March 6, 2011
1 Peter 5:6-7 says...."Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you."
OR - you could read it like this...."Humble myself therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt me in due time: casting all my care upon him, for he careth for me."
When I read God's Word, I need to remember it's written to ME - instead of thinking, "Wow, that's good, Lord! Suzy could really use that! I sure hope she's listening!" Am I listening??
February 28, 2011
We had a fabulous service last night with Missionary Mark Priem and his wife Lydia. I was very convicted by God's Word last night.
Revelation 4:11 - "Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
God created ALL things - not just some, not just a few. In fact, he created ME. And you. Why? Why did he create these things? Why did he create you and me? The verse tells us - for his pleasure. Wow. So, if I'm created for His pleasure, then the logical conclusion would be that I should do things that please him, right?
But do I?
If I believe that I am, indeed, created for God's pleasure, and if I believe that He is worthy, then everything I do needs to be pleasing to HIM...not to self. Not to the world. Not to the majority. Not to the crowd. Not to SELF. (Yes, I know I already said "self"...but, at least in my heart, it bears repeating).
Does my life please Him? My relationships? The way I talk to people? The way I talk to my husband? Do I tease, or get angry or expect something in return? Or do I love people unconditionally, as Jesus loves them? My mind-set needs to be: No matter what someone else does to me, I am going to please God in my relationship to them.
Please self? or God? Lots of people please self. Do I want others to see a difference in me, to see that I am different than "most"? What a great way to make that difference visible to others - to live my life pleasing God.
What pleases God? Hebrews 11:5&6 tells us that FAITH pleases God. In fact, without it, it's impossible to please God. How do you define faith? It's not as complicated as it first appears. "Faith" is simply this - Forsaking All I Trust Him. That's right - faith is forsaking everything else to trust God.
Hebrews 13:16 tells us that God is pleased when I do good. When I'm honest. When I share what I have with others.
When God whispers in my ear to send a note, buys some flowers, make a phone call, drop off some groceries...do I limit His ability to use me, to work in my life, by "evaluating" what I hear? Lord, that person doesn't need any groceries! Lord, I'm sure they're at work right now...I can't call them! Oh, what opportunities am I missing???
I don't want to be put on a shelf because I'm not listening! What a great message - I was created for God's pleasure - so do I live my life pleasing to HIM...or to self?
~Tammy~
John 10:10 says, "...I (Jesus) am come that they (believers) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
What does abundant living look like? Do you know someone who lives life "abundantly"? I'm just guessing that living abundantly will include joy and grace and peace...
Tell me your thoughts. Let's find out what this "abundant" living is all about! - February 27, 2011
