Verses vs. Me

I want to look at some scripture that God has shown me to really apply to my life. Some verses have been implemented for longer periods of time, others are newer. But then I'm also going to look at some other truths to start applying to my life and allow to cultivate more character to honor the Lord. Here's some verses that I've been holding on to.

Striving to know God: Hosea 6:6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,  the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Dying to my flesh: 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Relationship/Love: Song of Solomon 2:7 I urge you...that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

Working hard, stewardship and blessing others: Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

And there are a myriad of others that I can think of, but more importantly, I need to strive to implement each aspect of God's word into my life, daily.

I think of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth...Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be Sons of God....Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!" Wow, Jesus' own words convict me even more. Am I meek? Certainly not consistently. Am I striving as a peacemaker for unity and tranquility? Hardly. Am I pure in heart? Absolutely not...there are so many vile things that I subscribe to, laugh at, watch, talk about, think about. Those three things are huge truths, and great standards to live by. More than great, too. Necessary standards to live by.

I pray that in all of it, I will be humble before God. Like Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.."

To be weak before the Lord is to be in need of him with my every move. I want to be strong for my future wife. I want to be strong for my brothers. I want to be strong for my church. I want to be strong in the Word. To be strong, I need to be desperate and needy for Christ more.

I'm also going through some books and a brief study on the Biblical basis of masculinity and feminism. Looking at how, as men and women, we are to rightly preserve and live out our roles as God intends for us. Stewardship of His truth is a huge area we all need growth in. But I'm deeply encouraged by God.

Soli Deo Gloria