Focus and Surrender My Life to God’s Control
How challenging did you find the SW for CHG # 9? The surrender part of this guideline is what consistently gnaws at my heart. When I look at the 6 questions that this SW presented in light of the Scriptures that are about faith and obedience to God and my relationships, like the father/son relationship between Abraham and Isaac, I realize how much clutter I can still create when it comes to my personal relationships and acquaintances. Here is how I answered those questions with one word.
1. Who or what needs my focus? Mouth
My mouth is the “what” to this question, and it is in terms of what I speak, eat, or drink.
2. Who or what do I need to surrender? Mouth
The “what” in this question is just like the answer to my focus. It is my mouth, and I need to surrender it to God. My mouth can be disobedient to God’s plan in terms of what I choose to speak, eat, or drink. Feeding into those unhealthy choices can eventually have an adverse effect on my overall physical and spiritual health and it can bring emotional pain, not only to me, but to others as well. There are so many times when I think about the apostle Paul and identify with what he said in Romans 7:15, “I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.”
3. Who or what are you needing to let God control rather than yourself? Mouth
This time, the “what” to this question relates to my mouth and particularly my words. Too often my words need to be more kind and gentle. When I hear my daughter so sweetly correcting my grandchildren to speak with more gentleness and kindness, I realize that her message is for me as well, and that it reflects what God’s Word tells me in Galatians 5:22-23, “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.” 20 years ago I had a dear friend who helped me to identify the need to be gentler, and 20 years later I am still working on being gentler. As we have learned from CHG #5, change is a slow and gradual process, but I can see the many layers that God has been peeling away as our family slowly and gradually heals from our long term history of hurtful words.
4. What keeps you from having faith? Doubt
At this time in my life, I would have to say that the doubt is linked to discipline, particularly with my exercising and what I consume. Over the course of my life time, my discipline in these areas has been pretty unwavering, but as of lately, there has been less conviction. I feel like I am at a crossroads both physically and spiritually, and I know that it is closely connected to the past two years and the diagnosis of two rare cancers. Writing down these thoughts and feelings is so important because experience has taught me that when I do this the answers will come, even though they are not there for me right now. Once again, I find myself identifying with a man whose story is told in the Book of Mark. Open up your own Bibles and read Mark 8:14-29. In these verses, you find a father whose son was possessed by an evil spirit and the boy got healed by Jesus. The story is about faith, and some people’s lack of it. In Mark 8:23, the father makes this comment to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me with my doubt!”
5. What lacks obedience in your life? Mouth
From my answers to these questions, you can see that that I have used the same one word to answer four of the questions. My mouth is what I have been focusing on as I surrender it to God’s control. Being obedient to God’s personal plan regarding how I need to speak and what I need to avoid with respect to what I eat, will enhance my health, and help me to be more kind and gentle in what I say.
6. What are you fearful of? Disobedience
My disobedience is related to my mouth.
Disobedience = Sin
Sin = Clutter
As I think about disobedience being equal to sin, and sin equal to clutter, it is a good time to also remind myself that I will always be dealing with the issues of disobedience and sin until the day I die. Remember when I first introduced you to the concept of clutter? I said that clutter never goes away. We can though minimize it and we can lessen it, and thus experience healing; that is what I need to remember and hold on to as I focus and surrender control to God.
This week your SW is to write down your definition for:
♥Focus
♥Surrender
♥Control
♥Faith
♥Obedience
♥Fear
In closing, I pray Father, we come to you wanting to release our fears to You. Please replace those fears with the FAITH that only comes from believing in You and what Your Word tells us. Show us how to walk out in that faith by TRUSTING in You to meet our every need no matter how small or big it may be.
May 22, 2013
May 8, 2013
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - CHG #9, Part Two
Focus and Surrender My Life to God’s Control
What new information did your SW provide for you this past week as you examined the word obedience/disobedience in your life and in the life of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22?
