Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (3)

[jenrenee]

So how are you on this test? Do you consciously look out for the welfare of others--the interests of others--above your own interests? Or are you self-protective? Protective of your time, your rights, your reputation, your way? Think about your relationships at work and at home. Do you insist that others do things your way?
I find myself so often in meetings having an idea of how things should be done. I can be like a pit bull to make sure that things end up the way that seems right to me. So many times these are not matters of really right and wrong. They're matters of preference. They're matters of opinion.

Hmmm - great topic as always!! Definitely something to take a closer look at! I am sure that some people must think of me as rude - because I am that shy person that never really gives much input when I am in a crowd. I am not trying to be, at all - but maybe this is something I need to work on a little bit more.

As far as in our own homes, I'm sure that no one is perfect in this area, especcially me. I know that I must be rude or selfish at times - and I'm not intentionally trying to be. But I think sometimes we get so set in our ways, and so used to the way things are done, that we don't really think of how our actions affect others and how we treat those closest to us. I'm going to have to think about this a little more...

 

[RuthD]

 

[NewSong]

 

[rosiecotton]

I try to put others before myself. But sometimes it's hard, especially in my own home!!
Many times I want to protect my time, or the way "I" do something. I guess many times I feel taken for granted by hubby and my sons, like they don't truly appreciate all I do. I sometimes feel taken advantage of.
As for being rude, I think most people have never seen me be rude intentionally. My best friend gets upset with me because I don't really stand up for myself much when she thinks I should. Instead, I usually dont' say anything because I don't like conflict and I don't like hurting others feelings.
But, what's funny is, I've had my best friend tell me of a couple people (her mom, and used to be her MIL and SIL) that thought I was stuck up!!!! I am soooo not that way! But I think maybe I come across that way sometimes to people I don't know very well (like when I first meet them), because I don't say much. I think it's because I sometimes don't know how to act around them. People who really know me just don't understand why some others think I'm stuck up.

 

[Criada]

Love has good manners. Love is sensitive to the feelings of others. Love is considerate. Now rudeness can come out in different ways. A lack of love can be seen in someone who is excessively shy. You say, "Well, that person is not rude." But that person may get into a group and out of fear of man, fear of what others will think, may just stay to herself. (She) doesn't reach out; doesn't extend conversation to others. That's rude.

Ouch!!
That's me. Funny I've never seen that before. But it is so true.
It's so much easier to just sit and listen and say nothing.
I really need God to change me here.
Thanks for posting this.
God bless you.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Wednesday's Topic:

Discussion Questions:
What is your initial response when anyone suggests you are beautiful?

I usually just say a simple Thank you....but sometimes I do say "ya right!"

Do you find you engage in a lot of negative 'self-talk'? How much of your thought life does this form of thinking consume?

I do have a rather negative thought-life at times, it is much much better though. It is something God is working on within me.

Has it ever occurred to you that you are a City Girl? How do you plan to use this knowledge?

This world is not my home....so I musn't get too cozy in it.

In what ways has your view of Godly beauty changed as a result of these Scriptures?


I've always known that God looks at the heart but in the society we live in outward appearances are so important. My hubby reminds me of God's kind of beauty all the time.....esp. when I'm applying make-up.



I pray when we look in the mirror, we will learn to see what God sees and love who He loves. Hear me well - You Are Beautiful!! You will act out what you believe - Let the world see your 'City Girl!'


to that!

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Wednesday's Topic:

Discussion Questions:
What is your initial response when anyone suggests you are beautiful?

I usually just say a simple Thank you....but sometimes I do say "ya right!"

Do you find you engage in a lot of negative 'self-talk'? How much of your thought life does this form of thinking consume?

I do have a rather negative thought-life at times, it is much much better though. It is something God is working on within me.

Has it ever occurred to you that you are a City Girl? How do you plan to use this knowledge?

This world is not my home....so I musn't get too cozy in it.

In what ways has your view of Godly beauty changed as a result of these Scriptures?


I've always known that God looks at the heart but in the society we live in outward appearances are so important. My hubby reminds me of God's kind of beauty all the time.....esp. when I'm applying make-up.



I pray when we look in the mirror, we will learn to see what God sees and love who He loves. Hear me well - You Are Beautiful!! You will act out what you believe - Let the world see your 'City Girl!'


to that!

What a great topic and one I too have had to work on over the years. It IS very difficult when you have spent years not only saying negative self talk but HEARING negative things about yourself as a person. But then God in His infinite wisdom and endless creative ways of showing us and love - showed me how untrue ALL of that negative garbage was and why it wasn't true.

Not only does God guage our beauty from the inside out; He sets up a map and shows us how to BECOME that beautiful "city girl" in various places throughout His word. Proverbs 31 is one of them.

