The Trade is Off

Eve traded God's desire to teach her for instant knowledge. Genesis 3
Esau traded his birthright for soup. Genesis 25
Israelites wanted to trade their freedom for slavery.  Exodus 17
David traded his responsibility to lead the fight for home - leading to further sin. 2 Samuel 11
The Pharisees traded a chance to love Jesus for pride and self worship. John 11
Felix gave up salvation, although his conscience directed otherwise.  Acts 24
The Church of Ephesus trades duty for love. Revelation 2

I want to declare that the trade is off in my life.  Of course, only with God's grace can it happen.  I don't want to settle for anything less than what God desire for my life - His plan.  It isn't about making Him part of my plan, but in making me part of His plan.

It's giving up thoughts of what I'll do if.... (this is worry in case you didn't know.)

It's giving up my schedule of when things should happen or be finished.

It's giving up wanting my glory and focus on bringing God glory.

Where can I be in a year if I'm faithful everyday?  How much have I learned from faithful Scripture study?  Through a series of injuries, my body became very weak.  I've regained strength, but think what one year of really focusing on exercise would look like?  Normally I go steady for a couple months, then either life in general or more usually I injure myself and get sidelined.  But with three months behind me, I don't want to allow the busyness of November and December to get me off track with the progress I've made. 

Lord, help me not trade in Your good for imitation of life here.  Help me to look past the circumstances in my life to focus on Jesus.  Help me see the bigger picture - Your purpose.  Slow and steady will determine my faithfulness.  Amen

Proverbs 18:2

A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.  Proverbs 18:2

Oh how foolish I've been in the past.  My pride always wants to give my opinion.  I share how right I am.  Perhaps even stick my nose somewhere it doesn't belong because I consider my thoughts superior.  My ways better. 

From this verse I will only have delight in understanding.  That means to stop looking for ways to improve.  Stop the critical eye.  Examine to understand.  Close my mouth so I can hear and understand. 

One of the places I saw the need the most in within me.  I used to be very critical.  Not as much anymore as the Holy Spirit has worked mightily in this area.  I was trying to do the Holy Spirit's work when I decided what needed changed.  How foolish is that?!!

Now I wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal what I need to understand.  Either within me or with out.  I seek to understand more through study of the Word.  He opens my heart up to all He is doing within and with out me so I can have His understanding and delight in it. 

PC Talk April 30

PC Talk- Points of Conviction that Holy Spirit breezes in my soul.


Today it was in 1 Peter.


3:9  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 

That little bit -  repay evil with blessing - struck me.  Usually I would avoid evil (usually in the form of conflict, bad moods, poor attitude, etc.).  But this does not say to avoid evil when it comes my way.  It says to repay with a blessing.  It means I need to respond and respond to the person that is inflicting evil on me with blessing.  God, I can only do this through you.


4:9  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

 Without grumbling - I usually do fine when I'm out in the world.  I hold it it though.  When I come home I often unload all the stored up grumbling.  And God pointed out an instance this weekend when I did that.  I even allowed "I deserve" thoughts into my head about food.  I repented and He was faithful to bring scripture to me in how I needed to turn to Him amidst the issues and not store up.  I wasn't very hospitable to my husband, grumbling how I suffered at the local pizza place for kids.