Tag Archives: truth

Oct 4- two Oct13-flee

October 25/ Weight
Momentary light affliction produces a weight in glory.
God's plan for my life is the posture of my heart: Micah 6:8, "Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks, do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly." Truth: My prayers have not been answered with my daughter but with my ex-son-in-law. I'm still prayer for her. Restoration of relationships has not happened, but centering my identity on God will make me a different person who reflects Jesus. Our troubles in this life are real with consequences that are long lasting. My heart still hurts, and so does God's heart when a child strays. I trust God with her. 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 
2 Corinthians 4: 17-18

October 18: Undecided 

Undecided on your value or salvation or your purpose in life. It is about the journey and learning to walk and trust Jesus. 
Growing in Christ is an ongoing process of defeats, failures, and successes. My past achievements helped me see that I can move forward, even when I don't want to or know how to advance. As we grow into our identity and mature, we gradually become more Christ-like as we learn to walk in the Spirit's power.  

In writing my testimony, I've learned that God's plan for my life is about the posture of my heart. Philippines 4:6, rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks. Micah 6:8 - do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.  I hold on to the truth that being more Christ-like is a process and that current sin would not invalidate my profession of faith or my walk with the Lord.  As a teenager, I would rededicate my life if I felt burdened or unworthy. Confession is necessary, not rededication for God's favor. God's favor is not earned.  The Lord is pleased with me on account of His great name. 

Whether God answers my prayers, I must find my identity in Him. (Queen Esther). 

Excerpt from my ministry letter to my support team while serving overseas (1981): 
Consider for a moment a person who has died and committed a grave sin, a hideous crime. My reaction would be to say this person ought to be punished. But how do you punish a dead man? 

Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. Where is justice to be found? Sin carries with it the penalty of death. God gives us an answer. In Romans 6:11 it says to consider yourself dead to sin but alive to God. This has helped me to understand the depth of my forgiveness. No punishment can be rendered to a dead man in Christ. God has chosen to direct his wrath on His Son, Jesus. There is none left for me. Christ's death on the cross is enough to pay the full price for my sin. Romans 8:1, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 
God longs to be gracious to me and waits on high to have compassion on me (Isaiah 30:18-21.)

The Lord is pleased with me on account of His great name. I first came to trust that I was valued by God which led to my salvation experience. I am totally approved of, accepted and love by Him on account of His great name. 

October 13 -Flee 
Things to flee from: empty philosophies that ensnare the mind or ideas that trap or boastfulness that leaves you blind to reality, or seeking to serve self. 
The world tells you it is okay to be or do things that Jesus never said.
Jesus never said to follow your own heart. The heart is wicked and deceptive. 
Jesus never said to be true to yourself. He said to be His disciple, ''deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.'

Jesus never told people to believe in themselves. He said, "Believe in me, for I am the way, the truth, and the light." 

Jesus never said to live with your Truth. He said, 'I am the Truth, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.' Live His Truth. 

The world says as long as you are happy, that is all that matters. Jesus said, "What profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul." 

How to flee:
How do we (I) hold every thought captive to reflect God's glory and walk confidently in our (my) new identity as a new creature in Christ? 
2 Corinthians 10:5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Oct 4 - two/ The Wise and Foolish Builders
 Matthew 7:24-27
"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

The wise man built his house up the rock, and when tough times came, he stood fast. The man who trusts in the Lord will be like a tree planted by the waters that extends its roots by a stream. It will not fear when the heat comes, but its leaves will be green. 

The foolish man, in contrast, built his house upon the empty philosophies  of this world. He sought power and praise, indulged in cheap entertainment, selfies, and clicks, doing whatever he wanted. But when trials and troubles came, disappointments and loss, his world crashed, a stark contrast to the wise man's secure foundation. 

All the religious and political systems cannot fill the heart. Man is designed to know God, and that is a journey of utmost importance that every person must take. The choice to know God or to reject Him is a significant one that shapes our lives. 

Women teach women. Men and women have different roles in the church. God expects men to take the leadership role in the church, which means pastors are men. 

But does that mean women are excluded from teaching, or a ministry. May it never be! Mary sat at Jesus' feet to learn. Women are not excluded from ministry, as missionaries (Lottie Moon), Sunday School teachers, authors and more.  The Bible in both the Old and New Testaments shows the importance of women in the scriptures and their role in sharing the gospels (Deborah stepped in a time of war, when the general would not). Understanding what God expects of men and what both will be held accountable for goes beyond this one concept of who is the preacher. 

Scripture verifies scripture and teaches a more profound principle that tells us something about God Himself. God never explained to Job why he allowed Satan to test him. He revealed Himself to Job. Job could only shut his mouth and marvel. God doesn't explain why men are the head of the church and the family but-

God ordained it upon Adam, not Eve. 

I have learned, Know God and Know Truth. Take it to Psalms 23 and rest in the Him.