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

[Maharg]

I think I am good at encouraging others but I don't always look out for opportunities to do this, which I should.

I have faced a number of trials recently and have almost been knocked off course. I am trying now to be more ready for battle and to ray for help in advance from God, and also simply to try to always be in an attitude of praise. The Old Testament shows the priciple of praise being valuable, and being more meaningful for God when we do it before we know how He is going to help us, so I try to praise at all times and remain in this attitude althoug it isn't always easy when I feel depressed.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

TOPIC FOR: MONDAY MARCH 5TH​

More To Live Is Christ Reflections....​

PART 1:​

Discussion for Part 1:
How are you doing in the encouragement department?
Do you willing reach out to lift others up? Do you need some encouragement today?​

Part 2:​

Discussion for Part 2:

Do you currently plan ahead to remain true to the Lord? ​

I could always do better in this dept. It really is hard, even though it shouldn't be for Christians to stay encouraged when we are around so much negativity in the world. I can't say as I do too well with reaching out an encouraging others like I should. I think we could all use encouragement from day to day.

I plan to remain true to the Lord til the day I die/ He comes to take me home. You bet!

 

[krys4ever]

TOPIC FOR: MONDAY MARCH 5TH​

More To Live Is Christ Reflections....​

PART 1:​

Back in Week 2 Barnabas was introduced in the book of Acts. His original name was Joseph but the apostles renamed him Barnabas because it meant Son of Encouragement. And that's who he was....an encourager. To offer encouragement is to give others hope and confidence. He lifted the other believers up in prayer, encouraged them to follow God's ways and he even brought Saul before the apostles and encouraged them to accept him as a new brother. You see, they were fearful that the great persecutor of Christians was lying and wasn't saved at all. He gave them all courage to trust in the Lord and accept this newly made servant of Christ. What an example Barnabas is. We should always be ready and willing to encourage one another. ​

Discussion for Part 1:
How are you doing in the encouragement department?
Do you willing reach out to lift others up? Do you need some encouragement today?​

Part 2:​

When the gentiles of Antioch began believing and turned to God Barnabas was sent to them. In Acts 11:23 he "encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts". He encouraged them to plan in advance to remain faithful to the Lord. Committing ourselves to the Lord before trials occur and before temptation arises can greatly increase victory! It's so easy to skip through life serving and living for the Lord when the road is straight and smooth. But as soon as the road starts to get bumpy and curvy we tend to fall. We forget who we are serving. Life just gets too hard to cope with. The prize we are striving for gets blurred. However, by resolving to remain with Christ in advance of difficulty we stay ahead of the game. We can stand confident as we overcome anything that gets in our way (or tries to). Planning ahead for those hard days is the same as getting ready for battle. Would you rather fight with a pen or sword?​

Discussion for Part 2:​

Do you currently plan ahead to remain true to the Lord? ​

I always try to encourage others where ever I go. Many times I try to give encouragement or advice to others, when I find myself not following my own words at times. I love to lift others up as much as I can, how ever I can.

I dont prepare myself like I should. I know when I face something rather it be a struggle, temptation, situation, I dont handle it the way I should and things become a lot worse than what they could've been.

God has given me "His Tools" such as prayer, the bible, fasting, mind of worship and praise, to prepare myself of what is to come. I know my attitude needs to be better as Im going through and when something comes up or happens, Ill be ready and I wont easily fall.

 

[powerofprayer]

TOPIC FOR: MONDAY MARCH 5TH​

More To Live Is Christ Reflections....​

PART 1:​

Discussion for Part 1:
How are you doing in the encouragement department?
Do you willing reach out to lift others up? Do you need some encouragement today?​

Part 2:​

Discussion for Part 2:​

Do you currently plan ahead to remain true to the Lord?​

I agree with Krys...I am good at encouraging & giving advice but I find myself not always doing the things I tell others to do! Easier said than done, I guess! I think everyone needs to be encouraged everyday...life is hard & it just helps to know you have friends cheering you on!!

I will ABSOLUTELY remain true to the Lord!

