1 Timothy1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Grace, why can't I get it? I often struggle with subtely trying to earn the joy of the Lord. It's grace freely given where my joy rests, yet I often forget it.
I like how Oswald Chamber's puts it in today's devo: "We should quit asking ourselves, "Am I of any use (to God)?"and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time."
If I want the joy of the Lord and to have confidence at his work in me and through me, all he wants me to know is "Jamie, you are of value to me, and Jamie stay close, rest in my Grace, and I will lead you and use more than you can even imagine." Thank you Lord for reminding me of your grace, and my value to you in your eyes. Amen.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Turning over a new lead
I've been learning from multiple places that I need to be sensitive to the Spirit's leadings--even in the small things. I tend to not do something unless I can do it full on. That is why I don't write in the blog much. It takes time and effort to put together a thought train that I feel is a blog-worthy. Basically, I'm being led by my perfectionism.
Today, I practiced following the "leads" that came to me throughout the day. "Do the dishes instead of just sitting in front of the tv." "Call ahead for a car appointment instead of hoping they will have an opening." Little, simple things that seem insignificant. However, the lessons learned in those little moments of listening to "voice inside my heart" will help me avoid sin and stay on track with the Lord when temptation is calling. "Don't check Facebook now, go to bed." "Commit your day to the Lord in prayer before rolling out of bed." "Check out the blog even though you don't think you have anything to say.
I have to admit, it's tough taking actions before being able to set up my plans perfectly. However, my perfectionism has not exactly led me to a vibrant, fulfilling life. Instead of following the lead of my own desires, I want to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Today, I practiced following the "leads" that came to me throughout the day. "Do the dishes instead of just sitting in front of the tv." "Call ahead for a car appointment instead of hoping they will have an opening." Little, simple things that seem insignificant. However, the lessons learned in those little moments of listening to "voice inside my heart" will help me avoid sin and stay on track with the Lord when temptation is calling. "Don't check Facebook now, go to bed." "Commit your day to the Lord in prayer before rolling out of bed." "Check out the blog even though you don't think you have anything to say.
I have to admit, it's tough taking actions before being able to set up my plans perfectly. However, my perfectionism has not exactly led me to a vibrant, fulfilling life. Instead of following the lead of my own desires, I want to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Monday, February 2, 2009
What are YOU Withholding?
Genesis 22:1-19
1 ... God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. . .
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. ..
15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
Earlier in Gen, God promised both Abraham and Sarah that they would be the mom and pops of nations, and specifically to Sarah that her son (meaning Isaac) would be the root for that. Imagine the pain, confusion, and suffering that Abraham musta' felt. . .why God why? Well, even though the circumstances were bleak and disheartening, Abe stayed faithful.
Theologans say that when the Angel of the Lord said "abraham, abraham" that was a statement of urgency, meaning that Abraham must have just been about to plunge the knife into the son promised him by God. TALK ABOUT MAKING NO SENSE! It's pathetic for us to even compare our lives being unfair or nonsensical compared to this. But look at vs.16 "because you have not withheld" . . .are we withholding from God right now? Are we staying faithful even if our life situation isn't as favorable as we'd like it to be? Let's take from this example that even when it's really bad, God's still in the end going to bless us as he promises in Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Father, help us to stay FAITHFUL no matter where we're at today! Amen.
1 ... God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. . .
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. ..
15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
Earlier in Gen, God promised both Abraham and Sarah that they would be the mom and pops of nations, and specifically to Sarah that her son (meaning Isaac) would be the root for that. Imagine the pain, confusion, and suffering that Abraham musta' felt. . .why God why? Well, even though the circumstances were bleak and disheartening, Abe stayed faithful.
Theologans say that when the Angel of the Lord said "abraham, abraham" that was a statement of urgency, meaning that Abraham must have just been about to plunge the knife into the son promised him by God. TALK ABOUT MAKING NO SENSE! It's pathetic for us to even compare our lives being unfair or nonsensical compared to this. But look at vs.16 "because you have not withheld" . . .are we withholding from God right now? Are we staying faithful even if our life situation isn't as favorable as we'd like it to be? Let's take from this example that even when it's really bad, God's still in the end going to bless us as he promises in Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Father, help us to stay FAITHFUL no matter where we're at today! Amen.
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