Obedience that Accompanies Words
by Suzanne Benner
**How can we be disobedient by ignoring some of our annoying habits? Here is a Bible Study Online that will get you on the right track of obedience to God. http://thelife.com/study/lovebusters.html?section=annoying_habits&ft=BSG-OS
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Corinthians 9:13).
Real life change is not demonstrated by what we say; it is evident by what we do.
Reality is that we act on what we believe or as Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “To believe is to obey and to obey is to believe.”
Thus our actions testify to what we believe.
If we truly believe that God is our Provider, then we will not worry about our needs. If we truly believe that life on earth is temporary and we will live with God eternally, then we will not spend our days collecting stuff. If we truly believe that God’s ways bring freedom, then we will submit ourselves in obedience to Him, rather than trying to do things our way.
Letting go of sin: Exhale sin, inhale the Holy Spirit
Needing a timeout with God?: Take our Life Lesson
Therefore, obedience to God’s Word proves that we believe His Word is true. When our actions as well as our words proclaim that Jesus is the way to God, it brings God glory.
That is why Paul said to the Corinthians, “Men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.”
~ Holy God, I want my actions to declare that You are Lord, not just my words. Help me to walk in obedience to Your commands.
Questions: Do you agree with Bonhoeffer’s statement? What are some examples of things you say you believe but aren’t living out that belief? What is one area of your life where you can bring God glory with your obedience?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/suzanne-benner/
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Hyacinth, I understand your burden for your husband’s salvation, as I, too, share that same burden! And, I just want to encourage you in your desire to guard your tongue — I think we wives all struggle with this at times, and in different ways! Some of us preach too much to our unsaved husbands, pushing them further away from Jesus. Others of us use our tongue to bite back when our husbands treat us harshly. You are so wise in seeking God’s grace in this area, as it is His will that we win our husbands over to Christ with a quiet, gentle spirit! (1 Peter 3:4)
I live on the west coast of Canada so it is only 9:45pm here
Sweet Dreams to you too!
You’re up, too? I thought I might be the only one.
You’re welcome, and sweet dreams :-} (((Linda))))
Dear Diane thank you for your comment and I am not saying I am right but that is just how I felt & so felt led to say it. I am so glad you are not upset with me, thank you so very much. Yes I totally agree with you as I too wrote earlier to Dee that she IS NOT DAMNED not at all and I too tried to encourage her. All I can say it I know I will sleep better for your positive response to my comment thanks again. Hugs Linda!
Hi LindaR,
I just read your comment, but none of the rest, yet. I am not upset about what you have to say, and I don’t take is as argumentative. I take it as genuine concern on your part, and I probably needed to “hear” what you said.
The truth is that I can relate, too. I have wanted to, and have tried to, kill myself several of times in the past, and I can say that the fear of winding up in hell kept me from doing it, too, on some of those occasions. On other occasions, it has been knowing other people would be hurt if I did that which stopped me.
So, I may have been wrong to share that devotional here, and if so, I apologize. I also apologize for any discomfort or concern the post may have caused others.
My intension was to help Dee feel less burdened by her experience, while at the same time, not needlessly scaring others away from participating in necessary medical care (which is what I was afraid my first draft might do).
I may have been too hasty in how I went about trying to do that, though: I took the circumstances that I experienced today (which are above) as cues that God probably wanted me to share the other post instead of mine, and thought that God would know why He wanted it done, even if I didn’t.
Perhaps it wasn’t God, though; perhaps it was just me, “leaning on my own understanding,” and getting it wrong instead.
Again, I am sorry if that is the case.
I CAN say ONE thing with confidence, though: feeling depressed and thinking of, or coming close to, killing oneself is NOT something that God would damn a person for!
So Dee, you are NOT damned! This too, will very likely pass :-}. Just hang on tightly to your husband and to others who you trust, until the time comes when both you and they can agree that you have become your usual self again :-}.
Thanks, LindaR., for having the courage to express your concern to me and for sharing your own experience, too.
