Good morning,
"The words of the wise are like prodding goads, and firmly fixed [in the mind] like nails are the collected sayings which are given [as proceeding] from one Shepherd. But about going further [than the words given by one Shepherd], my son, be warned. Of making many books there is no end [so do not believe everything you read], and much study is a weariness of the flesh. All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil." (Jer. 12:11-14) This is something that we sometimes tend to do as believers, read too many books on improving our selves and too many dvd's on too many teachings. Simplifying our lives would be the best thing for us to do. I am of the mindset that if I could do some of the Word, and do it good and work on perfecting my walk in the Word of God, that would be time enough for me. How about you? I mean, every time that we get together and fellowship as a body of believers we are building on to our foundation and growing up. I am just trying to get the heart and mind of Christ, thereby changing the mind that I have. I am becoming free of entanglements so that I can fly. Eagles can't soar if they are heavily weighed down, and we are eagles or eaglets, depending on our growth. Let's try and learn the Word of God, if it is not in the Word then it really isn't eternal, it is a temporal thing. I am working on fearing God and living a life that worships Him and I know that as I do this, He is working in me to bring the changes that is necessary to adjust my life to His will. Of course I work with Him as His Word reveals to me the ways that I need to comply, bend, or yield too. It is simply a choice to do what He says then stay in His Word and Presence and I will follow His steps, out of sheer love, admiration, and fear or reverence for Him. Remember Hebrews 12:1-2; "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." Weight means whatever is prominent, protuberance, bulk, mass; hence a burden, weight, encumbrance. A weight could be anything that is slowing us down, our attitudes, our emotions, people that makes us stumble, too much studying and not enough doing the Word, over-complicating our walk with God, keeping our focus on others, the list is endless of the weights that could slow us down.
You can't run and look around at others, you can't fly and carry others. That's why we are told to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. That is Philippians 2:12, the amplified version reads this way; "Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ." Isn't that enough to do without adding more to our growing. We have to lean our entire personality on God's Word and not trust in our selves and our wit, insight, or our wisdom. God's Word has got to be the final say so for you and I, or else we will be found leaning to our own understanding. You remember where that got us right, needing a Savior? Let's simplify and do the Word we know!"
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 