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Tuesday's Topic:
March 6, 2007
Trampling Temptation​

READ: Matthew 4:1-11​

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14

​

Ardent baseball fans will remember Kirby Puckett, who died suddenly in 2006. He had led the Minnesota Twins to championship victories in 1987 and 1991. Even though he was offered larger contracts by other teams, he stayed with the Twins for his entire career. When Puckett was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1996, his career ended abruptly.
During Puckett’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, he recalled the difficulties he had faced when growing up. His passion to become a professional baseball player was subject to temptation many times. Drug dealers and gang members repeatedly invited him to join in their destructive lifestyle. But whenever temptation enticed him, Kirby remembered that he had a higher calling—baseball.
Though we are urged to "walk worthy of the calling with which [we] were called" (Eph. 4:1), we live in a world where we face distracting enticements. Maybe we’re offered a job that pays well but requires that we compromise biblical principles. Our calling is always to do God’s will.
When we are confronted with a temptation to stray from God’s way for our life, we must remember that we have a higher calling as servants of Jesus. —Vernon C Grounds
When the powers of darkness come in like a flood,
The battle belongs to the Lord!
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood—
The battle belongs to the Lord! —Owens-Collins
To conquer sin, nip it in the bud of temptation.​

Please discuss ​

 

[Smileyill]

A good reminder, I hope I don't have to decide between my new job and my faith. But it's in the back of my mind.

 

[krys4ever]

Tuesday's Topic:

March 6, 2007
Trampling Temptation​

READ: Matthew 4:1-11​

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14

​

Ardent baseball fans will remember Kirby Puckett, who died suddenly in 2006. He had led the Minnesota Twins to championship victories in 1987 and 1991. Even though he was offered larger contracts by other teams, he stayed with the Twins for his entire career. When Puckett was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1996, his career ended abruptly.
During Puckett’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, he recalled the difficulties he had faced when growing up. His passion to become a professional baseball player was subject to temptation many times. Drug dealers and gang members repeatedly invited him to join in their destructive lifestyle. But whenever temptation enticed him, Kirby remembered that he had a higher calling—baseball.
Though we are urged to "walk worthy of the calling with which [we] were called" (Eph. 4:1), we live in a world where we face distracting enticements. Maybe we’re offered a job that pays well but requires that we compromise biblical principles. Our calling is always to do God’s will.
When we are confronted with a temptation to stray from God’s way for our life, we must remember that we have a higher calling as servants of Jesus. —Vernon C Grounds
When the powers of darkness come in like a flood,
The battle belongs to the Lord!
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood—
The battle belongs to the Lord! —Owens-Collins
To conquer sin, nip it in the bud of temptation.​

Please discuss ​

This topic is great to discuss.

We must all be prepared for when temptation comes. Even when temptation hits us out of no where, God gives us His power and strength to endure all that tries to come against us.

A while back, my Pastor preached something similar to this subject. He stated that the saints of God are a "peculiar people". We have a responsibility to God and to be a living witness to those who dont know God. Temptations come all around us and we always have to remember that we represent Christ and that are calling in Christ is sooo great, we cant let no one and nothing cause us to forget why we are here.

We are chosen and called by God to fulfill our purpose and destiny for Him.

 

[cristianna]

This is a great topic. Temptation seems to have planted itself on many doorsteps just waiting for us to open the door. I know there are days when I am well aware I will be weak (like the past several weeks). I can literally feel it in the depths of my soul. During that time I will pray for strength, and even there are times I ask God to keep all temptation away because I know I'm not equipped for it that day.

My absence these past few weeks have been a result of our desire to tackle a complete kitchen remodel ourselves-- down to bare walls and windows. We could have waited another year or two in order to afford the major percentage increase labor creates, but being young (or so I felt prior to this undertaking) and constructively capable we said why not do it ourselves and... do it now.

I finally know firsthand what contractors and couples mean when they say: "If you can remodel together there is nothing you two cannot overcome". Long, heinously grueling hours does portray the picture accurately. We lived and breathed this project all with aching bodies and lack of sleep amongst chaos strewn from one of our home to the other.

I prayed and prayed for strength, for health, for a humble and cheerful attitude no matter what was brought to me. In the morning I would give my praises to God. Imagine a long day of physically draining labor and waking up refreshed... ready to take on the day... even though the amount of sleep was little to none. Having the entire family offer suggestions for creative cooking because you have no stove was actually quite fun and certainly comical too. Washing dishes in the teeny-tiny bathroom sink made it look like the children had a water fight by the time I was done, and my neat freakish attitude was able to laugh. And when things went wrong I was able to chuckle and move forward.

