Life. It's one of those crazy adventures and it's real. Sometimes I don't understand it, actually, most of the time. The further I go along, the more I realize I don't know. It's like that for me now.
I find it interesting that the closer I draw to God, the more sinful I see that I am. I find myself wondering if I have made any progress over the last few years. But the thing is, becoming holy, purified, and godly is a nasty process at times. It means dragging everything out and exposing it for what it really is. It's about tearing off the outer, clean appearance and seeing all the filth underneath and cleaning it.
The closer to God I get, the more I see in my life that shouldn't be there, the more I see that needs to change, and rightly so. As we come into God's light and presence, it reveals any darkness lurking there. Not much is hid in a place of light, purity, and holiness. Sin and unrighteousness cannot hide; it can only be exposed for what it is. Then, as gold, we are put the fire and endure the painful purifying process.
This is what God does to us because we are precious to Him. He wants us pure, clean, clothed in white. We can look at Isaiah 42:3 and know that even though we are weak, God does not give up on us. He always remains faithful. Even though we don't always understand, He leads and guides us. He has promised never to forsake us.
As we go through life and feel the Lord's rod of chastisement, let us remember these things. He is purifying us because we are precious and He wants us as His spotless bride, clothed in purest white.
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Thursday, 3 December 2009
What is My Cry?
Last week one day, I hopped into my sister's car to make a quick trip to the store, as I needed a few things to make supper. I could have walked, had it not been for the rain. I turned on the engine and the radio came on with it. What I heard were the final stanzas of a secular song that I hadn't heard in years. And I must say they hit me hard. Now, I stopped listening to secular music a long time ago, but I clearly remembered this song. Just to make things clear, I still generally don't listen to secular music, nor do I encourage it. However, that night, after trying to place the title of the song, I looked it up. The song is "Where is the Love?" by the Black Eyed Peas. When I listened to this song again, I found myself wondering, "Why isn't this the cry of the Church? Christians could really learn a lot from this song!" Pretty sad, isn't it? (By the Church, I am referring to the body of believers around the world as a whole, but I guess my thoughts pertain more to the North American church.)
"Where is the Love?" is a song that really speaks about the injustice of the world we live in, and throughout this post, I'll be quoting various lyrics from the song. The chorus of this song probably has the strongest Christian tone, although I don't think it was written from that viewpoint:
"People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?"
I think here we already fail. The world around is lost, dying, and crying out and yet it seems like we fail to hear. How often doesn't our walk contradict our talk? How often don't we rather want to get even than turn the other cheek? The song also speaks of how we discriminate and the things it leads to. There are many lines that divide Christians, although God never intended it that way, and we often tend to be critical of others, Christians and non-Christians alike. I must confess that I fall very short on all of these matters, and it should not be so.
Why isn't this the cry of the Church?
"So I can ask myself really what is going wrong
With this world that we living in
People keep on giving in
Makin wrong decisions
Only visions of them livin and
Not respecting each other
Deny thy brother
The wars' going on but the reasons' undercover
The truth is kept secret
Swept under the rug
If you never know truth
Then you never know love"
And all too often, we give into the pressure around us, fail to stand our ground and rather compromise our convictions, make decisions we know are wrong, have a vision that only includes ourselves, and we bear lies and do all we can to cover up the truth. But until truth, God's Truth is brought out, applied and lived out, we'll never get anywhere.
Why isn't this the cry of the Church?
"Most of us only care about money makin
Selfishness got us followin the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting their young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what the see in the cinema
Whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality
Instead of spreading love, we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity"
Sadly, we often see in the lives of Christians a strong desire for the gain of material wealth. There is nothing wrong with money, and if God has blessed you financially, praise Him for it. But also use it in a God-honouring way. The Bible speaks way too much about giving to justify hoarding everything you make. Many of us live self-serving lives. I myself having realized lately how self-serving my life has become, how I think I should have it this way, have that, be able to do that, having special privileges and exemptions. But this is far from what the Christian life is all about. It's a life of service and sacrifice. That's what we have been called to.
Why isn't this the cry of the Church?
Media is a subject all of its own. We are surrounded by it: magazines, billboards, radio, music, television, movies, internet and the list goes on. We live in a world that screams sex; live for yourself; if it feels good, do it; if you've been wronged, get even; you deserve more than you have; you need more to make you happy and this list goes on. This is an area that I have a strong opinion on, because I've learned from experience and still feel the effects all the time. Growing up, I listened to all the secular music, watched all the TV shows and movies, and just soaked it all in. When I became a Christian, entertainment was one of the hardest things for me to break free from. I knew most of it was ungodly (evil, really) and that it had a very negative influence on my life. I would erase many things from my memory if I could, and all the years of entertainment is one of them. I still have lines and images coming back to me all the time, often at random times as I go about my day and I hate it. So yes, I can definitely say, media is a big problem in our society, and it does ruin children. I'm not against these various forms of media in themselves and I still watch movies and such sometimes, but I'm careful about my choices.
Why isn't this the cry of the Church?
What happened to the values of humanity? How about what happened to the values of Christianity? Our society is in rapid moral decline, but so is the Church. As we see all the things that are wrong in this world, are we setting a different example? Many are not. But God's call for our lives is a set-apart, sanctified one that is distinctly different from the lives the world leads. Many Christians and churches nowadays are doing things in order to attract unbelievers or be culturally relevant. However, I don't believe this is biblical. I read a book this year called Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different by Tullian Tchividjian, which I would definitely recommend. I was surprised to learn that non-believers that are seeking are actually not attracted by Christians who take part in many of the same or similar things the world does, by rather repelled: "serious seekers today aren't looking for something appealing and trendy. They're looking for something deeper than what's currently in fashion." (p.9) In other words, if they want their life to change, they will want a complete turnaround, not just "Christianized" versions of what they already have. Tullian also included a reader's response to a magazine article about modern churches trying to reach people by “fitting in”, and a portion reads as follows:
"I can't stand the phoniness, or trendiness, or sameness--or whatever I'm trying to say here--that the church seems to catch onto at the tail, not even aware of how lame it is....It makes me want to throw up. It's buying into some kind of lie or substitution of cool culture as being relevant when it isn't." (p.16)
There's more to that where she describes the kind of Christians she can't stand, but I think we can say the world has spoken. The world wants change too, but we often fail to deliver. And we definitely aren't always the best examples of love and unity.
