No one told you life was simple, that life was going to be easy. BUT it's a good thing the Lord gave us an instruction manual! Every time I read His Word and His promises, He begins to reveal the answers to life. He hasn't left us on this Earth with no idea what to do, He loves us too much.
1. PRAYER
If you've ever heard or been told that "prayer is the most powerful thing," whoever told you that was absolutely right.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -Matthew 7:7-8
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." -Matthew 21:22
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." -Mark 11:24
2. FORGIVENESS
Without forgiveness where would we be? He loves us enough to forgive us for the sins and mistakes we constantly make. What's not fair is having the most perfect God to die a horrible death for all of our faults and sins. What would be fair is death, for all of us as sinners. But thankfully Jesus came and saved us from the wrath we really deserve.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." -Ephesians 1:7
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" -2 Corinthians 5:17
3. FAITH
Faith is the reason for everything. The reason to believe. The reason our Father, Savior, Lord, and Messiah wants to have a relationship with us, wants to be with us, guide us, help us, and love us. He's the reason for all of it. The reason we find light in the darkness, peace in the restless, hope in the hopeless.
"He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" -Matthew 17:20
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'” -Mark 10:27
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
In the Midst of Trial...We Find Joy
"My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these trials test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need." - James 1:2-4
"But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt." - James 1:6
As we're studying James in FSM, I've been challenged immensely. As I re-read James 1:2-4 it became more and more convicting. I've never been the one in the moment of a trial to find or even think about joy. I'm also very stubborn and have great difficulty when it comes to being patient.
Do you ever pray for something to happen or something you need but while you're praying you find yourself doubt that the Lord can really do what you're asking?
I have! When I read James 1:6 and actually thought about it, it's like a slap in the face to Him when we doubt Him and His power. He created EVERYTHING! He works MIRACLES! Why do we even consider doubting Him?!?! As I asked myself this question, I was slightly embarrassed. When we are going to Him, we should BELIEVE!
Recently I've been challenged and put up against trials. The only reason I could breathe and come out of these trials with some sanity is because this time I actually believed, prayed, and asked Him to guide me in the aspect of these trials, to help me overcome and be filled with His joy. No other want, need, or satisfaction will EVER make you feel like that. To be overwhelmed with His joy and comfort in the midst of a trial is mind boggling.
To personally know a God that can do that is the most joyful thing one can experience. We don't ever give Him enough credit. What an incredible God we have!(:
"But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt." - James 1:6
As we're studying James in FSM, I've been challenged immensely. As I re-read James 1:2-4 it became more and more convicting. I've never been the one in the moment of a trial to find or even think about joy. I'm also very stubborn and have great difficulty when it comes to being patient.
Do you ever pray for something to happen or something you need but while you're praying you find yourself doubt that the Lord can really do what you're asking?
I have! When I read James 1:6 and actually thought about it, it's like a slap in the face to Him when we doubt Him and His power. He created EVERYTHING! He works MIRACLES! Why do we even consider doubting Him?!?! As I asked myself this question, I was slightly embarrassed. When we are going to Him, we should BELIEVE!
Recently I've been challenged and put up against trials. The only reason I could breathe and come out of these trials with some sanity is because this time I actually believed, prayed, and asked Him to guide me in the aspect of these trials, to help me overcome and be filled with His joy. No other want, need, or satisfaction will EVER make you feel like that. To be overwhelmed with His joy and comfort in the midst of a trial is mind boggling.
To personally know a God that can do that is the most joyful thing one can experience. We don't ever give Him enough credit. What an incredible God we have!(:
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Been One of Those Days...
Seems like this week has been a pretty rough week for most people. I feel the exact same way. But after tonight there are some things on my heart that I really want to share.
My cell group and I spent about 30-45 minutes praying alone and with one another in a prayer room tonight. When you're having a rough week that puts you in a definite low, it's incredible to see how the power of prayer and His strength can change everything. Tonight as I prayed and spent time talking to Him, I felt a giant weight being lifted and an overwhelming peace in my heart. At a moment of weakness from this stressful week I felt His strength. As humans we were made weak so that we could see, need, and rely on His strength during the weak, rough, and difficult times.
