My Reflection Part 4

Ruthanne posted:
This is a lesson and I think the Lord is not only working on my faith but Larry's and Steven's too.Larry is terrified we will run out of gas.So he won't put the heat on. I told him this morning,Larry the Lord isn't going to let us run out of gas.Then the devil thru it up to me that we already have!Well,yes,BUT,we ran out on check day so I was able to get gas and work the other bills out so we can make it thru this month.And if we run out again I can write a check and have them hold it til next month(they have done that before for me)Or DAEOC will get their money(MO.Gov.signed a bill that gives mo.another million dollars for heating stuff and each family will get double what they qualify for since gas has gone up so much.You know,I don't know where we will get the money,I just know we will.
Also,along the lines of what you are teaching me now,There was a lady on the radio yesterday talking about growing her faith.I was surprised when ,further on in the show,they said she was 75 yrs old.She had been telling about her faith,yes,but she was really talking about all the circumstances that had happened in her life and that was HOW she had such great faith.The Longer you walk with the Lord the stronger your faith grows.
So,Cindy,I am about 1000 miles behind you but I am on the same road as you since we follow the same Savior.
And we mustn't forget about the respites He gives us when we have fought a hard battle.When our faith has grown and we have seen His provision,our joy is compounded and I take that as a respite.Am I right about that?Love Ruthanne P.S.this is the first time I have even read about the names of God in the OT.Maybe you can start a thread about them and their meanings.I had heard some of them but not all and I always wondered,Love Ruthanne

I think I understand about taking the joy you feel as a respite, but at the same time, we need to be especially alert after a battle because that's often a time when we let down our guard and wind up flat on our behinds because we didn't see an attack coming. The Lord shows us this in many stories in the OT of people who'd fought hard and then "relaxed" thinking they'd won, and then they got hit twice as hard. So as long as you keep alert and continue to guard your heart and mind during your "respite", then you'll be fine.

Part of the problem is that we all want to go on vacation, especially after going through a hard trial. But this whole life is a trial. Our real respite, or vacation, whatever you want to call it, doesn't come until we get to Heaven. The way I look at it is that this life is like my "job" and at the end of my work day, I'll get to go Home and relax. My workday won't be over though until this life is over. Like any job, this life has times when things go smoothly and I can take it easy, but I'm still at work; then other times when things are hard and I want to pull my hair out -but I'm at work, so I should expect times like that too. That's why the Lord tells us to focus on our reward, our blessed hope, our future: our Home with Him and our eternal life. Pay day comes when this life is over.

In the meantime, while we're hear on earth, because we're saved we still have rest, because we can rest in our Lord knowing He is working His Will through us as long as we're obedient. In other words, as long as we're abiding in Christ, then He's the one doing the work, not us. Like in my story above: Jesus is pushing the wheelbarrow across the canyon. All we're doing is sitting in it and either freaking out or enjoying the ride. If we're truly abiding in Him, then we'll be enjoying the ride. If we're freaking out when we're in the wheelbarrow, then we're not abiding in Him and we have no rest. See what I mean?

I hope that makes sense... I'm not sure I explained it very well...

Ruthanne posted:
You did just fine.And I too look for the permanent respite.I long for it.And I hadn't really noticed that the joy I love so much also means my guard is down.I will have to be more alert.I have a very bad habit of dismissing the devil as the Lord is in my heart and the devil can't overcome Jesus.I need to remember he can still get at us through people,come to think of it,he is using Larry right now to steal my joy and peace.Ok I pray for protection.and ask that His Love strengthens my love for Larry.He can't help the devil using him.I am determined to rest in that blame wheelbarrow!Thanks Cindy.Since I have been on the board this morning I have been freed from anger,worry,and sloppiness in my fight.I am grateful for you and FH,Love Ruthanne

I'm glad it helped Ruthanne and I hope you're able to get some rest today too.

For next time when you come back though, I want to tell you that your joy doesn't mean you've relaxed your guard, or rather it doesn't have to. The Lord has given us His joy to be our strength and not just as a reward. The joy of the spirit doesn't have anything to do with what's happening in our lives on the outside. It has to do with the fact that the Lord saved us and that He's given us all the spiritual blessings that there are. It has to do with our identity being in Him now instead of being in ourselves. We can and should have His joy all the time, no matter what's going on. That's why we can smile and sing praises to Him in the worst circumstances. Because He not only died for us, but because He then gave us His life which He now lives through us when we'll let Him. (by abiding in Him) It can get confusing and be hard to explain, but I'll try to do better tomorrow when I'll have more time. My grandkids are going to be here any time now and I have to get ready.
Ruthanne posted:
I'm sorry to bother you.But.Why is it I have to fight for my Joy?Is it because of the depression?Or the drugs I have to take because of the depression?I can honestly say I have peace and that by the Lord,but joy is a gift to me somehow.I don't understand,but recently I don't understand alot.That is what faith is for.Love Ruthanne P.S.Do not work on this until you have rested and make it an after thought ,after you do all you HAVE to do.I'm not going anywhere
Love Ruthanne

Ruthanne, you don't bother me at all! You know I love answering questions lol, so don't worry about it!

