During my reading time this week, I came across a quote from a renowned preacher of the late 19th century, Charles Spurgeon.

I struggled with sharing it with you for the Joy Day! post.

The quote doesn’t feel very joyful.  It’s even a bit stern.  But, I couldn’t shake myself from it.

 

Spurgeon Quote ::  Joy Day! :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

With that in mind…let’s imagine that we are sitting at a lovely table drinking our favorite fancy coffee or tea and enjoying a tasty treat.

After the usual pleasantries, indulging in the delicacies from the table, and conversational catching up, I look you in the eye and say, “I think it’s time we take a hard look in the mirror…  I’m not talking about noticing those tiny lines in our faces or our posture or our hair style.  When you look in the mirror….who do you see?   A woman who reflects the spirit of Christ or self?  We need to ask ourselves are we living a godly life and what do we need to do to live that life?”

Um yeah.  I know.  You just about spit out your coffee.

Sometimes good friends need to have heart-to-heart talks.

Most of the time, we feel the need to be cautious.  We fear we might damage the relationship if we address topics like this.

Yet…what is a true friend?  A true friend loves at all times.  If that’s our relationship…then you or I would be amiss in not addressing something that is critical to our lives.

[sigh]

 

Spurgeon Quote ::  Joy Day! :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Still with me?

Here’s the pointed Spurgeon quote I was referring to…

“As a Christian you have to live in the midst of an ungodly world, and it is of little use for you to cry ‘Woe is me.’ Jesus did not pray that you should be taken out of the world, and what he did not pray for, you need not desire. Better far in the Lord’s strength to meet the difficulty, and glorify him in it. The enemy is ever on the watch to detect inconsistency in your conduct; be therefore very holy. Remember that the eyes of all are upon you, and that more is expected from you than from other men. Strive to give no occasion for blame. Let your goodness be the only fault they can discover in you.” – Charles Spurgeon

 

In this one statement several things jumped out at me.

1. This world is a tough place to live….get over it.

2. God knows it’s hard and he wants us to lean on him and trust him every day… through every challenge and difficulty.

3. Because God will get us through the day…we get to give him all the glory for it…he deserves it and we should desire to honor him.

4. We need to strive to live holy lives…consistently.  Not only for our good and God’s glory….but to keep from having any spots where the enemy can latch on..because he will.

5. People who aren’t in a relationship with God expect to see us live godly lives.  If we don’t…what reason is there for them to even consider Christ?

6. We need to live self-less lives…thinking of others before ourselves; living a life of love and compassion.

 

The reason for this conversation?

I’m not there.  You either?

We need to help each other get there.

This journey is not a solo journey.

Let’s walk it together.

 

I’m sure that all six of these insights are not new to you.

But…I’m guessing…just like me…one or two jumped off the page and smacked you in the face.

Which ones need your attention?

What do you need to do to live a holy and godly life?

 

Here’s an image you can pin to Pinterest or Facebook or share on your own blog:

1 Peter 1:15-16 :: Heart to Heart :: Spurgeon Quote :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy.
It is written in the Scriptures: “You must be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NCV)

Bee & Thistle ::  Joy Day!  :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s Joy Day!

The day we get to look back over the past week and count seven things for which we are grateful.

It’s a great way to start the week.  And it’s a great way to have an extraordinary day!

Won’t you join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  God’s word tells us that we are to give thanks in all things… that means we need to include a bit of the unpleasant from week as well.  It’s an amazing exercise.

The best part of doing this….we get JOY!  And I just know you need some joy. [wink]

I’ll start…

Thank you God for…

  1. the automotive surprise and how you saved us from it happening until we exited the expressway.
  2. the fun day I had doing a photo shoot with my friend and the provision you made so it could happen.
  3. reminding me that you are provider, healer, Lord.
  4. fresh tomatoes and BLTs!  Yum!
  5. fresh hope.
  6. this blog and the friendships that have come through it and the resulting encouragements.
  7. knowing that you are good…all. the. time.

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

Want even more joy?  Take the Joy Dare here.

Joyfully!

