Since I came to know the LORD JESUS CHRIST, one of the truths that I am always reminded of is none of us deserve anything, yet GOD, out of His loving and kind nature, chooses to grace us. This truth is so profound not only of our undeserving gift of eternal life In Christ but also of all things that come our way.
And, that I mean....
Good things that come our way....We do not deserve it...it is only entrusted to us for a time so we can learn to be godly stewards, not a way to feel good about ourselves. Bottom line, we are LOVED no matter what happens, right? To be reminded that even as we are HIS children, we are doing it out of love, and as servants of the most High GOD, we are doing it out of gratitude ("Yes, Sir.")
Do not take me wrong. We do it as our obedience and He rewards us in different forms whether or not we expect it, although the motive is doing HIS right thing at that moment.
Bad things that come our way....Sometimes we deserve it because our greatest enemy is FLESH or SELF spelled backwards, take away h.
.....Sometimes we think we don't deserve it but we do. However, it is GOD's way of molding and shaping our character into Christlikeness even though the journey is nothing but stretchy hard, otherwise why would He command us to rejoice always?
.....Sometimes we think, "we definitely do not deserve this one..." but aren't we all sinners saved by grace, became saints and still in need of not only a Savior, but a LORD and a Sanctifier?
At the same time, bad and good things come our way....
.....Sometimes we don't deserve it but GOD in His wisdom gives us the honor to be burdened to pray for others that they may know Him, the power of His resurrection and experience the miracles due!
My homeschooling family is in a season of being caregivers to my elderly dad (taking our turns-Cuddle, Jonathan, Ninja, yours truly, and send in ones by the day-even callers to cheer my dad up!). For purposes of this blog, my dad's name will be James Bond (one of my dad's favorite character). He has COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease). After two ERs and hospitalizations this year, he had a mild cardiac and underwent Angiography. He is also at risk of a possible stroke due to a blocked right carotid but he does not want any more surgery at age 86. Please help us pray for his salvation, his complete and whole surrender of his heart to Christ (of which he shared or confessed he didn't do), and his assurance of eternal life (which he is lacking as a result of living for himself even though he accepted Christ many years ago and many times already).
We do not deserve to be shown loving kindness by the Busch Family, or
the extended mercy by CCS, or
be understood by all other parents for not being there..., or
be wondered @ CC "we haven't seen them for a while" or "whatever happened to them,"
but our everlasting GOD,
in the richness of His grace and mercy,
and His LOVE everlasting,
chooses to manifest those virtues
through the lives of many people, strangers and angels,
toward us, in my family's new season of home"school"ing
plus the school of caregiving.
To all of you, knowing or unaware,
remembering and praying,
even to those who may be walking in the same season or paths as we are,
thank you so much for being His channels of grace.
Being reminded, we are praying for you as well, no matter what your present journey is!
At the time of this writing, it is never too late or too early to say
"A Blessed Thanksgiving and A Miracle-filled CHRISTmas to you and your family!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
21st CENTURY IDOLATRY
IDOLATRY: THE SURPRISING ROOT OF CONFLICT
Book of James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
QUESTION: But what if our desires aren't sinful?
PROBLEM: Ken Sands says the problem occurs when a legitimate desire turns into an idol. Usually, this needs to be dealt with before dealing with surface issues.
PRACTICALLY, HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?
A DESIRE ( I want a peaceful home, respect from my wife, professional success, spiritual growth in my church family, a cell phone, an Ipad, a motorcycle, etc.) Name whatever your desire is.
When my desire begins to preoccupy and control my other thoughts and actions, it escalates into
A DEMAND (I cannot be happy or fulfilled if my desire isn't satisfied.)
When other people don't meet my demand, I view them as blocking me from getting what I want. As a result,
I JUDGE (You are the cause of my dissatisfaction and must change for my desire to be satisfied.)
When I use my words and actions to manipulate your behavior toward fulfilling my demand,
I PUNISH ("If you won't do what I want you to do, then I won't do what you want me to do.")
When I pursue my desire before I listen to and obey GOD, it becomes
AN IDOL ("I am preoccupied with this desire. It directs what I do and how I feel; it is the controlling grid through which I view this situation.")
********************
What about the spiritual element involved with conflict? Obviously, our Enemy hates unity---and so he makes suggestions that tempt us to judge others and feel self-righteous.
********************What about the spiritual element involved with conflict? Obviously, our Enemy hates unity---and so he makes suggestions that tempt us to judge others and feel self-righteous.
EXAMINE When you are confronted by someone or something that makes you uncomfortable, lean into the discomfort. Drag that feeling into the light of Scripture, and examine it closely. Is it the pain of your temporary flesh being crucified----or the pain of an eternal truth being violated? Challenge yourself to respond immediately and obediently to God's promptings.
(Excerpts from May 2012 In Touch Magazine)
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