During this entire adventure I cannot recall one single time I couldn't handle what was given to me. But there is an exception. Through a means of a major *mix up* I was taken aback by an order that was placed as it was delivered-- nonrefundable or returnable. I was horrified, shocked, devastated and more. I asked God to help me. I sealed my lips and refused to acknowledge any problems until I knew God was leading me. And you know what? I can totally laugh about it now. DH isn't even aware something in our kitchen is not what it is suppose to be. If it comes up, it comes up, but for now it's not worth the pain or heartache it would bring. Isn't God great!?!?!

That was probably the worst test of temptation I have ever endured. Imagine designing and building basically your dream kitchen and having a major element be ordered incorrectly due to no fault of the company. Temptation to scream, become irrate, fly off the handle... all of it was there ready to bloom-- all of which my husband does not deserve, even in my weakest moment.

Temptation is at every turn for me. I feel I do a great job knocking it down. Often thoughts of returning to work enter my mind. After all both children are in school all day-- why do I need to stay home. I chose to stay home anyway because of the volunteer comittments I have made to their schools, my famous every kid's favorite treats for socials, no worries or scheduling conflicts when a child is sick and needs to be home, etc. But most importantly because we can afford for me to be home. As soon as school is over I'm the first face seen to help celebrate the solo song for chorus, or the test with a big red "A", and even the tears from best friend quarrels. No paycheck can compare to any of those.

Temptation can be so hard to overcome. I know I'm most vulnerable to failing miserably when my hormones are surging. Other than prayer I don't know of any counteractions to take. And yet there are times I still fail horrendously whether it's yelling at the children when I normally wouldn't, having an attitude for absolutely no apparent reason, etc. It's crazy. I literally feel like someone completely different. Luckily it's over and done with in several days as it truly only seems to be when the hormones are the worst. I literally have to fight tooth and nail constantly reminding myself to take it easy, watch my tone, watch my attitude.

 

[Smileyill]

Us men simply do not understand most of the time, at least you understand yourself.

 

[JPPT1974]

With God we can overcome temptation
As He alone can help us
Knowing we can't do it by ourselves.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Tuesday's Topic: Temptation:

1 Corinthians 10:13>No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

This scripture tells me that everyone is tempted, God is faithful, I will never be tempted more then I can bear (no temptation is too big for me) and God will ALWAYS provide a way for me to overcome the temptation.

But it is my choice whether or not I overcome it.

I find that praying when I am faced with temptation helps me respond in a way God would want me to respond. Avoiding things that I know are a weakness for me also helps a lot.

Thanks for the topic!

 

[jenrenee]

Everyday, we are faced with temtation. I think that without God, I wouldn't have a chance when faced with these types of things or situations. But with Him, I have the strength to overcome my temptation. Sometimes, it's harder than others - and sometimes, I do fail and give in to it. These are the times when I must ask forgiveness. Thank you, Lord, for strength and forgiveness!!

 

[rosiecotton]

Yay, I remembered to post the topic today!!! Sorry it's long. It's hard to shorten these, but I'm doing my best!!

How's Your Love Life?, Part 3 ​

Series: How's Your Love Life?​

​

If we speak without love, our words are just noise--kind of like an orchestra tuning. But when we speak with love, it can be as beautiful as a moving concert.

Paul says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains but have not love, I am nothing. Though I bestow all of my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned but I have not love, it profits me nothing."

Let's take apart some of these different expressions and just see what Paul is saying here. He says in verse one, "If I had the ability to communicate with the tongues of men and even of angels”. He says, "If I could communicate with great eloquence, I could speak great truths to other people--if I didn't speak those truths in love, I would fall short."

You may have heard an orchestra when it's tuning up before a concert. What a noise! Those instruments, that when they begin to play together make such a beautiful sound, when they're just tuning up and all playing their own thing, it's a horrendous sound. It makes you want to put your hands over your ears. Paul says that's what a family is like. That's what a church is like. If we're speaking the truth, we're communicating with great eloquence, but we don't have love, it's just like a bunch of instruments making a loud noise.

By the way, let me say that the world isn't impressed with the noise that we make as believers when we're making that noise without love. When we go out into the world and we communicate the Gospel of Christ, as true as it may be, if they don't sense in us a heart of selfless love, they're not going to be impressed by our message. They're going to feel that we are just making a loud noise.

