Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer

We sang this song in church today, that really got the tears flowing in me. The timing of this song really has coincided with some emotional times that are going on in my life right now.



I am reminded of James 1:2-3 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

As believers, we can have confidence that God brings or allows trials into our lives to build us up or to strengthen our faith. Make no mistake, God tests our faith to prove and to increase the strength and the quality of our faith.  It gives us an opportunity to show that our faith is genuine.

God is going to bring trials into our lives in order to increase our faith.  If we, as believers, are able to submit to the trials that we encounter and endure the trials with a Godly peace knowing that He is in control;  then we can be assured that the promise of James 1:12 will be awaiting us.  "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him"

It is comforting to know that as I experience trials in my life, I can rely on the assurance that God is in control.

Stirred Again to Value Jesus

A post from one on my favorite blogs.




Stirred Again to Value Jesus

MY REPENTANCE

In the scriptures, we are commanded to examine ourselves  (2 Corinthians 13:5) As I continually examine myself, I find myself convicted of how awful a sinner that I am.  As most of you know and have seen, I often tend to share the passion the I have for the Lord. I can sit and speak for hours on the what the Lord is doing in my life. One would think that is a good thing, right?  However, many times, I start out with sharing my passion out of love for others, but then it often turns into an issue of pride. My initial intention is to follow the commands of the Word of God. (2 Corinthians 5:20) However, often without realizing it, my fleshly pride comes into play usually when what I am saying is resisted or scoffed at.    So what starts out as love often turns into the sinfulness of pride.  

  I am thankful that God is patient with me. As I continue to grow and mature in the faith, I am determined to let the Lord work  in me in a way that is pleasing to Him. I am not only going to stumble at times, but I am going to fall and fall hard. It is only by the blood of Christ, that I can continue to move forward in my walk.

I have been aware (and often reminded) of 1 Corinthians 13:2....If I have.....all knowledge; and if I have all faith , so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

Until recently, I have truly believed that the conversations that I have with my Dad were out of love and a strong desire for him to know Christ. I am now aware that even though that these conversations started out with that intent, they deteriorated into me trying to make a point. (my pride)  This deterioration and the way I responded to others has caused some family members pain and sorrow and for that I am truly sorry.  I ask for your forgiveness here, and I will do so also in person when I see you. 

I am thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ who continues to mold me into the person that He wants me to be. I am also thankful for my wife, Kathy, who patiently allows me to struggle through these issues, while at the same time lovingly prods me in the right direction. I am also thankful to my brothers in Christ whose wise counsel has encouraged me to be more Christ-like. 

As I mentioned above, I have been aware of 1 Corinthians 13:2.  As we continue to read, v 13: 4-7, these verses explain what love looks like......That is where I have been lacking. The Lord convicted me of that truth recently. This is where I struggle. This is where the Lord is working on me at the moment. 

As I move forward in my walk,  I am reminded of Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be  served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Bible

I found this website that I thought could be useful. From what I understand, the ESV is a very good translation. I like the audio section especially for pronunciation of some of the tougher names and words.

esvonline.org

Judgment without Mercy

James 2:12-13 (New International Version)

¹²Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, ¹³because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

This verse was discussed at a recent lunch I had with a very dear friend who is an encouraging believer. We have many freedoms in Christ, such as the music we listen to, the books we read, the beverages we drink. Yet we are commanded in the bible to lead a life that is Christ-like. Jesus was more often than not a compassionate and merciful teacher. I certainly know that I can be judgmental, but shudder to think if I don't show mercy- then God will show me no mercy on my judgment day. It's good to know God's word tells us that mercy triumphs over judgment.

Question

A question to think about.........

In Exodus 34:6-7 it reads The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty go unpunished..........

 God, who FORGIVES wickedness, rebellion and sin.....yet promises that the guilty will not go unpunished.

So the question is, How are those apparent contradictory statements resolved?

Our Way

I saw a quote from a church blog the other day, that I really liked.

It read "We (society) tend to want a relationship with God our way, the problem is "our way" is sin -- which by definition is the lack of conformity to God's way. God and His holy standard are what they are. Wishing or wanting it to be the way We'd prefer it wont change the reality of God and His revealed standard."

We often try to justify our standards by comparing ourselves to other people or what is considered the moral values of our time. The problem with that is the standards set by man change with time and circumstances. God's standard does not change.

Take the time and get to know God's standard, then you will know how depraved we truly are and why we  need Jesus in our lives.    Do not be mislead into thinking that you are a good person based on  society's standard, read what God says.