“The deeper we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become - the more we realize that everything in life is a gift. The tenor of our lives becomes one of humble and joyful thanksgiving. Awareness of our poverty and ineptitude causes us to rejoice in the gift of being called out of darkness into wondrous light and translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son.”
―
PSALM 17-18
ACTS 19:1-20
8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
JOURNAL
David speaks of God being his rock and his fortress. David has given up depending on anything else...David understands that seeking refuge in God through obedience is the only way through the trials of life. It is the only way to find true joy. Doing so however requires a giving up of things other than God.
I must let go of something in order to make room to allow me to take hold of something else. This is common logic, yet I find that often I am holding on to too many things. There are hopes and wishes and desires that cannot take the place of God. They can have room in my life but only as a part of my true allegiance to God. Otherwise, I will never truly embrace the discipline required to completely follow.
This is the hard truth of life...to truly get, you often have to give up, or at least be willing. Often this is in direct contrast with the name it and claim it brand of Christianity. Their message is that God wants you to have all the good things of this world. Reality is that none of the things of this world compare to relationship with God. If any of them threaten to become more important than loving God, obeying him and loving our neighbor then they essentially are becoming idols in place of God. Health, wealth and "success" can never equal God...they are good things but they are never intended to rival God himself.
25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
I must let go of something in order to make room to allow me to take hold of something else. This is common logic, yet I find that often I am holding on to too many things. There are hopes and wishes and desires that cannot take the place of God. They can have room in my life but only as a part of my true allegiance to God. Otherwise, I will never truly embrace the discipline required to completely follow.
This is the hard truth of life...to truly get, you often have to give up, or at least be willing. Often this is in direct contrast with the name it and claim it brand of Christianity. Their message is that God wants you to have all the good things of this world. Reality is that none of the things of this world compare to relationship with God. If any of them threaten to become more important than loving God, obeying him and loving our neighbor then they essentially are becoming idols in place of God. Health, wealth and "success" can never equal God...they are good things but they are never intended to rival God himself.
25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
LUKE 14:25-27
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