Several years ago, I suddenly could not see well. We were 1200 miles from my regular doctors, so I saw an unfamiliar optometrist and then a retinal specialist. I had two macular holes and needed retinal surgery.
I sent the records to my doctors in Colorado, and we began watching the weather to be able to get home.
There were many, many answers to prayer during this time. The biggest was that the Lord brought me to trust Him for my eye problem, to trust His sovereignty over my sight, and to trust His love. I came to realize that if I lost my sight, He would be with me and He would have blessings for me. I, of course, prayed He’d heal my eyes, but it was awesome to know either way He would have a purpose for me.
One of the answers to prayer was whether to have cataract surgery before retinal surgery or afterwards. The Texas advice was to have retinal surgery first because cataract surgery would further open the hole. The Colorado advice was that I would have better outcomes if I had cataract surgery first. It seemed like a very big decision and I prayed about it for the weeks it took to get home.
At my first Colorado visit with an ophthalmologist, she discovered I had drainage problems in both eyes, which had to be correctly prior to retinal surgery.
Guess what the procedure was to correct the drainage problem.
Cataract surgery!
I had to laugh. What a crystal-clear answer to prayer!
Thank You, Lord!
And thank You for my restored sight!
What an awesome God we serve.
~~~
If you want some history and more detail on my journey through my eye problem, see
This is the 5-year anniversary of Pressing On Together. Today is the 259th post.
My goal was—and is—to help us press on in our Christian walk, more and more walking in a manner worthy of Him.
My “Welcome!” post said: “This website is dedicated to pressing on: finding hope ahead, forgetting past sins and victories, overcoming barriers, handling trials, learning how. And moving forward together.”
Through this blog I want to honor God and help others. I want it to be an encouragement to you.
God has helped me through my own blog (!). I am blessed as I research and write each post. I schedule the posts ahead of time, and I am amazed how often my own post helps me!
I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:12–14)
Let’s press on!
One God
There is one God. One. The One and only God.
Both the Old and the New Testaments teach that there is One God.
Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. (Isaiah 43:10)
I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me. (Isaiah 44:6)
I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. (Isaiah 45:5)
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)
Jesus: “The foremost [commandment] is, ‘Hear, O Israel!The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’” (Mark 12:29–30)
In a world with multiple traditions with multiple gods, we rest on the fact that our God is One and that He is the only.
One God! Such clarity. We know Who to worship; there is no confusion about Who is in charge.
The Trinity
Our one God is revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is taught in both Old and New Testaments, although with more clarity in the New.
Jesus, the Son of God, eternal God, taught there is One God. No conflict there! Jesus taught us to pray to God the Father. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ.
Both Jesus, our great High Priest, and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us intercede for us with the Father.
We pray to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our Response
There is One God. We are not alone. We are watched over, cared for, guaranteed eternal life There is no one else to believe in. There is salvation in no one else. There is no one else to give ourselves to. There is no one else to rely on.
This truth makes it easier (we don’t have to be confused about which god to appeal to). This truth is also overwhelming. There is only one God who is in charge of everything, who created us, who saves, who judges, who condemns. There is only one God to whom we are accountable (and who knows everything and has all power).
We better get it straight.
We are called to love the One God, our Lord, with everything we are. We are called to love Him—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and all our strength. (See HOW to Love God with All Your Mind.) We are to love with all our capacity.
God, help us worship You in spirit and in truth.
You Are Always on His Mind
Christian, you are not forgotten. You are always on His mind.
You may feel alone. But you aren’t.
He promises He will never forget you. No matter who else forgets, He does not and will not forget.
Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. (Isaiah 49:15–16)
The Lordis the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
These were spoken in the Old Testament and applied to Christians in the New:
He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor willI ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6)
And Jesus promised: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Keep in mind that you are always on God’s mind.
When you feel alone, remember Him.
When you feel forsaken, recognize that as a lie from the devil, and remember that you are always ALWAYS on His mind.
Thank You!
We–Christians, believers in Christ, Christ-followers—are to live examined lives.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23–24)
Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord. (Lamentations 3:40)
We are to ask God to search us. God, of course, knows everything already. But we don’t. I am very, very capable of fooling myself.
When we pray for God to search us, He will show us.
Pleasing God
Examination isn’t only to learn what we need to confess. When God searches us and shows us, He will also show us what we’re doing well and what we need to strengthen. We are learning to please God.
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1)
Identifying Sin
Examination also shows us areas of sin that we need to confess, repent, and change with His help.
After we have been saved, saved from the penalty of sin, we still sin, alas. But we are learning how to walk in the newness of life, and being made into the image of Christ.
