Inductive Bible Study for Psalm 39:4 (7-27-14)
"Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am."
God convicted and comforted me at the same time as I read this during my morning devotion. I taught a Bible study in John 13 this week for the teens at church. I talked about how everyone is a wicked sinner, we're all prideful, God will lift us up if we're humble and why we need to be broken before Christ. The Spirit was moving in and through me and I had become excited to share what The Lord had been showing me, instead of being concerned about how I would sound. Of course, my sinful pride started feeding me thoughts as soon as we were in the car to leave. I thought to myself "Wow, I'm a really good teacher". Satan wants to attack in any way, shape or form - even after giving a message from God.
I get so vain and prideful sometimes, and when I realize what I'm doing - elevating myself above everyone else - I feel awful. I desire to be shown just how weak I am. I love the verses in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 where Jesus says that His strength is made perfect in us when we are weak. I can't possibly expect God to help me when I am stubborn and working in my own strength. I think of it like a boat - there can only be one captain and the ship won't get anywhere if two people are trying to steer the ship. This struggle of letting God have control is one that happens on a daily basis. There won't be a rest from this until I stand in the presence of my Savior. The flesh is constantly fighting for control, and the spirit is constantly fighting to give control to The Lord.
The whole purpose of life is to glorify God. At the end of my life - the things I do for myself will be for nothing and the things I do for God will become a reward. I love the song Blink by Revive. The chorus says "It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash, it happens every time you turn to look back. I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time, what is it I've done with my life?". Time doesn't stop for us - every second counts. The other song that comes to mind is Life Means So Much by Chris Rice. The chorus says "Teach us to count the days, teach us to make the days count. Lead us in better ways because somehow our souls forgot - life means so much". He goes on to talk about how in terms of time, no one is rich and no one is poor - how are we using the time God has given us?
I need God to show me how frail I truly am. I think about my future a lot - where I will live, what I will do for work and who I will marry. I'm not even promised tomorrow!!! My heart needs to be humbled before God and I need Him to show me how much I need His strength. I want to live these next 5 minutes like these are my last 5 minutes (Steven Curtis Chapman anyone?). I could die at any moment. Jesus could come for the Rapture at any moment. I want to use my time wisely - to give God all the glory. I'm going to draw a clock with the numbers falling off on my hand to remind me: that I have no idea how much time I have left, to use my time wisely and to surrender my dreams to The Lord.
THE PROCRASTINATION OF FAITH BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteBelievers in Christ, as well as, non-believers are guilty of procrastination of faith. Believers in Christ postpone dealing with their spiritual problems, believing tomorrow will be soon enough. Non-believers think time is on their side, that tomorrow is the day of salvation.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone.
James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.(NASB)
If you are Christian but are living an unrepentant sinful lifestyle, do you really want to wait until tomorrow to repent?
Revelation 16:15 ("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will see his shame.")(NASB)
If you are not a Christian do you want to wait until tomorrow before you, believe-John 3:16, repent-Acts 3:19, confess- Romans 10:9 and are baptized in water-Acts 2:38? (SALVATION IS AVAILABLE TODAY---TOMORROW MAY NEVER COME)
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief , in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.(NASB)
If you are believer in Christ and know in your heart that water baptism is essential for salvation, but you are waiting until tomorrow to start teaching it to others for fear of losing your preaching position or not wanting to be condemned by family and fellow church members, remember there is no guarantee of tomorrow.
Psalms 144:4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. (NASB)
If you are telling the world that only a select few have been preselected for salvation, then, the time of repentance is now. No man knows what tomorrow will bring. (All who hear the gospel and are obedient to God's terms for pardon will be saved.)
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.(NASB)
Does it matter if churches look and act more like the world than the Lord's church? Can churches use man-made doctrine as the rule for faith and practice if they make a pledge to change tomorrow? Can churches wait until tomorrow to mirror the church found in the New Testament Scriptures?
Revelation 3:3 So remember what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.(NASB)
Repentance only works if there is a tomorrow. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.
The procrastination of faith is faith not experienced if tomorrow never comes.
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