And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Cor 5:15 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. II Cor 4:7-10
To be earthly minded, moved by self-love, self-pity, self-will-- that trend of feeling which leads to self occupation-- is to close the shutters. (to the soul) ac
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] Phil 3:10
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My Brothers and Sisters who walk by faith,
On February 1st I began to pray about a family gathering taking place at the end of June. I waited, excited to see how God would work out the details to be with family I seldom see. Surprise and disappointment replaced excitement, when things did not work out to attend. All was complicated by a family member who caused (my perspective) delays derailing the trip. I was hurt and angry. I wanted to withdraw from this person, harbor resentment for just a while! Did they not deserve a bit of ‘aloneness’? As I prayed God began to reveal my sinful attitude and work forgiveness in my heart. It was then words my mentor shared with me years before butted heads with my feelings. ‘Disappointments, are His appointments’. She wrote it out erasing the ‘d’ in the word disappointment and replacing it with a capital ‘H’. This simple illustration challenged my faith. Do I believe there are second causes or is God absolutely Sovereign in my life? Was this His answer after months of praying? Then perspective rolled in:
He is God, I am not.
He is good and my tendency is to trust my sinful flesh.
He is all-wise and never makes a mistake!
He is trustworthy, He is faithful and all He does is from love.
Nothing can come into my life unless He allows or sends it.
It usually takes more faith to receive a ‘no’ from God than a yes!
He works for my holiness, not my happiness.
To be earthly minded, moved by self-love, self-pity, self-will-- that trend of feeling which leads to self occupation-- is to close the shutters. (to the soul) ac
It is a choice of my will not to be offended by what God allows, simply because it is not what I want or because I do not understand what He is doing. I must not lean on my own understanding. My option: trust Him ! Quiet submission to the Lord Jesus is a potent and important experience for the saint. WBY
It is a new day for your soul when you realize Christ is everything for you and you run to Him with your need. Do you lack love? patience? strength? faith? wisdom? courage? hope? Is He not all these things?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal 2:22-23
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] Phil 3:10
It is a silent spirit. It suffers without advertising the depths of its suffering. It can be subdued, scolded, criticized, misunderstood, misrepresented, and checked and and hindered in a thousand ways without a groan, or a trace of threatening or imprudence. “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously” (I Peter 2:23)
It has calmly signed the death warrant of self, it can have a thousand little gifts and treasures, and harmless, earthly pleasures, and pleasant hopes and friendly ties snatched out of its hand, without clutching the fingers o hold on to them. It can obey God and be rushing at full speed on lines of service and duty for Him, and then at the touch of God’s providential air brake, it can be brought to an instant standstill without the least of jostling of the will from its perfect repose in Jesus. (unknown)
Believing, actually, is directing the heart’s attention to Jesus. It is lifting the mind to “behold the Lamb of God”, and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives. AWT
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matt 11:6
Believing, actually, is directing the heart’s attention to Jesus. It is lifting the mind to “behold the Lamb of God”, and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives. AWT
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matt 11:6
Most High God, Sovereign and unchanging, Knower of my every thought and every word before it is on my tongue, teach me to walk today in the fullness of Your Spirit, counting myself dead to sin and alive to Christ. Thank You that sin does not have dominion over me, I am free in Christ Jesus. Let me not be offended by what a day brings. Disappointments are Your appointments! Give me faith to believe Your word and acknowledge that You watch over me in loving-kindness. Only You can strengthen me to do the impossible, to accept all I do not understand and release loved ones into Your hands. For You alone are the God of the impossible. Remind me I only have this moment and do not have to be discouraged over what life brings. The battle is Yours and I have no reason to fear, even when things never seem to change. Lord I do not want to resist your will in my arrogance. I love you Jesus and pray in Your most Holy and Precious Name!
