It seems so many times we get so caught up in who am I that we loose sight of who He is. Whether it is the self center search for identity and importance or the self deprecating paralysis of I am not worthy and not capable...they all focus on "self." You hear so many times "It's not about me...it's about Jesus." Easy to say not always easy to do. Our "self"... "flesh" wells up at every turn. It's a constant battle. The first step is to recognize your battle.
Are you constantly looking inward trying to find yourself and purpose? Are you too afraid to step out in your calling because you believe your are not good enough. Do you hear the enemy saying "who are you, that God would use someone like you?" Do you battle addictions and compulsions? Do you have analysis paralysis? The enemy knows our weakness. If he can keep us focused on ourselves we can not focus on The Kingdom. I battle everyday...some days easier than the others.
I battle with self deprecation. Years ago God spoke to me to pray for the Christians in Lebanon. I didn't even know where that was at the time. I had a horrible vision of Christians being slaughtered. Quickly the enemy was speaking in my ear...you just had a pizza dream..."who are you, that God would use someone like you?" Days later I heard on The 700 Club that all the Christians in Lebanon had been slaughtered. I just shook with regret that I had thought only of myself.
"He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin, whereas he who brings himself to naught for Me discovers who he is." Matthew 10:39
It is only when we get beyond asking who am I to who I am in Christ we begin to discover who we really are.
3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and `such' we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Wow, that is a most excellent scripture! Perfectly chosen!
"Are you constantly looking inward..." Too many people look inside themselves to find God. Is that backwards or what??? I used to be one of them! When I focused inward, my problems filled my field of vision. In fact they appeared to be larger than God! Once I started looking outward and upward, I discovered what true joy is all about. God's magnificent words to us can't help but lift us when we're focused on them. :-)
Mike - Thank you so much for sharing your insights. Yes, I believe it is backwards to look to yourself...inside your self... to find God. Thank you for the blessings and star. Love & Blessings.
Dearest Brenda, my "bff"... I know you are laughing at how long it takes me to get around here and find stuff. "Slow, but Sure", right! Anyway, Wow,... I know I've said this before, but this is your best blog yet! I just added it to "my favorites" over in windows search... hehe. Let me show you how right on you are here, and I don't need my own words. hehe.
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?
Matthew 6:27
And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?
Matthew 10:39
Whoever finds his [ lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life].
Matthew 16:25
For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].
Amen? Great Post Friend... Even the visual aide is well suited. I love ya.
Thank you Preston...I was beginning to wonder when my "bff" would find his way here. Not laughing, I know it is difficult to find your way around the pages with your little blackberry. Thank you for sharing all the additional scripture verses. I love ya. Thank you for the blessings and star. Love & Blessings.
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