Tuesday, June 15, 2010

By the Spirit of the Lord!

Zachariah 4:6 "not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit" says the Lord Almighty.

I can't do it. I've tried. Every day I try. I try more now that I ever have. I really want to do it, but I can't. Each day I express an attitude not pleasing to the Lord.

For the last several months I've been reading and studying "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald with my Bible study friend. I have loved this study, but it has stepped all over my feet! This study taught me that I'm not as content as I should be; and, I'm not as merciful as I should be; and, I'm not as forgiving as I should be. I complain when I shouldn't and I not as grateful to God as I should be. It has really bugged me that after walking the the Lord for so many years that I still have struggles with my attitude.

I was listening to a CD by the Mwangaza Kid's Choir one day, and before one of the songs Zachariah 4:6 is recited. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord Almighty". I realized that is the key to my attitude adjustments. I am trying to do it in my power and not in the Lord's power. You see, I need God's help in my life. Without Him leading me, there's no since in me even trying.

So, what am I going to do about my attitude problems. Well, I'm going to ask God to forgive me. I'm going to pick up His Word and hide it in my heart more often. I'm going to pray more and ask for His help and His guidance. AND, I'm going to listen to the Holy Spirit directing me and not try to do win this battle with my power and my might!

Will I get rid of my attitude problems? NO! If I was honest with you right now I would tell you I have an attitude about going to do laundry after I finish this blog update. (-: We are imperfect people. We are sinners. I will never live free of bad attitudes. But I can get better through God's help.

God, thank you for forgiving me and for guiding me. Please help me to be a good listener to You.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Submission...It Isn't All That Bad!

What do you think of when you think of the word "submission"? At first, I thought of an inferior position or working for someone else or under someone else's rules. Honestly, "submission" did not have a happy appeal to me. And if you want me to really be honest with you, I thought about submitting to my husband as it says in the Bible in Ephesians 5:22-24 and I wrinkled up my nose at the thought of it! Why? Why would I have this attitude towards the man I married and towards God's Word?

Let's go back to Genesis 3 and take a look at Adam and Eve.
Genesis 3:1-6 Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. "Really?" he asked the woman. "Did God really say you must not eat of any of the fruit in the garden?"
"Of course we may eat it," the woman told him. "It's only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die."
"You won't die!" the serpent hissed. "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil."
The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.

That Satan. He is always lieing to us!! It started in the beginning, and it continues until today. I believe this is one of the main reasons we do not submit and we chose to rebel. We believe the lies of the evil one. I think sometimes we forget that the Bible says God has great plans for us, and if we obey Him we will reap blessings upon blessings. God does not give us rules to follow not to keep stuff from us, but yet to bless us with a wonderful life. And Satan loves to distract us from those blessings. We are enemies with Satan because we are children of the King of Kings. Satan does not like us and we need to stop believing his lies.

Here are some scriptures I pulled up on submission:

  • James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
  • 1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men.
  • Job 22:21 Submit to God and be at peace with Him. In this way prosperity will come to you.

You know, submission is NOT bad for us. Submission when walking with the Lord is like living under an umbrella held by God. Submission simply allows God to bless us and protect us. I mean, I sure want to submit and have the devil flee from me. And I sure want my life to be lived "for the Lord's sake". And of course, I want to be at peace with God and obtain that prosperity talked about in Job.

Lord, forgive me for when I have not submitted to You and when I have not submitted to others. Lord, help me be more like Mary when she said in Luke 1:29, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." I know Your plan for me is good, and I submit to that plan!