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| Do anything I want, be anyone I want....why not?? |
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I can do anything I want (as long as it's legal)!! I can be anyone I want!! I'm free, I have rights!! Only a bully or a tyrant would try to stop me!
Except that God did not make us to do what we want to do or be who we want to be. He brought each of us into being individually, to do what he wants us to do, and be who he wants us to be.
100:3 Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
The Spirit of Christ is a spirit of submission to God's will, and wants what God wants. The spirit of antichrist is a spirit that wants anything BUT what God wants.
Ok, so what's so wrong with wanting to do my own thing, as long as I don't hurt anybody?? What's wrong with being who I want to be, as long as I try to be a good person???
Beside the fact that God made us and has rightful ownership of us, what in the world makes any of us think that what we can do for ourselves is as good as what God Almighty can do for us? We have tiny minds, small hands, short arms and legs, but God has infinite wisdom, hands of unlimited power, and in his omnipresence has no need of arms or legs!
Will I, in my tragic shortsightedness, cling to my own puny dreams, and thus reject the vast riches and glory of God's plan for me? What will it take for me to let go of me, and embrace what God is offering at this very moment?
Trust. |
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Becky |
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March 19, 2008 at 9:58pm |
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Whoa... I know I will have to come back to this one. You said so much in such a direct and to the point blog. Great Blog Mike!
How do I even begin? Does this mean that an addict can go to the Netherlands cause it is legal? Does it mean that an alcoholic can slip and cause more pain? Does it mean that I can go back to some of the old ways... or the old thoughts if it doesn't hurt anyone. Does it mean that I can stay in this place, if I am good, and not grow or fellowship? Does it mean that if I get comfortable because it feels good, that I should just stay there?
No!
At this very moment, God give us the world. He gives us life, freedom from bondage, and above all Love. Why waste it on what I think? I ALWAYS fail. I ALWAYS fall short. He ALWAYS blesses and His ways are ALWAYS the best.
By trusting in me and NOT in Him, I am hurting me, I am hurting Him and I am hurting His sheep. I am hurting Jesus too....
Yes Mike, Trust is the key. Thanks for the blessing. I really needed to hear this today! |
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Mike,
Agreed. It's not about me anymore. It's about God and His plan for my life. When I put me first, I always lose. You said, "Ok, so what's so wrong with wanting to do my own thing, as long as I don't hurt anybody?? What's wrong with being who I want to be, as long as I try to be a good person???" It doesn't matter how good one thinks they are, or even if their good gets gooder, or maybe even think that their good is the goodest... oh goodness! We will always fall short and fall for the enemy's trap. Therefore, Mike what will it take for you to let go of you...
Pastor Aminata |
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Pastor Aminata,
"or even if their good gets gooder, or maybe even think that their good is the goodest... oh goodness! "
Oh goodness is right, my head is spinning! lol And believe me, I am ever loosening my grip. Thanks for the encouragement!
Becky, what a great comment -- that's also gonna help people. Thanks! |
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Becky |
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March 19, 2008 at 10:49pm |
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Hey Mike can you teach me to loosen my grip? He says:
16:19 I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
I don't want to have some of this binding stuff with me in heaven... YIKES! |
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| Lord have your way with me, I say this cause trusting you is in my own best interest. |
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Becky, for me it is a process of gradual transformation, giving more and more of myself up...less of me, more of him! I'm determined!! Painfully slow process, but I take the call to persevere very seriously. Lately I've been putting scripture memorization into practice, and it's been most helpful in keeping the Lord in my thoughts, and in my heart. Dave, I don't know why, but you have really been on my heart the last few days. Everything alright? I'm praying for you, buddy. |
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Becky |
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March 20, 2008 at 6:12am |
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Ok Mike this blog has really been on my mind this morning since I last looked at it. I think you wrote this blog just for me. Ok I know you didn't but it feels like it.
See, in early January I went through another quiting smoking phase for health and monetary reasons, then later that month got laid off. What did I turn to in my dispair, my old friend nicotine? It's legal, and the only thing safe for me to turn to cause I am an addict. Did I turn to the Lord completely and TRUST, No! Then a week later quit for another odd reason, no lets get real, it was Divine cause the week after that He blessed us. Then eight weeks later He took away. He is God, and He knows best. He gives and takes away. So, once again, did I turn to Him and TRUST that he knew best this week... NO! I turned to my old friend the cigarette.
