"They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink." -Luke 5:7
Don't we all too often put man made limitations on what the Lord can and will do? Don't we create a box in which we believe his blessings for us will fit? In Luke 5, the fishermen, soon to be disciples, question Jesus when he tells them where to put their nets...."Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!" (Luke 5:5), then two verses later, Jesus is sinking their boat with blessings.
We serve a God of mind blowing and boat sinking proportions. Expect big things from him!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
I Found You!
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost." -Luke 15:6
What an amazing picture of Jesus. This familiar scene has developed in my mind where I leave the love and acceptance of his arms, wandering off to the worthless ways of the world and getting hurt as always. Then I just see Jesus, noticing I've strayed from his flock. He, urgently gets up and begins to GO towards me. He doesn't stand there ringing a dinner bell waiting for me to follow it back to him. He doesn't cross his arms and say "how many times do I have to tell her that when she leaves she'll get hurt? This is the last straw, I'm not bailing her out any more". No, not at all. In fact, even when I willingly walk away, even when I go seek to please my flesh repetitively, he COMES and finds me...joyfully. I think that's what I can't wrap my mind around. I see myself hiding in the midst of some mess I've put myself in because I chose not to living according to the freedom that was secured for me on the cross, and there comes Jesus...AGAIN, smiling, bringing me into his arms, and then rejoicing as he tells "his friends and his neighbors."
Our Savior is so incredibly personal and merciful!
What an amazing picture of Jesus. This familiar scene has developed in my mind where I leave the love and acceptance of his arms, wandering off to the worthless ways of the world and getting hurt as always. Then I just see Jesus, noticing I've strayed from his flock. He, urgently gets up and begins to GO towards me. He doesn't stand there ringing a dinner bell waiting for me to follow it back to him. He doesn't cross his arms and say "how many times do I have to tell her that when she leaves she'll get hurt? This is the last straw, I'm not bailing her out any more". No, not at all. In fact, even when I willingly walk away, even when I go seek to please my flesh repetitively, he COMES and finds me...joyfully. I think that's what I can't wrap my mind around. I see myself hiding in the midst of some mess I've put myself in because I chose not to living according to the freedom that was secured for me on the cross, and there comes Jesus...AGAIN, smiling, bringing me into his arms, and then rejoicing as he tells "his friends and his neighbors."
Our Savior is so incredibly personal and merciful!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
What if we took it seriously?
"Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them." -Joshua 1:6
The Lord is calling us to this today...right now. There are so many people out there waiting on the promises of our Heavenly Father. They are waiting to inherit the land, but no one has lead them into it, so they miss that it even exists. How many people on a daily basis do we interact with who are totally unaware that the Lord has life and life abundant ready for them in the form of his son?
And there we are, trying not to hurt anyone's feelings or offend other people's beliefs, mostly because of our own selfish desire to stay comfortable. I'm calling it how I see it brothers and sisters, and I'm calling it like that as a fellow offender of ignoring God's calling to be strong and courageous, but it's time this stops. Author and speaker, David Platt puts it this way in reference to how others will know about salvation through Jesus Christ, "church, we are the plan of God, and there is no plan B."
Let's go friends, be strong and courageous, die to self, and show a dying world the name that is life eternal...Jesus Christ!
The Lord is calling us to this today...right now. There are so many people out there waiting on the promises of our Heavenly Father. They are waiting to inherit the land, but no one has lead them into it, so they miss that it even exists. How many people on a daily basis do we interact with who are totally unaware that the Lord has life and life abundant ready for them in the form of his son?
And there we are, trying not to hurt anyone's feelings or offend other people's beliefs, mostly because of our own selfish desire to stay comfortable. I'm calling it how I see it brothers and sisters, and I'm calling it like that as a fellow offender of ignoring God's calling to be strong and courageous, but it's time this stops. Author and speaker, David Platt puts it this way in reference to how others will know about salvation through Jesus Christ, "church, we are the plan of God, and there is no plan B."
Let's go friends, be strong and courageous, die to self, and show a dying world the name that is life eternal...Jesus Christ!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Overtaken
"And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God." -Deuteronomy 28:1-2
We serve a great God who desires to overtake us with blessings. Try to wrap your mind around that.
We serve a great God who desires to overtake us with blessings. Try to wrap your mind around that.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Pray Like Hannah
"And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the Lord." -1 Samuel 1:20
Pretty boss story right here in first Samuel. Hannah desires something (to be with child), so she asks the Lord for it. I'm struck by her boldness and trust that the He will provide. We get to verse 20 and see the result of her seeking the Lord through prayer. While I find the phrase "in due time" to be key because the Lord's timing is perfect, and he makes all things beautiful in his time (Ecclesiastes 3:11), it's encouraging to witness his faithfulness in Hannah's life.
