The past couple years, I have started having a yearly verse. I pick a verse that I want to define that year.
2013 was Psalm 86:11, "Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name."
2014 was Psalm 56:13, "For You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."
For this year, I have chosen Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Some of you have heard me say that Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite verse, and it is. It's my life verse. But we know that each year brings different things into our lives. We go through different stages, different trials, and different joys. We make old mistakes, but we also make new mistakes. I pick a verse to remind myself as I go through each day that God is there. It's like a prayer to quiet my heart.
This year, I want to let go of things that I've been holding on to, some of them for years. One thing I have realized is that no matter what I do or how much I hold onto it, I can't change the past. Sometimes friendships that were broken will just remain broken. It's part of life. But holding onto those things will not help me to move forward.
There's a Relient K song that says,
"And You said I know that this will hurt
But if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse
If the burden seems too much to bear
Remember the end will justify the pain it took to get us there."
This song resonates with me because I can think of multiple times where God had to break my heart to bring me back to Him. It's not a fun process, but in the end it will always worth it because God used those things to grow me and bring me better blessings.
One excellent point from the message at my church this weekend is that sometimes we try to just dust ourselves off instead of letting God transform us. That is what I have done so many times. The problem with dust is that it always returns. Just think about dusting your house. It's practically a weekly thing. Transformation, however, is more permanent, and that is what we all need.
It is so easy to give up and wallow in our disappointments and shame instead of standing up and leaving them behind. I'm ready to reset. I'm ready to bask in God's forgiveness and mercy and enjoy life. God has so richly blessed me, and I can't lose sight of that. I posted a status a few days ago that said, "2015 is the year for fresh starts and new memories. Here's to God's blessings!" What's funny is I didn't even remember that the new series at my church would be Reset: New Year New Start. It was like God was encouraging me in my decision.
I want to encourage you in joining me with the decision to let go of the past. We can't change it in any way, but we can let God use it for the good and transform us. God doesn't cause the problems we go through, but He wants to use them rather than let them be wasted. I think it's very comforting that He wants things to make us better and not tear us apart. He loves us too much to let us stay the way we are, and that means we need to let go of what's behind us and move forward.
2015 is my fresh start. Will it be yours?
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Monday, October 6, 2014
Why I Won't Believe in Two Ways to God
I have heard it said that Paul affirms two ways to God- the Old Covenant for the Jews and Christ for the Gentiles. (This view is defended by Romans 11 and various other ideas from Paul's letters.) Setting Paul aside (it's a debate for another time), here are reasons why I refuse to believe it:
1. If God sent His Son to die on the cross, why would He send Him for only 3/4 of the population (or whatever the fraction is of Gentiles over Jews)? If God demands 100% of ourselves to serve Him (the Bible says He will spew us out if we're lukewarm), then why not die for 100% of the population of the earth? Why not make Gentiles become Jews? Okay, so the law is a curse to Gentiles. Then why not make it so it's not? Why send your son to carry sins and die if it's not for everyone? Why take the hardest route possible for salvation for Gentiles?
2. Okay, so let's say it was just for Gentiles. Then why on earth would His disciples preach about Him and convert people to follow Christ- including fellow Jews? Why not just follow the Torah if that's all is required of Jews? Look at Paul himself. He was a devout Jew, Pharisee even, who ended up following Christ. What's the point if Jesus didn't die for Jews? Note the Great Commission. Who was that given to? Jews.
3. If it's not for Jews, then why on earth would Jesus be born into a Jewish nation? Why not be born among the pagans? Why even bother the Jews? Why even perform miracles, choose disciples, and teach among Jews?
4. Paul says not to boast. Honestly, if Jesus did come just for the Gentiles, then we really would have something to boast about. I mean look at us! We don't have to do anything! All we have to do is believe on Jesus and follow after Him! Granted, that often comes with struggles and sacrifices, but really, is it so bad? Look at the Jews. They have to follow the Torah and circumcision. Honestly I feel like that's much more work than we Gentiles have to do.
5. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).