Until God takes us home when we will be saved from the presence of sin, we will sin. Examination shows us the areas God wants us to confess and work on.
The result is a more godly life and deeper fellowship with God. What an enormous blessing.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Examine Yourself
Set aside some focused time and give it a try.
Blessings will result.
~~~
Father, search me and show me where I sin and what I need to strengthen. Help me be sensitive to anything I think, say or do that does not please You. Help me confess my sins, and, with Your help, eradicate it, substituting thoughts, words, and deeds that please You. Help me understand Your word and Your will for me, and help me make my life glorify You. Thank You that You encourage as well as reprimand. Thank You that You are leading and guiding me. Thank You that You are making me into the image of Your Son. Thank You that You will bring me home.
Do you know anyone who doesn’t think he or she sins?
Christians are sinners who have recognized their sins, repented, and believe in Christ for salvation. Christians still sin, but when we confess our sins, God forgives (1 John 1:9).
Non-Christian sinners are everyone else. Some are those who rely on their behavior, believing their external adherence to God’s law or their ethical/moral standing makes them righteous and guarantees them a place in heaven. The Pharisees are a prime example, although there are many today, including within the organized church.
For the self-righteous, they have convinced themselves their standard is the one that counts with God. They are relying on external behavior. They are whitewashed tombs (Matthew 23:27).
Other non-Christian sinners do not believe they sin. They don’t believe in God, perhaps. They may believe only their opinion is right and cannot listen to alternative points of view. They may think whatever they do is right. Some claim they are perfect just as they are.
I saw a well-known athlete repeat a mantra: “I am perfect. I am strong. I am enough.”
Oh my.
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.(Galatians 6:3)
Is it possible for either group ever to believe they are sinners in need of a savior?
The gospel contains both bad news and good news. The bad news is that we are all sinners and that sinners face a righteous, just God who hates sin. The good news is that God provided a Savior who died in our place IF we repent, believe, and trust in Jesus Christ, receiving Him as Lord and Savior.
I know nothing is impossible for God, and that He can bring anyone to confession, repentance, and belief. BUT….
Let’s pray!
God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—thank You that nothing is impossible for You. Please make us sensitive to the needs and opportunities of those who do not know You, who don’t think they need You. Please guide us.
Jesus, eternal God, became a man. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).
Breathtaking!
Jesus Was Fully Man
Jesus was fully man. He was born of a virgin. He was a descendent of David according to the flesh, through both His mother, Mary, and her husband Joseph. He was circumcised as any Jewish boy. He was born under the Law. He was raised in Nazareth, in subjection to His mother and Joseph. He grew in wisdom and stature. He attended synagogue. He was tempted in everything as we are but was without sin. He was laughed at, mocked, insulted, slandered. He suffered. He hungered and grew thirsty. He traveled. He tired. He was touched. He was distressed. He agonized. He prayed. He was beaten and scourged. He bled. He was crucified. He died. He was buried.
He was man.
Praise the Nazarene.
Spiritual Implications
Because He became a man and lived a perfect life, He:
Went through what we are going through, was tempted as we are, yet without sin, and is able to come to our aid;
Learned obedience from the things He suffered, and understands our weaknesses, infirmities, and trials;
Was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, and became God’s perfect sacrifice, saving believers from our sins.
Became our sympathetic high priest who sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14–18)
~~~~
Lord Jesus Christ—eternal God—I praise You for becoming a man. I am so grateful You humbled Yourself, being made in likeness of man and being obedient to death, even death on the cross. I praise You for perfectly living a life on this world, being tempted as we are, but without sin. I praise You for suffering enormous pain for our sakes. I praise You that You are our great High Priest, able to sympathize with us since You also endured this life. I praise You for coming to our aid.
nasa.gov
Pentecost: Giving the Holy Spirit
We’ve been looking at history (See Preparing for Easter). The next big event after Jesus’ ascension was Pentecost, giving believers the Holy Spirit, which occurred 10 days after Jesus’ ascension.
Before Pentecost
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, the people who believed in Him had not yet received the Holy Spirit. I don’t know what that experience was like since the Holy Spirit now dwells in all believers in Christ. But now is better!
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit.
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38–39)
Jesus told His disciples: “It is to your advantage that I go away.”
“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7)
Pentecost
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” (Acts 2:1–4)
Before Christ’s resurrection, the disciples were in a locked room. After they received the Holy Spirit, they testified with power, they rejoiced to suffer in His name. All but one became martyrs. They were transformed.
