Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. 1Jo3.21 ESV
I am one of those people who is always questioning myself. And, while I think it is good to examine ourselves, sometimes our enemy would capture us in a circle of self-condemnation and guilt. Satan is after all called the accuser of the brethren.
If there is some sin in our life that we know about, it is best to confess and forsake it, not sit around mealy-mouthed picking at it. The Holy Spirit does not want us to feel guilty; He wants us to repent. I know I must apologize to the Lord many times in a day for wayward thoughts. Sometimes this is expressed in nothing more than a knowing grunt. And while we are encouraged to take captive every thought, surely this means that once we have confessed our sins, we graciously accept His forgiveness and move on.
I think it is possible to be overly critical of oneself, especially if I find my prayers being hindered by it. There is nothing our enemy fears more than confident prayers of faith and he will do anything to disrupt them. This is probably one way to tell if conviction about something is coming from the enemy or from the Holy Spirit. Are my prayers being hindered or helped by it? God desires that we approach Him boldly, in confident faith, never mealy-mouthed because of some notion of unworthiness, even a true notion. The reason is that we approach God only in the blessing of Christ, and never on our own merits. 4/2/2008 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
Mealy-mouthed
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. 1Jo3.21 ESV
I am one of those people who is always questioning myself. And, while I think it is good to examine ourselves, sometimes our enemy would capture us in a circle of self-condemnation and guilt. Satan is after all called the accuser of the brethren.
If there is some sin in our life that we know about, it is best to confess and forsake it, not sit around mealy-mouthed picking at it. The Holy Spirit does not want us to feel guilty; He wants us to repent. I know I must apologize to the Lord many times in a day for wayward thoughts. Sometimes this is expressed in nothing more than a knowing grunt. And while we are encouraged to take captive every thought, surely this means that once we have confessed our sins, we graciously accept His forgiveness and move on.
I think it is possible to be overly critical of oneself, especially if I find my prayers being hindered by it. There is nothing our enemy fears more than confident prayers of faith and he will do anything to disrupt them. This is probably one way to tell if conviction about something is coming from the enemy or from the Holy Spirit. Are my prayers being hindered or helped by it? God desires that we approach Him boldly, in confident faith, never mealy-mouthed because of some notion of unworthiness, even a true notion. The reason is that we approach God only in the blessing of Christ, and never on our own merits. 4/2/2008 ts
I am one of those people who is always questioning myself. And, while I think it is good to examine ourselves, sometimes our enemy would capture us in a circle of self-condemnation and guilt. Satan is after all called the accuser of the brethren.
If there is some sin in our life that we know about, it is best to confess and forsake it, not sit around mealy-mouthed picking at it. The Holy Spirit does not want us to feel guilty; He wants us to repent. I know I must apologize to the Lord many times in a day for wayward thoughts. Sometimes this is expressed in nothing more than a knowing grunt. And while we are encouraged to take captive every thought, surely this means that once we have confessed our sins, we graciously accept His forgiveness and move on.
I think it is possible to be overly critical of oneself, especially if I find my prayers being hindered by it. There is nothing our enemy fears more than confident prayers of faith and he will do anything to disrupt them. This is probably one way to tell if conviction about something is coming from the enemy or from the Holy Spirit. Are my prayers being hindered or helped by it? God desires that we approach Him boldly, in confident faith, never mealy-mouthed because of some notion of unworthiness, even a true notion. The reason is that we approach God only in the blessing of Christ, and never on our own merits. 4/2/2008 ts
If you want to be healthy, then be happy.
If you want to be healthy, then be happy.
“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh8.10 ESV
Wisdom affirms the value of a merry heart for good health. Actually the word merry is often used in Scripture of celebrating, so we might say that there are health benefits when one knows how to party. God is of course not approving riotous revelry but He is certainly encouraging us to celebrate life. “Don’t worry, be happy,” was certainly one of Jesus’ favorite topics and I am sure He would agree that if you want to be healthy, then be happy.
Now, some have sought to draw a distinction between happiness and joy. It is said that happiness comes from what is going on around us while joy comes from what is going on in us. This may be splitting hairs, so to speak, but I think this distinction might help us fine-tune the reasons behind our joy and happiness. What makes me happy is a healthy question to consider.
There are many encouragements in Scripture to rejoice and I should think that since we are told to do this, being happy and joyous must be a choice. We rejoice when we fine our joy in something. I don’t mean serendipitously find joy in it, but deliberately and consciously find joy in whatever God is providing. When we know how to celebrate God’s blessings, even when His blessings are disguised in trials and tribulations, we will know the richest expression of the words, “the joy of the Lord is my strength. This is to say, I am happy in whatever make Him happy. 4/1/2008 ts
“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh8.10 ESV
Wisdom affirms the value of a merry heart for good health. Actually the word merry is often used in Scripture of celebrating, so we might say that there are health benefits when one knows how to party. God is of course not approving riotous revelry but He is certainly encouraging us to celebrate life. “Don’t worry, be happy,” was certainly one of Jesus’ favorite topics and I am sure He would agree that if you want to be healthy, then be happy.
