Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."
Recently I have been pondering (again) how to change the way I think. This verse in Philippians is one that I refer to often because it's a clear "how-to" verse. When I'm struggling I can say it to myself quickly as a instant check-up on my thoughts. Studying the words of a passage like this can be very helpful to me, making it very practical to apply so I took the time to do that. Here is what I learned using The Complete Word Study New Testament by Spiros Zodhiates.
true: one who cannot lie, true in character
noble: one who owes his modesty to that higher citizenship which is also his, being one who inspires not only respect but reverence and worship; due appreciation of such things as produce a noble seriousness
just: conformable to right; one who acts conformably to justice and right without any deficiency or failure
pure: purity in all things; used to express freedom from defilements or impurities
lovely: friendly towards, acceptable
good report: well spoken of, winning, attractive
virtue: excellency; being pleasing to God; the excellency of God being revealed in the work of salvation
praise worthy: commendable thing
meditate: reason, occupy oneself with reasonings and calculations; careful reflection
Here's my version of this verse to remind me of what my thoughts are to be about:
Finally, brothers in Christ (according to the work of our Savior and our love thereby),
~whatever things are true in character - not lies,
~whatever things inspire not only respect but reverence, worship, and noble seriousness, ~whatever things that are conformable to justice and right without any deficiency or failure, ~whatever expresses freedom from defilement or impurity,
~whatever is friendly, acceptable, and winsome,
~whatever things are well spoken of and attractive,
~if there is anything excellent and pleasing to God (e.g. the glorious gospel),
~if there be anything commendable, worthy of praise,
~occupy yourself with careful reflection and reasoning regarding these things.
There's a challenge if I ever saw one just in the first quality! Do you ever find yourself believing lies about yourself? I know I have stumbled down that road getting a few bumps and bruises along the way. Satan is the father of lies and when we believe those lies we are thinking in his territory. We are not thinking right.
May I challenge you (as well as myself) to reflect on where your thought life dwells? Does it dwell within the boundaries of the verse above or does it dwell elsewhere? Let's think on truth today and everyday... the Word of God is truth. God's word will spring that trap of lies and put your feet back on the freeing path of truth.
Please drop me a comment - I would love to hear how God has worked or is still working in your life in this area.
Love, G
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Eternity awaits
Oh my, what a life we live. What a gift each day is that comes our way and how often do we cherish it? One major event has brought this to the forefront of my mind. A dear friend of mine (and of many others) has slipped into the arms of Jesus after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer this past Saturday morning. She was an amazing woman, loved deeply by her husband, children, and friends. She did not publicly complain about all of the negative effects of treatment, she just privately endured what came her way. She loved her Lord and His name was on her lips whenever we spoke. What an example of humility and perseverance, longsuffering and grace she was. To know her more was to love her more... I am grateful to have known her.
I don't think we can say "I love you" enough to those we truly love.
I don't think we can hold hands too much, smile too much, or laugh too much.
Sing when you feel like it , dance in the rain often, and love like there's no tomorrow.
For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we need to live recklessly abandoned to hope- the blessed hope of Christ's return and the bodily resurrection of those who have gone on before.
For those of you who do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, let me share with you the hope that lies within me ( and my dear friend Linda) from God's Word. You see, this life is not all there is... eternity is our destination.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
You and I need a Savior because we cannot meet God standards of holiness.
Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."
Because Adam and Eve sinned, all men share in the fallen condition of sin.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Death is the consequence for sin but God sent His own Son to die on the cross for sinners.
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Christ willingly paid the penalty for your sin and mine, He was the perfect spotless Lamb. On the third day He rose again victorious over sin and death then ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven.
Romans 10:9-10 "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
We cannot reach up to God but He reached down to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. It's not enough to believe in God or heaven. We must surrender our lives and hearts through faith in Jesus Christ. At this point our lives are no longer our own, we have given over the "controls" to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Friends, there is no greater joy that to live a life that is dead to sin and alive to God! No one knows what day or time they will pass away. Do you know where you will be spending eternity? I know I will be seeing Linda again and praising God with her in heaven one day.
Won't you surrender to the Lord Jesus today?
I don't think we can say "I love you" enough to those we truly love.
I don't think we can hold hands too much, smile too much, or laugh too much.
