cOnFeSsIoN
Lately, I have been in a deep valley of discouragement, depression and (since I am confessing) anger. Over what, you wonder? Over the lack of money…over me and others living in sin…over me and others choosing to worship self rather than the true, living God.
The hardest thing to do is wait, pray and wait some more. We can encourage others, physically "spur" them on to love & good deeds...but, unless the desire and change comes from within their regenerated hearts, it will be only an action on their part to please you (or me) and not a real, changed act of love and submission to the Lord.
We cannot change anyone. Least of all, ourselves. We can live a life of love & honor to the Lord and be faithful. God is the one who changes hearts...lives...minds & spirits. Obedience now is worth a lifetime of joy & peace in our relationship with the Lord. Disobedience now is headed for a road of hard turns and strife, apart from the Lord. The great thing is the Lord is faithful and will woo to Himself those who are His.
This past weekend, I taped all of the Janet Oke’s "Love Comes Softy" books made into Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies. They are very sweet, a bit trite...but over all, very inspirational!
The Lord blessed my heart with a comment from "Love's Long Journey." (I think that is the name of it.) Anyway, the new LaHay couple have moved out West to start a cattle ranch. Willie has recruited some crusty old misfits to help him start, run & keep his ranch. Willie and his wife, Missy, invite all the ranch hands to spend Sunday morning with them reading God's Word (as they don't have church). None of them come, at first. Then, one morning, several of the ranch hands observe one of the men "going to Sunday service." So, two of them discuss this new development. They too, decide to check it out with this quote, "if what they believe in makes them the kind of folks they are, I think it is worth looking in to." And, off they went to Sunday service.
It was the daily living of their lives, honoring the Lord, which wooed others into wanting to know this Lord they were devoted to. That hit me like a ton of bricks! Is the life I’m living and demonstrating wooing others to Christ? Hardly!
Preaching at others, only makes them feel guilty. They need to know and understand the freedom from guilt found in our precious Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ! They need to believe that a life devoted to Christ is better than a life pursing self. But, it all comes down to what they believe.
I’ve confessed my sin, repented and asked Frank to help me decorate for Christmas! You see, we’re not having much of a Christmas this year – finances are beyond tight! But, Christmas isn’t about the gifts…it really is about the One true gift: Jesus Christ.
Jameson left for work yesterday with the house looking like it always does. When he came home after work, the comment and look on his face was well worth the time and effort involved in “Christmasfying” our house. He said, “nice!” and had a huge grin on his face!
Merry Christmas to you & yours this advent season! May the true meaning of Christmas rule your hearts and minds, wooing you to the peace and joy found only in Christ my Lord!
He.he.he..”Christmasfying…” maybe I should submit that as a new word!??
I love you all-M
The hardest thing to do is wait, pray and wait some more. We can encourage others, physically "spur" them on to love & good deeds...but, unless the desire and change comes from within their regenerated hearts, it will be only an action on their part to please you (or me) and not a real, changed act of love and submission to the Lord.
We cannot change anyone. Least of all, ourselves. We can live a life of love & honor to the Lord and be faithful. God is the one who changes hearts...lives...minds & spirits. Obedience now is worth a lifetime of joy & peace in our relationship with the Lord. Disobedience now is headed for a road of hard turns and strife, apart from the Lord. The great thing is the Lord is faithful and will woo to Himself those who are His.
This past weekend, I taped all of the Janet Oke’s "Love Comes Softy" books made into Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies. They are very sweet, a bit trite...but over all, very inspirational!
The Lord blessed my heart with a comment from "Love's Long Journey." (I think that is the name of it.) Anyway, the new LaHay couple have moved out West to start a cattle ranch. Willie has recruited some crusty old misfits to help him start, run & keep his ranch. Willie and his wife, Missy, invite all the ranch hands to spend Sunday morning with them reading God's Word (as they don't have church). None of them come, at first. Then, one morning, several of the ranch hands observe one of the men "going to Sunday service." So, two of them discuss this new development. They too, decide to check it out with this quote, "if what they believe in makes them the kind of folks they are, I think it is worth looking in to." And, off they went to Sunday service.
It was the daily living of their lives, honoring the Lord, which wooed others into wanting to know this Lord they were devoted to. That hit me like a ton of bricks! Is the life I’m living and demonstrating wooing others to Christ? Hardly!
Preaching at others, only makes them feel guilty. They need to know and understand the freedom from guilt found in our precious Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ! They need to believe that a life devoted to Christ is better than a life pursing self. But, it all comes down to what they believe.
I’ve confessed my sin, repented and asked Frank to help me decorate for Christmas! You see, we’re not having much of a Christmas this year – finances are beyond tight! But, Christmas isn’t about the gifts…it really is about the One true gift: Jesus Christ.
Jameson left for work yesterday with the house looking like it always does. When he came home after work, the comment and look on his face was well worth the time and effort involved in “Christmasfying” our house. He said, “nice!” and had a huge grin on his face!
Merry Christmas to you & yours this advent season! May the true meaning of Christmas rule your hearts and minds, wooing you to the peace and joy found only in Christ my Lord!
He.he.he..”Christmasfying…” maybe I should submit that as a new word!??
I love you all-M
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