I think a lot of the problem is that the world has taught us a different meaning for many things, including joy. We tend to see joy and happiness as things that we feel when everything is going right or when something extra good happens to us. The world teaches us too that we can't control how we feel, which is the opposite of what God says. So we tend to see things like joy as things that happen to us that are outside our control. As usual, God tells us the opposite.

We experience worldly joy when really good things happen to us. But it's different with the Joy of the Lord. Philippians 4:4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord always and that's a command, not a suggestion. He even repeats it which shows how important this is for us to do. In fact, it's repeated a number of times throughout the bible. We're also told that the Joy of the Lord is our strength, which gives us the reason He wants us to rejoice in Him always. It's for our benefit, not His. But how can we do that when our lives are falling apart and it doesn't seem as though anything is going right? Because, if we're saved, there is something that's going right and that's truly wonderful, even amazing , even in the midst of great physical or emotional pain or hardship, or severe trials.

What is it? It's the fact that the Lord has saved us of course. When we sit and think about all our Lord did for us to save us, all He gave up, all He put up with from us (and still puts up with), all the torture He went through, and the horror of the cross and being separated for the first and only time from His Father when He became sin for us, etc. it's just overwhelming! It's overwhelming that He could love us so very much to do all of that when we still hated Him! He didn't wait until we'd come around and started to think He might be right, He did it all when we hated Him! I could write pages and pages of all He's done for us in saving us, but that's something you can know as well.

It really helps a lot when we also know more about ourselves and who and what we really were before we were saved - how corrupt our minds were and are without His indwelling spirit to guide and teach us. Which is why the unsaved can't understand anything about God, His Word or the Truth and why even many Christians don't understand because they haven't learned that it doesn't happen automatically. Our minds don't suddenly become clean when we're saved and able to know the Truth. Instead it comes as we read/study God's Word with His help; or another way of saying it is through using the mind of Christ. He gave us the mind of Christ when we were saved, but we have to learn to use it, and the only way that happens is when we ask Him to teach us and guide us each time we open His Word. So knowing how corrupt and hopeless we were without Him, helps a lot too.

Another part of our Joy is our blessed hope. Titus 2:13, Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8:22 among other scriptures explain that it was in this hope we were saved. It's the hope, the longing for our new uncorrupted bodies and minds that we'll receive at the rapture, which will be the completion of our salvation - then not only our spirits or souls will be saved, but so will our bodies and minds. Remember, right now we have the Holy Spirit which is our guarantee that God will give us the rest...our new bodies and minds. Perfect bodies, no longer corrupted by sin, with no pain or illness! Minds that are no longer corrupted by sin and that we can use all of! It's going to be magnificent!

Still another part of our joy is knowing that the Lord has already given us every spiritual blessing, as well as everything we need to live a godly, victorious life here and now. The problem is that He's given us the gifts, but often they sit unopened on our tables and they've gotten so covered up with junk that many have forgotten all about it. All we have to do to find them and open them though is study His Word.

But as for having and feeling the Joy of the Lord, right now, even if we're going through some kind of horrible time, or if something terrible has just happened, we have to remember two things. First, the Lord didn't tell us to just "rejoice". He said to rejoice IN HIM. So we're not supposed to rejoice that we're going through a hard time or that something bad has happened or is happening to us. We're supposed to rejoice in Him - in all He's done for us already, all He's doing for us right now (for He works everything out for His glory and our good, and promises to finish the work of our salvation and sanctification that He started in us) and all He will do for us in the future, including our blessed Hope. That means we need to switch our thoughts from dwelling on the thing we're going through, or whatever the "bad stuff" is, to Him and what He's done etc. When we honestly do that, we'll be overcome with His love, His peace and His Joy and generally end up praising Him.

