He took my SINS....

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
(I PETER 2:24,25)


Nothing but awe and wonder when I see that Jesus bore MY SINS in HIS BODY on the tree!!
Why did he do that?
To set me in a pew and give me a judgmental heart for all the poor sinners in the world?
To make sure that my life would be full of all kinds of busyness and distractions even in the name of ministry?
NO.....IT WAS PURE LOVE...and a committment to bring us out of the bondage of our sin and give us a new life of righteousness.
And a holy desire to bring us back to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. WOW!

PATIENCE!!!

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.9Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.10As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.11Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:9-11

So many of the prophets had to endure hardships and were patient in them not just looking for a light at the end of the tunnel but looking for the Lord. What a blessing to find that God is compassionate...He is genuinely moved by our situations and hardships and He is merciful....He is not looking to punish us for our mistakes but shows mercy.

Wisdom from Above...

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." James 3:17,18

How do I handle the affairs of my life? Is it governed by the wisdom that is from above?

"Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." James 3:13

Wisdom is not a philosophy that I can sit down for coffee and discuss with a friend or read about in an old book. Wisdom is only seen in how I live my life -- especially with others. Being easily intreated means that I am involved with others, not showing partiality involves others, hypocrisy is only demonstrated to others.

The Lord is my helper.

Hebrews 13:5,6 "Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

I asked God for help this morning and wondered why He would be willing to help me. It is hard for me to know when it is a good idea to help people and when it is best to let them fend for themselves. I know that God doesn't have that struggle...He knows exactly how to minister the help with LOVE, wisdom and discretion.

I have been so preoccupied with the plans to sell our house and move back east and all that it involves that I have not been able to genuinely and wholeheartedly follow the Lord. There is so much to think about and I am in such a place of limbo. I can't do anything...can't get a job, can't go to school, can't get too involved in anything since our situation is so temporary.

I asked God for help knowing that He knows what kind of help to send!