Do you have something in your life that you're waiting on the Lord for? What if we prayed like Hannah?
Pretty boss story right here in first Samuel. Hannah desires something (to be with child), so she asks the Lord for it. I'm struck by her boldness and trust that the He will provide. We get to verse 20 and see the result of her seeking the Lord through prayer. While I find the phrase "in due time" to be key because the Lord's timing is perfect, and he makes all things beautiful in his time (Ecclesiastes 3:11), it's encouraging to witness his faithfulness in Hannah's life.
Do you have something in your life that you're waiting on the Lord for? What if we prayed like Hannah?
Friday, July 20, 2012
"Or Current Resident"
"I have called you by name, you are mine" -Isaiah 43:2
In the pile of mail on our kitchen counter, I came across an ad from some jewelry company that was addresses to my mom, but by her name, it was also addressed to "or current resident." I think it's interesting how the world tries to sell us stuff without even knowing who we are, however, our amazing heavenly Father knows us on the most intimate level, and gifts us something totally for free, the payment for our sins, Jesus!
In the pile of mail on our kitchen counter, I came across an ad from some jewelry company that was addresses to my mom, but by her name, it was also addressed to "or current resident." I think it's interesting how the world tries to sell us stuff without even knowing who we are, however, our amazing heavenly Father knows us on the most intimate level, and gifts us something totally for free, the payment for our sins, Jesus!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Moving Sidewalks
"Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let know inquiry get dominion over me." -Psalm 119:133
Do our daily walks make sense in light of God's promises of salvation, strength, courage, love, forgiveness, and freedom? This verse reminds me of those moving sidewalks at the airport. They keep steady your step. Once you're on, there's no changing direction. Unfortunately, our human nature likes to change direction in life. I love the cry of the psalmist's heart in this verse that the Lord would keep him from straying and set him to step within what makes sense in light of the gospel.
The second part is interesting as well. Don't we have hang ups in life? It's like encountering someone who stands on those moving sidewalks instead of walking or coming up behind a stray suitcase. We get caught up on these inquires (fears, confusions, frustrations, questions), and they keep us from being most productive for Jesus and from living in the fullness of joy that he came to bring.
Let us pray in a way that shows that we expect great things from a God who keeps our steps steady and whose sovereignty clears the inquires that obstruct our view of him!
Do our daily walks make sense in light of God's promises of salvation, strength, courage, love, forgiveness, and freedom? This verse reminds me of those moving sidewalks at the airport. They keep steady your step. Once you're on, there's no changing direction. Unfortunately, our human nature likes to change direction in life. I love the cry of the psalmist's heart in this verse that the Lord would keep him from straying and set him to step within what makes sense in light of the gospel.
The second part is interesting as well. Don't we have hang ups in life? It's like encountering someone who stands on those moving sidewalks instead of walking or coming up behind a stray suitcase. We get caught up on these inquires (fears, confusions, frustrations, questions), and they keep us from being most productive for Jesus and from living in the fullness of joy that he came to bring.
Let us pray in a way that shows that we expect great things from a God who keeps our steps steady and whose sovereignty clears the inquires that obstruct our view of him!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Can't Match That
"I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt" -Joshua 2:9-10
Let's realize that there is NOTHING that can challenge God's will. Rest peacefully, act boldly, and expect huge things from a God who melts away opposition.
Let's realize that there is NOTHING that can challenge God's will. Rest peacefully, act boldly, and expect huge things from a God who melts away opposition.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
When He Chuckles and Says "Get Over it"
"The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons'"-1 Samuel 16:1
I love God's sense of humor in this passage. I picture him coming along side of Samuel who is mopping around, grumbling about Saul not being king and saying, "how about you get over it and trust that I have a plan in all of this." My two favorite words in this verse are GO and PROVIDE. See, there are surely times in life where what seemed to be the best or the right plan simply does not work out. When that happens, often times I find myself grieving the loss of my own will. Maybe we don't get the job, don't make the grade, or a relationship falls through. God promises he does PROVIDE and he really urges us to get up, stop dwelling on what we, in our limited vision, see as a failure, and GO, to continue to seek his will.
Praise Jesus that "the foolishness of God is wiser than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25)!
I love God's sense of humor in this passage. I picture him coming along side of Samuel who is mopping around, grumbling about Saul not being king and saying, "how about you get over it and trust that I have a plan in all of this." My two favorite words in this verse are GO and PROVIDE. See, there are surely times in life where what seemed to be the best or the right plan simply does not work out. When that happens, often times I find myself grieving the loss of my own will. Maybe we don't get the job, don't make the grade, or a relationship falls through. God promises he does PROVIDE and he really urges us to get up, stop dwelling on what we, in our limited vision, see as a failure, and GO, to continue to seek his will.
