So many teachings and so many hearers yet so few achieve the level of the teachings.
We run from conference to conference reading book after book. we listen to cd's and tapes over and over till we can quote them verbatim. Yet it seems we still lack what it takes to produce what we hear. There has to be a barrier between what we know and what we do. and it all comes down to a genuine change of heart.
It is easy to walk in a pattern as long as there is no friction to bring resistance. Yet when confronted with a challenge who we are comes out not what we know. An extreme example is the man who hits his thumb while nailing with a hammer. the words and thoughts he expresses are the ones that are rooted in His heart. Scripture tells us in luke 6:45 out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. I remember hearing someone say under pressure what is inside will come out. Squeeze a lemon you get lemon juice an orange releases orange juice. Pressure on a person will reveal what is inside. It is becoming clear in this hour of presssure to others who we truly are.
It amazes me how we try to improve areas of our lives with the books and teachings, thinking this is what a christian is supposed to do. If I struggle with an addiction I will read up on bondage and liberation. If I am struggling with my income I will search out truths on finances. If my marriage is rough I go to a marriage seminar. Or if I have trouble with my children I read up on parenting and take a seminar on it. these things are not bad per say however it is not the way the Lord builds us. His desire is to enable all who believe to be come Sons see john 1:12 . If we would just allow the Holy spirit to do what it is that he was sent for this would come to pass.
John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
Learn to look at sentence structure and see the emphasis here the emphasis is on "guiding us into all truth" I see this like a man who walks a horse gently by the reins to take him into a stall or a trailer. The scripture does not say he will show us the truth but that he will takes into it. This is where you no longer see it from the outside apart from it but now see through it as a part of it. Jesus is the truth he lived from the position of being the truth. You see the goal is to become more like Jesus. Jesus is the best husband, Father, friend , servant and so much more not because of what he knows but because of who he is. This is the place the Holy Spirit is wanting to take us into where we are not just hearers who try an do the works of the truth. But where we become Servants who desire to be the work of the truth
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Self Esteem
Self Esteem
How one looks at one's self is an important part of life. It actually can propel you into greatness or cause you to shrink from your full potential. However for most of us in part due to the term “self esteem” we like in many things begin this on a wrong foot or an incorrect start.
The term self esteem leads us see it only as a value one places on one's self. Yet being told that we need to have better self esteem does not get us there. Nor does that instruct us as to why we should go there. It seems it is easier to value yourself based upon value others see in us. Yet what if they have an inflated or deflated perspective of our worth? Getting a healthy self image is needed in all parties to bring balance to a relationship.
So understanding the need for a good self image is the easy part. Learning how to view yourself is a little harder. There are so many messages out there on this however lets look into the scriptures to get some balance here.
1.Do not over value yourself.
Romans 12:3 (Amplified Bible) For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. This is straight forward a warning to be careful not to overvalue ourselves. This can lead to many different problems like treating people as if they are worth less than you. As well a sense of pride that will cause you to think you can do more than you actually can leading to a failure. As we can see in Proverbs 16:18 (Amplified Bible) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
2 place a higher value in those around you.
God's love is constantly flowing much like liquid it is never still there is a constant exchange of energy back and forth. We are told to in Philippians 2:3-4 (New King James Version) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. I apply this to you and in return it gets applied back to me. As I write these thoughts I am reminded how Paul truly saw others this way. And look at you the reader as more important than me as I the writer and your calling to be greater than mine. Now some people reading this are tripping how can this be the emphasis here is in the “considered as” not in actuality no parent sees one child greater than the other but wants all of his children to treat each other “as if” they were. If we would love each other enough to do this can you imagine the harmony we would experience.
3.Let gods view of you take priority.
No matter the circumstances begin to see yourself in His eyes. Remember When no one saw your value He did. So much he describes Having you being worth all of His treasure. Luke 15 3-7 (New International Version) Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. He loved us so much that he left all he had to find us! John 3:16 says he loved us so much in essence you were worth as much to him as Jesus His son. That's why He gave Jesus to get you and me!
Now this is a healthy start to having a proper view of ones self and being able to esteem your self correctly amongst others. The bible never gives us suggestions to try it gives us commands to do. When we choose to not let our viewpoint be the same as God's whether we see it higher or lower in our own eyes. It is an indirect way of saying God is wrong and I am right and therefore I must be Higher than God. Most of us would never declare a thing as this but many of us do it in silence when we disagree with His view of our lives. If today you can't see yourself as he does ask Him to show you what he sees in you. And then get ready to be amazed because I read that you are wonderfully made or to paraphrase it.
I can see you were made to be full of the wonders of God!
How one looks at one's self is an important part of life. It actually can propel you into greatness or cause you to shrink from your full potential. However for most of us in part due to the term “self esteem” we like in many things begin this on a wrong foot or an incorrect start.
The term self esteem leads us see it only as a value one places on one's self. Yet being told that we need to have better self esteem does not get us there. Nor does that instruct us as to why we should go there. It seems it is easier to value yourself based upon value others see in us. Yet what if they have an inflated or deflated perspective of our worth? Getting a healthy self image is needed in all parties to bring balance to a relationship.
So understanding the need for a good self image is the easy part. Learning how to view yourself is a little harder. There are so many messages out there on this however lets look into the scriptures to get some balance here.
1.Do not over value yourself.
Romans 12:3 (Amplified Bible) For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. This is straight forward a warning to be careful not to overvalue ourselves. This can lead to many different problems like treating people as if they are worth less than you. As well a sense of pride that will cause you to think you can do more than you actually can leading to a failure. As we can see in Proverbs 16:18 (Amplified Bible) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
2 place a higher value in those around you.
God's love is constantly flowing much like liquid it is never still there is a constant exchange of energy back and forth. We are told to in Philippians 2:3-4 (New King James Version) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. I apply this to you and in return it gets applied back to me. As I write these thoughts I am reminded how Paul truly saw others this way. And look at you the reader as more important than me as I the writer and your calling to be greater than mine. Now some people reading this are tripping how can this be the emphasis here is in the “considered as” not in actuality no parent sees one child greater than the other but wants all of his children to treat each other “as if” they were. If we would love each other enough to do this can you imagine the harmony we would experience.
3.Let gods view of you take priority.
No matter the circumstances begin to see yourself in His eyes. Remember When no one saw your value He did. So much he describes Having you being worth all of His treasure. Luke 15 3-7 (New International Version) Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. He loved us so much that he left all he had to find us! John 3:16 says he loved us so much in essence you were worth as much to him as Jesus His son. That's why He gave Jesus to get you and me!
Now this is a healthy start to having a proper view of ones self and being able to esteem your self correctly amongst others. The bible never gives us suggestions to try it gives us commands to do. When we choose to not let our viewpoint be the same as God's whether we see it higher or lower in our own eyes. It is an indirect way of saying God is wrong and I am right and therefore I must be Higher than God. Most of us would never declare a thing as this but many of us do it in silence when we disagree with His view of our lives. If today you can't see yourself as he does ask Him to show you what he sees in you. And then get ready to be amazed because I read that you are wonderfully made or to paraphrase it.
I can see you were made to be full of the wonders of God!
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