I have to ask myself whether I am making every effort. What am I trading for making every effort? What time am I spending now that could be then, making every effort?
Making every effort to please Father, to be an unashamed workman who knows her stuff — her Bible Stuff. Long ago, I made schedules and lists and the like to attempt to fit everything in, hoping to make every effort possible.
Today, it’s just daily showing up with prayer, study, and surrender on a more regular basis. I’m seeing improvement. I am grateful. Haven’t arrived, of course, but I am on the Right Road. And if you are reading this, I am trusting you are too.
We know for sure it’s not eternal salvation. Why do we know that? Because Only JESUS (and not we ourselves) saves from the penalty of sin and grants eternal life.
So, saved from what? Could it be saved from false teachings? Maybe bad attitudes? Misunderstandings? Any number of physical/emotional maladies that we bring on ourselves because we fail to pay close attention to what we say and what we do.
Scripture. That’s what we are looking at here. GOD The Father had this written for us, and to us, He must mean it.
Pay close attention to your life! Watch what you watch and hear what you listen to.
I read this Text in various translations, but settled on the Berean Study Bible version to share with you. It’s been my favorite for a couple of years.
I’ve had the day to think about what I want to say about it here, since I sat before the LORD with it early this morning. It’s not a passage that has been popular, and after years of listening to it taught, preached, and discussed, I understand why. But this morning, new light came.
Husbands and wives pray. They pray for the other to change. I get that, but I got it better now. Let me explain.
Imagine sitting curled up with your Bible, reading, and fellowshipping with the LORD, and this passage is next to be read. So, you read it, and the sweetest wave comes over your spirit because you see it! You see yourself praying that they will make certain changes. But why? Why do we want the changes? I believe it is the desire of the LORD that our desire be that we want them to change behaviors, not to make life easier for us, but so they will experience the joy of obedience; that they will know the beauty of pleasing the LORD. And I think this in us will please the LORD too. It’s a win-win!
I am still loving this new light. If it’s new to you, I hope you love it too.
One more thing. I think practicing this nugget could benefit all our other relationships, too. Don’t you?
We are glad you are here; stay a while, look around, and be encouraged. We estimate there to be over 3,000 posts here at The White Stone Blog. Please know my hope is ALWAYS to help and NEVER harm. I have voiced many opinions and thoughts here since 2007 and by now I MAY NOT EVEN AGREE with all of them and some of my grammar and punctuation likely needs editing. But this is changeless: JESUS is our ONLY Savior and Hope. Do you KNOW Him?
