Its funny, thinking about how people learn, many of us procrastinate. Others are diligent and get the job done in a timely manner, while others seemingly cheat at life. But one thing is certain, we often learn through punishment. The question is, when we become adults and life isn't going our way (or maybe it is) do we become hard to learning and prefer to settle with comfort and ignore what we are being taught? Are we overlooking life lessons?
I stayed up last night doing homework, saw the clock this morning, and rolled over convinced I couldn't get ready for church that quickly. I am stubborn, and have to learn the lesson over and over again... what am I without God? I'm powerless, I'm ugly, and I have no motivation. If you are Godless, is this how you feel?
Its been a while since I've opened up the Bible on my own to learn something new. To attempt to finish the New Testament. This is what I have learned... Paul, God's most devout athiest up until God showed himself to Paul, is warning the Corinthians that of all the guardians who surround us in Christ, not all of them are worthy of imitation. Some non-Christians are turned away for this very reason from God. We can't as a body in Christ let ourselves become arrogant. Paul talked of coming to visit in saying:
1 Corinthians 4:19-21
"But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love with a gentle spirit?"
I look like I am doing something important... writing this blog... but this is my way of analyzing my heart, and it is not "good." For the sake of my own desires to succeed, I have left God in the dust when he's the only one that can get me through it. I'm curious... where are you with or without God? And how much pain and struggle do you fight to grasp power? I'm also asking myself this question... For me, I am avoiding servitude. The longer I wait to join back with my loving Christ, the more I feel alone. Why do I feel alone? Because I'm separating myself from God.
After a moment of self reflection and a moment of reflecting on other's lives, I ask what do you hold on to?
Some very simple concepts are trickery to the brain. We don't cling to what is logical, we cling to something that is just there. For example...
We cling as easily to failure as we do to insecurities, falsehoods, etc. Anything that is most irrational we find comfort in blaming.
Yet I wonder... how many people look in the mirror and see the person God sees in each one of us? How many of us settle instead because we find the flaws in ourselves unworthy of anything more?
And how many of us can see genuine love and aren't blinded by the call of the world?
I can't say I think about this frequently, because God has opened my heart to be a little less self conscious, a little more accepting, and much more understanding in the last few years. I sometimes feel guilt for not feeling like I'm meeting expectations made by God and made by myself. When will we show face for Christ Jesus and except the beauty he has bestowed upon us to be a reflection of His greatest glory? Jesus doesn't expect perfection. He wants us to accept his compassion, love, and desire to bring happiness and hope to the world.
A few verses I would like to remember:
How long will you men turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods ?
Psalm 4:2
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 TNIV
Loveispatient, loveis kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:3-5
This blog entry is dedicated to a specific friend who asked me to write an entry for her. Not only might she experience some weather from Hurricane Irene, but she also is seeking a new perspective.
how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. Hebrews 2:3
When I'm asked to write this blog entry, I immediately thought of Jonah. Jonah, in the old testament, was swallowed by a whale after being thrown overboard. Ultimately, Jonah had been given the task to spread the word of God to a certain group of people, but because he did not want to do the task, he went off in the opposite direction and boarded a ship. When a destructive storm threatened to take their boat, those on the ship cast lots- similar to flipping a coin- to see who brought God's wrath on their ship. When the lot landed on Jonah, he was thrown off the ship and swallowed by a whale. As you see in the following passage, Jonah knew what he had to do to save the men and save himself.
Jonah 1:12-16
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried out to the LORD, “Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, LORD, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
He remained in the belly of the whale for 3 days and nights, until he prayed to God and In my life, when I hit a rocky path I look at my troubling circumstances two ways: If I'm not in God's will and I allow him, he will correct my path, or if I don't allow him, I will suffer much turmoil until I am willing to open my ears. Believe it or not, I am often challenged with this dilemma, and this summer has lead me to take the easy way... through staying in God's will. Jonah 2:1-10 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said:
“In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the depths,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
I said, ‘I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.’
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, LORD my God,
brought my life up from the pit.
“When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
“Those who cling to worthless idols
turn away from God’s love for them.
But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
So what is my advice? When your life is full of turmoil, turn to the Lord, and our savior Jesus Christ. Through his death and resurrection he gave us eternal life... the ability to be freed from sin and given the direction by the holy spirit that lives within those who believe.
