Colossi ans 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13: bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you.
14: Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
15: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16: Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thanksgiving in your hearts to God.
17: whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
I have noticed over the past summer and spring as I reviewed several of my previous blogs, that several of them have been about dealing with struggles and problems I have been going through. When I first started writing on this blog, I was focused on encouraging others and thanking God for the many blessings he has given to our church and how the church was growing and people were loving each other. As I shifted and began turning my eyes and ears towards my struggles, I noticed God slowed down on the blessings and the good things that were happening here. Everything is still OK, it just slowed down. There are many scriptures in the Bible that talk about the importance of giving thanks to God. I have also stopped encouraging others and thanking others. I did not realize this until I spent several hours in prayer last evening and wondered why I am not as joyful as I had been in the beginning when everything was going good. I even got to the point where I began complaining about things not going as smoothly as I would like them to. God teaches us in His word that we need to be thankful in all things He is doing in our lives. Somewhere in the past few months, I gradually turned my eyes away from Jesus and began thinking of negative thoughts about how my life was going. I need to hold those thoughts and make them obedient to the thoughts of Christ.
I am also reminded of the story of the Israelites when they were wandering around in the wilderness, they were ungrateful and wining constantly and they ended up spending their whole lives as strangers dying in the wilderness, because they were not thankful and became disobedient to the direction of God. I am also reminded of the scripture in Romans about how sin grew worse and worse in the people until they didn't even care they were sinning and it all started with just one simple step of disobedience. They did not give thanks to God. It is just like the experience I have had with tithing. It doesn't make sense if you think with a worldly thought that giving your tithe will help you financially if you give 10% of your earnings to God, that you will be taken care of financially, but once you begin to trust Him in that area of your life and become a steward to what He has provided for you, it is amazing in the long run how things miraculously change and you are able to begin seeing your finances improve. It works that way also with praise and thanksgiving offerings that we give to God verses complaining and showing unforgiveness to others. If we would commit and submit to accomplishing things God's way, He will be faithful to fulfill what He has promised.
With this in mind, I will start by turning my eyes back to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. I will keep in mind that when I am encouraging others and verbally telling others the things Christ is doing in our church and the lives of others, I will be giving the glory to Him. When I am complaining and doubting and being negative, I am giving the glory to the evil one. He would like nothing better than to destroy the work of Christ and tear down the temple that God has built, with His son Jesus Christ being the cornerstone.
I pray to Jesus that he would renew my heart by making me once again, become more compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and give me lots of patience to others that I may not be in agreement with. Help me to be forgiving to those who I may not agree with. Help me to learn how to love with the love of God as I share with others. I cannot show this love on my own strength. This kind of love for others is produced by the Holy Spirit. I think I have some of this kind of love in me now, but I would like to have the wisdom and knowledge I need to show it more to others. And help me to have a thankful heart for what He is doing. Help me to realize that whatever I do, it is for the cause of Christ. Help me to return to the joy of my first love. I am thankful to you Christ for answering my prayer last night, and I repent of the sin of not being thankful to you, but returning to my free will of doubting and complaining. I look to you for the strength I need to follow your ways and think your thoughts. Help me to do your will.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Psalm 143: A Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance
On Sunday morning, I had the wonderful privilege of teaching the adult senior class. The teaching was on Psalm 143. If you would like to read it that would be good. It was an easy lesson for me to teach, because I have gone through some difficult times in the past few years so I was able to share some testimonies how God worked in my life. Although David was writing about physical people as being his enemies and they were trying to seek to destroy his life, I wasn't having many difficulties that way, but my enemies were other things going on in my life. And praise God that as I turned to him and began trusting Him in the midst of the situation, He was able to deliver me. I have changed my attitude to how I handle difficulties in my life if and when they come now. I realize He is in control, and I need His guidance and leadership.
Here are some highlights that I gleaned out of this Psalm.