Praise Jesus that "the foolishness of God is wiser than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25)!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
It's Singular
"if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places" -Isaiah 58:10-11
I find it interesting that this is set up like a conditional statement. If we do this, then this happens. However, this is not a matter of earning God's blessings, it is all about being blessed as a direct result of following his plan. It's almost like getting wet when you run under a sprinkler. When we're willing to camp out under the designed purpose that the Lord has for us, rejoicing in his glory, we become covered with satisfaction.
The last part of the verse promises that he'll satisfy our desire. It's not plural "desires." There is one chief desire he promises to satisfy and it comes when we pour out for the glory of his name. Is it possible, that being all about spreading the name of Jesus and loving others like he does is in fact THE desire of our heart? Ruminate on that a little, because the opportunity to experience the fulfillment of that desire is more available that we realize, in fact, it's built into what drives us. Praise Jesus for allowing us to have purpose that fills!
I find it interesting that this is set up like a conditional statement. If we do this, then this happens. However, this is not a matter of earning God's blessings, it is all about being blessed as a direct result of following his plan. It's almost like getting wet when you run under a sprinkler. When we're willing to camp out under the designed purpose that the Lord has for us, rejoicing in his glory, we become covered with satisfaction.
The last part of the verse promises that he'll satisfy our desire. It's not plural "desires." There is one chief desire he promises to satisfy and it comes when we pour out for the glory of his name. Is it possible, that being all about spreading the name of Jesus and loving others like he does is in fact THE desire of our heart? Ruminate on that a little, because the opportunity to experience the fulfillment of that desire is more available that we realize, in fact, it's built into what drives us. Praise Jesus for allowing us to have purpose that fills!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Hired Hand vs. The Owner
"He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep." -John 10:12-15
I think this passage is boss! Do you have hired hands in your own life? They are those things we look towards for satisfaction, protection, joy, identity, and salvation. They walk out on us, leaving us to the consequences of our sin. The great news is that our good shepherd has already proven his willingness to stand by us through the finished work on the cross. Have we taken the opportunity to know him?
I think this passage is boss! Do you have hired hands in your own life? They are those things we look towards for satisfaction, protection, joy, identity, and salvation. They walk out on us, leaving us to the consequences of our sin. The great news is that our good shepherd has already proven his willingness to stand by us through the finished work on the cross. Have we taken the opportunity to know him?
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Magnets
"but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." -Isaiah 59:2
I get the picture of what happens when you take two magnets of the same pole and push them together. They repel. Sin is that repelling force between us and God. How sweet the nearness is when we allow his righteousness to cover our failures and his power to remake our hearts for the things that he calls good!
I get the picture of what happens when you take two magnets of the same pole and push them together. They repel. Sin is that repelling force between us and God. How sweet the nearness is when we allow his righteousness to cover our failures and his power to remake our hearts for the things that he calls good!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Like Grabbing the Trophy
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."-Romans 8:37
Imagine your favorite team winning the championship in their respective sport. The game is, over and the crowd roaring. The captain lifts that massive trophy above his head for everyone to see. Now imagine yourself, a lone fan, sprinting down onto the field, court, or rink, tapping that dude on the shoulder and asking if maybe you could also lift that trophy up and then afterward take it home with you and keep it in your room for the rest of your life so that you could show everyone you know and gaze at it every morning when you wake up. Wouldn't that be pretty strange? You didn't do anything to deserve that victory, so why would you get to relish so directly in it?
Come on brothers and sisters, Jesus paid for the victory and now he invites us to boast in it and directly reap all of the life-changing benefits of his work on the cross. Imagine him calling you out of the crowd from his triumphal seat on the throne, sitting victorious over death and Satan, offering to celebrate the victory with him and tell everyone you know about it! Do we gaze at the splendor of victory through Jesus every morning when we wake up?
Imagine your favorite team winning the championship in their respective sport. The game is, over and the crowd roaring. The captain lifts that massive trophy above his head for everyone to see. Now imagine yourself, a lone fan, sprinting down onto the field, court, or rink, tapping that dude on the shoulder and asking if maybe you could also lift that trophy up and then afterward take it home with you and keep it in your room for the rest of your life so that you could show everyone you know and gaze at it every morning when you wake up. Wouldn't that be pretty strange? You didn't do anything to deserve that victory, so why would you get to relish so directly in it?
Come on brothers and sisters, Jesus paid for the victory and now he invites us to boast in it and directly reap all of the life-changing benefits of his work on the cross. Imagine him calling you out of the crowd from his triumphal seat on the throne, sitting victorious over death and Satan, offering to celebrate the victory with him and tell everyone you know about it! Do we gaze at the splendor of victory through Jesus every morning when we wake up?
