A Perfect God...

There is no perfect life, no perfect job, no perfect childhood, no perfect marriage, no perfect set of people who will always do what we expect them to do.

What we have is a perfect God who is able to lead us through this imperfect life with unfailing strength incomparable wisdom and infinite love.

[Elisabeth Elliot]

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2 Samuel 22:31 ... As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Psalm 139:10 ... Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

1 Peter 5:7 ...  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ❤

 

A Perfect God!

There is no perfect life, no perfect job, no perfect childhood, no perfect marriage and no perfect set of people who will always do what we expect them to do. 

What we have is a perfect God who is able to lead us through this imperfect life with unfailing strength, incomparable wisdom and infinite love. 

[Elisabeth Elliot]

Psalm 18:30 ... As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

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Spiritual Growth.

Circumstances can't prevent spiritual growth. People throughout all of human history have grown spiritually in the most unthinkable kinds of circumstances. 

[Elisabeth Elliot]

1 Peter 2:2-3 ... As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

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Astounding Difference

Wouldn't it make an astounding difference, not only in the quality of the work we do, but also in the satisfaction, even our joy, if we recognized God's gracious gift in every single task?

[Elisabeth Elliot]

1 Corinthians 10:31 ... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. ❤

Personal Encounter

To be a follower of the Crucified Christ means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the cross. And the cross always entails loss. 

 [Elisabeth Elliot]

Galatians 6:14 ...  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Philippians 3:8 ... Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Luke 17:33 ...  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.❤

Footprints

Not to waver in your conviction that God means what He says is to walk in the footprints of faith.

[Elisabeth Elliot]

Hebrews 10:23 … Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

James 1:6 … But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.❤

The Greater Peace

The willingness to be and to have just what God wants us to be and have, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else, would set our hearts at rest, and we would discover the simpler life, the greater peace.

[Elisabeth Elliot]

Haggai 2:9 ... The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

John 14:27 ...  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

Philippians 4:7 ... And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.❤

Always Possible

It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life.

[Elisabeth Elliot]

Philippians 2:14-15 ...  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

1 Thessalonians 5:8 ...  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalm 100:4 ... Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.❤

Life!

The God who created, names and numbers the stars in the heavens also numbers the stars of my head. He pays attention to very big things and to very small ones. What matters to me matters to Him, and that changes my life.

[Elisabeth Elliot]

Isaiah 40:26 ... Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Daniel 12:3 ... And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Luke 12:7 ...  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.❤

Unto Holiness

Holiness has never been the driving force of the majority. It is, however, mandatory for anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom. Aim at a holy life, for without that no one will see the Lord.
 

[Elisabeth Elliot]

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1 Peter 1:16 ... Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Hebrews 12:14 ... Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Romans 6:22 ...  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.❤

Be Grateful

It is always possible to be grateful for what is given rather than resentful over what is withheld. One or the other will become a way of life.

[Elisabeth Elliot]

Acts 20:35 ... I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Colossians 3:15 ...  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Psalm 100:4 ... Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Philippians 4:11 ... Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1 Timothy 6:8 ... And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ... In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.❤

Put On Christ

The clothes we wear are what people see. Only God can look on the heart. The outward signs are important. They reveal something of what is inside. If charity is there, it will become visible outwardly, but if you have no charitable feelings, you can still obey the command. Put it on as simply and consciously as you put on a coat. You choose it; you pick it up; you put it on. This is what you want to wear.

 

Do you want to dress like a Christian?  Put on Christ.  The act of honest obedience, the fruit of love for Christ is your part.  Making you Christlike through and through is His part. 

 

[Elisabeth Elliot]

 

 

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Ephesians 4:24 ... And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

 

Romans 13:14 ... But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

 

 

Galatians 3:27 ... For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 

 

Colossians 3:10-14 ... And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.❤

Beware of Rebellion

Let us beware of rebellion against the Lord. Circumstances are of his choosing, because He wants to bless us, to lead us (even through the wilderness) out of Egypt, that is, out of ourselves. Settle the complaint with God, and it will settle other things. Be offended with God, and you will be offended with everyone who crosses your path.

[Elisabeth Elliot]

1 Samuel 15:23 ...  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Proverbs 16:9 ... A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Psalm 37:23 ... The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.  ❤

Who is in Charge?

The people of Israel complained loudly against Moses for having brought them out into a wilderness where there was nothing to their liking. "Better to have died in Egypt!" they said.

"It was the Lord who brought you out," Moses told them, "It is against the Lord that you bring your complaints, and not against us." (Exodus 16:6-8)

When we are angry or offended, let us be careful to note where our real complaint lies. This person who insults me at the office or on the bus, this husband who rides roughshod over my feelings, this insensitive individual who does not understand or appreciate me -- is he not one whom God has put in my life for my good? Who, after all, is really in charge?
 

 

Let us beware of rebellion against the Lord. Circumstances are of his choosing, because He wants to bless us, to lead us (even through the wilderness) out of Egypt, that is, out of ourselves. Settle the complaint with God, and it will settle other things. Be offended with God, and you will be offended with everyone who crosses your path.
 

 

[Elisabeth Eliot]

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Romans 13:4 ... For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.



Matthew 5:38-39 ... Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.


John 16:1 ... These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. ❤

Christian Woman

The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian. But the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman.

[Elisabeth Elliot]

Proverbs 31:30 ... Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Ruth 3:11 ... And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

Titus 2:3-4 ... The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  ❤

Security

The Good Shepherd is Christ. He loves us, He cares for us, and He guides us. When Yeshua Jesus, as God, is your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide… you don't need to search any further for security.

[adapted from a sermon by Elisabeth Elliot ]

Ezekiel 34:12 … As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

Psalm 24:4-5 … Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

1 Peter 2:25 … For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Isaiah 40:11 … He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

John 10:11 … I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:14 … I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Psalm 23:1 … The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. ♥