August 1, 2005
-
i am seeking to go beyond this comfortable way of Christian living…only to do His will in my life and live as a servant who is willing to obey what He says. how i see so few who are willing anymore, to go ‘against the grain.’ to move forward. in the Church, we have been drenched in traditions and feast on temporary satisfaction that leave us empty–oh, how we need the one and only Satisfier! however…are we willing? are we willing to go against these traditions? are we willing to take a step of faith onto uncommon ground? are we willing to give up our own wants and desires so that Christ may be fufilled in our lives? i am seeking you Lord..oh, i am willing..
“…they made an exchange. they exchanged life as they knew it for life as God knew it should be. they exchanged the right to do with their bodies however they saw fit for the life of a servant who only does what the Master requests. they exchanged their dreams and ambitions for God’s great and dramatic plan for their lives. they exchanged a life ruled and controlled by sin for a life victorious of sin, clothes with joy and triumph. such is the secret of every man and woman of God. it’s the solemn exchange of a humble human life for His majestic holy life.
…it sounds like a wonderful concept. but most of us stand in the way of letting Christ live in and through us. instead of giving Him the ownership papers to our home-our body and soul-we treat Him like a hired servant. but the true Christian life doesn’t work that way. when we exchange our life for Christ’s, we lay our agendas, dreams, desires, and plans at His feet. we get completely out of the way and allow Him to live His Life through us in whatever way He chooses.”
~ eric & leslie ludy (when God writes your life story)
“when the heart sees what God wants, the body must be willing to spend
and be spent for that cause alone.” oswald chambers
and so now i am on my way..traveling up north to visit good family and friends for a week or so …Lord, i don’t know what Your plans are for me just yet–and maybe i never will…but i pray that You will use me as You wish as i abide in You…for Your glory alone..
“come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths..” micah 4:2
Comments (22)
Amen. Good post. Have a blessed trip up north, wherever that is.
So so excellent! Awesome post…I need to send people over here too…:)
Thank you for that amazing comment and reponse. Man, I pray that more believers will come to feel that way and express it as you have. Thank you for blessing me by blessing Him. Peace.
O- you just got back and now you’re leaving again?!
I am so blessed to see you have such a willing heart. Have a great time at the lake and may you be a blessing to everyone there. May the Lord shine through you! Love you, M.
everytime you post i am more amazed by your heart and your wisdom…never stop chasing after Him, my sister…you have my thoughts and prayers….
Thank you for sharing this, Arielle! Not many are willing to “die to self”. Not many are willing to walk the difficult road, it is too narrow and the cost is great. Rejection, suffering, unpopularity, not many willing to give up the pleasures of this world. Jesus chose 12 disciples to know Him and to learn of Him and to be with Him, and He knew their hearts. He knew they would not turn back, but would continue, even beyond His death, and not turn away back to the self-life. Obedience is everything. He gives us grace, fills our hearts with His Love and leads us. Never alone. Never forsaken. The rewards are unbroken fellowship with Him . . . forever! Keep seeking after Him with all your heart, He has created it for Him! Blessings to you!
I think traditions add richness, as long as you realize that they are traditions. Even Jesus celebrated Hannauka, not one of the festivals ordained by God, but yet one that honored God. If the traditions honor God, I don’t think there is harm in that.
Heather
“when the heart sees what God wants, the body must be willing to spend
and be spent for that cause alone.” oswald chambers
If any words speak to me most, these do! The body must be willing! I treat my body harshly as Paul did…. I Cor 9 vs 23 God help me die to myself and have a willing heart! This is indeed a wonderful post! May God keep blessing you with futher revelation of His truth. May God protect you duringyour trip!
the wedding went really well.
the move is still inprocess and im trying to get through it.
Yes we def. should get together!!!!
God Bless
<3 KAtie
nope no conner…. boone unfourtunatly…. i would rather go to conner myself but oh well…. have you ever heard of the afters? they are amazing i would check em out they are playing under third day’s new lable…..
will
scratch the third day lable i meant mercyme…. i should know this i saw em in concert lol oh well
thx for sharing this word. it is something i have to constantly ponder on.
jason
“it’s the solemn exchange of a humble human life for His majestic holy life.” That is a beautiful phrase. God takes our rags full of filth and sin and gives us new garmets clean and fresh. And yet it is solemn and true but also it’s joyful as we prepare for a feast, a celebration for the lamb that was slain, for the blood that made us white as snow.
I loved the way you said that sometimes we treat God like a hired servant. I can see that somewhat in my life.
Thank you so much for your post. Have a wonderful trip!
-Gabriella
You are a blessing! I truly admire your heart of gold, and your desire for more of Christ!
Thank you for the prayers. We covet them for sure, knowing that it’s a war-time mentality that will keep us on our knees pleading for His mercy. Take Care.
Casey
When you are in a mess you will do anything for god !! I dont want to be comfortable wither or christianity becomes boring!!
To know him and the power of his reserrection and the fellowship of his suffering
I am a mess and I need Jesus, I guess like everyone sometimes we would rather go the easy route which is actually the hard route that face the pain! i pray that the lord gives me the strength to face the pain and get out of me what ever is causeing that pain so i can live a more honest and truthful walk before god!!
Great post! There is too much religion in our faith! Isaiah 58 is a great testimony of this along with Psalm 69.30, 31. May we desire him from our bowel, our most inward parts! You’re such an oak planted whose roots are planted in the living water. Praying for ya koach!
drock
Hey, I wanted to let you know that you have me hooked on Rascal Flatts now. Ever since you’ve been gone all I’ve been playing is “Where you Are’ and ‘Bless the Broken Road’. Well, there’s been some “Grits” and Relient K too since C.J. has figured out how to burn c.d.’s
You missed the big event of the day- Dad tripped over hanna’s cage while he was on the phone interviewing some guy for a job. He got some pretty bad scratches.cuts, but he just went on talking to the guy for like 20 minutes- then after he got off, he was like “o, o, ah ah” you know how he is when he gets hurt. 
Kind of funny in a not so funny way 
Praying for you and that you will have some peace and quiet too. Love you and miss you, M.
It is weird because what you said is what I used to pray is that are hearts , jesus and mine would be intertwinned but i seem to be failing so much at the moment!!
Thankyou for your comment
P.S.
Koach, I’m looking forward to hearing more about Germany. It is always exciting to see the Gospel going forth!
dschaphilly
When seeking to go byond the confortable way of Christain living you must look up the the almighty God and be willing to do something out of the ordinary.