Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

I haven't had much of a chance to post lately, so I'll try to catch up on the last couple topics.
First, the one I posted on Thursday about agape love.
Funny thing is, I had gone to church practically my whole live and never really heard the word 'agape', until I got involved in the Emmaus community. Agape love is a big thing with them.
Sometimes I find it easier to show agape love to perfect strangers or even friends than it is my family, especially my husband. It seems easier to reach out to someone and help them in some way, without expecting anything in return. I'm even that way with my best friend.
But sometimes with my family, especially my husband, it's not so easy. It's like I think 'well I'm doing this for him, so he should do that for me.' If I do something for him, I think it's only right that he should do something for me!
I sometimes feel unappreciated in my home, by my husband and boys, like I do so much for them, but what do they do for me?
I need to practice agape love towards them more.

burn97 said:

Trusting children.... we expect our children to trust us for their needs, yet how much do we truly trust God for our needs? What makes us so afraid to trust our Father completely? Why must we continue to look towards ourselves or others before turning to God?
Is there any area of your life that you have not yet given totally over to God?

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I've always been very trusting of God. He has shown me over and over that He is there and always takes care of me.
We are struggling with our finances at the moment and I do need to trust Him more in this area. It can be a scary area to give up totally!!

LivingLifeHisWay said:

Monday's Topic: Feb 19th


To Live Is Christ ~ From Persecutor to Preacher​

Discussion: Have you ever doubted your salvation? Does your past and/or sins just seem too big for God to forgive?

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I can't think of a time I actually ever truly doubted my salvation. I've also never really doubted God's forgiveness. There was a time I struggled with some things I had done in my past, because I felt I should have known better than to do what I had done! But it was more of a struggle of forgiving myself, instead of believe God could forgive me.

(PS- I love Beth Moore's studies!! I've done this one and it was great!!)

A great topic!

The Sunday before last, my pastor spoke on how even the Lord's prayer instructs us to pray for our needs (daily bread) as well as for the needs of others.

If you believe in God, and if you love God, then God will provide for you. But even if you turn away from God, He will always provide you a path to return to His love!

LivingLifeHisWay said:

Monday's Topic: Feb 19th


To Live Is Christ ~ From Persecutor to Preacher​

1 Timothy 1:15> Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

If anyone knows anything about being saved, it's Paul. When Paul lived his life as Saul he was indeed a different man. Let's explore Saul's actions against Jesus' followers:

• threatened
• arrested
• ridiculed
• tried to get them to commit blasphemy
• assualted
• voted for their deaths
• had them punished
• travelled to other cities to persecute them

In fact the day Jesus spoke to Saul he was on his way to Damascus to take men and women of the Way as prisoners to Jerusalem.


Although Saul (self proclaimed worst sinner) was living such a dark and lethal lifestyle Jesus chose to appear to him. Jesus asked "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4) Persecuting Jesus' followers was directly persecuting Jesus Himself. That day Christ appointed Saul as a servant to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles.


Can you imagine one day hating a certain group of people, wanting them dead, going to great lengths to watch them suffer and the next loving the same group, teaching them the Word of the Lord you once ignored, trying with everything in your might to save them. What a change that was for Saul...so much so his name was changed.


A change like the one seen in Saul is impossible for man to do on his own. It is God who saves, it is God who changes, who sanctifies. It is God who places His desires in our hearts.


Echoing Beth Moore's words, "Having searched the life of Saul, how can we ever doubt that Christ can save?"

Discussion: Have you ever doubted your salvation? Does your past and/or sins just seem too big for God to forgive?

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I don't ever really doubt my salvation, but I do doubt myself when I seem to stray off the path-- generally because I don't realize it immediately. And I also do not worry about my past or sins being too great to not receive forgiveness.

I'm really liking Ms. Moore's style and studies. What is the name of this book?

LivingLifeHisWay said:

Monday's Topic: Feb 19th​

To Live Is Christ ~ From Persecutor to Preacher

​

1 Timothy 1:15> Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

If anyone knows anything about being saved, it's Paul. When Paul lived his life as Saul he was indeed a different man. Let's explore Saul's actions against Jesus' followers:

• threatened
• arrested
• ridiculed
• tried to get them to commit blasphemy
• assualted
• voted for their deaths
• had them punished
• travelled to other cities to persecute them

In fact the day Jesus spoke to Saul he was on his way to Damascus to take men and women of the Way as prisoners to Jerusalem.


