Strong Tower

Ahhh, 2011... What a year you have been. I have gone through many struggles: trying to find myself in a boy, fighting with my dad, choosing a college, choosing a major, losing friends, custody battles over my nephew... But ya know. I've also gone through MANY blessings: overcoming myself and choosing God instead of a boy, forgiving my dad, God showing me Lipscomb, God planning out my future for me as a Psychology major, gaining Godly women as friends, learning God has a purpose for everything...  


2011 was a year with ups and downs, just like any other has been. But it's been different than any other year. God has brought me through a lot, because He has been interwoven through everything. I am ready for what He has to offer in 2012. He has HUGE plans, and I wanna see them! But truthfully, I am terribly weak. I may have gotten through a lot,  but that's because I have had help...help from the best Daddy there could ever be. 


"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the STRENGTH of my heart and my PORTION forever." 
---Psalm 73:26


Tsuwr (strength): Rock; rock (with flat surface); block of stone, boulder; rock (of God); A STRONG TOWER


Cheleq (portion): Portion, share, part, territory; one's portion, one's possession; portion, award (from God)

And He has said to me,"My grace is SUFFICIENT for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather BOAST about my WEAKNESSES, so that the POWER OF CHRIST may DWELL in me.Therefore I am WELL CONTENT with WEAKNESSES, with INSULTS, with DISTRESSES, with PERSECUTIONS, with DIFFICULTIES, for Christ's sake; for WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG."
---2 Cor. 12:9-10 NASB


Arkeō (sufficient): To be possessed of unfailing strength; to be strong, to suffice, to be enough; to defend, ward off; to be satisfied, to be contented


Episkēnoō (dwell): to fix a tent or habitation on; of the power of Christ descending upon one, working within him and giving him help


Eudokeō (content): It seems good to one, is one's good pleasure; think it good, choose, determine, decide; to do willingly; to be ready to, to prefer, choose rather; to be well pleased with, take pleasure in, to be favourably inclined towards one


Astheneō (weak): To be weak, feeble, to be without strength, powerless; to be weak in means, needy, poor; to be feeble, sick


Dynatos (strong): Able, powerful, mighty, strong; mighty in wealth and influence; strong in soul; to bear calamities and trials with fortitude and patience; strong in Christian virtue; to be able (to do something); mighty, excelling in something; having power for something

"Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
---James 1:2-3 


Hypomonē (perseverance): Steadfastness, constancy, endurance; in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings; patiently, and steadfastly

God is my strength. I CHOOSE to rely on Him. 

Dear God, 

I pray that 2012 is yours. I pray that even when I go through something difficult, I choose to focus on you. I will choose to endure it for you. I know Your plans are much greater than my own. I will come out stronger: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stronger. I trust you, God. 

I also pray for everyone reading this and even those who are not reading this. I pray that they, too, choose you and the glorious plans you have. I pray they realize that You are perfect in every way and that You are ENOUGH. 

Thank you God. 

Amen. 

Dear 2012,

BRING IT! 

Sincerely, 

The Unchained 

"Give Me Faith": http://youtu.be/n_Voi3JM8ZA

56% More of Boys Will Read This Than Girls

Dear Beautiful Women of God,

Allow me to remind you of truth said by God's Word and by His followers. This truth cannot be altered in any way, nor can it be misinterpreted. It is simply the facet of how us, as God's beautiful princesses, should live. 

“A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.”

- Maya Angelou

"Exalt in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD. Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him."  

- 1 Chronicles 16:10-11

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

- Proverbs 31:30-31

"Admit it. It feels good when someone notices your appearance, appreciates your latest hairstyle, or comments on how much weight you've lost. But don't get sucked into believing that's what is most important about you. No matter how much make-up you use, outwardly beauty is fleeting. It's fading fast. And ultimately, so many other things are more valuable. If you're going to be praised for something, let it be for your Godly life. Let people notice your love for God and see your concern for others. Those are qualities that will only grow more beautiful with time and age."

- My Bible

"Make-up does not make up who you are."

- A Good Friend of Mine

"http://youtu.be/TCunuL58odQ"

- "How He Loves" by the David Crowder Band

So what's the point? God seeks us EVERYDAY. So seek Him back. WE are His portion, and HE is our prize. If we are seeking Him and only Him, everything else will fall into place. 

