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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 5, 2018 5:30:15 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Psalm 126:1-3 ---------- When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Devotional ---------- When you become aware of what God is doing for you and how God is blessing you, you discover a new attitude. This attitude is almost like an unreal or dream-like state in that it takes you to new places. God actually cares about you and will answer your prayers. You discover God desires to bless your life. Accept those blessings with gratitude and let them fill you with joy and praise.
Prayer ----------- Lift my spirit and my vision, O God, that I may live with a new sense of joy in your blessings. Amen
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Dec 5, 2018 9:13:48 GMT -5
You're absolutely correct Woody. Our joy can't be contained when he blesses us and/or restores that blessing. He does give and take according to his will, wisdom and justness.
This same joyous bliss is felt when He uses us in his ministry. In my opinion, there is no greater joy than for God to use us to lead someone to Him. Anyone who has led another to the saving Grace of Christ knows this to be true. Obviously, we can save no one; it's the Lord's words and the Holy Spirit's convictions that lead them to the point of calling out in repentance. However, how can anyone come, but that they are called tangibly and spiritually? It has always been God's plan to work "through" us as we can do nothing for His Glory, but that he does it through us.
When humans think of blessings, the mind gravitates to the tangible, our physical needs and desires. However, if we were really aware of the eternal impact of our actions, thoughts, prayers and motives, our view of blessings would take on a different perspective.
This being said, God does still bless us with temporal excess, but not always. He has a plan for it all; we are only stewards. It's also hard for us to grasp the steward reality. We work a job in some way, and get paid for those efforts. It sure seems that we earned that check, even though Obama says, "You didn't build that."
Did God restore the Israelites magically by it all reappearing overnight? No, he didn't, yet the scripture says that he restored them ...and it was him alone. This can be difficult to understand. A good way to look at it is that a carpenter wears gloves to frame a house. Can the gloves take the credit for the finished work of the master craftsman? The Master fills us to do his work. In all reality, we are nothing more than gloves. This is why we cast the crowns of reward at the feet of Jesus as we would have done nothing worthy of reward, but that he did it through us.
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