Argumentative- given to argument which is an oral disagreement or quarrel (angry dispute or al
tercation)
My husband and I heard a sermon a couple weeks ago that said we need to value our relationships more than our need to be right. One way to keep this possible is through humility.
When you are using your tongue to be argumentative, how humble are you at that moment? I am not saying you will never disagree or have discussions but at what point do we as Benjamin Franklin said, "On this point, I agree. But on the other, if you don't mind, may I take exception?"
There are two verses in the Bible that have helped me with this area of being argumentative, especially as a wife. The second half of Proverbs 19:13, ' and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.'
I am sure you've experienced a leaking tap or a drain. After a while the constant dripping is very irritating. I do not want to be this to my husband.
The other verses are Ephesians 4:26,27,' In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.'
Now it doesn't say we will never get angry, just not to sin in it. I have had a couple of those nights where I was angry at Wade and I stewed in it. I laid on MY side as far away as possible, awake most of the night, while he snored contendedly on HIS side oblivious to my distress. All it did was make me miserable and created opportunity for the devil to cause division.
So we try to heed to God's word in not letting the sun go down on our anger and work things out. I have had to learn to calm my argumentative tongue and sometimes just agree to disagree. I value my relationship with him more than proving I am right. It has not been an easy process believe me, but it brings much fruit.
Remember it takes two to tangle and some people are prone to try and draw you into a quarrel. The authors response to these types of people is to say with as much finality as she can, "Okay, that's your opinion."
Respecting someone's opinion will go far in taming our tongues. As Emmerson Eggerichs says in Love & Respect, "Choose to trust your spouse's good intentions."
I know this can apply to all kinds of relationships. As you reflect on how you use your tongue this way, can you stop, think and pray before you engage in your next quarrel?
Speaking the Truth
'What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.' Ephesians 4:1,2
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Day 5 The Divisive Tongue
Divisive - creating dissension or discord which is strong disagreement or lack of harmony.
I've heard it said that God's Kingdom is like math, God will add and multiply for His Kingdom, while satan will subtract and divide to try and break it apart.
I see the destructive effects of this use of the tongue daily. In my workplace, my immediate and extended family and sadly in the church.
Deborah Pegue writes, ' Divide and conquer is one of Satan's most effective strategies for hindering the effectiveness of any effort undertaken by two or more people. He knows the power, synergy and blessings that result when we work in harmony; therefore, he makes every effort to bring division.'
In Proverbs 6 it lists seven things the Lord detests, vs 19 says 'a man who stirs up dissension among brothers'.
To God disunity is serious business. Are you bringing peace or division by the words you speak?
Speaking the Truth
'Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.' Ephesians 4:2,3
'Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy...' Hebrews 12:14a
I've heard it said that God's Kingdom is like math, God will add and multiply for His Kingdom, while satan will subtract and divide to try and break it apart.
I see the destructive effects of this use of the tongue daily. In my workplace, my immediate and extended family and sadly in the church.
Deborah Pegue writes, ' Divide and conquer is one of Satan's most effective strategies for hindering the effectiveness of any effort undertaken by two or more people. He knows the power, synergy and blessings that result when we work in harmony; therefore, he makes every effort to bring division.'
In Proverbs 6 it lists seven things the Lord detests, vs 19 says 'a man who stirs up dissension among brothers'.
To God disunity is serious business. Are you bringing peace or division by the words you speak?
Speaking the Truth
'Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.' Ephesians 4:2,3
'Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy...' Hebrews 12:14a
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Day 4 The Hasty Tongue
Hasty - speedy, hurried, unduly quick or rash.
I confessed at the beginning of this series that my tongue is sometimes quicker than my brain. Speaking hastily leaves no room for thoughtfulness or wisdom. The author shared that her mentor advised her to Stop, think and pray before she spoke.
I think this would be a good chapter to employ the use of Amy Carmichael's third question. Is it necessary? I am trying to listen more and recognize when my two cents are not necessary in a conversation.
My son Owen, who is 10, tends to throw in his ideas a lot. It drives his sisters crazy. We are trying to teach him that it is not always necessary to comment in a conversation, especially that others are having. Another thing we are trying to impart is that he does not have to prove that he is right, even if he is. His tongue is hasty not to let things lie as they may. I know this tendency is a learned behavior from his sisters and I. So I have hope that he can unlearn it as well.