With Love, 

The Unchained :]

Food for Thought

During one of my seminar class discussions, my professor brought up going without food.  He asked if any of us have fasted before for longer than one meal or longer than an entire day.  He then encouraged us to fast for 48 hours, so we could get a better understanding of how it feels to be poor and without food.  Well...  I took on the challenge!

Before I continue, I am well aware of the verses that instruct me to not boast about fasting (Matt. 6:16-18).  However, this is not boasting.  Yes, I am proud of myself that I truckled through this two-day journey, but I am writing this post to help you see something - to help you see all of those who need our help.

Besides my seminar class, only one other person knew that I would be doing this:  my roommate.  That way, she could hold me accountable if I started reaching for food.

Let me also say that in no way, shape, or form do I completely understand what it is like to go without food.  I merely realize that I am not thankful as I should be for what I have.

So... With that said...

The challenge started at 1:20 on November 1st and ended today, November 3rd, at 1:20 (from class period to class period).  I ate no food whatsoever and only drank water.

The first day was...  all right.  I felt hungry, but I was okay.  I did feel like I was going to throw up when I lied in bed that night.  It might have also been because I knew I couldn't have food the next day.  

Once the second day started, I woke up hungry but couldn't eat any breakfast.  Throughout the day, I got a little shaky but couldn't do anything about it, except drink water hoping that would help.  At one point, I went downstairs to the computer lab, and there were girls eating lunch.  As soon as they were done, they were talking about more food:  favorite foods, why one food tastes better than the other, different flavors of snack foods...  I then realized how much we, as a nation, like food.  We talk about it ALL THE TIME.  Before we eat, we talk about what we're going to eat.  While we're eating, we talk about how good the food is.  After we eat, we talk about how good the meal was.  Then, a little bit later, we think about the next meal or the next snack time.  We talk about food ALL.  THE.  TIME!

Later that night, I got back to campus from church.  I had to park on the other side of campus, and I had a case of water in my back seat to carry to my dorm.  I carried it and felt.  So.  Weak...  My arms began to get shaky, my legs felt numb, my head felt light...  Halfway to my dorm, I asked my roommate to carry the water the rest of the way.  Once I got back to my room, I sat down in my chair to rest.  How.  Pitiful.  I, who eat everyday...  I, who eat three meals a day...  I, who eat snacks periodically...  I, who eat desserts or candy or any sort of sweet treat whenever I feel like it...  Was tired from carrying a case of bottled water maybe...500 feet...that my mom bought for me, when I could just drink tap water in my dorm.  Pitiful!  Think about it.  There are those who go without food for days and days, sometimes even weeks, and maybe get small amounts of food periodically.  In order to get water, and hopefully it's clean water, they (they, being people younger than I, most likely) have to walk MILES and MILES to get water, usually from a well.  Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, they have to carry the buckets of water back to their home.  Can you imagine how tired they are?  But they have to do it in order to survive.  And then, they have to share that bucket of water with their entire community.  It is not just for themselves.  Can you imagine???

On day three, I woke up feeling lightheaded, my stomach felt awful, I was super hot, and my equilibrium was way off.  It only lasted for a short time, though, but it still was not the best feeling.  After it wore off, I honestly didn't think about being hungry.  I just continued my day until 1:20.  My professor brought the class apples, pita bread, cheese, humus, and water - quite a nutritious, vegetarian snack.  While eating it, the place where the hard palate and the soft palate in the roof of my mouth meet hurt a little.  But it felt good to have food back in my system and to have energy once again.  

Throughout all of this, God reminded me of just one verse:  1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says, "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  I am SOOO blessed to live in a country where I will NEVER go hungry.  We have enough food here to feed the entire world.  But yet, I eat and then eat some more, never thinking about those who, while I stuff my face, have little to nothing to eat.  Who am I that I would take my blessings for granted?  Who am I that I would do nothing about their hunger, while I do everything about my own?  Who am I that I don't even pray before I eat, thanking God for giving me food to eat?  Give thanks in ALL circumstances.  Who am I???

I encourage you all, not to fast for 48 hours, but to take a look at your life.  What are you doing that benefits the Kingdom of God?  What are you doing that allows you to be thankful for what you have?  What are you doing to prevent not being greedy and gluttonous?  What are you doing before you eat?  What are you doing while you eat?  What are you doing after you eat?  What are you doing when you're not eating at all?  What are you doing???  Be thankful for what you have and pray for those who do not have.  They will be blessed, as well.  :]

No More Excuses

God doesn't want your excuses - He wants your open heart.

