|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 4, 2017 10:17:17 GMT -5
Sorry I missed you yesterday, it's been another crazy long weekend for us. We did our shopping on Saturday, went to a total of 6 stores before we were done, and that more then did me in! Sunday Jenn and her family were here and then on Monday, Bruce had the day off and we had Elijah and Grace here from 9:15 until 4:45pm. He has today off too, but we're both just relaxing today. I'm in a LOT of pain, but at least I have plenty of time to post!I have read it thru once, but yes, I need to read it again and talk to the Lord about it.....so yes I will prob do that tomorrow.
Thanks :-)  Have you cast out the bondwoman?
Yes, but every now and again, she tries to creep back for a visit, in hopes maybe we can 'be friends'.
Leonard and I have this friend who has had all manner of horrible things happen to him from childhood....so he spent 10 years homeless, and has been on and off being clean and sober.
But when he is clean and sober, he becomes very very religious. And although, I agree we should give financially to the Lord's work and to His people via supporting various Christian outreaches.....with this friend, it has always been, like a law....he MUST do it, almost like he is trying to work his way to heaven by 'giving'. He is on all manner of disabilities ( mental etc.) but he picks up cans daily, and washes windows, waves signs for restaurants, does odd jobs etc. almost all of it goes to support his church and groups like voice of the martyrs etc.
I think that is great, but it isn't that he gives generously and works hard to give about $400 a month ( he has zero pieces of furniture except for a sleeping bag on his floor and some blankets)...its he gets frantic if he cannot tithe....to me it's like he has yet to kick the bondswoman out.
However, I think just like sin is never 100 % gone, in this life, every now and then, the law tries to sweet talk its way back in....and it can take some taking thoughts captive.
It's easy to wonder......well, am I spending tooo much on self .... that could be a fact.....but on the other hand....do I feel compelled to give not as a joy but as I must follow the law.
I have had great joy doing what you told me your grandchildren do ( leaving things for the homeless including a small Bible in the package).
EXACTLY!!!!! Couldn't say it better myself!
“But what does the Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”” (Galatians 4:30)
Do you live a life of Joy?
More so now than ever before in my life
Do you bring joy to others?
That is kind of a 'trick' question LOL
if I say yes, I feel like well maybe I do
but
isn't that truth plus a bit of ego...
however, if I say no...then it is false humbleness.
I think I do but I suppose I could be deceiving myself...it's sort of like you can never be absolutely sure another person is saved....so it seems like I may bring joy in some ways to some people some of the time....hows that LOL
No, it's not a trick question hon. You have a habit of not wanting to admit anything good about yourself and that's not good or right or scriptural. God gave you the talents, abilities, and intelligence you have. He also has give you ALL His spiritual blessings there are (Ephesians 1:3) and all the fruit of the Spirit, and the gift(s) of the Spirit He wants you to have at this time. He's also of course dwelling within you and is working within you to grow all of those, and has given you ALL that you need so that ALL the time you will be able to abound in every good work and thing you do and say. Not only that but He works in you to give you the desire to act according to His purposes and then enables you to do so! Plus, He wants to reward you for all you do, so you have to be able you admit that you did it lol. (2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 2:13 and Romans 2:6 among a bunch of others)
Let me give an example of the right way we're to deal with this and the wrong, or worldly way of doing it. The worldly way would be like what we hear all the time to the question of Do you bring joy to others: "Yes, people love to have me around because I always make them feel better and I can turn any situation around and help them see the positive side of it." The godly way of replying and thinking concerning this question would be: "Yes, I think so because I try with God's help to bring joy to others and let them see the joy the Lord's given me. I try to help them see how the Lord can help them as well." Or: "Yes, I try to show others the joy the Lord's given me and lighten their day like our Lord would." Or another way, "yes, the Lord said we're to shine our light before men so they can see our good deeds and praise our Father in Heaven, so I try to do that by letting them see my joy and bringing joy to them in any way the Lord leads me to do so." (Matthew 5:16) Do you see the difference? I'm sure you do! In all these ways, although we take credit for bringing joy to others, we take the credit as the Lord's servant doing what He's told us to do and doing so our of the Love He's given us for others. While the worldly way is to say and act as though it all comes from us and that God has nothing to do with it.
We should never fear to say that we've done something good, knowing that it was the Lord who willed us to do it and then enabled us to do so. We also don't always have to include those things in our replies unless the situation demands it. For instance, when you're speaking to me, I know very well that you know that the Lord is the one who's enabled you to do anything, and therefore you don't have to constantly say so when answering a question. The time to add that information would be if someone doesn't know you or doesn't know the Lord, and of course if the Lord leads you to do so.
You have gotten better at this. At least now you're able to admit that while you're uncomfortable with it, that good is there, whereas when we started, years ago, there was hardly anything good you were willing to admit to other than your salvation itself. But this is important - don't ever think it's not. God needs and wants us to admit these things, as that's one important way that we shine our light before others so they can see Him. Obviously the unsaved won't realize that they're really seeing Him, at least not at first; but as the Holy Spirit draws them to the Lord, He will open their eyes and they'll realize that when they see your joy, or peace or love, or good works, etc. that what they're really seeing is what the Lord has done within you and can do for them as well. So please write this down in your notebook or somewhere as it's something you really do need to work on until you're comfortable with it, ok?
When you say something like: "I think I do but I suppose I could be deceiving myself...it's sort of like you can never be absolutely sure another person is saved....so it seems like I may bring joy in some ways to some people some of the time....hows that LOL" What you're really doing is making excuses for yourself and the Lord. You're letting yourself off the hook by saying only God can know and that's not true; and in a sense, blaming Him if you're not bringing someone joy. I know you don't mean to do that or want to do that though, it's just a part of the way you learned to live when you were depressed all the time, and it's time to let go of it too.
It's pretty obvious when we bring joy (happiness) to others. If they smile when they see you and it's sincere, then they enjoy your company or at least are expecting to. If they continue to smile when you're with them then they are continuing to enjoy your company. That doesn't mean that the person(s) have to smile constantly, as few do that. But we can also tell by the tone of voice when they speak to us or about us. we can tell if they thank us for encouraging them or if they simply seem to be encouraged. (encouraging someone can also be part of bringing them joy, as is helping them) If when a person sees you coming, their posture and the look on their face says, "oh no, not her again!) then we can be pretty sure that we're not bringing them joy, but are doing the opposite - that we're a downer to them and others. If people come to us when they have problems, we can be pretty sure that we're not downers, especially if they keep coming back. If they seem in a better mood when they leave then when they arrived, then we can know that we lightened their load. (or rather that the Lord used us to do so - which I didn't include in my sentence because I know that you know that's how it works and I don't have to include it all the time lol). So there are plenty of ways to tell if we bring joy to others.
Remember, we're not talking about jumping up and down, screaming, kind of joy that the world often thinks of - or "happiness out of control" I guess they could call it. Instead we're talking about the sense of well being we experience because we know all is well between us and the Lord, that He loves us and is in control. It's an inward peace & sufficiency that is not affected by outward circumstances. You could even call it a "holy optimism" that keeps us going when things get hard! Everyone who's truly saved, should be an optimist, after all, we know who's really in control and how everything is going to turn out! Please try to answer the question, "Do you bring joy to others?" again after you've reflected on all this with the Lord, OK?
Do other sense the joy in you even if they don't understand it?
I really do not know for sure?
Reflect on this with the Lord and see if you can answer it later after reflecting on all this with the Lord. It's the same as asking if others can tell that you have joy in your life, or you could think of the question as, "How do others perceive you? Do they see you as generally being down, or generally being sad, or generally being happy and at peace or content with yourself and your life? (saying that doesn't mean that we don't want to continue to grow when we say we're content with our life, it means that we see ourselves as the Lord's servant and filled with His grace and gifts and so are content knowing that we will continue to grow as He teaches and guides us) .
Why should joy be a part of our salvation and a part of the life we live now even during trials?
It shows what a great God is our God....if we can have joy even during trials because of our God than unbelievers can only imagine how amazing He is without trials....He is worthy.
 Well done hon!
I know we are going to talk about the next verses after we finish the questions, but in re-reading this morning
Galatians 5
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery"
I am thinking that in part the difference between 2 people doing the very same act.....say giving to someone in need for example.....
Can be done by one of them as a burden, a yoke, a I MUST.....HAVE TO slavery mentality
but by the other person as a joy,in love, in freedom, a.... I Want to....mentality
The action may look on the outside the same perhaps ( tho the person burden may show it in the stress in their face, the lack of joy or love)
but on the inside they are very different. Re-read Galatians 5:13-18 and have been thinking about it.....I am not sure if you will get here tomorrow, being it's the 4th of July....If not I will just read on a bit in Galatians and if you are okay ( tho after the 4th you may not be feeling great.....so in that case I will keep reading and see what happens Thurs. :-)
First, I wanted to focus on this scripture:
“But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Gal 5:5–6)
In contrast with legalists, by faith (not works) true believers eagerly wait for the completion or consummation of our salvation (Romans 8:18–25). Then the righteousness for which we hope will be fully realized. We know that until then, we will have to continue to wage spiritual war with our sin nature, constantly feeding our new nature with God's Word and apply it to our lives, in order to strengthen our new nature. This enables us to recognize our sins more, and overcome them more often (but not always - if we were able to do that now, we wouldn't need to wait for our salvation to be completed!) At the coming of Christ we'll be completely conformed to all the requirements of God’s will. The inward & forensic righteousness which began at justification will be transformed into an outward righteousness at glorification. God will then publicly acknowledge all believers’ full acceptability with Him. We will finally be pure enough to live with God and see His face! MacArthur says: Christians already possess the imputed righteousness of Christ, but they still await the completed & perfected righteousness that is yet to come at glorification.
My favorite commentaries are by Wiersbe. Let me share what he says here:
The efforts of the flesh can never accomplish what faith can accomplish through the Spirit. Faith works through love—love for God & love for others. Unfortunately, flesh does not manufacture love; too often it produces selfishness & rivalry (see Gal. 5:15). Saving faith proves its genuine character by works of love. The person who lives by faith is internally motivated by love for God & Christ which supernaturally issues forth in reverent worship, genuine obedience, & self-sacrificing love for others. (I've noticed though that the self sacrificing love for others seems to often be slow in growing in us - especially if we've never heard it preached on; something that we have to work toward after we finally come to realize and accept that God intends us to love all others and treat them according to the way He treated us. It took me literally decades to come to this total realization and begin to apply it to my life.)
I know it's strange, but in another way it shows us again how differently God thinks from the way we do. Maybe it's also because He's not trapped in time like we are. But the whole truth is that We are saved now, have already been saved, are being saved, & shall be saved in our future when we are rid of our sin nature and have our new body - all at the same time! That last part is our blessed hope and what we eagerly wait for. We aren't eager for it so we can get out of our problems here (although that will be great too) but because we'll no longer have to deal with sin or Satan or the world or any kind of temptation at all. We will never, ever sin again, not in our thoughts, our feelings, our words or our actions! We will have been made 100% pure so we can be with God! Read this wonderful homily from 1833:
Every one who is but a babe in Christ knows that he neither has, nor can have, any righteousness of his own. Having transgressed the law, he feels that he is obnoxious to its curse denounced against him; & that he must obtain some better righteousness than his own, if ever he would find acceptance with God. He looks into the Scriptures, & learns, that the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, has left his throne of glory, & assumed our nature; & in that nature has suffered the penalty which we had merited, & obeyed the law which we had broken; & has thereby “brought in an everlasting righteousness” for all who believe in him. Convinced of this, he casts himself entirely on the Lord; calling him “The Lord our Righteousness;” & saying, “In the Lord have I righteousness & strength.” Thus, renouncing all hopes by the works of the law, he “waits for the hope of righteousness by faith” alone. He considers that righteousness as wrought out on purpose for him: he regards it as promised to him the very instant he believes in Christ: he looks to him by faith, in order to obtain an interest in it; & he “waits for” it God’s appointed time: he waits for it here, even for the manifestation of it to his soul; & he waits for it hereafter, as the ground of his acquittal at the bar of judgment, & as the ground of his elevation to the throne of glory. At no period does he hope for any thing on the ground of his own merits: & though he knows that his works shall be rewarded, he looks for that recompense, not as a reward of debt, but of grace: & to God alone does he give all the glory of his salvation, from first to last. A free & full salvation, even to the chief of sinners, & simply by faith in Christ, seems to be so rich a blessing, that it would be presumptuous of anyone to entertain a hope of it: &, from this feeling, many are led to put it away from them. But if God has revealed it, & absolutely appointed it as the one only way in which he will receive sinners to himself, who are we that we should refuse it? This is a false humility. Be content to receive all freely from God, as you receive the light of the sun, & the very air you breathe. Remember, that the more unworthy you feel yourselves to be, the more will his grace be exalted & magnified. A righteousness wrought out & ready to be imparted to you, is appointed to be received solely by faith. It is “the hope laid up for you in heaven:” & you are to “wait for it.” (1833). Horae Homileticae
Therefore, yes, you will continue to sin as long as you are on this earth. You'll even repeat the same sins, even the ones you thought you'd finally conquered, may pop up now and then. You are certainly and definitely saved though because if you weren't saved, your sins wouldn't bother you in the least. You wouldn't even care that they're sins, or that you're breaking God's heart. In fact, you'd care less about God, you'd probably never even think of Him or at worst, hate Him. So whenever a thought comes to mind that you're not good enough for God, you can agree with a smile and continue the thought by adding, "but I will be, because He will make me good enough!"
As you said, It is not rule-keeping that saves you; it is your faith in Jesus that makes you clean, holy, & right. We also see that it's Jesus who defines us, not what we do, how we act, or who we are, like being a mother or grandmother, or our calling or vocation, or our IQ, and certainly not the world. Our fundamental identity in the cross of Christ supersedes whatever struggle we're going through or will go through.
Now let's go on and look at Galatians 5:16-18: “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.”
To save time let me share from another book about this:
If we're forgiven it's to free us to serve God, not to give us further license to sin ( Gal 5:16–17 & 1 Pet 2:16). The forgiveness of God is based, not on His duty to forgive us, for He has no obligation to do so, but on His love. What God did with our sin wasn't to ignore it, but to put it on Jesus so that its wages would be paid off in His death. Jesus was willing to do this. When wrong is done, someone must absorb the loss if there's to be reconciliation. Otherwise there'll be a stalemate or endless cycle of retaliation & revenge. Jesus has absorbed the loss for our sin, taking our punishment on Himself, not because of anything excusable in us, but simply because He's loved us enough to forgive us. To receive forgiveness we don’t need to approve of what we've done or even ‘come to peace with it’. The things we have done may indeed be detestable, but the basis of forgiveness isn't feeling good about the sin or sinner. The basis is the love of God, your love for Him & His love for you. God loves us & we must accept & live in His forgiveness ( John 8:31–36; Rom. 5:8, 11). Part of the problem with receiving the forgiveness of God or others reflects the view that if I am forgiven I am being let off the hook too easily. That’s not quite true. It is true that when we accept the grace of God we are getting life when we deserve death, but it is not accurate to look at it as though some sin were being overlooked. God paid for our sin with the death of His Son. To be forgiven is a change in our thinking. It means I must now live as forgiven. God wants us to humble ourselves & then walk in obedience to Him. One of those acts of obedience is to no longer entertain thoughts of self-condemnation or the condemnation of God since He has declared us forgiven in Christ. If we are not to live in condemnation, what would He have us do? Perhaps the prophet said it best: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
Obviously, I wanted to again touch on this to help you overcome that thought that troubles you at times about you not being saved because of your sins. Please take note of these things since they're important to you to help you overcome them biblically. Finally, back to what we were speaking of before when we spoke of joy and whether or not others could see it in you or if you led a life of joy..... (part of the reason I'm using notes from my other books is that I'm hoping that if my words don't "do it" for you, that the words of other authors will)
If you’re having trouble recognizing God’s Spirit in your life, don’t get down on yourself. Stop looking at your inability & start looking at His ability! Ask God to teach you to hear His voice & He will. Go to the Bible & learn how He has spoken to people throughout the ages. Ask Him to teach you & help you grow in knowing Him. Without the anchor of Scripture, we’re left to drift in our feelings & natural reason. These are fertile soil for deception. It is only in knowing what He’s already said to us in the Bible that we can more clearly discern His whisper. God has a great life path for you that is filled with hope in Him. Experiencing the full extent of all that He offers requires living in the reality of His presence moment by moment. “In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11). We don’t have to settle for anything less when He has given us so much more, including joy & pleasure to the fullest through His Spirit! Thriving: Trusting god for life to the fullest.
Next we have Galatians 5:22–26, so I'm glad you decided to keep on reading! I think what I've written here is more than long enough - probably too long - so I'll save that for tomorrow (or the day after if needed) so we can continue to discuss all of this tomorrow. I pray that all of this helps you to continue to grow in Christ and so that you'll recognize His love, joy, and peace in your own life, and continue to share it with the people around you.
Love you my friend and I hope you know that I pray for you always! By the way, I finally remembered to tell the kids about what you did concerning the homeless after I told you what they'd done in Sunday School. They loved hearing about it. They wondered if perhaps the trees where you left the things you'd gathered for the homeless were known as "the homeless trees"  I think they thought that would be a great name for them LOL. I sure wish I could do what you did.... maybe the Lord will show me a way I could help others like that....
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 4, 2017 14:42:22 GMT -5
I read thru all you wrote but want to go back and re-read and answer.
Another place I leave things is when I walk on what were here in Seaside call the 'prom' ( for promenade ).....it is about a mile ( kind of cement side walk just above the beach.....it is about 1 1/2 mile long or more.
I am only walking from 4th to 12th so not nearly the the whole length.
Seaside divides it streets from !st. 2nd etc. on up going from S-N
but going from N - S it starts at A-U ( A being more north U being more south.
Anyway, all on the prom are cement benches for those who want to sit and look out at the ocean.....
So I will often sit for a bit and leave a package on one of the benches.....if I am able I walk the next day and always the packages are gone.
It may not always be someone homeless who picks them up, but even someone who is poor.
I just leave it up to the Lord....even if they were/are rich....there is a small Bible, and other Christian related things... beside thing the homeless could use.....so they will come in contact with God's word...no matter who picks it up.
I will come back later today ( I think or tomorrow morn and answer questions etc. after I re-read all you wonderful info)!!!!
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 4, 2017 23:43:56 GMT -5
I will start with the first repeat question to get a start and will try to do the rest tomorrow.
Question:
Please try to answer the question, "Do you bring joy to others?" again after you've reflected on all this with the Lord, OK?
I think probably for the most part I do. In part because of the way God made me, but also because of how He has been working on me over the years, by His Word, spirit etc.
My thought is that the Lord basically made me to be mostly gentle ( and since His Holy Spirit in me is true gentleness) also I lean toward being compassionate and have a sense of humor. I make an effort to notice the good in others and uplift them in truth.
I think people feel safe with me that I almost never am going to slam them with meanness, hurtful snide comments, and if I ever do have a correction I say it in love, often admitting if I had a similar problem ( either in the past, or struggle with it even now).
But they know I love them....am interested in them, and I think they know I love Jesus and my heart's desire is to continually grow to be more like Him, to honor Him, and love Him.....and somehow that gives them joy, feeling safe with me, even a type of peace....they don't have to fear me.
Which is not to say there is not the rare occasion I do get upset.
My poor landlord got my wrath about a year ago.....because he being upset with our cat putting a couple of small holes in a fairly new screen door he got us.....told me he would then, not get Hossanah ( our daughter a screen door).
I got really angry and told him, I did not think it fair, he punish her for something he was angry at me about! I know I could have said it better, but I have always been willing to take almost any thing directed at me, but if if I think someone is 'hurting' my children, I react first....which I don't usually do if its at me......so the Lord still is working on that.
It doesn't seem to matter that my daughter is old enough to take care of herself, and can be feisty ( tho she has mellowed sooooooooooo much, maybe being a mom, and working in management and she does read the Bible and I do believe she takes a lot of it to her heart as the truth and acts on it.
I know Jesus can help me in that....but I have always been protective of little ones (be it small children, or vulnerable older people, etc). ...but I need to watch my temper and words when I do.
Anyway, my other problem is occasional gossip....I think those are the two things that would not give people joy in my presence....but even so the other good things the Lord has given me, and people forgiveness of my less than guarded mouth from time to time.....
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 5, 2017 9:32:25 GMT -5
I read thru all you wrote but want to go back and re-read and answer.
Another place I leave things is when I walk on what were here in Seaside call the 'prom' ( for promenade ).....it is about a mile ( kind of cement side walk just above the beach.....it is about 1 1/2 mile long or more.
I am only walking from 4th to 12th so not nearly the the whole length.
Seaside divides it streets from !st. 2nd etc. on up going from S-N
but going from N - S it starts at A-U ( A being more north U being more south.
Anyway, all on the prom are cement benches for those who want to sit and look out at the ocean.....
So I will often sit for a bit and leave a package on one of the benches.....if I am able I walk the next day and always the packages are gone.
It may not always be someone homeless who picks them up, but even someone who is poor.
I just leave it up to the Lord....even if they were/are rich....there is a small Bible, and other Christian related things... beside thing the homeless could use.....so they will come in contact with God's word...no matter who picks it up.I will come back later today ( I think or tomorrow morn and answer questions etc. after I re-read all you wonderful info)!!!!
I will start with the first repeat question to get a start and will try to do the rest tomorrow.
Question:
Please try to answer the question, "Do you bring joy to others?" again after you've reflected on all this with the Lord, OK?
I think probably for the most part I do. In part because of the way God made me, but also because of how He has been working on me over the years, by His Word, spirit etc.
My thought is that the Lord basically made me to be mostly gentle ( and since His Holy Spirit in me is true gentleness) also I lean toward being compassionate and have a sense of humor. I make an effort to notice the good in others and uplift them in truth.
I think people feel safe with me that I almost never am going to slam them with meanness, hurtful snide comments, and if I ever do have a correction I say it in love, often admitting if I had a similar problem ( either in the past, or struggle with it even now).
But they know I love them....am interested in them, and I think they know I love Jesus and my heart's desire is to continually grow to be more like Him, to honor Him, and love Him.....and somehow that gives them joy, feeling safe with me, even a type of peace....they don't have to fear me.
Which is not to say there is not the rare occasion I do get upset.
My poor landlord got my wrath about a year ago.....because he being upset with our cat putting a couple of small holes in a fairly new screen door he got us.....told me he would then, not get Hossanah ( our daughter a screen door).
I got really angry and told him, I did not think it fair, he punish her for something he was angry at me about! I know I could have said it better, but I have always been willing to take almost any thing directed at me, but if if I think someone is 'hurting' my children, I react first....which I don't usually do if its at me......so the Lord still is working on that.
Don't worry lol, I do the very same thing!
It doesn't seem to matter that my daughter is old enough to take care of herself, and can be feisty ( tho she has mellowed sooooooooooo much, maybe being a mom, and working in management and she does read the Bible and I do believe she takes a lot of it to her heart as the truth and acts on it.
I know Jesus can help me in that....but I have always been protective of little ones (be it small children, or vulnerable older people, etc). ...but I need to watch my temper and words when I do.
Anyway, my other problem is occasional gossip....I think those are the two things that would not give people joy in my presence....but even so the other good things the Lord has given me, and people forgiveness of my less than guarded mouth from time to time.....
Hope you're having a good day. I look forward to hearing what else you'll have to say to all I wrote the other day. After you answer that, I'll post on the next portion of Galatians for you. If you need to, you can keep reading there until we get through these passages.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 5, 2017 11:15:28 GMT -5
There is another gossip trap for me...we are kind of sort of semi-ish managers and so our landlord wants us to let him know if there are any problems......some are benign like a leaking toilet, or the washer won't work.
But then it gets trickier....for example one tenant is having a 'constant' parade of people that 'look' like drug addicts. Well one young woman actual is for sure, because our daughter talked to this tenant and told him to be careful ( about one particular woman) because Hossanah know her from her coming into the store Hossanah is assist. manager at ...but more to the point, this young woman was recently arrested in a drug bust.
Sooooooo what to do? We usually tell Brent so he at least knows.
But the other day, one of the tenant's told me she was having a really hard time making the rent payments ( and yet could not...so far....get help....she has already had one bout with cancer, and it may be back).
Anyway she was telling me, she talked to the landlord brent, and she was really hurt because
She thought he callously without compassion or caring, told her to go to Astoria.
Sooooo I told him that he really hurt that tenants feelings. He was shocked, because, in fact, what he was saying was in Astoria there are several agencies that will help with rent, utilities etc. etc.
He went and talked with the tenant and apologized and explained he did not mean to 'ship' her off like some baggage....he would in fact, find more agencies for her if at all possible.
I did not tell that tenant I would talk to our landlord because she was not only hurt to the core but was also steaming mad!! And I am not good at confrontations......so it felt like gossip, but I was pretty sure our landlord was not that heartless...maybe she will have to move? But I did not think he would be so flippant and hurtful...plus, she had already put in some applications to other low rent apts and he needed to know her place might be soon needing a new renter.
But it is really tricky because, 'gossip' is a trap for me.....and the line in the sand is to easy for me to cross at times...
I am better at seeing it while in the midst of a chat, and can often dial back
or
simply not say what I was going to reveal.....
or
if it 'pops' out...quickly own up to confessing I should not have said that....or whatever.
But because it is a problem, I sometimes just want to avoid people as an easy cure LOL
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 5, 2017 11:43:15 GMT -5
Do other sense the joy in you even if they don't understand it?
I am pretty sure I mentioned that 30 - 40 years ago, a Christian friend told me, that I was the 'saddest' looking person she had ever seen.
Sooooo I think I am far far removed from that. People do see that I laugh, and talk in a mostly positive, upbeat manner and so I think they sense a joy now....that was not there years and years ago. Now there is mostly a peace and contentedness with my life ( well, bar a few things I am overcoming like aging)....but yes, by and large content.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 5, 2017 22:57:04 GMT -5
Here was yet another thing you said, that I had not realized so it was a good help:
"This enables us to recognize our sins more, and overcome them more often (but not always - if we were able to do that now, we wouldn't need to wait for our salvation to be completed!"
And I sure had to agree with this:
"I've noticed though that the self sacrificing love for others seems to often be slow in growing in us"
I know its just an excuse, and I sometimes joke with Leonard, that it's the bane of an 'ONLY' child.....I do think for some onlies it is a little harder because they never even had to share, never mind self-sacrifice....so for some it comes later when they maybe have children and/or a mate.
This too was helpful and I never thought of it exactly like this:
"But the whole truth is that We are saved now, have already been saved, are being saved, & shall be saved in our future...."
Another one was this:
"A free & full salvation, even to the chief of sinners, & simply by faith in Christ, seems to be so rich a blessing, that it would be presumptuous of anyone to entertain a hope of it: &, from this feeling, many are led to put it away from them. But if God has revealed it, & absolutely appointed it as the one only way in which he will receive sinners to himself, who are we that we should refuse it? This is a false humility. Be content to receive all freely from God,......"
which fit perfect with this:
"Part of the problem with receiving the forgiveness of God or others reflects the view that if I am forgiven I am being let off the hook too easily."
I identify with that..... but have been taking the advise to throw away false humility.
Of course, everything was super helpful, but I am just picking out some highlights ( at least at this time)
so lastly ,( before this becomes tooooo long) this also was sooooo helpful because I do in fact, struggle with this:
"If you’re having trouble recognizing God’s Spirit in your life, don’t get down on yourself.
Stop looking at your inability & start looking at His ability!
Ask God to teach you to hear His voice
& He will.
Go to the Bible & learn how He has spoken to people throughout the ages.
Ask Him to teach you & help you grow in knowing Him. "
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 6, 2017 9:13:39 GMT -5
There is another gossip trap for me...we are kind of sort of semi-ish managers and so our landlord wants us to let him know if there are any problems......some are benign like a leaking toilet, or the washer won't work.
But then it gets trickier....for example one tenant is having a 'constant' parade of people that 'look' like drug addicts. Well one young woman actual is for sure, because our daughter talked to this tenant and told him to be careful ( about one particular woman) because Hossanah know her from her coming into the store Hossanah is assist. manager at ...but more to the point, this young woman was recently arrested in a drug bust.
Sooooooo what to do? We usually tell Brent so he at least knows.
But the other day, one of the tenant's told me she was having a really hard time making the rent payments ( and yet could not...so far....get help....she has already had one bout with cancer, and it may be back).
Anyway she was telling me, she talked to the landlord brent, and she was really hurt because
She thought he callously without compassion or caring, told her to go to Astoria.
Sooooo I told him that he really hurt that tenants feelings. He was shocked, because, in fact, what he was saying was in Astoria there are several agencies that will help with rent, utilities etc. etc.
He went and talked with the tenant and apologized and explained he did not mean to 'ship' her off like some baggage....he would in fact, find more agencies for her if at all possible.
I did not tell that tenant I would talk to our landlord because she was not only hurt to the core but was also steaming mad!! And I am not good at confrontations......so it felt like gossip, but I was pretty sure our landlord was not that heartless...maybe she will have to move? But I did not think he would be so flippant and hurtful...plus, she had already put in some applications to other low rent apts and he needed to know her place might be soon needing a new renter.
But it is really tricky because, 'gossip' is a trap for me.....and the line in the sand is to easy for me to cross at times...
I am better at seeing it while in the midst of a chat, and can often dial back
or
simply not say what I was going to reveal.....
or
if it 'pops' out...quickly own up to confessing I should not have said that....or whatever.
But because it is a problem, I sometimes just want to avoid people as an easy cure LOL
“In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” (1 Timothy 3:11) The word in the original language that's translated here as "malicious talkers" is the same word that's translated as either "gossip" or "slander". It describes what gossip and slander are.
Generally, the way a "Christian" will gossip is by telling someone that they have a "prayer request". Then they tell all the juicy details, and either begin or end by also saying, "this is confidential, so please don't say anything about it to anyone, I just thought they needed more prayer support than only one person could give" or something along those lines. They're hiding the gossip by pretending they're only asking for prayer for that person. They obviously either got the information they just told either from the person who told them in confidence, or they heard it from another gossip who may or may not be a Christian. Plus, gossips tend to know if another person is a gossip, even so called Christian ones. So the people they tell are generally also gossips and will continue to spread the information to others.
But you knew for a fact that woman was a druggie. That wasn't hear say or a rumor or gossip or slander. You told the landlord and he both needs to know these things and as the landlord has a right to know them - as long as they're facts and you're doing it to protect your community and fulfill your "job".
Telling him about the other persons hurt feelings did the opposite of what gossip would do. It helped both the landlord and the tenant who'd been hurt. Gossip hurts people, it never, ever helps them or anyone else!
In both cases you did exactly what the Lord would want you to do. Whenever you are trying to decide if something would be gossiping, just remember that for it to be gossip, it must be saying something maliciously. A gossip doesn't have anyone's best interests in mind, except perhaps to make themselves look better than that person.
Do other sense the joy in you even if they don't understand it?
I am pretty sure I mentioned that 30 - 40 years ago, a Christian friend told me, that I was the 'saddest' looking person she had ever seen.
Sooooo I think I am far far removed from that. People do see that I laugh, and talk in a mostly positive, upbeat manner and so I think they sense a joy now....that was not there years and years ago. Now there is mostly a peace and contentedness with my life ( well, bar a few things I am overcoming like aging)....but yes, by and large content.
Here was yet another thing you said, that I had not realized so it was a good help:
"This enables us to recognize our sins more, and overcome them more often (but not always - if we were able to do that now, we wouldn't need to wait for our salvation to be completed!"
And I sure had to agree with this:
"I've noticed though that the self sacrificing love for others seems to often be slow in growing in us"
I know its just an excuse, and I sometimes joke with Leonard, that it's the bane of an 'ONLY' child.....I do think for some onlies it is a little harder because they never even had to share, never mind self-sacrifice....so for some it comes later when they maybe have children and/or a mate.
Maybe... I was an only child too, but children can sacrifice for their parents just as a parent can for their child....
This too was helpful and I never thought of it exactly like this:
"But the whole truth is that We are saved now, have already been saved, are being saved, & shall be saved in our future...."
Another one was this:
"A free & full salvation, even to the chief of sinners, & simply by faith in Christ, seems to be so rich a blessing, that it would be presumptuous of anyone to entertain a hope of it: &, from this feeling, many are led to put it away from them. But if God has revealed it, & absolutely appointed it as the one only way in which he will receive sinners to himself, who are we that we should refuse it? This is a false humility. Be content to receive all freely from God,......"
which fit perfect with this:
"Part of the problem with receiving the forgiveness of God or others reflects the view that if I am forgiven I am being let off the hook too easily."
I identify with that..... but have been taking the advise to throw away false humility.
Of course, everything was super helpful, but I am just picking out some highlights ( at least at this time)
so lastly ,( before this becomes tooooo long) this also was sooooo helpful because I do in fact, struggle with this:
"If you’re having trouble recognizing God’s Spirit in your life, don’t get down on yourself.
Stop looking at your inability & start looking at His ability!
Ask God to teach you to hear His voice
& He will.
Go to the Bible & learn how He has spoken to people throughout the ages.
Ask Him to teach you & help you grow in knowing Him. "
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 6, 2017 10:04:47 GMT -5
Next we have Galatians 5:22–26, which includes the fruit of the spirit. You may also want to read/study Romans 5:8-11 and 1 Cor 13:4-7.
God’s love within (vv. 5–8). “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick” (Prov. 13:12). But as we wait for this hope to be fulfilled, the love of God is “poured out into our hearts.” Note how the first 3 of the “fruit of the Spirit” are experienced: love (Rom. 5:5), joy (Rom. 5:2), & peace (Rom. 5:1). Before we were saved, God proved His love by sending Christ to die for us. Now that we are His children, surely He will love us more. It is the inner experience of this love through the Spirit that sustains us as we go through tribulations. Faith, hope, & love all combine to give the believer patience in the trials of life. & patience makes it possible for the believer to grow in character & become a mature child of God.
