Most of today's reading speaks for itself. I was very convicted this morning and have been thinking about it all day.
One thing I did want to ask... Do you agree that "it is not so true that 'prayer changes things' as that prayer changes ME and I change things"? I remembered reading that quote before, but was surprised that it was from O.C. Hmm...
August 27 - Theology Alive
"Continually bring the truth out into actuality; work it out in every domain,..." It really is critical (and, simultaneously, really hard) to bring EVERY area of our lives into submission to Christ. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, who reveals to us the parts of our hearts that we are keeping in the shadows. Then, it's our job to bring it out into the light and submit it to Christ.
Any examples of what happens when we stubbornly refuse to submit?
Any examples of what happens when we stubbornly refuse to submit?
August 26 - Are you Ever Disturbed?
I have not been at peace in recent days. Many worries and pressures -- things I can't figure out how to solve -- have been weighing at me. The other day, after church, the kids were upstairs. I heard my 6 year old son fussing and crying in his room. I had no idea what was wrong, so when the fussing continued, I went upstairs to investigate. When I opened his door and went in, I could see him overwhelmed with frustration in trying to hang up his church pants on a broken hanger. I felt immediate compassion for him. He's expected to do a lot around the house, but hanging up his own clothes has never been required of him! Also, he was trying so hard, but making no progress because the hanger was faulty. Regardless of his efforts, that hanger was not going to hold up those pants. As I held my son, I felt like the Lord was saying to me "Chris, this is like you. You're taking responsiblity for things that I've never asked or required of you and, by doing it in your own strength, it will never work."
I'll take these words from today's reading to heart: "If you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get."
I'll take these words from today's reading to heart: "If you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get."
August 25 - The Fruitfulness of Friendship
Today's reading tied in so completely to yesterday's sermon at CMPC. I wanted to put a link to the sermon, but it's not online yet so...
I thought that the comment: "(i)f Jesus Christ is not the lodestar, there is no benefit in the sacrifice" was insightful. If we're just sacrificing for the sake of sacrificing, there is no gain. Now, how does that look in practice? I would guess that it is just a matter of the heart - no outward difference would be discernable between someone who is sacrificing for Christ and someone who isn't. Do you agree?
I could use some insight on this sentence... "One of the most cruel ways of killing natural love is by disdain built on natural affinities." Huh?
I thought that the comment: "(i)f Jesus Christ is not the lodestar, there is no benefit in the sacrifice" was insightful. If we're just sacrificing for the sake of sacrificing, there is no gain. Now, how does that look in practice? I would guess that it is just a matter of the heart - no outward difference would be discernable between someone who is sacrificing for Christ and someone who isn't. Do you agree?
I could use some insight on this sentence... "One of the most cruel ways of killing natural love is by disdain built on natural affinities." Huh?
August 22 - "I Indeed...but He"
I am to repent of my wretched sins daily! I like what O.C. says about repentance today. "Repentance does not cause a sense of sin - it causes a sense of inexpressible unworthiness. When I repent, I realize that I am absolutely helpless, and I know that through and through I am not worthy of even to carry His sandals."
Then he asks the question, "Have I repented like that, or do I have a lingering thought of possibly trying to defend my actions?" Wow! How many times do I do this...try and defend or explain my sins. Oh, that I might "Get to the end of myself where I can do nothing, but where He does everything"! I am unworthy.
Then he asks the question, "Have I repented like that, or do I have a lingering thought of possibly trying to defend my actions?" Wow! How many times do I do this...try and defend or explain my sins. Oh, that I might "Get to the end of myself where I can do nothing, but where He does everything"! I am unworthy.
August 21 - The Ministry of the Unnoticed
HUMILITY, that's what today's devotion is all about. O.C. has some powerful words today! Jesus' teachings really are so "upside down" when viewed from a worldly perspective. Come as a child? Come as a pauper? A child yields all...holds back none of his trust. A pauper can not trust in worldly things because he HAS no possessions. He goes through most of life "unnoticed."
I love this: "The true character of the loveliness that speaks for God is always unnoticed by the one possessing that quality."
