Our greatest example, Jesus Christ, prayed to have it “all” (His suffering and crucifixion) removed if possible but immediately followed up with an understanding and submission to the greater glory of God - Not My will but yours be done! (Matt 26.39).
Sometimes I prayed about my problems without regards to the depth of God’s sovereignty or glory. I prayed “God, please give me money, please restore my health, please make everything good, please fix all my problems”. While those are natural desires and not necessarily wrong to pray, I need to be ready for God’s answer that may very well involve more suffering thru and without.
I should really be praying, “Lord, you know my heart and what I would like to see happen, but what is most important to me is that You are glorified in my suffering to the greatest possible degree. So, Father, I ask that You open my spiritual eyes and show me what brings You the most glory even if it does not fix my problems like I want, even if it does not grant my desire, or restore what is lost or what I am missing/craving.”
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
If God receives greater glory through my greater suffering (1Pet 3.17), then suffering is the answer to my prayers (1Pet 2.19).
If the Lord is magnified in the lives around me through a loss of material possession, then take it all.
If the Son of God is lifted up through tragedy in my life, then let the tragedies begin (1Pet 4.16)!
It’s all a question of true priorities. Which is more important - my comfort? The restoration of my marriage? My emotional healing? Our prosperity? Or is the glory of God and the Lord Jesus Christ more important(Phil 3.8-10)?
No matter what - I need to pray for and accept the answer to prayer that brings the greatest glory to God (Rom 8.18).
1 Peter 2:21 - For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps;
YES, God can be glorified by healing us, blessing us materially and restoring what is broken in our lives. But if that is where we stop, then we are settling for only a portion of God’s blessing - and a lesser portion at that. We’re setting up other Christians to have a “faith crisis” when suffering and trials become God’s will for them.
Thank you, Brent Riggs at http://www.seriousfaith.com
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Love and Having Faith, Patience.
The definition of love in the Bible in 1st Corinthians 13.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
Monday, August 10, 2009
Influence...
The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
Proverbs 4:18 But - Just men daily grow in knowledge, and grace, and consolation, 'till all be perfected and swallowed up in glory.
Commentary:
Much of Proverbs chapter 4 is a word of caution. We must take heed of falling in with sin and sinners: Enter not into the paths of the wicked. Jesus, our teacher, being like a faithful guide showed us the right paths, warned us of the pathways into which we are in danger of being drawn aside and away from God. It can and sometimes happens even to the best of us. Those that have been well educated, and trained up in the way they should be, let them never turn aside into the way they should never go; let them not so much as enter into it, no, not even just to try it, it is a dangerous experiment and difficult to retreat with safety.
Even tho Jesus said it is the sick that need a doctor.....
There comes a point to where we are obligated to leave & forget the 'sick' or avoid them altogether - Proverbs 4:14-20 basically tells us to venture not into the company of those that are infected with the plague. Not even if we think we are guarded with an antidote.
In these verses, having exhorted us to walk in the paths of wisdom, he cautions us against the path of the wicked.
1. We must take heed of the ways of sin and avoid them, every thing that looks like sin and might also lead to it.
2. In order to accomplish this we must keep out of the ways of sinners, and have no fellowship with them. To keep us from falling into wickedness, we must shun wicked company.
Proverbs 4:18 But - Just men daily grow in knowledge, and grace, and consolation, 'till all be perfected and swallowed up in glory.
Commentary:
Much of Proverbs chapter 4 is a word of caution. We must take heed of falling in with sin and sinners: Enter not into the paths of the wicked. Jesus, our teacher, being like a faithful guide showed us the right paths, warned us of the pathways into which we are in danger of being drawn aside and away from God. It can and sometimes happens even to the best of us. Those that have been well educated, and trained up in the way they should be, let them never turn aside into the way they should never go; let them not so much as enter into it, no, not even just to try it, it is a dangerous experiment and difficult to retreat with safety.
Even tho Jesus said it is the sick that need a doctor.....
There comes a point to where we are obligated to leave & forget the 'sick' or avoid them altogether - Proverbs 4:14-20 basically tells us to venture not into the company of those that are infected with the plague. Not even if we think we are guarded with an antidote.
In these verses, having exhorted us to walk in the paths of wisdom, he cautions us against the path of the wicked.
1. We must take heed of the ways of sin and avoid them, every thing that looks like sin and might also lead to it.
2. In order to accomplish this we must keep out of the ways of sinners, and have no fellowship with them. To keep us from falling into wickedness, we must shun wicked company.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thru All My Pain.......
.....I have this among other encouraging words from the Lord our God
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will
return with joy carrying sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)
Hmmm. I guess we'll have to do the best we can and see how it goes.
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will
return with joy carrying sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)
Hmmm. I guess we'll have to do the best we can and see how it goes.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Some Inspiring Quotes....
From various sources.....
I prefer just about anything from the book of Proverbs..... (these are randomly chosen)
* Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself.
* It is better to live in a corner on the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
* Ch. 2 V. 6-11: For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright. He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless - for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
— King Solomon
- * When there are two people in business who always agree, one of them is unnecessary.
- * If we want a thing badly enough we can make it happen. If we let ourselves be discouraged that is proof that our wanting was inadequate.
- * The strongest words are often used in the weakest arguments.
- * Chance favors the prepared mind.
I prefer just about anything from the book of Proverbs..... (these are randomly chosen)
* Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself.
* It is better to live in a corner on the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
* Ch. 2 V. 6-11: For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright. He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless - for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
— King Solomon
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Fun With Oranges
Everyone's probably done this at some point.
I just went another step in carving out the squares in the orange peel.
Geez, I look like a bonefide nutcase!
:)
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