I DO need to take a good look at this.
Hyacinth there are several ladies who come to this site who’s husbands are unsaved and I have them on my prayer list. I am going to add your husband to it too. Just remember “Keep Smiling For Jesus” Hugs Linda!
Thus our actions testify to what we believe
I am starting to live this reality in Christ this week. In my home, there has been a shift. Even with new employment goals there has been a shift. I am seeing what obedience and respect looks like it. Even when I dont really understand. I will continue to guard my tongue and pray for my husband’s salvation.
Dear Patti, how precious is your beautiful testimony to God’s mercy and grace in the depths of despair! It so blesses to hear of your joyful gratitude of all the riches He has poured upon you that might have been missed — God’s loving presence, the salvation of your dear family members, births of children and grandchildren, family reconciliation, sunrises and sunsets, etc. Thank you for looking through God’s eyes and seeing the wealth you have, and a purpose for living! May others who see your renewed spirit, praise the One Who is faithful and true!
correction,
May God bless each of you as you trust and obey the Lord.
Really thoughtful and encouraging sharing today girls. I thank God for each of you and your wise contributions here. Learning obedience for me is a combination of reading God’s word, meditating on it and asking the Holy Spirit to prompt me when I stray from what He would have me do. Changes take time for me. Often I’m not even aware when I am about to dive into disobedience, these tendacies (impatience, anxiousness, worry, etc) are so ingrained into my heart. And then of course when He corrects me I run to Him for forgiveness. Like everyone else I am a work in progress. I pray that each of us would continue to grow in our obedience so that our actions, thoughts, and emotions will match what we believe.
Praying for all the needs here. May God bless each of you and you trust and obey the Lord. Love, Donna
Amen! I like the idea of not entertaining the thought of suicide not to entertain these ideas and thank you for the encouragment Pattie! I have found that quoting scripture out loud really helps me! What an effect it has. The blog today has encouraged me!to keep pressing on! Thank you!
I have been reading this afternoon, off and on, the comments on this blog.
Marilyn, as I read your writing, I understood the devotion. Thank you so much for your teaching…as I always look forward to it. Linda, how well I understand what you are saying and Patricia, well said!
On the subject of suicide though…..I have some personal comments. I have fought those driven desires since I was a young child, however, the times I have wanted to take my life so desperately, the very question of heaven or hell was almost always the thing that stopped me.
There were a few times that there was so much oppression by satan, that I justified suicide and and pushed away that thought.
I now realize that this is never His plan for us. I’m not sure I know all of God’s plan for my life or my purpose in life, but I do know that He has saved me from suicide time and time again. It would be too wordy to tell you the ways that He lovingly diverted my plans. How wonderful is His Love and His Grace.
What would I have missed? I would have missed, many times the Glory of His presence. I would have missed the births of my daughters and grandchildren. I would have missed loving and being loved by my daughters and grandchildren. the love of my dear husband. I would have missed the salvation of my husband, daughters and grandchildren. I would have missed loving and the love from dear friends…..the reconciliation to family members I love deeply. I would have missed the joy of answered prayer…many sunrises and sunsets. I would have missed the vibrant colors of a rainbow or the beauty of a redbird.
I could go on and on….but I think what I am trying to say is that although many of us suffer pain, mental illness, discouragement and defeat, there is loving Savior that has a plan for our lives. His plan is for us to live the days He has ordained us on this earth.
Joy comes in the morning… and the God of the mountain, is still the God in the valley. I choose to press on. I know there will be trials, tests and times of discouragement. I know there will be times I ask “Why Lord”…. but I praise Him for keeping me, many times from taking my life. I praise Him for the precious ones in my life who love me and believe I have purpose.
To those of you who are deeply hurting and discouraged, do not entertain the thoughts of suicide. Do not listen to the lies of satan.
I pray for each and everyone of you…. hope, faith and courage to live.