Sing when you feel like it , dance in the rain often, and love like there's no tomorrow.
For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we need to live recklessly abandoned to hope- the blessed hope of Christ's return and the bodily resurrection of those who have gone on before.
For those of you who do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, let me share with you the hope that lies within me ( and my dear friend Linda) from God's Word. You see, this life is not all there is... eternity is our destination.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
You and I need a Savior because we cannot meet God standards of holiness.
Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."
Because Adam and Eve sinned, all men share in the fallen condition of sin.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Death is the consequence for sin but God sent His own Son to die on the cross for sinners.
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Christ willingly paid the penalty for your sin and mine, He was the perfect spotless Lamb. On the third day He rose again victorious over sin and death then ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven.
Romans 10:9-10 "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
We cannot reach up to God but He reached down to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. It's not enough to believe in God or heaven. We must surrender our lives and hearts through faith in Jesus Christ. At this point our lives are no longer our own, we have given over the "controls" to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Friends, there is no greater joy that to live a life that is dead to sin and alive to God! No one knows what day or time they will pass away. Do you know where you will be spending eternity? I know I will be seeing Linda again and praising God with her in heaven one day.
Won't you surrender to the Lord Jesus today?
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Birds for Thought
II Corinthians 10:3-5
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."
Thoughts... mine have a tendency to pop up, run rampant, confuse, distract, and keep me awake at night. Thoughts direct our actions and attitudes. Good thoughts can lead to great benefit but those not so good thoughts (negative, discontentment, envy, jealousy, criticism, anger, bitterness, self pity, to name a few) can lead to destruction.
Imagine that you are in a room with a large bird cage in the center of it and inside of that birdcage there are a hundred birds. If all of those birds were to get out of the cage, the room would quickly become chaotic. The birds would panic, squawk, run into things, create a mess, maybe even damage curtains and furniture as you try to capture them and put them back into the cage. The job would be quite a challenge wouldn't it? Can't you just imagine a person thinking, "Why did I let those birds out? I wouldn't have had all of this trouble if I would've left the cage door closed!"
Our minds and thoughts are just the same. How often do we let our birds (thoughts) out of the cage (mind) so that they are running rampant in our heads creating havoc, confusion, damage- among other things - just like those birds. How much better would it be if we were to take those thoughts captive by shutting the cage door?
How do we shut the cage door? By replacing unbiblical thinking with Biblical thinking - memorizing scripture and thinking on it OR opening up our Bible, finding a verse that speaks to our struggle and reading it out loud as often as we must to keep that "bird" caged! It is a conscious choice to stop the flow of thought and deliberately redirect it. It is understanding that this is a battle that can be won by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit - the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God! This verse in I Corinthians has been a great tool in my own personal battle with unbiblical thinking.
Let's carry this analogy just a little further... with all of those birds in one cage, that cage is going to need to be cleaned periodically. The birds will be healthier if they are cared for properly as well. Our minds - like the cage - can get dirty and smelly if we do not keep it clean. If we procrastinate, the job only gets harder to do and our thoughts can start to get unhealthy. Routine maintenance on our "cages" is a good habit to get into.
Philippians 4:8 is a great cage cleaner: "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things."
Dear friends, this task is not one that we can do on our own... we need the living Word of God to wash our minds and renew it. In order for that to happen we must pick up the Word daily, read it (even if it is only a few verses), think on it, pray over it, and let it cleanse our "cages" (minds) and bring health to our "birds" (thoughts).
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."
Thoughts... mine have a tendency to pop up, run rampant, confuse, distract, and keep me awake at night. Thoughts direct our actions and attitudes. Good thoughts can lead to great benefit but those not so good thoughts (negative, discontentment, envy, jealousy, criticism, anger, bitterness, self pity, to name a few) can lead to destruction.
Imagine that you are in a room with a large bird cage in the center of it and inside of that birdcage there are a hundred birds. If all of those birds were to get out of the cage, the room would quickly become chaotic. The birds would panic, squawk, run into things, create a mess, maybe even damage curtains and furniture as you try to capture them and put them back into the cage. The job would be quite a challenge wouldn't it? Can't you just imagine a person thinking, "Why did I let those birds out? I wouldn't have had all of this trouble if I would've left the cage door closed!"