One other downfall of a hasty tongue is we may end up making commitments we haven't really thought through or prayed about.
God wants us to keep our promises. Matthew 5:37 'Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No', 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.'
This verse has helped me to be a person of my word and so I do not want to be hasty in committing to things. I still need a lot of help to bite my tongue and sit on my hands. In the past I overcommitted a lot in order to please people, my heart is now to please God and use my time wisely.
I like how Deborah Pegue ends this chapter. 'Time and words are two things that, once gone, can never be recovered. We must take time to weigh our words before we release them.'
How are you weighing your words today?
Speaking the Truth
James 1:19 'My dear brothers (and sisters) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.' (parentheses mine)
I confessed at the beginning of this series that my tongue is sometimes quicker than my brain. Speaking hastily leaves no room for thoughtfulness or wisdom. The author shared that her mentor advised her to Stop, think and pray before she spoke.
I think this would be a good chapter to employ the use of Amy Carmichael's third question. Is it necessary? I am trying to listen more and recognize when my two cents are not necessary in a conversation.
My son Owen, who is 10, tends to throw in his ideas a lot. It drives his sisters crazy. We are trying to teach him that it is not always necessary to comment in a conversation, especially that others are having. Another thing we are trying to impart is that he does not have to prove that he is right, even if he is. His tongue is hasty not to let things lie as they may. I know this tendency is a learned behavior from his sisters and I. So I have hope that he can unlearn it as well.
One other downfall of a hasty tongue is we may end up making commitments we haven't really thought through or prayed about.
God wants us to keep our promises. Matthew 5:37 'Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No', 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.'
This verse has helped me to be a person of my word and so I do not want to be hasty in committing to things. I still need a lot of help to bite my tongue and sit on my hands. In the past I overcommitted a lot in order to please people, my heart is now to please God and use my time wisely.
I like how Deborah Pegue ends this chapter. 'Time and words are two things that, once gone, can never be recovered. We must take time to weigh our words before we release them.'
How are you weighing your words today?
Speaking the Truth
James 1:19 'My dear brothers (and sisters) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.' (parentheses mine)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Day 3 The Manipulating Tongue
Dictionary.com says manipulative means influencing or attempting to influence the behavior or emotions of others for one's own purposes.
I am afraid that even the title of this chapter has brought conviction in my heart. Praise God I have experienced a lot of redemption from using my tongue in this way. I think I am so sensitive to hearing others manipulate with their words because it is so familiar to me. Sadly, it has become so familiar to many people that they are unaware of the damage that it creates.
Manipulation started way back in the garden of Eden when the serpent influenced Eve to taste the fruit. I like how the author put it when she said, manipulation is deceptive and attempts to take away a person's freewill choice.
It seems to be more and more prevalent in society to be indirect and manipulative rather than upfront and honest. All kinds of tactics are used from guilt trips to portraying to be innocent, suffering victims of circumstances. Is this a result of our own insecurity? Think over a day of interacting with people and just ask God to reveal to you how often you or someone else employs this type of speaking.
As I reflect back to when this was a common way for me to communicate, it breaks my heart that I was that empty. My own sense of unworthiness was what fueled my manipulation.
If only....they would like me
If only....they would approve of me
If only....they would love me
Then I was ok....
This was a hard chapter to digest and so I don't want to belabor ir too much. I know for me freedom in this area has come from knowing I am worthy in Christ. So I will finish with His words of who we are for us to battle the use of manipulation.
Speaking the Truth
2 Corinthians 5:17 'Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come. vs 21 God made him who had no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
I am afraid that even the title of this chapter has brought conviction in my heart. Praise God I have experienced a lot of redemption from using my tongue in this way. I think I am so sensitive to hearing others manipulate with their words because it is so familiar to me. Sadly, it has become so familiar to many people that they are unaware of the damage that it creates.
Manipulation started way back in the garden of Eden when the serpent influenced Eve to taste the fruit. I like how the author put it when she said, manipulation is deceptive and attempts to take away a person's freewill choice.