What made a difference for me was when I realized that God spoke creation and creation came to be. He knows all about me and saw that it i was good. He didn’t miss anything. Yes my mind sometimes get clouded by pain at times but i konw God is in control and i am not and he can be trusted! I don’t want to mess with what God has made We are made in his image.
Patricia I totally agree with you!
On the topic of suicide, do want to make it clear that although there may be Christians who have committed suicide in heaven, there is no actual proof of that in scripture and would certainly want to stay on the safe side!
It may well depend on how much choice the person had at the moment in regard to medications, mental illness or demonic intervention, and our loved ones may be there. But only God can make that decision, so again, would suggest that those thoughts be taken captive immediately and that if you are tempted that you tell someone you trust so that they can support you and speak truth into your situation.
On the other hand, though, I still do believe that there is forgiveness for those who have attempted it and have repented.
Hi Margaret, my comments on suicide were in response to an earlier post from Dee. She had questions and concerns that prompted me to share what God has laid upon my heart on this matter. Please forgive the rabbit trail, but something of this importance is worthy of our temporary redirection. Sorry for the confusion!
How did we get to suicide from believing and obeying? Did I miss something?
Dear Chris, Bonhoeffer was right . . . “to believe is to obey, and to obey is to believe!” When we believe God, we want to ‘do’ what He has asked or commanded of us. The reward of His pleasure is sweet to the soul! And, when we choose to obey Him, then it is a testimony to our belief in His promises and faithfulness! Our witness to His truth!
As for ‘doers’ vs ‘thinkers,’ both are important in corporate/group projects; however, in working out our salvation, as Paul tells us we are to do (Philippians 2:12), we are each responsible to do both thinking and doing. We are told that our minds are to be “renewed” (Romans 12:2), which would transform our thinking, aligning it with God’s Word, and that our “faith and actions work together,” that our faith is “made complete by what we do.” (James 2:26) So, there are no ‘thinkers’ vs ‘doers’ in God’s kingdom. We are all ‘thinkers and doers’ at different levels. But, the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us all to fulfill God’s plan for each one of us, as we are willing and obedient.
As for suicide, while it may be true that the believer is forgiven ALL his sins, it is worthy to consider how much this decision would grieve God, in addition to loved ones left behind. Believers owe a great debt to God for His gift of salvation and forgivenenss, and to betray His mercy by taking the very life He sacrificed His son for should be unthinkable! No suffering on this earth compares to the suffering that our Lord faced on our behalf, and His ever-present offer of grace sufficient for our need is only a prayer away!
One thing I forgot to mention is that I know for sure that One person would be dead right now if I had told them that Yes they definitely were going to go the Heaven even if they committed suicide because they are a Christian and it scared them that they might not go to heaven so they just couldn’t follow through with it. Just food for thought! Hugs Linda!
I just have to comment to what Dianne said about suicide. I am not going to dispute the fact God is merciful and that if a Christian did commit suicide they would go to Heaven because to be honest I really don’t know.I strongly feel that putting that comment on the blog wasn’t a good idea as there are many Christians out there and I know of a couple for sure who have seriously been toying with the very idea of committing suicide and one even asked me would they go to Heaven if they did do it? I even think of myself and when I read that the very first thought that came into my mind was well if I ever get suicidal again I don’t have to worry about it because for sure I am going to Heaven. Please don’t take me wrong, I am not trying to cause an argument by any means I just don’t feel right with it being there. Maybe it is just me and if so that’s fine I’ll accept that. Hugs Linda!
Yikes! That’s a book! It didn’t look that way when I wrote it. Sorry :- { .
Now here’s my own comment pertaining to myself:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “To believe is to obey and to obey is to believe.”
In the original language to “obey” means “to do;” that’s what my pastor said. That’s a little easier for me to swallow than the “four-letter word” that “obey” has been to me most of my life.
I’m not sure that I agree with Bonhoffer. Jesus said the same thing, though, so it has to be true.
