Spiritual Muscle Development

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted.  I hopefully will make up for big gap it in today's post. 

A good friend of mine, who lives in Missouri, sent me this wonderful post on "waiting". 

I have come to sometimes despise that word.  Waiting.  However, it is something each of us must experience and it even can be for our benefit. 

I would really encourage you to take a few minutes and read the following article my friend sent me.  It was written by a man named Paul Tripp.  It is worth the time to read, let me tell ya!   It was SO good for me to sit down and take a look at!

Please let me know what you think of it. I would love your feedback. :)

Ok, here we go...

Spiritual Muscle Development 

"So, what happens inside of you when you are asked to wait?  Is waiting, for you, a time of strengthening or weakening? Have you ever stopped to consider why God asks you to wait?  Let me point you to one of his purposes.  

-Waiting is Giving You Time-

When God asks you to wait, what happens to your spiritual muscles?  While you wait, do your spiritual muscles grow bigger and stronger or do they grow flaccid and atrophied?  Waiting for the Lord isn't about God forgetting you, forsaking you, or being unfaithful to his promises.  It's actually God giving you time to consider his glory and to grow stronger in the faith.  Remember, waiting isn't just about what you are hoping for at the end of the wait, but also about what you will become as you wait.  

Waiting always presents me with a spiritual choice-point.  Will I allow myself to question God's goodness and progressively grow weaker in faith, or will I embrace the opportunity of faith that God is giving me and build my spiritual muscles? (see Psalm 27:4) 

It's so easy to question your belief system when you are not sure what God is doing.  It's so easy to give way to doubt when you are being called to wait.  It's so easy to forsake good habits and to take up habits of unfaith that weaken the muscles of the heart.  Let me suggest some habits of unfaith that causee waiting to be a time of increasing weakness rather than of building strength.  These are the bad habits that all of us are tempted to give way to. 

Habits of Unfaith 

Giving way to doubt. There's a fine line between the struggle to wait and giving way to doubt.  When you are called to wait, you are being called to do something that wasn't part of your plan and is therefore something that you struggle to see as good.  Because you are naturally convinced that what you want is right and good, it doesn't seem loving that you are being asked to wait.  You can see how tempting it is then to begin to consider questions of God's wisdom, goodness, and love.  It is tempting, in the frustration of waiting, to actually begin to believe that you are smarter than God. 

Giving way to anger.  It's very easy to look around and begin to think that the bad guys are being blessed and the good guys are getting hammered (see Psalm 73).  There will be times when it simply doesn't seem right that you have to wait for something that seems so obviously good to you.  It will feel that you are being wronged, and when it does, it seems right to be angry.  Because of this, it's important to understand that the anger you feel in these moments is more than anger with he people or circumstances that are the visible cause for your waiting.  No, your anger is actually anger with the One who is in control of those people and those circumstances.  You are actually giving way to thinking that you have been wronged by God.  

Giving way to discouragement. This is where I begin to let my heart run away with the "If only _____," the "What if ______," and the "What will happen if _____."  I begin to give my mind to thinking about what will happen if my request isn't answered soon, or what in the world will happen if it's not answered at all.  This kind of meditation makes me feel that my life is out of control.  And I am able to think my life is out of control because I have forgotten God's wise and gracious control over every part of my existence.  Rather than my heart being filled with joy, my heart gets flooded with worry and dread.  Free mental time is spent considering my dark future, with all the resulting discouragement that will always follow.  

Giving way to envy.  When I am waiting, it's very tempting to look over the fence and wish for the life of someone who doesn't appear to have been called to wait.  It's very easy to take on a "I wish I were that guy" way of living.  You can't give way to envy without questioning God's wisdom and his love. Here is the logic: if God really loves you as much as he loves that other guy, you would have what your neighbor enjoys.  

Giving way to inactivity.  The result of giving way to all of these things is inactivity.  If God isn't as good and wise as I once thought he was, if he withholds good things from his children, and if he plays favorites then why would I continue to pursue him?  Maybe all those habits of faith aren't helping me after all; maybe I've been kidding myself.  

