Mary’s spirit of trust in the Lord was inspiring. And David’s kindness towards Johnathan’s offspring makes me think we should leave generational wealth for our children in terms of solid relationships that they can lean on when we’re gone.
I think these chapters are important for multiple reasons, (many already stated in the comment section) about David’s kindness or how he forgot about God, but I think it’s also important to highlight how many times he had the option to turn away from sin and face the consequences.
First, he could’ve been fighting on the battlefield where he was supposed to be rather than lazily staying in his kingdom. Then as soon as he saw Bathsheba, he could’ve looked away, but he instead slept with her. He could have faced the consequences even then, but instead he tried to cover it up by getting Uriah drunk and later killing him.
It’s like the saying “No one wakes up as a murderer.” It was every little sin and lie that added up.
Reading about King David’s kindness to Mephiboseth highlights the relationship he had with Johnathen. How well you live with people is important. I wasn’t very kind to a colleague yesterday she ur makes me think that my character is important.
I’m also drawn to the question King David asks, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”. God laid it on my heart to ask that everyday. “Is there anyone one today that I may show kindness too’. God is so God so why not.
I think chapter 10 is another example of a war that seems like the Israelites will lose, but, because they have God in their side they win. David is trying to be nice to the Ammonites, but they embarrass his men so he goes to war with them instead. Through it all though David’s commanders remember that “the Lord will do what is good in his sight.” I hope that helps!
Also, Davids choice to sleep with Bathsheba, was a choice that I think he made because of getting to one of those places where in our victory, we forget THE VICTOR! God. And so many things came from this one bad decision .. lying, the death of Uriah, a baby now born from adultery etc… this one choice was now determining everything that David did and said.
It teaches me how important it is that decisions are made by God and we yield ourselves to him. Otherwise look what happens …
What blesses me is knowing that God chose to use Mary because she believed. Not because of her physical beauty, status, wealth, what she did “right” or anything else… simply because she believed.
I think sometimes I look at ppl in the Bible and I say how did he or she have so much faith or what made God choose them with all of their imperfections, and it was always those who believed. Jesus, this has blessed me!!!
It’s not about what gift or skill we have, what we do for others, how much we are liked or revered by others, how much money we have etc. it’s about believing! Believe and receive
AMEN!! Such an inspiring revelation of the chapter. I pray that God uses and blesses you in wonderful and prosperous ways because you were and are also blessed and chosen by God! God bless you!!
What a wonderful scripture. As we go through life we see the differences in people. This scripture shows the kindness in people we have yet to come upon. Blessed Day to all☺️
I loved 2 Samuel 9:13;
It reminded me how God invited us to sit in his table even tho we are not physical crippled, we were emotionally and spiritually crippled when we didn’t know Him, but God was kind with us, he had mercy and called us. ❤️
God sees all, and that is really the one of the beauties of Him. He sees all and forgives all of us, he gives us the gift of forgiveness as long as we admit to our sin and wrongdoing. David was trying to cover up sin with good deeds but you can always see black ink on white paper. Thank you God, for seeing so I can see. For opening my eyes.
Today I found the grace of the Lord in forgiveness, the ultimate act of kindness, given to me. He is truly with us helping us to act the way He decrees.
In the three chapters of 2 Samuel, God really put it on my heart that you should be kind and caring to people at all times no matter what may come of it, and that even if you try to cover up your sin, God still sees it.
Why I loved Elizabeth’s praise of Mary being one who believed what the Lord said and that it will come to pass….this spoke to me because at this time I too am believing HIM to perform HIS word
David was so focused on covering up his sin. He thought that as long as no one knew about it, it wasn’t a big deal. But this is saying that God knew about it. And even if David seems to have “gotten away with it” … the story isn’t over.
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Wow the community within SRT is amazing! I am so uplifted and I learn so much from reading these comments. I love the verse above from Luke 1 because it reminds me that (1) God overshadows me whether or not I consciously want him to. God has created everything and everyone. He knows all time and he knows my heart. There is great comfort in that. But I’m also reminded that (2) I must let God overshadow me in my work, my relationships, my knowledge and my life. I must work hard and be the best teacher I can be, because God is the best teacher. I must find true knowledge and let God teach me to be truly human in my relationships. Like Mary let the HS take the reins on her motherhood, I need to acknowledge that my life is kingdom work led by God.
