Pages 63-77
Our last reading discussed developing stamina in limitations. We discovered that making the decision to see things from God’s perspective can strengthen our ability to endure. This week, we will review three essential tools that will help mitigate the frustrations that prevent us from experiencing fulfillment through our friendship with God.
Tool #1: Worship
True worship is a lifestyle. Worship is not limited to singing a song or lifting our hands before God. It is completely surrendering to God and finding security in His sovereignty and unparalleled, faithful character. Peter is a perfect example of this. On the night before his trial, Peter slept in his prison cell, surrendered to and trusting in God’s will.
Tool #2: “Forget” the Past
When we find ourselves in limited circumstances, it is tempting to dwell on events of the past. However, in order to avoid stagnancy, we must do as Paul and forget what is behind and reach forward to what is ahead (Philippians 3:13-14). “As long as you are holding on to what’s behind you, you are hindered in reaching forward” (McBath, p. 67).
Tool #3: Make Plans
At times being proactive about pursuing our dreams and goals ease our frustrations. On the other hand, remaining passive increases the likelihood of us giving up on our dreams completely. Therefore, we should prayerfully make plans and then take steps-even small steps-to pursue our goals.
Scripture for the week:
Memorizing God’s word is imperative. As Psalm 119:105 says, God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path.
The scripture to memorize this week is James 1:2-3 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
Week by Week
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1 comment:
As I stated in the last blog, often during trials I would simply press forward and endure. However, I did not always have peace while I used this method of standing during times of tribulation. However, the three tools Bishop highlighted: Worship, Forgetting the past and making plans conditions one to trust God in this context. I think utilizing this method would be more effected because with it you are drawing on the reservoirs of God’s strength and not so much on your own. To me these tools leads me into a deeper relationship with God, which will result in my confidence in Him increasing.
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