Matthew 12:38-40
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man [Jesus] will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Secondly, think about what you say and don't judge the ill at heart. Treat your neighbor as yourself. Love your enemy. If you can follow these things, turmoil will pass you by because nothing is too great for our God to handle. Don't tell God how big your storm is, rather, tell the storm how big your God is.
Matthew 12:33-37
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
So, I've noticed some things about myself. At times I am feisty, brainless, self-revolving, and fast to complain. If you or I were to ignore our most passionate outbursts and FAIL to claim them as a part of us, we would both be lying and not be human. So, after a very long day of anxious thoughts and lots of sleeping, I would like to ask this... what is it that makes the negativity become what we are? Why do we complain, struggle, fight, when we have so much to be thankful for?
A life centered around God is productive and full of joy. I know this because I've been there. Our biggest problem is keeping God at the center of our lives. Ironically enough, I went to biblegateway.com and the verse of the day is this:
“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”Romans 14:8
The problem is, we feel abandoned, unclaimed, alone. But God will have us. We don't have to feel insignificant, even when we feel this way about ourselves.
Again, randomly I chose a verse in Proverbs; 15:21. Folly brings joy to those who have no sense, but those who have understanding keep a straight course.
Why do we choose the easy path? Why do we get lazy when we get stressed? What is your defense mechanism and how can God heal you to be the best that you can be? These are the words I need to hear. Those who have understanding keep a straight course.
It's an interesting question being asked how God speaks to me... but, everyone has a different viewpoint. Some people are more conscientious of themselves than others in terms of obedience, and I believe our receptiveness to God's challenges guide what we will "hear" as well as "receive".
If we know the Bible and are conscientious of our actions, our tendencies to know our wrongs are much greater. If I try to "control" my life, I have a sense of anxiety from knowing my control is not part of God's plan. I know, for example, that totaling my car was "likely inevitable" based on my attitude that "I" can play catch up and the lesson isn't merely "Don't go fast, and watch out for curves and slippery spots," but rather, what choices will I make now when I have less? What will I change in my life to keep me from rushing at the last minute? What will I do now with an attitude pleasing to God to handle my circumstances? When we are willing to listen, we handle problems with a positive attitude. We are receptive and do not shut God out. When I shut God out I become cold to others and selfish. When I have a positive attitude and look to the Bible for wisdom and pray, I am open to correction and more selfless in my motivations and actions.
A second lesson I encountered from totaling my car was that maybe God isn't only speaking to me through the accident. Maybe, God was trying to show my parents that had I gone on the mission trip I wanted to go on, I would have had the entire expense paid for plus some with the money they used to buy me a new car. When we are in God's will he will take care of us. Some of God's lessons aren't cheap... but sometimes its the only way he can get our attention. With money.
Over the course of my time here in PA, I feel like I've learned a lot about living as a mature and humble servant to Christ. Sometimes exposure to the real world makes us more aware of how much we really need God. I like to think about it this way... if your actions change depending on who you are with- church, family or friends, how are you being true to yourself? How are you representing Christ as a living example today? What is the root of your shame and has correction or acceptance made your condition "ok?" Those living without shame are either ignoring God's calling to become Christlike, or have humbled themselves before God and know that being humbled by the spirit has taken away their shame. The pursuit of Christ's rather than man's ultimate desire for us will pave the path in life and make our steps light footed. By this I mean easier to handle. Not all that witness the work of God in us will be accepting, but when love for one another rather than selfish pursuits is the focus, life works out as God intends.
So live your life by "what would Jesus do?" When we are too conscientious of our actions, we dwell on the thought of making a mistake. Obsession is also a sin and yields little. When we live for Jesus, we know that trouble will come our way because we believe that Satan will pursue the humble and poor in spirit. We also know that the humble and poor in spirit will appear less afflicted because their "dependency on the world" is lesser. When Jesus becomes our daily bread rather than our actions, desires, and looks, we are less distracted by "the world."
God doesn't speak through literal words, often it is the sermon I am drawn to attend, or the praise and worship that ministers to my spiritual needs. Through being obedient to attend I learn WHY I was brought to this place of worship and what God has in store for me. Maybe I take teaching more literally than others, but I prefer being taught by Jesus, the perfect teacher, than dwelling on my own attempts that fail me and lead me to stumble.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths.
