I found this poem the other day, and the author is unknown but the message is powerful-
God Said "No".
I asked God to take away my pride,
and God said 'no'.
He siad it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.
I asked God to grant me patience,
and God said 'no'.
He said patience is a by-product of tribulation. It is not granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness,
and God said 'no'.
He said He gives blessing, happiness is up to me.
I asked God to spare me pain,
and God said 'no'.
He said, "Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares, and closer to me."
I asked God to make my Spirit grow,
and God said, 'no'.
He said, I must grow on my own, but He will prune me to make it fruitful.
I asked God if He loved me,
and God said "yes".
He gave His only Son, who died for me, and I will be in heaven one day
Because... I believe.
I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me,
and God said,
"Ah, finally you have the idea."
12.21.2009
12.10.2009
It takes sacrificing our BEST.
Exerpt from "Recovery from the Fall" by Mike Brenininger-
"The fear of missing the will of God relates to a godly fear of having wasted our earthly lives because we do not fulfill the purpose that God has for us. I believe there will be a time for people when God will reveal all that He had planned for their lives. It will be a sad day for everyone because no one has completely fulfilled the plan of God for his life. We should especially think about the Christian who goes about his life with little consideration for the will of God. When that person stands before the Lord, instead of Jesus saying, "well done my good and faithful servant," He says, "I had all this for you, ubt you chose your own way."
"A revelation of the fear of God that brings a heightened awareness of His will always draws us to more obedience and service. So many Christians are concerned about how much of this world they can love and still be all right with God. What we should be asking is, "How much of God can we have while still in this world?" When we have a revelation of the fear of God, the question is no longer how much we can do and et away with, the question is, "How much am I missing out on that the Lord wants for me?" This revelation and impartation challenges us to always be asking, "Is this really what the Lord wants me to be doing?" There are many temptations that are trying to capture our attention and affections; however, when we have the fear of God, we will have a longing for His will, which is likely to make the temptations not very tempting."
I went for a walk with a person who means a lot to me. In some ways I see her as a second or third mom, but really I am able to see her as somewhat of a spiritual mentor. Yesterday we were dumped with a good amount of snow, and she and I (with the day off) went for a walk. Most hadn't gotten up to plow out the sidewalks yet, so we walked along the road; her in her boots and me in my 'soon to be wet' sneakers.
As we walked along we came across a couple. One was working hard to shovel out the heavy snowfall while the other was skirting from one angle to another taking pictures. On top of things, my aunt initiaited conversation with the couple. Turns out, they were first time home owners and this was their first winter in their new house; in fact it was the first time they would have to shovel the driveway in their new home so the wife had taken on the task of documenting this occurance. My aunt quickly found a connection with the couple as they were all teachers in the Wausau school district. It was fun to observe this friendly and comfortable first interaction, and to my surprise my aunt quickly asked if the couple had found a church home yet and invited them to take a look at the church we attend. As many first meetings can go (coupled on with a potentially intimidating proposition) this one lacked the akward slow back and forths between individuals who have first met.
We continued on our walk to be met with a strong wind as we turned the corner from the new homeowners, and our conversation took on talk of what it means to be bold in our presentation of what God has done for us. My aunt had recently been convicted by the Holy Spirit that her life has become so busy that she doesn't feel like she has the adequet time to invest in relationships that lead to a further commitment towards the Lord.
She began to tell me another story of how God had opened up the door for her to share the gospel with a woman who was going through rough time in her marriage and how God graciously helped her to share the gospel with this woman in a way that really seemed to open her eyes to the reality of what salvation really means.
You see- I think a lot of us can identify with saying, "How much of this world can I love and still be alright with God?" It's easy for us to have a stronger fear of man than a fear for God when we don't rightly understand who God is and how we truly look before Him. But this is what God'w word has to say about the issue;
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through wha has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:18-21
That honestly frightens me. To think that God has revealed the truth to us and yet in my heart I desire things that are more about my own happiness then about what God wants to do through my life. I have inhibited him from acting through my life when I am more concerned about my own opinion or the opinion of others than about sharing His name and glory with others.
Until I see the depth of my sin before God, I will never understand the incredible sacrifice that His own death and resurrection means for mine. A picture of this is found in Exodus at the passover. The angel of death was the last plague and it hit both the Israelite and Egyptian settlements. The angel of death was to come and kill the firstborn of every family, but God made a covenant with His people and told them to take the best of their lambs and sacrifice it to use its blood to make as a protection for their household. They were to place that blood on the doorframes and the angel would see that blood and acknowlegde that a sacrifice had been made as an atonement for their sins. He would then pass by that home and their firstborne would be safe.
This is what God asks of us. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God, JESUS is eternal life in Him and through Him. There would be death on our part if it weren't for the blood of Christ covering that. But it takes sacrificing our best so that Christ can live.
Think on that, "It takes sacrificing our BEST so that Christ can LIVE."
"The fear of missing the will of God relates to a godly fear of having wasted our earthly lives because we do not fulfill the purpose that God has for us. I believe there will be a time for people when God will reveal all that He had planned for their lives. It will be a sad day for everyone because no one has completely fulfilled the plan of God for his life. We should especially think about the Christian who goes about his life with little consideration for the will of God. When that person stands before the Lord, instead of Jesus saying, "well done my good and faithful servant," He says, "I had all this for you, ubt you chose your own way."
"A revelation of the fear of God that brings a heightened awareness of His will always draws us to more obedience and service. So many Christians are concerned about how much of this world they can love and still be all right with God. What we should be asking is, "How much of God can we have while still in this world?" When we have a revelation of the fear of God, the question is no longer how much we can do and et away with, the question is, "How much am I missing out on that the Lord wants for me?" This revelation and impartation challenges us to always be asking, "Is this really what the Lord wants me to be doing?" There are many temptations that are trying to capture our attention and affections; however, when we have the fear of God, we will have a longing for His will, which is likely to make the temptations not very tempting."
I went for a walk with a person who means a lot to me. In some ways I see her as a second or third mom, but really I am able to see her as somewhat of a spiritual mentor. Yesterday we were dumped with a good amount of snow, and she and I (with the day off) went for a walk. Most hadn't gotten up to plow out the sidewalks yet, so we walked along the road; her in her boots and me in my 'soon to be wet' sneakers.
As we walked along we came across a couple. One was working hard to shovel out the heavy snowfall while the other was skirting from one angle to another taking pictures. On top of things, my aunt initiaited conversation with the couple. Turns out, they were first time home owners and this was their first winter in their new house; in fact it was the first time they would have to shovel the driveway in their new home so the wife had taken on the task of documenting this occurance. My aunt quickly found a connection with the couple as they were all teachers in the Wausau school district. It was fun to observe this friendly and comfortable first interaction, and to my surprise my aunt quickly asked if the couple had found a church home yet and invited them to take a look at the church we attend. As many first meetings can go (coupled on with a potentially intimidating proposition) this one lacked the akward slow back and forths between individuals who have first met.
