Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15 ESV)
Wow these verses are beautiful. They depict an image of Christ's love so perfectly. Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness. Traits I desire but often fail at. In my busy, self tuned world I often neglect these qualities I so desire. The qualities I desire for my daughter. To love others deeply. To have a servant's heart. To love my neighbor as myself. To give more than to take. And the command to forgive. It's not an option. What if Christ chose not to forgive me?
Lord, teach me to love like you love. Give me a heart like yours. Full of compassion and kindness. One of patience and one that is quick to forgive. And thank you, Lord, for sending your son who perfectly portrayed these traits. And who died to forgive me- an unworthy sinner. What a beautiful reminder of how much you love me.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Refine me in the flames...
These blog posts are mainly composed of things the Lord has been teaching me. Each morning my prayer is that the Lord will refine me, mold me and teach me to look more like Him. Lets just say... I'm the clay in the potter's hands. I'm not perfect and I mess up, but I rest in His unfailing grace and seek to live in righteousness. What an amazing God that He forgives us and renews us each day.
Recently a few different struggles have walked my path with me. Some I responded to well and others... maybe not so much. And its easy to say "I'm only human". But watching a fellow family in our church respond to struggles has really changed my perspective. For their privacy I won't get into the details, but what I will say is that I've never seen a family endure such a tragedy in such a beautiful, God honoring way. In every step they have praised God. They have given Him glory through it all. For in every circumstance, He is still God and God is good.
This verse from a song I love (below) has really stood out to me. "I know I'm filled to be emptied again, the seed I have received I will sow." As Christians we will be attacked. The enemy hates that we are co-heirs with Christ. And he loves nothing more than to see us crumble under attack and in the struggles of life. What we don't realize is that we are being watched as we respond to these struggles. No one would blame this family for being angry, upset and frustrated at the situation (emotions I'm sure they've experienced and rightly so), but instead of acting on these emotions they have chosen to praise God. Because in everything He is good. In this fallen world filled with hardships, He is still God. Lord over everything. They realize that they are living for something bigger. Something eternal. And no weapon formed against us will remain.
Lord, may my life, even in my struggles, reflect your goodness. May I choose to praise you in the good and the bad and remember that YOU ARE GOD and in everything YOU ARE GOOD!! Make me a light in this fallen world.
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is a God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow
The Dessert Song
Hillsong
Recently a few different struggles have walked my path with me. Some I responded to well and others... maybe not so much. And its easy to say "I'm only human". But watching a fellow family in our church respond to struggles has really changed my perspective. For their privacy I won't get into the details, but what I will say is that I've never seen a family endure such a tragedy in such a beautiful, God honoring way. In every step they have praised God. They have given Him glory through it all. For in every circumstance, He is still God and God is good.
This verse from a song I love (below) has really stood out to me. "I know I'm filled to be emptied again, the seed I have received I will sow." As Christians we will be attacked. The enemy hates that we are co-heirs with Christ. And he loves nothing more than to see us crumble under attack and in the struggles of life. What we don't realize is that we are being watched as we respond to these struggles. No one would blame this family for being angry, upset and frustrated at the situation (emotions I'm sure they've experienced and rightly so), but instead of acting on these emotions they have chosen to praise God. Because in everything He is good. In this fallen world filled with hardships, He is still God. Lord over everything. They realize that they are living for something bigger. Something eternal. And no weapon formed against us will remain.
Lord, may my life, even in my struggles, reflect your goodness. May I choose to praise you in the good and the bad and remember that YOU ARE GOD and in everything YOU ARE GOOD!! Make me a light in this fallen world.
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is a God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow
The Dessert Song
Hillsong
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