Dealing with People,Problems, 3

So in thinking about those situations I see as problems, the thought came to me that I and everyone else, believer or otherwise, are constantly flowing in the lust of our flesh, lust of our eyes and the pride of life.

I had to ponder this a moment as at first it seemed like too much of a blanket statement - EVERYONE!?
ALL THE TIME!?

The verse came to mind about how the corruption that we see in the world is through lust. Everything is decaying because of the curse which came because of the lust.

It would seem, whether we like it or not, we are constantly being motivated by one of the lusts, our minds are being led in the direction of one of the lusts, our emotions are in an uproar because of one of the lusts, and we are suffering consequences we don't like because of one of the lusts.

These are where my (our) problems are coming from.

We are in such a far greater predicament than what we realize - but for Jesus.

Thank God the Father for our Hope! We can NOT save ourselves! The rabbit hole truly is too deep, and
we are too blinded, self-deceived to be of benefit to our self or anyone else. Thank God for Jesus!

Thank you Lord for allowing us to be accepted in the Beloved. Thank you for His redemption. Thank you for working all things after Your Own counsel. I am very grateful. Help me to yield to your wisdom and love.

Dealing with People,Problems, 2

As I thought about how I am in the same boat as others when it comes to being displeased with others' actions and disgruntled regarding my situations, I began to think on Yahshua and I asked 'how did You respond to people not meeting Your expectations?" How did You respond to disappointing situations?"

I can't say that I could think of anything that showed that Yahshua was ever disappointed or displeased with anyone or disgruntled with any aspect of His life!

He WAS angry at the stubbornness of the religious leaders that kept the people from really seeing who the Father was. But His 'righteous' anger, as bible teachers like to describe it, didn't really have to do with Him or how anyone was treating Him - which is exactly opposite of how WE are. We are desperate to make sure no one takes advantage of us, discomforts us, does things we don't like etc.

It would seem that the difference between me and Him is that He knew He was on a mission to fulfill the Father's commandment. Even though I know that Christ is in me, and that I am to allow His life to flow through me for the continuance of the Father's purposes, too often I fall back onto my flesh and the patterns of my old nature.

So, in dealing with people in general, I need to allow them to live unto the Lord (or unto themselves as the case may be) as they see fit. If they are not in an obvious sin, then, as Yahshua told Peter, 'what is it to you, you follow me.'  And as Paul said, 'every man will bear his own burden' and  Yashua again, 'wisdom is justified by her children' ; i.e. the results will bear witness as to whether the actions were wise or not.

HOWEVER, in dealing with the brethren in particular, I DO need to bear their burdens with them,  I DO need to gently instruct those who are in opposition to the truth, lest God grant them repentance to receive the truth.

Dealing with People, Problems

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes but the Lord pondereth the hearts. Prov. 21:2

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Prov. 16:2 

I was thinking unto the Lord about how easy it is for me to see where 'others' are falling short in their walk before the Lord. However, as has been my manner through what I believe is the instruction of the Lord, , I turned the light back onto myself to see where and how I am doing the same things that I notice in others.

As I was lying there thinking about how people are not seeing the error of their ways, I begin to have the
thought that it is very difficult to know your own shortcomings. We are blind to our faults and even if we have some indication of our ways, we justify ourselves. This is a work of our flesh (encouraged by the evil on and the world), this blindness, this justification.

So as I was thinking about the various dilemmas others are finding themselves in, I begin to ask the Lord
to forgive ME and help ME to see my error so I can be pleasing to Him. I used their situations as object lessons on how to begin to find my way out of my own delusions, after the manner of Proverbs,

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction...Prov. 24:30-32

The problems that seem to plague people that came to mind pertained to 1). our relationships with others and 2). our desires.

We become angry, bitter, depressed, vengeful and whatever other negative emotion applies when people aren't being/doing what we want. We feel kindly affectioned towards those who please us.

We feel blessed and favoured when we get what we want and when things go our way. Not so, if the opposite is true.

To be continued...

Beautiful Suffering

"The point is that all suffering has a purpose, it is not merely punitive, but redemptive and part of an overall plan" (emphasis mine) (From Chip Brogden, TheSchoolofChrist.org)

REDEMPTIVE

How often do we think of our suffering as being 'redemptive'? It almost doesn't make sense.
So the suffering is the means by which we are purchased?  Christ's suffering, yes, but OUR suffering?


It's an ugly thought to our flesh but can we feel the truth in it?


I think, however, that we have to be careful not to be tricked into formulating our own crisis


The suffering must be the choosing of the One who knows what the value and price of pain will purchase.


