Monday, February 18, 2008

I Did Not Die Today

......I just finished a book called Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller . It is really an interesting book and I did really enjoy reading it as it was so different from all the other Christian books next to my chair. If you have not read it then you should just because of the colorful way he writes. As I read through it I began to see the "light" that the Lord was trying to bring into my life.

....I have been a Christian since 1977 and I have always thought myself to have grown in the Lord over those years and that I had let go of most all of the bondages that Religion can bring into our lives.... This book talks about these bondages....... Toward the end of the book he began to bring the theme of the book to a close and I could see where there were areas of my life that I really needed the Lord to clean out the dark corners that I have kept for myself...

....I have used the cliché that God loves the sinner and hates the sin...... and I have said out loud that I hate the sin but love the person........ but do I always ? No I do not and the Lord is bringing me into a place that I am finding that I need change. I am always so thankful when the Lord brings light into my darkness as it assures me that He is taking me to a new place in Him... ....I am encouraged........

...The thing that I want to leave with you about this book is a single statement in the book that made me stop and take inventory of my life........ Just a single statement written on paper..... but it spoke to my heart and caused me to repent............
...Donald was visiting with a friend and they were discussing how he (Donald) was living a life following the Lord......... the friend then said ......... If you got up this morning and did not die then maybe you are not fully following the Lord............!

Can we choose the day that we die, or can we just die on days that we have time? The apostle Paul told us that we are to die daily.....

1Cr 15:31
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Gal 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I did not die today.......... I don't think I died yesterday........... I need to die daily so that I can hear His voice and follow His leading.................. I am thankful the the correction that the Lord bring into my life...........

9 comments:

Denise said...

Awesome post my friend. He lives within me, I praise Him for that.

Rose of Sharon said...

What a great post. I too am thankful for the correction from the Lord. I love the scriptures you posted.

Have a happy evening!

Sharon

MelanieJoy said...

I love statements like this that make you stop and realize what you are standing/wading in. That's what that Maya quote did for me a couple weeks ago. To realize how I long to be so close to Him but still be too far away.
Thanks for sharing this...I do long to hear His voice and to die daily is that...a must.
Hope you are feeling well tonight.

Shari said...

I found your blog listed on the blogroll at the Christian Women Online site. I'm getting closer to "Dieing Daily". I started something new on Jan. 1st. Every morning, when I wake up, I say to Him: "What do you want me to do today, Jesus? Please show me." It's been interesting to see what arises during my day. I'm trying to seek His Will daily, but I still have a lot of my own will going on too that I need to surrender.

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Denise,
What a great post and so powerful. I know GOD loves me and he forgives me of my shortcomings. Those are some great scriptures you posted. "THANK YOU" for sharing such a wonderful post. I'm glad you like my new look. I have been awake all night. I'm sure I'll get some sleep after I take the girls to School. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Joyce said...

Hello Denise, I am going to get the book. I have a feeling I need what the book says in my life. Thank you for your honesty and good luck with you.

Love and Hugs,
Joyce

Sharon Brumfield said...

Can I agree with your learning here. Agree and say I understand and know what you mean. Dying daily has been a subject for me like putting on the armor.
It can be really confusing for me. But I think the idea of loving the sinner and not the sin is a perfect example of the death march.
My favorite verse has to be Mat 5:8. The pure in heart will see God.
But scripture also says that no man may see God and live. So the man who sees God must already be dead?
Oh to be dead so that we can see God.
Great post. Very thought provoking.
I liked this. Meaty

sparrow's song said...

What an excellent quote.

Oh boy. The trouble is, we have such independent hearts at times, going off to do things our own way even after we've declared Him Lord. I wonder if we don't forget that He is both Savior and Lord. A little reminder such as this goes a long ways.

I'm wondering if I could quote your quoting, please? *grin*

Anonymous said...

I maybe have my details a little confused but weren't you supposed to go for your shot(s) today? If so, how did it go?