Sunday Inspiration: Don't Let It Be You

Abide

While participating in a SheReadsTruth online Bible study the other day focusing on the Book Of John, I was reading this passage:

 ^"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." ~ John 15:5-9

photo: publicdomainpictures.net

 My eyes and mind kept coming back to one word:  "Abide".  I was compelled to look up the definition. (I am such a word nerd sometimes)

Abide: wait for, endure without yielding, bear patiently, accept without objection, live somewhere, remain or continue.

This gave me so much to think about!

If I am in Him and He is in me, I will be able to wait patiently for His return.  Enduring the things of this world without yielding.  Accepting and bearing my trials, accepting the path I have been placed on and my given assignments here without objection.  Continuing on my journey.  Knowing my home is with Him in Heaven.

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Jonah Beyond The Whale (repost)

This week I am linking up with SheReadsTruthcom for #SheSharesTruth. 

Every Monday during Lent, SheReadsTruth assigns a portion of Scripture to study and write about. Friday is the day we share what we’ve learned by writing in our own spaces and linking to that here. This weeks assignment was: 

Jonah 3 & 4.  

 Jonah Beyond The Whale was originally posted to My Really Real Reality on November 14, 2012. But I felt it was worth sharing again as it reflected my thoughts and feelings about these chapters.

Most of us know the story of Jonah.  The fellow God calls to "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me"(Jonah 1:2).  But Jonah doesn't feel up to the task God has placed before him, and runs away.  What does this act of disobedience earn him?  Three days in the stomach of a whale!  That's what!

But the story doesn't end there.

After three days of prayer, and after having been vomited up by a big ol' fish, Jonah follows God's command and heads to Nineveh to let them know they have stirred the wrath of God and will be destroyed in 40 days.  The king dresses himself in sackcloth, sits in the dust, and orders the entire city to do the same and to fast. God sees how they have turned from their evil ways and has compassion upon them.

And what does Jonah do at that point?  Does he give thanks to God for his mercy on Nineveh?  Nope!  He got his old Testament panties all up in a twist, went out into the desert and had a good ol' pout about all of it.

publicdomainpictures.net

Isn't that what so many of us do when God doesn't do exactly what we wanted or expected of him?  We pout.  We complain.  We get angry at God.  We separate ourselves from Him and place ourselves into a spiritual desert.  All the while blaming Him for what is our reaction.

God doesn't deny us things to disappoint us.  If he doesn't give us what we wanted or do what we expected it is because while we only see what is in front of us at the time - He sees the bigger picture.  He has a plan for all eternity which we can't begin to understand.

Scripture tells us in Romans 8:28 that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

Did you catch that?  "In all things"  Not just in some things.  Not just in the things we want.  All things.  Even in our disappointments.  Even when it's not what we expected.  It's still for our good. 

I don't want to be Jonah.  Not in the whale after trying to run and hide.  Not in the desert under the worm eaten vine exposed to the scorching sun and wind. I want to be the one to "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)  The one who has learned "be content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4:12)


**many MANY thanks to Falen at Upward Not Inward whose Jonah post got me thinking about all of this in the first place and originally inspired this post**
 

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Not Forsaken

This week I am linking up with SheReadsTruthcom for #SheSharesTruth. Every Monday during Lent, SheReadsTruth assigns a portion of Scripture to study and write about. And today is the day we share what we’ve learned by writing in our own spaces and linking to that here. This weeks assignment was: Psalm 38.


Feeling separated from God can be painful - spiritually, emotionally, even physically.

It can feel oppressive. Overwhelming. Heavy. Consuming. Leaving you full of guilt or shame.

You may feel lost. Abandoned. Rejected. Alone. Hopeless.  Despised.

But there is hope! No matter how far away God seems at the time, you can turn back to him.  You can confess the sins that trouble you. (v.18).

The Lord is waiting patiently.  Waiting for you to turn back to Him. To seek Him out.

Just as David cries out to God in verses 21 - 22; you can try out to the Lord also.

"Lord, do not forsake me, do not be far from me, my God.  Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior"

He is waiting with open arms to welcome you.

shereadstruth.com

 

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