What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately XXVII…
Greetings My Friends~
As a simple pilgrim following Jesus through the rainforests and deserts of this earthly life, I would like to humbly share some of what God has been bubbling up in my mind/heart lately.
I pray that these thoughts are cushions in your shoes, balm to your burns, umbrellas for the rain, and shade to the scorching heat as you too follow the Lord Jesus each day.
(June 2014)
(Please click on the Bible chapter/verses below to read the actual Scriptural text)
- The Holy Spirit
Birds soar not by flapping wings harder but by riding currents of air.
Christians do the same by allowing the Holy Spirit to flow thru us (Romans 8:3-6).
- Servanthood
The first rider in a biking peloton suffers more
by getting the full force of the wind & protecting the riders behind.
This is Jesus’ model for Christian men and pastors…(1 Peter 2:20-22)
- Transformation
If we will let Him, Jesus wants to purchase us in “as is” condition.
But He will then remodel us from the inside out to look like Him…(Romans 8:28-30)
- God Is Untamable
God is reliable, but He is not predictable.
Being fully and truly alive (being life itself!), Jesus fits in no box,
whether coffin or china cabinet (Acts 7:48-49).
- Worship
God wants to free us and teach us
to worship Him on the mountain-tops (good times)
AND in the wilderness (hard times)!
“…worship Me in the wilderness” (Exodus 7:16)
- Prayer
A. Any greatness we might have comes from God’s closeness to us when we pray to Him!
B. In prayer we give God the brushes, the oils and present to Him ourselves as the canvas,
inviting Him to paint whatever He wants…(Luke 22:42)
- Trials
When a teacher gives a test, we have two choices:
break the pencil & storm out of the classroom
or sharpen the pencil & do our best.
The same is true with God’s tests…(Galatians 6:9)
- Parenting
It is VERY Biblical to pray to God for help in parenting!
Judges13:8: “Come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”
- Acronyms
P.O.W.E.R.: People Openly Worshiping the Eternal Redeemer (Matthew 28:16-20)
- Priorities
While I aim to do my best in everything,
I would rather succeed as a husband and parent and fail in my career than vice versa
(1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 5:8).
- Suffering
After 14+ years of following Jesus,
I am finally beginning to willingly/genuinely thank Him
for the painful trials I’m currently facing…
(1 Peter 4:12-13, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
- Receiving Jesus’ Forgiveness
Many experience moments with Jesus but never enjoy His eternity,
like puppies petted at the pound but never letting themselves be taken home
.
Humbly,
SoulSpartan…