The calendar seems to dictate what season we're in ... but does it ever look "outside", or better still go "outside"? Today it is actually a Spring like day .. great temperatures with snow in the morning and no need for a coat by evening. It is Ohio remember.
Enjoyed the sunshine either way, got a ride in on my bike (pedaling of course) and exercise is good for me no matter what the temperature. My demeanor seems to improve with motion and warmth, and of course the prospect of even warmer temperatures to follow doesn't hurt my mood either.
Hope it's good weather where you are and you're able to enjoy a little of it while we have it. It sure is something all of us seem to have in common.
I know we are not created with the sole purpose of living based on the weather. We have a higher purpose and calling. While we allow this body to dictate our moods and often times our generosity toward others, I do know we have God's grace and His promises to be our true gauge of how to live. He says we can do all things through Christ Who dwells in me (us), if we receive Him by faith (John 3:16) but so often we neglect to listen to what the Spirit of God in us is trying to show us and where He's trying to lead us ... in other words, it requires obedience to God.
The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord .. orders are therefore given, but it's our obedience to those orders that bring the fruit. He says also, commit your works to the Lord and He will establish your thoughts ... sounds like what I not only need, but want, to happen in my life. I so desire to prosper in what I set my hand to, .. to fulfill His purpose in life, each day, not just occasionally. There is a plan for my life (and yours), for good and not for evil. He will perfect (bring to completion) those things that concern me, again if I cooperate by acting on the Word, not just hear it and keep doing what I've been doing. (We can't keep doing what we do the same way, but expecting different results!)
My past does not define who I am, or Whose I am, unless I yield to that. Today decides tomorrow when I live it according to His direction. Today is not intended to be built on the weather or circumstances I do not control. Today is about choices I am able to make. Choices are not designed to be based on feelings, ... feelings physically, socially, or even mental assent. We were created to be Spirit, Soul, and Body, .. but we live so much of our lives just the opposite ... Body, Soul, and Spirit. We are to be spirit led when we receive Christ and become a new creation .. to live by the spirit is life, but to live by the flesh (body and/or soul) is death.
My choice today is to choose life, and that more abundantly through Jesus Christ. I am very thankful that the weather is changing day by day, progressing fully into Spring again. It happens every year, and thus the seasons continue as God said they would. I'm a comfort creature like most, but I do learn to find comfort and enjoy life no matter what the season brings, always looking forward to the time when it's just like I prefer it, but God has made a way to see His creation as beneficial to my life when I stop and just give thanks for the breath I breathe, and that the life I now live is one of freedom from the past, forgiven, chosen, and blessed to be His child, in His kingdom.
Don't you just love life, no matter what the season? My praise goes out to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for another new day, full of opportunity to love, give, and to be loved by God first, but know I'm loved by others as well. It's also a blessing to know you are loved and we have fellowship because of Him.
Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is with in me, bless His Holy name!
Friday, March 21, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Spring .. Yes!
If you're like me, I am certainly more than ready for this weather to move on to Spring. Did I see a post that says 9 more days till the official start of Spring? .. not that I'm counting!
You bet your blue budding flowers I'm counting and fully expect to enjoy being outside again, everyday! I am thankful that God provides change through the seasons, and of course like you, I have my favorite times of the year. It is refreshing to know also that God provides change in our seasons of life and as I grow older in the count of years, I do look back at times and see what God has been up to in the changes I haven't always wanted.
He shows us how to be more like Him, and He grants us the desires of our hearts when we follow Him. I know that He never leaves me, nor has He ever forsaken me. In every season of my life, God has been at work in me by His Spirit, to refine and bring me forward in the plans He has for me.
Let us rejoice again today, for the new season arriving soon in the natural, and also rejoice that where we are today won't always be that way, .. He has more if we'll just follow His direction and trust Him, with the good times we know, but in the times that aren't so good .. because He is ever faithful.
God is Good, All the time!
You bet your blue budding flowers I'm counting and fully expect to enjoy being outside again, everyday! I am thankful that God provides change through the seasons, and of course like you, I have my favorite times of the year. It is refreshing to know also that God provides change in our seasons of life and as I grow older in the count of years, I do look back at times and see what God has been up to in the changes I haven't always wanted.
He shows us how to be more like Him, and He grants us the desires of our hearts when we follow Him. I know that He never leaves me, nor has He ever forsaken me. In every season of my life, God has been at work in me by His Spirit, to refine and bring me forward in the plans He has for me.
Let us rejoice again today, for the new season arriving soon in the natural, and also rejoice that where we are today won't always be that way, .. He has more if we'll just follow His direction and trust Him, with the good times we know, but in the times that aren't so good .. because He is ever faithful.
God is Good, All the time!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Wow .. been too busy to blog?
Seems like it's been forever since I logged on and put into writing what's on my heart. Truth is, this journey has had so many plates full of everyday that I've allowed the time to take me, rather than taking the time to reflect on my life and all that God has been at work in me to bring continued transformation .. for what reason? To be more like Jesus! As I just heard this past week from someone who is far more eloquent, He wants me to be an instrument for His glory.