Mary’s response to God’s revelation was to praise and give thanks. She was told that she was blessed among women, and she herself said that generations to come would call her blessed. Now, take a minute to think about what Mary’s “blessing,” looked like. She was going to face shame and ridicule and abandonment from others because she was pregnant without a husband. She had to wait for her betrothed to decide whether or not to have her stoned. She journeyed to Bethlehem heavily pregnant. She gives birth with no help in a barn. She has a son who will be hated and eventually killed before her eyes by those who don’t understand him.
These “blessings,” remind me that often I think that a blessing is something that feels good or like a reward, and that isn’t necessarily the case. To be blessed is not about whether or not our life circumstances feel pleasant or justified, but it is a matter of how God sees us, how we fit into his plan, and what he does through us. So rise above the hurts, the situations, the muck and the mire, and be joyful. Like Mary, today, my soul magnifies the Lord. He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future.
Yes. This exactly. I feel that in North American Christianity we often miss the mark here and it is so awesome to see the truth coming to light for you and others! The blessing of God in our lives isn’t about pleasant circumstances or happy feelings, but being used in the greater story for the glory of God.
Really struggling to get past something that Happened a year and a half ago…it seems like it just haunts me & I find myself dwelling on it & I hate that it’s already taken so much of my life. I have been praying about it for so long now that I’m starting to doubt that I will ever be “normal” again. I would love extra prayers!!! Thank you so much ladies.
At church yesterday our pastor preached on forgiving as the Lord forgave us and clothing ourselves in love, compassion and humility. It was in the book of Colossians. If I can find the verse I will comment again. I will pray for your peace and comfort and that you will seek strength thru the Lord to get you thru whatever your struggles may be. We’ve all had trials and I promise you the Lord is there, just call on him sweetie! Xoxo
Collossians3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Praying for you Chelsea. Sometimes there are things that just seem to haunt and haunt. I feel Satan uses those things to keep us from seeing God’s glory and love for us. But we have the Holy Spirit and access to such power! I often feel crippled by anxious thoughts. “The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16 NIV). Praying that the Lord will place protection over your thoughts and that you will experience freedom and peace!
I do not know what you’re going through but I hope this will help you.
I remember someone once said: in order for you to be healed you must acknowledging that you are in pain, want to be healed, do something about it and strengthen your relationship with God.
By acknowledging and praying about it you’re half way there! Hold on tight to God. Psalms 73, read the whole chapter. In verse 23 it says: “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. (Psalm 73:23 NIV)”, (right hand or dominant hand) in those days they always have war, I suppose David was right handed…if God is holding his right hand how is he to fight? It isn’t David fighting but God! Imagine that! :) –this passage really helped me get through things especially 4 years of my spiritual struggle, and until now– so keep on holding on to God’s hand, He is fighting for you. :)
I totally get where you are coming from Chelsea. I have an extremely hard time letting things go as well. I really wish that I was better at letting things go and moving past them, but it has been a life-long struggle. I pray that we are both able to improve in this area.
Chelsea & Pam, I know you both know that satan is lying to you condemning you and bringing up your past. Cast it down and step on the devil and his minions heads (2 Cor 19:3-5) That is not God! His Word says He will forgive our sins if we confess them (1 Jn 1:9) tosses our sins as far as the east is from the west…(ps 103:12)
for it is from our work that we are saved but by His grace. So let us focus to the Lord and let the good works show the product of our obedience and love
Do you girls ever feel lost in just trying to do good instead of focusing on God and thinking just because I’m doing good things God will reward me. I’m 19 and have grown up in the church. I just want to know if that’s a normal feeling. I know it’s wrong, but idk how to get out of that hole. Thanks y’all.
Over and over again His Word says to “be still and know that (He) is God”. It’s not easy to cease striving, and for those of us (myself included) that are people-pleasers it’s even more difficult to stop trying so hard to please Him. I’m learning the art of obedience, and that good works flow naturally from being obedient to Him. Our culture is one of entitlement, so it’s difficult to get out of that rut, even when it comes to our relationships with God. A quote from John Piper pretty much sums up what I’m trying to say: “God is most glorified by us when we are most satisfied in Him”. Be encouraged, Lexi, and cling to the faith you have.
