Gal 6:4
But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and tet his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.
Mind your own business, Jess. This is almost sounding like a contradiction to 6:1, ya know! "Help your brother" and all!
Go God!
Verse 3 was talking about how you have to be humble to have any effect or influence on others. This applies to helping them carry their burdens if you are willing to change your heart to be fully after God like a hound after a fox. As I examine my life carefully as verse 4 directs, there will always be something I could better. But when the Lord gives you a command, and you obey, there is nothing to boast about except God's work.
My personal application:
I consider one of my ministries to be leading worship. As a member of that worship team, anything I do on that stage is my "conduct" and "work" (from vs 4). If I scrutinize, examine, and test what I do and do it striving for excellence (my absolute best and all) WHILE RESTING IN GRACE, then the result will be my best for the Lord. This will cause satisfaction and Joy in me. This will shun comparisons and strife in myself and with others whether they be band mates or my church family.
*I think it important to note that the Lord is teaching about resting in His perfect grace while plunging into all he has me to do. There is literally NO room for personal boasting doing it this way.
As a result of the above situation, I won't have an unholy opinion of myself (verse 3), I'll demonstrate grace and God's complete work naturally (verse 2) and if a member is struggling, I will be in a position where they can share their burden and they will be open to receive from God through me. My heart will be in the right place AND my demonstration of God's grace that I am naturally doing by keeping my heart open to hear Him will encourage repentance in my brethren (verse 1).
I have to stress that this is not done by determining myself to do it. It is done because I surrendered to the Lord, He told me to do it, and I merely obeyed. This isn't some kind of equation that will work everytime, it is just something I found true for me. Listening to and obeying God is NEVER wrong.
From Bondage: I will learn good principles and force them upon you...
To Freedom: I will do all I do in excellence so if you need me, you'll trust me to have the right answer...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
A quick side note of great importance
Before I start this one, I want to put out there what the Lord just started putting in stone in my heart. That may not be technical, but it's the best way to explain what this is like. While I wrote the previous blogs I could literally pin point people that could gleam, if they were willing to change, from them. Then the Lord showed me how these learning experiences from Galations are to set me free from the pressure of performance, the pressure to prove myself, and the pressure to "help" God change other people. I know, simple, but something my heart didn't realize it was doing even though to see it on paper i can point at it and say, "That's a stupid thing to do!" and yes, it isn't wise at all... but from here on out, it's personal. This is about what God is showing me. This is about how God wants me to conduct myself.
Oh God let me be a strong woman with my mind and heart resolved to only follow what you teach me. Write on my heart, oh my God, what will put my path where you want. Help my mind to be only on myself as I gleam from what wise men wrote long ago. You are my passion. Nothing else. No one else. Once again, I surrender to you.
Amen
Oh God let me be a strong woman with my mind and heart resolved to only follow what you teach me. Write on my heart, oh my God, what will put my path where you want. Help my mind to be only on myself as I gleam from what wise men wrote long ago. You are my passion. Nothing else. No one else. Once again, I surrender to you.
Amen
Somebody, Some body... VERY different.
I have been learning so much about how I could be knowledgable in the Bible and be completely off track. It's all about the heart. All about my motives. All about how much of me is God's. I am telling you, I am a lot farther from the mark when you put it that way then if it's just about knowing the Bible... :)
For if Any Person thinks himself to be somebody [to important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own esteem], he decieves and deludes and cheats himself.
Gal 6:3
I love this. WARNING: may offend people who get offended.
Te first thing that stands out in my mind is the heart. Where is your heart really and truely? Someone who does have a lofty attitude has misplaced pride. Pride is no fun to deal with AT all. Pride in themself and not a deadness of self to Christ. That also means they have a hole they are trying to fill, the pride being in there now. So, that person is incapible of helping because you can not give what you don't have.
The second thing to catch my eye "decieves". By thinking this, he leads HIMSELF in the wrong direction. That direction is gonna change the new few steps in his own life for the worse. He's on the wrong path himself (not someone you would want helping you get straigtened out anyway).
"Deludes"- When a harmful substance deludes a pure substance it defiles the whole thing. That thinking tants all the thoughts, ideas, and core values. Then all products from that person are contaminated by that defiled root.
