Don't Forget To Boast…
by coie - March 2nd, 2008.Filed under: Uncategorized.
I was convicted during our small group meeting tonight. That happens just about every week. On to the subject.
You probably know the lesson of "Hearers and Doers" or "Walkers and Talkers". It is always aimed to remind believers not to just *hear* the Word, but to *do* what it says. Or not to just preach the Word, but do what it says. This message is true. We cannot as Christians simply read the Bible or preach the word and not respond. It is hypocrisy, and unbelievers will mock us for our insincerity. But on the flipside, we cannot be only "doers", or we are no different from the "moral" people in this world.
I am guilty of this. I am a "good person". I am a doer. I *do* stand out from the world because I am conservative in dress, speech and life in general. But it’s all gotten to my head. Christians have told me that I am a shining example and that Christ is displayed in me. Unbelievers have told me that I am different, it is refreshing to see a young lady like me, and that they respect me. And so I puffed myself up and rested in my "goodness". I knew that it did not save me, but I felt secure, knowing that I was a good person. In it all, I forgot to talk. Forgot to boast.
Psalm 20:7
Some boast in chariots and some in horses,But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
Psalm 34:2
My soul will make its boast in the LORD;The humble will hear it and rejoice.
Jeremiah 9:24
but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.
Romans 15:17
Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.
Galatians 6:14
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Hebrews 3:6
but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house– whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
You see, if I am only being a good person and not letting people know that the only good they see in me comes from God, through Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit, I am no better then members of false religions with high standards. It’s not doing the unbelievers around me any benefit if they don’t know the reason I strive to "abhor evil and cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9). If I keep silent and not boast in Christ when the opportunity arises, I am simply receiving the glory, and refusing to honor God. Because He chose me, a worthless, good-for-nothing that he did not need and had no reason to want. There is no good in me, except through Christ. Yet he chose me. And He alone deserves the glory. Please pray that I will speak boldly, and always remember to boast in Christ.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
Amen
I get so sick of the ego stroking that people do….I don't need help in that area. I struggle as you do. Every day I have to remind myself how worthless and good for nothing I am. Every day. It is so very true that there is nothing, not one thing that is good in us except Christ.
Thanks for the reminder in whom I boast.
~Auntie Spiffy
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:45 am
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well said, mookey. i now officially un-ground you from blogging in the middle of the night while i'm trying to sleep.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
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Good post.. thanks for the good reminder!
love jess
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Thank you for sharing
What a blessed and convicting post Coie! The Lord has been working in my life on this exact thing~ I appreciated the verses you shared and jotted them down to meditate on more later.
love,
Jaynee
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Yep
Thanks for sharing that, Coie… a good reminder and very true. That's something I struggle with, too. God has been reminding me lately to speak about Him, to speak His name. I don't like to speak much! :-
How are you guys doing? It's been so long since we've talked! I hope things are going well!
Love, Ashley
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
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Dear Coie-
This post was refreshing and indeed a good reminder of who we are to strive to shine forth..not of ourselves but the One who deserves all the glory.
It was soooo sooo good to see you at work today. Sorry we didn't find anything to buy. : ) We didn't buy anything at Lowes wither but we did get some keys made.
Love,
Mrs R
March 4th, 2008 at 10:27 am
From Mrs. Carr
Coie,
You are a remarkable lady! Christ is present in your heart, and yes, you do shine for HIM!!!!!
Love,
Mrs. Carr
March 4th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
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Amen.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Thanks for the nudge
I've actually been thinking about this–or something like this–recently. God has done amazing things in my life and I need to shout it out (so to speak). God has worked little "miracles" in my life, not just because He cares about me, but so that I can testify to others of His power and mercy for their lives, too.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Who was that last commenter?
Oh that was weird. I didn't think I signed out…but wait. One of my daughters was on earlier, and though she kept my window down on the bar, she signed on homeschoolblogger (which automatically signed me out), and then she must have logged out, which made me Anonymous. Sorry about that. (It's a hazard of a shared computer coupled with too much work for Mom and not quite enough for said Daughter–not that she would agree.)
March 10th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
From Mrs. Carr
Hello Dear Coie!!!
I hope you all are well and are anticipating the arrival of spring with as much excitement as we Carrs are!!!!…just can't wait much longer!!!!!
I'm wondering if I could print out this past post of yours…Richard and I are speaking at the next Youth Group meeting at our church and this post REALLY touched me…it goes along with some of what I want them to "realize" too…you can e-mail me and let me know if it's o.k….your "Momsie" should have my e-mail address.
Much, much love to all of you!!!!!
Mrs. Carr
*PS – I'm terribly excited for all of your "goat news"!!!