(Matthew 6:10 NLT) “May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”
God’s purpose in brokenness is not to destroy you but to gain your undivided attention. Without it we become self-reliant and blind to the truth that God is the center – not us! God knows us by heart, He knows our weaknesses before we fall yet He loves us and waits for us with arms wide open but if we don’t experience our own brokenness we never see our need for a Savior. Once we understand our frailty God’s Holy Spirit leads us to repentance, through the doorway of repentance we find God’s discipline.
(Hebrews 12:5-10 NLT) “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when He corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness.”
On the other side of His discipline is the ultimate prize – intimacy with God but to stay there shows maturity, for many times in this life we pass through this cycle of brokenness, discipline, and intimacy with God. The wise recognize this cycle and begin to live a disciplined life that pleases God, not because He is needy but because He knows what is best for His children and we desire intimacy with Him.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Become a gracious receiver
(Matthew 10:8 MKJV) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. You have received freely, freely give.
Balance is the key to a God-centered life. Giving and receiving is just one area where balance is required but we tend to be good at one or the other. One will freely give advise, encouragement, or money while another can receive those things but for one reason or another cannot seem to give them. In receiving we acknowledge our dependence upon God and other people and in giving we practice God’s love but these lessons are only learned if we are focused on Him. In every case when a life is out of balance in one area or another it points to our focus being on something other than God and presents an opportunity for growth. The giver who cannot receive misses the mark because the giving is more about self-worth instead of God being the source. When the receiver cannot give its because he has not listened to who God says he is. God has provided an abundant life and we receive His mercies new every morning how can we not give in return – we cannot out give God! (Luke 6:38 MSG) “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
In the same way receiving helps us learn we are not self-sufficient and it empowers others to practice God’s presence in their life. So walk today with your eyes wide open looking for opportunities to give in abundance and receive graciously!
Balance is the key to a God-centered life. Giving and receiving is just one area where balance is required but we tend to be good at one or the other. One will freely give advise, encouragement, or money while another can receive those things but for one reason or another cannot seem to give them. In receiving we acknowledge our dependence upon God and other people and in giving we practice God’s love but these lessons are only learned if we are focused on Him. In every case when a life is out of balance in one area or another it points to our focus being on something other than God and presents an opportunity for growth. The giver who cannot receive misses the mark because the giving is more about self-worth instead of God being the source. When the receiver cannot give its because he has not listened to who God says he is. God has provided an abundant life and we receive His mercies new every morning how can we not give in return – we cannot out give God! (Luke 6:38 MSG) “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
In the same way receiving helps us learn we are not self-sufficient and it empowers others to practice God’s presence in their life. So walk today with your eyes wide open looking for opportunities to give in abundance and receive graciously!
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