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

[Sennaria]

[SIZE=+1]Don't Let the "Grand Old Grinch" Steal YOUR Christmas![/SIZE]

The "Grinch" is great news these days! The classic, wonderful Dr. Seuss book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," a traditional holiday TV movie, is now a holiday smash hit, a theatre money-maker, with its accompanying gifts and merchandise...and grinches are everywhere! (Be sure to check out the Christian review links--and much more--listed below.)
When all is said and done--and seen, there's one "grinch" I know who THINKS he's grand, ACTS like he's grand, and if you believe him, he will grandly take over your life--BIGTIME--stealing the precious gifts you've received from the Lord. He's the enemy of your soul. He'll steal the love, joy and peace of Christmas--and replace it with strife, sadness and stress--all too common at this time of the year.
Be on guard - let the Holy Spirit give you a discerning spirit so you won't be robbed of a REAL Christmas this year. Let's focus our full attention on Jesus Christ who came to fill our lives with eternal gifts that money cannot buy. Hold tightly to His love, joy and peace AND you'll still have plenty to give away. His gifts are without limit and without price (He's already paid it!)--and that's what Christmas is all about!
Believe it--don't let the "grand old grinch" get his grungy foot in your door--show him the GRAND EXIT--and have a great day!

[SIZE=+1]Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word[/SIZE]<b>

"The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)."​

[SIZE=+1]Draw from the Well--a song and a prayer for renewing strength for this day[/SIZE]

Christmas Is Your Birthday, Lord--enjoy the lyrics & tune.

"Lord, in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation and celebration, help me not forget YOU--it's YOUR birthday, I know! I want Your love, joy and peace to flood my heart in these busy, hectic days; may I not give houseroom to the "grand grinch" who would steal a REAL Christmas from me; help me to take time to honor and worship You, the Prince of Peace, In Jesus' Name, Amen."​

</b>​

This was great thank you Gina!! Oh and I shall confess, I've been reading but staying quieter because I was afraid I was talking too much.
Don't worry Gina, the Lord is doing great things with this thread.


Sennaria

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Hi Ladies, I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd browse around CF. Started thinking about InHisHands b/c she hasn't been here for a while. I checked her homepage to see how she was doing and her blog states that she had an arguement with someone on CF which caused her to go offline permanently. Maybe we could pray for her?

Thanks. Christina

 

[ImHisServant]

I sure do miss her so much!! I hope she is doing ok - I had the feeling CF was her main way of being with others... she said she was a loner other then that.

 

[ImHisServant]

Monday 12/18/06
Tough Love

"You have heard that it was said,
'Love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you."
Matthew 5:43-44
​

No one said that obeying God would be easy. Jesus confirms that in these verses. Anyone can love their friends. Friends are... friends. You usually share similar values and morals. But enemies... well, that's a whole different story. Especially enemies who make your life miserable.

Jesus said that the mark of a believer, a person who lives out God's values, is that she loves her enemies and even prays for them. Tough call. But not impossible because God never asks us to do something without promising His strength to help. Just ask Him and perhaps some of those enemies will become friends.

Have you ever prayed for and shown love for your enemies?? How did you feel and what was the result??

Have you found it hard to do these things and therefore not loved or prayed for them?? What holds you back and what can help you get past it?​

 

[Sennaria]

I have done this......and I have felt better over time after doing it. My hardened feelings of hurt and bitterness seem to melt away. It hasn't always resulted in anything in the natural between me and the other person, but on my end of the situation, I have felt better about things, for it reminds me that none of us are perfect and there will be differences between people.

 

[cristianna]

Monday 12/18/06

Tough Love​

"You have heard that it was said,
'Love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you."
Matthew 5:43-44​

No one said that obeying God would be easy. Jesus confirms that in these verses. Anyone can love their friends. Friends are... friends. You usually share similar values and morals. But enemies... well, that's a whole different story. Especially enemies who make your life miserable.​

Jesus said that the mark of a believer, a person who lives out God's values, is that she loves her enemies and even prays for them. Tough call. But not impossible because God never asks us to do something without promising His strength to help. Just ask Him and perhaps some of those enemies will become friends.​

Have you ever prayed for and shown love for your enemies?? How did you feel and what was the result??​

Have you found it hard to do these things and therefore not loved or prayed for them?? What holds you back and what can help you get past it?