I never would have thought I could learn so much from a secular song. I never would have thought that it would bring out so many problems in the modern church or areas of my life that needed to change. But the more I think and talk about this, the more I see how wrong I really am. I've asked the question “Why isn't this the cry of the Church?” But what it really comes down to is “Why isn't this my cry, or rather, what is my cry?” The more I look at the Word of God and learn about what it means to follow Jesus, the more I see how very far away I am. I can only point to myself. Nor is what I have thought about and said here enough. No head knowledge is worth anything until it is put into practice and lived out. My earnest prayer and desire is that I would not just think and talk about things, but actually do something; not look at anyone else, but to myself and how far I fall short, because before I can do that, I will not see change. May this be the earnest desire and prayer of each and every one of us. Blessings to you!
And my sincere apologies for making this so long, although I could have said much more.
"Where is the Love?" is a song that really speaks about the injustice of the world we live in, and throughout this post, I'll be quoting various lyrics from the song. The chorus of this song probably has the strongest Christian tone, although I don't think it was written from that viewpoint:
"People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?"
I think here we already fail. The world around is lost, dying, and crying out and yet it seems like we fail to hear. How often doesn't our walk contradict our talk? How often don't we rather want to get even than turn the other cheek? The song also speaks of how we discriminate and the things it leads to. There are many lines that divide Christians, although God never intended it that way, and we often tend to be critical of others, Christians and non-Christians alike. I must confess that I fall very short on all of these matters, and it should not be so.
Why isn't this the cry of the Church?
"So I can ask myself really what is going wrong
With this world that we living in
People keep on giving in
Makin wrong decisions
Only visions of them livin and
Not respecting each other
Deny thy brother
The wars' going on but the reasons' undercover
The truth is kept secret
Swept under the rug
If you never know truth
Then you never know love"
And all too often, we give into the pressure around us, fail to stand our ground and rather compromise our convictions, make decisions we know are wrong, have a vision that only includes ourselves, and we bear lies and do all we can to cover up the truth. But until truth, God's Truth is brought out, applied and lived out, we'll never get anywhere.
Why isn't this the cry of the Church?
"Most of us only care about money makin
Selfishness got us followin the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting their young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what the see in the cinema
Whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality
Instead of spreading love, we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity"
Sadly, we often see in the lives of Christians a strong desire for the gain of material wealth. There is nothing wrong with money, and if God has blessed you financially, praise Him for it. But also use it in a God-honouring way. The Bible speaks way too much about giving to justify hoarding everything you make. Many of us live self-serving lives. I myself having realized lately how self-serving my life has become, how I think I should have it this way, have that, be able to do that, having special privileges and exemptions. But this is far from what the Christian life is all about. It's a life of service and sacrifice. That's what we have been called to.
Why isn't this the cry of the Church?
Media is a subject all of its own. We are surrounded by it: magazines, billboards, radio, music, television, movies, internet and the list goes on. We live in a world that screams sex; live for yourself; if it feels good, do it; if you've been wronged, get even; you deserve more than you have; you need more to make you happy and this list goes on. This is an area that I have a strong opinion on, because I've learned from experience and still feel the effects all the time. Growing up, I listened to all the secular music, watched all the TV shows and movies, and just soaked it all in. When I became a Christian, entertainment was one of the hardest things for me to break free from. I knew most of it was ungodly (evil, really) and that it had a very negative influence on my life. I would erase many things from my memory if I could, and all the years of entertainment is one of them. I still have lines and images coming back to me all the time, often at random times as I go about my day and I hate it. So yes, I can definitely say, media is a big problem in our society, and it does ruin children. I'm not against these various forms of media in themselves and I still watch movies and such sometimes, but I'm careful about my choices.
Why isn't this the cry of the Church?
What happened to the values of humanity? How about what happened to the values of Christianity? Our society is in rapid moral decline, but so is the Church. As we see all the things that are wrong in this world, are we setting a different example? Many are not. But God's call for our lives is a set-apart, sanctified one that is distinctly different from the lives the world leads. Many Christians and churches nowadays are doing things in order to attract unbelievers or be culturally relevant. However, I don't believe this is biblical. I read a book this year called Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different by Tullian Tchividjian, which I would definitely recommend. I was surprised to learn that non-believers that are seeking are actually not attracted by Christians who take part in many of the same or similar things the world does, by rather repelled: "serious seekers today aren't looking for something appealing and trendy. They're looking for something deeper than what's currently in fashion." (p.9) In other words, if they want their life to change, they will want a complete turnaround, not just "Christianized" versions of what they already have. Tullian also included a reader's response to a magazine article about modern churches trying to reach people by “fitting in”, and a portion reads as follows:
"I can't stand the phoniness, or trendiness, or sameness--or whatever I'm trying to say here--that the church seems to catch onto at the tail, not even aware of how lame it is....It makes me want to throw up. It's buying into some kind of lie or substitution of cool culture as being relevant when it isn't." (p.16)
There's more to that where she describes the kind of Christians she can't stand, but I think we can say the world has spoken. The world wants change too, but we often fail to deliver. And we definitely aren't always the best examples of love and unity.
I never would have thought I could learn so much from a secular song. I never would have thought that it would bring out so many problems in the modern church or areas of my life that needed to change. But the more I think and talk about this, the more I see how wrong I really am. I've asked the question “Why isn't this the cry of the Church?” But what it really comes down to is “Why isn't this my cry, or rather, what is my cry?” The more I look at the Word of God and learn about what it means to follow Jesus, the more I see how very far away I am. I can only point to myself. Nor is what I have thought about and said here enough. No head knowledge is worth anything until it is put into practice and lived out. My earnest prayer and desire is that I would not just think and talk about things, but actually do something; not look at anyone else, but to myself and how far I fall short, because before I can do that, I will not see change. May this be the earnest desire and prayer of each and every one of us. Blessings to you!
And my sincere apologies for making this so long, although I could have said much more.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Your Life
The video I posted earlier on this week of Clayton McDonald has brought new thoughts and questions to mind. Why is it that we often assume we have a long life ahead of us? Why do we often automatically think we have 70 or 80 years to live? To be honest, I think many of us go throughout our days with this mentality. Do you ever wake up in the morning and wonder if that may be your last day? Most of us would probably have to say no.
I think we often have a more fairy tale idea of our lives, especially girls. We dream of meeting some wonderful person, getting married, and living in a cute, cozy little home with lots of flowers and a white picket fence. So we have a nice, happy life, raise a family, whole-heartedly serve the Lord and one day we'll sit in a rocking chair and tell our grandchildren stories of when we were young'uns.
But what if we don't see tomorrow? Or what if God decides He has different plans for our lives than we have for ourselves? What if He decides to take you home before you're out of your teens? What if He, after one blissful year of marriage, He were to take your husband home, leaving your unborn baby fatherless and you a widow at age 22? What if your wife died in a car accident and left two young children without a mother?