My Strength

I read this in my Bible today, and I thought I would share it with you all.  


"I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled.  Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.  Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."  (Habakkuk 3:16-19) 


"Knowing that the land faced devastation, Habakkuk set his mind on God rather than circumstances.  He told himself, I choose to be patient; I choose to rejoice - even when (not if) disaster comes.  With this perspective on life, he could confidently say that God was his strength.  


Sometimes faith requires that we make a hard choice that contradicts what we can see.  When the circumstances of your life look bad, remind yourself that God is in control.  Like Habakkuk, you can choose to trust God.  By making the choice to trust, you too can discover that God is your strength."


  

Simon Says...

One time, in the days of Jesus:  Simon (Peter) and his friends had been fishing all night and never even caught one, single fish.  So Jesus comes along and tells them to try again.  Simon was skeptical but did it anyway.  He and his friends caught so much fish that the net was breaking!  Even the boats, BOTH boats, were overflowing with fish!  Then instead of saying, "Thank you," to Jesus, Simon says, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"  But Jesus replies, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men"  (Luke 5:4-11).  This passage has a few different symbolic meanings, but the one I see most vividly is God's grace. 

When we sin or carry a burden, it consumes us.  It is all we can think about and becomes our focus.  We try to find a break from it, but because we are so focused on it, we cannot find one on our own.  So here comes Jesus.  He simply asks us to try again.  Because we are curious of what He can do, we do as He says.  Part of us (the flesh part) want to prove Him wrong that we cannot be healed, but the other part (the spirit part) yearn to trust Him, for "the spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Matt. 26:41).  And then, because we CHOSE to trust Him, a miracle happens.  Our net (our sinful bondage) breaks.  We become overflowed with His grace, so much so that we are sinking in His grace.  We are not only forgiven of our sins and released from our bondage, but we are made new.  We become free.  The only thing we must do is "lower our nets."

Jesus' response is interesting, because He doesn't go away as Simon instructed Him.  Instead, He calls Simon, and all of us, to do the same.  He wants us to release others of their sinful bondage, as He released Simon and as He releases us.  Jesus says, "Don't be afraid," for people will come at His calling, not through our expertise.   We have the ability to lead people to His grace.  Once we do just that, He will pour out His love over them, so much love that they will sink in His ocean of grace.  

Let Him cover you in His love.  He wants to break you of your captivity, whatever it may be.  He loves you and wants you all to Himself.  So let Him.  Take a chance; do as He says.  :]

Set Me Free

So...  God has been granting me a peace lately.  I've felt His presence more that I ever have in this new season of my life.  However, there is still a part of me that fails to trust God.  I give Him so much of me but not me in my entirety.  But today, God set me free.  He set me free from my failures, from my insecurities, from my fear.  He set me free.  I was prayed over by some sisters in Christ and He set me free.  I was reminded that no matter how far I "feel" from Him, the reality is that I am near Him always.  He never leaves me.  He spoke this verse to me today, which I have heard before, but it now has a new meaning to me.  "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36 NIV).  How beautiful is that?  If He sets you free, then you're free.  No question about it.  You're free.  

Now watch this.  The word "free" is used twice in this verse.  So what do they mean?  How do they translate?  Here's the Greek meanings.  Be prepared for freedom.  

The first free is translated as:  eleutheroō.  It means, "to make free; set at liberty from the dominion of sin."  Whatever holds you hostage to this world, you will be set free.  You will be released from your sins.  There is nothing to hold you back anymore.  

Keep watching.

The second free is translated as:  eleutheros.  This word means, "freeborn in a civil sense; one who is not a slave; of one who ceases to be a slave, freed; free, exempt, unrestrained, not bound by obligation."  Do you see that?  Once He sets you free, you are no longer a slave to anything!  You are free.  You are exempt.  Your sins have been washed away.  You are unrestrained.  You are not bound by obligation.  You.  Are.  Free!  Is that not beautiful?!

"So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free."  John 8:36 AMP

So if the Son sets you at liberty from the dominion of sin, then you are free, exempt, unrestrained, and no longer bound by obligation to this world.  