Verse 1: David wants to make sure his prayer is heard so he asks God twice to hear his prayer then he asks God to give ear to his supplication. He realizes his unworthiness to go before the Almighty so he asks twice. He wants God to answer him in His righteousness. He knows that you can't gain righteousness by following the law and you can't earn it by your good deeds which to God are filthy rags. 1John has a verse that says we can become righteous when we confess our sins and we become right through the blood of Jesus Christ.
verse 2: He knows that no man is righteous not even one and asks God not to judge him, even though he knows that it is what man deserves
Verses 3-4: These verses talk about the spiritual suffering David was feeling within his soul. An example of this suffering can also be found in the example of Christ Jesus himself as he was with some of His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked God to allow the cup of suffering to pass from Him. But it was for the purpose God had for Him that He should die. That is a lesson we can learn, even if we pray to be relieved of our suffering, sometimes God does not always answer that request. I gave an example of this which was Mary Belle who had to undergo dialysis treatments three times a week, but many of the other people who were at the center were greatly blessed by her ministry of talking, praying, sharing the word and caring for others in the midst of her trial. She turned her suffering into an opportunity to serve her Lord.
verve 5: I remember, I meditate, and I consider your works. I have learned when I go through difficulties now, how God has delivered me in the past and how he has worked in other believers lives. I meditate on His Word and look for guidance and direction and trust in His promises. I consider that He is able to deliver me, but also He is sovereign and I have to trust His will for me. Also when I do these three things, it causes me to shift my attention off of me and have closer fellowship with Him, after all if there is an answer He knows what it is.
Verse 6: I stretch out my hand to you I long for you as a parched land. I don't only want you to deliver me today, but I want to hunger and thirst for your righteousness. I want you always to lead and guide me.
Verse 7: Going into the pit represents darkness.
Verse 8: In the morning represents light is coming and in the light comes hope.
Verse 8-10: Asks for guidance in three ways. First, Teach me in the way I should walk. Everyone has a specific plan and purpose for their life. We are God's workmanship , and He is training us for when that purpose is revealed we will be able to walk in it. Second, Teach me to do your will He has sent us the guidance of His holy spirit to teach us to grow spiritually.
Third lead me. We can be led by prayer through the word, by the Holy Spirit and by letting others mentor us, and we mentoring others. When we pray for guidance, we should not stop at just asking me the way I should go, but follow up with praying teach me to do your will, because our will is usually different than His.
Verses 11-12: Here he finishes his prayer with three requests. Revive me, or strengthen me, renew my health. He wants god to deliver Him out of trouble. He also asks God to deliver him out of the power of his enemies. He says for God's sake , because he will give the glory to God for granting these three petitions. God will be fulfilling some of His promises if he will deliver him this way, therefore he will be freer to be God's servant. But we must also remember that God doesn't always answer in the way we want Him to. Remember also that in our weakness, if we will continue to serve Him, He will be made strong.
Here are some highlights that I gleaned out of this Psalm.
Verse 1: David wants to make sure his prayer is heard so he asks God twice to hear his prayer then he asks God to give ear to his supplication. He realizes his unworthiness to go before the Almighty so he asks twice. He wants God to answer him in His righteousness. He knows that you can't gain righteousness by following the law and you can't earn it by your good deeds which to God are filthy rags. 1John has a verse that says we can become righteous when we confess our sins and we become right through the blood of Jesus Christ.
verse 2: He knows that no man is righteous not even one and asks God not to judge him, even though he knows that it is what man deserves
Verses 3-4: These verses talk about the spiritual suffering David was feeling within his soul. An example of this suffering can also be found in the example of Christ Jesus himself as he was with some of His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked God to allow the cup of suffering to pass from Him. But it was for the purpose God had for Him that He should die. That is a lesson we can learn, even if we pray to be relieved of our suffering, sometimes God does not always answer that request. I gave an example of this which was Mary Belle who had to undergo dialysis treatments three times a week, but many of the other people who were at the center were greatly blessed by her ministry of talking, praying, sharing the word and caring for others in the midst of her trial. She turned her suffering into an opportunity to serve her Lord.
verve 5: I remember, I meditate, and I consider your works. I have learned when I go through difficulties now, how God has delivered me in the past and how he has worked in other believers lives. I meditate on His Word and look for guidance and direction and trust in His promises. I consider that He is able to deliver me, but also He is sovereign and I have to trust His will for me. Also when I do these three things, it causes me to shift my attention off of me and have closer fellowship with Him, after all if there is an answer He knows what it is.
Verse 6: I stretch out my hand to you I long for you as a parched land. I don't only want you to deliver me today, but I want to hunger and thirst for your righteousness. I want you always to lead and guide me.
Verse 7: Going into the pit represents darkness.