There was a time when I would barely look into a mirror (even though I was as the world sees it, younger, thinner, etc) at myself but now . . . I look at myself (and not in a narcissistic way) and say, "you are a child of THEE most High God; act like it!" And ya know what? It really affects how I feel about myself which in turn reflects how I look.

 

[magdiel]

​

Isn't Jesus exactly the opposite? He left His way, His interests, His glory in heaven so that He could come down to this earth (and) lay down His life for us. Would He have gone to the cross for us if He were seeking to have it His way? Jesus came, not to be served but to serve. He never sought His own welfare. He always sought the welfare of others.

So how are you on this test? Do you consciously look out for the welfare of others--the interests of others--above your own interests? Or are you self-protective? Protective of your time, your rights, your reputation, your way? Think about your relationships at work and at home. Do you insist that others do things your way?

With those closest to me, my family, I am always concerned with "my" time. But usually I don't come out and say it but feel it inside. Aggrevated when I need to do something in the house or for someone when I am busy doing "my" stuff.
Instead of joyfully stopping what "I" am doing and helping and serving others.

I see I need to consciously be aware of when others need me at the time and joyfully help. And I need to consciously anticipate and take the first step.

Jesus would never feel aggrevated when others needed to be served!

Jesus help me to be more like You!

 

[cristianna]

I look at myself (and not in a narcissistic way) and say, "you are a child of THEE most High God; act like it!" And ya know what? It really affects how I feel about myself which in turn reflects how I look.

I may try that!

With those closest to me, my family, I am always concerned with "my" time. But usually I don't come out and say it but feel it inside. Aggrevated when I need to do something in the house or for someone when I am busy doing "my" stuff.
Instead of joyfully stopping what "I" am doing and helping and serving others.

I've been there. I always feel like I get stuck with what others don't want to handle (reading between the lines others=dh). It's hard to be gracious and accepting.

Jesus would never feel aggrevated when others needed to be served!

Jesus help me to be more like You!

 

[magdiel]

What a great topic and one I too have had to work on over the years. It IS very difficult when you have spent years not only saying negative self talk but HEARING negative things about yourself as a person.

I can very much relate. Not only with saying negative things about myself (which has gotten so much better over the years) but hearing negative things about myself.

I hear negative things about myself daily. I hear them from my husband and as the children are teens now, from them also (they have heard my husband, so they act the same). He says he is not trying to hurt me and that I am too sensitive. He denys his words are hurtful
Yes I am somewhat sensitive to what he says, because I have been hearing it for 20 years.

Please don't get me wrong, he is not a bad guy, and it isn't verbal abuse. He just goes on about little things, things to do with the house or food or whatever (I don't work). But it is with everything he complains about with rarely a compiment or a thank you. I got to always fight it seems not to let that bother me, and I do fight it.

And I usually win. Because I know that what I am doing is just fine and is right. I know that I am a special woman of God.
And I also know there are things I need to work on to be more like Jesus. Like not being selfish with "my" time.

And God doesn't talk or think negative about me, He helps me, He lovingly helps me daily.

I am sorry everyone for going on and on, but this has been most helpful for me.
God bless you all!

 

[magdiel]

I've been there. I always feel like I get stuck with what others don't want to handle (reading between the lines others=dh). It's hard to be gracious and accepting.

I think we not only feel stuck with what others don't want to handle but really are stuck.

I am really going to pray and consciously work on being gracious and accepting.


God bless you cristianna

 

[Smileyill]

I can very much relate. Not only with saying negative things about myself (which has gotten so much better over the years) but hearing negative things about myself.

I hear negative things about myself daily. I hear them from my husband and as the children are teens now, from them also (they have heard my husband, so they act the same). He says he is not trying to hurt me and that I am too sensitive. He denys his words are hurtful
Yes I am somewhat sensitive to what he says, because I have been hearing it for 20 years.

Please don't get me wrong, he is not a bad guy, and it isn't verbal abuse. He just goes on about little things, things to do with the house or food or whatever (I don't work). But it is with everything he complains about with rarely a compiment or a thank you. I got to always fight it seems not to let that bother me, and I do fight it.

And I usually win. Because I know that what I am doing is just fine and is right. I know that I am a special woman of God.
And I also know there are things I need to work on to be more like Jesus. Like not being selfish with "my" time.

And God doesn't talk or think negative about me, He helps me, He lovingly helps me daily.

I am sorry everyone for going on and on, but this has been most helpful for me.
God bless you all!

This convicts me. I rarely give compliments (but I really am impressed when I do) and I often see weaknesses where upon I try to "help" the person by pointing out changes they could make if they broach the subject or it involves me. This, of course, women don't like. I'm different though, I love it when people tactfully point out areas where I could change and then I do.

