Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Fear and Trembling
I'm pretty sure I don't really understand the concept of working out my salvation with fear & trembling.
In Philippians we're told to do it because God is at work in you (not "because your friend/employer/children, etc. are working you over"). He's working to do and to will for His pleasure.
So ... do all without grumbling, without disputing / prove yourselves to be blameless, holding fast the word of life.
Although I don't really grasp the concept of fear & trembling, I do get the sense that how I act and react (blameless/above reproach/without grumbling & disputing) has a greater impact or effect than I realize. I get the clear impression that I should be afraid for the results of reacting wrongly, knowing that whatever good I do will be repaid by God Himself, not the man/woman receiving the good and not the man/woman observing it.
If this was only slightly important he might have said "work out your salvation with kindness & forgiveness" Fear & trembling carries a lot of weight.
And ... how should I go be proving myself to be blameless, etc? Paul said - unto being poured out as a drink offering - even then I should rejoice that my "running" is not in vain, knowing that it is from the Lord that I will receive good back on me.
Lord, some times it's pretty hard to keep a focus on that. I pray I can. I've certainly learned in the past that I'd much rather be paid by you than by man. You're much more generous.
In Philippians we're told to do it because God is at work in you (not "because your friend/employer/children, etc. are working you over"). He's working to do and to will for His pleasure.
So ... do all without grumbling, without disputing / prove yourselves to be blameless, holding fast the word of life.
Although I don't really grasp the concept of fear & trembling, I do get the sense that how I act and react (blameless/above reproach/without grumbling & disputing) has a greater impact or effect than I realize. I get the clear impression that I should be afraid for the results of reacting wrongly, knowing that whatever good I do will be repaid by God Himself, not the man/woman receiving the good and not the man/woman observing it.
If this was only slightly important he might have said "work out your salvation with kindness & forgiveness" Fear & trembling carries a lot of weight.
And ... how should I go be proving myself to be blameless, etc? Paul said - unto being poured out as a drink offering - even then I should rejoice that my "running" is not in vain, knowing that it is from the Lord that I will receive good back on me.
Lord, some times it's pretty hard to keep a focus on that. I pray I can. I've certainly learned in the past that I'd much rather be paid by you than by man. You're much more generous.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Follow your heart?
Pr 28:26
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool
Don't follow your heart, lead it.
That little plaque that says "home is where your heart is" always seems misleading to me. The statement is certainly not true for the unfaithful man or woman. In their case home is where their heart should be.
We've heard so much "follow your heart." That may be okay advice when it comes to a career or an educational direction, but not when it comes to life - for the heart is more deceitful than all else and is disparately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 16:9) Do I want that to lead me in the issues of life? Not especially.
Now, my new heart, the heart created by the presence of Christ in my life is much better - perfect in fact. But because sometimes the inclinations I feel are hard to interpret, so that I have a hard time knowing which is inclining me to do one thing or another, I have to lead my heart, not follow it.
Lord, today, lead my heart toward You and do not allow it to be led astray.
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool
Don't follow your heart, lead it.
That little plaque that says "home is where your heart is" always seems misleading to me. The statement is certainly not true for the unfaithful man or woman. In their case home is where their heart should be.
We've heard so much "follow your heart." That may be okay advice when it comes to a career or an educational direction, but not when it comes to life - for the heart is more deceitful than all else and is disparately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 16:9) Do I want that to lead me in the issues of life? Not especially.
Now, my new heart, the heart created by the presence of Christ in my life is much better - perfect in fact. But because sometimes the inclinations I feel are hard to interpret, so that I have a hard time knowing which is inclining me to do one thing or another, I have to lead my heart, not follow it.
Lord, today, lead my heart toward You and do not allow it to be led astray.
Friday, July 16, 2010
The progress of the gospel
Phil 1:12
My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.
I'm sure that if Paul could have chosen from a menu of life options he wouldn't have chosen imprisonment, yet he saw in his circumstances the benefit: the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. He could have thought of all they ways in which his imprisonment worked against his gospel ministry. But instead he was able to see what God was doing in the midst of it all.
I pray, Lord, that you would help me see in whatever trouble comes my way, the opportunities for the furtherance of the gospel. Help me see what You have engineered as an opportunity in the midst of trouble. Help me see my circumstances from Your perspective.
My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.
I'm sure that if Paul could have chosen from a menu of life options he wouldn't have chosen imprisonment, yet he saw in his circumstances the benefit: the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. He could have thought of all they ways in which his imprisonment worked against his gospel ministry. But instead he was able to see what God was doing in the midst of it all.
I pray, Lord, that you would help me see in whatever trouble comes my way, the opportunities for the furtherance of the gospel. Help me see what You have engineered as an opportunity in the midst of trouble. Help me see my circumstances from Your perspective.
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