Gradyman
11-23-2006, 09:14 AM
Preface to new readers:
I was thinking the other day that a place of "refreshing" could be posted so that in your own place, wherever you are in life, you could perhaps gain some insight...if these words speak life to you then great...if not so be it, no problem. I'm not looking to debate or "clean you up", that's not my job nor my intentions here. I just figure that I have a relationship with God, "a good medicine", that has brought me peace, restoration & helped me through some very difficult times in my life...times that many people have never "survived". I'm more than willing to share my testimony with any of you one on one in the privacy of a phone call...
800-466-5933 is my toll free number at my office.
This board & the people on it have become a special place for me, because of many reasons...hence I care and want to share...be blessed.
I hear the heart cry of people,” We want to see truth, we want to see justice, we want to see righteousness”...
In reality they're crying, “I want to see Jesus”…
Living a life that speaks love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control to the world around us is impossible in our own strength. Don’t take me wrong, I’m sure, to some degree or another we can live “shining” these attributes, but to take them deeper than our own “skin” in an offense, past our own thoughts in a conflict and see beyond our own emotions & reactions, is going to require some divine input, some transformation, something more than ourselves. That something is the Mind of Christ available through the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer and Gods written word, the Bible. Prayer is a two way communication with the Father…listening as well as speaking. It’s where we find real communion and His abiding presence. His presence empowers us to see His perspective on the situation at hand and empowers us to act (not react) in a way that brings life, goodness & peace. The written Word is where we learn about God’s personality, His will and ways. Combining these two will keep us balanced and “on target” in every situation. This is vital if we are going to make a lasting difference in the relationships that surround each one of us. Even Jesus Himself (came as a man although He was God, He laid down that heavenly “position”) and stated that He did nothing except what He saw and heard the Father telling Him (John 12:49-50). His wisdom and discernment came from His knowledge of the written word and His communion with the Father through prayer. Thus He walked in the Spirit and changed not only the world around Him, but the entire world forever. To walk in that kind of Oneness with the Father, to walk in the Spirit, to walk the talk, is the race we as Christians are running…as Christians it’s the race all the world is watching. As a matter in fact most everyone is running it whether they realize it or not…think of the relationships in your life…most all of us are running the race to be kind, patient, good, self controlled, honest, loving. It’s not to say we won't fall or get off course, every great athlete has a bad play, that will happen because no one is perfect, but we have a coach in Jesus Christ who is familiar with our infirmities and His grace empowers us to keep running. In order to “win” we must possess a teachable repentant heart, a heart that is willing to receive rebuke from the Lord, a heart that is willing to receive His instruction and a heart that is willing to carry it out; we will receive the strength we need to allow those around us to see that although we're not perfect, the One who resides in us IS and He IS Lord of our lives. We cannot be undermined by pride, altered by our own desires or selfish motives, or by past failures and the accusations of others. If we are determined in our goal to become better human beings (more like Him), we will realize that we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5) and not be seen as hypocrites, but as athletes competing for the crown…a higher calling, an enduring effect. Most importantly, in that process, we will answer the cry of the world which says “We want to see Jesus”.
I was thinking the other day that a place of "refreshing" could be posted so that in your own place, wherever you are in life, you could perhaps gain some insight...if these words speak life to you then great...if not so be it, no problem. I'm not looking to debate or "clean you up", that's not my job nor my intentions here. I just figure that I have a relationship with God, "a good medicine", that has brought me peace, restoration & helped me through some very difficult times in my life...times that many people have never "survived". I'm more than willing to share my testimony with any of you one on one in the privacy of a phone call...
800-466-5933 is my toll free number at my office.
This board & the people on it have become a special place for me, because of many reasons...hence I care and want to share...be blessed.
I hear the heart cry of people,” We want to see truth, we want to see justice, we want to see righteousness”...
In reality they're crying, “I want to see Jesus”…
Living a life that speaks love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control to the world around us is impossible in our own strength. Don’t take me wrong, I’m sure, to some degree or another we can live “shining” these attributes, but to take them deeper than our own “skin” in an offense, past our own thoughts in a conflict and see beyond our own emotions & reactions, is going to require some divine input, some transformation, something more than ourselves. That something is the Mind of Christ available through the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer and Gods written word, the Bible. Prayer is a two way communication with the Father…listening as well as speaking. It’s where we find real communion and His abiding presence. His presence empowers us to see His perspective on the situation at hand and empowers us to act (not react) in a way that brings life, goodness & peace. The written Word is where we learn about God’s personality, His will and ways. Combining these two will keep us balanced and “on target” in every situation. This is vital if we are going to make a lasting difference in the relationships that surround each one of us. Even Jesus Himself (came as a man although He was God, He laid down that heavenly “position”) and stated that He did nothing except what He saw and heard the Father telling Him (John 12:49-50). His wisdom and discernment came from His knowledge of the written word and His communion with the Father through prayer. Thus He walked in the Spirit and changed not only the world around Him, but the entire world forever. To walk in that kind of Oneness with the Father, to walk in the Spirit, to walk the talk, is the race we as Christians are running…as Christians it’s the race all the world is watching. As a matter in fact most everyone is running it whether they realize it or not…think of the relationships in your life…most all of us are running the race to be kind, patient, good, self controlled, honest, loving. It’s not to say we won't fall or get off course, every great athlete has a bad play, that will happen because no one is perfect, but we have a coach in Jesus Christ who is familiar with our infirmities and His grace empowers us to keep running. In order to “win” we must possess a teachable repentant heart, a heart that is willing to receive rebuke from the Lord, a heart that is willing to receive His instruction and a heart that is willing to carry it out; we will receive the strength we need to allow those around us to see that although we're not perfect, the One who resides in us IS and He IS Lord of our lives. We cannot be undermined by pride, altered by our own desires or selfish motives, or by past failures and the accusations of others. If we are determined in our goal to become better human beings (more like Him), we will realize that we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5) and not be seen as hypocrites, but as athletes competing for the crown…a higher calling, an enduring effect. Most importantly, in that process, we will answer the cry of the world which says “We want to see Jesus”.