Jesus said, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings."

"Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.""

I really want to be Jesus' disciples.  So, what are some of Jesus' main teachings?  What a study that would be!

Off of the top of my head

• Believe in Him.  John 3:16- "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever should believe in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
• Love one another
• Forgive one another

I know there is more, much, much more.  But I think I want to focus on here is that we are to remain faithful to His teachings.

I know for myself it is hard to remain faithful to Jesus' teachings.  This world is so huge. There are so many voices.  You google a question, you have thousand of answers in seconds.

It is so hard to choose to listen to that still small voice above all.  But that is what I need to do.  Every other thing is temporary, having to do with this life.  As Peter said,

 "Lord, to whom else should we go, You alone have the Words of eternal life." 

Lord, help us to remain faithful to Your teachings.  Help us not to just be happy with reading the words, please help us to meditate on them, let them change us deeply inside, and then changing our life on the outside.

I know I have failed, many times.  But once again I choose You.  I choose Your teachings.  Please, do Your part in my sanctification, my heart, my life, my salvation.  As I choose to do mine.

Singing in the night

It started a couple of days ago, and I barely noticed, but this evening, when the discouragement ran deep, when so many things piled on, one on top of another, it was clearer, stronger. 

Just as the sun started to go down one little solitary bird sang a few notes.  And then the darkness descended and fell, and when the darkness descended, the bird sang loud and strong, right outside my window.  I still didn't understand. 

"That bird is so funny," I tell my husband, "why is he singing?  It's nightime."  And now it is midnight, close to the darkest hour, and right outside my window, he has sung yet another clear, strong, solitary song.

I do believe it is a sign from You, my Father in Heaven.  I have been in a season of night.  And we know that "joy comes in the morning".  But even in this season of night, there can be a song, and it is unexpected and more obvious than if it had been at the normal times.

Perhaps I can choose to sing just like this bird parked right outside my window.  And my song doesn't have to be fake.  It doesn't have to say my circumstances are perfect, or that I am perfect (far from it), but maybe it can be a sacrifice of praise.  The song itself is not that beautiful, but it is the offering, the daring to sing like it is morning when it is the middle of the night.  For the Lord is my light.  And He alone is my strength and my song. 

Thank you Lord, that in this time of night, and when the sorrow and disappointment can run deep, that we can learn from Your creation to sing in the night.  That You alone are our song, not our circumstances, our crushed dreams, our dashed hopes.  And in the darkest night, the songs come out clear and strong, clearer and stronger than they would in the bright day. 

And so it is with You my Father.  Your songs calm my heart and touch me more when my sufferings envelope me. 

There is a theology of suffering, and I know it is a good study, a good, strong study.  One of the best.  And you allow those whom you love to suffer.  But as of now, I am too weary to completely understand.  All I know is "Your strength is made perfect in weakness" and you have truly given me

songs in the night.

Thank you my Father.  You weary daughter, who must go to bed.

Why to stay in community.... even when you've been hurt.

These are not my words.  They are from other writers better than me.  
 
Love can only be comprehended in community. You need imperfect people in your life to perfect your practice of love.
There are no solitary saints; all sanctification is forged in community.

Read, enjoy.

http://www.incourage.me/2012/04/why-you-need-to-find-community-even-when-youre-really-hurting.html