The contrast between works & fruit is important. A machine in a factory works, & turns out a product, but it could never manufacture fruit. Fruit must grow out of life, & in the case of the believer, it is the life of the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). When you think of “works” you think of effort, strain, & toil; when you think of “fruit” you think of beauty, quietness, the unfolding of life. The flesh produces “dead works” (Heb. 9:14), but the Spirit produces living fruit. This fruit has in it the seed for still more fruit. Love begets more love! Joy helps to produce more joy!
The “fruit of the Spirit” has to do with character (Gal. 5:22–23). It is important that we distinguish the gift of the Spirit, which is salvation (Acts 2:38; 11:17), & the gifts of the Spirit, which have to do with service (1 Cor. 12), from the graces of the Spirit, which relate to Christian character. The characteristics that God wants in our lives are seen in the 9fold fruit of the Spirit. Paul begins with love because all of the other fruit is really an outgrowth of love. Compare these 8 qualities with the characteristics of love given to the Corinthians. When a person lives in the sphere of love, then he experiences joy—that inward peace & sufficiency that is not affected by outward circumstances. (A case in point is Paul’s experience recorded in Phil. 4:10–20.) This “holy optimism” keeps him going in spite of difficulties. Love and joy together produce peace, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). These first 3 qualities express the Godward aspect of the Christian life.
The Bible exposition commentary
Love is the chief aspect of the Spirit’s fruit; in fact, all the rest illustrates it (Gal. 5:22–23 with love’s characteristics in 1 Cor. 13:4–7). If we think of the various aspects of the fruit of the Spirit as a mathematical sum, the sum adds up to the character of our Lord Jesus. Opening up 1 Corinthians
It is important to observe that the fruit here described is not produced by a believer, but by the Holy Spirit working through a Christian who is in vital union with Christ (John 15:1-8). The first 3 virtues are habits of mind which find their source in God. Love is listed 1st because it's the foundation of the other graces. Joy is a deep & abiding inner rejoicing which was promised to those who abide in Christ (John 15:11). It does not depend on circumstances because it rests in God’s sovereign control of all things (Rom. 8:28). Peace is again a gift of Christ (John 14:27). It is an inner repose & quietness, even in the face of adverse circumstances; it defies human understanding (Phil. 4:7). Galatians 5:25–26: Again Paul reminded the Galatians that in addition to a divine judgment of the sinful nature there is a divine enablement in the person of the Holy Spirit. Step by step one’s Christian walk should conform to the Spirit’s direction & enablement, lest believers become conceited, provoking & envying each other. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
In contrast to earthly joy, true spiritual joy for the believer is supernatural. Biblical joy is far superior to worldly joy and any of its psychological and materialistic explanations. The apostle Paul in Gal 5:22 identifies joy as an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. In Rom 14:17 he further defines joy as an essential component of the kingdom of God; it’s a spiritual joy that comes from God through Jesus Christ, dispensed by the Holy Spirit. No circumstance in life, other than when we sin, should legitimately take away our joy if we truly know and trust the Lord. Even when sin does rob us of joy, that experience should not last long because as soon as we confess our sin, God allows us to rejoice in His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). The pillars of Christian character
Love. referring not to an emotional affection, physical attraction, or a familial bond, but to respect, devotion, & affection that leads to willing, self-sacrificial service (Jn 15:13; Ro 5:8; 1Jn 3:16, 17). Joy. A happiness based on unchanging divine promises & eternal spiritual realities. It is the sense of well being experienced by one who knows all is well between himself & the Lord (1Pe 1:8). Peace. The inner calm that results from confidence in one’s saving relationship with Christ. The verb form denotes binding together & is reflected in the expression “having it all together.” Like joy, peace is not related to one’s circumstances (Jn 14:27; Ro 8:28; Php 4:6, 7, 9). The MacArthur study Bible
walk by the Spirit. All believers have the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. Ro 8:9; 1Co 6:19, 20) as the personal power for living to please God. The form of the Gr. verb translated “walk” indicates continuous action, or a habitual lifestyle. Walking also implies progress; as a believer submits to the Spirit’s control—that is, responds in obedience to the simple commands of Scripture—he grows in his spiritual life. The MacArthur study Bible
The cultivation of the fruit is important. Paul warns that there must be a right atmosphere before the fruit will grow. Fruit grows in a climate blessed with an abundance of the Spirit & the Word. “Walk in the Spirit” means “keep in step with the Spirit”—not to run ahead and not to lag behind. This involves the Word, prayer, worship, praise, & fellowship with God’s people. It also means “pulling out the weeds” so that the seed of the Word can take root & bear fruit. The Judaizers were anxious for praise & “vainglory,” & this led to competition & division. Fruit can never grow in that kind of an atmosphere.
We must remember that this fruit is produced to be eaten, not to be admired & put on display. People around us are starving for love, joy, peace, & all the other graces of the Spirit. When they find them in our lives, they know that we have something they lack. We do not bear fruit for our own consumption; we bear fruit that others might be fed & helped, & that Christ might be glorified. In short, the secret is the Holy Spirit. He alone can give us freedom from sin & self. He enables us to fulfill the law of love, to overcome the flesh, & to bear fruit. The Bible exposition commentary
As soon as you're able to, it would be great if you can get the book: The pillars of Christian character. it's by MacArthur and is really good! I think it would help you a lot! There's a great deal about joy in this book too. The kindle version is $9.99. Here's a link to it.
Sorry, I had to just use my notes today because my grandkids just showed up and Gracie's sick so I need to be with them. I'll give you more information tomorrow and we can talk about this too. Plus as I said, you can read 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 5 if you've run out of things to read lol
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 6, 2017 13:38:45 GMT -5
Before getting into the new....I just wanted to say, I never really got the difference about what is gossip and what is facts etc.
"a rumor or hear-say, not facts."
Well, that cuts my sin of gossip about in half.....but I have been guilty of true gossip....sometimes ( more often than I like...tho for sure none is sin free)
like sometimes I get so frustrated with a male friend of ours.....
That I start complaining to Leonard. It's weird, I 'almost'...
but I do know better....
but I act as... if I am talking to my husband,
it's not as bad as talking to a friend.
I know that is an excuse.
But for one thing, I have repeatedly asked this male friend of ours to call ( unless it's a dire emergency) before he comes over ( sometimes as much as 3 times a day).
But he almost never does....beside he has a mostly hate relationship with cell phones and has thrown several in the river or ocean here.
I once got sooooooooooooooooo frustrated I feel to my knees in front of him, actually begging him to pleeeeeaaaaaasseee call first. I went into a whole song and dance, that I would like to be dressed first, comb my hair, put in my teeth etc etc.
LOL
For all the good it did...nada, zero, and besides, to this fellow, EVERYTHING.... IS... an emergency in his mind!!!
I have prayed about it, but not really enough...
and he does in fact, call 10 or 20 percent of the time... when he has a phone,
and
will on occasion say: Oh I should get a phone so I can call......
but even now I am guilty of gossip but now I at least, see the difference.....I still don't know what to do about this problem.
I often do not go out to chat with him, Leonard will get up from a nap or in the middle of cooking to do so.....but then our friend is very very hurt, that I am not talking to hi arrrggghhhh.....well if he had called first
its like the who is on first base routine
okay no more talking about this even to Leonard ( but it does make me upset when he comes and Leonard just laid down for a nap because he is so tired....I have on occasion..told this friend that and he gets very very upset because he needs to talk about something terrible that just happened to him...but sometimes I firmly tell him....Leonard really needs to sleep, he has been very busy or whatever.
anyway, it does make this guy look bad and its not fair to him....he is not really capable of totally comprehending and I can understand that....because I have suffered the same inability.....sometimes it just takes time to grow.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 6, 2017 23:06:20 GMT -5
I forgot to say, I read the newest notes, thank you....tomorrow I may be a bit pressed for time, having to watch Devon, have a physical therapy appointment etc.
But of course, I will find time to be here.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 7, 2017 10:48:44 GMT -5
Before getting into the new....I just wanted to say, I never really got the difference about what is gossip and what is facts etc.
"a rumor or hear-say, not facts."
Well, that cuts my sin of gossip about in half.....but I have been guilty of true gossip....sometimes ( more often than I like...tho for sure none is sin free)
like sometimes I get so frustrated with a male friend of ours.....
That I start complaining to Leonard. It's weird, I 'almost'...
but I do know better....
but I act as... if I am talking to my husband,
it's not as bad as talking to a friend.
I know that is an excuse.
But for one thing, I have repeatedly asked this male friend of ours to call ( unless it's a dire emergency) before he comes over ( sometimes as much as 3 times a day).
But he almost never does....beside he has a mostly hate relationship with cell phones and has thrown several in the river or ocean here.
I once got sooooooooooooooooo frustrated I feel to my knees in front of him, actually begging him to pleeeeeaaaaaasseee call first. I went into a whole song and dance, that I would like to be dressed first, comb my hair, put in my teeth etc etc.
LOL
For all the good it did...nada, zero, and besides, to this fellow, EVERYTHING.... IS... an emergency in his mind!!!
I have prayed about it, but not really enough...
and he does in fact, call 10 or 20 percent of the time... when he has a phone,
and
will on occasion say: Oh I should get a phone so I can call......
but even now I am guilty of gossip but now I at least, see the difference.....I still don't know what to do about this problem.
I often do not go out to chat with him, Leonard will get up from a nap or in the middle of cooking to do so.....but then our friend is very very hurt, that I am not talking to hi arrrggghhhh.....well if he had called first
its like the who is on first base routine
okay no more talking about this even to Leonard ( but it does make me upset when he comes and Leonard just laid down for a nap because he is so tired....I have on occasion..told this friend that and he gets very very upset because he needs to talk about something terrible that just happened to him...but sometimes I firmly tell him....Leonard really needs to sleep, he has been very busy or whatever.
anyway, it does make this guy look bad and its not fair to him....he is not really capable of totally comprehending and I can understand that....because I have suffered the same inability.....sometimes it just takes time to grow. I forgot to say, I read the newest notes, thank you....tomorrow I may be a bit pressed for time, having to watch Devon, have a physical therapy appointment etc.
But of course, I will find time to be here.
As far as talking to Leonard about this friend, that's not gossip. That's talking to your husband about a problem. That's perfectly OK. The only time it becomes wrong is when you're just "complaining" and not discussing it to find a solution or compromise. Complaining is a sin because we're really complaining against God, not the person we think we're complaining about. Why? Because God is sovereign and in control at ALL times and in all things, even in the timing of this guy coming over without calling.
Yesterday was difficult for me as well. I had a LOT of work to do, but my daughter came over with the kids. They were only going to be here for about 20 minutes, but Gracie wound up sick and her fever went up to 102.5 so they stayed here most of the day. Poor baby. She's still feeling bad, but the doc says it's just a virus going around.
I have a little more I wanted to add for you, this time from Galatians 5:13–6:10:
As we say yes to the Holy Spirit, his living water produces new fruit in our hearts: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These character qualities aren’t an ideal standard that God holds over us. They are gifts the Spirit produces in us. This change within us changes the way we respond to the things around us. And this is the fruit that results: Kind people look for ways to do good. Patient and faithful people don’t run away when people mess up. Loving people serve even when sinned against. Gentle people help a struggler bear his burden. Galatians 5 and 6 are filled with hope. We must reject a view of the Christian life that emphasizes what we should do more than what God is doing in us by his Spirit. We should reject any view of the Christian life that says that the change God calls us to is impossible, or only takes place in eternity. We should reject any perspective on the Christian life that minimizes the war that rages in our hearts every day—or ignores the fact that God is fighting it for us and with us! The biblical picture is that God meets us in the trials of life, and he doesn’t just give us rules—he gives us his Son! Heart of the matter
This next part from one of my counseling books is speaking of love but can also apply to joy which is why I'm including it here. I'm sure you'll see what I mean when you read it.
When Adam sinned (Gen 3) he was abandoning the commandment-oriented life of love for the feeling oriented life of lust. There are only these 2 ways of life: the feeling motivated life of sin oriented toward self, & the commandment-oriented life of holiness oriented toward God. The 2 ways of life are diametrically opposed to one another & force one to choose between them. The 2 life styles involve patterns of lust or love. They are oriented toward & motivated by the self’s desires or God’s commandments. They acknowledge 2 distinct sources of authority: self or the Bible. They focus upon separate goals: temporary pleasure; eternal joy. They acknowledge 2 masters: Satan or God. They offer 2 different ways of handling life’s problems: the one resorts to running, covering up, lying & blame-shifting, etc., while the other insists upon facing, confessing, speaking truth, & assuming personal responsibility. They bring about their own results: the bondage of chaos in this life & eternal loss, or the freedom of structure & eternal joy. One was the way of the so-called Enlightenment, the other the way of the Reformation. Living according to feeling rather than God’s commandment is a fundamental hindrance to godliness It is a clever “wile” of Satan to tempt men to think that they cannot do what God requires because they do not feel like doing it, or that they must do what they feel like doing & cannot help themselves. The Christian counselor’s manual
Patterns do not develop automatically. They become a part of one’s life through practice. Jotham “became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). Ordered or established ways (Berkeley) are the result of such practice. Holiness does not come instantaneously. The Bible is very plain about how godliness does come. Paul wrote about godliness to Timothy. In his first letter to that budding young minister, he said, in contrast to all of the ways that will fail (mentioned in the first part of the verse), “Timothy, you must discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). Discipline is the secret of godliness.
The word discipline has disappeared from minds, mouths, and pulpits in our culture. Modern American society hardly knows what discipline means. Yet, apart from discipline, there is no other way to attain godliness; discipline is God’s path to godliness. The first thing to notice is that there is no option about being godly. Paul’s words constitute a divine command to discipline ourselves for that purpose. God intends for His children to be godly. In other places He commands the very same thing. He says, for example, “Be holy as I am holy,” and “Be perfect as I am perfect.” It is certain that we will never reach perfection in this life (1 John 1:8), but perfect godliness is the goal toward which every believer must discipline himself and toward which he must move every day. This means becoming more like God Himself each day. The godly man leads a life that reflects God. Godliness is the goal of the Christian life; he must be shown how to please God by being, thinking, doing, saying, and feeling what God wishes.
Notice God says that believers must discipline themselves “for the purpose of (or, literally, toward) godliness.” The original means “to be oriented toward godliness.” One’s whole life ought to be disciplined (i.e., structured, set up, organized, and running day by day) toward the goal of godliness. Everything that happens should be used to contribute something toward reaching that goal. When life is oriented toward (or focused upon) godliness, the goal will come into mind constantly. The counselor will instruct the counselee to think at work, at home, or in school, “I am to reflect God in this project.” There are times, of course, when he is discouraged or gets tired or becomes upset that he will lose sight of the goal. He may even rebel against the idea. But if he is a genuine believer in Christ, the well will never run dry; down in his heart the desire trickles back, and he will find himself saying, “That is what I want.” It is true that the believer “hungers and thirsts after righteousness.”
When Paul wrote, “You are a new creature; all things have become new,” this is one thing that he had in mind: the Holy Spirit already has oriented believers toward God and His holiness, putting a new focus on all of life. But that does not automatically make them godly. Because of the work of Christ, they have been counted perfect in God’s sight, but in actuality are still far from the goal. Yet, the new life in Christ is oriented toward godliness; that is why at times the believer aches for it.
Discipline means work; it means sustained daily effort. Athletes practice regularly, usually every day for at least a short period of time. They work daily, day after day, until what they are doing becomes “natural” (i.e., second nature) to them. That is what an athlete does. And that is exactly what is involved in the word that Paul used here. Continued daily effort is an essential element of Christian discipline. The Christian counselor’s manual
You've already learned that you have to work at what you want to develop within yourself and that it must be something you do every single day. We're literally training our minds to think like Christ (use the mind of Christ) and our feelings to feel like Christ. We're training ourselves to get back to the way Adam and Eve thought and felt before they sinned. We know we won't be completely like that until we get to heaven, but we want to be as close as we can be, and so we keep at it. We do it because we love the Lord and want to please Him, just as a young child obeys their parents because they love them and want to please them. So we continue to work on getting our thoughts and feelings aligned with God's every day. Because God loves us and loves to give us gifts, when we do that, we also gain the blessing of always feeling His Joy, love and peace. They become more real to us the longer we work at it.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 7, 2017 22:59:17 GMT -5
I can safely say, there has never been a post by you where I have not learned a whole bunch of new ways of understanding the Word......today started with this:
"These character qualities aren’t an ideal standard that God holds over us. They are gifts.......he doesn’t just give us rules—he gives us his Son"
also very helpful the differences between lust or love...some of the examples:
"temporary pleasure;
or
eternal joy....
2 masters:
Satan
or
God.
2 different ways of handling life’s problems
bringing about their own results
Enlightenment,
or
Reformation.
Plus:
"Patterns do not develop automatically. They become a part of one’s life through practice....discipline....toward the goal of godliness
“I am to reflect God in this project."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 10, 2017 8:35:13 GMT -5
I can safely say, there has never been a post by you where I have not learned a whole bunch of new ways of understanding the Word......today started with this:
"These character qualities aren’t an ideal standard that God holds over us. They are gifts.......he doesn’t just give us rules—he gives us his Son"
also very helpful the differences between lust or love...some of the examples:
"temporary pleasure;
or
eternal joy....
2 masters:
Satan
or
God.
2 different ways of handling life’s problems
bringing about their own results
Enlightenment,
or
Reformation.
