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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

PLIABLE IN THE MASTER'S HAND

Before we became Christians we may have been: willing to help, willing to tell what we know, but not stopping to listen, always on the move, not wanting to slow down? We are who we are and cannot see why there needs to be any change? Sometimes we think we are right and they are wrong, and yes we just may be right. Now we have become a Christian and the same enthusiasm follows us; so full speed ahead, we are still who we are, because that is how God made us and so there is no need to be different.

Over the past couple of days I had reasons to think about the old me, and the new me, because of something I observed, and was reminded that we have to be always aware that some traits may seem good, but that could be the old behavioural patterns that were formed by our family and environmental background and not necessarily created by God. Behavioural patterns created by God produce the fruit of the Spirit. The new man's behaviour must bring peace, joy, longsuffering, love, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control which bring glory to the King of kings.

I think God is willing to take the old us, and make something beautiful, but we must allow our hearts to be pliable in His hand. He is the Potter and we are the clay, and the Potter can only work with soft pliable clay. If the clay is hard he will have to constantly be pouring water on it and keep pounding until it becomes soft and workable. Moses was a man of God, chosen and appointed by God, but it took him forty years of desert life to become the meekest man before God. (Numbers 12:3;) He lived in the desert for 40 years as a shepherd before he became the leader of the Children of Israel.

Sometimes in doing all for God, fired up for him, everything else gets neglected, family, friends, our health, etc.  God knows we need to slow down at times, and he keeps trying to get our attention to be still in his presence, and we think, that could not be God? I am doing the right things, and I don't want to change anything about me. Do you hear that pride, the ME in our thinking? James 4:6b says God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. When God is sending a message to us, we have to be still and know that He is God.

A few tips on being still:
  • Remove the elevated view of ourselves, the pride and the arrogance
  • Submit to one another, do not be guided by rebellion (Ephesians 5:21, Romans 12:3)
  • Guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23)
  • Repent and submit to the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Lord give us hearts that are soft and pliable in your hands, ears to listen and eyes to see you and not the Me in me. Help me to slow down and rest in your secret place. In Jesus Name

1 comment:

Janet said...

D- such a great reminder, to rest in Him and to be aware of when it is God speaking to me, or just my subconscious, which is usually the selfish part of me! Also, a great reminder that we need to slow down, or stop, to hear His still, small voice in this world full of noise! Keep writing, dear friend!
Blessings-
Janet