Subject: Could there be more? |
Bible Note: Hi CDBJ, here's the rest. 5. re: “The answer is that I have to get God’s eyes off me and on to something perfect instead of me; i.e. something in my place. Now how do I do that?” The last thing God wants to do is keep His eyes off you! He made you! He loves you! He’s there for you! God’s goal is not for the impossible: for us to be perfect, He knows we are not. Jesus said, 12:30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 (New International Version) The only thing we have to offer God that is perfect is our LOVE, not ourselves. Because LOVE comes from our Father Almighty, it in and of itself is perfect. Also, “God’s eyes off me” should be converted to “my eyes off me”. It is the love of God offered to others that shows our true Christian faith. Love directed in any way toward ourselves defeats the purpose. 6: re: Romans 10:1-4 The Old Testament was based on accomplishing the law. Jesus came to set us free from the law. This is the separation of our WHO from our DO. It is not what we do that is of importance, it’s the heart that we possess WHILE we do that God is concerned with. (True Story: I share this not to glorify myself but to help outline a process that each of us goes through when we may or may not want to be INCONVENIENCED.) Do I help the elderly lady at the grocery store, who is standing under the roof waiting for the rain to stop, out of duty or out of love? If I did it out of duty, I may do it but be a bit irritated that my frozen goods are melting, or that I am getting more wet than I want to, or that my family is expecting me home, or I can come up with excuses not to help her by thinking, “It’ll stop raining soon” or “Someone else will help her” or “She doesn’t need any help”. Or I can do it out of love and know in my heart that it is God that is pulling at my heart to help this wonderful lady with the bright and cheerful eyes that is looking so scared at the prospects of going out in the rain (and for the record, it was totally pouring out). After offering a multitude of times to help her, and her very gently and humbly refusing my assistance, I finally got her to agree to me pulling my van up, loading her groceries into my van and driving her to her car. She confided in me that this was the first time in 9 months that she was driving alone. She was in an accident 9 months earlier and was afraid to drive until now. She so gently and courageously asked me if I could show her how to work the wipers. It was so long since she had driven that she didn’t know how to get them to work. Now this is what I live for, being a servant for God. Do you think it was an accident that I walked out and noticed this woman? I don’t believe in coincidences. I only had a moment to act in obedience to God’s direction: to help. I don’t share this story with pride. It is the grace of God that my heart is open to helping people. And it is what I pray for each day: “Please Lord, help me know your will for my life. Help me know for certainty what You want from me and specifically where you want me involved.” I have to say, CDBJ, I may not always be right in which things I think God is directing me. However, as long as I do it in LOVE, it will always be right in the eyes of God. 7. re: Acts 4:12 and John 14:6 I know that I am saved through Jesus Christ. But when I am asked to defend this scripture I am left with some questions. If we are ONLY saved through Jesus Christ, what about the people that don’t know about Him? What about the children? What about the people that have pure hearts and true love but are of a different faith? Maybe you have some insights in this. My husband is struggling to “believe” and this is one of his struggles. I don’t have any strong answers and strive to help him on his journey. 8. Your response to God: It’s precious and right on. Our humility and acceptance of His grace is such an important part of glorifying Him. I doubt that this sums up the rest of your story, however, it’s an awesome beginning at getting to know you. This is such a total pleasure to share this time with you. I hope you have a great weekend and that any part of my response assists you in answering some of your very insightful questions. I pray that the Lord gives you favor and blesses you and your family. :) Angel in Training |