Plus:
"Patterns do not develop automatically. They become a part of one’s life through practice....discipline....toward the goal of godliness
“I am to reflect God in this project."
What steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
In order to answer that question, we must also take into consideration the answer to the question of:
What is God working at with you right now? In other words, what are His objectives in this for you, and What Is He teaching you?
Is there anything I could do to help you?
What are your concerns about this?
You mentioned before that you wanted to know a good bible reading plan that you could do if for some reason we couldn't be together. That's pretty easy, because you can make up anything you want. Most folks just start with Genesis and read through to Revelation. I try to do that every year too. But another way I've thought of is to start with Genesis, then read Matthew, then Exodus, then Mark, and so on, until you've read the whole bible. In other words do one OT book, then a NT book, then OT, then NT, etc until you've done them all. As I recall, there are also links to many bible study plans in the How to study the bible forum.
I'm going to be starting in Ephesians tomorrow and you're welcome to do so with me if you'd like to.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 10, 2017 10:27:41 GMT -5
What is God working at with you right now?
My mind blank...I am going to have to pray a bit more about this ( I did)....but maybe the fact, I can't come right up with some things, show a bit of a problem?
I am tired today ( we cleaned Brent's B & B place yesterday) and also we had to do our once a month big shopping ( plus it was our grandson Devon's birthday....tho party is today....but we bought present etc.) and I took a walk....etc.
In other words, what are His objectives in this for you, and What Is He teaching you? Again I need to mull this over or something....maybe a nap would help LOL
Party is at 1:00
Is there anything I could do to help you?
Every thing you say and every scripture you give me all help.
I must say that I had my last physical therapy with Alex ( the Christian) but I felt depressed after. I think I was mostly a complaining complainer....
and I think instead of thanking him for doing his best to help ( in his way), I was not an encourager to him as a brother in Christ, but in an 'attempt' to be honest....we don't see eye to eye on pain meds ( and I get more stubborn etc.)
Anyway, I just felt I should have even so......been more compassionate to his feelings and I am still discourage at myself. I thought of sending him a card just saying I appreciated his trying his best to pick exercises and encouraging me.....something like that...I really am in a sleepy mind fog a bit.
What are your concerns about this?
I know you said that most likely this depression issue and choosing joy, would not be an overnight thing....it would take discipline....
Ha strangely enough that is part of the same conversation I had with Alex about exercises....
I was complaining that inertia often gets in the way of doing the exercises ....plus the lack of 'results' is not as quick or as much as I would want.
It's sort of the same thing with joy....I just wish I could say or make the choice to choose joy and ta da....depression would be gone forever and joy forever more with the Lord....done!
Discipline is not my strong suit tho complaining seems to be.....at least, at times. I know, its a sin to be putting myself down...forgive me, I think be tired, if I am not diligent, can be a trap to falling into old ways.
And can I blame the cloudy cold day..........no? oh okay...no I guess not
I forgot to mention I've been reading psalms and proverbs but yes.....I would most definitely like to start Ephesians with you tomorrow.....will that be a separate thread or here or????
Thanks, I will be looking forward to that! See you already encouraged me out of a bit of my slump.
I will see if sometime this afternoon, tonight or tomorrow, I can come up with some answers to those questions.
I hope I have not discouraged you like I think I did Alex with my glum Eeyore routine. If so please forgive me, you are truly a blessing!!
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 10, 2017 18:57:12 GMT -5
I understand that laughing is NOT the same as joy. but I thought I would mention, it, because maybe, its a step above, glum.
I have been watching Bill Gaither ( a group I never paid much attention to. I knew they sang, hymns and gospel music....but' I think I somewhere got the impression they were kind of 'old and sort of 'boring'.
hummmmm maybe that is a lesson the Lord is teaching me right there.
Yup they do sing.....and have some very good singers, some are in fact 'old' in age, and some, maybe even a lot, on the other hand....certainly, not all of them at all!!!
But what I had no idea, is how funny and how much fun they had...and have even now.
Good, clean, fun even about Biblical things ( in a good silly way, but always ends up with some gospel message).
They even do all manner of jokes while singing ( like interrupting, a few times with cute and silliness, before finally getting into the song.
Anyway, who knew?
Take 2 on your questions
What is God working at with you right now?
I think several things at once, the depression, gossip, the aging thing ( but watching so many 'older folks in the gaither group who are super talented, fun loving, and loving the Lord has been one eye opener)....I missed out, due to thinking, old was boring.
In other words, what are His objectives in this for you, and What Is He teaching you?
One thing is a continuation of learning to know He loves me, and He can find answers for my 'problems' or be with me in them.
Mostly to wait on Him and trust in Him.
Is there anything I could do to help you?
You already are...but just continuing what you do best.
What are your concerns about this?
I already answered....impatience, wanting want I won't get in full, until Heaven, but also expecting too little.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 11, 2017 11:05:10 GMT -5
What is God working at with you right now?
My mind blank...I am going to have to pray a bit more about this ( I did)....but maybe the fact, I can't come right up with some things, show a bit of a problem?
We should always pray about things like this, but at the same time, we should always have already done so and should be aware of what the Lord is doing in our lives all the time so that we can cooperate with Him, learning what He wants to teach us and applying it to our lives. He generally is working on whatever He is consistently showing us through His Word when we study with Him each day. That's why He will sometimes show us things about that same subject in a fiction book we're reading, or on a TV show or commercial, or in something another person says to us, etc. Sometimes He works on more than one thing at a time. For instance He may have one major theme that runs through all His teachings for you and one minor theme. (not that the one is any more important than the other, just that it may continue for a long time, while He may change the other (minor) themes. For example, the major theme He's been teaching me about for quite a long time now is "Love" - His love for us and how He expects us to love others. At the same time, He's been teaching me many other things like the difference between grace and works or grace and the law, or another one was about prayer and so on.
So please do pray about this and from now on, in addition to saying how you would apply what you've learned about to your life, you can also add each day what the Lord is working on with you, ok? (although it generally doesn't change daily; hopefully by doing so you won't forget.) For now though, just tell me what you think He's been working on with you for all this time we've been working on the psalms and then Galatians.
I am tired today ( we cleaned Brent's B & B place yesterday) and also we had to do our once a month big shopping ( plus it was our grandson Devon's birthday....tho party is today....but we bought present etc.) and I took a walk....etc.
In other words, what are His objectives in this for you, and What Is He teaching you? Again I need to mull this over or something....maybe a nap would help LOL
Party is at 1:00
Is there anything I could do to help you?
Every thing you say and every scripture you give me all help.
I must say that I had my last physical therapy with Alex ( the Christian) but I felt depressed after. I think I was mostly a complaining complainer....
and I think instead of thanking him for doing his best to help ( in his way), I was not an encourager to him as a brother in Christ, but in an 'attempt' to be honest....we don't see eye to eye on pain meds ( and I get more stubborn etc.)
Anyway, I just felt I should have even so......been more compassionate to his feelings and I am still discourage at myself. I thought of sending him a card just saying I appreciated his trying his best to pick exercises and encouraging me.....something like that...I really am in a sleepy mind fog a bit.
I can see why you'd feel discouraged as you didn't encourage him, but did you talk to the Lord about it what you did and didn't do? Did you ask Him what you should do now, like about sending him the card? Did you ask His forgiveness for not edifying him?
What are your concerns about this?
I know you said that most likely this depression issue and choosing joy, would not be an overnight thing....it would take discipline....
Ha strangely enough that is part of the same conversation I had with Alex about exercises....
I was complaining that inertia often gets in the way of doing the exercises ....plus the lack of 'results' is not as quick or as much as I would want.
It's sort of the same thing with joy....I just wish I could say or make the choice to choose joy and ta da....depression would be gone forever and joy forever more with the Lord....done!
Discipline is not my strong suit tho complaining seems to be.....at least, at times. I know, its a sin to be putting myself down...forgive me, I think be tired, if I am not diligent, can be a trap to falling into old ways.
And can I blame the cloudy cold day..........no? oh okay...no I guess not
You can blame the weather if you want to lol, and sometimes it can affect us if we allow it to, and of course it can affect our pain level as well, and we have no control over that. As far as discipline not being your strong suit, we often say that, but it's really not true. Why? Well look at all the things we do regularly because we want to...that also requires discipline. The difference is that we want to do those things so it's easier to discipline ourselves to do them. Regardless of that though it's still discipline. Things are always easier when we want to do them. So what can help you discipline yourself to do something that God wants you to do? Easy, make it something you want to do! When it really becomes something you really want, more than you want to read your fiction book or whatever is getting in the way of it, then you'll find that it's quite easy to discipline yourself to do it. See, it's our "self" that gets in our way, our desire to do what self wants instead of what God wants, and that will always be true as long as we're here. BUT, the more time we spend with the Lord, the more we will love Him and the better we'll know Him, and the more we will want what He wants and hate what He hates. Therefore the easier it will be to discipline ourselves to do His Will in our lives, because "self" will no longer have the pull over us that it does now. The more time we spend with Him in His Word, the more our minds are renewed and the more our new self is strengthened and the more power it has to over come the sinful self of our old nature.
I forgot to mention I've been reading psalms and proverbs but yes.....I would most definitely like to start Ephesians with you tomorrow.....will that be a separate thread or here or????
Thanks, I will be looking forward to that! See you already encouraged me out of a bit of my slump.
I will see if sometime this afternoon, tonight or tomorrow, I can come up with some answers to those questions.
I hope I have not discouraged you like I think I did Alex with my glum Eeyore routine. If so please forgive me, you are truly a blessing!!
I understand that laughing is NOT the same as joy. but I thought I would mention, it, because maybe, its a step above, glum.
I have been watching Bill Gaither ( a group I never paid much attention to. I knew they sang, hymns and gospel music....but' I think I somewhere got the impression they were kind of 'old and sort of 'boring'.
hummmmm maybe that is a lesson the Lord is teaching me right there.
Yup they do sing.....and have some very good singers, some are in fact 'old' in age, and some, maybe even a lot, on the other hand....certainly, not all of them at all!!!
But what I had no idea, is how funny and how much fun they had...and have even now.
Good, clean, fun even about Biblical things ( in a good silly way, but always ends up with some gospel message).
They even do all manner of jokes while singing ( like interrupting, a few times with cute and silliness, before finally getting into the song.
Anyway, who knew?
I just love the Gaithers! I love their songs and hymns and their joy in the Lord is very contagious! I also love how they introduce other singers that share their joy and love for the Lord.
Take 2 on your questions
What is God working at with you right now?
I think several things at once, the depression, gossip, the aging thing ( but watching so many 'older folks in the gaither group who are super talented, fun loving, and loving the Lord has been one eye opener)....I missed out, due to thinking, old was boring.
In other words, what are His objectives in this for you, and What Is He teaching you?
One thing is a continuation of learning to know He loves me, and He can find answers for my 'problems' or be with me in them.
Mostly to wait on Him and trust in Him.
That's very good and I'm especially glad that you've finally discovered that "old" isn't ungly or boring! Or at least it doesn't have to be. It's really all in the persons mind, just as the Lord says. If you think you're "old and ugly and boring" than you'll act that way and others will think that of you too. If instead you know you're full of life and the joy of the Lord, regardless of your age and regardless of your health, than others will see you as full of life and joy. And that's really all there is to it. (and yes, some of the Gaither's have dealt with very bad health, and with pain as well, but they still have the joy of the Lord in their hearts and it shows in their life.)
Yes, the Lord is teaching you all those things, and to sum it up, He's teaching you to have His joy in your heart and to allow it to show in your life. He's also been showing you that your life is in Him and because of that, you have no "age" for you will live forever with Him. Right now you live with Him dwelling within you, but in the future you will dwell with Him for all eternity in New Jerusalem and have the whole new heavens and earth as your playground. He's showing you too that what we view as "real" in this world is usually nothing but an illusion. The true reality is in what God tells us and teaches us from His Word.
Is there anything I could do to help you?
You already are...but just continuing what you do best.
What are your concerns about this?
I already answered....impatience, wanting want I won't get in full, until Heaven, but also expecting too little.
Before we start Ephesians though you didn't answer the first question: What steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all? You answered the questions after this one, but never did this one, and it's obviously very important.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 11, 2017 12:01:29 GMT -5
Oh yes, the size 3 font is better for several reasons.
Actually I am super nearsighted, so if I have my computer further away than 4 inches, or so, I tend to shove my neck way forward to read smaller type...which in a few hours puts a big strain on my neck and I start to get a head and neck ache.
yes, my glasses help, but its just easier to read a larger type....
I mostly enlarge any site I am on....
just to help with the forward neck strain and resulting pain.
So yes, thanks...especially since no else is 'officially' with us right now.
yeah I thought of sending Alex a card.....even If the exercises only help a certain amount....he really did put his heart into it.
You would not believe what sort of got me a wee bit down yesterday. Devon, for the first time, had a young friend for his birthday along with family and vanessa's 2 friends.
Well his little 10 year old friend 'seemed' a bit rude. And for a time after when I got home, I felt down (by a ten year old LOL)
Then as I thought about it a bit, I realized, maybe he did not want to talk to a strange adult at that time, and maybe before looking at and admiring the lego creation he made I should have asked him if it was ok.
I still think he was a tad rude, but he was not my child to talk to about that
and
it was a birthday party ( and I did not want to ruin it for Devon)....
plus,
when I got home,
I began to see my errors.... or even MY rudeness.
But to the question about the waking up and depression....
I don't think I have yet made it a habit to pray about it before I go to sleep.....
in addition
maybe have some specific wake up scripture of praise ready...
However, I am in fact, almost always smiling at the Lord first thing. ( so I am putting ino effect that suggestion)
I listen recently to a gaither song ( I think it was one of his 600) anyway,
t was something like: I want to go to Heaven but I don't want to die.
I thought, yup, I can identify with that.
Then I thought....well the rapture would be one way (maybe the ONLY) way that might actually work.
But then,
with a little more thought...............
I remembered what you said, about actually dying.....
one breath you are alive and here,
the next,
you are in Heaven and changed......new body, no sin etc.
Then, I thought, well, I wonder IF when we are raptured...
there is a similar one second in this body...which dies ( in a sense even tho we are raptured and don't die the 'normal way)....
but in essence..... since we still have to get a new body.....
maybe it isn't quite the escape, I was counting on...hummmmmm?
I guess dying-death is not so much the issue as the process if one has a prolonged illness ( like cancer) and even more pain....and more aging
but don't worry I did hear you....
we don't really really have an 'age'
and much that we think is one way or another..... is an illusion.......
I am working on making that, more of a reality than my
woe is me, old lady reality....
but you even said, it might take a while.
So getting your ( well the Lord's)
new ( to me) paradigm into my head, would also be a way to begin to end the early morning blah's and woe is me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 12, 2017 11:42:44 GMT -5
Oh yes, the size 3 font is better for several reasons.
Actually I am super nearsighted, so if I have my computer further away than 4 inches, or so, I tend to shove my neck way forward to read smaller type...which in a few hours puts a big strain on my neck and I start to get a head and neck ache.
yes, my glasses help, but its just easier to read a larger type....
I mostly enlarge any site I am on....
just to help with the forward neck strain and resulting pain.
So yes, thanks...especially since no else is 'officially' with us right now.
Ok, then I'll try to remember to use it from now on. If I forget, don't hesitate to remind me!
yeah I thought of sending Alex a card.....even If the exercises only help a certain amount....he really did put his heart into it.
You would not believe what sort of got me a wee bit down yesterday. Devon, for the first time, had a young friend for his birthday along with family and vanessa's 2 friends.
Well his little 10 year old friend 'seemed' a bit rude. And for a time after when I got home, I felt down (by a ten year old LOL)
Then as I thought about it a bit, I realized, maybe he did not want to talk to a strange adult at that time, and maybe before looking at and admiring the lego creation he made I should have asked him if it was ok.
I still think he was a tad rude, but he was not my child to talk to about that
and
it was a birthday party ( and I did not want to ruin it for Devon)....
plus,
when I got home,
I began to see my errors.... or even MY rudeness.
OK, now look at that whole thing, and realize that you allowed a little child ruin your whole day - or at least the portion of it that you allowed yourself to feel depressed about that. Now, can you see how ludicrous that is? Can you see the humor in it? When things like that happen, one way to get out of the depression is to find the humor in the situation. For example, when my grandson was a toddler and my daughter would get really upset about something because he didn't obey her instantly, she'd call me and tell me about it. She'd obviously be upset - angry and depressed thinking she wasn't a good mom etc. I'd listen while she got it out of her system and then I'd finally say, "Are you listening to yourself? You, a full grown adult, were arguing with a two year old! The two of you sounded just alike!" I'd start laughing and finally so would she and the whole attitude she'd had would be broken. Other times she'd get depressed for no reason that she could find, and call me. After listening to her for a bit, again letting her get it out of her system, I'd then ask her what the kids were doing. Generally they'd be playing but at the same time, constantly bugging her, arguing with each other, etc. because kids pick up on how their parents are feeling and begin to act up when their parent is feeling upset or down, because they don't understand what's happening or why. It's unsettling to them. So she'd tell me how they were constantly bugging her and I'd explain that to her. Then I'd tell her, "Jenn, you're the grown up now, and it's up to you to change the atmosphere in your house. I can't do it for you and those children are way to young to understand and do it themselves. And They will continue to act out until you change the atmosphere." She'd ask me how she could do that and I'd tell her: "You need to change your thoughts and feelings which we normally do by taking our thoughts captive and replacing them. But you don't have time for that now, but you can do it later if you need to. For now, you need to change fast, and you can do that by engaging the children in something fun for all of you. Get them to sing fun songs with you, and maybe you can dance with them or do the hand movements to the songs with them as you sing. Or put on music you all like and get up and dance with them. Another way if the children were older might be to start telling each other jokes, or play a game you all enjoy together. But you must do something to get your attitude changed and once yours is changed theirs will change too." These kind of interventions work even if we don't have young ones around that we need to change the atmosphere of our home for. Fun and laughter always work, that's why God says that laughter is good medicine. And it's why I will often try to find a way to look at whatever's bringing me down in a humorous way. Granted, it's sometimes a sarcastic humor, like thinking "I can't believe I let a child get to me!" And laughing at how ridiculous that is.
