To be honest I have no desire to write this blog. But I'll do it anyway because I'm learning to persevere.
Yesterdays hour was spent early (6am) reviewing 2 Peter 1. I wanted to go over again of the fact that God has given us everything we need to live a godly life. I realized this is both encouraging (there's hope!) and discouraging...because I make so many mistakes. But I love that there is hope and we can get there. I'll repeat....
2 Peter 1: 3 - "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
2 Peter 1: 5-8 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I also went over the above verses. I didn't finish yet but I went through each virtue again and wanted to write down my thoughts on what I think each virtue meant. Since my mind is distracted right now and I'm thinking about today's hour, I'll save what I did yesterday more for tomorrow because I want to finish it tomorrow morning.
OKAY today....
So I took the first 45 minutes to listen to a sermon about Heaven invading earth and how God partners with us to do His work. It was a great reminder.Then I was talking with my husband about duty and obligation VS love. I feel like lately I do my hour out of duty VS. my love for God. And I do things with my husband out of duty instead of love. And I take my son to the park out of duty rather than love. And I hate that. I hate that the ones who I should love the most (God, husband, son), I do things begrudgingly because I feel like I have to. I want to be at a place where I want to. So Nathan and I prayed about it.
The whole conversation and realization on my part has left me sad. Who wants their spouse to do things out of duty as opposed to love? Not me. I'm sad because in some aspects I am that spouse. In some aspects I am that mom. In some aspects I am that follower of Christ. I feel sad because it shouldn't be that way and it only hurts those I love.
So tonight I go to bed sad. I am sad because I want to love more and not be so selfish. I don't want to be a duty/obligation person....I want to be a loving person. God help me.
Monday, 30 June 2014
Saturday, 28 June 2014
JUNE 28, 2014 - DAY 18 (The One)
Tonight I listened to a sermon found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNVINiUaCrA
The message was that ...well I don't know how to put it. Essentially Bill Johnson was challenging people to be faithful to God in the secret by themselves so that we can be faithful in public. Like David was able to kill a lion and a bear in the secret, he was able to kill Goliath in the public because he knew what God had done in the secret.
Do I burn for God so much that I get up in the middle of the night to pray when there is no emergency and nobody challenged me to get up at that time? Am I willing to give up anything for God? This is an ongoing theme that is going on in my life.
Bill tells of a time where for 8 months he asked God for an increase of God's presence in Bill's life. After 8 months God paralysed him (only for a few hours) and said to Bill that he'll give him more but it'll mean being embarrassed in front of his church and his city, was he willing. Bill said yes. He even thought by saying yes that he's be paralysed forever. He wasn't. But he was willing to give up all mobility (except neck movement) if it meant having more of God. That's dedication.
I don't know if I'm there. I don't know if I could pray "WHATEVER it takes Lord, I want more of you." Because I can't imagine losing my husband or child to death. I can't imagine losing my health or mobility. And I'm not saying that if I say yes to God in saying I want more of you whatever it takes that means God will kill off my loved ones. But the question is presented to me often by God "Do you love me more than these?" (these being my family) and the reality is that I don't know. Not a great place to be in since Jesus says:
Luke 14:26-27 - “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
Eesh. Not much else to say about that verse except I HAVE to get to a spot where I can say without a doubt - "Yes Lord I love you more than these."
Anyway, tonight was a good reminder of how amazing God is and how much I need to desire him. I can't live off of yesterday's bread, I need new bread today. I can't live off of other people's exciting lives with God, I need my own. So if I want it, I have got to go after it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNVINiUaCrA
The message was that ...well I don't know how to put it. Essentially Bill Johnson was challenging people to be faithful to God in the secret by themselves so that we can be faithful in public. Like David was able to kill a lion and a bear in the secret, he was able to kill Goliath in the public because he knew what God had done in the secret.
Do I burn for God so much that I get up in the middle of the night to pray when there is no emergency and nobody challenged me to get up at that time? Am I willing to give up anything for God? This is an ongoing theme that is going on in my life.
Bill tells of a time where for 8 months he asked God for an increase of God's presence in Bill's life. After 8 months God paralysed him (only for a few hours) and said to Bill that he'll give him more but it'll mean being embarrassed in front of his church and his city, was he willing. Bill said yes. He even thought by saying yes that he's be paralysed forever. He wasn't. But he was willing to give up all mobility (except neck movement) if it meant having more of God. That's dedication.
I don't know if I'm there. I don't know if I could pray "WHATEVER it takes Lord, I want more of you." Because I can't imagine losing my husband or child to death. I can't imagine losing my health or mobility. And I'm not saying that if I say yes to God in saying I want more of you whatever it takes that means God will kill off my loved ones. But the question is presented to me often by God "Do you love me more than these?" (these being my family) and the reality is that I don't know. Not a great place to be in since Jesus says:
Luke 14:26-27 - “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
Eesh. Not much else to say about that verse except I HAVE to get to a spot where I can say without a doubt - "Yes Lord I love you more than these."
Anyway, tonight was a good reminder of how amazing God is and how much I need to desire him. I can't live off of yesterday's bread, I need new bread today. I can't live off of other people's exciting lives with God, I need my own. So if I want it, I have got to go after it.
Friday, 27 June 2014
JUNE 27, 2014 -DAY 17 (Marriage)
Today during my hour I was getting ready for the day and just prayed for the hour. I prayed for all of the marriages for my siblings and parents and some friends.
I watched a sermon a few days ago and at the beginning of the sermon a missionary couple came up to give a report of what has gone on in the country they were serving and how people could pray for them. They asked for prayer for their marriage. They said nothing major was going on but the little things were getting to them and they even considered calling it quits. Of course Satan would attack them...they're doing God's work. So why wouldn't he attack the marriages of my family or my own marriage? Well he does.
So I prayed. Because no couple is immune to attacks. Often I look at couples and think they'll be fine and don't need prayer. But they do. I can see it in my own marriage. I am sure people look at our marriage and think we're fine and don't need prayer....well we do! We have plenty of struggles and daily we have to give our marriage to God and I at least haven't been.
So that's what I did for an hour. I prayed specific prayers for each couple as well as the general prayer for protection from Satan.
God protect our marriages. Nobody is immune to attacks as we've seen in so many couples who divorce. Help us to love and respect one another. Help the men to step up and be godly husbands who lead their wives. Help the wives to submit to their husbands and allow them to lead. Let the men be gentle towards their wives and the wives gentle toward their husbands. Let us look to you and what your word says in order to see how we are to live as a husband or a wife. Let us look at 1 Corinthians 13 and love our spouse whether we think they deserve it or not. Let us love unconditionally. Amen.
So my hour wasn't anything major or life changing. I didn't really hear God's voice unless he was telling me what to pray for each couple. I didn't read the Bible (except 1 Corinthians 13 about love) and I didn't learn anything new. But it feels good to pray protection over loved ones. I still hope to read more of 2 Peter later today when my son is napping.
I watched a sermon a few days ago and at the beginning of the sermon a missionary couple came up to give a report of what has gone on in the country they were serving and how people could pray for them. They asked for prayer for their marriage. They said nothing major was going on but the little things were getting to them and they even considered calling it quits. Of course Satan would attack them...they're doing God's work. So why wouldn't he attack the marriages of my family or my own marriage? Well he does.
So I prayed. Because no couple is immune to attacks. Often I look at couples and think they'll be fine and don't need prayer. But they do. I can see it in my own marriage. I am sure people look at our marriage and think we're fine and don't need prayer....well we do! We have plenty of struggles and daily we have to give our marriage to God and I at least haven't been.
So that's what I did for an hour. I prayed specific prayers for each couple as well as the general prayer for protection from Satan.
God protect our marriages. Nobody is immune to attacks as we've seen in so many couples who divorce. Help us to love and respect one another. Help the men to step up and be godly husbands who lead their wives. Help the wives to submit to their husbands and allow them to lead. Let the men be gentle towards their wives and the wives gentle toward their husbands. Let us look to you and what your word says in order to see how we are to live as a husband or a wife. Let us look at 1 Corinthians 13 and love our spouse whether we think they deserve it or not. Let us love unconditionally. Amen.
