about him (and never would I to other people).  Yet, I am a flawed sinner.  I have hormones.  Some times I do grumble.  Sometimes I do "FEEEEELLLL" offended.  Sometimes I do wish he would just read my mind and know just what I want him to do....LOL.

As a Christ follower, I am taught to do more than what is asked - if you are asked to walk a mile - walk two.  Matthew 5:41.  This means I am to do more than expected and WITH a good attitude.  I am to give, to love.  And why is it sometimes so hard to give that love to the one you love the most?

Then I followed the little link over to Nicole's blog.  That post is a must read as well.  What a blessing she is.  God has gifted her with the right thinking in the aftermath of her husband departure.  I just love how she put to words that those God calls home can not possible see us if they are to have no more tears.  And the thankfulness in her heart that he can't see what is going on.  She is an inspiration.  Her thankfulness is a real life example of a humble heart that trusts God. 

Yes, Nicole's words came from God to me.  It has changed me.  Thank you amazing Father!

As a side note, I do not dwell on this or any what if - for it is worry, which is a sin.  When this or any what if jumps into my head, I give it to God and declare I trust Him and know His provision will see me through everything. 

Friday, February 22, 2013

Puffed up Knowledge

Now about food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].  If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary. 1 Cor 8:1-2

This passage speaks of how knowledge is related to pride, as we exert privileges in the security of faith.  Paul is speaking of eating idol meat.  Since my eye is looking for any passage that speaks of pride, this one caught my attention.

Knowledge is a lure to increase pride.  That person who knows the Bible forward and back, yet does not know God – no personal relationship.  That person who has a critical eye on how things should be.  That person who is certain of being right, their heart is closed to learning. 

Paul contrast to the pride of knowledge with love.  Love builds up.  Love does not tout around advanced knowledge (pride of knowledge).  Love seeks wisdom (knowledge with application and heart change).  It looks to use knowledge to understand where others stand – not condemn anyone either.  To take the time to understand where others are at in their walk with God and not allow their actions to cause another to stumble.

But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him]. 1 Cor 8:3

Anyone with puffed up knowledge thinks they know God.  Only through love can anyone know God.  Love recognizes that I am an example for others to follow.  Love knows what is permissible for me to do, yet I restrain myself out of consideration for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Pride: Touchy Feelings


A couple things happened that caused my feelings to be hurt.  Some was a gentle reproach from a friend, some was me stepping out of my comfort zone, not communicating well and the consequences of stepping out.

It was these instances that an opportunity for growth happened.  I was led to read about love in 1 Corinthians 13 in the Amplified Bible. 

It  is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.  Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it take no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 1 Cor 13:5 (underline added)

Oh my, this verse cut down to what I was doing.  I was allowing my perceived rights, my fleshly sinful desires, my pride to prohibit me from loving.  The verse converged Love and pride in my heart.  I knew I could love better, now I could see that my pride got in the way!

My touchy feelings were a response of my pride.  I was looking for me to be safe and protected.  I wanted to be right.  I wanted to disregard what others thought, even though part of stepping out of my comfort was to see what other thought.

This line of thinking would lead me to be rude as I carried out my own preferences.  For me to stop seeking  others input.  For others, because of my response, would withhold edifying responses. 

I have God’s love in me.  Thank you Lord for showing another aspect of my pride.  Please continue to humble me in Your love.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Compartmentalize?


Continuing with my sin of pride.  I focused on my health and my plan to get healthier.  I made it more a priority than spending time with God.  It filled me thoughts.

Hebrew 12:2a: Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus.

I made this simple plan, with my knee and hip issues in mind, to improve my health.  Then my mind was distracted by a few aspects of that.  The distractions opened the door for more distractions.  Needless to say, I was not doing Hebrews 12:2!

As I posted here, I was getting ready to beg for a big dose of grace to be heaped on my plan when God changed my focus. 

But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and the desires of the flesh(of human nature without God.) Galatians 5:16

It comes down to if its God’s will, He will enable me.  Only in seeking Him that I can resists the desires of the flesh.  I was excluding God from these areas of my life (my pride said I could do it my way and on my own).  My pastor recently called it compartmentalizing your life.  My health was something I said I wanted to improve me for God.  I introspectively decided it needed fixed.  I didn’t feel conviction to do all my plans.  I allowed the distractions make it about me.  I wasn’t seeing how it all tied together, since in my head it was one of many things.  If the heart in involved, than all things are tied together (btw, all things are a heart thing). 

Fortunately God opened my eyes to see how it is all connected when He revealed how my pride caused the issues sin I struggled with.  What had God convicted me to do?  As I search my heart, I know it is to exercise and gain strength.  I am to avoid sweets and too much sugar.  I am to eat enough food to feed me, no excess.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Lies of Pride


God called it pride.  Pride that my wants were more important than Him.  Plain and simple.  I wanted things to go my way, for me to have control.  I was focusing all of me to my wants.  And that, my friend, is pride (with idol worship thrown in).

