Addition or encapsulation?

Trust. I have found it amazing just how much of the Bible is spent either directly or indirectly on that topic. In our relationships trust is something held in high regard and if broken it can be detrimental. Each one of us at one time or another have been hurt- with trust broken. Which is why it can sometimes be a vulnerable and testing thing to obey one of our Lord's most loving commands- trust me. (Ps.37:3, Is. 26:4,)

Why can it be so hard sometimes to cast all cares on the one who existed before time began? Or trust that He really will care for and Shepherd us as promised? I have seen many times in my own life that I can behave like the children of Israel. I see Him part the "Red Sea" one day and then am ready to despair because there is little water the next. Why do we struggle like this?

To me what sums it up better than anything else is the word yielded. When we are truly yielded and wholehearted following the Lord then amazing things happen. But it is more than just adding the Lord to our lives. He must fully encapsulate "our world". If we are yielded then it is as if He is our center and we are simply in orbit around Him.

More often than not we try to live as Christians by adding virtue, good principles, sound doctrine, and all of those outward "Spiritual" things. Apart from truly knowing Him and abiding in Him we are merely "acting out" Christian life. And what do we get? Lives that we run totally apart from the Lord's guidance, with us trying to fit God into OUR mold! Do we really want this? Or do we want to fully look-to, trust, and yield to the one that made heaven and earth and who loves us more than we could ever grasp?

If we choose to live this life of full surrender and trust, it will be our flesh's undoing. All of our controlling ways will have to die! We won't be able to live that life with Him as a supplement. This Christian life only works with Him in the position of God. Fancy that.:D

Unusably or useful

As people we are always aware of our surroundings. We know when our environment is uncomfortable or dangerous. We can sense emotion in those around us, feelings of displeasure and hate, love or joy. Most of the time this is beneficial, however sometimes we can fall into the trap that Jesus warned against in Matthew. Which is "comparing yourself among yourself". How does this apply to us....?

When we walk closely with a group of believer then we will notice were they are in there walk with the Lord. And without realizing it, slowly condemn the place that God is having us live and walk. We think think that if we don't function in the same capacities then we're somehow "less Spiritual" or not one of "those" (you know, the one's that God ALWAYS seems to use in every situation). I see this directly apply concerning one's "call". When we see someone who is mature, walking faithfully with what they have been given, wholeheartedly living out what the Lord has lead them in. It can be easy to then say,"I don't have any of those skills. I'm not good well, anything really!" And instead of taking encouragement from this faithful we take intimidation. How sad. When we see a faithful brother it should spur us on in this "race" that we run. The Lord wants to use each and every one of us in some capacity. Let's not be pulled down by something so trivial. Instead let's be useful building material (so to speak) that the Lord can work with to be a blessing to other people. It can make all the difference between someone who is unusably and useful in God's hand.

Do you live with depth?

This is a question I was asking my self today and frequently ask. There is a prevalent notion in the world today that is encouraging a life lived focused on anything, anything other than true depth in God. So much of our time is spent things that have little or no value in the Kingdom of God. What is our purpose here on this earth? It is to be a Joy and testimony for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is your life all about Jesus? Nothing in this life will satisfy if He is not TRULY first in our life. Only in Jesus is there true depth. He is the source of Joy for life and the purpose and drive that will make us go far beyond "the norm". That's what I want. How about you?

Are you poor?

Are you poor? If you are, than the Bible actually says that's a good thing. But probably not what your thinking so please bear me out...

Matthew 5:3 says Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.(NASV) The Lord revealed something of importance to me today as I was thinking about this passage. "Poor in Spirit" can also be translated "not spiritually arrogant". What does this have to do with anything?

What it means to me was this. Where am I putting my confidence. Am I putting my confidence in my own strength, abilities, or mind? Is it in the Lord or my KNOWLEDGE of the Lord that I put my trust? The Bible is clear that knowledge alone puffs up but confidence in the Lord, in that there is true strength. Being "poor" is knowing that YOU can't even breath without God giving you that breath.