Apparently, I have written on this exact topic before. This time however, I have been enlightened. Acts 2:17-21 reveals much about this topic often pondered. Some people experiencing near death scenarios will see Jesus, a bright light, etc., but the question here is, does man on Earth today still see angels, have dreams, etc sent from God? If not now, we are told we will before the end of the world by the prophet Joel.
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Acts 2 continues with this encouraging set of verses. I'd like to describe the words that follow as "soft love."
25 David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
When I finally learned that its more than "ok" to not be in control all the time, my life got so much better. Today I smiled on the way home thinking, "I've never been this ok with being where I'm at." I recall telling Chris this weekend about Sheila saying in church that if you think of life as looking forward to a particular moment you can't enjoy the present. A baby's first words, entering kindergarten, etc, life becomes a game of waiting. Who likes to wait? Though even reciting this to myself as I dreamed about my own desires for life, what I anticipated for my soon to be 23rd golden year, I couldn't keep my thoughts of my hopes. At work I started singing a couple words and a coworker who is the jolliest skinniest safety nerd I've ever met caught me. Then he started teasing me when I wasn't singing the next time he came by. What if we had a hope, a dream, a future for the everlasting? What if we knew there was a paradise waiting for us, that wouldn't leave our future even if we kept our eyes on today?
Yes, I'm talking about Heaven. I'm talking about the everlasting treasure I have in my salvation.
My friend once said my blog isn't me, it isn't about me, and I only focus on God. She was right. In order to have the life Jesus wants of me, Christ and myself have to be in the same sentence. Christ delights in myself, and all his children, we should show delight for him through our love!
As I was reading through the Bible today with Chris, and I told him I almost could have cried reading John 21 verses 15-19. How often do we feel reeled in, feel like we are being dragged to do what Christ calls us for?
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
When will be the moment we follow? How many times do we need to be asked? Christ died for you and for me, he rose again, and walked the Earth once again! We make assumptions that what God asks us to do will be too hard. We doubt that having a little faith will actually make life easier, but hear this:
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:27-29
When will you follow? When will our actions not quench us? When will we see how glorious He really is? I can tell you with every breath in my body He is so. Believe!
Blood shed over a mushroom
1 portabella
hot salsa
Gorgonzola cheese
zucchini- sliced
italian seasoning
dried basil
olive oil
Greasea sauce pan with olive oil and place a portabella gill side up and fill with salsa. Allow to cook for 5 or so minutes on medium high. Next, add more oil and fill the remainder of the sauce pan with zucchini and top with seasonings. Add the gorgonzola cheese to the mushroom on top of the salsa. Cover and lower the heat to medium-low. After 7-10 minutes check the zucchini. When the zucchini are ready to flip, flip em. At some point the cheese will start melting a little in the salsa mushroom and I it will be desirable to flip the mushroom cap over after the zucchini has had some time to steam. The cheese will melt into a bath of oil, seasonings, and cheese. When everything looks well cooked eat! The zucchini will be very tender. This tastes nothing like mexican food, the flavors blended well into an Italian delicacy!
Its hard to be thankful when you have everything... or close to everything. In fact, the more I've lost recently, the more I've become less dependent on the things I have. Its peculiar that way, but after facing difficult circumstances in life, we learn to live without. The one I cannot live without however, is Jesus, my daily bread. With gratitude comes serious attitude adjustments, i.e. we learn that we aren't the only one's who's lives are unfair and that everyone is facing challenging circumstances. In fact, when we lean on each other and reflect on God, we are humbled into having happy hearts once again. What we are most dependent on, we would be better off losing.
Philippians 3:8 is my new favorite verse, it says:
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
I believe that no one can be truly happy without the bread of life even if everything else in life is perfect. We all have temper tantrums, get massive anxiety, and are ready to implode from holding in the stress. Somehow, God has used the entire summer to humble me, to teach me, and hopefully, to encourage others. Its funny to think about how bitter we become towards ourselves and others, and how our strength doesn't have to be entirely our own.