We continued on our walk to be met with a strong wind as we turned the corner from the new homeowners, and our conversation took on talk of what it means to be bold in our presentation of what God has done for us. My aunt had recently been convicted by the Holy Spirit that her life has become so busy that she doesn't feel like she has the adequet time to invest in relationships that lead to a further commitment towards the Lord.
She began to tell me another story of how God had opened up the door for her to share the gospel with a woman who was going through rough time in her marriage and how God graciously helped her to share the gospel with this woman in a way that really seemed to open her eyes to the reality of what salvation really means.
You see- I think a lot of us can identify with saying, "How much of this world can I love and still be alright with God?" It's easy for us to have a stronger fear of man than a fear for God when we don't rightly understand who God is and how we truly look before Him. But this is what God'w word has to say about the issue;
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through wha has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:18-21
That honestly frightens me. To think that God has revealed the truth to us and yet in my heart I desire things that are more about my own happiness then about what God wants to do through my life. I have inhibited him from acting through my life when I am more concerned about my own opinion or the opinion of others than about sharing His name and glory with others.
Until I see the depth of my sin before God, I will never understand the incredible sacrifice that His own death and resurrection means for mine. A picture of this is found in Exodus at the passover. The angel of death was the last plague and it hit both the Israelite and Egyptian settlements. The angel of death was to come and kill the firstborn of every family, but God made a covenant with His people and told them to take the best of their lambs and sacrifice it to use its blood to make as a protection for their household. They were to place that blood on the doorframes and the angel would see that blood and acknowlegde that a sacrifice had been made as an atonement for their sins. He would then pass by that home and their firstborne would be safe.
This is what God asks of us. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God, JESUS is eternal life in Him and through Him. There would be death on our part if it weren't for the blood of Christ covering that. But it takes sacrificing our best so that Christ can live.
Think on that, "It takes sacrificing our BEST so that Christ can LIVE."
12.04.2009
I Set My Eyes on Things Above...
Hebrews 12: 1-17
There are crowds of believers who have walked before us, who can strengthen our resolve because they have been faithful, and they have recieved God's promises and rewards.
1. Be strong and when you grow weary- KNOW YOUR FOUNDATION. Consider first Christ's sacrifice! And do not be discouraged; Christ walks even deeper in our crap than we do.. He sacrificed His life! His divinity!
2. He calls us 'sons'(and daughters)!
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He recieves." (vs. 5-6)
Ouch! Discipline hurts!! I think of the training I am beginning for my shoulder; and I really do NOT get any 'high' off of inflicting myself with pain. But this discipline I must endure. If I do not, my shoulder will only get weaker and pull out easier and more frequently as I get older.
But this pain and consistency are necessary. Sometimes it feels like there are a lot of things working against me. Take for instance even walking into the weight room- I can't shake the feeling that people might be watching and laughing at the amount of weight I am lifting or critiquing my form as I struggle through some of the weight sequences.
The truth is that I am not doing this workout for them; but I am doing it for me and my future. It is the same in our spiritual walks. Discipline can be a struggle...it sure doesn't come naturally to me, but it is necessary if I plan on growing in my walk with Christ.
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (vs.11)
I desire to be a strong woman of faith and of God. "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." Making our walk straight takes discipline, time, and hard work. These things don't come over night, but our challenge is to lift those drooping hands and strengthen those weak knees.
This walk requires us to live according to the Spirit. Read Romans 8. The law (God's word) reveals our sin and depth of our lostness from God. All the world is accountable to God, because by the works for th law no flesh would be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But "the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
So let us set our eyes on Christ (the author and perfecter of our faith and lay aside the things that entangle us in this world and instead submit ourselves to the Lord; putting in place the proper disciplines that are going to encourage us to walk with perseverance in Christ (in his love) rather than in the love of the world and fear of man.
There are crowds of believers who have walked before us, who can strengthen our resolve because they have been faithful, and they have recieved God's promises and rewards.
1. Be strong and when you grow weary- KNOW YOUR FOUNDATION. Consider first Christ's sacrifice! And do not be discouraged; Christ walks even deeper in our crap than we do.. He sacrificed His life! His divinity!
2. He calls us 'sons'(and daughters)!
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He recieves." (vs. 5-6)
Ouch! Discipline hurts!! I think of the training I am beginning for my shoulder; and I really do NOT get any 'high' off of inflicting myself with pain. But this discipline I must endure. If I do not, my shoulder will only get weaker and pull out easier and more frequently as I get older.
But this pain and consistency are necessary. Sometimes it feels like there are a lot of things working against me. Take for instance even walking into the weight room- I can't shake the feeling that people might be watching and laughing at the amount of weight I am lifting or critiquing my form as I struggle through some of the weight sequences.
The truth is that I am not doing this workout for them; but I am doing it for me and my future. It is the same in our spiritual walks. Discipline can be a struggle...it sure doesn't come naturally to me, but it is necessary if I plan on growing in my walk with Christ.
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (vs.11)
I desire to be a strong woman of faith and of God. "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." Making our walk straight takes discipline, time, and hard work. These things don't come over night, but our challenge is to lift those drooping hands and strengthen those weak knees.
This walk requires us to live according to the Spirit. Read Romans 8. The law (God's word) reveals our sin and depth of our lostness from God. All the world is accountable to God, because by the works for th law no flesh would be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But "the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
So let us set our eyes on Christ (the author and perfecter of our faith and lay aside the things that entangle us in this world and instead submit ourselves to the Lord; putting in place the proper disciplines that are going to encourage us to walk with perseverance in Christ (in his love) rather than in the love of the world and fear of man.
11.29.2009
I Know (Kari)
Err...Bethany, Are we all allowed to post on here? For some reason, it's letting me...so...um....here goes. (Love, Kari):
I've been learning a lot about how unfulfilling life is when I live it based off of feelings and following my heart...and my mom always tells me that the heart is deceiving and will fail me every time...and it does. It makes me think of a book I read a while ago that said that said that you shouldn't follow your heart, you should lead it (in regards to living in obedience to Christ). I guess the heart can really wander, and if you follow your heart, you end up all over the place and everywhere except for where you need to be.
I can't claim to be a perfect Christian...and I am far, far from it to be perfectly honest...FAR. But I guess sometimes I wonder if I really needed a hard fall to realize exactly where my heart is, and how desperately I need God to fulfill those areas I sought to have fulfilled everywhere else (and only to bitter disappointment).
