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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Over the last few months the Lord has began showing me another area of faulty thinking that I have had. As I considered my view of being a pastor/missionary wife, mother, daughter and friend, I began to realize that most of the time I have been using the standards of others (that is what they expect) as my standards. Sometimes, the standards were of my own making, decided upon after reading various books, admiring certain christian women and listening to preachers. I would find myself thinking, "what would Mrs. --do?" or "What would preachers think?", or "But pastor's wives in Americal do such and such." Does this make any sense? Maybe I am the only one thinking this way, but I doubt it.
We can become, unconsciously, programmed to live in the guide lines and expectations of family and peers. The question is, where is God in this picture? It is quite possible that some of these expectations are very much in line with scripture. However, it is also possible that some are cultural, human and simply traditional. My point is not to criticise any one particular standard or expectation, but rather to provoke us to stop and think! Whose standards, whose expectations am I really concerned about----man's or God's?
The thing I have noticed, is that so much of man's expectations are outward and action oriented. Granted, we do have a responsibility for our outward testimony and to do good works. The motivation for these, however, should not be the expectations of man, but the out working of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. These outward things should be the result of a submissive, humble spirit empowered by the Holy Spirit, not our human efforts to receive recognition, approval, and praise from people. Feeling good about ourselves should never be the motivation for doing right.
Let's look at Ephesian. 6:5-7.
Not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:"
Colossians 3:23-24
Our Lord is much more interested in our "being" than in our "doing". Revelations 4:11 says we are created for His pleasure. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
Our spiritually state and life brings Him more pleasure that any of our works. For example:
- Fearing Him Psalms 147:11 - "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy."
- Having faith in Him and His word Hebrew 11:6 - "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."<
- Walking in integrity and honesty 1 Chronicles 29:17 - "I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee."
- Praising Him, Jeremiah 9:24- "But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."
- A humble heart Psalms 51:17- "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
- Thankfulness Psalms 107:22- "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."
Whose expectation or standard are you trying to fulfill with your life right now? Mans or Gods? I am learning that making God and my relationship to me the motivation for everything in my life, brings much joy, peace and blessing.
Let me encourage you today to spend as much time, considering what the Lord expects as you do being concerned with the expectations of those around you.
Colossians 1:16
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- Sandy Hastings |
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