I'd like to reinforce the fact that I am far from perfect. That although I am trying to read through the entire new testament this summer, my boyfriend is more or less gently picking me up with the shovel and sliding me across the bumpy path. WHY IS THAT? Humility has changed my heart. I realize there are some things I can't do easily on my own. One is organizing my time outside of work to be efficient yet stress free. I also like cooking, which takes up some of my time. But by the two of us reading through the Bible together I am less stressed out, and getting more done than I was.
This comes to another conclusion I'd like to make. "If you can, DO." I work with very nice people, but the humblest are the mexicans who push food into your mouth and make you laugh. When have people made you laugh, and what does their heart look like? On the second to worst day of my summer here in Coatesville, I got a lesson about God at work. In summary, the mexican man who could easily have been my father said, Don't sweat the small stuff, and watch out because God's watching. We can't always have our way. We can always learn the hard way, but the easy way is so much better. He told me about his life's struggles, and I was taken back by how happy he was, and yet, his wife was paralyzed in a car accident so can't live with him, and he lost many years to drinking and over working where he ended up not getting his earned pay week after week. I could have chosen the hard path after talking to him, but I decided the easy path was better. I am so glad I did.
I just randomly opened up the Bible, and found a very applicable verse. Job 34:2-23 says so well,
"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Job says " I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
Although I am right, I am considered a liar;
although I am guiltless, his arrow inflict an incurable wound."
What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
He keeps company with evildoers;
he associates with wicked men.
For he says, "It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God."
So listen to me, you men of understanding.
Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
He repays a man for what he has done;
he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.
It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
that the Almighty would pervert justice.
Who appointed him over the earth?
Who put him in charge of the whole world?
If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust.
“If you have understanding, hear this;
listen to what I say.
Can one who hates justice govern?
Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
who shows no partiality to princes
and does not favor the rich over the poor,
for they are all the work of his hands?
They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;
the people are shaken and they pass away;
the mighty are removed without human hand.
“His eyes are on the ways of mortals;
he sees their every step.
There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness,
where evildoers can hide. God has no need to examine people further,
that they should come before him for judgment.
Now for some meatballs. Here's my recipe, its what I had.
2 pieces honey wheat bread, torn
1 large chopped portabella
1 egg
3 preformed hamburger patties
1/2 large onion
3 cloves garlic chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mustard powder
water
olive oil
Defrost hamburger patties or ground meat. Put egg, mustard powder, salt, onion, and garlic in bowl. Break up and add the frozen ground meat, bread, and 1/2 a cup to a cup of water (as needed). Mix well with hands. Add portabella. Form into balls.
To cook, add olive oil to cover pan. Put mushroom meatballs or rounded patties in pan. Put on medium high to get cooking. I flipped them a few times, then covered pan with a plate for a good three minutes on each side at a medium low heat. Uncover frying pan to brown the sides. Pat off excess oil if desired. Enjoy with ketchup.
And I conclude...
John 6:26-40
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All whom the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
why don't you ever talk about your problems? Your life must be perfect.
I personally interpret this as them believing it is true, that they assume that it is true, that nothing I can teach them is applicable to their problems.
Others say,
nothing good happens to me. My life is horrible. The only reason I am still standing is because of this, or that.
Nothing good happens to me, so this can't be happening.
My friend who I'll leave unnamed explained it this way
"We each deal with different things in different ways. I wish you the best of luck really"
Another friend explained it
"Its really no big deal. Different strokes for different folks. I have my beliefs that work for me and you have yours that work for you :)"
I'm not going to deny the fact that people don't see what I suffer through, that my trust isn't always in the right place, and that I TOO am intimidated by other Christians who's lives seem flawless. But what example would we be setting living for Christ if our flaws were blatantly obvious for all to see? Personally, I agree and disagree with the last statement. I find the best speakers the one's that I can relate to, the one's that share their burdens and show how God got them through each battlefield. That's why people who have had 360 life changes become motivational speakers... because their lives have to be relatively worse than ours, don't they?
When I speak faith to people, faith in Jesus Christ, I am exposing myself, my heart. Every time I stand up against someone for Christ, I am hoping to see change that gives me the strength to continue. Giving more than people want to hear stresses me out, but when was Jesus not stressed for us? Didn't he suffer through every trial for us? Jesus was a gift to us, but do we ever look at our lives as a trial of faith for Him?
