Take His Lead in Long Suffering? - 2 Timothy 2:3-6

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Not when we cleaned up our act, became perfect-acting christians and suddenly became "worth" dying for. No. He thought we were worth saving, and dying for, even clothed in sin. 

When we fail Him now, even after coming to know Him, He stands by at every moment ready to reconcile a relationship with us. He is the perfect picture of Long-Suffering. Even when we have done wrong, he stands ready, poised, to reconcile himself to us at the mere mention of his name and repentant prayer. 

How I have failed Him! Time and time again! On a daily basis! And the forgiveness He has extended to us, He expects of us! The guilt of knowing I have not been long-suffering to those in my life! Using the emotional pain or heartache I've experienced as an excuse to close the door and walk away? 

 

My prayer for quite some time has been than the Lord create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me. Not MY spirit, and MY nature, but HIS. Let me be willing, ready, open and accepting -- and Trust God and His protection from future pain and heartache. The more I dive into Him and His Word, the more I realize how much more needs to be purged. Does this realization mean I won't mess up? No. I'm human. Is that an excuse to mess up? No. I strive for perfection. As I seek my perfector, and pray the mind of Christ, it is my hope that a holy transformation take place. 

 

He is the One who created us, the One who died for us, and the ONE who has called us 'for a purpose.'

“Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve. And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.”
‭‭2 TIMOTHY‬ ‭2:3-6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

 

It is our purpose to fulfill the calling Christ has laid upon our lives, even if that means enduring hardships. We cannot become entangled by the cares of this word and lose sight of that purpose! We must abide by His Word, and be producers of the FRUIT of the Spirit! If I'm not bearing fruit, will I not be cut off, to be shaken away like the chaff in the wind? If I am of the Vine, won't I produce the right fruit?  

I've got to become and remain attached to the Vine, blameless, and bearing Fruit, and flowing with living waters of obedience... because when I'm walking in obedience, and continue to hunger and thirst after His righteousness, He is all My soul needs, it is satisfied! 

God is so forgiving, but the carnal mind doesn't forget. We continue to remind ourselves of past failures... and in the rare moments that we actually are able to put it behind us, others may bring up our short-comings or moments of flesh-flare ups. 

 

"Instead of being crushed under the the weight of the words of those who misunderstand us or want to purposefully discourage us, let's remind ourselves of this truth over and over: "God himself holds our calling. Not people. Not circumstances."" -Amy Carroll 

He has called us for a purpose. 

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He is fighting FOR us. And HE is what I seek after.

Jesus, you're my One Desire. ❤️ And even when I am most undeserving, You desire a relationship with me. 

-pw 3/23/17

(Pictures originally posted Proverbs 31 Ministries.)

A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break - Isaiah 42:3

We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Crafted by the very hands that created the universe. Christ made us, a free moral agent, died for our salvation, and is not willing that any perish into damnation but all come to repentance and have eternal life. 

So. We've all heard the saying... "the same water that hardens eggs softens potatoes, it's all in what you're made of that will determine how you respond when you hit hot water or the temperature starts rising." 

So my thoughts this morning are this-- coming into this study, I realize-- 

My wounds have changed me. There's no doubt. My heart isn't as sensitive, I've guarded myself from pain, and I view people with shaded eyes, trying to figure out their motive. 

 

Jesus, our Heavenly Father, is so gracious and merciful that he can RESTORE the broken hearted and set at liberty those that are bruised. "A bruised reed shall he. It break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench." God gave me this and I wanted to share... 

Isaiah 42:3-10 
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10 Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

 

God brought me to salvation at a young age, and without a doubt has kept me from experiencing many pains and heartaches in life... He ignited a fire in me, as the prophet said, it's like a fire, shut up in my bones. I remember the fiery passion I had when I first came to know the Lord-- and you know what? Although I've become bruised in my spirit, like a bruised reed, the Lord is not going to just break me off and cast me aside. Nor will he quench the smoldering embers of my heart. Instead, he's gently caressing the wounds of my heart and blowing his sweet breath over the embers coaxing a flame back to life. 

