dar334

Saturdays are my only day I can spend time in the morning in my Quiet Room.  I look forward to this time in study, my mind fresh from a good night of sleep.  As I start this time with a hot cup of coffee and my instruction manual in front of me, I ask for His help in understanding and in recognizing what it is he may want me to hear or maybe ponder enough to blog about. 

Lately I have noticed several things that the devil on my left shoulder wanted me to mimic because I could benefit from them.  (Like arriving late because I slept a few minutes longer than I should have, or disceiving others by not telling the whole truth about where I was going so I could do something I wanted to do instead of what I should be doing.  Which just reminded me of Paul’s do-do verse in Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16  And if I do what I do not desire, I admit that the Law is good. 17 In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  At this point I would like to recommend that if you pick up the Bible for the first time to seriously begin your journey, stay away from Romans).  As the devil in taunting me from my left, the angel on my right only has to say one word, “hypocrite”.  I haven’t blogged about hypocrisy but it is one thing that stands out like a black eye when others are doing it; therefore I work really hard at not doing it myself.  

Now back to my reason for writing this morning, something I feel like God highlighted for me to see.  It comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.  Even though when I read this verse it didn’t jump out at me, the study note did.  I love study notes!  It read as follows:

2:11 No loving father would neglect the safety of his children, allowing them to walk into circumstances that might be harmful or fatal. In the same way, we must take new believers under our wing until they are mature enough to stand firm in their faith. We must help new Christians become strong enough to influence others for the sake of the gospel.

I was blessed by God for putting several people in my life that have been a strong influence or have taken me under their wing.  They may not even have known they were doing it, but I have had my eyes opened to see it.  My prayer in closing this time in the Word will include my being an influence to someone else.  This world has become more and more evil, and I often feel like the horrific storms and uncureable diseases are a direct wake up call from God to us on His earth.  Now if we would only answer that call.  Remember this, a Father does not punish his child for obedience, he punishes for disobedience.  And if we are not experiencing punishment now, then I don’t know what punishment is.

Always pondering,

dar