Tripping my spiritual trigger

[toad]

“ I am so thankful that I didn’t get what I deserved, therefore I don’t have any right to whine when I don’t get what I want.” (Pastor Darrell Friend)

“And do you think O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:3-4 NKJ)

Saturday we had a Fall Fest in my hometown. There were booths all around the square, various rides, a climbing wall, antique tractors, custom trucks and tractors, various bands, and drama skits. I wanted to be there at 11am to watch the drama team from my church minister the Word of God in action. What a powerful ministry it is when to music, they act out life’s drama in an understandable message that conveys the need for God in our lives. Trained actors are able to deliver a thought provoking idea without ever speaking a word. Actions many times do speak louder than words. After the skits I moved around through the different booths visiting and just enjoying what was on display. It was during this time that I ran into Pastor Darrell Friend. He planted the church I attend some thirty years ago. I asked him about the quote I had heard him speak a few months ago. I understood what it meant, but wanted to get the wording correct. The idea that I didn’t get what I deserved is fuel for my gratitude in working my program of recovery. I learned some time ago that if I am not grateful that I am clean and sober, I soon relapse back to using. This morning in my study time I read these verses by the apostle Paul as he wrote to the church at Rome. Two thoughts came to my mind. First was the word forbearance, and second was that it is God’s goodness that leads me to repentance. Before I became a Christian, I thought that people got saved because of God’s wrath. A kind of fear thing, which drove people to their knees. And some might come to the Lord this way, but for me it was more of the fact that God still loved me after all I had done that was wrong and self-centered. This is called forbearance. God bearing with me all along, waiting for the opportunity to shower love on me. Share with me what the Dake Bible has to say about the word forbearance. “Forbearance, the Greek word is anoche, the self restraint of God whereby He tolerates sinners and permits them to live to be saved.” That thought right there just trips my spiritual trigger. As I sit here right now with an open heart, basking in God’s love, I am thankful I didn’t get what I deserved. Once again, God has done for me what I could not do for myself…………………JRE

“So it is necessary for all of us to accept whatever positive gifts we receive with a deep humility, always bearing in mind that our negative attitudes were first necessary as a means of reducing us to such a state that we would be ready for a gift of the positive ones via the conversion experience. Your (my…jre) own alcoholism and the immense deflation that finally resulted are indeed the foundation upon which your (my….jre) spiritual experience rests.”
BILL W. …………….A letter dated 1964

[cmc]

Thanks for this, toad, I needed to be reminded that He allows me to reach the point where I am willing, able and ready to receive the precious gifts He intended to give me all along. When I come to the end of myself... I then rely on His strength and His ways become mine.

[best]

I was talking with the associate pastor (now retired) about getting what is deserved. My feelings at the time and still the same today...
If God says hell is my eternity, I would need say yes, You are right. I would be getting what I deserve. The pastor briskly tried to correct me... Don't speak like that, you have the promises of God and hell is not in your future.
My thoughts continued and I came to an understanding that..."standing room only" in heaven is much more then I deserve. As I read more of God's word and learn more of God's promises, I come to an understanding that God doesn't have "standing room only" God wants the best for each of us. "I go and prepare a place for "you" "
There will be no ok/second class seats in heaven. Each place will be made to perfection. Jesus wants us to have the best. Hell I deserve, the best of heaven is the promise offered. I am not worthy but for the blood of Jesus. By His sacrifice, I shall live in glory. By God's mercy and grace, I will not get what I deserve.

[toad]

Originally Posted by best

I was talking with the associate pastor (now retired) about getting what is deserved. My feelings at the time and still the same today...
If God says hell is my eternity, I would need say yes, You are right. I would be getting what I deserve. The pastor briskly tried to correct me... Don't speak like that, you have the promises of God and hell is not in your future.
My thoughts continued and I came to an understanding that..."standing room only" in heaven is much more then I deserve. As I read more of God's word and learn more of God's promises, I come to an understanding that God doesn't have "standing room only" God wants the best for each of us. "I go and prepare a place for "you" "
There will be no ok/second class seats in heaven. Each place will be made to perfection. Jesus wants us to have the best. Hell I deserve, the best of heaven is the promise offered. I am not worthy but for the blood of Jesus. By His sacrifice, I shall live in glory. By God's mercy and grace, I will not get what I deserve.

Thank you Best for the inspiring response..........first-class all the way in heaven.........grace is something my natural mind does not fully understand. A gift I don't deserve.............given to me because of the condition of my heart, not my mind.............thanks for sharing.......toad

[TonyB]

Best:
I'm with you brother. It makes me think of this.
The greatest man on earth is not greater than the least in heaven. This tells me that no matter how righteous I may be, I’m still not greater than the least in heaven. It also tells me that I will never “arrive”, and that I must continue to do the Lord’s works while I’m here. "Be the bondservant" That this faith thing is a way of life or should I say a way to everlasting life.
We are not judged by our deeds, therefore no one can buy his way in. It’s though faith alone, we have but to accept Christ’s gift and pick up our crosses and bare them.
UT

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by toad

Thank you Best for the inspiring response..........first-class all the way in heaven.........grace is something my natural mind does not fully understand. A gift I don't deserve.............given to me because of the condition of my heart, not my mind.............thanks for sharing.......toad

Toad:
I also agree with you. Grace is something I don’t deserve either. Man can my alcoholic mind dig that!
But here is the rub my friend. I didn’t have to deserve it. Christ loved us so much, He gave it to us. The only thing He asked in return was that we believe in Him.
Today, I understand grace. The gifts that I don’t deserve, because He has bestowed so many on me. Sobriety, my family…. Life it’s self!!! The best was I can repay Him (I think) is by expressing my gratitude. Saying “thank you” to Him for the multitude of His bounty to me. That is Christ's true love.
UT

[TonyB]

1 Peter 2
1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,[a] 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

[best]

Originally Posted by toad

A gift I don't deserve.............given to me because of the condition of my heart, not my mind.............

A heart of stone that I could not change has been transformed into a heart of clay by a touch of love from the Lord.

I can't take credit for any of it.

God has done for me what I could not do for myself………

Originally Posted by TonyB

That is Christ's true love.