Although Saul (self proclaimed worst sinner) was living such a dark and lethal lifestyle Jesus chose to appear to him. Jesus asked "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4) Persecuting Jesus' followers was directly persecuting Jesus Himself. That day Christ appointed Saul as a servant to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles.


Can you imagine one day hating a certain group of people, wanting them dead, going to great lengths to watch them suffer and the next loving the same group, teaching them the Word of the Lord you once ignored, trying with everything in your might to save them. What a change that was for Saul...so much so his name was changed.


A change like the one seen in Saul is impossible for man to do on his own. It is God who saves, it is God who changes, who sanctifies. It is God who places His desires in our hearts.


Echoing Beth Moore's words, "Having searched the life of Saul, how can we ever doubt that Christ can save?"

Discussion: Have you ever doubted your salvation? Does your past and/or sins just seem too big for God to forgive?

Click to expand...

Ive never had a problem doubting my salvation. I used to always find it hard to truly forgive myself for things ive done in the past. What helped me was, God helping me to see how much forgiveness He has towards me, allowing me to forgive myself. If God can forgive me of my faults and sins, without holding them against me, I can do the same.

woman.at.the.well said:

February 20, 2007

Choices​

READ: Ruth 1:11-18​

Wherever you go, I will go; and . . . your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. —Ruth 1:16

​

A friend once told me: "Joe, I’ve come to realize that my life is not made by the dreams that I dream but by the choices that I make."
Count on it: You will have plenty of choices in life. And usually they boil down to a choice between "What do I want?" and "What’s best for others?"
After their husbands died, Ruth and Orpah were faced with a strategic choice (Ruth 1:11). Their mother-in-law Naomi told them they should go home. She didn’t want them to feel any obligation to her, in spite of the fact that her loss was far greater. She had lost her own husband and both of her sons.
Orpah and Ruth could either go home and start a new life, or stay with Naomi to help her in a time of great need. They knew very well that the latter choice would probably mean living in a foreign land as widows for the rest of their lives, since few Jewish men would want to marry a foreign woman.
Ruth chose to serve the needs of Naomi rather than to serve herself. Orpah chose to leave Naomi for what she thought would be a better life. Ruth went on to play a significant role in Jewish history and became an ancestor of Jesus (Matt. 1:5).
Make the best choice. Choose to serve others. —Joe Stowell
When we’re involved in serving
And meeting others’ needs,
We’re imitating Jesus
In thoughts and words and deeds. —Fitzhugh
Serve God by serving others.​

This is one of my favorite stories (besides the woman at the well of course ) in the bible. It's one of the most profound examples I've ever run across of a servant's heart; and putting someone else's needs above our own (especially a mother-in-law, as we all know how hard that can be at times ). So how are you doing with this In Deepers?​

I know I could use some work on it myself quite honestly!​

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I'm confident when I say I put others needs before mine-- be it financially, physically, emotionally, etc. I'm sure I could do better. By that I mean during the time of putting others first, I will not gripe or have negative thoughts. But when it's over and done with, when I see the sacrifices I have made, there are times I think I shouldn't have done so much that maybe I should've left things for them to accomplish on their own. Does that make sense?

I also love this story about serving others. And believe it or not this is the one area I feel i am pretty strong in.
And this is one of the reasons I miss the business so. Through the business, daily we served others. I don't mean just food, but I mean through prayer, through examples of Christ before our employee, through discounts and free food to those who couldn't etc. I do terribly miss that and this is one of the reasons I am searching now, how to fulfill this desire I have to do so now.

Doubting salvation? Not really, I don't think I have ever really doubted my salvation, my doubts tend to be deeper. More in the relationship realm, that I can surrender enough of myself to truly have a deep and interractive relationship with our Lord. I hate superficiality (is that even a word?), being shallow, and I so don't want that type of relationship with Him and only want to be immersed in Him and doubt my ability to do so.

Senn

Do I put others' needs before my own? I hope so! I do feel that I put my families needs above my own most of the time - but I'm sure I could do better. Christianna - I do understand what you are saying. Sometimes, I think it might be better, too, to let others do things on their own - and in doing so, I think we actually are thinking of them because sometimes - when they learn to help themselves or accomplish something on their own, it benefits them more than if we would do it for them, and we are still helping them in a way.

"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime"

cristianna said:

I'm really liking Ms. Moore's style and studies. What is the name of this book?

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I believe the name of this one is To Live is Christ. She has awesome studies!!!

You know I've often wished that God would just change the hearts of all the doubters in the way He changed Paul's heart - but then I realized that God does that, only He does it through us!

