Tis me, just checking in.... Your friendly neighborhood blogger.
My Internet has been a bit cranky this week so that is one reason why I have not posted much.
Not a lot to say just yet but I do have to say this....
Praise the FATHER for all HIS wonderful mercy and blessings on each and every one of us!!!
So with that... on with the Gentle Shepherd ministry postings....
Reading: Joel 3:10-11
PREPARE YOUR WEAPON
As we come close to the end of our discovery of what it means to be pruned by God, we need to remember that life will break us along the way. In other words, life has a way of knocking the stuffing out of us. This stuffing is our pride. We can never know peace or preparation without facing the wretchedness of our pride.
In most cases the biggest battles are with our flesh and pride. We must kill or mortify the influences and deeds of the flesh outright, but we must neglect the claims of pride. Much of the pruning that God does in our lives has to do with the useless branches that represent self, the flesh and pride in order to bring forth His life.
In the beginning of my initial journey into the world, I had a very high opinion of myself. I thought I had the world in my hands. However, my encounter with the reality of life quickly showed me I did not have it figured out. I was not on top of life, rather, I found myself being a victim of circumstances I had no control over.
This was my first harsh reality that life was not subject to my whims, and I could not control what it brought my way. In so many ways I felt like I was a small object on the ocean of life, and I had to accept where the waves of life sent me. It seemed hopeless to me. I had no say about the currents I often found myself in.
It was in this state that I discovered Jesus. Granted, life puts us in the midst of the ocean of humanity, but Jesus is our Savior and capable of bringing us through each wave and storm that life brings our way. However, in this struggle with the different challenges of life, we also must recognize the battle that rages in our soul as to who will win the ultimate position of lord and master in our lives.
In such times, there will be no pruning, just a tremendous struggle. One of the tools that turns into a weapon for the Christian is the Word of God. It is not a weapon of defense, but an offensive weapon that will not only expose the enemy, but also has the capabilities of defeating him.
The challenge is we must learn how to properly use this weapon. It will prepare us to face the uncertainties of life in the power of God. His Word not only prepares us, but also will allow us to stand when life’s storms challenge our very existence.
There is a time to be pruned, prepared and made ready to stand in the midst of the challenges of life, but the real key is to learn the lessons of life. It teaches us, as well as confirms that God is the source and solution to all matters pertaining to life.
Prayer: Lord, You are our solution and hope. If we are willing students, life will teach us the lessons of wisdom, hope and eternity. Amen.
©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for
non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
www.gentleshepherd.com
Questions or comments welcome. Email: ministry@gentleshepherd.com
2 comments:
Judy,
It is so GoOD to see your blog tonight and read the Gentle Shepherd - words that are so fitting as i come out of a time of God pruning me. i have been disconnected since April and have come out of some strange cocoon. Wow, am i stubborn! :) Thank You so much sister - God Blesses You greatly this day!
i Love your art.
Love, ~ antbrother
This is such a timely word right now, as the battle rages on, as always, but seems so much more fierce lately----what can we do but throw up our hands and say, its all yours Father. wonderful reading and reminder, thank you dear sis. Love, Sandy
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