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you have [perfect] peace and confidence.  In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!  For I have overcome the world.  [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"  John 16:33 AMP

He has overcome the world.  He has overcome your sin.  He has overcome all things that hold you hostage.  Be certain that He has done that for you.  He has deprived this world of power.  If God has ALL the power in the world, then how much does Satan have?  Absolutely nothing!  He has conquered the world for you!

Have peace in knowing He has made you free.  If you have never asked Him to, do it now.  I promise you, I assure you, He will set you free.  

This is a song by Casting Crowns called "Set Me Free."  Listen and be freed.  :]

http://youtu.be/HeuM0K2yNWU

Sounds Good to Me

In the story of creation in Genesis, God saw His creation as good (Gen. 1:31).  What does that mean exactly?  The Hebrew word for "good" is "towb."  It's being used as an adjective here to translate to:  pleasant, agreeable, valuable in estimation, excellent of its kind, happy.  All things God had created were considered as "towb."  That means all of nature is good.  All of water and sky are good.  Every human is good.  Before the fall of man, humans were valuable in estimation to God. 

So how does the Hebrew meaning differ from the Greek meaning?  This is where is gets interesting.  Let's have a vocabulary lesson, shall we.

There are two Greek words for "good."  They are "agathos" and "kalos."

Agathos means "of good constitution or nature; useful, salutary; good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; excellent, distinguished; upright, honorable."  (This word is closely correlated with "towb.")

Whereas, kalos means "good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy; morally good."  (This word requires some sort of action of becoming good.)  

Romans 7:18 says, "I know that nothing good [Agathos] lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good [Kalos], but I cannot carry it out."

God originally created us as good, as perfect in nature to Him.  After the fall of man, nothing good no longer lives in us because we are prone to a sinful nature.  The latter part of this verse says that we have the desire to do good, to become like God in our nature and characteristics.  We can become beautiful by reason of purity and heart and life.  We can become like how He originally created us.  Reading down a few verses, we are offered hope.  "Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin" (Romans 7:25).  Therefore, we can make use of our desire to strive to be good (kalos) and become like God, for He is good (agathos).  It takes change on our part to fully know God.  There is no way we can become like how He first created us until we change.  God wants to reveal Himself to us, but we must first reveal ourselves to Him.  

"All beings were made good, but not being made perfectly good, are liable to corruption."

The Act of "Serve"ice in 100 Words

Service is provided when one makes the decision to serve.  Service, alone, means nothing.  It is simply a noun.  However, when put into action, it then becomes a verb.  This is exactly why Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth, for He came to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28).  He made the decision to serve the least of these for the betterment of God’s Kingdom.  Jesus did not just simply agree with what service is, but He lived out service by serving others according to God’s will.  He is the epitome of how His followers should also live their life.  It is for God, and God alone, that life should be lived, by serving.  

The Act of "Serve"ice in 200 Words

The root word of service is “serve.”  Service is a noun, which implies the physical portion has already been done, whereas serve is a verb, which is the action of living out service to the peak of one’s abilities.  Service is a result of serve and, therefore, one cannot exist without the other.  Jesus came to earth to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28).  He did not settle for living for Himself by service, but rather, He lived for someone even greater than He and served God only.  He did this out of His love for the Father, thus yielding a service.  Paul explains this as such, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).  This is exactly what Jesus did while He was on this earth.  He did not merely provide a service to those around Him, but He physically served them.  This is how His people should also live, for “when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).  His people can only gain the wisdom and the blessings from serving once they realize God’s love can cover a multitude.  It is more than gaining for one’s self.  It is the gaining for others by pouring out His love over those who desperately yearn for it.  It is serving.  

