Bless the Lord

God's faithfulness truly knows no limits. He is always the same, even as people change throughout their lives or throughout history. God has never changed. The same God who was with Adam is with me. The same God that was faithful to the Israelites in the desert will be faithful to me, his adopted child. 

My life is fading. I will return to dust and eventually no one will remember me on earth. I think that's why non-believers desire so much to make a legacy. They somehow want their lives to be eternal, but without God nothing is. 

The best part of Psalm 103 is about God's forgiveness. As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Infinite distance. That means that they are gone. He doesn't remember what we've done wrong, but instead he remembers how much he loved us. To prove his faithfulness God writes about his plan for redemption long before Jesus was born. Or even his great, great grandparents. Before anyone ever imagined what the Messiah would be like, God was talking about him. He's in Job. Job lived before Abraham. Israel as a nation was just a dream and God had already predicted he would save them. Talk about an unchanging and faithful God. He knew every single act of disobedience. He knew Israel would struggle to ever truly follow him, but he had a plan to save them. And to save the world. 

Never forget that salvation is first for the Jew and then for the Gentile. Never forget that Israel is God's chosen people. Not necessarily the nation state that exists now but the Jewish people. They are the firstborn. They have the birthright. We are just adopted kids. No less loved or valued, but without the Jews, we have no salvation. But without knowledge of who the Messiah is, neither do the Jews. 

Oh Lord, that I would have that sense of urgency to share the Gospel. That it would be my first thought and what I want to speak of the most. I pray I would be ever thinking of your Kingdom and not my own. I pray I would see with your eyes. That my heart would break for what breaks your heart. I pray that I would love others enough to tell them about how you want to save them. I pray I would begin to put others before me. I am selfish. I am arrogant. I pray you would make me selfless. I pray you would make me humble. I pray you would make me wise. I pray you would make me like you. 

Amen! Amen! Amen!

Now this is love

Recently inspired by the Easter service at my Church, I have thought a lot about God's love. It is so easy growing up going to Church every Sunday to overlook the incredible sacrifice Christ made. Paul said it best when he said that no one would die for an unrighteous man. Maybe for a really awesome person or our own families we might dare to die. But God shows his love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

That should bring me to tears every time I think about it. Christ DIED. He faced the thing most people are scared of the most. He did it willingly. Because he loved us. Would you let someone beat you out of love for someone like Hitler? Would you die to save the life of someone in ISIL?

I wouldn't. (Christ in me might, but by myself - no way!)

Christ did. He said, "I love you. I would do anything to save your life." And he didn't just do anything. He did the only thing that could save us. He died for us.

Oh! What love!!

I've been reading Judges over the past few days. Talk about love. Israel repeatedly turns away from God. God punish them and they cry out to him. Every time, God reaches out and saves them. He never does it in a way that they can say is their own power. He uses women, small armies, and broken people. What's amazing is that he does it not just once, but every time. Israel is never faithful to God for more than a generation, if that. But God is always faithful to Israel. When God chooses people, he doesn't let them go.

God has been working from before the beginning of time to make sure that the people he loves would be able to be with him. He has been working out a plan of redemption since before anything needed to be redeemed. God made man knowing he would sin and that God would have to let his own son die. I have a son. I can't imagine sending him to his own death so someone who literally hates me could spend eternity alive. That's love. Love I can't understand.

I want to understand. I want to live my life understanding that. I want to live my life worshipping God every moment.

Another important thing I've been reminded of lately is worship. Our main purpose is to worship God. It is not to convert heathens or minister to the poor or plant Churches. Our only purpose is to worship God. And when we worship God only, how fulfilling is that? How amazing is it to be in a great worship service or listening to those songs that really get you? People talk about mountain top experiences, but really that should be our daily life. We should constantly be encountering the Almighty in worship. We should always be singing his praises, humbling ourselves, and getting lost in his love. This is our goal. That's why those moments are so powerful. They make us feel alive because for once in our lives we are doing the one thing we were made to do. We are fulfilling our purpose. We are being our true selves. We are alive.

