Sunday 30 December 2007

God Understands

Hebrews 4:15,16
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Why is that often when we're struggling with something that we think that God doesn't understand? I know that I have been guilty of it in the past as well. Why do we think that because Jesus walked this earth two thousand years ago, that he doesn't understand his own creation and what we go through today? Are our trials and temptations really all that different than what Jesus went through? Paul says no. We would be reluctant to admit it, but aren't we then in a sense doubting God? We trust that his blood cleansed us from our unrighteousness and our hope of eternity lies in him, why do we think that he won't understand our trials?

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Saturday 29 December 2007

Hey!

I'm sorry I haven't gotten many solid posts in lately. I've been busy with a very full schedule. I have been learning so much and at the same seeing that I know absolutely nothing. I've been seeing how I need to be still and know that he is God and that by waiting on him, I'll renew my strength. I would just like to ask for everyone's prayers. I'm going through something right now that will no doubt change my life forever. I need wisdom, understanding, and to know that even if I don't understand, God knows what he's doing. He will strengthen me, help me, and uphold me.

I offer my thanks in advance and God bless you all.

Wednesday 26 December 2007

Something Interesting

Yesterday was really a great day. Some of us youth went to Jaffa and walked right through all the trails. Some areas were really icy, but the weather was beautiful and me and a friend had some wonderful discussions.

I came across a verse yesterday that I found really interesting.
1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

First of all, please don't get me wrong; exercise is absolutely great. But, I find that often people (I'm not just speaking to guys here because girls are bad for it too) strive so hard to attain a particular level of physical strength. In many cases, it becomes an idol when they put so much energy into this. Godliness is so much more profitable. Yes, working out may contribute greatly to our physical health and length of life, but spending time in God's word will give you much longer life.

In closing I would like to leave you with one more verse.
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

God Bless!

Tuesday 25 December 2007

Merry Christmas

Just stopping by to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Sunday 23 December 2007

Wisdom

"As we trust God to give us wisdom for today's decisions, He will lead us a step at a time into what He wants us to be doing in the future."
- Theodore Epp

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Wednesday 19 December 2007

Some Random Post

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." (Phil. 4:4)

This might just be a really random post with all sorts of blabbering, but hey, sometimes that's what I like. I wrote my exam today and it's very relieving to have that off my shoulders right before Christmas. It was a good reminder that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:13)

Philippians 1:21
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

As you may have noticed I've been reading through Philippians. But the reason I added that verse above was because I'm not quite sure really what it means. I get the "to die is gain" part but what does it mean "For me to live is Christ,"? Any comments or ideas or wisdom will be gladly accepted. I hear this verse a lot but what does it really mean?

"Faith is not intelligent understanding, faith is deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way."
- Oswald Chambers

So there's just a few things I wanted to say. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil. 4:8) God bless you and keep you. Merry Christmas!

Monday 17 December 2007

God's Best

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."
- C.S. Lewis

Sunday 16 December 2007

Snow, And More Snow

So I woke up this morning to that lovely pinging sound of ice pellets on my window. After a thick layer of ice, several inches of snow. Since you couldn't exactly tell where the road was, we decided it was probably a good idea to stay home from church, which may I say, felt a little awkward, but I finished studying for my exam on Wednesday, which was a great relief.

This morning, I was reading in Ephesians and there I came across a passage that I think we can all apply to our daily lives.

Ephesians 6:5-8
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in singleness of heart, as unto Christ,
Not with eyeservice as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

How often when we have a job to do, or are doing our chores when no one else is around, it's so easy to quickly skim over it. No, Mom might not find out, but God still knows and it's from Him that we will receive our reward. Think about this the coming week and go the "extra mile." If you're asked to do something, do it thoroughly and more. If you aren't asked to do something, but see that it needs to be done, do it. Take on someone else's chores out of love for them or just simply to bless them so that they have one less thing on their "to do" list.

GUESS WHAT, GUESS WHAT, GUESS WHAT?!!!
My birthday is in two weeks! Okay, so that was really random.

I would just ask for everyone's prayers. I'm going through something right now that I'm not quite sure how to handle. Whatever it may be, I want God's will to be done. It may be very hard, but I know that it will be best, even if I don't see it now.

God bless you and keep you.

"Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Eph. 3:20,21)

Thursday 13 December 2007

Excuses, Excuses!

But I have a really good one!

I know I haven't posted in a week, but I have been really busy getting ready for my Grade 11 University Math Exam and it's often really hard to get in some quality study time. Overall, my week has been absolutely AMAZING! It started Sunday night when some of us youth had a time of sharing. The discussion just pinpointed all the sin and faults in my life that were standing in the way of a true and intimate relationship with God. But the joy in being surrendered and obedient to the will of God I can't even begin to describe.

In my devotions this past week or so, I've seen what faith and obedience really is. We see this with Abraham when God asks him to offer Isaac. I'm sure he was very grieved, but he did not question God. He just got up in the morning and was faithful and obedient to what was asked of him.

Reading the account of Joseph was really encouraging as well. I'm sure many of you are very familiar with the story and all that Joseph went through; being sold to the Egyptians, being put in prison, then interpreting Pharaoh's dream, and soon he was the governor of Egypt. There were the seven years of plenty and the in the second year of famine his brothers come to Egypt to buy food. So he was there without seeing or hearing anything from his family for a LONG time. In the end when he finally reveals himself to his brothers, he see the "bigger picture" as I like to call it. He tells his brothers not to be grieved and angry with themselves and says, "but God did send me before you to preserve life." No, he may not have understood the trial and hardship that he went through, but it seems that it was worth it in the end when he was reconciled to his brothers.

I know this post is getting long, but I just have to share something else. I was just thinking today about the love of God and I was reminded of the hymn "The Love of God" by Frederick M. Lehman. This man understood that even in writing a hymn about the love of God that there was no way he could describe it. I just love the last verse where it says:

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Tho stretched from sky to sky.

On this earth, I don't think we'll ever grasp how great God's love is. Take this thought with you for the next few days and see where it might take you.

Good-bye for now. No promises on when I'll have a chance to post again but God be with you and uphold you and bless you abundantly.

Friday 7 December 2007

I Am Weak, But Thou Art Strong

2 Corinthians 12:9, 10
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Wednesday 5 December 2007

Dropping By...

...to say hi!

There, now I have posted again.

(This has got to be my "cheesiest" post ever.)

Saturday 1 December 2007

Wow!

I would like to share a few portions of scripture that I just read that really made me say, "Wow! What an awesome God I have!"

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
But in all things approving yourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Well, it's time for me to go, so God bless you all and have a great upcoming week.