Hello everyone! I hope you're all having a fantastic day!
As I continue my quest to become a more obedient child of God, I'm sometimes faced with the dilemma of being obedient versus being humiliated. Last night while reading my bible I came across something that I feel will help me in overcoming this battle that we sometimes face, and my hope is that it will help you also. In the book of Matthew, chapter one, we learn about the birth of Jesus. As I'm sure you probably know his birth was quite special, as his mother Mary who was a virgin, became pregnant with him by the Holy Spirit. Now this is where it get's tricky and really makes you see how your "obedience quest" can be tested. Mary was engaged, and once her fiance Joseph found out she was pregnant(remember it was looked down upon to marry someone who wasn't a virgin), he wrestled with the thought of breaking off the engagement because he didn't want to be humiliated. Then on the night before he was going to call off the engagement, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, " Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1: 20-21).
I read this verse over and over again, because I kept thinking, "Wow Joseph had to be someone who was serious about being obedient, because that was a strong request for the angel to make, especially considering all the humiliation he would face." But Joseph put those thoughts of humiliation to rest, and instead choose to be obedient to God knowing that his choice would be honored by God. Just like Joseph, I too hope that when faced with situations that can result in an abundance of humiliation, I will instead make my decision based off of my quest to be obedient to our father. I'm going to remember that instead of doing "What Looks Right In Their Eyes," to instead ALWAYS do "What Looks Right In His Eyes."
I leave you with this..."Isaiah 48:17–18: "I
am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you
along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my
commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea."
I don't know about yall, but that's the kind of peace I want in my life forever, and always:)
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
According To His Timetable
Hello, hello! I'm soooo glad that I've finally gotten the time to blog! I hope to be a lot more consistent with this blogging thing after I head down the aisle!
Anyhow while on my lunch break today, I decided to use that time to read my bible since I wasn't hungry; and besides what better food for the soul than that which comes from the scriptures! During my break I was able to finish the book of Joshua. I have really enjoyed reading this chapter as it teaches so many things about living your life, "According To His Timetable!" The book of Joshua begins with God laying out a plan for the Israelites so that they can cross the Jordan and possess the land that he promised them. The plan included strict instructions, but promises to end with a great reward if they follow all of God's commands that he sends through their leader Joshua. While reading the chapter I kept thinking, "Wow are they ever going to get to the promised land?" From numerous battles and setbacks it seemed like the light at the end of the tunnel was a long way away. I know if it felt that way to me just from reading it, it probably seemed like eternity to the Israelites...but that's where the moral of this story comes in. In chapter 21, verses 43-45 read, "So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." And that's exactly what happened! Joshua ends with the Israelites taking possession of the land God had promised them. So while it seemed like it took forever to receive that promise...they learned that they had to remain faithful while God worked behind the scenes "According To His Timetable." This hit home for me in SOOOO many ways. It's easy to grow impatient when seeking God's blessing on something we really want. However we must learn that God works, "According To His Timetable," and not ours! So that new job you want, that new house you want, that new relationship you want, those new shoes you want...pray about it and then let God work...rephrase let God do his work, "According To His Timetable!" I pray you all have a blessed week, and like myself I'm praying that we all grow stronger in our faith:)
Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
Anyhow while on my lunch break today, I decided to use that time to read my bible since I wasn't hungry; and besides what better food for the soul than that which comes from the scriptures! During my break I was able to finish the book of Joshua. I have really enjoyed reading this chapter as it teaches so many things about living your life, "According To His Timetable!" The book of Joshua begins with God laying out a plan for the Israelites so that they can cross the Jordan and possess the land that he promised them. The plan included strict instructions, but promises to end with a great reward if they follow all of God's commands that he sends through their leader Joshua. While reading the chapter I kept thinking, "Wow are they ever going to get to the promised land?" From numerous battles and setbacks it seemed like the light at the end of the tunnel was a long way away. I know if it felt that way to me just from reading it, it probably seemed like eternity to the Israelites...but that's where the moral of this story comes in. In chapter 21, verses 43-45 read, "So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." And that's exactly what happened! Joshua ends with the Israelites taking possession of the land God had promised them. So while it seemed like it took forever to receive that promise...they learned that they had to remain faithful while God worked behind the scenes "According To His Timetable." This hit home for me in SOOOO many ways. It's easy to grow impatient when seeking God's blessing on something we really want. However we must learn that God works, "According To His Timetable," and not ours! So that new job you want, that new house you want, that new relationship you want, those new shoes you want...pray about it and then let God work...rephrase let God do his work, "According To His Timetable!" I pray you all have a blessed week, and like myself I'm praying that we all grow stronger in our faith:)
Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
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