Psalm 37:39
The salvation of the rightous comes from the the Lord.
This one verse sums up so much. We cannot just do good works and be able to get into heaven, our salvation, your salvation, my salvation, it depends on the Lord. Not ourselves, but the Lord.
This has been very hard to explain to those who do not believe. God has really put this struggle in my life recently. How do you explain that all the good works in the world mean nothing in your way to heaven? And to simply get into heaven, you have to believe in and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not so simple....
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.
We are saved by God's grace.
According to the Merrium-Webster online dictionary:
Grace: 1.unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification. 2. a virtue coming from God.
So God saved us by his grace.... not bad, eh? Now, all we have to do is accept it! Just because Jesus died for all of us doesn't mean that we all get to go to heaven.
I love this analogy, let's say we are all just kickin' it at a coffee shop. Someone (Jesus) comes in and pays for the next $1,000 of drinks that are going to be purchesed. Now, just because we are sitting and chillin' in the coffee shop doesn't mean we get a free latte, we must go to the counter and order it. If I choose not to order a cup of coffee, I don't get one free, and if you choose to go and order your latte, you will recieve it for free. That is exactly what God did for us! He sent his only son to come to the earth, live as human, and die for us (prepay for our coffee) so that we can go to the holy heaven God has created (enjoy our coffee at no cost). So, therefore, to go to heaven and live with Jesus after we die, we must accept his free gift!
A gift from God, who could have imagined?!
Acts 10:43
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Captivating Part 2
This one little part of a prayer really summed a lot up for me. It was just like the prayer I have been praying to God for the past month or so. It is just.... soooo.... great!
"I gird up my desire to offer life through my gifting, the beauty You have bestowed on me. I ask You to continue to reveal and confirm what You desire to do through me and all You have given to me. I trust that You have called me by name and have given me love, a beauty, a gift to pour out on my family, my friends, and those You bring to me. May this day be an offering of love poured out before You on the alter of my life"
I feel like I have shared this with so many girls today! but I love it!!!
"I gird up my desire to offer life through my gifting, the beauty You have bestowed on me. I ask You to continue to reveal and confirm what You desire to do through me and all You have given to me. I trust that You have called me by name and have given me love, a beauty, a gift to pour out on my family, my friends, and those You bring to me. May this day be an offering of love poured out before You on the alter of my life"
I feel like I have shared this with so many girls today! but I love it!!!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Everyday
Lately, I have been thinking of the daily routine. How does my daily routine please the Lord? I read daily, talk to others, go to bible study, go to church.... blah, blah, blah. But am I living for the Lord when I am doing my homework, in class, talking with unbelievers? I know the Lord is with me, but I need to live for Him every second of every day.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing have you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Whatever I do for the Lord will make Him joyful. Why would I not want to do all I can for Him at anytime of the day? Going to school, I am around unbelievers in my classes, in group projects, in my dorm, it is very possible that once a day I will be hearing or I will be part of a conversation about the Lord. Why do I not speak up and tell them the truth? Unbelievers talking about God shows me that they want the Lord, they are searching for that "something." I should be there to help them find the Lord! Not just show them His love but really talk with them, share the gospel, tell them the truth. By doing that, I would make the Lord oh so happy.
Proverbs 10:1
A wise son brings joy to his father;
but a foolish son grief to his mother.
I need, I want, to bring joy to my father in heaven! How do I do that?
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish on another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Fully and completely live for the Lord, that's how.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing have you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Whatever I do for the Lord will make Him joyful. Why would I not want to do all I can for Him at anytime of the day? Going to school, I am around unbelievers in my classes, in group projects, in my dorm, it is very possible that once a day I will be hearing or I will be part of a conversation about the Lord. Why do I not speak up and tell them the truth? Unbelievers talking about God shows me that they want the Lord, they are searching for that "something." I should be there to help them find the Lord! Not just show them His love but really talk with them, share the gospel, tell them the truth. By doing that, I would make the Lord oh so happy.
Proverbs 10:1
A wise son brings joy to his father;
but a foolish son grief to his mother.
I need, I want, to bring joy to my father in heaven! How do I do that?
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish on another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Fully and completely live for the Lord, that's how.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Willing
Exodus 36:6-7
Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
Building a sanctuary, or even a building, is a huge undertaking! Moses had the Isrealites giving their finest to him so that the sanctuary could be built in God's name. After they started collecting, there was just too much stuff, so Moses had to tell the people to stop bringing items. How wonderful to be so on fire for the Lord that you just want to give up everything you have all for the Lord.
