So If You Say Move It's Time For Me To Follow Through

        I REFUSE BY JOSH WILSON
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbH0IWZL05s
        This song basically inspired all I am going to write about below. Thank You Josh Wilson!
        Don't stray from God. Stand firm in Him. But move to act in His love.


        This week, Courtney and I are focusing on Blessed are the peacemakers! This song and this chapter in the Kingdom Experiment really touch home with the fact that we should not just be peacelovers. We all wish for world peace and so forth, but are we refusing to not move?
        One aspect that I found got in the way of my refusing was my own blindness (Luke 6:42). I find myself doubting my worthiness, causing me to be self absorbed in my struggles, and not recognizing the needs around me. Instead of degrading yourself and trying to change your behavior, fix your eyes on God, because that is where you will see the most change. Like a student mimics a teacher, so we should imitate the works of our Mighty Teacher, Jesus Christ. If we focus on God, He will point out our strengths and weaknesses, not so we will dwell on them, but so we can know our spiritual gifts and react according to them, to share God's Word. I have found it particularly hard to find a balance between self doubt which leads to self righteousness and being a disciple of Christ. It is important for us to share God's message, but to clear out our own blindness first. I am still working on this concept myself, but I know that God uses these times of slavery to increase the joy and bond we feel with Him.
        I REFUSE TO STAY UNCHANGED, TO WAIT ANOTHER DAY, TO DIE TO MYSELF. I REFUSE TO MAKE ONE MORE EXCUSE:
        As it was suggested in breakfast club, I made a list of affections that consume my time, rather than fellowship with God and His people. God really put on my heart to build a makeshift altar for Him in my room, in order to give over the things that consume my time, so I did. (:  I would encourage you to do it too. It's really simple, just a few pillows and objects that you find drawing your attention from God, are all you need. I printed of words such as: greed, envy, doubt, and blindness, and placed them by me as I prayed. As I felt the relief of God lifting my burdens off me, I would pray for God's wisdom to change me, and tore the scraps of paper up, and threw them into a candle (I would suggest using a fireplace instead, but I did this at 1o'clock, so I felt a candle more appropriate.) I know I mention envy a whole bunch, but it is something I really struggle with. Anyway, for example with envy, I prayed that I would find contentment in the Lord and that instead of feeling sorry for myself, I would be happy for what others have. I'm not really talking materialistic greed, when I say envy, but more of a feeling of being loved and recognized. God revealed to me that His recognition is all I need. He has acknowledged me, by choosing to make Himself known to me, and He has made me fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14)! Mark Driscoll's wise words came back to me, as everytime I threw another affection into the fire, it became increasingly bigger. Mark Driscoll once compared the fire in our hearts to the passions we have. I learned that as I burned these things, my fire or my passion for Christ grew. I burn brighter for Jesus when I want nothing but Him, and I let nothing stand in the way of that!
       I pray that God will help us, as Christians, to refuse not to help the world that so desperately needs Him!
     
       I REFUSE TO SIT AROUND AND WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED ME TO DO MYSELF. I COULD CHOOSE NOT TO MOVE, BUT I REFUSE!!


      <3Abby