Now, some have sought to draw a distinction between happiness and joy. It is said that happiness comes from what is going on around us while joy comes from what is going on in us. This may be splitting hairs, so to speak, but I think this distinction might help us fine-tune the reasons behind our joy and happiness. What makes me happy is a healthy question to consider.
There are many encouragements in Scripture to rejoice and I should think that since we are told to do this, being happy and joyous must be a choice. We rejoice when we fine our joy in something. I don’t mean serendipitously find joy in it, but deliberately and consciously find joy in whatever God is providing. When we know how to celebrate God’s blessings, even when His blessings are disguised in trials and tribulations, we will know the richest expression of the words, “the joy of the Lord is my strength. This is to say, I am happy in whatever make Him happy. 4/1/2008 ts
If you want to be healthy, then be happy.
If you want to be healthy, then be happy.
“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh8.10 ESV
Wisdom affirms the value of a merry heart for good health. Actually the word merry is often used in Scripture of celebrating, so we might say that there are health benefits when one knows how to party. God is of course not approving riotous revelry but He is certainly encouraging us to celebrate life. “Don’t worry, be happy,” was certainly one of Jesus’ favorite topics and I am sure He would agree that if you want to be healthy, then be happy.
Now, some have sought to draw a distinction between happiness and joy. It is said that happiness comes from what is going on around us while joy comes from what is going on in us. This may be splitting hairs, so to speak, but I think this distinction might help us fine-tune the reasons behind our joy and happiness. What makes me happy is a healthy question to consider.
There are many encouragements in Scripture to rejoice and I should think that since we are told to do this, being happy and joyous must be a choice. We rejoice when we fine our joy in something. I don’t mean serendipitously find joy in it, but deliberately and consciously find joy in whatever God is providing. When we know how to celebrate God’s blessings, even when His blessings are disguised in trials and tribulations, we will know the richest expression of the words, “the joy of the Lord is my strength. This is to say, I am happy in whatever make Him happy. 4/1/2008 ts
“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh8.10 ESV
Wisdom affirms the value of a merry heart for good health. Actually the word merry is often used in Scripture of celebrating, so we might say that there are health benefits when one knows how to party. God is of course not approving riotous revelry but He is certainly encouraging us to celebrate life. “Don’t worry, be happy,” was certainly one of Jesus’ favorite topics and I am sure He would agree that if you want to be healthy, then be happy.
Now, some have sought to draw a distinction between happiness and joy. It is said that happiness comes from what is going on around us while joy comes from what is going on in us. This may be splitting hairs, so to speak, but I think this distinction might help us fine-tune the reasons behind our joy and happiness. What makes me happy is a healthy question to consider.
There are many encouragements in Scripture to rejoice and I should think that since we are told to do this, being happy and joyous must be a choice. We rejoice when we fine our joy in something. I don’t mean serendipitously find joy in it, but deliberately and consciously find joy in whatever God is providing. When we know how to celebrate God’s blessings, even when His blessings are disguised in trials and tribulations, we will know the richest expression of the words, “the joy of the Lord is my strength. This is to say, I am happy in whatever make Him happy. 4/1/2008 ts
Even your passing thoughts
As having nothing, yet possessing everything. 2Cor6.10 ESV
Once when I was out for morning prayers, I had walked down to the Alabama River and found my way blocked by dense underbrush. I had one of those passing thoughts that it sure would be nice to have a path that ran along the river so I would have a pretty place to walk while I prayed. You can imagine how surprised I was when I returned several weeks later only to find such a path. Evidently a couple of mountain bikers had cut a nice trail through the patch of woods along that stretch of river since I had been there last. It made a perfect loop for my morning walk and prayers. I felt as if God was listening to more than just my intercessions that morning and had sent me a precious gift. It is humbling when you know that God has provided you with more than you need but has visited you with lavished kindness, and hears even our passing thoughts.
I do not suppose in this life that I will ever own a track of land beside a river or a beautiful mountain top vista. But it matters not, when it all belongs to Father and He has graciously made us a joint heir with Christ. 3/31/2008 ts
Once when I was out for morning prayers, I had walked down to the Alabama River and found my way blocked by dense underbrush. I had one of those passing thoughts that it sure would be nice to have a path that ran along the river so I would have a pretty place to walk while I prayed. You can imagine how surprised I was when I returned several weeks later only to find such a path. Evidently a couple of mountain bikers had cut a nice trail through the patch of woods along that stretch of river since I had been there last. It made a perfect loop for my morning walk and prayers. I felt as if God was listening to more than just my intercessions that morning and had sent me a precious gift. It is humbling when you know that God has provided you with more than you need but has visited you with lavished kindness, and hears even our passing thoughts.
I do not suppose in this life that I will ever own a track of land beside a river or a beautiful mountain top vista. But it matters not, when it all belongs to Father and He has graciously made us a joint heir with Christ. 3/31/2008 ts
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