O.C. goes on to ask us about the people who have influenced us the most. Who are they? "Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us...godly influence is never conscious of itself..."
How often it is that I am so proud of myself for the ways in which I might touch someones life. I pray that the Lord will strip me of my pride. That I might become a child...a pauper.
I love this: "The true character of the loveliness that speaks for God is always unnoticed by the one possessing that quality."
O.C. goes on to ask us about the people who have influenced us the most. Who are they? "Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us...godly influence is never conscious of itself..."
How often it is that I am so proud of myself for the ways in which I might touch someones life. I pray that the Lord will strip me of my pride. That I might become a child...a pauper.
August 20 - Completeness
Yesterday's and today's devotions are very similar. O.C. is, once again, reminding us that rest shall be solely in the Lord. I am to continually fight against and push away anything in my life that is causing me to have "self-awareness". "Ask the Lord to put awareness of Himself in you, and your self-awareness will disappear."
O.C. points out that self-pity comes from being continually self-aware. "Self-pity is satanic."
I love the way that O.C. sometimes includes conversations that we might have with ourselves regarding certain issues. Today he includes one about self-pity. I find humor in these "conversations" because they are right on target! That is exactly what I say to myself sometimes to justify my self-pity!
(I know that I have an updated edition of the devotional, so if your edition does not have this "conversation" let me know and I will include it in the post.)
O.C. points out that self-pity comes from being continually self-aware. "Self-pity is satanic."
I love the way that O.C. sometimes includes conversations that we might have with ourselves regarding certain issues. Today he includes one about self-pity. I find humor in these "conversations" because they are right on target! That is exactly what I say to myself sometimes to justify my self-pity!
(I know that I have an updated edition of the devotional, so if your edition does not have this "conversation" let me know and I will include it in the post.)
August 19 - Self-Awareness
I battle every day with things that come between me and Christ. Things that I worry about, things that I put before Christ in my life, things that I think I am in control of.
O.C. says, "Never allow anything that divides or destroys the oneness of your life with Christ to remain in your life without facing it." He also says, "It is never God's will that we should be anything less than absolutely complete in Him."
Today, O.C. reminded me of the open door and complete access that I have to Christ 24/7! If I ask Him to produce "Christ-awareness" in me, He will always listen and always follow through.
I love the Scripture that O.C. uses today. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
O.C. says, "Never allow anything that divides or destroys the oneness of your life with Christ to remain in your life without facing it." He also says, "It is never God's will that we should be anything less than absolutely complete in Him."
Today, O.C. reminded me of the open door and complete access that I have to Christ 24/7! If I ask Him to produce "Christ-awareness" in me, He will always listen and always follow through.
I love the Scripture that O.C. uses today. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
August 18 - Have You Ever Been Speechless With Sorrow?
Today's devotion challenges me to rid myself of everything! If I love Him and truly want to be His servant this is necessary. Jesus did this very thing. Once again, He is the prime example for us. The Bible explains in Phillipians 2:5, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness...he humbled himself and became obedient to death..."
Am I willing to sell everything like the rich young ruler? Am I willing to make myself "nothing" as Jesus did? What is holding me back from doing this? Why am I so committed to the world?
Am I willing to sell everything like the rich young ruler? Am I willing to make myself "nothing" as Jesus did? What is holding me back from doing this? Why am I so committed to the world?
August 15 - The Evidence of the New Birth
O.C. poses a couple of thought provoking questions today. His questions are directed towards me personally! Isn't it wild how that happens?
"Is there something in my life that unites me with the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior?" Jesus is so personal and intimate. The fact that He wants to know ME on that level continuously blows my mind. There are millions and millions of believers, yet He knows me like I am the only one in this world.
The second part of the reading reminded me of the seriousness of my sin. O.C. uses verses in 1 John 3 to reiterate this. "He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning...No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are; Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother" (1 John 3:8-10)...Wow!
"Is there something in my life that unites me with the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior?" Jesus is so personal and intimate. The fact that He wants to know ME on that level continuously blows my mind. There are millions and millions of believers, yet He knows me like I am the only one in this world.