So my hour wasn't anything major or life changing. I didn't really hear God's voice unless he was telling me what to pray for each couple. I didn't read the Bible (except 1 Corinthians 13 about love) and I didn't learn anything new. But it feels good to pray protection over loved ones. I still hope to read more of 2 Peter later today when my son is napping.
Thursday, 26 June 2014
JUNE 26, 2014 - DAY 16 (Pride and Idols Part 2)
WHOA what a night!
So I was thinking about my post from yesterday and how I felt like God was saying that pride and idols were getting in the way of my desire for Him. So I wrote out 2 lists today. The first list was all the areas in my life that I could think of and that God reminded of where I am prideful. The second list was all the areas in my life that are idols.
The pride list has 9 items on it and the idol list has 13 items on it. I wanted to go through each item on both list and confess my sin and then ask God for help in the area. Well I quickly noticed that I didn't want to confess. Either I didn't feel bad about the sin or I didn't want to let it go. So I prayed for awhile that God would bring my to a place where I can confess the sin and freely give it up.
It didn't seem to work at first. So I kept praying. Slowly I'd find an item I genuinely felt bad about and was able to confess. But I have to say, not every item on that list has been confessed yet. I'm not there yet.
BUT the super cool thing is that some items I wasn't ready to confess until God put it in a different light for me and then all of a sudden I felt like I could confess it.
So here are some of the things God revealed to me which led to me being able to confess some of my sins tonight:
-The only control I'm to have as a Christian is self-control. Other than that I shouldn't be controlling anything. Any time I try to control things I'm trying to be God. If I'm controlling my life then I'm not going to God for direction and to see what he wants.
-Comfort zones don't leave me relying on God.
-Both watching TV and wasting time on the internet help me to hold onto control of my life. I figure it's my life, so my time, so that means I get to do what I want. This can't exist with being a Christian because my time and my activities no longer belong to me. Nothing belongs to me. I have no rights.
-Pride means I'm not giving God credit where due and am therefore stealing from him.
Anyway, a lot of sins were confessed and God spoke to me so clearly. I am glad I got to write things down. I hope I get to the place where I can easily admit my sins and genuinely feel bad about them. But for now, some of them I grip onto tightly and need to let go. By God's grace I'll get there.
So I was thinking about my post from yesterday and how I felt like God was saying that pride and idols were getting in the way of my desire for Him. So I wrote out 2 lists today. The first list was all the areas in my life that I could think of and that God reminded of where I am prideful. The second list was all the areas in my life that are idols.
The pride list has 9 items on it and the idol list has 13 items on it. I wanted to go through each item on both list and confess my sin and then ask God for help in the area. Well I quickly noticed that I didn't want to confess. Either I didn't feel bad about the sin or I didn't want to let it go. So I prayed for awhile that God would bring my to a place where I can confess the sin and freely give it up.
It didn't seem to work at first. So I kept praying. Slowly I'd find an item I genuinely felt bad about and was able to confess. But I have to say, not every item on that list has been confessed yet. I'm not there yet.
BUT the super cool thing is that some items I wasn't ready to confess until God put it in a different light for me and then all of a sudden I felt like I could confess it.
So here are some of the things God revealed to me which led to me being able to confess some of my sins tonight:
-The only control I'm to have as a Christian is self-control. Other than that I shouldn't be controlling anything. Any time I try to control things I'm trying to be God. If I'm controlling my life then I'm not going to God for direction and to see what he wants.
-Comfort zones don't leave me relying on God.
-Both watching TV and wasting time on the internet help me to hold onto control of my life. I figure it's my life, so my time, so that means I get to do what I want. This can't exist with being a Christian because my time and my activities no longer belong to me. Nothing belongs to me. I have no rights.
-Pride means I'm not giving God credit where due and am therefore stealing from him.
Anyway, a lot of sins were confessed and God spoke to me so clearly. I am glad I got to write things down. I hope I get to the place where I can easily admit my sins and genuinely feel bad about them. But for now, some of them I grip onto tightly and need to let go. By God's grace I'll get there.
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
JUNE 25, 2014 - DAY 15 (Pride and Idols)
Despite the fact that I've spent at least an hour with God daily for over 2 weeks now...I still always dread my time with him. WHY??
If God is as amazing as I claim he is....and if it is always beneficial for me to meet with him, why do I dread my time? It really bothers me that as a follower of Jesus, I don't want to spend time with him. This REALLY bothers me.
So I decided I should spend my hour in prayer asking God for help and trying to figure it out.
I was reminded of a sermon I listened to a few months ago about why we can't hear God's voice (I think). I hoped I had written something down in a journal from the sermon but I couldn't find it. But the answer came through another journal entry. PRIDE and IDOLS get in the way of hearing God's voice. I assume the two also get in the way of my desire to spend time with God.
While pondering why I don't desire God as I think I ought to, God also said one reason is because I don't believe he is who he says he is. If he is 100% loving and 100% full of grace and not here to condemn me and is rather here to love and support me....then I shouldn't avoid him. But somehow deep down in my sin I think I'm not good enough for God. Surprise Julie - you're not! I know that is the answer and it's OK that I'm not good enough because God loves me anyway....but I still run.
So I've got some confessing I need to do after this post. The three areas I need to confess and ask for help in are:
1) Not believing God is who he says he is
2) My pride
3) My idols
I desperately just want to desire God more. I want to be one of those people that long for those precious moments alone with God. I heard of true story of a woman who spent her mornings with God and then went about her day. But everyday her God time was spent in the same spot in her house. Throughout her day when she passed by the spot she would tear up and couldn't wait for the next day. I want to be her.
Or this missionary in India who spends 3 hours with God each morning. He doesn't even tell people about his 3 hours, he just does it. My hour is disgusting compared to his 3 especially since I dread my hour and he can't wait.
Anyway I need to go to bed and while falling asleep I need to ponder this some more. Obviously I have some sin I need to confess and get out of my way because I want to be the one who could spend 24/7 with God and not be bored. I want to long for Him. I want to blush when I think about God. I want my hour to seem like 5 minutes. I want to be the person who gets up early to start my day off with God.
I've got a long way to go!
If God is as amazing as I claim he is....and if it is always beneficial for me to meet with him, why do I dread my time? It really bothers me that as a follower of Jesus, I don't want to spend time with him. This REALLY bothers me.
So I decided I should spend my hour in prayer asking God for help and trying to figure it out.
I was reminded of a sermon I listened to a few months ago about why we can't hear God's voice (I think). I hoped I had written something down in a journal from the sermon but I couldn't find it. But the answer came through another journal entry. PRIDE and IDOLS get in the way of hearing God's voice. I assume the two also get in the way of my desire to spend time with God.
While pondering why I don't desire God as I think I ought to, God also said one reason is because I don't believe he is who he says he is. If he is 100% loving and 100% full of grace and not here to condemn me and is rather here to love and support me....then I shouldn't avoid him. But somehow deep down in my sin I think I'm not good enough for God. Surprise Julie - you're not! I know that is the answer and it's OK that I'm not good enough because God loves me anyway....but I still run.
So I've got some confessing I need to do after this post. The three areas I need to confess and ask for help in are:
1) Not believing God is who he says he is
2) My pride
3) My idols
I desperately just want to desire God more. I want to be one of those people that long for those precious moments alone with God. I heard of true story of a woman who spent her mornings with God and then went about her day. But everyday her God time was spent in the same spot in her house. Throughout her day when she passed by the spot she would tear up and couldn't wait for the next day. I want to be her.
Or this missionary in India who spends 3 hours with God each morning. He doesn't even tell people about his 3 hours, he just does it. My hour is disgusting compared to his 3 especially since I dread my hour and he can't wait.
Anyway I need to go to bed and while falling asleep I need to ponder this some more. Obviously I have some sin I need to confess and get out of my way because I want to be the one who could spend 24/7 with God and not be bored. I want to long for Him. I want to blush when I think about God. I want my hour to seem like 5 minutes. I want to be the person who gets up early to start my day off with God.
I've got a long way to go!
