Saturday, November 24, 2007
The Street Called His Purpose
I love this street !
I was trying to remember how I found it .
I was just being thankful , for everything.
Just deciding to obey , even if it meant suffering .
I was just looking up , because my redemption draweth nigh.
What else was I doing at the time ?
Oh, deciding to love truth and hate lies.
Being delighted when asked to dance ! My joy expressed when an invitation of grace is given.
I had stopped to look at this mountain, and spoke , "grace, grace, grace" to it. Then I said, "although this mountain may be removed, nothing will be as wonderful as when I can love those to whom this grace is given."
Then I looked again at the valley I was in and saw there were streams of His Spirit flowing here. Surely all I would need to sustain me as I climbed the high mountain ahead.
In the language of my favorite author Hannah Hurnard and her book Hind's Feet On High Places , I realize this trip up the mountain is not something we take once and then it is done with forever more.
I believe that the renewing of our minds in which she allegorically describes her journey , becomes a life long process that must be engaged in constantly if we are to be ready when Jesus comes.
I was trying to remember how I found it .
I was just being thankful , for everything.
Just deciding to obey , even if it meant suffering .
I was just looking up , because my redemption draweth nigh.
What else was I doing at the time ?
Oh, deciding to love truth and hate lies.
Being delighted when asked to dance ! My joy expressed when an invitation of grace is given.
I had stopped to look at this mountain, and spoke , "grace, grace, grace" to it. Then I said, "although this mountain may be removed, nothing will be as wonderful as when I can love those to whom this grace is given."
Then I looked again at the valley I was in and saw there were streams of His Spirit flowing here. Surely all I would need to sustain me as I climbed the high mountain ahead.
In the language of my favorite author Hannah Hurnard and her book Hind's Feet On High Places , I realize this trip up the mountain is not something we take once and then it is done with forever more.
I believe that the renewing of our minds in which she allegorically describes her journey , becomes a life long process that must be engaged in constantly if we are to be ready when Jesus comes.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
A New Street
Walking down a new street / Attempting to walk down a new street / Being aware that I may not be on a new street at all but the same old one with a hole in it / Being aware that there are new streets that also have holes in it / Being a Christain who desires to walk in the Spirit but finds this to be incredibly difficult :
I am rejoicing in suffering ! Why ? Because it produces perseverance ! This is good ! It will produce good character ! This will produce hope that does not disappoint because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us !
So then my suffering will help me be even more filled with the Holy Spirit ? I think yes, but do not skip all the stuff in between. One must rejoice in suffering . One must respond to the circumstances as Jesus would, but not alone, with Jesus' helper the Holy Spirit in me helping me .
By sharing the word of my testimony with you I am being able to take off the bushel that once hid the light shining in me.
I know of others who desire to do the same and I so wanted / want to be an encouragement to them. However, my own stumblings down the wrong streets or whatever, my stumblings have made my words of encouragement seem futile. I would give up except for the Lord encourages me from places like Romans 5:1-5 and Deut. 20:1-13.
I found Deut. 20:1-13 especially encouraging today as I spoke it out loud to the Lord and asked Him to show me does this apply to me ? I found it does !
As the priest spoke unto the people , my high priest the Lord Jesus Christ speaks again unto to me through His Holy Word. He also gives light unto His servants who in turn (take off their bushels) and share.
I found such a servant today and by clicking this word of testimony you will hear of a man's journey who knows what it is like to lose support from those who once encouraged him to follow the Spirit .
What a double portion for me ! The thing I desire most to do but find myself hindered at the most critical times is to be an encourager. Now this servant has encouraged me as I hope he does you , as he has found his way on around the hole his supporter fell into and made it on down the street. Please go back and click the link and read what he has to say.
It is quite long but the beauty of Internet is you can treat it as you would a book, read until you tire and then come back and read the rest.
I am rejoicing in suffering ! Why ? Because it produces perseverance ! This is good ! It will produce good character ! This will produce hope that does not disappoint because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us !
So then my suffering will help me be even more filled with the Holy Spirit ? I think yes, but do not skip all the stuff in between. One must rejoice in suffering . One must respond to the circumstances as Jesus would, but not alone, with Jesus' helper the Holy Spirit in me helping me .
By sharing the word of my testimony with you I am being able to take off the bushel that once hid the light shining in me.
I know of others who desire to do the same and I so wanted / want to be an encouragement to them. However, my own stumblings down the wrong streets or whatever, my stumblings have made my words of encouragement seem futile. I would give up except for the Lord encourages me from places like Romans 5:1-5 and Deut. 20:1-13.
I found Deut. 20:1-13 especially encouraging today as I spoke it out loud to the Lord and asked Him to show me does this apply to me ? I found it does !
As the priest spoke unto the people , my high priest the Lord Jesus Christ speaks again unto to me through His Holy Word. He also gives light unto His servants who in turn (take off their bushels) and share.
I found such a servant today and by clicking this word of testimony you will hear of a man's journey who knows what it is like to lose support from those who once encouraged him to follow the Spirit .
What a double portion for me ! The thing I desire most to do but find myself hindered at the most critical times is to be an encourager. Now this servant has encouraged me as I hope he does you , as he has found his way on around the hole his supporter fell into and made it on down the street. Please go back and click the link and read what he has to say.
It is quite long but the beauty of Internet is you can treat it as you would a book, read until you tire and then come back and read the rest.