The second part of the reading reminded me of the seriousness of my sin. O.C. uses verses in 1 John 3 to reiterate this. "He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning...No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are; Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother" (1 John 3:8-10)...Wow!
August 14 - The Discipline of the Lord
At the end of today's devotion, O.C. refers to 1 Thessalonians 5:24-25. "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."
He IS faithful! As said yesterday, my job is to have an open and available heart for Him to work with. Am I willing to allow Him to "grip me by His power"?
O.C. puts it bluntly when he says, my favorite quote of the day, "Sanctification is not my idea of what I want God to do for me - sanctification is God's idea of what He wants to do for me."
He IS faithful! As said yesterday, my job is to have an open and available heart for Him to work with. Am I willing to allow Him to "grip me by His power"?
O.C. puts it bluntly when he says, my favorite quote of the day, "Sanctification is not my idea of what I want God to do for me - sanctification is God's idea of what He wants to do for me."
August 13 - "Do Not Quench the Spirit"
Today's reading was a difficult one for me to follow. After several readings and pondering for a while, here's what I think that the Lord is communicating to me through it all.
First of all, meditation on God's Word and spending time in solitude is key to hearing the voice of the Spirit. O.C. says that the voice is "as gentle as a summer breeze - so gentle that unless you are living in complete fellowship and oneness with God, you will never hear it." Spending time with the Lord, putting aside all other thoughts, and focusing in on Him is the only way I am going to hear his soft voice. Oh...and having an open heart, open ears, and being willing to LISTEN...
Second of all, through the next part of the devotion, I feel like the Lord was making sure that I realize that my walk and my salvation are continual. Yes I am saved and have been for several years, but it continues on. I have always thought that I need to be content resting in the Lord, but not content in where I am in my walk. Being content, but not really, because the minute I am content and think that I am smooth sailing, God shows me otherwise. I should always be striving for more, seeking to know Him in a deeper way, continually obeying and loving Him...Which I believe is the opposite of being content.
Am I making any sense at all?
First of all, meditation on God's Word and spending time in solitude is key to hearing the voice of the Spirit. O.C. says that the voice is "as gentle as a summer breeze - so gentle that unless you are living in complete fellowship and oneness with God, you will never hear it." Spending time with the Lord, putting aside all other thoughts, and focusing in on Him is the only way I am going to hear his soft voice. Oh...and having an open heart, open ears, and being willing to LISTEN...
Second of all, through the next part of the devotion, I feel like the Lord was making sure that I realize that my walk and my salvation are continual. Yes I am saved and have been for several years, but it continues on. I have always thought that I need to be content resting in the Lord, but not content in where I am in my walk. Being content, but not really, because the minute I am content and think that I am smooth sailing, God shows me otherwise. I should always be striving for more, seeking to know Him in a deeper way, continually obeying and loving Him...Which I believe is the opposite of being content.
Am I making any sense at all?
August 12 - The Theology of Resting in God
"But it is when a crisis arises that we instantly reveal upon whom we rely." It's like our whole lives we are in training for crisis. O.C. says that, "If we have been learning to worship God and to place our trust in Him, the crisis will reveal that we can go to the point of breaking, yet without breaking our confidence in Him."
It is why a continual relationship and learning of Him is required of us. We can not put our hope in the world because it will do nothing but fail us when we come in contact with crisis. God is SO faithful!
It is painful to think about the disappointment I bring to Jesus when I look to anything other than Him. I like how O.C. puts it when he says "...what a sharp pain will go through us when we suddenly realize that we could have produced complete and utter joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, in spite of what we were facing."
It is why a continual relationship and learning of Him is required of us. We can not put our hope in the world because it will do nothing but fail us when we come in contact with crisis. God is SO faithful!
It is painful to think about the disappointment I bring to Jesus when I look to anything other than Him. I like how O.C. puts it when he says "...what a sharp pain will go through us when we suddenly realize that we could have produced complete and utter joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, in spite of what we were facing."
