David had a desire in his heart to build a house for the LORD so His dwelling place would not be in a tent. But God had other plans. Solomon, David's son would be the one to build a house for God. What a thrill when God blesses our children with wonderful opportunities to serve Him!
God also, at this time, gave David a promise through the prophet Nathan. "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." (2 Samuel 7:16)
David was so overcome with gratefulness and awe of what God was doing in his life that he "went in and sat before the LORD." David asked God "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD . . . .that You have brought me this far?" (2 Samuel 7:18)
I am so identifying with David these days! I am overwhelmed as I focus on the many blessings God has poured out on me and my family. I am asking God, "Who am I that you have brought me this far?" God has given Eddie and me 50 years of marriage - a true milestone that only comes through God's faithfulness. He has given us a beautiful family. While it is not perfect (how could it me, I am a part of it?!), I wouldn't trade it for any other.
May I never quit pondering the question, "Who am I that You have brought me this far?" It's really not about who I am, it's about who He is. It truly is all about Him, what He has done, His faithfulness, His blessings, His promises and His Sovereignty.
In humility, I ask Him, "Who am I that YOU have brought me this far?" I have not deserved it but how grateful and how blessed I am. Thank You, Lord!
"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." (Psalm 16:6)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Anyone Perfect?
Striving toward perfection - not a bad thing. Scripture says, "Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) [Perfect here means mature or holy.] Does this mean we are never to make a mistake? Of course not!
No one who has or ever will walk on this earth is perfect, except Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Be imitators of God therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us . . . . . ." Yes, we are to strive toward perfection - strive toward being Christlike.
However, many of us deal with the negative side of perfection. I certainly have! It's not pretty. It is a control issue and is not something of which to be proud. Since perfection is unattainable, what happens when a perfectionist wants a perfect house, the perfect children, the perfect family, the perfect friends, or the perfect church? Lots of disappointments are in store for the perfectonist unless he or she accepts the fact that nothing is perfect and no one is perfect.
I confess, I would love to keep a "perfect" house or should I say I use to have that desire. Right now the word dust has been on my to-do list since day before yesterday. Maybe it will happen today, but if not, I have learned to live with a less than perfect house. Why? Because it is unattainable. Dirt happens. Messes happen - they are a part of life.
The "perfecton" that I desire today more than anything else is to become more like Jesus - be an imitator of Him. That has eternal value.
No one who has or ever will walk on this earth is perfect, except Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Be imitators of God therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us . . . . . ." Yes, we are to strive toward perfection - strive toward being Christlike.
However, many of us deal with the negative side of perfection. I certainly have! It's not pretty. It is a control issue and is not something of which to be proud. Since perfection is unattainable, what happens when a perfectionist wants a perfect house, the perfect children, the perfect family, the perfect friends, or the perfect church? Lots of disappointments are in store for the perfectonist unless he or she accepts the fact that nothing is perfect and no one is perfect.
I confess, I would love to keep a "perfect" house or should I say I use to have that desire. Right now the word dust has been on my to-do list since day before yesterday. Maybe it will happen today, but if not, I have learned to live with a less than perfect house. Why? Because it is unattainable. Dirt happens. Messes happen - they are a part of life.
The "perfecton" that I desire today more than anything else is to become more like Jesus - be an imitator of Him. That has eternal value.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Maybe It's Not Too Late
Do you still dream about what you want to do or become? When you were younger, did you dream about future goals and accomplishments? Have they failed to materialize? Maybe it's not too late.
God knows our dreams, our desires, our very thoughts. Did He give you those dreams? If He did, He has given you what you need to accomplish them. Maybe you put your dreams on hold to raise your family or care for aging parents. God honors those important choices. Don't give up on fulfilling your dreams. Maybe it's not too late.
The psalmist said, "Lord, my every desire is known to You." (Psalm 38:9, HCSB) God knows what we desire, so we may as well voice those desires to Him.
A devotional about dreams and goals in Journey magazine stated, "For many of us, those dreams are put on hold to bring us fresh purpose in our later years." How encouraging for those of us who are growing older - and isn't everyone?!
Don't give up on your dreams. Maybe it's not too late! Maybe God has saved your dream to give you a new challenge at this time in your life. If He gives us a dream, a goal, or desire, He will give us what we need to fulfill it. Just trust Him to supply everything you need. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . . ." (Proverbs 3:5a, NIV)
God knows our dreams, our desires, our very thoughts. Did He give you those dreams? If He did, He has given you what you need to accomplish them. Maybe you put your dreams on hold to raise your family or care for aging parents. God honors those important choices. Don't give up on fulfilling your dreams. Maybe it's not too late.
The psalmist said, "Lord, my every desire is known to You." (Psalm 38:9, HCSB) God knows what we desire, so we may as well voice those desires to Him.
A devotional about dreams and goals in Journey magazine stated, "For many of us, those dreams are put on hold to bring us fresh purpose in our later years." How encouraging for those of us who are growing older - and isn't everyone?!
Don't give up on your dreams. Maybe it's not too late! Maybe God has saved your dream to give you a new challenge at this time in your life. If He gives us a dream, a goal, or desire, He will give us what we need to fulfill it. Just trust Him to supply everything you need. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . . ." (Proverbs 3:5a, NIV)
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