3.17.09
It's late, ew.
So I just told one of my friends that it was a good idea to write things down in a journal, like prayers, worries, how God influences, and shapes our lives... I think it went better in my imagination than it did in reality. He was kinda just like, whatever, okay, mhmm. >__> It discourages me a lot, I have trouble with perserverance, like when people don't seem interested about God, or anything like that, I want to stop. I'm very very people pleasing, and I hate to change situations that are already good. It kinda really shows me though, as I write this. With God's help, and His will, someone's heart can be so open, but without, the person can be so sheltered, and private. It shows me even more so that we should pray before we do anything involving other people or even our spiritual life, but what if there's no time. What if it's the spur of the moment. Sometimes I go on a feeling, or an urge, but how can I differentiate between what's God nudging me to do something, and an action that's purely done by myself? There are so many questions, and ample answers, but maybe I'm just not looking hard enough. anyways, It's late, and I'm going to go read my bible, I've been slacking )8 Blah. Joe, where are you, I miss you my dearest :P
So I just told one of my friends that it was a good idea to write things down in a journal, like prayers, worries, how God influences, and shapes our lives... I think it went better in my imagination than it did in reality. He was kinda just like, whatever, okay, mhmm. >__> It discourages me a lot, I have trouble with perserverance, like when people don't seem interested about God, or anything like that, I want to stop. I'm very very people pleasing, and I hate to change situations that are already good. It kinda really shows me though, as I write this. With God's help, and His will, someone's heart can be so open, but without, the person can be so sheltered, and private. It shows me even more so that we should pray before we do anything involving other people or even our spiritual life, but what if there's no time. What if it's the spur of the moment. Sometimes I go on a feeling, or an urge, but how can I differentiate between what's God nudging me to do something, and an action that's purely done by myself? There are so many questions, and ample answers, but maybe I'm just not looking hard enough. anyways, It's late, and I'm going to go read my bible, I've been slacking )8 Blah. Joe, where are you, I miss you my dearest :P
posted by Andy Cho at
7:24 PM
6 Comments:
I'm not sure I know what you mean when you say 'purely done by myself?' Is that you bringing up Christ and sharing Christ for like, selfish reasons? please explain..
Luke 6 says
26 “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
I have a big tenancy to want to be liked by everyone as well. (that's the basis of heart motives if you ever heard that series) The problem is that because of our sinfulness, in the way God should be liked and known by ALL people, WE would rather be liked and known by all people.
here's an interesting verse too.
Read Philippians 1:15-18.
It talks about that whether someone speaks Christ for themselves, or for Christ, the most important thing is that Christ is being preached.
now of course that doesn't mean we SHOULD speak for selfish reasons, but you should definitely guard yourself against using 'your selfish motives' as an excuse for not sharing Christ.
Well it's more like, I'm doing it by myself, without God. And I feel like I'm trying to do something that I know can't be achieved without Him.
"how can I differentiate between what's God nudging me to do something, and an action that's purely done by myself?"
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... x_x
That's a real interesting question Shalom. I just heard a seminar about God's will at the retreat.
Basically, if its things that are clearly commanded in the Bible, you don't really have to question yourself. Just do it. Things like this:
God's will for us is to:
- evangelize (matt 28)
- be joyful (2 Thess 5)
- pray continually (2 Thess 5)
- serve the Lord
- keep from sexual immorality
These things are God's will, period. So the question is not 'should i do this or not?' but 'HOW should i do this.'
when it comes to everything else, they key is to be familiar with God's word. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD'S WILL IS, HIS GOOD PLEASING, AND PERFECT WILL." (rom 12)
Basically after that point, God gives you the FREEDOM to do what you think will be best.
important things to consider while doing this is:
- why am i choosing this decision? is it to raise me up? or to serve others and serve God?
- is my decision fully backed by the word of God? (make sure that by doing so you don't break any things that are obviously GOd's will.
Here's a good illustration.
God created Eden right? What did He tell adam and eve? eat from any fruit except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. right?
now think of Adam in the garden. He has an orange tree in front of him, a blue tree to his left, and a purple tree to his right. which one should he choose?
kinda funny right? the obvious answer is, 'it doesn't matter as long as its not breaking His will.' THat is a wonderful thing from God, that He gives us the freedom to make choices for ourselves.
if what you need to do is something God commands you to do, but you feel like you're doing it for yourself, just do it. First, repent for making it about you, turn around and MAKE it about God, then just be obedient. otherwise, use your freedom to decide to best glorify God and bring maximum service to others :D
hope that helped, i kinda ranted...
Joe, to make this clear, shalom's quote came from my blog. I think you're skimming mine ):< hurts my feelings...
yes... i realized that when i read your post... i was trying to answer the question for both of you
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home