These are reasons why I cannot believe in two ways to God. I do not believe Jews have a different way than Gentiles. I do not believe Paul is saying that either. Perhaps it's just my traditional upbringing, but having two separate ways makes no sense to me and creates so many different questions in my head. If Jesus didn't die for everyone, then why do we even have the Bible? Why do we even have the Old Testament? Why do we care about the Jewish nation? Because they're God's chosen people? I believe we have the Bible because it shows us where we came from. It shows us how God started with the Jewish nation, sent Christ to redeem the Jews from their sin as the Ultimate Sacrifice, then sent the disciples to reach everyone- including Gentiles. I'm sure all of my reasons could be refuted in some way. And that's okay, but I know what ground I stand on.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~John 3:16
1. If God sent His Son to die on the cross, why would He send Him for only 3/4 of the population (or whatever the fraction is of Gentiles over Jews)? If God demands 100% of ourselves to serve Him (the Bible says He will spew us out if we're lukewarm), then why not die for 100% of the population of the earth? Why not make Gentiles become Jews? Okay, so the law is a curse to Gentiles. Then why not make it so it's not? Why send your son to carry sins and die if it's not for everyone? Why take the hardest route possible for salvation for Gentiles?
2. Okay, so let's say it was just for Gentiles. Then why on earth would His disciples preach about Him and convert people to follow Christ- including fellow Jews? Why not just follow the Torah if that's all is required of Jews? Look at Paul himself. He was a devout Jew, Pharisee even, who ended up following Christ. What's the point if Jesus didn't die for Jews? Note the Great Commission. Who was that given to? Jews.
3. If it's not for Jews, then why on earth would Jesus be born into a Jewish nation? Why not be born among the pagans? Why even bother the Jews? Why even perform miracles, choose disciples, and teach among Jews?
4. Paul says not to boast. Honestly, if Jesus did come just for the Gentiles, then we really would have something to boast about. I mean look at us! We don't have to do anything! All we have to do is believe on Jesus and follow after Him! Granted, that often comes with struggles and sacrifices, but really, is it so bad? Look at the Jews. They have to follow the Torah and circumcision. Honestly I feel like that's much more work than we Gentiles have to do.
5. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).
These are reasons why I cannot believe in two ways to God. I do not believe Jews have a different way than Gentiles. I do not believe Paul is saying that either. Perhaps it's just my traditional upbringing, but having two separate ways makes no sense to me and creates so many different questions in my head. If Jesus didn't die for everyone, then why do we even have the Bible? Why do we even have the Old Testament? Why do we care about the Jewish nation? Because they're God's chosen people? I believe we have the Bible because it shows us where we came from. It shows us how God started with the Jewish nation, sent Christ to redeem the Jews from their sin as the Ultimate Sacrifice, then sent the disciples to reach everyone- including Gentiles. I'm sure all of my reasons could be refuted in some way. And that's okay, but I know what ground I stand on.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~John 3:16
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
It's Gonna Be Okay
You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.
You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.
The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.
No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.
You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God.
~Russell Kelfer
I hope this brings some encouragement to your day! Strive on!
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.
You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.
The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.
No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.
You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God.
~Russell Kelfer
I hope this brings some encouragement to your day! Strive on!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Casting All Your Care
Do you ever have those moments where you're like, "Whoa, I never realized that before"? Totally just had one, and let me tell you, it was mind-blowing.
As a kid, I memorized 1 Peter 5:7. I could quote for you in a flash. I knew it like I knew the back of my hand. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you" (good 'ole King James Version days). My quiet time today was actually on that very verse (minus the KJV). However, it also mentioned the verses preceding that.
Context is so important. I've seen that more and more as I've been digging deeper into the Word. 1 Peter 5:7 to me for years has just been one of those verses I pull out when I'm stressed- kind of like a "Get out of Jail Free" card, only it's a "Get out of Stress Free" card. I've used it so flippantly, which is probably why I never stopped to realize the context.
In the same way, younger people should be willing to be under older people. And all of you should be very humble with each other. "God is against the proud, but He gives grace to the humble." Be humble under God's powerful hand so He will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you. (1 Peter 5:5-7 NCV)
This passage is talking about submitting to God and coming to Him humbly, not about calling on Him whenever you need help. Yes, you should call on Him when you need help, but God is not a genie. He doesn't exist just to appear whenever we can't do things on our own. We need to come to Him humbly, admitting to Him that He is much bigger than we ever could be.
This passage really spoke to me because I am probably one of the most prideful people I know. I hate asking for help. I like to do things on my own. I usually carry everything on me until I am at my breaking point- that's when I go to God. That's not what He wants though. That's not the relationship He's looking for. That's really not a relationship at all. That's keeping Him at arm's length until I absolutely can't do anything on my own. I like to be in complete control, but what I've been slowly learning throughout the years is that I can't control everything. I have to trust God.
