Focusing on the Light

     As I've been studying in 1 Corinthians lately, I came across a passage that convicted me and touched my heart. Our church has had several messages with this theme as well. The passage starts out about the children of Israel as they are being led by Moses through the wilderness.

"...All our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well-pleased: for they were overthrown [died] in the wilderness."

     As I read this passage, it struck me how painstakingly Paul points out that everyone in the wilderness had the same opportunity to hear God and to get to know Him better. Everyone lived, ate, and drank together- they were one body of people that the Lord revealed Himself to over and over and over again.
     However, most of the people here did not take advantage of that opportunity- many turned and did just the opposite. The chapter continues on with a list of sins this chosen people of God committed in the wilderness:
They lusted after evil things.
Idolatry. (Here idolatry's defined as 'eating, drinking, and living only to play'. Interesting...)
There was fornication. (23,000 Israelites were killed in one day for this alone!)
They tempted God.
They murmured.
     These people that were slain in the wilderness from their sins never lived to see the Promised Land. This made me think. Everyone went through the same circumstances. What made those who lived to see the land so different than the others?
   
Could it have been their focus?
   
     This line of thought brought to mind one of the accounts in the well known Pilgrim's Progress. Christian had just started out in his journey on the straight and narrow path, and was told by Evangelist to continue on, just keeping his eyes on the light he could see in the distance. However, as he begins to walk, he gets distracted by his discussion with his neighbor Pliable, who had decided to go with him. Before they know it, they get stuck in a huge slough that had overtaken the road, from which Christian and Pliable were unable to escape. As they wallow about, becoming more despondent (according to the name of the slough, the Slough of Despond), Pliable decides this whole journey was a mistake, and is somehow able to make it out of the muck on the side closest to his home. He returns home, leaving Christian alone praying for help. Eventually Help does show up, and after he fishes Christian out of the mire, he asks one simple question in return to Christian's sputtering: "Why didn't you look for the steps?" As it turns out, there had been steps built for a safe passage over this slough, but due to the muck and the mire of this pit, they could only be seen when one maintained their eyesight on the Light.
   
Is your eyesight on the Light?
   
     Is my eyesight on the Light?

The chapter continues:
"Wherefore let him who thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

     I'm sure none of those people who fell into those sins ever thought they would. I doubt as they left Egypt that they knew they would rebel against the One who sprung them from captivity. Even more so, I don't think they had any idea that they would die in the wilderness, still searching, once they had fallen into such things. The first part of this is a warning to us all: none of us are "good enough" to do anything by our own means. Not even resist temptation. It's when we start thinking that we can that our eyesight begins to fall away from the Light- God, our Creator- and onto ourselves. That's when we see the old saying ring true- pride goes before a fall.
     Before we start acting like we're the greatest thing since Swiss Cheese, stop and remember that you're only worth the living because God saw you as someone worth dying for. It is only through Christ that we can do all things! When that temptation to take your eyes away from God is ever increasing, when you feel your eyesight starting to fade away from that Light; when the things of this world are becoming brighter than the Light of Glory, the good news is that God is faithful. There is no temptation too strong that He cannot deliver you from it; there is nothing too far that He won't allow escape from. But only when you surrender, and are willing to make His will, your will.

So where is your focus today?

1 Corinthians 10:1-13
When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from which comes my help. Psalm 121:1
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:10-12

The Power of Prayer

Macas was our first destination point in Ecuador. We stayed there for approximately 2 weeks, with a pastor and his wife, Roberto and Dorothy. Both of these people were quite a blessing to us, and we have come to know them as dear brothers and sisters in Christ. They walked us around Macas the first couple of days, and one of our very first stops was in one of the many market squares. Here we met a young man, Jose.
Jose was 21 and had come to Macas from a village farther away to start his own business. He ran a small storefront restaurant, one of many you can find walking around Ecuador. And when I say tiny, I mean tiny- there was hardly room to fit one plastic table with 3 chairs around it, and even then, it was quite a squeeze. When Roberto came walking up with us, this tall lanky Ecuadorian came loping up to us with the biggest grin you have ever seen. I have never seen someone smile so much as him. He welcomed us in and cooked us up some empanadas.

While Jose whipped these up, Pastor Roberto told us a little bit about Jose. Back in his home village, Jose had professed to be a christian. However, he walked away from the faith when he came to Macas, and brought alone his also backslidden girlfriend, Rosa (whom they affectionately referred to as Rosita). We met her later on that day- a young girl not more than 15, who was 5 months pregnant. After they had met Roberto and Dorothy, they recommitted their lives to Christ and were beginning to act in their own small steps of faith. In fact, they were returning to their village later that week to get married and make their relationship right.
That first day, Jose pulled out an old beaten up and dreadfully out of tune guitar and began to play it for us. He was actually quite good once you imagined the sound should he tune it, and he could sing fairly well too. But the best part about it was his true love of singing praises to Jesus. It was encouraging to see the potential in this young man, especially since the small church in Macas didn't have any musicians... all the worship was led a capella.

Jose came over later after church and we were able to show him how to tune a guitar- he had never attempted to do so before. While teaching him, I noticed what poor shape his guitar truly was in. On top of this, he used cheap plastic strings, so while the first chord he played after tuning sounded great, they strings just slipped back out of tune after that. However, Jose just kept playing away with a great big smile on his face.

One day, Jose's faithful old guitar finally died, and the neck broke off of the body. Jose was so disappointed, but he only told Roberto. Despairing, he didn't know what to do- with their meager income and a new baby coming along, there was no way he could afford a new one. Roberto told him to rely on God and pray this situation. So Jose took his baby step of faith and brought his problem to God.

Unbeknownst to Roberto or Jose, a sister during this time began feeling a pull on her heart to bless Jose with a new guitar. She struggled with it for a while, and prayed about it, but God kept showing her that this was what he wanted her to do. She had no clue about Jose's old guitar.

Finally she gave in to the direction God was leading her in. She bought a new guitar for him along with some other supplies for it. She gave it to Roberto to bless Jose with after church that evening.