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
JUNE 24, 2014 - DAY 14 (Effort)
Man, today I listened to a sermon on 2 Peter 1:5-11. It's a continuation of what Peter was saying in the previous verses. Prior to verse 5, Peter says that God has given us everything we need as Christians to live a godly life. This is good news. Yet when I don't see the fruit in my life I know it's my fault...
For example - today. I am a stay at home Mom and often I go to bed feeling like I'm not a very good Mom. Did I do enough? Did I talk to my son enough? Did we play enough? Did I spend too much time with him? Did I teach him enough? Did I feed him enough healthy foods? On and on it goes. Today it rained and we were stuck inside a lot of the day. My poor kid was so bored. I tried pulling out different toys but he was bored and the reality is that I didn't give him enough attention. I got so frustrated at him on so many occasions because he gets into EVERYTHING!! It's my fault because I'm not watching him as closely as I could or entertaining him enough. But it's frustrating. Sometimes I just want time to myself. Well I can't expect that during his waking hours. So I'm not sure why I try. I feel so selfish in desiring this and then when I get fed up I put him in front of the TV and on days like today it was way too much TV. I wish I was a better Mom. I wish I didn't get frustrated at him. I wish I could entertain him better. I wish I could get more healthy choices of food into his stomach. So many wishes. So I appologized to him (he's 20 months) and asked for his forgiveness. I doubt he understands. I asked God for forgiveness too. I AM forgiven but I still feel terrible. Why can't I get my act together. Why can't I live a godly life? If God's given me everything I need...why aren't I tapping into that?
Anyway, so after Peter writes about God giving us everything we need to live a godly life he says:
2 Peter 1:5-11 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is near-sighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
I'll take that! So God gives us what we need to live a godly life but WE are called to make efforts too.
GOODNESS - I understand goodness as just being a good person. Moral excellence. So each day I could ask myself, what can I do to be good to those around me? If I'm modelling the life Jesus lived, people will notice. (I'm not sure being a nice person is enough for people to notice I'm a Christ follower. MANY people are nice and not Christ followers...so in what ways can I add goodness to my life? I need to dwell on this.)
KNOWLEDGE - The more I know God the more I'll fall in love with him. I take knowledge as wisdom. This will come from reading the Bible and listening to the Holy Spirit. (I need to be studying the Bible and memorizing it and living it out. Often I read it and forget what I read or don't live it out.)
SELF-CONTROL - Of course self-control means I control my desires rather then them control me. (I could improve in this area a lot! My eating habits, my frustrations, my impatience, how I spend my time, how much I spend with God, etc. I should not be mastered by these things.)
SELF-CONTROL - Of course self-control means I control my desires rather then them control me. (I could improve in this area a lot! My eating habits, my frustrations, my impatience, how I spend my time, how much I spend with God, etc. I should not be mastered by these things.)
PERSEVERANCE - As Christians we are not to give up. I think a lot of our life may be waiting on God, not always hearing his voice, going through tough times, etc. But do we get through them and do we trust God to get us through? (I know I've given up in a lot of the people I was praying for whether non-Christians or sick people, etc. because I wasn't seeing results - I need to persevere!!)
GODLINESS - I sort of take goodness and godliness to be the same....but godliness means to be conform to the wishes of God. To follow his instructions. (Where couldn't I improve in this area??)
MUTUAL AFFECTION (brotherly love) - To love your fellow Christians. To take care of them. (I think I do this OKAY. If a need arises usually I jump in to help. But keeping in daily contact or constant contact with friends is hard. I may not know day to day struggles until something big comes their way. So that is definitely a way to improve in this area.)
LOVE - Love being action not an emotional feeling. ("Love is patient."....that right there is how I can improve. I need to be patient and everything else that is entailed in love based on 1 Corinthians 13)
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Well I want to be effective. I was their to be fruit in my life. This is one way to do it according to Peter. Easy 7 steps!
For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
"You will never stumble" - YES PLEASE! I'm sick of feeling like and being a failure. God has given me everything I need to live a godly life and now I need to make every effort...
EVERY EFFORT....this is not some half-ass effort. This is all in. EVERY effort.
I don't want to stand before God one day and he ask what I did with my talents that he gave me. Or how I used my time. Did I make EVERY effort for him?
Monday, 23 June 2014
JUNE 23, 2014 - DAY 13 (KNOW)
As I spend each day, at minimum an hour with God, I realize how much I could just use the hour confessing my sins. I am not sure I have confessed so much in my life as I have in the past 13 days. So much has been revealed to me and I didn't even know these things needed to be confessed until now.
For example, I don't always believe the Bible. Which essentially means I am calling God a liar. Or in another example, I often feel like I need to beg for something from God. Even if the thing I am asking for is good, my begging just shows what little I think of God. He isn't stingy. I don't need to beg. Anyway, tonight i listened to a sermon on 2 Peter 1:1-4 and finished the sermon with confession! Here's what I learned:
For example, I don't always believe the Bible. Which essentially means I am calling God a liar. Or in another example, I often feel like I need to beg for something from God. Even if the thing I am asking for is good, my begging just shows what little I think of God. He isn't stingy. I don't need to beg. Anyway, tonight i listened to a sermon on 2 Peter 1:1-4 and finished the sermon with confession! Here's what I learned:
Verse 1 - "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:"
For starters, Peter is humble. He puts his status of servant before his status of apostle. Also, he is stating that anybody who becomes a follower of Jesus is on the same level as Peter or any other Bible 'superstar'. We have the same faith because of Jesus and his righteousness. Now the question is do I really believe this? Am I truly on the same level as a man who walked on water? Who walked with Jesus for 3 years? Who witnessed the transfiguration? Who was there on Pentecost. The answer is that I'm not sure I believe it. It's hard to believe. But I want to and I think one day I will. I think I'm getting there.
Verse 2 - "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."
I love that a lot of books in the New Testament start with "grace and peace". Obviously God desires for us to have grace and peace! I love what comes next....through the KNOWLEDGE of God.....and this knowledge doesn't just mean know of. It means KNOW God. By knowing God, we gain peace and grace. So if I'm not experiencing peace and grace, it's my fault, not God's. It is his desire I have it which means he is not holding it back from me. I hold it back by not knowing God more.
Verse 3 - "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness"
What a verse!!! We have EVERYTHING we need for a godly life. That means we have everything to fight temptations. That means we shouldn't be addicted to anything. That means we shouldn't be falling into sin. Again how does this come....through KNOWLEDGE of God!! How do we know God? Well the same way you get to know anybody, through spending time with them.
Verse 4 - "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
We can avoid falling into sin by believing in God' promises. By believing in God's promises we participate in divine nature. (I think this is what the verse is saying!! I'm still a bit confused on what it is saying!!) I don't feel satisfied with this but I don't know what else to say as I'm still confused on the verse - sorry!
BONUS VERSES!
So these verses also came up in the sermon:
2 Corinthians 9:8 - "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
AND this...
1 Corinthians 3:21-22 - "All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God."
WHOA!! Everything is ours!!!! All of God's promises are ours. He tells us - raise the dead. That's a command but in a way a promise. A promise that we can raise the dead. Do you see what I mean? These verses are life changing!!
Anyway after the sermon I spent time in confession. Confession that I don't always believe God. Confession that I put other people and things before him. Confession that I don't love him like he deserves. Confession that I don't know him like I should.
Hmm who knew 1 and 2 Peter would be so convicting. Thank you Holy Spirit for revealing these things to me. This is tough!
Sunday, 22 June 2014
JUNE 22, 2014 - DAY 12 (Tremble)
Oh man. Talk about an A.D.D. night. I tried to sit still and pray and couldn't focus. I tried to read 2 Peter chapter 1 and I read it and re-read it and got nothing out of it. EVERY noise in the background was driving me nuts.
So since I was getting nothing out of reading the Bible, I threw on a sermon. I searched for 2 Peter 1 sermon on YouTube and found a sermon by Francis Chan entitled 'The Most Important Lesson I Could Ever Teach' found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dop3dFvgAKg
I was really hoping he would start in 2 Peter 1 right at the beginning but he starts in verse 12. That's okay!