I wonder if that's not, perhaps, one of the reasons that people aren't knocking down the doors to get into most of our churches. They've heard us say things; but they've not necessarily seen the demonstration, the exhibition of Christlike love in our lives.

Paul says in verse two, "If I had extraordinary spiritual gifts, the gift of prophecy"--the greatest spiritual gift, he says, in 1 Corinthians--"If I had this great gift so that I could declare God's truth to people, but I didn't exercise that gift in love, I would be nothing."

Jonah is a man who comes to mind when I think of a man who was a prophet. He went to Nineveh, finally. He spoke the truth to those people, but he didn't do it with a heart of love. A great contrast to Jonah is the prophet, Jeremiah. We read in the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations that this prophet of God, who had a tough message to deliver to his nation, proclaimed the judgment of God. He proclaimed truth, but he did it with a compassionate heart--with a weeping heart. He didn't find pleasure in preaching about the judgment of God. He wept. His heart was broken for his people who had strayed from God.

Paul says, "If I understand how all of the Scripture fits together and I can explain it to other people, but I don't have love, what does it add up to? Zero. Nothing." Let me say that this is an issue, I think, particularly, we need to hear as women. Many of us have the opportunity to be involved in Bible studies and classes. We're able to go and study the Word. There are some great Bible study programs available, particularly, for women today. Here is one of the dangers. Paul said, also, in the Book of 1 Corinthians that if we just have knowledge without love, what does it do to us? It puffs us up. It makes us arrogant. It makes us hard to live with.

I've heard pastors and husbands express in different ways how difficult they find it to really lead the women in their church or to lead their wife. Even though as women we say we want men to be spiritual leaders; and we whine when we feel like they're not, do you know how the men feel sometimes? It's that we know so much, and we make sure that they know that we know so much--that they're intimidated by our knowledge. Why? It's not wrong to have the knowledge. What's wrong is if we have the knowledge without the love.

If knowledge of the Word of God does not make me more humble and more gracious and more tenderhearted toward men of God and more encouraging of them in their position of spiritual leadership, then what has my knowledge profited me? Nothing.

Paul says that it doesn't matter if you know all the books of the Bible or that you have the whole Bible memorized--if you don't have love--it makes you hard to live with. Some men feel like I couldn't lead my wife spiritually. I'd have to go back to seminary and get a degree. I'm never going to know as much as she knows about the Bible.

We need to make sure that our knowledge of the Word of God, even what we're learning in these sessions, is coupled with love, that when we go out and live life outside of this room that we're taking that knowledge and mixing it with love so that it will work its way into the lives of other people.

Paul says, "Even if I have the gift of faith." I think of some believers that I know who are able to trust God for some incredible things. They just believe God. Paul said, "If I have the kind of faith that can move mountains but I don't have love"--it's good to have faith. It's good to have knowledge. It's good to have spiritual gifts. It's good to use those spiritual gifts. But if I don't have love at the heart of how I use that faith and that knowledge and those spiritual gifts, then it all adds up to nothing.

He talks in verse 3 about the matter of being generous. "If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor--I give everything I have." You know, agape love--God's love--is always self-sacrificing. But it's possible to be self-sacrificing and not have love.

Amy Carmichael said it this way: "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." If we're doing our giving in order to be seen by others, if we're doing it for recognition or praise or we're giving out of duty or obligation--"that's what I'm supposed to do"--but we don't do it for love of God and love of others, then Paul says it profits me nothing.

We have a lot of mothers in this room. There is probably not a mother here who hasn't made enormous sacrifices for your children. You make sacrifices for your mate. Many of those sacrifices go unappreciated, unseen, unrecognized. But ask yourself this question: "Is my giving in my home motivated by love? Or is it motivated by a desire to be loved in return?" Genuine love is totally giving of myself to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return.

Then Paul talks about the ultimate sacrifice--martyrdom. "If I lay down my life for the cause of the Gospel, if I give up my body to be burned." He is talking about a degree of self-sacrifice that we've read about, but most of us can hardly imagine. If I give up my life but it's not motivated by love, then Paul says it has lost its spiritual value. It is worth nothing.