Roberto gave it to Jose, and Jose couldn't believe his eyes. God had answered his prayer of faith, and was faithful to give him the desires of his heart.



Jose didn't waste any time, and began tuning and playing the guitar all night. He couldn't stop smiling, and only stopped playing when Roberto told him it was time to leave. Every time I saw him after that until I left Macas, he always was carrying that new guitar, and offered to play it anywhere he had an opportunity.





 This story showed me several things. First was how prayer really does work. So many times it seems like praying is just spewing out words that hit the ceiling and fall back around you, even if we don't always want to admit that to other people.But when you see that little mustard seed of faith and prayers being answered, it reminds you that prayer is actually effective. God, the Creator of all of the universe cares to listen to your prayers, hears your heart's desires, and responds. To us.
Secondly, it showed me that God can use anybody. The sister that blessed Jose with the guitar wasn't anybody special. She didn't even know there was a need. But if you're listening to God, and willing to be used by Him, He will. God is looking for willing vessels. And that should be our hearts cry. "Hear I am Lord; use me."

You don't have to be a huge spiritual giant to see God working in your life.
Ask God to open your heart, to feel where He's leading you.
To open your ears, to hear His voice speaking to you.
Open your mouth in prayer.

He is faithful.

    Jose and Rosita the day before their wedding

For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b
Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21
Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8b
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4

Flying High

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a missions trip to Ecuador. I was there for a month, and during that time period, the Lord taught me a lot about my walk with Him. Over the course of the next few weeks, I shall write some of the stories that happened there, and some of the lessons I was taught through them. The first thing that I would like to share, however, actually took place while I was flying down to Quito, Ecuador.
As I was sitting on an airplane on my way to my first semi-long term missions trip, I began to marvel about all the activity taking place around me. This was only the second time I had ever flown. Everything was still somewhat new to me. I sat back and thought of how funny it seemed that people could have so much faith in a (relatively) small machine, to carry them 33,000 feet about oceans, mountains, valleys, and deserts. They scramble on the plane at the first mention of their boarding section, never truly giving a thought about how the airplane works, or whether or not they should fly that day. They doze off during the safety videos, and watch with glazed eyes as bored flight attendant gives them the run down on what to do in case of emergency. They never worry that they don't even see the pilot. In fact, after the first announcement greeting the passengers on board, the pilot rarely speaks again to the trusting passengers. They simply know the pilot wouldn't jump ship, leaving them stranded on board.
In many ways, this parallels the kind of trust we need to have in our own walks, or flights, with God.
When God has a call on our life to do something, He's booking the ticket to the next leg of the trail that He's blazed for us. We should be able to know that His flight will never fail; in fact, the only delays are caused by the sometimes hesitant "passengers" aboard.
There are times when Christians, myself included, go through periods where it feels like God isn't speaking to us. Maybe He's too far away, or possibly we think He may have given up jumped ship on us. But if passengers aboard a manly vessel flown by a mere human can trust that their pilot is still there guiding them, with them every step of the way, it struck me that we can at least have that same kind of trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When turbulence in our lives starts shaking up our worlds, it's then that we can trust that God is still manning the controls. It's at those times that His presence is most evident even. It's such a relief knowing that He will never leave us, nor forsake us!
Still, like all major airlines, you have to go through checkpoint security. Certain fluids aren't allowed on board an airplane, liquids have to be packed just so, you can't have metal objects...  it's a hassle figuring out all the requirements to be able to board your flight. God's flights have one simple standard. His security requirements are to leave our fleshly desires at the terminal. There is no room on board for extra baggage, such as earthly concerns or worldly mindsets; leave them at Calvary!
The most exciting part is that God doesn't just call us to one "adventure" with Him, and then leave us be in the same spot for the rest of our lives. He calls us to keep going higher and higher with Him; in fact, daily He asks us to pack up our crosses and fly with Him.
Travel lightly, and be prepared for flights you never could have imagined!

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalm 146:3-5
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:8-9
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--the LORD, who remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

Crumbs

     In my devotions today, the account of the Syro-Pheonician woman was referenced. This woman was part of a society that was fully aware that they were not the “chosen people”. At this point in the Bible, salvation and grace had not been extended to all people as it was later in Jesus’ sacrifice, which made it possible for both the Jew and the Gentile to come before the Lord. They had no law put in place to bring them to God such as the Israelites, and they had no hope of a Saviour to help them. It was not only the Israelites who regarded these people as below them- I think that this society also felt as though they were not worth much. Yet when this woman heard that Jesus was near, she knew that He could be her only hope. She was so moved by the desperation of her daughter’s situation, that it gave her the courage to step out on her faith and fall at His feet. We know the rest of the story- Jesus called her a dog to her face, yet she still persisted and asked for mere crumbs of His grace to be given to her. The Lord had mercy on her and healed her daughter right there.

     The Bible passage that most of the devotion was based upon today however, was in Galatians 3. Paul teaches that we are not under the law any more but under grace, and shows that the wall between Jew and Gentile has been broken down, giving us all a way to our Saviour. None of us are regarded as “dogs” any more- as Paul says we are all now joint heirs of Christ. We are all now able to come to the banqueting table and feast on more than crumbs- the feast has been prepared for us to partake freely of the riches of God!
This got me to thinking… when this woman knew she wasn’t entitled to anything from Jesus, she still had the faith to go and receive what was not yet promised to her. She received healing for her daughter. Lately I have been looking at God’s promises for healing, which are all through the Scripture and available for all to claim.
     Yet so many times we see people not believing God in this area, too content to sit things through and put their faith in earthly things around them. We, who have been promised healing and countless other promises can’t exhibit even a fraction of the faith shown in the “dog” woman! If just a crumb of God’s mercies equaled at least a healing and a deliverance, what does the whole feast of God mean for us?
     It convicted me. It was as though God was putting a magnifying glass over my heart and showing how big I often make my problems seem, when truly it is just takes crumb of God’s goodness in that area. How many times have I forgoed God’s feast for me? How often does His church disregard God’s plentiful promises to them?
     I want to encourage you to come to God’s banqueting table today. Stuff yourselves with His goodness; bring containers for that which you cannot digest yet! Partake of what God has prepared for us- His desire is for us to come into His presence for that reason and so many more!
     Eat of the meat of God’s Word today.

In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Mark 7:25-30
Galatians 3:7-29
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14
He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." Exodus 15:2
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Psalm 107:19-21
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:2
“Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:15b

Stirring up the Waters

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

      God has been bringing to my mind lately a time when I was younger and decided that I wanted to live in the basement. I had it all planned out- I could bring my cot down here, Dad would be able to build in a little bathroom, I had my own little kitchen planned out…. I was just positive that it would work out. For some reason however, my parents were not a huge fan of that plan. Dad wasn’t going to build a bathroom for me, mom didn’t want my cot set up down here... so I decided that I was going to slowly bring my things down there. Eventually, without mom and dad really noticing, I would be moved down in the basement. As I spent more and more time down there, I began to realize I was missing something- there was no faucet, so every time I got thirsty, I had to go upstairs to get some water.  Well, being quick on my toes, I decided to fill up an old milk jug with water. I did so and set it on a little dresser I had snuck down.  For a few days, I didn’t need the water, so there it sat. One day I was extremely thirsty, and very excited to get my first drink from my stash of water. I opened up the milk container, and a terrible stench hit my nose! All my water had gone stagnant, and soon began to stink up the whole basement. My thirst could not be satisfied by this old swampy water, and I began to realize what a terrible idea it was in the first place to try and live in the basement.

     Now, a lot of times, we act like I did as I built my “home” up in the basement. We get so caught up in our own ideas of what we want and how we want our “home” in this world that we soon begin to get annoyed because things like spending time with God and taking the time out of our day to read our Bibles doesn’t fit into our plan. Just like I did with my water, we begin to think of “brilliant” ideas to “store up” on God so that we don’t have to be “filled up” as often. We think things like “oh God, I forgot to pray today, so I’ll fast tomorrow for You”. Sometimes I catch myself saying “Well Lord, I didn’t read my Bible. I guess I’ll have to read twice as much tomorrow!”  But sooner or later, we’re going to realize that this doesn’t work. See, the children of Israel already tried this idea. They attempted to “double up” on the sustenance that God gave them as they travelled from Egypt. In Numbers it talks about God giving the Israelites miraculous food in the middle of the dessert. All they had to do was gather it every morning (with the exception of the Sabbath). Some of the people got tired of going and getting it every single morning; they decided one day to gather twice as much manna as normal so they could just eat of that stash the next day. When they got to their manna the next morning, it was rotten, and not able to be eaten.

     This is because God has called us to live a life more than that of just stagnant waters. He calls us to search deeper into His word to discover what He has for us. He doesn’t want us just to go with the flow, to follow the motions… instead He would have us “study to show ourselves approved”. For instance, if you don’t know why you believe something, search the scriptures, take the time to study, and cry out for God to reveal His heart to you! Our Christian walk gets too much like that leftover manna, where we think that if we meet the minimum requirements that God has given us, such as reading the Bible and praying, we can survive off of bread alone. But as it quotes in Matthew, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”.

     I know that God has been personally challenging me lately to study the scriptures and get a deeper understanding of what He has called us to. Instead of using my spare time to surf the internet, stalk all my friends on Facebook, watch a movie, or read a book, He wants me to be searching out the answers to the questions that I have in my faith. See, it’s not wrong to have questions, so long as are trusting God to provide the answers. But “trusting God” is an active phrase- we need to be pushing in, brushing the dust off of our bible and sharpening up our swords. God says He will not despise a contrite heart and also says that Christ is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. God promises not to turn a deaf ear to us when we come to Him and seek Him. He will stir up the stagnant waters of our faith as we come before Him, put aside our own little scheme of things, and seek His face.

     Another reason that we need to stop being stagnant in our faith is the same way that I figured I couldn’t live in the basement. The world sees what we have in Jesus. They see the hope that should lie within us, the peace that should encompass us, and the joy that should exude from us, just as I saw what should have been that refreshing water I desired so much to quench my thirst. But what happens when they come to us, looking for a drink of the water from “the well springing up to eternal life”, and all they get is a whiff of our own, stinky rotting flesh, in the middle of what God has sanctified to be a vessel used by Him? God has called us to be a light unto the nations. One of my favorite verses on this is in Matthew: “The people which sat in darkness saw great light, and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, a light is sprung up”. Yet how will they see this “great light” if we are not letting His light shine? How is the “shadow of death” going to be released from the eyes of those held in captivity if we are not going and showing them the way of eternal life? When people come to us, we need to be able to “be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us”.

     God has challenged me to show myself approved before Him and to make my walk with Him deeper. A deeper walk with Christ isn’t easy, but the reward is so worth everything we are called to give up for Him. Christ is our great reward, and He is all that we need. 

     Make Him your focus, and take Him up on the challenge He has presented to all who have come to follow Him.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-18
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

… He rewards those who diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6b
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14
The people which sat in darkness saw great light, and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, a light is sprung up. Matthew 4:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Above Average

Average. Something in that word just makes me cringe. The connotation implies that the object of this adjective is nothing more than anything else. Nothing sets them apart. Nothing makes them unique. Nothing makes them of any worth.
Lately I even heard a song playing on the radio that portrayed this idea as well- singing of the longing to be something desired, chased for, and valued. The chorus  from “Someone Worth Dying For” by Mikeschair says “Am I more than flesh and bone? Am I really something beautiful?...I wanna believe that I'm not just some wandering soul that You don't see and You don't know… Yeah I wanna believe”.
I think we all go through times where that’s all we feel like. I know that I struggle with the feeling of just being “average” at a lot of things. Close friends of mine have shared in my dismay that there seems to be nothing that we excel at. The general consensus is that we feel like we are mediocre at a lot of things… everything.
Walking through the kitchen tonight, something triggered to my mind the t-shirts that people say that go something like this. “I’m proud to be a….” Nerd, geek, football player, cheerleader, an American. Fill in the blank. And as I was cleaning up some cookie dough that my brothers had strewn around the kitchen, I thought to myself “What would I be proud to be?” I looked back through hobbies, things that might be considered talents. I enjoyed math and took harder courses than most, but I was nowhere near to being a genius in that. I couldn’t in good conscience write that. I enjoy singing and playing piano, but coming from a very musically talented family and church, I can see very clearly my deficiencies in my own music. Again, I honestly couldn’t write musician. I mulled on this for a while, and suddenly it hit me in one of those “oh duh” moments. My t-shirt would say “I am proud to be a Christian”.
See, the thing about being a Christian is that none of your Christian walk can nor should it be about yourself. It is by grace we are saved, not by works, lest any man should boast. In fact, He even says that all our works of righteousness, or our “good” things or deeds, are as filthy rags before Him. Therefore, because I know that it is by the grace of God and Him working in and through me, changing my life, breaking down my walls, crucifying my flesh…. Because of all of that, I can say I am proud to be a Christian. I am proud to be in the process of becoming like my Savior, who looked down from His cross and saw little mediocre me. Who had His hands and feet nailed to the cross because of the sins that insignificant average JoHannah has committed. Who gazed at me with such love in His eyes that He allowed Himself to be pierced as He whispered “It is finished”. For me.

In Christ, we are new creations. The old things have passed away. I have become something worth dying for because there is Someone worth living for. In Christ, we are more than conquerors. That means that the next time I face the onslaught of worthlessness, ruthlessly tearing me apart to show me all my insignificance, I can stand against them because I am a daughter of God!
This doesn’t mean that I can march right up to my old math teacher and ace all of his examinations. This 
doesn’t mean that I’m going to go sing on American Idol and win a million dollars. But what it does mean is that I can be who Christ made me to be, because it’s the reflection of Him living in my life that I want the world to see.
And He promises this to all who come to Him. God doesn’t reject us because we aren’t unique enough. He doesn’t cast us away because we don’t always seem to fit in. He promises that very thing in His word.
Why?
Because all of Him is more than enough for all of us.


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6
Consequently, I entreat you by the compassion of God, brothers, to present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. And quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and complete will of God. Romans 12:1-2
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 1 Corinthians 5:17
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Romans 8:37
All that the Father giveth Me shall come to me; and him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

Word

Give a carpenter the tools, and he can create almost anything. When a chef concocts a meal, the most important thing to do first is to get all the ingredients. Given the right stuff, a person can accomplish almost anything.
God created the heavens and the earth in seven days. On the sixth day, he created man. Now, most people get this confused; when people ask ‘where did man come from?’, the routine answer is dust (And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7). But the truth is, God did not have to stoop to our level of creating something out of something.
There is an old joke that I have heard for years. A scientist studies life for years and years, and one day, he creates something living out of nothing but a partical of dust. He laughes at God and proclaims “See God? I am just as good as you!” God laughs down from heaven and replies “Go get your own dust”.
As funny as this may seem, it is so true. The something that God created everything out of was His own Word! And God said “Let there be light”. And guess what, there was light! God’s very word is living and active, sharper than any 2-edged sword; God’s Word has more than enough substance to create everything around you! Praise God for His never ending promises!
God’s Word wasn’t just used for creation. God did far more than create the world and let it wind down. He gave us His Word, and His Holy Spirit dwells in His followers. The Bible is so much more than just another book to collect dust on our bookshelf; if we realized just how much power that Word has, I doubt we would ever let that book out of our grip until we had memorized every single jot and tittle! God’s Word never fails, and it never returns to us void. When God promises us something in His scripture, He will fulfill it. When the impossible seems to loom above you, God’s very Word is more than enough to conquer it. He not only can provide for you, He will provide for you; not only is He able to heal you, is will heal you. When He says He has separated your sins from Him as far as the east is from the west, you no longer have to live in condemnation! And why is that? Because He promised so in His Word!
And then, He left His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, like He assured us with His Word. This is the very same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and it lives in us! Not only do we have the life-breathing Word of God to guide us day to day, but we also have the full assurance of the dead-raising Spirit within us! Don’t ever tell me that something is too hard for God; He has conquered the grave, both physically and spiritually, within our hearts and in our lives.

So next time you can’t seem to find the right items to fill a need in your heart; next time you seem overwhelmed by the insurmountable, remember where each breath you breathe comes from. When you can’t seem to make sense of anything, remember that Christ made something of everything- when there was no possible way. It’s time we start living in the power that Christ gives to us, and we claim the victory His Spirit has already conquered.

Genesis 1
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:11
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. John 5:21I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper. He will give you this Helper to be with you forever. John 14:16I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12

Gone Fishin'

Comfort zone

In your own little world all alone

The world is passing you by

Let’s just ignore that the time is nigh

We’re created of world-centered “me”

And we never just open our eyes to see

All that the Lord has planned for us

Because we fear it will create a fuss

Lord, break our hearts for what breaks Yours!

Don’t let life be about fulfilling all our chores;

Let’s see the world through the vision You do

Let’s start lighting our hearts for You!

People walk around us so lost in the dark

All we seem to care about is life as a walk in the park

Lord, destroy our comfort zone!

Let us only rely on You alone

This world is so lost without You.

Lord, sometimes it seems as though Your followers are too

Stir up Your Spirit within us again;

Help us become Your fishers of men.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 5:16

Peculiarily Unified

Unity: Harmony or agreement between people or groups

In this day and age, people are told over and over to do what they want. The classic Disney theme is to “Follow your heart”. It seems to me as though much of the Christian church has also adopted that concept, although they rephrase it slightly: Do what you think is right, and God will honor that. Sometimes this overarching principal stretches to include other religions; I mean, after all, all roads lead to Rome, right?
Wrong. God has granted us with free will, and has gifted us with individuality. He has made us all unique- I mean, when has there ever been 2 matching fingerprints? But God has not given us different standards to live up to. He has never given people differing definitions on what was right and wrong in His eyes, and He has always help people accountable to them. When Moses wrote the 10 Commandments, God did not then give Moses the freedom of choosing 5 of those commandments to follow. Instead, He set people in charge who were to help everybody follow these laws so as to have a set standard. Why does God do this?
He brought His people to unity through this. Everyone was serving God; no one could serve their golden calves anymore because it was common knowledge that there was to be no other gods before God. Parents could lead their families better, because everyone knew to honor their father and mother. His people were of one mind.
And that’s how it is to be today. Our God does not change. So why would His calling for His people change? When the church of God has the same purpose, the same goal, the same heart, He is able to accomplish more through us. When we allow too much freedom for not being under the law, we are hindering the body of Christ by allowing more room for contention, division, and skism.
Don’t get me wrong here; we are no longer under the Law. However, sometimes people get what happened on that Cross mixed up. Christ’s coming did not break the Law- instead, Jesus fulfilled the Law to it’s greatest extent. In this way, we have redemption through His blood! However, that did not then give us the freedom to go and murder people, to commit adultery, to lie, and so on and so forth. While we are no longer under a law, we still are called to obey the law of Christ.
In following the law of Christ, people sometimes get concerned that this will overshadow the love and the freedom of Christ. This should not be the case; when walking in the Law of Christ, we experience the freedom of following God. However, freedom in Christ is different than what the world calls “freedom”. When following Christ, we will be different than those around us. We may be called odd, and we may not be able to do many of the things that the world promotes. But that is why God called us a peculiar people! Jesus stood out from others, and was even crucified because His differences rubbed people the wrong way.
Leonard Ravenhill puts it this way. "Why in God's name do you expect to be accepted everywhere? How is it that the world couldn't get on with the holiest Man that ever lived and yet it can get on with you and me? Are we compromised? Have we no spiritual stature? Have we no righteousness that reflects on their corruption?"
We will be different when we are unified under the Law of Christ. It won’t always be the most comfortable thing for our flesh. But, it brings peace to our souls. It helps us function together as one body, instead of being crippled by confusion.
In conclusion, Philippians 2:5 sums it up pretty well. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus". Jesus followed God whole-heartedly, and had the mind of God in Him. Let's be unified in both heart and actions, with the mind of God.

Exodus 20:1-17
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalms 133
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:25
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:1-3
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

Leaving the Nest

A bird has to move beyond it’s comfort zone in at least 2 ways in its life.
When a bird is first laid in its egg, it has all the provisions it needs. The place he is growing in is perfect to nurture and develop the young bird. It grows stronger and larger, until one day, he grows too large for his shell. And he cracks that shell open, little bit by little bit, to face a whole new world.
Once the new chick has hatched, he is still surrounded by things just right for him. He has parents there to provide food, and to teach him important things. He has warmth when surrounded by his family. He has safety in the center of his nest. He grow stronger and larger, until one day, it’s time for him to fly off on his own.
However, a strange phenomenon often happens when his time to leave the nest occurs. This young bird will stand at the edge of his nest. He will watch his parents fly off, and maybe flap his wings once or twice. But, most of the time, he will not step off into the vast unknown areas before him. In fact, most of the time, his parents have to push him right out of the nest into nothing but a free-fall before he gets the courage to fly! How’s that for parenting…
Now, I’m not usually a nature freak. I’ve tried bird watching, and I fall asleep, oh, about 100% of the time. So why am I talking to you about the habits of birds?
I was sitting on my couch praying; I was seeking the Lord for a number of things that I needed direction on. I opened my eyes and saw my mother’s bird cage with her small finch inside of it, and I felt a correlation line up between the habits of birds, and the habits of Christians.
God sets us up in the ideal situations for growth. When we are babies, He gives us the true milk of the Word- even tells us to desire it. He nurtures us through His Spirit, until we get to a point where we need to break out of our shell, and continue seeking Him actively. It may be scary at first, but when we get out of the shell, we realize that once again, God has placed us in a perfect place for where we are in Him. He surrounds us with brothers and sisters in Him, in church families, and continues to feed us. Sure, things may not be perfect. The storms may come and drench our nests; the enemy may slither up the tree unexpectedly. But God is still in control, and He meets all of our needs.
But the time comes when God asks us to leave our comfort zones. He calls us out of everything we may have known, or have been comfortable in. Whether that’s in a physical move, a new job setting, a different school selection, a new church body, or any other thing the Lord is laying on your heart- God is calling us to move. He wants us to fly out and discover the new things He has for us every day!
But, we stand at the edge and wait. We sit, we squawk. We make every excuse not to move. The Lord doesn’t want to have to push us out- He desires children that are strong in Him, and will to walk by faith, and not by sight.
I was sitting there again, and I began to think of what happens when a bird isn’t willing to move. In order for a bird to survive, he must first break out of his egg. Just to get the all important breaths he needs for simple life- he must first leave all that he knows. Otherwise, he suffocates from the inside out. And a bird needs to leave his nest to grow! To live on the inside, he needs to find what’s in store for him. Otherwise his nest becomes like a cage, and he becomes content to play with the little toys stuck inside, and to eat the processed foods to keep him alive. Yet he’s dead to all else.
And for a young believer, it’s much the same. One can be starved to death if all they are is content with the milk that God provided for them. They are meant to grow to eat the meat of His Word! And the become too content to sit through Sunday morning services, to pay $10 into the plate as it passes, and to go back to their everyday ordinary life.

Come and find your life in Christ! Take the step of faith into the vast unknown! God always has the perfect place for you to grow in Him! It’s time to stop being content with what’s being served to us on a silver platter.
It’s time to grow up!

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. 1 Peter 2:2For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for  the mature, who because of practice have their senses  trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Prisoner of Hope

Though my tears may fall
     Still I will praise
Though I can't see far
     Still I will pray
Though I fall down again
     Still I raise my hands

     For You, oh Lord
Have enraptured me in Your love
     In You, oh Lord
I am Your prisoner of hope

Let me not shake these shackles
     Though the winds of despair ensue
Help me sing in this prison
     Through the howls of doubt
I will forever set my eyes upon You
     Though the darkness of confusion engulfs

     For You, oh Lord
Have enraptured me in Your love
     In You, oh Lord
I am Your prisoner of hope

Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. Zechariah 9:12
The Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble. But the Lord is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel. Joel 3:16
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19

Failing God?