Shameful, simply shameful. That is all I have to say about that, my lack of trust hurt those I love the most. I have one teen who struggles with the same problem, and I am supposed to be the light that teaches my children to turn to Him? I have sinned against Him, and his sheep that I am given the blessing to have on loan for a little while. All the begging, pleading, grounding, lecturing hasn't worked with this child, who by the way is almost an adult, on this one subject. Leading by example is the only way to get through. Shameful.
Mind you smoking is not a sin, but turning to anything else, but Him in my times of troubles is NOT Glorifying Him, not obeying Him, not loving Him, basically it is sinning against him when it actually hurts his sheep. UGH!
Ok, Mike I know it is a process, a yucky gradual painful process but I am so tired of listening to the lies of the anti-christ that if I don't change soon... I think I am going to explode! I know that is probably enough of one of my little toddler christian tantrums, as Pastor Aminata would say, but I am truly ready to be free. So I suppose I better get off my soapbox, and go read some of those links you gave me, after I go take some chantix to get back to quiting smoking.
Thanks for such a thought provoking blog! |
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Becky - I don't see a tantrum when I read the above, I see a dear sister struggling to follow Christ, through a world thick with the pain and lies of Satan, brought on largely as a result of human blindness and obstinacy. I would say hang in there, don't give up!! No matter how hard it gets. And if you sense the desire to quit because you've failed repeatedly (as I have), RUN TO GOD!! (Because that is one of Satan's most effective lies.) I may have a book to recommend, our small group is reading it together now. But before I recommend it, I feel we need to read a bit further. I share this so maybe you'll ask me about the book in a couple months in case I forget to get back to you! |
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| ps... Very deep dialogue, THANK YOU for engaging in the struggle! |
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Becky |
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March 20, 2008 at 8:01am |
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Mike,
Why do I always cry when I read your blogs and/or comments? Could it be that the Holy Spirit is pouring out of them and touching me deep in my soul?
No Thank You, for being a good and obeidiant son, and teaching/reaching us all. |
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2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. |
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Sue |
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March 20, 2008 at 9:01am |
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| This spoke to me today. Thanks Bro! |
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Deb |
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March 20, 2008 at 10:43am |
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| Trust and obey, there is no other way...God will give us riches beyond our comprehension if we trust and obey Him. |
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Joey |
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March 20, 2008 at 10:47am |
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| Mike, what WILL it take? |
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Joey |
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March 20, 2008 at 10:50am |
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God First
Faith
Hope
Love
Open handedness
Refusal to give in to what the World thinks we should do and what we should want
Asking ourselves: what do we need versus what do we want |
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| Jesus said if we don't take up our cross daily dying to self, we aren't worthy of Him. That's sobering. But ya know the funny thing about that is, when we do surrender to His will, He always gives us so much more fulfillment and joy in our lives than we could ever get by doing what we want to do. |
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Becky, sounds very much like the work of the Spirit to me... :-) Paul....isn't it great how he takes the pressure off when we give in? Thanks for the compliment, precious friend. Thanks for letting me know, Sue. There was a line in a song I was listening to on secular radio yesterday, "Do anything I want to do, be anyone I want to be", at first I thought, why not? (But then, that's why they call it secular music.) So the Spirit spoke to me too. |
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Deb, great hymn! Man, it comes up often around here too! You know what? I just got the most awful feeling that every blog I've written for the last year can be summedup by that one song. Deb, please reassure me, IT'S NOT TRUE IS IT???? lol Joey, are you asking me? Please... I'm the one who's supposed to ask the questions. Do I really look like I have any answers? Lara....."He always gives us so much more fulfillment and joy in our lives than we could ever get by doing what we want to do." ......AMEN! That is EXACTLY what came to my mind as I listened to that song on the radio yesterday!! (see my response to Sue above) |
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| Hi, Mike n Laura--I think about the verse in Psalms 37:5 (I think) where it says "Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart". A lot of people think that means He'll bless us with whatever we want as long as we put Him first. Well, He does richly bless us with many things we want, but I think this verse means that as we are delighting in Him first, He will put the desires in our hearts that He wants us to have. God bless. |
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Eric |
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March 20, 2008 at 1:27pm |
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| I think you're a Calvinist in disguise, Mike ;) |
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Wow Suzanne, what an excellent observation!!!
