First, I did not plan on this break. It was the result of travel and some changes to my schedule that created obstacles that I did not navigate well. I share that before we get into this to, well for one reason, to confess that I am struggling on this journey as well.
We are exhorted in Scripture to study, to abide, to practice what we encounter in the Word of God. The purpose, according to Peter in his second letter chapter 1 verses 3 – 4 (here @ Bible Gateway), is that we can become partakers of the divine nature, to truly know Him.
For the past several years it has been my mission to equip as many of those who were willing to do, at least the first couple of those. The main problem has been that there are seemingly few who are willing to engage for themselves. Many would rather feed at the trough of those who would study and then tell them what they found; tell them what to believe. While that may seem easier, it is not what is imagined as the normal Christian experience.
However, there are those who seem to wish to engage. Those who do will face resistance in multiple forms. The enemy does not wish for men to seriously engage in the Word of God, to be equipped to take on the full armor of God, Ephesians 6:10 – 20 (here @ Bible Gateway).
So, what I share here, I do not claim to fully and completely practice. I strive, weakly. I am facing the reality that instead of becoming stronger, I am becoming weaker. I tire more easily than I did. I read that I can live in His strength, but I don’t seem to be able to do that well or consistently.
All that is a preamble to what was intended to follow the last post.
Which is…
If you would please look for a moment at 1 Peter 1:3 – 9 (here @ Bible Gateway). This is a small portion of the larger answer that Peter outlines in this letter. It would be a profitable investment to read the entire epistle.
I will, through God’s strength, share observations on how to overcome in the next post, tomorrow.
We are exhorted in Scripture to study, to abide, to practice what we encounter in the Word of God. The purpose, according to Peter in his second letter chapter 1 verses 3 – 4 (here @ Bible Gateway), is that we can become partakers of the divine nature, to truly know Him.
For the past several years it has been my mission to equip as many of those who were willing to do, at least the first couple of those. The main problem has been that there are seemingly few who are willing to engage for themselves. Many would rather feed at the trough of those who would study and then tell them what they found; tell them what to believe. While that may seem easier, it is not what is imagined as the normal Christian experience.
However, there are those who seem to wish to engage. Those who do will face resistance in multiple forms. The enemy does not wish for men to seriously engage in the Word of God, to be equipped to take on the full armor of God, Ephesians 6:10 – 20 (here @ Bible Gateway).
So, what I share here, I do not claim to fully and completely practice. I strive, weakly. I am facing the reality that instead of becoming stronger, I am becoming weaker. I tire more easily than I did. I read that I can live in His strength, but I don’t seem to be able to do that well or consistently.
All that is a preamble to what was intended to follow the last post.
Which is…
If you would please look for a moment at 1 Peter 1:3 – 9 (here @ Bible Gateway). This is a small portion of the larger answer that Peter outlines in this letter. It would be a profitable investment to read the entire epistle.
I will, through God’s strength, share observations on how to overcome in the next post, tomorrow.
Thanks for the post. The aging process seems to bring the extra challenge of physical tiredness and spiritual tiredness that I do not seem to accomplish what I had hoped. I do trust the process of grief from various trials that produce deeper longing to see him and knowing that faith in Christ will ultimately bring salvation of our souls (1:9) in spite of my tiredness.
ReplyDeleteYep this maturing thing is not for sissies. I had physical therapy this AM and a meeting immediately after. All of the muscles I used were tight by the end of the meeting and I was not moving well. I am trying to learn to live 2 Corinthians 12:9 - 10, not doing so well...
DeleteA few years ago I heard a 104 year Pearl Harbor Navy Lt. speak on the subject "What I am thinking, What I am praying, What I am doing." Confined to a wheel chair, he was still traveling and making plans to speak you young (and occasionally older!) Christ-followers on the Christian life, and not only existing, but living for Christ, introducing Him to those who didn't yet know Him and encouraging all he met to "keep on keeping on," as he himself was doing and giving practical advice from his own experience.
ReplyDeleteMy emotional response was, "Oh, Lord! Please don't let me live that long!" Sometimes I think that tomorrow afternoon would be quite long enough, thank you." Pains increase; sorrows accumulate; dreams evaporate with little apparent to show for the hard work and expectations ploughed into them.
But in all that, God has promised...! What has He promised? That is what takes me back to my Bible morning after morning. Not like I should, sometimes more complaining than praying, but He is able. And there is plenty of that in the Bible too, I am learning.
What I used to consider to be a good spiritual "jog" seems more like a crawl. I am learning to be content with reality, and keep crawling - ever more painfully, it seems. God is with us.
Likely every morning at least, and through the day as well, I try to remember Jerry Bridge's word, "Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold of and cling to the promises of God...."
Paul and Peter filled their writings with God's promises. Sometimes it seems I hang by my finger nails...but His grip on me is firm. I look forward to tomorrow!
This is good stuff Chuck. Perhaps, at some level, this is what is meant by His strength is sufficient?
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