For me, I will answer that question by saying first and foremost, the Bible is my #1 resource for referencing information to get God’s perspective, and then Google comes in at a close second when it comes to man’s perspective. Never in history has information been so instantly and readily available, and I mention Google, because it relates to my own disobedience and how it peaked for me over this past week. It is embarrassing to admit, let alone confess, but I have been in some very close mishaps when it comes to my driving skills that are related to stopping. I am convinced, as well as thankful, that my prayers to be more aware and cautious with my driving protected me from hitting a pedestrian in a cross walk this past week. But, I also realize that I need to be more focused on stopping when the sign says stop. Slowing down is not enough when I am approaching a sign that says stop or a flashing red light that indicates the need to stop. Stop means stop! And as I have become more aware of my own dangerous habits to slow down but not stop, I have also noticed just how common this cluttered practice has become as drivers slowly drift through a lawful sign that commands us to stop without ever stopping. Of course, another’s wrong does not make my wrong right, but I was curious about googling the driving rules for stop signs, and here is what I found out:
Modern drivers continue to be confused about this question: How long must you stop at a stop sign?
Full stop
When approaching a stop sign, it's not enough to slow down. Every year drivers get ticketed because they only slowed down for a quick look left and right but never actually stopped. A driver is expected to come to a full stop at every stop sign. Even if you are the only driver on the road, you are still expected to stop or you risk getting a traffic fine.
Length of time
While there is no time rule as to how long your car must remain stopped, several seconds is a good rule of thumb. This gives you enough time to look to your left, look to your right and look left again before accelerating. When a car is approaching, you are expected to wait until that car has either passed or also comes to a complete stop.
Over the years, I am frequently reminded of know how hard it has been for me to take responsibility for my own actions. And truth be told? I recognize that I am not perfect, though I would like to be. So, I pray, “God, continue to show me how to let You be the One who controls those parts of me that need improved upon, especially my need to stop in all areas of my life! Help me to be more aware of obedience to your law and to man’s as You continue to use the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 to remind me that I am always in the process of surrendering.”
What new information did your SW provide for you this past week as you examined the word obedience/disobedience in your life and in the life of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22?
For me, I will answer that question by saying first and foremost, the Bible is my #1 resource for referencing information to get God’s perspective, and then Google comes in at a close second when it comes to man’s perspective. Never in history has information been so instantly and readily available, and I mention Google, because it relates to my own disobedience and how it peaked for me over this past week. It is embarrassing to admit, let alone confess, but I have been in some very close mishaps when it comes to my driving skills that are related to stopping. I am convinced, as well as thankful, that my prayers to be more aware and cautious with my driving protected me from hitting a pedestrian in a cross walk this past week. But, I also realize that I need to be more focused on stopping when the sign says stop. Slowing down is not enough when I am approaching a sign that says stop or a flashing red light that indicates the need to stop. Stop means stop! And as I have become more aware of my own dangerous habits to slow down but not stop, I have also noticed just how common this cluttered practice has become as drivers slowly drift through a lawful sign that commands us to stop without ever stopping. Of course, another’s wrong does not make my wrong right, but I was curious about googling the driving rules for stop signs, and here is what I found out:
Modern drivers continue to be confused about this question: How long must you stop at a stop sign?
Full stop
When approaching a stop sign, it's not enough to slow down. Every year drivers get ticketed because they only slowed down for a quick look left and right but never actually stopped. A driver is expected to come to a full stop at every stop sign. Even if you are the only driver on the road, you are still expected to stop or you risk getting a traffic fine.
Length of time
While there is no time rule as to how long your car must remain stopped, several seconds is a good rule of thumb. This gives you enough time to look to your left, look to your right and look left again before accelerating. When a car is approaching, you are expected to wait until that car has either passed or also comes to a complete stop.
Over the years, I am frequently reminded of know how hard it has been for me to take responsibility for my own actions. And truth be told? I recognize that I am not perfect, though I would like to be. So, I pray, “God, continue to show me how to let You be the One who controls those parts of me that need improved upon, especially my need to stop in all areas of my life! Help me to be more aware of obedience to your law and to man’s as You continue to use the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 to remind me that I am always in the process of surrendering.”
When you look at CHG #9
to heal your clutter, by focusing and surrendering your
life to God’s control, what does CHG #9 imply as being the root cause of
your clutter?
♥ My clutter builds up when I lack focus.
♥ My
clutter builds up when I do not surrender.
