Turning Again from Self to Jesus

This box is our prayer reminder for our giving and praying teammates. I thought the unwiped table was fitting. I am reading through names of people that all mean something to me. I’m reading a couple prayer requests written on each card. I’d like to text each friend. But will fears stop me? I’m grateful for some truths God has been reviewing. They relate because they enhance my freedom to love. First: The law says truthfully, “Your prayers are imperfect and not enough.” Grace (because of Jesus) says, “You prayed. Awesome! Keep it up.” Second: Jesus is holding all things together. That is not my job. I really get bogged down easily when I have wrong aspirations and see myself failing at them. I wind up thinking things like, “Don’t write a blog post; it won’t be perfect. Your love and care for others is imperfect; you shouldn’t try; it won’t be perfect.” God reviewed with me I don’t have to try to be perfect, but rather rest in Jesus, the Perfect One. I feel free to call up my friends, even though I’m not a perfect friend. And yes, we’re inviting teammates to join us in ministry, but I don’t have to let that make me nervous in my friendships either. How funny that arrogance is not aiding my performance but crippling it.

Please pray I will put no confidence in self, but look instead at the performance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:1-3 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh…”