Good Morning!

We had a strong thunderstorm come through last night. I’m not aware of any significant damage. God’s nature is very incredible to behold!

I read a Facebook post today from “Finding Joy in His Word with Asheritah” that I found interesting. I have read a book of hers regarding food fixation. It is probably the best book I have read on conquering gluttony. There are no diets or exercise programs anywhere in its pages. It tackles food abuse as a spiritual problem. Indeed, it is.

Her verse today was this:

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

As with the battle with food, we find it difficult to “try harder” in regard to matters spiritual. In fact, the harder we try, the more we eventually become frustrated. We shouldn’t be surprised at this. Jesus was clear in why.

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

This was a verse that made me sit up straight the first time it sunk in. No wonder I am frustrated the harder I try. The more effort I exert, the more “I” am trying. It becomes an effort about “me.” Even though I may be striving for a holy goal, yet my efforts are solely mine, it is pride and not the sacrifice God desires. Right? If you recall, it is this type of thing that kept Moses, himself, from entering the Promised Land. Remember that? Moses struck the rock and water gushed forth, but he neglected to give God the glory. I need to be careful about this.

Now, I don’t want to frighten you, but there is a good lesson here. All good things come from God, even if they are through our efforts. Our problem is that we forget God and try to do stuff on our own. Frustration is inevitable. Rightly so.

I really like Asheritah’s thoughts on this:

The problem is not that we don’t love enough. The real problem is that we don’t reflect enough on the magnitude of Christ’s love for us. Quite simply, Christ’s love COMPELS us. As we spend time meditating on what Jesus did for us on the cross – how He died for our sins while we were still His enemies – we will be moved to adoration, and that inevitably leads to transformation.

As we receive God’s love poured out through Jesus Christ, we can’t help but love others as well. We become conduits of God’s love in the world, not because we’re trying harder but because His love is springing up and out and over into the lives of those around us.

I think that makes a lot of sense.

Father, I want this. I really want this. Please lead me to this place so that I may dwell on these things. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 Scott Powers