“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
― C.S. Lewis
PSALM 25-27
David seeks to know and be loved by God above all else...
1The LORD is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
4The one thing I ask of the LORD—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
delighting in the LORD’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
ACTS 20:17-38Paul spills his life in obedience to God...
18When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now 19I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. 20I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.22“And now I am bound by the Spiritf to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.25“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault,g 27for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.28“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own bloodh—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.i 29I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.32“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.33“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
JOURNAL
I am overwhelmed at the obedience of Paul. His willingness to work, suffer and obey God. It incredible to see his devotion...his ultimate surrender to God. How do I live with the same level of obedience? The reality is I don't because I fear what that would mean. I fear losing family, friends...but really I fear losing my independence. I fear losing my ability to tend to my needs the way I see fit.
Reality is that I have a certain way of getting what I want and I don't want to surrender that to God...just writing these words is enlightening. Didn't really realize that was in me. WOW!
Reality is that I have a certain way of getting what I want and I don't want to surrender that to God...just writing these words is enlightening. Didn't really realize that was in me. WOW!
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