Inspirational Posters

Perfection is…

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 KJV).

Perfection(2)

This quote holds a truth I often overlook while praying. For instance, it’s easy to pray for something to be added. I like the idea of putting on and walking in. However, I forget putting on requires discarding something. While walking in, depends upon me walking away from something else.

The wheel has a purpose. Transformation.
Painful. Yes. But renewal requires shedding the old.

Only the Potter knows what, when, where, and how much to remove. He also knows why it must be removed even though the reason may elude us.

Our purpose is to please Him. To do that, we–the workmanship–must submit to the Potter’s Hands.

New Year’s Prayer

Change Me

Know every part of me I try to hide from you.
Show the motivation behind all I say and do.
Create in me, something beautiful
Perfect, complete in the image of You
This is the prayer I pray, change me.

Don’t leave me as I am, but with your loving hands
Change every part until I fit into your plan.
Father, you know this heart of mine,
And Only you know the perfect design
This is the prayer I pray, Change me.

Words and music, Linda Gail Johnson © 2007
Treasure’s of Hope: Discovering the Beautiful Truth Beneath My Painful Past p. 32-33

Love And Self-control

/ Gail Johnson / 16 Comments

The quote in C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters kept drifting through my mind when considering this post on self-control. When I came across the quote in another post, I knew I had my answer. Let’s take a look at the quote.

Boy on a Rock Center of His Wheel Erik Cox copyrightNo longer desiring

Spiritual deserts can leave us dry and empty.

Still intending

Where else do we go when He is everything?

Every trace of God has vanished

Storms can erase every trace of His hands…for a while. Of course, we know even when we can’t see His hands, we can trust His heart!

Asks why

Have you ever asked why? I have.

Feels forsaken

In certain circumstances, the enemy will try to convince us that God has forsaken us.

Still obeys

So what makes a person obey when their life is in shambles, and there seems to be no evidence of God’s hand in their life?

For me it’s Love.

When I think of my relationship with the Lord, I think of marriage. When I fell in love, I had eyes for no other. My heart was pledged to one. In good times or bad times, I know he loves me even when I don’t understand him. Hubby’s love gives me strength.

It’s the same way with our relationship with the Lord. His love gives us the strength to face the hardest circumstances. Our love for Him and the work of the Holy Spirit in us produces self-control in us. We shouldn’t take pleasure in doing things that would displease Him. Just as we shouldn’t take pleasure in doing things that would displease our earthly spouse. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Falling in love makes everything easier.

Storms will come. At times, there’ll be no sign of deliverance. But if we love Him as He loves us, then we will still obey.

Your turn. Tell me what keeps you intending and obeying. Both actions require self-control.