There are times where I question why God can't just bring me out of the mess quickly if my heart is in the right place and I really want to make changes, but I guess sometimes I have to look at is as that I walked into a dark, dark forest, and in the middle of it all, realized how lost and alone I was and realized only God could save me...and He is there, but I still have to walk through the other half of that forest to get out of it and it will still be hard and it will still hurt...but I am not alone. So as hard and scary as it is, I am really trying to learn how to trust that God really will lead me through this, and that even though it's incredibly painful now, when I'm through to the other side, there's something much greater waiting for me.
I guess the hard part now is continually trusting God, and not letting my faith be based on emotion, but obedience.
This song came to my head today...and I haven't heard it in years...but I cried for the better part of the afternoon listening to it over and over again...kind of my prayer right now:
I Know--Darrell Evans
Though I'm walling through the valley
Of the darkest hour I've known
Lord don't You leave me all alone
When I'm surrounded by the shadows
That seem to feed my fear
I will trust You
Though I may not feel You here
But I know that Your love is unfailing
Oh I know Your grace is so amazing
Oh I know even though my faith be shaken
Oh I still know I’ll never be forsaken
‘Cause You’re always faithful
I know
When my bed has been floating
On the flood of all my tears
Seems as though my joy has disappeared
Still I will not put my hope
In what I feel or see
I will cling to You
And Trust You’re holding me
Lord I don’t know where I’m walking
But I’ll take it day by day
And I’ll hold Your hand
And You will lead the way
And I know that Your love is unfailing
Oh I know Your grace is so amazing
Oh I know even though my faith be shaken
Oh I still know I’ll never be forsaken
‘Cause You’re always faithful
I know
11.28.2009
Provider
I have been worried these last couple months about finances. Part of a big step in being here in Wausau was going to Financial Peace University at the church. I have been being challenged to be faithful and wise with the finances that I have. But have you ever created a budget off of a part-time, minimum wage job? It can be difficult, especially in the holiday season.
What is interesting is that I have been convicted in the area of giving. I wish I could say that I considered myself a pretty 'giving' person, but when I look at the things I typically spend my money on, it seems rather obvious that this isn't the case. As I attmepted to create a budget off of my simple income, I was challenged to both give to the church regularly and allot an amount of money to be spent on other people.
The first month actually went pretty well, and I was fairly surprised with the ease at which I was able to sucessfully complete my budget. I felt blessed to be able to give back to others, and was kind of excited that I was able to even save some money that month. But then this next month came along, and the yearnings for getting closer to my goal of saving for student loans overcame me and it became more important to me to put money aside for myself than for others.
Funny thing is that I don't think God was too impressed with that move, and He gave me opportunity after opportunity to give to others. . . which I did; but usually it was with an ungrateful heart. Every time I decided to spend money on someone else to help a need of their's I found my grip getting tighter on the cash and my heart growing slightly colder towards those individuals.
Yesterday in particular I was challenged and that was when I began to realize that God has called me to give with a grateful heart, and more than that, He is the one whose money it really is. If I am unwilling to give to others, I am not fulfilling the commission that God has given me: to serve others.
This month has been a bit of a challenge for me, and like I said before, because I work a part-time minimum wage job I am pretty low on the income charts. So I began to apply again at different places, knowing full well that God has placed me where I am at for specific purposes. The whole waiting thing is something I just have never been good at, and I got an interview for a 30hr a week, temporary position for 6-8wks that I was really excited about.
When I went in for the interview I made them laugh, showed that I had obtained the proper skill sets to perform the position well, and yet I was informed the next day that I did not get the position. I closed my cell phone in frustration, and wanted to cry. I had already figured out how much I would have made, and it would have been enough to get me over the halfway mark towards my student loans.
I believe that God has a purpose for everything, and I know that He has been trying to get me to truly trust Him. He has already been providing me with free rent, basically free food, and minimal bills to worry about... and yet I have been trying to make more provisions for myself, when I know that God wants me to focus on other things right now. He will provide when the time is right, and so right now I have to be faithful in the little that He has given me.
Being faithful in the small things can be challenging when you are wanting the big things. The little things seem menial and unsubstantial. But God has shown Himself to be the provider and to be the master over everything. So again, I wait and humbly learn how to trust in the One who knows exactly what He is doing. ;)
Keep Walking!
What is interesting is that I have been convicted in the area of giving. I wish I could say that I considered myself a pretty 'giving' person, but when I look at the things I typically spend my money on, it seems rather obvious that this isn't the case. As I attmepted to create a budget off of my simple income, I was challenged to both give to the church regularly and allot an amount of money to be spent on other people.
The first month actually went pretty well, and I was fairly surprised with the ease at which I was able to sucessfully complete my budget. I felt blessed to be able to give back to others, and was kind of excited that I was able to even save some money that month. But then this next month came along, and the yearnings for getting closer to my goal of saving for student loans overcame me and it became more important to me to put money aside for myself than for others.
Funny thing is that I don't think God was too impressed with that move, and He gave me opportunity after opportunity to give to others. . . which I did; but usually it was with an ungrateful heart. Every time I decided to spend money on someone else to help a need of their's I found my grip getting tighter on the cash and my heart growing slightly colder towards those individuals.
Yesterday in particular I was challenged and that was when I began to realize that God has called me to give with a grateful heart, and more than that, He is the one whose money it really is. If I am unwilling to give to others, I am not fulfilling the commission that God has given me: to serve others.
This month has been a bit of a challenge for me, and like I said before, because I work a part-time minimum wage job I am pretty low on the income charts. So I began to apply again at different places, knowing full well that God has placed me where I am at for specific purposes. The whole waiting thing is something I just have never been good at, and I got an interview for a 30hr a week, temporary position for 6-8wks that I was really excited about.
When I went in for the interview I made them laugh, showed that I had obtained the proper skill sets to perform the position well, and yet I was informed the next day that I did not get the position. I closed my cell phone in frustration, and wanted to cry. I had already figured out how much I would have made, and it would have been enough to get me over the halfway mark towards my student loans.
I believe that God has a purpose for everything, and I know that He has been trying to get me to truly trust Him. He has already been providing me with free rent, basically free food, and minimal bills to worry about... and yet I have been trying to make more provisions for myself, when I know that God wants me to focus on other things right now. He will provide when the time is right, and so right now I have to be faithful in the little that He has given me.
Being faithful in the small things can be challenging when you are wanting the big things. The little things seem menial and unsubstantial. But God has shown Himself to be the provider and to be the master over everything. So again, I wait and humbly learn how to trust in the One who knows exactly what He is doing. ;)
Keep Walking!