It seems to be more and more prevalent in society to be indirect and manipulative rather than upfront and honest. All kinds of tactics are used from guilt trips to portraying to be innocent, suffering victims of circumstances. Is this a result of our own insecurity? Think over a day of interacting with people and just ask God to reveal to you how often you or someone else employs this type of speaking.
As I reflect back to when this was a common way for me to communicate, it breaks my heart that I was that empty. My own sense of unworthiness was what fueled my manipulation.
If only....they would like me
If only....they would approve of me
If only....they would love me
Then I was ok....
This was a hard chapter to digest and so I don't want to belabor ir too much. I know for me freedom in this area has come from knowing I am worthy in Christ. So I will finish with His words of who we are for us to battle the use of manipulation.
Speaking the Truth
2 Corinthians 5:17 'Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come. vs 21 God made him who had no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Day 2 The Flattering Tongue
The adventure continues... Interestingly I have had much opportunity already to test my tongue temperature!
Flattery according to dictionary.com means a flattering compliment or speech;excessive insincere praise.
This use of the tongue is very familiar to me as I both received this and in turn used it for many years. I believe the root cause of this is insecurity and not having a true sense of identity.
The author suggests that engaging in flattery shows our lack of faith in God's ability to give us favor with others. All through the Bible there are many examples of God's children having favor with man. It usually involved much time of waiting and preparation. If we use flattery, it creates instant although empty results.
My Mom, bless her soul, spoke much in the way of flattery to me. The author says that if you over compliment a person the flower of your words will soon wilt and lose all impact. This is exactly the effect Mom's words created. They became hollow to me, perhaps early on there was temporary uplifting, but soon they were meaningless. I don't think this was her conscious intention but it took many years to receive things from others without thinking it was empty words.
Psalm 12:3 'May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue' I don't want to lose the blessings of God by this careless use of my tongue.
I think flattery is sometimes mixed up with compliments. Compliment according to dictionary.com is an expression of praise, commendation or admiration.
Remember flattery is excessive and insincere while a compliment is genuine.
One of our tongue temperature checks for this can be a check of our motives when bringing praise. As Deborah Pegue says people generally look with disfavor, rather than favor on someone who compliments them with no apparent reason.
If you find yourself giving flowery praise, what are your intentions?
Speaking the Truth
(The author has todays affirmations as the closing of her chapters. I will close my daily entries with Speaking the Truth. I know speaking God's truth out loud is powerful and key in changing things in our hearts.)
'I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man, for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.' Job 32:21,22
Flattery according to dictionary.com means a flattering compliment or speech;excessive insincere praise.
This use of the tongue is very familiar to me as I both received this and in turn used it for many years. I believe the root cause of this is insecurity and not having a true sense of identity.
The author suggests that engaging in flattery shows our lack of faith in God's ability to give us favor with others. All through the Bible there are many examples of God's children having favor with man. It usually involved much time of waiting and preparation. If we use flattery, it creates instant although empty results.
My Mom, bless her soul, spoke much in the way of flattery to me. The author says that if you over compliment a person the flower of your words will soon wilt and lose all impact. This is exactly the effect Mom's words created. They became hollow to me, perhaps early on there was temporary uplifting, but soon they were meaningless. I don't think this was her conscious intention but it took many years to receive things from others without thinking it was empty words.
Psalm 12:3 'May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue' I don't want to lose the blessings of God by this careless use of my tongue.
I think flattery is sometimes mixed up with compliments. Compliment according to dictionary.com is an expression of praise, commendation or admiration.
Remember flattery is excessive and insincere while a compliment is genuine.
One of our tongue temperature checks for this can be a check of our motives when bringing praise. As Deborah Pegue says people generally look with disfavor, rather than favor on someone who compliments them with no apparent reason.
If you find yourself giving flowery praise, what are your intentions?
Speaking the Truth
(The author has todays affirmations as the closing of her chapters. I will close my daily entries with Speaking the Truth. I know speaking God's truth out loud is powerful and key in changing things in our hearts.)