I have and continue to pray for many "enemies"-- in particular my family and neighbors. One of them (the wife) has been downright vicious and nasty to me since the day we moved in. I later found out her husband has.... shall we say... "extra curricular" activities. Initially I was very angry with her, but in light of their situation and knowing it wasn't me so-to-speak but his "activities" I felt better.

It really did break my heart to hear how their marriage was behind closed doors, so praying for them felt natural. It appears they are doing much better. I don't hear the routine/daily fighting, I see them doing things as a family, when they are outside they are laughing and seem to really be enjoying one another, etc.-- a complete opposite to how they were when we first moved here. Sadly, I still cannot bring myself to befriend them, so I pray for myself in that area.

I also found myself praying for my brother-in-law (soon to be ex). My sister whom desperately wanted the marriage to work found herself single parenting two children under the age of two. Her husband, a non-believer, was heinously violent and abusive spending more time in jail than in the home for his treatment towards her. Even though it's been difficult for her I believe his abandoning them truly was a blessing, and God has carried her very far during this time. Unfortunately despite the prayers of many he is still among the lost in the world.

My family I do but I don't have a hard time praying for. I have set strict boundaries with them, and I do genuinely care about them. Yet I do not feel I can trust them. Several family members I have to force myself to pray for, and I still falter on it. I think what always wants to hold me back is my emotions towards them. If I were to truly forgive them and give it to God, then I probably would be more willing to pray for them.

 

[Savedsis]

Hi Ladies, I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd browse around CF. Started thinking about InHisHands b/c she hasn't been here for a while. I checked her homepage to see how she was doing and her blog states that she had an arguement with someone on CF which caused her to go offline permanently. Maybe we could pray for her?

Thanks. Christina

I miss her too...Hopefully she is doing fine..If anyone talks with her tell her I said hello and I miss her.

I have done this too..Prayed for my enemies and God answered prayers...He removed the person from the job 2 times......

 

[powerofprayer]

Gina, Thanks for this topic. This is something I have been struggling with for about 2 years now.

Well, I only have 1 real "enemy" and he makes my life & my family miserable. I have tried many times to pray for him but I just cannot do it. The best I can do is pray that he will leave our family alone. He is one of those people in our church that everyone holds up on this incredible pedestal & believes that he is such a godly man but unfortunately our family knows differently. We know way too many truths about him that are very ugly. But we have chosen to keep quiet & not ruin his reputation - we know the truth will eventually come out. He, however, despite knowing how we feel about him (he knows we know everything), has now begun spreading rumors about our family & friends within our church. Although I continue to pray for me & my family - that we have the strength & courage to deal with him in a godly manner - I still can't bring myself to pray for him. Honestly, I wouldn't even know what to pray for...any suggestions?!

And how could I ever reconcile with someone like this? I have seen him hurt (emotionally/spiritually) so many people. He does not hesitate to step on anyone to get where he wants & then he calls it "Gods work". God would never allow innocent people to be hurt in the process of His work. I don't know...maybe ya'll need to be praying for me instead!!! I'm so full of anger towards him.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

The only person that comes to mind isn't an actual "enemy" but it was someone I was having a difficult time getting to know. She has a very abrasive personality so it was hard to be her friend. I started to pray for her and I prayed for God's help each time I knew I would be speaking to her. Things have improved very much, we are not "best friends" but friendlier then in the past.

~Christina

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Sennaria: You had mentioned a few days ago that you thought you were talking too much....DON'T feel that way. I love what you add to this thread....you don't talk too much, please don't hold back.

~Christina

 

[ImHisServant]

Tuesday 12/19/06
Anonymity

"Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness
before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you
will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Matthew 6:1
​

Everyone likes to look good. Once in a while a little pat on the back or a "You're a good person" comment feels good. It's encouraging. But if the only reason you do good things is so others will praise you, your motivation is all wrong. Caring for others should show them the love of God.

