All About GOD
Working Our Faith Out
The desire to be open with complete honesty. To be built up by the Spirit of the Lord in Love. To seek out who we are in Jesus. To discover His Will for our life.
God’s Mighty Hand of Grace
Most of us are prone to make one of two mistakes: either we shrink back from challenges or we take on too much in our own strength. The key to life is to take courage from Jesus with us so that we can persevere in difficulties and serve God in all we do.
A favorite expression in the Bible of God with us to help us, guide us, and empower us is the hand of heaven reaching down to us. Sixty-four times in the Psalms alone the hand of the Lord is there for the Psalmist. Throughout the Bible the hand of God shows up in just the way that we and those around us need it.
Peter learned how to rely upon and act with the hand of God. He wrote: ”God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-8).
The hand of the Lord reaching out to us is a hand of grace and power! It’s the hand we need — always. If only we will humble ourselves to see our need for God’s hand then as we do what we’re doing we’ll watch for his hand to move and join him in what he’s doing.
Following the Lord’s lead is the secret of success in any endeavor. It’s also the secret of being free from anxiety. Did you notice that? Peter says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We often quote that verse without putting it in the context of humbling ourselves under the Lord’s mighty hand. There is no peace without humble submission to the Lord.
a servant (Chris)
Liz
I am so very Thankful of the Word you have shared here. My Prayer is that, this group grows as we edify one another. That we take a few minutes and share, on the comment board. And, also that we as you have done here. To begin a discussion, about the Wisdom we are given as we go through "life." The Wonderful thing about fellowship is when one shares about, something they did and the wisdom gained from by going through something. The one who listens, has the opportunity to make that wisdom also theirs. So they do not have to repeat the mistake, or know the path to take.
Do you think maybe, both mistakes are based on us judging things by our own strength? Yes, so often we are a pendulum, and the only the humble will find balance. As we have humbled ourselves, we find the Spirit leads us past the point of comfort. We quite often discover the floor drops out. We either trust Him or, we Will fall. In this He is testing our Faith. Even though we may not see where to step, we know He Loves us. So we walk with confidence in His Love.
As in the first paragraph, and part of v5 in 1Peter 5 .. And all of you, serve each other in humility..." I so agree context is important. As you have shown here, because He cares for us, we are able to give Him our worries and cares. But, first we must be in that place of humility. As parents we know how well that goes over. That verse about serving each other, Peter has just spoken to the elders and young men. Verse 1-6 tells us plainly, if we have authority use it in the mindset of, 1) we have a Great Shepherd. 2) God put those under you. Then to the younger one, be humble to those over you. Back to the place where, we serve each other humbly. Working together as one. Like you and me right now.
What you have shared, the Wisdom in making sure we are at a place that, we not only can cast; give our worries to God. But, He will accept them, from the humble heart. And, as we operate in Faith and obedience, we can Trust Him and all the directions He take us. And, our Family in God will either, support us and believe that the Spirit does lead us. Or, they step away and continue to Pray for us.
Again, Thank you so much for sharing Liz. I hope I did not go on and on, but blended with what you shared.
Love ya Sister. Lord Bless and give my best to Benny. Have missed sharing with you.
May 28, 2012