Listening both ways before crossing. Ephesians 4:3
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Thoughts
A lively active faith is encouraged by the least of divine favor. The eye of faith sees the one in a million possibility versus the 999,999 probability. Matthew 17:20
Fear cuts truth in halves so that things that may not be true seem true. Or, what seems true becomes a clever intellectual diversion for my refusal to act on conviction. I would not want to build my steps today on broken bricks for fear I might slip. When things are obviously broken, I become far more fearful that I can realize on my own. Isaiah 5:20. Instead of believing what seems to be true, I realize by wisdom that what seems to be true may not be. What is true is that I'm afraid my Father isn't here in this darkness. Psalm 18:28
The same fear I felt alone at night as a child becomes a fear of the light as an adult who by fear feels alone. I want to crawl in a hole because fear enslaves me to self-deceit. Romans 8:15-17 This fear leads to anger that blocks me from doing what I truly want. James 1:19-22
Half truths are craftily decked out in attractive dress in order that they appear more true than truth itself when I'm fearful and/or deceived.
Revelation is motivation, not entertainment. Ezekiel 33:31-32
Response of delight. Exodus 2:6
A leap of love into darkness. Psalm 97:2
Sitting at the feet of Jesus is not pious thinking, but putting on an apron while having your feet washed. Luke 10:38-42
The school of hard knocks that has disembodied our words from matching acts, deeds, or objects leads me to apply for entrance into Jamestown U(the book of James) that restores the heartbeat of dead faith(without works). James 3:17-18 From words of war to a fighting spirit with words of peace. Psalm 120:6-7
"I'm tired." That is a common response to the question "How are you doing?". Sometimes, a more accurate reflection might be, "I'm tried". Though I may be tired from being tried, we can infuse our conversation with deeper meaning by differentiating between the two. Tired, or burned out is a condition resulting from operating by our own strength...usually ego driven or by some form of lust which whispers the lie more=better. When tried, I frequently misjudge the Lord and his dealings. For example, if I lose a friend or friends even if only for a season while tried, I begin to believe the Lord has turned his back or is punishing me because He isn't listening or showing up to intervene. Instead, I should be reminded not only of my mortality, but also in whom I should truly trust as he painfully weans me from close relationships, as well as toward a deeper belief in his Sovereignty. Through this deeper belief in his Sovereignty, joy flows, and the strength of our Lord is made manifest. Nehemiah 8:10
Let our yes be know 2 Corinthians 1:17-21 and may our knows be on the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
Holding your tongue when you don't have to speak your mind. Ephesians 4:29
Irrationality with a vengeance. Luke 12:15-20
Spotting the least of these giving big. Luke 21:1-4
Rejecting not only authority, but affection. Luke 15:28-32
Not paralyzed by my past in my present response. Ephesians 3:12
Closed to being mentored into self-knowledge that unlocks and unfolds our potential. Proverbs 20:5
Assuming what another thinks and believes instead of asking. Genesis 24:55-59
Defensive arrogance transformed. Hebrews 10:35
One is what one thinks. Proverbs 23:7 But when one thinks of himself as a one-man show by believing in the legend of the self-made man, the underlying issue is the need to change his deep feelings of a hardened heart at work.
The legend of the self-made man moves into the spiritual sphere as well as the economic. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 It's far easier to change intellectual beliefs(the way I think) than deep feelings(who I am). As inevitable change occurs that cuts deep to the heart of who we are, most resort back to human reason by rigid control.
The "new and improved" concepts and methods of leadership are the subjects of continual discussion while what has already been taught is ignored. One continues to find whatever fits the bill(his of course) that is conveniently efficient to one's thinking(reasoning) without any real change from growth. Resorting to efficiency for the sake of convenience is often a poor substitute for the powerful and effective leadership of a willing heart to provide for one's people which enables long term benefits in the short run.
Listen to do. Exodus 4:11-12
We carry pain from the past into our present experience. That pain can make forgiving someone who has wronged us or someone we love seem virtually impossible. And by our own power, it is impossible. When I have experienced true forgiveness from someone I have wronged, it clearly flows out of their own deep experience of having been forgiven. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 When the the Lord whispers "you are forgiven" in our ears, and as we (by His power) receive that forgiveness, our focus shifts to Him. Then, when someone wrongs us, that pain does not distract us(for long) from our vision of the Lord. The Spirit is willing and forgiving. When we rely on Him who forgives, the experience of forgiveness is brought and experienced through Him. Matthew 26:41
It's confusing and difficult to separate pain and forgiveness, but we must. Zechariah 4:6 They can and do exist side by side(i.e. I am hurting, but I forgive you) as does our human nature with the Holy Spirit within us. 1 Corinthians 6:17