I think the hardest thing as a Christian is forgetting the routine of being a Christian who grew up a Church. Forgetting to always say "Jesus" when asked a question in Sunday School. Forgetting that you've sung that song a thousand times and you don't even have to think to know the words. Remembering that we aren't special or important or somehow deserving of special treatment. God does what God does. It doesn't mean we did anything. God saves those whom he choses. God sends hardship to those whom he chooses. God sends blessing and power to those whom he choses. He doesn't do it because of anything those people did. He isn't punishing or rewarding. He is being God. The only thing we can do, no matter what comes our way, is continue to worship. The only thing we must do is continue to worship. When we stop worshipping God we forget about the only thing  that matters. When we focus on evangelism, ministry, righteousness, or our own problems, we forget that we are loved by the Almighty Creator of the universe. We forget that he is worthy to be praised. He doesn't need it, but we need to give it. God is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He is the beginning and the end. He was before anything else, and he will be forever. He is eternally faithful and perfectly just. He loves with unending love. He has overcome death and the grave. At the end of the age, He alone has the power to overcome the evil one and he will be victorious over Satan and evil. He already has been. God alone is victorious. God alone is good. God alone is everything. Without God, I am nothing. He is worthy of my praise.

Lord, help me to always remember your worthiness. Let me live a life of worship. Let me live in light of eternity. Let me never be so near sighted that I don't see what you are doing and what you want me to do. Praise you, Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Hallelujah!
Amen!

Where I've been

A year ago, I specifically remember the pangs in my heart as I thought about facing the next day, even the next moment. I was totally dependent on God, constantly thinking of Him and longing for Him. But now things are better, I still think of Him often, but it's not the same. Even a few months ago I was at least caught up in praise. But my relationship with God should not be dependent on my circumstances. Even though things are great in my life, I still need God everyday. Even though things suck, I still have reason to praise God everyday. Circumstances are too temporary to determine our relationship with God. If all you can see is what is going on now, you miss what could be happening soon or even what has happened. But we are to forget what lies behind, even 2 seconds ago, and press on toward what lies ahead. Because what we are running to is far more important that anything that we are doing now or ever have done.

So I ask Lord that You draw me back. I'm not far from You but I know my relationship with You is not one of total dependence, as it should be. I am ashamed of the small steps I've taken away. Please forgive me! Lord, how You still love me, I don't understand, but I give my life to You. Take me Lord! My heart is desperate for You! I love You so much! All the things that I fill my mind with and that I fill my heart with don't matter at all compared to knowing You. Everything I do and everything I have don't matter at all compared to knowing You. I would give up everything to know You more! My awesome teaching year, my friends, my family, my new place, my new car, my income, my ability to run, all of it You can take God because it is all Yours. Lord, I do not want to be dependent on what I have or don't have or what is or isn't happening in my life. I count it all as loss compared to the surpassing wonder in knowing Christ Jesus! Search my heart God and find me! Be my one desire!

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Wages

Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.

If we are justified by what we do, then there is no point in grace. Grace is not needed if the love and acceptance of God are the wages for what we do. It is not a gift.

But praise God that we can not earn His grace. Praise Him that we can never be justified by our works. Under the law or not, we can never do enough to stand before God. We can fall on our faces and beg for His love, but without His Son and acceptance of His Grace, we have nothing. We really aren't anything.

But He loves us. He chose us. He wants to use us to see His Will done. He has called each of us on a mission. And what are our wages for this type of work? Grace. A master does not have to thank his servant for doing his job. Likewise God does not owe us anything but our wages for this type of work. As believers, we are given Grace. As slaves to sin, we are given death. It's an easy choice really.

Lord, let Your grace fill my heart today! Let me work for Your Kingdom. Forgive the sin and evil in my heart. Forgive how much I go astray. Show me how to live only for You. Guide me in Your will today. I give this day to You. Let it glorify Your Holy Name. 