My point is this. Do we walk around knowing that everything, everything we have truly comes from God almighty? That we are utterly dependent on Him and in and of our self dwells no good thing? When we are in touch with this reality that is when we are "Poor in Spirit. But in Him we are spiritually rich.

Lifesong

I have really been enjoying this song all week(month). I think I have played it at least a dozen times on the piano! It is the song "And now my Lifesong sings", by Casting Crowns. This is the video of it on you tube (some pictures along with the music)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx1_7gfCy38 It is not the "regular" Lifesong but the one that is at the end of the CD that is a little less known.

What this song illustrates to me is two things. The first is our need and utter dependence on Jesus. We were lost, we were dead, we were blind, but now we see. He is the one who makes us whole- it is so easy to forget that. We can very easily begin to lean on our own understanding forgetting all that He has done. We live because of Him and for.

The second thing that I think about is this. After all that He has poured in, after all he has done- what am I doing? What is my lifesong saying? Is it something with true value in the Kingdom of God or is it just kind of a "cotton candy" life? (Looks like a lot but in reality it is a lot of fluff). Does my life have a lasting impact on other peoples lives? Or am I so shallow that all I'm remembered for is my humor or interesting experiences. I want Jesus to be the thing that shines through this life- nothing else. What do you what you lifesong to be?

If today was your last...

Do you walk around with the knowledge that the Lord Jesus wants to use you? Do you view every day with excitement and expectancy looking to what He will do? Or is it that, O yeah He can use me, but it's just that it seems like He doesn't? If I may be so bold. When we do not see opportunities "arising" for us to be used by God then we are not allowing our self to be usable material for God. To me we cannot just sit back, waiting for Him saying,"Lord use me" thinking that He will drag us by the arm into whatever call or area He may want us to work in. We must have tenacity in the pursuit of HIS purpose in our life- what does it look like? What would He have us do? These questions and more are what we need to ask our selves. The way the Lord works is that if we are yielded and open before Him then we will have a place to serve, pour out, be an example, lead, always pray, or SOMETHING to bring glory to Him.

However, I think that it goes a little deeper than just being willing (that is 75% of the battle- don't get me wrong). To me a lot of it comes down to how you view life. Go on my ride just a second and I think you will get what I am saying.

My grandfather was sent home to die when he was in his thirties. He had four children that he needed to provide for (his wife had just left- literally) and problems coming at him from every side. The doctors gave him three weeks to live- and all of this happened in a totally unexpected manor. He of course surrounded himself with his children and was in bed waiting to die. As he waited the Lord spoke to him and said,"Get out of bed and live". My grandfather was amazed- he was dying! But he (being the godly man he was) obeyed not fully realizing what the Lord was after. He lived another twenty-five years. And if you asked him about it he would say,"God still has more for me but it required my faith of getting out bed. There was is a lot he can do with a heart that is pursuing, not sitting." He did not live an easy life after that but he was one of the most joyful and in-love-with-Jesus people I knew. He LIVED his life instead of waiting for life to happen to him. And he lived it to the fullest. Why? Because he was really in touch with that every day could be his last.

So how does this apply to us? Well, are you LIVING your life or are you just letting life happen to you? (I like to say watching life go by). Do you live as if every day is your last, really using what opportunities the Lord gives you to be a blessing to others? Does your life shine with HIS life? Would people look at you and say, "You are an example of love and servant hood?" As I write this I challenge myself greatly. We truly have so few moments on this earth. Let's not waste them. We can live a joyous life that counts for something in the Kingdom of God- what higher call is there than that?

Irrelevant Feelings?

Joy. Such a simple thing and yet so elusive. I wonder at all the things I could do, see, experience in my life if I were to always live with boundless joy. Then I realize- there is no excuse for me not to be full of His joy. IT IS AVAILABLE. Always. Right now. Well that sounds good but I don't always feel like it. Sometimes I'm sort of down and sad or maybe really irritated and frustrated. But God has showed me that my feelings are irrelevant when it comes to choosing Him. I can choose past them and enter His amazing Life. He has provided a way for me to partake in His joy no matter what is going on. He says in John 15 "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." That is a promise that we can partake in all of the time. There is a LOT we miss if we do not daily, actively put on the joy of Jesus Christ.