Just a random thought

I realize more and more nowadays that i'm just blessed...in particular i'm thankful for the blessing of good people in my life... I'm surrounded by people who continually encourage me, and in particular help me strive in my relationship with God. So for those who strive along with me, who push me, admonish me, and encourage me... thank you..ultimately I thank God for you.

It really is all about the relationships...

A God who commands the morning

These verses shocked me when I read them. God here is speaking to Job.

Job 38:12 Have you commanded the morning since your days began,

and caused the dawn to know its place

Job 38:35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go

and say to you, ‘Here we are’?

Wow....who are we in light of such a God? How can I fear man above a God who commands the morning and lightning? It just doesn't make sense, yet in my sinfulness I fear man so much. I pray that God would empower me to tear down the idol of human approval.

Persuasive Love

This is related to a post I had earlier called "pass the love"... I wonder if today's church understand the evangelistic power we possess when we "love one another". Christian community has persuasive power. So many individuals out there are not necessarily looking for God, but they are more than willing to join and participate in a community of love. That's my own testimony, the community that loved me as a 7th grader led me to the God who loves me. The love of believers in the fellowship of the gospel is a powerful testimony that should not be underestimated...

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 17:21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, tthat they may be one even as we are one,

John 17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Tough Love

A Good quote...regarding church discipline.

"Where defection from God's Word in doctrine or life imperils the family fellowship and with it the whole congregation, the word of admonition and rebuke must be ventured. Nothing can be more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin." Bonhoeffer, Life Together p. 107.

If you're a people pleaser like myself, you can't truly love people. Regarding discipline, may we have the love to practice it.