So, yesterday's post came from a frustrated point of view. I have learned that my duty is to try my best to live for God and it doesn't matter what men think of me. OK, well, that's easier said than done. Someone said something to me that felt like a judgment and I felt like the people that may read this blog need to know it is not any human's place to judge. You don't know what the other person is going through or has been through. You don't know their heart, only God does. I think people would get along better if they stopped trying to be the judge of others and looked on the inside to see what God wants of them.
I had a break-through a while back. I can't actually tell you when it was, but I just got serious with God and asked Him, "what do you want me to do?" You know what immediately came to my mind? A scripture verse I've know for a LONG time! This is why it is crucial to not only read the scriptures, but to apply them to your life. I have known this verse at least half my life and have just recently been trying to make the application. Do I still stumble? Yes, I am human, but I would say I am doing a better job of weighing my words and actions since God reminded me of it.
So here it is:
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
In trying to live by this verse, I have found myself judging myself more and judging others less. It helps, because the focus is on where YOU are with the Lord, not anyone else. For really, if you are watching what others are doing, then you are not focused on the path ahead of you and it can lead you to tripping/stumbling over things you didn't see.
I heard a good sermon on Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Basically, our Christian life is like a marathon. It's steady growth, toward Christ, until we reach the end (earthly death). If a marathon runner gets distracted (as the man that preached this sermon had), he can get injured by things he didn't expect ahead. But, Jesus says in John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
So we need to follow the way HE leads. It may be completely different than what we would have planned but remember God knows what's best for you.
Oh, I wanted to apologize for not getting the sermon notes up. Seriously, I have had some sinus crud for most of the last month or so, as well as a sinus infection that I've now taken 2 antibiotics for. I just haven't felt much like typing up and looking up sermon notes and Scriptures. Hopefully I can try to get the whole series on Peter posted. It's been REALLY good. I am just so thankful that Jesus left us the story of Peter. He was a shoot from the hip, ask questions later, kind of guy that God transformed into the leader of the New Testament church! I'm so glad that God would take someone that not only cursed and maimed others, but also denied the Lord himself and helped him become something admirable. It's like the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly. If he did it for Peter 2000 years ago, he can do it for you and me! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