The Act of "Serve"ice in 300 Words

“Service,” in its simplest form, is “the action of helping or doing work for someone.”  Based on this definition, it implies that service is not for one’s own benefit, but for that of another.  One of the many blessings of service is that not only is someone’s life being touched, but also is the one doing the service.  It is human nature to help someone else in need.  However, what is so often overlooked is the Biblical background of service.  Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  In the New Testament, it says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).  This means that one should serve in order to better someone else.  Jesus, Himself, came to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28).  He saw the need in the world and served each need with love.  He humbled Himself so others could gain.  This, in its rarest form, is serving.  There is quite a difference between the two words.  The most obvious is that the former is a noun, whereas the latter is a verb.  Service requires one to perform some sort of action or deed, whereas serving requires one to live out an obscure lifestyle, one that is not often seen.  Because of God’s love for His children, we, too, have the instinct to love and to serve one another.  Some people, however, only provide a service.  They do not serve for the betterment of another, nor for God’s divine Kingdom, but they serve to merely accomplish something within one’s self.  It is out of selfish ambition, as opposed to the lifestyle in which God has called His people.  Serving is the physical portion of the word serve.  One cannot provide a service with first serving.  For example, it is impossible to perform the service of helping an elderly cross the street without first serving the elderly, without first physically aiding him or her.  This is living like Jesus.  The result will never be found out without first discovering in each moment with physical ambition of serving Christ.  

The Act of "Serve"ice Introduction

I am taking a Freshman Seminar class called "Making a Difference."  We were given an assignment to first write our philosophy of service in 300 words.  Once we wrote that, we were then to portray the same message in 200 words, and then, finally, in 100 words.  Since it has been sooooo long since I have posted something, (and I'm going through withdrawals) I thought I would post each one here.  That way, you can read them too.  I'll post each one individually, so you can see how they transition.  

I love you all! :]

Your Satisfaction... Guaranteed!

I would like to walk you through a famous story in the Gospel, whose meaning happens to sometimes be overlooked.  That story is:  Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand. 

Jesus says to His disciples, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat" (Mark 8:2).  Jesus then takes seven loaves of bread, breaks the bread, and gives thanks to God for the bread.  He is then able to perform a miracle and multiply the bread, so the four thousand may eat.  He also does this with the few fish He has.  He gives thanks before He is able to perform a miracle.  In verse 8, it says, "The people ate and were satisfied.  Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."  

Jesus had compassion on the people that were WITH Him.  They were listening to His teachings and taking in His every word.  They had not eaten during these three days.  They had sacrificed this portion of their lives, so they could be with Him.  Because of this, Jesus wanted to reward them.  He had compassion on them.  When we are with Jesus, our outlook changes.  We do not focus on our problems or the lack of what we have.  Instead, we simply focus on spending time with Him.  In time, (for these people, it was three days), Jesus will reward you and bless you. 

However, before rewarding them, He gave thanks for what He had.  Seven loaves of bread and a few fish is obviously not enough for four thousand people...  Or so we think.  Jesus took what was few and made it plenty.  Now think about your life.  Is there an aspect where you feel as if you don't have enough?  If you are with Him, He will take what you think is few and turn it into something so much greater.  Jesus exemplifies an important lesson here.  Be thankful for what you do have.  "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18).  Even if you have little, be thankful for it.  

Finally, it says, "the people ate and were satisfied" (v. 8).  Because of their trust and longing to be with Jesus, Jesus blessed them with food and they were satisfied.  It does not say they were "somewhat satisfied" or "almost satisfied."  It says, "they were satisfied."  He will bless you in the midst of your problems, so much so, that you will be satisfied.  They will be an abundance of blessings.  They will pour over your problems and give you peace.   You'll have basketfuls left over!

With this world, satisfaction is scarce and only lingers.  With Jesus, satisfaction is guaranteed to stay and overflow.  :]


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"  (Romans 15:13).

In All Things, You Make Us New

Well, it's back-to-school time again!  For some, it's grade school.  For others, like myself, it's college.  Either way, it's another chapter in our story, a new season of life. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."  It then goes on to give examples of such times.  Going back to school consists of many obstacles, just on the first day!  But remember, "from the divine order of the seasons to the meticulous timing of a flower's bloom, God's handiwork surrounds us."  It is everywhere, even on that first day.  I encourage you to, therefore, give Him praise in all things.  "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago" (Isaiah 25:1).  He has already planned our first day of school, our today, our right now, our new season.  "He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecc. 3:11).  It is such a blessing to be reminded of God's faithfulness in each new day and in the beauty of every new season.  

