The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
Psalm 25:14
So some of you are walking in doubt because you just doubt God’s affection for you. And that’s idolatry, because what you’re doing in essence is looking at the bloody cross of Jesus Christ and going, “That’s not enough. You’re going to have to show me something bigger than this to convince me You love me.” Some of you are wrestling with doubt because you doubt Christ’s affection for you despite the fact that He went to the cross and died for you despite knowing you.
// Lust: the sin we are secretly attracted to//
We seem to know that lust is evil, but in the back of our minds we actually want it. This is a grave mistake. We have been pulled into the seductive trap of a sweet poison placed in pretty containers. Lust is a vile and repugnant evil that we ought to hate. In our love of Jesus may we learn to hate it to the core of our being. Because it most certainly does kill, no matter how pretty it may appear. The appeal is a lie. May the Lord teach us to hate it for the evil it is. And may He grow our affections for Him so that it drives the desire for sin far from us.
Just think back to every scene you’ve ever watched where the evil side has all the attractive women (or men, for the ladies). I think back to most vampire flicks. You know they’re evil as sin, that they would gladly kill you, and yet you still find yourself attracted. We have been seduced by attractiveness to walk to our own death! It is repugnant to think that we would gladly invite our own death, our own poisoning, and like fools walk straight into hell. It’s disgusting what the devil has tricked us into. Fight back my friends! Pray to our Lord Jesus against this! Set your eyes on Him! I don’t want to keep seeing us willingly walk into the vile, veiny, villainous arms of death, just because she has a hot body and a sexy smile.
// Of the humble conceit of ourselves.//
“Every man naturally desires to know: but what availeth knowledge without the fear of God? Better, surely, is an humble rustic that serves God, than a proud philosopher that, neglecting himself, studieth the course of the heavens. Whoever knows himself well, grows mean in his own conceit, and delights not in the praise of men. If I understood all things in the world, and were not in charity, what would that help me in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my deeds?
Cease from an inordinate desire of knowing, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. The learned are well pleased to seem so to others, and to be accounted wise. There be many things, which to know does little or no profit to the soul: and he is very unwise, who is intent upon any things save those which avail for his salvation. Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life comforts the mind, and a pure conscience gives great confidence towards God.
How much the more and the better you know, so much the more rigorously shalt you therefore be judged, unless your life has been the more holy. Be not therefore lifted up for any art or science, but rather fear for the knowledge that is given you.
2. If you think that you knowest many things and understands them very well; know also that there be far more things which you knowest not. Be not high-minded, but rather acknowledge thine own ignorance. Why will you prefer yourself before another, since there be found many more learned, and more skillful in the Law than you are? If you will know or learn any thing profitably, love to be unknown, and to be esteemed as naught.
The deepest and the most profitable lesson is this, the true knowledge and contempt of ourselves. It is great wisdom and high perfection to esteem nothing of ourselves, and to think always well and highly of others. If you should see another openly sin, or commit some heinous offense, you ought not to esteem the better of yourself; for you know not how long you shalt be able to remain in good estate. All of us are frail, but you ought not to think anyone more frail than yourself.” - Thomas A. Kempis, “The Imitation of Christ”
// Worship, no matter what.//
So I’ve been reading Job lately and two things have really stood out to me.
1. Job has it reported to him by 4 different people, back to back, that his kids, servants and animals have all just been killled. What does Job do?
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”
He worships God! He praises God, and He doesnt blame god! Dang!! That definitely tells me that we have to get our hearts right with God and with who He is. Because we definitely do not tend to react this way.
2. Job’s confidence throughout all of this that he didnt do anything wrong to deserve this. He really was confident of where He stood with God. I find that impressive as heck. I also think this is something we need more of, confidence in the truth of where we stand in Jesus.
Ok so there are 3 things I noticed. 3, that Job’s friends are convinced that he did something wrong and that its all a punishment. They aren’t comforting. They are not encouraging. They don’t mourn with him. They just tell him that he did this to himself, so to speak. And I don’t want to be like this. I pray that the Lord would make me to be encouraging, compassionate, merciful, and one who mourns with others in their affliction. May we all become more like Jesus, and not immediately assume people are getting their just desserts.
There’s quite a bit to learn from Job, some of it is theology that Im interested in, like what happens when you do (sleep state), the devil doesn’t have free reign to do whatever he wants, that you can actually be confident (yet humble) in your standing with God. But I think I’ll leave that stuff for another time.
Praise Jesus for His goodness. Yep. I’m out.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” … “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” (Because they really will wage war on your souls.) …”Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
Today: God has given me a ton of freaking joy in learning how to play actual songs on my guitar. I’ve always just messed around, but just 2 days ago I started looking up tabs and learning how to actually play a few songs, and Im really really enjoying it.
Thank Jesus for the joy of music, its been doing wonders for my heart. Thank You Lord, Your kindness is something I dont deserve, thank You for loving me Papa God.
Is anyone else having as rough a time lately, just trying to actually love Jesus, to persevere, battling sin and temptation? Things are very hard for me internally right now. Finding that I cant even share my real thoughts right now, just because I dont want it to be taken wrong.
Whatever…
But God is good and worthy of glory. Father help me love You and Your Son and Your Spirit with all of my mind, soul, heart, and strength. I need You and Your help, because I cant help myself.
