How refreshing is it to know that your peers/friends have some of the same struggles as you? To know that you are not the only one traveling through this temptation-ridden life.
Today, I met with an awesome man named Denny. As I sat there in AJ's talking to this 50 year old guy, I was filled with so much encouragement and hope for my future. Hearing the similarities between our conversion stories and knowing that I am not the only one in the world with these struggles. I also realized the importance of someone in my state to be meeting and talking to older and wiser men. There is soo much in life I do not understand and through talking to men such as Denny, I learn so much.
Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-4 that "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, they you also will appear with him in glory."
As I opened my Bible today, it was the first verse I saw and how appropriate that, as I have been struggling with the temptation of drinking, God chose to show me this. I can't even begin to describe how many times this has happened since I have been taking my Bible reading more seriously.
God knows all and is charge of my life! He loves all of us more than we can grasp and we need to remember this as we look to our future. An ant does not move without God's knowledge so who are we to question His path for those created after His image. This passage beautifully illustrates my point.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more important than food and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life. (Matthew 6:25-27)
To God be the glory, for ever and ever!!!!!
This post (which I really appreciated), especially the verse from Colossians, reminds me of a quote that I found in my notes tonight: It is staggering for me to perceive that the Lord Jesus Christ is the glory of the Lord revealed TO us. It is more staggering to grasp that He is the glory of the Lord revealed FOR us. It is most staggering of all to understand that He is the glory of God revealed IN us. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." -John MacArthur
ReplyDeleteWow...that is really good!!! and Im glad you liked the post...i thought it was appropriate seeing as how we are all a little anxious with the future. Just to know that there are people with whom we can talk to or relate and knowing that we follow a God who knows all should be enough!!!!
ReplyDelete