Praise You Father!
Amen. Amen. Amen.

Commendation

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul writes this list of tings that He and the other disciples do in order to commend themselves to the churches. It is not a list of good works but of very painful events. Suffering. Hunger. Hatred. Persecution. You name it; it's on this list. There are some good things there too. Having God's power. Speaking truth. Love. As I read it, I see the list of what we must do to be a Christian. Not just day to day obedience, but day to day battles. I really do think that if you aren't struggling and fighting, something is probably wrong.

Which means for me, something is probably wrong...

Lord, help me to dive into situations where I can talk about You. Do not let me fear mentioning You and correcting according to Your desires. I pray that  I would be sold out for You. I pray that my desires for myself would fade away and that I would only desire You.

I give you my life!

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Church

It's fun -awesome really to consider what a real Spirit filled service would be like. Everyone contributing what it is they have been blessed with. People prophecying. People building each other up all for the glory of God. What a fearsome sight to behold. Can you imagine if we did Church this was? I know there are places where they do,  which is crazy to me.

What would be my role in said service. Paul clearly believes I shouldn't have one because of the whole being a woman thing. But surely there's a place for me and my gifts...whatever those may be.

I wish the Church wouldn't fear doing church this way. There's nothing to fear. Except the presence of God.

Lord, I pray that somehow this type of passion might begin to appear on you church. I pray we would not fear the awkward or uncomfortable-rather that we would embrace it. Let us seek true worship and true abandonment to you. Be in everything I do today let it all bring You fame.

Amen. Amen. Amen

Shtaaap

There are so many things we can do to block the message of the Gospel. It's so easy for our selves to get in the way of the Good News of Jesus. It's so difficult to be discerning enough to see what is ok and what is not. In some situations, some things are fine. In other situations, those same things are a total road block to the Gospel. We are called to be so in-tune with the Spirit that we have no trouble recognizing these moments. We can see where a person is and what they need to hear. Jesus was the master of this. He always knew just what a person needed. It's not that the message ever changed, but He was always changing His presentation. It's incredible to watch. Paul says he became all things to all people. He says that he would rather forgo wages if it would block the Gospel. He is clearly willing to sacrifice anything to win souls. You hear his passion in every word. Why aren't we all like him?

Lord, let my heart burn with passion for the lost. Let my mind be constantly thinking about furthering the Kingdom. I do not desire a life that is so focused on self it forgets others. Let my heart be open to You and Your will. give me wisdom and discernment today to see how to honor You. Let everything I do bring You glory. Let that be my goal!

Amen. Amen. Amen.

What makes a brother stumble?

So I like to drink sometimes. It's not the best habit but I certainly never drink to be drunk. However, recently I have been reconsidering my logic. There once was s time where I wouldn't because I felt that the world's relationship with alcohol was not something I wanted to be associated with. Upon reading 1 Corinthians 8, I begin to see the logic in that train of thought. It's not bad; it's not even discouraged, but one does have to be careful who knows you drink. I probably do have friends with weak consciences who don't know better and I have to be careful how I conduct myself with them. I still enjoy a drink now and then but I definitely still calm it down.

In other news, one thing that has really gotten to m e lately is just how privileged i am. I woke up this morning to an alarm on a nice new cell phone. I took a hot shower and ate breakfast. I have unlimited access to God's Word. I even have several study books I'm working through to help me understand the Bible better. All this is at my finger tips because I live in America. Why me? Why here? This is what I wonder.

God show me the plan you have. Why have You put me where I am to live through what I luve through? My life is incredible thanks to You. I praise You for the rich bkessings in my life. Help me to see each of them. Guide me in Your will today! I love You. I need You!

