greater things.

This morning we had our Saturday morning women's fellowship. We had a dear friend Laura come and share with us on contentment. She shared from James 4:13-17, and spoke of four responses to God's sovereign will. Funny she chose this topic because it is exactly what I have been thinking about lately. Why am I so intent on my own will, and why do I want my plans to be better than the Lord's.

Proverbs 16:9- In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

No matter what God's will prevails; why do I continue to fight it?

Here are the 4 responses:
1) Those who disregard His sovereign will.
-> It is so easy to do this. I often ignore it because I think my plans are better. Even though I know the Lord to be soverein over ALL things, I am persistant to make my will His, instead of His mine.

2) Those who do His sovereign will.
-> I should be doing everything with the mindset that "if the Lord wills" i will do this. I can plan my way, but if the Lord wills, it will be done. Do I trust this will?

3) Those who deny His sovereign will.
->How often do we boast in our own plans? I do this alot!! for example, I say: when i graduate, i am going to have this great job (not only am i assuming i will have a great job, i am boasting in the work i have accomplished to get there. What if the Lord has another plan? would i be disappointed?)

4)Those who disobey His sovereign will.
-> Often I know what His plan for me to do is, and I disobey by still trying for my will to override His. His will is for me to be sanctified and glorify Him. I am being disobedient when i don't trust it.

How I wish I could be content knowing His will for my life is better than mine. I wish my desires were His. I only want to glorify the Lord.

I hope this can be of some encouragement, as it has been to me as I reflect of His word.

He rescued me.

"When we are insensitive to sin, it is obvious we have idols."

I can become so accepting of my sin. why do i when i know it is so offensive and hostile toward God. The only way He can even look at me is because of my belief in His Son, and when He sees me He sees Christ.

I want to live a spiritually transformed life; a life that was only possible through Divine intervention.

all the faint lights.

First of all, I want to shoutout to the West Coast. There are times when i miss it so much. I miss friends. I miss CBU times. I miss familiarity.

However, I love living in Florida. I wouldn't change living here for the things I miss. The Lord truly does direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9). I have been challenged so much and I am so thankful the Lord's will is more perfect than I could ever want. I often think I know what's best. I am learning how sweet it is to be inside the Lord's will.

As of late i have been seeing the necessity of knowing Scripture and constantly being emersed in the Word of the Lord. I am drawn to Psalm 119. The whole chapter focus' on meditating on the Word and how excellent it is. If it wasn't 176 verses i would type it all. Just a few to point out are some sweet prayers and promises. It so constantly reminds me of the importance of Scripture. Ps 119:37 "Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness." v. 59: I thought about my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. ; v.160: the entirety of Your word is truth. ; v. 165: Great peace have those who love Your law., and nothing causes them to stumble.

At college group on Thursday we read from Acts 8. We were reminded how to be an effective evangelist we need to be FLUENT with the Word. Fluent would mean that I know it, just like I am fluent in English. I'm not just conversational. But I constantly settle to be conversational with the Word. I just know enough to somewhat communicate. But I can't be that effective if I only can partially communicate my message.

I just want to be more in the Word. I want to memorize it and soak it in. From it comes wisdom.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10.