3/14/13

I usually like to blog about things God is teaching me, how He's growing me, stretching my faith, etc.  I like to have this journey documented to always be able to look back and SEE how far He's brought me.  Nothing can bring about great spontaneous thankfulness to God (and humility) like remembering the place from which He has brought you.  And to remember He does not desire to leave me where I'm at. That's not His will.  For me to get comfortable with this new place I'm at and sit there to get stale.  I now believe in working for the Lord.  Not doing a nice deed here or there, going to church on Sunday, then patting myself on the back for being a good Christian.  So, do I get tired?  Yes.  Am I sometimes "not feeling it"?  Yes.  But do I feel Him sustaining me?  YES.  Have I seen His faithfulness in such obvious ways that there's no doubt it's Him?  YES.  Have I had moments of humbling awe when He gives me a glimpse "behind the curtain" at what He's doing?  YES.... and I've never been in such close communion with Him.

Sometimes I feel like there are a ton of things at once He's showing me.... and since I'm a dumb sheep it takes these things being repeated many times before they may fully sink in and become regularly practiced.  So, some things He's reminding me of currently...

• Taking captive my thoughts and making them obedient to Christ (2 Corinth 10:5)
• As believers we are not to run from problems, we are to run straight into them.
• God does not allow His children to sin successfully.
• To not give up on praying for a certain someone or situation.  If God has burdened me to pray for someone, am I to think He has no intention of saving them??
• Delayed obedience is disobedience.
• Living right before God helps our children live right before God.  It's heart-breaking to look at one of my daughters and see the same sin I commit.
• He is faithful when we are faithless.
• Blessings are in the hard places.
• Cooperating with the Holy Spirit in daily life prepares us for future battles.
• It will cost me something to be in the will of God.
• Believers are to care more about being right with God than insisting on their own rights.
• Satan uses temptation to result in sin & failure... God uses tests to deepen my commitment and see me succeed.
• We show what's in our heart by what we offer God.
• God disciplines those He LOVES.... and He loves me too much to give me lesser things.

A lot to take in.  So thankful for His grace in my being a work in progress.  And for the people He has placed in my life to help me along the way.  Those that shepherd me, and that I work along side.  I have surprised myself with being brought to tears twice just thinking about the incredible group of women I serve with at BSF.  Women who are so devoted to the Lord, women after God's own heart, and welcomed me with such a Christ-like warmth.  Just having them in my life is an overwhelming honor and privilege.  My loving family- a treasured blessing from the Lord.  My faithful friends... I could go on and on.
So my working for the Lord is wrapped up in these things He's asking me to be obedient in and serving Him in whatever way He calls me.  And to do it all with a joyful heart.  I can't wait to look back months from now and see the growth and fruit produced when I am fully surrendered and committed.