Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any allusion to the mercy and help which God has vouchsafed them. But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state, will come forward joyously, and say, “I will speak, not about myself, but to the honour of my God. He hath brought me up out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings: and he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I am glad.” Such an abstract of experience as this is the very best that any child of God can present. It is true that we endure trials, but it is just as true that we are delivered out of them. It is true that we have our corruptions, and mournfully do we know this, but it is quite as true that we have an all-sufficient Saviour, who overcomes these corruptions, and delivers us from their dominion. In looking back, it would be wrong to deny that we have been in the Slough of Despond, and have crept along the Valley of Humiliation, but it would be equally wicked to forget that we have been through them safely and profitably; we have not remained in them, thanks to our Almighty Helper and Leader, who has brought us “out into a wealthy place.” The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, who has led us through all, and preserved us until now. Our griefs cannot mar the melody of our praise, we reckon them to be the bass part of our life’s song, “He hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.
Charles Spurgeon
Psalm 126:3
This guy is insane. And when I grow up, I want to be just like him.
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of being filled with the Spirit.” - Smith Wigglesworth
God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. - C.S. Lewis
Well this is my first official “tumblr” post. So far I really like it. It seems more organized and engaging than most other blogs.
I’m not really sure what I’m going to write about but here it goes…
What’s with people these days? It seems like the population in general has just taken a turn for the worst. Not in a physical sense, but more so in moral and spiritual aspects. Everywhere I go, it’s as though everyone is looking out for themselves. People are seeking pleasure, and are willing to do just about anything to get it. I can’t necessarily point out anything specific, but it just feels like these are the types of attitudes many people have adopted. I’m not sure if it’s just here, in Colorado, or in the rest of the country and/or world. After all, I do have an extremely limited perspective. Though, it still motivates me to take a better, and clearer look at my life. The thoughts that go through my head on a daily basis, the attitudes I have towards certain people, if I’m much different than the people I described a few sentences ago; this is deep. (Excuse me for lack of a better term.) Through this process, I can’t help but wonder how someone else views my life. Someone who observes me. Someone that knows how I operate, what gets to me, what kind of cereal I eat in the morning, etc. You know, the specifics. Sure, my parents know a lot about me; more than I think they do sometimes. But even they are limited on what they know. They can only hear and see so much. I don’t have a wife. And judging on the looks of things, I won’t have one any time soon. (Which seems to be both beneficial and challenging at the same time.) My friends: Many of them probably don’t even know as much about me as my parents. My sister ranks pretty high on the list, as well as some other family members. (Johnny, Jordan, Joanna, etc.) Anyway, my point is, no one knows me on a truly intimate level. As sad as that might sound, I think it’s true for everyone. Think about it, who really knows you? Who knows every aspect of your life. Who knows what you’re thinking right now, as you read this poorly written blog? Your husband or wife? No. Your best friend? No. Your mother? I hope not. The fact is, only one person legitimately knows you.
God.
Yeah, he knows everything about you. He knows everything about me. He has any and every perspective we, as humans, could ever imagine or conceive. Nothing about me, or from me, escapes from him. So if I can see flaws in myself, how much more can He? Ouch… Now, I know God forgives me. I know God loves me. But I also know that He doesn’t take the sins I commit lightly. He is a just God. He is full of mercy, but he is full of wrath as well.
It’s my desire to be pleasing to him. It’s my desire to be a reflection of God, rather than one of the world.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and it truly motivates me to step up my walk with Jesus. I hope it does the same for you.
