Discerning Hearts Ministry
  • Blog
    • Previous Posts
  • Home
  • About
    • Founder
    • Contact Information >
      • Connecting
    • Doctrinal Statement
    • Foundation
    • Values & Vision
  • Resources
    • Seminars & Workshops
    • Ellen Krahn
    • NextLEVEL Leadership
    • Following Jesus

Fashioned to be His

8/8/2020

1 Comment

 
Based on: Psalm 119 73 – 80
 
When you read Psalm 119:73–80, do you pick up on the repeated word and sentiment from the previous stanza? The writer continues to point out his delight in God’s word. We know that this is a familiar theme throughout this Psalm. When I read these verses again in preparation for this blog the first verse jumped off the page.  I had read these verses several times, but this time God opened my eyes to something I had not seen before.
 
         Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.[1]
 
The writer presents two streams of thought to us. He begins by reminding us that mankind was created by God, and then in the same sentence he asks God to give him the understanding to learn God’s commandments. Both of these topics are import but the first phrase has my attention today; “Your hands have made and fashioned me.”
 
God Created:
This is not new information, nor a new revelation to me. It is a reminder. God brought this fact into fuller understanding for me. We can be confident in the fact that it was God, the creator of the world who used His own hands to shape and bring into being the very first humans to live on this earth.  One was created from the dust of the earth, and the other created from the flesh of the first. Please do not believe that the first person, Adam, was any more important than the second person, Eve.  In God’s own words she was created to be “a helper, suitable for him.” God created men and women to complement each other.  Whether married or single, man or woman, you benefit by having people of the opposite sex in your life.  Each person brings their unique point of view.  Learn to appreciate each person brought across your path.  Each one will enhance your life experience.
 
God Created Me, Debi Snider
God created and fashioned me to be uniquely me, and to be HIs. He knows I do not appreciate confrontation, that I tend to run from difficult situations. He made me that way.  He knows I rather enjoy being in “lockdown” during COVID. He knows I do not mind at all not speaking to people I do not know well. He knows there are some things that I find easy to keep organized, and that I love my to-do lists.  But He also knows that I can be extremely lazy and at times I ignore my to-do list.
 
Are you a combination of contradictions like I am?  These “weaknesses” are exactly where I need to become more like Christ.
 
Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5   
 
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.  2 Peter 3:18
 
Covid-19 Lesson for Debi:  God made me unique, but I am not to use personal weakness[JW1]  as excuses not to strive to be more like Christ. He promises to[JW2]  help us do what we can[JW3] do on our own.
 
 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13
 
I need to set aside my love and desire of being [JW4] alone and force myself to interact with people face to face.  Well, 6 feet apart.  “Speaking” to people through my blog, and other writing, allows me to hide behind the safety of my computer.  This is part of my ministry, but this is not the only way God wants me to connect and minister. 
 
Dear Lord, you are my God, it is you who has fashioned me. I want others to know I am yours. Help me to become more like you each day. Thank you for the promise that you will give me the strength to do and be what I am not able to do and be in my own strength. Show me who I am to connect with today. Give me the words to say, and soften me to have a compassionate heart.
 
What has God said to you through the verses of Psalm 119:73–80?  He does have a message in these verses for you.  Read it enough times so that you know what that message is.  You may think that it is a small, insignificant message, but if He is speaking to you, telling you to do something, it is no small message. 
 
Craft your own prayer to the Lord today.
 


[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 119:73). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
1 Comment
Katie Martin
8/8/2020 09:29:45 am

Oh, Debi, I found this post to be so heartwarming. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, the problem I find that our weaknesses keep yelling while our strengths seem to be much quieter. Personally I feel like I communicate better with my hands on paper than with words from my mouth. Perhaps that is so because it takes a bit more time to write out a thought than to blurt it out! Surprisingly, I also do better reading a sermon than hearing one because it is more likely to become an influence that way. For me, getting out of my comfort zone of family and close friends always feels a little awkward at first but if I allow myself the discomfort, once in a while I am in for a lovely surprise like our prayer retreats in which the Lord captures our hearts and we end up on a week end date with God. Isn’t it amazing how He uses your special gifts to make Him more special to us! We have such an awe inspiring God! I especially liked this post, I am not quite done thinking about what you have said. I just wanted you to know it hit a chord in my spirit. Blessings, keep up the encouragement, heaven knows we all need it. Katie

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Debi Snider... more

    Go here to sign up for New Blog Notifications.

    Archives

    February 2023
    December 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All
    Attitude
    Brave
    Christmas
    Courage
    Creation
    Despair
    Discipline
    Family
    Following Jesus
    Freedom
    Gifts
    Gladness
    Goals And Aspirations
    Hope
    Liberty
    Marriage
    Memories
    Mentoring
    Praise
    Prayer
    Promised Messiah
    Quiet Time
    Sacrifice
    Sharing The Gospel
    The Mind Of Christ
    Valentines
    Wise Men From The East

    RSS Feed

Connect with Debi
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Blog
    • Previous Posts
  • Home
  • About
    • Founder
    • Contact Information >
      • Connecting
    • Doctrinal Statement
    • Foundation
    • Values & Vision
  • Resources
    • Seminars & Workshops
    • Ellen Krahn
    • NextLEVEL Leadership
    • Following Jesus