Whew! I woke up with so much joy today! I absolutely love sweet mornings like these.
This morning I have been thinking about God's character and attributes. God is so good to us. He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is our Healer and Restorer. He is our Defender. He is our Savior. He is our BFF4L (seriously though). He is our Rock and our Foundation. He is our Advocate. He is our Daddy (not just dad, but daddy). He is our Comforter in troubled times. How can we, after knowing all of this, continue to live like He is not any of these?
Romans 12: 2 says: "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds"
Um, you mean to tell me that I shouldn't look like the world? YEP! You mean to tell me I'll stick out like a sore thumb? YEP!
Friends, when we left our old life (Christ-less life), we were given a new body, a new heart, a new mind, and a new freedom. We were also commanded to live a life different from what our culture tells us. We left all addiction (whether it be intoxication, illegal drugs, premarital sex, gossip, lust, money... etc.) behind. Society feeds these things, the world feeds these things, but we have been SET FREE FROM ALL ADDICTION! When Christ transformed our lives, he set us free from these things, and now we live in such a way that brings His name honor! We are without excuse now when we live this lifestyle. It is not God-honoring to live this way, but it is so much easier, right?
Yahweh is another way of saying LORD. This is a personal way of referring to God. For instance, if someone were to say "Courtney is a daughter" , then that would be impersonal. But if someone were to say "Courtney Ann is my daughter", this would be personal. I am being claimed by someone. Yahweh is our way of claiming the Lord as ours. He is my God, not just a God, but The God of my life.
We are given a choice. Are we going to conform to the world, or are we going to follow Yahweh? It is not easy. The biggest misconception is that when we follow Christ, everything is perfect.. the opposite is true in fact. When we follow Christ, we will be persecuted, ridiculed and made fun of by pretty much everyone. But living a life this way is better than living without Christ in our lives. He will fill every void in our lives when we choose to follow him, even if we stick out like sore thumbs (I love that phrase-ha!).
Let's remember his attributes today. There is no temptation that is too strong and there is no addiction that is too great. Yahweh is so much better than your (and my) way.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Humble Humblers
This year our college class at H(umble)AFBC went to Glorieta, NM for collegiate week (a huge conference with awesome worship leaders and speakers). During free time in Glorieta we play, (and dominate) the sports at Glorieta. Well, the people from last year apparently knew and remembered our matching shirts from last year, or maybe they just remembered that we destroyed them in football, or maybe this was totally unintentional and I'd like to think that people were jealous of our mad skills, but a team from Arkansas made shirts that said "Humble Humblers".
This is how we should be. Humble. When I was reading from Matthew this morning, I started thinking about this concept. The main focus of the scripture I read this morning was on humility.
1. Matthew 6:1-4
Jesus is telling us that we need to give to the needy, but that when we give to do it in secret. As the end of verse 4 says, "then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you". Jesus is saying that public acts are great, in fact he commands us to give and to do good deeds. Remember, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" James 2:26
2. Matthew 6:5-13
Jesus is saying that we should pray in our room with the door closed rather than standing openly in the church or on the street corner. The reason that Jesus is saying this is not to condemn public prayer, for He Himself prayed publicly, but back in the day Jews would stop everything they were doing to pray and He was concerned that one's internal motivation would be the central concern. By shutting the door, the person (or group) would be more focused exclusively on God.
3. Matthew 6: 16-18
Jesus is talking about how important it is to fast, but to do it with the right motives. He says that Christians need to wash the ashes off of our faces when we are fasting so our intentions aren't to publicize our physical hardships. Rather, we are to wash our faces so our motives are not corrupt.
These three chunks of scripture are scary to me. I had to really think about these and make sure my intentions are none other than to please and praise the Lord through my actions. I think we all struggle with humility, and will continue to struggle with it for the rest of our lives. This is why the Lords advice is to almost hide our actions so we aren't tempted to boast, or perform these acts for selfish reasons. Let's be the Humble Humblers (or College Stationers or wherever-you-are'rs)!
Happy day :)
This is how we should be. Humble. When I was reading from Matthew this morning, I started thinking about this concept. The main focus of the scripture I read this morning was on humility.
1. Matthew 6:1-4
Jesus is telling us that we need to give to the needy, but that when we give to do it in secret. As the end of verse 4 says, "then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you". Jesus is saying that public acts are great, in fact he commands us to give and to do good deeds. Remember, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" James 2:26
2. Matthew 6:5-13
Jesus is saying that we should pray in our room with the door closed rather than standing openly in the church or on the street corner. The reason that Jesus is saying this is not to condemn public prayer, for He Himself prayed publicly, but back in the day Jews would stop everything they were doing to pray and He was concerned that one's internal motivation would be the central concern. By shutting the door, the person (or group) would be more focused exclusively on God.