Love is not only the act, but it is also the heart behind the act. So Paul says, if I could paraphrase this in a very modern way, "Though I keep a spotless house and though I'm faithful in church attendance and though I work in the church nursery every other Sunday and though I lead a Bible study or teach a Sunday school class and though I home school my kids and all that that requires, if I do it without love, I am nothing. And if I take care of my sister's kids while she has a hospital stay and if I make enormous sacrifices for my family but do it out of a sense of obligation or a desire to impress rather than love, it's worth nothing. If I stay married to the same man for fifty years but I don't have God's love for him, what does it profit? Nothing. Though I bring my aging parents to live in my home and care for them for years and though I share my faith with others and though I read my Bible and memorize Scripture and though I give generously to the poor and to the missionaries and to other ministries and though I volunteer in local efforts in our community and have not love, it's nothing."

 

[krys4ever]

Yay, I remembered to post the topic today!!! Sorry it's long. It's hard to shorten these, but I'm doing my best!!

How's Your Love Life?, Part 3​

Series: How's Your Love Life?​

If we speak without love, our words are just noise--kind of like an orchestra tuning. But when we speak with love, it can be as beautiful as a moving concert.

Paul says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains but have not love, I am nothing. Though I bestow all of my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned but I have not love, it profits me nothing."

Beautiful topic!

This is very encouraging to hear and talk about true love. God's Agape Love.

We have to have this kind of Love when we witness, give to others, sacrifice ourselves for the good of others, in our actions, words, and thoughts.

When we witness, we have a responsibility to give to those who dont know Christ. We have to witness in true love. If we are not living in Christ like we should, are witnessing will not be effective. The key to true witnessing is living the truth ourselves, because if we are living contrary to it, then those that we witness to will think that there is no point to living for Christ if we preach one thing and walk another. Our witnessing to that person will be tainted and God will hold us accountable...which ties in to one of the reasons why we have athiesm.

I read somewhere on this site, that the cause of athiesm in the world today is by christians preaching one thing and living another. God will hold us accountable for lost souls, if we arent doing our jobs in living in truth, if we profess to be Christ-like.

Giving to others should be done in love. If we feel forced to give or if we dont truly give from our hearts, we might as well not give at all. It is better to keep the "gift", than give it in untruth or not in Love.

I feel that sacrificing ourselves for the good of others is one of the greatest things we can do. Most of my life I have sacrificed everything of me to help someone else. I did it in Love. But then I started to do it to gain praise and honor from "man". That was a big mistake. All praise, glory and honor belongs to God. I have to always remember why I do for others and that God gives me the heart to do it.

Our actions speak louder than anything else in this world. People we dont even know are watching us and how we live for Christ. We are God's light and through us can God show His Agape Love. If we dont love, like Christ, how does anything we do matter?

Love is the reason why we are here, Love is the reason why we survive, and Love is the reason why we have eternal life. All of us need to learn how to Love unconditionally in everything, so that unbelievers will come to know Christ and do the same.

God Bless u All!

 

[cristianna]

I think this is a terrific reminder to us,and Paul's words hold countless value. I know I falter on acting and speaking with love just as much as I successfully do it-- although I'd love to say it's more like a successful 75%-80% closing rate. I have seen firsthand the difference in speaking with love. Generally I can tell my children: Mommy has done 101 loads of laundry, mopped and vacuumed all floors and cleaned the entire house. I really need some personal quiet time to relax for a bit before we make dinner, play a game or whatever it is they want. They are very compassionate and understanding when I say it kindly and lovingly.

But when I'm at my wits end and fail with a stronger version such as: Really girls... I need a break and now. Go find something to do; we'll talk or do whatever later. Their faces show the hurt, and their typical bee-bopping turns into footsteps that silently fade away. It's devastating and gut-wrenching that I am so selfish enough I cannot take a second to catch a breath, relax and speak to them like I normally do in a loving manner.

I also find it *interesting* how I react to an act or task I have done with and without love. When I have done something out of love, out of caring and compassion-- no matter what it is: cleaning the girls room, volunteer work and charity-- I feel fulfilled. I have done something kind and generous for someone who needed it. BUT... when I have done something where love was not the motivating factor, rather obligation or feeling pressured I tend to whine and moan about it. Interesting revelation isn't it. Doing it for love and feeling fulfilled versus doing it for the simple fact of doing it and not really caring if it was done and who it was done for.