But to the question about the waking up and depression....
I don't think I have yet made it a habit to pray about it before I go to sleep.....
in addition
maybe have some specific wake up scripture of praise ready...
That's one good idea, but I'd like to see it more specific... in other words, "I plan to begin to pray about it starting today, before i go to sleep and I plan to find a scripture today that I can use each morning to praise God when I wake up. I'll tell you what it I've found tomorrow." Do you see the difference? The way you stated it, while you may have meant the same thing, is actually kind of vague, while the other way is very specific about what you're going to do and when you're going to do it.
However, I am in fact, almost always smiling at the Lord first thing. ( so I am putting ino effect that suggestion)
That's very good!
I listen recently to a gaither song ( I think it was one of his 600) anyway,
t was something like: I want to go to Heaven but I don't want to die.
I thought, yup, I can identify with that.
Then I thought....well the rapture would be one way (maybe the ONLY) way that might actually work.
But then,
with a little more thought...............
I remembered what you said, about actually dying.....
one breath you are alive and here,
the next,
you are in Heaven and changed......new body, no sin etc.
Then, I thought, well, I wonder IF when we are raptured...
there is a similar one second in this body...which dies ( in a sense even tho we are raptured and don't die the 'normal way)....
but in essence..... since we still have to get a new body.....
maybe it isn't quite the escape, I was counting on...hummmmmm?
Honey, when I said "in one breath" I didn't mean that literally since the change happens so very fast that we can't possibly perceive it. God's Word says it happens "in the time it takes a person to blink."
“in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52)
“in a flash” an extremely short unit of time—‘moment, flash, instant.’ GK 875; pertaining to what happens in an instant, a flash of time so brief it could not be briefer. Dictionary of Biblical Languages
The Greek word ῥιπή (rhipē) refers to a very rapid movement (BDAG 906 s.v.). This has traditionally been translated as “twinkling,” which implies an exceedingly fast—almost instantaneous—movement of the eyes, but this could be confusing to the modern reader since twinkling in modern English often suggests a faint, flashing light. In conjunction with the genitive ὀφθαλμοῦ (ophthalmou, “of an eye”), “blinking” is the best English equivalent (see, e.g., L&N 16.5), although it does not convey the exact speed implicit in the Greek term. Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible
It happens at the rapture and at "death" so fast that we don't even know that it's happened! We don't realize it until afterward because our minds can't grasp changes that fast.
I guess dying-death is not so much the issue as the process if one has a prolonged illness ( like cancer) and even more pain....and more aging
With what we experience as pain and illness every day, death will be a release. It's not going to be any worse just before we die than what we deal with every day, regardless of what we die from. Why? Because praise God, with death there's an end in sight! With what we go through daily, there is no end in sight except for the "someday" of death or the rapture. And while I hang on to that, it's not like I know that's going to happen within the next few days, where as when you're dying, you do know that it won't be much longer before you'll be in your new body with no pain or limitations! Therefore there's nothing about death that can scare me!
but don't worry I did hear you....
we don't really really have an 'age'
and much that we think is one way or another..... is an illusion.......
I am working on making that, more of a reality than my
woe is me, old lady reality....
but you even said, it might take a while.
How are you working to make that a reality?
So getting your ( well the Lord's)
new ( to me) paradigm into my head, would also be a way to begin to end the early morning blah's and woe is me. What new paradigm?
You should also include what steps you're going to take to change how you view "old age" and "beauty", so I'll make those things separate questions:
2A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to? 2B. How will you know it's working?
What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
3A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day? 3B. How will you know it's working?
And finally:
4A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord? 4B. How will you know it's working?
Here are some scriptures that I use:
“I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)
“Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:8–9)
“The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” (Isaiah 50:4)
“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3)
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.” (Psalm 59:16–17)
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14)
“It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!” (Psalm 92:1–5)
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8)
“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1–2)
This one is a memory verse for me, I've memorized verses 5, 6, and 11 together.
“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:5–6)
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
“I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,” (Psalm 16:7–9)
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” (Psalm 28:7)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 14:17)
This one is a great one to pray for others and for yourself, perhaps before you go to sleep?
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) To use it for yourself, just pray, "May You, the God of hope, fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Notice that this next one is a command:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
Obviously, you can use all of these as a prayer or part of a prayer for yourself or others, as well as memory verses to help you when you need them. You can use the whole verse or part of a verse... Anyway I hope one or more of these will be helpful or at least give you some ideas of perhaps others that would help.
Ephesians is great because it's all about our privileged position as “accepted in the Beloved” and our ability to function in the "real world" which is the heavenly places. So if you're looking for what to read now, go ahead an read Ephesians, unless of course the Lord leads you elsewhere. We'll actually begin studying it after we get the answers to those questions finished and you've got your plan for your future of joy started.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 12, 2017 18:04:39 GMT -5
So for starts, I wrote down these verses in a separate notebook....and will pick one to write on a notecard to read while on walks, and also before bed, and when I awake.....maybe rotate them, until I have them firmly in my mind and heart.
I also will listen to hymns and worship songs at night before bed, and as soon as I can upon rising ( I have been pretty much doing that for a few weeks).
I also for the past week have been listening to Christian comics.
I have been working on 'counting my blessings'...but will do more of that.
I will reflect on these great scriptures and write more later....but I will also see if I can find some more ( but tomorrow will be a busy day....cleaning and doctor's apt.
since I have a lot from you, I may wait until Friday.
I need to go back and see if I actually answered the questions.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 12, 2017 20:07:30 GMT -5
Just wanted to mention that Rachel Starr Thomson is doing a 31 day days of joy e-mails.
You may have received her e-mail today also
part of it said:
"Why joy?
Because right now, I am fighting a battle.
I believe you are too.
I couldn't see a more appropriate way to fight it than to literally focus on JOY together for the next thirty-one days, taking James's advice as practical and literal....."
Let's make a ruckus for the kingdom (thanks Seth Godin for the phrasing).
Let's choose joy.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
(James 1:2-4)
Also another group ( a link you sent be via facebook I think)
is doing a month on the Prodigal ( for parents with prodigals)
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 13, 2017 10:32:23 GMT -5
So for starts, I wrote down these verses in a separate notebook....and will pick one to write on a notecard to read while on walks, and also before bed, and when I awake.....maybe rotate them, until I have them firmly in my mind and heart.
I also will listen to hymns and worship songs at night before bed, and as soon as I can upon rising ( I have been pretty much doing that for a few weeks).
I also for the past week have been listening to Christian comics.
I have been working on 'counting my blessings'...but will do more of that.
I will reflect on these great scriptures and write more later....but I will also see if I can find some more ( but tomorrow will be a busy day....cleaning and doctor's apt.
since I have a lot from you, I may wait until Friday.
I need to go back and see if I actually answered the questions.
1A. What (specific) steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all? 1B. How will you know it's working?
2A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to? 2B. How will you know it's working?
3A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol? 3B. How will you know it's working?
4A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day? 4B. How will you know it's working?
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord? 5B. How will you know it's working?
I've already got a bunch of notes on the first 14 verses of Ephesians that I want to talk about with you, but will again wait while you get these questions answered based on all that we've studied so far.
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 13, 2017 22:15:34 GMT -5
1A. What (specific) steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
I will pray the night before and first thing upon awakening.
I also will memorize scripture to help fight this battle ( because even Jesus fought satan with the Word).
At the same time, I will be working on experiencing joy.
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
1B. How will you know it's working?
It already is lessening ( some days it's not there at all, other days its greatly reduced and for a much much shorter time.).....so it will continue to go away ( and more so as joy takes its place....so they will work hand in hand).
2A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to? .
I will work on being more concerned about serving others.
I will continue to watch the Gaither's to see how much other Godly older people are loved, and how their inner beauty, character and love shows forth...as inspiration.
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and 'beauty'.
2B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new, young and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
3A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
I have a feeling this is not the best way of looking at it, but Ray Comfort has come out with a new movie called "Exit"...it's about suicide...on young people ( but also of the many many 'beautiful movie stars, singers, models, etc.)
If I get a chance to see it...it may also nail home, the emptiness, of beauty without the Lord and beauty as an idol.
I am going to continue to talk to Jesus more and more about everything....so my focus is less on 'me' and my lack of youth and beauty and more on His beauty.....but especially of His beauty in love.
3B. How will you know it's working?
I will look less in the mirror except to comb hair, and other necessary things to be clean. I have already minimized any make up to go out to very little ( I still do a little tho).
4A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
Immediately talk to Jesus, sing hymns and songs, quote scripture about joy, count my blessings.
4B. How will you know it's working?
The depression will leave
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
Be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and He loves me, and I will soon be with Him in Heaven ( be it a few months, or years I don't know....but it is much sooner than when I was young....and I am certainly way more joyful now than then.
pray for it ( because I can't force it in a phony way, but God's Holy spirit can provide it)
Continue to listen to hymns and worship songs that are uplifting with Godly and biblical truths
Continue to study God's word the Bible daily
5B. How will you know it's working?
depression with flee and I will be ever closer with Jesus and able to give to others ( even if its just a smile....which I am doing almost daily)
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 14, 2017 10:59:53 GMT -5
1A. What (specific) steps are you going to take in order to stop the depression or the feeling down upon waking once and for all?
I will pray the night before and first thing upon awakening.
I also will memorize scripture to help fight this battle ( because even Jesus fought satan with the Word).
At the same time, I will be working on experiencing joy.
I will remind myself that every day, even down to every minute, I am that much closer to being with Jesus in Heaven where I will have every tear wiped away, will never have to battle depression ever again and will have the joy and love of Jesus for ever more for all eternity.
Those are very good! You forgot to add the one about starting every day with the Lord and having a smile for Him. (you might include having a smile for Leonard 1st thing in the morning too lol) Don't forget to add this when you write it in your notebook!
I was thinking about this last night and about how I maintain my joy. I remember talking to you once about having something to look forward to each day. I realize that this may sound corny to some people, but what I enjoy most is being able to study with the Lord. It's gotten to the point where I have to discipline myself to stop instead of the way most folks have to discipline themselves to start. I'd love nothing better if I could do nothing all day but spend it in His Word with Him, but I know that's not what He wants. He wants me to take what I've learned and use it in my life and if I don't close my bible program and turn off my computer, I won't have a life to apply it to! It may even sound to some people like I'm bragging that I spend so much time in His Word, but I'm not. It really did become a problem that I had to take to Him and then determine to discipline myself to end my study time by a certain time each day. There's nothing spiritual about it when you go overboard like I was starting to do. It wouldn't have been a problem normally, but since I can't do a lot of other things and can't work, after many years it became one. I told myself that I wasn't really ending my time with Him when I turned off my computer, because I talk to Him all day, but I wasn't in His Word which I just love, so it was hard to stop. Back to my point though, that is the big thing I look forward to every day. So when I get up, I can't wait to get into His Word and spend time with Him. Knowing that I'm going to be spending time with Him in His Word puts a smile on my face and in my heart as soon as I wake up, especially as that's what i do first thing in the morning. Of course there's other things I also enjoy like knowing the kids are coming over to visit, or doing something special for Bruce like making him cookies as a surprise. (today I'm going to make him a pizza sized cookie! LOL)
Anyway, if you think about your days and can find things in them that you enjoy and can look forward to, that will also help you get rid of the depression. It's very easy to become depressed because of our health and limitations, but having something we enjoy to look forward to counters it and keeps us smiling. Even if it's a long term thing, like Bruce has agreed to take me horseback riding on our anniversary this year. I've wanted to do that for years so I'm really looking forward to that! But if you can think of even one thing that you normally do every day that you enjoy and include in your list a note about remembering that you're going to get to do that, it will help you to start your day happy instead of sad. I'd love to hear what you think of to add to your list too, if you don't mind.
.
1B. How will you know it's working?
It already is lessening ( some days it's not there at all, other days its greatly reduced and for a much much shorter time.).....so it will continue to go away ( and more so as joy takes its place....so they will work hand in hand).
Praise God!
2A. What specific steps are you going to take in order to see age and aging the way the Lord wants us to? .
I will work on being more concerned about serving others.
I will continue to watch the Gaither's to see how much other Godly older people are loved, and how their inner beauty, character and love shows forth...as inspiration.
I will continue to talk to Jesus about how He wants me to view aging and 'beauty'.
Very good, but may I suggest another one or two you could add to this? How about talking to the Lord about it and asking Him to point out to you how He thinks and feels about beauty whenever there's something about it in His Word? Another one would be to try to see yourself as the Lord sees you a little more each day, for the Lord sees you as beautiful right now. So whenever you look in the mirror, instead of finding fault with yourself, which the Lord hates, look and see the beauty that the Lord sees in you.
“All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” (Song of Solomon 4:7)
“The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.” (Psalm 45:11)
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. ...” (Genesis 1:31)
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,” (1 Timothy 4:4)
2B How will you know it's working?
I won't feel depressed, down, sad about it, but will also look forward to soon having a new, young and truly Godly beauty in Heaven
Good! Would it become easier to accept a compliment and actually believe them?
3A. What specific steps are you going to take to prevent beauty from being an idol?
I have a feeling this is not the best way of looking at it, but Ray Comfort has come out with a new movie called "Exit"...it's about suicide...on young people ( but also of the many many 'beautiful movie stars, singers, models, etc.)
If I get a chance to see it...it may also nail home, the emptiness, of beauty without the Lord and beauty as an idol.
I am going to continue to talk to Jesus more and more about everything....so my focus is less on 'me' and my lack of youth and beauty and more on His beauty.....but especially of His beauty in love.
Look at your answer and the part I underlined specifically and you'll see that you just defeated yourself because you're still insisting that you lack beauty (and of course youth too) So how can you rephrase that so that you're not defeating yourself even before you begin? God didn't make any mistakes when He created you. While we all do age and most of us eventually don't have the same beauty we had when we were in our 20's, we do still have beauty - it's simply different. We need to stop grasping for our old toys of childhood, and look with appreciation at our new ones.
Remember that He created you in His own image, to be beautiful in your own way and that it was for your good and His glory. He doesn't want us to covet someone else's beauty, or even our own beauty from when we were younger. He wants us to enjoy every stage of our lives.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
Here is the truth: in the kingdom, the rules have changed. The majority opinion on beauty has been exposed as silly. There is a deeper, more lasting beauty that comes as we learn the character of God and imitate him. God is beautiful, so we would expect to find beauty reflected in his people.
Who are you? You are a mirror, turned toward Jesus so you can reflect his glory. You are looking better every day. Welch, E. T. Shame interrupted: How god lifts the pain of worthlessness and rejection.
3B. How will you know it's working?
I will look less in the mirror except to comb hair, and other necessary things to be clean. I have already minimized any make up to go out to very little ( I still do a little tho).
How about that you'll think less about your looks, and when you do think about them, it will be with satisfaction and/or contentment? Would Leonard notice anything different?
4A. What specific steps will you take to overcome any depression that tries to attack you during the day?
Immediately talk to Jesus, sing hymns and songs, quote scripture about joy, count my blessings.
Those are good and should each be listed as a step, but don't you think the very 1st step should be taking your thoughts captive and replacing them instantly?
4B. How will you know it's working?
The depression will leave
Is that all? Won't you or others, especially Leonard notice anything different about you? What would they notice? Do you think that the less depressed you are that it may change how others act and feel and how they'll interact with you as well?
5A. What specific steps are you going to take to experience the Joy of the Lord?
Be grateful and thrilled that Jesus is ever with me and He loves me, and I will soon be with Him in Heaven ( be it a few months, or years I don't know....but it is much sooner than when I was young....and I am certainly way more joyful now than then.
pray for it ( because I can't force it in a phony way, but God's Holy spirit can provide it)
He has already provided it. We don't ask for what we already have, instead we simply need to use what we have. Here we can look at Ephesians 1:1-3.