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Wishdum

God does not want us to thing we are wise. God does not want us to fill ourselves with wisdom of the world that we might boast in this wisdom. God has done something that doesn't make sense in the world's eyes in order to make it that much harder to believe. It doesn't make sense that Jesus would die on the cross and then come back to life. Why? That's just silly. But that's the point. God doesn't want us to believe in Him because it makes sense. He wants our complete faith-driven devotion. This happens when we believe in something that isn't logical. Then, He took it a step farther. God doesn't always call the wise or the strong to do jobs that require wise and strong people. At least not people who fit these molds by the world's standards. No God chooses the weak and the uneducated to shame those who would think themselves great. Many a great evangelist has struggled with speech problems. People born with disorders of various kinds are called to awesome Kingdom work. God gives wisdom where it is needed and strength where it is need. God is after all the ultimate source of these things. Books, universities  TV none of these possess any wisdom that matters in the Kingdom of God. Not to say they are totally worthless, but I did just say it. There are so many other things that matter so much more, and funny story, they ALL come from God.

Lord, help me to be wise in You. Grant me Your wisdom and discernment. Let me walk in humility like Christ. Let me only boast in what You have done for me. Let my thoughts be on Your Kingdom. Let me heart break for the things that break Your heart. Let me seek the things You seek. Let me be like You.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Warn a Brother

Do not regard him as an enemy, nut warn him as a brother.

It is so easy to run away when the lives of people around us get messy. If we watch someone living a life of sin, it's easy to hang out on the sidelines, judging them from a safe distance. What's not easy is doing what Jesus would have done; put yourself in their lives and don't leave until they are back on track. Convict them. Help them. Steer them back to the straight and narrow.

God does not want us to condemn the people of the world, either believers or non-believers. When we are witnessing, this is doubly true. Those who are lost have a lot of sin and junk to deal with. It is not helpful to point it out from any place but love. Nobody likes to air their dirty laundry for everyone, but they will listen to you if you are talking in love. People want to be loved and not judged. Fortunately, I know somebody who is very good at this.

Even though I've totally been this person, I hate to see the "Holier than thou" Bible-beaters who go around yelling doom and gloom on anyone and everyone. There message isn't a lie, but it's still far from the Truth. Though the world is black and white, not everyone can see or believe this. If you start forcing that on someone, they will be turned off. But if you come to them in love and with nothing but a desire for their eternal well-being, they may listen.

Christianity stopped being about you the second you let Jesus into your heart. It no longer matters about the person called "me". We are called to serve others and live as one. I has no place among the Church.

Lord, show us how to live in love. Let love be the backbone of everything we do. Let us forget all other things as we seek to know You more. Let our own desires melt away as we seek to love You first. Let the needs of others supercede our own needs. Let our own desires be far from our minds. Let Your will be first in my heart. 

Amen. Amen. Amen.

To an Unknown God

You know there is a God who you have yet to name. You know that He is real and deserves worship, yet you ignore Him. I feel this is still true today. Many people are "spiritual". They know there is something bigger, something to serve, but they ignore Him. There is one God, and He is the God of Israel. I know it's hard to swallow because of the thousands of years of hypocrisy and ludacris-ness of the Church and Christians, but those dark moments aren't God. No, God is above those moments. God is more than those moments. God has made us and is over all of creation. Everything points to His existence. We can't deny Him.

My agnostic friend and I were talking the other day. Her life is screaming for a Savior. She even admitted how much she wants what I have. But what got in the way? Christians.

Do you hear my heart breaking? What have we done? How can we claim to love and serve the Most High God and still be the way so many in the Church's history have been? What have we done?

I'm not sure how all this relates in my head. I'm probably just rambling. I guess it's that so many in our world long to worship the One True God, but they don't know who He is or they haven't truly met Him because of the terrible witness of believers. I know we can't all be like Paul, but come on, Church. Get it together.

Lord, guide Your Bride back to You. We have wandered so far from the calling You've given us. We've wandered so far from what You want to do in us. Please remind us of what it means to live for You. Please show us that all this material crap doesn't matter. All this stuff that we think is so important is dust. All is vanity! All we need is You.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

For Freedom

It is for freedom that you have been set free.