One that immediately comes to mind about treating, doing and speaking with love is the post office. Call me crazy-- I don't care! I don't know how yours works, but ours is beyond s-l-o-w. I know everyone has heard the jokes or stories about this. But take a second to think about it.

Our post office knows me by first name, and everyone else who walks through the door. They take forever because they are genuinely talking to you and taking care of whatever it is you need. They don't care how long the line is or how rushed everyone seems. All the while they are more than aware of how irrate and cranky everyone in line is getting. Do they care? Probably, and maybe not. Do they rush you because the line is long or gripes are being voiced? Nope, never.

Yet we roll our eyes, we huff and puff ensuring it's loud enough for them to hear, we look at our watches and we call so-and-so on our cell phone just to say we're stuck in line at the post office. Yet never once do they treat us disrespectfully. Never once while they are tending to our needs do they make us feel unimportant, nor do we feel we don't have their undivided attention. Yet we continue to treat them to our Jeckyl/Hyde selves-- nasty customers in line who are ever so gracious and kind when we finally get to the counter. It's quite sad.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

My love life could definitely use alot of prayer and alot of work/tweaking that is for sure - quite honestly. It is so hard in these times to look around and see the things we see going on and not get discouraged; lose hope; and not see things in the right frame of mind.

Something I need to work on!

 

[cristianna]

Aww... I'm sorry to hear that woman.at.the.well.

Praying for you!

 

[jenrenee]

Paul says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains but have not love, I am nothing. Though I bestow all of my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned but I have not love, it profits me nothing."

Love this! These verses were used as part of the sermon during our wedding - a great reminder!


I've heard pastors and husbands express in different ways how difficult they find it to really lead the women in their church or to lead their wife. Even though as women we say we want men to be spiritual leaders; and we whine when we feel like they're not, do you know how the men feel sometimes? It's that we know so much, and we make sure that they know that we know so much--that they're intimidated by our knowledge. Why? It's not wrong to have the knowledge. What's wrong is if we have the knowledge without the love.

If knowledge of the Word of God does not make me more humble and more gracious and more tenderhearted toward men of God and more encouraging of them in their position of spiritual leadership, then what has my knowledge profited me? Nothing.

This has made me really think - have I acted arrogant while trying to convince my husband to lead a more Godly life? To start coming to church? I think that I have - and I am ashamed because of it. After thinking about this, I believe I was a little arrogant - and threw my knowledge at him. But I also had love behind it as well, just that maybe my arrogance overtook the love sometimes, if that makes sense. At times, I felt like I was pushing him away, rather than bringing him closer. I think this has a lot to do with it. Once I backed off - he made the move on his own. This has reallly opened my eyes!




"Though I keep a spotless house and though I'm faithful in church attendance and though I work in the church nursery every other Sunday and though I lead a Bible study or teach a Sunday school class and though I home school my kids and all that that requires, if I do it without love, I am nothing. And if I take care of my sister's kids while she has a hospital stay and if I make enormous sacrifices for my family but do it out of a sense of obligation or a desire to impress rather than love, it's worth nothing. If I stay married to the same man for fifty years but I don't have God's love for him, what does it profit? Nothing. Though I bring my aging parents to live in my home and care for them for years and though I share my faith with others and though I read my Bible and memorize Scripture and though I give generously to the poor and to the missionaries and to other ministries and though I volunteer in local efforts in our community and have not love, it's nothing."

What a great way to phrase this! Everything we do must be done through love - not because we feel like we have to or because we are trying to please someone to gain their love. It's hard to think about sometimes - I guess we just need to stop and ask ourselves - why am I doing this? Is it because I am doing so out of love, because I truly want to? The same can be said about prayer. Do I pray out of love and the belief that the Lord is listening to me? When I pray, I try to get rid of all distractions and really concentrate on what I am saying or asking. Anyone can say the words of a prayer, but we must really believe what we are saying in our hearts.