Paul repeatedly emphasized our sufficiency as believers. In Col 2:10 he declares that in Christ “you have been made complete.” In Phil 4:13, 19 he says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me … my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Peter adds that God’s “divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life & godliness.” (2 Pet 1:3) As a Christian, you possess every spiritual resource you need to fulfill God’s will for your life. You need not pray for more love, because His love is already poured out in your heart through the Holy Spirit Rom. 5:5. The same is true of joy John 15:11 peace John 14:27 strength Phil. 4:13 & every other resource you need. The key to spiritual progress & victory is learning to apply what you already have, not seeking more. Praise God for His abundant spiritual resources. Ask Him to help you apply them with wisdom & consistency. Read Matt 6:25–34 & Phil 4:6–8. What specific promises does God make in those passages? What does He require of you? Drawing Near
“Spiritual” does not refer to immaterial blessings as opposed to material ones, but rather to the work of God, who is the divine & spiritual source of all blessings. in the heavenly places. Lit. “in the heavenlies.” This refers to the realm of God’s complete, heavenly domain, from which all His blessings come (v. 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12). in Christ. God’s superabundant blessings belong only to believers who are His children, by faith in Christ, so that what He has is theirs—including His righteousness, resources, privilege, position, & power (Ro 8:16, 17). MacArthur study Bible
We should have joy because it is a reasonable response to continual spiritual blessings. God’s pouring out of spiritual blessings for believers never stops. if we just pause & consider some of the ways the Lord is good to us, we'll not be able to keep from rejoicing. For example, every time we sin it's instantly forgiven. Every time God refines us through trials, exposes us to solid biblical teaching, & molds us more toward the image of Christ, it should be cause for us to praise Him. Every time God brings us safely through another day & spares us some terrible disaster or extreme agony, we experience the blessing of His mercy. God is also planning future blessings, such as preparing a place for us in heaven. The pillars of Christian character
God the Father has made us rich in Jesus Christ! When you were born again into God’s family, you were born rich. Through Christ, you share in the riches of God’s grace (Eph. 1:7; 2:7), God’s glory (Eph. 1:18; 3:16), God’s mercy (Eph. 2:4), & “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). Our Heavenly Father is not poor; He is rich—& He has made us rich in His Son. He promises to supply all our needs “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19), but He does not promise to shield us from either poverty or pain. The Father has given us every blessing of the Spirit, everything we need for a successful, satisfying Christian life. The spiritual is far more important than the material. The Holy Spirit channels our riches to us from the Father, through the Son. Not to know & depend on the Holy Spirit’s provision is to live a life of spiritual poverty. The unsaved person is interested primarily in earthlies, because that's where he lives. No matter where the Christian may be on this earth, he is seated in the heavenlies with Jesus, & this is the basis of his life & power. The Bible exposition commentary
Continue to listen to hymns and worship songs that are uplifting with Godly and biblical truths
Continue to study God's word the Bible daily
Good!
5B. How will you know it's working?
depression with flee and I will be ever closer with Jesus and able to give to others ( even if its just a smile....which I am doing almost daily)
Praise God!
What I'd like you to do now is to write all of what you posted above in your notebook so you can review it regularly - maybe once a week, or whatever you feel is best, to assess your progress. Perhaps you could include in your notebook after this a note once a week to say how you're doing on each of these too.
Here's a link to a couple of devotions about joy that I posted today for you too:
fresh-hope.com/thread/3627/joy-god
Let me know what you think of my reply and we'll get started on Ephesians for real on Monday ok? Love you my dear, beautiful sister!
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 14, 2017 12:46:05 GMT -5
I never thought you were boasting about your Bible study ( and I do see the potential problem)
but my first reaction was back then....
( and I know a sinful ungodly one) was envy, covetousness and putting myself down......
like I would think: "What is wrong with me Lord? Why am I not like Cindy? Why don't I love you and your word like she does?
and so on......
What happens with me...is I can read ( either in scripture all by myself, or a commentary, or a post from you etc.)
and I will read a bit.....and then, it's like 'overload'....I need to stop.....often because something was so powerful,
I need to think about it, or, there is just tooooo much info,
that to keep on, I cannot file it all in my mind or heart or spirit......
But I envied ( and from time to time) still do because I want to love the Lord Jesus like you do,
your ability to absorb so much more of what Jesus has to give you....
(and I am sure the Lord also gives me a LOT as well..........I just don't access it like you do)
I think, tho, it goes back to disciplining myself.....
even IF...I do have to take a break, to meditate on what I have or had read......I
need to come back to it.....much quicker than I have done or even do now.....
For example....say I take a break and get something to eat.
While getting something to eat, I mull over the scripture or commentary or post from you.....
but then, while eating,
I tend to pick up a novel I am reading....or watch something on the net
which may or may not be the right thing to do,
but let's go with it's okay.....
but then ....
when I am done eating
that would be the time to go back to reading God's word...
.but instead,
I say to myself, just until I finish this chapter.....
I get to the end of the chapter ( and like you,
only with studying God's word)
I want to know, what happens immediately next....
so I read the next page of the next chapter...
and before I know it, that chapter is done, and a few hours later.......
I go back to God's word, assuming something in the 'world' does not come up....which it often does.....
Sooooooo, then I am back to:
"what is the matter with me?
Why don't I love Jesus enough to put His Word (my first last ) and make it my priority?
I do often tell Him I am soooo sorry....but like the old saying, 'sorry' gets a bit old,
when it's an ongoing unloving habit.
So then, it's back to envying your ability to study God's word all day, if you could.
Well wow that was soooo long LOL that I think I will start another post....
but then, I forget, you are able to stay focused a really long time ( well I guess I am too, just not with the right priority....or the one I really want....maybe its old habits not dying fast enough sigh)
I was thinking of the verse about we love Him because He loved us first
and
I do love Him for all He went thru to save me
I want to love Him more and to do so I would love to know more about Him thru His word.....and of course I do...in that I am here....and I talk with Him a lot now......
but still.....
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 14, 2017 13:26:40 GMT -5
One of the things I look forward to is reading Christian novels...but it often gets me in trouble as I already explained in that I sometimes put them first, or get caught up too much in them, I am also now very much into listen to hymns ( I especially like guy Penrod formerly in the Gaither group for years....the one with the long hair LOL....but I really believe he loves the Lord with all his heart and soul and he has a great voice!
I have also been listening to Christian comics a lot for the first time.
In the Spring, Summer and early Fall, I enjoy walking as much as I can, and gardening.....I do have plants in the house.
Leonard and I were talking the other day and started laughing because we both 'almost' thought of the mini banana plant we put in the bathroom, as a 'little person'....obviously its NOT human, but it grows, and needs us to take care of its needs ( we are 'spoiling' it....I trot it back and forth around the bathroom from the window when there it light, to the light bulbs ...we both turn on the small bathroom heater, and spray its leaves with water and water it etc.
Are you rolling your eyes yet, or rolling in laughter at how silly we are?
And........its growing very well....I envision some day in the future, we may have to duck, under this enormous tree to find the toilet!!!
I even sometimes if my hands are wet from washing them, sort of wipe them on the leaves....cuz well.....it really really likes its leaves wet ha ha.
But I really really need something in the winter months which tends to be when if I am going to be down....it often strikes then....some of the things I listed will still work...but I get to feeling, cooped up, useless etc.
Oh but I am in fact, talking to Jesus more and more every day....i still forget Him from time to time ( way more than I want.....but I speak to Him waaaaaaaaay more than I ever did in my life....hourly at least and often more than that)
Leonard's old computer used to be such that I could use the head phones and play music and dance...esp during the winter.
But then the sound ended when he switched to windows ummmm whatever was the newest
so now he has a bigger chromebook than I have but its not set up the same....I suppose I could just use mine...unhook the headphones, and turn up the vol on my puter etc.
I like to shop.....when I am feeling ok....I don't always,
sometimes I am tooo tired or achy but I do look forward to that.
which reminds me....you know how you and your grandchildren inspired me to give and leave packages for the homeless right?
Well yesterday, I was listening to Ray Comfort's program because I wanted to hear about the new movie he is releasing "Exit".
But he and his son in law, were answering questions from watchers and one asked him, what might be a helpful way to 'witness' to the homeless? One of the things he mentioned was a track ( one of many he sells) called a gift for you.
In it you can put whatever amount of money ( a dollar prob is what I will put)....it's like a gift card you might give someone where it has tabs for paper money.....only this will have scripture and gospel message.
so I ordered 50 ( for $5.00) which when I receive them I will put into my packages along with the dollar bibles from Hossanah's store ( she is assistant manager at dollar tree ).
I also when I go shopping, try to buy one or two things especially for homeless women . Most people think of giving the homeless food or clothing...but women have some special needs ( like a small package of pads) or a dollar set of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash etc etc. I even buy makeup....prob not the best when we realize my fixation of worldly beauty huh?
Maybe I need to re-think that....
but toothpaste, and a toothbrush, comb, cute hair ribbons, barrettes etc. etc.
Anyway, I look forward to making and leaving those.
well see I have hit the wall and am hungry sigh....
I will be back....prayerfully sooner than later
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 14, 2017 16:36:42 GMT -5
I'm baaaack!
This verse tho not exactly about 'beauty' per say....does in one way touch it and also about aging:
".....Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16 b and 17
Then there is the Peter verse about God saying beauty should not be outward ( not that it's forbidden...even Ester had beauty treatments),
but the 'real' beauty should be a inward gentle and quiet spirit.
God says in this world anyway, beauty is fleeting ( the outward kind....tho some woman do remain very pretty outwardly and physically to their very old age.) but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
and then of course there is what was probably the most beautiful 'created' being ( not even female) satan....but see where his beauty got him.
Not every physically beautiful woman becomes proud, shallow and obnoxious.....but I probably would have!! I think only the Godly beautiful woman can escape the pride of her beauty....and even then, it may be a big struggle, because the world is not going to just let her get away with being just Godly.
I have already written a small book today LOL
so I don't want to overwhelm you I will write more tomorrow
but this was a different perspective ( you wrote) that I need to mull over....
"While we all do age and most of us eventually don't have the same beauty we had when we were in our 20's, we do still have beauty - it's simply different"
|
|
fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
|
Post by fearnot on Jul 15, 2017 18:03:13 GMT -5
Yes, taking thoughts captive should definately been included!! arrrgghhh
Is that all? Won't you or others, especially Leonard notice anything different about you? What would they notice?
Yes, he and others won't feel like they have to walk around me like egg shells, and will find me more 'attractive' in that a smiling face or laughter is prettier than a scowl or frown.
Do you think that the less depressed you are that it may change how others act and feel and how they'll interact with you as well?
I think people can only take glum for so long and then they want to get away...almost like it will begin to pull them down. So they would stay around more
I liked this quote:
"We should have joy because it is a reasonable response to continual spiritual blessings
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 17, 2017 10:08:56 GMT -5
I never thought you were boasting about your Bible study ( and I do see the potential problem)
but my first reaction was back then....
( and I know a sinful ungodly one) was envy, covetousness and putting myself down......
like I would think: "What is wrong with me Lord? Why am I not like Cindy? Why don't I love you and your word like she does?
and so on......
What happens with me...is I can read ( either in scripture all by myself, or a commentary, or a post from you etc.)
and I will read a bit.....and then, it's like 'overload'....I need to stop.....often because something was so powerful,
I need to think about it, or, there is just tooooo much info,
that to keep on, I cannot file it all in my mind or heart or spirit......
But I envied ( and from time to time) still do because I want to love the Lord Jesus like you do,
your ability to absorb so much more of what Jesus has to give you....
(and I am sure the Lord also gives me a LOT as well..........I just don't access it like you do)
I think, tho, it goes back to disciplining myself.....
even IF...I do have to take a break, to meditate on what I have or had read......I
need to come back to it.....much quicker than I have done or even do now.....
For example....say I take a break and get something to eat.
While getting something to eat, I mull over the scripture or commentary or post from you.....
but then, while eating,
I tend to pick up a novel I am reading....or watch something on the net
which may or may not be the right thing to do,
but let's go with it's okay.....
but then ....
when I am done eating
that would be the time to go back to reading God's word...
.but instead,
I say to myself, just until I finish this chapter.....
I get to the end of the chapter ( and like you,
only with studying God's word)
I want to know, what happens immediately next....
so I read the next page of the next chapter...
and before I know it, that chapter is done, and a few hours later.......
I go back to God's word, assuming something in the 'world' does not come up....which it often does.....
Sooooooo, then I am back to:
"what is the matter with me?
Why don't I love Jesus enough to put His Word (my first last ) and make it my priority?
I do often tell Him I am soooo sorry....but like the old saying, 'sorry' gets a bit old,
when it's an ongoing unloving habit.
So then, it's back to envying your ability to study God's word all day, if you could.
Well wow that was soooo long LOL that I think I will start another post....
but then, I forget, you are able to stay focused a really long time ( well I guess I am too, just not with the right priority....or the one I really want....maybe its old habits not dying fast enough sigh)
I was thinking of the verse about we love Him because He loved us first
and
I do love Him for all He went thru to save me
I want to love Him more and to do so I would love to know more about Him thru His word.....and of course I do...in that I am here....and I talk with Him a lot now......
but still.....
It's not a matter of not being able to stay focused, after all, you can stay focused as long as you want to when you're reading fiction. Therefore Satan, your flesh, and the world are trying to stop you, just as I told you many years ago that they would. As far as understanding it goes, you're not going to understand it all at once. No one does. What I tell you is stuff I've learned over the last 17 years. I certainly didn't understand it all the first time I read it, and in fact still don't understand some things. And even things I might think I understand perfectly, the Lord often shows me something new about it the next time I study it. Nor do I remember everything I've studied about a chapter or verse without looking at my notes. The more often I study a section of scripture and the more often I read my notes and add new notes, the better I understand it and the more I remember about it without my notes.
This is why I've told you in the past that you need to set up a time schedule for yourself that will always be "your time alone with the Lord." A time that you can let others know that you don't want to be disturbed during that time because it's your time with Him. As I told you back then, it doesn't have to be an actual set "time" like "6:30am to 7:30 am" but can simply be something like, "for one hour from the time I wake up". (Or whatever length of time you choose.) Let's say you choose to make your time with the Lord when you first wake up, what would that look like? You'd get up (smiling and knowing the Lord couldn't wait to talk to you), you'd go to the bathroom and take care of whatever needs taking care of - brush your hair, brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, etc.; then you'd go grab a cup of coffee or whatever your preferred morning drink is, and perhaps a pop tart or some toast, or a muffin, or whatever you usually like to eat in the morning, and you'd take your drink and your food to wherever you'll be studying the bible at. You do that so that Satan, and your flesh can't disturb you with the ideas that you're hungry or thirsty, and by doing so completely ruin those attempts to get you to quit. Remember, we know all about Satan's schemes and we're to be alert and watchful so that he doesn't trick us and get us to abandon God's Word before our time with Him is over for that day; and we're to be self-controlled and not allow other things to get in the way of our time with the Lord each day. We're to stand firm and resist him, while at the same time we flee straight to the Lord and His Word. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7–8) ( see also 2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8-9)
You really do have to have a set time that you spend with the Lord every day; a time that you've told others that you don't want to be disturbed because that's your time with Him. You need to think ahead and make sure that you have everything you might need with you during your time with the Lord, so that nothing can take you away from Him. For example, besides my coffee and pop tarts, I also have a bottle of water and my meds right here for when I need them. The only thing I get up for is to use the bathroom, but when I'm done, I come right back here. Plus, in order to have enough time with Him, you also need to determine what your time with Him is going to include. For me, it includes bible study and prayer time, and that's generally what most people choose as well. Often, if I go over time with my studying though, I then have to pray while I'm doing chores, which isn't as satisfactory, but at least it can be done.
We simply can't allow our time with Him to be broken up into pieces, doing a bit here and a bit there while we do other stuff in between. It just won't work. Your fiction books should be saved for those times in the evening when all your work is done, or when you're waiting in a doctors office or something like that. As far as watching or reading something on line during our time with Him, that too is a no - no. On line activities are for after we've finished out time studying with the Lord and praying. When that time is over, then we can do whatever else we want and need to do, knowing the Lord goes with us and taking what He's taught us that day and applying it to our life. Keep in mind too that at some point during the day, we should also find time to reflect on what the Lord has shown us in His Word. That can be done when we're washing dishes or doing something that doesn't require us to concentrate on it.
One of the things I look forward to is reading Christian novels...but it often gets me in trouble as I already explained in that I sometimes put them first, or get caught up too much in them, I am also now very much into listen to hymns ( I especially like guy Penrod formerly in the Gaither group for years....the one with the long hair LOL....but I really believe he loves the Lord with all his heart and soul and he has a great voice!
I have also been listening to Christian comics a lot for the first time.
In the Spring, Summer and early Fall, I enjoy walking as much as I can, and gardening.....I do have plants in the house.
Leonard and I were talking the other day and started laughing because we both 'almost' thought of the mini banana plant we put in the bathroom, as a 'little person'....obviously its NOT human, but it grows, and needs us to take care of its needs ( we are 'spoiling' it....I trot it back and forth around the bathroom from the window when there it light, to the light bulbs ...we both turn on the small bathroom heater, and spray its leaves with water and water it etc.
Are you rolling your eyes yet, or rolling in laughter at how silly we are?
And........its growing very well....I envision some day in the future, we may have to duck, under this enormous tree to find the toilet!!!
I even sometimes if my hands are wet from washing them, sort of wipe them on the leaves....cuz well.....it really really likes its leaves wet ha ha.
But I really really need something in the winter months which tends to be when if I am going to be down....it often strikes then....some of the things I listed will still work...but I get to feeling, cooped up, useless etc.
