In the abundance of quiet moments that I have had lately, the Lord has been speaking to my heart. Actually, it’s been more like chastening my heart. I've had many days and nights of unrest.
It seems like there is more trouble than ever in the world, and in the lives of people I know and love. Our prayer list is full of people with sicknesses…even cancer. Families seem to be struggling, and young people and children seem almost unaffected by the things of God. There are many unsaved that we have been praying for that are still lost.
I'm not really a doom and gloom type person but something seems wrong. I think it's me.
Have you ever heard the definition of insanity? It's doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. People say it as a joke many times, but I am beginning to see the truth in the jest. The same old prayers and Bible reading are just not cutting it anymore. God has not changed. God still answers prayer. There is still wonder working power in the Blood of Jesus Christ to save lost souls.
When I read these verses with the mind set that I have right now, I’m seeing them different.
James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” And Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
I'm seeing something I have never seen before. My pride…. which I hate, wants to say, “I do these things!” I'm confessing my faults, I'm praying, I'm trying to be righteous, I love my church and want to be there as much as my sick body will allow me to be, and I want to be an encouragement to others.
The truth is... my puny efforts are only a drop in the bucket. It's just my reasonable service. Romans 12:1 says, “I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
The Bible is clear. It says to pray fervently, and to exhort one another so much the more…..as you see the day of the Lord’s return approaching. I think I have missed this when I've read these verses before. I've just been patting myself on the back for trying to do these things.
I now have to ask myself; am I really fervent in prayer…… and beyond that, am I really righteous? Do I really want to be an encouragement to others? Am I willing to die to myself so I can be? Can I be honest? I'm sick and tired of feeling comfortable as a Christian. Pastor shared a verse with us Sunday night that has been stuck in my mind all week. It was about chastening. Hebrews 12:11, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
I can't say that what I'm feeling right now is a good feeling. I really don’t like it that much to tell you the truth. I'm ashamed and so convicted, but it can’t stop there. The chastening on my spirit doesn’t feel good, but I want the “afterward” part. I want the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” that will come with this spiritual discipline.
I have to change. I have to confess my sin and repent. 1 John 1:8-9 tells us... “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I'm claiming this verse today.
I can't be satisfied with my old ways. I can’t be satisfied with just doing what is only my reasonable service. I have to hunger for holiness and be willing to dig deeper into God’s Word, and to pray without ceasing, for the kind of righteousness that will get my prayers heard and answered!
We live in troubled, dark times that seem to change by the moment. But our Great God will never change! His promises still stand true! I don’t want to fail God for He has done so much for me.
From my heart...Dianne
2 comments:
This is rich. Only those hungering for holiness will get it. I want the very thing you are talking about here. Thank you Dianne for being so open, honest and forthright in saying what we need to hear.
I will definintely read this again and again! You're so right, and this was just another piece of the puzzle that God is trying to teach me right now! Thank you for sharing it and thank you for being my friend! I love you, Dianne!
Janna
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