Category Archives: Personal Growth

Grateful For The Gift Of Digital Witness

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I am absolutely delighted by the hundreds of believers who openly share their faith experiences through internet blogging.  Why?  I’ve read so many statistics that say the Christian faith is waning.  When I read these blogs, I have more hope for the future. 

God has given man the brains to create the technology that will share His word all over the world.  I love it that so many are using it.  These blogs are definitely an example of Romans 1:16.

We are expected to go and tell (Matthew 28:18-20).  This command is not just meant for directly spoken words or books.  We are to use any and all the means necessary to get the message out. 

I am so blessed by these faithful writers.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the joy of reading so many excellent writers.  Father, give us all strength and courage to say what needs to be said in the days ahead.  Let all the Fruit of the Spirit mature in us as we share You with the world.  Give us the integrity to write our stories using Your Word exactly as You want it taught.  I lift this prayer to the Mighty and Awesome GOD in the precious name of Jesus — Make it so.

This post is a revised version of No Shame posted on 10.13.2011.

NINEVAH OR BUST

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Jonah  1:1-3  Where or what is your Ninevah?  Where or to what has God called you?  Are you deliberately saying no to God?  Is your allegiance or agenda focused on something or someone else?

Jonah was a true believer.  Until the point of being told to go to Ninevah he had followed God in his life, career, and actions.  But this was just too much.  Jonah was loyally attached to his country and was more than willing to do and say whatever God wanted as long as it related to his own thoughts.   God was saying, look, Jonah, Amos and Hosea are already doing a really good job of getting the job done in Jerusalem, I need you to go to Ninevah and get the job done there.  Of course the rest of the story is really well-known.  But…

What is our story?  What is God calling/telling us to do that we are saying, look God, am I the only one who can do this particular thing right now, find someone else?  Not to sound defeatist, but He does get what He wants.  Will we be one of those who misses the blessings of obedience because the call is more than we can handle?

Look at Proverbs 3:5-6.  When we take the time to honor God and His Word, He directs us in the way we should go.  He does not give us directions to do things He can’t handle, but He wants us to know Him and follow through on what He wants of us. 

Proverbs 35-6

Father in Heaven, Creator of all that was is and is to come, give me an all-consuming desire to know Your Word so well that in any life situation I know the path to take.  I lift this prayer in the precious name of Jesus – make it so.

All Of Me

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GOD is striding ahead of you. Proudly, with importance in His step. He’s covering every second, every nuance of this day.

He’s right there with you.  Not just ahead but in front, back, sides, up and down.  In my mind, my heart, my soul.  He has all of me.

He won’t let you down.  He keeps all of His promises, faithfully.  He never fails me.

Don’t be intimidated.  There are bullies and controllers everywhere, including our inner minds!  Stop listening to them.  Only God is worth consistently listening to!

Don’t worry! Just stop letting whatever is bothering you have such control.  God is in control.  He has it all covered.

Originally posted on October 5, 2020 under the title He Has All Of Me

Quit Comparing

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I’ve read that verse a hundred times or more and realized that comparisons involving myself and someone else are self-defeating. The only true comparison I can make is between me and me. If a comparison must be made it can be done a bit differently. I can look at a past experience and compare the current incident to determine if there has been any growth. So then if I can see progress I will feel better, if not, I’ll need to find a way to improve.

Abba, Father, in Jesus’ Name I thank You for creating me as a unique individual. Forgive me for comparing myself to anyone else and help me see myself as You see me.

Follow Me

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Did you know that Jesus said the exact words to Peter at the beginning and the end of their relationship? “Follow me!”

When I was a child we often sang a delightful song with the words, “I Will Make You Fishers of Men“.   Even today, so many years past childhood, I can still sing the words and hear the melody in my mind.

Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when he saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew fishing in the lake.  He said to them, “Follow Me and we’ll fish for people.”  And so they did, immediately.  Further on down the road he came upon James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were in the boat with their father.  Jesus said the same thing to them,  “Follow Me” and they did, immediately.  That little story, in my own words, is found in Matthew 4:18-22.

Let’s travel three years into the future.  The four have followed Jesus faithfully, fully immersed in His journey.  They have watched Him closely, learned from Him, shared His words with others, been at the Cross with Him and He is about to return to the Father.  In this scene, we find them once again by the side of a lake.  Jesus has cooked them breakfast and when they are done eating He says to Peter, “Do you love me?”  Peter answers, “You know I love You!”  This went on two more times, each time Peter answered positively and Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep (or lambs)”.  It was very important for Peter to understand what his future was to be about, but something even more important is said at the end of this conversation.  Jesus tells Peter what his death will be like and then He says, “Follow Me!”  (John 21:15-19)

Why did Jesus say these words again?  He knew Peter so well and knew that he needed reminding that it’s not about him. To follow Him, Peter would have to take himself out of the picture.  It’s the same message for us.  We are to follow Him and forget ourselves.  From the beginning to the end of our relationship with Him, it must be all about HIM.

Heavenly Father, teach us to make this life all about You.  Teach us to put others first.  Teach us to serve those around us.  Oh, LORD, teach us!

Revised and reprinted from July 2, 2014