1 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
Such amazing confidence! I cannot say that I am ready to echo Paul’s words at this point in my life, but I certainly look to others and find myself imitating the good I see in them.
Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”
Imitation is an interesting thing. The more two people spend time together, the more similarities emerge. Friends ultimately pick up sayings and even mannerisms from each other. We tend to emulate the things we like most in others. A recognizable resemblance is the result of deep relationship, perhaps most commonly displayed through married couples.
Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
You’ve heard the saying that imitation is the greatest compliment, I’m sure. Well, maybe as we yield our hearts to God’s leading and allow His Spirit to conform us into His image, we give Him the highest praise possible! As we release ownership of who we are and what we’re like and give Him complete authority to change us, we are literally worshiping God.
How cool is that?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Serving sin or Him?
Romans 6:6 “…our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin…”
To be a slave you must serve a master. So, if we are slaves to sin, we are mastered by sin.
Luke 6:27-28 "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
I believe that I serve sin when I bring to mind the injuries others have brought upon me. I serve myself when I selfishly dwell upon my disappointment in others and I reveal how terribly self-centered I am when I demand certain behavior of others in order to maintain my own personal sense of wellness.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”
It is clearly a good day to die.
To be a slave you must serve a master. So, if we are slaves to sin, we are mastered by sin.
Luke 6:27-28 "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
I believe that I serve sin when I bring to mind the injuries others have brought upon me. I serve myself when I selfishly dwell upon my disappointment in others and I reveal how terribly self-centered I am when I demand certain behavior of others in order to maintain my own personal sense of wellness.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”
It is clearly a good day to die.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Child-like faith or deep dread…
Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”
This is expectant faith that waits with great anticipation for the goodness of God to be expressed.
The problem is that our lives are full of disappointments. And since most of us have had the unwelcome experience of loss and pain, we are weighed down by unbelief and wait instead for the “other shoe to drop”. Our sensibility warns us to ready ourselves for what’s to come, perhaps simply wishing to prepare our hearts so that we can manage the distress.
So, how can we cultivate an expectant attitude of faith?
Romans 10:17 “...faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
It appears that if we have the facts (or know the Truth), we will naturally obtain faith. The old adage that “you are what you eat” certainly holds true when it comes to spiritual food.
Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Instead of harboring in our hearts the lie that God is not good because bad things happen to us, our minds can be renewed by the Truth and we can be freed to walk in childlike faith. Then we will be able to honestly proclaim the goodness of God, no matter what the circumstances of our lives may be, trusting that it’s in those stormy times He so delights in sheltering us.
Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.”
This is expectant faith that waits with great anticipation for the goodness of God to be expressed.
The problem is that our lives are full of disappointments. And since most of us have had the unwelcome experience of loss and pain, we are weighed down by unbelief and wait instead for the “other shoe to drop”. Our sensibility warns us to ready ourselves for what’s to come, perhaps simply wishing to prepare our hearts so that we can manage the distress.
So, how can we cultivate an expectant attitude of faith?
Romans 10:17 “...faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
It appears that if we have the facts (or know the Truth), we will naturally obtain faith. The old adage that “you are what you eat” certainly holds true when it comes to spiritual food.
Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Instead of harboring in our hearts the lie that God is not good because bad things happen to us, our minds can be renewed by the Truth and we can be freed to walk in childlike faith. Then we will be able to honestly proclaim the goodness of God, no matter what the circumstances of our lives may be, trusting that it’s in those stormy times He so delights in sheltering us.
Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.”
Monday, August 31, 2009
I die daily…
2 Corinthians 4:11-12 “For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us…”
If there is a quiet cry in my heart, I would have to admit that it’s a plea to become more like Him. And since I know that self-preservation is quite prevalent in my soul, I must conclude that the Holy Spirit within me is the One producing the cry. “More of You and less of me” is the song that is sung by my spirit. “Surely there is more to life than this” is my new man’s expectation…
Exodus 33:20 “But He said, ‘…no man can see Me and live!’”
I believe that seeing His face is the key. Being held by the gaze of those firey eyes literally sears the reality of His holiness and His genuine affection upon my heart and I am undone.
And I no longer wish to live, but rather, desire Him to live through me.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
If there is a quiet cry in my heart, I would have to admit that it’s a plea to become more like Him. And since I know that self-preservation is quite prevalent in my soul, I must conclude that the Holy Spirit within me is the One producing the cry. “More of You and less of me” is the song that is sung by my spirit. “Surely there is more to life than this” is my new man’s expectation…
Exodus 33:20 “But He said, ‘…no man can see Me and live!’”
I believe that seeing His face is the key. Being held by the gaze of those firey eyes literally sears the reality of His holiness and His genuine affection upon my heart and I am undone.
And I no longer wish to live, but rather, desire Him to live through me.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Suffering is par for the course…
Acts 14:21-22 “After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’”
It’s passages like this one that bring comfort to my heart. Jesus’ disciples needed strengthening and encouragement to continue in the faith. They had to be reminded that difficulties are “par for the course.” Unexpected dilemmas can potentially invite uncertainty about our value to God, but our circumstances absolutely do not define His love for us. Rather, they call us to lean all the more completely upon our Beloved King. And such dependence provides complete access to His Kingdom.