“You were never holding Me up. I uphold you with my victorious righteous right hand. In this relationship, I hold you up.”
I was sitting in a chapel service at my school, and the speaker showed a video by a group called The Skits. The clip was about God chiseling us into His image, and how God has created us for good. In the skit, the man was telling God that he could never become like Him, saying, “But God, I’ve let You down so many times!”
I thought to myself, how many times have I said that? How many people do I know who are constantly struggling with how they are always failing God? And with that thought, another comes right after. “God, how can You still love me?”

I’m not about to tell you that we can ever be perfect. Because the fact of the matter is, we, as humans, will always fail. We can never ever reach the perfection of God. But what I am about to tell you is that God knows this. This is the very reason He sent His Son for us- so that when we fail over and over and over again, and we feel like the worst trash in the world, we can see that through Jesus Christ, we are made whole again.

Yes. We will fail. But who are we failing? Can we ever let God down?
In the video, God’s answer was short, and to the point. “You were never holding Me up. I uphold you with my victorious righteous right hand. In this relationship, I hold you up.” How can we let God down, when He is the only reason we can stand? What does a father do when his children fall down? He picks them up, and sets them on their feet again. He guides them along so they can learn how to walk and not fall; how to run, and not grow weary!
So what does God expect from us, if He already knows that we can’t make it on our own? Paul states His mission many times throughout the New Testament. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” God requires us to press on towards Him. He expects from us that when we do fall, we take His hand and accept His forgiveness; that we walk with Him, and learn to run in our faith.

God does not call us to a condemnation in spirit, but He calls us to true repentance. Repentance is the turning away from our sin, that which displeases God; true repentance makes an impact in one’s daily living. And God wants us to run with Him, every moment of every single day.

So remember, the next time you fall, reach for God’s hand to get back up again; He will never let you down.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus: Philippians 3:14
Psalm 23

 

Flag-rant

The sun was in rare form this afternoon, actually daring to show it's face upon this winter "wonderland". I curled up in my perch along side a window to soak up a few precious sun rays; outside I could see just about everything from my view. There was a school, a parking lot, a small forest of trees; I could see much of a small town. But right outside my window was a bright flagpole, brilliantly waving the stars and stripes to all who would look.
The beauty of this scene just made my heart praise God; in my praise I began to pray that God would continue to reveal His direction for my life. God sometimes has an odd way of replying to our prayers; as I looked again at the flagpole, and analogy came to mind.
The flag is strongly anchored to the pole. The pole it resides upon is actually what is continually holding that flag up, giving it support and strength. Yet the flag doesn't just hang there; it's still free enough to move where it needs to move, and to wave when the wind blows. Its brilliant colors attract the world that it's in, and not of, to show the message it stands for. The flag never compromises. When the sun is shining, the flag still waves. When the sky is crying, the flag still stands.
What would a flag for Christ look like? What implications would that hold for a believer?
1)If we lose hold of our flagpole (Christ), we fall to the ground as a battered piece of cloth. We are henceforth useless to the calling to which we have been called; we become of this world, instead of merely in it. A flag has no life outside of the pole it has been fixed to; Christ is our breath of life.
2)If we stop being sensitive to the calling of the Spirit (the wind for us flags), we instead become stagnant in our faith. The world sees a beaten piece of fabric drooping on a lonely staff, and lose interest in the message we proclaim.
3)We are always proclaiming the Gospel. A flag is woven with intent to show some message. Whether it's calling all Harley riders together, holding a vision for world peace, or declaring pride in a nation, every flag has significance. Everybody who looks at it sees that message. Our message is the Jesus is the way; our demeanor should be proclaiming that to everyone who looks at it.

Let this be your prayer:
Lord, whatever I'll be doing, wherever I'll be going, whomever I'll be with, make me like that flag.  I want to be Your flag, proclaiming Your message of peace to the whole world. I want to be fixed to You, to stand upon Your grace and strength. I want to be willing to move to wherever You lead me, sensitive to the calling of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I'm Yours.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mark 16:15
For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death. Psalm 48:18

Party Presence

Delane looked through the keyhole at the Larson's house. She had been invited to her welcome-to-the-neighborhood party at this address. She had prepared all day, but now as she stood at the door, no one came out to welcome her. She stood there for some time, looked through the keyhole again at the warmth inside. After a while she began to get antsy. She yelled "hello!" once or twice; eventually she even began jumping on that front porch, trying to get someones attention. Inside the Larson's, however, people were listening to some music, pulling some warm roasted food out onto the table, and having a fun time. In the corner was a stack of presents waiting for Delane's presence; yet no one knew where she was. Delane was crying out on the porch step "Can anybody hear me? I'm out here..." Yet no knock on the door rang through the air that day.
Down the street Alex was headed to his own party. His friend Jon had invited him over just a few minutes ago, yet in Alex's rush to get to the house, he hadn't listened carefully enough to the directions Jon had given him over the phone. Now, he was headed to 1121 Mayberry Lane; Jon was patiently waiting at 1121 Mayville Drive. When Alex got to the porch step he assumed was Jon's, he began impatiently pounding on the door. "I'm here! Let me in! It's cold outside!" Yet try as he might, the unoccupied house had no answer for his persistent pounding. "What kind of person would tell me to go somewhere, and not show up when I arrive? I thought I knew Jon better than this; he said to knock at the door.... well I'm here, I'm knocking. Jon, can't you hear me?"