It always get confused when I read this part of Galations 5:1 becuase I don't understand how for freedom's sake we have been set free. But if you read other translations, it starts to make more sense. We have not been set free for freedom's sake but by and because of the freedom found through the Cross. We are not set free by our own doing, but because Christ died once and for all on the Cross, thereby releasing those who are called by His name from the bondage to the law. We are set free by this freedom. And we are told to stand fast in this freedom. For if we falter, what are we?

If we accept Christ's freedom, but then run back to our old ways of slavery to sin and death, we are worthless. Who, after being set free, would run back to their abusive master? But it's a struggle. That abusive master is also very alluring. He promises great things, but at what cost? But no, for freedom, you have been set free, so that you don't have to submit to the law anymore. Freedom was given freely to us. We don't have to submit to the law of sin and death anymore. Does that hit home? Do you realize what a change that is? Before we accept Christ, an impossible standard and burden is placed on us. We can never be righteous according to the law. And yet people try, and fail, all the time. People long to be made right by the law. People long to earn their way in.

But Christ has set us free. Not because we did anything but say I believe. Our faith is our righteousness. We are called to be nothing more than faith working through love. God does not want a bunch of self-righteous phonies - of which I was once one - no! He wants children, sons, and heirs. He wants us to accept His freedom and pass it on.

Lord, help us to accept Your freedom! Let us live as though we are free and let us not submit to our old ways. Please protect me from the temptations that come my way. Sometimes they are too much to bear! But praise be to God that He is with me to save me from them! Lord, live in  my heart today. Let self-pity and haughiness be far from me. Let me heart be totally focus on You.

Amen. Amen. Amen,

Children of Promise

There is niether Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, the you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

All the lines we've drawn between groups throughout our lives, even within the Church, they don't matter. You see, when Christ came and did His job, He took away everything that might could divide us. In the law, when we were slaves, there may have been Jews and Gentiles, but now, there is only Christ and His Church. And as a result we are all Children of Abraham. I am a child of the promise. I may not have a Jewish mother, but I have a claim to the inheritance. What good news!

So we must live in this unity. People as a default want to draw lines between groups. It so much easier to understand the world if everybody fits into neat little groups. Wouldn't you rather organize and stereotype? I know it's easier...

Lord, help us, Your bride, find unity. Let us be as one Church across the world, spreading Your Gospel! Let nothing separate us from the good news that we are children of promise.

Promise made. Promise kept.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Citizen

Long time no see...

I find it fascinating that Paul was a Roman citizen. Something not common but so valuable. God could have chosen anyone to use the way He used Paul. He also could have used Paul in any form but the perfect plan was to have him be a citizen of Rome. It came in handy so many times. Now here's where it becomes a stretch...God has made our lives a certain way for a reason. One thing I struggle with is why He made me a girl. Why middle class, white, American? I am NOT complaining at all but of all the things I could have been, why am I who I am?

What awesome plan does God have in store? How is He going to use the fact that I am a wasp woman? It's so exciting to think about because there are so many possibilities.

?

Before You

Oh Father! You are indeed merciful. You speak with kind and gracious words to us and about us. Though You have spoken calamity over those who are evil, You have always been gracious to those who are called by Your name! Father, great are You above everything! Holy and righteous! You have formed this earth in perfection. Evidence of its former perfection can be seen daily. You have made us for relationship with You. You want to know us and You want to be known. Father You are beautiful and You are glorious. And yet You still love us....love me!

Father, I ask this day for what I need to make it through. I ask for wisdom and discernment in every moment. I ask for a heart like Yours as I interact. I ask that You would guide me towards You. Your portion is just what I need. I surrender my hopes, fears, anxieties, desires, and doubts to You. I know Your plan is perfect. I trust in Your will. 

Your will be done Lord, above all. Your Kingdom come. We anxiously await You! We  desire the day when our faith may be complete.

We praise You for the glorious God that You are. A God who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Have mercy on me today!