Are we as a church today THAT on fire for the Lord? Would we give up our finest to build a church, go reach out to the lost, save a soul?
Would you be willing to give up the best thing you own for the church? Your car? Your laptop? Your education? Your life?
Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
Building a sanctuary, or even a building, is a huge undertaking! Moses had the Isrealites giving their finest to him so that the sanctuary could be built in God's name. After they started collecting, there was just too much stuff, so Moses had to tell the people to stop bringing items. How wonderful to be so on fire for the Lord that you just want to give up everything you have all for the Lord.
Are we as a church today THAT on fire for the Lord? Would we give up our finest to build a church, go reach out to the lost, save a soul?
Would you be willing to give up the best thing you own for the church? Your car? Your laptop? Your education? Your life?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Captivating part 1
I am currently reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. This book is great! It has taught me so much about myself, about my love for God, and about His love for me. I am going to sum up four points that I think God has put it into my heart with this book.
1. God made women for a reason.
God made man out of His image, but
Genesis 2:18
"It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him."
Guess who that helper is? yup, the women! Eve was the first one to help out the first man. We are to be there to help our brothers, husbands, and other men in our lives. God made women for a specific reason, not just to give rise to the nations but to be here for those men in our lives.
2. Every woman WANTS to be beautiful.
God made this longing in women's hearts to be beautiful, to be captivating. From the age of three or younger we were trying to capture the attention of those around us. I have alwaysed loved being the center of attention and so I can see this so clearly in my life. In class in elementary school, I loved being the one who was always chosen, in high school I loved to be the one who the teachers would call out for praise, and I can see how I long for God's attention to. I remember when I just started realizing the Christian life asking for a sign from God. Now I don't remember if God actually gave me a sign at the time or not, but I longed that He would give me attention enough so I could know He was real.
3. God wants our whole heart.
God told us He wants to get to know us.
Jeremiah 24:7
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
He wants our whole heart! Not just a little piece of our heart on Sunday mornings, but really all of it!
Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart.....
He wants us to give Him our whole heart! God doesn't want us to give our hearts half to Him and half to this world! He wants the whole darn thing! He is just waiting for us to give Him our whole heart as well. He waits for us and is patient.
Revelations 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
He is waiting for us! What are we waiting for, an invitation in the mail? He is knocking on that door of everyone's hearts. He will return the favor to, He loves us! Not just that "Jesus loves me this I know....." but really loves us!
Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord appeared to us in the past saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."
I am loved! Really loved, by our God! How great?!
4. I want to captivate His heart
I understand God loves me. He loves me like NO ONE here on this earth can! He loves me so much, I cannot fathom it! I don't just want to love Him because he commanded it by loving God being the greatest commandment
Matthew 22:37
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind.
But I want to love God because He loves me! How great is it to know that you are loved so dearly and you are wanted so badly by your God?!
While learning this, I dug out an old CD of mine that I was going to give to a friend to listen to. I instead popped it in and gave it a whirl before handing it over. The CD is this whole story all over again! Here is what I have learned from four of the songs on Bethany Dillon's CD, Bethany Dillon:
Aimless: I think this life here on earth is great... heaven is going to be so much better.
Beautiful: I long to be beautiful! He is the one who makes me so beautiful.
For My Love: I want to be captured by His love! Fall completely in love with Him.
Are All I Need: God is all I need. Period.
Totally recommend listening to this CD, love it!
1. God made women for a reason.
God made man out of His image, but
Genesis 2:18
"It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him."
Guess who that helper is? yup, the women! Eve was the first one to help out the first man. We are to be there to help our brothers, husbands, and other men in our lives. God made women for a specific reason, not just to give rise to the nations but to be here for those men in our lives.
2. Every woman WANTS to be beautiful.
God made this longing in women's hearts to be beautiful, to be captivating. From the age of three or younger we were trying to capture the attention of those around us. I have alwaysed loved being the center of attention and so I can see this so clearly in my life. In class in elementary school, I loved being the one who was always chosen, in high school I loved to be the one who the teachers would call out for praise, and I can see how I long for God's attention to. I remember when I just started realizing the Christian life asking for a sign from God. Now I don't remember if God actually gave me a sign at the time or not, but I longed that He would give me attention enough so I could know He was real.
