Philippians 3:8 Amplified

Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege 

• the overwhelming preciousness, 
• the surpassing worth, 
• and supreme advantage

of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord 

and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him 

• of perceiving 
• and recognizing 
• and understanding Him more fully and clearly. 

For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),

Don't take Jesus for granted!  Spend time with Him and enjoy His awesome presence.

Biblical Advice and Counsel

I really enjoy using The Thompson Chain Reference Bible for my word studies.  They call it the "self-commentary" Bible because the Chain Reference allows you to see what he Bible says about a subject as you follow a word through the Scripture from front to back.
Anyway, I was looking for counsel/advice because I was trying to learn to make decisions based on God's will and not my own understanding or emotion.  In the process I gleaned an interesting insight that I wanted to share.

¹⁹ Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. ²⁰ Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.

Ex 18: 19-20

New International Version

This passage relates to the advice that Moses received from his father-in-law.  I have read it many times, but never thought about how it relates to me.  As I read it today, seeking wisdom concerning advice, it became clear to me for the first time that I am often put in the position that Moses was in - having to settle disputes among the people.

Any parent with more than one child is regularly called upon to play judge.  It is frustrating because you never know what really happened and there are always two vastly different stories!  It never occurred to me to take it to the One who actually KNOWS what happened!

When I pray with the warring sibling, asking God to settle their disputes, I can take advantage of the opportunity to teach principles of Christ-likeness.

• consider others before yourself Ph 2:3
• let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth Ep 4:29
• develop the attitude of Christ Ph 2:5
• forgive others as Christ has forgiven you Lk 6:37
• love is patient, love is kind... 1 Cor 13:4

If I just brush it off or tell them to work it out themselves, I have missed an opportunity to guide and direct my children.
I am praying for you, and for myself, that we don't allow ourselves to become to busy or distracted to take advantage of teachable moments when they present themselves.

God Has a Plan

God is purpose driven!  Rick Warren wasn't the first to come up with this!! He has a purpose and plan for everything He does, and He will accomplish His plan.

 ⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
       so are my ways higher than your ways
       and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 ¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
       come down from heaven,
       and do not return to it
       without watering the earth
       and making it bud and flourish,
       so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

 ¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:9-11

As we live by faith, trusting that His way is completely good and perfect He guides, guards and gives us an abundant life full of love, joy and peace.
This does not mean that we will always like His plan or our part in it.  In the book of Habakkuk, the prophet demanded that God do something about the evil in the land.  God's response was not what Habakkuk expected.  Things were about to get REALLY NASTY for Habakukk and Judah!  The Babylonians were coming to punish and destroy.
Yet, Habakukk was at peace and ends this book with praise.  We too, can remain in perfect peace through every difficulty when our mind and our life are centered on Christ and we trust his promise that

All things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Leave it all in His capable and loving hands and be at peace.

What Love Really Means

This week I have been struggling with the question, "When is it OK to bar someone from your life because they just keep making wrong choices?"  There are two young men in my life right now that are challenging my desire to love them.  The easy route would be to turn my back on them, but I don't feel that it is what Jesus would do, or what He wants me to do.
I don't think it is a coincidence that I just finished re-reading "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, just as I am faced with this challenge. "Redeeming Love" is a story based on the Book of Hosea and is a powerful picture of God's unconditional love and acceptance for us.  I am reminded that I am called to love others as God has loved me.
Love is a very strong force with the ability to change lives for eternity.  While it is difficult to love certain people, the Holy Spirit is able to equip us for the challenges that loving presents.  Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can find ways of sharing God's love.  One of these guys felt loved just because I accepted his collect phone call when he contacted me from jail, and then brought him some stamps.
 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
A word of caution - don't be manipulated, be led by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus has sent us out as lambs among wolves to minister in His name.  If the person you are called to love is open and receptive to Words of Life you can make a difference.  If they are not, then shake the dust off of your sandals.
I hope you enjoy this Christian Praise Song
-Scott Smith, K-LOVE Asst. Program Director/Music Director said, "Listening to JJ Heller's 'What Love Really Means' brings me to tears! What a beautiful reminder that no matter where you find yourself in life.  God loves you.  Really loves you, no matter what you have done or failed to do, He is always there.  What an amazing mesage to share with everyone who listens."

Please comment!

Thoughts on Humility

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4 NIV

In an effort to understand and internalize Jesus teaching, imagine with me what it would feel like to be the little child that Jesus used for this object lesson. What are some words that come to mind as you picture yourself as a little child called to stand among a group of adults?

• unassuming
• shy
• quiet
• unpretentious
• genuine
• submissive
• obedient
• subdued
• inconsequential
• respectful
• compliant
• timid

The child would be looking to Jesus for instructions.  Not knowing what was expected of him in the situation he would be focused on Jesus and looking for clues. 

I imagine him comforted by Jesus touch, but uncomfortable under the scrutiy of the disciples.He didn't attempt to teach the disciples a lesson, but allowed The Master to use him to teach them by simply responding to His call.

In the same way we can develop the humility that Christ is teaching here by

1. Focusing on Christ and allowing Him to give us clues for our behavior.
2. Responding to His instruction.
3. Feeling the comfort of His presence as we are scrutinized by others.

Humility does not come naturally, but requires a decision and effort.  So, why would we want to choose humility?

Write Your Own Book of Psalms

Recently, I have really enjoyed listening to worship music at BREATHEcastFM.  Today, instead or reading my Bible, journaling, or studying during my early morning visit with God I just tuned in and prayerfully listened to the music.  As I did, it occured to me that although I am not blessed with the talent to sing or make music that anyone else would care to listen to, I am writing psalms as I pour out my heart to God in my journal and on this blog.

I am reminded of the command to record for future generations the mighty acts of God.  Often, my journal entries serve to remind me of what God has said to and done.  Without the written reminder I tend to forget the things that He has made clear to me.

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Dt 4:9

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

Ps 89:1 

I would love to see your psalms recording the mighty acts that God has shown you.  Please comment below with your story.  Why not play worship songs in the background while you type your response!

 

 

When It Rains

"Until you know, how it feels in the dark, until you face the hurt in your heart
The sun can shine, but you won’t see the light-I bless the day when it rains"--Katina
These simple words to a simple song written in response to the Nashville, TN flood remind us that the trials of life are a necessary part of our growing relationship with God.  It is the difficulties of life that forge our dependence on Him and cause us to learn to lean on Him instead of falsely believing that we are in control.
Ultimately, He is always in control and we never are in control. We may have the illusion that we are in complete control, but suffering and hardships force us to accept the reality that we are like ships tossed by the waves and buffetted by the wind.
There is an old addage that say's "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."  It is helpful in times of struggle to be reminded that God has a purpose and a plan in everthing that happens, and ultimately we will be strengthened by it if we will trust God to do what He will with us.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 New International Version

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