Our minds and thoughts are just the same. How often do we let our birds (thoughts) out of the cage (mind) so that they are running rampant in our heads creating havoc, confusion, damage- among other things - just like those birds. How much better would it be if we were to take those thoughts captive by shutting the cage door?
How do we shut the cage door? By replacing unbiblical thinking with Biblical thinking - memorizing scripture and thinking on it OR opening up our Bible, finding a verse that speaks to our struggle and reading it out loud as often as we must to keep that "bird" caged! It is a conscious choice to stop the flow of thought and deliberately redirect it. It is understanding that this is a battle that can be won by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit - the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God! This verse in I Corinthians has been a great tool in my own personal battle with unbiblical thinking.
Let's carry this analogy just a little further... with all of those birds in one cage, that cage is going to need to be cleaned periodically. The birds will be healthier if they are cared for properly as well. Our minds - like the cage - can get dirty and smelly if we do not keep it clean. If we procrastinate, the job only gets harder to do and our thoughts can start to get unhealthy. Routine maintenance on our "cages" is a good habit to get into.
Philippians 4:8 is a great cage cleaner: "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things."
Dear friends, this task is not one that we can do on our own... we need the living Word of God to wash our minds and renew it. In order for that to happen we must pick up the Word daily, read it (even if it is only a few verses), think on it, pray over it, and let it cleanse our "cages" (minds) and bring health to our "birds" (thoughts).
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
God's gifts to me
As my children grow and mature I am amazed at the gifts and abilities God has given them. It is such a joy to watch them develop as young women and creative artists. This drawing by Brooke is one that I just love - the detail is amazing to me and she expresses herself so beautifully in this particular drawing. In an earlier post from July 9, the lovely photo of the ring on the hymnal was taken by my other daughter Amber.
Amber's Heart
"I believed in the Lord,
Though I did not see nor understand.
He kept me through all the hard times,
He preserved me, He led me.
My God is a loving, caring, powerful God.
He showed me, He opened my eyes at the right time.
He knew, my amazing Lord,
Though I was blind, now I can see!"
Amber Farrar, July 2008
Though I did not see nor understand.
He kept me through all the hard times,
He preserved me, He led me.
My God is a loving, caring, powerful God.
He showed me, He opened my eyes at the right time.
He knew, my amazing Lord,
Though I was blind, now I can see!"
Amber Farrar, July 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Discontentment - the silent joy killer
As I've been "cleaning house" spiritually, discontentment has been revealed in my heart. You know, that general feeling of unhappiness and disquietude? Webster's 1828 Dictionary defined discontent, dissatisfaction, and disquietude this way:
DISCONTENT, n. [dis and content.] Want of content; uneasiness or inquietude of mind; dissatisfaction at any present state of things.
DISSATISFACTION, n. [dis and satisfaction.] The state of being dissatisfied; discontent; uneasiness proceeding from the want of gratification, or from disappointed wishes and expectations.
DISQUIETUDE, n. [dis and quietude.] Want of peace or tranquility; uneasiness; disturbance; agitation; anxiety. It is, I believe, most frequently used of the mind.
The Lord gently convicted me of how easily I come to this place in my heart. You know what He showed me? Discontentment is really ungratefulness toward my Provider. If I am totally honest this is sin in my heart - it stems from lust and envy. That sentiment is revealed in the definition above : dissatisfaction is an "uneasiness proceeding from the want of gratification". How small and ridiculous my heart and mind can be!
The remedy? Take every thought captive (II Cor 10: 4-5) and stand on the truth, God's Word (John 17:17). The truth is:
~God has blessed me with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3);
~God has given me EVERYTHING pertaining to life and godliness (II Pet. 1:3);
~God has LAVISHED His love upon me (Rom. 5:5).
Emphasis mine
Do I deserve any of this? A resounding NO is the answer~ God does it because of His mercy and grace. He is the initiator and completor of this gift... God's Word tells me that my salvation is a gift of God and not of works lest I should boast (see Eph. 2:4-10).
Psalm 116:5 reminds me, "Gracious is the LORD and righteous; yes, our God is merciful."
