I've been looking at John 12:1-11, the story of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus, and thinking about extravagant love and what would it look like today.
I think what I can offer as extravagant love is faith, and I know that it only comes from God. How appropriate to offer it back to Him as a gift of love.
I am presently reading "Violent Prayer" by Chris Teigreen, and came across a great quote:
"God expects human faith to fix its eyes on the reality behind the scenes and never let go. Never!"
Friday, February 16, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Who's in Control?
It's hard for us to totally relinquish control in everything. I'm not a controller, and yet there are areas where I think I know what needs to be done and I have to continually remind myself to take my hands off and let God work. Madeleine L`Engle summed this up well:
"It is the most difficult think in the world for most of us to give up directing our own story and turn to the Author. This has to be done over and over again every day. Time and again I know exactly how a certain situation should be handled, and in no uncertain terms I tell God how to handle it. Then I stop, stock-still, and (sometimes with reluctance) end by saying, 'However, God, do it your way, Not my way, your way, Please.''
Whether I try to fix things or let God work and just join in what He is doing, shows my trust in Him.
"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief." And thank you for your unconditional love for me.
"It is the most difficult think in the world for most of us to give up directing our own story and turn to the Author. This has to be done over and over again every day. Time and again I know exactly how a certain situation should be handled, and in no uncertain terms I tell God how to handle it. Then I stop, stock-still, and (sometimes with reluctance) end by saying, 'However, God, do it your way, Not my way, your way, Please.''
Whether I try to fix things or let God work and just join in what He is doing, shows my trust in Him.
"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief." And thank you for your unconditional love for me.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
What do I Treasure?
"The demands of Jesus are only as hard to obey as His promises are hard to cherish and His presence is hard to treasure." John Piper, "What God Demands from the World"
I am in a Beth Moore study of Daniel now and am continually reminded of his choice of faithfulness to God under all circumstances. This has caused me to think about my choices. I don't face the things Daniel faced, and yet I do not have the faithfulness that he had. I am not under an other's authority, I can spend all the time I want with God, and am free to study and read my Bible whenever I want. So, why do I so often seek out other things?
The night Daniel spent in the lions den, Darius, spent awake and anxious. He refused his entertainment or food. I've never paid attention to that before and was amazed by it, and a little humbled. How often when I am overwhelmed with life or cares, do I turn on anything on the TV, or lose myself in computer games, or just read whatever is available. I know this shows the level of anxiety he was facing, but I still often choose to "sedate" myself with things around me rather than seek out God.
I think Piper's quote nailed it. What do I really cherish and treasure? I'd like to say it is God and Jesus, I do love them, but I'm not sure I cherish and treasure them.
Cherish - to treasure -- to have the highest regard for; to recognize the worth, quality, importance, or magnitude of; to hold dear.
I believe I have a lot to learn about what I treasure and cherish and pray for the Spirit to reveal to me why I often treasure and cherish myself more then my Lord.
I am in a Beth Moore study of Daniel now and am continually reminded of his choice of faithfulness to God under all circumstances. This has caused me to think about my choices. I don't face the things Daniel faced, and yet I do not have the faithfulness that he had. I am not under an other's authority, I can spend all the time I want with God, and am free to study and read my Bible whenever I want. So, why do I so often seek out other things?
The night Daniel spent in the lions den, Darius, spent awake and anxious. He refused his entertainment or food. I've never paid attention to that before and was amazed by it, and a little humbled. How often when I am overwhelmed with life or cares, do I turn on anything on the TV, or lose myself in computer games, or just read whatever is available. I know this shows the level of anxiety he was facing, but I still often choose to "sedate" myself with things around me rather than seek out God.
I think Piper's quote nailed it. What do I really cherish and treasure? I'd like to say it is God and Jesus, I do love them, but I'm not sure I cherish and treasure them.
Cherish - to treasure -- to have the highest regard for; to recognize the worth, quality, importance, or magnitude of; to hold dear.
I believe I have a lot to learn about what I treasure and cherish and pray for the Spirit to reveal to me why I often treasure and cherish myself more then my Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)