The gist of verses 12-21 is that Peter wants his readers to be well prepared when he passes away. He wants to make sure they will be able to recall his teachings once he is gone. He then goes on to say that the things he taught them weren't made up but rather the things he experienced in life with Jesus. He talks about the time he was with Jesus at the Transfiguration and how sure he was of Jesus based on doing life with him and that experience. He also talks about the prophets of the Old Testament and how they were so accurate in their prophecies that Peter believed in Jesus because of the accuracy of them too.
So Francis asks how sure we are of God and if we are just so in love with him like Peter was. Do we rely on a person to teach us the Bible or do we go straight to the source? Peter essentially says that the people reading his letter don't need him to explain things. You and I don't NEED a pastor to teach us. (Though I sometimes feel stupid reading the Bible and a sermon can definitely bring clarity). But God can bring clarity too. That's what the Holy Spirit does!
Do we love the word of God? Do you long to know what God says? Do you long to be in God's presence? Be honest! You can lie to those around you but you can't lie to God.
“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." Isaiah 66:2
Oh man. Do I tremble at God's word?? No. Do I take his word seriously all the time? No. Do I follow all of God's commands? No.
I THINK I want to be there. I want to have such reverence for God that when I read his word it is real to me and because of my love for him, I just obey. Here's what James says in chapter 1:22-25:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
It's time we tremble at God's word because GOD wrote it. I don't think we have ANY clue at how holy God is. At how much we should listen to his word. If only we knew.
So since I was getting nothing out of reading the Bible, I threw on a sermon. I searched for 2 Peter 1 sermon on YouTube and found a sermon by Francis Chan entitled 'The Most Important Lesson I Could Ever Teach' found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dop3dFvgAKg
I was really hoping he would start in 2 Peter 1 right at the beginning but he starts in verse 12. That's okay!
The gist of verses 12-21 is that Peter wants his readers to be well prepared when he passes away. He wants to make sure they will be able to recall his teachings once he is gone. He then goes on to say that the things he taught them weren't made up but rather the things he experienced in life with Jesus. He talks about the time he was with Jesus at the Transfiguration and how sure he was of Jesus based on doing life with him and that experience. He also talks about the prophets of the Old Testament and how they were so accurate in their prophecies that Peter believed in Jesus because of the accuracy of them too.
So Francis asks how sure we are of God and if we are just so in love with him like Peter was. Do we rely on a person to teach us the Bible or do we go straight to the source? Peter essentially says that the people reading his letter don't need him to explain things. You and I don't NEED a pastor to teach us. (Though I sometimes feel stupid reading the Bible and a sermon can definitely bring clarity). But God can bring clarity too. That's what the Holy Spirit does!
Do we love the word of God? Do you long to know what God says? Do you long to be in God's presence? Be honest! You can lie to those around you but you can't lie to God.
“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." Isaiah 66:2
Oh man. Do I tremble at God's word?? No. Do I take his word seriously all the time? No. Do I follow all of God's commands? No.
I THINK I want to be there. I want to have such reverence for God that when I read his word it is real to me and because of my love for him, I just obey. Here's what James says in chapter 1:22-25:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
It's time we tremble at God's word because GOD wrote it. I don't think we have ANY clue at how holy God is. At how much we should listen to his word. If only we knew.
Saturday, 21 June 2014
JUNE 21, 2014 - DAY 11 (Radiant!)
Tonight's hour was spent re-reading all of 1 Peter. I decided to read it all together and out loud. I noticed a few things about the letter:
1) The book is very positive. Even though Peter writes about trials people face and the persecution they face, he points them to Jesus and essentially says "it's all good!" In light of eternity..it's all good! Maybe it's hard now, but when you're dead and with Jesus, it's all good!
2) Everything is about Jesus. We should act a certain way because Jesus acted a certain way. We face hard times? Focus on Jesus! We are submissive because Jesus was submissive. Everything in this book points to Jesus. So good.
3) Peter mentions three times in 5 chapters that we are to be self-controlled. I always think self-control is an interesting choice of word for a Christian because we need God's help always. But it's SELF control. Not God control. God doesn't want to control us.
Other things I noticed in the letter include words to describe the character of followers of Christ. In chapter 3, Peter says wives are to be gentle and have a gentle spirit. I want to posses these things! I want to be these things.
Verse 12 in chapter 3 says "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer." I also want to be righteous.
Another verse that was eye opening to me was 5:5 - "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
So when thinking about these verses I wondered if and when I would know if I was considered righteous. Aren't all Christians considered righteous because of Jesus? Then I thought about King David. Why was he considered a man after God's own heart? Am I a woman after God's own heart? I don't think so. But I think I'm getting there.
Another blogger gives his reasons why he thinks David was a man after God's own heart. Here are the reasons he lists:
1) David had absolute faith in God.
2) David absolutely loved God’s law.
3) David was truly thankful.
4) David was truly repentant.
Found from: http://www.gotquestions.org/man-after-God-heart.html
Based on THIS man's definition...I am NOT a woman after God's heart. But like I said, I'm getting there.
After I dwelled on this, I asked God to reveal a word to me or anythign he wanted to say. Immediately God gave me the word radiant. I don't know if that means he thinks I'm radiant or whether he wants me to be. I'll take it as he thinks I'm radiant ;) That is actually how I took it until I questioned the fact that maybe he did indeed mean he wants me to be. I looked up the definition of radiant and I LOVE it:
sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.
I love love love this definition! Is this how God sees me? Radiant? Gosh I hope so. If not, I definitely want to strive toward it. Sending out light (JESUS!!), shining, glowing brightly!! We are called to be lights of the world. Oh man, I don't want to disappoint God. I definitely will strive toward being radiant and if God already thinks I am...wow. This makes me only want to know him more and be more like him.
You are good God!
Thus concludes 1 Peter! Perhaps I shall move onto 2 Peter tomorrow!
1) The book is very positive. Even though Peter writes about trials people face and the persecution they face, he points them to Jesus and essentially says "it's all good!" In light of eternity..it's all good! Maybe it's hard now, but when you're dead and with Jesus, it's all good!
2) Everything is about Jesus. We should act a certain way because Jesus acted a certain way. We face hard times? Focus on Jesus! We are submissive because Jesus was submissive. Everything in this book points to Jesus. So good.
3) Peter mentions three times in 5 chapters that we are to be self-controlled. I always think self-control is an interesting choice of word for a Christian because we need God's help always. But it's SELF control. Not God control. God doesn't want to control us.
Other things I noticed in the letter include words to describe the character of followers of Christ. In chapter 3, Peter says wives are to be gentle and have a gentle spirit. I want to posses these things! I want to be these things.
Verse 12 in chapter 3 says "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer." I also want to be righteous.
Another verse that was eye opening to me was 5:5 - "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
So when thinking about these verses I wondered if and when I would know if I was considered righteous. Aren't all Christians considered righteous because of Jesus? Then I thought about King David. Why was he considered a man after God's own heart? Am I a woman after God's own heart? I don't think so. But I think I'm getting there.
Another blogger gives his reasons why he thinks David was a man after God's own heart. Here are the reasons he lists:
1) David had absolute faith in God.
2) David absolutely loved God’s law.
3) David was truly thankful.
4) David was truly repentant.
Found from: http://www.gotquestions.org/man-after-God-heart.html
Based on THIS man's definition...I am NOT a woman after God's heart. But like I said, I'm getting there.
After I dwelled on this, I asked God to reveal a word to me or anythign he wanted to say. Immediately God gave me the word radiant. I don't know if that means he thinks I'm radiant or whether he wants me to be. I'll take it as he thinks I'm radiant ;) That is actually how I took it until I questioned the fact that maybe he did indeed mean he wants me to be. I looked up the definition of radiant and I LOVE it:
sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.
I love love love this definition! Is this how God sees me? Radiant? Gosh I hope so. If not, I definitely want to strive toward it. Sending out light (JESUS!!), shining, glowing brightly!! We are called to be lights of the world. Oh man, I don't want to disappoint God. I definitely will strive toward being radiant and if God already thinks I am...wow. This makes me only want to know him more and be more like him.
