Food for thought

" Not withstanding in this rejoice not..., but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:19-20

" Jesus Christ says , in effect , don't rejoice in successful service, but rejoice because you are rightly related to me." Oswald Chambers

When we are walking with the Lord in spirit we experience His joy . Serving Him is a joy ; however when we are alive in Christ Jesus do you think satan will be content to leave us alone? Look at Job, are we really prepared for the testing ? Many of us fall or faint away at this point,when the trials and temptations come, try rejoicing instead that you are God's child. Sounds much easier to say than do , do it anyway, feelings will catch up later, this takes an act of faith. Learn to pay no mind to feelings and see what God allows to roll off your back. There is no part of you that satan can have unless you're willing to give it over. It is an awesome privilege God gives His children in letting them serve , HE LETS US! We can do nothing except through Him. Mother Teresa must again be quoted here " We can no great things, only small things with great love." and who is love? ;" God is love! " For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. We have the ultimate example of a humble servant, the question is are we letting Him live through us fully; or do we continue to slip up and start to become puffed up on our own ability?, which by the way is a lie straight from the pit of hell! and a very scary one at that. Pride , self -righteousness, and haughtiness ... are very slippery slopes that we must intentionally and prayerfully stay away from and the only way to do this is to walk in the presence of the Lord continually. Do not be dismayed but rejoice , for if your heart desires it , it can be done through the strength of Christ who lives in us. Brother Lawrence has been a huge blessing on this very point . We can not be our" Utmost for His Highest " if we do not "Practice the Presence of God". Remember we are His children whom He deeply loves so when a distraction comes as it does to a child, you can imagine the joy we give our Father when we look up and acknowledge our distraction and say OK Dad now where were we ? ( paraphrased from Brother Lawrence.) Our Father never leaves His children, but as children we do become distracted. Pray for the nudging , so you become keenly aware when this distraction comes. " We have not because we ask not." The saddest thing I could ever imagine is to know what it feels like to be alive in Christ Jesus only to slide down the slope of self indulgence. To die to ourselves is the only way we may know what it is to live. Lord I pray that your Son's humble example for you alone may shine through your children bringing much glory to the Lord for all to see. In Jesus Christ our Lord and saviors name Amen. Love to all in Christ C:)