One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
That was my scripture posting on the blog today- it was very appropriate. I have had such an amazing last few days. Days full of vision and translation. I spoke with with so many awesome people- heard so many awesome stories. I felt the hand of God everywhere.
I have just returned from my first OCC Connect Conference, and have met and heard people I will never forget. I met a girl who literally found Jesus in a shoebox. I heard a native Indian share the spritual significance of how a rat runs. I met 100+ people who are not only impacting lives, but eternity.
And I will never forget.
One team, one purpose, One God.
Not to us, oh Lord. But to your name be the glory.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
To Die to Self
The following was taken from a biography of George Mueller:
There was a day when I died;
died to self, my opinions, preferences, tastes and will;
died to the world, its approval or censure;
died to the approval or blame even of my brethren or friends;
and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.
I'm working my way through this series called Sonship at Montreat Pres near my home. It is really peculiar how I ended up there, however there I am- in the midst a whole group of people I never knew existed. This study is one that teaches on being and acting as the sons and daughters of God, rather than the "orphan spirits" we once were. This week we briefly studied George Mueller. He is one fellow I would like to learn more about, and I am actually planning to pick up a recommended biography called "Delighted in God" (Don't you love how I squeezed that in-! It is so I will have the title in one more place in case I forget it). One of the concepts that George shared was that He had to die to self and to others in order to draw closer to the Lord. I found myself facing the question of what I would have to die to- in order to fall into closer fellowship with the Father. What do I allow to hinder my relationship with God? I know I personally deal with constant fear- fear of failure, fear of not pleasing others, and so on. It is a remarkable thing to think on some of these ideas. When I die to my fear- I commit those fears to the Lord. I invite the Holy Spirit in to take the helm. I have learned and thought so much throughout this series. The idea of dying to self brings me closer to the Lord through my dependence on Him. Tonight in one illustration a teacher described 'faith' as "adhering ourselves to Jesus". Faith believes the gospel in such a literal way that we take hold of Christ for everything. Dying to self and my desires, will and wants- to cling to Christ. In fact, the illustration given is one that I will never forget- a Velcro suit and a Velcro wall! I loved that imagery. I had always considered faith to be "belief", however this new imagery has created a much more concrete idea for me. Faith is more than belief- it is the relationship you have with both the gospel and our Lord.
I know much of this may not sound all that remarkable to anyone who might be reading this, however it was an insightful experience for me. I have learned much since January and we aren’t even finished yet!
There was a day when I died;
died to self, my opinions, preferences, tastes and will;
died to the world, its approval or censure;
died to the approval or blame even of my brethren or friends;
and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.
I'm working my way through this series called Sonship at Montreat Pres near my home. It is really peculiar how I ended up there, however there I am- in the midst a whole group of people I never knew existed. This study is one that teaches on being and acting as the sons and daughters of God, rather than the "orphan spirits" we once were. This week we briefly studied George Mueller. He is one fellow I would like to learn more about, and I am actually planning to pick up a recommended biography called "Delighted in God" (Don't you love how I squeezed that in-! It is so I will have the title in one more place in case I forget it). One of the concepts that George shared was that He had to die to self and to others in order to draw closer to the Lord. I found myself facing the question of what I would have to die to- in order to fall into closer fellowship with the Father. What do I allow to hinder my relationship with God? I know I personally deal with constant fear- fear of failure, fear of not pleasing others, and so on. It is a remarkable thing to think on some of these ideas. When I die to my fear- I commit those fears to the Lord. I invite the Holy Spirit in to take the helm. I have learned and thought so much throughout this series. The idea of dying to self brings me closer to the Lord through my dependence on Him. Tonight in one illustration a teacher described 'faith' as "adhering ourselves to Jesus". Faith believes the gospel in such a literal way that we take hold of Christ for everything. Dying to self and my desires, will and wants- to cling to Christ. In fact, the illustration given is one that I will never forget- a Velcro suit and a Velcro wall! I loved that imagery. I had always considered faith to be "belief", however this new imagery has created a much more concrete idea for me. Faith is more than belief- it is the relationship you have with both the gospel and our Lord.
I know much of this may not sound all that remarkable to anyone who might be reading this, however it was an insightful experience for me. I have learned much since January and we aren’t even finished yet!
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