In fact, we can even begin by praising Him for who He is and all He's done and it will lead us into the same paths. That's why He tells us to praise Him. It's not because He has a big ego, but because He knows it will uplift us and fill us with His joy, love and peace. He gives us His grace and that allows His power to be made manifest in us to overcome all those "bad things". Which is why Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 —But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. *That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. *

So you see, in this life, we must choose to praise Him, to rejoice in Him and then we will be filled with His Joy ALL the time and not just when something we happen to like happens. here's some more verses about this.
Ephesians 1:3 —Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. *
2 Peter 1:3 —His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. *

Ephesians 2:14 —For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, *

Nehemiah 8:10 —... for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” *
Romans 14:17 —For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, *
1 Thessalonians 5:16 —Be joyful always; *

Philippians 3:1 —Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. *

Philippians 4:4 —Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! *
Psalm 32:11 —Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! *

Ruthanne posted:
So A mature christian is just so happy that all this is temporary?I see what you mean.Instead of focusing on the ways things are but to focus on where we are going.I am right now,in my walk ,finally moving on I think.I am learning the presence Of Jesus,more and more and Now I think I am supposed to move on to another thing.Rejoicing.When I think of His love and the wonders of His hands and the grace that is mine,no matter what,and I get so happy and so homesick.Do you think I am on the right track?Of course I know I am but am I trying to go too fast?I think of what you said so long ago,that we seem to be getting our lessons on fast-forward.Well,just a cig. break so back to supper,Love Ruthanne

Catt posted:
Ruthanne, you are beautiful.

Ruthanne posted:
Thank you Catt.What a nice compliment, you are beautiful too,Love Ruthanne

Well, that's part of it hon, the part for rejoicing anyway. It all boils down to love and trust though. We can't rejoice if we don't love Him and trust Him because then we wouldn't believe that He has done and will do the things He said He would. What we're doing is kind of like examining the ingredients that go together in a recipe. We can look at them separately, but if we don't put them together when we make the meal, it won't turn out right, see what I mean?

Ruthanne posted:
Gotcha. Love Ruthanne

Catt posted:
So true, Cindy. Lots of times I have read the recipes and never made the cake .

I had a "duh" moment this morning as I was studying when I realized I left out an important reason the Lord wants us to praise Him. It's because praising Him is one of the most effective weapons we have. Not only does praising God lift our spirits, but it also allows God to pour out His power in us to defeat Satan, the world and our flesh. It's another way His power is made perfect in our weakness, because as we praise and worship Him, rejoicing in Him, we take our focus off ourselves and our problems, and put it on Him... the One who does have the power to change things and work everything out for our good. Then He channels His power into us, which strengthens us, and enables us to do whatever needs to be done in our present circumstances. So, once again we're shown how the Joy of the Lord is our strength!

Fearnot posted:
Thank you for this thread Cindy.

Ruthanne posted:
That is awesome,huh,Cindy.And if we go back in our minds as we worship we realize joy always comes with gratitude and thanksgiving.I guess it's not something we really think of with our conscienceness,but when I read this ,I thought,Thats it exactly! I can't wait to get my morning time started.I have been praying for a hunger of God's word and for Jesus to increase His love in me for Him.Where else can it come from?He IS love.Anyway,I am hungry for the Word!Love Ruthanne

Catt posted:
I printed up the study on Psalms 23.
and sat studying it this afternoon.
I was so blessed. What a delicious spiritual
meal you have prepared for us. I got to take my time, look
up and read the scripture referances from the
comfort of the sofa.
Absolutely Holy Spirit inspired.

Glad you made it Barbara!

Amen Ruthanne, I know the Lord will bless your prayer and He must have a huge smile on His face and be so very pleased!

I'm so glad it blessed you Catt. I have to admit that it's one of my favorite meditations.

Ruthanne posted:
Sorry I have just got back here.I just want to tell Cindy something.You said you were sure God had a big smile on His face and for the longest time my only desire was to make God smile.When I read what you said I took it as an answer from the Lord that at least I made Him smile once and hope to do so many more times,forever ,in fact.Love Ruthanne

I'm sure you will hon. Just keep reminding yourself that He loves you more then we can ever imagine and only wants the very best for his precious child!

Ruthanne posted:
Thank you Cindy.I am loving my mornings,Love Ruthanne

Catt posted:
Is it your time with the Lord that makes your mornings so good?
What a miracle, really truly.

Ruthanne posted:
Yes Catt.When I was first saved the Holy Spirit 'explained?" the things I didn't understand and inevitably,I would have the opportunity to use whatever I had read sometime during that day.And when I prayed I got an answer immediately,either in the Word or from the pastor.Yes I went to church every time the doors opened and took my 2 and 3 yr old boys.I was so close to the Lord then and I feel it coming back,by going back to my first Love.It is such a strengthening thing to start your day with Him.I pray you also feel the blessings of your communion with the Lord and isn't it nice that we can also talk to Him throughout the entire day?It's been a long time coming,Love Ruthanne

Glad to hear it Ruthanne! That's wonderful!