I’m not even sure I am qualified to answer, Lexi but I’ll try….I think that when we remember that our “doing good” is filthy rags and we are all wretched and nasty. b
But because He loved us to death and rose again so that we could have abundant life -this is why we want to please Him, out of a grateful heart. Just know you are not alone-preaching to myself here.
Hi Lexi! I am 32 years old and grew up in the church and this is still something I struggle with at times. I think the church does such a wonderful job of teaching us to do and be good-which is not bad at all! But often we lose sight of God’s grace in all of that “doing.” About two years ago I went to a women’s retreat with my church and the topic was grace. During a time of worship and prayer I found a quiet place of solitude and began to pray. I felt empty. I felt blessed beyond measure by all external standards but was anxious often because I just felt like I was waiting for everything to be taken from me or something catastrophic to happen. After a few minutes of empty thoughts and trying to muster up something I finally began crying and just said, “God I am so tired. I am so tired of trying to do everything good and right. I’m tired of trying to be the perfect wife, daughter, sister, friend, employee, person. I’m so tired of trying to earn all of the things You have given me.” And in that moment, the Lord spoke directly to my soul (I didn’t hear an audible voice) but He said “Christina you can never earn it. That’s my grace.” So simple. So clear. Whether life is good or life is bad, God is with us and loves us and gives grace abounding. His promises never hinge on us doing things good or right. I could read my Bible every day and do everything right but God wants me to rest in Him. A verse I have meditated on a lot in the past few years is from the old Psalm 23. Although I have known this by heart since I was a child, the depth of this has only begun to work on my soul as an adult.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3)
He makes us lie down in green pastures and refreshes our soul. God loves you so much Lexi!
Thanks Christina! I’ve been struggling with this like Lexi. I joined the LDS church recently, but my husband was not a member. We have moved and he said he would go to another church with me. I’ve struggled with staying true to what I’ve learned and feel like I’ve received so many blessings, but in tired of all the strange rules. I know that wanting to drink coffee for example is me being selfish and I’m afraid if I go to another church and do not follow these rules God will turn away from me. That he won’t want to bless me because I want to not be a part of that church anymore.
I read a book called The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning that totally changed my life. I was living with the same thoughts and feelings, and on top of it I believed that I needed to actively please God for Him to love me and to keep bad things from happening to me – to ward off His wrath I guess. Through that book, the Holy Spirit showed me how wrong I was. He showed me that no action of mine makes me beautiful or good in Gods eyes. I’m beautiful because He says I am. I’m pure because He made me that way. All is grace.
It really moved my thinking from” good works” to “the nature of this amazing God who loves in wild ways”
You are not alone Lexi. I think this is something that every believer struggles with. As a Christian you want to do good works for God, but it is very easy to get bogged down by them and more focused on the works themselves rather than on who they are for. I have been reading the book “Jesus + Nothing = Everything” by Tullian Tchividijian (and it’s wonderful!) and something he said in it that really hit me was: “A Christian may not struggle with believing that our good behavior is required to initially earn God’s favor; but I haven’t met one Christian who doesn’t struggle daily with believing-somehow, someway-that our good behavior is required to keep God’s favor.” So obviously there is nothing wrong with good works, God wants us to help each other out; but when we focus on them, they can become an idol, and that’s not good. But it is so easy to that. In our connection group yesterday morning, our teacher said something that was really encouraging: There is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and there is also nothing we can do to make God love us less.
Lexi, I’ve been dealing with those same feelings lately, that it’s not about me or checking the boxes. it’s about God and his character and his love for me. praying that you will find more of God.
Ladies-
If you could lift my family up in prayer, we need it! My oldest sister cheated on her husband of 16 years, and is basically abandoning her three children. Please lift her up in prayer and pray that her eyes would be opened and she would be bathed in truth instead of deceiving herself into a mediocre attempt at justification for her actions. Also, please pray that the rest of us would have wisdom in how to move forward in the wake of this storm.
MOST IMPORTANTLY
Please pray for my three nephews. They don’t know exactly what’s going on, but they have suspicions, and they are old enough to understand and be hurt by this situation. Pray for resilience and protection, and that they would know how loved the are.
David’s act of adultery shows us that even a person after Gods own heart has fallen; all humans are sinful even the best of us.