I, like everyone else, can live every day believing I am not good enough. I, like everyone else, can mope about leaving everyone I love for a career. But does that change anything? No, it just adds to the stress. When I lean on God, I am fearless.
I know from experience that I hate when people say... Satan is manipulating you, but really, if you looked at every choice you made, how many of them would Jesus have made to the same end?
1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
If you think about your past experiences, what has or hasn't bettered you? What has or hasn't made you stronger? Is it easier for you to block out God and trust no one?
Matthew 13:14 You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.
In Kay Arthur's book "Lord Only You Can Change Me" (which, admittedly I was lent over a year ago and am finally getting to the end of it because I too, didn't want to hear what it had to say because it is sometimes easier to resist change and stay angry) I have learned so much of the sufferings of Christians.
Haralan Popov wrote about communism terrorizing believers in attempt of destroying the Christian faith:
"As the fires of persecution grew, they burned away the chaff and stubble and left only the golden wheat. The suffering purified the church and united the believers in a wonderful spirit of brotherly love such as must have existed in the early church. Petty differences were put aside. Brethren loved and cared for one another and carried one another's burdens. There were no nominal or 'lukewarm' believers" (Popov in Arthur 217)
So, I might ask, why can't we lean on each other and share each other's burdens? Why do we fight to compete instead of embracing each other? Why do we have to do it alone? The answer is, We don't have to do it alone. But when we suffer our own grievances instead of giving them over to God, we can't embrace our sisters and brothers in Christ who need us most. What if God allowed Satan to take away from us the one thing that was holding us together? Who would we lean on then?
This is my prayer...
Ephesians 3:16-21
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Jesus to his disciples "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in synagogues.
Matthew 11:16-17
To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
'We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.' (This is me without the spirit)
Matthew 11:20
Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent
11:25-30 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Tuesday May 17
Matthew 8:3
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone.
Matthew 9:16-17
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Its been nearly a month. It's been since Easter that I have had anything to say. Everyday since school got out I've been mopey. Sleeping till forever, not relying on God for my strength in packing and this move. I've decided to do NT90X , reading the entire new testament in 90 days over the summer. I think my lack of willingness to do this before has kept me from trusting fully. I have chosen a few verses every day to post from the reading. Since I didn't start posting verses on here, I will copy what I posted from facebook here. I have chosen verses to make people think. To understand. The Bible is written for all to understand and believe, but the verses are only fully understood in context, so I recommend you read the New Testament, Matthew- Revelation, with me, in your own time or over the summer as I am. The old testament defines the prophesy of Jesus to come, the New Testament is Jesus fullfilling the Old Testament's prophesy.
Sunday May 15
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19
Following reading Matthew 1-4 Monday night (a day late) I had a dream. My good friend Cory and I, who recently graduated from Plant Pathology at MSU, wanted to be student teachers at a school. I inquired through talking to the Principal of the school and Cory talked to a teacher directly. The irony was this was an internship position. Neither of us would get paid. we wanted to serve. Cory, who talked to a teacher directly, got in, the principal wanted nothing to do with me. I decided to inquire at a private school and got in. I had a dream that my neighbor's mother became a teacher at that school and I was going to be her assistant. The first day, she wanted me to share the story of Jesus. I decided to bring in my pet fish. Upon entering the school, I realized my once full tank was out of water. My fish were hardly alive. I remember in the dream how easy it seemed to talk about Jesus who I loved so much. This was my analogy for class. "Children, we are fishers for men as Jesus's disciples. Men are like fish, without the spiritual water given to us by Jesus, we die. My fish, without water, were close to death. This is our spiritual condition without Christ. Today I will give you each one of my fish, to keep on your desk, to feed to livelyhood. With renewed spiritual water, we can bring those around us to the life we have found through the spiritual water- just like the fish did."
With love Jesus bound
His body to a tree
His perfection the battle ground
Kneeling to God did He.
The thorns and needles took
His skin of bleeding sweat
Through love his surrender shook
Forgiving sinners' repentance.
For lying not in the grave
After 3 days did He
Arise from the dead and save
Lives exponentially.