3. Matthew 6: 16-18
Jesus is talking about how important it is to fast, but to do it with the right motives. He says that Christians need to wash the ashes off of our faces when we are fasting so our intentions aren't to publicize our physical hardships. Rather, we are to wash our faces so our motives are not corrupt.
These three chunks of scripture are scary to me. I had to really think about these and make sure my intentions are none other than to please and praise the Lord through my actions. I think we all struggle with humility, and will continue to struggle with it for the rest of our lives. This is why the Lords advice is to almost hide our actions so we aren't tempted to boast, or perform these acts for selfish reasons. Let's be the Humble Humblers (or College Stationers or wherever-you-are'rs)!
Happy day :)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mourning to Morning
Psalm 30:5 "...weeping may last through the night but rejoice comes in the morning"
There is something about the morning that is just so peachy! I don't know if it's the fresh feeling after the exhaustion I was experiencing the night before when I plopped my head on my "squishy" (my pillow); or if it's the fresh hazelnut coffee aroma that tickles my nose; or if it's the fact that I have so much to be thankful for and this is the time that the Lord brings all of it to mind- when I have a clear mind; or maybe it's that the Lord gives me a peace and joy that surpasses all understanding; or maybe it's the combination of all four.
Everyone has sad days. Some people might have sad moments every day. Some people might be so broken that all day every day is a sad day. The lie from the enemy is that we have to sulk in our sorrows because we are doomed. That's a bunch of hogwash..
Just like Psalm 30:5 says: our mourning lasts through the night. The night is always the worst for hurting people. I relate this to when I am sick with strep throat. For some reason, my body is more susceptible than most to this infection. Since I've had it so many times, I am very good at detecting the onset of the infection, and by very good, I mean that I have mastered this skill. When I'm sick, nights are awful. Right before I go to bed, I'll have the worst body aches, the sorest throat, and the highest temperature. There is just something about the night that stinks.
We might be emotionally ill. Or maybe physically ill. But GOD IS GREATER! Morning is so much greater than mourning. We should be overflowing with joy this morning, and immersing ourselves in scripture about God's love and His nearness to us when we are burdened or heavy laden. He is our defender when we are weak. His love surpasses all understanding, and he wants his children to be well! He doesn't like to see us sad. When we abide in him, he will abide in us (John 15:7). When this is done, he will give us 24 hour mornings (don't confuse this with me saying that he won't allow suffering and pain-- I am simply just saying that he will fill that void in our lives, whatever that may be).
The truth is that God is our Comforter and it is only lies from the enemy that we should mope and sulk. Let's let him fill our heart and lives with him so we can have abundant and overflowing joy! This is so much more fulfilling and long-lasting (unlike Dentyne)! This is a HAPPY day! :)
There is something about the morning that is just so peachy! I don't know if it's the fresh feeling after the exhaustion I was experiencing the night before when I plopped my head on my "squishy" (my pillow); or if it's the fresh hazelnut coffee aroma that tickles my nose; or if it's the fact that I have so much to be thankful for and this is the time that the Lord brings all of it to mind- when I have a clear mind; or maybe it's that the Lord gives me a peace and joy that surpasses all understanding; or maybe it's the combination of all four.
Everyone has sad days. Some people might have sad moments every day. Some people might be so broken that all day every day is a sad day. The lie from the enemy is that we have to sulk in our sorrows because we are doomed. That's a bunch of hogwash..
Just like Psalm 30:5 says: our mourning lasts through the night. The night is always the worst for hurting people. I relate this to when I am sick with strep throat. For some reason, my body is more susceptible than most to this infection. Since I've had it so many times, I am very good at detecting the onset of the infection, and by very good, I mean that I have mastered this skill. When I'm sick, nights are awful. Right before I go to bed, I'll have the worst body aches, the sorest throat, and the highest temperature. There is just something about the night that stinks.
We might be emotionally ill. Or maybe physically ill. But GOD IS GREATER! Morning is so much greater than mourning. We should be overflowing with joy this morning, and immersing ourselves in scripture about God's love and His nearness to us when we are burdened or heavy laden. He is our defender when we are weak. His love surpasses all understanding, and he wants his children to be well! He doesn't like to see us sad. When we abide in him, he will abide in us (John 15:7). When this is done, he will give us 24 hour mornings (don't confuse this with me saying that he won't allow suffering and pain-- I am simply just saying that he will fill that void in our lives, whatever that may be).
The truth is that God is our Comforter and it is only lies from the enemy that we should mope and sulk. Let's let him fill our heart and lives with him so we can have abundant and overflowing joy! This is so much more fulfilling and long-lasting (unlike Dentyne)! This is a HAPPY day! :)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Our eyes are fixed, but are they focused?