Suddenly, our perfect dream world is shattered and we are ready to ask God "Why?" But He never told us we would have 80 perfect years. What we do know, though, is that His will is the best and it is there we are safe, as Clayton McDonald said. No, it won't be easy, but it is the best.
So, keeping this in mind, how do we live our lives? What if today was your last day?
I think we often have a more fairy tale idea of our lives, especially girls. We dream of meeting some wonderful person, getting married, and living in a cute, cozy little home with lots of flowers and a white picket fence. So we have a nice, happy life, raise a family, whole-heartedly serve the Lord and one day we'll sit in a rocking chair and tell our grandchildren stories of when we were young'uns.
But what if we don't see tomorrow? Or what if God decides He has different plans for our lives than we have for ourselves? What if He decides to take you home before you're out of your teens? What if He, after one blissful year of marriage, He were to take your husband home, leaving your unborn baby fatherless and you a widow at age 22? What if your wife died in a car accident and left two young children without a mother?
Suddenly, our perfect dream world is shattered and we are ready to ask God "Why?" But He never told us we would have 80 perfect years. What we do know, though, is that His will is the best and it is there we are safe, as Clayton McDonald said. No, it won't be easy, but it is the best.
So, keeping this in mind, how do we live our lives? What if today was your last day?
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Pain: An Opportunity
Ah, after over 3 months of absence, I have returned to the blogging world. The explanation for my absence is quite simple: I have lacked time and haven't had anything worth writing. But this week I have been reflecting on pain and supposed I would share my thoughts, although I doubt anyone will read this.
Pain. Whether physical or emotional, pain is a God-given opportunity. That sounds strange, but I personally have come to see the truth in this wonderful concept. No, it's not easy. In fact, it's often very hard. But every time we encounter hardship and pain, we have a choice, and our decision may have a greater impact than we may think.
The first choice we can make is not a very difficult one, but results in even more pain and hardship. We can choose to give into pain and everything that comes along with it. We can allow fear to take over the situation and makes things seem a whole lot worse than they really are. Of course, that's what the enemy wants. We can despair, wallow in self-pity, whine, complain, and try to get others to feel sorry for us as well. We can allow our emotional hurts bring us down into depression and feelings of hopelessness. But this choice only makes the hurt more painful and the situation that much more dismal.
The second choice we have when encounter pain and hardship in our lives is to draw closer to our Lord and Saviour. It's an opportunity to come before Him in prayer, seeking Him, being bold before the throne of grace, casting our cares upon Him who cares for us. It's an opportunity for God to show Himself strong in our lives and demonstrate His awesome power and might. We can take refuge and lean on Him. He can be our strength in weakness, our courage in the midst of fear, our bread when we're hungry, and our water when we're thirsty. We can choose to remember what He did for us, how He went to the cross of Calvary, suffered, bled, and died. We can remember the pain and humiliation He endured to save us. I can be thankful for the great price He paid to save me, a wretched sinner, from sin, death, and hell and grant me eternal life and an inheritance undefiled and incorruptible. This is only a fraction of what I can do.
Something that God has been opening to is the fact that I have an influence on others. Right now, my sphere of influence is small--although maybe bigger than I am aware of--but it exists. And as I get older and experience more things, that sphere of influence is going to grow. When other people look at my life, what are they going to see? What will they notice about the way I act, speak, and the manner in which I relate to others? What will they notice about the way I handle trials that come my way? Thus, pain and hardship is an opportunity to shine for Jesus, to display His power, His glory, His love, and His grace to a world that doesn't understand why a loving God allows us to suffer.
This is my earnest prayer: that I may use my trials and pain as God-given opportunities.
Pain. Whether physical or emotional, pain is a God-given opportunity. That sounds strange, but I personally have come to see the truth in this wonderful concept. No, it's not easy. In fact, it's often very hard. But every time we encounter hardship and pain, we have a choice, and our decision may have a greater impact than we may think.
The first choice we can make is not a very difficult one, but results in even more pain and hardship. We can choose to give into pain and everything that comes along with it. We can allow fear to take over the situation and makes things seem a whole lot worse than they really are. Of course, that's what the enemy wants. We can despair, wallow in self-pity, whine, complain, and try to get others to feel sorry for us as well. We can allow our emotional hurts bring us down into depression and feelings of hopelessness. But this choice only makes the hurt more painful and the situation that much more dismal.
The second choice we have when encounter pain and hardship in our lives is to draw closer to our Lord and Saviour. It's an opportunity to come before Him in prayer, seeking Him, being bold before the throne of grace, casting our cares upon Him who cares for us. It's an opportunity for God to show Himself strong in our lives and demonstrate His awesome power and might. We can take refuge and lean on Him. He can be our strength in weakness, our courage in the midst of fear, our bread when we're hungry, and our water when we're thirsty. We can choose to remember what He did for us, how He went to the cross of Calvary, suffered, bled, and died. We can remember the pain and humiliation He endured to save us. I can be thankful for the great price He paid to save me, a wretched sinner, from sin, death, and hell and grant me eternal life and an inheritance undefiled and incorruptible. This is only a fraction of what I can do.
Something that God has been opening to is the fact that I have an influence on others. Right now, my sphere of influence is small--although maybe bigger than I am aware of--but it exists. And as I get older and experience more things, that sphere of influence is going to grow. When other people look at my life, what are they going to see? What will they notice about the way I act, speak, and the manner in which I relate to others? What will they notice about the way I handle trials that come my way? Thus, pain and hardship is an opportunity to shine for Jesus, to display His power, His glory, His love, and His grace to a world that doesn't understand why a loving God allows us to suffer.
This is my earnest prayer: that I may use my trials and pain as God-given opportunities.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
All That Really Matters
I know that my blogging was really weak last month, and I'm not intending to make any promises for this year, as I know it will be busy enough.
This week, I started reading John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life. I believe that I'm in a very fitting time in my life to read this book and a few passages have particularly caught my attention. Not only is it a new year, but a time in my life where I have many trials ahead of me, where I trust God will show Himself strong and I will learn to love Him more.
You don't have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing. If you want your life to count, if you want the ripple effect of the pebbles you drop to become waves that reach the ends of the earth and roll on into eternity, you don't need to have a high IQ. You don't have to have good looks or riches or come from a fine family or a fine school. Instead you have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things--and one great all-embracing thing--and be set on fire by them.
--John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life (emphasis in passage mine)
In the end, all that will really matter, is do we know God and does He know us. This is what it will all come down to: Do you know Jesus and does He know you? That second part is as important as the first. No Ph.D, no houses, land, or other accumulated possessions will matter. I like how Jim Cowan says it in his song When It's All Been Said and Done:
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You
When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done for love's Reward
Will stand the test of time
This year, I long to live for Christ and Him alone, because knowing Him is all that matters. No matter what I accomplish here on earth, unless I know Him and live to love and glorify Him, I have nothing but wasted my life.