I am a great sinner, prone to wander and be ungrateful. Praise God His mercies are new every morning and that His faithfulness is great (Lam. 3:22-23)! Again I confess my sin and He is faithful to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness... isn't that enough to be grateful for for the rest of my life? Yes, yes it is.
DISCONTENT, n. [dis and content.] Want of content; uneasiness or inquietude of mind; dissatisfaction at any present state of things.
DISSATISFACTION, n. [dis and satisfaction.] The state of being dissatisfied; discontent; uneasiness proceeding from the want of gratification, or from disappointed wishes and expectations.
DISQUIETUDE, n. [dis and quietude.] Want of peace or tranquility; uneasiness; disturbance; agitation; anxiety. It is, I believe, most frequently used of the mind.
The Lord gently convicted me of how easily I come to this place in my heart. You know what He showed me? Discontentment is really ungratefulness toward my Provider. If I am totally honest this is sin in my heart - it stems from lust and envy. That sentiment is revealed in the definition above : dissatisfaction is an "uneasiness proceeding from the want of gratification". How small and ridiculous my heart and mind can be!
The remedy? Take every thought captive (II Cor 10: 4-5) and stand on the truth, God's Word (John 17:17). The truth is:
~God has blessed me with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3);
~God has given me EVERYTHING pertaining to life and godliness (II Pet. 1:3);
~God has LAVISHED His love upon me (Rom. 5:5).
Emphasis mine
Do I deserve any of this? A resounding NO is the answer~ God does it because of His mercy and grace. He is the initiator and completor of this gift... God's Word tells me that my salvation is a gift of God and not of works lest I should boast (see Eph. 2:4-10).
Psalm 116:5 reminds me, "Gracious is the LORD and righteous; yes, our God is merciful."
I am a great sinner, prone to wander and be ungrateful. Praise God His mercies are new every morning and that His faithfulness is great (Lam. 3:22-23)! Again I confess my sin and He is faithful to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness... isn't that enough to be grateful for for the rest of my life? Yes, yes it is.
COME TO ME
Author unknown
When you are hurting, come to Me and I will bind your wounds.
When you need to be assured, come to Me and I will give you My embrace.
When you can no longer go on, come to Me and I will carry you.
When you need comfort, come to Me and I will wipe your tears.
When you are uncertain of My love, come to Me and I will speak My heart to you.
Always remember that in your need you are coming to the One who came for you.
Today may you be confident of God's presence,
Certain of His promises and assured of His love.
Author unknown
When you are hurting, come to Me and I will bind your wounds.
When you need to be assured, come to Me and I will give you My embrace.
When you can no longer go on, come to Me and I will carry you.
When you need comfort, come to Me and I will wipe your tears.
When you are uncertain of My love, come to Me and I will speak My heart to you.
Always remember that in your need you are coming to the One who came for you.
Today may you be confident of God's presence,
Certain of His promises and assured of His love.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Housecleaning and sin
This week my girls are away at camp and I am trying to be diligent to take care of those little (or not so little) housecleaning jobs that I have been putting off. You know the ones... reorganizing the cupboards so you can actually know what in the world is up there or wiping down a rolling laundry cart (YUK!), hemming curtains that have been hung unhemmed for longer than I want to admit, cleaning the grout in the kitchen, and on and on. Since I am alone, I find that I am thinking without interruption - for the most part. Today my thoughts wandered to the comparison between housecleaning and sin as I was wiping down my kitchen surfaces. When I got to the sill between my kitchen and living room, the amount of dust was, well, graffiti material! As I moved things to clean the built up dust I began to ponder how things can build up in my heart. Then I started to clean the grout... more build up there. Funny how I didn't notice the build up because it happened gradually. Hmmm.... what things have been building up in my heart that I haven't noticed because it has been happening so gradually?
As I moved the mixer, blender, and fruit bowl I found those hidden areas were in need of a good cleaning. What could be compared to those hidden places? I thought of hidden sins like resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, jealousy, self-pity, anger just to name a few. The interesting thing about hidden sins is that they don't stay hidden - just move something or change something and POW! Out pops the "hidden sin" knocking over whomever happens to be in it's path at that moment. It's kind of like the closet that everyone crams stuff into and then quickly closes the door. "Don't open it!" you warn, "We'll never get it shut again!" Someone didn't get the memo and opens it only to be taken out by years of stuff tumbling down on their head! Then you mutter to yourself, "Someday I've got to clean out that closet."