1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
There is revelation to be obtained through suffering...hidden treasure in the depths of despair. I am persuaded that our suffering is an opportunity for His love to be revealed to us. We are summoned into the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:8-11) and as we journey through the grief of our anguish, we come to know His love more thoroughly.
It’s passages like this one that bring comfort to my heart. Jesus’ disciples needed strengthening and encouragement to continue in the faith. They had to be reminded that difficulties are “par for the course.” Unexpected dilemmas can potentially invite uncertainty about our value to God, but our circumstances absolutely do not define His love for us. Rather, they call us to lean all the more completely upon our Beloved King. And such dependence provides complete access to His Kingdom.
1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
There is revelation to be obtained through suffering...hidden treasure in the depths of despair. I am persuaded that our suffering is an opportunity for His love to be revealed to us. We are summoned into the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:8-11) and as we journey through the grief of our anguish, we come to know His love more thoroughly.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Does the way seem narrow or steep?
Psalms 24:3-6 "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah."
The ascent, at times, taxes me. I find myself spiritually huffing and puffing and must stop to catch my breath. “Selah” is slipped in there to suggest something of a break. The Hebrew Lexicon says that it is a technical musical term used to indicate some form of accentuation, pause or interruption. Rest two, three, four…
Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Is there too much of me to fit through? Must I leave something behind? Am I still too full of myself to navigate the entrance into the Kingdom?
The climb requires something of me in a way that the narrowness asks for less of me. Both are apparently necessary on the journey into intimacy with the Father…
The ascent, at times, taxes me. I find myself spiritually huffing and puffing and must stop to catch my breath. “Selah” is slipped in there to suggest something of a break. The Hebrew Lexicon says that it is a technical musical term used to indicate some form of accentuation, pause or interruption. Rest two, three, four…
Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Is there too much of me to fit through? Must I leave something behind? Am I still too full of myself to navigate the entrance into the Kingdom?
The climb requires something of me in a way that the narrowness asks for less of me. Both are apparently necessary on the journey into intimacy with the Father…
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Benediction of the Cardinals
I will go before you and make the rough places smooth…
Isaiah 45:2
When our family built our first home, we never considered moving out. It was an integral part of our future. When we realized we’d have to sell it and find another place to settle, it was heartbreaking.
During that season of searching for a place to move to, I was regularly visited by cardinals. I’d be driving along and suddenly see one swooping in front of my car, just short of a collision with my windshield.
Trust me, this was no coincidence. I saw more than thirty cardinals do this daredevil feat! And every time my heart would sense the Lord saying, “I go before you and make the way!” My heart was deeply comforted by His involvement in my life.
Once we secured a place to live, it was as if the cardinals had done their job. Not even one took a dive for my windshield again.
We lived in that place for just six months before the Lord sovereignly moved us to our current address, which is a lovely farmhouse situated on several acres. Our family recognizes this homestead as a great gift from the Father.
Interestingly enough, the first week we moved in my youngest son summoned me into his room calling, “Mom! Come quick! Your red birds!” I scurried into his bedroom, joining him at the window.
To my absolute astonishment, six bright red cardinals were perched on a small tree in the side yard. There were six male cardinals hovering about this little tree as if it were as natural as can be. It was a completely ridiculous sight. “Impossible!” was my first thought. “There are six of us living here,” was my next reflection.
It was as if the Lord had sent them as a benediction. The sight seemed to imply “I have made the way for you!” His message of love and care seemed to sing through the scene, “Be blessed!”
Indeed, we are.
Isaiah 45:2
When our family built our first home, we never considered moving out. It was an integral part of our future. When we realized we’d have to sell it and find another place to settle, it was heartbreaking.
During that season of searching for a place to move to, I was regularly visited by cardinals. I’d be driving along and suddenly see one swooping in front of my car, just short of a collision with my windshield.
Trust me, this was no coincidence. I saw more than thirty cardinals do this daredevil feat! And every time my heart would sense the Lord saying, “I go before you and make the way!” My heart was deeply comforted by His involvement in my life.
Once we secured a place to live, it was as if the cardinals had done their job. Not even one took a dive for my windshield again.
We lived in that place for just six months before the Lord sovereignly moved us to our current address, which is a lovely farmhouse situated on several acres. Our family recognizes this homestead as a great gift from the Father.
Interestingly enough, the first week we moved in my youngest son summoned me into his room calling, “Mom! Come quick! Your red birds!” I scurried into his bedroom, joining him at the window.
To my absolute astonishment, six bright red cardinals were perched on a small tree in the side yard. There were six male cardinals hovering about this little tree as if it were as natural as can be. It was a completely ridiculous sight. “Impossible!” was my first thought. “There are six of us living here,” was my next reflection.
It was as if the Lord had sent them as a benediction. The sight seemed to imply “I have made the way for you!” His message of love and care seemed to sing through the scene, “Be blessed!”
Indeed, we are.
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