3. God wants our whole heart.
God told us He wants to get to know us.
Jeremiah 24:7
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
He wants our whole heart! Not just a little piece of our heart on Sunday mornings, but really all of it!
Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart.....
He wants us to give Him our whole heart! God doesn't want us to give our hearts half to Him and half to this world! He wants the whole darn thing! He is just waiting for us to give Him our whole heart as well. He waits for us and is patient.
Revelations 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
He is waiting for us! What are we waiting for, an invitation in the mail? He is knocking on that door of everyone's hearts. He will return the favor to, He loves us! Not just that "Jesus loves me this I know....." but really loves us!
Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord appeared to us in the past saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."
I am loved! Really loved, by our God! How great?!
4. I want to captivate His heart
I understand God loves me. He loves me like NO ONE here on this earth can! He loves me so much, I cannot fathom it! I don't just want to love Him because he commanded it by loving God being the greatest commandment
Matthew 22:37
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind.
But I want to love God because He loves me! How great is it to know that you are loved so dearly and you are wanted so badly by your God?!
While learning this, I dug out an old CD of mine that I was going to give to a friend to listen to. I instead popped it in and gave it a whirl before handing it over. The CD is this whole story all over again! Here is what I have learned from four of the songs on Bethany Dillon's CD, Bethany Dillon:
Aimless: I think this life here on earth is great... heaven is going to be so much better.
Beautiful: I long to be beautiful! He is the one who makes me so beautiful.
For My Love: I want to be captured by His love! Fall completely in love with Him.
Are All I Need: God is all I need. Period.
Totally recommend listening to this CD, love it!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
In the End
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...... (fast forwarding)......
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Okay, so the end is coming! Let's rejoice! We do not know when it is coming, the angels don't know when the end is coming, and Jesus doesn't know when it is coming, only the Father himself. (Matt 24:36).
So what should we do to prepare for this? Well... live life, love the Lord, and be ready to go at any moment. (Matt 24:44).
Living in Iowa this summer with all the flooding, I saw first hand what it meant to "be ready at any moment." Thankfully my family never had to "be ready to leave at any moment" but I had friends and family members of my church have to go through this. They got a warning that they might have to evacuate their homes at any moment because the water in Cedar Rapids was rising way too fast. Within days, sometimes hours, they had to get out of their house. Many people put furniture and valuables on top floors of their homes and gotten around important documents to take with them, and a couple sets of clothes. That was if they were lucky. Once evacuated, it was a waiting game until the water receded and they could get into their house again.
If we somehow got a warning from God saying, "Hey, the end is going to come in approximately 48hours" what would you do? Would you continue on daily life? Would you praise the Lord for everything that has happened or for who He is? Would you repent? Would you go and make last apologizes and make all well between you and those in your life? Would you go to tell others that the end is coming?
If you would do any of these things with only 48 hours to live.... why are you not doing it now? Jesus told us to be ready for the end at all times, so are you ready now? What are you waiting for?! The end is near, and I know once the end comes, I will go to heaven and worship God for all of eternity. I can hardly wait!
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Okay, so the end is coming! Let's rejoice! We do not know when it is coming, the angels don't know when the end is coming, and Jesus doesn't know when it is coming, only the Father himself. (Matt 24:36).
So what should we do to prepare for this? Well... live life, love the Lord, and be ready to go at any moment. (Matt 24:44).
Living in Iowa this summer with all the flooding, I saw first hand what it meant to "be ready at any moment." Thankfully my family never had to "be ready to leave at any moment" but I had friends and family members of my church have to go through this. They got a warning that they might have to evacuate their homes at any moment because the water in Cedar Rapids was rising way too fast. Within days, sometimes hours, they had to get out of their house. Many people put furniture and valuables on top floors of their homes and gotten around important documents to take with them, and a couple sets of clothes. That was if they were lucky. Once evacuated, it was a waiting game until the water receded and they could get into their house again.
If we somehow got a warning from God saying, "Hey, the end is going to come in approximately 48hours" what would you do? Would you continue on daily life? Would you praise the Lord for everything that has happened or for who He is? Would you repent? Would you go and make last apologizes and make all well between you and those in your life? Would you go to tell others that the end is coming?