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Today I woke up a little discouraged. I called a dear friend of mine to ask for some uplifting, and she reminded me that we shouldn't worry, and we should not be dismayed... EVER! If God is the Ruler, Controller and Sustainer of my life, then whom shall I fear, and what shall burden me or leave me feeling dismayed (Isaiah 41:10)? I think the real issue is lack of trust. Is God's plan for me really better, or can I do a better job controlling my life? Some key issues that have caused me to feel this way is not being able to see the "big picture" for my life. I am graduating in December, with a degree in something I don't even want to use, and do not know where the Lord is directing me. I have applied to nursing school, but the chances of me actually getting in are so slim! What in the world am I going to do if I don't get in? Is God calling me to go overseas for a semester and share the gospel with an unreached people group? Or maybe He just wants me to stay here and share for now.
That's the beauty of our Lord. He knows what's best for us, so as long as we are praying in total abandonment to self and complete surrender to Him, He will guide our every step! How comforting is that? That the Creator of Life would not just point in the direction that we need to go, but actually carry us and place us exactly where we need to be.
After spending the summer working in an eyecare clinic, I learned a lot about the human eye. The first thing we'd ask the patient was if it'd be okay for us to dilate their pupils. The reason for this procedure is so the doctor can thoroughly examine the retina (to rule out glaucoma, cataracts.. etc) because when the radial muscle contracts, the pupil dilates and the posterior portion of the eye is more easily seen and examined (nerd alert). After dilation, everything up-close that the patient fixes their eyes on is blurry, even when they squint in attempt to focus on the object. This procedure reminds me of my relationship with the Lord. I am fixing my eyes on Him, but am I fully focused on Him? Or am I just looking in His general direction, but controlling other parts of my life? Friends, He is WORTHY of both our fixation and focus!
It is not easy to let the Lord fully control our lives; not for me at least. But how much more fulfilling life is when He is directing us and molding us into who He desires for us to be. It makes things much more complicating when two people are driving the same car. It's like driver's ed. Every stinkin' time I'd stop at the red light, I waited until the last minute to brake, so what did this mean for me? My little co-captain would SLAM on the breaks, because ultimately he is a much more experienced professional at what he does and knows how to judge the situation better than I. If I had just listened to him in the first place, it would have saved me from embarrassment and having to repeat the course.
The Lord is so, SO good and so worthy of every bit of our attention. He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, so instead of sulking in our sorrows let's focus our attention on The One and Only.
Today I woke up a little discouraged. I called a dear friend of mine to ask for some uplifting, and she reminded me that we shouldn't worry, and we should not be dismayed... EVER! If God is the Ruler, Controller and Sustainer of my life, then whom shall I fear, and what shall burden me or leave me feeling dismayed (Isaiah 41:10)? I think the real issue is lack of trust. Is God's plan for me really better, or can I do a better job controlling my life? Some key issues that have caused me to feel this way is not being able to see the "big picture" for my life. I am graduating in December, with a degree in something I don't even want to use, and do not know where the Lord is directing me. I have applied to nursing school, but the chances of me actually getting in are so slim! What in the world am I going to do if I don't get in? Is God calling me to go overseas for a semester and share the gospel with an unreached people group? Or maybe He just wants me to stay here and share for now.
That's the beauty of our Lord. He knows what's best for us, so as long as we are praying in total abandonment to self and complete surrender to Him, He will guide our every step! How comforting is that? That the Creator of Life would not just point in the direction that we need to go, but actually carry us and place us exactly where we need to be.
After spending the summer working in an eyecare clinic, I learned a lot about the human eye. The first thing we'd ask the patient was if it'd be okay for us to dilate their pupils. The reason for this procedure is so the doctor can thoroughly examine the retina (to rule out glaucoma, cataracts.. etc) because when the radial muscle contracts, the pupil dilates and the posterior portion of the eye is more easily seen and examined (nerd alert). After dilation, everything up-close that the patient fixes their eyes on is blurry, even when they squint in attempt to focus on the object. This procedure reminds me of my relationship with the Lord. I am fixing my eyes on Him, but am I fully focused on Him? Or am I just looking in His general direction, but controlling other parts of my life? Friends, He is WORTHY of both our fixation and focus!
It is not easy to let the Lord fully control our lives; not for me at least. But how much more fulfilling life is when He is directing us and molding us into who He desires for us to be. It makes things much more complicating when two people are driving the same car. It's like driver's ed. Every stinkin' time I'd stop at the red light, I waited until the last minute to brake, so what did this mean for me? My little co-captain would SLAM on the breaks, because ultimately he is a much more experienced professional at what he does and knows how to judge the situation better than I. If I had just listened to him in the first place, it would have saved me from embarrassment and having to repeat the course.
The Lord is so, SO good and so worthy of every bit of our attention. He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, so instead of sulking in our sorrows let's focus our attention on The One and Only.
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