This is so powerful. Thank you for sharing, Jon. In a culture that measures success by numbers, I am thankful that God measures the heart of His people. My greatest prayer is that at the end of my days, I have no regrets about how I lived my life before the Lord. I want to submit everything I am and have to Him because it all came from Him in the first place. Less of me, more of Him, for sure.
To have more of Jesus, I have to eliminate other things, to make more room for HIM.
I have been trying to prepare my heart for the Christmas season. In my attempt, I have been stuck on the thought of "making room for Jesus." Not just in my heart, but in every aspect of my life!! Fasting is just a small portion of that. I want all aspects of my life to have room for Jesus.... my relationships, my finances, my schedule/time, my mind, my energy ... as I ponder this topic, several scriptures have popped out to me.
May I share them with ya'll please?
1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV
[12] “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
[1] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: [2] a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, [3] a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, [4] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, [5] a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, [6] a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, [7] a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, [8] a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Right now, for me, it is a time to remain still, a time to remain quiet.... one Word from Jesus can change a life, can change a situation.... I don't need to fill that space, sometimes, it's my job, rather, to create space for JESUS, THE LORD OF ALL to fill the room.
I read my chronological Bible readings first thing every morning, but, more recently, before bedtime, I've also been reading through the Psalms and circling every time David speaks about the EYES of Father God and/or Father God's face shining upon us....
It fills my heart with JOY and PEACE.... I end up having a much more restful sleep....
Lord Jesus, I ask that You give each of us a DRIVING hunger for more and more of You. Let us never be satisfied where we are, but give us a driving desire to deepen our friendship with YOU, give us the convictions to surrender our daily walk to Your Lordship, that YOU and YOU ALONE will shine through us FOR YOUR GLORY to draw others into Your Life to the full.
I am remembering a hospital, job interview that I had back about 10 years ago. It was set up that that particular hospital, a candidate had a portion of the interview with the manager first, if you "passed" that portion, you moved on to a session with the "team" of charge nurses.
I had already determined in my heart/mind that there are certain things in my life that I will never compromise no matter how desperate I am for an imcome.
I will never compromise my integrity
I will never compromise my character
I will never compromise my relationship with Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God.
During the second 1/2 of the interview, with the "team" I suddenly realized that no matter if I was ever offered a job with this group of people or not, I did not wish to be in that environment. Psalms, chapter one says m, do not sit in the shade of those who do not love what Jesus loves. (My own interpretation there). Even immature Christians, albeit they are brothers and sisters in Christ, is not who I want to spend the majority of my time under their tutelage. Yes, there are times of discipleship, mentoring, etc.... but that is different than spending 8 hours a day with someone.
Deception, manipulation, trickery,.... people that do not operate in the fruits of the Holy Spirit, are not ones I, personally wish to "hang out with."
I guess this topic is boardering on our own personal values and "standards of practice" for ourselves and our family that we each much decide on.
That is a topic I would dearly love to delve into at a deeoer level, Pastor. Developing values for our families and how to implement those values with our children,... even adult children. Adult children is where the RELEADING can become a true challenge and a test of our character, right???
In the past, towards the end of each year, Father God has given me "a word(s)" for the New Year to focus on, that would draw me closer to Him and grow me spiritually.
I have been praying for next year's word as this year has been drawing to a close...
I'm not sure if this is it, but the last few days, this is what I sense that Father God has been saying to me:
I will tack onto that comnent that in addition to Pastor Wade's sermon on Sunday, I have been remembering a couple of songs that were very close to me a couple of years ago as I was going through some very tough times.
As I have been reading through the beginnings of the New Testament Church times, those times were tough for them as well..... we will all go through those rough waters....
Very good! It helps me to have a better perspective of what true success really is by reaffirming my priorities.
Thank you.
This is so powerful. Thank you for sharing, Jon. In a culture that measures success by numbers, I am thankful that God measures the heart of His people. My greatest prayer is that at the end of my days, I have no regrets about how I lived my life before the Lord. I want to submit everything I am and have to Him because it all came from Him in the first place. Less of me, more of Him, for sure.
Amen Christy!
Good word Jon. Thank you.
Knowing my priorities helps to keep me from distractions!
