I really was not sure what to name this one. I just know I have always had a hard time understanding why we are to speak blessings over someone that hurts us or is horribly inconsiderate like the guy that cuts you off in traffic. Why in the world would we pray for God to bless them when they are so thoughtless and need to come to their senses and change their behavior?
The verse Romans 2:4 came to mind about how the goodness of God leads us to repentance. I don't know about you but somehow I always read that to say in essence that God loving us is what brings us to salvation. That is not what it says though, is it. It really does apply to this situation.
We want this thoughtless inconsiderate person to change their behavior before we pray blessings over them. It is our nature to feel this way. I am finding it is not God's nature to feel this way though. Basically we want their repentance to lead to the goodness of God and yet His word says it just the opposite. If I truly want them to change their behavior (or repent) what does God's word say leads them to that according to this verse? The goodness of God is the answer.
Be patient Lord, I am learning! I will pray blessings on those people and pray that you are so good to them that it changes them like your love has changed me. Thank you Lord for giving me insight once again about a portion of your word that I did not understand. Your ways are so much higher than mine and you prove it so very often!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
My Life is His Garden
It has been a hard week. That saying "when it rains, it pours" seemed like it was written just for me. I oftentimes tell people that saying is true but it is also true of blessings. God can and will rain blessings on our lives at times. This was not bringing me much encouragement. I felt as if one of the biggest blessings in my life could be taken from me at any moment. Knowing he would be dancing with Jesus was not bringing me much encouragement either. I was hurting so badly.
Our vehicle was not cooperating either. We finally got the entire bottom end rebuilt and still having oil pressure issues but at least it was running. We went to run some errands and on the way back the clutch went out.....right before a red light! I was screaming inside and yet we knew if we turned it off we were stuck as we could not push start it. If the clutch is not pushed in it will not start period. We got through the first light as there was very little traffic and we were turning right. Okay, two more stop lights, a railroad crossing, a stop sign and about 10 miles to the house. My mind remembered every wide place in the road directly before a stop light or stop sign. We only had to pull off and circle for one red light. Next is the gate at the house. Oh boy! Me in my flip flops jumping out of a moving vehicle next to an irrigation canal. I gotta tell ya, it was rather comical! No injuries, just a step stumble NONgraceful landing and I had the gate open. Brian circled the truck and came back and parked it in the shade. We fixed the clutch.
As I went to bed last night I was reading as usual and when I saw "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice" I cried out to God. "Even when it seems shit is coming from every direction??" Yes, I said shit to God and thankfully He puts up with me even in those mouthy moods. He impressed upon me that His word also says we should rejoice during trials and tribulations. Even then Lord?? Even now?? This was the beginning of a long talk which I will try to share with you what I learned.
His answer to my question as to whether to rejoice even during the shit storms was "especially then, especially now". I am His garden and I am to bring forth fruit in my life. Well any of us farm kids or gardeners know that "shit" is just another word for fertilizer. We also know that fertilizer burns if there is no water and will ruin a crop quickly. How do I water it Lord? Water is often used in His word to refer to the Holy Spirit. Waters coming forth from inside us or the Living Water are used many times to talk of the Holy Spirit. Okay, so I need the Holy Spirit flowing to water this fertilizer in order to keep it from burning so I can bring forth fruit in my life. What is the best way to bring the Holy Spirit close and flowing in my life?? Praise of course, is the best way! The Holy Spirit inhabits our praise! Okay, so the more fertilizer I have on my garden (or my life) the more water (or Living Water) I need in order to produce fruit!
Yes Lord, now I understand why we are to praise You even in the storms of life, especially in the storms! Thank you Lord for sharing your heart and helping me to understand how now when I am hurting it is the most important to praise you! You are so patient and loving with me and soooo worthy of my praise! Thank you Lord for all you do but mostly for who you ARE! You are indescribable and I am so very thankful for your love! Let my life be your garden and always let me be good soil to plant seeds in so that I may understand you more and share you with others!
Our vehicle was not cooperating either. We finally got the entire bottom end rebuilt and still having oil pressure issues but at least it was running. We went to run some errands and on the way back the clutch went out.....right before a red light! I was screaming inside and yet we knew if we turned it off we were stuck as we could not push start it. If the clutch is not pushed in it will not start period. We got through the first light as there was very little traffic and we were turning right. Okay, two more stop lights, a railroad crossing, a stop sign and about 10 miles to the house. My mind remembered every wide place in the road directly before a stop light or stop sign. We only had to pull off and circle for one red light. Next is the gate at the house. Oh boy! Me in my flip flops jumping out of a moving vehicle next to an irrigation canal. I gotta tell ya, it was rather comical! No injuries, just a step stumble NONgraceful landing and I had the gate open. Brian circled the truck and came back and parked it in the shade. We fixed the clutch.
As I went to bed last night I was reading as usual and when I saw "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice" I cried out to God. "Even when it seems shit is coming from every direction??" Yes, I said shit to God and thankfully He puts up with me even in those mouthy moods. He impressed upon me that His word also says we should rejoice during trials and tribulations. Even then Lord?? Even now?? This was the beginning of a long talk which I will try to share with you what I learned.
His answer to my question as to whether to rejoice even during the shit storms was "especially then, especially now". I am His garden and I am to bring forth fruit in my life. Well any of us farm kids or gardeners know that "shit" is just another word for fertilizer. We also know that fertilizer burns if there is no water and will ruin a crop quickly. How do I water it Lord? Water is often used in His word to refer to the Holy Spirit. Waters coming forth from inside us or the Living Water are used many times to talk of the Holy Spirit. Okay, so I need the Holy Spirit flowing to water this fertilizer in order to keep it from burning so I can bring forth fruit in my life. What is the best way to bring the Holy Spirit close and flowing in my life?? Praise of course, is the best way! The Holy Spirit inhabits our praise! Okay, so the more fertilizer I have on my garden (or my life) the more water (or Living Water) I need in order to produce fruit!
Yes Lord, now I understand why we are to praise You even in the storms of life, especially in the storms! Thank you Lord for sharing your heart and helping me to understand how now when I am hurting it is the most important to praise you! You are so patient and loving with me and soooo worthy of my praise! Thank you Lord for all you do but mostly for who you ARE! You are indescribable and I am so very thankful for your love! Let my life be your garden and always let me be good soil to plant seeds in so that I may understand you more and share you with others!
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