Listen and Be Strengthened

"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. 2 Cor 13:4

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2Cor 12:9

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

I'm still enjoying Brennan Manning's book "The Importance of Being Foolish". This quote from page 132 excerpted from writing by Dietrich Bonhoeffer says,
"Satan's desire is to turn me in on myself to the extent that I become enslaved and become a destructive force in community. The thrust from Jesus Christ is the opposite - to enhance my freedom so that I can become a creative force of love. It is the spirit of self-centeredness and selfishness versus the spirit of openness and self-sacrifice for the good of others."

I read this and think "Ahhhh YES!!!"
This is truly the battle. And it's sometimes a ferocious one, where I must step forward into the light and make the good choice every time, especially when I don't feel like it, because the far reaching effects of the selfish decision in the moment, could be shattering.

Yet through all the scriptures listed I hear the call to wait and listen. How can we operate in His grace when we haven't partaken of it. I know that sometimes it's a moment by moment call, but we must have eaten of the Bread of Life for the strength to follow. We must be abiding in the vine for the fruit to be evident.

Stop and listen, abide, wait, be weak, He is strong.

Let go...

Trust...

Help me Lord, each moment to do this, for then it's not me, it's You and only You can make anything good come from me.

Type in "Larry Norman, The Tune, youtube" into your search engine and you'll view a unique presentation of a song about how we get out of tune and have to listen...
Enlarge the screen if you can to watch. Larry always put on a good show.

Thank you God for your never ending patience and presence, in Jesus Name...

Comments

Anonymous said…
I don't know how God manages to dovetail so many needs at one time -- amazing! But your post this morning is so apropos of something I've been going through the last week. Some sniping, infighting and gossipy (Christian) women made my life miserable for several days, and I let it, because I didn't remember to pull myself out of myself, as you nicely put it. This morning I read Psalm 29 (the voice of the LORD will strip the cedars... not us!)

Thanks,
Alex
7:10 AM
Belinda said…
Ang, You and Larry Norman made me cry. Oh, what a beautiful and true message, and oh, how I needed; how we all, need it this morning.

I'm listening...
7:11 AM
Angcat said…
Hi Alex and Belinda,
You don't know how encouraging these comments are to me. Sometimes we get into a battle and think we're the only ones facing strife and conflict and selfishness. Yet what you have both said reminds me that the enemy is doing his utmost to spread widespread difficulty, especially through the body of Christ.
Yes, let us draw near (to Him) with full assurance of faith...
I love Larry Norman. He's playing and singing for the audience of One now, but he sure did tell it well when he was here.
Love Ang

listening too...
9:09 AM
Joyful Fox said…
Angcat,

I like what you quoted by Brennan Manning, "Sometimes we have to draw out of ourselves"

When we most need to draw out, our natural inclination is to withdraw.

The verses are incredibly encouraging too! When we are weak, He is strong. His strength, our trust, abiding, listening... beautiful

Thanks for being used of Him. In your weakness He is strong, sister. We're all there at times and I'm rowing your boat right now too!
11:55 AM
Meg said…
Love your stuff. Thanks for all the reminders. It is a moment by moment choice And i appreciate the contrast between the destructive and the creative force. That brings out the human dimension of the warfare too, which is essential always.
6:21 PM
Meg said…
Love your stuff. Thanks for all the reminders. It is a moment by moment choice And i appreciate the contrast between the destructive and the creative force. That brings out the human dimension of the warfare too, which is essential always.
6:21 PM
Meg said…
Love your stuff. Thanks for all the reminders. It is a moment by moment choice And i appreciate the contrast between the destructive and the creative force. That brings out the human dimension of the warfare too, which is essential always.
6:21 PM
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