| Pruning me | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 12 2005, 12:46 PM (298 Views) | |
| sparrows song | Apr 12 2005, 12:46 PM Post #1 |
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![]() As of late, the Spirit has been bringing several unpleasant things and experiences to my attention and life. *sigh* But as I think to the Lord concerning them, He impresses to me that He's answering my prayer. Now, I know that I've been very careful not to ask for patience since trouble often follows on the heels of such a request. Instead, I am reminded of my fervent prayer for the fruits in my life...more of Him and less of me. Consume me God. In order for more fruits to grow, we must be pruned back. Big, juicier, and more abundant fruit takes it place. Only through God can the fruits of the Spirit be displayed in our lives. We can do nothing except through Jesus. So all this pain is the evidence of God about to do a work in my life. The Word instructs us to rejoice in such a state. If only I could get past the tears and on to the smiles. Perhaps in time. It can be most unpleasant to see ourselves in a negative light but our greatest growth comes in times of sorrow and trials. I feel like I'm being dissected and laid open, being encouraged to look on the entrails of my hidden person which I'd rather leave to the shadows where it can remain secreted away. The Spirit whispers, "Not so. Look....and I shall make beauty from ashes." |
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| Stace4Jesus | Apr 12 2005, 08:09 PM Post #2 |
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I like the hope that the Holy Spirit has given you in that He can make beauty from ashes. As you are hearing the Lord speak to you, I rest in that you will indeed come out blooming. Be warned though and don't let the voice of the adversary sneak in. He can sound pretty religious sometimes. Please keep sharing with us and let us walk through this with you as much as you are comfortable in sharing. shalom stacie |
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| sparrows song | Apr 13 2005, 06:06 AM Post #3 |
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Thank you for that word of encouragement.
In what way? I have been made aware of the difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation is the accusation of the enemy that drives us away from God where as conviction is of the Holy Spirit and brings us to repentance. I would ask prayer for the strongholds in my mind. There are some areas of thought patterns that I need to be set free from. I see the enemy using those old patterns against me even in the body of Christ. Now that I've been made aware of them I can bring them to Christ as they occur but I can clearly see it's going to take time. It's evident that these old thought patterns hinder me from growth areas in Him. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..." |
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| Stace4Jesus | Apr 13 2005, 07:37 AM Post #4 |
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Hey I had to step aside and take some time to pray about how to answer your question concerning 'being aware" lest I cast a doubt or cross against the work of our Lord in your life. I am reminded of the life of John Bunyan in the 1600's. One of his testimonies I read years ago (and I could not find in my stuff or online to verify) was how the story in the Bible where the Philistines put the Ark of Covenant on the cart behind a momma cow. They tied the calf in hearing distance and then let the cart go. Their desire was to find out if the Lord was indeed behind all the stuff that was happening to them. If the momma cow went straight towards home.. even when hearing the call of her calf.. then only God could be the director of this thing. So.... John Bunyan said that this story weighed much upon his soul in that he left his crying wife to go and preach the gospel.. even when it was against the law and he would end up in jail. Like the mother cow, he had to answer the call that consumed his heart and the voice of the Lord that filled his ears. The point that I want to draw on in this story is how the Lord works deep within us. We've heard it said that when He closes one door that He opens another. Such is true in our hearts too. Whenever He purges deep within us, He also places us a hope, a vision, the strength, and promise of something greater than that which is being removed. The adversary can seek to duplicate the Lord's purging, but has never suceeded in putting in us a real and true hope that graces us to go beyond ourselves and into the surrender demanded. The adversary seeks our death. Our Lord gives this hope and strength.. it becomes a strange joy to die to ourselves and open up to His life within us. Well, did that make sense? I could write more. lol shalom stacie |
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| sparrows song | Apr 13 2005, 07:59 AM Post #5 |
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Understood. He doesn't leave us swept but unfurnished. What I didn't understand was being aware of the enemy sounding religious sometimes. What would that include? Edit... Is this what you meant?
religious spirit |
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Instead, I am reminded of my fervent prayer for the fruits in my life...more of Him and less of me. Consume me God.



3:51 AM Jul 11