Diane

P.S. Just a little reminder to join me again at Project Inspire{d} on Monday evening at 8 PM ET.  I’ll be back from my hiatus.

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Comments

  1. Suzi says

    This made me remeber the old saying, if you want to know what a Christian should look like ask a non-believer. Yes, the world is ever watching…and so is the enemy. Michigan tomatoes! Yummy!! We are traveling to MI at the end of the month. My 7-being well enough to attend a new fall Women’s Bible study ; window shopping with a fun friend for fall decor ideas (that’s what we have to do here in south FL for inspiration ;); seeing mom doing so well following her car accident; being able to work in my yard 2 days in between skin cancer surgeries and stitches; only 1 hr and 5 stitches with the third and final surgery, yah!; being useful in ministry at church; great dates my husband.

    • Diane says

      Suzi..By the end of the month we should be starting to see some color. Right now there is just a mild blush. And yes, the tomatoes are Ah-mazing!!!
      I rejoice with you in your ‘seven’ and all the goodness you are experiencing right now. Yay God!!

      May your week overflow with JOY!!

  2. Glenda Kremer says

    1.my 65th birthday on the 12th
    2. that I am starting my 66th year
    3. that I am healthy and take nothing for nothing!
    4. for good friends to celebrate with
    5. for a Mom to celebrate with
    6. for friends to share our beach place with
    7. for good books to read!

    • Diane says

      Glenda…you are blessed and highly favored. 🙂
      Thanks for sharing your seven.
      May your week overflow with JOY!!

  3. for my husband and my son, who is always my Godsend
    all of the time I had with Mom and Dad before they went Home
    for the medications that allow me to do everyday things, just not every day
    for the mental and physical goodness that I can use for crafting
    for the two older cats we adopted who just love being here and purring when anyone of us pets them
    for my best friend, who could use extra prayers, please.
    for the faith that Mom and Dad shared with me.

    • Diane says

      Thank you for taking time to share your joyful ‘seven’ Germaine! 🙂
      Praise God for his blessing and goodness in your life!
      May you sense his amazing love for you all through the week.

  4. Betty Brown says

    In all things give thanks not for all things so I thank you for the challenges with 3 family members that were overwhelming but they are helping me grow.Provisions of more than enough.A bible study that is enlightening me again in the beauty of your word.Fellowship with women that are just like me.Celebrating good news with my granddaughter.Seeing my daughter be able to come out of depression some more.Another trip this morning to vs hospital with James and him not having to stay but I was able to bring him home.

    • Diane says

      Oh Betty…that is sometimes the hardest thing to do…give thanks “in” all things. Sometimes it’s hard to see anything good when we’re in those spots. I guess that’s why we thank God for those difficulties too. It seems that in doing so…we start to see the blessing in it.
      I’m so sorry that James needed another visit to the hospital….but I’m so happy for you to be able to bring him back home without a stay.
      May your sense God’s amazing love for you every day. [hugs]

  5. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God:
    l. For healing this horrible stomach virus!
    2. For speaking to me in so many ways, through scripture, bumper stickers, church signs, sermons, blogs, and using them to let me know that you are with me in this great challenge that I am facing tomorrow….’
    3. for celebrating 63 years on Tues. the l6th!!
    4. For the Godly wisdom and teachings of Charles Stanley and My Mother.
    5. For the intercessory healing prayer ministry that you have given me and for sending people in need to me!’
    Just a couple of hours ago in the Grocery Store! <3.
    6. For Dear, Faithful Friends that share the journey with me, as I share it with them.
    7. For the acute clarity I have a gained through God's eyes,
    that has resulted from one the greatest challenges I have every faced alone.
    <3 For this Home that He has provided me to Live in for 33 years <3

    • Diane says

      Debbi….I am so sorry you had a virus on top of everything…and so thankful for God’s hand of healing.
      And I am so thankful for YOU!! Happy Birthday Day dear sweet friend!! May your day overflow with joy and celebration!!
      Thanks for sharing your ‘seven.’ God is sooo good and he loves you lavishly. [hugs]

