For my current Bible study, Believing God by Beth Moore, she has asked that we read Romans 4 twenty times over the course of nine weeks. As I sat down to mark another reading off this list of must do’s, I thought to myself, “I wish reading this chapter was more than just another to do. I really want to get something new from here, but I practically know these words by heart I’ve read it so many times in the past few weeks.” I did not speak these thoughts to God. They were merely thoughts contained within. A similar example would be what I thought yesterday as I cleaned a disgusting toilet, “I really don’t want to do this. I’m not even sure I can stomach this. Man, this toilet is just gross!” Thoughts… not something I prayed to my Heavenly Father.
These thoughts (about Romans 4, not the toilet) occurred simultaneously with my eyes beginning to read. As if words had a voice of their own, they leapt into my heart and mind in a whole new way. The revelation in itself is a feast for my soul, but what God spoke to me first came from Isaiah. “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!... Now I will tell you new things, secrets you have not yet heard. They are brand new, not things from the past… Yes, I will tell you of things that are entirely new, things you never heard before.” (65:24, 48: 6,7,8)
I just giggle inside at my AWESOME God! Oh how He loves us so!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Pitching a Fit
I find myself increasingly in the position of being asked to obey God. I am glad to say obedience wins out, but not before I get in a few words, or should I say shouts and screams. While I'm at it, I like to stomp and sometimes even pitch a little fit. All this because obedience is hard. Love your enemies. Humble yourself by thinking of others before you. I must sacrifice what my flesh truly desires in order to obey (Romans 12:1). I just don't want to do it, but after I've had mine, I follow through.
He's ever so gently brought my unwilling obedience to my attention. It happens when I give my little five year old a directive, hear groans, whining and the word "Whhhyyyyy?" and then say to him, "I believe 'Yes, ma'am' will do. Now hop to it." God has said to my heart, "Isn't this the same kind of obedience I want from you?" Talk about being humbled...
During my last Beth Moore video session from Believing God, she told of a similar experience in her life. Her realization was that it was believing her fear that made her act defiantly to God's specific instructions. When she said this, it rang true in my own heart. My greatest fear that Satan uses against me is that I am not good enough. So, I often do not want to do what God is asking because surely others will discover for themselves that I really am not good enough. Other times my rebellious beginning stems from a belief that I am not good enough to do what He's asking. I will drag His name and character through the mud.
Yet I am reminded, "I can do all things through Christ." (Philippians 4:13) But what does this really mean? Because when He speaks, I really feel my lie is more true than His word. Beth reminded us of Joshua 1. God speaks these words to Joshua, "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people." Talk about not feeling good enough. Joshua is next in line to lead the Israelites after MOSES! Joshua must have been afraid and felt inadequate because God says to him, "For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people...This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:5,6,9)
Looking back at the KJV I noticed verse 5 says, "I will not fail you or forsake you." The original Greek for fail and forsake give a vivid picture of what God was saying to Joshua. Fail brings this connotation, "to relax, withdraw, to refrain, to let alone, to be quiet." While forsake means, "to depart from, to leave behind, neglect." God is telling Joshua to be strong and courageous because He will not withdraw from him, relax his grip, or be silent. He will not send Joshua out to conquer these peoples and depart from him or neglect him.
For me, obedience takes on a new role. If He's telling me to do it, then I know He will not fail me or forsake me either. Strength and courage come as God's words become more truth than the lie. "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:7-8) Laying aside the lie and saying, "Yes, sir" each time obedience is required can be done in confidence when we are consistently in His word.
He's ever so gently brought my unwilling obedience to my attention. It happens when I give my little five year old a directive, hear groans, whining and the word "Whhhyyyyy?" and then say to him, "I believe 'Yes, ma'am' will do. Now hop to it." God has said to my heart, "Isn't this the same kind of obedience I want from you?" Talk about being humbled...
During my last Beth Moore video session from Believing God, she told of a similar experience in her life. Her realization was that it was believing her fear that made her act defiantly to God's specific instructions. When she said this, it rang true in my own heart. My greatest fear that Satan uses against me is that I am not good enough. So, I often do not want to do what God is asking because surely others will discover for themselves that I really am not good enough. Other times my rebellious beginning stems from a belief that I am not good enough to do what He's asking. I will drag His name and character through the mud.
Yet I am reminded, "I can do all things through Christ." (Philippians 4:13) But what does this really mean? Because when He speaks, I really feel my lie is more true than His word. Beth reminded us of Joshua 1. God speaks these words to Joshua, "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people." Talk about not feeling good enough. Joshua is next in line to lead the Israelites after MOSES! Joshua must have been afraid and felt inadequate because God says to him, "For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people...This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:5,6,9)
Looking back at the KJV I noticed verse 5 says, "I will not fail you or forsake you." The original Greek for fail and forsake give a vivid picture of what God was saying to Joshua. Fail brings this connotation, "to relax, withdraw, to refrain, to let alone, to be quiet." While forsake means, "to depart from, to leave behind, neglect." God is telling Joshua to be strong and courageous because He will not withdraw from him, relax his grip, or be silent. He will not send Joshua out to conquer these peoples and depart from him or neglect him.
For me, obedience takes on a new role. If He's telling me to do it, then I know He will not fail me or forsake me either. Strength and courage come as God's words become more truth than the lie. "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:7-8) Laying aside the lie and saying, "Yes, sir" each time obedience is required can be done in confidence when we are consistently in His word.
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