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Walden710
Newbie
Joined: 31 May 2001
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Thu May 31, 2001 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times... He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be there peace."
Micah 5:2,4
this week is like every other in that there is a constant battle between good and evil in my heart. as i read the bible i see all of the things that i want to be. i want to live an honest life. i want to put God first. i want to love my neighbor as myself. i want to turn the other cheek when wronged by a friend. i want to live as Christ lived. however, as the week goes on the reality of my world sets in. i find myself putting school or other people ahead of God. i find anger and jealousy in my heart. i find myself not always honest with God, myself, or others. i see the separation between the way i live my life and the way Christ lived. the devil uses these thoughts to exaggerate how far i am from God. to say that i am a lost cause. that i am not worth it.
however, this passage reminds me of the glorious promise of God. God reassures me with these words. He has known of my shortcomings from the beginning. He says that he is sending someone "whose origins are from of old." He is a parent who has anticipated my need before i even knew that i needed it. He is sending Christ and has planned on that from the very beginning. That is so reassuring to know that God is looking out for us and like a father he is anticipating and providing for our needs. the verse also says that Christ will shepherd us in the strength of the Lord, his greatness will reach the ends of the earth, and he will be our peace. these are also amazingly powerful words. to know that when i hear that voice saying that i am too far from God, that i am not worth it because i have messed up too many times, to know that Christ can reach the ends of the earth. there is no distance far enough for me to stray that he cannot come and rescue me. to know that Christ can never be overcome by the dark one because he shepherds in the strength of the almighty God who created heaven and earth. to know that though my own heart is a battle ground between good and evil, that the battle is won and that i can find peace in Christ. these things bring me hope, comfort, and revitalize me for tomorrow even if today has been a constant battle.
what battles are you facing today? do you feel far from God? do you feel like you have messed up too many times for God to forgive you? has the dark one been putting doubts in your heart? are you weary of the daily battles and searching for peace? no matter what you are facing remember that your Father in heaven loves you and has anticipated your needs since before you were born. He sent his only son to shepherd you in his strength. He gave Jesus the power to reach the ends of the earth so that not one soul would be lost. There you will find your peace.
ready to fight tomorrow's battles,
tim |
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webacus
Veteran
Joined: 02 Mar 2001
Posts: 608
Location: Behind you.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2001 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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Well said... I've had days like that. :)
I can relate to this in a very practical way, in how God STILL uses me -- despite who I am. Even though I continue to screw up on a regular basis.
I see Him orchestrate relationships and events between myself and non-believers. He has given me many opportunities to share Christ and help bring people in to a relationship with Him. He's allowed me to serve in a very satisfying ministry. The list goes on... Not to my credit -- It's a "God Thing", which I don't understand.
That said, be aware of your growth areas -- but also, remember you are human. And If you let Him, God will still use you.
Tim, I'd be interested in knowing how old you are and how long you've been a Christian.
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Grace
Full Member
Joined: 24 May 2001
Posts: 90
Location: IL.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2001 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, isn't that the truth! God is working in me in ways I don't understand, I am not sure I am ready for this step. But God must feel that I am ready, it is His plan. I guess that is why we are to just follow and trust Him. His plan is so awesome. Sometimes, I just shake in my boots. When I am in complete submission to Him, I feel the Holy Spirit working in me and I know that this is right. I just have to get out of the way and let Him work through me. It's like the battle of good and evil. Dying to self, which for me, doesn't come easy! Often, I feel like Paul, I know what I want to do, I do not. But what I hate to do, I do. I know that it is no longer I myself who do it, but sin living in me. So, I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. Ro. 7:15,20-21
It is important to stay the course. Thanks for the thoughts. Grace:smile: |
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