Thoughts from Day 22

I can’t force God's timing, but my continued efforts are nevertheless important. 

The light of His enabling power will shine in His perfect time and not mine. At that point I must still be willing to try.

Day 22 is about perseverance, and reminds me of this word I once recorded as from the Lord to me and filed under the heading "obedience:"

1.    Throw out the idea that if you keep doing what you are doing nothing will change.  I am the One who will bring change.  You need only concern yourself with honoring me in your waiting. 

2.    Don’t be afraid to try.  I will not discourage plans you make out of your own prayerful wisdom for self-improvement.  I will help you and not hinder you.  Let go the “Why try” discouragement.   Don’t be afraid to try. 

3.    Don’t despair or fall to fear when you fail.  I am the One who is responsible for your health, and I will not let you down.  

Pray: Lord, please renew my strength and hope; help me not to give up so easily. Please cleanse me of the paralysis of discouragement and grant me perseverance.  Help me stay alert so I will be ready to take the freedom path when You open the way before me. Lord, please grant me Your enabling strength as I work to bring my flesh into submission to Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

From Day 21...

Gracious Lord! Teach me this lesson, that it is only through knowing Thy will one can know Thy heart, and only through doing that will one can abide in Thy love.  *

--Andrew Murray

"Obedience puts the flesh in its proper place, under control of the Spirit-led mind. 'The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace'" (Romans 8:6).

"This doesn’t mean we are under the law. Our sense of peace may depend upon obedience, but our salvation does not..."

 

"If we are afraid to push against the confines of our weak flesh, we won’t become stronger."

 

"By an act of will, we can immerse ourselves in His Word, turn away from other influences, and thus give Him time to rehydrate our hearts with His truth."

 

 

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*Andrew Murray, True Vine: Meditations for a Month on John 15:1-16, Obey and Abide. This work is in the public domain and can be accessed online at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/murray

Fear Busters From Day 20....

Wisdom shall keep them from being afraid without cause, and faith shall keep them from being unduly afraid. Whatever is done, our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to fear.

Matthew Henry[i]

...fear forms a pathway to disobedience as we seek the numbing effects of escapism rather than the cleansing of the Lord’s presence. Worry about tomorrow robs joy from today.

.... It’s as though we believe the Lord can control our tomorrows as long as no human beings interfere...but we do not wait to see what other human beings will do, we are waiting to see what God will do!  

...The God who controls the wind and waves is able to keep us safe in the palm of His hand. Though difficulties may swirl about us, He is able to rescue and deliver, even when other human beings are involved.

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He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Psalm 91:4 NLT

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[i] Matthew Henry’s concise commentary on Psalm 91, public domain.