Mixing It Up

Lately I've been getting up in the morning and going for a jog...walk a little....and jog some more. It is incredibly refreshing after being stuck inside all winter to see God's handiwork all around me. Listening to worship music, scripture, or teaching, I'm drawn closer to God with each step I jog or walk.
I haven't been posting SOAP studies on the blog, because I haven't been doing any. I've been refilling and refueling with God in nature. God is everywhere, and when we seek Him, we will find Him, when we seek Him with all our heart. I encourage you to set your mind to seeking Him and you will be amazed at where and how He shows Himself to you.
Happy trails :)

2 Peter 3:18 Growing In Grace

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 

Observation:

This is Peter's last writing before he dies as a martyr. Peter has changed drastically since Christ first called him to be a fisher of men. The once loud, seemingly obnoxious know it all, has been tempered by the love of God. And Peter encourages fellow believes to be tempered in the same way. It is the combination of grace and knowledge that transforms us. Knowledge alone can't do it, we need grace. Peter received incredible grace from Christ and his reaction is to share that grace with others. 

Application:

It is easy for us to wrap our minds around growing in knowledge; there is a tangible how-to. We can put a plan together, carve out times, earnestly and persistently seek the truth of God. How do we grow in grace though? Grace is the freely given, unmerited favor of God (dictionary.com). According to Strong's Greek Dictionary, God's grace is in part, "...the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues." So then to growing in grace is all up to God. There is nothing you or I can do about it, accept to ask for more and more of God's grace.

Prayer:

Father, please help me to grow in grace and knowledge of You,bringing You glory in all things and at all times.

Galatians 5:25-26 Putting Your Wants Aside

Now since we have chosen to walk with the Spirit, let’s keep each step in perfect sync with God’s Spirit. This will happen when we set aside our self-interests and work together to create true community instead of a culture consumed by provocation, pride, and envy.

Observation:

The Galatians church is experiencing what all church's and Christians experience, the desire to win approval from God through performance instead of grace. There are many ramifications of performance Christianity, but one is a culture of competition, selfishness, jealousy and envy. All of these by products are of the flesh, which seems right since performance is of the flesh to begin with; grace is of the Spirit. Paul is giving Christians the solution to such issues....walk by the Spirit of God. Paul also instructs Christians how to keep in step with God's Spirit; Paul says to lay aside our wants and work towards what is good for the whole body. 

Application: 

I've seen a lot of division in the church in just 6 years of ministry, and it all stems from valuing our own wants and needs over what is best for the body. We can't work towards community while our wants and desires take the driver seat, that is conditional community and not the true community that Paul is referencing. I struggle with the performance trap, always trying to prove myself. I'm so disgusted at the results of such thoughts and desires in me. I think I need to develop a habit of asking God what is best for the community as a whole, instead of just me.

Prayer:

Father, I'm sorry for that I still struggle with trying to prove myself and the negative thought life that accompanies it. Please forgive me and help me to develop a habit of asking You what is best for the community as a whole and not just myself. I love You and thank You.

The Real Me

As my walk with Christ becomes more and more intimate, I find I need to be more and more real with people. Just the thought that I will have to pretend to be ok fills me with anxiety. I heard this song 6 years ago and prayed it over my life. I'm really seeing God's answer to this prayer. Thank You Lord.

John 15:12-15 (the Message) To Risk or Not To Risk, That Is The Question?

This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father. 

Observation:

Christ risks everything, gives everything so that love would take root in his friends hearts. He calls all of those who keep His commands, friends. These commands are kept because of the friendship, the love relationship. In this love relationship, Christ shares the Father's heart with us; to a certain extent we are in on the plans of God. The friendship that Jesus is talking about here goes deeper than how we define friendship in this culture, even in Christian culture. Friendship in Christian culture says I'm your friend and I give as long as I see the results I want from our friendship. There is no risk in this type of friendship, there is always a pull out clause that allows us to abandon the friendship if things don't work out like we want them to. I'm grateful Christ risked everything to be my friend, even when it  didn't look like it would pay off.

Application:

Loving this way, this deep, is very difficult for me. I can love like this with my husband, with my children, but with friends? Forget it. The first thought that comes to my mind is all the betrayal I've received from friends, even Christian ones. I think there is something to be said about choosing your friends wisely. Christ called the disciples and us friends because we do His commands. I think we should also choose friends that obey the commands of God. That doesn't protect us from getting hurt, but we know that God is sowing something greater in us and in that friendship.  The friendships that I struggle with the most now are the friendships where I question their heart to please God versus self. I'm not sure how to respond to the inner turmoil I feel when I'm around them. Should I love deeply and risk big, or is it foolish to risk and love in these relationships? I don't know the answer to that.

Prayer:

Father, You call us to love deeply and to lay our life down for our friends. I have Christian friends that I struggle with loving deeply. Some because of multiple past offenses and others because I questions their heart motive. Please help me to love them and all my friends the way that You love them. Please reveal Your truth to me, Your heart, I want to be obedient in all things, but especially love.