 

He is the one that gives breath and life to all the inhabitants of the earth, whether we think they are "good" or "bad", Christ died for them as well... He came to open blind eyes, set free those who are bound. The old things are behind us, and God has planned something new. 

He's given us each a new song.

 One of praise and not if mourning. 

 One of victory, not of defeat. 

Our Father wants to restore the sensitivity of our hearts, and the innocence of our minds. He can remove the filters of hurt and pain, and replace it with a holy boldness, meekness and long suffering. He can restore our hearts, so that we produce all fruits of the spirit in our lives. It can become our nature, so long as we lay down who we are and who we will to be in the flesh, and take on the mind and nature of Christ. 

 

He has called us each by name. He has redeemed us. We are HIS. What do we have to fear? 

Kingdom minded, Christ Centered. 

Rooted and grounded in the Word. 

His Word. The very bread of life. 

Zephaniah 3:17 KJV "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17 AMP "The Lord your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."

He has sung His song over us, rejoicing. 

Now, as new creatures, we return the honor. 

❤️pw

(reflections during Finding Freedom Bible Study with Sonja Baker)

Rivers in the Dry Wasteland - Isaiah 43:19

So today I had the privilege of spending some time with my younger sister on her awe-inspiring running trails. They're not your typical wooded-trails, but they're her 'running sanctuary', and to any runner, you understand the level of sacredness in "your running places". 

We ran mid-day, so I missed the beauty of her sunset tradition, but there was beauty if you looked for it. Pretty blooming wildflowers scattered the wood lines, deer, coon and coyote tracks scattered the gravel and dirt roads. 

As we ran, talked and laughed, we happened on a little something that captured my attention, and I had to snap a picture. 

Isaiah 43:16-21

The Message (MSG)

This is what God says,

    the God who builds a road right through the ocean,

    who carves a path through pounding waves,

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—

    they lie down and then can’t get up;

    they’re snuffed out like so many candles:

“Forget about what’s happened;

    don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.

    It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,

    rivers in the badlands.

Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’

    —the coyotes and the buzzards—

Because I provided water in the desert,

    rivers through the sun-baked earth,

Drinking water for the people I chose,

    the people I made especially for myself,

    a people custom-made to praise me.

All too often, we get so hung up on what we've neglected, fallen short on, or completely messed up. God's word reminds us that He keeps no record of repented wrongs. Why do we, as human beings, think we are so much higher than God in the right that we refuse to forgive ourselves and forget? 

Here, in the right now, God is turning the page of our story. He's looking at the blank canvas and the one thing He desires most to hear is - "Go ahead Lord, be it unto thy handmaiden, according to thy will." 

Today, my heart cry is-- 

"Write my story, Father, how YOU see fit. Come alive in me, birth in my spirit what YOU would have manifest in my life. Let the fruit spring up, let your refreshing waters cool the parched soil of my soul. Let my soul and my very being magnify you. Keep my heart pure, and let your rivers flow out of me like a well spring of life. Let those around me see Christ in me, the absolute and only hope of glory! Let my life be a testament of your love, mercy and grace. Let all that I am, and all that I ever will be glorify you! It is in YOU that I live and have my being! I am fearfully and wonderfully made, wrought by the same hands that created this universe and all it's infinite wonder and beauty. Let my soul rejoice within me and sing praises to you always! Let my words and deeds bring you honor, and my thoughts exalt you above all. Let my mind stayed on You, and let me walk in peace and sweet communion throughout my day! Let my Soul be strengthened by Your Spirit, and my Will fall subject to You. Continue to mold me, make me, shape me as You would have me be, and let my life now and always bring you Glory and be a witness to those around me. I give you all praise, all glory, and all honor for all that you have done, and will do -- in your matchless, precious and eternal name, Jesus."

He's sitting, pen-in-hand, poised, awaiting your word. Will you let him write what He wills? ❤️

pw