♥ My clutter builds up when I need to control.
Explore the words in Genesis 22:1-2 that back up CHG # 9. They say, “Later on God tested Abraham’s Faith and obedience. 'Abraham!' God called. 'Yes,' he replied. 'Here I am.' 'Take your son, your only son – yes Isaac,
whom you love so much – and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a
burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will point out to you.' ”
What do these
Scriptures imply as being the root cause of your clutter?
♥ My clutter builds up because of my lack
of faith.
♥ My clutter builds up because of my lack
of obedience
♥ My clutter builds up because of my fears.
This week your SW is to
think about how you can lessen the clutter in your life through CHG #9 and its
Scriptures. Ask yourself the following questions, and then only give a one answer
reply.
1.
Who or what needs your focus?
2.
Who or what needs you to surrender?
3.
Who or what are you needing to let God control rather than yourself?
4.
What keeps you from having faith?
5.
What lacks obedience in your life?
6.
What are you fearful of?
May 1, 2013
Red Wednesday's Wisdom - CHG #9, Part One
Focus and Surrender My Life to God’s Control
Our SW this past week, was to ask God to help us to hear that one word, the rhema word, that He had for each one of us, and then have the Scripture to back it up. For me, that one word was obedience. I was drawn to this word as I wrote last week’s posting that said, “Listening means that I do what God tells me to do. This is called obedience.’’
Listening = obedience.
As I was being gravitated to this word, my thoughts immediately went to Abraham of the Bible and CHG #9, which I am introducing to you today. CHG #9 tells us to focus and surrender our lives to the control of God. The Scripture basis of this CHG is found in Genesis 22:1-2, and it directly addresses obedience. It says, “Later on God tested Abraham’s Faith and obedience. 'Abraham!' God called. 'Yes,' he replied. 'Here I am.' 'Take your son, your only son – yes Isaac, whom you love so much – and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will point out to you.' ”
I am sure we all have our imaginations in full gear as we contemplate what was going on in Abraham’s mind and how he felt about God’s command. When I thoughtfully, carefully, and prayerfully examine this Scripture and study other Scriptures that tell me about the character of God, the character of Abraham, and the relationship that these two had with one another, I do come to appreciate how the relationship between God and Abraham is a prototype of the relationship that God wants to have with me, and the one that He wants to have with you.
Let’s break down Genesis 22:1-2 to reflect and meditate on how it can help us to lessen our clutter as we learn how to focus and surrender control to God by looking at the relationship between God and Abraham. Notice that the Scripture starts out by telling us that God had a test for Abraham, and it reminds me of how God has been in the business of testing since the beginning of time. What is a test? It is a critical examination, observation, or evaluation. Who is being tested? It is the student. What is being tested? Abraham, the student, is being tested on his faith and obedience. I appreciate the simplicity of how God gets Abraham’s focus just by the calling out of his name with an exclamation. What follows is Abraham acknowledging the history he has shared with God by giving this simple response back, “Yes. Here I am.” It takes time to build relationships that go through numerous trials and errors, and they can only become rock solid when there is mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual love. Abraham and God had that kind of relationship.
When God tells Abraham, “Take your son, your only son – yes, Isaac whom you love so much,” I see the heart of God expressing a compassionate command that reminds, reinforces, and emphasizes the lessons that Abraham has learned through his trials and errors with God. Though God had promised a son to Abraham and his barren wife Sarah, Abraham took matters into His own hands when he did not see God coming through with His promise within the time that he had anticipated. And because Abraham did not wait on the Lord’s timely promise, he and Sarah arranged an intimate night for Abraham to be with Sarah’s bondservant who provided Abraham with a son, and that conceived child was named Ishmael. Later Isaac was indeed born to Abraham and Sarah, but this promise actually took 25 years to be fulfilled! If you want to find out just how much clutter this caused, go to Genesis 11 where the story of Abraham begins. And if you are really industrious, research the history on this family to discover how their clutter continues to impact the world on a global level.
Abraham is directed to take Isaac to Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering. In the Hebrew, Moriah means ordained. Abraham was God’s ordained man, and through the years Abraham learned to appreciate what that meant. He knew he could believe God, trust Him, and obey Him, even when it made no sense. He had learned that God was God and he was not.