Mary is a gentle and quiet girl with her thoughts tucked away in her heart and her wise mind filled with the Lords Word. Our response should all be like hers; beautiful, grateful and wonder and faith to Our Lord.
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed
I love the story of Mephibosheth because it is an incredible picture of our Fathers love for us. First how crazy is it that David is still looking for someone from his enemies household to show kindness to. Secondly, when he goes above and beyond with this gift to Mephibosheth. I love how Mephibosheth says “what is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me”. This brings Ephesians 2:5 to mind that while we were dead in our transgressions we are made alive in Christ. Since they kept highlighting that Mephibosheth was crippled the Spirit brought Romans 5:8 to my heart that while there is nothing lovely in us, nothing to a attract the Lord to us He still died for us. This is an incredible picture of the Gospel!
Beautiful thoughts! This is why Gods word will never grow old – it is alive and powerful. We can always find how one part relates to another part. It goes on and on and on.
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37
❤️❤️Jesus is and always will be King.
Mary’s spirit of trust in the Lord was inspiring. And David’s kindness towards Johnathan’s offspring makes me think we should leave generational wealth for our children in terms of solid relationships that they can lean on when we’re gone.
Might not get 100% through since I just found this but here I am and this was a wild ride
♥️
❤️
♡ ty
❤️
Believe and he will use you!!!
❤️
49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Spirit rejoices
May I go about my day in the spirit of Mary, “My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”
@♡
✅
I think these chapters are important for multiple reasons, (many already stated in the comment section) about David’s kindness or how he forgot about God, but I think it’s also important to highlight how many times he had the option to turn away from sin and face the consequences.
First, he could’ve been fighting on the battlefield where he was supposed to be rather than lazily staying in his kingdom. Then as soon as he saw Bathsheba, he could’ve looked away, but he instead slept with her. He could have faced the consequences even then, but instead he tried to cover it up by getting Uriah drunk and later killing him.
It’s like the saying “No one wakes up as a murderer.” It was every little sin and lie that added up.
Reading about King David’s kindness to Mephiboseth highlights the relationship he had with Johnathen. How well you live with people is important. I wasn’t very kind to a colleague yesterday she ur makes me think that my character is important.
I’m also drawn to the question King David asks, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”. God laid it on my heart to ask that everyday. “Is there anyone one today that I may show kindness too’. God is so God so why not.
❤️
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Amen !-ellie
❤️
✝️
Can someone help explain Samuel chapter 10??
I think chapter 10 is another example of a war that seems like the Israelites will lose, but, because they have God in their side they win. David is trying to be nice to the Ammonites, but they embarrass his men so he goes to war with them instead. Through it all though David’s commanders remember that “the Lord will do what is good in his sight.” I hope that helps!
Also, Davids choice to sleep with Bathsheba, was a choice that I think he made because of getting to one of those places where in our victory, we forget THE VICTOR! God. And so many things came from this one bad decision .. lying, the death of Uriah, a baby now born from adultery etc… this one choice was now determining everything that David did and said.
It teaches me how important it is that decisions are made by God and we yield ourselves to him. Otherwise look what happens …
What blesses me is knowing that God chose to use Mary because she believed. Not because of her physical beauty, status, wealth, what she did “right” or anything else… simply because she believed.
I think sometimes I look at ppl in the Bible and I say how did he or she have so much faith or what made God choose them with all of their imperfections, and it was always those who believed. Jesus, this has blessed me!!!
It’s not about what gift or skill we have, what we do for others, how much we are liked or revered by others, how much money we have etc. it’s about believing! Believe and receive
AMEN!! Such an inspiring revelation of the chapter. I pray that God uses and blesses you in wonderful and prosperous ways because you were and are also blessed and chosen by God! God bless you!!
What a life lesson to learn
What a wonderful scripture. As we go through life we see the differences in people. This scripture shows the kindness in people we have yet to come upon. Blessed Day to all☺️
do you guys now any other free plans?
the youversion bible app has a LOT of free plans :)
Even though we are born spiritually dead and turn away from God he will always love us
I loved 2 Samuel 9:13;
It reminded me how God invited us to sit in his table even tho we are not physical crippled, we were emotionally and spiritually crippled when we didn’t know Him, but God was kind with us, he had mercy and called us. ❤️
I just started today and I was wondering can I follow this plan day by day instead of trying to keep up with the dates?