What this passage has showed me is that God wants me to come humbly. "He gives grace," "will lift [me] up," and "cares about [me]." Why not live humbly for Him? It's definitely not going to be easy, but it will be worth it.
I'm attaching a link to the song "My Sweet Lord" from Crowder's new album Neon Steeple. The song is a good example of coming before God humbly. Plus I just love this song and the whole album, really. If you like that song then you should also listen to "Here's My Heart" on the album.
Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34 NKJV)
Friday, May 23, 2014
No Condemnation
As I was doing my quiet time tonight, two words stuck out to me: no condemnation.
Immediately they hit me with full force. How can a big God Who deserves nothing but honor and glory forgive all the wrongs I've done? How can He look past them all like I never did them?
You may be carrying something around that you feel terribly guilty about. You may feel like this guilt comes from God to remind you, or punish you, for what you have done. But that is simply not the case. Jesus forgives us of our sins and takes them from us. When Jesus went to the cross He paid the price for your sins, once and for all. You don't have to keep paying for your sins through guilt. You don't have to carry them around anymore. You don't have to live with shame anymore. If you are in Christ, you are forgiven. (excerpt from Transformed)
I will never understand how God can love me enough to send His Son for me, but I will always be grateful. As I was thinking about this, however, I realized, do I live like I'm forgiven? Do we live like we're forgiven? If a debtor is forgiven his debt, does he go out and obtain another one? If a beggar is given a home, does he leave and go back to the streets to beg? The challenge for those of us who have experienced God's forgiveness is to live like we've been forgiven.
I think sometimes we hold onto the guilt because we're afraid if we let go then it'll be erased from our memory. Or if we let go then God is gonna smash us over the head. Or if we hold on long enough then the wrong will go away. Whatever the reason is, don't live with guilt. Trust me, it'll weigh you down and steal your joy. Romans 8:1 says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Perhaps you're reading this, and you've never experienced God's forgiveness. Perhaps you're looking back over your life and feeling discouraged because of all you've done. Please don't be. All God wants you to do is just accept His gift. You don't have to understand why He would offer it. I never will. All I know is that the Maker of the universe desired to have a relationship with us so much that instead of turning us into robots, He sent His Son to die, conquer sin, and come back to life to give us freedom so that we can have fellowship with Him. We have a choice to make. Who wants to live with guilt? You don't have to be fancy, just talk to God like you would a friend and ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you. He's waiting for you!
We all have a past. We all have things we wish we could fix or just things we regret happening. One of my favorite verses that I have seen lived out so many times is Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. One of the sayings in the Transformed study that has really stuck out to me is Your greatest ministry will come from your deepest pain. God uses what we go through to help others, but we can't help them if we're still living in guilt. We'll never be transformed if we aren't emotionally healthy. Don't let Satan win by being burdened by guilt. Embrace God's forgiveness today and live a life full of joy!
No condemnation. Two words with a powerful meaning.
Immediately they hit me with full force. How can a big God Who deserves nothing but honor and glory forgive all the wrongs I've done? How can He look past them all like I never did them?
You may be carrying something around that you feel terribly guilty about. You may feel like this guilt comes from God to remind you, or punish you, for what you have done. But that is simply not the case. Jesus forgives us of our sins and takes them from us. When Jesus went to the cross He paid the price for your sins, once and for all. You don't have to keep paying for your sins through guilt. You don't have to carry them around anymore. You don't have to live with shame anymore. If you are in Christ, you are forgiven. (excerpt from Transformed)
I will never understand how God can love me enough to send His Son for me, but I will always be grateful. As I was thinking about this, however, I realized, do I live like I'm forgiven? Do we live like we're forgiven? If a debtor is forgiven his debt, does he go out and obtain another one? If a beggar is given a home, does he leave and go back to the streets to beg? The challenge for those of us who have experienced God's forgiveness is to live like we've been forgiven.