So often my desires like many, is to pursue career, dreams, goals, and lifelong accomplishments for the sake of a title, position, credit, and recognition of one sort or another. To offer comfort to those around me, or to please those I am trying to serve, hoping to find comfort in being productive and fruitful. While that may have elements of merit, it does not, has not, never will, .. fulfill what God has in mind for my life. All the above seems to become idol worship, rather than the worship God desires for Himself .. He created me for fellowship with Him and to bring glory to His Name through worship of Him alone. He is a jealous God, .. because He will share His glory with no one. Too deep to wrap my mind around? .. no, but it does mean yielding my life totally to Him and not some image of who I think He is ... He knows me, and wants me to truly KNOW Him.
My trust in Him is growing, and to trust means to know something about or know who that trust is given to. I am learning that when I put my trust (faith) in Him alone, I don't have to use up my life figuring out how, when, where, etc. However, it does mean I have to let go of what I'm trying to make happen, and listen to what He says and then obey it.
Some will say they don't want to use foul language because they don't want God to hear it, but the same ones will say, He doesn't hear me when I pray .. go figure that! The problem I have had, is feeling like my prayers weren't answered and trying to find a way to get Him to hear me. The real problem is, I haven't been listening and more so, not obeying. Answers come as yes, no, or not now (means waiting).
In trying to be more like Jesus, it means listening and then doing what He says. We listen to the voice of the enemy that says you can't make it, you're failing, why not make a choice you know isn't right, don't forgive because they hurt me, or too many other deceptive lies to count, and at the same time I complain I can't hear His voice, when He says love your neighbor, help someone in need, give and it will be given, turn from your ways to My ways, ask someone I've offended for forgiveness ... duh .. now who would speak that to me? Surely not the devil, so I can not say He isn't speaking, nor can I say I can't hear His voice.
Just wanted to do a little open dialogue with myself, but in writing this, I am hoping it not only is my reminder, but as you read this, may it be some momentary help that might encourage you to know, God is at work in each of us, .. each one who comes to God, believing that He is and that He's a rewarder (not a taker) of all who diligently seek Him. It must be my priority, first things first, to follow Him, to turn from my wicked ways, to pray, and ask God to not only forgive me, but to cleanse me .. renew a right spirit in me, and draw me to Him day by day.
A journey requires the first step, and let me say, until we make that first step toward Him, He cannot enable us to take the remaining steps of this journey to complete our trip, and enduring one. Without a start, no marathon will happen, nor will anyone win .. to those who endure there is a reward when the journey is completed. Oh, to hear Him say well done my good and faithful servant. That means more than any title, position, credit, or pat on the back from anyone in this life.
Take heart all! With God all things are possible and our pastor's version of that is, "it's impossible for God to do nothing". Let's give our all to Him and look forward to "until we meet again".
Yep, this is Roger and I believe I can do all things through Christ ..
So often my desires like many, is to pursue career, dreams, goals, and lifelong accomplishments for the sake of a title, position, credit, and recognition of one sort or another. To offer comfort to those around me, or to please those I am trying to serve, hoping to find comfort in being productive and fruitful. While that may have elements of merit, it does not, has not, never will, .. fulfill what God has in mind for my life. All the above seems to become idol worship, rather than the worship God desires for Himself .. He created me for fellowship with Him and to bring glory to His Name through worship of Him alone. He is a jealous God, .. because He will share His glory with no one. Too deep to wrap my mind around? .. no, but it does mean yielding my life totally to Him and not some image of who I think He is ... He knows me, and wants me to truly KNOW Him.
My trust in Him is growing, and to trust means to know something about or know who that trust is given to. I am learning that when I put my trust (faith) in Him alone, I don't have to use up my life figuring out how, when, where, etc. However, it does mean I have to let go of what I'm trying to make happen, and listen to what He says and then obey it.
Some will say they don't want to use foul language because they don't want God to hear it, but the same ones will say, He doesn't hear me when I pray .. go figure that! The problem I have had, is feeling like my prayers weren't answered and trying to find a way to get Him to hear me. The real problem is, I haven't been listening and more so, not obeying. Answers come as yes, no, or not now (means waiting).
In trying to be more like Jesus, it means listening and then doing what He says. We listen to the voice of the enemy that says you can't make it, you're failing, why not make a choice you know isn't right, don't forgive because they hurt me, or too many other deceptive lies to count, and at the same time I complain I can't hear His voice, when He says love your neighbor, help someone in need, give and it will be given, turn from your ways to My ways, ask someone I've offended for forgiveness ... duh .. now who would speak that to me? Surely not the devil, so I can not say He isn't speaking, nor can I say I can't hear His voice.
Just wanted to do a little open dialogue with myself, but in writing this, I am hoping it not only is my reminder, but as you read this, may it be some momentary help that might encourage you to know, God is at work in each of us, .. each one who comes to God, believing that He is and that He's a rewarder (not a taker) of all who diligently seek Him. It must be my priority, first things first, to follow Him, to turn from my wicked ways, to pray, and ask God to not only forgive me, but to cleanse me .. renew a right spirit in me, and draw me to Him day by day.
A journey requires the first step, and let me say, until we make that first step toward Him, He cannot enable us to take the remaining steps of this journey to complete our trip, and enduring one. Without a start, no marathon will happen, nor will anyone win .. to those who endure there is a reward when the journey is completed. Oh, to hear Him say well done my good and faithful servant. That means more than any title, position, credit, or pat on the back from anyone in this life.
Take heart all! With God all things are possible and our pastor's version of that is, "it's impossible for God to do nothing". Let's give our all to Him and look forward to "until we meet again".
Yep, this is Roger and I believe I can do all things through Christ ..
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