Oh but I am in fact, talking to Jesus more and more every day....i still forget Him from time to time ( way more than I want.....but I speak to Him waaaaaaaaay more than I ever did in my life....hourly at least and often more than that)
Leonard's old computer used to be such that I could use the head phones and play music and dance...esp during the winter.
But then the sound ended when he switched to windows ummmm whatever was the newest
so now he has a bigger chromebook than I have but its not set up the same....I suppose I could just use mine...unhook the headphones, and turn up the vol on my puter etc.
I like to shop.....when I am feeling ok....I don't always,
sometimes I am tooo tired or achy but I do look forward to that.
which reminds me....you know how you and your grandchildren inspired me to give and leave packages for the homeless right?
Well yesterday, I was listening to Ray Comfort's program because I wanted to hear about the new movie he is releasing "Exit".
But he and his son in law, were answering questions from watchers and one asked him, what might be a helpful way to 'witness' to the homeless? One of the things he mentioned was a track ( one of many he sells) called a gift for you.
In it you can put whatever amount of money ( a dollar prob is what I will put)....it's like a gift card you might give someone where it has tabs for paper money.....only this will have scripture and gospel message.
so I ordered 50 ( for $5.00) which when I receive them I will put into my packages along with the dollar bibles from Hossanah's store ( she is assistant manager at dollar tree ).
I also when I go shopping, try to buy one or two things especially for homeless women . Most people think of giving the homeless food or clothing...but women have some special needs ( like a small package of pads) or a dollar set of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash etc etc. I even buy makeup....prob not the best when we realize my fixation of worldly beauty huh?
Maybe I need to re-think that....
but toothpaste, and a toothbrush, comb, cute hair ribbons, barrettes etc. etc.
Anyway, I look forward to making and leaving those.
well see I have hit the wall and am hungry sigh....
I will be back....prayerfully sooner than later
Those are great ideas for the homeless too! I'll mention it to the kids as well.
I used to wonder why Peter said what he did about prayer here: “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (1 Peter 4:7) Now I understand because when I reflected on it, I realized that often many other things would keep me from praying if I hadn't had time to do it during my time with the Lord. It made me realize that I needed to make prayer as much of a priority as studying His Word with Him, so now that's what I do. I realized that one of the ways that Satan, our flesh and the world defeat us as far as prayer and bible study goes, is by giving us so many other choices of things to do. So if we don't exercise self-control, and make bible study and prayer our priority, they'll fall by the way side or, just as bad, get cut up into pieces while we do other stuff in between times.
I'm baaaack!
This verse tho not exactly about 'beauty' per say....does in one way touch it and also about aging:
".....Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16 b and 17
Then there is the Peter verse about God saying beauty should not be outward ( not that it's forbidden...even Ester had beauty treatments),
but the 'real' beauty should be a inward gentle and quiet spirit.
God says in this world anyway, beauty is fleeting ( the outward kind....tho some woman do remain very pretty outwardly and physically to their very old age.) but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
and then of course there is what was probably the most beautiful 'created' being ( not even female) satan....but see where his beauty got him.
Not every physically beautiful woman becomes proud, shallow and obnoxious.....but I probably would have!! I think only the Godly beautiful woman can escape the pride of her beauty....and even then, it may be a big struggle, because the world is not going to just let her get away with being just Godly.
I have already written a small book today LOL
so I don't want to overwhelm you I will write more tomorrow
but this was a different perspective ( you wrote) that I need to mull over....
"While we all do age and most of us eventually don't have the same beauty we had when we were in our 20's, we do still have beauty - it's simply different"
Yes, taking thoughts captive should definately been included!! arrrgghhh
Is that all? Won't you or others, especially Leonard notice anything different about you? What would they notice?
Yes, he and others won't feel like they have to walk around me like egg shells, and will find me more 'attractive' in that a smiling face or laughter is prettier than a scowl or frown.
Do you think that the less depressed you are that it may change how others act and feel and how they'll interact with you as well?
I think people can only take glum for so long and then they want to get away...almost like it will begin to pull them down. So they would stay around more
I liked this quote:
"We should have joy because it is a reasonable response to continual spiritual blessings
|
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Jul 18, 2017 11:16:59 GMT -5
I never thought you were boasting about your Bible study ( and I do see the potential problem)
but my first reaction was back then....
( and I know a sinful ungodly one) was envy, covetousness and putting myself down......
like I would think: "What is wrong with me Lord? Why am I not like Cindy? Why don't I love you and your word like she does?
and so on......
What happens with me...is I can read ( either in scripture all by myself, or a commentary, or a post from you etc.)
and I will read a bit.....and then, it's like 'overload'....I need to stop.....often because something was so powerful,
I need to think about it, or, there is just tooooo much info,
that to keep on, I cannot file it all in my mind or heart or spirit......
But I envied ( and from time to time) still do because I want to love the Lord Jesus like you do,
your ability to absorb so much more of what Jesus has to give you....
(and I am sure the Lord also gives me a LOT as well..........I just don't access it like you do)
I think, tho, it goes back to disciplining myself.....
even IF...I do have to take a break, to meditate on what I have or had read......I
need to come back to it.....much quicker than I have done or even do now.....
For example....say I take a break and get something to eat.
While getting something to eat, I mull over the scripture or commentary or post from you.....
but then, while eating,
I tend to pick up a novel I am reading....or watch something on the net
which may or may not be the right thing to do,
but let's go with it's okay.....
but then ....
when I am done eating
that would be the time to go back to reading God's word...
.but instead,
I say to myself, just until I finish this chapter.....
I get to the end of the chapter ( and like you,
only with studying God's word)
I want to know, what happens immediately next....
so I read the next page of the next chapter...
and before I know it, that chapter is done, and a few hours later.......
I go back to God's word, assuming something in the 'world' does not come up....which it often does.....
Sooooooo, then I am back to:
"what is the matter with me?
Why don't I love Jesus enough to put His Word (my first last ) and make it my priority?
I do often tell Him I am soooo sorry....but like the old saying, 'sorry' gets a bit old,
when it's an ongoing unloving habit.
So then, it's back to envying your ability to study God's word all day, if you could.
Well wow that was soooo long LOL that I think I will start another post....
but then, I forget, you are able to stay focused a really long time ( well I guess I am too, just not with the right priority....or the one I really want....maybe its old habits not dying fast enough sigh)
I was thinking of the verse about we love Him because He loved us first
and
I do love Him for all He went thru to save me
I want to love Him more and to do so I would love to know more about Him thru His word.....and of course I do...in that I am here....and I talk with Him a lot now......
but still.....
It's not a matter of not being able to stay focused, after all, you can stay focused as long as you want to when you're reading fiction. Therefore Satan, your flesh, and the world are trying to stop you, just as I told you many years ago that they would. As far as understanding it goes, you're not going to understand it all at once. No one does. What I tell you is stuff I've learned over the last 17 years. I certainly didn't understand it all the first time I read it, and in fact still don't understand some things. And even things I might think I understand perfectly, the Lord often shows me something new about it the next time I study it. Nor do I remember everything I've studied about a chapter or verse without looking at my notes. The more often I study a section of scripture and the more often I read my notes and add new notes, the better I understand it and the more I remember about it without my notes.
This is why I've told you in the past that you need to set up a time schedule for yourself that will always be "your time alone with the Lord." A time that you can let others know that you don't want to be disturbed during that time because it's your time with Him. As I told you back then, it doesn't have to be an actual set "time" like "6:30am to 7:30 am" but can simply be something like, "for one hour from the time I wake up". (Or whatever length of time you choose.) Let's say you choose to make your time with the Lord when you first wake up, what would that look like? You'd get up (smiling and knowing the Lord couldn't wait to talk to you), you'd go to the bathroom and take care of whatever needs taking care of - brush your hair, brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, etc.; then you'd go grab a cup of coffee or whatever your preferred morning drink is, and perhaps a pop tart or some toast, or a muffin, or whatever you usually like to eat in the morning, and you'd take your drink and your food to wherever you'll be studying the bible at. You do that so that Satan, and your flesh can't disturb you with the ideas that you're hungry or thirsty, and by doing so completely ruin those attempts to get you to quit. Remember, we know all about Satan's schemes and we're to be alert and watchful so that he doesn't trick us and get us to abandon God's Word before our time with Him is over for that day; and we're to be self-controlled and not allow other things to get in the way of our time with the Lord each day. We're to stand firm and resist him, while at the same time we flee straight to the Lord and His Word. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7–8) ( see also 2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8-9)
You really do have to have a set time that you spend with the Lord every day; a time that you've told others that you don't want to be disturbed because that's your time with Him. You need to think ahead and make sure that you have everything you might need with you during your time with the Lord, so that nothing can take you away from Him. For example, besides my coffee and pop tarts, I also have a bottle of water and my meds right here for when I need them. The only thing I get up for is to use the bathroom, but when I'm done, I come right back here. Plus, in order to have enough time with Him, you also need to determine what your time with Him is going to include. For me, it includes bible study and prayer time, and that's generally what most people choose as well. Often, if I go over time with my studying though, I then have to pray while I'm doing chores, which isn't as satisfactory, but at least it can be done.
We simply can't allow our time with Him to be broken up into pieces, doing a bit here and a bit there while we do other stuff in between. It just won't work. Your fiction books should be saved for those times in the evening when all your work is done, or when you're waiting in a doctors office or something like that. As far as watching or reading something on line during our time with Him, that too is a no - no. On line activities are for after we've finished out time studying with the Lord and praying. When that time is over, then we can do whatever else we want and need to do, knowing the Lord goes with us and taking what He's taught us that day and applying it to our life. Keep in mind too that at some point during the day, we should also find time to reflect on what the Lord has shown us in His Word. That can be done when we're washing dishes or doing something that doesn't require us to concentrate on it.
One of the things I look forward to is reading Christian novels...but it often gets me in trouble as I already explained in that I sometimes put them first, or get caught up too much in them, I am also now very much into listen to hymns ( I especially like guy Penrod formerly in the Gaither group for years....the one with the long hair LOL....but I really believe he loves the Lord with all his heart and soul and he has a great voice!
I have also been listening to Christian comics a lot for the first time.
In the Spring, Summer and early Fall, I enjoy walking as much as I can, and gardening.....I do have plants in the house.
Leonard and I were talking the other day and started laughing because we both 'almost' thought of the mini banana plant we put in the bathroom, as a 'little person'....obviously its NOT human, but it grows, and needs us to take care of its needs ( we are 'spoiling' it....I trot it back and forth around the bathroom from the window when there it light, to the light bulbs ...we both turn on the small bathroom heater, and spray its leaves with water and water it etc.
Are you rolling your eyes yet, or rolling in laughter at how silly we are?
And........its growing very well....I envision some day in the future, we may have to duck, under this enormous tree to find the toilet!!!
I even sometimes if my hands are wet from washing them, sort of wipe them on the leaves....cuz well.....it really really likes its leaves wet ha ha.
But I really really need something in the winter months which tends to be when if I am going to be down....it often strikes then....some of the things I listed will still work...but I get to feeling, cooped up, useless etc.
Oh but I am in fact, talking to Jesus more and more every day....i still forget Him from time to time ( way more than I want.....but I speak to Him waaaaaaaaay more than I ever did in my life....hourly at least and often more than that)
Leonard's old computer used to be such that I could use the head phones and play music and dance...esp during the winter.
But then the sound ended when he switched to windows ummmm whatever was the newest
so now he has a bigger chromebook than I have but its not set up the same....I suppose I could just use mine...unhook the headphones, and turn up the vol on my puter etc.
I like to shop.....when I am feeling ok....I don't always,
sometimes I am tooo tired or achy but I do look forward to that.
which reminds me....you know how you and your grandchildren inspired me to give and leave packages for the homeless right?
Well yesterday, I was listening to Ray Comfort's program because I wanted to hear about the new movie he is releasing "Exit".
But he and his son in law, were answering questions from watchers and one asked him, what might be a helpful way to 'witness' to the homeless? One of the things he mentioned was a track ( one of many he sells) called a gift for you.
In it you can put whatever amount of money ( a dollar prob is what I will put)....it's like a gift card you might give someone where it has tabs for paper money.....only this will have scripture and gospel message.
so I ordered 50 ( for $5.00) which when I receive them I will put into my packages along with the dollar bibles from Hossanah's store ( she is assistant manager at dollar tree ).
I also when I go shopping, try to buy one or two things especially for homeless women . Most people think of giving the homeless food or clothing...but women have some special needs ( like a small package of pads) or a dollar set of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash etc etc. I even buy makeup....prob not the best when we realize my fixation of worldly beauty huh?
Maybe I need to re-think that....
but toothpaste, and a toothbrush, comb, cute hair ribbons, barrettes etc. etc.
Anyway, I look forward to making and leaving those.
well see I have hit the wall and am hungry sigh....
I will be back....prayerfully sooner than later
Those are great ideas for the homeless too! I'll mention it to the kids as well.
I used to wonder why Peter said what he did about prayer here: “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (1 Peter 4:7) Now I understand because when I reflected on it, I realized that often many other things would keep me from praying if I hadn't had time to do it during my time with the Lord. It made me realize that I needed to make prayer as much of a priority as studying His Word with Him, so now that's what I do. I realized that one of the ways that Satan, our flesh and the world defeat us as far as prayer and bible study goes, is by giving us so many other choices of things to do. So if we don't exercise self-control, and make bible study and prayer our priority, they'll fall by the way side or, just as bad, get cut up into pieces while we do other stuff in between times.
I'm baaaack!
This verse tho not exactly about 'beauty' per say....does in one way touch it and also about aging:
".....Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16 b and 17
Then there is the Peter verse about God saying beauty should not be outward ( not that it's forbidden...even Ester had beauty treatments),
but the 'real' beauty should be a inward gentle and quiet spirit.
God says in this world anyway, beauty is fleeting ( the outward kind....tho some woman do remain very pretty outwardly and physically to their very old age.) but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
and then of course there is what was probably the most beautiful 'created' being ( not even female) satan....but see where his beauty got him.
Not every physically beautiful woman becomes proud, shallow and obnoxious.....but I probably would have!! I think only the Godly beautiful woman can escape the pride of her beauty....and even then, it may be a big struggle, because the world is not going to just let her get away with being just Godly.
I have already written a small book today LOL
so I don't want to overwhelm you I will write more tomorrow
but this was a different perspective ( you wrote) that I need to mull over....
"While we all do age and most of us eventually don't have the same beauty we had when we were in our 20's, we do still have beauty - it's simply different"
Yes, taking thoughts captive should definately been included!! arrrgghhh
Is that all? Won't you or others, especially Leonard notice anything different about you? What would they notice?
Yes, he and others won't feel like they have to walk around me like egg shells, and will find me more 'attractive' in that a smiling face or laughter is prettier than a scowl or frown.
Do you think that the less depressed you are that it may change how others act and feel and how they'll interact with you as well?
I think people can only take glum for so long and then they want to get away...almost like it will begin to pull them down. So they would stay around more
I liked this quote:
"We should have joy because it is a reasonable response to continual spiritual blessings
Ephesians is addressed to believers who are indescribably rich in Jesus, but living a beggarly existence because they're ignorant of their wealth. Because they haven't appropriated their wealth, they're walking like they're spiritual paupers! Paul begins by describing in chap 1–3 the contents of the Christian’s heavenly “bank account”: adoption, acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, inheritance, the seal of the HS, life, grace, citizenship—in short, every spiritual blessing! Drawing upon our huge spiritual endowment, we have all the resources we need to live a life “to the praise of the glory of His grace” (1:6). 4–6 resembles an orthopedic clinic, where the Christian learns a spiritual walk rooted in his spiritual wealth. Talk thru the Bible Sadly that's how many live today, because they don't know God's Word and therefore have no idea of the gifts He's given them, and therefore don't use them, but instead keep asking Him for them, not realizing that He's already given them to them.
