Choosing without Force

Philemon 1:14-

I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
*************************
This verse made me think about how it is far more meaningful for one to choose to do right on their own than it is to force one to do right by demanding it.

Seems to me if God himself would have wanted puppets on a string instead of meaningful heartfelt relationships with His creation, He could of just left the tree out of the Garden. As much as it must of pained Him, certainly being God, He knew in advance what Eve would choose.

Relationships have to be reciprocated from the heart, to the heart. God has always wanted us to choose Him without force. He first loved us and it is a gift to choose to love Him and love others without Force. If it was forced then it would not be Love. (1 Cor 13)

Sharing God's Love is far more effective than forcing or pushing man's religious ideas of God.

1 John 4:7-8
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
_____________________________

"Today's Delights" are personal reflective journal entries written and shared by Shelli Schulte. They are shared with the intention to encourage, uplift and unite others in Christ. Shelli respects all men and women in God ordained positions, however, Shelli believes that there is one person ultimately responsible for her faith and the guarding of it. That person is her. Shelli encourages others to be responsible for their own faith through an intimate relationship with the Lord. Others are encouraged to put to action the wisdom of the Berean's...Measure all things said and done pertaining to the things of God against the Word of God, our plumb line.

Where there is no revelation people cast off restraint... Proverbs 29:18a

*Revelation comes through the word of God, the word of God is Christ, relationship with Christ brings revelation. A life without relationship with Christ is a life that is wondering aimlessly without direction. Shelli Schulte

------------------------------------------

A few Comments of others regarding previous Delights are below. As always, I Thank you and welcome all responses...

*******************
RE- The Answer

Awesome picture! Children sure do keep it real...that's one reason I've spent my life working with them.

********************

RE- The Invitation

One of the many things I love about your Delights ... you use "everyday examples." Of the many, many insights we can gain from the below, the one that keeps circling in my head is, "My burden is light." Then when you used the example of floating in the water ... well ... it truly became real to me.
********************

RE- "The Answer"

:what an awesome story, Jm is adorable! thank you as always for sharing with us!
********************
Bible reading plan posted weekly at www.UnexpectedDelights.com


Copyright 2010

http://www.unexpecteddelights.com/

The Answer

2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: tell


you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never

enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this

child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mathew 18:2-4

--------------------------------------

Two evenings ago I was laying across the bed in the cabin of our boat when all

of a sudden my eight year old son plopped down beside me and threw his arms

around me and said, "I love to snuggle you!"

In a sort of flip, fun way I asked, "WHY?"

He replied, "Because, I love you so much."

Again in a fun way I asked, "WHY?"

In a very earnest but joyous tone, His reply, "Because to me, you are the answer
for everything."

I believe that pretty much sums up and brings to life what Christ was talking
about in the verses above.

If one can speak the following with sincerity and joy, "I love being next to you, Lord! I love you, Lord! To me, you Lord, are the answer for everything", then one has become like a child. Humble and great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Father, thank you for the simple wisdom of children!!!
_____________________________

"Today's Delights" are reflective journal entries written and shared by Shelli

Schulte. They are shared with the intention to encourage, uplift and unite

others in Christ. Shelli respects all men and women in God ordained positions,

however, Shelli believes that there is one person ultimately responsible for her

faith and the guarding of it. That person is her. Shelli encourages others to

be responsible for their own faith through an intimate relationship with the

Lord. Others are encouraged to put to action the wisdom of the

Berean's...Measure all things said and done pertaining to the things of God

against the Word of God, our plumb line.

Where there is no revelation people cast off restraint... Proverbs 29:18a

*Revelation comes through the word of God, the word of God is Christ,

relationship with Christ brings revelation. A life without relationship with

Christ is a life that is wondering aimlessly without direction. Shelli Schulte

------------------------------------------

A few Comments of others regarding previous Delights are below. As always, I

Thank you and welcome all responses...



*******************

Comments:



RE- The Invitation

"Very inspirational!!!"



*******************

RE- The Invitation

"Dross

2.Metallurgy. a waste product taken off molten metal during smelting,

essentially metallic in character.

4 Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith

(HOLY SPRIT)...

Reminds me of the circumcision of the heart. The metallic character reminds me

that the main reason why people exalt themselves is that they are protecting

their hearts, or giving themselves the praise that they felt they needed to feel

significant, because it was not given to them on some level by someone they

trusted(parents, teachers). They don't realize we don't need this from anyone

but God. Exalting themselves stems from that brokenness.



I ask, believe and receive with you.

AMEN!!"

*******************



Copyright 2010