Will this be the same plan for next year because i just got the app in June and I want to be able to read the whole bible
I’m sure they’ll keep it available
In Samuel 2 11:19, Is Joab using Uriah as an excuse for getting his men killed at the siege of the wall?
Kind of. I think it’s was more of a deliver the bad news first and then the good news since David was eager to hear of Uriahs death.
Thoughts taken away from these passages:
1)Jesus always forgives even though we don’t deserve it
2) absolutely nothing is impossible with God
We are all sinners and God will forgive us all of our sins!!!
I love this so much
God sees all, and that is really the one of the beauties of Him. He sees all and forgives all of us, he gives us the gift of forgiveness as long as we admit to our sin and wrongdoing. David was trying to cover up sin with good deeds but you can always see black ink on white paper. Thank you God, for seeing so I can see. For opening my eyes.
Today I found the grace of the Lord in forgiveness, the ultimate act of kindness, given to me. He is truly with us helping us to act the way He decrees.
Amen :)
In the three chapters of 2 Samuel, God really put it on my heart that you should be kind and caring to people at all times no matter what may come of it, and that even if you try to cover up your sin, God still sees it.
Why I loved Elizabeth’s praise of Mary being one who believed what the Lord said and that it will come to pass….this spoke to me because at this time I too am believing HIM to perform HIS word
David was so focused on covering up his sin. He thought that as long as no one knew about it, it wasn’t a big deal. But this is saying that God knew about it. And even if David seems to have “gotten away with it” … the story isn’t over.
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Wow the community within SRT is amazing! I am so uplifted and I learn so much from reading these comments. I love the verse above from Luke 1 because it reminds me that (1) God overshadows me whether or not I consciously want him to. God has created everything and everyone. He knows all time and he knows my heart. There is great comfort in that. But I’m also reminded that (2) I must let God overshadow me in my work, my relationships, my knowledge and my life. I must work hard and be the best teacher I can be, because God is the best teacher. I must find true knowledge and let God teach me to be truly human in my relationships. Like Mary let the HS take the reins on her motherhood, I need to acknowledge that my life is kingdom work led by God.
I think the story between Mary and elizabeth is so so neat! I never paid much attention to it but it is remarkable
I love this perspective!!! So very true
Mary’s response to God’s revelation was to praise and give thanks. She was told that she was blessed among women, and she herself said that generations to come would call her blessed. Now, take a minute to think about what Mary’s “blessing,” looked like. She was going to face shame and ridicule and abandonment from others because she was pregnant without a husband. She had to wait for her betrothed to decide whether or not to have her stoned. She journeyed to Bethlehem heavily pregnant. She gives birth with no help in a barn. She has a son who will be hated and eventually killed before her eyes by those who don’t understand him.
These “blessings,” remind me that often I think that a blessing is something that feels good or like a reward, and that isn’t necessarily the case. To be blessed is not about whether or not our life circumstances feel pleasant or justified, but it is a matter of how God sees us, how we fit into his plan, and what he does through us. So rise above the hurts, the situations, the muck and the mire, and be joyful. Like Mary, today, my soul magnifies the Lord. He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future.
Amen!
Wow… Insight on the truth of this passage that is totally contrary to what we would call “blessed”. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this amazing truth.
The joy of the Lord is our strength!
Great reminder and encouragement, thank you!
Yes. This exactly. I feel that in North American Christianity we often miss the mark here and it is so awesome to see the truth coming to light for you and others! The blessing of God in our lives isn’t about pleasant circumstances or happy feelings, but being used in the greater story for the glory of God.
Really struggling to get past something that Happened a year and a half ago…it seems like it just haunts me & I find myself dwelling on it & I hate that it’s already taken so much of my life. I have been praying about it for so long now that I’m starting to doubt that I will ever be “normal” again. I would love extra prayers!!! Thank you so much ladies.
Praying x
Praying..
At church yesterday our pastor preached on forgiving as the Lord forgave us and clothing ourselves in love, compassion and humility. It was in the book of Colossians. If I can find the verse I will comment again. I will pray for your peace and comfort and that you will seek strength thru the Lord to get you thru whatever your struggles may be. We’ve all had trials and I promise you the Lord is there, just call on him sweetie! Xoxo
Collossians3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Thank you!!
