It's Siesta Scripture Memory Team time again and I'm up to verse 3. I had chosen another verse for this fortnight, but the Lord pointed me in another direction with my morning devotional today. My verse is as follows:
“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
I have been growing weary and losing heart lately so this verse has been quite timely. The areas that I'm finding hard to deal with at present are firstly my daughter's new persona as a school student, and also issues that I'm having with her father, of whom I separated from 3 years ago.
I feel that I'm not only fighting the enemy with the changes within my daughter, but I'm also fighting her father due to his inability to support his child in so many ways. I know that I am not to fight these battles alone, and I know that I am guilty of not calling on my Heavenly Father to take control and guide me through all this. I also know that I need God to place in me realistic expectations - His expectations - about how He wants the situations to unfold.
The NIV study bible note on this verse reads that Jesus "...suffered infinitely more than any of his disciples is asked to suffer - a great encouragement for us when we are weary and tempted to become discouraged." I need to remember that my daily struggles do not, and will never, match up to the suffering that Jesus suffered to release me from the bondage of sin. I am not insulted (well, not like He was anyway!), spat on, slapped, punched, tied up with ropes, flayed, pierced with thorns and a spear, or am I hung up on a cross to die. I may suffer the indignation of angst and anger from people I deal with in my life, but my suffering will never, ever match up to the burden that Jesus took for me.
The preceding verse - Hebrews 12:2 - gives the solution to my dilemma:
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I need to give it all up to Him. I need to get on my knees and ask Him to guide me, give me the strength and courage I need to deal with these situations, ask Him for the right words to speak when I need them, and also to give me the wisdom to deal with these situations how He wants me to.
I also really love verse one of this chapter:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
I hinder myself with my expectations and how I think things should unfold. It's not up to me, it's up to God. I need to remember minute by minute that I am God's Girl and I have been placed where I am for His glory, not my own. I suffer because I hinder myself, and I suffer because I am in the world yet not of the world. I also need to remember that I am God's witness and that everyone I deal with in my every day needs to see Jesus shine through me.
Verses 14 and 15 sum up how I need to act towards my daughter, her father and everyone else who I deal with every day:
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
I have been growing weary and losing heart lately so this verse has been quite timely. The areas that I'm finding hard to deal with at present are firstly my daughter's new persona as a school student, and also issues that I'm having with her father, of whom I separated from 3 years ago.
I feel that I'm not only fighting the enemy with the changes within my daughter, but I'm also fighting her father due to his inability to support his child in so many ways. I know that I am not to fight these battles alone, and I know that I am guilty of not calling on my Heavenly Father to take control and guide me through all this. I also know that I need God to place in me realistic expectations - His expectations - about how He wants the situations to unfold.
The NIV study bible note on this verse reads that Jesus "...suffered infinitely more than any of his disciples is asked to suffer - a great encouragement for us when we are weary and tempted to become discouraged." I need to remember that my daily struggles do not, and will never, match up to the suffering that Jesus suffered to release me from the bondage of sin. I am not insulted (well, not like He was anyway!), spat on, slapped, punched, tied up with ropes, flayed, pierced with thorns and a spear, or am I hung up on a cross to die. I may suffer the indignation of angst and anger from people I deal with in my life, but my suffering will never, ever match up to the burden that Jesus took for me.
The preceding verse - Hebrews 12:2 - gives the solution to my dilemma:
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I need to give it all up to Him. I need to get on my knees and ask Him to guide me, give me the strength and courage I need to deal with these situations, ask Him for the right words to speak when I need them, and also to give me the wisdom to deal with these situations how He wants me to.
I also really love verse one of this chapter:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
I hinder myself with my expectations and how I think things should unfold. It's not up to me, it's up to God. I need to remember minute by minute that I am God's Girl and I have been placed where I am for His glory, not my own. I suffer because I hinder myself, and I suffer because I am in the world yet not of the world. I also need to remember that I am God's witness and that everyone I deal with in my every day needs to see Jesus shine through me.
Verses 14 and 15 sum up how I need to act towards my daughter, her father and everyone else who I deal with every day:
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Paula, this was a RICH discussion! Your words pricked my heart in a way it needed to be pricked. "So that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Thank you for going the extra mile to share the context of your memory verse - I am blessed today because you did.
ReplyDeleteWow Paula. This is a great message on obedience. Praise God! It's inspired my next blog post.... How awesome is that!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're feeling discouraged, sweet friend...Not only is the Lord with you, but you have this passel of bloggy friends lifting you up in prayer. Can you feel that?
ReplyDeleteI'm sending cyber hugs.
:)Laura
Oh, I remember when I interpreted Hebrews 12 in my driveway after church. The Spirit allowed me to disect it and understand it in detail. I posted on it. Discipline is a Blessing. Actually, in search for it, there were many I passed that might encourage your heart. Click on 2008 and every one of them will be in view to scroll. I have unlimited posts on a page.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Paula
Paula my friend,
ReplyDeleteI know those earthly discourgments all to well, have lived the ones you describe.
I love what you wrote here, " hinder myself with my expectations and how I think things should unfold. It's not up to me, it's up to God. I need to remember minute by minute that I am God's Girl and I have been placed where I am for His glory, not my own. I suffer because I hinder myself, and I suffer because I am in the world yet not of the world. I also need to remember that I am God's witness and that everyone I deal with in my every day needs to see Jesus shine through me."
I will pray for these things specifically for you, also for Jasmine and her new side coming out. I pray over my Boo everynight, because even at her little private Christian school, there is so much influence in language, attitude, and all the other. Be strong in our Lord.
Love you much,
Carol
And by the way consider yourself tagged, I want to know the story be hind the car picture. (or just email it to me hehe)
Hugs from your sister on another contintent.