Stubborn for God

Our Daily Bread
I had a close friend a few years ago that was as stubborn as I am.  We would talk about things and obviously clashed while discussing some areas of our lives.  To be honest, we both were right about some things and wrong about some things.  Yes, I can admit when I am wrong!  We joked "yes, we are a stiff-necked people!" (Old Testament reference to the people of Israel).

After praying for each other, we talked a lot about how great stubbornness is when we use it for God's glory!  Instead of being stubborn and fighting God's ways, being stubborn in our resolve to live for him is quite a blessing!  It can be a blessing to us and an inspiration to others!  One of the greatest responses I can give to someone who compliments me on my resolve or a job well done is "It is only through Christ that I can accomplish these things!"  Praise God!

Lord, you know that I am a stiff-necked people since you made me that way!  Please help me apply that stubbornness to following you!

Psalm Sunday
Psalm 139:14 is one of my favorite Bible verses. I love the phrase "fearfully and wonderfully made".  How can someone be depressed when we know this?  ;-)  Praise God!

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

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Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40