"Heredi-Tea"

As Becca Ellen and I prayed about this coming new year, a pile of 'tea' leaves began to form in our note pages... each leaf brings new flavor, and together these leaves compose the subtle forms, flavors, and beauty of  'Christiani-Tea'.

 Our first flavor, "Heredi-Tea" is ready and waiting, I have my teacup of Good Earth, you have your favorite brew, so let's sit down and ask God to speak to us . . 

"My sweet daughter,

Welcome to My family. You know how long I have been patiently calling you, how I chose you before the foundation of the earth. Now, you are My child. Your life will be completely different from now on. You are no longer a vagrant beggar, you are a Princess, the daughter of the High King, the King of Kings. 

You are royalty. 

Even though you don't feel like it.

I have plans for you that far exceed your dreams... but... they require a choice on your part. 

Are you willing to live them? 

They can only be fulfilled if you are seeking Me. 

Resolutions....(Day1)

The wind blows cold through the window as Becca-Ellen and I sit together with wrapped shoulders and stocking feet.

It is time to pray. 
Pray about the coming year.
Pray about the year we have finished. 
Pray about the resolutions we made.
Pray about the resolutions we are making.

What does He want us to press towards in the coming year?
Did we do as He would have us in the last one?
Did we fulfill the resolutions we made?
How can we strive to do better?

As we pray through sheets of handwritten paper, we are inspired by others who have struggled through the same issues. One of our inspirations is Jonathan Edwards, the greatest Protestant thinker and theologian America has ever produced. Most people don't know that he was not only God's kindling for the Great Awakening, but also its most penetrating analyst and critic. 
 As a 19 year-old, Jonathan Edwards began writing his "Resolutions" in his journal and added slowly to them throughout the rest of his life. To keep them, Edwards re-read over them at least once a week for the rest of his life so they would stay fresh and alive in the forefront of his mind. 

I encourage you as you ready yourself to begin fresh in this coming year to read slowly over each of these resolutions. Let them test you as you are today. Let them challenge you to excel. Let them encourage you to go forward.

I challenge you
Think through them.

THE RESOLUTIONS OF JONATHAN EDWARDS

BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD'S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.


13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.


14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.


15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.


16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.


17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.


18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.


19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.


20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.


21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 were written in one sitting in New Haven in 1722)


22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.


23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.


24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.


25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.


26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.


27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.


28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.


29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.


30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before. 

(To be continued)

Surrender Challenge [Day6]

^"44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.⁴⁵ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:⁴⁶ Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."    Matthew 13:44-46

I am supposed to seek for it as for buried treasure, like a pearl of great price, but what exactly am I pursuing, 'pressing' towards?

What does a human, Christ-like life look like?

What is personal holiness lived out?

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”^[a] says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;If he is thirsty, give him a drink;For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”^[b]21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."   Romans 12:9-21

Challenge #5

Memorize one 'personal holiness' verse to mediate on and do today.

Make an organized, daily plan to accomplish your 'personal holiness goal'
(from yesterday's challenge) for the month.

Ask God for His overarching vision for how you can serve Him with your life.
Ask specifics, God knows the answer. 

(Ideas to get you started:)

Among what people group, and age group?

 Sharing the gospel through what medium?

 Reaching what goal/accomplishment?

 Test it with scripture. Is this consistent with Scripture? 

God's Character? Will God get glory from this, or will I?

Ask God for today's step toward that goal. (Are there skills or other knowledge that I will need? Is there a character deficit I'll need to remedy?)

Don't be afraid to be creative. God does call us to the mediocrity of the world's 'box.' 

Patience! God is not finished with you yet! 

My Attitude today is: 

Lord Jesus, here am I, thy little maid.

and here are my minutes
-humble tho they be.

I am determined to fill them to the fullest
with the work you set for me.

Here am I, to be shaped within your hands.
'pressing' to be molded into the image of your Son. 

Surrender Challenge [Day7]

I have been up for almost 26 hours straight with the birth of a baby,

 but I am writing today's challenge anyway 

because even if you have not participated in any other challenge this week, 

I beg you,

do today's. 

Girls, get on your face and pray.
Beg God to come close and show you a piece of Himself.
Beg Him to set you apart from the world for Himself.
He knows already, but tell Him how much you want Him.
He knows already, but tell Him that you don't desire Him because of what He will give you.
He knows already, but tell Him that you don't desire Him because of what you can get from Him,
but that you desire only Him.
Beg Him to give you the strength and persistence to pursue Him; hungry, eager.
Plead with Him to give you a Christianity that works.
Plead with Him to give you His heart; transform you.
Cry out to Him to show you how to seek Him.
Beg Him to allow you to live in His presence, and see His glory.
Beg Him to show you what that death on that tree has to do with you.
Cry out to Him to come and meet you, to let flesh die, self decrease, and Christ increase.