'I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man, for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.' Job 32:21,22
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Day 1 The Lying Tongue
I invited you along on this journey to abstain from wrong uses of our tongues. I concede that these ideas are the opinions of the author (strong and convincing enough mind you that they were published!) from her book 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue. I encourage you to purchase this little pocketbook and read along. Some of the ideas you may not agree with and you may not even recognize or relate to them in yourself. I challenge you to ask God to reveal if any of these ways are in you. As we talk about deceit this first chapter, remember that deceit or trickery is one of satan's favorite things to do and our eyes may be blinded.
Although correction can be painful, I know that God intends it for your good. My prayer is that our hearts will be open. I hope too that we will realize all of the willpower in the world will not be sufficient to bring permanent change. I believe that only the Spirit of God can bring true change in bridling our tongue and bringing it into submission. Deborah Smith Pegues also gives a caveat in this book that it is not meant for us to avoid expressing personal boundaries, desires or displeasure with situations. Confrontation is sometimes needed for resolution but we can learn to speak wisely and in a timely manner.
So all of this being said, let this be our cry for change in a lying tongue. Psalm 120:2 'Save me O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.'
The author proposes lying comes in four basic ways. Deceitfulness, half-truths, exaggerations and flattery. Flattery gets the whole next chapter to itself.
Are you uncomfortable with me already?
Deceive according to Websters is to mislead by a false appearance or a statement; trick.
Deceit is in essence, not trusting God with an outcome. When we feel the need to manipulate or trick in a situation, we are taking it into our oh so human hands. Yikes.
Integrity derives from the word integer. It is a mathematical term that means a whole number as opposed to a fraction.
The other day my husband, son and I were shopping for supplies to finish our gates. We had left and I was looking over the bill when I realized they had only charged us for 6 boards when we had taken 8. They were $2.84 a piece. Wade did not hesitate as he found somewhere to turn around and go pay for those two boards. What an example to our son and to my heart. It was a teachable moment about the meaning of integrity and walking in truth. Would you turn back for $5.86 plus tax? Would you turn back for a quarter?
Do you know anyone who exaggerates the truth? I do and often I don't put much merit into the things they say. I find it sad to base their credibility on that but sometimes I cannot see through the filter of their past storytelling.
I too need to learn to be enthusiastic about telling a story versus embellishing it for attention.
God has a stern warning in Revelation that all liars will be seperated from Him. How serious are you in taking your tongue temperature around lying? Bring to God in confession those areas which are weak.
Speaking the truth:
'My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just, none of them is crooked or perverse' Proverbs 8:7,8
Although correction can be painful, I know that God intends it for your good. My prayer is that our hearts will be open. I hope too that we will realize all of the willpower in the world will not be sufficient to bring permanent change. I believe that only the Spirit of God can bring true change in bridling our tongue and bringing it into submission. Deborah Smith Pegues also gives a caveat in this book that it is not meant for us to avoid expressing personal boundaries, desires or displeasure with situations. Confrontation is sometimes needed for resolution but we can learn to speak wisely and in a timely manner.
So all of this being said, let this be our cry for change in a lying tongue. Psalm 120:2 'Save me O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.'
The author proposes lying comes in four basic ways. Deceitfulness, half-truths, exaggerations and flattery. Flattery gets the whole next chapter to itself.
Are you uncomfortable with me already?
Deceive according to Websters is to mislead by a false appearance or a statement; trick.
Deceit is in essence, not trusting God with an outcome. When we feel the need to manipulate or trick in a situation, we are taking it into our oh so human hands. Yikes.
Integrity derives from the word integer. It is a mathematical term that means a whole number as opposed to a fraction.
The other day my husband, son and I were shopping for supplies to finish our gates. We had left and I was looking over the bill when I realized they had only charged us for 6 boards when we had taken 8. They were $2.84 a piece. Wade did not hesitate as he found somewhere to turn around and go pay for those two boards. What an example to our son and to my heart. It was a teachable moment about the meaning of integrity and walking in truth. Would you turn back for $5.86 plus tax? Would you turn back for a quarter?
Do you know anyone who exaggerates the truth? I do and often I don't put much merit into the things they say. I find it sad to base their credibility on that but sometimes I cannot see through the filter of their past storytelling.
I too need to learn to be enthusiastic about telling a story versus embellishing it for attention.