  6. Lucy Beliveau says

    Thank you Lord for…

    1. my incredible husband of only 6 years who takes such wonderful care of me
    2. the joys of being with my family at the ball park while we watched Sam, my 8 year old grandson, play his first game
    3. Kelley, my dear friend, who came to my home to give me a delightfully healing aromatherapy back rub with her essential oils
    4. loving children who all live in the same town with me and either stop by or call all of the time
    5. the beautiful get together we went to to help celebrate our dear friends’ new home
    6. the glorious visit I had with my Mom who suffers from Alzheimer’s
    7. the continued enjoyment I receive from Diane’s blog for she is teaching me how to revisit my faith

    • Diane says

      Lucy…I love your joyful heart and rejoice with you at God’s wonderful hand of blessing in your life. I praise God that he’s using the blog to touch you. Thank you for sharing that….I am humbled and blessed. [hugs]

  7. Mary Haddock says

    Thank you Lord for

    1) healthy, happy five days for our 4 month old grandson while staying with us.
    2) a loving husband who is the best father and grandfather
    3) a loving church family
    4) our 10 year old granddaughter
    5) our home, health and happiness
    6) our girls and their wonderful husbands
    7) my job and my boss

    • Diane says

      Mary…I rejoice with you at God’s hand of blessing in your life. And thank you for taking the time to share it and your ‘seven’ with us here.
      May your week overflow with JOY!

  8. Beth says

    I’ve been reading very slowly through Matthew and recently read Mt. 18:15ff and this very issue really stood out to me. I think Jesus is trying to stress the need for accountability among believers. If we took his words to heart and properly addressed issues with each other, perhaps our church cultures would change. We’d be used to the challenges that others bring us as well as the challenges we bring others. Love the Spurgeon quote and the 6 insights you laid out for us, Diana! Great thoughts!

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging words, Beth.
      I agree…I think Jesus greatly desires for us to be accountable to each other. If we were…our world would be much different, I’m sure. The question for me is, in our current church culture, how do we get there? Right now everyone (churches) seems to tiptoe around Mt. 18:15…
      Thanks for stopping by Beth. 🙂

  9. This is the one I’ve been working on the most this year: “6. We need to live self-less lives…thinking of others before ourselves; living a life of love and compassion.” But all. 6 of these are very good! Yes, friends encourage each other to go higher. Thanks for encouraging me today, Diane.

    • Diane says

      Oh Lisa…I think I need to paste #6 all over my world so that I can remember to live like that. It’s one thing to desire it and write it….but it doesn’t play out so well in daily life.
      Thanks for encouraging me by stopping by today and leaving your thoughts.
      May your week be filled with joy!

  10. I love this. The world we live in is broken and hard, because it is not our home. We all need to keep our eyes fixed on Him and rest in His assurance that He has overcome the world and we just need to be faithful to the task He has called us to. Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

    • Diane says

      So well said, Alison.
      Thanks for popping by and for your thoughtful remarks.
      Blessings!

  11. Good Morning, Diane … I wandered over here from Barbie’s this morning. So good to meet you, to gather here with your community. And a great big yes to quoting those ancient followers of God. There’s alot of meat on those bones to savor, yes?

    Sabbath joys and blessings to you, to yours.

    • Diane says

      Yes, Linda, they have so much wisdom to impart. 🙂
      Thanks for popping over and saying “Hi!” I appreciate your thoughtful words.
      May your weekend overflow with JOY!

  12. Chris Malkemes says

    This is what stands out to me: Jesus did not pray that you should be taken out of the world, and what he did not pray for, you need not desire.
    Trouble with trouble us and hard knocks will knock us about, but He is still victor. Now THIS is good news.

    Wondering, my friend, if you are a member of The Consilium, A collective where wisdom meets grace.https://www.facebook.com/groups/764751293576476/ I think you will have a lot to offer.

    • Diane says

      Chris…that statement stood out to me too. That could be another post. Yes?
      I too am so grateful for the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus. 🙂

      I’m not familiar with The Consilium. I will check it out. Thank you Chris!

  13. Kathy says

    Wonderful quote! I do appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

    • Diane says

      I know….he leaves you with so much to think about.
      Thanks always for being the hostess with the mostess!
      [hugs]

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