Praying for you Chelsea. Sometimes there are things that just seem to haunt and haunt. I feel Satan uses those things to keep us from seeing God’s glory and love for us. But we have the Holy Spirit and access to such power! I often feel crippled by anxious thoughts. “The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16 NIV). Praying that the Lord will place protection over your thoughts and that you will experience freedom and peace!
Thank you!!!
I do not know what you’re going through but I hope this will help you.
I remember someone once said: in order for you to be healed you must acknowledging that you are in pain, want to be healed, do something about it and strengthen your relationship with God.
By acknowledging and praying about it you’re half way there! Hold on tight to God. Psalms 73, read the whole chapter. In verse 23 it says: “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. (Psalm 73:23 NIV)”, (right hand or dominant hand) in those days they always have war, I suppose David was right handed…if God is holding his right hand how is he to fight? It isn’t David fighting but God! Imagine that! :) –this passage really helped me get through things especially 4 years of my spiritual struggle, and until now– so keep on holding on to God’s hand, He is fighting for you. :)
Thank you so much everyone!!!!
I totally get where you are coming from Chelsea. I have an extremely hard time letting things go as well. I really wish that I was better at letting things go and moving past them, but it has been a life-long struggle. I pray that we are both able to improve in this area.
I’m glad I’m not alone!!
Chelsea & Pam, I know you both know that satan is lying to you condemning you and bringing up your past. Cast it down and step on the devil and his minions heads (2 Cor 19:3-5) That is not God! His Word says He will forgive our sins if we confess them (1 Jn 1:9) tosses our sins as far as the east is from the west…(ps 103:12)
*not from our work
for it is from our work that we are saved but by His grace. So let us focus to the Lord and let the good works show the product of our obedience and love
Do you girls ever feel lost in just trying to do good instead of focusing on God and thinking just because I’m doing good things God will reward me. I’m 19 and have grown up in the church. I just want to know if that’s a normal feeling. I know it’s wrong, but idk how to get out of that hole. Thanks y’all.
Not by works but by faith is one pleasing to God. Although he is worshipped by our good works it is only through faith that we are saved
Over and over again His Word says to “be still and know that (He) is God”. It’s not easy to cease striving, and for those of us (myself included) that are people-pleasers it’s even more difficult to stop trying so hard to please Him. I’m learning the art of obedience, and that good works flow naturally from being obedient to Him. Our culture is one of entitlement, so it’s difficult to get out of that rut, even when it comes to our relationships with God. A quote from John Piper pretty much sums up what I’m trying to say: “God is most glorified by us when we are most satisfied in Him”. Be encouraged, Lexi, and cling to the faith you have.
I’m not even sure I am qualified to answer, Lexi but I’ll try….I think that when we remember that our “doing good” is filthy rags and we are all wretched and nasty. b
But because He loved us to death and rose again so that we could have abundant life -this is why we want to please Him, out of a grateful heart. Just know you are not alone-preaching to myself here.
Hi Lexi! I am 32 years old and grew up in the church and this is still something I struggle with at times. I think the church does such a wonderful job of teaching us to do and be good-which is not bad at all! But often we lose sight of God’s grace in all of that “doing.” About two years ago I went to a women’s retreat with my church and the topic was grace. During a time of worship and prayer I found a quiet place of solitude and began to pray. I felt empty. I felt blessed beyond measure by all external standards but was anxious often because I just felt like I was waiting for everything to be taken from me or something catastrophic to happen. After a few minutes of empty thoughts and trying to muster up something I finally began crying and just said, “God I am so tired. I am so tired of trying to do everything good and right. I’m tired of trying to be the perfect wife, daughter, sister, friend, employee, person. I’m so tired of trying to earn all of the things You have given me.” And in that moment, the Lord spoke directly to my soul (I didn’t hear an audible voice) but He said “Christina you can never earn it. That’s my grace.” So simple. So clear. Whether life is good or life is bad, God is with us and loves us and gives grace abounding. His promises never hinge on us doing things good or right. I could read my Bible every day and do everything right but God wants me to rest in Him. A verse I have meditated on a lot in the past few years is from the old Psalm 23. Although I have known this by heart since I was a child, the depth of this has only begun to work on my soul as an adult.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3)
He makes us lie down in green pastures and refreshes our soul. God loves you so much Lexi!
