What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately XLVII (47)…
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.
(please click on the Bible books/chapters/verses below to read the actual Scripture passages)
(January 16th–31st, 2016)
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Connected To Culture Or Christ?
A. We work hard to stay connected with people
but often have little left for connection with Christ;
loving others is the second greatest command, not the first!
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B. At best tv/movies/social media can distract us from life but cant give us rest for life…
only Jesus can.
“Come to Me [not tv]”- (Matthew 11:28-30).
Bible
At the doctor’s you let the blood-pressure monitor stay on your arm
& squeeze to reveal your health;
we need to allow the Bible to do the same.
Forgetting God
Fearing others/situations = forgetting God/the Savior:
“Who are you that you fear mortal men…that you forget the LORD your Maker” (Isaiah 51:12-13).
Earthly & Heavenly Marriage
The lawn of marriage goes brown because we stop watering it as we once did;
same for our marriage to Christ Jesus:
“You have forsaken your first love! Repent & do what you did at first” (Revelation 2:4-5).
Pastors
Holy Spirit—please help pastors know those we serve:
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23).
Humans Are Made In The Image of God
Deep down we know humans are different from animals:
we might take a living pig’s vital organ to save a human life
but would never do the opposite.
Parenting
A. An amazing AND frightening aspect to parenting:
We need to personally learn/experience/live out that which we pass on to our children!
“Living faith” (2 Timothy 1:5).
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B. Though well-intentioned, tigers cant teach fish to be fish-only fish can teach that!
We must be a disciple of Jesus to help our child become one.
Seeking God’s Discipline
God’s mighty hand that the Father asks us to willingly humble ourselves under (1 Peter 5:6)
are the nail-scarred hands of Christ Himself…
Trust Him! Though He comes w/scalpel & shears to grow you,
He allowed soldiers to come w/fists, whips nails & hammers to save you…
His scars prove we can trust Him!
Relevant?
A. For the world to listen we think we need to be qualified by their standards;
opposite is true (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
Be wiser in Christ, less in culture.
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B. Banks spot counterfeits not only by studying the fakes but knowing the authentic.
Same spiritually—be wiser in Christ, less in culture (Romans 16:19).
Prayer Is For Men Too
Males of culture prey; men of Christ pray:
“I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing”
(1 Timothy 2:8).
Waiting On God
A. Resting in God lets Him do what only He can (Isaiah 64:3-4):
“You did awesome things we didnt expect…You act on behalf of those who wait for You.”
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B. There’s a soul-rest we need that no amount of sleep—&none other than Jesus—can give.
“Come to Me…[to] find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Getting Or Giving
The world says get all that you want now because life isn’t forever;
the Bible says give Jesus all that He deserves both now and forever…
The Bible
A. God help us not to focus on our worries but Your Word,
not on our pain but Your promises,
not on circumstances but on Christ (Psalm 119:61).
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B. No matter what others do or say to me, help us, Father, not to change the Bible:
“The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I dont turn from your law…
Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I wont forget your law” (Psalm 119:51,61).
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C. Almighty God, whether others think we’re bigots or idiots for believing all of Your Word,
help us to believe all of Your Word (Psalm 119:51).