What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately XXXV (35)…
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.
(May 2015)
(Please click on the Bible chapter/verses below to read the actual Scriptural text)
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Our Character IS Our Core
A. Physical muscles don’t help us share, forgive, or love, but spiritual muscles do…
so let’s get training with the Holy Spirit & His Word!!!
“Godliness has value for all things” (1 Timothy 4:8).
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B. We cant take physical six-pack abs to heaven, but we can take our spiritual abs!
“Godliness has value for present life AND life to come” (1Timothy 4:8).
Inreach Can Lead To Outreach
For effective outreach to the non-Christian community,
we need intentional inreach to the Christian community
(John 13:35, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 2:42-47).
Bible Study Groups
Bible study small groups are the “Monday–Saturday practices”
that prep us for the “Sunday Game Day” of serving/loving others (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Community & Friendship
Many U.S. Christians are some of the loneliest:
We high-five, fist bump & head nod to many,
but we truly embrace, and are deeply embraced by, few.
Growing Up
Maturity is a long-term investment:
after three years with Jesus daily,
the original twelve disciples were still messes!
Yet they matured decades later & were martyred with joy.
Purpose
A. God did not create humans so that He could know us & not be lonely;
He created us so that we could know Him & never be lonely again.
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B. What if The Trinity, Who have relationally feasted on each other for eternity past,
created humans to relationally feast on & enjoy them forever? YES!
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C. I am realizing more and more that God created us primarily to enjoy Him.
Not that we’ll enjoy every situation in life
but that we can learn to enjoy HIM in every situation (Nehemiah 8:10).
Suffering
The spiritual dehydration of earth will make the living waters of heaven that much sweeter.
With Jesus our thirst WILL someday be quenched! (Matthew 5:6)
Prayer
God says, “My house will be called a house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7), not a house of programs.
Jesus’ Cross
The cross of Christ is the currency of heaven—
the only legal tender that buys what we need
to quench our thirst/satisfy our hunger (Isaiah 55:1-3).
Pastors/Bible Teachers
Our power in the pulpit is directly tied to our love in the lobby.
Victory
Thank You Jesus for offering to eternally turn our defeat into victory,
for offering to transform us from chump-ions to champions! (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Simplify
Too many steaks on the grill leads to some being inedible:
either overcooked/burned or undercooked/full of bacteria.
Help us to simplify, Lord Jesus.
Regularly Confessing To God
1 Peter 5:6–God invites us to voluntarily put ourselves under,
not God’s thumb,
but His mighty Hand—
the same mighty Hand that:
- made us (Psalm 139:13),
- was pierced for us (John 20:25),
- has our names engraved on it (Isaiah 49:16),
- guides us & secures us (Psalm 139:10). YES!
Don’t Give Up On Jesus!
Saying “I wont follow/keep following Jesus til I understand all His ways!”
is the same as saying “I wont go to class til I figure out calculus”—
going to school is the ONLY way to learn!
Let’s enroll—and continue coming to class!—to learn from Jesus…
His full-ride scholarship awaits your acceptance!
God Fights For You
God as Warrior (Exodus 15:3; Revelation 19:11-16)
is especially comforting to those who’ve learned to
turn the other cheek & repay love for abuse.
The Love Of God Is Relentless
Jesus lovingly pursues those far from Him! Yes!
“You who are far from righteousness, I am bringing My righteousness near” (Isaiah 46:12-13).
Idolatry
Maybe the burdens Jesus offers us rest from (Matthew11:28-30)
are the idols in our lives (Isaiah 46:1-2)—
anyone/thing we worship besides God.
Forgiveness
We need stronger faith in Jesus for truer forgiveness to others.
Jesus—”You must forgive them.”
The apostles—”Increase our faith!” (Luke17:4-5)
Relying On God
1 Kings 17—Elijah was thirsty during the three year draught;
he could’ve relied on himself & ended the drought at any time (verse 1)!
But he relied on God & others (verses 4 and 10).
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