Discovering what love is one day at a time
So have you ever gone to a potluck? You know where people bring all sorts of foods for a meal; salads, main courses, deserts…and other sometimes unidentifiable mish-mash hodge-podge dishes...that may or may not pique your interest. You get to fill your plate from many of the dishes provided. Sometimes you just have to encourage yourself to try something new…maybe it’s a vegetable dish that you have never seen or maybe it’s just not that appetizing at all… My kids like to skip the main dishes and fill up on all of the deserts. I have a friend whose youngest daughter will try new foods if they will cheer for her. Don’t you love that!? I do! It just makes me think about God’s Word, and how He… by His perfect love for us, His Word, and the help of the Holy Spirit, cheers us on. I think that we all need cheerleaders. I am not talking about empty compliments, I am talking about words that stick, and provide true healthy nourishment to our heart, mind and spirit. Words of truth that plant seeds of courage, build up, and water real healthy growth in our walk. I love the picture that His Word provides for us in Psalm 23…He sets a table for us in the presence of our enemies…Makes me think of the picture of a long beautiful table, filled with all kinds of goodness. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:103-104 Psalm 103:5... who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid. The NET Translation of the Bible says this…He is your constant source of stability: He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom He gives all this to those who fear Him. Is 33:6 Sometimes this life throws curveballs…ok this life throws lots of curveballs, but the truth is that when we truly surrender ourselves unto Christ, He empowers us. His Word says that He has not given a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. That power is the moral power, the excellence of soul, given to us by faith in Christ…it is the power of Christ residing in us…His influence. We were bought at a price…this life is not our own… Which means we have a responsibility to steward that power and excellence of soul…and partner with God…agreeing with Him as he cheers us forward. We can do that by examining the things that we have been given and dismissing the things that we haven’t been given. Like when anxiety, fear, cowardice, timidity or fearfulness try to creep in…we are not to be passive or apathetic and allow it take over and rule our emotions, our thoughts, or even the words that we speak. We are to cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…. His Word tells us to not be afraid of sudden terror nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be our confidence, and will keep our feet from being caught…. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you, let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid… We are definitely given responsibility on our part to steward His peace…and that’s where we must encourage ourselves and agree with His Word so that we may fill our hearts minds and spirits with good healthy nourishment. His Word is that which builds, gives support, stirs us up, motivates us, and inspires us with courage and hope. His Word says that He sets a table for us in the presence of our enemies…like at a potluck we encourage ourselves with servings of His Word…by helping ourselves to the great big servings that are at the table… Now that we are adults…no one spoon feeds us anymore, and it isn’t often that our plate is filled for us, unless we are surrounded by hearts that see our need, and are willing to serve us with what they already posses. Are you choosing to dine at His table?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI have been married to my wonderful husband for 29 years. We have two young men ages 25 and 20.. This blog is somewhat of a journal and attempt for me to remind myself of my purpose and invite others to join me in keeping an eternal perspective as we move through each day. Archives
May 2023
|