For instance, I exercise with a very built man who has been doing it his entire life. One day in the gym, another asked his advice and he gave advice he hadn't given me. I asked him why he hadn't told me. He replied that he didn't want to butt in. I clearly told him to do so by all means. Men don't typically broach a subject unless they want advice. In my experience, women don't always want advice when they broach a topic. Men almost always do.

Regardless, something needs to change. Children should not dishonor their Mother.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Monday's Topic

Week 4: Training Your Mind To Think The Truth About Yourself

It is so easy to beat ourselves up; to be our toughest critic. We pick ourselves apart, pointing out every flaw we have and being depressed about them. In general, we tend to think very low about ourselves; we struggle with low self-esteem. Even though this way of thinking is highly common, it is not biblical. Romans 12:3 calls us to think about ourselves with sober judgement. Sober meaning not too highly but not too lowly.

Think of 4 words to describe yourself. Are they negative or positive? Picture yourself sitting next to you and project those 4 words onto that person (your clone). What do you think of her?

Think on these 4 points:

God made me the way I am.
Psalm 139:13-14> For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

God has a plan for me.
Psalm 139:16> your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

God has a purpose for me.
Ehpesians 2:10> For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God is the master designer of my life and will complete it.
Philippians 1:6> being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Was your description of yourself equivalent to the way God sees you? Are you looking at yourself through God's eyes?

We need to accept what we can't change (height, blindness etc..) and change what we can (gossiping, lying, cursing etc...).

God created us; we are His workmanship. What right do we have to criticize God's creation, His work? By putting ourselves down we are in turn saying, "God, you didn't do a good job". God says I love you, I made you the way you are and I have a special plan for you.


As a Christian THIS is YOUR true identity:

​

• I am the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13
  ​
• I am the light of the world. Matthew 5:14
  ​
• I am a child of God. John 1:12
  ​
• I am Christ's friend. John 15:15
  ​
• I am united to the Lord and am one in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17
  ​
• I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17
  ​
• I am God's workmanship - His handiwork. Ephesians 2:10
  ​
• I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
  ​
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4
  ​
• I am a son of light and not of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5
  ​
• I am born of God and the devil can't touch me. 1 John 5:18​

Memory Verse For Week 4:
Psalm 139:13-14> For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.


~Open Discussion~​

 

[Maharg]

This is a good reminder. I feel farely neutral about myself at the moment, rather than being down on myself, but when I feel low I can get very down on myself.

I was reflecting earlier about how we should reflect carefully on the things people say to us about ourselves before we take them on board. I learned fairly recently how the devil lies and twists the truth so that although what he is saying is almost true, it misses so much of the picture that it is an outight lie. People, especially if they are not saved, may see the 'truth' (or half-truth)that the devil holds about us, and we must be very careful not to let their narrow minded views of us influence out own self-judgement.

God sees the whole person. He knows us imtimately, inside out. He is the only one qualified to tell us how we are, and sometimes he gives one of our friends the opportunity to speak on his behalf about us. When he speaks to us, it is to encourage us to be able to be effective for Him. We can tell where truths are coming from by the fruits they produce. If we are not emboldened and encouraged, we know that we must not pay attention to the thoughts/words that we have been given.

 

[cristianna]

This is a good reminder. I feel farely neutral about myself at the moment, rather than being down on myself, but when I feel low I can get very down on myself.

I was reflecting earlier about how we should reflect carefully on the things people say to us about ourselves before we take them on board. I learned fairly recently how the devil lies and twists the truth so that although what he is saying is almost true, it misses so much of the picture that it is an outight lie. People, especially if they are not saved, may see the 'truth' (or half-truth)that the devil holds about us, and we must be very careful not to let their narrow minded views of us influence out own self-judgement.

God sees the whole person. He knows us imtimately, inside out. He is the only one qualified to tell us how we are, and sometimes he gives one of our friends the opportunity to speak on his behalf about us. When he speaks to us, it is to encourage us to be able to be effective for Him. We can tell where truths are coming from by the fruits they produce. If we are not emboldened and encouraged, we know that we must not pay attention to the thoughts/words that we have been given.

I don't think there's a thing I could add to that!

 

[Criada]

This is a good reminder. I feel farely neutral about myself at the moment, rather than being down on myself, but when I feel low I can get very down on myself.

I was reflecting earlier about how we should reflect carefully on the things people say to us about ourselves before we take them on board. I learned fairly recently how the devil lies and twists the truth so that although what he is saying is almost true, it misses so much of the picture that it is an outight lie. People, especially if they are not saved, may see the 'truth' (or half-truth)that the devil holds about us, and we must be very careful not to let their narrow minded views of us influence out own self-judgement.

