Various Blessings

So it's been awhile since I've updated. But things are going well. God has truly been teaching me so much more than I could ever put in a single post. I don't have a ton of time right now (a quiz and a test tomorrow!), but I did want to write a few of the things God has been teaching me. Last night before I went to bed, I read from the "Taste and See" book by John Piper. The reading was AMAZING. I had thought about typing the whole thing out, but decided against it. You all should pick this book up and read all of them, but especially number 55. That was last night's reading. God really used it to get my heart and open my eyes. I actually have a burning desire right now to pick up my Bible and just read. And pray that God will open my eyes to things He has for me to learn from this precious book. I didn't want to put my Bible down last night, yet I needed to get some sleep. But, today, all I could think about was what God taught me last night. How much time I DON'T spend in His word and prayerfully read the words that are written. How much time I DO spend on other measly tasks, yet His word and my quiet time with Him always get pushed out. And now, I can't seem to put it down! It's amazing. God has truly opened my eyes to the WONDERFUL things in His word.

I went to the doctor last week and found out that what was then a bacterial infection turned into strep throat. But, thankfully, I got an anti-biotic and am not strep free (I think!) and also pill free. I took my last one tonight. It's a good feeling! I'm hoping to not get that again for at least a little while! But, while I was sitting in the doctor's office (that is one of the places where the wait can be quite long) I got to read another chapter in my "The Calvary Road" book. Again...AMAZING chapter! It's titled, "Are you willing to be a servant?" And at first glance, I thought, "Oh, another thing to read about servanthood. I already know that I'm supposed to serve, yadda, yadda, yadda." And starting out with this mindset...yep. You guessed it! God opened my heart and eyes and I realized that I wasn't being a servant. Right off the bat, Roy Hession states that once we understand the humility and self-emptying that is involved in servanthood, then and only then are we able to take on the position of a servant. He talks of the two different types of servants mentioned in the Bible. One is a hired servant that gets paid and has rights, and the second is a bondservant that does not get paid and has no rights and no appeal. In the Old Testament the Hebrews were forbidden to make bondservants from their own race, but the Gentiles were allowed to take such slaves. But when we go to the New Testament, the word in Greek for our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ isn't a hired servant, but a bondservant, which shows us that our position is to be the same. A bondservant to Jesus Christ with no appeal, no rights, and to be treated and disposed of just as He wishes. This reading about a true servant rebuked me and made me just how much of a servant I am not. But by His grace, He's teaching me more and more each day to be a true servant to Him and others.

I'm really striving to have a heart for God. And allowing Him to dwell in my heart. It's easier said than done! I'm learning all the time that I have so far to go until I'm where God wants me. Sometimes it feels as if I'm going backwards. But I know He isn't finished with me yet. And that's what I love. I hope to take the rest of today, tomorrow, the rest of this week and month and year to truly let God change me and for me to take delight in Him.