Lois J. Stucky- The changeover into a new year is an appropriate time for us to spend time with the Lord to examine ourselves on how we are doing spiritually.
(Examining yourself)
Like the psalmist, we need to make it our sincere and serious prayer:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Ps. 139:23-24).
How personal this is, with six uses of "me" or "my." God speaks also through Jeremiah of His attention to every one of us individually:
"I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings" (Jer. 17:10).
Scripture lets me know I have responsibility, along with trusting for God's almighty help, to "examine" myself and to "keep" myself. "let a man examine himself" at the time the Lord's Supper is taken, instructed the Apostle Paul, lest anyone partake unworthily
(1 Cor. 11:28).
The Apostle John tells us, ". . . he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." (1 John 5:18). Again John said, ". . . keep yourselves from idols: (1 John 5:21), from anything that is put ahead of God. Jude exhorts us to "keep yourselves in the love of God" (v. 21).
Perhaps the Spirit of God has already been working to bring conviction of our need to seek higher ground spiritually. Our putting it off may mean we'll neglect it too long and perhaps forget it altogether! As God's ways and character are perfect, He longs for us to stirve to be like Him.
We dare not take it lightly whatever God is dealing with us about, lest we pass a deadline known only to Him. NOW is the time to humbly and honestly open our hearts and give heed to the voice. —Lois J. Stucky. (Adapted in a past issue of Herald of His Coming newspaper)
Father, as the new year has begun, help us take time to spend with You to examine ourselves on how we're doing spiritually. Like the psalmist, we need to make it our sincere and serious prayer:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23-24).
How personal this is, as God speaks also through Jeremiah of His attention to every one of us individually: "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings" (Jer. 17:10). This Scripture lets me know I have responsibility, along with trusting for God's almighty help, to "examine" myself and to "keep" myself.
"Let a man examine himself" at the time the Lord's Supper is taken, instructed the Apostle Paul, lest anyone partake unworthily" (1 Cor. 11:28). We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen!
Our Quote today- from Joyce Meyer's book, (pg. x)
HOW TO AGE WITHOUT GETTING OLD
“KEYS TO JOY AT ANY AGE:
LIVE SIMPLY.
GIVE GENEROUSLY.
RECEIVE GRACIOUSLY.
STAY GRATEFUL.”
1396-1400 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
1396- Is. 33:5a "The LORD is exalted."
1397- Ps. 126:5a "Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue
with singing."
1398- Jer. 19:2b "Proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee."
1399- Is. 50:4a "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary."
1400- Is. 8:10b "For God is with us."
#74 Hymn- Search Me, O God
The information about this song, is taken from the book by
In a requested appointment with Dr. Edwin Orr, the composer of this song, he said in answer to my question, "Dr. Orr, besides praying for revival, what can I do to help bring it about?" He said "You can let it begin with you."
"That is the exact point of this hymn written years before, in 1936, during an intense springtime revival convention in the town of Ngaruawahia, on the North Island of New Zealand. There had been an attitude of unusual expectancy about the meetings, and prayer meetings proliferated across the city. Many students were coming to Christ, and the area began overflowing with the testimonies of those being saved and renewed in Christ.
While this is a wonderful hymn to sing, it is a 'dangerous' prayer to offer. We all have sins within us of which we're unaware, for the heart is deceitful above all things. But as we submit ourselves to the searchlight of God's Spirit, we can discover the habits that need to be confessed and the attitudes that need to be changed. As God cleanses us, the result will be . . . revival, one that begins with us."
Some encouraging words-
Prayer is powerful for only one reason. It is the means whereby we avail ourselves of the power of God. He is the only legitimate source of Power, as all other powers are human or devilish. Prayer is powerful because God is powerful. He channels life through our prayers and is to be glorified for it.
Who among us hasn't felt the need "to bathe' when the "dirt and grime" of life have clung to us? When we're stained by selfish thoughts or actions that harm ourselves or others and rob us of peace with God? Ps. 51 is the cry of David when temptation had triumphed in his life.
Church Notes:
WALK, STAND, SIT
We are a covenant people, so everything we do is an opportunity to show God's way.
We're on a progressive Journey, learnig how to live godly lives.
We're not to walk with wicked people, as they'll distract us from God's way.
Our lives belong to Jesus, so we need to be ready to declair truth and to say "No" to false ways.
God calls us to walk, stand and sit in His ways. Were to slow down and meditate on God's Word, carefully listening to its counsel, as well as to some godly counsel when needed.
We need to be under God's authority at all times and in every situation, as He will take care of us!
Upcoming posts:
3/1- PRICELESS RESULTS - Alyson Kieda
8th- GOD WILL ANSWER- Patricia Paydon
15th- WHEN IS IT UNLIKELY that YOU'LL MISS GOD'S WILL? - Wesley L Duewel
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
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