God sees the whole person. He knows us imtimately, inside out. He is the only one qualified to tell us how we are, and sometimes he gives one of our friends the opportunity to speak on his behalf about us. When he speaks to us, it is to encourage us to be able to be effective for Him. We can tell where truths are coming from by the fruits they produce. If we are not emboldened and encouraged, we know that we must not pay attention to the thoughts/words that we have been given.

Amen!
We do need to be careful who we listen to! I am very good at telling other people this - not always so good at remembering for myself!

 

[JPPT1974]

God knows us way, way, better than
We know ourselves don't forget
As He is God of course!

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Monday's Topic​

Week 4: Training Your Mind To Think The Truth About Yourself​

It is so easy to beat ourselves up; to be our toughest critic. We pick ourselves apart, pointing out every flaw we have and being depressed about them. In general, we tend to think very low about ourselves; we struggle with low self-esteem. Even though this way of thinking is highly common, it is not biblical. Romans 12:3 calls us to think about ourselves with sober judgement. Sober meaning not too highly but not too lowly.​

Think of 4 words to describe yourself. Are they negative or positive? Picture yourself sitting next to you and project those 4 words onto that person (your clone). What do you think of her?​

Think on these 4 points:​

God made me the way I am.
Psalm 139:13-14> For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.​

God has a plan for me.
Psalm 139:16> your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.​

God has a purpose for me.
Ehpesians 2:10> For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.​

God is the master designer of my life and will complete it.
Philippians 1:6> being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.​

Was your description of yourself equivalent to the way God sees you? Are you looking at yourself through God's eyes?​

We need to accept what we can't change (height, blindness etc..) and change what we can (gossiping, lying, cursing etc...).​

God created us; we are His workmanship. What right do we have to criticize God's creation, His work? By putting ourselves down we are in turn saying, "God, you didn't do a good job". God says I love you, I made you the way you are and I have a special plan for you.​

As a Christian THIS is YOUR true identity:​

​

• I am the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13
• I am the light of the world. Matthew 5:14​
• I am a child of God. John 1:12​
• I am Christ's friend. John 15:15​
• I am united to the Lord and am one in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17​
• I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17​
• I am God's workmanship - His handiwork. Ephesians 2:10​
• I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3​
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4​
• I am a son of light and not of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5​
• I am born of God and the devil can't touch me. 1 John 5:18​

Memory Verse For Week 4:

Psalm 139:13-14> For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.



~Open Discussion~
​

​

What an absolutely wonderful topic to discuss today. I'm going to copy and paste this if you don't mind LLHW to another thread because it will help make a point I've been trying to tell some others in that thread. This is so very true. And one of the hardest things I had to learn as a Christian - to stop listening to the negative self talk from others and what I formerly believed about myself - and to START listening to what God had to say.


The Four Qualities I choose to describe myself:
Intelligent
Spirited
Honest
After God's own heart

two of them (the first two) someone else says to me all the time.​

 

[Maharg]

[/CENTER]

What an absolutely wonderful topic to discuss today. I'm going to copy and paste this if you don't mind LLHW to another thread because it will help make a point I've been trying to tell some others in that thread. This is so very true. And one of the hardest things I had to learn as a Christian - to stop listening to the negative self talk from others and what I formerly believed about myself - and to START listening to what God had to say.


The Four Qualities I choose to describe myself:
Intelligent
Spirited
Honest
After God's own heart

two of them (the first two) someone else says to me all the time.​

Then you have good people around you. What lovely qualities and how cool that you have someone to remind you of these.

It is my husband who encourages me a lot. I love it when he tells me about myself because I know I can trust Him. Having people around us who we can trust is so crucial.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

May 8, 2007​

The Adventure

READ: Esther 4:13-17

Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? —Esther 4:14

When I was about 7, I was in the car with my mom and two sisters when my mother pulled over to the side of the road to study the map. “Are we lost, Mom?” I was worried.
“Oh, no,” she replied cheerfully, quickly folding up the map. “We’re on an adventure.” My sisters and I exchanged doubtful glances as one of them whispered knowingly, “We’re lost.”
Adventures can be fun—and scary. They usually involve a bit of the unknown. As we walk in fellowship with God, it’s likely that our lives will have many unique adventures—opportunities to serve Him. If we’re reluctant or scared and we turn down an opportunity, we miss out. Will God still get the job done? Of course. But someone else will receive the blessing.
In Esther 4, Mordecai encouraged the young queen Esther to help rescue her people. He cautioned: “If you remain completely silent . . . deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (v.14).
Esther was naturally frightened to take this assignment. But God used her courage and faith to deliver her people. Trust God to show you the way. Adventure ahead! —Cindy Hess Kasper
For life’s adventure, Lord, I ask
Courage and faith for every task;
A heart kept clean by high desire,
A conscience purged by holy fire. —McDermand
Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

How's your courage InDeepers?​