Sadly this is the course that many people take as they wait.  Rather than growing in faith, their motivation for spiritual exercise is destroyed by doubt, anger, discouragement, and envy, and the muscles of faith that were once robust and strong are not atrophied and weak." 

- Paul Tripp -

So, what did you think of this rather long post?! :) 

It is extremely hard to wait sometimes, but I really liked what this guy was saying...that as we wait we learn more about who God is and we grow closer and closer to Him.  So, maybe waiting is not bad at all, but a blessing!  I need to look at it more that way.  

Have a great week, friends!  Hopefully it won't be over a month next time I choose to post. 

~Grow in Grace~ 

2 Peter 3:18 

   

Greatest Form of Ministry

"Prayer is the greatest and most powerful form of ministry.  When we pray for each other, the Lord hears, and He is at work.  Praying for one another is how we can minister to each other."  I was very much intrigued when my pastor said this yesterday during His sermon. 

It really got me thinking..."Do I really believe this?!  Do I really understand and fully grasp that God hears our requests and that prayer is such a powerful thing? That we are ministering to others when we pray?!" 

Do I really fully take into account the power of prayer?!  I think often that I don't. 

I tend to think more that in order to minister to others I must "do" something.  Whether its with my time, my money, or even just in talking to others or listening.  Of course, all of that is a great part of ministry, and I don't want to take the importance off of that, but I tend to discount the fact that prayer is also a form of ministry.  It is, in fact, the greatest!

I don't always need to be "doing" something in order to minister to others.  I simply must practice going before the Lord in prayer for others.  That is such a great ministry! 

Prayer is so glorious.  We are going before the very throne room of our King, taking our requests and concerns, while He graciously listens and tenderly replies, "I care".  (Psalm 55:22). 

What an amazing God we serve! 

Continue to practice prayer, dear friends.  Our Heavenly Father is always there to lead, guide, and direct. 

Prayer is such a great way for us to minister to others and it is something we must do!

Have a good Monday!

~Grow in Grace~ 

2 Peter 3:18 

 

A Present Reality

~Romans 6:8~

"Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him." 

This morning...early...before I went to work, I read a great devotional that was very challenging and encouraging.  I want to share it with you:

"Unfortunately, many believers do not live as if justification is a permanent state.  They've divorced their hope of eternal life from their relationship with God today.  They expect to "put on" Christ's robe of righteousness only at death.  Meanwhile, in this life they draw their sense of God's acceptance from their most recent performance of Christian duties or their avoidance of certain sins.  Their "robe of righteousness" for daily living isn't from Christ, but one they've stitched together by their own performance.  

By contrast, the apostle Paul lived in a continuous state of conscious justification.  In Galatians 2:20 he wrote, 'The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.' In the context, Paul was speaking of his faith in Christ for justification.  But this was not simply a past event.  Rather, he was speaking of his present daily experience of living in a state of justification.  As George Smeaton wrote, 'Obviously, this is not the language of faith for attaining justification, but the language of a man already justified, and glorying in a sense of acceptance and the experience of grace.' 

For Paul, justification was not only a point-in-time event that occurred in the past, but a present reality in which he rejoiced every day.  Paul did what we should do.  He renounced any confidence in his own performance or, for that matter, any dismay over his lack of performance.  Instead, by faith he looked to Jesus Christ and His righteousness for his sense of being in right standing with God today, tomorrow, and throughout eternity."  

~Jerry Bridges~ 

This really got me thinking, "do I live as if justification is a present reality and a permanent state for me?" I need to be like Paul in that I should daily renounce any confidence in my own performance and also any dismay over my lack of performance for it is by faith, in Christ alone, that I am justified and saved.

What a glorious reality!!!  In Christ, we are declared righteous.  What grace and mercy! 

Have a good rest of your week...continue to think on the Truth and really ask yourselves the hard questions! 

~Grow in Grace~ 

2 Peter 3:18 

I Just Want to be Happy!