Proverbs 4:23 tells us to "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life."
Our hearts can very well be like that closet if we are not diligent to watch over them. All of that clutter and stuff are things that are out of place, unneeded, sometimes useless; stuff that creates visual confusion, frustration, and overwhelming feelings. Why do we do that? Why do we stuff those things in a closet or cupboard or under a bed only to have to avoid them again and again? It reminds me of the proverbial elephant under the rug... you can only ignore it for so long before someone trips over it.
I John 1:9 reminds us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Let's consider doing a little spiritual housecleaning today - as we do let's remember:
"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
"They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
" 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him.'
"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him."
Lamentations 3:23-25
As I moved the mixer, blender, and fruit bowl I found those hidden areas were in need of a good cleaning. What could be compared to those hidden places? I thought of hidden sins like resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, pride, jealousy, self-pity, anger just to name a few. The interesting thing about hidden sins is that they don't stay hidden - just move something or change something and POW! Out pops the "hidden sin" knocking over whomever happens to be in it's path at that moment. It's kind of like the closet that everyone crams stuff into and then quickly closes the door. "Don't open it!" you warn, "We'll never get it shut again!" Someone didn't get the memo and opens it only to be taken out by years of stuff tumbling down on their head! Then you mutter to yourself, "Someday I've got to clean out that closet."
Proverbs 4:23 tells us to "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life."
Our hearts can very well be like that closet if we are not diligent to watch over them. All of that clutter and stuff are things that are out of place, unneeded, sometimes useless; stuff that creates visual confusion, frustration, and overwhelming feelings. Why do we do that? Why do we stuff those things in a closet or cupboard or under a bed only to have to avoid them again and again? It reminds me of the proverbial elephant under the rug... you can only ignore it for so long before someone trips over it.
I John 1:9 reminds us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Let's consider doing a little spiritual housecleaning today - as we do let's remember:
"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
"They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
" 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him.'
"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him."
Lamentations 3:23-25
Spurgeon's morning devotional
July 9
"Forget not all His benefits."
- Psalm 103:2
It is a delightful and profitable occupation to mark the hand of God in the lives of ancient saints, and to observe his goodness in delivering them, his mercy in pardoning them, and his faithfulness in keeping his covenant with them. But would it not be even more interesting and profitable for us to remark the hand of God in our own lives? Ought we not to look upon our own history as being at least as full of God, as full of his goodness and of his truth, as much a proof of his faithfulness and veracity, as the lives of any of the saints who have gone before? We do our Lord an injustice when we suppose that he wrought all his mighty acts, and showed himself strong for those in the early time, but doth not perform wonders or lay bare his arm for the saints who are now upon the earth. Let us review our own lives. Surely in these we may discover some happy incidents, refreshing to ourselves and glorifying to our God. Have you had no deliverances? Have you passed through no rivers, supported by the divine presence? Have you walked through no fires unharmed? Have you had no manifestations? Have you had no choice favours? The God who gave Solomon the desire of his heart, hath he never listened to you and answered your requests? That God of lavish bounty of whom David sang, "Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things," hath he never satiated you with fatness? Have you never been made to lie down in green pastures? Have you never been led by the still waters? Surely the goodness of God has been the same to us as to the saints of old. Let us, then, weave his mercies into a song. Let us take the pure gold of thankfulness, and the jewels of praise and make them into another crown for the head of Jesus. Let our souls give forth music as sweet and as exhilarating as came from David’s harp, while we praise the Lord whose mercy endureth for ever.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Weary in battle?
This prayer is taken from "The Valley of Vision - A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions". It really spoke to me when my heart was heavy in battle - my prayer is that it speaks to your heart the victory we have in Jesus as we put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:12-20).
Romans 8:37 reminds us, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." What are "all these things" in the passage? Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword. Then the passage goes on to remind us that nothing can separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord (v. 38-39).
THE SERVANT IN BATTLE
O LORD,
I bless thee that the issue of the battle between thyself and Satan
has never been uncertain,
and will end in victory.
Calvary broke the dragon's head,
and I contend with a vanquished foe,
who with all his subtlety and strength
has already been overcome.
