There is an expression I am hearing from my granddaughters lately when they are ‘in agreement’ with what is said, or when they are ‘affirming’ what they think is good or that they ‘like what happened’. The word is “SWEET! Not so many years ago we would have heard the word “cool”!
I thought about how many times in God’s Word the authors express themselves with that word.
Solomon says in Proverbs 3:24, that ‘when you lie down, you will not be afraid; …your sleep will be sweet’. He also says in chapter 13, verse 19 that ‘a longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul’
I think this is what my granddaughters are saying—‘it’s good, they like it, it’s SWEET!
Ezekiel, the prophet, referred to God’s Word when he said, ‘Eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.’ The man who ate it said, ‘it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.’ (Ezek. 3:3)
The Psalmist spoke of God’s Word when he said, 'it is sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.' (Psa. 19:10) His reason for saying that is in verse 11—‘by them is your servant warned and in keeping them there is great reward.’ I had to ask myself, “do I look at the warnings in His Word and the rewards He gives when I keep them as a sweet experience?”
‘How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!’ –the Psalmist says in chapter 119:103. When I read this I was reminded that I have to take time to taste God’s word in order for it to be sweet to me. In January of this year I purposed to take time to meditate on what I read in His Word—to taste it, to think about it, ask questions if I don’t understand something, look up other references that shed light on what I read. It’s been so helpful and, indeed, I can say it is ‘sweeter than honey to my mouth when I take time to really ‘taste’ it, rather than just casually reading the words! Try it, if you haven’t already. It’s SWEET!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Are You Ready To Share The Reason For Your Faith?
I Peter 3:15 says, But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. NIV
The Message puts it this way: Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.
Notice that the first and most important requirement for sharing our faith is that we ‘set apart Christ as Lord’. This means that we have surrendered control of our lives to Him, knowing that because He created us with a purpose, He will orchestrate the events of our lives to always be in line with accomplishing that purpose. We place our complete trust and confidence in Him and acknowledge living our lives in accordance with the instructions in His Word.
The preparation for sharing our faith comes as we sit with Him every day to learn from Him. This is not just reading His Word or a devotional reading, but thinking it over, studying it--meditating on the truths He has revealed. When we then determine how He wants us to apply that truth to our life or situation, we need to take action to do it. Praying is a major part in determining just what God wants us to do. It is a moment by moment communion with Him; being sensitive to His voice when He speaks and responding with a "yes, Lord, I will do what You ask."
Our lives will, no doubt, be different because we are reflecting Christ to the world around us—they will not see us, but they will see Him. As a result they may ask the reason for the hope you have. This may not always come in the form of a direct question, but they may just want to be around you, they might share a burden or need, and because the Lord has prepared your heart, the answer from your lips should come from the overflow of His truth imparted to you by the Holy Spirit.
Notice the importance of answering with ‘gentleness and respect’ or ‘always with the upmost courtesy’. This portrays to your friend that she/he is valued and loved—that you are not rushing in to ‘dump a load of truth’ in a preaching way on them-- telling them what to do--but simply sharing your life and experiences and what you are learning from the Lord. As God meets us at our point of need, we are meeting that person at their point of need with gentleness and truth. Then the Holy Spirit takes that truth and reveals it to them so they can respond to it. It most always takes time and building an ongoing relationship.
All the while God is building in our lives in preparation for continuing to share truth in answer to their questions. I have been amazed at how often God will share a truth with me in the morning and in the afternoon I will have an opportunity to share it with someone. His timing is perfect—because He has prepared our heart in advance knowing we will need the answer! He is so faithful!
Many of the preparations of our hearts to give an answer come from our own life experiences. Some come through dark times—times of sorrow, grief or tears as well as those special times of joy. I recently came across Isaiah 45:3 that made my heart rejoice! "I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD…the one who calls you by name." NLT
The Message says it this way: "I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables — Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, GOD… who calls you by your name."
So we can conclude that God is the one who is always preparing our hearts to give an answer concerning the hope He has given us! He’s working in us so He can live His life through us! The glory belongs to Him!
The Message puts it this way: Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.
Notice that the first and most important requirement for sharing our faith is that we ‘set apart Christ as Lord’. This means that we have surrendered control of our lives to Him, knowing that because He created us with a purpose, He will orchestrate the events of our lives to always be in line with accomplishing that purpose. We place our complete trust and confidence in Him and acknowledge living our lives in accordance with the instructions in His Word.