You are good God!
Thus concludes 1 Peter! Perhaps I shall move onto 2 Peter tomorrow!
Friday, 20 June 2014
JUNE 20, 2014 - DAY 10 (Prodigal)
So often I run from God. I feel like a failure over and over again and then guilt and shame set in. So I run. Can you say Adam and Eve?
So today was no exception. I knew I still had to do my hour with God (as a promise to him to fulfil at least an hour a day hanging out with him for the next year to the best of my ability) and I stalled. And I stalled and I stalled and I stalled some more. The dishes needing doing. I had to check my emails and regular websites. Perhaps I could spend the hour just watching 'Christian' videos but not REALLY spend time with God.
It didn't work.
I finally caved and decided first to watch a video (stall) about God's goodness toward us. The video has been SO helpful in my journey with God. Here it is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suMhQ3ETCyI
I'm sure I have blogged about this video before. The whole point of the video is that NO MATTER WHAT, God still loves you and me. One of the first times I watched this video a few years ago, the Holy Spirit revealed such basic truths to me that were life changing. I figured if the video was good to watch a few years ago, it should be good now. I watched it twice. I then watched a music video twice. I still had 38 minutes to go. Time to journal my thoughts to God.
Here is what I wrote:
"God I always feel like a failure and then I run from you. Over and over again I expect judgement and harshness. Why do I believe this lie? Why can't I rest in you based on the prodigal son story. I should read it again. (So I did. It's found in Luke 15 - go read it!)
You're so good God. You're not even angry at the prodigal son. You're just happy he's home.
God I hand you my shame and guilt I'm feeling. If you say I'm your daughter and if you don't condemn me then I won't let Satan condemn me either. Thank you that I'm free. Thank you for carrying my burden. Also I gladly accept the line (Luke 15:31) 'Everything I have is yours.' Gosh how good is that??!!
WISDOM
HEALTH
KNOWLEDGE
LOVE
JOY
PEACE
PATIENCE
KINDNESS
GOODNESS
GENTLENESS
FAITHFULNESS
SELF-CONTROL
INTIMACY
NO WORRIES
I'll take it all.
Okay now that my confession is out of the way, let's chat! Is there anything you want to say to me today?
Jesus: 'Hello beloved, welcome home. Rest in my arms awhile. Get used to this feeling. You never have to go back to that feeling of guilt and shame again. Ever again. Because remember, if I don't condemn you, who can? No one. That's who.'
Me: 'I love it Lord. You're so good. How can you be so loving to me when I treat you so poorly in return?'
Jesus: 'Because I made you. I chose you. You're mine. How could I not love you?'
Me: 'Your perfection is mind blowing. I can't comprehend your goodness. Your no strings attached love.'
Jesus: 'I know. I made you that way. Your brain is limited. But soon you will see clearly. But for now, it is like a broken mirror.'
Me: 'Very Biblical of you' ;)
Jesus: :D 'Thanks! I did write it.'
Me: 'Okay I want to blog. Thanks again God. I don't understand but I'm thankful.'
Jesus: 'You're welcome daughter.'
End journal entry...
So that was my hour with God. I confessed my guilt and he reminded me I'm not condemned. We chatted about it and I'm so blown away. I truly can't comprehend his goodness or his no-strings attached love. It makes no sense. But I'll take it. If only I ALWAYS lived without guilt or shame. Knowing I'll never be condemned again. How great is that! I hope I can live like this more often. It's so good.
So today was no exception. I knew I still had to do my hour with God (as a promise to him to fulfil at least an hour a day hanging out with him for the next year to the best of my ability) and I stalled. And I stalled and I stalled and I stalled some more. The dishes needing doing. I had to check my emails and regular websites. Perhaps I could spend the hour just watching 'Christian' videos but not REALLY spend time with God.
It didn't work.
I finally caved and decided first to watch a video (stall) about God's goodness toward us. The video has been SO helpful in my journey with God. Here it is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suMhQ3ETCyI
I'm sure I have blogged about this video before. The whole point of the video is that NO MATTER WHAT, God still loves you and me. One of the first times I watched this video a few years ago, the Holy Spirit revealed such basic truths to me that were life changing. I figured if the video was good to watch a few years ago, it should be good now. I watched it twice. I then watched a music video twice. I still had 38 minutes to go. Time to journal my thoughts to God.
Here is what I wrote:
"God I always feel like a failure and then I run from you. Over and over again I expect judgement and harshness. Why do I believe this lie? Why can't I rest in you based on the prodigal son story. I should read it again. (So I did. It's found in Luke 15 - go read it!)
You're so good God. You're not even angry at the prodigal son. You're just happy he's home.
God I hand you my shame and guilt I'm feeling. If you say I'm your daughter and if you don't condemn me then I won't let Satan condemn me either. Thank you that I'm free. Thank you for carrying my burden. Also I gladly accept the line (Luke 15:31) 'Everything I have is yours.' Gosh how good is that??!!
WISDOM
HEALTH
KNOWLEDGE
LOVE
JOY
PEACE
PATIENCE
KINDNESS
GOODNESS
GENTLENESS
FAITHFULNESS
SELF-CONTROL
INTIMACY
NO WORRIES
I'll take it all.
Okay now that my confession is out of the way, let's chat! Is there anything you want to say to me today?
Jesus: 'Hello beloved, welcome home. Rest in my arms awhile. Get used to this feeling. You never have to go back to that feeling of guilt and shame again. Ever again. Because remember, if I don't condemn you, who can? No one. That's who.'
Me: 'I love it Lord. You're so good. How can you be so loving to me when I treat you so poorly in return?'
Jesus: 'Because I made you. I chose you. You're mine. How could I not love you?'
Me: 'Your perfection is mind blowing. I can't comprehend your goodness. Your no strings attached love.'
Jesus: 'I know. I made you that way. Your brain is limited. But soon you will see clearly. But for now, it is like a broken mirror.'
Me: 'Very Biblical of you' ;)
Jesus: :D 'Thanks! I did write it.'
Me: 'Okay I want to blog. Thanks again God. I don't understand but I'm thankful.'
Jesus: 'You're welcome daughter.'
End journal entry...
So that was my hour with God. I confessed my guilt and he reminded me I'm not condemned. We chatted about it and I'm so blown away. I truly can't comprehend his goodness or his no-strings attached love. It makes no sense. But I'll take it. If only I ALWAYS lived without guilt or shame. Knowing I'll never be condemned again. How great is that! I hope I can live like this more often. It's so good.
Thursday, 19 June 2014
JUNE 19, 2014 - DAY 9 (Abundance)
For today's hour of God time, I decided to just pray for the hour. I didn't want to listen to a sermon and I didn't plan on reading my Bible unless I felt I was running out of things to talk about with God.
So I began my prayer time with a few sentences (I don't remember what) and all of a sudden I said the word 'abundance' while praying for my friend and her family who recently lost her husband (and the kids their father). I realized God is not JUST enough...he's abundant! The definition of abundant is: existing or available in large quantities; plentiful. I love that. God isn't meeting their needs (emotional, spiritual, physical, etc.) with just getting them to scrape by. He's abundant for them. I don't know if they currently feel this way or not but that's okay. Grief is strong and the pain of losing a loved one is really hard. I hope at minimum God feels like enough. I hope more than anything though that he seems abundant through this hard time. As I was dwelling on this thought, it occurred to me that God is always abundant for us. That goes for my friend whose Mom passed away recently. That goes for my Uncle who was paralyzed a few months ago. That goes for my brother in law who has been paralyzed for almost 2 years. That goes for people we know whose daughter was recently diagnosed with leukaemia. The same will go for me whenever something really difficult comes my way.
After dwelling on how good God is, I thought about the very specific ways God has been abundant in all the people I know who are going through tough times. He has met monetary needs. He has given meaningful Scripture at the right times. He has sent friends to help. He has provided emotional stability to make it through the day and even the ability for some to go back to work. He helped sell a house in one afternoon. He has provided strangers that have become friends. He provided people to pray at the scene of an accident. He brought in people to have gone through similar situations. He has shown visions and dreams of healing. He has provided meals. He has provided air plane tickets. Abundance. We are not scraping by. God is abundant.