August 11 - The Experience Must Come
Today's reading really is so neat. It reminds me of how important relationships are in this lifetime. All kinds of relationships, but particularly discipleship relationships.
O.C. helps me to think of Jesus and His disciples. What an example! On this earth, those were his closest relationships, those were the men that knew Him best, those were the ones who walked with Him the closest, those were the men who learned from Him.
The Lord desires for us to have that kind of relationship with people here on earth. One or several people that we can seek and look to for guidance. Someone to disciple us, someone who has an incredible relationship with Him that we can glean from. I have benefited from several relationships like this. And how wonderful they are...and then I am to pass it on...
I don't think discipleship relationships should ever take the place of our relationship with the Lord, but He does place people in our lives for this reason.
What incredible lessons have you learned from relationships like this in your life?
O.C. helps me to think of Jesus and His disciples. What an example! On this earth, those were his closest relationships, those were the men that knew Him best, those were the ones who walked with Him the closest, those were the men who learned from Him.
The Lord desires for us to have that kind of relationship with people here on earth. One or several people that we can seek and look to for guidance. Someone to disciple us, someone who has an incredible relationship with Him that we can glean from. I have benefited from several relationships like this. And how wonderful they are...and then I am to pass it on...
I don't think discipleship relationships should ever take the place of our relationship with the Lord, but He does place people in our lives for this reason.
What incredible lessons have you learned from relationships like this in your life?
August 8 - Prayer in the Father's House
In today's reading, O.C. includes many more "gut check" questions.
"Am I allowing His holy innocence, simplicity, and oneness with the Father the opportunity to exhibit itself in me?"
"Is God's will being fulfilled in that His Son has been formed in me, or have I carefully pushed Him to one side?"
"Is the Son of God praying in me, bringing honor to the Father, or am I dictating my demands to Him?"
O.C. states, later in the reading that, "The more a person knows of the inner life of God's most mature saints, the more he sees what God's purpose really is." I would say that instead, the more I know God, the more I see what His purpose really is. The way to know God more, have oneness with Him, and bring honor to Him is to be in His Word. This is so clear to me, yet I still struggle with being in His Word daily!
"Am I allowing His holy innocence, simplicity, and oneness with the Father the opportunity to exhibit itself in me?"
"Is God's will being fulfilled in that His Son has been formed in me, or have I carefully pushed Him to one side?"
"Is the Son of God praying in me, bringing honor to the Father, or am I dictating my demands to Him?"
O.C. states, later in the reading that, "The more a person knows of the inner life of God's most mature saints, the more he sees what God's purpose really is." I would say that instead, the more I know God, the more I see what His purpose really is. The way to know God more, have oneness with Him, and bring honor to Him is to be in His Word. This is so clear to me, yet I still struggle with being in His Word daily!
August 7th - Prayer in the Father's House
Having three kids, I can attest to a total difference in the tone of the house when they are cooperating, submitting and enjoying their position as members of this household vs. when they are rebelling against the rules and striking out on their own authority. I think that the former description is what O.C. is likening us to, when we are walking in harmony with the Lord.
O.C. includes some good "gut-check" questions in today's readings. "Am I always in contact with Reality, or do I only pray when things have gone wrong, when there is a disturbance in the moments of my life?" and "Is the Eternal Child in (me) living in the Father's house?"
I have to say, that this reading gave me reason to pause and reflect on my own heart -- and that's a good thing!!
O.C. includes some good "gut-check" questions in today's readings. "Am I always in contact with Reality, or do I only pray when things have gone wrong, when there is a disturbance in the moments of my life?" and "Is the Eternal Child in (me) living in the Father's house?"
I have to say, that this reading gave me reason to pause and reflect on my own heart -- and that's a good thing!!
August 6 -The Cross in Prayer
"If we pray because we want answers, we will get huffed with God. The answers come every time, but not always in the way we expect..." I suppose the reason for this relates to yesterday's reading: God has purposes that we don't always understand.
Often, as I pray about an external situation, God graciously allows me to see that He is trying to address/change something internal about ME. I am a problem solver by nature, so I'm always full of advice to God (in my prayers) about the best way to fix a problem. When I quiet my spirit, though, I generally do find "a deep instruction to (me), not to anyone else."
