Never live on memories....

"Never live on memories; let the Word of God be always living & active in you."

~Oswald Chambers

Living for Myself...

These past few weeks I've been thinking about how much I "know" about the Bible.  I was asking myself if I simply knew these things or were they being lived out in my life.  Growing up in a Christian household, I always went to church, home group and spent my own quiet time in the Word.  I read a lot of the Bible and different books to grow in my spiritual walk.  I learned so much!  However, I think I learned much more than I was putting into practice.  

As the older sister in the family, I always had the pressure of being the example to the rest.  I had to be the one to exemplify obedience, submission and love for Christ.  I had to show the younger ones how to do it.  At least that's the way I felt growing up.  I look back now and realize that I didn't always do it as for myself, I did it for my parents, my siblings and others.  I didn't always spend time with God because I wanted to, but because that's what was required.  

I don't want to know any longer.  I want to live.  I don't want to have all the right answers.  I want to show the right answers.  I want to be the example in 1 Timothy 4:12 because it's what I want, not what others are pressuring me to be.

This verse says to be an example to the believers in 

1. Speech

2. Life

3. Love

4. Faith

5. Purity

These are some of the biggest challenges...if it means making Christ's name known though, I'm up to facing them. I want to live in these ways because that's what God desires of me.  I'm no longer living in for my siblings/parents, but for myself. This life is for me.  Living in these five ways is going to bring me great joy and stretch me beyond anything I've ever tried.  Watching how you speak, your conduct, who and how you love, the way you believe in Christ, and staying holy & pure is no easy task.  There's no easy way to start, but I know if I just jump in and start living in this way, I'm going to be so blessed.  The Lord is faithful and will help me grow in all these areas if I earnestly ask Him.  He knows where I need more help and where I've become more confident.  All in all, though, I need Him for everything.  I could do none of these things without his patient guidance and loving grace.  

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." {Psalm 19:14}

What is in my heart is exactly what flows out of my mouth (which can be a dangerous thing!).  Having Him on my heart all day, though, can bring so much life to everyone I come in contact with.  If I let Him take control in those five areas, not only will He become greater in me, but it will overflow to everyone I talk to and spend time with.  That is what I want to live for.  To make Him known.  And if that can be accomplished, I want it-- no matter what it takes.

"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever, with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations." {Psalm 89:1}