2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 3 For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words.
Ecclesiastes 5:2-4
The Bible is full of people making foolish statements resulting in much suffering and even death. John the baptist was beheaded because Herod spoke without thinking (Matthew 14). Samson gave away the secret to his power. We today do it as well. Our tongue can hurt or build up but another thing it can do is corner us into a situation that we cannot escape.
God is warning us that we also do this in His presence. We can be impulsive with what we say to Him. I don't think this means we can't share our innermost thoughts and desires with Him, for He instructs us into a relationship where we can voice our frustrations and lean on Him. I think the issue here is our attitude when we speak. We can come frustration, we can come ignorant, we can come tired and weak. But what we cannot come with is a heart tries to force God into anything. We approach God on His throne! Think of approaching the president of the United States. Even if he says to relax and fellowship there's still that level of respect that should never cease... even more so with the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Most of my prayers lately have been about having a baby and direction in my career. I've been more deliberate in my requests be I need to be careful of not pushing into disobedience. I catch myself praying too selfishly and pull back but I can definitely see the grey area and adjust my heart.
This reminds me of a conversation I had about the group IHOP, Internatonal House of Prayer. I didn't think much of it before, thought that it was a great Christian group getting together in prayer. But I was informed that they pray but the things they were praying about was almost cult-ish. They were putting demands on God, instructing Him what He should do instead of requesting and laying it before Him in faith. Our motives to pray is to deepen our relationship with Christ Jesus and to work towards spreading the gospel to all nations... if our prayers benefit selfish ambitions we really need to step back and realign ourselves with our Maker.
Glorious and Almighty God, thank You for prayer and an invitation to deepen our relationship with You. Forgive me of all my selfish prayers and desires. Lord, help me to redirect my thoughts and heart towards the things that please You. Lead me away from prayers that lead to self-empowerment and pride. Lord, allow me to seek You continuously no matter what the situation. In the most loving and graceful name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Take Ownership
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22
As guests or visitors, we come into a house with a dish and fellowship with the other guests. We don't have any real responsibility other than watching over ourselves. We come, enjoy, then leave... sometimes offering to help cleanup but most of the time leaving well before that starts. As owners of the house, there's much more responsibility. We clean, fix, prepare, cook, think of ways to entertain the guests; the list goes on. Why do we do this? It's because we take ownership, it's our responsibility and it brings us joy. Being co-heirs in Christ is the same thing. We can no longer go through this life thinking we're just guests. We need to behave, not as visitors, but as sharers of this wonder inheritance. We are citizens of heaven and we need to invite, share, love as those who came before us.
Take ownership, that's a term I use quite a lot at work... mainly because most of the employees don't. They're fine with just coming to work, doing their part and leaving at the end of the day. There's no sense of ownership or caring beyond their given tasks. But that's me too with my citizenship in heaven. I only do my part, my calling, because I wasn't called into this or that area. What this passage is teaching me is that I need to take ownership of heaven.... my heaven. If I truly want to be like the apostles before me I need to take ownership like they did.
Father God, thank You for preparing a place for me in heaven. I'm so thankful but now I need to go beyond that and be zealous for the kingdom and all that it's about. I need to invite and share this amazing inheritance wi everyone You direct me to. No longer can I go through this world living as a visitor of heaven... I'm a visitor of this world, not heaven. In the most precious name of my Lord Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Ephesians 2:19-22
As guests or visitors, we come into a house with a dish and fellowship with the other guests. We don't have any real responsibility other than watching over ourselves. We come, enjoy, then leave... sometimes offering to help cleanup but most of the time leaving well before that starts. As owners of the house, there's much more responsibility. We clean, fix, prepare, cook, think of ways to entertain the guests; the list goes on. Why do we do this? It's because we take ownership, it's our responsibility and it brings us joy. Being co-heirs in Christ is the same thing. We can no longer go through this life thinking we're just guests. We need to behave, not as visitors, but as sharers of this wonder inheritance. We are citizens of heaven and we need to invite, share, love as those who came before us.
Take ownership, that's a term I use quite a lot at work... mainly because most of the employees don't. They're fine with just coming to work, doing their part and leaving at the end of the day. There's no sense of ownership or caring beyond their given tasks. But that's me too with my citizenship in heaven. I only do my part, my calling, because I wasn't called into this or that area. What this passage is teaching me is that I need to take ownership of heaven.... my heaven. If I truly want to be like the apostles before me I need to take ownership like they did.
Father God, thank You for preparing a place for me in heaven. I'm so thankful but now I need to go beyond that and be zealous for the kingdom and all that it's about. I need to invite and share this amazing inheritance wi everyone You direct me to. No longer can I go through this world living as a visitor of heaven... I'm a visitor of this world, not heaven. In the most precious name of my Lord Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Only God's Strength Is Strong
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,...
Psalms 33:16-18
This passage is telling us that it doesn't matter how strong we seem to be here on earth. It doesn't matter the chariots, horses, army... nothing of any worldly strength matters in God's kingdom. What matters is the weakness of heart in faith. Being weak allows humility and a reliance on God and His ways.
I look way too much on my own abilities. At work, I'm usually the one who's controlling and planning the situation, because it comes natural to me. But the hard thing is controlling that so I don't interrupt in God's plans. God gifted me with certain things to be used in the right situation. Wisdom allows me to correctly use that gift... and when not to. As I prepare for this next season I need to acknowledge, develop and utilize my giftings according to His will.
Father God, thank You for blessing me with unending joy. My source of joy comes from You... yes, I get distracted and off target a lot of times, trying to fill the voids with my stuff. But that's not what You want... that's nt the best for me and my family. I pray Lord that I grow exponentially in faith and obedience. In the wonderful name of my Savior Jesus Christ, amen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,...
Psalms 33:16-18
This passage is telling us that it doesn't matter how strong we seem to be here on earth. It doesn't matter the chariots, horses, army... nothing of any worldly strength matters in God's kingdom. What matters is the weakness of heart in faith. Being weak allows humility and a reliance on God and His ways.
I look way too much on my own abilities. At work, I'm usually the one who's controlling and planning the situation, because it comes natural to me. But the hard thing is controlling that so I don't interrupt in God's plans. God gifted me with certain things to be used in the right situation. Wisdom allows me to correctly use that gift... and when not to. As I prepare for this next season I need to acknowledge, develop and utilize my giftings according to His will.
Father God, thank You for blessing me with unending joy. My source of joy comes from You... yes, I get distracted and off target a lot of times, trying to fill the voids with my stuff. But that's not what You want... that's nt the best for me and my family. I pray Lord that I grow exponentially in faith and obedience. In the wonderful name of my Savior Jesus Christ, amen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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