Quote from an Andy Stanley Book

Interesting quote :)

"The problem is, the law convicts me of my sin but does nothing to help me overcome it. The law declares me guilty, but it provides no promise of forgiveness. Our only hope in the end is to be delivered and forgiven. The law offers provisions for neither. Jesus, on the other hand, came to this earth to be both deliverer and forgiver." - Andy Stanley in Since Nobody's Perfect...How Good is Good Enough? 

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 8:3 NLT)

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. (Psalms 51:10-12 NASB)

I love these verses! They came to me in a time back in college when I was not going hard after God and I was struggling mentally, emotionally, and more importantly, spiritually! God felt distant and My lack of seeking God out was the reason for that distance!

I felt like I had put such a huge gap between me and God that I started doubting we still had a relationship! 

One night, my spirit's desire for God motivated me to pull out my Bible and I started reading. The easiest place to start is always in the book of Psalms. I found myself reading Psalm 51 and the verses (10-12) ripped into my heart and spoke directly to my heart/spirit! I felt God! His presence! He was with me that night! He "renewed a steadfast spirit within me" and "restored the joy of my salvation"! My eyes watered up and joy took over! God spoke to me through His Word! He made sense again and I knew my lack of desire for Him and my lack of seeking Him out was the reason He felt so distant! And I realized that night that one of the quickest ways to bridge the gap between me and God was to read His Word! 

Do you have a story like this or any specific verses that served a similar purpose in your life? Please share...

Matthew 23:11-12

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11, 12 NIV)

So different from what the world teaches us, isn't it? Lord help me to look at Your life and mimic Your Words and Your actions. Looking at You and how You lived is the only way for me to truly know how to do what You've asked of me in the verses above. Thank You for setting such a great example and for being so graceful, forgiving, and merciful with me when I don't live up to the standards You've set! You are an awesome God and I want all of my life to glorify You! I pray these things in Your Holy Son's name, Jesus...Amen!

Happy Resurrection Day!

“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:2, 3 NIV)

I love these verses! Countless times growing up I can remember my mom repeating these verses from memory to me and my brother! Such a deep promise and bold statement from God to us, His children! God doesn't throw out any "maybes" or "I mights"...He gives us powerful, confident words! "I will tell you GREAT and UNSEARCHABLE things that YOU do not know!"(emphasis mine).

You have to love our God! Happy Resurrection Day!

1 Timothy 6: 6-8

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing
into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food
and clothing, we will be content with that. (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV)

God Bless...
Jon Abercrombie
http://holybloggers.blogspot.com

Hebrews 13:5

> Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what
> you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I
> forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)
>
> Just thinking this morning about how easy it is to get caught up in
> the world's view of money and "needing" more and more of it...praying
> for a spirit of contentment over us today!
>
> God Bless...
> Jon Abercrombie
> http://holybloggers.blogspot.com

Colossians 3:16-17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
> admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing
> psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your
> hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
> do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
> God the Father through him.
>
> Colossians 3:16-17

Romans 8:6-8

> The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by
> the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to
> God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
> Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
>
> Romans 8:6-8

Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding

"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:1-6 NIV)

I really like verse 6...the first part says God GIVES us wisdom. It is a gift from God! The Bible is full of passages, Proverbs especially, and it even instructs us on what to do if we don't have wisdom...if we lack wisdom, James 1:5 says,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5 NIV)"

we have to ask for it. The second part of verse 6 says that knowledge and understanding come from God's mouth. We know that Scripture is God's Word so in order to gain knowledge and understanding, we have to read/get into His Word.

The definition of WISDOM is "the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight."

So in order to be wise, one has to be knowledgeable and understanding. If God gives the gift of wisdom but we don't seek out knowledge and understanding we can't truly be wise. The verses above say to "look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure". How many of us can say we actually do that?

Here is another verse that encourages us to be in God's Word consistently..."Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (Joshua 1:8 NLT)". This verse is very convicting to me. I struggle with staying in God's Word on a consistent basis. Hopefully this new found realization that by doing so I will gain better knowledge and understanding of who God is will be the motivation I need to increase my time with God in His Word!

Does anything in the verses above stick out to you?

Hebrews 6:10-12

> God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love
> you have shown him as you have helped his people and
> continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same
> diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
> We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who
> through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
>
> Hebrews 6:10-12

Ephesians 5:2-4

> And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave
> himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
> God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual
> immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because
> these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there
> be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out
> of place, but rather thanksgiving.
>
> Ephesians 5:2-4

Philippians 4:11-13

Below are some beautiful and challenging verses! What spiritual and mental toughness Paul had developed through his life! Lord help me be content!

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/111/php.4.11.niv

God Bless...

Jon Abercrombie

http://holybloggers.blogspot.com