"The Lord gives strength to His people, the Lord blesses His people with peace." -Psalm 29:11
I've come to realize that most of time I try to be strong for myself and everyone else. Yet every time I attempt to do that I fail. Why? Simply because without Him, I have no purpose, meaning, strength, peace, or value. He is the source of life, every reason we are here, ALIVE! That alone is an amazing amount of strength that only He will EVER posses.
'But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired." -Isaiah 40:31
My cell group and I spent about 30-45 minutes praying alone and with one another in a prayer room tonight. When you're having a rough week that puts you in a definite low, it's incredible to see how the power of prayer and His strength can change everything. Tonight as I prayed and spent time talking to Him, I felt a giant weight being lifted and an overwhelming peace in my heart. At a moment of weakness from this stressful week I felt His strength. As humans we were made weak so that we could see, need, and rely on His strength during the weak, rough, and difficult times.
"The Lord gives strength to His people, the Lord blesses His people with peace." -Psalm 29:11
I've come to realize that most of time I try to be strong for myself and everyone else. Yet every time I attempt to do that I fail. Why? Simply because without Him, I have no purpose, meaning, strength, peace, or value. He is the source of life, every reason we are here, ALIVE! That alone is an amazing amount of strength that only He will EVER posses.
'But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired." -Isaiah 40:31
Saturday, September 10, 2011
It Was All Me?...no, HIM!
*Has someone ever tried to take credit for what you've done? I know I have and how do you think He feels?
- We all want credit for the things we do, so does He.
- When He does something amazing and great, He wants all of us to know it was Him.
- One of the greatest things God has ever done is provide us with salvation from our sins. Through Him we were brought to life. Through Him our sinful hearts were transformed into hearts that desire and want to be more like Him. In Him we were made pure, holy, and blameless in His beautiful, wonderful, everlasting sight.
We had NOTHING to do with it, it was ALL Him!
"I mean that You have been saved by grace through believing You did not save yourselves; it was a gift of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it." - Ephesians 2:8-9
- It is only through God's grace that we're saved. Your salvation is not dependent on who you are or what you've done -- but only on who He is and what He's done!
"But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ's death." -Ephesians 3:13
"God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One He loves." - Ephesians 1:6b
- We all want credit for the things we do, so does He.
- When He does something amazing and great, He wants all of us to know it was Him.
- One of the greatest things God has ever done is provide us with salvation from our sins. Through Him we were brought to life. Through Him our sinful hearts were transformed into hearts that desire and want to be more like Him. In Him we were made pure, holy, and blameless in His beautiful, wonderful, everlasting sight.
We had NOTHING to do with it, it was ALL Him!
"I mean that You have been saved by grace through believing You did not save yourselves; it was a gift of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it." - Ephesians 2:8-9
- It is only through God's grace that we're saved. Your salvation is not dependent on who you are or what you've done -- but only on who He is and what He's done!
"But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ's death." -Ephesians 3:13
"God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One He loves." - Ephesians 1:6b
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Nature: One of God's Love Letters
Isn't it fascinating how nature has this mystical power to rejuvenate us? We find peace and quiet as we walk in the woods. We find solace when we fix our gaze upon rivers, lakes, and the ocean. We slowly unwind as we hike up hills and mountains, leaving our chaotic lives behind us. God understands the enchantment of wild, untouched beauty. He created it! And He uses it time and time again to refresh us and speak to us.
This past week I went to Timberline in Winter Park, Colorado. It's the first time I've been to Colorado and seen the mountains and the beauty of it all. I was completely disconnected from home and the outside world and it was probably the best week of my life. As we were hiking, biking, and white water rafting, it was incredible to intake. He really knows how to use His creation to capture your mind and to speak His word. He truly captured my heart this week and brought me back to Him and His wonder.
Have you reveled in the glory of nature lately, letting your soul drink in all of God's works through His creation? God may have some cool truth He wants to remind you of how much He loves you.
"Look up to the skies. Who created all these stars? He leads out the army of heaven one by one and calls all the stars by name. Because He is strong and powerful, not one of them is missing." -Isaiah 40:26
This past week I went to Timberline in Winter Park, Colorado. It's the first time I've been to Colorado and seen the mountains and the beauty of it all. I was completely disconnected from home and the outside world and it was probably the best week of my life. As we were hiking, biking, and white water rafting, it was incredible to intake. He really knows how to use His creation to capture your mind and to speak His word. He truly captured my heart this week and brought me back to Him and His wonder.
