I had written this quote down in a notebook some time ago, and I had wished I had written who wrote it. Anyways, it encouraged me today and maybe it will encourage someone else too. We must not forget how life transforming God's Word is!!!
~If you see it as the vessel that holds the deep mysteries of God, the key that opens life's secret ways, it will have amazing transforming power. The Word of God could do no less! It breathes life into dead souls and causes all that was stale and stagnant with in us to flourish.~
It's easy to look at God's Word and want it to change our circumstances. It's easy to look at God's Word and want it to change someone else. But how many times do we actually read it to change "us". Not a mental ascent, as if we think so are we, but a true life change from the inside out. We must surrender our hearts to the Lord and His Spirit, for it is He that brings about the transformation in our lives. It's silly to think we make a checklist, apply certain steps, and voila were there! It's foolish to think that we take a lot of human philosophy and a little of God's Word mixed in, and think that we will bring about a lasting change in our lives!
God's Word is living and active and sharper than a two edged sword, and it discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12) . God's Word cuts straight to the root of any issue in our lives! Why try to peel back the layers in our heart when His Word cuts straight through our hearts!!! His Word will show us our selfishness, jealousy, pride, bitterness, and blindness of our own souls! His Word will pour out an unconditional love that heals the, spirit, soul and body. What else could do that or who else!?!?!?
Father, please create in me a deep deep hunger for Your Word. May Your Spirit open up my eyes as I read it. May Your Spirit bring about transformation in me. May my life reflect You and Your Word.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Falling In Love
I heard a great message, from my pastor Jay Hanson, about climbing into love. He spoke about relationships, and how we have to work at them. Relationships, real lasting relationships, take a lot of work. I loved the points that he brought up in this, and understood how I could apply them in my own life. He also compared this to our relationship with Christ.
Yet lately, I feel like I am falling in love with my Maker. And by falling, I mean surrendering. It is in loosing control of my life to the Lord, that I gain life! Matthew 16:25 says," For whoever would save his life will loose it, but whoever looses his life for My sake will find it."It is in the letting go of what people think about me, not wanting to make a name for myself, laying down the expectations of what I think my life should look like and the expectations of others, that I have found such freedom and life! The more I surrender to Him, the more I let go of that which seems to have become or hold more importance than Him, the more love I have for Him! And the more love I have for Him, the more love I have for others.
John 3:30 says," He must increase, but I must decrease."
It is in our surrendering, letting go of, decreasing of ourselves, and allowing the Holy Spirit to increase in our lives, that brings about a love for Christ that is unwavering. Only Christ and His Spirit can work this in us and through us. Yet we must surrender ourselves, and humble ourselves before Him. James 4:10 says," Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." Don't try to exalt yourself. Don't try to prove to your family, to your friends,to the world that you have what it takes to accomplish whatever dream you have. Remember, it's not about you. The sooner you grasp this concept, the sooner you gain life.You will have true joy that remains through the storms of life, and a purpose that is only to exalt the Lord our God !
Father, thank you for the grace of Your Spirit that is at work in my life. May You, not I, be lifted up and exalted through my life. May my heart and spirit surrender do you each day! May I decrease so that Your Spirit can increase!
Yet lately, I feel like I am falling in love with my Maker. And by falling, I mean surrendering. It is in loosing control of my life to the Lord, that I gain life! Matthew 16:25 says," For whoever would save his life will loose it, but whoever looses his life for My sake will find it."It is in the letting go of what people think about me, not wanting to make a name for myself, laying down the expectations of what I think my life should look like and the expectations of others, that I have found such freedom and life! The more I surrender to Him, the more I let go of that which seems to have become or hold more importance than Him, the more love I have for Him! And the more love I have for Him, the more love I have for others.
John 3:30 says," He must increase, but I must decrease."
It is in our surrendering, letting go of, decreasing of ourselves, and allowing the Holy Spirit to increase in our lives, that brings about a love for Christ that is unwavering. Only Christ and His Spirit can work this in us and through us. Yet we must surrender ourselves, and humble ourselves before Him. James 4:10 says," Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." Don't try to exalt yourself. Don't try to prove to your family, to your friends,to the world that you have what it takes to accomplish whatever dream you have. Remember, it's not about you. The sooner you grasp this concept, the sooner you gain life.You will have true joy that remains through the storms of life, and a purpose that is only to exalt the Lord our God !
Father, thank you for the grace of Your Spirit that is at work in my life. May You, not I, be lifted up and exalted through my life. May my heart and spirit surrender do you each day! May I decrease so that Your Spirit can increase!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)