Humility is content with enough.  Seeking more than enough is pride lying:
1. You deserve it after what you’re dealing with (sick, no sleep).
2. Just this once won’t matter.
3. This is easier than what you planned – you really don’t want to change – you’re fine.
There may be more lies, but these three stuck out.

Truths:
1. Do I really want what I deserve?  God’s holy and just wrath?  No, I am thankful for His mercy, grace and redeeming blood.
2. Every compromise matters in my life.  The Bible is full of stories about people who compromised and the last effects:  Adam and Eve, Abram, Sarai and Hagar, Judah and Tamar, David and Bathsheba, ect.  Their stories focus on the sin, yet look a few verses before the sin and you’ll see the compromise: Eve doubting God’s good for her, Sarai impatient for God’s promise, Judah fearful of losing another son married to Tamar, David staying home instead of going to war.
3. I am not fine.  I am being made holy.  In that I need to do things in partnership with God and His Holy power. 

Yes, it may seem easier to take the route of compromise, however, life gets harder the further I move away from God’s will.  Life gets easier the closer I get to God.  When I delight in God, I get what I long for.  I have proper perspective on the things of my life, of this world.  God placed this verse before me:

Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires and secrets petitions of your heart.  Psalm 37:4

Pride is a root sin.  I can see I will always have issues, yet God is faithful and I trust Him and His grace to grow me out of this sin.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Pride goes before Destruction



There I was.  I had made my plans, frustrated that things weren’t going as I planned.  I was ill.  I wasn’t sleeping well.  It was easier to go to the convenient food than the planned food.  I was tired, so I skipped the exercise.  A reasonable mind would have accepted an alternate way because of the physical issues.  Issues that would resolve once the cough didn’t wake me up at night.  However, a reasonable mind was gone.  I was condemning myself.  I asked God to help me, yet I wasn’t displaying much self-control.

I worked myself up.  I prepared to have a long prayer once my girl was in school and beg God to bless this plan of mine.  To help me have the self-control.

That’s when I was redirected.  What had I asked for and not made a priority?  What was I placing at the bottom of my list (to easily I might add)?

Succumb into submission, I asked for forgiveness from God.  Here I was spending all my time dwelling on what I was doing and no time to what I wasn’t doing.

I wasn’t doing my Bible study.  I elected to start another study, so I had two I hadn’t touched for two days. 

Here I was frustrated over my food and sleep, but not over my lack of time in the Word.  Yes, I needed repentance.  I opened the book and got busy.  Oh, my Father taught me much over the next few days.

Friday, February 15, 2013

How I spent My Valentine

I hope everyone enjoyed Valentine's day.  My day was full.  It started with a job interview - I haven't been on one of those in years.  I'm still up in the air about taking the position, even if it's offered to me.  I know God will guide me.

Then I dropped off a gift to a precious little girl who has been through a lot this week, more than any little girl should go through.  I had a wonderful time with her mother and was able to encourage her as well.  God put this little girl in my heart a few years ago and she never left.  I'm glad I could bring her some joy this week.

That followed up with a wonderful party at Kat's school.  We made candy airplanes and played games.

Kat picked out a movie to watch for our evening.  Her choice?  A movie full of love and learning to love - Bolt.  Yes the Disney classic (or will be one day).  It's been a favorite ever since we braved the roads the day after Christmas many years ago to see it in the theater.

Bolt love Penny, will die to protect her.  He learns to love others and love who he really is.  Mittens has been abandon and abused, her heart is harden.  Her encounter with Bolt softens her heart to love again.  And Rhino is willing to leave everything he knows behind for the love and presence of his hero.  With classic line like "You shouldn't jump out of trucks doing 80 down the interstate." "Oh the irony."  "There's only enough room for one lunatic on this trip."  It cracks me up every time.

Oh, and did I mention that we have Kat a life size Bolt stuffed dog as a gift for Valentine's?

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Fruit of Repentance

Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance [that is,conduct worthy of a heart changed, a heart abhorring sin]. Luke 3:8a

John the Baptist declares that repentance – true – bears fruit.  Life doesn’t go on as normal, there is a change to the new normal.

And the multitudes asked him, Then what shall we do?  And he replied to them, He who has two tunics (undergarments), let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do it the same way. Luke 3: 10-11

John Baptist answers what the fruit should look like: to share what you have with someone who has not. 

In studying this passage, it is evident that repentance has fruit – some action that shows a change of heart.  It isn’t just the absence of sin.  The fruit is an outward/other people action.  It shows I put my faith in action and love those who God loves.  I let go of my greed and hording, release things to those in need.