You are God's hands in this world and can show His heart to those who don't know Him. It is better to do acts of righteousness anonymously or quietly so that God is the only one glorified. When you can do that, God sees that your heart desires to honor Him and have Him lifted up, not yourself. Then your reward from Him is sure.

​

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Having the right heart attitude is so important when serving the Lord. Serving for recognition from others is doing it solely for ourselves and not for God at all. The same can be said for grumbling or complaining while serving. We are to be joyful, content and full of praise while we are doing God's work. It's all about the heart.

Philippians 2:14-16a> Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life...

God Bless.
~Christina

 

[cristianna]

Both posts are excellent!

 

[powerofprayer]

Amen!! Only God is worthy of the glory!

"Preach at all times, and when necessary....use words!!"

 

[Sennaria]

All these posts are right on.

We must do good acts for the right reason for if we seek recognition now and from those around us, it counts as naught in our heavenly account. I'd rather do it because it is the right thing to do, and do it quietly with the self-satisfaction that I showed the Love of Christ to someone, than do it, and get accolades from people down here.

Now, if you do so quietly, and word still gets out.....you didn't do anything wrong and your heavenly account still gets credited, because you did not seek out the recognition. As everything else, its all in your heart and how your heart was/is set. And sometimes, God sets things up so that the knowledge of what you may have done, can be a blessing and an example for others to follow.

Just a few additional cents to ponder

 

[cristianna]

Thank you Sennaria! I was curious about what happens when word does come out.

I always feel bummed when the word gets out. Kind of like my fun, little secret is gone. So then I move onto a different avenue because others will pick it up. Weird huh? I don't know why I do that, but I do.

 

[ImHisServant]

All these posts are right on.

We must do good acts for the right reason for if we seek recognition now and from those around us, it counts as naught in our heavenly account. I'd rather do it because it is the right thing to do, and do it quietly with the self-satisfaction that I showed the Love of Christ to someone, than do it, and get accolades from people down here.

Now, if you do so quietly, and word still gets out.....you didn't do anything wrong and your heavenly account still gets credited, because you did not seek out the recognition. As everything else, its all in your heart and how your heart was/is set. And sometimes, God sets things up so that the knowledge of what you may have done, can be a blessing and an example for others to follow.

Just a few additional cents to ponder

Thanks for that additional insight... I was blessed by it

 

[ImHisServant]

Wednesday 12/20/06
Hear and Act

Do not merely listen to the word,
and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22
​

Studying God's Word is important to spiritual growth. When you spend time reading His Word, He will begin to help you understand the depths of it's meaning. That understanding prompts (and demands) action. There should begin to be changes in your behavior and attitudes.

The goal of the spiritual walk is to become more like Christ. If you don't see that happening in your life -- and if others don't see you changing -- then you may be deceiving yourself in some ways. Be honest with yourself regarding how serious you are about your spiritual walk and whether you are allowing God to change and grow your heart.​

 

[cristianna]

That is very true! I have had tons of changes within myself, also noticeable to others, since taking studying more seriously. I'm still me, just better. =)

 

[Sennaria]

Amen to this! Sometimes....it is hard, to sort of do this spiritual house-cleaning, looking within ourselves. It is all well and good to daily read His Word, we should. But, if we don't read it in a manner that is to produce change within ourselves and motivate us to action with others, it is rather like eating cereal without milk....we don't get the full effect of His Word.
His Word is a living guide, our main self-help book. All the others that are written, well they are wonderful fluff, but the one we should eat and digest and metabolize is the Bible, every vitamin, mineral and calorie that we need is in there to get through life. (LOL I have no idea where this food analogy is coming from, I must be hungry this morning!)
We should daily ask the Lord, "Lord, what shall I look for today? What would You have me change within myself today? What would You have me to do today?"

I'll never forget this one book, (this might be slightly off today's topic, but I think of it often) that advised, and I believe it 100%....rather than listening to a sermon or reading a book or scripture and thinking "oh so and so should have so heard this, or they need to know this". Or thinking how can we change a person, we should allow God to change us, and not worry about the other person. That is not our job. We can pray, but we cannot make them change, but we can allow the Lord to change us to better deal with them.

Sennaria