An example for me is surrendering. I surrendered “every fiber of my being” to God in 1995, and I had wonderful, close, happy/serene relationship with Him for something like 6-9 months.
I have also had countless experiences that have allowed me to compare the effectiveness/results of my will versus His will, and I have found His will to always have been best.
SO, why do I still do my will 97% of the time and His Will only about 3% of the time?
I KNOW things were MUCH better when I walked a surrendered life. Is that not belief?
So then, when it comes to the DETAILs of living out (obeying) His SPECIFIC will for me at any given time, I balk—most of the time, nowadays.
To read my actions, I would have to say that I am still the center of my own universe; I do what I want to do and don’t do what I don’t want to do. I am speaking of those kinds of things that don’t benefit others, or even hurt others.
I also do what Paul wrote about; I do what I don’t want to do, and I don’t do what I want to do. I am now speaking of those things that are God’s Will.
So, what has happened that now I rarely know things ARE much better when I walk a surrendered life? I know they WERE. Why don’t I know they STILL will be ANYtime I surrender “every fiber of my being” to Him?
Decades ago, when I was still a kid in public school, a teacher taught our class about “idea people” and action people (I don’t remember her word for action people). When she described each, I knew then that I was an “idea person.” Idea people created–thought up things and made plans. Other people carried things out.
The teacher didn’t say either kind of person was better than the other, but (probably because I am one, and especially because I associated ideas with having a strong imagination–which I knew I had because I’d been told so many times), I preferred seeing myself as an idea person–I thought idea people were better than people that carried things out.
I just remembered that!
Every once in a while (and especially years ago), in recovery, I hear someone say something like, “This is an action program; it doesn’t work if you don’t take action,” “You can’t think yourself into good action; you act your way into good thinking,” “It works when I work it, it doesn’t work when I think it,” “You don’t get this by osmosis,” “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one,” and other sayings like that. I have always been either resistant to or doubtful about, or uncomfortable with hearing people say these things.
I have a very hard time translating things I “know” into action. I always have. Often it is a lack of willingness. Is that a lack of belief?
Sometimes my lack of willingness is due to laziness; sometimes it is due to fear; sometimes it is do to not seeing the sense in doing something or in something actually looking like the wrong or ineffective thing to do; sometimes something looks too hard (laziness or self doubt), and sometimes I just can’t imagine how to put the idea into action. So are these things a lack of belief, or something altogether different from a lack of belief?
This is why I am not entirely sure I believe Bonhoeffer’s statement, “To believe is to obey and to obey is to believe.” I believe the second half, because “walking the walk” is belief in action and it is evidence of the belief. I question the first half, because I think that other things (besides a lack of belief) can interfere with being able to put a belief into action.
I hope that I am not messing others up by expressing my questions and doubts here, because Jesus DID say that those that DO what He teaches them are his true disciples, and I think He also said that those who really love Him will do what He says.
I just know that I have, and always have had, difficulty putting into actions even the things that I feel strongly about in my heart.
And then there is the record of what my actions point to when I am not paying close attention to myself. Chances are, any time I take a look at that track record, I am going to find an overabundance of things done because I wanted to and of things not done because I didn’t want to.
“What is one area of your life where you can bring God glory with your obedience?” I don’t know…probably any area in which I do His Will.
Feedback is welcome. This is a very weak area in my life. I can tell you all that I have told you, and still imagine or feel a “disconnect” between knowing and doing. I do this all the time in all kinds of areas of my life–not just when it comes to God.
Daily, I spend hours battling within myself about what I am going to do next, the dishes or this devotional; laundry or look for work; quiet time or e-mail; phone call or pick up the house; brush my teeth or say my prayers; clean the litter box or sand down a dresser I’m working on to pay the rent…and so on.
And it isn’t just sitting there thinking about these things, it is often thinking while I am trying to do things, thinking to make myself do what I am doing and to stick with what I am doing. So whatever I am doing takes longer than it would have if I weren’t trying to make myself do it in the first place.