 

[burn97]

A Deeper look at Psalm 23: Part 5

March 9, 2007

' He Restores My Soul '
Jesus restores our hope by giving us himself
​

It's hard to see things grow old. The town in which I grew up is growing old . . . . Some of the buildings are boarded up. Some of the houses are torn down. . . . The old movie house where I took my dates has " For Sale " on the marquee. . . .
I wish I could make it all new again. I wish I could blow the dust off the streets. . . . but I can't.
I can't. But God can. " He restores my soul," wrote the shepherd. He doesn't reform; he restores. He doesn't camouflage the old; he restores the new. The Master Builder will pull out the original plan and restore the vigor. He will restore the energy. He will restore the hope. He will restore the soul.
For many people, life is - well, life is a jungle. Not a jungle of trees and beasts. Would that it were so simple. Would that our jungles are comprised of the thicker thickets of failing health, broken hearts, and empty wallets. Our forests are framed with hospital walls of divorce courts. We don't hear the screeching of birds or the roaring of lions, but we do hear the complaints of neighbors and the demands of bosses. Our predators are our creditors, and the brush that surrounds us is the rush that exhausts us.
It's a jungle out there.
And for some, even for many,hope is in short supply. . . .
What would it take to restore your hope?
Our Shepherd majors in restoring hope to the soul. Whether you are a lamb lost on a craggy ledge or a city slicker alone in a deep jungle, everything changes when your rescuer appears.
Your loneliness diminishes, because you have fellowship.
Your despair decreases, because you have vision.
Your confusion begins to lift, because you have direction.
Please note: You haven't left the jungle. The trees still eclipse the sky, and the thorns still cut the skin. Animals lurk and rodents scurry. The jungle is still a jungle. It hasn't changed, but you have. You have changed because you have hope. And you have hope because you have met someone who can lead you out.
Your Shepherd knows that you were not made for this place. He knows you are not equipped for this place. So he has come to guide you out.
He has come to restore your soul. . . .
Jesus doesn't give hope by changing the jungle, he restores our hope by giving us himself. And he has promised to stay until the very end." I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)


-In what ways have you gained Hope?
-What are you holding back from our Shepherd that should be given to him?


​

 

[burn97]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Before I became a true Christian, I looked at God with the thought that if there were a God, then my life wouldn't be so bad. He would take from me all that was wrong, and plant only goodness and happiness. After all, isn't that what God does?
So I tried ' the God ' thing when I was sixteen. I read the bible, I listened to the sermons, I heard the words, and played the part, but that was all it was. It was a part, an act, a sham. I wasn't any different that I was before. I was just as messed up on the inside as before, probably more so, because now I knew that wasn't the answer. There wasn't an easy fix that would free me from depression, that would take away the suicidal thoughts, nor the harm that I did to myself. And once again, more hope was gone from my life.
That is the trouble when we try to classify God. When we put Him in this neat little box, and close the lid, saying this is the way it should be. Our lives just don't work that way, and as we hear from the lips of our beloved brother David, it's not the way God works either.
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]What God has done for me, is not [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]take [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]from me my depression, but He's taught me to [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]give[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] it to Him. He's not cured me of the mental illness that I suffer, but He's showing me how to overcome it through prayer, through fasting, and scripture. He does not destroy you and create a new person when we turn to Him with our whole hearts, He restores the old, and ineffect, bring new life to that which was dead, ' restores my soul. '[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]There's an awesome poem I found a while ago, called Savior Words:[/FONT]
[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The Saviors Words[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never felt pain,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Then how would you know that I'm a Healer?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never went through the darkness,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How would you know that I'm a Deliverer?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never had a trial,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How could you call yourself an overcomer?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never felt sadness,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How would you know that I'm a Comforter?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never made a mistake,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How would you know that I'm forgiving?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you knew all,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How would you know that I will answer your questions?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never were in trouble,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How would you know that I will come to your rescue?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never were broken,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Then how would know that I can make you whole?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never had a problem,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How would you know that I can solve them?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never had any suffering,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]then how would you know what I went through?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you never went through the fire,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]then how would you become pure?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If I gave you all things,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How would you appreciate them?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If I never corrected you,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]How would you know that I love you?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If you had all power,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Then how would you learn to depend on me?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]If your life was perfect,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Then what would you need Me for?[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
What a perfect way to put our questions beside God's answers. During my deepest depressions, I've cried out, and asked, ' why Father, won't You just take this from me? ' During the darkest times, I've questioned, not His Love, but His Timing. Yet those times, when the darkness is upon me, when the depths of the despair is overwhelming, I feel His Presence the most, because those are the times when He 'restores my soul'. Those are the times when He brings me Hope and Wisdom, Peace and Understanding. Those are the times when He Strengthens me, showing me that it is not my might, but by His that my depression is overcome, that my anxiety will fade away. He restores my soul.[/FONT]