Verse 8: In the morning represents light is coming and in the light comes hope.
Verse 8-10: Asks for guidance in three ways. First, Teach me in the way I should walk. Everyone has a specific plan and purpose for their life. We are God's workmanship , and He is training us for when that purpose is revealed we will be able to walk in it. Second, Teach me to do your will He has sent us the guidance of His holy spirit to teach us to grow spiritually.
Third lead me. We can be led by prayer through the word, by the Holy Spirit and by letting others mentor us, and we mentoring others. When we pray for guidance, we should not stop at just asking me the way I should go, but follow up with praying teach me to do your will, because our will is usually different than His.
Verses 11-12: Here he finishes his prayer with three requests. Revive me, or strengthen me, renew my health. He wants god to deliver Him out of trouble. He also asks God to deliver him out of the power of his enemies. He says for God's sake , because he will give the glory to God for granting these three petitions. God will be fulfilling some of His promises if he will deliver him this way, therefore he will be freer to be God's servant. But we must also remember that God doesn't always answer in the way we want Him to. Remember also that in our weakness, if we will continue to serve Him, He will be made strong.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Having a Good Visit with my Sister
I have been really busy the last couple of weeks with my sister Wanda visiting. Not much time for writing. I would like to thank the church family for inviting us to your homes for visits and taking us out to eat, and the gifts some gave to Wanda. She was greatly thankful for all the financial gifts of support she had given to her during her visit. We have had a great time together this year. We usually spend a lot of time going hiking, but this year was very cold and wet. She did get several day walks in walking around town while I was at work. She was very grateful for the compliments people gave to her as she had three times she got to talk and share with many in the church body from the young people at Team Kid's club, and Sunday morning and also with the ladies Missionary team Monday night. I am not used to all this activity, so I am getting a little worn out, but enjoying myself just the same. I thank all those who took photos of the past few weeks and posted them on facebook, especially the funny photo of the small dog in a hot dog bun that was announcing the lunch following Sunday mornings service.
Tomorrow we will be meeting with Joanne, Abby, Jonah and Ben and we are heading up to Erie to see the Tom Ridge environmental Center. I invited them on Monday to join us. That night we were watching the news and they were showing a dinosaur display that will be showing during the month of October at the center. They tried to bring them to another museum, but a couple of them were so tall they wouldn't fit where they were originally going to display them. We will also be viewing a documentary film on Mysteries of the Great Lakes on the Big Green Screen which is over 40 feet tall. We may then go check out the Children's museum if we have enough time, or if the weather permits we may go to the Penninsula for a short hike. Joanne was excited to be asked to go with us, because last year the Home School Coop went there on a weekend, but they were not able to get there because of her work schedule. Then Thursday morning we will load Wanda's belongings in her car, and we are going to crash in on the senior luncheon at church and she will leave for her trip to Eastern Pennsylvania to go to a women's retreat with another church that supports her. I can't believe we are almost to the end of her visit already and we didn't get to do half of what we talked about. Thanks again to the church body for pouring out of love towards my sister.
I am looking forward to getting back to a familiar schedule again, so I can write on my blog again more regularly. I will write again next week.
Tomorrow we will be meeting with Joanne, Abby, Jonah and Ben and we are heading up to Erie to see the Tom Ridge environmental Center. I invited them on Monday to join us. That night we were watching the news and they were showing a dinosaur display that will be showing during the month of October at the center. They tried to bring them to another museum, but a couple of them were so tall they wouldn't fit where they were originally going to display them. We will also be viewing a documentary film on Mysteries of the Great Lakes on the Big Green Screen which is over 40 feet tall. We may then go check out the Children's museum if we have enough time, or if the weather permits we may go to the Penninsula for a short hike. Joanne was excited to be asked to go with us, because last year the Home School Coop went there on a weekend, but they were not able to get there because of her work schedule. Then Thursday morning we will load Wanda's belongings in her car, and we are going to crash in on the senior luncheon at church and she will leave for her trip to Eastern Pennsylvania to go to a women's retreat with another church that supports her. I can't believe we are almost to the end of her visit already and we didn't get to do half of what we talked about. Thanks again to the church body for pouring out of love towards my sister.
I am looking forward to getting back to a familiar schedule again, so I can write on my blog again more regularly. I will write again next week.
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