Words from Dr. Stanley/Pastor and me. "IMPORTANT WORDS"
May 19, 2021 15:50:40 GMT -5
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Post by mommadee48 on May 19, 2021 15:50:40 GMT -5
The book "IN TOUCH WITH" and some of my own words mingled in with his thoughts as well.
" DISCOVERING OUR OWN TRUE IDENTITY "
Have you ever been blindsided by personal failure or wondered why you act in a certain way? Then you'll probably agree with me that times we don't know what we don't know--including things about ourselves as well. But even if we can't see hidden faults or motivations in our heart' we have a GOD who can.
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own" (John 10:14).
You can really count on HIM to see all there is to know about you. And that means not just flaws or problem areas, but untapped potential. undiscovered talents, and strengths waiting to be explored.
Living in this world of distraction and sin. It can be very difficult for believers to grasp who they are in Christ. But the more we learn to walk with God, the more we discern who He created us to be and what might be getting in the way of our destination.
Has your life turned out as you expected?
Well only God knows the future and the plans He has for us. But even though we face unexpected disappointments and hardships. there is one thing we can know for certain, that God's plans for us are always good (Roman 8:28). If we want to discover the Lord's best for our own life, we must trust that His way is better than our plans and desires. We like to think that we can figure things out on our own, but there's truly no one who understands our needs better than He does. Our heavenly Father sees what lies ahead and knows what He wants to accomplish in every situation of our life. And by spending time regularly in His Word, we'll find our trust in Him growing as we learn His ways and plans. Ask yourself this----- Why is there a conflict between our new identity and our old tendencies? How can authentic self is both spiritual and physical? Why should we let go of worry? What does our identity in Christ look like? How do we abide in Him day after day? And finally what is the source of our true confidence? Finally why should I take time and ponder/think on the WORD of God and figure out answers for myself? What mysteries does the WORD hold and will reveal to me, if I don't ponder on the scripture for myself, I guess I'll never know if I don't try. INTERESTING!
"IMPORTANT WORDS of the BIBLE"
MAKE: TO DESIGN or CRAFT WITH GREAT SKILL. (Genesis 1:26)
Near the end of Genesis 1, we get to see the last item on the Almighty's ultimate to-do list: "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness" (Genesis 1:26). The verb translated "make" here* means "to design, or fashion with great skill." (It's used similarly in Exodus 31:6 to describe the freakishly talented individuals who helped design the Jewish tabernacle; see chapert8.) The use of this word is meant to help us see God as the cosmic Craftsman, the Artist par excellence. The word translated "image" is "icon" in Greek. We've all seen an icon. It's a portrait, likeness, or representation of something or someone else-meaning, the triune God made the human race to represent himself. You are the finite icon of an infinite God. I am a living, breathing work of art meant to resemble my Maker. This is the Bible's way of saying that we humans are God's piece de resistance. He saved the best for last. No wonder God, after studying His pristine new creation one final time, after making human life, labeled it all not just "good" but "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Here's the beautiful truth: made in the image of our MAKER, WE are makers. God designed us with a godlike capacity to create. And God gives us time as a kind of workspace or laboratory in which to do our thing.
So, what will you make today? A meal? A memory? Art? A new friend? Peace with your past? Progress toward a goal? An effort to reach out and listen and help someone who's hurting?
The Bible reveals that we are makers, you and I. And when we make up our minds to seize the opportunities before us, we make the best of all things... A difference.
" DISCOVERING OUR OWN TRUE IDENTITY "
Have you ever been blindsided by personal failure or wondered why you act in a certain way? Then you'll probably agree with me that times we don't know what we don't know--including things about ourselves as well. But even if we can't see hidden faults or motivations in our heart' we have a GOD who can.
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own" (John 10:14).
You can really count on HIM to see all there is to know about you. And that means not just flaws or problem areas, but untapped potential. undiscovered talents, and strengths waiting to be explored.
Living in this world of distraction and sin. It can be very difficult for believers to grasp who they are in Christ. But the more we learn to walk with God, the more we discern who He created us to be and what might be getting in the way of our destination.
Has your life turned out as you expected?
Well only God knows the future and the plans He has for us. But even though we face unexpected disappointments and hardships. there is one thing we can know for certain, that God's plans for us are always good (Roman 8:28). If we want to discover the Lord's best for our own life, we must trust that His way is better than our plans and desires. We like to think that we can figure things out on our own, but there's truly no one who understands our needs better than He does. Our heavenly Father sees what lies ahead and knows what He wants to accomplish in every situation of our life. And by spending time regularly in His Word, we'll find our trust in Him growing as we learn His ways and plans. Ask yourself this----- Why is there a conflict between our new identity and our old tendencies? How can authentic self is both spiritual and physical? Why should we let go of worry? What does our identity in Christ look like? How do we abide in Him day after day? And finally what is the source of our true confidence? Finally why should I take time and ponder/think on the WORD of God and figure out answers for myself? What mysteries does the WORD hold and will reveal to me, if I don't ponder on the scripture for myself, I guess I'll never know if I don't try. INTERESTING!
"IMPORTANT WORDS of the BIBLE"
MAKE: TO DESIGN or CRAFT WITH GREAT SKILL. (Genesis 1:26)
Near the end of Genesis 1, we get to see the last item on the Almighty's ultimate to-do list: "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness" (Genesis 1:26). The verb translated "make" here* means "to design, or fashion with great skill." (It's used similarly in Exodus 31:6 to describe the freakishly talented individuals who helped design the Jewish tabernacle; see chapert8.) The use of this word is meant to help us see God as the cosmic Craftsman, the Artist par excellence. The word translated "image" is "icon" in Greek. We've all seen an icon. It's a portrait, likeness, or representation of something or someone else-meaning, the triune God made the human race to represent himself. You are the finite icon of an infinite God. I am a living, breathing work of art meant to resemble my Maker. This is the Bible's way of saying that we humans are God's piece de resistance. He saved the best for last. No wonder God, after studying His pristine new creation one final time, after making human life, labeled it all not just "good" but "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Here's the beautiful truth: made in the image of our MAKER, WE are makers. God designed us with a godlike capacity to create. And God gives us time as a kind of workspace or laboratory in which to do our thing.
So, what will you make today? A meal? A memory? Art? A new friend? Peace with your past? Progress toward a goal? An effort to reach out and listen and help someone who's hurting?
The Bible reveals that we are makers, you and I. And when we make up our minds to seize the opportunities before us, we make the best of all things... A difference.