V.O.D.: And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.—James 2:23
M.O.M.: Ephesians 4:31
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.(English Standard Version)
Today's reading: GENESIS 10-12 MATTHEW 4
Colors
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
As I spray painted our first house, I painted inside the closets. The ceiling light bulb was forever painted white. This was 1986. That bulb burned out in 1992. It was a regular 'GE' bulb-nothing special(knowing me, probably on sale). Something about that coat of paint made that light bulb last all those years. Nobody could really say why.
We carry with us all that happens to us-all we go through-from start to finish-we carry it all. It 'colors' us-makes us who we are-tempers how we react and think,etc. It is our conditioning. Experiences, good or bad, go on one coat at a time. 'What does not kill us makes us stronger', maybe, but it all leaves a mark...
Some try to hide where they have been and what they have done and, truly, some things are better buried, but that does not keep all that stuff from affecting our 'ways'.
That's O.K. . Don't worry about it. We cannot make the bad stuff disappear nor re-live the good--but-- God uses it all.
Romans 8:28-29 says God will use it all to our good.
God will use your coat of many colors for his kingdom-to make you last through difficult times. These things enable you to do good things-to talk to some folks you see going through territory familiar to you. You can encourage or warn or be of great help.
It is so easy for me to say stop worrying about your past but it is there. The enemy, the accuser, Revelation 12:10, keeps bringing our sin up to load us up with guilt and if we are not consistent with our daily efforts to walk in the light as He is in the light, if we are lazy and do not take our righteous growth seriously, we allow the enemy to make us miserable. What will it be- misery by your own choice or peace and growth under God's hand?
1 John 1:7 ►But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we choose, God will work in and through our colors for the good of His kingdom's work.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for worrying about my past. I know you have forgiven and will never bring it up and will use it all for my good.
Shoe me how to use Your mind in all this. Strengthen my desire to choose You constantly.
תגובות