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit dwells in all believers, sealing us, and given as a pledge of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit is our helper, our encourager, our teacher, and guides us to all truth (John 14:26; John 16:13). The Holy Spirit gave us gifts and empowers us to do the good works God prepared for us (1 Corinthians 12). The Holy Spirit gives us access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26). Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
And God the Holy Spirit is and does so much more! (See Praise the Holy Spirit)
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Father, thank You for giving the Holy Spirit to believers. Help us worship Him and listen to Him. I want to walk in, and be by controlled by Your Spirit. I don’t want to grieve or quench Him. Please help me consciously and continually seek You and yield to Your Spirit dwelling in me.
On a trip from Virginia to New Hampshire a loved one noticed that the backlight on her car radio stayed on even when the radio was turned off. Since she recently had to replace her car battery due to something staying on (but blessings—one month before the warranty expired) she decided to get the radio fixed.
She also told her mechanic the car shimmied when braking and he found a failing ball joint. Her mechanic told her that if the ball joint had failed, she would have lost control. So it was a matter of life-injury-death!
Connecting the Dots
In this situation, the dots are easy to follow: because she’d recently had to replace her battery she was sensitive to the backlight on the radio staying on, because the backlight on the radio was staying on, the damaged ball joint was discovered and fixed. A potentially serious accident was prevented. So praise God for the problem with the radio.
While this situation is easy to track through to clear benefits, the same principle holds for all the irritants (and blessings) in our lives, even the ones that seem—or are─horrible. God promises to work all things to the good. He usually doesn’t tell us why, perhaps because Romans 8:29 already tells us why (because He is conforming us to the image of His Son). Whether we know why or not, His promise holds to cause “all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Cultivate Thanksgiving
We need to cultivate continual thanksgiving for whatever comes our way because we can trust that our loving Father is in control and because we know that He will keep His promise of working everything to the good for us who know Him and are called according to His plan.
There is no need to ask why. But I think it is a faith builder to ask Him to show us the good results as they work out. For example, “Ah, yes, I am definitely am listening to You better,” or “Yes, I can see that I am more patient when…,” or whatever.
Instead of asking why, I think we should ask what and how. Lord what am I to do with this situation? How can I glorify You?
Today, I am praising God for a minor car problem that prevented a possible disaster.
Jesus said the greatest commandment is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
HOW do we love Him with all our mind?
For several years my core goal was to thank Him in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I might have made marginal improvement, but, really, I gave myself a low grade. Another year my goal was to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Really low grades on that goal! This year my core goal is “Rejoice!” How am I doing? Well, not so well. I need to learn HOW.
So, HOW do I love God with all my mind? HOW do we love God with all our minds?
ONE. STUDY GOD’S WORD
We need to regularly study God’s word. Devotional reading is great, but we need to go deeper. We should made daily Bible study our routine.
The Holy Spirit dwells in believers, and He will illuminate to us God’s word. (Pray before you start reading or study.)
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment… (Philippians 1:9)
TWO. MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD
As we study, certain passages will stand out. These might be doctrine, commands, instruction, application. Meditate on those passages. Consider memorizing them.
You might be more inclined to focus on instruction, but don’t ignore doctrine. Behavior is rooted in belief, and the more we understand God, the more readily we will walk in His way.
Blessed is the man [whose] … delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)
Throughout the day, regularly review what you’re reading and meditating on. Repeat the passages you’ve memorized.
By regularly reviewing God’s word, the more He and His word become top of mind. By having His word at our fingertips, the more likely we are to understand our situation (and the world) through His eyes, and the more likely we are to apply His word.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you. (Colossians 3:16)
THREE. SET YOUR MIND ON THE THINGS OF GOD
We have to decide to do this. We have to make up our minds.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)
FOUR. PRAISE GOD
There are many commands in the Bible to praise God.
Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15)
FIVE. KEEP GOD’S COMMANDS
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (John 14:15)
Application solidifies learning. The more we walk according to His ways, the more we learn His ways. This is an awesome cycle.
Become controlled by His word.
We become more settled in a Christian world view. Unless we have God’s point of view in mind we cannot rejoice when we suffer for Him (for example). (Acts 5:41, James 1:2)
[Through true knowledge and discernment we] may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.(Philippians 1:10)
I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts.(Psalm 119:100)
Challenge
I developed this list through searching the Scriptures and reading some sermons for HOW to love the Lord with all my heart. Now I am asking the Lord to show me my deficiencies and guide me to implement these steps for His glory. Will you join me?
Prayer
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.(Psalm 19:14)
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When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready?
When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fear bad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and helps them emerge stronger on the other side.
About me
I'm a Christian, wife, retiree, and author.
I love studying and putting knowledge into action. I'll share what I'm learning, encourage you, and urge all of us to press on to become more like Christ.
Pressing On Together
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