When I feel the serpent at my heel
may I remember him whose heel was bruised,
but who, when bruised, broke the devil's head.
My soul with inward joy extols the mighty conqueror.
Heal me of any wounds received in the great conflict;
if I have gathered defilement,
if my faith has suffered damage,
if my hope is less than bright,
if my love is not fervent,
if some creature-comfort occupies my heart,
if my soul sinks under pressure of the fight.
O thou whose every promise is balm,
every touch life,
draw near to thy weary warrior,
refresh me, that I may rise again to wage the strife,
and never tire until my enemy is trodden down.
Give me such fellowship with thee that I might defy Satan,
unbelief, the flesh, the world,
with delight tha comes not from a creature,
and which a creature cannot mar.
Give me a draught of the eternal fountain
that lieth in thy immutable, everlasting love and decree.
Then shall my hand never weaken, my feet never stumble,
my sword never rest, my shield never rust,
my helmet never shatter, my breastplate never fall,
as my strength rests in the power of thy might.
Romans 8:37 reminds us, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." What are "all these things" in the passage? Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword. Then the passage goes on to remind us that nothing can separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord (v. 38-39).
THE SERVANT IN BATTLE
O LORD,
I bless thee that the issue of the battle between thyself and Satan
has never been uncertain,
and will end in victory.
Calvary broke the dragon's head,
and I contend with a vanquished foe,
who with all his subtlety and strength
has already been overcome.
When I feel the serpent at my heel
may I remember him whose heel was bruised,
but who, when bruised, broke the devil's head.
My soul with inward joy extols the mighty conqueror.
Heal me of any wounds received in the great conflict;
if I have gathered defilement,
if my faith has suffered damage,
if my hope is less than bright,
if my love is not fervent,
if some creature-comfort occupies my heart,
if my soul sinks under pressure of the fight.
O thou whose every promise is balm,
every touch life,
draw near to thy weary warrior,
refresh me, that I may rise again to wage the strife,
and never tire until my enemy is trodden down.
Give me such fellowship with thee that I might defy Satan,
unbelief, the flesh, the world,
with delight tha comes not from a creature,
and which a creature cannot mar.
Give me a draught of the eternal fountain
that lieth in thy immutable, everlasting love and decree.
Then shall my hand never weaken, my feet never stumble,
my sword never rest, my shield never rust,
my helmet never shatter, my breastplate never fall,
as my strength rests in the power of thy might.
Monday, July 7, 2008
You CAN do it!
A friend of mine sent me this video link - AMAZING! If you're feeling like you want to quit or you can't accomplish something... click on the link below, watch the video then get up and persevere. You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you - Phil 4:13.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513
Here is the background to this amazing story:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4e7679f8a731d6cce58a
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513
Here is the background to this amazing story:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4e7679f8a731d6cce58a
Encouragement
Lately the sovereignty of God has been foremost in my mind. It was the topic of our women's retreat in May and even though I knew God was sovereign, my memory was refreshed anew. I had a sense of needing to have God speak to my heart about some things and He did in such a gentle and tender way... as if He whispered in my ear. Oh how I needed that!
There are many things in life that I can't wrap my mind around, things that aren't fair or right or that just don't make sense. My friend's cancer, another friend's struggling marriage, broken homes, rebellious children, intentionally mean people to name a few. Ultimately I come to the place where I have to recognize that I cannot grasp it and in spite of it all, God is in control. We live in a fallen world where sin and death are daily reminders of how temporary life is. Unless I fix my gaze upon Him and drink in His Word, I would become hopeless... but thanks be to God that while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me. One life that is surrendered to Him can make a huge difference. Are you surrendered to Him today?
There are many things in life that I can't wrap my mind around, things that aren't fair or right or that just don't make sense. My friend's cancer, another friend's struggling marriage, broken homes, rebellious children, intentionally mean people to name a few. Ultimately I come to the place where I have to recognize that I cannot grasp it and in spite of it all, God is in control. We live in a fallen world where sin and death are daily reminders of how temporary life is. Unless I fix my gaze upon Him and drink in His Word, I would become hopeless... but thanks be to God that while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me. One life that is surrendered to Him can make a huge difference. Are you surrendered to Him today?
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