Not in Self

There are daffodils and crocuses blooming by my house!  There are some buds on our willow, maple, and peach trees. Under the cold frame and the double layer of plastic, spinach is growing!  Spring is on the way, and soon plans for the garden will be underway.  God is faithful.  The seasons change, and He will remain faithful.  

I am still reading Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray.  It is the kind of book you don't want to end.  The chapter that I read yesterday was so meaningful, I can't help but share it with you.  I think this truth is something so many Christians sadly miss.

You really should read the book!  However, in my inadequate words I will try to explain the chapter.  Murray explains that God calls us to salvation, then He is the one who brings change in our life.  In our own strength we stumble in weakness.   As we abide in Him, recognizing our weakness and need of God's strength, He brings power and change.  It is not trying hard, and trusting Christ to help us.  No!  Murray says, "It is as those who have died, and can do nothing, our one care is to receive Christ day by day, and at every step to let Him live and work in us."  

It reminds me of my littlest daughter pulling on my arm when she is hungry.  She knows that she cannot get the food on her own.  She would make a terrible mess!  She just stands by me and pulls at my arm until I say, "What do you want?"  Then, she takes my arm and pulls me to the fridge and points to the cottage cheese and grunts.  I feed her cottage cheese with a spoon.  She is dependent on me, just as we are dependent on Jesus.  He is our only hope.  We pull on his mighty arm, through prayer.

Pray with me today:

Thank you Jesus Christ, that you are my only hope for change.  I am weak.  I rest in you right now.  Change me, Jesus.  Let me walk today in Your power.  I stand right with God, through your work on the cross.   I will not change as I trust myself.  I fail.  I am weak; you are strong.

Photo credit:  Elena

A song that I sang as a child is so true:
"He's still workin' on me,
To make me what I oughta be.
It took Him just a week
To make the moon and the stars,
The sun and the moon,
And Jupiter and Mars,
How loving and perfect He must be,
He's still workin' on me."

Here is a link to Abide in Christ, where you can read it online!   BibleStudyTools  The chapter that I wrote about today was the 29th day, And Not in Self.