Eric, where I come from, that's called sneaking in the back door! ;-) |
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Becky |
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March 20, 2008 at 2:32pm |
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| Guys, please explain to us toddlers. Calvinists? the back door? |
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Sorry Becky. Shame on you Eric for bringing that up here.
In a nutshell, Arminianism says God has provided salvation for everyone, but His provision becomes effective only for those who, of their own free will, "choose" to cooperate with Him and accept His offer of grace. Calvinism says the entire process of salvation is the work of God and is by grace alone; thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.
Eric and I have debated the two positions on occasion. Eric is proudly Calvinist, I am Calvinian (or is it Arminist). Eric may have seen some Calvinist sounding language in this blog, but I've never denied that God has full ownership of everything he has created. Ownership is not the same as exercising full control. :-) |
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Becky |
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March 20, 2008 at 4:32pm |
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Yikes that is too much Christian Education for me. Shame on me for asking cause now I am confused... I sorta believe in both. what does that make me? a Calvin-armin? In other words may be too much meat for me to chew on right now. I will just stick with starter foods, and go back to milk if needed.
Debate on you two Godly Men, debate on. |
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Grant |
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March 20, 2008 at 4:39pm |
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| I can certainly do anything I want. God allows me that choice. However, I ran across a universal law that gives me wonderful blessings if I follow it and utter destruction if I ignore it. So, I think I'll choose to continue following that law and its giver: love and Jesus. |
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I never experienced real freedom until I submitted to GOD.
Peter, prior to Pentecost, was "free". He said what he wanted, did what he wanted, thought what he wanted. But after Peter saw everything he believed in die on a Cross he lost confidence in himself. For three and a half years Peter had followed Jesus...on his terms.
But when Peter and the others were filled in the Upper Room there lives changed forever. So much "press" is given to the first part of Acts 2 and very little to the last part. The 120 individuals became the Church, one body. They began to live outside of their own selves and in the presence of the Father and with each other.
Years ago I did a study on Peter before Pentecost and after. Time and again Peter made mistakes, got it wrong, thought he had it figured out, thought he had a grip on discipleship. But when Peter came to the end of himself and finally gave up on his ability he finally came to know Jesus personally. The intimacy Peter felt with the Lord after His death was far greater than he had ever known prior to.
Mike, there was a time in my life when I did whatever I wanted but I could never be the person I wanted to be. I did not have the ability or desire to do so. These days I still do whatever I want but what I want is so much different than what it once was. I am kinda like Jacob when GOD changed his name to Israel. A pure heart is not who I was but it was who I was meant to be by GOD's design.
I see living for GOD as the only way to ever be free. And that can never happen as long as we hold on to "whatever". For as long as "whatever" has a hold on us we can never be free. But when we surrender, hand over our "whatever" to GOD we finally are in a place where GOD can lead us thru what ever life throws at us.
Freedom...kingdom freedom. Where we walk not as servants or slaves as before to sin, but as children of the most high GOD. Kingdom freedom allows us to live as we were meant to live, be who we are not what we were, and we can make choices instead of choices making us.
Know that the Lord is GOD...get that and the rest will fall into place
it is He that has made us...when we quit trying to become what we think He wants and let Him make us...
we are his, we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture...GOD owns me. I am a part of His family, a part of His flock. GOD takes care of those who are His.
Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me is never the choice of the flesh but always the privilege of those who walk in the Spirit. To honestly do such a thing will forever change your life. I have never known anyone who did regret the decision.
.....peace..... |
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Becky, I'm with you.... which is why I referred to myself as a Calvinian (or Arminist). I'm somewhat of a cross between the two!
Grant - yep I agree, God does give us the choice! We are free to dine on crackerjacks or Delmonico steak...our choice!
