The GOOD and the BAD

 

My Favorite Scripture #9

It's been 106 days since starting this journey at SMDCOG. I have loved every minute of it. My goal has been, and still is, to get to know this community of believers, the surrounding communities, and to help them to get to know me. That has been the fun part. One of the "funnest" parts of this calling has been helping people get to know me. (Yes, FUNNEST is a word. I checked with Miriam-Webster who said that it is entirely appropriate to use this adjective even though some people think it is an abomination! LOL!)

If the members of SMDCOG haven't noticed by now, I love to tell a good story and the older I get the more stories I have. In my nearly sixty-five years of life I have been through quite a few adventures with the Lord and I just love sharing those stories as OPENERS for my sermons. I want these NEW BROTHERS AND SISTERS in CHRIST to KNOW ME. I want them to KNOW my HEART for the Lord in all of its weaknesses, in all of its joy, in all of its sorrow, and in all of its love! They need to know the GOOD and the BAD, although, it is a whole lot easier to talk about the GOOD. I want this new family of mine to know how much I adore the Lord and how he has brought me to this place in my life not to serve my own selfish desires, but to serve this flock of believers and to help them expand the KINGDOM. 

That brings me to my next favorite scripture, Psalm 139. This scripture might be one of the favorites of my favorites. This is another scripture that is so powerful and I would love to write it all out for you, but I really just recommend, open your own Bible and spend time just reading these beautiful words and the truth they speak. I will highlight one of my favorite parts:

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!" (Psalm 139:1-6, NLT)

Just dwell on that thought for a minute!

God KNOWS ME. The same God that created the trees, the skies, and everything in it, knows me. But it gets better. The Psalm goes on and tells us that God is WITH ME. Then God MADE ME, God THINKS ABOUT ME, and lastly He PROTECTS ME. Those are such wonderful thoughts and I agree with David, those thoughts are TOO WONDERFUL FOR ME. 

When David realizes how well God knows him. HE STOPS, then his rejoicing changes to a heart felt plea! DAVID acknowledges that GOD knows his flaws, his weaknesses, his sin, and the evil in his heart. DAVID cries out to the LORD, PLEASE CHANGE ME. Remove the flaws you find, LORD, and place me ON YOUR PATH of RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

"Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT)

My greatest desire is to please the LORD in all that I do. He has brought me to this point in my life, not for my glory, but for HIS. As I continue to serve here, I want people to know me, to know my genuine desire to serve them. But, they also need to realize I am a sinner saved by grace just like everyone else. Even through the amazing joy I have of serving the Lord, I know my weaknesses and how much I need the Lord to overcome them. 

PLEASE LORD, help me to bring GLORY to your name in the midst of the GOOD and the BAD. I just want to bring glory to the GOD who CREATED ME, KNOWS ME, and STILL LOVES ME. Thank you Lord!