1
April
No Trespassing
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor
(Isaiah 61:3).
I want to be that. An oak of righteousness. A planting of the Lord. I want the seed to take root in good soil. And grow and grow. And grow. Changing to look more like Him. So that my life displays just what a splendid God He is. So someone might say, “You look just like your Daddy!”
Not allowing weeds and thorns – worries and stresses and a gross desire for more – to choke the life out of His whisper in my ear, His voice in my heart.
Funny how that was one of the key points of the first session of Tell the Truth, but I find myself worrying this week. Our next session is on faith, but I find myself a little anxious with doubt. Isn’t that how it goes? I certainly learn far more through the studies than I teach. Love, though, that the Truth is so at my fingertips as I prepare that I have been quickly redirected when my skin tries to get in the way.
Here we go with the practical again. ‘Cause I think Bible study should be big on the practical. Nice ideas aren’t very useful to us, right? How does the whole Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-23) resonate with you? How have you seen worry and wealth diminish God’s work in you? What have you found to be effective in combating that?
I’ll go first. I can turn in to a complete stress ball. And I can get so hyperfocused on the tasks of my life. And my brain can get so set on getting things done that my quiet time is completed as one more thing to do. I can be super faithful to read His Word, but my heart and my mind are on lock down. “No Trespassing” my brain says even to His Word, His voice. Closed.
I am in a busy time of life – the next two weeks involve a lot of deadlines and things to do, but for the very first time in my life, I am feeling free in the face of what usually crumbles me. Coming out of a fresh season of brokenness, I think He has given me new perspective on how to finish well, how to rest in Him, how to actually increase productivity and creativity by prioritizing times of refreshing. I submit my day to Him in prayer in the morning; I beg for right perspective when I begin to feel crushed by my own expectations, and I am refusing to sacrifice my family, my relationships on the altar of my own crazy perfectionism. I have found that a genuine desire to be changed, to run the race well, and persistent prayer for help is working for me. Praying, too, that He will work this change through and through so that I find some lasting freedom from a brain and heart on lock down.
Now. Your turn…
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Cookie, I can turn into a big stress ball also. I am leaving a job that I have had for 10 years. This time last year I was thinking about leaving my job, but I never receive peace about it and now I’ve received peace. I could sit back and think what the world am I going to do, how will we make ends meet, but I know God has me in the palm of his hand. I’m reminded of Job and how he lost everything and God returned everything to him 7 times more. I know he will do the same for me. I heard a song on WMHK today,I’m not sure the title or the artist but the chorus goes like this “You are more, You are more than your past, You are more than your problems, You have been remade.” Your study is about change well God is changing me
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It seems that I’m in the middle of a broken season. One of the things I do best is worry and I’ve been practicing a lot lately – worrying over things that I have absolutely no control over. Family situations, my daughter’s future, finances. Intellectually, I know that if God has called her into service for Him, he will provide what she needs; that it’s not my problem and certainly nothing He can’t handle. Intellectually, I know that He will take these difficult family situations and use them for good and use them to help me grow into a mighty oak of righteousness. Intellectually I know that He will provide and that we will have enough. Intellectually, I know all of this but my heart hasn’t gotten the message. Worry about it all is making such a noise that I haven’t been able to hear His whisper of comfort and encouragement.
I don’t like myself when I’m like this and I know I don’t “look exactly like my Daddy” when I allow this to happen. So, I’m trying to make it a priority to read His Word every day, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. And I spend a lot of time talking to Him. And I’m sure that if I keep this up and seek Him with all my heart, I will find Him. I’m the one who has to do the work first
Cookie,
I believe you amazing. Dont ever doubt in yourself. Girl, I love you:)
Macie
God did not promise us an easy life just because we are Christians. To me that is where our faith comes from,knowing that he is there to see us through our life experiences both the good and bad.
F–Forsaking
A–All
I–I
T–Trust
H-Him