11.20.2009
My Light and My Salvation
'Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me...
Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I amy walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name...
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul
from the depths of Sheol...
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'
Psalm 86 (portions of)ESV
Sometimes life can seem like walking through a cave. The cave entrance bears a sign saying, "Welcome! Enjoy the journey!" and then, in minuscule lettering near the bottom letters form to say, "whatever you do; keep walking forward."
At the start there is light illuminating the way and we can walk in confidence. But as we continue deeper into the cavern, light is few and far between. Darkness begins to engulf you and the light that had comforted your journey at the beginning is far out of reach. This is about the time when your steps are few and far between.
It becomes increasingly difficult to put your foot forward when you don't know where it will land. You stop moving altogether and stand there; in darkness. 'Do I dare move forward when I don't know where I am going?' Temptations come to do one of two things (usually)-
1. sit down and cry out for help from something, someone, anything to come help you;
2. begin shuffling back toward the known light where you had entered in at.
There is a third option, one which you shutter to consider:
3. step forward and continue to walk.
This was the charge to you in the beginning; a silent voice saying, 'whatever you do, keep walking forward.'
Your mind is reeling, "How in the world can I continue stepping forward?! I can't see a thing!" Panic and anxiety rise as your heart beats faster and you weigh out your options. Would it really be so bad if you just went back to where you started? It was much more comfortable and you knew where you were at all times. Or what would happen if I just tested out my lung strength and cried out until someone reached me?
A silent whisper says, 'no. trust me. walk forward.'
And so... you do. From every corner of your being you are frightened and it seems as though someone has grabbed your heart and is squeezing all the blood out of it.
You don't fall, and ground is still beneath you. It's a long, and slow journey at times as you wander through the darkness, but you begin to see a glimpse again....of light. At first you wonder if it is an illusion, and then your eyes fix on it. Your steps quicken and you begin to travel quicker to get closer to the light. The light does not disappoint you as you gain ground. Nothing has felt so reassuring as the light that is now before you.
No longer engulfed in darkness, you are surrounded by a warming and comforting light. Your heart is full of rest You relish every moment of the sun beaming on your face.
There are times in our lives when we embark on a new journey. The start is usually filled with a lot of anticipation and excitement for the future. So many goals and aspirations lay before us and you know it will take time, but you are confident; for the time being. But as you begin to embark on the journey, it takes you on dips and turns that you weren't expecting. It's not as easy as you anticipated and the goals that you had made seem virtually unreachable. You may have fallen on the way, and you don't even look like the same person who had started the journey... This is about the time where most of us begin to cry out for help. We are looking for a way to get out of the situation that we find ourselves in and our prayer life has never looked so good. Our lungs explode with the air we begin to cry out with...but it begins to dawn on us that at the beginning of the journey we were told one thing, 'keep walking forward.' We are tempted to start back at the beginning, but it seems redundant as we have already begun to feed on something stronger and deeper than before and if we go back to where we were, we are always going to feel that longing for something more.
So we begin to walk. The only thing we hang on to is that faith and trust in the sign at the beginning. It takes time, but there is hope. Over time and with perseverance God rewards our obedience and we experience more than what we could hope or imagine for. The fullness of this reward may not be felt until the end of our lives, but God is faithful in providing even the smallest encouragements along the way.
So continue to walk. Our God is merciful. His love is steadfast. It is loyal.
"For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." Psalm 86:5
11.19.2009
A New Morning
The last post depicted a beautiful morning of glittering grass and crystalline water; but this morning was damp and lacking the rays of light that helps one get out of bed. You can't help but think that it's going to be a long day, and maybe even a long journey of life before you.
I was able to peel myself out of bed, but didn't have a great grand plan for the day and that makes me feel like I will end up wasting it away...I guess I have been looking at the fact that I have four years of college in me with not much to show for it and feel discouraged that I either wasted time and money, or am missing out on the mission that God has for me. Trying to sort through life in general just has me feeling like I am pushing tar with my two weak arms. It's all just so sticky and I feel as though I am walking down a road to nowhere.
How are we called to live this life? Some days the sun just doesn't shine, and life is hard. Maybe it's not just hard, it's down right shitty. It may be hard to put a smile on the face and you really have no desire to even try...
Yet, we have the charge to, "listen to what God the LORD will say; He promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly." (Psalm 85:8)
This verse has me trying to put things in perspective. I have been going through the book of faith; Hebrews, and have been challenged by the depth of faith that the saints exercised.
Moses was blessed and had an opportunity to rule the land of Egypt, bu instead he walked int eh truth of the ONE God, and then became the leader of the Israelites, even despite his cries to God that he was not a capable leader.
I feel this way often, and yet I don't think I could have the faith that Moses exhibited when he walked through the Red Sea as if it were dry ground. I most definitely am more like a Sarah, who understands divine providence working within the normal course of life instead of by divine miracles. (thinking of God promising her a son even in her old age)
Every day I wake up just like the rest, and wonder what life has for me today, and more often than not I don't expect life to surprise me. I don't know if I should walk in this way, but I do pray that God would increase my faith, as weak as it seems at times.
I guess...Keep Walking....Keep Seeking...Keep Living. Have Faith- and Believe- it's a new morning.
11.16.2009
A Challenge: Take a Hike.
This morning I got up
and decided to go for a walk, and I was greeted by a beautiful view. The frost was glittering on the dry wheat grass and the river was glistening in the sun.
I had left my cell phone on the counter, and took the time to listen and pray. Sometimes we need to just take a step away from our normal routine and give God the time to speak to us in new ways. This morning I was praying and asked for God to deepen a conviction of Him in my life, I felt that during my walk God was saying, "See! I'm all around you...enjoy me!"
The lyrics to this song popped in my head, and I thought I'd share them with you:
It's hard to take the first step
when I don't know the way.
Each turn is so uncertain,
I'll learn to walk by faith...
Because you've given me a promise,
That you would never leave...
You would lead and guide me,
Lord I do BELIEVE!
May this song be our prayer:
11.12.2009
Hebrews 11: The Hall of Faith
Intimidated yet? "the hall of faith" is not supposed to be something that discourages us, but rather something that spurs us on to understand what faith really is and what God desires for His children. He WANTS to reward us. God's love is so great that even though we will prove to fall short in our lives, he has promised to reward those that seek Him and live a righteous life. If you look at some of the characters that are written about in this "Faith Hall", you will find that they all failed miserably in front of God....but they also did their best to please God with their lives too.
So what is this faith? What does it look like?
