Sojourner's Tears

[Sojourner]

I just finished watching Dr. David Jeremiah and as he closed I shed a few tears, why, because as I felt the power of the Word and Spirit (the word is a mirror) and I saw my miserable self in his presence. My walk with the Lord is so weak and I have not pleased the Lord.

[PictCry]

I have felt that way at times too. It is a good experience to have. It is good to be reminded of how little we are when we can forget so easily. Sometimes I think our tears and the most humbling experiences in God are a form of true worship. So you can smile!

[moonglow]

You know you can pray for more faith AND wisdom...and of course ask Him for His help in whatever you are struggling with. I promise He will answer you!

At church last night our pastor was talking about how we all go through phases of spiritual growth. There are times for instance where Christians feel they are in the wilderness all alone without the sense of our Father (pastor didn't say this part...I do because I have seen many on here go through it and I have too and it is in the bible) and times of outpouring of blessings from God. Times of rest and peace and times of growth...its an ongoing process.

Where we see our failures is when we need Him the most. Now this the pastor did say..in comparing selling a washer to a large man who was able to physically lift it himself and load it on the back of his truck...pastor said the washer is like life for us and most of us cannot lift it on our own. Yet we try too. He said on good days we might be able to lift it onto a knee, struggling and straining and barely hanging on.

But its not suppose to be like that! We are not suppose to be doing this ourselves.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.


The Adam Clarke Commentary (http://www.studylight.org/com/acc/view.cgi?book=mt&chapter=011)
Verse 28. Come unto me
This phrase in the new covenant implies simply, believing in Christ, and becoming his disciple, or follower.

All ye that labour and are heavy laden
The metaphor here appears to be taken from a man who has a great load laid upon him, which he must carry to a certain place: every step he takes reduces his strength, and renders his load the more oppressive. However, it must be carried on; and he labours, uses his utmost exertions, to reach the place where it is to be laid down. A kind person passing by, and, seeing his distress, offers to ease him of his load, that he may enjoy rest.

The Jews, heavily laden with the burdensome rites of the Mosaic institution, rendered still more oppressive by the additions made by the scribes and Pharisees, who, our Lord says, 23:4,) bound on heavy burdens; and labouring, by their observance of the law, to make themselves pleasing to God, are here invited to lay down their load, and receive the salvation procured for them by Christ.

Sinners, wearied in the ways of iniquity, are also invited to come to this Christ, and find speedy relief.

Penitents, burdened with the guilt of their crimes, may come to this Sacrifice, and find instant pardon.

Believers, sorely tempted, and oppressed by the remains of the carnal mind, may come to this blood, that cleanseth from all unrighteousness; and, purified from all sin, and powerfully succoured in every temptation, they shall find uninterrupted rest in this complete Saviour.

All are invited to come, and all are promised rest. If few find rest from sin and vile affections, it is because few come to Christ to receive it.

Verse 29. Take my yoke upon you
Strange paradox! that a man already weary and overloaded must take a new weight upon him, in order to be eased and find rest! But this advice is similar to that saying, Psalms 55:22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee; i.e. trust thy soul and concerns to him, and he will carry both thyself and thy load.

I am meek and lowly in heart
Wherever pride and anger dwell, there is nothing but mental labour and agony; but, where the meekness and humility of Christ dwell, all is smooth, even, peaceable, and quiet; for the work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah 32:17.

Verse 30. For my yoke is easy
My Gospel imposes nothing that is difficult; on the contrary, it provides for the complete removal of all that which oppresses and renders man miserable, viz. sin. The commandments of Christ are not grievous. Hear the whole: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself. Can any thing be more congenial to the nature of man than love?-such a love as is inspired by God, and in which the soul rests supremely satisfied and infinitely happy? Taste, and know, by experience, how good the Lord is, and how worthy his yoke is to be taken, borne, and loved. This most tender invitation of the compassionate Jesus is sufficient to inspire the most diffident soul with confidence

God bless

[DaniHansen]

One of the best things you can do is to let God break you. It is in brokenness that true intimacy is born. :hug:

[ConqueredbyLove]

I just finished watching Dr. David Jeremiah and as he closed I shed a few tears, why, because as I felt the power of the Word and Spirit (the word is a mirror) and I saw my miserable self in his presence. My walk with the Lord is so weak and I have not pleased the Lord.

May I join you at the foot of the Cross? :cry:

[Sojourner]

Thanks my dear sweet friends.

[Sojourner]

I feel so un-Christian, I am really bombed out, going through a lot of darkness right now.

[DaniHansen]

Lucky for you then that light and darkness are all the same to God and that He is still with us, regardless. :hug:

[Vhayes]

I feel so un-Christian, I am really bombed out, going through a lot of darkness right now.
Psalm 23

4 - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

[Scruffy Kid]

Dear Sojourner --
Taking you seriously, and not seeking to minimize whatever sins or lacks you lament, yet I agree with the others:

Our central move in life is believing the gospel: while we were unable and unworthy, Christ died for us sinners, and it is in Him that we are transformed, washed, and made clean and whole. This is the message which we have heard from him, and declare to you,
that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son washes us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to wash us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (My little children, these things write I unto you, that you may not sin not.)
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (I John 1:5-2:2) You might also try looking at this video (wayne kirkpatrick lyrics sung by michael w. smith, and videoed by igniter):
Never Been Unloved ("I have been unfaithful") (http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=never%20been%20unloved&oe=UTF-8&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv#)

Stay strong, find peace, and keep on trying, in the knowledge that it is God -- in His great mercy and love made ours in Jesus Christ -- who is at work to take us (us! miserable sinners we persistently are!) and make us His very own children through Christ Jesus!

love,
YBIC,
Scruff