I was surprised to learn something new at church today when I've heard the story of Christ dying on the cross yet again, but I shouldn't be. Today it was a lesson of the heart. I would like to thank Noel Heikkinen for doing such a great job at opening my heart. The reason I have been unhappy over the last week is due to a feeling of failure I have put on myself to carry the spirit. I had a yearning to be closer to God, but I thought the only way I could do that was through going to Summer Project far away from home. My depression wasn't from displeasing Christ, but from feeling I have disappointed others and would also fail to show Christ's love without proper training. While part of these things are true, I also felt responsible for my family. I couldn't tell my father that I was going to do things my way in order to please God. My earthly family needs my assistance this summer, and to abandon them is a sin.
1 Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Therefore, I should not feel guilt or feel overly apologetic for having applied for summer project and having to turn down acceptance. Instead, I should view it and the application process as a time of cleansing:
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
God does not make mistakes. I would like to recognize the kindness I received when I felt I was letting Chicago Summer Project down:
Thank you so much for letting me know, Emmie. I'm sorry you won't be joining us but I do understand how something like this could happen. I wish you the best and trust with you that God has something sweet in store for your summer. Please be in touch if anything changes.
~nancy :)
My friend mentioned that her advisor said she was being vague with her life, not choosing something and sticking with it. While dedicating our lives to a passion, it doesn't mean we don't mistakes, and it doesn't mean we spending every waking hour on what we choose will make us any more fit to be successful. My boyfriend warned me of getting burnt out early. I wanted so badly to seek Christ first, and with one disappointment I became lazy and depressed. I missed class on Friday, was late to meet with a friend Friday night, was idle Saturday, and was late for church today. Laziness is a sin.
Proverbs 19:15
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
What are we going hungry for? Is it a lack of working at a job that results in literal hunger? Is it carelessness in our homework resulting in poor grades? or is it an overall emptiness left by the absence of Christ who we ignore when we choose our way over His? What is satisfying us?
Matthew 19:25
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
Though this verse makes a generalization about rich people, it also recognizes a satisfaction the wealthy have in their actions. They deem money the root of their success, not in their spiritual contentment found in relying on God.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Ecclesiastes 10:18
Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.
So, away from my tangent to key verses I'd like to reflect on in the sermon.
Just a reminder, Jesus knew the old testament well, so he knew what was coming even before his death.
Old testament- before Christ- prophesy of what would happen to Jesus Psalm 22:14-15 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouthis dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
New Testament-Jesus's crucifiction
John 19:28
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
One of Noel's comments was that most Christians view putting the sponge up to Christ's lips as an act of compassion or pity, but after speaking to his friend who knew more of the historical significance of a sponge on a stick, this action can be looked at as mockery or disgrace. In rich people bathrooms back in those times, perfectly shaped holes were made in a concrete slab for sitting on and a hole in the front of the concrete slabs - between the legs- allowed the person to access running water. This running water was used to clean oneself after going to the bathroom.Their long clothing covered them from exposure as all these people would sit in a row with no walls between them. The sponge on a stick was used with the running water by slaves to make a little extra cash by wiping the people's butts. Due to using the same sponge on many people, infection developed and they began using sour wine instead.
Since Jesus spoke I am thirsty to fulfill the prophesy and not to be quenched by mankind, how do you look at Jesus's sacrifice any differently? Noel related sin to taxes, and sin to death, both which are guaranteed by this world. Death is a punishment or tax for sin by God. But through sending Jesus Christ to die for us, we no longer must pay that tax. The bible calls this "Tetelestai" which means "it is finished," Jesus's last words in John 19:30. This was stamped on paid tax papers to show that the tax had been collected. "It is finished" was like Jesus saying "mission accomplished," once for all time. SO, do we represent this picture of Christ? choosing to live for Christ instead of our own desires? Where do we fall when our relationship with our families are analyzed? Do we speak truth at all times? Do we blame others for our own condition?
Deuteronomy 24:16
Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.
Colossians 2:13-15
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Judgement Genesis 31:37
Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.
Forgiveness John 8:4-8
and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
Patience
Proverbs 14:29
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Proverbs 19:11
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
God's given me the spirit to be
A rebel in society for him
A happiness in my place
At home or where I find my space
Help me seek what I must not know
Help me find what I need to grow
Without you Lord I'd never get by
Because the more I live, the harder I try.
