It started off on Thursday... I am looking for a small group I kind of ditched one and I will be truthful about the reason because I was hiding from people and the sinful emotions that rose up within. It has gotten better so I am endeavouring to look for a new small group. This is what I seek...
1) Christ is foremost, in our thoughts, words, and what we learn.
2) Those who gather seek to grow in maturity
3) There be the word,a hymn (some hymns), teaching, and preaching
4) That there are older men and women to poor into my life
5) Fellowship be led by the Spirit
So that is what I am looking for, I'll know when I find it.
Before the Throne has been prominent in the last few days.
Friday was battlefield central but praise be to God who does not allow us to be overcome. Who fights on our behalf and intercedes for His children. He gave us the opportunity to pray, to give testimony to the faithfulness of God in all circumstances. Learning that God is a Holy God.
Then today what can I say about today. It was definitely attributed to the faithfulness and steadfast love of God. I woke up in the morning bus was late, missed a bus, another bus was late. I saw my sinfulness rise up at the realization of the heart of another person.
I left and with the word of God went across the street to what I thought was a quiet field in a golf course. I do not know what caused me to think no one would be around. I laid there and prayed earnestly to God. Then I sat up and kept praying then I heard the quiet sound of a motor. One man joked that my prayers helped him. I said " I pray for the glory of God not of man." They left. Then I began reading Hebrews 11 God spoke to me from His word.
(NASB)Hebrews 11:1-40
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [2] For by it the men of old gained approval. [3] By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. [4] By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. [5] By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. [6] And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. [7] By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. [8] By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; [10] for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. [11] By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. [12] Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. [13] All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
[14] For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. [15] And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. [17] By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; [18] it was he to whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED." [19] He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. [20] By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. [21] By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. [22] By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones. [23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king''s edict. [24] By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh''s daughter, [25] choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, [26] considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. [27] By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. [28] By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. [29] By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. [30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. [31] By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. [32] And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, [33] who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. [35] Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; [36] and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. [37] They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated [38] (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. [39] And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, [40] because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
While reading aloud other men came forth and after listening for a moment one told me to be quiet while they hit the ball. I realized then that the word of God is more important. In reading Hebrews God gave me peace and joy I am looking to God.
When I got back two song were song then the speaker started. I listened for five minutes of a woman talking about what women want and going on about becoming virtuous women so we could get what we want. There was no Christ in that so I left. True change, becoming a new person only God could do. How can people sing I love You Christ yet let Him be relegated to a byword in a self-help motivational speech. Sigh to You alone be the Flory and honor and power.