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Mysterious Friend
"that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of the understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ" -Colossians 2:2
Full assurance and some unrevealed mystery, don't we all desire that in a relationship? We have the ultimate security in Jesus, he will NEVER walk out or prove untrustworthy. Life with him is exciting, as he is continually revealing himself and his plan for our lives to us in his perfect timing.
Full assurance and some unrevealed mystery, don't we all desire that in a relationship? We have the ultimate security in Jesus, he will NEVER walk out or prove untrustworthy. Life with him is exciting, as he is continually revealing himself and his plan for our lives to us in his perfect timing.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Desperation
"And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelves years of age, and she was dying." -Luke 8:41
Jesus goes on to bring Jairus's daughter back to life. I think we run the risk of missing the power of that if we just figure "there he goes again, doing miracles." Picture it though, or read on through verse 56. Jesus responds to Jairus's faith and desperation, comes to see his daughter, says "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping." Then everyone laughs at him. Apparently they think they know better than he does about matters of life and death. Then in this climactic moment, I just picture Jesus nonchalantly saying, "Child arise," as she's filled with life again. Then he tells them to go get her something to eat (that's funny considering a minute ago they were laughing at his saying that she's not dead...I wonder if he chuckled as he said that).
Don't we have things in our lives that we think are dead? Maybe it's a dream, hope, direction, purpose, relationships, passion, fire for his word. Jesus does not ignore desperate calls for his power in our lives. Let's be willing to fall at his feet, Jairus did and Jesus did miraculous work!
Jesus goes on to bring Jairus's daughter back to life. I think we run the risk of missing the power of that if we just figure "there he goes again, doing miracles." Picture it though, or read on through verse 56. Jesus responds to Jairus's faith and desperation, comes to see his daughter, says "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping." Then everyone laughs at him. Apparently they think they know better than he does about matters of life and death. Then in this climactic moment, I just picture Jesus nonchalantly saying, "Child arise," as she's filled with life again. Then he tells them to go get her something to eat (that's funny considering a minute ago they were laughing at his saying that she's not dead...I wonder if he chuckled as he said that).
Don't we have things in our lives that we think are dead? Maybe it's a dream, hope, direction, purpose, relationships, passion, fire for his word. Jesus does not ignore desperate calls for his power in our lives. Let's be willing to fall at his feet, Jairus did and Jesus did miraculous work!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Triumphal Procession
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." -2 Corinthians 2:14
I like knowing that as a follower of Christ, I am always walking in a triumphal procession. Not everything in life is going to seem to go our way when we want it to, but when the goal is his glory, any circumstance we find ourselves in will be productive. It's pretty sweet to know that no venture in him is wasted.
I like knowing that as a follower of Christ, I am always walking in a triumphal procession. Not everything in life is going to seem to go our way when we want it to, but when the goal is his glory, any circumstance we find ourselves in will be productive. It's pretty sweet to know that no venture in him is wasted.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Complaining about Free Water Ice
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." -Ephesians 2:8
Tuesday was free Rita's water ice day in celebration of the first day of spring. Being the cheap college student that I am, I stood with my roommate in a line of Philadelphia locals for over 35 minutes, waiting for my free, medium, cup of chilled sugar. Needless to say, I heard and observed some very interesting things while waiting.
The girl behind me in line complained the entire time about how "it's free water ice, it should be fast...I have things to do....I can't believe we have to wait so long." At first, I was slightly disgusted by how ridiculous she was being. It's free, I thought to myself, how can you complain about something you're getting for nothing. Who cares if you have to wait? At the end of the day, you're getting something that you don't deserve. Well....quickly my self-righteous attitude was turned on me, as the Holy Spirit reminded me of how frequently I have this same attitude, but applied to an far weightier discontent. Far too many times, I have grown frustrated with the Lord because of where he has me, what I'm doing, and yes indeed, as to why in the world I have to wait for blessings I have hope he'll provide. I soon grew disgusted with myself. Every breath, moment, and blessing is more than I deserve. Who am I to complain?
Tuesday was free Rita's water ice day in celebration of the first day of spring. Being the cheap college student that I am, I stood with my roommate in a line of Philadelphia locals for over 35 minutes, waiting for my free, medium, cup of chilled sugar. Needless to say, I heard and observed some very interesting things while waiting.