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Rise

Father, a beautiful day You have made. I feel anxieties coming my way; I pray You wouldn't let them touch me. I pray that my fears about work or my worries about moving out would melt away. I'm ready to see what You have for me. I'm ready to be fully devoted to You. I think I need to pour more of myself into my classroom. I think I need to set higher standards. I don't think my students are where I want them to be. 

This is all well and good, but I need You wisdom to guide me in this. Guide me Lord in Your wisdom. Show  me what You want from me. In all parts of my life. I don't just want to seek You, but I want to find You. I know You want to be found. Oh Father, beautiful Savior! I can't stop loving You. You have done such good and miraculous things. You have shown me so much and I pray You would be present in my actions today. I pray that Your will would be done. Put Your Truth on my lips. 

I surrender my day. I surrender my life. Less of me. More of You. Mi alma a tí entrego. Tuya soy Señor. 

Te amo más que mi vida entonces toda mi vida doy para todo que eres. 

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Incense

Father, my heart is not troubled but it is full of many thoughts. I pray that You would keep my thoughts pure and focused. Help me be discerning among them. Father, You are so glorious. When I think about all You have done even today, I'm am amazed by Your goodness. When I reflect upon how holy You are, I cannot stop. You are so much more than I deserve to have love me. I truly am made right by You. Father let me live in Freedom and adoration today. Let me be floored by Your goodness and full of Your Spirit. I pray that the woman I want to be would be around today. I pray that You would guide me in Your will. Give me the courage to forgive and discipline. Give the courage to seize the authority I have been given. Give me my daily portion. I praise You for the needs that I have already been met by You. My tasty oatmeal breakfast. The lunch I made last night. The dinner prepared by the loving hands of my mother. I pray that You would never let me forget the blessings. I pray not only that I would forget, but that I would be voicing my thankfulness to others. Let Your Words be on my lips and Your truth be in my heart. Praise You Father for everything You are. Let Your will be done today!

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Dear Beloved,

Dear Beloved,

Come away with me. It's never to late for you. I have a plan for you. It's gonna be wild. It's gonna be great. It's gonna be for me.

So open up your heart, and let me in.

Love,

I Am



This is God's invitation. This is what He wants for us. He wants us to leave our lives (metaphorically) and come away with Him. We are to be a part of the great adventure He is on. We don't have to live a boring life. As a woman, I hate boring. I long for adventure. I am restless to be something. I think most girls can relate. Probably most guys too, but I'm no expert there. I want to be more than just bland. I want to be a part of a plan that is wild and great. A plan that is full of God. My heart is open because it is longing for more.

Lord, my heart is open. I am longing to let You in. I want more of You. I want to be a part of the plan. I want to be with You. I want to run away with You. I want to flee into You arms. I open up my heart to let You in.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Stronghold

The Lord roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.

My God is powerful. It is good to never forget what he is capable of. He is strong. He makes the earth shake. He is a loud roar. He is a stronghold for the people.

Lord, I take refuge in You. I know that You are strong. I know that You are mighty. I know that You will not leave or forsake me. I know that You will come in justice, but I need not fear. You are a gracious and loving God who has mercy on those who call on His name. Father I call upon You. I know You are ready to love me. I know You love me. I am ready to love You. Father, be my strength. Have mercy on this sinner and smile upon me.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Take me to the river

And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.

I'm not really sure what this metaphor is for, but it's pretty awesome. A river flowing from God's sanctuary to all parts of the earth. A river too deep to pass. A river filled with healing and fruit. A river that is life-giving. A river of love. It's the river. The one we sing about in all our songs.

Take me to the river. Pull me off the shore. Here within your freedom, I have found my reason. I am yours. Let the waters rise, far above my head. Baptize me in wonder. Spirit take me under once again.

Lord, fill me with the water. Fill me with hope and courage. Send me downstream. Send me in the current. Let the waters rise above my head. I don't want to fear the currents of Your love and of Your Truth. Spirit take me under. I need You. I need this cleansing flow. Father, let Your river flow!

Amen. Amen. Amen.