All is well.

An occurrence of several years ago saddened me each time I remembered it.  A lovely chain of events seemed to end in a pile of poo. 

I recently learned, however, the apparent pile of poo was a catalyst from which a wonderful event occurred.  I now feel honored to have been part of the process.  End from beginning, it was actually amazing!

This is how God works. End from beginning, all is well. (Read the story of Joseph, Genesis 37:1-Genesis 50:20)

I love this life!

 Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

"We have heard that God is with you."

Zechariah 8:23 (Amplified Bible) - "Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men out of all languages of the nations shall take hold of the robe of him who is a Jew, saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

God is with me.

I treasure our relationship.  

It is a covenant relationship

There are many more languages than there are nations.  Zechariah 8:23 specifies "ten men out of all languages of the nations" will want to go with the person who has covenant with God.  The lessons learned will be told in a language each hearer can understand.

With relationship comes influence.

Something to ponder.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

I've Been Circumcised

Philippians 3:3 (NKJV) -  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

God established circumcision of the flesh as a mark of covenant (alliance, friendship - a relationship of mutual benefit) with Him in Genesis 17.   

Moses tells the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30:6 (NKJV) - And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

I've been circumcised by God.   

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

Knowing the Heart

^{John 2:23-25 (Amplified Bible)}

But when He was in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, many believed in His name [identified themselves with His party] after seeing His signs (wonders, miracles) which He was doing.

But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men];

And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men’s hearts.]

According to Strong's Concordance, the word translated believed in verse 23 is the same as the word translated trust in verse 24.  People put their trust in Jesus because they saw His signs (doings).  Jesus did not put His trust in the people because he knew their hearts.

Simply seeing the good works of Jesus can draw me to Him, but what I see superficially doesn't change my heart.  I need to get to know him, to know His heart. 

When I receive Jesus and learn His heart, not just His works, my heart changes to become a heart Jesus can trust. 

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NKJV) reads, ^"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.   I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."

That's amazing.

I love this life!

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

Reactions

Sometimes I will react in a way that leaves me amazed at the wonderful changes God has wrought in me.  Sometimes...I react as the child I was.  

Oftentimes the childish reaction is so practiced, I don't even notice it doesn't line up with who I have become.  

Holy Spirit, point those old reactions out to me.  I know I have been set free from my past. 

"So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free." (John 8:36 Amplified)

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

True Life

I've been thinking about the viewpoint that all of life, end from beginning is in the process of occurring now (see my recent post, "Now").

As a child of God, because of the completeness of Jesus' salvation, my purity is now, my freedom from sin is now, my righteousness is now.  There may be process and growth involved in living out these truths, but they are true now nonetheless.  

Jesus has given me what He purchased with his life and death.  He kept the commandments - did not sin; end from beginning it's part of His gift to me. I have been grafted into His vine.  His life flows through me.

I don't currently understand the fullness of His gift, but I am no longer who I was.  Though I may make mistakes, sin is not my lifestyle.  Though I may get frustrated with people, hate is not my lifestyle. 

I thank God for this gift of true life.

I love this life! 

Copyright 2012   Leah Lambert Smith

Note - This post came from meditating on 1 John 3.

Contentment

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV)

My current state of contentment was hard won.  Dying to the angst that was my way of life felt as if I was literally dying.  Major surgeries, often with no anesthesia, occurred as my old ways were replaced with new ways.  

I encourage others to let go of their expectations of life and people, and expect God to bring about His exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (see Ephesians3:20).  I don't think to tell them the process may feel like dying.  My current joy so wonderfully eclipses the misery.  

The process is worth it.  I let go of those expectations of my spouse, my children, my friends...  I proceeded through the disappointment that my hopes may never occur, allowing room for the greater to occur.   

Godliness with contentment truly is great gain.

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith