Day: November 6, 2008

Bible Study, Devotion

My Favorite Time of Year…

A. Knight

Fall, with all it’s gloriously vibrant colors is my favorite season. The vivid blue of the sky, the bright oranges and rusty reds as the trees change their garments is one of the most spectacular beauties in God’s creation.

I love it! As I drove to work this morning, a heavy cloud of smoke hung in the air over the fields on either side of the highway. Obscuring the brightness of the sun, it almost looked like a thick fog, but when I rolled down my window to get a picture of the field, the smell of the brownish-gray haze nearly choked me. I quickly rolled it back up and turned on the air. Unfortunately, that too, pulled in a bit of the smell. Or, had it embedded itself, that smokey smell, into my nose and head so that I couldn’t tell what I was inhaling. It looked like one thing….but smelled all together different.

Sin is like that. Appearances can be all too deceiving. We must stay alert and aware—at all times, for the tricks of the enemy will become ever more crafty. Just as we are growing closer to the Father, so the enemy of your heart, the saboteur of your own soul is seeking ways to stumble your running feet.

“Be self‑controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Let’s look at Job’s life. You’ve read the story, or heard the story probably many times in your life. But think about your life while you read it. What would the LORD GOD have to say about us? I thought of my own. I’ll tell you in a minute. Read on.

“One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them. “Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. And Satan answered the LORD, “I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth–a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.” You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence. Job 1:6-12

When I read this I thought to myself, “Is there anything in my life that the Lord could be proud of in me? Could He say I was totally sold-out-dedicated to Him? Could He say I was completely EVERY TIME obedient to Him? Could He say I was never distracted by the world and was devoted only to serving Him? It has really given me many areas to pray about in my heart.

I guess what got me started was remembering past sins. Last night I was working on the Bible Study for Sisters of Faith site that would post this morning. We prepare them day by day. Every single day. We have enjoyed it so much, and I told Aimee this week, “God has really been dealing with me and working on some areas in my life since we started this journey.

Yes, I admit, it has been hard at times juggling schedules. Difficult even. Time stretching. I have neglected watching TV. I am sure that my favorite shows stopped coming on since I have not watched them in the past 67 days. Surely they did.

But in the past 67 days, God has done 67 days worth of repair work. Needed repair. Necessary for growth repair. And growth is taking place. What about you? What if you turned off something and turned in you Bible more? Maybe a 90 study is too much. What about a 60 day study? A 30 day? What could you fast from? I tell you from my experience in this, the changes taking place in my heart and my vision is worth missing the TV. I want my eyes to view the world as He does. With the compassion needed to reach hungry hearts. There are so many out there. Hungry for God. Reaching out. Needing an ear or a shoulder. Some are hungry and they really don’t know what they hunger for…but we do. Don’t we.

Honey-pie, before you start thinking that I have got it so in control…think again. Remember me and traffic issues? Yeah. They happen everyday. But you know, I have discovered, if I am singing a song to Him, or talking to Him, the traffic issues in downtown, Hometown are not nearly as bothersome. When did I make this discovery? This morning. Do you know when I’ll need to be reminded of this? In the morning. I’m not perfect. But as my cousin Alice’s daughter Kristi, used to sing when she was wittle bitty, “He’s Still Working On Me”….to make me what I ought to be….it took Him just a week to make the Moon and the stars, the Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars, how loving and patient He must be….’cause He’s still working on me.

What about you…what’s your favorite? What’s going on with you these days?

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90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Sixty-Seven

A. Knight

Luke 18:18-21

I can already tell you this will be hard to keep from getting all over Aimee’s post for tomorrow! But I will try!

When I read what Beth had written and the Scripture text for today, I found myself wanting to fall on my knees in repentance for things that I know is under the blood. Already forgiven.

I was such a rebellious child for the day and time that I was a teenager. I remember many times getting so angry with mother, although, thinking back now, I cannot for the life of me remember why. She was an excellent mother! But I am sure that it had to be her not allowing me to have my way! Imagine that! A mother actually maintaining control of her children. Every single day! And for some crazy reason, we didn’t balk….to her face anyway. But boy-howdee did I ever let her have it when my bedroom door was closed. Silently. Right. We never even slammed a door in our house. It was Mother, me, Wanda, Aimee and then little brother Jeffery. And I had to be the rebellious one. She says that is until little Jeff became a teen.

Although I never murdered….I did have anger. And even murderous thoughts! You know…you may have even said something similar…. “when I get my hands on him I’m gonna strangle him!” Of course you wouldn’t. Neither would I. So why did I say it?

As far as adultery…well, I wrote a post yesterday on my own blog…the Lord woke me early. Around 4. …You can go there by clicking on my blog, but I will add a short exert from that post.

“During a time of devotion on our Sisters of Faith Retreat 2008, I told the dear sisters that I felt that even the “thoughts” of our mind would be accountable to Christ. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

When provoked to the point of anger, where does your mind go? I know EXACTLY where mine goes. And I have to pray. The mind is a dangerous place for some. For men, when they see a woman on the cover of a magazine—half naked—where do you think their mind goes? Same for women. The body of muscles rippling on a naked torso on a man sends some women into a frenzy of lust. And almost every single magazine you pick up from the newsstand screams that today. (I have discovered that women can be just as bad as men when it comes to trash like this. It is one of the most irritating things to me. I suppose because I hear it almost daily. Then if you watch any TV…there it all is again!)

As I watched the movie Fireproof on Tuesday night (Denise, we finally had our date!), I was reminded of the book by Beth Moore, Get Out of That Pit where she describes many pits that are waiting traps—and many we dig ourselves right into…”

Almost every single morning…my patience is tried to the max when I try and get to the 4-lane that carries me the 42 miles to work. Many days as I drive through downtown I find myself behind someone not going as fast as I think they should. That little bit of aggravation has to be dealt with. It’s not anger at this point. It’s minor aggravation. Major aggravation comes into play when someone pulls out in front of me and then stops, or turns “just after pulling out in front of me”. Does any of this EVER happen to YOU?? And now, just by saying this…it will probably happen in the morning! Again. Oh well. I will try and think happy thoughts!

I feel the need, having just talked about all this anger…to pray again. We didn’t even touch the stealing and lying either! Just reading this has caused me to remember my rebellious ways, my wrong turns in life and my incredible Savior who loved me so much, that He took care of my sins once and for all. I am so thankful.

I read last week, many people think someone else’s sin is worse…just because it’s different from theirs. But it’s not worse. Wipe the mirror clean. Look again. Yours is not worse than mine…and mine is not worse than yours. Sin is what it is. The Blood of Christ Jesus was shed for all.

Thank you Father—for the ulitmate gift. Your only Son. I don’t deserve what I have been given. But I am glad that I wasn’t given what I did deserve. That’s Your mighty mercy and grace at work in me. Keep each heart and life safe today, teach us and direct our hearts and lives to live fully and freely in You. In the name of Jesus~Amen.

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

Picture from Art.com