Lay yourself;
Your life, your desires for the future, your favorite things, your hobbies, your skills, the places you go,                                                               your words, your emotions, your good and bad habits, your secrets, your fears, your inadequacies and failures. Lay them with brokenness and willingness at His feet.

Oh God, teach me to be a BIBLE Christian!!!!

  

Surrender Challenge [Day5]

" I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1 

Stop.

Yes, I said stop.

Why are you seeking the Lord?
Not why he is, or she is; you. Think about it. Search yourself. Give yourself a concise answer.
Why do you want to be like Him?
Why do you want to serve Him?
Where is this desire coming from?

Romans 12:1, " I beseech you therefore, [Paul pleads with us, 'therefore,' because of the great salvation and promises of Romans chapters 1-11, because of everything up to this point; Here is what all reason is yelling for you to do:  "brethren, by the mercies of God, [that ye] present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

I'm glad to be saved.

Especially by grace through faith.

I am so happy to be free from condemnation.

I sing the mighty holiness, mighty justice, mighty love of God, that sent His Son to die in my place for my crime.

Oh joy, joy, joyous of joys! "God has made me alive to Himself! I can respond to Him, hear His still small voice, and be taught the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit!"

If I were a person given to jumping up and down, the statement, 'You are now dead to sin. You don't have to live in it any longer!' would make me take wings to my feet. As it is, it brings chills, and tears.

I don't understand exactly why or how.

But I'm grateful.

Grateful enough to pursue the holiness that God commands of every believer?

"¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”^{[a] 1 Peter 1:15-16}

"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22

"I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness." Romans 6:19

"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." Romans 6:22

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

" and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:24

"For God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness." 1 Thessalonians 4:7


This is our High calling of God, in Christ Jesus. This is the mark that we press for. 

It was out on the Scottish Highlands, high in the crags. Persecution from the Roman Catholic church and the infiltrating English was rampant. There, clambering alone through the rocky terrain was a father and son. Sweat mixing with the mist, the pair came to a halt with rock formations enclosing them on three sides. After telling his son to wait for him, the father climbed the rocks, using his height and the sheer strength of his arms. The son watched in awe, and bewilderment. He could not possibly go up the same way. At the top, the father pointed out a foothold high above the boy's head. "I want you to place your foot.. there." And the father stretched his hand down toward the boy. With a leap, the trusting son managed to grab hold of his father's hand, but was still unable to reach the foothold, much less the top. With ease, the father lifted the son up the rocks, his strength pulling the boy far above what the boy could have stretched to, or leaped for.

So it is with God. What He asks of us, is to 'press' toward it.

Challenge #5

Memorize one of the 'pursue holiness' verses to mediate on today.

Ask yourself: 
Am I 'pressing'?

Am I 'pressing,' all day long?

Am I truly giving Him 'excellence'?

Set two goals, one to accomplish today,
 and one for where you want to be at the end of this month.
Press toward it today with faith in the One who is pulling you there.
(ideas)
Find an accountability partner. 
Choose a role-model from Scripture or history. 
Sing, and give smiles, remember, "The joy of the Lord is my strength."
 And continue persistently, steadfastly in prayer.

My Attitude today is: 

Lord Jesus, here am I,thy little maid.

This is my best; my whole best,

and nothing but my best

-for You. 

For Your glory not mine.

Teach me to deflect praise from myself to it's rightful source.
Make me anxious to give Your glory to You!

Encouragement for the weary heart:

"A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray."
Isaiah 35:8

Surrender Challenge [Day4]

“I have asked you one thing. Just one. And that is that you seek me with everything you have. Every thought you have should about Me, connected to Me, and given My approval.

Every desire should be for Me first above all else. You should be hungry for the things I love. Every activity you do should be with the conscientious knowledge that you are doing it to please me, because I’m right here with you.

Where is your passion and love for Me?

Show it by doing the things I love!”

Am I giving all that I have for Jesus Christ and serving Him to the very best of my ability every day? 