Self-discipline is often petty stressful to me. I recently came across a Proverb (Message version) that said something like (paraphrased), “Work is a joy to the diligent, and oppression to the lazy.” Another Proverb (Message version) that spoke to me recently goes something like (paraphrased), “Mixed motives make a tangle of life.”
According to these Proverbs, I must be lazy (because work often does feel like oppression to me), although at the same time, I am always doing something. A lot of what I do is sedentary, but I don’t just sit there and do nothing (which is what I see as being lazy); I am always working on/doing something at the same time that I am sitting.
And I OFTEN have mixed motives behind my actions and choices–often both good ones and not good ones at the same time for the same thing. And my life IS a big tangle going nowhere at this point–or so it seems. So THAT Proverb is definitely telling me the truth about MY life!
Just to be a little more balanced about how I see myself and what I believe based on my actions and choices, I do have to say that when put to the test about my actions and choices, I do get a glimpse of things that I do that ARE God’s will and that I do because I want to please Him or simply because they are the right things to do–and I know they are the right things to do.
Often I get tangled up in anger over others not treating me the way God wants us to treat each other, too. That is a misapplication of the point, isn’t it? We are supposed to take the plank out of our own eye first, and when I do that, I haven’t (or won’t).
Dee, I drafted a post to you and this website’s server simply would not respond when I tried to send it.
So, I went back to my e-mail and read another e-devotional that I get, and it addresses the topic of suicide. Part of it seemed to fit your questions, so I thought that maybe God wanted you to see that instead of what I wrote, and I copied it.
Then I tried to get back here, and in a flash, I was. So I am now taking the gamble on believing that God is trying to say something here (maybe not just to you).
I hope this is not wrong, but here is the copied and pasted devotional text:
If a person is a believer in Jesus Christ, nothing can separate him or her from the love of God. Not even suicide can take a believer out of His hands.
“Suicide is a very difficult topic,” says Dr. Erwin Lutzer, “but let me simply say something that I think needs to be said: I have known genuine Christians who have committed suicide, and I expect to see them in heaven.”
If you have lost a loved one to suicide, do not weary yourself with the burden of wondering if he or she is in heaven. God alone knows the hearts of people, and He is a just and merciful God.
Take the time now to get your heart right with the Lord. Surrender your life to the healing Christ; and obey what is written in His Word. Know for certain that as a believer you will live in His presence forever in heaven.
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40).
Savior Jesus, I give my life to You and seek to please You all of my days. You are my hope and my life. Amen.
http://www.griefshare.org
Linda R….I really liked the first post “God is God”
What better way to say “God is Good”
Thanks be to Him for allowing you to offer your love to all of us.
Whack!!! Each of us have those nasty old habits that are hard to break. God allows us to experience them and to teach us to continue to trust even when WE think we are in control! Sometimes it takes a hard knock to know that He is communicating with me and I am not listening. And then…..like a silent, swift feather, reality touches me and I realize that I am not the one in control, but that my Heavenly Father is there and available to guide and direct me. I know He speaks to each of us. Are you listening??? I challenge you to take time today to look at yourself and see WHO is in control and to set up some of those ‘Head-knocking, power-struggling’ issues that are keeping you from serving Him. Please pray for me as I act upon this myself. You are all in my prayers. May God Bless….YOU! cm
LET ME ALWAYS OBEY THE LORD IN ALL THINGS
I choose to obey because I love Jesus. I love and want to do what Jesus wants. I am suffering with pain in my joints. i have a cane to keep me up! but in the mean time I try to keep as active as I can. My knees give out without much notice! I believe that one day I am going to be healed! ultimately and the Lord has touched me when I have been prayed for. I am sensitive to weather changes. I have massage theraphy once a week. My doctor told me to try and live a normal life. He told me he didn’t have any ideas what to do for me and through his hands up. I am learning how to handle stress as whatever I have causes it to be worse. I believe God is in-control! Sometimes the pain talks louder!