Fearnot posted:
How strange, I read this yesterday, and I thought I posted to it, but don't see it?
Well it was super! One thing I needed to be reminded of again (the more reminders the deeper it becomes a part of me) was this:
"Do you believe you are a beloved child of God and that He has a plan for your life that He is actively working out for you every day? That He will provide for all your needs? If we're not thinking about God's Word and thinking about how He loves us and His plans for us etc. then we can't very well be living them can we? See how very important it is for us to be in control of our thoughts? "
I would like ( with Leonard's permission, he gave me permission) if you could give us (him ) a few scriptures to take his thoughts captive when his feelings of total impatience when people state the obvious to him.
It makes him 'nuts' because he has already thought thru that '3 weeks ago'. He calls it a problem with redundancy.
But also he get furious and angry when physical things don't 'co-operate' ( they fall or don't work right, are in his way...he been know to take his hand and shove everything out of his way onto the floor.
He is impatient he says horribly so. he needs to get things done and it seems like the physical world is against him.
He also says it's misplaced pride ( I think his brilliant ( 180 IQ) alcoholic father pushed him way past his limit as a child and his inability to help his Schizophrenic mom who talked to imaginary friends,( she also was extremely bright taught math at college or High School before going 'mad' so to speak).... and having to get his furious drunk dad out of bars...started those feelings that he has carried all his life.
Frankly since turning to Jesus he is sooooo much improved. However, He doesn't have the patience at this point ( not yet) to do a Bible study.
But I have talked to him about taking thoughts captive and he would really love to have a few 'anti-grumpy' verses to camp on or replace in his mind.
His impatient fury comes on instantaneously and it like he can't be reached till it runs it's course....still he really wants Father word about angry and how to control it by replacing thoughts of rage when things fall, or are misplaced, or won't operate correctly etc.
When that happens i just leave the room and pray for him. it usually only last a few minutes but it's sooooo intense, yet compared to when we were married and he had totally stopped reading scripture etc. is amazing. he short fuse was much much more often. And now he out of it so quickly, appologizes for his "bad temper' and even cracks some jokes which do make me laugh.
So if you can pray and think of any anti-grumpy verses we would be so
appreciative!!! Thank you in advance

I'll be happy to post some scriptures for him. The problems you and he describe are problems that a great many people have, so he's not alone in this at all. That doesn't make it right of course, but at least it lets us know we're not crazy lol. As for the patience one, when people state the obvious or ask the same question for the hundredth time, I've had to deal with that as well. (no, lol, not with you Barbara!) The Lord's shown me how very wrong it is to get upset with them and has helped me to overcome it to a great deal. I still have to watch myself, but at least have it under control for the most part now..

There are a couple of things the Lord reminded me of first: That those of us who are saved, have been given the mind of Christ to use and have been given every spiritual gift as well. Our minds are renewed every time we study God's Word with Him, which clears away that corruption of our minds that's there due to our sin nature. Here's a bunch that I used, and I think that you have most of these in your notes too Barbara. This is a worthy goal and one which will please the Lord. Remember though to ask Him to help you, as we can't succeed on our own.

Proverbs 19:11 —A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 16:32 —Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

Proverbs 29:11 —A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Proverbs 15:23 —A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
Proverbs 29:20 —Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 14:29 —A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
Proverbs 12:16 —A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

1 Peter 3:8–11 —Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. *Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. *For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. *He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

1 Peter 4:11 —If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 —So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

Colossians 3:8–10 —But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. *Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices *and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:12–15 —Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. *Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. *And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. *Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Ephesians 4:22–24 —You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; *to be made new in the attitude of your minds; *and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:26–27 —“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, *and do not give the devil a foothold.

Ephesians 4:31–5:2 —Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. *Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. *Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children *and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Matthew 12:34–37 —You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. *The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. *But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. *For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 5:22–24 —But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. *“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, *leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Romans 12:18 —If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Psalm 19:14 —May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 —Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. *It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. *Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. *It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Timothy 2:8 —I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

James 1:19–22 —My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, *for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. *Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. *Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Proverbs 15:18 —A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 20:3 —It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Matthew 5:9 —Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

These are some of the basic scriptures that teach us to take our thoughts and feelings captive and why:

Jeremiah 17:9 —The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Romans 1:28 —Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

2 Corinthians 10:5 —We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Philippians 4:8 —Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

1 Corinthians 2:16 —“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Philippians 4:8 —Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Romans 12:2 —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.

Proverbs 4:23–24 —Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. *Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
I wanted to write and explain more, but the kids are already here and I have to go. I'll try to get back to you later though...maybe tomorrow...

Catt posted:
Wow!That's a mountain of them. Each one a chewy morsel to meditate on for the rest
of our days.