Heb. 11:1 says that faith is the ASSURANCE of things hoped for and the CONVICTION of things not seen. These people make up the "clouds of witnesses" which all speak testimony to God's Glory and help to remind us to persevere in our lives.
1. ABEL- I was actually surprised to see his name here because in my mind I simply saw him as the guy that died early on because of his jealous brother. The truth is that he is included in this list because of his righteousness and obedience. Abel sacrificed his best and was rewarded with death. But he "still speaks" because of his righteous act.
God desires our best. He rewards and commends us to live sacrificial lives so we can experience freedom in Him. [an eternity living with Him on a restored earth without sin]
2. ENOCH- He was simply known for "walking with God". And that's really all we know about him. He obtained a witness before death that pleased God and was rewarded. However, without faith, it is impossible to please Him. We must believe that God is a rewarder of those that seek Him because God promises to do so!
[Gen. 15:1; Dt. 4:29; 1 Ch. 28:9; Ps. 58:11; Is. 40:10]
3. NOAH- In reverence and without "seeing" the truth of God's claims, he built a HUGE ark on dry land without the slightest hint of rain, much less a flash flood. Noah's righteousness secured his faith. His faith was expressed in his obedience.
And that is exactly what God requires of us. FAITHFULNESS to him, and OBEDIENCE. It doesn't mean we won't screw up, but it does mean that we recognize the sacrifice He gave, His love shown through His Son's sacrifice, that we accept that gift and subsequently live in FAITH that God will reward us for being OBEDIENT to Him!
May God bless you as you are FAITHFUL. :)
So what is this faith? What does it look like?
Heb. 11:1 says that faith is the ASSURANCE of things hoped for and the CONVICTION of things not seen. These people make up the "clouds of witnesses" which all speak testimony to God's Glory and help to remind us to persevere in our lives.
1. ABEL- I was actually surprised to see his name here because in my mind I simply saw him as the guy that died early on because of his jealous brother. The truth is that he is included in this list because of his righteousness and obedience. Abel sacrificed his best and was rewarded with death. But he "still speaks" because of his righteous act.
God desires our best. He rewards and commends us to live sacrificial lives so we can experience freedom in Him. [an eternity living with Him on a restored earth without sin]
2. ENOCH- He was simply known for "walking with God". And that's really all we know about him. He obtained a witness before death that pleased God and was rewarded. However, without faith, it is impossible to please Him. We must believe that God is a rewarder of those that seek Him because God promises to do so!
[Gen. 15:1; Dt. 4:29; 1 Ch. 28:9; Ps. 58:11; Is. 40:10]
3. NOAH- In reverence and without "seeing" the truth of God's claims, he built a HUGE ark on dry land without the slightest hint of rain, much less a flash flood. Noah's righteousness secured his faith. His faith was expressed in his obedience.
And that is exactly what God requires of us. FAITHFULNESS to him, and OBEDIENCE. It doesn't mean we won't screw up, but it does mean that we recognize the sacrifice He gave, His love shown through His Son's sacrifice, that we accept that gift and subsequently live in FAITH that God will reward us for being OBEDIENT to Him!
May God bless you as you are FAITHFUL. :)
11.07.2009
God's Love
God has radically adjusted himself for us. A love relationship is a relationship of mutual giving and taking. It means sacrificing the things that you hold dear for the benefit of someone else. God, like I said, radically has done this for us. His love for us is shown in that he sent his one and perfect Son to die for us! God became vulnerable and in human form to take on the ultimate suffering so that we would not have to feel that depth of pain or distance from God again!
Christ, for us has said, "I will adjust to you. I will change for you. I'll serve you though it means sacrifice for me." If he has done this for us, we can and should say the same to God and others.
"Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it up carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless-it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation."
Freedom, is not the absence of limitations and constraints but it is finding the right ones, those that fit our nature and liberate us.
2 Corinthians 5:14.
Inspired by Timothy Keller in A Reason for God.
Christ, for us has said, "I will adjust to you. I will change for you. I'll serve you though it means sacrifice for me." If he has done this for us, we can and should say the same to God and others.
"Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it up carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless-it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation."
Freedom, is not the absence of limitations and constraints but it is finding the right ones, those that fit our nature and liberate us.
2 Corinthians 5:14.
Inspired by Timothy Keller in A Reason for God.
11.04.2009
"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."
1. CONFIDENCE: because of Christ's work we can boldly enter into the presence of God.
2. THE VIEL, HIS FLESH: when Jesus' flesh was torn at His crucifixion, so was the temple veil that symbolically separated men from God's presence. When the High Priest on the Day of Atonement entered the Holy of Holies, the people waited outside for him to return. When Christ entered the heavenly temple He did not return. Instead, He opened the curtain and exposed the Holy of Holies so that we could follow Him. Here flesh is used as was body and blood to refer to the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus.
3. DRAW WITH A SINCERE HEART: drawing near to God with a genuine desire and no ulterior motive.
4. FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH: having an utter confidence in the promises of God.
1. CONFIDENCE: because of Christ's work we can boldly enter into the presence of God.
2. THE VIEL, HIS FLESH: when Jesus' flesh was torn at His crucifixion, so was the temple veil that symbolically separated men from God's presence. When the High Priest on the Day of Atonement entered the Holy of Holies, the people waited outside for him to return. When Christ entered the heavenly temple He did not return. Instead, He opened the curtain and exposed the Holy of Holies so that we could follow Him. Here flesh is used as was body and blood to refer to the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus.
3. DRAW WITH A SINCERE HEART: drawing near to God with a genuine desire and no ulterior motive.
4. FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH: having an utter confidence in the promises of God.
10.28.2009
Expect Miracles
We are currently living in a society that expects nothing to happen.
What happens happens becuase "we" told it to, or it was a result of something we humans have done. Satan is using this belief and our lack of faith to gain grounds in our culture and our personal lives.
Satan takes hold of our weaknesses and makes them his stronghold. He is gaining ground and movement because we no longer show through our lives or faith that we believe in an all-powerful God. If we did we would be reminded daily to expect miracles instead of merely "hoping" that they "might" happen.
We have stopped training our eyes to even see the miracles of God everyday because our little faith is slowly waning. Times of challenge arise and we begin to cry our to God to do something while fully believing in our hearts that He will not. That is a lack of faith.
James 5: 14-18;
"Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
Ephesians 6:10-20;
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel lf peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, whihc is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil."
These verses encourage us how we are to live, and that is in full faith of God, praying for everything, holding fast to what we know to be true, equipping ourselves for the battle that Satan is waging, and abstaining from the sin that so easily entangles us.
What happens happens becuase "we" told it to, or it was a result of something we humans have done. Satan is using this belief and our lack of faith to gain grounds in our culture and our personal lives.