John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Knowing God is eternal life!
And thus a cross-centered, cross-exalting, cross-saturated life is a God-glorifying life--the only God-glorifying life. All others are wasted.
--John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life
May we remember these words this coming year.
This week, I started reading John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life. I believe that I'm in a very fitting time in my life to read this book and a few passages have particularly caught my attention. Not only is it a new year, but a time in my life where I have many trials ahead of me, where I trust God will show Himself strong and I will learn to love Him more.
You don't have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing. If you want your life to count, if you want the ripple effect of the pebbles you drop to become waves that reach the ends of the earth and roll on into eternity, you don't need to have a high IQ. You don't have to have good looks or riches or come from a fine family or a fine school. Instead you have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things--and one great all-embracing thing--and be set on fire by them.
--John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life (emphasis in passage mine)
In the end, all that will really matter, is do we know God and does He know us. This is what it will all come down to: Do you know Jesus and does He know you? That second part is as important as the first. No Ph.D, no houses, land, or other accumulated possessions will matter. I like how Jim Cowan says it in his song When It's All Been Said and Done:
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You
When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done for love's Reward
Will stand the test of time
This year, I long to live for Christ and Him alone, because knowing Him is all that matters. No matter what I accomplish here on earth, unless I know Him and live to love and glorify Him, I have nothing but wasted my life.
John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Knowing God is eternal life!
And thus a cross-centered, cross-exalting, cross-saturated life is a God-glorifying life--the only God-glorifying life. All others are wasted.
--John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life
May we remember these words this coming year.
Monday, 22 December 2008
Making Room For God's Plans
I've been wanting to get this post up for over a week now. Finally, a few events are over, including our banquet and church's Christmas program, and many other things, so it feels really good to be able to slow down for a few days before going caroling and Christmas with all the things that come along with it.
Something God has been showing me is making room for His plans, for they are far greater than mine. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Another translation says "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
Awhile ago, I was asked to do something that I have to honestly say I wasn't particularly thrilled about. However, allowed God to be in charge that evening, and did He ever do something incredible. I could very easily have gone my own way, but I would have missed out on a tremendous blessing.
God really does want to give us His very best if we are willing to surrender our lives to Him and make room for His plans.
Something God has been showing me is making room for His plans, for they are far greater than mine. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Another translation says "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
Awhile ago, I was asked to do something that I have to honestly say I wasn't particularly thrilled about. However, allowed God to be in charge that evening, and did He ever do something incredible. I could very easily have gone my own way, but I would have missed out on a tremendous blessing.
God really does want to give us His very best if we are willing to surrender our lives to Him and make room for His plans.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Your Plans, Eh?
Ah, don't we all like that. The idea of planning our lives. It makes us feel like we're in control and headed for success, just like we have it all together and know exactly what we're doing. But the truth is, we're not in control and we don't know exactly what we're doing.
I used to try and plan out my life, but then I started noticing something. I can't even make a day go the way I want it to, let alone a week. Tell me again why I'm trying to plan my life? God shows me everyday that He has different plans for me than I have for myself.
Does that mean we can't have a vision? No. A vision is good, but not if you're trying to plan your life day by day, year by year. God may have something very different in mind, but I can assure you, that in the end, it will be something better.
But sometimes, we face this matter, that we don't like what God has for us. We don't want to accept His will.
Matthew 26:39,42
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Sometimes, we have a trial put in front of us that we want so desperately that God would take it away from us. Jesus, too, cried out for the cup to be taken away. But God will not always do that. I really took notice this morning as I read this verse, how Jesus said, "if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." (emphasis mine) Sometimes, there's no way around the valley, but to go through it; no way around the mountain, but to go over it; no way around the raging sea, but through it. Likewise, sometimes, there's no way around the cup, but to drink it.
But in this, God never sends us through something; He always goes with us. He comes out to us on the raging sea, and calls us out onto the water. God bless you!
I used to try and plan out my life, but then I started noticing something. I can't even make a day go the way I want it to, let alone a week. Tell me again why I'm trying to plan my life? God shows me everyday that He has different plans for me than I have for myself.
Does that mean we can't have a vision? No. A vision is good, but not if you're trying to plan your life day by day, year by year. God may have something very different in mind, but I can assure you, that in the end, it will be something better.
But sometimes, we face this matter, that we don't like what God has for us. We don't want to accept His will.
Matthew 26:39,42
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Sometimes, we have a trial put in front of us that we want so desperately that God would take it away from us. Jesus, too, cried out for the cup to be taken away. But God will not always do that. I really took notice this morning as I read this verse, how Jesus said, "if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." (emphasis mine) Sometimes, there's no way around the valley, but to go through it; no way around the mountain, but to go over it; no way around the raging sea, but through it. Likewise, sometimes, there's no way around the cup, but to drink it.
But in this, God never sends us through something; He always goes with us. He comes out to us on the raging sea, and calls us out onto the water. God bless you!
Monday, 10 November 2008
Letting Go
Last night, I came home tired, but not too tired. I was more than ready to shower, settle down in my pajamas under my blankets with a hot cup of rooibos tea and focus on God. These last few days have been hard and wonderful at the same time. I'm learning to let go and be broken. Some of you may know what that feels like.
I was reading yesterday in Ezekiel and a little part of a verse stuck out to me. It wasn't particularly in the context it was in, but it still spoke to me nonetheless: Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work. So from this, I know that until I am cut down and broken, I am of no use. I think also of the seed. Unless it falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone. But once it dies, then it begins to grow.
Matthew 13: 45, 46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Jesus is that pearl of great price. He costs us everything, but He is more than worth the price. I want my life to reflect these verses. I want to like Mary, choose that good part, which will not be taken away from me. (See Luke 10: 41,42) People can take so much away from us: our house, car, possessions, jobs, family, friends, food, clothing, but they cannot take Jesus away from us. While we only have things here for a time, we always have Jesus.
Like Jim Elliot, I want to give up what I cannot keep to gain that which I cannot lose. Why would I hold on to something now, when I can see that one day, it will be taken away from me, with much pain. Why not just let go now, and gain so much more.
I find myself repeating the words of the song Cry for Humility by Christ our Life:
I will worship in Spirit and in Truth
Teach me discipline, to meditate on You
You gave up Your life, I must give my all to You
Remove the veil so I can see
God bless you all and have a wonderful week.
I was reading yesterday in Ezekiel and a little part of a verse stuck out to me. It wasn't particularly in the context it was in, but it still spoke to me nonetheless: Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work. So from this, I know that until I am cut down and broken, I am of no use. I think also of the seed. Unless it falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone. But once it dies, then it begins to grow.