Because God provides us with a new season, He also provides each of us, individually, with a new spirit, if we allow Him.  Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  The Greek word for "new" is "kainos."  This means, "recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn, uncommon, unprecedented."  Just the opposite, the Greek word for "old" is "archaios."  This means, "original, that has been from the beginning, conditions."  Before choosing to follow Christ, we continue in the same pattern, the same routine.  It is original and does not stand out from the rest.  However, once we make that choice, we become fresh, unused, unworn, uncommon, unprecedented...  We become like God.  We become who He created us to be - one of a kind.  Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will."  The word "renewing," here, means, "a renewal, a renovation, a complete change for the better."  As you venture into this new season, become new in yourself, as well.  Turn away from your old self, from the patterns of this world.  If you do so, He will make a complete change in you for the better.  He will show you His perfect plan for your life.  

Trust in Him always, and He will continue guiding you.  Personally, I know God has big plans for me in this new season.  And I can guarantee He has them for you too!  :]

A Prophet Without Honor

In Mark 6, Jesus goes to his hometown and teaches in the synagogues.  While He is there, people who had grown up with Him, questioned Him.  They took offense at his teachings and his healings.  Jesus responded, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor" (v. 4).  Then, in verse 6, it says, "He was amazed at their lack of faith."

I'm not sure about you, but this hit me hard.  Jesus went to his hometown, among people He loved and people who loved Him, and He wasn't even accepted there.  

Think about Him in our world today.  His hometown is inside of us.  When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He resides in our hearts.  However, if ever we start to doubt Him or turn away from Him or question His miracles, He becomes a prophet without honor.  We are doubting His credibility.  Then, He becomes amazed at our lack of faith in Him.  

Jesus deserves all the glory AND honor AND power.   Revelation 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”  He created all things, and He heals all things.  Therefore, don't doubt Him.  Don't turn away from Him.  Don't question Him.  And please, PLEASE, don't make Him a prophet without honor.  Trust in Him with all you have, and He will heal you.  :]

Here's a song that I think goes with this message.  I think you'll like it.  It's called "Cannons" by Phil Wickham.  The lyrics are there, as well.  :]

http://youtu.be/dSo46FWGh8g

WE Are Beautiful

Well, I realized it was slightly hypocritical of myself to ask you all to not be silent but remain silent myself.  God has changed my life in soooo MANY ways, and, in God's perfect timing, I will tell you all of it.  But, for now, God would like for me to share with you one particular change.

During a short period in high school, I believed a lie.  I would look at myself in the mirror and be discontent.  I didn't like who I saw.  Not because of something I had done, but simply because I didn't see myself as beautiful.  I allowed the lack of being told I am beautiful by my father to consume me.  Because of this, I became jealous of girls who had boyfriends and I didn't.  I compared myself to those girls and thought, I'm just not as pretty as they are.  I didn't like what I wore, because I thought I just didn't look good in my clothes.  I wore too much makeup.  I tried to "cover myself up" or "fix myself" in order to attempt at being beautiful. 

I realize that just about every girl goes through this stage.  But I write this to you today to offer hope.  Because now, when I look in the mirror, I see a beautiful creation of God.  Somedays, yes, Satan still creeps in my head, but I shut him out and turn to God.

The Bible says that "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27).  We were all created in God's image.  No one else's but His.  The Bible also says, "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him; for he is your lord" (Psalm 45:11).  So not only do we look like God, who is the epitome of beauty, but He is enthralled by how beautiful we are.  When we look in the mirror, we shouldn't see a simple person, we should see a beautiful creation of God.  We should see God staring right back at us. 

When I went on a mission trip to Miami, I got to share this portion of my story with a five-year-old girl.  She never told me her story, but that didn't deter me from what I felt led to tell her.  I told her how absolutely beautiful she is in the eyes of God.  I told her how I overcome the lie of being "ugly" and how I still overcome it each day.  She was so amazed and her eyes lit up before me.  She had a smile on her face knowing I cared for her enough to share this with her.  The smile on her face also came from finally knowing she's beautiful.  I can't even begin to tell you how much joy I felt in my heart from telling her this.

You see, what Satan means for harm, God will turn it around for His glory.  Satan tried to make me believe I wasn't beautiful.  And I believed him for a bit.  That was until God reminded me of who He is and who I am in Him.  I went through that stage of my life, so I could tell that little girl how beautiful she is.  And, believe me, it was soooo worth it. 

