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!
Showing posts with label Goodness of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goodness of God. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
The God Who Sees Me
Last week I was reading a book about God and how He is the God who sees us. (The lady writing the book had been reading about how Hagar had been the first to call God the God who sees me when she was escaping Sarai and God heard her cries. ) This lady found herself asking God to show her in some way that He saw her every need, truly saw HER as she was searching for some lip balm in her purse. She offhandedly said she could sure use some lip balm. If I remember it correctly when she got back to her desk someone had left her a gift of lip balm. Every time she gets lip balm now it is a reminder to her that God saw even that small need, He truly sees HER personally.
Of course after reading this I was thinking how very special that was and asking God could He not show me somehow really cool like that. The internal dialog went something like this.....
Me-That is just too special, I would so love something similar that would say just to me how much you love me and see my needs.
God began reminding me of the stars and the many things He had taught me about His love with them and the doves that come to me during my prayer times and watch me, they even hatched their babies right by the gate in the cactus.
Me-Yes but those are there all the time and could just be coincidences.
God reminded me His love was just like that...there all the time and there are NO coincidences.
Me-forgive me Lord, you are so right and those things are so very special to me and do remind me of your love and teach me so much. I do love you so very much, thank you!
Fast forward to the next day. Brian asked me to go watch a movie with him that was very very loud and action packed. We both enjoyed the movie a lot but I was very much looking forward to some quiet time when we left. Brian wanted to go to Walmart first. Oh dear...I do hate going to Walmart! I tend to feel the emotions of folks around me and I am telling you right now there are NOT many happy people in Walmart! to say the least I was definitely overstimulated and craving quiet time by the time we left Walmart. Brian asked if I would like to go the back way or the freeway going home. I told him the least traffic way! As we started down one of the dirt roads going the back way home my mouth dropped open. The road was absolutely covered with doves!! I am not exaggerating when I say this. Brian actually had to slow way down to keep from hitting any of them. Suddenly I felt as if I was immersed in God's love and every bit of anxiety and craving for quiet time left me. I felt as if God was asking me what I thought of this lil "coincidence" as He laughed and reminded me that seeing doves was definitely still one of His ways of telling me He sees me. What an amazing God He is!! I am so very blessed!
Of course after reading this I was thinking how very special that was and asking God could He not show me somehow really cool like that. The internal dialog went something like this.....
Me-That is just too special, I would so love something similar that would say just to me how much you love me and see my needs.
God began reminding me of the stars and the many things He had taught me about His love with them and the doves that come to me during my prayer times and watch me, they even hatched their babies right by the gate in the cactus.
Me-Yes but those are there all the time and could just be coincidences.
God reminded me His love was just like that...there all the time and there are NO coincidences.
Me-forgive me Lord, you are so right and those things are so very special to me and do remind me of your love and teach me so much. I do love you so very much, thank you!
Fast forward to the next day. Brian asked me to go watch a movie with him that was very very loud and action packed. We both enjoyed the movie a lot but I was very much looking forward to some quiet time when we left. Brian wanted to go to Walmart first. Oh dear...I do hate going to Walmart! I tend to feel the emotions of folks around me and I am telling you right now there are NOT many happy people in Walmart! to say the least I was definitely overstimulated and craving quiet time by the time we left Walmart. Brian asked if I would like to go the back way or the freeway going home. I told him the least traffic way! As we started down one of the dirt roads going the back way home my mouth dropped open. The road was absolutely covered with doves!! I am not exaggerating when I say this. Brian actually had to slow way down to keep from hitting any of them. Suddenly I felt as if I was immersed in God's love and every bit of anxiety and craving for quiet time left me. I felt as if God was asking me what I thought of this lil "coincidence" as He laughed and reminded me that seeing doves was definitely still one of His ways of telling me He sees me. What an amazing God He is!! I am so very blessed!
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