Peace...God's gift to us

This post is all over the map because I just started typing everything that's rolling around in my mind.


I read a something that makes a lot of sense: "Don't worry about what you do not understand of the Bible. Worry about what you do understand but do not live by." I read this in a book by Corrie ten Boom (my hero). This makes so much sense. In a way it took a burden from me. I get so wrapped up in "is this right, is that right, would God approve, etc." While I'm pondering over such things, I'm not doing the things I KNOW is Biblical and I know is right!!! God knows our hearts. He knows if our desire is to please Him. We may not know all the answers to the questions we have about the Bible, but we do know that God will help us. God will guide us. If we pray, walk with him daily, do our best to honor Him, we do not need to worry so much about what we don't understand. I believe also that God will reveal Himself to us...He will reveal truth. We can never rely on our own wisdom and understanding - we must rely on Him.

The world has a way of making God very small. The world has answers to all of your questions, but, according to the world, God's opinion is just that - His opinion. The world does not see one Truth. The world sees "my truth" and "your truth." We as Christians (I am saying this to myself more than anyone) need to start ignoring the world and its views and start living according to God's Truth. The world has a lot to offer. God has more to offer, but most of us don't want to take that step of faith to find that out. Most of us would rather enjoy the comforts of this world we know, and not take a chance on God. His plans may be different from mine. He may want me to do something I had not planned to do. I may have to step on someone's toes. I may have to spend more time with the people I don't spend much time with and less time with some of the ones I spend more time with. What I'm getting at is this: In my life, the times I've grown more as a Christian and closer to God are the times when I left what I wanted to do and did what He wanted me to do. I chose step outside my comfort zone. I chose to do what I know is right. I did not let my emotions take control of me. When this way of life becomes habit, we are growing closer to God's will. When we start ignoring God and trying to take control of our own lives, we are drifting away from His will. I've asked myself many times, "What is God's will in my life?" If I am not seeking His will then I cannot possibility expect an answer. I can't just expect him to whisper in my ear, "My will for you is..." if I am trying to control my life, my circumstances, my family's circumstances, etc and making God a small part of the process. Peace comes only from God. Trying to find peace any other way is a waste of time - not only my time but the Lord's time - time I could be using to glorify Him.

My Resolution

I was reading 2 Peter tonight for no specific reason when I came across exactly what I want this new year to be about. Here is what I read:

...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV 2 Peter 1: 5-8)


The sequence that God listed explains a lot of things in my life. I lack knowledge in many areas which I think explains why I struggle with self-control, perseverance and godliness. I needed these verses tonight. God knew I needed them. I have been relying too much on other sources to get my information about God. I'm asking everyone but God what the answers are to questions I have. I've not settled on a church because I don't know what doctrine is best. I listen to countless preachers which I'm not knocking because I've always believed I can learn from preachers of all denominations. The point is, I should be putting the focus on what I learn from my personal relationship with God, with what He reveals to me through spending time reading His Word. I guess I've lost faith that God will reveal things to me. I've started relying on other people too much and not relying on God as much as I should. It took reading those verses to make me realize how weak my faith is sometimes. I am ashamed to admit that. Having said that, I still think it's important to seek the wisdom of Godly people. I can't count the number of times I've asked my dad or mom things, and was really blessed with a better understanding.

I'm ready to print those verses in 2 Peter and put them on my refrigerator. I haven't done that in a while. I need to be reminded daily. As many times as I go to the fridge, I'll be reminded MANY times a day!

Thoughts for today...

I feel like this blog has drifted away from what I originally planned for it to be about, but that's okay I guess. It's become more of a "random thoughts from Allison" blog. With the new year, I've gone back to my first few posts. I realize that I have not been as faithful to the steps I listed as I should be. Like I said before, I believe in being honest. I have let other things take priority. I was consumed in my school work last semester and my Bible actually collected dust. BIG MISTAKE! When will I ever learn? Well, this is what new beginnings are all about. I'm about to start another semester of school so I know what I'm up against. I am determined to make more time for God. I pray continuously and I always have, but I know I need to be reading and studying the Bible more. I need to be spending QUALITY time with God. I remember Joyce Meyer said one time (and this is great) - We all have calendars and schedules and we try to fit God in there somewhere. What we need to do is put him there first, and figure out where to put the other stuff! Of course, Joyce explained it MUCH better than me.