I think sometimes we hold onto the guilt because we're afraid if we let go then it'll be erased from our memory. Or if we let go then God is gonna smash us over the head. Or if we hold on long enough then the wrong will go away. Whatever the reason is, don't live with guilt. Trust me, it'll weigh you down and steal your joy. Romans 8:1 says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Perhaps you're reading this, and you've never experienced God's forgiveness. Perhaps you're looking back over your life and feeling discouraged because of all you've done. Please don't be. All God wants you to do is just accept His gift. You don't have to understand why He would offer it. I never will. All I know is that the Maker of the universe desired to have a relationship with us so much that instead of turning us into robots, He sent His Son to die, conquer sin, and come back to life to give us freedom so that we can have fellowship with Him. We have a choice to make. Who wants to live with guilt? You don't have to be fancy, just talk to God like you would a friend and ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you. He's waiting for you!
We all have a past. We all have things we wish we could fix or just things we regret happening. One of my favorite verses that I have seen lived out so many times is Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. One of the sayings in the Transformed study that has really stuck out to me is Your greatest ministry will come from your deepest pain. God uses what we go through to help others, but we can't help them if we're still living in guilt. We'll never be transformed if we aren't emotionally healthy. Don't let Satan win by being burdened by guilt. Embrace God's forgiveness today and live a life full of joy!
No condemnation. Two words with a powerful meaning.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Broken Hallelujah
I heard this song for the first time today while listening to K-Love radio in the Starbucks drive-thru.
Let me back up.
The past 3 weeks have been an absolute struggle for me. I have felt lower than I have in months. It's like I've been crashing from a high- the school year. I loved being at Mercer. Each day flew by because I was so busy doing things. Well, now it's summer...and it has not gone at all the way I planned. I'm away from my friends, and I don't have a set schedule. Thankfully I have an internship that takes up 2 days a week, but it's still been a struggle, especially since I need to find a paid job. THAT has been so stressful and discouraging. I may have one, but I still don't know for sure yet. The past week I have felt so discouraged, stressed out, and depressed. I felt so distant from God. I prayed, I did my quiet time, and yet He still felt so far away. I cried many times. I took my frustration out on others. I tossed and turned at night. I'm not saying all this to play a pity card. I'm being real and honest. I've been trying to fill my mind with positive things the past week, especially with music. This morning, I got in my car and almost didn't turn on my radio because I was just so discouraged.
My break through came at the Starbucks drive-thru.
I am so glad I turned on the radio. This song fit me so perfectly. I instantly identified with the first lines.
I can barely stand right now,
Everything is crashing down,
And I wonder where You are.
I try to find the words to pray,
I don't always know what to say,
But You're the One who can hear my heart.
Wow! I love music so much. There's always a song that describes how I feel. I'm not gonna write the rest of the lyrics because I want you to listen to the song yourself.
I didn't blog to get pity. I didn't share for sympathy. I'm sharing to show God's wonders. He works even when you think He's far away. Yeah, my summer is not what I thought it'd be. But it's also not over. It's definitely a hard adjustment going from steady schedule and income to almost nothing. But God's not done. Today I began to make more friends at my church. A light is beginning to shine through the clouds.
Storms are going to happen in life. It's the only way we grow. It's so painful to be molded by God. It's not fun, but the results are worth it. God strips me of everything when He wants me to focus back on Him and continue to mold me, and that's exactly what He's been doing. If you're in a storm right now, don't give up. God may feel far away, but if you look for Him, you will find Him.
Here's my broken hallelujah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3DudOzV4k&feature=kp
Let me back up.
The past 3 weeks have been an absolute struggle for me. I have felt lower than I have in months. It's like I've been crashing from a high- the school year. I loved being at Mercer. Each day flew by because I was so busy doing things. Well, now it's summer...and it has not gone at all the way I planned. I'm away from my friends, and I don't have a set schedule. Thankfully I have an internship that takes up 2 days a week, but it's still been a struggle, especially since I need to find a paid job. THAT has been so stressful and discouraging. I may have one, but I still don't know for sure yet. The past week I have felt so discouraged, stressed out, and depressed. I felt so distant from God. I prayed, I did my quiet time, and yet He still felt so far away. I cried many times. I took my frustration out on others. I tossed and turned at night. I'm not saying all this to play a pity card. I'm being real and honest. I've been trying to fill my mind with positive things the past week, especially with music. This morning, I got in my car and almost didn't turn on my radio because I was just so discouraged.
My break through came at the Starbucks drive-thru.
I am so glad I turned on the radio. This song fit me so perfectly. I instantly identified with the first lines.