Last Fall, while burdened to pray for my brother-in-law and his physical state, God brought the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 to me. The quick story goes like this:
Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah. He learned that may armies were rallying together to fight him and his kingdom. He knew that their army could not defend the vast army coming. So he prayed and fasted, along with the people of Judah and inquired of the Lord what to do. A prophet spoke up and said that all they had to do was go out the next day and worship God and he would take care of the army. So they obeyed. They went out, worshipped God and did not have to lift a sword. Everybody on the opposing army dies by killing each other. Not one person of Judah was scratched.
This story was incredibly encouraging to me because I felt such burden to pray against 'the vast army' (Satan and his demons) and that burden was lifted. At Christmas time I was given this story again. A great reminder that God was asking me to just worship him and let him do the work.
So tonight I wanted the reminder. What did the story say again? So I found it and re-read it. A few key lines in the story include:
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. - 2 Chronicles 20:3-4
I love that the king inquired of God what they should do. I also love that all the people came together as one to seek out the Lord. Beautiful.
"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:12
In their trials, they focused on God. What a great example to us. Just keep your eyes on God. (God reminded me of this the other night. In a storm, focus on his eyes.)
"This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. ..... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” - 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Can we not use this now for our battles? Can we not just praise the Lord despite the storms and the hardships?
So that's what I did. Despite the fact that my friend passed away and has left a grieving family, despite the fact that a friend lost her Mom, despite the fact that my uncle and brother in law are still paralysed and on and on the hardships are....I praise the Lord. Because he is still good. Because he is abundant.
I listened to this song over and over again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_dsZpcA2R8 - FOREVER by Chris Tomlin.
Here are the lyrics: (I bolded my favourite lyrics)
So I began my prayer time with a few sentences (I don't remember what) and all of a sudden I said the word 'abundance' while praying for my friend and her family who recently lost her husband (and the kids their father). I realized God is not JUST enough...he's abundant! The definition of abundant is: existing or available in large quantities; plentiful. I love that. God isn't meeting their needs (emotional, spiritual, physical, etc.) with just getting them to scrape by. He's abundant for them. I don't know if they currently feel this way or not but that's okay. Grief is strong and the pain of losing a loved one is really hard. I hope at minimum God feels like enough. I hope more than anything though that he seems abundant through this hard time. As I was dwelling on this thought, it occurred to me that God is always abundant for us. That goes for my friend whose Mom passed away recently. That goes for my Uncle who was paralyzed a few months ago. That goes for my brother in law who has been paralyzed for almost 2 years. That goes for people we know whose daughter was recently diagnosed with leukaemia. The same will go for me whenever something really difficult comes my way.
After dwelling on how good God is, I thought about the very specific ways God has been abundant in all the people I know who are going through tough times. He has met monetary needs. He has given meaningful Scripture at the right times. He has sent friends to help. He has provided emotional stability to make it through the day and even the ability for some to go back to work. He helped sell a house in one afternoon. He has provided strangers that have become friends. He provided people to pray at the scene of an accident. He brought in people to have gone through similar situations. He has shown visions and dreams of healing. He has provided meals. He has provided air plane tickets. Abundance. We are not scraping by. God is abundant.
Last Fall, while burdened to pray for my brother-in-law and his physical state, God brought the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 to me. The quick story goes like this:
Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah. He learned that may armies were rallying together to fight him and his kingdom. He knew that their army could not defend the vast army coming. So he prayed and fasted, along with the people of Judah and inquired of the Lord what to do. A prophet spoke up and said that all they had to do was go out the next day and worship God and he would take care of the army. So they obeyed. They went out, worshipped God and did not have to lift a sword. Everybody on the opposing army dies by killing each other. Not one person of Judah was scratched.
This story was incredibly encouraging to me because I felt such burden to pray against 'the vast army' (Satan and his demons) and that burden was lifted. At Christmas time I was given this story again. A great reminder that God was asking me to just worship him and let him do the work.
So tonight I wanted the reminder. What did the story say again? So I found it and re-read it. A few key lines in the story include:
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. - 2 Chronicles 20:3-4
I love that the king inquired of God what they should do. I also love that all the people came together as one to seek out the Lord. Beautiful.
"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:12
In their trials, they focused on God. What a great example to us. Just keep your eyes on God. (God reminded me of this the other night. In a storm, focus on his eyes.)
"This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. ..... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” - 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Can we not use this now for our battles? Can we not just praise the Lord despite the storms and the hardships?
So that's what I did. Despite the fact that my friend passed away and has left a grieving family, despite the fact that a friend lost her Mom, despite the fact that my uncle and brother in law are still paralysed and on and on the hardships are....I praise the Lord. Because he is still good. Because he is abundant.
I listened to this song over and over again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_dsZpcA2R8 - FOREVER by Chris Tomlin.
Here are the lyrics: (I bolded my favourite lyrics)
Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand
and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand
and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
Forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Foerver you are with us
Forever
And ever
Yeah
Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Forever you are with us
Forever
Forever
You are God.....
Forever
And ever and ever ....
His love endures forever
By the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
Forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Foerver you are with us
Forever
And ever
Yeah
Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Forever you are with us
Forever
Forever
You are God.....
Forever
And ever and ever ....
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
JUNE 18, 2014 - DAY 8
Today has been one of the hardest days to "be still and know that I am God" or to just be still in general.
My alarm went off at 6 AM and I was in no mood to get up. I went to bed late last night (as I seem to be doing again today) and so I figured I'll do my hour while Jace naps. Well I tried. Then I fell asleep. So I thought I'd have to do it in the evening when he is asleep. But I told my friend I would Skype with her. So my hour was interrupted and all over the place. I'm SO thankful I got to talk to my friend but having to do my hour over a few periods of tries is hard.
I listened to a sermon today (the last of 4 in a series) and it sounded good. Truthfully I didn't get much out of it because I was so scattered and tired. But I tried.
I feel hopeless. If this is how my hours are going to be with God, it almost seems useless. I think 6AM really is the best time for me to sit down. As long as Jace doesn't wake up early and as long as I can stay awake, it's definitely the best time.
So what did I get out of today? Not much. The sermon reminded me of all the Christians being persecuted all over the world and how much they need to suffer. I was also reminded of the fact that Satan hates me and is looking to destroy me. I've never thought about the devil hating me. Because hate is such a strong word. But of course it makes sense. But when I heard the pastor say Satan hates me, it was different then how I've always viewed Satan. I don't know why since I know he is absolutely evil and wants to destroy me. I think I got a real sense of how dark he is. I'm not sure. Anyway it was a good reminder. The pastor showed a video of a lion eating a deer (I think) and how we're like the deer and Satan is the lion. The lion doesn't care he rips the deer to shreds. He or she just does. I thought about finding a video and putting it up...but it would be too difficult for me to watch so I won't subject you to it.
Tomorrow is another day. Perhaps tomorrow will be better. Do I feel any closer to God because of today? No. But I had a few good reminders.
My alarm went off at 6 AM and I was in no mood to get up. I went to bed late last night (as I seem to be doing again today) and so I figured I'll do my hour while Jace naps. Well I tried. Then I fell asleep. So I thought I'd have to do it in the evening when he is asleep. But I told my friend I would Skype with her. So my hour was interrupted and all over the place. I'm SO thankful I got to talk to my friend but having to do my hour over a few periods of tries is hard.
I listened to a sermon today (the last of 4 in a series) and it sounded good. Truthfully I didn't get much out of it because I was so scattered and tired. But I tried.
I feel hopeless. If this is how my hours are going to be with God, it almost seems useless. I think 6AM really is the best time for me to sit down. As long as Jace doesn't wake up early and as long as I can stay awake, it's definitely the best time.