So good Jon! Great reminder and such an important thing for us all to grasp and keep our eyes on!!
To have more of Jesus, I have to eliminate other things, to make more room for HIM.
I have been trying to prepare my heart for the Christmas season. In my attempt, I have been stuck on the thought of "making room for Jesus." Not just in my heart, but in every aspect of my life!! Fasting is just a small portion of that. I want all aspects of my life to have room for Jesus.... my relationships, my finances, my schedule/time, my mind, my energy ... as I ponder this topic, several scriptures have popped out to me.
May I share them with ya'll please?
1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV
[12] “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
https://1corinthians.bible/1-corinthians-6-12
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV
[1] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: [2] a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, [3] a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, [4] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, [5] a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, [6] a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, [7] a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, [8] a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
https://ecclesiastes.bible/ecclesiastes-3-1
Right now, for me, it is a time to remain still, a time to remain quiet.... one Word from Jesus can change a life, can change a situation.... I don't need to fill that space, sometimes, it's my job, rather, to create space for JESUS, THE LORD OF ALL to fill the room.
"How I love Jesus"!!!!
Blessings,
I have been on a mission lately....
I read my chronological Bible readings first thing every morning, but, more recently, before bedtime, I've also been reading through the Psalms and circling every time David speaks about the EYES of Father God and/or Father God's face shining upon us....
It fills my heart with JOY and PEACE.... I end up having a much more restful sleep....
Just thought I'd share.
Blessings,
Lord Jesus, I ask that You give each of us a DRIVING hunger for more and more of You. Let us never be satisfied where we are, but give us a driving desire to deepen our friendship with YOU, give us the convictions to surrender our daily walk to Your Lordship, that YOU and YOU ALONE will shine through us FOR YOUR GLORY to draw others into Your Life to the full.
Amen and Amen
I am remembering a hospital, job interview that I had back about 10 years ago. It was set up that that particular hospital, a candidate had a portion of the interview with the manager first, if you "passed" that portion, you moved on to a session with the "team" of charge nurses.
I had already determined in my heart/mind that there are certain things in my life that I will never compromise no matter how desperate I am for an imcome.
I will never compromise my integrity
I will never compromise my character
I will never compromise my relationship with Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God.
During the second 1/2 of the interview, with the "team" I suddenly realized that no matter if I was ever offered a job with this group of people or not, I did not wish to be in that environment. Psalms, chapter one says m, do not sit in the shade of those who do not love what Jesus loves. (My own interpretation there). Even immature Christians, albeit they are brothers and sisters in Christ, is not who I want to spend the majority of my time under their tutelage. Yes, there are times of discipleship, mentoring, etc.... but that is different than spending 8 hours a day with someone.
Deception, manipulation, trickery,.... people that do not operate in the fruits of the Holy Spirit, are not ones I, personally wish to "hang out with."
I guess this topic is boardering on our own personal values and "standards of practice" for ourselves and our family that we each much decide on.
That is a topic I would dearly love to delve into at a deeoer level, Pastor. Developing values for our families and how to implement those values with our children,... even adult children. Adult children is where the RELEADING can become a true challenge and a test of our character, right???
In the past, towards the end of each year, Father God has given me "a word(s)" for the New Year to focus on, that would draw me closer to Him and grow me spiritually.
I have been praying for next year's word as this year has been drawing to a close...
I'm not sure if this is it, but the last few days, this is what I sense that Father God has been saying to me:
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, stay focused:
REMAIN steadfast
REMAIN steady
REMAIN faithful
REMAIN true
REMAIN pure
REMAIN joyful
REMAIN thankful
REMAIN IN ME AND I WILL REMAIN IN YOU!!"
Just my thoughts for the day....
Blessings,
I will tack onto that comnent that in addition to Pastor Wade's sermon on Sunday, I have been remembering a couple of songs that were very close to me a couple of years ago as I was going through some very tough times.
As I have been reading through the beginnings of the New Testament Church times, those times were tough for them as well..... we will all go through those rough waters....
https://youtu.be/Cq0k_F7cTcU?si=T0gvEBs6vYZO16gp
https://youtu.be/unLKmJJPExk?si=kjfQJuE_YPJQczYs