Matthew 13: 45, 46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Jesus is that pearl of great price. He costs us everything, but He is more than worth the price. I want my life to reflect these verses. I want to like Mary, choose that good part, which will not be taken away from me. (See Luke 10: 41,42) People can take so much away from us: our house, car, possessions, jobs, family, friends, food, clothing, but they cannot take Jesus away from us. While we only have things here for a time, we always have Jesus.
Like Jim Elliot, I want to give up what I cannot keep to gain that which I cannot lose. Why would I hold on to something now, when I can see that one day, it will be taken away from me, with much pain. Why not just let go now, and gain so much more.
I find myself repeating the words of the song Cry for Humility by Christ our Life:
I will worship in Spirit and in Truth
Teach me discipline, to meditate on You
You gave up Your life, I must give my all to You
Remove the veil so I can see
God bless you all and have a wonderful week.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Fulfillment in Christ
I generally don't have a whole lot of time to read books, especially novels. Never mind, that good Christian novels are hard to find. When I do read novels, I like ones that give me something to chew on, something of practical value I can relate to my own life. I found this almost immediately reading Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione by Chuck Black:
"Duncan, I know your heart belongs to the King and the Prince. You are also a knight who yearns for adventure. But you'll soon learn there is no need. Adventure will surely find you as you follow the course set for you by the Prince....Don't be tempted to ride for glory as other knights do. Such a quest is an empty one...."
Duncan did have potential, though....He was a sturdy, broad-shouldered fellow, and he would grow stronger and mightier in the years ahead if he kept his focus on the Prince and not upon himself. And if he could learn to control himself better--for Duncan's chief weakness was his lack of self-discipline.
I can definitely identify with this in my own life. I need to shift my focus back to Jesus because it has turned to myself. What do I want (or not want)? What seems reasonable or makes sense to me? And, I tend to seek the praise and approval of others than just to simply please God. And, yes, adventure will come! I often say that the Christian life is the greatest adventure you could live because you never know what's waiting around the next corner. Another challenge is obedience. We must remember Who we are living for and His calling for our lives instead of wanting to go our own way. It is in His will that we will find fulfillment.
We have potential, but we must exercise discipline, for that is what it means to be a disciple.
"Duncan, I know your heart belongs to the King and the Prince. You are also a knight who yearns for adventure. But you'll soon learn there is no need. Adventure will surely find you as you follow the course set for you by the Prince....Don't be tempted to ride for glory as other knights do. Such a quest is an empty one...."
Duncan did have potential, though....He was a sturdy, broad-shouldered fellow, and he would grow stronger and mightier in the years ahead if he kept his focus on the Prince and not upon himself. And if he could learn to control himself better--for Duncan's chief weakness was his lack of self-discipline.
I can definitely identify with this in my own life. I need to shift my focus back to Jesus because it has turned to myself. What do I want (or not want)? What seems reasonable or makes sense to me? And, I tend to seek the praise and approval of others than just to simply please God. And, yes, adventure will come! I often say that the Christian life is the greatest adventure you could live because you never know what's waiting around the next corner. Another challenge is obedience. We must remember Who we are living for and His calling for our lives instead of wanting to go our own way. It is in His will that we will find fulfillment.
We have potential, but we must exercise discipline, for that is what it means to be a disciple.
Sunday, 28 September 2008
A Different Kind of Woman
We are creatures of a great master Designer, and His ordering of our lives is sure and certain, yet many people live without any visible order or peace or serenity. The way we live ought to manifest the truth of what we believe. A messy life speaks of a messy--an incoherent--faith...
The way you keep your house, the way you organize your time, the care you take in your personal appearance, things you spend your money on all speak loudly about what you believe. "The beauty of Thy peace" shines forth in an ordered life. A disordered life speaks loudly of disorder in the soul.
-Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman
Let's face it. People watch us. They watch us, they look at our lives, and they make note of the various things we do or don't do. When I read these notes on orderliness and self-discipline, I really have to think, What does my life look like? Often, it probably looks like a complete mess. But as Christians, we are called to adorn the Gospel, and make it look attractive. If we go aimlessly through life with no real purpose, we do the exact opposite. But if you look simply how people go about their day, how they handle various situations, it speaks volumes about their character. If I'm having a crazy hectic day, it's usually because there's unrest inside of me, because what's inside comes out.
Later on in Let Me Be a Woman, Elisabeth Elliot says something else that I feel goes hand in hand with this matter:
We are called to be woman. The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I'm a Christian does make me a different kind of woman. For I have accepted God's idea of me, and my whole life is an offering back to Him of all that He wants me to be.
I think I won't go any further into this, but I would encourage you young ladies, if you can get a hold of this book, don't miss the opportunity to read it.
The way you keep your house, the way you organize your time, the care you take in your personal appearance, things you spend your money on all speak loudly about what you believe. "The beauty of Thy peace" shines forth in an ordered life. A disordered life speaks loudly of disorder in the soul.
-Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman
Let's face it. People watch us. They watch us, they look at our lives, and they make note of the various things we do or don't do. When I read these notes on orderliness and self-discipline, I really have to think, What does my life look like? Often, it probably looks like a complete mess. But as Christians, we are called to adorn the Gospel, and make it look attractive. If we go aimlessly through life with no real purpose, we do the exact opposite. But if you look simply how people go about their day, how they handle various situations, it speaks volumes about their character. If I'm having a crazy hectic day, it's usually because there's unrest inside of me, because what's inside comes out.
Later on in Let Me Be a Woman, Elisabeth Elliot says something else that I feel goes hand in hand with this matter:
We are called to be woman. The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I'm a Christian does make me a different kind of woman. For I have accepted God's idea of me, and my whole life is an offering back to Him of all that He wants me to be.
I think I won't go any further into this, but I would encourage you young ladies, if you can get a hold of this book, don't miss the opportunity to read it.
Monday, 22 September 2008
Not Feeling
Very often (nearly always, I'm afraid) when I come to church my feelings are uppermost in my mind. This is natural. We are human, we are "selves," and it takes no effort at all to feel. But worship is not feeling. Worship is not an experience. Worship is an act, and it takes discipline. We are to worship in spirit and in truth." Never mind about the feelings. We are to worship in spite of them.
Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman
I can definitely identify with this. Worship really takes discipline because it is so easy to go on feelings. Some mornings I wake up and I don't feel like getting up for my devotions and sleep on. Then right before it's time to go down for breakfast, I rush through a couple of chapters of my Bible and hurry on with my day. Then things start going wrong and I usually know exactly why. I didn't spend the time with God I should have that morning or I did something right off that I don't want to admit was wrong and it goes down from there.
