What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately XXXIII (33)…
Sunbaked Mud in Desert ca. 1990s Death Valley, California, USA
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.
(January 2015)
- Knowing God Personally
God doesn’t need us for what we can give Him;
He wants us for what He can give us…Himself (John 17:3; Luke 11:11-13).
- Servanthood
Some walk loudly & carry a big stick,
some walk softly & carry a big stick,
Jesus says to walk humbly & carry a cross + a bucket & towel
(Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:5-13; Matthew 16:24-25).
- Representing Jesus
Some tell others, “I’m the boss!”,
some show others, “I’m the boss!”,
Jesus invites us to tell & show others, “Jesus is the Boss!”
- Election & Faith
Fifteen years ago today (January 16th), by God’s grace i said “Yes!” to Jesus by faith.
A billion-infinity years ago today, by His grace Jesus said “Yes!” to me (Ephesians 1:11-13).
- Results & Rewards
Jesus doesn’t reward for success but for faithfulness (Matthew 25:23);
God is responsible for results,
we are responsible for effort/consistency (though He helps us with those as well!)
- God’s Truth, The World’s opinions
Many, without realizing it,
build our lives on bumper sticker/facebook meme/celebrity “wisdom”
instead of the Bible, God’s Word.
Jesus calls that sand that will sink us (Matthew 7:24-27).
- Teaching The Bible
Preaching should never show what the pastor can do
but rather what God has done,
& what He will do,
as promised in the Bible, if we believe (2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 2:2).
- Slow Down
The opposite of Psalm 46:10–“be busy, and pretend that you are God.”
- God’s Love & Grace
God has chosen me to be one of His children!
If He has a wallet, my picture is in it;
if He has a fridge, my drawing is on it—amazing grace!
.
Humbly…
SoulSpartan