“I wish Thy way.
 But when in me myself would rise
 And long for something otherwise
 Then, Holy One, take sword and spear
 And slay.” 
― Amy Wilson-Carmichael

Let this be thy whole endeavour, this thy prayer, this thy desire,--that thou mayest be stripped of all selfishness, and with entire simplicity follow Jesus only. 

― Thomas a Kempis

The degree of blessing enjoyed by any man will correspond exactly with the completeness of God's victory over him. 
― A.W. Tozer

Today, even amongst Christians, there can be found much of that spirit that wants to give as little as possible to the Lord, and yet to get as much as possible from Him. The prevailing thought today is of being used, as though that were the one thing that mattered. That my little rubber band should be stretched to the very limit seems all important. But this is not the Lord's mind. The Lord wants us to be used, yes; but what He is after is that we pour all we have, ourselves, to Him, and if that be all, that is enough. 

― Watchman Nee

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 
1 Corinthians 10:31

 ^"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." 
Colossians 3:17

Challenge #4

Memorize one of the Colossians verses

Ask yourself: Am I doing it with all my might?

Am I doing this with His attitude?

Am I doing this to His perfection?

Am I doing this to please Him alone?

My Attitude today is: 

Lord Jesus, here am I, thy little maid,

This is my best, for You. 

Whatever You ask me to do, 

Whenever You ask me to do it,

Wherever You ask me to do it,

Forever. 

For Your glory.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" 

Colossians 3:23

Surrender Challenge [Day3]

^"2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:" Colossians 3:9-10 

^"But ye have not so learned Christ;

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:20-24


What is conforming to this world?
          Having the same goals and pursuits as the non-christian, being un-Christ-like, not differentiable from the non-christian.

How do I become Christ-like, different?
          By renewing my mind

How can I 'renew my mind' ? 
          It is 'renewed [by the] knowledge...of Him that created him.'

Where do I find knowledge of God?
          His Word

What do I do with the knowledge from His Word?
          Take action on it! "... Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

"I want to serve the Lord Jesus wholeheartedly, unabashedly, with every single thing I do all day long every day!"

Challenge 3

When I am tempted I will chose to STOP and PRAY that God would give me grace to do what is right, MEMORIZE a portion of Scripture which tells me what is right in my situation and THINK ABOUT IT and how it applies to my life as I go throughout the rest of the day.

Tonight, everyone post a scripture that God gave you today!

Surrender Challenge [Day2]

"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, 

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice." 

This is what we are after, totally and wholly God's and His alone. 

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?

How do you become a 'living sacrifice'?

How do you stay a living sacrifice?

Romans 6:13 "Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."

Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

2 Corinthians 5:15 "And that he died for all, that they which live should not from now on live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again."

1 Peter 2:24 "Who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, might live for righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed." 1 Peter 4:2 "That he no longer should live in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God."

Romans 8:13 "For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live."

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Merriam-Webster Definition of sacrifice: The surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher claim. 

John Piper: 

"The offering of our bodies is not the offering of our bodily looks but our bodily behavior." "God wants visible, lived-out, bodily evidence that our lives are his. Just as worshippers in the Old Testament denied themselves some earthly treasure (a sheep, a goat, a bull), and carried their sacrifices to the altar of blood and fire, so we deny ourselves some earthly treasure or ease or comfort, and carry ourselves—our bodies—for Christ's sake to the places and the relationships and the crises in this world."  "A life of visible, lived-out, physical actions of mercy might result in the death of a believer. It's a lifestyle."  "Let every act of your body in living be an act of worship. That is, let every act of your living body be a demonstration that God is your treasure. Let every act of your living body show that Christ is more precious to you than anything else. Let every act of your living body be a death to all that dishonors Christ." “Present a living holy body to God” means give your members—your eyes, your tongue, your hands and feet—give your body to do righteousness, not sin. A body is holy not because of what it looks like, or what shape it's in, but because of what it does."  "When the lips join the heart in praise to God, the body becomes a holy, living sacrifice."

My operational definition of a 'living sacrifice."
"A person who has given everything that he has to God, and is willing to allow God to use every ear, eye, hand, thought, action, attitude, and motive to the praise and glory of God."

CHALLENGE #2

Ask yourself: Is God pleased with what I am doing,

when I am doing it,

how I am doing it,

 and the reason why I am doing it?

Ask God: to remind you, and keep you.

My Attitude today is: I am doing this to serve you my King. 

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart

 [and my every action] be pleasing in your sight!"

Surrender Challenge Day 1

Romans 12:3
“For I say, through the grace given to me,
to everyone who is among you,
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,
but to think soberly,
as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Romans 12:16 “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

1 Peter 5:5-6 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Psalm 138:6 “For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.”