So, I no longer look in the mirror and turn away.  I look in the mirror and see God staring right back at me.  I am beautiful.  And, so are you.  :]

I REFUSE to Be Silent

For the past four weeks, my pastor has been preaching a series called, Silenced.  He has been talking about how, as followers of Jesus, we cannot be silent in our prayers, our lives, or our beliefs.  I have been praying about how exactly God wants me to go about not being silent.  And He simply answered, "Just don't."  It's that simple.  Just don't be silent.

Today I read Mark 5:1-20.  This is the passage where Jesus heals a man who is possessed by a legion of demons.  Jesus casts the demons into a herd of pigs, and the man is healed.  The man wanted to go with Jesus, but instead, Jesus responded, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you" (v. 19).  Once again, Jesus is reminding me of His command.  Go tell my family.  Go tell my friends.  Go tell people I have never before met. 

The following verse says, "So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis (which means 'Ten Cities') how much Jesus had done for him.  And all the people were amazed."  The man who had been healed did as Jesus commanded him.  We have already been healed by the pouring out of His blood on the cross.  So go tell someone.  If you're worried what people will say, don't.  For this man, "all the people were amazed."  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Prov. 3:5-6).  Don't consider yourself; consider Him.  Trust Him.  In ALL your ways, acknowledge Him.  Tell others about His love and about what He has done for you.  If you do this, He is faithful and just and will keep His promises (Psalm 117:7). 

I ask you these three questions.  What true works of God have you seen in your own life or in others' lives?  Who are your "family" to whom you can be a witness?  How do you overcomplicate the simple act of sharing what God has done for you?  These are the same questions I was humbled by today.  I overcomplicate my daily life in order to somehow "escape" God.  That's impossible.  Just like being silent is impossible.  So go tell someone!

There's a Raging Sea Right in Front of Me

There is a story in Mark where Jesus calms the storm.  The disciples were afraid of the raging waves and the fierce wind.  They awoke Jesus from His slumber, questioning if He cared whether or not they drowned.  Jesus stands up, and commands the waves, "Quiet!  Be still!"  Then He asks why the disciples are afraid and still do not have faith.  The disciples were amazed that even the wind and waves obey Him.  (Mark 4:35-41)

This is one of my favorite miracles of Jesus, because, like the disciples said, even the wind and the waves obey Him.  It causes me to evaluate my "struggles."  If Jesus can calm a huge sea storm, then He can surely calm whatever I am going through and even calm myself.  I need only have faith that He will take care of me.  The Bible says He taught as one who has authority (Mark 1:22).  Jesus came to Earth with authority.  If He has authority over what He teaches, then He also has authority over His healings. 

Wherever you are in your life, allow Jesus to have authority over any and all struggles.  Jesus would never force His authority on you, because that isn't love.  But, I can promise you, He can and will change your life, but only if you allow Him to have the authority.   He will free you from this world.  Then you will be able to rest in His presence and in His grace.  "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest"  (Exodus 33:14).  John 16:33 says,   “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  He has already overcome the world, and that includes your struggles.  Put your faith in Him, and He will calm your storm. 

                            

Just Two Days Ago...

I heard a song by Matthew West today called, "A Few More Days" (the link to it is at the bottom), and I was completely humbled by it. 

The line that got me was, "To You a day is like a thousand years" (Psalm 90:4).  Because Jesus died for our sins and rose to conquer them a little over 2000 years ago, that means it was only just a little over two days ago.  Is that not humbling?  We see 2000 years as sooo long, but it was only the day before yesterday.  His love is still fresh.  It will always be fresh.  The Bible says, "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (2 Peter 3:8).  What gets me is the verse right after that:  "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  His promise is Jesus.  We tend to complain on waiting on God, because we fail to understand His timing.  How long must I wait? When will God answer my prayer? Why is God taking so long?  But these two verses answer those questions.  He is not slow in keeping His promises.  It was only two days ago that He fulfilled them.  He is patient with us.  He knows we look at time differently than Him, but He is still patient and loving. 

This made me think of James writing to the early Jewish Christians.  He writes about life being a mist. 

"Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.”  As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.  Anyone, the, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins"  (James 4:13-17).

