2 posts tagged “god”
Thanks to Know It All for the idea:
Here are the instructions:
Instructions:
- Grab the nearest book. ('nearest' meaning the nearest book. Don't rummage around for the 'cool' or 'intellectual' book)
- Open the book to page 123.
- Find the fifth sentence.
- Post the text of the next three sentences on your blog along with these instructions
Here goes, from Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp
"These everyday relationships are essential to the plan of personal transformation ordained before the world began. God daily gives us opportunities to serve the troubled, angry, discouraged, defeated, confused, and blind. This is the way he works and he calls each of his children to be part of it."
I've had a question simmering in the back of my mind, "Susan, what has your faith caused you to do?"
From Hebrews 11, known as the 'Hall of Faith', I see persons whose faith caused them to do something.
-- Able offered God a better sacrifice
-- Enoch pleased God. His story stands out to me. What exactly did he do? He pleased God.... He believed..... He earnestly sought Him.
-- Noah built an ark
-- Abraham was called to 'go to a place', though he hadn't a clue where he was going... just that God said 'go'.
-- Moses chose to be mistreated along with the people of God instead of enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short while. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ to be of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
-- The Israelites passed through the Red Sea on dry land!
-- The people marched around Jericho for seven days and the walls came tumbling down!
"Susan, what has your faith caused you to do?"
Within the last couple years, my faith has caused me to quit my job of 14 years. My faith has caused me to sell my house when it wasn't listed for sale. My faith has me living in an apartment on a 'month-to-month' lease. My faith has caused me to give away and sell 3/4 of all my possessions. My faith has me earnestly looking to God for direction.
We know that those mentioned in Hebrews 11 acted in faith. But unlike them, I'm uncertain if my decisions were made based on true direction from God but I do know I made those decisions based on sincerely looking to Him. Each decision was a true step of faith. As best I understand it. I also claim Romans 8:28 as I make decisions! I have worn that verse out! (I'm glad it's not possible to truly wear a verse out!) I'm more inclined to not make a decision because of being afraid of making the wrong one. I'm working on that. These decisions helped me exercise that decision-making muscle. I'm thankful there has been no regret. Fear of regret is a reason that keeps me from making a decision.
I want my life to count for Him. That's always been my desire, in varying degrees of intensity, since I was young.
I draw a blank as to what I think my future looks like in terms of job/career, location, relationships, and a little uncertain concerning church and ministry. But I have had some powerful prayers prayed on my behalf and for that I'm grateful.
If I am where I'm supposed to be for now I pray He will bring my heart contentment. But, if there is something I'm supposed to be doing, somewhere I should be going, I pray the Faithful One will use my restlessness to lead me there.
"What will my faith cause me to do?
