“Formula” for Life

[johnthebaptist]

1 hour ago, Marathoner said:

A formula? There is only one "formula" for those who belong to Jesus Christ, and it's this: walk in His Spirit. Safety is an illusion, comfort is a delusion, and our walk with the Lord is not measured by a rubric familiar to this flesh. The world is ironically obsessed with comfort and safety but we were told that we enter the kingdom through much tribulation.

As a brother whom I'm rather fond of has shared with us before, "well done" is better than well said. I wholeheartedly agree, and we "do" by walking in the Spirit of the Lord. Peace arrives in the midst of the storm, not through studiously avoiding bad weather. 

Safety is an illusion? Faith would say otherwise, wouldn't it?

[Marathoner]

I touched upon this elsewhere. We come as we are called by the Lord: some are husbands, some are wives, and some are fathers and mothers. Then there are some like myself who aren't a husband nor a father. Is one greater than the other? Of course not!

A husband's duty is to his wife just as a parent's duty is to their children. This pleases the Lord who is the giver of all good gifts. Would any father or mother in their right mind bring their children to a place where murder is commonplace and dangerous drugs are sold on the streets? No.

But what about one who is familiar with suffering and despair? One who is neither a husband nor a father? The Lord, who is the giver of all good gifts, gave this one life when he was dead, raising him up so he might go wherever His Spirit sends him. He is no better than the father and husband because each of us comes to Christ as we are called. 

Yes, there are times when I wonder about how different life would have been had I become a husband and father. I know that if the Lord had chosen to gift me in such a way, then I would serve Him by loving my wife and children, and serving them. But that's not my lot in this life.   

[R. Hartono]

Meekness in Obedience is better than a thousand words of preaching.

[Michael37]

2 hours ago, Marathoner said:

I touched upon this elsewhere. We come as we are called by the Lord: some are husbands, some are wives, and some are fathers and mothers. Then there are some like myself who aren't a husband nor a father. Is one greater than the other? Of course not!

A husband's duty is to his wife just as a parent's duty is to their children. This pleases the Lord who is the giver of all good gifts. Would any father or mother in their right mind bring their children to a place where murder is commonplace and dangerous drugs are sold on the streets? No.

But what about one who is familiar with suffering and despair? One who is neither a husband nor a father? The Lord, who is the giver of all good gifts, gave this one life when he was dead, raising him up so he might go wherever His Spirit sends him. He is no better than the father and husband because each of us comes to Christ as we are called. 

Yes, there are times when I wonder about how different life would have been had I become a husband and father. I know that if the Lord had chosen to gift me in such a way, then I would serve Him by loving my wife and children, and serving them. But that's not my lot in this life.   

Amazing. Thirty minutes ago I briefly noticed a Christian magazine in my office as I moved it to facilitate a little task I was engaged in. Face up on it there was a photo of a family of mum, dad, and the children. Spontaneously I began a train of thought about all the similar photos of nuclear families in ministry and missionary work that the plethora of such magazines present through various distribution channels to various Christian-consumer groups and individuals.

My train of thought took me firstly to the apostle Paul and all the magazines with photos of him and his wife and children that were circulating while they were active in ministry and missions work, secondly to Jeremiah and the photos of him with his wife and children, and thirdly to John the Baptist and the photos of him with his wife and children, when they also were active in ministry and missions work.

Any satire aside, the irony is that in Christian ministry and mission work these days being single is sometimes considered a handicap that disqualifies from leadership.

[JohnR7]

On 5/16/2021 at 10:18 AM, johnthebaptist said:

I am always trying to find a “formula” to keep me happy and safe.

The "formula" is that we have a covenant relationship with God. If we do our part He will do His part. For example: Philippians 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure". Even when we do NOT want to do the will of God, we can pray and He will do a work in us so that we want to do His will and serve Him. 

[johnthebaptist]

5 hours ago, JohnR7 said:

The "formula" is that we have a covenant relationship with God. If we do our part He will do His part. For example: Philippians 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure". Even when we do NOT want to do the will of God, we can pray and He will do a work in us so that we want to do His will and serve Him. 

I think constant prayer would part of that convenant. 

[JohnR7]

On 5/19/2021 at 8:56 AM, johnthebaptist said:

I think constant prayer would part of that covenant. 

This is sort of like a sandwich, we are to rejoice and we are to give thanks. Sometimes we grumble and complain and call it prayer, but God is not happy with that at all. 

[Willa]

Php 4:4  AMP  Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! [Psa 37:4]

Php 4:5  Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.

Php 4:6  Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

Php 4:7  And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. [Joh 14:27]

Php 4:8  Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable andworthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

 

[johnthebaptist]

11 hours ago, JohnR7 said:

This is sort of like a sandwich, we are to rejoice and we are to give thanks. Sometimes we grumble and complain and call it prayer, but God is not happy with that at all. 

I think we have to feel free to present our complaints to the Lord - sometimes we are in pain.

[Willa]

God does want us to be honest with Him.  David was.  He prayed "How long".  I can remember doing that when I was in hard labor with my baby.   David also asked God to forgive him and cleanse his heart.  However, we are not to blame God.  We need to blame satan and to be angry with him.  He came to steal our love, joy and peace. He also kicks us when we are down.

So when I am physically hurting I give it to God, knowing that Jesus hurt on the cross as well and is praying for me.  I ask God to somehow use it all for good and His glory. Then I take 2 Tylenol and try to get some sleep.  lol  When I am hurting emotionally, like when I was grieving the loss of my husband of 54 years, I am comforted that God was with me to help me through it all.  I so missed my prayer partner, my best friend and companion, and having a warm body beside me.  So God sent me a cuddly lap dog.  It's not the same at all, but it is a comfort.

I can thank God for answered prayers, for His faithfulness, for His great love for us even when we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  I thank Him for my dog, for family and friends.  Then I try to dwell on all things good and lovely.  I can alway rejoice because God is at hand to help me in time of need.  He is always near to me and in me.  He will never leave me or forsake me.  Praise God!!!

 Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I grew up being a glass half empty person.  It has taken discipline to focus on being a glass half full and continuing to fill person.  I want it to be always running over and blessing others in spite of what is going on in my body or my circumstances.