Therefore, if 2000 years ago was only two days ago, time is passing!  Let this verse be our prayer for God:  "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).  Trust that God has a plan for you in this short amount of time we are on Earth.  Trust that the miracle of Jesus is still fresh.  The beauty of His blood will never run dry.  After all, just two days ago, the world changed.  :]

http://youtu.be/OL6yGccXYzU

Be Optimistic...And Smile! :]

I choose not to be a pessimist.  >:( 

I choose not to be a realist.  :/  

I choose to be an optimist.  :D

During what we call "bad days," we lose sight of God.  We allow ourselves to only see the pain, the hurt, the anguish, the confusion, the discomfort, the feelings that aren't from God ("For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self‑discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7)).  Therefore, if we take the good days from God, why not also the bad days (Job 2:10)?  The Bible says, "Be joyful always, pray continually, gives thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ" (1 Thess. 5:16-18).  It says, "gives thanks in ALL circumstances."  God did not limit our thanks to the "good days."  He says, ALL circumstances.  So whenever you feel pain, hurt, anguish, confusion, discomfort, etc., gives thanks to God!  Be optimistic.  Change your outlook from seeing those ill feelings to seeing God's glory, God's faithfulness, God's grace, God's love... "For Great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever" (Psalm 117:2).  He is faithful.  There is absolutely nothing that He cannot handle.  Our God is greater; our God is higher; our God is higher than any other (Psalm 77:13).  Whatever it is that is holding you back from His love and faithfulness, give it to Him.  There is freedom in knowing that He is holding us.  His arms are wrapped around us. 

Remember, in ALL circumstances, give thanks!  And smile knowing He is love.  :]

 

 

Come to My Rescue

God gave me both the verse and the song.  I hope it speaks to your heart the way it spoke to mine.  He is just soooooo good!  :]

"In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered me by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies." Psalm 118:5-7

Here is the link.  The song is called "Rescue" by Newsong. 

http://youtu.be/RXAN3l8jQDg

True Love Waits

I choose to wear a True Love Waits ring on my left ring finger, my wedding finger.  It represents the promise I made to God.  I promised Him that I would wait until marriage to "go all the way" with the man God has for me. 

But, more importantly, it represents the promise I made to God that I would be married to Him always.  When the man God has for me comes along, he'll have to ask for God's permission to marry me, because I am already married to God.

Well, I was just looking at my ring and thinking.  I've always just thought True Love meant that the guy for me would respect me and my relationship with God and also himself and his relationship with God to wait until we are married.  But I just realized, it's soooo much deeper than that.

Ya see, following Jesus is NOT a religion.  It is an alive and active relationship full of love and out of love because God is love.  I have nothing to offer, but He loves me anyway.  Whenever I make a mistake, He is not disappointed with me, because I belong to Him and I am His daughter.  Lamentations 3 verse 24 says this:  I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”  Nothing else in this world can satisfy the body, the mind, or the spirit, but God.  He is our portion.  Because I am in a relationship with God and He is love, this is True Love.  I will wait for Him, because He waits for me.  True Love Waits. 

Experiencing God

People, whether they be followers or non-followers of Christ, claim that they have never experienced Him in profound ways.  Jesus has spoken to my heart in so many beautiful ways.  People long for this, but Jesus is also experienced just by our existence.   

We experience God by breathing.  For every breath we take in, He is constantly breathing out for us.  His hand is over us allowing us to breath out.  That is experiencing God. 

We also experience God just by walking outside.  Look around you.  All of this belongs to God.  He created the splendor of the trees.  He created the majesty of the mountains.  He created the serenity of a sunset. 

Look in the mirror.  He created the beauty of YOU.  By looking in the mirror, you can experience Christ.

We wait for Him to shout out to us, but, sometimes, God is loudest when He is not saying anything at all.  The Bible says to, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10).  We merely have to breathe.  We merely have to walk outside and look around us.  We merely have to look in the mirror.  Be still.  He is God.  He is exalted simply because you exist. 

 

I Should Be...

Because of my home life, I should be the kid who uses drugs to escape reality.

Because of the death of my grandmother, I should be the kid who remains depressed.

Because of the lack of a decent dad, I should be the kid who has numerous boyfriends to at least get a glimpse of feeling wanted.

However...

Because of my home life, I am the kid who chooses to trust that God is so much better than drugs.

Because of the death of my grandmother, I am the kid who chooses to trust that God brought His glory out of her death and that He healed her in beautiful ways. 

Because of the lack of a decent dad, I am the kid who rests in her Father's arms, instead, and trusts that He'll never let me go.

I should've been... But I'm not.

I should be... but I AM.