The preparation for sharing our faith comes as we sit with Him every day to learn from Him. This is not just reading His Word or a devotional reading, but thinking it over, studying it--meditating on the truths He has revealed. When we then determine how He wants us to apply that truth to our life or situation, we need to take action to do it. Praying is a major part in determining just what God wants us to do. It is a moment by moment communion with Him; being sensitive to His voice when He speaks and responding with a "yes, Lord, I will do what You ask."
Our lives will, no doubt, be different because we are reflecting Christ to the world around us—they will not see us, but they will see Him. As a result they may ask the reason for the hope you have. This may not always come in the form of a direct question, but they may just want to be around you, they might share a burden or need, and because the Lord has prepared your heart, the answer from your lips should come from the overflow of His truth imparted to you by the Holy Spirit.
Notice the importance of answering with ‘gentleness and respect’ or ‘always with the upmost courtesy’. This portrays to your friend that she/he is valued and loved—that you are not rushing in to ‘dump a load of truth’ in a preaching way on them-- telling them what to do--but simply sharing your life and experiences and what you are learning from the Lord. As God meets us at our point of need, we are meeting that person at their point of need with gentleness and truth. Then the Holy Spirit takes that truth and reveals it to them so they can respond to it. It most always takes time and building an ongoing relationship.
All the while God is building in our lives in preparation for continuing to share truth in answer to their questions. I have been amazed at how often God will share a truth with me in the morning and in the afternoon I will have an opportunity to share it with someone. His timing is perfect—because He has prepared our heart in advance knowing we will need the answer! He is so faithful!
Many of the preparations of our hearts to give an answer come from our own life experiences. Some come through dark times—times of sorrow, grief or tears as well as those special times of joy. I recently came across Isaiah 45:3 that made my heart rejoice! "I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD…the one who calls you by name." NLT
The Message says it this way: "I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables — Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, GOD… who calls you by your name."
So we can conclude that God is the one who is always preparing our hearts to give an answer concerning the hope He has given us! He’s working in us so He can live His life through us! The glory belongs to Him!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Why Did Jesus Come
At Christmas time, we focus more on the fact that Jesus came; but I really get excited about what He said about WHY He came! In John 10: 10 Jesus says, “I have come for people to have life and have it till it overflows.” WT
Does your life look like that? He also said that “in the world we will have trouble”; so how can we have both? The following story suggests the answer.
I recently heard a speaker tell the story of a Mogul King in India who had an advisor who never gave advice, but when asked ‘what do you think?’ would reply, “I think it’s God and I think it’s good”. No matter what happened to the King, this was his advisors response—“I think it’s God and I think it’s good.” In one of the skirmishes the king’s thumb was shot off, and when asked what he thought about that, the advisor responded the same—“I think it’s God and I think it’s good”. The king became so angry that he threw the advisor in a well and went on into the next kingdom where he was captured and taken to be killed. Upon seeing his defective thumb his captors released him and said they would never pursue him again. The king returned to the well to find his advisor still alive and asked, ‘what do you think about me throwing you into the well?’ His response was the same, “I think it’s God and I think it’s good.” The king said, ‘how can you say that?’ to which he replied, “If I had been with you they would have seen that my thumb is not defective thumb and they would have killed me.”
I repeat this story because it relates to the fact that God has a purpose and plan for EVERYTHING that happens in our lives. When we choose to see these things from God’s perspective we can be certain that “it is God and it is good”. From our perspective it may not look like it, but Jesus’ promise remains, “I have come for people to have life and have it till it overflows.”
I looked up the meaning of the word ‘overflow’ and came up with words such as abundance, plenty, bountiful, generous, voluminous, prosperity and sufficiency of life’s necessities. THAT”S why Jesus came—to give us that kind of life! Though our outward circumstances may not look like this—our hearts can rejoice when we see things from His perspective. He is our God and He is good!
Does your life look like that? He also said that “in the world we will have trouble”; so how can we have both? The following story suggests the answer.