If you're at the top of a hill, a muddy one, perhaps, if you slip, if you catch yourself right away and regain your step, you'll likely be okay. Yes, the way may still be difficult, but you're still on you're two feet. But if you don't catch yourself right away, you might not be able to until you're at the very bottom and a serious mess at that.
I find I do that all the time. I slip and fail to catch myself right away, and my day goes downhill from there. Once I've made a few mistakes I don't want to admit, my conscience is guilty, worship is hard. It's hard to turn to Him, to worship, pray, and meditate on His Word. You see, the decisions we make first thing in the morning affect our whole day. We reap the fruit throughout the day of the first choices we make when we start our day.
Life for me is changing. I'm excited, but I know it won't always be easy. I marvel at God's faithfulness. He has been good to me.
Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman
I can definitely identify with this. Worship really takes discipline because it is so easy to go on feelings. Some mornings I wake up and I don't feel like getting up for my devotions and sleep on. Then right before it's time to go down for breakfast, I rush through a couple of chapters of my Bible and hurry on with my day. Then things start going wrong and I usually know exactly why. I didn't spend the time with God I should have that morning or I did something right off that I don't want to admit was wrong and it goes down from there.
If you're at the top of a hill, a muddy one, perhaps, if you slip, if you catch yourself right away and regain your step, you'll likely be okay. Yes, the way may still be difficult, but you're still on you're two feet. But if you don't catch yourself right away, you might not be able to until you're at the very bottom and a serious mess at that.
I find I do that all the time. I slip and fail to catch myself right away, and my day goes downhill from there. Once I've made a few mistakes I don't want to admit, my conscience is guilty, worship is hard. It's hard to turn to Him, to worship, pray, and meditate on His Word. You see, the decisions we make first thing in the morning affect our whole day. We reap the fruit throughout the day of the first choices we make when we start our day.
Life for me is changing. I'm excited, but I know it won't always be easy. I marvel at God's faithfulness. He has been good to me.
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
But It's So Tiny!
Yesterday when I was babysitting my nephew, he did something that showed me how we, as Christians, often treat sin. I was busy doing something when I noticed he was squatted down on the floor, as he usually does when he's looking at something he's fascinated by. So I went over to see what he was looking at and was almost a little alarmed when I saw he was trying to pick up an earwig. The little critter was violently wiggling around in his fingers, trying desperately to sting the curious little boy. Of course, I told him immediately to leave the bug alone, that it was going to hurt him, but he didn't seem to react much. I got him out of the way and swept up the bug, much to his disappointment.
Coming back, I had to wonder why my nephew would attempt to play with an ucky bug. I told him to leave it alone because it was going to hurt him but that didn't cause him to draw back. In his two year old mind, he's probably thinking, "That thing is so small, what's it gonna do to me?" He doesn't know nor does he understand how that's even possible, so he just ignores my caution.
As I was thinking about this throughout my day, I discovered that this is often how I treat sin. I see it, and thinking it's small and harmless, my curiosity gets the better of me and I try to play with it. God warns me and tells me to leave it alone, but I can't see any reason why. Like my nephew, I ignore the caution from Someone who knows how it will work to my hurt, then, I get hurt, of course.
The thing is, we don't always need to understand, we just need to trust God that He knows and always wants what's best for us. He sees the bid picture while we're only aware of what's directly in front of us. We only need to believe Him and be obedient when He says, "No!"
Coming back, I had to wonder why my nephew would attempt to play with an ucky bug. I told him to leave it alone because it was going to hurt him but that didn't cause him to draw back. In his two year old mind, he's probably thinking, "That thing is so small, what's it gonna do to me?" He doesn't know nor does he understand how that's even possible, so he just ignores my caution.
As I was thinking about this throughout my day, I discovered that this is often how I treat sin. I see it, and thinking it's small and harmless, my curiosity gets the better of me and I try to play with it. God warns me and tells me to leave it alone, but I can't see any reason why. Like my nephew, I ignore the caution from Someone who knows how it will work to my hurt, then, I get hurt, of course.
The thing is, we don't always need to understand, we just need to trust God that He knows and always wants what's best for us. He sees the bid picture while we're only aware of what's directly in front of us. We only need to believe Him and be obedient when He says, "No!"
Friday, 8 August 2008
Not Qualified?
Acts 4:13
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
Do you ever feel inadequate or far from qualified for the task set before you? We all fall into this one at some point. Some one asks us to do something, and we like to step back, putting up our hands defensively and going on, reading out of our book of excuses why we can't do it. I do it myself all the time. We feel inadequate. We don't qualify. We don't have the talents, skill, or abilities. We know someone else who would be much better suited for the position. WHY ME?!!!
So when I read this verse this week, I took fresh courage. When Jesus chose His disciples, He chose ordinary people. Ordinary people, living ordinary lives, to serve an extraordinary God, and thus do extraordinary things. Fishermen. Not incredibly remarkable individuals, not particularly educated and intelligent...just ordinary people. I take fresh courage in that. Possibly God wants to show Himself strong in my weaknesses. Not possibly; I know He does.
God uses ordinary people, the unqualified, the inadequate. He doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. He takes our fears and failures and uses them for His honour and glory. But we can't do it ourselves; it has to be God's working in and through us. Peter spoke, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and thousands were added to the church. He couldn't have done it himself.
Acts 5:38,39
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Even this Pharisee, Gamaliel, recognized that men's work comes to nought, but God's work will always prosper. It cannot be overthrown. Does that mean we won't ever face opposition when God calls us to do something? No. Jesus tells us that we will face opposition, but it will prosper.
Sorry, I hardly know how to put my thoughts into words. I hope that made some sense. Blessings!
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
Do you ever feel inadequate or far from qualified for the task set before you? We all fall into this one at some point. Some one asks us to do something, and we like to step back, putting up our hands defensively and going on, reading out of our book of excuses why we can't do it. I do it myself all the time. We feel inadequate. We don't qualify. We don't have the talents, skill, or abilities. We know someone else who would be much better suited for the position. WHY ME?!!!
So when I read this verse this week, I took fresh courage. When Jesus chose His disciples, He chose ordinary people. Ordinary people, living ordinary lives, to serve an extraordinary God, and thus do extraordinary things. Fishermen. Not incredibly remarkable individuals, not particularly educated and intelligent...just ordinary people. I take fresh courage in that. Possibly God wants to show Himself strong in my weaknesses. Not possibly; I know He does.
God uses ordinary people, the unqualified, the inadequate. He doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. He takes our fears and failures and uses them for His honour and glory. But we can't do it ourselves; it has to be God's working in and through us. Peter spoke, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and thousands were added to the church. He couldn't have done it himself.
