Brokenness Before Becoming Christlike

Hey All,

Thanks for those that are praying for me through a rough time. It's mostly my creating, as God has been showing me. It's amazing to see God bring discipline and humility into His revelations to me the past few days. In writing this blog and going about my walk this fall, I see how I'm becoming puffed up and prideful. I've become a busybody and irresponsible with much of what God has given me. Without handling my own responsibilities, I've looked at others only. What a stubborn servant I am! It's brimmed to a point that God has put me in my place. Thanks and praise be to God that I see again His ways. His tests and trials are so good. I know that He deeply loves me because he brings me to greater understanding of him.

In John 21, Christ beckons Peter by probing his heart and demanding him to feed the sheep/lambs. Also, he predicts the manner of Peter's death. Immediately after this Peter is concerned more about what Christ has in store for John. Christ says, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

Boy, I don't know about you, but this is such a wake up call for me. I'm by no means Peter, but to see that I am so focused on interfering with what God is doing that I'm reaping a time of brokenness. God is teaching and calling, yet I'm sitting on the sidelines in my pride pointing out what he has going on with others. It's time to follow him and feed the sheep like he asks. I can't have it my way anymore because it's time to deny my way and be like Christ. My pride must be broken before I can do that effectively.

Here is a list of several scriptures that have spoken God's words to me recently (For the sake of time, I'll briefly tell what the Word is saying):

Philippians 2:3-5

My mind has been focused on others, but I would not say it has been Christlike. I've been like a Pharisee, a hypocrite, like Peter in John 21. Looking to others first without having my attitude centered on his mission. I'm following me, and not Him. Forgive me if recently I've not been representing Him well around you.

Psalm 139:23-24

If I were to say this now, God would find a lot of idolatry (sports, lust, comfort, laziness,etc.). Forgive me Lord and cleanse me. Help me to walk in a way that pleases you.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Passing the test means that Christ is in me and you. Are we examining ourselves? If we're honest with ourselves, we would repent (turn from them and seek a His ways).

Ephesians 5:25-27

If I ever want to be a good husband, I must be Christlike-- loving sacrificially. This includes understanding and encouraging and being to her as he lovingly does to me.

James 1:22-25

I've looked at the law of liberty in Romans 7-8 and 1 Corinthians 3:17, yet I'm not being a doer. I should just stop typing now.

Believe and follow him for you will find more joy in being a part of his plan than you will ever find when you blindly lead yourself. Pray that I would not stray from this. Pray that we would be striving more and more to be like Christ. Grace and Peace to his Saints.

Gratefully in His Arms,

Eliot

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

http://bit.ly/ck3dja"

Being a temple of the Holy Spirit bought at a high price has spoken a great deal to me this week. I'm seeking to glorify him in all things.

I know this is really short this week. It's been a crazy week, but it's gotten a lot better. God is awesomely using me. He's doing much pruning to his servant. It's humbling that God sees me worthy to be used.

I'll have more updates soon. Hope you're getting on fire for God out there.

In the grace that is Christ Jesus.

Romans 15

Psalm 102 (1-18, 25-27) & Psalm 103:8-14


I'm in a place of humility. After being in a place where I thought things were figured out and understood, it's humbling to see that life continues to get harder and less certain (Many times its because of my pride, selfishness, irresponsibility, etc.). It's hard to see anything clearly now. It's distressing and unsettling. It's a cold reality. I'm fearing God in this time. He's clearly seeking my attention through his rebuking and chiding.

I must respond with due diligence to thank him and praise him. The Psalms that God speaks to his people have renewed my soul some, but I'm still a little wounded and confused. I was trying to do more of what God wanted me to do, but through that I've found less and less time for everything. All the while in my wickedness, I've become sluggish and sloppy a little. Something feels wrong, but it's difficult to put a finger on it. I'm not myself, but feel under attack from others and from within. Please pray for this week that God's goodness would shine through.

James 4:17 and Romans 15:1-3

These verses are also weighing on me. In seeking to do what is right, I've been pleasing myself less and less. Seeing selfish gain as evil compared to what God wants me to do I've been putting off the daily tasks for me to do what others need. It's lead to a whole lot of discouragement. Along the same note, I'm causing pain for those around me with my words and actions at times. Where is the sin and where is the good? By trying to do good, am I sinning? What does God mean when he says these verses to me right now. I'm really struggling to keep my head afloat with life whizzing by and could use your prayers to understand what is it that is good and right. I'm struggling to know what is sin. I want to know what is right and how to keep doing that.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks for reading today.

Grace and Peace to to His saints.

Hello and Welcome to my Blog

Hey friends,

Welcome to my missions/ministry blog, four32 ministries. I'm excited to get my missions blog off the ground. My hope is to journal a little bit about the missions lifestyle that I hope to live based on Acts 4:32-37. Future posts will include day-in-the-life, mini-sermons, and monthly updates.

I'm considering some different missions options after graduation next May. I've looked at Youth With A Mission (YWAM) a lot and now the International Missions Board. I'm considering another option in Atlanta, Missions Training School.

I wanted to initially get family and close friends in the know about what I'm considering. Please follow me, and I'll keep you posted on updates concerning my missions choice. If you're in the Starkville area, lets live out missions at home together. Let's bear fruit where we are.

Please also pray for my research and decision making. If you have any information that would be helpful in my decision making process, please don't hesitate to contact me at eliot587@gmail.com.

Thanks for being in my life. Seek Christ along with me as his bond servant/disciple. Lets make disciples and teach others to obey his commands. We are all in God's mission field. We are the hope of the world.

Thanks for reading this. I hope to have an update for you soon.

Wrapped in His Grace and Ready to Serve Him,

Eliot