I recently heard a speaker tell the story of a Mogul King in India who had an advisor who never gave advice, but when asked ‘what do you think?’ would reply, “I think it’s God and I think it’s good”. No matter what happened to the King, this was his advisors response—“I think it’s God and I think it’s good.” In one of the skirmishes the king’s thumb was shot off, and when asked what he thought about that, the advisor responded the same—“I think it’s God and I think it’s good”. The king became so angry that he threw the advisor in a well and went on into the next kingdom where he was captured and taken to be killed. Upon seeing his defective thumb his captors released him and said they would never pursue him again. The king returned to the well to find his advisor still alive and asked, ‘what do you think about me throwing you into the well?’ His response was the same, “I think it’s God and I think it’s good.” The king said, ‘how can you say that?’ to which he replied, “If I had been with you they would have seen that my thumb is not defective thumb and they would have killed me.”
I repeat this story because it relates to the fact that God has a purpose and plan for EVERYTHING that happens in our lives. When we choose to see these things from God’s perspective we can be certain that “it is God and it is good”. From our perspective it may not look like it, but Jesus’ promise remains, “I have come for people to have life and have it till it overflows.”
I looked up the meaning of the word ‘overflow’ and came up with words such as abundance, plenty, bountiful, generous, voluminous, prosperity and sufficiency of life’s necessities. THAT”S why Jesus came—to give us that kind of life! Though our outward circumstances may not look like this—our hearts can rejoice when we see things from His perspective. He is our God and He is good!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
From Gratitude to Joy!
Being able to ‘see God in every circumstance’ has a lot to do with developing a grateful heart. Often when I am in a situation that is difficult to understand, or one of my children or grandchildren is experiencing something that is hard; I begin my prayer with thanksgiving rather than a request. I begin by rehearsing what I know about God and His character—"thank You that You have brought this trial into my life to teach me more of who You are…thank you that You have designed this experience my loved one is going through to draw her close to You…thank You that You have a purpose and plan for everything that you allow to touch our lives—the difficulties as well as the joys…thank You that You are well able to handle any problem because You have a purpose and plan for each one…etc. This helps to set my mind and thoughts on Him who promised that ‘He has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him’ 2 Pet. 1:3. O, Lord, I pray that You will train my heart to respond to all that happens in my life with a grateful spirit! Amen!!!"
I am currently reading Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ book, Choosing Gratitude—Your Journey to Joy. I want to share a few of the thoughts I’m gleaning, hoping to whet your appetite to read the book!
Gratitude is a choice! If our lives begin to feel hard, hopeless or overwhelming it may be that we need to see if we are harboring an ungrateful attitude. If we see signs of worry, complaining, resentment, anger or bitterness, negativity, doubt, discouragement or anxiety; we must run to the life preserver of gratitude! Nancy says, ‘Over time, choosing gratitude means choosing joy. But that choice doesn’t come without effort and intentionality. It’s a choice that requires constantly renewing my mind with the truth of God’s Word, setting my heart to savor God and His gifts, and disciplining my tongue to speak words that reflect His goodness and grace—until a grateful spirit becomes my reflexive response to all of life.’
Our emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being as well as the health and stability of our relationships are greatly determined by having a grateful heart. In an interview, a theologian Dr. Wayne Gruden responded to the question of vulnerability to discouragement by saying, “I don’t often become discouraged. I continue to see evidence of God’s work in my life and in the lives of those around me, and I am simply overwhelmed with thankfulness to Him.” We can look for evidences of God’s hand at work even in the midst of turmoil and be ‘simply overwhelmed with thankfulness to Him.’
Gratitude is vital and it is transformational to our lives! It is one of the chief ways that God infuses joy and resilience into the daily struggles of life.
Come to think of it, nothing makes a person more unattractive than the absence of a grateful spirit. And the consequences of an ungrateful heart can be as contagious as a deadly disease. Often we blame or build resentment against others for the grief we are experiencing. We blame God and ask, ‘why me?’ We become self-focused. Nancy says, “But true, Christ-centered, grace motivated gratitude fits everywhere, even in life’s most desperate moments and difficult situations. Even when there are no ‘answers’, it gives hope. It transforms overwhelmed strugglers into triumphant conquerors.”
From Romans 1, we see that from ingratitude a host of other sins grow. Verse 21 says, ‘they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him…’ Ingratitude is our first step away from God into hideous sin.
I’ll conclude with eight biblical reasons for choosing to have a grateful heart:
• It is a matter of obedience to God—Psa. 50:14, ‘Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High.’
• It draws us close to Him—Psa. 22:3 kjv, ‘God inhabits the praises of His people’.
• It is a sure path to peace—Phil. 4:6, 7, ‘Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your minds in Christ Jesus.’
• It tells you where your heart is—Psa. 140:13, ‘Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name.’