We all have those days...maybe even weeks...or perhaps months, where we may not feel happy or joyful, and dare I say, thankful for what is happening in our lives.    We may be experiencing a great trial that completely drains us of most of our happiness or perhaps life seems so monotonous to the point where you just don't enjoy getting up out of bed in the morning, and you grudgingly face yet another work day.  Whatever it may be, most of us might think or even say out loud, "I just want to be happy!"  And often, we may think that in order to be truly happy our circumstances must change.

This is something I struggle with quite often..."Lord, of only this were to change, or this were to happen, then I believe I can truly rejoice and be happy." 

Do you ever think that?!  (and be honest with yourself) ;-)

In a book I have been reading, this topic came up and let me tell you, I was very convicted and felt like I was being lovingly rebuked and scolded by the author.
 
This is what I read:

"Human happiness is something that is dependent on the chances and changes of life, something which life may give and which life may also destroy.  The Christian blessedness is completely untouchable and unassailable.  

Jesus said this happiness is the joy that no man can take from you (John 16:22).  It's an inner peace, an iner bliss, an inner happiness, an inner joy not produces by circumstance...

The world can win its joys, and the world can equally well lose its joys.  A change in fortune, a collapse in health, the failure of a plan, the disappointment of an ambition, even a change in the weather can take away the fickle joy the world can give.  But the Christian has the serene and untouchable joy which comes from walking forever in the company and in the presence of Jesus Christ." 

(Excerpt taken from Kingdom Living Here and Now by J. MacArthur) 

It is so easy to let our difficult circumstances take the better of us as we allow them to control our emotions and feelings...but as a follower of Christ, I need to continually be "renewing my mind" (Romans 12:2), thinking on what is good, right, and true, and to give thanks (1 Thess. 5:18) even during the difficult times of life, and to trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6) for everything.  When I practice these things, I will not easily give way to the roller coaster emotions of life, but instead, I will allow the truth to be my guide.  

Wow.  Sounds impossible to do at times, and it is so much easier said than done...*BIG sigh* 

But that is why I need to practice taking one day at a time and most importantly, one moment at a time.  

I need to rely upon the Lord continually and seek His strength and power.  

So....tomorrow is Monday, and I will be honest that I am not eager to start another busy work week, but I need to focus on the Truth, that in the Lord there is fullness of joy...true happiness!   

Have a blessed week, friends! 

~Grow in Grace~ 

2 Peter 3:18 

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

I love this song.  The message is so profound and clear.   In 'Christ alone', our hope is found, our salvation is sealed, and our debt is paid.  

It is so heart wrenching and sad to think that there are those who do not share this great hope and joy.  They may live everyday as if they are the ones who are working their way to earn favor with God or they wake up every morning with a great dread or uncertainty of "what if it is just not enough!" 

For the follower of Christ, we can begin each day with the confidence that if we have placed our hope and trust in Christ alone, then we shall not fear or be in want.  

I would rather live everyday in that kind of confidence, joy, and security, than wonder if I have done enough, or am doing enough to secure my way to God....because that is just a never ending battle and downward spiral.

We can NEVER work our own way to a right standing with a Holy God.  That is why it is only Through Christ that my salvation is found.  

Are you standing "In Christ Alone", or are you banking on your own deeds to get you in on a "right standing" with the King?!  

Think about it.  It is so important. 

 

~Grow in Grace~

2 Peter 3:18 

Be On Guard!

It is sometimes so easy to let down our guard.  What do I mean by this?  Well, when we begin to think, "I can handle it", or "it's no big deal", or "its not THAT bad", concerning something that eventually could lead to our downfall, then we are slowly but surely beginning to give way into letting down our guard or our even tearing down our "wall", so to speak, of defense.

The enemy has many tactics he uses to help us in this process.  He can place doubts in our mind.  He can discourage us and begin to encourage us to become unsure of God and His very promises.  We need to be so careful of this.  That is why we must be on our guard!  All the time!!