Gordon, ok, I admit it. The only reason I write is to draw you out, man! haha .. Great comment, seriously. The best part? "These days I still do whatever I want but what I want is so much different than what it once was." That's me too! |
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| Amen, Great word Mike. He must increase and I must decrease. One of the key aspects of the Christian faith is recognizing that we are no longer our own. I am reminded of the words of Paul who said, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God ....". |
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| Pastor Tim...great scripture! "bought at a price"...thanks! |
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Becky |
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March 20, 2008 at 9:50pm |
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| Ah... Submitted to Him... I also wonder which would be easier for me to do, Submit to the Lord, or Submit to my husband. |
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Della |
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March 20, 2008 at 11:26pm |
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Thank you, GOD owns me, not me, not the world and not Satan. The LORD created, love, died, saved, graced and santified us, we are under HIS controll.
Thank You, JESUS for everything. |
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Della |
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March 20, 2008 at 11:27pm |
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Have a wonderful Good Friday!
Della |
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Becky...are they not one and the same? :-) For me, when Laura says something thoughtless or inciteful, the Lord tells me to be patient and not get angry with her, to speak gently to her despite what I think she "deserves". This too is HARD for me, as it would be for almost any husband. But to do this is not only to love Laura but to love God. (Just a tiny example..I get your point though, interesting question!)
Della, thank you so much sweetie!! |
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I was late seeing this.. off line yesterday....
WHAT A POWERFUL MESSAGE... SIMPLE YET UNDENIABLY POWERFUL...
Thanks, this helps me with an upcoming meeting. God gives us exactly what we need! |
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| God's ways are BEST ! THEY LEAD US TO HIM, AND HEAVEN ! |
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Cheryl, thank you, good to hear from ya...."this helps me with an upcoming meeting"....cool, the Holy Spirit triumphs again!
Paul, God bless you brother, and AMEN! |
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Sure, Mike as if I was not feeling the Lord breaking my heart enough this morning..... You write this blog that made me hear a faint voice in my head from God saying "Tammy, I told you so"
Free will -vs- submission, as a Christian I try to trust God for everything, but do I submit to Him in all ways? Honestly? No, I don't. Submitting has been a long time struggle for me, and I know my inability to submit has prevented my growth in Christ in many areas of my life. I am striving daily to do away with my free will/independent way of thinking, and cling simply to the Cross, and my real dependency on Christ.
- I was just teasing you in my first line Mike. Thank you... The Lord truly does use you in a way that taps me on the shoulder and emphasizes a Word he has already placed on my heart sometimes. I do love confirmation. |
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| "emphasizes a Word he has already placed on my heart" It awes me to hear this. God is good, and I thank him for this connection to your heart, sis. |
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Eric |
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March 21, 2008 at 9:36am |
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*Grins widely* To be clear -- and on topic -- this is an excellent blog entry. |
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Gene |
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March 21, 2008 at 5:20pm |
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Mike, I told my kids as they were growing up that there were times when they might be right and I might learn from them and that was OK - for both of us. One thing I stressed however, "You don't always have to do what I tell you. But, you always have to bear the consequences."
It's my job to make sure that the consequences - both good and bad - are clearly laid out. Then pick a path and live it. |
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Becky |
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March 21, 2008 at 6:51pm |
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Whoa Mike I miss way too much here on your blog when I am too busy blogging for Jesus....
I need a vacation from my family so I can read and write for Him...
NOT!
I gotta come back later... |
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Eric - Cool! I suppose that's preferable to *Frowns widely* 
Gene - I picture you as an awesome dad. Very patient, understanding, thoughtful, forward-thinking. Yes it's our job to train kids in regards to consequences, children are historically bad at seeing the consequences of their actions ahead of time!
Becky, come on back then!  |
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Unfortunately many of my wants are not God's wants. |
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Linda |
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March 23, 2008 at 2:10pm |
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| Man can't serve two masters. I think if we choose to 'serve' ourselves (our flesh), it's pretty evident in our life that we are not serving God, I don't care how good we think we are. Our righteousness is as filthy rags to him. We need to seek His kingdom first and then everything that we really need will be added to us. <>< |
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Becky |
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March 25, 2008 at 12:54am |
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Mike I stand in agreement with you Eric, Gene, Steve & Linda....
lots to chew,chew,chew on here
love early in the morning...go kiss laura for me |
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Rosie |
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March 27, 2008 at 12:42am |
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| Mike God will allow us to do our own thing but it may mean loose of relationship with Him so who would want that???? And if you are His then you see that doing your own thing isn't the best way to go because He is the almighty and His ways are higher than ours....We all fall down from time to time but He lifts us up.....The most amazing thing is that God knows what we will do and He loves us any way. We never surprise Him............ |
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"God knows what we will do and He loves us any way."