God has a stern warning in Revelation that all liars will be seperated from Him. How serious are you in taking your tongue temperature around lying? Bring to God in confession those areas which are weak.
Speaking the truth:
'My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just, none of them is crooked or perverse' Proverbs 8:7,8
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
How is your tongue temperature?
As I continue to journey deeper with God, He is gently placing His finger on areas of my life that hmmm, let's say, need attention. One of these areas is my mouth. Now this is not the first time I have talked about this, nor will it be the last. I sometimes talk a lot and it is not all necessary. God is showing me how wretched I am without Him.
It frightens me how quickly careless things come out of my mouth. There are times when I engage my tongue much quicker than my brain. It takes a lot of discipline to be able to think before I speak. I know I cannot overcome these temptations without God's help.
Although I know I am not where I used to be, I have a long way to go. It was just last week at work when a woman accused me of blaming her for something that sarcasm quickly came across my lips, but 5 or 6 words into it, I had a Holy Spirit prompting to zip my lip and love her instead. Thankfully because of that, she left grateful instead of discouraged or bitter.
Amy Carmichael says the best way to check our tongue temperature is to ask yourself 3 questions before you speak.
1. Is it kind?
2. Is it true?
3. Is it necessary?
I realized when I read this that usually the things I say are kind and true but man do I fall short on the is it necessary!
I heard another teaching on the weekend that wasn't necessarily just talking about our mouths but it involves using it for life and not death. Humility was the subject. In order to keep this posture in our relationships, we needed to value the relationship more than being right.
To me this means to not necessarily say the things that are in us. I pray that God will redeem the many, many times I have not held my words in check and caused fractures in my relationships.
I have prayed much lately Psalm 141:3 'Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.'
As I have become more aware of this battle to use my tongue for good, God reminded me of a little book I have called "30 Days to Taming Your Tongue" by Deborah Smith Pegues.
So I have set my mind to read this for the next 30 days and to blog each day about how it is speaking to me. Will you come along with me on this challenge? I know there are probably not too many of you who may read this that have trouble with their tongues?! Oops, I think sarcasm may be somewhere in this book, well I will know better for next time.
Please also pray for me as I will for you because I know daily there are opportunities to fall into these temptations or choose the high road. I will let God's word have the final say as I leave you with Paul's words from Ephesians 4:29,30
'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption'
It frightens me how quickly careless things come out of my mouth. There are times when I engage my tongue much quicker than my brain. It takes a lot of discipline to be able to think before I speak. I know I cannot overcome these temptations without God's help.
Although I know I am not where I used to be, I have a long way to go. It was just last week at work when a woman accused me of blaming her for something that sarcasm quickly came across my lips, but 5 or 6 words into it, I had a Holy Spirit prompting to zip my lip and love her instead. Thankfully because of that, she left grateful instead of discouraged or bitter.
Amy Carmichael says the best way to check our tongue temperature is to ask yourself 3 questions before you speak.
1. Is it kind?
2. Is it true?
3. Is it necessary?
I realized when I read this that usually the things I say are kind and true but man do I fall short on the is it necessary!
I heard another teaching on the weekend that wasn't necessarily just talking about our mouths but it involves using it for life and not death. Humility was the subject. In order to keep this posture in our relationships, we needed to value the relationship more than being right.
To me this means to not necessarily say the things that are in us. I pray that God will redeem the many, many times I have not held my words in check and caused fractures in my relationships.
I have prayed much lately Psalm 141:3 'Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.'
As I have become more aware of this battle to use my tongue for good, God reminded me of a little book I have called "30 Days to Taming Your Tongue" by Deborah Smith Pegues.
So I have set my mind to read this for the next 30 days and to blog each day about how it is speaking to me. Will you come along with me on this challenge? I know there are probably not too many of you who may read this that have trouble with their tongues?! Oops, I think sarcasm may be somewhere in this book, well I will know better for next time.
Please also pray for me as I will for you because I know daily there are opportunities to fall into these temptations or choose the high road. I will let God's word have the final say as I leave you with Paul's words from Ephesians 4:29,30
'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption'
Friday, May 13, 2011
Glossing over Intimacy
Isaiah 62:5 'As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Gloss in my dictionary comes right after the word glory. It is in its proper place there. I have been discovering that I gloss over glory though.