Both these people came expectant to receive something; neither of these people did. So what went wrong?
Delane had not because she asked not. She came to the brink of what she knew, yet she never went the final step to knock on the Larson's door. Inside were wonderful things just waiting for her- if she had only asked. Instead, she gazed through the keyhole at the beautiful scene; she wanted it really badly, yet she just stood there, waiting for it to come to her. And when it didn't, she threw a pity party instead of doing what was required to enter.
Alex had a quite different experience. He was ready to do everything needed to get to that party; he stood at the door, he knocked, he pounded, and he pleaded. He was ready to do everything needed, except wait and take the time to listen. In his zeal to get to his end destination, he skipped over the part about figuring out where to go. He heard what he wanted to hear and ran with it. In the end, he received nothing but bitterness towards Jon for seemingly bringing him to a dead end, and loneliness because he had gone the wrong way.

Now, maybe you've figured it out, but these stories don't just have to do with getting to a party on time. Every day experiences directly correlate to the things of the spiritual realm. So let's review these situations once more- in our own lives.
God has a beautiful plan for our lives. He has wonderful treasures just waiting to be received; He prepares a daily meal for us without fail. He provides us with companionship and a place to rest in Him. Yet too many times, we approach His courts like Delane. We enter trepituously and tiptoe up to His door. And we sit and we sit and we sit, without ever receiving anything. Why is that? How about "you receive not because you ask not"? We know the promises that God has planned for us; oftentimes we are too busy looking through the keyhole and wondering why we are not in that room to do what is required to enter. Come before His throne with boldness- God has wondrous treasures in store for us when we walk in His will.
Others of us don't need to worry about boldly asking for our promises. We ask and we ask and we ask, yet we still don't receive anything. So where's the disconnect? Alex was too hurried and so confident that he could find his way to Jon's house, that he never waited for Jon. We need to wait upon the Lord and walk in His ways to get to where He is leading us. Don't get ahead of God; don't always assume that your way is the right way. "...neither are your ways My ways..." God lays out pretty clearly for us. We can only receive the blessings in store for us when we are following after Christ.

So what house are you at? Let's make sure to enter into His courts with praise.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Mathew 7:7-8
...yet ye have not, because ye ask not. James 4:2b
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24
Come before the throne of God with boldness, in order to obtain His mercy and grace. Hebrews 4:16
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. Psalm 86:11
Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4

Abraham's Sacrifice

A while ago I wrote about the story of Abraham and Isaac from Isaac's point of view; the view of having such submission, obedience, and trust in those placed in authority over you that you would follow that person, even if it means to lay down your life. But this time, I wanted to talk about the more traditional perspective on this story; what was Abraham thinking?
Abraham stood on the promise that he would receive a son for 25 years. That's a long time to not lose faith in the fulfillment of what God has shown you! But after Isaac was born, you could imagine the joy that Abraham felt, holding his beloved and cherished son. I'm sure he loved every moment of that boy's life, watching him and teaching him in his relationship with their Lord. I'm sure he thanked God every day for His faithfulness in providing his only son.
Yet one day, God asked for the impossible. Now this isn't exactly verbatim from the scripture, but I always picture it a little like this. "Abraham, do you love me?" "Yes Lord, you know I love you." Abraham would have earnestly answered.
"Would you give your son back to me?" And that is where the testing began. Where did Abraham's true affections lie?
Everything that happens in the Old Testament has a correlation to the New Testament, and to our lives. It's not full of old fairy tales to shake our heads in disbelief at. God still is asking for our Isaacs. Where do your affections lie?
So Abraham had the strength in God to give up his only son. He had the courage to bind up his offspring and to lie him on the altar. I'm sure it felt like he was putting most of himself on that altar as well. Yet he carried on. He raised that knife, and at that moment, he passed the test. God knew that He had Abraham's all. God spared Isaac's life because of his father's faithfulness.
So do you have Abraham's heart? Do you give your Isaac to God every day? Do you have the courage to say, "God, I love you more. You're enough for me."?
Build your life up as an altar to God. Be willing to sacrifice your Isaac, because you never want anything between you and the Lord.
Make your prayer like that of the many prayers of the men counted as faithful to God. "Lord, my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.... Strengthen the hands that hang down... Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief."

Genesis 22
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41b
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. Hebrews 12:12
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Mark 9:24b

Creation

Today I had the privilege to go to a conference where I live to hear Ken Ham and Dr. Jason Lisle discuss both the creation of the world and the proofs of our creator amongst an array of different topics. I was greatly blessed by the whole day, but something that stood out to me was actually something my little brother said.
During the presentations, there was a PowerPoint going in the background that often displayed cartoon creations of the topic being discussed. My little brother loved those PowerPoint's, and at one point he asked me to read to him what one of the cartoons said. "It says: God created us" I told him. He thought for a little and said, "God is creating us."
Now, I don't think he understood the profoundness of that comment; more than likely he simply misheard my muffled whisper. Yet his comment stuck with me. Not only did God create us at the very beginning, but He is still in the midst of changing us into new creations, and into the image of Christ.
A lot of times we look at situations in our life and question God's decisions. God, why? Haven't I gone through enough? Haven't I learned this lesson well enough yet? God, why do I have to wait? Why?
I have asked these questions more times than I would like to admit; many more times than I know I should have. I know I have fallen like the children of Israel, shaking their fists at God in the wilderness while He is providing their manna every morning. I may count my blessings in my life, but many times I forget to count among them the trials I face.
But the thing is, facing situations in our life where we come to the end of us and it seems all we have left is God- these are good things! It means that God hasn't given up on us. He proclaims in His word the He chastens those who He loves, and He promises to complete the good work that He has started in us. Isn't it amazing the the God of the universe takes time to notices us and give us opportunities to grow?
So even if you can't begin to imagine why God thinks you're strong enough to go through the insurmountable eminence in front of you, take the time to thank God that He is cultivating you so that you can lean on Him for your strength. Ask God to open your eyes to the areas He is changing in you.
Take time today to thank God for His work in you; both for your existence, and for His continued creation in your life.

Because the Lord disciplines those he loves. Hebrews 12:6a
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
The Lord will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalm 138:8

No Jesus, No Peace...

