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Spilt milk-don't cry
JJ:
Quoting Ray from a recent email exchange:
"One giant benefit of knowing that all is of God according to His plan and intention, is that you will
no longer cry over spilt milk. Yesterday's problems and heartaches will not haunt you. You will not
worry anymore over why you didn't do differently. NOW you can learn and do differently--
FORGETTING THE PAST."
So profoundly true. Makes life totally different for me. What about you all?
We don't have to keep a perfectly clean slate, with all the regrets that we missed
opportunities or failed to do what needed to be done. We are NOT gods to control
and effect the outcome of life! But we do HAVE a true GOD that is in control! WOW!
We can agree with God about our weakness and sin. We can know that He had a
different plan than the "perfect" way we thought it should go and failed to accomplish--
for God has purposes that we can not see nor understand-- purposes to bring all to
Himself. And this realization/belief does not make us lax or careless about
our life and sin. It makes me desire to do better and turn from sin.
Sets me free! Brings peace and joy! A miracle in this crazy world that seems out of control!
Can any of you share about how learning of God's total sovereignty has changed your life?
Jayle
brothertoall:
Jayle,
I can tell this is going to be a great thread you started here.
In the world of christiandom I was constantly trying to live by the rules that man put upon me. I was ever striving to do better,I was always trying to do for God instead of letting Him do it in me.
I was trying so hard to please Him with what I could do or not do and it was pure agony. I had a real I problem and was blind in both!
He has set me free from that I problem.
There are times when I have thoughts of what I did and the sins that I commited and I do believe it is the adversary that likes to throw these sins back in our faces at times.And here is what the scripture has to say about that:
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
It is not always easy and pleasant to go through at times but God will finish His work in us all!!That is enough to stand up and shout with JOY!!!
bobby
orion77:
So true, Jayle.
For me, when the beast was recognized, and the carnality took its place under the soverignity of God was truly liberating. This was a process that took many years, only because of my own stubborness. Now, seeing the simplicity in Christ, is a freedom that only God can give.
God bless,
Gary
JJ:
Bobby, this thread is getting better, now that you shared your experience and we can always count on you
for relevent scripture. Thanks. Great vereses! How many times have we read, quoted, heard those scriptures, but do we
really GET the meaning? I think we do understand them more accurately, as they were intended, NOW
that we understand God's sovereignty, purpose and refining work to save ALL.
We are not striving to make ourselves perfect, as many of us learned in religion (even the non-legalistic/grace only
nondenominations). We are reaching forward, pressing for the prize of the high-calling of God in Christ Jesus. But
most of my reaching is pleading for strength and mercy and most of my pressing is in determination to endure and
keep faith in the face of the painful refinement process. There is always that awareness that God brings that I was
being carnal-minded or selfish and it is kinda like-- trip, stumble, fall, bounce up and with a quick look back to see
what it was that tripped me, keep moving forward with the mental note to look out for that "stumbling block" in the
future. There is repentence/agreement with God happening during that process, but not the beating myself up
thing-- that is really kinda prideful in my experience- because it means I didn't want to make a mistake--I wanted
to be perfect. Have to think deeply and go round and round to realize that. Once we see we are nothing/sinful, we
aren't shocked by our failings.
Anyway, it is no longer the list of "do's and don't's" of religion to make myself a better christian: go to church,
give my time serving the church, read my Bible, go to meeting/studies, pray, cram salvation down someone's
throat--- do NOT drink, smoke, dance, cuss....... etc...... the list varies form one denomination to another, but
we now realize WE aren't saved by our own faith, nor are we kept by our own works..... it is ALL of God!
It was pure agony before wasn't it. Now it is just suffering, losing self...... but kinda like cleaning house for a
move...... no fun to do, but after the "junk" is gone......... aaaahhhh....... the burdens are lighter. Peace!
Yes, Gary, it is a liberation that only God can give us!
Can't wait to hear more testimonies from others as well. It is very encouraging to hear others speak truths
of God in reference to real life experiences in their lives.
Jayle
brothertoall:
Jayle how wonderful it is to know that God loves you and all here,all His creation and little ole me!
That was revealed to me the day I knew God was a God of love & redemtion and not some god that apperantly could not wait to throw those that were not in the clique of christiandom straight into a hell of torment.
Here are one of my favorite verses:
John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Now you did it Jayle and you got me happy and thankful to our Father.Thank you for the blessing my friend.
bobby(bob)
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