My prayers have been that God take me deeper with Him. I believe that He has been taking different steps to accomplish this. I am trying to live out the truth that Joyce Meyer says, 'Jesus did not die so we could have religion, He died so that we could have deep, personal, intimate relationship with Him.'
Gloss according to Websters means a superficial luster or shine, a deceptively good appearance or my favorite one is; to give a misleading interpretation of.
As I have walked in relationship with God, I've often felt something is missing. I have given a good appearance of knowing Him. Don't get me wrong, I know that He loves me and He died for my sins. I know that I am forgiven and He provides many blessings. I am a sinner, saved by grace and I will go to heaven and have eternal life because I chose Jesus Christ as my Savior.
I know this all in my head but I think I have been glossing over the surface of the relationship with God. As I have prayed though, I believe He is moving it into my heart. I have been asking Him to help me KNOW Him. I want to live out of the love He has so freely given me. I weep now as I clearly see how He is answering my cries for help.
First He gave me an acronym that He wanted me to be H.O.T. for Him, Humble, Obedient, Trusting. Just that simple.
Next He made me aware of a workshop. Gifted, Called, Empowered. One of the teachings in this group of women was different forms of Spiritual disciplines and communicating with God.
Then I was invited to a women's bible study where they were studying a book called Satisfy My Thirsty Soul, ha need a I say more. It is an incredible book about learning to worship God in all we do.
Last, but I am sure not least, was an opening to attend a women's retreat. My mentor, Shannon Ethridge spoke and encouraged us to be completely His. She gave a series of talks based on her book about learning to love Jesus without limits.
As I move from glossing over to deep with God - which is extending far down from the top or surface. Will you come along with me?
I have discovered a deeper level of intimacy with my God only by spending more deliberate time alone with Him. I began with scheduling it and although I still do, I hunger for that time alone with Him now.
Thank you for answering my prayers Lord as I claimed your promise that if I will draw near to You, You will draw near to me. I pray that You will spark that hunger and thirst in others to really KNOW you. I know we will be changed by Your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Gloss in my dictionary comes right after the word glory. It is in its proper place there. I have been discovering that I gloss over glory though.
My prayers have been that God take me deeper with Him. I believe that He has been taking different steps to accomplish this. I am trying to live out the truth that Joyce Meyer says, 'Jesus did not die so we could have religion, He died so that we could have deep, personal, intimate relationship with Him.'
Gloss according to Websters means a superficial luster or shine, a deceptively good appearance or my favorite one is; to give a misleading interpretation of.
As I have walked in relationship with God, I've often felt something is missing. I have given a good appearance of knowing Him. Don't get me wrong, I know that He loves me and He died for my sins. I know that I am forgiven and He provides many blessings. I am a sinner, saved by grace and I will go to heaven and have eternal life because I chose Jesus Christ as my Savior.
I know this all in my head but I think I have been glossing over the surface of the relationship with God. As I have prayed though, I believe He is moving it into my heart. I have been asking Him to help me KNOW Him. I want to live out of the love He has so freely given me. I weep now as I clearly see how He is answering my cries for help.
First He gave me an acronym that He wanted me to be H.O.T. for Him, Humble, Obedient, Trusting. Just that simple.
Next He made me aware of a workshop. Gifted, Called, Empowered. One of the teachings in this group of women was different forms of Spiritual disciplines and communicating with God.
Then I was invited to a women's bible study where they were studying a book called Satisfy My Thirsty Soul, ha need a I say more. It is an incredible book about learning to worship God in all we do.
Last, but I am sure not least, was an opening to attend a women's retreat. My mentor, Shannon Ethridge spoke and encouraged us to be completely His. She gave a series of talks based on her book about learning to love Jesus without limits.
As I move from glossing over to deep with God - which is extending far down from the top or surface. Will you come along with me?
I have discovered a deeper level of intimacy with my God only by spending more deliberate time alone with Him. I began with scheduling it and although I still do, I hunger for that time alone with Him now.
Thank you for answering my prayers Lord as I claimed your promise that if I will draw near to You, You will draw near to me. I pray that You will spark that hunger and thirst in others to really KNOW you. I know we will be changed by Your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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