I asked God to reveal to me what the fruit of my repentance should look like.  To whom do I need to share what I have?  What do I need to let go of?  What am I’m keeping to provide for myself instead of trusting God to provide?

As I write, Go weighed jeans on my heart.  Simple yes, but nothing is insignificant with God.  My body shape has changed with the healthy issues I’ve had.  (Meaning less aerobics = thicker waist).  I have several jeans that no longer fit (can you say muffin top?).  I need to let the jeans go.  They will be put in the donate box as soon as I get up from here.  Thank you Lord for showing me.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Minimalist

For most of my life, clutter has come close to suffocating me.  While I'm in this frame of mind, I want to remind myself that I desire a minimalistic home.  I shouldn't desire to do craft projects that create things that collect dust and take up space - mainly craft space waiting for me to get around to doing the project.  Yes, Pinterest can be dangerous for someone who likes to do projects.  I desired to make several thing over break in December.  It was one of my frustrations since I had other things to do in that time.  Thankfully I was obedient to do what I needed to do, however, as I shared I didn't totally have the best attitude.  And another shout out for the attitude adjustment I received from my Father.

I wanted to create!!  There was so many wonderful things to do that would dress up my house.  Then the dust collector thought breezed through.  Do I really want more things sitting around for me to clean?  Uh, no.  I struggle at time to keep clean the bare minimum, I do not need to add to it.

I did make a one project times 3 with Kat.  We made the below painting as Christmas gifts for both Grandmas and Daddy. 

Life Principles: Minimize the things in my home.  Go through the house - what can I let go of?  What is no longer loved or useful?  Don't get caught up acquiring/creating things.


Friday, February 8, 2013

Tossing and Turning

Perhaps it was the excitement of evening, perhaps it was the extra caffeine that I consumed that day, whatever the reason sleep hadn't came.  I rolled over, adjusted my pants, tucked in the covers, untwisted my shirt, tucked in the covers.  Moved the cover over my head and tucked it in again.  Move my legs up, slipped off my socks and tucked in the covers again.  Finally, all set, but I wasn't comfortable.  Ugh.

My mind went over posts I wanted to write.  The book I read that day.  I wanted to get up a do something, however I needed every ounce of rest the came my way, so I stayed put, tossing and turning.

I thought about when I make my own plans, I try and try.  I rearrange, adjust, pray for God's blessing on my plans.  However in the end, I'm not comfortable, since it isn't God's plan.  It reminds me of Jesus on the boat.

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  Mark 4:35-40

I can only have peace when I'm trusting God.  Even if it looks like a scary place to be, if He has called me to it, then it's the best, safest, peaceful place for me.  He will quiet all storms around me, He just asks that I put my faith in Him. 

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Letting Go

 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:21

As a follow up to the schedule, release.  It was simple thoughts.  We had issues that made me think about how I would feel is we needed to move?  We've done a lot of remodeling in our home to make it our home.  We love where it's located.  Would I be willing to give it up?

Am I really that attached to here?  Am I attached to what I want - how I want to spend my time?  What I do over the next year?  How my functional my body is?  Do these thing really matter?

In light of eternity?  No, these things do not matter.  It was in this that God reminding me of many of the principles I written about.  How I need to be attached to Heavenly things, to be more concerned about my obedience to God than how my life is pleasing me.

My treasure is God.  He is my reward.  Letting go of attachment to things is a big breakthrough.  It's been years of progress God has chipped away from me.  In letting go of things I kept 'just in case'.  It has enabled me to simplify my house.  It has allowed me to pass up on that sale.  It has opened up contentment, for I have my hearts desire.

I know I'm not perfect in this.  I'll need to be alert to attachments.

Principles:  Where is my treasure?  What am I attached to?  I am willing to let go of anything that stands in my way of God and obedience to Him.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Unrealistic Expectation


They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.  Matthew 23:4

After helping me give up my civilian rights for service of a solider, God revealed clarity to the attitude I had.  I had unexpected expectation for my free time in December.  I had three major events to plan and several to attend.  I wanted to keep our traditions right?  I wanted to make it another perfect Christmas for Kat.  All this was wrong thinking.

What I needed to do and what I wanted to do wouldn’t be finished if I have three months to get it done.  I had to let go and lighten up.  I did so at first with a bad attitude.  I prayed up on Kat’s birthday part so and thankfully how well that went.

With this revelation, God enabled me to let go of a lot of my projects.  He even moved me to a point to drop several of these projects completely, not just postpone them.  Most of these projects were crafty things or handmade Christmas gifts.  I mean really, December is not a time to do these things – yet it was my only free time in nine months, so I grasped for the wrong thing.

God moved my mind back to simplify.  I want to simplify, not add to the things I do.  If I fill my time with my things, I leave no room to do the things God has for me.


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