Selwyn briefly looks at the topic he raised yesterday: ‘with all the resources that God has, why remain spiritually empty?‘ He, in part, answers his own question by saying: ‘(Our lives) will be useless unless we (first) attach to the life and power that is found in God.’
I think the issue can be further clarified by going one step back; why is it that we don’t fully trust in God’s power (resources) to flow to us when we ask Him (in alignment with His will)? Is it, we think we are not worthy to receive His help? Or, do we think we can do it by using our own resources, and we see it as a sign of failure to ask someone else (especially God) for their help. Another problem could be, that we don’t know what resources to ask God for, and being unsure – we don’t ask for anything. Lastly, it could be a case that we just don’t recognise that we spiritually empty – and, we start looking in other areas for reasons, as to why we don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
In all these cases, it’s my view that we take a long, look at the cross – to re-affirm the enormous, deep and never-ending love that God has for each one of us – including you! To come to Him, in the same way as a child approaches their father. Totally trusting in His love, knowing that even if we don’t know what we need – He knows what the real issue is – He knows the exact resources that you require to carry out His work. It’s trusting in His perfect love, having faith in Jesus – this is the way to connect to the ‘life and power that is found in God’.
Half way through today’s study, Selwyn introduces a new topic. “Yet another thing from which we must keep our commission free is the stain of bitterness and resentment. … How can we get rid of resentment? … By doing what everyone with anger and resentment has to do: bring every resentment to God, ask forgiveness for them and invite Him to bury them miles deep at the cross.”
In 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT), we read: “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. … “. And, in 1 Peter 2:9 - ” … for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. …”
If we take hold of the truth that we are a chosen people – that we can show others the goodness of God. If we love others with the love of God flowing through us; then this humble, tenderhearted attitude developed by God in us, will melt away the hardness of resentment lingering in the dark corners of our hearts. Do you agree?
More stain
Selwyn briefly looks at the topic he raised yesterday: ‘with all the resources that God has, why remain spiritually empty?‘ He, in part, answers his own question by saying: ‘(Our lives) will be useless unless we (first) attach to the life and power that is found in God.’
I think the issue can be further clarified by going one step back; why is it that we don’t fully trust in God’s power (resources) to flow to us when we ask Him (in alignment with His will)? Is it, we think we are not worthy to receive His help? Or, do we think we can do it by using our own resources, and we see it as a sign of failure to ask someone else (especially God) for their help. Another problem could be, that we don’t know what resources to ask God for, and being unsure – we don’t ask for anything. Lastly, it could be a case that we just don’t recognise that we spiritually empty – and, we start looking in other areas for reasons, as to why we don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
In all these cases, it’s my view that we take a long, look at the cross – to re-affirm the enormous, deep and never-ending love that God has for each one of us – including you! To come to Him, in the same way as a child approaches their father. Totally trusting in His love, knowing that even if we don’t know what we need – He knows what the real issue is – He knows the exact resources that you require to carry out His work. It’s trusting in His perfect love, having faith in Jesus – this is the way to connect to the ‘life and power that is found in God’.
Half way through today’s study, Selwyn introduces a new topic. “Yet another thing from which we must keep our commission free is the stain of bitterness and resentment. … How can we get rid of resentment? … By doing what everyone with anger and resentment has to do: bring every resentment to God, ask forgiveness for them and invite Him to bury them miles deep at the cross.”
In 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT), we read: “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. … “. And, in 1 Peter 2:9 - ” … for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. …”
If we take hold of the truth that we are a chosen people – that we can show others the goodness of God. If we love others with the love of God flowing through us; then this humble, tenderhearted attitude developed by God in us, will melt away the hardness of resentment lingering in the dark corners of our hearts. Do you agree?