Satan takes hold of our weaknesses and makes them his stronghold. He is gaining ground and movement because we no longer show through our lives or faith that we believe in an all-powerful God. If we did we would be reminded daily to expect miracles instead of merely "hoping" that they "might" happen.
We have stopped training our eyes to even see the miracles of God everyday because our little faith is slowly waning. Times of challenge arise and we begin to cry our to God to do something while fully believing in our hearts that He will not. That is a lack of faith.
James 5: 14-18;
"Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
Ephesians 6:10-20;
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel lf peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, whihc is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil."
These verses encourage us how we are to live, and that is in full faith of God, praying for everything, holding fast to what we know to be true, equipping ourselves for the battle that Satan is waging, and abstaining from the sin that so easily entangles us.
10.22.2009
Completely Just- and Mighty to Save.
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Jerusalem did not have the best of track records as far as faithfulness to God went. Early on in the book of Zephaniah, Jerusalem was being warned of their near destruction. The prophet is warning Judah that they will be punished for their unfaithfulness and as long as they continue to walk in disobedience they will be destroyed. "Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God."
Our Lord is a jealous God. His jealous anger is purifying and consuming. When different items take up residence in our lives, He knows and He wants us for himself. His righteousness reveals my unworthiness before him, and shows me areas where I need to be made new before Him.
What I find most encouraging is the end of Zephaniah where the prophet talks about a remnant of people who confess and find themselves holy and repentant before the Lord. Here the prophet promises, "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. he will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
May we be a repentant people. May we realize where we need to be changed and reformed and how we need to change so that we can stand before a holy God, because His promises are comforting and full of hope. God is mighty to save. He takes delight in us! He quiets us with His love, and rejoices over us with singing. I don't know about you but I would LOVE to hear God's voice singing over me!! :) Press on and walk in Faithfulness!
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Jerusalem did not have the best of track records as far as faithfulness to God went. Early on in the book of Zephaniah, Jerusalem was being warned of their near destruction. The prophet is warning Judah that they will be punished for their unfaithfulness and as long as they continue to walk in disobedience they will be destroyed. "Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God."
Our Lord is a jealous God. His jealous anger is purifying and consuming. When different items take up residence in our lives, He knows and He wants us for himself. His righteousness reveals my unworthiness before him, and shows me areas where I need to be made new before Him.
What I find most encouraging is the end of Zephaniah where the prophet talks about a remnant of people who confess and find themselves holy and repentant before the Lord. Here the prophet promises, "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. he will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
May we be a repentant people. May we realize where we need to be changed and reformed and how we need to change so that we can stand before a holy God, because His promises are comforting and full of hope. God is mighty to save. He takes delight in us! He quiets us with His love, and rejoices over us with singing. I don't know about you but I would LOVE to hear God's voice singing over me!! :) Press on and walk in Faithfulness!
10.16.2009
To Choose Belief
"So, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for for forty years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways'. So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'"
(Hebrews 3:7-11)
"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first."
(Hebrews 3:12-14)
Faith. Being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see. Do you find anything in that phrase that sounds contradictory? "Certain of what you Do Not See." sticks out to me.
As a first notion, it sounds ridiculous to believe in something that you can't see. Questions arise such as, how do you know if it's real? Can it be proven? Do I have to be certain? The truth is that there are things all around us that require our faith to believe in. We believe in faith that when someone opens their mouth to tell us something that it is truth. We believe that the sun still exists even when it is no longer shining.
God challenges us to believe and place our faith in Him, the living God. Unbelief is something that I have been battling with. When you place your trust in something and one day it seems non-existent...you can't grasp it, you can't hear it, or manage to recognize it's presence; it's hard to continue to have faith that it is still there. That's where I have been. But then I read God's word to me, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." It may not have been a sign emanating from the sky or a flash of lightning from God revealing Himself to me, yet it was God. Choose whether or not you will act in obedience and believe, or if you will disobey and willingly walk further from Him.
(Hebrews 3:7-11)
"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first."
(Hebrews 3:12-14)
Faith. Being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see. Do you find anything in that phrase that sounds contradictory? "Certain of what you Do Not See." sticks out to me.
As a first notion, it sounds ridiculous to believe in something that you can't see. Questions arise such as, how do you know if it's real? Can it be proven? Do I have to be certain? The truth is that there are things all around us that require our faith to believe in. We believe in faith that when someone opens their mouth to tell us something that it is truth. We believe that the sun still exists even when it is no longer shining.
God challenges us to believe and place our faith in Him, the living God. Unbelief is something that I have been battling with. When you place your trust in something and one day it seems non-existent...you can't grasp it, you can't hear it, or manage to recognize it's presence; it's hard to continue to have faith that it is still there. That's where I have been. But then I read God's word to me, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." It may not have been a sign emanating from the sky or a flash of lightning from God revealing Himself to me, yet it was God. Choose whether or not you will act in obedience and believe, or if you will disobey and willingly walk further from Him.
10.10.2009
Developing Faith...
"Jesus is so much more than a logical proof. His life is the starting point of where ours actually begins." -pg 20 UnChristian by David Kinnaman
Abram.
A man best known for his faithfulness. I don't know about you, but sometimes when I think about those known for having great faith I seem to elevate them in my mind. They are the individuals that my heart longs to be but my reason pulls back into line. Yet, this morning I was reading in Genesis about Abram and after God had called him away from his homeland, he landed himself in Egypt. There Abram's faith was tested, and he actually failed pretty badly.
Sarai, his wife was very beautiful and Abram knew that the Pharaoh would want to take her into his harem of women. If he knew that they were married, Abram was basically a dead man (so he thought). So Abram lied and said she was his sister. Where was his great faith then? Pharaoh was not a dumb man however, and when his household began to experience plagues he knew that something was up. It didn't take him long to figure out that Abram's God was punishing him so he banished Abram and Sarai.
Abram's servants probably had it good in Egypt. They had come to a land of plenty and thrived there until Abram unwisely made a decision on his own without consulting God. In their eyes his integrity was probably put to question.
But Abram didn't stop listening to God after he failed that time to trust that God his hand in the situation. The next story we read is of Abram and his nephew Lot needing to split up....
"So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel an Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together. And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites an Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brother. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company. Abram lived int eh land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord."
Do you remember the scene in Finding Nemo where Dory and Marlin come upon the dark dike and they have the choice of going through or swimming over? Dory knew that for some reason they were supposed to swim through, but due to her short memory she could not remember why. Marlin looked at both choices and for him it was a no-brainer; swim over top- it looked much less ominous. Little did Marlin know that his lack of trust in his friend would get them both in very dangerous situation with hundreds of jellyfish. He trusted in his instinct over trusting in a friend.
