The following blog was written by a sister in the Lord. I completely share here views so I asked if I could share it and she graciously consented. It’s about “When too many of the Scripture verses start with ‘I'”
As a follower of Jesus, I definitely need and appreciate encouragement. God’s Word even tells us that we are supposed to exhort (encourage) one another daily so that the world, Satan, and our own flesh will not pull us away from our First Love, Jesus (Hebrews 3:13).
There are numerous Christian books, articles, blogs, speakers, and songs out there these days that can also be used to offer us the hope and courage we need to get through the day…this life. Many, of course, use scripture verses and sayings related to God to do this. But when too many of these scriptures and sayings begin with the word “I”, we must be very, very careful to discern if they are a true source of encouragement or a distraction.
What do I mean by this? Recently I have found myself having an increasingly difficult time relating with some well-known Christian speakers and even listening to Christian radio and TV. Per my own fleshy, “me-focused” mindset, I thought there was something wrong with me. Why wasn’t I experiencing that peace, that joy, that rest through these sources that were seeming to point the hearer to God? Why was I even feeling tense? But then an answer came. Some of these speakers, these programs, these songs all seemed to have too many “I”s and “me”s and “we”s in their presentations while God and Jesus seemed to fade into the background, and sometimes to not even be present. I realized the disconnect had less to do with me and my lack of spirituality and more to do with that I didn’t want to connect with myself! I wanted to connect with God. And the tenseness was because instead of the love, joy, peace, patience and all that surrounds and fills us when soaking in God’s Presence (Galatians 5:22-23), there was a sense that I was being told that I needed to somehow “use” God to make me stronger, lovelier, better instead of simply surrendering into His loving, welcoming arms.
Not that there is anything wrong with bringing “I”, “me”, or “we” into the picture, but when the focus is more on what “I” can get from God…what “I” can do (with God’s help)…on who “I” am in God instead of on the Great I Am Who lives in those who have surrendered to Him, there is definitely something wrong. These types of “I” focused messages can encourage us to look more at ourselves rather than to gaze more on the awesome beauty of God (Psalm 27:4). They inspire self to increase and Jesus to decrease (a scary thought) (John 3:30; Matthew 16:24-25). They place us on the throne (or in the pilot’s seat) with God being our helper (or co-pilot) who can do things for us to make us healthier, wealthier, smarter and more successful. And they rob us of the true encouragement that comes from being able to declare that: “‘I’ have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer ‘I’ who live, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
It is on Him we need to be focused (and be encouraged to focus: Hebrews 12:2). Heart, mind, soul, and spirit (Deuteronomy 6:5). And it is through this gaze that we receive the humility which leads to real strength (Isaiah 40:31), real peace (John 14:27), real joy (Psalm 16:11), real love (1 John 4:8)….and real, lasting encouragement. “and it is through this gaze and Whom we see…” Praise the Lord! (written by a sister in Christ)
Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Do you sometimes think more of what Jesus can do for you than what you can do for Him?
Do you ever try to ‘use’ Him to try to make life easier and better for you instead of submitting to His will, whatever it is?
Do you listen to songs or speakers who focus only on man and what we want God to do for us?
INDIA PERSECUTION ON RISE Our books and pastors’ blogs are helping many in India during this time of great need. One writes: “Brother praise the Lord. just now again I have completed “what is real worship” article. The right interpretation I have seen in that article. when I’m reading my heart is filled with real worship. really you are a great man of God. I’m not boasting you wholeheartedly saying how God is good. I’m understanding by taking notes, that is useful for me. Thanks again for the valuable articles you are sending me. Once again thanks a lot brother.
Each year it gets harder to spread the good news of Jesus but these faithful people continue to serve. Persecution continues to rise. Christian support organization Open Doors ranks India 11th on its 2025 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution. India stood at 31st place in 2013 but has steadily fallen in the rankings since Narendra Modi came to power as prime minister.. Religious rights advocates point to the hostile tone of the National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist BJP, which they say has emboldened Hindu extremists in India since Modi took power in May 2014.”
https://www.christianpost.com/news/police-arrest-christians-violently-assaulted-in-hindu-mob-attack.html#:~:text=Christian%20support%20organization,in%20May%202014.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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