Just wanted to say I meant to say God is Good
Dee no you are not damned, although I am not proud of it I too have tried to commit suicide 4 times but God has always allowed me to pull through. I have bipolar depression and now see to have it under control by medication. Yes God has a purpose for you in this world, you will be able to encourage other Christians or non Christians when they are feeling suicidal that there is another answer to their problem other than suicide as that isn’t the answer at all. If you ever want to talk my email address is lrohne@shaw.ca I would be more than willing to share with you.I will be praying for you & always remember Keep Your Eyes On Jesus! Hugs Linda!
Obedience to me is trying to follow Gods will for my life, reading his word & trying to spend time in prayer each day with Him. It is not an easy thing for me to do because of my depression and shock treatments I have had my memory is extremely bad, long and short term. I find it so frustrating to read the Bible and then have totally forgotten what I just read. But God know my heart and I so desire to be used of Him in any way possible. One thing I do remember are old Hymns and Choruses we used to sing which I find helpful to sing them to myself & play Christian music.
Kathleen I just want you to know that I too agree with Judy and will also be praying for you and put you on my prayer list, God is God & always remember Keep Your Eyes On Him! Hugs, Linda!
DEE I JUST WANTED TO ENCOURAGE YOU THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU THOUGHT ABOUT SUICIDE YOU DID NOT GO THROUGH WITH THAT AND GOD IS SO HAPPY THAT YOU DIDN’T AND HE JUST WANTS YOU TO BE CONFIDENT IN HIM AND THAT HE HAS A PURPOSE AND AND PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE AND HE WANTS YOU TO EXPERIENCE FREEDOM AND A PEACE AND A JOY THAT ONLY HE CAN GIVE. DON’T WALK IN CONDIMNATION. YOU FIGHT WITH EVERYTHING IN YOU. GOD LOVES AND WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. DON’T LET THE DEVIL TELL YOU THAT GOD IS UPSET WITH YOU BECAUSE WHEN WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS WE ARE FORGIVEN. HE DOESN’T EVEN SEE IT ANYMORE WE ARE AS WHITE AS SNOW. JUST DON’T FORGET TO FORGIVE YOURSELF. GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DOES YOUR FAMILY. YOU JUST STAND IN YOUR FAITH AND ALLOW GOD TO LIFT YOU UP.
Dear Dee
No, I don’t think you are dammed. And I do believe that God has saved you for a purpose, even if that purpose was just to be able to repent of that had happened.
I read of a speaker who was ministering at the altar when a man came up in tears because he had turned his back on God and was wondering if it was too late, if he God had hardened his heart because he had committed the unpardonable sin. I have treasured his answer which was: “If God had hardened your heart you wouldn’t have, and couldn’t have, come here.” As long as the Holy Spirit can work a desire in you to be received by God, God will still be willing to receive you.
He does know how much you love Him; He searches your heart. The important thing now is for you to know how much He loves you and accept His forgiveness.
Another story that comes to mind is of a little boy who broke his mother’s favorite vase. He said he was sorry and she accepted his apology, but after she had swept up the pieces and put them in the garbage he kept taking them out and bringing them to her and apologizing again. She finally had to tell him to stop because each time she saw the pieces it brought back the pain of her loss.
Sometimes we do that to God. He puts our sins behind Has back where He doesn’t have to look at them, but we keep bringing them back and showing them to Him again.
I pray that you will be able to take this thing of the past to the cross (or lay it on the altar if that is a clearer picture for you)
and truly leave it there.
Recently, I have been in a struggle because treatment for a newly diagnozed lung condition put me on high dose steroids that led to no sleep and temporary psycosis during which I contemplated suicide. I made the decision to put the gun down but it fired into my leg and I have had to go through a gammet of surgery and self evaluation to determine where I stand in my relationship with God. I don’t feel or am not able to communicate with him as I use to and I am trying to believe and keep my faith that he still loves me and will heal me.