"Cheats"- He is actually cheating himself out of the life God wants for him. Not just "life" as in one lifetime, but "life" as in "river of life" that God wants to run through us to help us through out our lifetime. What makes us feel "Ready to go!!!" instead of "Is it almost over?".
I believe this being merely an explination and warning to people going through something. Don't look for these people to be sympathetic to you when they can't stop thinking about themselves. But if this is a difficult area for you, no big deal! Just learn to let the Lord love you. He'll fill the holes and it'll be like a balm on a wound.
From Bondage: I will make myself humble...
To Liberty: I have God's life running through my veins, and I can help you find that in Him...
For if Any Person thinks himself to be somebody [to important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own esteem], he decieves and deludes and cheats himself.
Gal 6:3
I love this. WARNING: may offend people who get offended.
Te first thing that stands out in my mind is the heart. Where is your heart really and truely? Someone who does have a lofty attitude has misplaced pride. Pride is no fun to deal with AT all. Pride in themself and not a deadness of self to Christ. That also means they have a hole they are trying to fill, the pride being in there now. So, that person is incapible of helping because you can not give what you don't have.
The second thing to catch my eye "decieves". By thinking this, he leads HIMSELF in the wrong direction. That direction is gonna change the new few steps in his own life for the worse. He's on the wrong path himself (not someone you would want helping you get straigtened out anyway).
"Deludes"- When a harmful substance deludes a pure substance it defiles the whole thing. That thinking tants all the thoughts, ideas, and core values. Then all products from that person are contaminated by that defiled root.
"Cheats"- He is actually cheating himself out of the life God wants for him. Not just "life" as in one lifetime, but "life" as in "river of life" that God wants to run through us to help us through out our lifetime. What makes us feel "Ready to go!!!" instead of "Is it almost over?".
I believe this being merely an explination and warning to people going through something. Don't look for these people to be sympathetic to you when they can't stop thinking about themselves. But if this is a difficult area for you, no big deal! Just learn to let the Lord love you. He'll fill the holes and it'll be like a balm on a wound.
From Bondage: I will make myself humble...
To Liberty: I have God's life running through my veins, and I can help you find that in Him...
Monday, October 24, 2011
STONE THE SINNER jk :)
Today while reading a book with lots of words, I came across a verse and it became alive in me. So alive that I had to start writing. Me, not being a big writer, thought this odd... so I did it.
Gal 6:1
Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all genetleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempeted also.
What the Lord told me:
Just because you can see where someone has gone off track doesn't mean you are even capable of helping them or are "responsible" for correcting them, necessarily. Even if they ask you too, if you can't follow 6:1's conditions then you are wrong to try.
Also, the phrases "controlled by the spirit" and "Responsive" to Him! WOW! Just because you can hear the Lord and are obedient to do what He wants SOMETIMES doesn't mean you meet these qualificaitons everytime. You have to check yourself everytime at the time.
Literally, the only way to do this is to have 100% of your focus on God and not getting distracted by anything else. Including this person's drama.
You have to be able to see clearly the root issue and then gently use kindness to influence this person towards repentence without getting caught in their "junk".
You "falling into temptaion" is not just being careful about falling into the temptation this person is dealing with but also being careful of starting to judge this person for their inability to change like YOU want them too!
Now:
Let's ask ourselves why so many people are willing to follow the "correct your brother" part but overlook the "if you are able to..." conditions.
There are several things that come to mind as to why people will do this. Inadiquacy, self-righteousness, false teaching...
If I try to correct someone to change because I struggle with the same sin root then more then likely I am trying to convince myself to change rather then thinking about anyone besides myself. When I don't see a change, it frustrates my flesh. What I need to do is identify that root within myself, then give it to the Lord. Repent. See that the issue at hand has been taken care of by the cross and begin to see myself as Christ sees me. Perfectly Holy. Dwell on scriptures that back up what the Lord says about me. Focus on God's love for me. Let HIM minister to me.
Correcting someone else because you are trying to pay for your past isn't a good idea either. If I am trying to let my good out-weigh my past wrongs, it's self-rightesnous. Lot's of people consider the people they've spend time and effert in bettering as trophies. "How could they just do that, I envested so much into them." That is NOT what the Lord wants. There is a lack of self-worth. You are only good if you can make people change. Resolve: Let yourself realize that the "lack" of worth... its been taken care of already. Don't let your pride win and let you think that you can do ANYTHING apart from the blood of Christ, and all you do should be for Him, not you.