The girl behind me in line complained the entire time about how "it's free water ice, it should be fast...I have things to do....I can't believe we have to wait so long." At first, I was slightly disgusted by how ridiculous she was being. It's free, I thought to myself, how can you complain about something you're getting for nothing. Who cares if you have to wait? At the end of the day, you're getting something that you don't deserve. Well....quickly my self-righteous attitude was turned on me, as the Holy Spirit reminded me of how frequently I have this same attitude, but applied to an far weightier discontent. Far too many times, I have grown frustrated with the Lord because of where he has me, what I'm doing, and yes indeed, as to why in the world I have to wait for blessings I have hope he'll provide. I soon grew disgusted with myself. Every breath, moment, and blessing is more than I deserve. Who am I to complain?
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
When Daddy Can't Stop Smiling
"He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
-Zephaniah 3:17
Newly added to my list of top 25 most beautiful things this side of heaven....new daddies standing outside of the nursery gleaming at their hour old children on the other side of the glass. I watched as this beautiful first time father, stood outside of the nursery with the biggest smile you could imagine on his face, eyes following his son all around the nursery, waiting in anticipation for his return into his arms. This gave me an amazing picture of God....
#1.) He delights joyfully in our existence. I cannot possibly wrap my brain around this one, but I like to picture the Lord smiling down on us every day, amazingly, without regard to the reality that we ignore his presence daily.
#2.) He never takes his eyes off of us. I think of that dad watching carefully as we cleaned, assessed and medicated his son. Regardless of whether or not the little guy was crying, dad was right there, smiling away. He understood that the temporary trials of needle-sticks and a good scrub down were all a part of what his son needed to be cleanses and protected. Sound familiar to how our heavenly Father operates?
#3.) He anticipates time with us. That daddy hadn't been apart from his son for more than two minutes before he tracked down his whereabouts and waited anxiously by his side to snatch him up in his arms again. Little did that little boy know how intimate the time with his father would be in those first couple days of life.
Brothers and sister, the Lord delights in you, he desires your affection, and covets your love. Be amazed by that!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Eyes for Lies
"I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness." -Isaiah 42:6-7
What are some lies that you believe deep down in your heart? Those notions that the enemy has planted that prevent you from experiencing the love of Jesus every second of every day....those perceptions of yourself and others that hinder you from the kingdom work you were made for. We've all got some.
I'm not worthy
I'll never be good enough
He doesn't really love me
I've messed up too many times
The world would function just the same without me
I deserve to be hurt
If only I then .
There's such power in these words in Isaiah 42 that reveal to us the beautiful fact that Jesus came to give us an eye to expose those lies, to pour out his grace on us that we may no longer be blind and see his love. What would life be like if we accepted that grace daily and embraced that vision?
What are some lies that you believe deep down in your heart? Those notions that the enemy has planted that prevent you from experiencing the love of Jesus every second of every day....those perceptions of yourself and others that hinder you from the kingdom work you were made for. We've all got some.
I'm not worthy
I'll never be good enough
He doesn't really love me
I've messed up too many times
The world would function just the same without me
I deserve to be hurt
If only I then .
There's such power in these words in Isaiah 42 that reveal to us the beautiful fact that Jesus came to give us an eye to expose those lies, to pour out his grace on us that we may no longer be blind and see his love. What would life be like if we accepted that grace daily and embraced that vision?
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Like Spinach Stuck Between Your Teeth
" I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you." -Isaiah 44:22
Repentance is a truly amazing thing because unless we realize that there's something we need to walk away from, we have no need to walk towards something else, something better. It serves as a mechanism of release from sin and God is incredibly faithful in rewarding that repentance with blessing. The sweet thing is....repentance is not simply a vehicle to receive blessing, but is in and of itself the reward because, with Jesus, purification results.
I think it might be a little bit like when you have a huge hunk of spinach stuck between your two front teeth. Let's be honest, no one's smile looks good when that's chillin in there. Often times we have no idea. We need someone to point it out to us, so that we can go find a mirror and take care of it. The return is a beautiful smile. Praise the Lord that he sent the Holy Spirit to be the one to tap us on the shoulder and convict us of our sin, and that he sent his son to remove our transgressions from us, that we may experience the fullness of life that the Lord has promised us.
Repentance is a truly amazing thing because unless we realize that there's something we need to walk away from, we have no need to walk towards something else, something better. It serves as a mechanism of release from sin and God is incredibly faithful in rewarding that repentance with blessing. The sweet thing is....repentance is not simply a vehicle to receive blessing, but is in and of itself the reward because, with Jesus, purification results.
I think it might be a little bit like when you have a huge hunk of spinach stuck between your two front teeth. Let's be honest, no one's smile looks good when that's chillin in there. Often times we have no idea. We need someone to point it out to us, so that we can go find a mirror and take care of it. The return is a beautiful smile. Praise the Lord that he sent the Holy Spirit to be the one to tap us on the shoulder and convict us of our sin, and that he sent his son to remove our transgressions from us, that we may experience the fullness of life that the Lord has promised us.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Blessed Obedience
"And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God." -Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Getting into your car to see a full tank of gas when you left only drops in it the last time you parked is just such a wonderful surprise. The following was the exchange that followed once I had learned of such a gift waiting for me at the end of the driveway....