I can barely stand right now,
Everything is crashing down,
And I wonder where You are.
I try to find the words to pray,
I don't always know what to say,
But You're the One who can hear my heart.
Wow! I love music so much. There's always a song that describes how I feel. I'm not gonna write the rest of the lyrics because I want you to listen to the song yourself.
I didn't blog to get pity. I didn't share for sympathy. I'm sharing to show God's wonders. He works even when you think He's far away. Yeah, my summer is not what I thought it'd be. But it's also not over. It's definitely a hard adjustment going from steady schedule and income to almost nothing. But God's not done. Today I began to make more friends at my church. A light is beginning to shine through the clouds.
Storms are going to happen in life. It's the only way we grow. It's so painful to be molded by God. It's not fun, but the results are worth it. God strips me of everything when He wants me to focus back on Him and continue to mold me, and that's exactly what He's been doing. If you're in a storm right now, don't give up. God may feel far away, but if you look for Him, you will find Him.
Here's my broken hallelujah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3DudOzV4k&feature=kp
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Weaknesses- Good or Bad?
Weaknesses are good.
Wait, what?! You've got to be kidding me, right?
Nope, not at all! I am being completely honest with you, weaknesses are good. And for me, that is a VERY comforting thought!
I really love the Transformed series we are doing at Harvest. Today's quiettime was on 2 Corinthians 12:9, and it talked about how God uses our weaknesses. The journal listed three promises about weaknesses, and as I read them, I realized that weaknesses are good! Here are the three promises:
1. "God's power is present in your weakness,"
2. "God works through weakness to accomplish His task,"
3. "God allows limitations to become blessings in disguise."
I really felt relief just flow through me. I am a major perfectionist, and I hate having weaknesses. I don't like it one bit. I want all of me to be perfect. But that's not what God wants. Sometimes I think we think God expects us to be perfect. He doesn't! Not at all! He knows we aren't, and that's how He shows his power! If there was no weakness in us, how would He show His strength? God needs us to be weak. He has no reason to work in our lives if we're perfect. For me, this puts a whole new meaning to the fact that God loves me the way I am. I don't have to change, I don't have to clean-up, I don't have to be perfect to follow Him!
"I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:14)
For most of my life, I have felt like God and everyone else expected perfection from me. I am a very self-conscious person because of it. Perhaps you can relate to that feeling. How wrong I am! I don't have to be perfect! I can embrace my weaknesses because God wants to use them and work through me! The devotional also brought up the fact that we are like jars of clay. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7) We are breakable, and God knows it. We are a treasure to Him!
I hope this truth brings you comfort and joy as much as it did me. We as humans cannot be perfect, and God does not expect us to be. Embrace your weaknesses because that is how God will work!
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Wait, what?! You've got to be kidding me, right?
Nope, not at all! I am being completely honest with you, weaknesses are good. And for me, that is a VERY comforting thought!
I really love the Transformed series we are doing at Harvest. Today's quiettime was on 2 Corinthians 12:9, and it talked about how God uses our weaknesses. The journal listed three promises about weaknesses, and as I read them, I realized that weaknesses are good! Here are the three promises:
1. "God's power is present in your weakness,"
2. "God works through weakness to accomplish His task,"
3. "God allows limitations to become blessings in disguise."
I really felt relief just flow through me. I am a major perfectionist, and I hate having weaknesses. I don't like it one bit. I want all of me to be perfect. But that's not what God wants. Sometimes I think we think God expects us to be perfect. He doesn't! Not at all! He knows we aren't, and that's how He shows his power! If there was no weakness in us, how would He show His strength? God needs us to be weak. He has no reason to work in our lives if we're perfect. For me, this puts a whole new meaning to the fact that God loves me the way I am. I don't have to change, I don't have to clean-up, I don't have to be perfect to follow Him!
"I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:14)
For most of my life, I have felt like God and everyone else expected perfection from me. I am a very self-conscious person because of it. Perhaps you can relate to that feeling. How wrong I am! I don't have to be perfect! I can embrace my weaknesses because God wants to use them and work through me! The devotional also brought up the fact that we are like jars of clay. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7) We are breakable, and God knows it. We are a treasure to Him!
I hope this truth brings you comfort and joy as much as it did me. We as humans cannot be perfect, and God does not expect us to be. Embrace your weaknesses because that is how God will work!
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
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