When Abram and Lot were looking at the lands, there was one that looked much more fertile then the next. Abram had been promised by God that He would take care of him and all he had to do was have faith. Earlier in Egypt Abram had looked at the circumstances and used his own instinct to determine his actions. I'm sure that this situation was tempting to do the same in. Lot and him needed to split up; there was not room for the both of them. If God said that Abram was going to prosper than he would need a fertile land to live on, so shouldn't he have chosen the fertile land right away?
Abram's integrity probably was significantly lowered in the eyes of his servants after the incident in Egypt. Allowing Lot to choose the land first might have been a thoughtful gesture, but probably wasn't too reassuring for his servants. But this time Abram chose to trust that no matter what choice befell him, God would be with him and take care of him. Consequently, Abram drew what seemed to be the short end of the stick. However, after he allowed Lot to choose first, God blessed him and said, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
What is encouraging to me about this story is Abram's developing faith. He initially had messed up and allowed his distrust of God to direct his actions, but he learned from his mistake and the next time, even though it was tempting to assume that God had the fertile land waiting for him, he decided to allow his brother-in-law choose and trust that God had Abram's best interest in mind no matter what the outcome.
I pray that we all would have a developing faith. We are going to have times where we don't trust God in the way that we should, and God will be disappointed with us. But that is not how he wants us to live our lives. He wants us to develop in our trust of him. He has a purpose, plan, and future for us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made is home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:9-10)
God is building a foundation and future for each of us. Trust. Have a developing faith in Him. Wait and watch Him work in incredible ways in your lives.
Abram.
A man best known for his faithfulness. I don't know about you, but sometimes when I think about those known for having great faith I seem to elevate them in my mind. They are the individuals that my heart longs to be but my reason pulls back into line. Yet, this morning I was reading in Genesis about Abram and after God had called him away from his homeland, he landed himself in Egypt. There Abram's faith was tested, and he actually failed pretty badly.
Sarai, his wife was very beautiful and Abram knew that the Pharaoh would want to take her into his harem of women. If he knew that they were married, Abram was basically a dead man (so he thought). So Abram lied and said she was his sister. Where was his great faith then? Pharaoh was not a dumb man however, and when his household began to experience plagues he knew that something was up. It didn't take him long to figure out that Abram's God was punishing him so he banished Abram and Sarai.
Abram's servants probably had it good in Egypt. They had come to a land of plenty and thrived there until Abram unwisely made a decision on his own without consulting God. In their eyes his integrity was probably put to question.
But Abram didn't stop listening to God after he failed that time to trust that God his hand in the situation. The next story we read is of Abram and his nephew Lot needing to split up....
"So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel an Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together. And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites an Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brother. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company. Abram lived int eh land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord."
Do you remember the scene in Finding Nemo where Dory and Marlin come upon the dark dike and they have the choice of going through or swimming over? Dory knew that for some reason they were supposed to swim through, but due to her short memory she could not remember why. Marlin looked at both choices and for him it was a no-brainer; swim over top- it looked much less ominous. Little did Marlin know that his lack of trust in his friend would get them both in very dangerous situation with hundreds of jellyfish. He trusted in his instinct over trusting in a friend.
When Abram and Lot were looking at the lands, there was one that looked much more fertile then the next. Abram had been promised by God that He would take care of him and all he had to do was have faith. Earlier in Egypt Abram had looked at the circumstances and used his own instinct to determine his actions. I'm sure that this situation was tempting to do the same in. Lot and him needed to split up; there was not room for the both of them. If God said that Abram was going to prosper than he would need a fertile land to live on, so shouldn't he have chosen the fertile land right away?
Abram's integrity probably was significantly lowered in the eyes of his servants after the incident in Egypt. Allowing Lot to choose the land first might have been a thoughtful gesture, but probably wasn't too reassuring for his servants. But this time Abram chose to trust that no matter what choice befell him, God would be with him and take care of him. Consequently, Abram drew what seemed to be the short end of the stick. However, after he allowed Lot to choose first, God blessed him and said, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
What is encouraging to me about this story is Abram's developing faith. He initially had messed up and allowed his distrust of God to direct his actions, but he learned from his mistake and the next time, even though it was tempting to assume that God had the fertile land waiting for him, he decided to allow his brother-in-law choose and trust that God had Abram's best interest in mind no matter what the outcome.
I pray that we all would have a developing faith. We are going to have times where we don't trust God in the way that we should, and God will be disappointed with us. But that is not how he wants us to live our lives. He wants us to develop in our trust of him. He has a purpose, plan, and future for us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made is home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:9-10)
God is building a foundation and future for each of us. Trust. Have a developing faith in Him. Wait and watch Him work in incredible ways in your lives.
10.06.2009
More Pots
This is an exerpt from a book I've been reading, "Unlimiting God" by Richard Blackaby. It really challenged me to put "more pots" out for God....check it out-
"There's a wonderful story in the life of the prophet Elisha, in 2 Kings 4:1-7, that illustrates this principle. Elisha was approached by a desperate, impoverished widow. Her creditor was coming to take away her two sons and sell them into slavery as compensation, and she was frantic to save her children.
Elisha asked what she possessed. All she had of value was one jar of oil. He instructed her to gather all the containers she could borrow from her neighbors. "Do not gather just a few," he urged her. She was to our her meager amount of oil into those containers, then "set aside the full ones."
If God gave you that message, how many containers would you collect? When would you decide you had gathered enough?
The prophet knew that the only limit to what God would do was how aggressively the woman believed and obeyed. The woman and her sons gathered pots and took them inside their house. At a certain point they decided they'd amassed enough. She began pouring oil from her original container into the borrowed ones. The oil miraculously kept flowing until she had filled the last pot. Seeing this miraculous supply, the widow called out to her son, "Bring me another vessel." But they'd used all the containers they had. "So the oil ceased."
Then Elisha instructed her to sell the oil, pay off her creditors, and live on the rest.
The flow of oil ceased because the widow had no capacity to recievve anything more from God. It wasn't that God couldn't keep the oil coming; the woman simply was incapable of recieveing any more. Had she collected containers more aggressively, she would have recieved more oil and earned moremoney.
As it wa, God responded to the level of her faith. Did the woamn sin in not gathering more pots? No. She recieved according to her faith.
Likewise God invites each of us to prepare for what He intends to do in our lives. Some poeple expect to do great and mighty things, so they organize themselves accordingly. Others have smaller expectations, and as a result they aren't disappointed.
What God wants to do in each of our lives is to expand our trust in Him so we gather an enourmous number of pots-- because we believe God will do a fantastic work."
