What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately XLVI (46)…
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 1st–15th, 2016)
Fearing God
On the “sundae of sin” listed in Romans 3:9-20,
this is the cherry on top–not fearing God.
The start of wisdom is a healthy fear of/respect for God
(for more on this, please click HERE).
King Jesus
Without Jesus I would drown in an inch of water;
with Christ I can thrive in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with 30,000 feet beneath me…
Church
Though internally bleeding it’s possible to go to a hospital just for directions.
Many go to church not for new life but just tips for a successful one…
Motive
When we only go to God to get what we want,
we’re enjoying self, not Him, our dreams, not His.
Truly enjoying God is desiring Him & His desires…
Noise
The culture’s noise in our minds is like flak in the sky for WWII planes;
flak was aimed ahead for planes to run into & knock them off course.
The Bible
A. A library has facts about people but we dont say the people are there.
The Bible has the facts of God but also His character & presence—He’s there!
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B. Some focus only on the Bible regarding controversial issues, like kids only shooting 3 pointers.
We also need God to 1st Coach us regarding the basics—dribble/pass/lay-up/box-out.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:11-14
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C. God’s touch thru His Word gives courage & hope,
Feeding & strengthening us when we want to die.
1 Kings 19:3-8; 1 Samuel 10:26
Sin
To live as we did before receiving Jesus as Savior
allows sin to master us
though that lion (sin) is taxidermied on the wall—it looks fierce but has no power!
Obedience
A. Some think obedience to God is for Pharisees,
as if grace is floating casually thru life
with God Bluetoothing correct beliefs & actions in us.
No!
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B. We love Jesus by obeying Him!
Grace calls us to the obedience that comes FROM faith (Romans 1:5);
Obedience is our thank-You to Jesus for forgiveness
not our IOU from Jesus (that we deserve forgiveness).
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C. Pharisee-obedience puts spotlight on self–“look what I can do!”
Faith-obedience puts spotlight on Jesus–“look what He can do in & thru me!”
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D. Pharisee-obedience focuses on self: the rewards I deserve as payment!
Faith-obedience focuses on Jesus: the rewards I dont deserve as a gift!
True Rest/Peace
As Jesus did (Luke 8:22-24),
may the LORD bless us with His peace &trust in Him
so we can sleep in our storms not just before & after them.
Who’s The Boss?
A. No one is truly independent/”in charge of our lives.”
Everyone is a slave—either to sin/death/self or
to righteousness/life/Jesus.
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B. It’s better to be a custodian in heaven than a king in hell
(though hell has no kings; only prisoners);
better is one day in Your courts than THOUSANDS elsewhere!
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C. To be a slave of Jesus is TRUE freedom—
He is no tyrant but “gentle & humble in heart where we will find rest for our souls”