As you guys know, I haven't written a post since February 17th. The reasons are many, one of which is that I was too heavy hearted to post much about anything. During this break, I've been studying biblical womanhood, as well as sins of the tongue. I'm not through studying either of these issues, but I have learned some things.
I'm reading the book, War of Words, Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles, by Paul David Tripp. On page 54, he posted the following verses:
Luke 6:43 For there is not a good tree that produces bad fruit, nor a bad tree that produces good fruit.
Luke 6:44 For each tree is known from its own fruit. For they do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
Luke 6:45 The good man brings forth good out of the good treasure of his heart. And the evil man brings forth evil out of the evil treasure of his heart, for his mouth speaks out of the abundance of his heart.
Luke 6:46 And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?
On page 55 he says "If we are going to understand our trouble with words, we must begin with the heart. Our tongues are a restless evil because the 'heart is deceitful above all things and who can cure it?' (Jeremiah 17:9). Word problems reveal heart problems. The people and situations around us do not make us say what we say; they are only the occasion for our hearts to reveal themselves in words."
There are those who in my household who do all they can to provoke me to anger, and when I do get angry, they gloat with their little smile. It's so easy to blame them for causing me to become angry, when in reality, they can't make me angry. I get angry because of the ugliness in my own heart. That isn't a very pretty picture of what's in my heart. Yet, it gives me a reason to rejoice. I don't want to be in the situation I am in, and have fought against it for nearly twenty years, until last week when I finally gave it all up, and surrendered it all to the Lord. The battle became more fierce within me for the past year or so.
And, then today I read that piece I quoted above. I have reason to rejoice because:
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Romans 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8:36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Romans 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It surely isn't by choice that I am going through the things that I am in my home life, but rather God's, and He has a plan and a purpose. It is all for His glory, and my good. And if this is what it takes for Him to conform me into the image of Christ, I will say with Jesus, through tears, with many more I'm sure to be shed:
Luke 22:41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,
Luke 22:42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."
I also cling to these words, and find hope and encouragement through them:
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
2 Corinthians 1:6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
Psalm 84 is an encouragement to me also, especially verse 10:
Psalm 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
I close with this hymn by Karolina Sandell-Berg called Day by Day. I had never heard it before last week when we sang it in church. It has become my lifeline.
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowement,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.
Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.
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