Me: "Thanks for filling up the tank Dad!"
Dad: "Thanks for letting me barrow your car"
Me: "Uhh, ummm...."
Dad: "It would have been hard to fill the tank without it"
Me: "Hmm, there's something deeper to that...this is going to show up on the blog once I figure it out"
Isn't this how God operates? We do absolutely nothing to deserve his blessings. He asks us to hand over our lives in full obedience then blesses them in return. Just like it works best to fill the tank if you're able to take the actual car, God's design is that we hand over our lives so that he can fill up our hearts. Praise the Lord for blessing obedience and being faithful to fill when we're willing to surrender!
Getting into your car to see a full tank of gas when you left only drops in it the last time you parked is just such a wonderful surprise. The following was the exchange that followed once I had learned of such a gift waiting for me at the end of the driveway....
Me: "Thanks for filling up the tank Dad!"
Dad: "Thanks for letting me barrow your car"
Me: "Uhh, ummm...."
Dad: "It would have been hard to fill the tank without it"
Me: "Hmm, there's something deeper to that...this is going to show up on the blog once I figure it out"
Isn't this how God operates? We do absolutely nothing to deserve his blessings. He asks us to hand over our lives in full obedience then blesses them in return. Just like it works best to fill the tank if you're able to take the actual car, God's design is that we hand over our lives so that he can fill up our hearts. Praise the Lord for blessing obedience and being faithful to fill when we're willing to surrender!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
No Requirements
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations." -Jeremiah 1:5
Pastor Steven Furtick preached on this passage and his catch line for it was "cancel the audition." I love that image so much because in a world where everything requires something, God offers his unwarranted love and purpose for our lives. He didn't even give us the chance to try to prove ourselves (as if that were even possible). He decided the role we'll plan in this life "in the womb." In the midst of a life wherein we're told we're not good enough, not qualified enough, not put together enough, we can rejoice in the reality of grace and mercy extended to us, not to tell us that we are, but to love us in spite of the fact that we are not.
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations." -Jeremiah 1:5
Pastor Steven Furtick preached on this passage and his catch line for it was "cancel the audition." I love that image so much because in a world where everything requires something, God offers his unwarranted love and purpose for our lives. He didn't even give us the chance to try to prove ourselves (as if that were even possible). He decided the role we'll plan in this life "in the womb." In the midst of a life wherein we're told we're not good enough, not qualified enough, not put together enough, we can rejoice in the reality of grace and mercy extended to us, not to tell us that we are, but to love us in spite of the fact that we are not.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
You Just Can't Do Them Both
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." -Psalm 103:1-5
I was driving back to school last weekend, blaring some Jesus jams and singing in my usual ear-piercing worship voice, when the car coming the opposite direction cut in front of me at the very last second, trust me when I say it was a close one. Normally, I'd at least mutter an angry "come onnnnn," but there simply was no room in the song to stop singing in order to give that guy a piece of my mind. I guess you can't complain and praise at the same time. I wonder if that concept couldn't infect the rest of our lives. I want to gaze on the wonder of my Savior every day so much that there's just no room in my heart for complaints.
Here's the song I was jam'n to...
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." -Psalm 103:1-5
I was driving back to school last weekend, blaring some Jesus jams and singing in my usual ear-piercing worship voice, when the car coming the opposite direction cut in front of me at the very last second, trust me when I say it was a close one. Normally, I'd at least mutter an angry "come onnnnn," but there simply was no room in the song to stop singing in order to give that guy a piece of my mind. I guess you can't complain and praise at the same time. I wonder if that concept couldn't infect the rest of our lives. I want to gaze on the wonder of my Savior every day so much that there's just no room in my heart for complaints.
Here's the song I was jam'n to...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
More than a box of cholocate
"Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you" -Isaiah 43:4
Everyone's got their own take on Valentine's day. Whether you're married, engaged, in a relationship, single, or otherwise, know that you are loved by the God of all creation, held by the hands that created the heavens, and saved by the blood of the Savior who knows you so personally. Enjoy the intimacy of Isaiah 43:4 brothers and sisters, because God showed us his love through the gift of his Son, and that's a whole lot more precious than a box of chocolates.
