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| Why don't you prove it to me! |
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I wonder if God really wants me to prove my faith, which amounts to love for Him. Ok, so maybe He doesn't sit back, withholding blessings until I prove my love. But I'll bet He finds joy in seeing the proof just the same!! 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Deceive ourselves? About what? Perhaps into thinking that we "love" God when we really only love ourselves and the feeling we get when we say (or sing) that we love Him.
Which brings me to the question of who really benefits from opportunities to prove my love for God. Well, that would probably be ME!
1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1:7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire— may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
So today I pray a dangerous prayer (and I hope all readers of this will join me!): Lord, please give me opportunities today and in coming weeks to prove that my love for you is genuine. I want to prove it to you (as well as myself) in order to bring you praise, glory, and honor! ~Amen
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Deb |
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May 31, 2007 at 5:57am |
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| Amen!!!! |
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13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
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Jen |
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May 31, 2007 at 7:13am |
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| Wow, Mike! That is a dangerous prayer, but an exciting one! |
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1 Peter 1:6-7 is a great passage to meditate on. There is an added connection in this verse that the NIV almost obscures. NASB renders closer to the Greek, "So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." You'll notice that the idea of proof is expressed as a noun in connection with faith, and the action of the verse is towards worship of Christ at His glorious return.
This of course is not to say that faith is not proved, there are plenty of Scriptures that refer to this, and Peter is certainly referencing the idea. We are in the midst of God proving our faith, yet Peter writes of the action from the end as a whole that we might see the purpose of our faith being proved. It is that Jesus Christ will be glorified, that His redemptive work upon our behalf will prove out as true and complete. Your prayer is valid (and encouraging), the prospect is exciting, because our present choices in costly worship only reflect that wonderous inheritance we have secured through Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing!
Grace and Peace, |
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Faith is the evidence of things hoped for but not yet seen. By faith many powerful acts were done. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God! We can read the Word (written) but when we allow the Word to be a part of us it becomes Revealed Word and it is LIFE to us.Thru his Word we become peaceful knowing that God is going to help us make it. Be careful and make sure its God that sets the bar on how high to jump and pray, Lord order my steps in your Word today. You lead me, you guide me, | Luk 15:10 | Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. |
This is all God is looking for........a willing, repentant vessel thru which he can work. God Bless Bro! |
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I know God knows how much I love him, so really I will need to prove it to myself. I can not surprise God with my love, but I sure surprise myself many times ;-)
Do I love Him the way I claim I do? Will I be surprise with the real answer to that question?
OHHHHHHHH Mike n Laura, now you’re getting me to judge the quality of my love for God. Hey, I am the first one to admit that I could answer that question like Peter answered Jesus’ question…
Peter do you love me?... Oh Lord you know all things; you know that I love you!!!!
Thank you for helping me reflect on this.
John 21:15-17 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than any of these?" He said to Him, " Yes Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 16 He said unto him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than any of these?" He said to Him, " Yes Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd my sheep." 17 He said unto him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."
Lourdes |
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Michael, thank you for sharing from the NASB, your insights are highly valued. You gotta keep me straight dude!
Anthony, indeed we should pray "Lord order my steps in your Word today" -- everyday! Thanks!
Lourdes, from God's perspective, you're absolutely right. He knows precisely how much we love Him, He judges the heart after all. So no surprising Daddy? Bummer! ~mike |
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Sue |
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May 31, 2007 at 10:38pm |
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This has absolutely nothing to do with Mike's blog, but Horshack, I love the name. Very funny, you brought back memories :) |
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| Thanks, Sue! It was bestowed upon me by a professor in college. Speaking of funny names, his was "Bogaski". |
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26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 26:7 there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat. 26:8 But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 26:9 For this `ointment' might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 26:10 But Jesus perceiving it said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 26:12 For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. This dear woman worshiped and served the Lord without consern for what it was costing her. Often people do not see the value in those things we do with a true heart to bless the Lord. Don't be discouraged, just keep on serving. God knows.....your day of reward is coming.
Mark <>< |
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Norm |
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June 03, 2007 at 7:03pm |
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| Does this have anything to do with phone calls? |
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| *cough*procrastinating*cough* |
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| Norm, I see a tie in, I really do. It may be a stretch, but I really see it. :-) ...thanks Mark! ~mike |
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