So what did I get out of today? Not much. The sermon reminded me of all the Christians being persecuted all over the world and how much they need to suffer. I was also reminded of the fact that Satan hates me and is looking to destroy me. I've never thought about the devil hating me. Because hate is such a strong word. But of course it makes sense. But when I heard the pastor say Satan hates me, it was different then how I've always viewed Satan. I don't know why since I know he is absolutely evil and wants to destroy me. I think I got a real sense of how dark he is. I'm not sure. Anyway it was a good reminder. The pastor showed a video of a lion eating a deer (I think) and how we're like the deer and Satan is the lion. The lion doesn't care he rips the deer to shreds. He or she just does. I thought about finding a video and putting it up...but it would be too difficult for me to watch so I won't subject you to it.
Tomorrow is another day. Perhaps tomorrow will be better. Do I feel any closer to God because of today? No. But I had a few good reminders.
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
JUNE 17, 2014 - DAY 7
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer." - 1 Peter 3:12
This is my desire. I was God to look at me and be proud. I want him to be able to say to the angels in a proud voice "That's my daughter! Do you see her? I'm so proud of her. She is growing so much in her faith with me."
Today's sermon was based on 1 Peter 2:11-4:11. The gist of the passages is that as Christians we need to submit to those in authority, live a holy life and love those around us. Whether people deserve our love and respect or not, we are to give it. Because this is what Jesus did. He set the example. He went to the cross quietly when he could of said whatever he wanted to the authorities. But he didn't. We might have to suffer under harsh judgement or harsh leadership. Maybe you have a mean boss or an emotionally abusive spouse. Maybe your neighbours gossip about you. Perhaps your government is evil. Whatever the case, God wants us to submit.This is a hard thing to swallow because reason tells me to fight back. But if that's what God desires, so be it. "For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" - 1 Peter 3:17
Again these passages talk about Christians living holy lives. We are to live differently from the world. They will mock us when they notice we don't join in - that's okay! The key is that we don't join in. That means not making fun of your boss when everybody else is. That means not complaining about your job. That means loving your neighbour when they treat you terribly. That means not saying mean words to anybody. That means not watching perverse things on TV or the internet. We don't join in. That's not who we are any more. We live for God now. We are strangers in this world.
Would people be surprised to find out you're a Christian? Is your life-style so contrary to what we're called to live as? If so, perhaps you need to re-evaluate if you are even a Christ follower. If you truly believe you are, where is the evidence?
Anyway, there's so much packed into those 2 chapters of 1 Peter and I won't rehash all of it. But the main point is this, we're to live as Christ lived. We're not to live as those in the world. Submit to those above you. Love those around you. Live a life of good deeds that people can't blame you for anything. Suffer for doing good. Basically...be like Jesus.
Good stuff in 1 Peter. It flows so much more nicely then I first thought. Listening to sermons really help me to understand it all.
Monday, 16 June 2014
JUNE 16, 2014 - DAY 6
"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'” - 1 Peter 1:15-16
Wow what does it even mean to be holy? How can we be holy as people who are by nature sinful? But God directs to be holy which means it can't be impossible.
I love 1 Peter so far. Thanks to Beau Hughes from the Village Church in Texas for helping me see the big picture of the letter. We're different from non-Christians. Instead of focusing on what they think of us, we need to just focus on God and what he's done for us. I think the more we focus on Jesus, the less we'll care what people will think. Of course that doesn't mean we can shove our views down their throats. Like I said in my last post, we of course need to be loving, gentle and respectful to all people at all times. But we likely won't agree with the world and we're going to be weird for it.
I like what Beau says:
"As you put your hope totally on Jesus and who he is and what he's done and what he's going to do when he returns, it's going to transform us. It's going to conform us and make us more like God. In making us more like God, that is going to empower us as Christians to persevere and to flourish, even in the midst of persecution. Beyond that, it's actually going to empower us as Christians to be a blessing to the very ones who are persecuting us." - Beau Hughes
Beautiful.
Another quote so beautifully said is this one by Tullian Tchividjian:
"Christians make a difference in the world by being different from this world; they don't make a difference by being the same. We need to remember that God has established his church as an alternative society, not to compete with or copy this world, but to offer a refreshing alternative to it. When we [as a church] forget this, we inadvertently communicate [to the world and] to our culture that we have nothing [as God's people] unique to offer, nothing deeply spiritual or profoundly transforming. Tragically, this leaves many in our world looking elsewhere for the difference they crave." - Tullian Tchividjian
People want different. Why? Because somehow we all know the world is messed up. How many times have non-Christians mentioned they have no faith left in humanity? So many. Many people are impressed with Jesus, just not his followers. I don't blame them! The reality is that either we're not living as we're called to (like Jesus) OR people are expecting us to be perfect when that's impossible since we're still sinful by nature.
But we should be progressing. We should be more like Jesus each day. Maybe we won't see the changes until a few years down the road, but they should be there.
So like yesterday's sermon based on 1 Peter, today's sermon and message are very similar. As Christians we need to focus on Jesus and what God's done for us. We need to be different from the world. We need to love those around us. We too were once lost but we are found.
Honesty I'm not sure if I feel closer to God after listening to sermons and writing about it. I know I've learned from the Bible and I feel I understand 1 Peter better than if I just read it on my own. The message of the book is good but nothing new. But maybe I don't need new. Maybe I need a good reminder. But no matter how I spend my time with God, I want to be in a place where there is such intimacy. I want to hear his voice clearly. I want more. I am glad I am learning but I am looking for more. Only 2 more sermons to go in this mini-series. After those are up, who knows how I'll spend my hour. All I know is that I want to feel God's presence and just be.
Wow what does it even mean to be holy? How can we be holy as people who are by nature sinful? But God directs to be holy which means it can't be impossible.
I love 1 Peter so far. Thanks to Beau Hughes from the Village Church in Texas for helping me see the big picture of the letter. We're different from non-Christians. Instead of focusing on what they think of us, we need to just focus on God and what he's done for us. I think the more we focus on Jesus, the less we'll care what people will think. Of course that doesn't mean we can shove our views down their throats. Like I said in my last post, we of course need to be loving, gentle and respectful to all people at all times. But we likely won't agree with the world and we're going to be weird for it.
I like what Beau says:
"As you put your hope totally on Jesus and who he is and what he's done and what he's going to do when he returns, it's going to transform us. It's going to conform us and make us more like God. In making us more like God, that is going to empower us as Christians to persevere and to flourish, even in the midst of persecution. Beyond that, it's actually going to empower us as Christians to be a blessing to the very ones who are persecuting us." - Beau Hughes
Beautiful.
Another quote so beautifully said is this one by Tullian Tchividjian:
"Christians make a difference in the world by being different from this world; they don't make a difference by being the same. We need to remember that God has established his church as an alternative society, not to compete with or copy this world, but to offer a refreshing alternative to it. When we [as a church] forget this, we inadvertently communicate [to the world and] to our culture that we have nothing [as God's people] unique to offer, nothing deeply spiritual or profoundly transforming. Tragically, this leaves many in our world looking elsewhere for the difference they crave." - Tullian Tchividjian
People want different. Why? Because somehow we all know the world is messed up. How many times have non-Christians mentioned they have no faith left in humanity? So many. Many people are impressed with Jesus, just not his followers. I don't blame them! The reality is that either we're not living as we're called to (like Jesus) OR people are expecting us to be perfect when that's impossible since we're still sinful by nature.
But we should be progressing. We should be more like Jesus each day. Maybe we won't see the changes until a few years down the road, but they should be there.
So like yesterday's sermon based on 1 Peter, today's sermon and message are very similar. As Christians we need to focus on Jesus and what God's done for us. We need to be different from the world. We need to love those around us. We too were once lost but we are found.
Honesty I'm not sure if I feel closer to God after listening to sermons and writing about it. I know I've learned from the Bible and I feel I understand 1 Peter better than if I just read it on my own. The message of the book is good but nothing new. But maybe I don't need new. Maybe I need a good reminder. But no matter how I spend my time with God, I want to be in a place where there is such intimacy. I want to hear his voice clearly. I want more. I am glad I am learning but I am looking for more. Only 2 more sermons to go in this mini-series. After those are up, who knows how I'll spend my hour. All I know is that I want to feel God's presence and just be.