• It is the will of God—1 Thess. 5:18 ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’
• It is an evidence of being filled with the spirit—Eph. 5:18-20, Be filled with the Spirit. ‘Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.’
• It reflects the heart of Jesus—Luke 10:21, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…’ John 11:41 ‘I thank You that You have heard Me…’ (among many examples).
• It gets us ready for heaven—Rev. 4:8, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’
John 15:10,11 reveals Jesus heart: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed My father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” And we are told in 1 Tim 6:17 that God ‘richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.’
He wants us to be joy filled and He will give it abundantly as we develop grateful hearts to Him!
I am currently reading Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ book, Choosing Gratitude—Your Journey to Joy. I want to share a few of the thoughts I’m gleaning, hoping to whet your appetite to read the book!
Gratitude is a choice! If our lives begin to feel hard, hopeless or overwhelming it may be that we need to see if we are harboring an ungrateful attitude. If we see signs of worry, complaining, resentment, anger or bitterness, negativity, doubt, discouragement or anxiety; we must run to the life preserver of gratitude! Nancy says, ‘Over time, choosing gratitude means choosing joy. But that choice doesn’t come without effort and intentionality. It’s a choice that requires constantly renewing my mind with the truth of God’s Word, setting my heart to savor God and His gifts, and disciplining my tongue to speak words that reflect His goodness and grace—until a grateful spirit becomes my reflexive response to all of life.’
Our emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being as well as the health and stability of our relationships are greatly determined by having a grateful heart. In an interview, a theologian Dr. Wayne Gruden responded to the question of vulnerability to discouragement by saying, “I don’t often become discouraged. I continue to see evidence of God’s work in my life and in the lives of those around me, and I am simply overwhelmed with thankfulness to Him.” We can look for evidences of God’s hand at work even in the midst of turmoil and be ‘simply overwhelmed with thankfulness to Him.’
Gratitude is vital and it is transformational to our lives! It is one of the chief ways that God infuses joy and resilience into the daily struggles of life.
Come to think of it, nothing makes a person more unattractive than the absence of a grateful spirit. And the consequences of an ungrateful heart can be as contagious as a deadly disease. Often we blame or build resentment against others for the grief we are experiencing. We blame God and ask, ‘why me?’ We become self-focused. Nancy says, “But true, Christ-centered, grace motivated gratitude fits everywhere, even in life’s most desperate moments and difficult situations. Even when there are no ‘answers’, it gives hope. It transforms overwhelmed strugglers into triumphant conquerors.”
From Romans 1, we see that from ingratitude a host of other sins grow. Verse 21 says, ‘they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him…’ Ingratitude is our first step away from God into hideous sin.
I’ll conclude with eight biblical reasons for choosing to have a grateful heart:
• It is a matter of obedience to God—Psa. 50:14, ‘Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High.’
• It draws us close to Him—Psa. 22:3 kjv, ‘God inhabits the praises of His people’.
• It is a sure path to peace—Phil. 4:6, 7, ‘Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your minds in Christ Jesus.’
• It tells you where your heart is—Psa. 140:13, ‘Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name.’
• It is the will of God—1 Thess. 5:18 ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’
• It is an evidence of being filled with the spirit—Eph. 5:18-20, Be filled with the Spirit. ‘Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.’
• It reflects the heart of Jesus—Luke 10:21, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…’ John 11:41 ‘I thank You that You have heard Me…’ (among many examples).
• It gets us ready for heaven—Rev. 4:8, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’
John 15:10,11 reveals Jesus heart: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed My father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” And we are told in 1 Tim 6:17 that God ‘richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.’
He wants us to be joy filled and He will give it abundantly as we develop grateful hearts to Him!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Seeing God in the Changing Seasons of our Lives
I saw a leaf fall from a tree outside my window this morning and it reminded me that another season is passing—a new one on its way.
I thought back on the seasons of my life—formative years that laid the foundation for marriage, parenting, the empty nest and now, the senior years.
The questions I ask myself as I think back on these seasons of life are:
1. What are some of the important lessons I have learned through these Seasons?
2. As I have walked through these Seasons, what have I done that will count for eternity? What purposes were fulfilled?
3. Every day I am given is a gift from God. How have I invested those ‘gifts’? More importantly, do I see God’s involvement in each of the happenings in my life? And, am I leaving a heritage for my children, grandchildren and others as they pass through on their journey?