I spend my days praying that he will know how much I love him, and how this was just not me. I have read several articles that talk about people who commit suicide are damned but I am still here. Am I damned too? My husband says God has saved me for a purpose and I just have to hold on to my faith. I need encouragement.
This is really hard for me…”To believe is to obey and to obey, is to believe”? I think we would only obey if we believe, but “to believe” in my mind is an act of faith rather than obedience. Am I wrong here?
I suppose my life does not display in many ways that I believe. I worry and try to control things myself rather than letting God be in control. I surrender things to Him, only to take them back and do it my way. I hang on to things when I know it isn’t God’s will. It is hard….very hard, to let go and let God.
Kathleen, I’m sorry God allows some to go through times as you are going through. I will join Judy and other in praying for you daily.
Ladies, Debra has asked that we pray for her mother-in-law, Pat as she returns for her second mammogram after finding a lump. I know you will join me in praying for her.
Obedience? For me it is a daily walk with God, which comes from daily confessions of my sins, daily reading of His Word, daily prayer time, and learning to listen and serve Him. My prayer is to use my talents for Him and not bury them as the servant did in the gospel. Sometimes when I start feeling closer to Him and feel like I might be walking closer to Him my activites (especially on weekends), go before my time with God. My desire is to be obedient and serve Him.
Chris, I am glad you are home again. I have been praying for you. I knew you were sick ,but, yet, I did not know you were in the hospital.
Kathleen, I know what you mean by God being in control and not ourselves. As soon as I read about your cancer I lifted you up to the Lord. I am sure many other sisters in Christ here on this devotional will do the same thing. We will be praying for your health—physical, spiritual and emotional as you go through your journey of treatments. Keep us posted on the dates about surgery, chemo, and radiation so we can pray. I loved what you wrote: “God is good, I am waiting to see what adventure and GOOD that He will create and bring from this best “worst” thing in my life.”
I am on an adventure, too.
Loreli, how true it is what you encouraged Chris with. Yes, there are lots of ladies out there who read, but do not write responses. Bless you for your encouragement.
Margaret, are you pondering your belief system or did you write a theoretical statement? Suzanne, the writer of today’s devotional gave the following website for us to check out and to develop our obedience. http://thelife.com/study/lovebusters.html?section=annoying_habits&ft=BSG-OS
God Bless you all!
Chris t, God will use your story for his glory when you have passed through to a safe place where you can release your pain and not be harmful to yourself any longer. Many times we enjoy our pain and have a hard time letting go but you are an overcomer, it is good that you share the struggles because you may be helping someone that is reading that doesn’t always respond. God bless you today as you stay strong in him. Blessings
Just having been diagnosed with breast cancer and all that it comes with, even though I am a christian believer and thought I was allowing Gods plan in my life, I guess I did have a back up plan of my own and in 14 days from diagnosis to surgery to today I have really become aware of Gods plan for my life and how “in control” I AM NOT. Obedience is the key in addition to hearing Gods voice. I decided to ask God before I do anything, trusting that he will answer me and he has not let me down. God is good, I am waiting to see what adventure and GOOD that he will create and bring from this best “worst” thing in my life. Kathleen
Habits hard to break! Sometimes I think we are programed to old beliefs! How do we know that it is a wrong belief system! Is it a simple as to obey to believe.
AS A HUMAN I AM SOMEONE WHO KEEPS TRYING TO BE IN CONTROL.BY ENDING UP IN THE HOSPTIAOL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IT SHOWS ME THAT IN GODS EYES I CAN’T DO THAT HE IS IN CONTROL.I HAVE PROVEN THAT TIME AND AGAIN WITH MY WEIGHT EVERYTIME I OVER DO IT I END UP PUTTING WEIGHT ON NOT TAKE IT OFF. MY WHO LIFE HAS STORIES LIKE THIS, SO WHAT SUZANNE IS SAYING IS RIGHT GOD IS IN CONTROL NOT US
CHRIS T.