Have you ever wondered what it ‘looks like’ to have a teachable heart?
We have many examples in Scripture. I’ll point out just a few.
• Moses prayed in Exo. 33:13—
‘…teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.’
• The Psalmists, including David prayed: Ps 25:4 ‘Teach me your paths’; Ps 25:5 ‘Guide me in your truth and teach me’; Ps 51:6 ‘Teach me wisdom’; Ps 86:11; ‘Teach me your way, O LORD’; many times in Ps 119 he asked, ‘Teach me your decrees’; then he asked in verse 33, ‘Teach me, O LORD , to follow your decrees’. In verse 66, he asks, ‘Teach me knowledge and good judgment; and in verse 108, ‘Teach me your laws’. In Ps 143:10, he prays ‘Teach me to do your will, for you are my God’.
So we learn from the above examples that a teachable heart is revealed when we ask God to teach us. And we learn also what to ask God for as we observe their example.
Another good way that a teachable heart is revealed is in asking a friend or family member who knows us well.
• Perhaps the best example in Scripture is Job, when he responds to his friends who are trying to help him: Job 6:24 ‘Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong’; and Job 34:32 ‘Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.' Job’s attitude has always been challenging to me in that it reveals a very humble, non-defensive spirit. Job really wanted to please God; and when he thought he was not, he was eager to find out what he had done wrong and was willing to change—even going to his friends who knew him well to ask them.
Often, looking at what a teachable heart is not helps us discern whether we really have one. Here are a few questions we can ask ourselves to find out if we do have a heart that is teachable:
1. Do I often ask God to point out what I need to know and then be attentive for His answer?
2. Do I ask Him to enable me, by His grace, to put it into practice? And do I really want to change in order to glorify God in my life?
3. Do I have a humble heart to receive correction from a friend or family member when I have done wrong? Or do I become defensive, or blame others for my lack?
These are some questions I ask myself in order to SEE GOD and His faithful work in my life. Many times, as I am reading God’s word or a devotional book He gets my attention and I know He is speaking to me. Other times He reveals a need in my life through my husband, children or a friend. He is faithful because He loves us and cares about every area of our lives.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Friendship with God
Have you ever wondered what qualified Abraham to be called the friend of God? James 2:23 says, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."* He was even called the friend of God.NLT
It was Abraham’s faith in God that qualified him to be called the friend of God. What were the factors of his faith? How do those relate to our most important friendship—our friendship with God?
Jesus said, in John 15:14-16, You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. NLT
1. We must obey what he asks us to do to experience His friendship. Abraham obeyed God even to the point of being willing to sacrifice his only son.
2. His friendship with us involves revealing the heart of God to us. Whatever the Father has told Him, He passes on to us. As we obey Him He counts us trustworthy and reveals His truth; so trust must be a factor in our friendship. God revealed His heart to Abraham; and even though it seemed impossible that God could fulfill His promise if Abraham killed the son he gave him in fulfillment of a promise, he was willing to trust God to do as He had said.
3. Loyalty is another factor. In inviting Him to be Master of our lives we are committed to His way of dealing with us. So no matter what He allows in our lives we must remain loyal to Him and trust that He is always working for our good and His glory. Abraham certainly exhibited this kind of loyalty to His Master.
4. Vulnerability is important also. Abraham stepped out in faith to do as God had asked. We must do the same in order to build a solid friendship with God. Though those around us may not understand or agree, and we, ourselves may not understand, we obey because we trust Him as our Friend. He will never ask us to do anything that is contrary to His love. Never!
5. He chose us first, to be our friend. His commitment is absolute. Ours should be nothing less. He is our ever faithful God.
What security we enjoy in the fact that He promises “never to leave us or forsake us”.
You call me Friend
But do you realize
How much the name implies?
It means that down the years,
Through sunshine and through tears,
There’s always Someone standing by your heart.
--H. B. Farr
Have you ever wondered what qualified Abraham to be called the friend of God? James 2:23 says, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."* He was even called the friend of God.NLT
It was Abraham’s faith in God that qualified him to be called the friend of God. What were the factors of his faith? How do those relate to our most important friendship—our friendship with God?
Jesus said, in John 15:14-16, You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. NLT
1. We must obey what he asks us to do to experience His friendship. Abraham obeyed God even to the point of being willing to sacrifice his only son.
2. His friendship with us involves revealing the heart of God to us. Whatever the Father has told Him, He passes on to us. As we obey Him He counts us trustworthy and reveals His truth; so trust must be a factor in our friendship. God revealed His heart to Abraham; and even though it seemed impossible that God could fulfill His promise if Abraham killed the son he gave him in fulfillment of a promise, he was willing to trust God to do as He had said.
3. Loyalty is another factor. In inviting Him to be Master of our lives we are committed to His way of dealing with us. So no matter what He allows in our lives we must remain loyal to Him and trust that He is always working for our good and His glory. Abraham certainly exhibited this kind of loyalty to His Master.
4. Vulnerability is important also. Abraham stepped out in faith to do as God had asked. We must do the same in order to build a solid friendship with God. Though those around us may not understand or agree, and we, ourselves may not understand, we obey because we trust Him as our Friend. He will never ask us to do anything that is contrary to His love. Never!
5. He chose us first, to be our friend. His commitment is absolute. Ours should be nothing less. He is our ever faithful God.
What security we enjoy in the fact that He promises “never to leave us or forsake us”.
You call me Friend
But do you realize
How much the name implies?
It means that down the years,
Through sunshine and through tears,
There’s always Someone standing by your heart.
--H. B. Farr
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