WILL I WILL MY WILL TO GOD'S WILL?

THe answer? Aftermany years of fighting God, the answer is without doubt--YES!

In reading the Book of James this morning, verse 6 told me, "It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud, but God gives grace to the wlling humble"."

Oh, boy!I guess humans haven't changed much since the era of James. I don't really know if this James was Jesus' brother--I'd like to think so--the head of the new Christian congregation in Jerusalem at the time, or some other James. Whoever he was, he is in the New Testament and the one who puts the heat on about my tongue and what I say. And I think he's right about the tongue and the great harm it can do. So, I pray that my words here today will in no way dishonor God.

It is my opinion that the words about God hating the proud are also true. The words above from verse 6 are somewhat like we might say, "Pride goeth before a fall."
That is probably a proverb, and proverbs in James' day might have hung on a kitchen wall as we might hang the same words. So we're not different from the people discussed in James' writing. "Truth" is good whatever the date. We will always need reminders that having too much pride brings TROUBLE. And having too much pride comes from our willful natures.

Babies are born with strong wills. It's good that they are because their cries are the only way we adults can tell that they are hungry or wet or sleepy. So, friends, in spite of the difficulty and the temptation to stay the way I was born, in order to become the person God wanted me to be, I had to accede my will to God. God was gracious enough to me to teach me about humility. I had to learn not to be so hung up on myself, consider others first, and ask God to direct me to His perfect will. In return, God, I believe, helped me to think like Jesus would, so I could have more assurance in what I was to do. All this learning came over a period of time (and is still "in progress.") When I begin to think my importance is bigger than someone else's, or bigger than God's honor, I'm back into PRIDE. And pride is all the wrong things: arrogance, selfishness, unfriendliness, and not loving at all!

So, I hope you join me in a prayer--for me and if you like, for you.

Lord Jesus, I ask your help in my thinking, in my desires, in my actions, and especially in my heart. I want to have a willing, humble spirit which is willing to love by forgetting about myself, by serving others and thinking of them before myself, to be a friendly helper, with kindness and goodness and to always remember that my will has been turned over to you to become yours, your perfect will. AMEN

So may it ever be! Jo

COME TO JESUS AND LIVE!

How do I dare use this song's beautiful title for the simple writing I'm about to do? I'm using it because it says exactly what I need to say. Hebrews 12:22b-24 says the same thing as this lovely song. Let me repeat Hebrews for you: "You've come to Mt.Zion, the city where the living God resides. The invisible Jerusalem is populated by throngs of festive angels and Christian citizens. It is the city where God is Judge, with judgments that make us just. You've come to Jesus...".

It occurred to me that when the Israelites were going through the wilderness and encountered God, through Moses at Mt. Sinai, they were afraid to hear God speak. They were terrified. Today, we can go to Jesus without fear and see God as judge who teaches us to be just. God also teaches us that we have, through Jesus, a new covenant with Him, one of grace, mercy, and purest love. The idea of a Jerusalem (a place of many names) where we will find "throngs of festive angels" and other people such as me who have gone to Jesus who are singing together, praising God together, ministering to one another, and celebrating our One-ness with each other and with our Lord Jesus.

I hope you have found your special Jerusalem!

Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, and Live!

Your ever hopeful friend, jo