This coming week, your SW is to examine the word obedience:
1. How has dis-obedience caused more clutter in your life?
2. How has obedience made your life less cluttered?
3. Read Genesis 22 to find out how this story about Abraham and Isaac plays out.
Pleases keep in mind that no matter how familiar a story may be to you, or how often you have read certain Scriptures, remind yourself to slow down, focus, and drink them in with a fresh new openness. Receive them with a child like excitement, and you can look forward to the prompting of the Holy Spirit!
Our SW this past week, was to ask God to help us to hear that one word, the rhema word, that He had for each one of us, and then have the Scripture to back it up. For me, that one word was obedience. I was drawn to this word as I wrote last week’s posting that said, “Listening means that I do what God tells me to do. This is called obedience.’’
Listening = obedience.
As I was being gravitated to this word, my thoughts immediately went to Abraham of the Bible and CHG #9, which I am introducing to you today. CHG #9 tells us to focus and surrender our lives to the control of God. The Scripture basis of this CHG is found in Genesis 22:1-2, and it directly addresses obedience. It says, “Later on God tested Abraham’s Faith and obedience. 'Abraham!' God called. 'Yes,' he replied. 'Here I am.' 'Take your son, your only son – yes Isaac, whom you love so much – and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will point out to you.' ”
I am sure we all have our imaginations in full gear as we contemplate what was going on in Abraham’s mind and how he felt about God’s command. When I thoughtfully, carefully, and prayerfully examine this Scripture and study other Scriptures that tell me about the character of God, the character of Abraham, and the relationship that these two had with one another, I do come to appreciate how the relationship between God and Abraham is a prototype of the relationship that God wants to have with me, and the one that He wants to have with you.
Let’s break down Genesis 22:1-2 to reflect and meditate on how it can help us to lessen our clutter as we learn how to focus and surrender control to God by looking at the relationship between God and Abraham. Notice that the Scripture starts out by telling us that God had a test for Abraham, and it reminds me of how God has been in the business of testing since the beginning of time. What is a test? It is a critical examination, observation, or evaluation. Who is being tested? It is the student. What is being tested? Abraham, the student, is being tested on his faith and obedience. I appreciate the simplicity of how God gets Abraham’s focus just by the calling out of his name with an exclamation. What follows is Abraham acknowledging the history he has shared with God by giving this simple response back, “Yes. Here I am.” It takes time to build relationships that go through numerous trials and errors, and they can only become rock solid when there is mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual love. Abraham and God had that kind of relationship.
When God tells Abraham, “Take your son, your only son – yes, Isaac whom you love so much,” I see the heart of God expressing a compassionate command that reminds, reinforces, and emphasizes the lessons that Abraham has learned through his trials and errors with God. Though God had promised a son to Abraham and his barren wife Sarah, Abraham took matters into His own hands when he did not see God coming through with His promise within the time that he had anticipated. And because Abraham did not wait on the Lord’s timely promise, he and Sarah arranged an intimate night for Abraham to be with Sarah’s bondservant who provided Abraham with a son, and that conceived child was named Ishmael. Later Isaac was indeed born to Abraham and Sarah, but this promise actually took 25 years to be fulfilled! If you want to find out just how much clutter this caused, go to Genesis 11 where the story of Abraham begins. And if you are really industrious, research the history on this family to discover how their clutter continues to impact the world on a global level.
Abraham is directed to take Isaac to Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering. In the Hebrew, Moriah means ordained. Abraham was God’s ordained man, and through the years Abraham learned to appreciate what that meant. He knew he could believe God, trust Him, and obey Him, even when it made no sense. He had learned that God was God and he was not.
This coming week, your SW is to examine the word obedience:
1. How has dis-obedience caused more clutter in your life?
2. How has obedience made your life less cluttered?
3. Read Genesis 22 to find out how this story about Abraham and Isaac plays out.
Pleases keep in mind that no matter how familiar a story may be to you, or how often you have read certain Scriptures, remind yourself to slow down, focus, and drink them in with a fresh new openness. Receive them with a child like excitement, and you can look forward to the prompting of the Holy Spirit!
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