I have heard so many teachings about how you have a duty and obligation to correct your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. How you are a "slacker" and not pulling your weight for God if you aren't activly annoying somebody about how much they are off God's path for them. Bull. You have to find your Identity in Christ. Then when preaching like that comes along to manipulate you into feeling lack (most likely brough on by the lack in the teachers life) your foundation will be so grounded, they can't touch your resolve. You can not make yourself more of a Christian by your works.
So what positive thing did I take from this? We are to try to help our brothers and sisters, but only once we've died to our flesh. We can't help someone at all if we are trying to claw our way out of the same pit. I don't have to make myself care about others if I am growing closer to God, I will naturally do it because it's in his nature.
I see this verse not as demanding me to go correct all these sinners, but more describing who is actually capable. Someone who is free. Realizing this has broken chains off that I never even knew were there...
From bondage- I have an obligation to love you.
To Freedom- I have the heart of Christ, and I LOVE you.
Gal 6:1
Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all genetleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempeted also.
What the Lord told me:
Just because you can see where someone has gone off track doesn't mean you are even capable of helping them or are "responsible" for correcting them, necessarily. Even if they ask you too, if you can't follow 6:1's conditions then you are wrong to try.
Also, the phrases "controlled by the spirit" and "Responsive" to Him! WOW! Just because you can hear the Lord and are obedient to do what He wants SOMETIMES doesn't mean you meet these qualificaitons everytime. You have to check yourself everytime at the time.
Literally, the only way to do this is to have 100% of your focus on God and not getting distracted by anything else. Including this person's drama.
You have to be able to see clearly the root issue and then gently use kindness to influence this person towards repentence without getting caught in their "junk".
You "falling into temptaion" is not just being careful about falling into the temptation this person is dealing with but also being careful of starting to judge this person for their inability to change like YOU want them too!
Now:
Let's ask ourselves why so many people are willing to follow the "correct your brother" part but overlook the "if you are able to..." conditions.
There are several things that come to mind as to why people will do this. Inadiquacy, self-righteousness, false teaching...
If I try to correct someone to change because I struggle with the same sin root then more then likely I am trying to convince myself to change rather then thinking about anyone besides myself. When I don't see a change, it frustrates my flesh. What I need to do is identify that root within myself, then give it to the Lord. Repent. See that the issue at hand has been taken care of by the cross and begin to see myself as Christ sees me. Perfectly Holy. Dwell on scriptures that back up what the Lord says about me. Focus on God's love for me. Let HIM minister to me.
Correcting someone else because you are trying to pay for your past isn't a good idea either. If I am trying to let my good out-weigh my past wrongs, it's self-rightesnous. Lot's of people consider the people they've spend time and effert in bettering as trophies. "How could they just do that, I envested so much into them." That is NOT what the Lord wants. There is a lack of self-worth. You are only good if you can make people change. Resolve: Let yourself realize that the "lack" of worth... its been taken care of already. Don't let your pride win and let you think that you can do ANYTHING apart from the blood of Christ, and all you do should be for Him, not you.
I have heard so many teachings about how you have a duty and obligation to correct your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. How you are a "slacker" and not pulling your weight for God if you aren't activly annoying somebody about how much they are off God's path for them. Bull. You have to find your Identity in Christ. Then when preaching like that comes along to manipulate you into feeling lack (most likely brough on by the lack in the teachers life) your foundation will be so grounded, they can't touch your resolve. You can not make yourself more of a Christian by your works.
So what positive thing did I take from this? We are to try to help our brothers and sisters, but only once we've died to our flesh. We can't help someone at all if we are trying to claw our way out of the same pit. I don't have to make myself care about others if I am growing closer to God, I will naturally do it because it's in his nature.
I see this verse not as demanding me to go correct all these sinners, but more describing who is actually capable. Someone who is free. Realizing this has broken chains off that I never even knew were there...
From bondage- I have an obligation to love you.
To Freedom- I have the heart of Christ, and I LOVE you.
Newbie? Why yes! Yes, I am!
I am a new blogger. The purpose behind my bloggerisms is simple. These are things God is showing me w hopes to set anyone wanting the freedoms I've found, free. I love God. I want more of me to reflect who he is in me. So welcome! Now you know ny motives, desires, and personality... I guess we're friends now :-)
A constantly new creation.
A constantly new creation.
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