Another Problem with Fear of Man

I was thinking this morning that one thing that I forego by being afraid of man is good counsel and profitable correction. I am around very wise people and I desire their correction so that I might grow. I think many times they are hesitant to correct me, however, because they know it will crush me and they are sympathetic and gentle. I value their praise and desire their admiration and because of that I'm struck deeply by their correction even though I know that I have areas to improve and want their input. No one wants to devastate someone by correcting them. One who desires correction needs to be humble, teachable, and fear the Lord and not man.

Homework

We had ladies Bible study today. The promise we studied today was God's provision. We talked about how he cares for the sparrows and clothes the lillies. Steph then talked about how our response to that provision is to be thankful. She spoke about how sometimes it is a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Sometimes we don't like what God has provided but we are told to give thanks for everything. God sometimes provides in creative and painful ways. Pain is often the loving provision of God which results in spiritual growth.

Steph's homework for us, which I am now passing on to you, was to think of something that we are not too thankful for now and on Thanksgiving thank God for it. In everything give thanks means even for the half-cooked chicken I will eat for dinner this evening. It also includes being thankful even for the fact that dinner is an hour and a half late. It means being thankful for our singleness, or lack there of, awkwardness, weaknesses and also for that person that really irritates you.

God using faithfulness.

Two weeks ago we had a Ladies Bible study on God's promises to those who persevere. It was a great pep talk especially to those of us who are weary at this point of the semester. In that talk, Becky, who grew up on the farm and still spends breaks there, talked about planting and then waiting to see the result. It takes time and God sends the increase. She also pointed out that when you plant a crop sometimes it doesn't produce and it is ruined. If you don't plant at all, however, there is no chance of reaping. She encouraged us to take every opportunity to do good especially to those in the household of faith. She reminded us not to cease doing good because we don't know how God might use it. She exhorted us to not delay in sending that card we have been thinking of sending because we don't know if it will reach that person at just the right time. Be faithful and leave the rest to God.
I have been thinking about this a lot recently because 1.) I have grown weary at times in the last few weeks and I need to remember God's promises and 2.) because I have received a great deal of timely encouragement. Two student life staff members at TMC sent me mail which arrived on the one day my eyes were consistently filled with tears. One of the cards said "laugh" on the front. The sender had no idea what an encouragement that would be to me or that it would arrive on said day but God did and the irony of it did make me laugh. The other one sent me a number of verses related to ministry and encouragement along with some supplies to use to minister to others. It spoke to exactly what I was ready to give up on and it encouraged me to know that others out there were striving for the same things.
I also recieved two books in the mail recently. I was excited to find them on my desk when I returned from Egypt. They are from Donna Morley whose husband is a professor at TMC. She doesn't know me but she visited here last semester and thought that sending her books to the ladies on staff here would be an encouragement to them. She followed through with her idea and we were greatly blessed by it. Right now I am reading one of the books called "A Woman of Significance." I highly recommend it. So far it has spoken a great deal on viewing ourselves rightly and in not seeking to perform for others but to be a humble servant. This came at just the right time as seen in my previous post. She had no idea how timely her kindness would be but God did.

Galatians 6:9 Do not grow weary of well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we may walk in them.

Luke 17:10 So you also when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, "We are unworthy servants, we have only done our duty."

Success in Man's Eyes or Faithfulness in God's

Last night the students and staff I work with had an appreciation party for me. I was completely clueless which made it all the more fun. I was very honored and encouraged by their sweet thoughtfulness and I greatly enjoyed taking home all their notes and reading them. It was encouraging to learn from the notes what God is doing in lives even when I am unaware. As I read the notes a thought came to mind. I thought about how I could read those notes, listen to comments, and be encouraged that I was living faithfully or doing a good job and still be a failure. All the praise could just be affirmation that I am doing a good job of acting the part and of striving to make myself look good. It is so easy to live for praise and to have my thoughts consumed with how to impress others. I think God is at work in this program changing lives and I strive to be faithful with my time and opportunities but last night was a good reminder to me of what true success is, faithfulness before God and not admiration of men. Success is measured in man's eyes and faithfulness in the Lord's. I liked the following quote I heard recently:

"God does not say at the end of a believer's life, 'Well done successful servant.' He says, 'Well done good and faithful servant.' We are called to be faithful."