If you click on the pic it will enlarge and you can read it.I keep thinking lately how MUCH of a clean slate our bountiful Father gives us. In every way! Yesterday we spoke about how far away He removes our trangressions from us. As far as the east is from the west. That's pretty far, Ya'll! That He doesn't harbor anger, a grudge, or even His justification of it (like we can do, at times). Without a doubt this aspect of our clean slate is the most necessary, the most critical.
Yet, it's not the only way we get that opportunity for a "clean slate". Every day, every week, it's a clean slate waiting for us to see what we are going to make of it. Will we waste it? In fear, in apathy, in anger? Will we enjoy it and give it our best shot? As we approach the day in faith, in hope, in great expectations. Will we remember that the day, the week, the time we have is a gift? That even in times of pain He is able and near to help us get through and not be overwhelmed entirely. To better times, and sweeter. Times of joy and refreshing. Admittedly in this life, all days are not going to be filled with sunshine and light. But, that doesn't have to be where we get stuck. And some of the most remarkable people I have ever known, are those who have had to suffer, but have not let the suffering do them in. They let Christ in them bring healing, stength, and even hope. Hope so they could indeed have joy again, and life abundantly.
I love the way The Message Bible give Romans 12:1-2. It says so much better what my heart is for this concept. Check it out: "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24
6 comments:
Oh...I LOVE the way the Message Bible puts it as well. A great message! God's Word is amazing! Hugs to you! Isn't it great He wipes our slate clean?!
Praise God for wiping our slates clean.
Thank you! Beautifully said...
Loved finding your blog. While I stick to translations more accurate as my first Bible I LOVE The Message---sometimes it really does put things just right to speak to my heart. Clean slates every day is such a gift. Thanks for sharing!
Today in my devotions they brought up the Sermon on the Mount. Something in your post reminded me of it.
If our slate has been cleaned by God---all the things that tie us to what this worlds values--then we will be able to walk forward in what He has us to do without concerns for how we are being treated and what life should be like.
He will guard what has been entrusted to Him...until that day.With Him in charge...all things are possible.
I don't know if this makes sense but it is neat how what God has been teaching me ties into what you have been writing in your posts.
When He speaks....those tuned in will hear.
We serve an awesome God.
Leslie - Thank you ! Yes, His Word IS amazing!
Denise - I'm with you! He deserves all our praise!
Amy - Hi! You are welcome! Thank you! It's always great to get to hear from you! Hope life is good for you these days!
Snuffie - me to! :) Thanks for visiting! I really liked your blog, too!
Sharon! I have really missed you, Girl! Sorry that your internet connection is not everything you could hope for. Hope that you can hang in there!
That is a great joy of being in the same family, huh? On any given day, we can compare notes, across the street, across the country, across the oceans, and find out The Holy Spirit is leading us all to discover some truths at the same time! It's exciting to me, and reassuring as well!
Love to you all! Pray you have a great weekend!
Maria
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