Thought for today:
It's not my fault is a
prevalent attitude in our culture. To avoid responsibility for their
own actions, people blame others. Sometimes our wounds are so deep that
forgiveness does not come easily. While the person may have done nothing
to deserve your forgiveness do it anyway. Refuse to use past hurts and
wrongs as a reason to punish or get even with people.
I love the Holy Spirit’s gifts. But some of our “Spirit-filled” practices are questionable. The ear-shattering amp. When the early church prayed, the buildings shook. Today we shake our buildings by turning up the volume of our sound systems. You know they are too loud when church members pop in earplugs during worship. “Charismatic” does not mean “loud,” and our spirituality is not measured in decibels. The apostle Paul, in laying down guidelines for charismatic gifts, told the Corinthians, “When I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11). As we embrace the Spirit’s work, let’s allow Him to guide us into maturity so we don’t foolishly squander His power.
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ReplyDeleteGood works and right living will not earn the Lord’s favor.Most of us look pretty good in our own eyes. But when held up against God’s perfect holiness, everyone of us is lacking.
The word Favor often is translated “mercy” but also can be translated “womb.” This
ReplyDeletegives us insight into the “favor” of God, for the womb is the place where our lives
begin. It is a place of comfort, rest, and security. In the womb, each baby is
totally dependent on the mother. The mother carries all the burdens and
responsibilities, and she must provide all the food and protection. The baby only
can rest and trust.
This helps us understand what the Bible means by favor. Walking in God’s favor means
recognizing what He does for us and how much we must depend on Him. It means
realizing that our lives are in His hands.
Receiving God’s favor begins with recognition that He is our Creator, the God of the
whole Universe. It requires awareness that in order to experience success,
happiness, joy, peace, contentment, and fulfillment, we truly depend upon Him.
We must not measure our spiritual capacity by education or by intellect. Our spiritual capacity in spiritual things is measured by the promise of God.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible character fell on their strong points, never on their weak ones. Unguarded strength is double weakness because that is where the “retired sphere of the least” saps. “Kept by the power of God-that is the only safety.
ReplyDeleteYou can reach the port if you weather the storm. No one is exempt from the turbulence,bumps an discomforts of life.
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