When I was a little girl, my dad owned a silver Saab '93. On the back of this car read a bumper sticker that said "No Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace". I would watch my dad pull into our garage every day, and I always saw that bumper sticker, but for the longest time I could never figure out what it meant. One day, however, it finally clicked. Jesus is our peace! After that I promised that my first bumper sticker I owned would say the same thing.
More recently this bumper came to mind in lieu of a certain situation I had not forseen coming up. I spent a day fasting and praying about what to do in the face of these circumstances, and at the end of the day, I had such a peace about the whole thing that I wondered why it even seemed like a problem in the first place. And that's when it struck me that the unique thing about the peace of Jesus Christ is that it takes no mind to the circumstances. There is a reason that people can talk about that light at the end of the tunnel; there is a reason people can be burned at the stake and never recant their faith in Christ. There is a reason there can be joy in the middle of despair, and that reason lies in the peace that passes all understanding.
Dictionary.com defines peace as "a state of tranquillity or serenity". Hindu religions are constantly seeking Nirvana, which is defined as "a state of passionless peace". Nations are thought to be successful when they are at peace, and who doesn't enjoy "peace and quiet"? The thing about peace is that it is always sought after. New methods to obtain it are always being contrived, and people go on excursions to "find themselves" or "be at peace" with themselves.
Yet the thing about Jesus is that He is our peace; His promise to give us peace never fails, for God cannot lie. If He was our peace one day, He will be our peace the next, for "I am the Lord, I change not".
And Satan hates it. He loves to pour condemnation on us; feelings of unworthiness, thoughts of doubt, and desire for temporary things flood us every day to take our mindset off of God and onto ourselves. Because once that is accomplished and we are focused on the "me", our peace is shattered. Think about the Garden of Eden; Adam and Eve had everything they wanted- they were happy and at peace with God and themselves. The first thing that Satan did to tempt Eve was to make her feel that she did not have enough. That the fruit was something she really desired; and once she started listening to him, she never got her peace back.
Our peace is not found in our possessions, our education, our careers, nor our relationships; rather it is found in the most simple, yet most complex cornerstone of our existence. It is found in the rock of Jesus Christ.
Where are you searching for your peace?

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
I the LORD do not change. Malachi 3:6a

Mountain Climbing

At our family meal last night, our family got into a discussion about how we treat others. The night before, a rude comment had been made about a friend of the family in regards to how she looked. As we were talking about things you should and shouldn’t say about others, we also got into the aspect of how you act around others as well.

One of my brothers mentioned how some people are just strange; you just really don’t want to be around them. I have to admit, I agreed with this statement, but then I began thinking about something else. I began to think of the person my whole school had “classified” as the “weirdo”. And while I had not ever directly been mean to this person, I admit that I had all too often purposely avoided them, or ignored them when they tried to start conversations. One thing I noticed was the look in this person’s eyes every time something like this happened. No matter how “weird” a person might be, people notice when you treat them differently, and it hurts them just as bad.

My dad piped up with an allegory about Mt. Everest. Did you know that one in ten people who attempt to climb this mountain die? You know, some people might be different because of the situations they are in and facing; even the strongest men in the world can barely hobble along when they get near to the top of the mountain. They walk in such a way, that normally, people would point and laugh. But it’s the most they can do to get to the top of their mountain. In the same way, there are people everywhere, where nobody can see the struggles their facing. How do you know that it’s all they can do to keep on going? Maybe they are just waiting, praying for a hand to reach out and help them.

And it’s true- one thing to help somebody, or to let them know you notice them, can make an impact that you can never know the outcomes of. For instance, there was a new girl at my school. She would not have been classified in the “popular” crowd; she didn’t obtain the “perfect” body or skin, and she was extremely shy. I watched her for most of the day, and from what I saw, nobody went up to say hi, or to invite her to join them. So, I went over to her and introduced myself, helped her find her classes and invited her to sit by me at lunch. I really didn’t think much more of it, because it had only taken like 5 minutes. At the end of the day, however, a teacher came up and pulled me aside. “Thank-you so much for talking to the new girl today! I asked her how her day was today, and her whole face just lit up and said, I made a friend today! That was the only thing she said about her entire day- thank-you for taking the time for her.” I was shocked. Small actions can make huge differences.

So, I want to challenge you today. What are the people that you might think are not worth a second glance? Who is it that you  just can’t seem to stand? Take a moment to see them how God sees them- as precious in His sight. Take a moment to be the person who changes their day and helps them face their mountain.

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
As for those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance—those men added nothing to my message. Galatians 2:6
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. John 7:24
When Jesus heard them, he said, “It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. Matthew 9:12

Sonny Weather

     Today was especially cold for the frigid Wisconsin weather that I can never seem to get used to. I was shivering inside at work, trying to move around as much as I could to warm up. Working on New Year's Day was already particularly taxing, and I was having a hard time keeping a smile on my face. Sometime throughout that morning, one of my coworkers looked outside the big panel windows and commented, "Oh look! The sun's finally coming out!"
     We hear that phrase a lot. We even hear it in songs like "The sun will come out tomorrow" or "In the morning when you wake up and the sun does not appear...". Point is, people seem to enjoy blaming the lack of light in their world on the sun.
     But, doesn't the earth revolve around the sun? Pretty sure last time I checked, it was the earth's rotation that causes our seasons and our nights and days. Pretty sure the sun never changes. Pretty sure it's the clouds and the pull of the earth that hides the sun from us.
     Isn't that just like Christ? The Son is always there. He is always shining brightly, full of warmth and light. Pretty sure He never changes. I'm positive the Son never hides.
     So what hides the light and the joy of the Lord from us on "cloudy" days? The times where life gets so wearing we just don't know how to face another day- that's what I call our spiritual nights. And, as established before, nighttime exists when the earth rotates away from the sun. When does the pull of this world hide the Son from you?
     What are the clouds that are blocking your view of the Son?
     Not every day is going to be happy go lucky; but something we can always bank on is not that "the Son will come out tomorrow", but that the Son is here. Right here and now; today, yesterday, and forever.
     The Son never changes.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it. Ezekiel 22:14
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:11-12
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. Daniel 2:20-22