If you would do any of these things with only 48 hours to live.... why are you not doing it now? Jesus told us to be ready for the end at all times, so are you ready now? What are you waiting for?! The end is near, and I know once the end comes, I will go to heaven and worship God for all of eternity. I can hardly wait!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
God needs us, and we need Him... what a relationship.
I am getting baptized this Sunday and I have been focusing on it in the wrong way. I knew I wanted to get baptized and went about it the right way (by having it be between me and God), then "when all my ducks were in a row" I sluffed the whole thing of God and I off and used it to get people to come to church. What a great way to invite people to come but I feel that inviting people has been my focus. Today I read Psalm 28 and it was convicting.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
This was convicting because I was using His works and pulling in my own joy. I am joyful when people say they are going to come to church, but I needed to realize they are coming to church because of Him.... not me! My heart is completely intrusted in the Lord, and however He uses my baptism for others salvation is wonderful! It is all in His plan!
Getting myself back on focus, I need my baptism to really be about me and God. I am getting baptized to show that I have given up my life for the Lord to use in whatever ways that will advance His kingdom. I pray to God that He uses me, and I have now doubt that He will. While I was journaling about this, I was listening to Shawn McDonald, and his song Take My Hand came on.
Take my hand to the promise land
And on You I want to stand
‘Cause I cannot do it on my own
You're what I need and I need to be
Right by Your side ‘cause I cannot hide
Lord, I know that I need You
Na na na na na na na na na, I need You
Na na na na na na na na na, I need You
Without You I'm so alone
I am weak but You are strong
You pick me up when I'm falling down
And I am crying
Out to You inside of my heart
I need You, Lord, oh so, for the part
I want You to have my life, Jesus
I fall to my knees
And I'm begging You, please, oh, Lord
Won't You change me
Make me new from the inside out
I want to shout out Your name
I thought this song was great to be listening to at this time. I was confessing to God how much I wanted to be used by Him for Him, and in song, He was sharing with me how much I need Him! This is just sooo great! Really the last part of the song is great, Won't you change me, make me new from the inside out.... just really, really great!
We all need God in our lives. Period. And how great is that?!
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
This was convicting because I was using His works and pulling in my own joy. I am joyful when people say they are going to come to church, but I needed to realize they are coming to church because of Him.... not me! My heart is completely intrusted in the Lord, and however He uses my baptism for others salvation is wonderful! It is all in His plan!
Getting myself back on focus, I need my baptism to really be about me and God. I am getting baptized to show that I have given up my life for the Lord to use in whatever ways that will advance His kingdom. I pray to God that He uses me, and I have now doubt that He will. While I was journaling about this, I was listening to Shawn McDonald, and his song Take My Hand came on.
Take my hand to the promise land
And on You I want to stand
‘Cause I cannot do it on my own
You're what I need and I need to be
Right by Your side ‘cause I cannot hide
Lord, I know that I need You
Na na na na na na na na na, I need You
Na na na na na na na na na, I need You
Without You I'm so alone
I am weak but You are strong
You pick me up when I'm falling down
And I am crying
Out to You inside of my heart
I need You, Lord, oh so, for the part
I want You to have my life, Jesus
I fall to my knees
And I'm begging You, please, oh, Lord
Won't You change me
Make me new from the inside out
I want to shout out Your name
I thought this song was great to be listening to at this time. I was confessing to God how much I wanted to be used by Him for Him, and in song, He was sharing with me how much I need Him! This is just sooo great! Really the last part of the song is great, Won't you change me, make me new from the inside out.... just really, really great!
We all need God in our lives. Period. And how great is that?!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
God's Plan
God created us. God created us just the way we are, and to Him we are beautiful. He has plans for us, and He knows what the future is to bring. All we must do is follow His path.
Psalm 27:11
Teach me your way, O Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
The Lord will lead us in a straight path, if we let Him. He gives us the gift of free will, so our path may veer sometimes. Who wants their path to be crooked? What we must do is to trust in the Lord with our lives.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own
understanding.
He does know what is best for each one of us. And that, is truly amazing to me.
God knows the best paths for everyone here on Earth, what a great God!
Psalm 27:11
Teach me your way, O Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
The Lord will lead us in a straight path, if we let Him. He gives us the gift of free will, so our path may veer sometimes. Who wants their path to be crooked? What we must do is to trust in the Lord with our lives.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own
understanding.
He does know what is best for each one of us. And that, is truly amazing to me.
God knows the best paths for everyone here on Earth, what a great God!
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