Light on the issues....

It's been an interesting week. I've been doing a dual study in both Matthew and Hebrews. The Lord has been teaching me so much that it is just amazing to me to see how much He desires for me to grow and be changed.

This week one of my greatest struggles has been to overcome my road rage.... Now let me just say that it's not like I'm a crazy driver or anything just the opposite. I try to abide by the laws and rules that apply to all drivers the problem is NO ONE ELSE IS! This causes me such great distress , frustration, anger, loud outbursts, and often times thoughts I need not to be having about what I would "LIKE" to do to the offending driver......

It has been a problem that I am totally aware of and I'm very convicted about and I try very hard to be different everytime I get in the car. However, I've just not made the progress I need to have made seeing as though this is going on my 2nd year. UGH!

So what am I doing you ask? What is the Lord teaching me through my studies in Matt. and Hebrews that is helping me to overcome this sin nature!

Well, to be honest it's a PRIDE issue! I'm just not willing to DIE to SELF . One of my dear girlfriends said - it's knowing my rights and wanting them.

In my studies something that I've been amazed at is that in Matt. in the first 4 chapters it is about JESUS's arrival and the beginning of His Ministry.
When my friend shared the die to self and feeling that I have the right to drive "right" it made me think back to Christ's experience in the dessert.

The enemy came and tempted Jesus with this very same temptation in Matt. 4: 5 " Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, " If you are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written,
" He will give His Angels Charge concerning You;
and 'On their hands they will bear You up, Les you strike your foot against a stone".

Here is the key point! Satan knew Jesus had the RIGHT to a kingly life. He wanted Jesus to puff up and demand that right as well. YET!

Jesus answered: " On the other hand, It is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test."

He withstood the the temptation to demand His right as Heir to the throne.

In Heb. 1:1-4 these passages talk about who Jesus is and how He is set apart.
1. Heir of all things
2. Creator of the World
3. He is the Radiance of God's GLORY
4. He is the exact Representation of God's NATURE
5. He UPHOLDS all things by the word of His Power
6. He made Purfication of all sin-
7. He sat down at the RIGHT HAND of the Majesty on High
8. He became much higher than the angels and His name is more excellent than they......

Yet! again, He doesn't act as though he is all those things: He in all humility humbled himself and took on the role of a slave. He is the LIGHT of the WORLD and HE is SALT!

I lack humility and I lack a servants heart! IN the end it comes down to this:

Melissa has thought more highly of herself than she ought! When I drive that car I think way more of myself then I need too and while I might be RIGHT in my thinking - My actions need to be such that I draw people to Christ and not push them away. In all honesty there is more darkness in my car when I drive then light!

And man- I just have to take control of the flesh and say - NO MORE!

So, yesterday was a real victory. My attitude was different and I really wanted to be the servant I know I can be with a heart that truly desires to serve rather than be served. Not wanting what I know is rightfully mine but to want what is going to draw the lost to my Heavenly Father so that He might receive the GLORY .

So, here's to being Light and Salt! This is my goal this next week and the weeks ahead to really transform my thinking and to renew my mind with the TRUTH of who I am and to be the SERVANT I know He wants me to be!

Lord, thank you so much for how you have really spoken to me and thank you for Your continued patience with me. It has taken me some time to really get to the root of my problem. The fact is Lord, I lack humility. I confess this to YOU and ask You to forgive me. I do want to be a useful vessel and I want to be faithful to the things You've called me to. So, Lord, continue to mold me and shape me into the woman you want me to become.

Lord, I pray for all the women in the world who are seeking You. I pray that you would work in their lives in new and fresh ways. Speak to them Lord and Draw them to yourself. I pray for Your Humility to be rooted in each one of them and that they would be humble servants willing to do whatever you ask of them. I pray for their faith to be expanded in ways that they have never been grown and that they would not just be small lights but that Your Light would be as FLOOD light to those around them and that they would truly be SALT that is full of flavor and filled with Grace and wisdom .......

Lord- thank you for your Son who is forever!
It is in His name that I pray,
the Mighty name of Jesus,
Amen............