When I don't feel up to par, it is usually because of something I "feel like" I need to do, but don't want to, I am not motivated to do it, or what I "feel like" I need to do, is beginning to make me ill. Where we grew up, we were taught that if we weren't doing some kind of work, we were lazy; "Heaven Forbid" being lazy! Colossians 3:23, "...what ever you do, do it for the LORD..." Ecclesiastes 9:10, "...whatever you do, do it with all of your might..." Sometimes just lying down, listening to the wind, feeling my body relax and drifting into that zone between being awake and dreaming, is what I do best. It is what I am to be doing at that particular time. So whatever I do; whether it is prayer, work, sleep, rejoicing or helping someone else; I am to do it with ALL that I am; not what I "think" I should be able to do, but with all that I am! So if I, DON'T FEEL UP TO PAR, maybe I should rest WITH ALL MY MIGHT and that will HONOR HIM TOO!
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Who am I anyway? I compare myself to everyone else and come up far short. I try to apply all of the advice I receive to find my true "nitch" in life, but then I get confused and even feel less adequate. Then I try to stay in "my own little" world where nothing can hurt me, and I don't have to deal with those unsettling thoughts. Ephesians 2:10, "I know HE has good plans for me, ...put forth in advance. HE tells me so." Do I have to have recognition, compliments or even a fancy title to be important? Colossians 1:27, "I know that HIS identity is more important than mine. HE tells me to make HIM known and not myself." When HE says, "I AM", HE is telling me, "I AM" all you need; "HE IS" my everything, apart from HIM my plans and perceptions are futile. When I finally learn to say, "I AM", means my "identity" is in HIM; I was never my own; "I AM" HIS! 'I AM, 'HE IS, 'I AM'!
We all experience challenging situations, sometimes they come so fast, "one after the other" that we begin to expect more bad things. Then we all experience great JOYFUL things, again that comes "one after the other", and we say "this can't last" and begin to expect more bad things. Why? Don't we know that all things are BLESSINGS and to be BLESSED, where we begin to see every situation from an expanded "non worldly" Spiritual Reality? James 1:25, "...being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts." This is where the Soul and the Spirit become one and we stop "thinking" and just "DO". This is where the Strength, Power and Love of GOD is released in us and we begin to dance, sing, Praise and SOAR with Eagles; and IT ALL COMES AT ONCE!
How many times do we beg and plead for GOD to take care of, "what we think" are BIG THINGS? Then we go on our way, "taking care" of the little things. Isaiah 32:8, "But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands." ALL THINGS are GOD THINGS, big and small, EVERYTHING! Perhaps our sin is defining our lives into areas; big and small, important and less important, requiring effort and routine. Thinking like this doesn't let GOD'S plans be our plans and GOD'S Will be our will. When we having GOD in every part of our lives, THINGS ARE JUST THINGS.
Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the LORD JESUS..." Do we have to "drive a point" so that others' understanding is the same as ours? Do we need to go out and start a new Church so the "Truth" will be heard? When someone is relieved of a difficult situation or sickness, do we have to immediately let them know "I've been praying for you"? What has "Glorifying GOD" evolved to in our minds? Do we always have to "lower" the miracles of GOD by including ourselves? What have we NOT done, IN THE NAME OF GOD?
Have you ever seen a mother hen take care of her "chicks" when danger comes? She spreads out her wings, covers the "chicks" and pulls them close to her. Not only does she protect them, she hides them from danger. Psalm 91:4, "HE shall cover you with HIS feathers and under HIS wings shall you trust..." True Story! This homeless woman was surrounded by some men who decided to hurt and rob her. This is the same woman who had slept in a church cellar the night before and heard a sermon on how GOD protects us with HIS feathers. As the men approached, all she could remember was FEATHERS! She began to shout, "IN THE NAME OF JESUS...FEATHERS!" She kept repeating this, the men dropped their weapons (and other intentions) and fled, never to be seen again! The homeless lady may not have gotten the Scripture 'word perfect' but GOD knew what she meant. Do we today, know someone who needs healing, strength, encouragement, a smile and a BIG LOVING HUG? Trust, yes, the Scripture says TRUST GOD. Maybe your prayer for them will begin with a smile as you think of FEATHERS.
We don't have JOY because we don't know what it is. The world defines JOY as great delight or happiness caused by something. The Bible tells us that JOY is the Fruit of the SPIRIT. Galatians 5:22, "But the Fruit of the SPIRIT is love, JOY..." Therefore, JOY must be our relationship with GOD! It is the result of our living by the SPIRIT and walking by the SPIRIT. JOY is not a temporal "thing" that comes and goes; IT is the fullness of GOD, IT is PERMANENT, and then our lives are FULL OF JOY. AMEN!
These are the ones who will call for understanding of Scripture; ask what is a good Scripture to read and ask you to pray with them. They can't quote Scripture or even feel worthy of rendering their thoughts on a particular situation. They are the ones who need help from their families and don't get it; they are the ones with greater problems than ours; they are the ones who help the sick when they are sick. They hear a harsh word and go on singing as though they never heard and there is this instant forgiveness all around them. Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace of CHRIST rule in your hearts..." They ask for our wisdom and yet they are FAR beyond in understanding. We want what they have! THESE ARE THE MODERN DAY PROPHETS.
We all know Solomon for the Wisdom written in the book of Proverbs. Is there another book where Wisdom is given by a Poet (forgive my definition of this man) who defines Life by Living Life? Where Truth defines Genuine Faith by being Tested and Testing? We have been taught that being "rich" can take us from GOD and cause us to sin; but James explains that "poverty" can do the same thing! When we learn, like James, that Life and us are to be tested by the WORD OF GOD, then we have Truth, steadfast, unwavering confidence that makes us perfect and complete, lacking nothing. This "Poet" explains eloquently and "down to earth" how GOD removes our doubt by "Doing"! Do you need a Scripture today that encourages and removes doubt? Read the Whole Book of James and share with each other the Revelations of Truth; GOD! YOU WILL SLEEP WELL, REST WELL AND HAVE THE ANSWERS. AMEN!
JESUS DID BOTH! Preaching is proclaiming the Gospel; that living in eternity, in peace and love, with JESUS CHRIST can be ours if we believe JESUS died for our sins, is the SON of GOD and rose from the dead. Perhaps preaching should be (as it was in the days of JESUS and John The Baptist) short, pointed and memorable so that others can take what they learn and share it. Teaching then, is the sharing of the revelation of knowledge and wisdom in applying the message of the Scriptures. How do we expect to go to the EVENT (receive teaching that will help with spiritual growth and the Divine relationship) if we don't accept the INVITATION (through preaching)? Hosea 4:6, "MY people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." GOD'S people are not destroyed from lack of "drama", or a lack of a "building fund" or being "exhorted" into emotionalism; GOD'S people are destroyed from lack of knowledge; PREACHIN AND TEACHIN; WHY NOT BOTH?
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About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
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