Sunday, 15 June 2014
JUNE 15, 2014 - DAY 5
After a long exhausting day, the Holy Spirit graciously gave me the idea to spend my hour listening to a sermon while soaking in the bathtub! I told Nathan my idea and he said "Well that must be from the Holy Spirit because I was thinking you should do the exact same thing." Love it.
So I chose to listen to a sermon based on 1 Peter 1 to re-hash what I've been reading and to help me understand some verses a little better. The sermon definitely helped.
The pastor, Beau, first talked at great lengths about American culture. (The church is in Texas). He talked about how all along since Genesis 3 every nation has been immoral but a shift has been happening in the States lately. (Note this was from 2013). Beau talked about how although people have always been evil, now people are fighting for those evils to be law. Gay-marriage. Trans-gender issues. Etc. Where does freedom fit into all of this? Why is it that trans-gender children are allowed to use a bathroom that they want even if it makes other people feel uncomfortable? Why does one person get special privilege over others? Why are religious establishments being reprimanded for not performing gay-marriages? Why does the gay couple's rights trump Christian's? If we're not careful, we'll lose our voice.
Now, our persecution as North American Christians is not to be beaten or killed for our faith - well rarely. Our persecution is people making fun of us for what we believe or thinking we're crazy. Our persecution is getting in trouble with the law for not following what they desire like gay-marriages.
Beau mentions that we're not that much different from the people Peter was writing to in his letter. These people at this point in history were not being persecuted physically. They, like us, are thought of as crazy by their neighbours. The non-Christians had their cultural ways. They worshipped their gods. Why would anybody want to follow Jesus?
So instead of just telling the Christians in his letter how to act around those persecuting them, he encourages them with who God is and what he has done. He starts his letter off by praising God for what he's done. He reminds the Christians that they have new life and have an inheritance that nobody can take away. So what if people make fun of you? So what if people think you're crazy! You have JESUS! You have new life! NOTHING can ever take that away. NOBODY can take that away.
Peter mentions people may go through tough times. This may include persecution or everyday life trials. But our faith is stronger than gold and God will protect us Peter reminds them.
So the sermon ends in verse 13 with Peter's encouragement:
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
We're strangers in this world. Peter starts his letter by reminding the Christians they are elect exiles. They don't belong. We don't belong. But we're still to be in the world AND to be loving and gentle while here. Yes we absolutely need to stand up for what we believe in and be ready to give an account even if people will disagree with our beliefs. But when we share those beliefs, we are to be kind, gentle, respectful and loving. That is what we are called to do.
So remember dear Christians, YOU are a stranger in this world. God paid the ultimate price for you. So when you go about your day, stand up for Jesus and live as Jesus did. Bold but loving.
So I chose to listen to a sermon based on 1 Peter 1 to re-hash what I've been reading and to help me understand some verses a little better. The sermon definitely helped.
The pastor, Beau, first talked at great lengths about American culture. (The church is in Texas). He talked about how all along since Genesis 3 every nation has been immoral but a shift has been happening in the States lately. (Note this was from 2013). Beau talked about how although people have always been evil, now people are fighting for those evils to be law. Gay-marriage. Trans-gender issues. Etc. Where does freedom fit into all of this? Why is it that trans-gender children are allowed to use a bathroom that they want even if it makes other people feel uncomfortable? Why does one person get special privilege over others? Why are religious establishments being reprimanded for not performing gay-marriages? Why does the gay couple's rights trump Christian's? If we're not careful, we'll lose our voice.
Now, our persecution as North American Christians is not to be beaten or killed for our faith - well rarely. Our persecution is people making fun of us for what we believe or thinking we're crazy. Our persecution is getting in trouble with the law for not following what they desire like gay-marriages.
Beau mentions that we're not that much different from the people Peter was writing to in his letter. These people at this point in history were not being persecuted physically. They, like us, are thought of as crazy by their neighbours. The non-Christians had their cultural ways. They worshipped their gods. Why would anybody want to follow Jesus?
So instead of just telling the Christians in his letter how to act around those persecuting them, he encourages them with who God is and what he has done. He starts his letter off by praising God for what he's done. He reminds the Christians that they have new life and have an inheritance that nobody can take away. So what if people make fun of you? So what if people think you're crazy! You have JESUS! You have new life! NOTHING can ever take that away. NOBODY can take that away.
Peter mentions people may go through tough times. This may include persecution or everyday life trials. But our faith is stronger than gold and God will protect us Peter reminds them.
So the sermon ends in verse 13 with Peter's encouragement:
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
We're strangers in this world. Peter starts his letter by reminding the Christians they are elect exiles. They don't belong. We don't belong. But we're still to be in the world AND to be loving and gentle while here. Yes we absolutely need to stand up for what we believe in and be ready to give an account even if people will disagree with our beliefs. But when we share those beliefs, we are to be kind, gentle, respectful and loving. That is what we are called to do.
So remember dear Christians, YOU are a stranger in this world. God paid the ultimate price for you. So when you go about your day, stand up for Jesus and live as Jesus did. Bold but loving.
Saturday, 14 June 2014
JUNE 14, 2014 - DAY 4
Prior to sitting down and reading the Bible, typically I'll pray and ask God to speak to me through the Scriptures I'm about to read. So as I prayed that prayer today I realized that perhaps there is more God wants to do in that time then I can even think of. So I wrote down what I want to get out of reading the Bible every time I read it. Here's what I came up with:
1) To know God's heart better and to know who he is more (even the parts of him that make me uncomfortable or that I don't understand or didn't grow up learning about)
2) To hear God clearly
3) To know the Scriptures and not forget them after I read them
4) To be transformed more into who Jesus is
5) To know how to live
6) To know truth
7) To know what God thinks of me - who am I?
8) Whatever God wants that I can't even think of.
So that's my list. It was good to write it out so I know why I'm even reading the Bible.
Today I re-read 1 Peter 1 so I can get to know Scriptures better and not just read it once and hope to remember it. I them read 1 Peter 2:1-12.
Peter AGAIN for the third time so far in his letter talks about believers living as strangers in this world. I'm not sure if God is specifically trying to get my attention on this point (likely he is) or whether I am just noticing the wording because I've seen it 3 times now in 1.5 chapters.
One verse I liked a lot is: v.12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
This verse is great for so many reasons. First, if we live like this, it's like Jesus! He lived a great life (perfect in fact) and people still accused him of doing wrong.
Also, people are to see our good deeds. That means action on our part. We can't sit around and claim we love God if we don't have actions to back it up. I looked up the definition of deeds and it's great. It says: "an action that is performed intentionally or consciously" - you have to CHOOSE to intentionally do something good. .
Lastly, it leads people to glorify God. I don't know if by then it'll be too late or not? But people glorifying God is a good thing!
There's much more in chapter I read but I'll leave it for now.
1) To know God's heart better and to know who he is more (even the parts of him that make me uncomfortable or that I don't understand or didn't grow up learning about)
2) To hear God clearly
3) To know the Scriptures and not forget them after I read them
4) To be transformed more into who Jesus is
5) To know how to live
6) To know truth
7) To know what God thinks of me - who am I?
8) Whatever God wants that I can't even think of.
So that's my list. It was good to write it out so I know why I'm even reading the Bible.
Today I re-read 1 Peter 1 so I can get to know Scriptures better and not just read it once and hope to remember it. I them read 1 Peter 2:1-12.
Peter AGAIN for the third time so far in his letter talks about believers living as strangers in this world. I'm not sure if God is specifically trying to get my attention on this point (likely he is) or whether I am just noticing the wording because I've seen it 3 times now in 1.5 chapters.
One verse I liked a lot is: v.12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
This verse is great for so many reasons. First, if we live like this, it's like Jesus! He lived a great life (perfect in fact) and people still accused him of doing wrong.
Also, people are to see our good deeds. That means action on our part. We can't sit around and claim we love God if we don't have actions to back it up. I looked up the definition of deeds and it's great. It says: "an action that is performed intentionally or consciously" - you have to CHOOSE to intentionally do something good. .
Lastly, it leads people to glorify God. I don't know if by then it'll be too late or not? But people glorifying God is a good thing!
There's much more in chapter I read but I'll leave it for now.
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