Acts 5:38,39
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Even this Pharisee, Gamaliel, recognized that men's work comes to nought, but God's work will always prosper. It cannot be overthrown. Does that mean we won't ever face opposition when God calls us to do something? No. Jesus tells us that we will face opposition, but it will prosper.
Sorry, I hardly know how to put my thoughts into words. I hope that made some sense. Blessings!
Monday, 4 August 2008
The Work of the Lord
And, yes, the Lord is doing a mighty work. My sincerest apologies for waiting so long to post again. The Lord is doing much pruning, chastising, and refining once again. I'm most definitely an ongoing project that's never finished. I was thinking about this last week when my mom and I were doing some sewing. We had made a skirt last year that hadn't turned out and so now we were going to do some alterations to get it to fit. So after tearing out this seam and doing this or that, we could just not get it to fit right and look nice and there were many other problems along with it. Quite discouraged, my mom suggested that if it was alright with me, we would just leave it for now.
The next morning, I woke up with this thought: Isn't it wonderful that our Heavenly Father doesn't do that? He never gives up on us. He doesn't put us aside when we don't immediately respond to his molding. Rather He tears open this seam and redoes that one until it's just right; He doesn't stop until the work is finished and perfect and that makes me rejoice. Yes, it hurts and it's not always fun, but He holds our hand every step of the way and great is our reward.
So there's just one of my recent thoughts. God bless.
The next morning, I woke up with this thought: Isn't it wonderful that our Heavenly Father doesn't do that? He never gives up on us. He doesn't put us aside when we don't immediately respond to his molding. Rather He tears open this seam and redoes that one until it's just right; He doesn't stop until the work is finished and perfect and that makes me rejoice. Yes, it hurts and it's not always fun, but He holds our hand every step of the way and great is our reward.
So there's just one of my recent thoughts. God bless.
Monday, 21 July 2008
A Matter of Perspective
I was really blessed today to take some time to free my mind, reflect, and just be quiet before God and allow Him to speak to my heart. Psalm 34:8 says "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Somebody can tell me about the goodness of the Lord. I can open my Bible and read about the goodness of the Lord just as well. But until I taste and see for myself that the Lord is good and experience God myself, I don't really know that...it doesn't mean nearly as much to me.
I've been blessed in my babysitting job. For a long time, I was learning to be content with it, but now I'm actually enjoying it. Today a thought came to me. This eight year old boy really likes to brag about me. He's convinced I'm an awesome chef (I'm glad somebody thinks so), I'm a "pro" at Dutch Blitz, and likewise a "pro" at badminton. Now, I am pretty good at cooking, at least I think so, but I know many people who are much better at it than I am but he doesn't know that. Again, I'm pretty decent at Dutch Blitz, but I know many who are much better at it than me and he's only learning now. He's also fresh at the sport of badminton but so am I. Yes, I played badminton in high school, but the coach's elementary school boys beat me no problem. And had any seniors been in watching me practice, they would have been scratching their heads wondering how I managed to make the team. But see, this eight year old doesn't see that. He's only half as old as I am and lacks experience...he just hasn't seen as much as I have. It's like when I tell a six year old girl that I'm 16, she thinks I'm old. It's a matter of perspective.
So, when I was reflecting on this I remembered a portion of scripture I recently read in Luke 7 where a woman comes to Jesus, washing his feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair and then anointing them. In verse 47, Jesus says "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Thinking of this, a man who is a convicted murderer, who has done all kinds of horrible things and will be spending the rest of his life behind bars, when He discovers God's love and learns what Jesus has done for Him, and that all his sins are forgiven, he will have much greater love for God than someone who was only forgiven a lie he told. To the one that told a lie, salvation, forgiveness, and the remission of sins doesn't mean nearly as much so his love will not be as great. Suppose there was a group of people chosen, for whatever reason, that automatically had eternal life without Jesus, which we know can never happen. But if this were by chance the case, Jesus' death and resurrection and what He accomplished on the cross may not mean anything because they have not experienced what the next person has. He has not experienced the joy and relief when Jesus says "Thy sins are forgiven thee." Does that make any sense? I hardly know how to put it all in words.
Well, that's a bit of what was on my mind tonight. God bless.
I've been blessed in my babysitting job. For a long time, I was learning to be content with it, but now I'm actually enjoying it. Today a thought came to me. This eight year old boy really likes to brag about me. He's convinced I'm an awesome chef (I'm glad somebody thinks so), I'm a "pro" at Dutch Blitz, and likewise a "pro" at badminton. Now, I am pretty good at cooking, at least I think so, but I know many people who are much better at it than I am but he doesn't know that. Again, I'm pretty decent at Dutch Blitz, but I know many who are much better at it than me and he's only learning now. He's also fresh at the sport of badminton but so am I. Yes, I played badminton in high school, but the coach's elementary school boys beat me no problem. And had any seniors been in watching me practice, they would have been scratching their heads wondering how I managed to make the team. But see, this eight year old doesn't see that. He's only half as old as I am and lacks experience...he just hasn't seen as much as I have. It's like when I tell a six year old girl that I'm 16, she thinks I'm old. It's a matter of perspective.
So, when I was reflecting on this I remembered a portion of scripture I recently read in Luke 7 where a woman comes to Jesus, washing his feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair and then anointing them. In verse 47, Jesus says "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Thinking of this, a man who is a convicted murderer, who has done all kinds of horrible things and will be spending the rest of his life behind bars, when He discovers God's love and learns what Jesus has done for Him, and that all his sins are forgiven, he will have much greater love for God than someone who was only forgiven a lie he told. To the one that told a lie, salvation, forgiveness, and the remission of sins doesn't mean nearly as much so his love will not be as great. Suppose there was a group of people chosen, for whatever reason, that automatically had eternal life without Jesus, which we know can never happen. But if this were by chance the case, Jesus' death and resurrection and what He accomplished on the cross may not mean anything because they have not experienced what the next person has. He has not experienced the joy and relief when Jesus says "Thy sins are forgiven thee." Does that make any sense? I hardly know how to put it all in words.
Well, that's a bit of what was on my mind tonight. God bless.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Patience
Gulp. Whether we're stuck in traffic, late for something or it involves siblings, patience is something we could probably all use another dose of. I was reading in Luke when I came across this verse where Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower:
Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Bring forth fruit with patience. Upon reading this I thought "Is patience perhaps not only a good thing to possess but also a necessary thing in living the Christian life?" But first, lets define the term patience. Oxford Canadian Dictionary defines patience as the capacity to accept or endure delay, provocation, or hardship calmly without anger. I also looked it up in a concordance and in the Greek, patience means cheerful endurance. In some cases, it also means longsuffering. So now, not only is patience just enduring without anger, but enduring cheerfully.
Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
So, if patience works experience, experience hope, and that hope maketh not ashamed, then I think it's safe to say that patience can be very beneficial.
1 Timothy 6:11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
As children of God, we are called to pursue patience, along with righteousness, godliness, faith, love, and meekness.
Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Promises come along with patience as well.
James 1:3,4
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Wow! That's beyond incredible.
2 Peter 1:5-9
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Who wants patience by now? Notice that patience along with all these other qualities not only need to be in us, but they need to abound so that we may be fruitful and grow in the knowledge of our Lord.
I think by now, it's safe to say that patience is not only a good option, but a needful thing; not an easy thing, but a necessary one. There are also many wonderful things that come along with it. So I suppose that's enough of my rambling but when you take many different portions of scripture on one topic, you can get much more out of it and makes these qualities much more desirable.
Thanks for reading and I hope you got something out of it. God bless!
Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Bring forth fruit with patience. Upon reading this I thought "Is patience perhaps not only a good thing to possess but also a necessary thing in living the Christian life?" But first, lets define the term patience. Oxford Canadian Dictionary defines patience as the capacity to accept or endure delay, provocation, or hardship calmly without anger. I also looked it up in a concordance and in the Greek, patience means cheerful endurance. In some cases, it also means longsuffering. So now, not only is patience just enduring without anger, but enduring cheerfully.
Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
So, if patience works experience, experience hope, and that hope maketh not ashamed, then I think it's safe to say that patience can be very beneficial.
1 Timothy 6:11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
As children of God, we are called to pursue patience, along with righteousness, godliness, faith, love, and meekness.
Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Promises come along with patience as well.
James 1:3,4
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Wow! That's beyond incredible.
2 Peter 1:5-9
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Who wants patience by now? Notice that patience along with all these other qualities not only need to be in us, but they need to abound so that we may be fruitful and grow in the knowledge of our Lord.
I think by now, it's safe to say that patience is not only a good option, but a needful thing; not an easy thing, but a necessary one. There are also many wonderful things that come along with it. So I suppose that's enough of my rambling but when you take many different portions of scripture on one topic, you can get much more out of it and makes these qualities much more desirable.
Thanks for reading and I hope you got something out of it. God bless!
Monday, 14 July 2008
Rejoice!
Yes, it's been a week again since I last posted. Where to start? Last week, God was really pruning, chastising, and refining. I'm learning to rejoice in the Lord, even when my circumstances aren't all that great and just learning what it really means to know God. Not just knowing about God or who He is but really know God. I had the chance to listen to Love With Shoes On and God's really been asking me "Have you counted the cost?" We had Otto Koning at our church this weekend and I was reminded once again that yes, there is a cost to consider. Along the same lines, He's also asking me "Are you willing? If I ask you to do this, will you be obedient?" It's been a time of learning, reflecting, growing, and loving God more. He's just always becoming more real in so many ways; it's amazing!
Something came up today that I really need to seek God's will and direction in. So if God lays it on your heart to pray for me, it would be sincerely appreciated.
Blessings!
Something came up today that I really need to seek God's will and direction in. So if God lays it on your heart to pray for me, it would be sincerely appreciated.
Blessings!
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
O Worship the Lord
1 Chronicles 16:31-34
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh the judge the earth.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
I absolutely love this passage of scripture...it's so poetic. Here we have nature, creation, God's creation personified, worshiping THEIR Creator. He's not just our Creator, but their Creator as well and they praise His Name as well. It's something my imagination cannot picture.
Just a few verses earlier in verse 29, David says "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." And I have to ask what does it mean to worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness? First of all, I see worship in holiness, that is, we are to be holy. Beauty: holiness is beautiful. So when we worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness, we do just that. Or what do you think?
Psalm 27: 8
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Glory to our King!
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh the judge the earth.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
I absolutely love this passage of scripture...it's so poetic. Here we have nature, creation, God's creation personified, worshiping THEIR Creator. He's not just our Creator, but their Creator as well and they praise His Name as well. It's something my imagination cannot picture.
Just a few verses earlier in verse 29, David says "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." And I have to ask what does it mean to worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness? First of all, I see worship in holiness, that is, we are to be holy. Beauty: holiness is beautiful. So when we worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness, we do just that. Or what do you think?
Psalm 27: 8
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Glory to our King!
Thursday, 3 July 2008
God is Working
It's been almost a week since I last posted...it feels like yesterday. This week has gone by much faster than I initially anticipated. I know my posts haven't had very much in them lately but that doesn't mean my life is boring right now. Completely the opposite, actually. God has been doing a marvelous work in my life. It's not easy, but He's with us even through the fiery trials. I'm learning so much and He speaks to me in such everyday ordinary things if I'm willing to listen and learn. I'm learning not to get distracted in my life but rather to focus on the task at hand; serving my Lord and Saviour where He has placed me right now. Otherwise the results may not be so good at all. I hardly know what to say...words don't do justice what I've been learning and God's marvelous works in my life, even if I tried to explain.
The last few weeks I've often gone back to the Psalms for words of strength and encouragement.
Psalm 63:7, 8
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
One day I randomly turned to Psalm 60 and something caught my attention:
Psalm 60: 9-12
Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
Isn't that amazing! It reminds me of Job.
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
-Selah, Before the Throne of God Above
God bless you and keep you. Give Him praise.
The last few weeks I've often gone back to the Psalms for words of strength and encouragement.
Psalm 63:7, 8
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
One day I randomly turned to Psalm 60 and something caught my attention:
Psalm 60: 9-12
Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
Isn't that amazing! It reminds me of Job.
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
-Selah, Before the Throne of God Above
God bless you and keep you. Give Him praise.
Friday, 27 June 2008
Take It Away?
Maybe you've been going through a string of trials like me and you've pleaded with God to take it away. Then you have to wonder and ask why He doesn't do it. Well, I knew better than to ask God to take it away because I knew He wouldn't do it but I had to wonder why. Then it dawned on me that if He always took everything away, we'd never learn anything, or grow for that matter. When we don't understand a math problem, we don't learn how to do it when it's taken away from us, but rather by working through it and practicing. We need to also recognize that we don't just have a Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Friend, but that Jesus is also our Teacher and Guide. He doesn't just put something in front of us and then leave us on our own but helps us through it.
At first thought, we like to say "It's too hard!" Humanly speaking, possibly, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. On our own, it may be too hard, but with strength from above, we are not just survivors but more than conquerors.
God bless.
At first thought, we like to say "It's too hard!" Humanly speaking, possibly, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. On our own, it may be too hard, but with strength from above, we are not just survivors but more than conquerors.
God bless.
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