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love” (Ephesians 1:4)
Eph 1:4 is a positional statement. That is, Paul describes how God views us “in Him [Christ].” Despite our exalted position in God’s sight, our practice often falls far short of His holy standard. Therefore, the challenge of Christian living is to increasingly match our practice to our position, realizing that sinless perfection won’t come until we are fully glorified in Heaven (Rom. 8:23). You meet that challenge by prayer, Bible study, & yielding your life to the Spirit’s control. Commit yourself to those priorities as you seek to fulfill the great purpose to which you’ve been called—the “good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10). Drawing Near
When Jesus wrote His will for His church, He made it possible for us to share His spiritual riches. Instead of spending it all, Jesus paid it all. His death & resurrection make possible our salvation. He wrote us into His will, He died so the will would be in force. He arose again that He might become the heavenly Advocate to make sure the terms of the will were correctly followed! Note that God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation is wholly of His grace & not on the basis of anything we ourselves have done. He chose us in Christ, not in ourselves. & He chose us for a purpose: to be holy & without blame. Election is a privilege that carries a great responsibility. The Bible exposition commentary
“he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—” (Ephesians 1:5)
Adoption has a dual meaning, both present & future. You don't get into God’s family by adoption but by regeneration, the new birth. Adoption is the act of God by which He gives His “born ones” an adult standing in the family so that we might immediately begin to claim our inheritance & enjoy our spiritual wealth! A baby can't legally use this inheritance, but an adult son can & should! This means that you don't have to wait until you're an old saint before you can claim your riches in Christ. The future aspect of adoption is the glorified body we'll have when Jesus returns. We already have our adult standing before God, but the world can't see this. When Christ returns, this “private adoption” will be made public for everyone to see! The Bible exposition commentary
Christians should rejoice because joy is a proper response to the work of Christ. As we remember that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8), we should immediately praise & thank Him with joyful hearts. It is important to remember that we “were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from [our] futile way of life inherited from [our] forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:18–19), that “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed” (2:24), that “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7), and that God orchestrated it all “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will” (Eph. 1:4–5). When we understand all that Christ has accomplished for us and that heaven is eternally ours, we have an abiding joy that no trivial, passing circumstance should affect. The pillars of Christian character
Human parents can bestow their love, resources, and inheritance on an adopted child, but not their own distinct characteristics. But God miraculously gives His own nature to those whom He has elected and who have trusted in Christ. He makes them His children in the image of His divine Son, giving them not just Christ’s riches and blessings but also His very nature (cf. Jn 15:15; Ro 8:15). The MacArthur study Bible
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Peter 1:6)
What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but the term “acceptance” in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that we're the objects of divine complacence, even of divine delight. How marvellous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love! But it's only “in the beloved.” Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension. When their spirit is lively & their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they're the victims of the fear that they're no longer accepted. If they could but see that all their high joys don't exalt them & all their low despondencies don't depress them in their Father’s sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who's always the beloved of God, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be & how much more they would honour the Saviour! Rejoice then in this: you're accepted in the beloved. You look within, & you say, There's nothing acceptable here! But look at Christ, & see if there isn't everything acceptable there. Your sins trouble you; but God has cast your sins behind his back & you're accepted in the Righteous One. You have to fight with corruption & to wrestle with temptation, but you're already accepted in him who's overcome the powers of evil. The devil tempts you; be of good cheer, he can't destroy you, for you're accepted in him who has broken Satan’s head. Know by full assurance thy glorious standing. Even glorified souls aren't more accepted than you. They're accepted in heaven in the beloved, & you're even now accepted in Christ in the same manner. Morning and evening
“to the praise of the glory of His grace” God’s initiating love in Christ reveals His very essence (cf. John 1:14, 18). This phrase is repeated three times (cf. vv. 6, 12, 14) and accents the work of the three persons of the Trinity: (1) God the Father before time, vv. 3–6; (2) God the Son in time, vv. 7–12; and (3) God the Spirit through time, vv. 13–14. However, in the Greek sentence from vv. 3–14, it is God the Father who is repeatedly praised. The Father’s grace, mercy and love flow (cf. 1:8) through Christ to fallen mankind (cf. Gen. 3:15; Isa. 53). God’s love flows to fallen mankind because of who He is, not who we are! The key is God’s character, not human performance! Paul Bound, the Gospel Unbound
“These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)
In Christ we have infinite forgiveness for every sin—past, present, & future. In Christ, God canceled your debt & pardoned your transgressions, & He did so “according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon [you]” (v. 8). That means you have infinite forgiveness, because God’s grace is infinite. You cannot sin beyond God’s grace, because where sin abounds, grace super-abounds (Rom. 5:20). Even when you fail, God doesn’t hold your sins against you. Christ bore them all so that you might know the joy & peace that freedom from sin & guilt brings. Look for opportunities to extend forgiveness to others. Drawing Near
“that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,” (Ephesians 1:8–9)
Which He lavished on us to overflowing. God’s grace enriches believers (cf. Rom 5:20). In all wisdom. Wise insight & spiritual perception which come from above (Jas 1:5; 3:17). Prudence. This is the practical use of wisdom and spiritual discernment. KJV Bible Commentary.
7b, 8 the forgiveness of our trespasses … In all wisdom and insight. Redemption brings in the limitless grace of God (Ro 5:20) & forgiveness of sin (cf. Mt 26:28; Ac 13:38, 39; Eph 4:32; Col 2:13; 1Jn 1:9). It brings divinely-bestowed spiritual understanding. Cf. 1Co 2:6, 7, 12, 16. The MacArthur study Bible
God’s grace is given to enable believers to understand His will. God gives them wisdom, objective insight into the true nature of God’s revelation, and understanding, the subjective apprehension of it. So believers are able to grasp something of the divine purpose of the ages and to see its relevance in the present time. This is accomplished because God made known to us the mystery of His will. “Mystery” is a previously hidden truth unveiled by God’s revelation. This mystery (unveiled truth) is God’s good pleasure to purpose in Christ to bring all things in heaven and on earth under His headship in the consummation of time. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Paul tells us that our Creator has not only saved us from His wrath through Jesus’ blood, but that in Christ the Father has bestowed this forgiveness “in all wisdom and insight.” We need not only the pardon of our sins to be faithful disciples of our Lord, but also the knowledge of how we should live in light of our forgiven status—in freedom without taking advantage of God’s mercy or presuming upon His grace. The wisdom & insight needed to accomplish this hard task is given to us in Jesus (Eph. 1:8), but that does not mean that we always put this wisdom into practice, for Paul asks in Eph 1:17 for the insight given in Jesus to increase. For wisdom & insight to be effective, they must be cultivated. We cultivate what the Lord has already given to us in Jesus through prayer, the study of His Word, fellowship, & the other means of grace (Col. 1:9–11; 2 Tim. 2:15; Philem. 4–7 - posted below). If we do not continually nurture this wisdom, we may lose our ability to practice it, just as Solomon started out looking for wisdom but later fell into foolishness (1 Kings 3:1–15; 11:1–43). Pouring wisdom and insight upon us, God also made known to us “the mystery of his will” (Eph. 1:9). The mystery of God’s will is His plan to redeem His people through the death and resurrection of His Son, the way of salvation that we cannot discern from nature but receive by faith alone as the Word of God is proclaimed to us (1 Cor. 1:18–25). Tabletalk Magazine
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully” (Colossians 1:9–11)
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 4–7)
“to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 1:10)
the summing up of all things. At the end of this world’s history, God will gather believers together in the millennial kingdom, called here “an administration suitable to the fullness of the times,” meaning the completion of history (Rev 20:1–6). After that, God will gather everything to Himself in eternity future, and the new heaven and new earth will be created (Rev 21:1ff.). The new universe will be totally unified under Christ. The MacArthur study Bible
Our task as we anticipate this final day is twofold. First, we must live as He has commanded, for we know that He is our rightful sovereign even if the rest of creation remains oblivious. Second, we must go forth and proclaim the reality of His reign so that those whom He is calling will bow before that final day. Tabletalk Magazine
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,” (Ephesians 1:11)
The believer never need faint in times of suffering & trial because he knows that God's at work in the world, & that He has a perfect plan. God has 2 purposes in that plan: our good & His glory. Ultimately, He'll make us like Jesus! Best of all, God’s plan is going to succeed! It started in eternity past when He chose us in Christ. He predetermined that 1 day we'd be like His Son. Predestination applies only to saved people. Nowhere are we taught that God predestines people to be eternally condemned. If they're condemned, it's because of their refusal to trust Christ. Those whom He chose He called; when they responded, He justified & also glorified them. This means that the believer has already been glorified in Christ; the revelation of this glory awaits the coming of the Lord. How can we ever be discouraged & frustrated when we already share the glory of God? Our suffering today only guarantees that much more glory when Jesus Christ returns! The Bible exposition commentary
Before the earth was formed, God sovereignly determined that every elect sinner—however vile, useless, & deserving of death, by trusting in Christ would be made righteous. The word translated “works” is the same one from which “energy,” “energetic,” & “energize” are derived. When God created the world, He gave it sufficient energy to begin immediately to operate as He'd planned. It wasn't simply ready to function, but was created functioning. As God works out His plan according to “the counsel of His will,” He energizes every believer with the power necessary for his spiritual completion (Phil 1:6; 2:13). The MacArthur study Bible
As long as the doctrine of election is in the Bible, salvation must be the gift of God alone. Predestination framed in God’s foreknowledge assures us that salvation is from start to finish the work of God. The doctrine of God’s elective purpose guarantees the perpetuity of salvation. Unthinkable is the idea that one of God’s elect could forfeit his salvation. Those whom He has justified He will glorify. That' so certain that glorification's already a settled issue in God's mind. Election assures a peculiar providence which attends the way of every believer. If God’s heart is set on us in His elective purpose, we may be sure of His concern & providential intervention in our behalf. That same personal providence bound up in election extends throughout the entire course of history. There is no runaway world. God’s hand is systematically guiding the age to its intended consummation. Believer's Study Bible.
Just as we must learn to obey God one choice at a time, we must also learn to trust God one circumstance at a time. Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will. I never feel like trusting God when adversity strikes, but I can choose to do so even when I don’t feel like it. That act of the will, though, must be based on belief, and belief must be based on truth.The truth we must believe is that God is sovereign. He carries out His own good purposes without ever being thwarted, & He so directs & controls all events & all actions of His creatures that they never act outside of His sovereign will. We must believe this & cling to this in the face of adversity & tragedy, if we are to glorify God by trusting Him. Trusting God
KJV | Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
The KJV reads, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,” but “in whom also we were made an inheritance” is also possible. Both are true & the one includes the other. In Christ we have a wonderful inheritance, & in Christ we are an inheritance. We are valuable to Him. Think of the price God paid to purchase us & make us part of His inheritance! God the Son is the Father’s love gift to us; & we are the Father’s love gift to His Son. Read John 17 & note how many times Christ calls us “those whom Thou hast given Me.” The church is Christ’s body, building, & bride; Christ’s future inheritance is wrapped up in His church. We're “joint-heirs with Christ” which means that He can't claim His inheritance apart from us! The Bible exposition commentary This reminds me of verse 18 where we're told that we are His inheritance: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18)
God receives an inheritance. This isn't evident in the ESV, which translates the Greek verb for “obtained an inheritance” actively in relation to the subject “we.” This is acceptable but many favor reading the verb as passive, as it appears as passive in the original Greek. Accordingly, the translation should be something like this: “We have been made an inheritance [by God and for God].” which fits well with Scripture. The final Davidic king—Jesus Christ—receives the nations as His inheritance (Ps. 2:8). Isaiah 19:25 refers to Israel as God’s inheritance, & the 3-fold parallelism of the verse means that this description applies also to believing Egyptians & Assyrians. Zeph 3:17 describes the Lord rejoicing over His people much as one might rejoice over a great inheritance. The idea that God, by His grace, makes us into His inheritance is incredible, & it results from Him working “all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11). This is one of the clearest statements in Scripture on God’s meticulous providence—the Creator plans & steers all events down to the smallest detail, including even the seemingly inconsequential decisions we make every day, such as the color of the shirt we'll wear or the cereal we'll eat. All things great & small, good & evil, are included in our God’s sovereign ordination of history. Such a truth comforts us greatly, as it guarantees that He will use everything that happens in our lives to make us finally fit to be regarded as His inheritance (Rom. 8:28). Our creator does not need anything from us, which makes it all the more remarkable that He purposed in eternity past to make us His own inheritance. This is a great privilege, & it is due entirely to His sovereign grace. May we be thankful for this status & also mindful that His governing providence is working out all things—good & bad—to make us fit to be regarded as His inheritance. Tabletalk Magazine
“in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:12)
In salvation, as in everything else, God is preeminent. He deserves all the credit. You were redeemed and were granted an eternal inheritance so that God might be glorified. Certainly you benefit greatly from salvation, but God’s glory is the primary issue. Salvation is often presented as a means of receiving what Christ offers, not as a mandate to obey what He commands. We know that the purpose of life is to glorify God. In other words, living to His glory is to govern everything we do. Drawing Near
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,” (Ephesians 1:13)
The significance of this Holy sealing of the Spirit speaks of a finished transaction. This sealing also implies ownership. It also means security & protection. It is possible for us to grieve the Spirit & thereby lose the blessings of His ministry (Eph. 4:30). But He doesn’t leave us. Another use for the seal is as a mark of authenticity. Just as a signature on a letter attests to the genuineness of the document, so the presence of the Spirit proves the believer is genuine. The Bible exposition commentary
The gospel is true because Jesus is true, not simply because Christians believe in Him. Paul rightly called the gospel “the message of truth” because truth is its predominant characteristic. Salvation was conceived by the God of truth (Ps. 31:5) & purchased by the Son, who is the truth (John 14:6) & is applied by the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). To know it is to know the truth that sets men free (John 8:32). Believers are people of the truth (John 18:37), & they worship God in spirit & in truth (John 4:24) & obey the Word of truth (John 17:17). His resurrection proved the truth of His claims & constitutes the objective basis of our faith (Rom. 1:4; 1 Peter 1:3). You will face today armed with the message of truth & empowered by the Spirit of truth. Truth is your protection & strength (Eph. 6:14). Lost souls desperately need to hear that truth. Represent it well, & proclaim it with boldness. Drawing Near
How can we allow lies in our life when everything about our Lord and His indwelling is based on Truth?
Believers are secured by the supernatural glue of the Trinity. To be separated from Christ would require prying open the hand of the Father (John 10:29) & being snatched from the Son (Col 1:28) after breaking the seal of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13, 14). The Woman’s Study Bible.
“who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:14)
1. True riches come from God. It's a source of great encouragement to know that Father, Son, & HS are all working on my behalf to make me rich. God not only gives us “richly all things to enjoy”, but He gives us eternal riches without which all other wealth is valueless. 2. All these riches come by God’s grace & for His glory. God’s main purpose is that He might be glorified. His creation reveals His wisdom & power, but His church reveals His love & grace. You cannot deserve or earn them; you can only receive them by grace, through faith. 3. These riches are only the beginning! The Bible is our guidebook; the HS is our Teacher. As we search the Word of God, we discover more & more of the riches we have in Christ. The Bible exposition commentary
The Holy Spirit is God’s 1st installment to guarantee to His children that He will finish His work & eventually bring them to glory. The “redemption of the purchased possession” refers to the redemption of the body at the return of Christ. “Redemption” is experienced in 3 stages: • We have been redeemed through faith in Jesus • We are being redeemed as the Spirit works in our lives to make us more like Christ. • We shall be redeemed when Christ returns & we become like Him. But the word translated earnest also means “engagement ring.” Our relationship to God through Christ is not simply a commercial one, but also a personal experience of love. He is the Bridegroom & His church is the bride. We know that He will come & claim His bride because He has given us His promise & His Spirit as the “engagement ring.” What greater assurance could we want? The Bible exposition commentary
The Holy Spirit’s ministry in your life is multifaceted & profound. Among other things, He brings salvation, conviction, guidance, & strength. He indwells & equips you for spiritual service & gives assurance of your salvation. He is your Helper & Advocate. He is the Spirit of promise who seals you until the day when your redemption will be fully realized. In addition to inheriting Christ & the Holy Spirit, you also inherit peace, love, grace, wisdom, joy, victory, strength, guidance, mercy, forgiveness, righteousness, discernment, & every other possible spiritual benefit. Summed up in 1 Cor 3:22–23: “All things belong to you … & you belong to Christ; & Christ belongs to God.” Looking forward to your eternal inheritance will help you maintain a proper perspective on temporal things & will motivate you to praise & adore God. Drawing Near
In essence, the “deposit” of the Holy Spirit is a little bit of heaven in believers’ lives with a guarantee of much more yet to come. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Finally, here's a song for you by a couple who used to be with the Gaither's, I hope you enjoy it!
Ephesians Chapter One By Karen Peck and New River
Verse 1: In the middle of the battle, when all that really matters, Is a place where I can find relief, I even start to wonder if the stress I'm under, Is turnin my joy into grief, I've been beat down, backed down, found myself on the ground, Thought I would lose my mind, Then I opened up the Bible, & found I could rely on, Ephesians chapter one.
Chorus: God says I'm blessed, I'm chosen, I'm adopted I'm favored, Redeemed, yeah, I'm forgiven, Makes me wanna sing, I'm a child of the king and now I'm a really livin', By the blood of the Lamb, I know who I am, God said it and it's already done, When the devil comes in, I remind him again, Of Ephesians chapter one.
Verse 2: I don't mean to sound proud, 'cause you know I've been down, When the struggle almost took me out, But I found that God was workin in the middle of the hurtin, So I trust him and I don't have a doubt, That His fear takin', way makin', chain breakin' life changin', Power's gonna see me through, So I'm never gonna worry, even when He doesn't hurry, 'Cause I know what the Lord can do.
Chorus: God says I'm blessed, I'm chosen, I'm adopted I'm favored, Redeemed, yeah, I'm forgiven, Makes me wanna sing, I'm a child of the king and now I'm a really livin', By the blood of the Lamb, I know who I am, God said it and it's already done, When the devil comes in, I remind him again, Of Ephesians chapter one.
Bridge: I'm blessed, I;m chosen, I'm adopted I'm forgiven, Redeemed, I'm favored and now I'm really livin'.
Tag: I open up my Bible and I know I can rely on Ephesians Chapter One.
|
|
I have read it thru once, but yes, I need to read it again and talk to the Lord about it.....so yes I will prob do that tomorrow.
Well done hon! 
I think they thought that would be a great name for them LOL. I sure wish I could do what you did.... maybe the Lord will show me a way I could help others like that....
