Why is it that when they feel the Lord is talking to them through His word, it always seems to be a positive, promise-giving scripture?
Think about it.
How often has someone confided in you that God gave them a scripture like Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Or, Proverbs 23:20-21 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
I’d probably do a back-flip if someone came up to me and shared a few verses like the ones above.
Recently, our pastor has been teaching on 1 Corinthians 13 – The LOVE Chapter. Even the non-believer has heard those scripture verses at every wedding they’ve ever attended. But, the part that stuck me like hot needles was this: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. He went on to teach about the pitfalls of pride and a self-seeking nature.
Yep, I was convicted.
Did I mention that our pastor followed 1 Corinthians 13 up with a side-order of Philippians 2?
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippisans 2:3-4
When I thought back over my week, I realized there were quite a few selfish me-moments I’d been guilty of. Moments that caused an argument with my husband, frustrations with me, and discouragement over those things I didn’t think were going my way.
Me and God had some good one-on-one confession time Sunday morning.
Yesterday, I realized it had been quite a few days since I’d taken time, good quality time to seek Him. In my prayer journal I asked the Lord to give me a scripture from Him, something I could hang onto this week. Then I realized, He had already given me one Sunday, “Love does not boast, it is not proud.” Bummer.
A few minutes later, I put away my journal and sat down with my youngest two. Before they left for school we read their children’s devotion for the morning. What do you think the verse for the day was?
“Love does not boast, it is not proud.” 1Corinthians 13:4b
Wonderful.
God was getting my attention. And, unlike those few Christians who bug me, I won’t share only His promises of blessing and eternal life.
I’ll be real and straight-forward with you.
14 comments:
blahzers. that ant one has hit me upside the head a few times.
ARG! I have actually had God shut me up before while praying about some things. I'm pretty sure that I was bugging Him with (what he probably hears as) my incessant whining. I don’t know how He does it, but He continues to offer me grace even when it’s all about me. Then comes the “ah-ha” moment, then the conviction; then I just shut up. I have many of those retrospective moments. I should say that I have TOO many of those retrospective moments. Lord please mold me into what You would have me be! Make me more like You!
I am teaching through Ps 23 tonight and one thing that has stood out to me about the rod and staff is that they brought comfort...the rod is His defense and protection. The staff is His discipline over those He loves. When we feel conviction our Father is bringing it on us to correct us TO COMFORT us and love us! Hhmmm...doesn't always FEEL loving...but it always is!!
Thanks for this post!
Philippians 2:3-4 is pasted on my bathroom mirror...in the Amplified version!
If we're more real (because we're not foolin' God), we'd move a lot faster in our faith.
Keepin' it real with ya!
Ah, Joanne, love your transparency. My next blog has to do with what the Lord wants from me. I blew the trust issue twice last week, and went off half-cocked. Is. 26:3 from my devotional today is exactly what I need to remember...
"You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you."
Oh yes! That pride thing gets me all the time. I should put that verse on my mirror!
The "hard sayings" of Jesus come to mind. We can trust that they're in there for a reason. :-)
Thank you for this post.
The pride blocks the love. Humble, humble, humble. But, humble always feels better. More open. Thinking out loud here. xo- B.
I like real and straight-forward! Thanks for sharing. I love that God used your kid's devotional book to get your attention! I've had that happen a few times, well minus the kid part, but in other ironic ways.
Oh, girl... it may be just the situation my family is in right now, but it seems to me that God is only speaking through those convicting verses!
Mine are usually about "the sluggard" or "idle hands" or even "the glutton". Ugh. I feel convicted but continue to return. There are many-a-morning when I confess the same sins and ask God to forgive me for being so darn stubborn!
At one of the Living Proof weekend's I attended years ago, I remember Beth saying that we make God weary sometimes. Let me just say that I MUST wear God SLAP DAB OUT!
thank you for clearing the air.
Knocking around the kingdom for some time I have come to see this often... the "super positivisms" make me absolutely nuts.
the lord will speak to us, and it is true that he provides clarification and direction to our lives. thank god. But I have known times when his word to me was that of discipline, or correction, or rebuke for an action or thought. These are needed times in our lives. I love that the Lord gives us his guidance and counsel, but lets be real that life is not just one happy party... it is filled with times of struggle and suffering, loss and heartbreak,
That was a wonderful post! Yes we need to be selfless and give more to get more! Giving is a wonderful act.
That was a wonderful post! Yes we need to be selfless and give more to get more! Giving is a wonderful act.
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