I am very aware that the seasons of this journey are not about me—they’re about God and His purposes. I am currently reading “The Grand Weaver” by Ravi Zacharias—how God shapes us through the events of our lives. Or we might refer to them as the seasons of our lives. He says:
The stages of the refining process of the diamond suggest many applications for our own lives. The most important is to know that God shapes the precious life He saves and does so for a special purpose.’
I was deeply challenged a few years ago when I heard the message of the song, “Leave a Well in the Valley”. Here are the lyrics:
To the valley you’ve been through
those around you must go too
down the rocky path you travel they will go.
If to those facing your same trial
you’ll lend the secret of your smile
you will help them more than you will ever know.
Chorus:
Leave a well in the valley
your dark and lonesome valley
for others have to walk that valley too
what a blessing they will find
the well of JOY you’ve left behind
leave a well in the valley you go through.
Blessed is the man who has learned to understand
He’s to be the hand of God to those in need
then all the tears that you have shed
with God’s help become instead
a precious balm for those hearts that bleed.
Throughout the seasons of my life I pray that others will find the well of joy I’ve left behind; and that my tears will become a precious balm to hearts that are hurting.
Another more familiar song is Steve Green’s “Find us Faithful”:
We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road
and those who’ve gone before us lead the way
cheering on the faithful; encouraging the weary
their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace.
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
that has run the race not only for the prize
but as those who’ve gone before us,
let us leave to those behind us
the heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
and our children sift through all we’ve left behind
may the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
become the light that leads them to the road we all must find.
Chorus: O may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
may the footprints that we leave,
lead them to believe
and the life we’ve lived inspire them to obey
O, may all who come behind us find us faithful.
I am more convinced than ever that this life is about seeing God in each season of my life; and trusting Him to keep me faithfully walking with Him as an example for others who will follow. May He find us all faithful!!! Without Him it’s impossible.
Find Us Faithful by Steve Green
I thought back on the seasons of my life—formative years that laid the foundation for marriage, parenting, the empty nest and now, the senior years.
The questions I ask myself as I think back on these seasons of life are:
1. What are some of the important lessons I have learned through these Seasons?
2. As I have walked through these Seasons, what have I done that will count for eternity? What purposes were fulfilled?
3. Every day I am given is a gift from God. How have I invested those ‘gifts’? More importantly, do I see God’s involvement in each of the happenings in my life? And, am I leaving a heritage for my children, grandchildren and others as they pass through on their journey?
I am very aware that the seasons of this journey are not about me—they’re about God and His purposes. I am currently reading “The Grand Weaver” by Ravi Zacharias—how God shapes us through the events of our lives. Or we might refer to them as the seasons of our lives. He says:
The stages of the refining process of the diamond suggest many applications for our own lives. The most important is to know that God shapes the precious life He saves and does so for a special purpose.’
I was deeply challenged a few years ago when I heard the message of the song, “Leave a Well in the Valley”. Here are the lyrics:
To the valley you’ve been through
those around you must go too
down the rocky path you travel they will go.
If to those facing your same trial
you’ll lend the secret of your smile
you will help them more than you will ever know.
Chorus:
Leave a well in the valley
your dark and lonesome valley
for others have to walk that valley too
what a blessing they will find
the well of JOY you’ve left behind
leave a well in the valley you go through.
Blessed is the man who has learned to understand
He’s to be the hand of God to those in need
then all the tears that you have shed
with God’s help become instead
a precious balm for those hearts that bleed.
Throughout the seasons of my life I pray that others will find the well of joy I’ve left behind; and that my tears will become a precious balm to hearts that are hurting.
Another more familiar song is Steve Green’s “Find us Faithful”:
We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road
and those who’ve gone before us lead the way
cheering on the faithful; encouraging the weary
their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace.
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
that has run the race not only for the prize
but as those who’ve gone before us,
let us leave to those behind us
the heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
and our children sift through all we’ve left behind
may the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
become the light that leads them to the road we all must find.
Chorus: O may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
may the footprints that we leave,
lead them to believe
and the life we’ve lived inspire them to obey
O, may all who come behind us find us faithful.
I am more convinced than ever that this life is about seeing God in each season of my life; and trusting Him to keep me faithfully walking with Him as an example for others who will follow. May He find us all faithful!!! Without Him it’s impossible.
Find Us Faithful by Steve Green
Monday, August 30, 2010
Having A Teachable Heart—A Way To SEE GOD
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.
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.
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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