Christ Himself wanted the cup to pass and I think that's the test of the validity of our trial; whether it's
'self' produced or God given.


It is all too easy for the flesh to trick us and try to orchestrate a situation that we feel will 'crucify'
 our flesh, BUT, when the real, God ordained/God allowed suffering comes, we will know it
 because we want to RUN!  "Get me out of this Lord; it's too much for me to bear!"


Oh, it hurts, but how beautiful the suffering that brings about less of us and more of the beloved
Christ that desires to live through us.

Beautiful Discipline

The Spirit through Paul tells us that correction from the Father is necessary if we are truly to be counted as sons of God.

 As painful and difficult as that correction may be, we must not run from it or even try to lessen it.

 The flesh is so deceitful and we are so clever in justifying ourselves that it takes insight from the Spirit to show us that certain situations that are occurring are not to be denounced or attributed to the Evil one but are, in fact, the Father's hand upon us removing our fleshly ways, our lust driven motives our worldly pursuits.

 Oh Father, thank you for your patience with my dim wittedness in  feeling self righteous when in reality I am an unclean vessel not fit for being used in honorable ways in your household! I truly DO want to be a vessel of honor! Help me not to squirm out from under your chastening hand but stand still so I can receive the peacable fruit of righteousness that your pruning will produce in my life

Covered

As I was driving today, I saw some women and children who, I believe, practice the Muslin faith. They were crossing the street, 3 mature women and a small flock of children. All the females had colorful scarves on their head that flowed down their backs and long, ankle length skirts.
As I drove past, I thought about the constraints that our religions put on us, but that we willingly accept, because we feel this is how we serve God or how we fit into the purposes He has for us. As women in that faith, and in other religions as well, the covering of the head, either at all times or when in religious settings, is considered appropriate for females.

But this isn't just a religious, i.e. man made attempt to reach/serve Yahweh since the bible does say a woman should be covered.

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 1 Cor. 11:6

This had been a source of question and concern on my part for a number of years. I have spoken FOR head covering for about the last 5 years; the previous 5 years or so, not sure one way or the other, and the years previous to those, believing it was just a quaint, outdated custom.

So how have I gotten here, to this place of wearing a scarf/hat most days than not?

I definitely wear something on my head if teaching in public and often times if I'm just teaching the children,although as of late I haven't consciously thought about it - probably because I'm in a scarf as a matter of course so If I do take it off, I forget that it IS off since my normal manner of functioning is in a covered state regardless of what I'm doing.

That last sentence strikes me: "my normal manner of functioning is in a covered state regardless of what I'm doing."

Is it spiritualyzing it too much to say, covering is a matter of the heart? No, I don't think so.
If we are in subjection to our own husbands, do well and are not afraid, are we not then 'covered'? And then, the outward symbol has a real validity, not just a legalistic form. Like all symbols, it's intent is to reflect a truth about our hearts state/motivation. We as married women (and that is all believers who are betrothed to the Lord) don't want to find ourselves in rebellion to the hierarchical authority the Father has established. Women, in this physical realm, are portraying that spiritual picture by the covering of our heads.. It speaks to a spiritual truth that the principalities and powers understand even if those we walk among in this realm don't understand it.

The World's System is Man's God

Man says:

I don't need God's provision, I have my money, a job, insurance,  and/or I know people (or the government) who will help me. Science has made it easier for me to live longer and healthier. I'm educated and anything I don't know I can look up online, or if need be, go back to school. All types of media, recreational events, social gatherings, and such not keep me entertained and feeling good (at least for a time) about my life. What do I need an archaic, kill joy god for?

Mankind believes it can mitigate the results of the fall by the systems it has instituted.

I'm thinking this is one reason the Father says not to love the world (it's system of operation) and the
things of the world (what's produced by the world's system that helps us cope with our fall induced separattion).

We use the world to replace Him.

When we don't want to turn to the Father for our life, but prefer to make our own way in this world,
we HAVE to have some type of systems to help us cope - things are too difficult on this side of Eden.

Not only do the systems allow us to cope but also allow us to  pursue our lusts (flesh, eye, pride of life) and build a world  that accommodates and perpetuates those lusts.

 I think this eases the pain/distracts us from pondering on our life-lessness.

And while this way of functioning is very obvious in industrialized countries, I believe that all of mankind, no matter how impoverished or technologically deprived, resorts to some type of 'world system' creation to help overcome/cope with the results of the fall.

Unrepentant man, just like Cain, is separated from God and goes off and "builds a city". Was he thinking 'Fine, God, I can do this without you!"

 I'm not sure.

I do think the Father wants us all to come home though.

Thank you Yahshua for making a way. I love you.