Everyone's got their own take on Valentine's day. Whether you're married, engaged, in a relationship, single, or otherwise, know that you are loved by the God of all creation, held by the hands that created the heavens, and saved by the blood of the Savior who knows you so personally. Enjoy the intimacy of Isaiah 43:4 brothers and sisters, because God showed us his love through the gift of his Son, and that's a whole lot more precious than a box of chocolates.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Already Finished with Tomorrow
"The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you" -Deuteronomy 1:30
Ever have one of those nights when you're just not really looking forward to what tomorrow has to bring? I love this scripture! It reminds me that our God is the beginning, the end, and everything in between. He already overcame tomorrow. When what's ahead seems daunting, jump onto the shoulders of the one who created the road and knows every twist and turn to come.
Ever have one of those nights when you're just not really looking forward to what tomorrow has to bring? I love this scripture! It reminds me that our God is the beginning, the end, and everything in between. He already overcame tomorrow. When what's ahead seems daunting, jump onto the shoulders of the one who created the road and knows every twist and turn to come.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
15 Hours for a 20 Question Quiz
"Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had experienced in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun." -Ecclesiastes 2:11
I plopped back down into my chair in slight exhaustion after having turned in the quiz I had been studying for for the past four or five days. I turned to my dear fellow nursing student, and after we had over-analyzed the various problematic questions and discussed the quiz's level of overall difficulty, I said "How long did you study for that?" She said, "15 hours," I said, "yeah...I wish I hadn't studied that much." She echoed my sentiments, and I sat there pensively and said..."we studied for 15 hours for a 20 question quiz," shaking my head as the reality of all of that toil hit me.
I feel like this often. King Solomon nailed it in this scripture. So often we struggle and toil over the little things of this world when we have an entire eternity awaiting us. I'm not saying throw in the towel, set up camp on the couch, and think about heaven, but rather maybe I'm struggling with the possibility that the things in my life that I give the greatest attention aren't deserving of it at all.
Maybe it's time to start living for eternity and realizing that no matter the level of success or happiness that we find here, this world has nothing but fleeting wind to offer us.
I plopped back down into my chair in slight exhaustion after having turned in the quiz I had been studying for for the past four or five days. I turned to my dear fellow nursing student, and after we had over-analyzed the various problematic questions and discussed the quiz's level of overall difficulty, I said "How long did you study for that?" She said, "15 hours," I said, "yeah...I wish I hadn't studied that much." She echoed my sentiments, and I sat there pensively and said..."we studied for 15 hours for a 20 question quiz," shaking my head as the reality of all of that toil hit me.
I feel like this often. King Solomon nailed it in this scripture. So often we struggle and toil over the little things of this world when we have an entire eternity awaiting us. I'm not saying throw in the towel, set up camp on the couch, and think about heaven, but rather maybe I'm struggling with the possibility that the things in my life that I give the greatest attention aren't deserving of it at all.
Maybe it's time to start living for eternity and realizing that no matter the level of success or happiness that we find here, this world has nothing but fleeting wind to offer us.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
"Daddy! Carry Me!"
"The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to his place. Yet in spite of his word you did not believe the LORD your God" -Deuteronomy 1:30-32
Yesterday morning, I got the chance to witness a seemingly routine, yet still so beautiful sight. A little girl had been patiently waiting for her daddy to be finished with his job. Once he had finished and she knew that it was time to be with him again, she exclaimed with excitement, "Daddy! Carry me!" I wondered what emotions were running through her heart as she said that. She said it with such an insistent desire in her voice. Think of the intimacy that a girl shares with her daddy as he hoists her up on his shoulders. In that moment, she feels like she's the only one he has ever carried like that. She feels like she could scale the highest mountains and wade through the deepest waters because he has lifted her above the circumstances below. And what father doesn't covet such affection from his daughter? He longs to be invited into her heart and is readily willing to take her into his arms.
What a crazy beautiful picture of God's love for us and the appropriate response to that love ....like a little girl calling out "Daddy! Carry Me!" He promises to carry us and to go before us to prepare the way. What if every morning we admitted our need to be lifted above the circumstances of life and proclaimed faith in our heavenly Father by beckoning to be put onto the everlasting shoulders of Jesus?
Yesterday morning, I got the chance to witness a seemingly routine, yet still so beautiful sight. A little girl had been patiently waiting for her daddy to be finished with his job. Once he had finished and she knew that it was time to be with him again, she exclaimed with excitement, "Daddy! Carry me!" I wondered what emotions were running through her heart as she said that. She said it with such an insistent desire in her voice. Think of the intimacy that a girl shares with her daddy as he hoists her up on his shoulders. In that moment, she feels like she's the only one he has ever carried like that. She feels like she could scale the highest mountains and wade through the deepest waters because he has lifted her above the circumstances below. And what father doesn't covet such affection from his daughter? He longs to be invited into her heart and is readily willing to take her into his arms.
