Hope you are well. While I was reflecting on Francis Frangipane's book "The House of the Lord", I sensed God tell me to look at the following four directions, which I'd like to share with you:(1) Look back—and praise Him!
(2) Look up—and trust Him!
(3) Look around—and serve Him!
(4) Look ahead –and expect Him!
Lord, please help us all to look at these four directions in 2009, and beyond!
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I think these statements lack something, maybe practicality. What is to to praise, trust, serve or expect ? To look back, up forward, around and ahead ?
These are out there questions. Maybe:
Praise = thanks that we're alive at all and have life (Rick Warren did a good job of that one last night)
Trust = lean not on your own understanding (not denial as happy happy joy Xians follow) the bible says there is a time for everything- and a time to mourn. The evidence of this is contentment. I grow weary of Xians who try to push expectations on you that seem out of synch with scriputre or make you seem lesser, when you have the only thing that really matters- Jesus Christ
Serve = How do you serve a world that often doesn't want your help. How do you serve a God -maybe by accepting the greatest riches which is his grace 'My grace is sufficient for you' in suffering. How to serve is probably the most difficult area. I think a first step is to look for real needs in the immediate environment, meet these best and then move out. The best way we can serve- is to turn people's eyes to Jesus in love and sincere faith. Serving a church ? If its mission isn't around Christ, the best service you can do is be there for Christ or kick the church in the butt.
Expect = faith, hope and love, maybe just do- for God has given prescription in scripture- yet it is better to just live by His Spirit (a zillion times better than being an insincere robot)- maybe fight those in the church who push agendas other than the simple gospel love and message of Christ. We already have the prize if we are in Christ, this is all we need. To be in love is the hardest thing, to live in the groaning nature of the Spirit so adverse to the human nature that once controlled us. Lets hand it over to the light, and trudge the mud with God's surf board that can cut through anything.
Thanks for your out there questions Alf.
I suppose we can praise, trust, serve and expect in anything! But your practical examples are awesome.
1. Praise = giving God the Glory for all He has created, and acknowledging His supremacy in all things. That's looking up.
2. Trust = having faith that God is in control and that everything is going to turn out fine. That's looking forward.
3. Serve = doing things for others including God, even to your own detriment. That's looking round.
4. Expect = believing in trust.
5. Thanks = expression of gratitude to God for all He has done (different from Praise). That's looking back.
Great definitions Sheryl. Thanks sis!
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