Proverbs 6:16-17 “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood."

2 Chronicles 34:27 “Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God ... and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.”

1 Samuel 2:3 “Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.”

Challenge Day 1:

When I am tempted to think of myself more highly than I ought to think, I will chose to STOP and think what is true, PRAY that God would give me grace to be humble, and SING the hymn 'make me a servant' to my King and DO whatever I am completing, aware of His presence with me, and to His standard of perfection.

Make Me A Servant

Make me a servant-
Humble and meek,
Lord let me lift up-
Those who are weak,
And may the prayer-
Of my heart always be-
Make me a servant,
Make me a servant,
Make me a servant, today.

Make me compassionate-
Toward all I meet,
Pour out Your love through-
Words that I speak,
And may I not-
pray for personal gain,
Make me more like You,
Make me more like You, today.

Make me unashamed-
of You, Your Name,
Lord, let me speak out-
Your truth proclaim,
Give me the boldness-
Your Spirit provides-
Make me outspoken,
Make me take action,
Make me Your champion, today

Make me a warrior-Of things yet unseen,
Praying with passion-
And insight that's keen,
Enabling others-
To tell of Your love,
Make me be faith-filled,
Make me consistent,Make me pray with your will, today

Make me a servant-
Humble and meek,
Lord let me lift up-
Those who are weak,
And may the prayer-
Of my heart always be-
Make me a servant,
Make me a servant,
Make me a servant, today.

Is My All On The Altar? Is Yours?

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” Matthew 6:33

"God needs those who are ready to lay down their very lives to lead others into true soldiership

 and a true following of the Crucified."  Amy Carmichael

The curtains dance in the wind coming through the screen and from the fan overhead. My baby sister flops over, sound asleep. Like I should be. The covers come off. Here in the dark with the soft breathing of the other girls drowning out the sounds of the road nearby, here is my ‘searching place.’  

Did I act in a way that pleased Jesus today?

Where did I go wrong?
What can I do better tomorrow?

And slowly, the realization comes. I have a pattern of failure. What is it? Where is it coming from? What wrong thinking am I acting on?

Tonight the answer comes back:

“Yes, But what was your attitude?”

Shameful tears come.

“Where is your love for me? Don’t you realize I am watching you? With you?”

I’m listening Lord Jesus.

“I have asked you one thing. Just one. And that is that you seek me with everything you have.

Every thought you have should about Me, connected to Me, and given My approval.

Every desire should be for Me first above all else. You should be hungry for the things I love.

Every activity you do should be with the conscientious knowledge that you are doing it to please me, because I’m right here with you.

Where is your passion and love for Me?

Show it by doing the things I love!”

I pray a lot about this. I cry over this. I check myself against this standard and fail. Miserably.

 To quote my journal:

"The crux of the matter is:

Am I giving all that I have for Jesus Christ and serving Him to the very best of my ability every day? My conscience is cringing with shame, whispering, "Be honest. The answer is 'No!’… matter of fact… you’re not even close. "

But I want to!!!! I want to serve the Lord Jesus wholeheartedly, unabashedly, with every single thing I do all day long every day!
Why don't I do it?
Do I see what I am doing as serving my King?

 If I cannot serve my King while I am doing it, should I be doing it at all? 

Did I start my day by seek Him to receive the right heart attitude? Was I faithful to do my part? 

Do I honestly believe that God cares about every single part of my day, what my attitude was, and how well I did it? 

Is that just my intellect assenting to theology, or do I believe it?  

Am I lazy? Am I just not thinking and doing what I know to be right?"

Can we help each other?

Can we keep each other accountable please?

I have developed a habit. A strange, but I hope God glorifying habit … One that helps me be able to visibly see myself grow and change to be more like Jesus. As God shows me that I need changing, I find the scripture that tells how to cure it, and then come up with a project for each day of the week, or month, or three months, or however long it takes for this to become a habit on this level, ‘til God brings it back around again at the next level.

Let’s sharpen each other and mutually encourage each other to fight and win this one.

I’ll post a project each day for the next week, from Wednesday the 17^th to Wednesday the 24^th.

I will respond at the end of the day with how I won or lost that day, and you can respond with how your day went.

The passage:

Romans 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”^[a] says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”^[b]

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

For the encouragement of everyone, please don’t just think about responding. Do it.
Can we do this together? For the Glory of our King?

See you tomorrow!