Thank you for that truth Christina!
Thank you so much. You really just described my life. Thank you
amen Christina!
Thank you for this! Need to hear this. :) bless you!
Thanks Christina! I’ve been struggling with this like Lexi. I joined the LDS church recently, but my husband was not a member. We have moved and he said he would go to another church with me. I’ve struggled with staying true to what I’ve learned and feel like I’ve received so many blessings, but in tired of all the strange rules. I know that wanting to drink coffee for example is me being selfish and I’m afraid if I go to another church and do not follow these rules God will turn away from me. That he won’t want to bless me because I want to not be a part of that church anymore.
I read a book called The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning that totally changed my life. I was living with the same thoughts and feelings, and on top of it I believed that I needed to actively please God for Him to love me and to keep bad things from happening to me – to ward off His wrath I guess. Through that book, the Holy Spirit showed me how wrong I was. He showed me that no action of mine makes me beautiful or good in Gods eyes. I’m beautiful because He says I am. I’m pure because He made me that way. All is grace.
It really moved my thinking from” good works” to “the nature of this amazing God who loves in wild ways”
You are not alone Lexi. I think this is something that every believer struggles with. As a Christian you want to do good works for God, but it is very easy to get bogged down by them and more focused on the works themselves rather than on who they are for. I have been reading the book “Jesus + Nothing = Everything” by Tullian Tchividijian (and it’s wonderful!) and something he said in it that really hit me was: “A Christian may not struggle with believing that our good behavior is required to initially earn God’s favor; but I haven’t met one Christian who doesn’t struggle daily with believing-somehow, someway-that our good behavior is required to keep God’s favor.” So obviously there is nothing wrong with good works, God wants us to help each other out; but when we focus on them, they can become an idol, and that’s not good. But it is so easy to that. In our connection group yesterday morning, our teacher said something that was really encouraging: There is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and there is also nothing we can do to make God love us less.
Lexi, I’ve been dealing with those same feelings lately, that it’s not about me or checking the boxes. it’s about God and his character and his love for me. praying that you will find more of God.
Ladies-
If you could lift my family up in prayer, we need it! My oldest sister cheated on her husband of 16 years, and is basically abandoning her three children. Please lift her up in prayer and pray that her eyes would be opened and she would be bathed in truth instead of deceiving herself into a mediocre attempt at justification for her actions. Also, please pray that the rest of us would have wisdom in how to move forward in the wake of this storm.
MOST IMPORTANTLY
Please pray for my three nephews. They don’t know exactly what’s going on, but they have suspicions, and they are old enough to understand and be hurt by this situation. Pray for resilience and protection, and that they would know how loved the are.
Thank you!
Of course! Something similar happened with my sibling. It was devastating for the whole family. I’m praying right now.
Praying sister
that happened to my family as well. it’s been several years
and it still hurts. praying for your family and especially your young nephews.
Done!
David’s act of adultery shows us that even a person after Gods own heart has fallen; all humans are sinful even the best of us.
Mary is a gentle and quiet girl with her thoughts tucked away in her heart and her wise mind filled with the Lords Word. Our response should all be like hers; beautiful, grateful and wonder and faith to Our Lord.
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed
I love the story of Mephibosheth because it is an incredible picture of our Fathers love for us. First how crazy is it that David is still looking for someone from his enemies household to show kindness to. Secondly, when he goes above and beyond with this gift to Mephibosheth. I love how Mephibosheth says “what is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me”. This brings Ephesians 2:5 to mind that while we were dead in our transgressions we are made alive in Christ. Since they kept highlighting that Mephibosheth was crippled the Spirit brought Romans 5:8 to my heart that while there is nothing lovely in us, nothing to a attract the Lord to us He still died for us. This is an incredible picture of the Gospel!
Beautiful thoughts! This is why Gods word will never grow old – it is alive and powerful. We can always find how one part relates to another part. It goes on and on and on.
Of course! Something similar happened with my sibling. It was devastating for the whole family. I’m praying right now.
I’m sorry-that reply was meant for Ashley.
I love what you said!
Anna that was beautiful, God bless x