LilGeorgiaPeach81 said:

You know I've often wished that God would just change the hearts of all the doubters in the way He changed Paul's heart - but then I realized that God does that, only He does it through us!

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I never thought about it like that.
God works through His believers, to gain the unbelivers.
Very well put.

I believe overall I have a good heart when it comes to putting others before me. When it comes to my family, friends, strangers...I love to give to all I can through love, friendship, time, listening, serving and etc.
I know in a few areas I can do better, though.

cristianna said:

I don't ever really doubt my salvation, but I do doubt myself when I seem to stray off the path-- generally because I don't realize it immediately. And I also do not worry about my past or sins being too great to not receive forgiveness.

I'm really liking Ms. Moore's style and studies. What is the name of this book?

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I really like her too....it's called To Live Is Christ.

ImHisServant said:

Wednesday 2/21/07​

Drop It​

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14​

Friends are wonderful, especially when you have similar opinions and values. When friends agree with everything you think, conversation is easy.​

But what happens when a friend disagrees with you and firmly expresses her opinion? Do you find yourself quarreling with friends, causing rifts in your friendships? Is your opinion so important to you that it is worth these possibly damaging breaks in your friendships?​

When you see a quarrel coming, do you stand your ground and ready yourself for the fight? Here's a different approach... drop it. Value the friendship more than your opinion. Show your friend how important she is to you.​

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Sunday night my husband lead our small group bible study. He has been preparing for this study for a month and his nose has been buried in the bible everyday. He has been so excited about this he couldn't stand it. This in itself is completely answered prayer!!! He was presenting some ideas that I knew others wouldn't agree with but they were all biblically supported. I warned him to expect debat...esp. from one particular person. I was right. There was debate but it was totally done with love and respect. If talking things out can be done with control, love and respect I don't see a problem with it. There are certain people you can do this with and certain people whom you just can't because a debat can easily turn into an argument.

Not everyone is going to agree. Sometimes it's ok to present your side but when the timing or person isn't right I agree, sometimes it's better to just drop it.

I would never put a friendship on the line by arguing about something I disagreed with.

Great Topic Gina! As always.....

ImHisServant said:

Wednesday 2/21/07

Drop It​

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14​

Friends are wonderful, especially when you have similar opinions and values. When friends agree with everything you think, conversation is easy.​

But what happens when a friend disagrees with you and firmly expresses her opinion? Do you find yourself quarreling with friends, causing rifts in your friendships? Is your opinion so important to you that it is worth these possibly damaging breaks in your friendships?​

When you see a quarrel coming, do you stand your ground and ready yourself for the fight? Here's a different approach... drop it. Value the friendship more than your opinion. Show your friend how important she is to you.​

Click to expand...

Great Topic! This reminded me of an argument my best friend and I had at the beginning of our highschool senior year. We had been friends since second grade, doing everything and going everywhere together. She's the one that introduced me to my husband. But something happened back then, and to be completely honest, it's only been five years but I cannot remember at all what the argument was about. However, we lost a couple years of our friendship. We quit hanging out, quit calling each other - and I don't even remember why. Over the next few years, we talked a little, but we were never comfortable having a conversation. A couple years later, she called me at work. She had met someone and had found out she was pregnant. She was scared (and was never one that even wanted to have children, ever). I talked to her on the phone for about 2 hours. We still don't remember what the argument was about, but we are once again best friends. She lives halfway across the country, but we talk a lot and try to get together every now and then. I don't think I have ever regretted anything as much as I do that senior year - where I was without a best friend. We missed out on so much. When I got married, she should have been in my wedding - but unfortunately, we still hadn't made amends yet. No, it's not worth it - it's not worth the pain and heartache to let some argument get in the way of a friendship. Drop it - I agree - that's the best advice and I wish I would have taken it back then.

ImHisServant said:

Wednesday 2/21/07

Drop It​

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14​

Friends are wonderful, especially when you have similar opinions and values. When friends agree with everything you think, conversation is easy.​

But what happens when a friend disagrees with you and firmly expresses her opinion? Do you find yourself quarreling with friends, causing rifts in your friendships? Is your opinion so important to you that it is worth these possibly damaging breaks in your friendships?​

When you see a quarrel coming, do you stand your ground and ready yourself for the fight? Here's a different approach... drop it. Value the friendship more than your opinion. Show your friend how important she is to you.​

Click to expand...

And something I have struggled greatly with in the past and sometimes presently. This is very true. Nothing is worth losing a good friendship over -- especially a difference of opinion.