I love what Leslie Ludy says, 

"If you find that you are constantly distracted with the cares of life, bogged down with emotional or physical “fog,” or pestered with irrational thoughts and fears, there is a good chance that the enemy of your soul is attempting to create confusion and keep you from building a wall of fortification around your life. Beware of saying, “I’ll press into God once these issues are gone.” That is exactly how the enemy wants you to respond. Like Nehemiah, we must aggressively pray and fight until the enemy realizes that we will not kowtow to his bullying.

“Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night…Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I…said to…the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight…And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. (Neh. 4:9,13-15)

Christ said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). We must live in such a way that we are constantly on guard, always sober and vigilant against the cunning schemes of the enemy (see 1 Peter 5:8). We mustn’t assume the road will be easy, but let us remember that we have available to us the weapons of heaven (see Eph. 6:10-17). And above all, may we remember who fights through us! “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)."

So, continually fortify your wall of defense dear friends!  If you become discouraged and even fearful, quickly go back to the promises of scripture and cling to that!  

It is so easy to bank so much on our emotions and cause them to lead, but we can't let our feelings take over.  They should follow.  So, even if you may "feel" a certain way or are emotional about something, don't let that be your guide.  Let the Word of God be your stronghold!  

It's a daily battle but all we have to do is take one day at a time.

What will you do today?!  Live in fear and discouragement, following your feelings, or will you cling to the promises of scripture and trust in the very words of the Lord?!  BE ON GUARD!! 

Build up your walls of defense! 

~Grow in Grace~

2 Peter 3:18 

Choosing Our Mental Direction

I love to read a devotional by Jerry Bridges each morning as part of my "quite time".   If you have not read any of his material, I would highly encourage you to do so.  I have a couple of his books listed in my "favorite books" tab here on my blog that you should check out!   He is truly a wise man of God who enjoys nothing less than preaching and teaching the Word of God.

So, this morning I read a devotional by him and it really convicted and challenged me.  I want to share it with you.

~Choosing Our Mental Direction~ 

If we want to live under the influence of God's Word, our minds must be steeped in the Scriptures.  We must constantly turn our minds to His Word, continually pondering the meaning and application of its truth in our lives.  This may seem unrealistic and unattainable in our busy age when our minds need to be occupied with the various responsibilities we all have.  How can we meditate on Scripture when we have to think about our work all day long? 

We should not think of the concept of continually as meaning every moment, but rather as consistently and habitually.   When you can think about anything you want, what do you think about?  Is it your problems or a mental argument with someone else?  Do you allow your mind to drift into the wasteland of impure thoughts?  Or do you begin to meditate on Scripture?  

Thinking is our most constant activity.  Our thoughts are our constant occupation.  We're never without them.  But we can choose the direction and content of those thoughts. 

Mediation on Scripture is a discipline.  We must commit ourselves to be proactive.  We must memorize key passages  (or carry them on cards) so we can think about them.  We must be alert for those times during the day when we can turn our minds to the Word of God, and then we must do it.  Event he practice of daily Bible reading is insufficient if we go the rest of the day without meditating on some truths of Scripture.  We must choose to mediate instead of thinking about other things or listening to the radio watching television.  We simply have to decide what we want our minds to be influenced by, and take steps accordingly. 

                  -Jerry Bridges

Did you feel a twinge of conviction after reading that?!  I sure did.  It really forced me to examine what I think upon the majority of the time.   Am I thinking upon the Truths of scripture or are my thoughts selfish, worldly, or even just "empty"?!  It's really good to examine our own hearts and thoughts.  We need to meditate on Scripture as Christians and let that be what our minds drift to because when we train ourselves to think rightly and upon Truth, we then will be equipped to fight those "mental battles" and focus on what is good, right, and pure verses giving way to what is wrong and unhealthy in our thinking.   

So, I challenge you today, dear friends, to meditate on Scripture, memorize certain passages of God's Word, and choose the mental direction that would honor and please our Savior!  

Have a good start to your week! 

~Grow in Grace~ 

2 Peter 3:18