[P.S. Please email me if you would like to / are willing to be an occasional guest blogger for this site.]
Often, as I pray about an external situation, God graciously allows me to see that He is trying to address/change something internal about ME. I am a problem solver by nature, so I'm always full of advice to God (in my prayers) about the best way to fix a problem. When I quiet my spirit, though, I generally do find "a deep instruction to (me), not to anyone else."
[P.S. Please email me if you would like to / are willing to be an occasional guest blogger for this site.]
August 5th - The Baffling Call of God
Thanks everyone for your thought provoking comments yesterday!
Today's reading is very compelling - I underlined practically the whole thing. "Jesus Christ's life was an absolute failure from every standpoint but God's." As Americans, the "success"/"productivity" model is so ingrained in us that we tend to measure and quantify everything, even our Christian walk (e.g., how many people we witness to or disciple, etc.). Yet God is not impressed with all of that. He wants nothing short of EVERYTHING from us. He also wants us to leave the measuring of success as well as the results with Him; "...the test is to believe that God knows what He is after."
The last paragraph is awesome - my take away quote for the day will be "A Christian is one who trusts the wits and the wisdom of God, and not his own wits."
Can you think of a situation where God allowed you to glimpse His purpose or design in a specific set of circumstances, which, from any other perspective, might have seemed like a failure?
Today's reading is very compelling - I underlined practically the whole thing. "Jesus Christ's life was an absolute failure from every standpoint but God's." As Americans, the "success"/"productivity" model is so ingrained in us that we tend to measure and quantify everything, even our Christian walk (e.g., how many people we witness to or disciple, etc.). Yet God is not impressed with all of that. He wants nothing short of EVERYTHING from us. He also wants us to leave the measuring of success as well as the results with Him; "...the test is to believe that God knows what He is after."
The last paragraph is awesome - my take away quote for the day will be "A Christian is one who trusts the wits and the wisdom of God, and not his own wits."
Can you think of a situation where God allowed you to glimpse His purpose or design in a specific set of circumstances, which, from any other perspective, might have seemed like a failure?
August 4-The Brave Comradeship of God
"We are apt to say that because a man has natural ability, therefore he will make a good Christian." Isn't it true that our standards for others are quite different than God's? He looks only at the heart and does not even factor in the outward appearance. It brings to mind the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32). It also reminds me not to give up on people just because they don't appear to be on the "right track"... you never know what God is doing in a life.
The closing sentences of today's reading are a good reminder of what God wants from me today: "The main thing about Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to look after, and it is the one thing that is being continually assailed."
The closing sentences of today's reading are a good reminder of what God wants from me today: "The main thing about Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to look after, and it is the one thing that is being continually assailed."
August 1 - Something More about His Ways
Today's reading includes some wise admonitions. The two that are most useful to me as daily self checks are listed below:
"(Am I) playing the spiritual amateur providence in other lives? (Am I) so noisy in (my) instruction of others that God cannot get anywhere near them?"
"(Am I) detached enough from (my) own spiritual hysterics to wait on God?"
Whenever the answer to either of these questions is "No", the root cause is generally a lack of trust in God's ways and His timing! When I recognize and confess the root issue, I can get back on track with the Lord and stop being such a hyperactive nag to others :-)
It could be my stage in life, but I could not think of an applicable example of what O.C. is speaking to in the first paragraph under "He comes where He commands us to leave." Any thoughts?
"(Am I) playing the spiritual amateur providence in other lives? (Am I) so noisy in (my) instruction of others that God cannot get anywhere near them?"
"(Am I) detached enough from (my) own spiritual hysterics to wait on God?"
Whenever the answer to either of these questions is "No", the root cause is generally a lack of trust in God's ways and His timing! When I recognize and confess the root issue, I can get back on track with the Lord and stop being such a hyperactive nag to others :-)
It could be my stage in life, but I could not think of an applicable example of what O.C. is speaking to in the first paragraph under "He comes where He commands us to leave." Any thoughts?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