What a challenge. We recieve according to our faith. I pray that God gives each of us dreams and that we expect God to follow through and do amazing things. May God increase your faith!
"There's a wonderful story in the life of the prophet Elisha, in 2 Kings 4:1-7, that illustrates this principle. Elisha was approached by a desperate, impoverished widow. Her creditor was coming to take away her two sons and sell them into slavery as compensation, and she was frantic to save her children.
Elisha asked what she possessed. All she had of value was one jar of oil. He instructed her to gather all the containers she could borrow from her neighbors. "Do not gather just a few," he urged her. She was to our her meager amount of oil into those containers, then "set aside the full ones."
If God gave you that message, how many containers would you collect? When would you decide you had gathered enough?
The prophet knew that the only limit to what God would do was how aggressively the woman believed and obeyed. The woman and her sons gathered pots and took them inside their house. At a certain point they decided they'd amassed enough. She began pouring oil from her original container into the borrowed ones. The oil miraculously kept flowing until she had filled the last pot. Seeing this miraculous supply, the widow called out to her son, "Bring me another vessel." But they'd used all the containers they had. "So the oil ceased."
Then Elisha instructed her to sell the oil, pay off her creditors, and live on the rest.
The flow of oil ceased because the widow had no capacity to recievve anything more from God. It wasn't that God couldn't keep the oil coming; the woman simply was incapable of recieveing any more. Had she collected containers more aggressively, she would have recieved more oil and earned moremoney.
As it wa, God responded to the level of her faith. Did the woamn sin in not gathering more pots? No. She recieved according to her faith.
Likewise God invites each of us to prepare for what He intends to do in our lives. Some poeple expect to do great and mighty things, so they organize themselves accordingly. Others have smaller expectations, and as a result they aren't disappointed.
What God wants to do in each of our lives is to expand our trust in Him so we gather an enourmous number of pots-- because we believe God will do a fantastic work."
What a challenge. We recieve according to our faith. I pray that God gives each of us dreams and that we expect God to follow through and do amazing things. May God increase your faith!
10.01.2009
Saving Faith Means Dedication
I ran across this during my devotions and thought I'd share:
Saving belief is not simply intellectual acceptance, but whole-hearted dedication to Jesus Christ that is permanent:
1 John 5:1-2 says,
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandements."
I challenge you to read up to verse four because John continues to talk about what love looks like and how we are able to have victory over the world. What comes to mind when the word dedication is thrown out? To me it has a reverence to it. It has a connection in my discipline which likewise has a bit of a negative connotation to it for me because I know how good I am at being disciplined. The idea of being a free spirit just sounds better.
The truth of it is that you will find many people claiming that they are Christians. You may even do so yourself...but if what the Bible says is true, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments." and we are not loving each other or observing the commands of Scripture, we are NOT of Him!
What an incredible challenge. Join me in as I search for living a life of dedication to Christ before anything else.
This is my prayer for us,
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength." Ephesians 1:17-19
~.Our Faith is the Victory Over the World.~
Saving belief is not simply intellectual acceptance, but whole-hearted dedication to Jesus Christ that is permanent:
1 John 5:1-2 says,
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandements."
I challenge you to read up to verse four because John continues to talk about what love looks like and how we are able to have victory over the world. What comes to mind when the word dedication is thrown out? To me it has a reverence to it. It has a connection in my discipline which likewise has a bit of a negative connotation to it for me because I know how good I am at being disciplined. The idea of being a free spirit just sounds better.
The truth of it is that you will find many people claiming that they are Christians. You may even do so yourself...but if what the Bible says is true, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments." and we are not loving each other or observing the commands of Scripture, we are NOT of Him!
What an incredible challenge. Join me in as I search for living a life of dedication to Christ before anything else.
This is my prayer for us,
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength." Ephesians 1:17-19
~.Our Faith is the Victory Over the World.~
9.29.2009
Passion.
Passion.
Where does it come from?
Why is it needed?
How do we direct it?
That final question is one of major importance. When I am talking about passion I am talking about an intense emotion and compelling desire for a relationship with our Creator. Have you ever been sitting somewhere and listening to something and all of a sudden feel an intense emotion arise from something that was said? Maybe it was a professor that provoked you to consider doing something that you are unsure about. Maybe a moral decision has come up or you have begun to see something unjust. Many times passion is used by God to get our attention. He wants us to do something or to change our thought pattern in an area, and He begins by getting our heads out of the normal ways we think and challenges us to think differently.
Often times the term, the passion of the Christ is thrown out in regards to the final days that Christ lived on earth. Did you know that Jesus' main ministry was only 3 years long! He obviously was living righteously until this point, but it was really only 3 years that Christ served in public ministry by doing miracles, healing, and preaching around Mesopotamia. The source of Christ's passion stemmed from His love for US! He lived, He suffered, He died, He rose again; all out of love for His Father who wanted to give us a second chance at a relationship with Him!
This morning this passage stuck out to me, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." --1 John 4:9
If we have received and accepted Christ as the one who came to take our sins- (how we miss the mark with the Father) then our PASSION is to live through Jesus Christ. I think that is why God gives us passions and compelling desires throughout our lives.
My challenge for today is that you think about what passions God has given you and how you can use those passions for Christ and His kingdom.
Where does it come from?
Why is it needed?
How do we direct it?
That final question is one of major importance. When I am talking about passion I am talking about an intense emotion and compelling desire for a relationship with our Creator. Have you ever been sitting somewhere and listening to something and all of a sudden feel an intense emotion arise from something that was said? Maybe it was a professor that provoked you to consider doing something that you are unsure about. Maybe a moral decision has come up or you have begun to see something unjust. Many times passion is used by God to get our attention. He wants us to do something or to change our thought pattern in an area, and He begins by getting our heads out of the normal ways we think and challenges us to think differently.
Often times the term, the passion of the Christ is thrown out in regards to the final days that Christ lived on earth. Did you know that Jesus' main ministry was only 3 years long! He obviously was living righteously until this point, but it was really only 3 years that Christ served in public ministry by doing miracles, healing, and preaching around Mesopotamia. The source of Christ's passion stemmed from His love for US! He lived, He suffered, He died, He rose again; all out of love for His Father who wanted to give us a second chance at a relationship with Him!
This morning this passage stuck out to me, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." --1 John 4:9
If we have received and accepted Christ as the one who came to take our sins- (how we miss the mark with the Father) then our PASSION is to live through Jesus Christ. I think that is why God gives us passions and compelling desires throughout our lives.
My challenge for today is that you think about what passions God has given you and how you can use those passions for Christ and His kingdom.
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