What a crazy beautiful picture of God's love for us and the appropriate response to that love ....like a little girl calling out "Daddy! Carry Me!" He promises to carry us and to go before us to prepare the way. What if every morning we admitted our need to be lifted above the circumstances of life and proclaimed faith in our heavenly Father by beckoning to be put onto the everlasting shoulders of Jesus?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
It Really Only Takes that Much?
" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to the mountain, 'Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." -Matthew 17:20-21
Sometime having faith is just plain difficult. Most of the time, for me, Hebrews 11:1 is where I am, struggling to seek after the certainty of what I hope for in the midst of mass uncertainty. I love how Jesus recognizes how bad we can be at fully trusting and putting our faith in him. He recognizes our weakness. Praise the Lord that he does immeasurably more than we can ask or hope for when we're willing to place even a little bit of faith in the power of his name!
Sometime having faith is just plain difficult. Most of the time, for me, Hebrews 11:1 is where I am, struggling to seek after the certainty of what I hope for in the midst of mass uncertainty. I love how Jesus recognizes how bad we can be at fully trusting and putting our faith in him. He recognizes our weakness. Praise the Lord that he does immeasurably more than we can ask or hope for when we're willing to place even a little bit of faith in the power of his name!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
All Things to All People
"I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessing." -1 Corinthians 9:22-23
Maybe this means reaching down, stepping out, getting messy with things. In every day, when we're interacting with our co-workers, friends, family members, and strangers, can we become who they need us to be, go where they need us to go, and try to understand what they need us to understand so that we can reach them for the gospel of Jesus Christ? If that sounds uncomfortable, good. Let's go do it!
Maybe this means reaching down, stepping out, getting messy with things. In every day, when we're interacting with our co-workers, friends, family members, and strangers, can we become who they need us to be, go where they need us to go, and try to understand what they need us to understand so that we can reach them for the gospel of Jesus Christ? If that sounds uncomfortable, good. Let's go do it!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
It'll Be Glorious
"And the idols shall utterly pass away.
And people shall enter the caves of the rocks
and the holes of the ground,
from before the terror of the Lord,
and from the splendor of his majesty,
when he rises to terrify the earth.
In that day mankind will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
which they made for themslves to worship." -Isaiah 2:18-20
Can you imagine an unobstructed view and love for Jesus because all other idols that currently clutter our lives will be cast away? This is going to be glorious! There won't be anything that will distract us from Jesus, nothing will prevent us from being filled with him alone. Until then....thanks to Jesus, we don't have to flounder in the sea of idolatry, whose waves tug and pull at our hearts in so many different directions.
I love verse 19, "from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty." Every day I want to see idols out of my life, by seeing Jesus in. Let us fix our gaze on his splendor and majesty alone!
And people shall enter the caves of the rocks
and the holes of the ground,
from before the terror of the Lord,
and from the splendor of his majesty,
when he rises to terrify the earth.
In that day mankind will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
which they made for themslves to worship." -Isaiah 2:18-20
Can you imagine an unobstructed view and love for Jesus because all other idols that currently clutter our lives will be cast away? This is going to be glorious! There won't be anything that will distract us from Jesus, nothing will prevent us from being filled with him alone. Until then....thanks to Jesus, we don't have to flounder in the sea of idolatry, whose waves tug and pull at our hearts in so many different directions.
I love verse 19, "from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty." Every day I want to see idols out of my life, by seeing Jesus in. Let us fix our gaze on his splendor and majesty alone!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Unshakeable
"the removal of all things that are shaken- that is, things that have been made- in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain."-Hebrews 12:27
When all else in our lives seems to crumble, look around and see what's still standing. As believers in the promise of Jesus Christ, we can rejoice in a solid foundation that is present in even the most earthshaking of storms.
Not really related to the imagery in this scripture, but this is sweet!
When all else in our lives seems to crumble, look around and see what's still standing. As believers in the promise of Jesus Christ, we can rejoice in a solid foundation that is present in even the most earthshaking of storms.
Not really related to the imagery in this scripture, but this is sweet!
Monday, January 2, 2012
I Don't Need This
"Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive that promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established." -Hebrews 9:15-16
Wow! God promises us an incredible eternal inheritance, so in order for us to gain what is in his will, Jesus had to die. I'd just never thought of it that way before. What would life look like if we understood the implications of that? If we just looked around at everything the world tries to push on us...image, success, stuff, money, status, and said "I don't need any of this, because I have an eternal inheritance waiting for me!"?
Wow! God promises us an incredible eternal inheritance, so in order for us to gain what is in his will, Jesus had to die. I'd just never thought of it that way before. What would life look like if we understood the implications of that? If we just looked around at everything the world tries to push on us...image, success, stuff, money, status, and said "I don't need any of this, because I have an eternal inheritance waiting for me!"?
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