ON WORRY
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)
You'll notice notice it doesn't end with "...unless you are doing something extremely important." No, it's a command for all of us, and it follows with the charge, "Do not be anxious about anything" (verse 6)
When I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about MY life-I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice.
Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.
Worry and stress communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance."
ON THE PARABLE OF SOILS
"I think most American churchgoers are the soil that chokes out the seed because of all the thorns. Thorns are anything that distracts us from God. When we want God and a bunch of other stuff, then it means we have thorns in our soil. A relationship with God simply cannot grow when money, sin, activities, favorite sports teams, addictions, or commitments are piled on top of it.
Most of us have too much in our lives. As David Goetz writes, "Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually." A lot of things are good by themselves, but all of it together keeps us from living healthy, fruitful lives for God.
Are you choking out God in your life slowly by spending too much time, energy, money and thought on things of this world?"
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I just found your blog today. I love it. I love knowing there are others out there really seeking to follow Jesus. I started a blog called Divide Your Bread. It's sooo new, only one post so far. I'm using it to pray for missionaries and post info about ones I'm praying for. I go to a Chrisitian and Missionary Alliance Church. I love Jesus and I recently made a commitment to follow Him with my whole heart, not just talk the talk. I feel so much peace lately. God bless you.
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