Yeppers! But we lose out on so much when we pursue our puny dreams and ideas of what's best of ourselves, rather than surrendering to God's will and purpose. Thanks Rosie!
Thanks Becky, kiss delivered! :-)
Amen Linda! |
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Cheryl |
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March 27, 2008 at 4:28am |
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| I too just saw this......powerful post brother! |
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| Hey...THANKS Cheryl! (Top o' the mornin to ya!) |
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| You are not your own you are bought with a price. Not with something that is perishable like gold and silver but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We have 1 right and that is to choose God's way or our way. It has been that way since the garden of eden. Many of us who think we are choosing to sin, when really we are not making the choice to sin but are slaves to sin meaning we do what we are compelled to do. This is because of our very first choice that is to go our own way and reject God's authority in our lives. |
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portia |
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April 14, 2008 at 8:52am |
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"I don't see a tantrum when I read the above, I see a dear sister struggling to follow Christ, through a world thick with the pain and lies of Satan, brought on largely as a result of human blindness and obstinacy. I would say hang in there, don't give up!! No matter how hard it gets. And if you sense the desire to quit because you've failed repeatedly (as I have), RUN TO GOD!! (Because that is one of Satan's most effective lies.)"
If you've failed repeatedly on something which God gave you specific direction, but you keep running back to him... Does that mess up God's plan and purpose for that situation if you had obeyed in the first place? |
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Portia, I don't believe God's plans/purposes are frustrated by our disobedience. I believe God's plans take into account our disobedience, our stumbles, our shortcomings. However, no doubt situations play out better for all involved (including us) when we surrender to God's will and obey.
This repeated failing that you ask about, in whose eyes is this a failure? (if I may ask) |
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portia |
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April 15, 2008 at 7:31am |
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That makes sense. I feel like I'm being pulled back and forth between what I know God's word says and the lies Satan keeps feeding me. It's funny to me because I recognize them easily and can tell you straight up what is truth and a lie. It's just after hearing it over and over and over, I begin to question things... Does that make sense?
Failure in the eyes of my accountability, and failure in my eyes. I've been clinging to God's assurance that I am forgiven of every sin, past, present, or future. Though I feel like God must be terribly frustrated with my habitual disobedience... in the same area!! I know I'm still forgiven no matter what, right? But is my failure going to keep back what God told me He had originally planned and purposed for this situation?
Confused... |
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Portia, it sounds like you have deep convictions and strong love for your Savior. Are you being exceptionally hard on yourself? I might also ask, how are your daily times of devotion w/God (quiet times)? I've found those to be key to my relationship w/God. I've also begun to memorize scripture recently -- that's also helped me to keep God in my thoughts constantly. And of course, when God is in the forefront of our thought processes, it's much harder to blatantly ignore or disregard his will!
"what God told me He had originally planned and purposed for this situation?" .... May I ask you to clarify this statement for me?
Yes, believers are fully forgiven... sin truly is not an issue. If your disobedience bothers you (I'd say in your case no question about it) then the Holy Spirit is prompting you to move on to maturity and obedience. Belief shows itself in action, doesn't it? Not perfection, but action. All believers must begin the process of sanctification somewhere, so if you're near the beginning of the process, relax, enjoy your salvation, and start doing the things you know (which of course includes learning more so you can do more). This is what I would tell my kids -- who are a few years younger than you! :-)
Here is a link to a booklet, written centuries ago, that is generally regarded as a classic in Christian literature. If you read it, it may just impact your life as it impacted mine -- it's by a fellow who became widely known for being accomplished at practicing God's presence, rather than merely imagining it. I hope you can check it out, Portia!
http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/practicegodspresence08.html |
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