I love that God made us each to be individuals, and he gave us the mold to take our place within it (Jesus mold- not fungus), not to fill the entire mold, but to be a part of the wonderful creation it creates.
The worst part about being an adult is being held accountable for our actions. When we make promises, or say we are going to do something and then break that promise, we hurt people. At the same time, we hurt God. I have failed at following through on my actions with Summer Project. I applied with a strong will in my heart that I would not let people get between myself and God. And yet, I have failed. May you seek Christ first as always the center of your life so that you may not make the same mistakes as I. Who am I without God?
2 Samuel 22:3
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield (sovereign)and the horn (strength)of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent people you save me.
2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Romans 8:38-39 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (KJV)
Psalm 61
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. 5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Increase the days of the king’s life,
his years for many generations. 7 May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.
3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5
She birth to a son... who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
The woman fled into the wilderness provisioned by God for 1,260 days.
...Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
When Satan (the dragon), the devil, lost, who leads the whole world astray. His angels and him were hurled to Earth
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down. 11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short.”
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Today has been interesting. I went to church (The Riverview campus service) and they had a dialogue session afterward that I decided to stay for regarding spiritual gifts given by God after salvation. We went through personality tests, strengths, etc, in order to identify where we might be called by God. Here are a few verses I liked when we covered during dialogues.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
and of course my favorite during my freshman year of collage:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
And a more recent favorite of mine:
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
And a brief analysis of the heart spelled out in the booklet given to us: > Why I say the things I do:
Matthew 12:34(GN)
The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
> Why I feel the way I do:
Hebrews 4:13 (Ph)
The Word of God... examines the thoughts and motives of the heart.
> Why I act the way I do:
Proverbs 3:23
Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
And the last question I'd like to cover today regarding this topic Why has God given each person a unique heartbeat?
Revelation 17:17
God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose... God never wastes a hurt II Corinthians 1:3-4 (LB) God... wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them the same help and comfort God has given us!
Church service:
I feel like for the first time God is lighting my path due to my willingness to serve Him. I am starting to see the truth as I look for it, instead of relying on other Christians for the answers in which I seek. Forty pages into "The Case for Christ" I see the evidence pour out before me to which I cannot deny. This happened at church today as well, With John "Free" Freeman's sermon on God's differentiation of light and darkness written in the Bible and the foreshadowing of Christ's death.
Darkness is defined in the bible by:
evil
sin
Exodus 12:12-13 Blood shed on the doors for sins- The angel of death
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
judgment
The old testament- The plague of Darkness Exodus 10:21-23
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.
chaos
Old Testament-Genesis 1:1-3
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
I once believed Jesus crying out to God was out of abandonment, but rather, Jesus was referencing the old testament's fulfillment that would come with Jesus's death (Christ had not been close to birth when this prophesy was made). By referencing the old testament, he is telling us why he had to die- because God is holy and sins separate us like the curtain between the ark of the covenant (explained below) and the people.
New testament-Matthew 27:45-46
Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
Old testament Psalm 22:1
"My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?". Jesus quoted Psalm in order to draw attention to the fact that He was fulfilling it there on the cross.
Old testament- before Christ-Psalm 22:1b-8,11-18
why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
...
11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
New testament- as it happened
Multiple accounts
Matthew 27:45-51
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split
Luke 23:44-45
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
These two verse say that the light failed in the middle of the day (noon) for 3 hours until Christ called out to God. Due to the passover taking place on the full moon of spring, there was no chance that there was a natural eclipse. With darkness chaos ensued and fear that Jesus may have gotten away made the authorities anxious.
The second verse indicates the veil of the temple was torn top down at Jesus's call out to God.
A little background on the curtain that was torn:
only the highest priest was allowed into the room behind the curtain.
The ark contained the ten commandments written on the tablets
The room had a curtain 15 feet by 15 feet and would have been impossible to tear from top to bottom by a human, and even so would have resulted in death by God in doing so in exposure to the ark
It was custom to even have a rope around the high priest's ankle when he went behind the curtain, just incase God was displeased with him and was killed they could drag the body out.
Leviticus 16:2
2 The LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.
In summary word for word from Free's powerpoint:
Jesus lived a life that we can relate to and we can be inspired to respond obediently before God.
Jesus died a death we cannot relate to and so we can be inspired to respond humbly before God.