Have you reveled in the glory of nature lately, letting your soul drink in all of God's works through His creation? God may have some cool truth He wants to remind you of how much He loves you.
"Look up to the skies. Who created all these stars? He leads out the army of heaven one by one and calls all the stars by name. Because He is strong and powerful, not one of them is missing." -Isaiah 40:26
Monday, June 20, 2011
HIS Love in the Midst of Our Stuggles
When you think about a difficulty in your life, sometimes it feels as though it's impossible to conquer or change. When I think about what's been a struggle in my life lately, I'd say my relationships with my family and work. With life problems I know for me, I try to change/fix them. But as I've realized "trying to fix" things has got me nowhere. The moment I reflect on the situation, pray about it, and give it to God, is when I begin to see the difference and see the change. We all have difficulties that steal life from us and keep us from moving forward. God wants to help us conquer them. Sometimes God is closest to us in our darkest moments and shows Himself to us in special ways. God also uses the difficult emotions of brokenness and sadness to draw us closer to Him. The weight of our wrongness crushes our spirit and that's the perfect time to see and accept God's amazing love and grace. He reveals His love to people who realize how much they need Him. No matter how deep and terrible the pain is, God's love is so much bigger. God is there to comfort you and heal your hurting spirit. When we're feeling weak and beat up by the world, His gentle love is just that much more real. Tough times make us know how deeply we need God.
"The Lord hears good people when they cry out to Him, and He saves them from all their troubles."
- Pslam 34:17
"The Lord hears good people when they cry out to Him, and He saves them from all their troubles."
- Pslam 34:17
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Do. Not. Fear.
"The power to rule the world now belongs to our Lord and His Christ, and He will now rule forever and ever." - Revelation 11:15
If you're human, you've definitely had to deal with fear. Maybe you're unsure of the future - college, work, life away from your parents, I know I am. There are lots of things in life that make us fearful. No matter if you have have big or tiny fears, God's always in control of everything. This is something that I've been struggling with lately, but in my heart I know the Lord is in complete and total control with a plan especially made for me. God protects us from Satan's power to ruin our lives. Even in the most difficult and darkest times, God is still and continuously at work in our lives. He loves to bless each and every one of us, delight in us, and celebrate us. Therefore we really have nothing to fear.
When you look your fears in the face you can see them for what they really are. The devil wants you to feel overwhelmed and trapped. But God constantly says, "Do not fear." Only He has the power in this world and you'll see that because of His power, Satan will never stand a chance. Each and every day I have to remind myself to stay strong in Him and His word because with Him everything is possible. (:
If you're human, you've definitely had to deal with fear. Maybe you're unsure of the future - college, work, life away from your parents, I know I am. There are lots of things in life that make us fearful. No matter if you have have big or tiny fears, God's always in control of everything. This is something that I've been struggling with lately, but in my heart I know the Lord is in complete and total control with a plan especially made for me. God protects us from Satan's power to ruin our lives. Even in the most difficult and darkest times, God is still and continuously at work in our lives. He loves to bless each and every one of us, delight in us, and celebrate us. Therefore we really have nothing to fear.
When you look your fears in the face you can see them for what they really are. The devil wants you to feel overwhelmed and trapped. But God constantly says, "Do not fear." Only He has the power in this world and you'll see that because of His power, Satan will never stand a chance. Each and every day I have to remind myself to stay strong in Him and His word because with Him everything is possible. (:
The Lost Get Found
All this stuff has been are my heart lately and I just wanted to share.
*Sometimes we let our fears keep us from doing God's will.
- We usually can't understand how God's going to work everything out but His ways are not our ways. If we trust in Him, we can follow Him with confidence.
*God always wants people to admit they've messed up and ask Him for forgiveness
- No matter how bad they've been, He promises to take them back and continue to be their personal, loving, and grace giving God.
*It's important that we really work on developing deep, meaningful relationships with the people who are our brothers and sisters in Christ
- When it comes to the family of God, every person who's a part of it is there because he or she was bought with Jesus' blood.
- God loved us so much that He paid for each of our sins and welcomed us into His arms.
- "You have heard that it was said, 'Love you neighbor and hate your enemies.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you."
*When you imagine your future, what do you feel?
- The future seems thrilling because of all the unknowns. And it seems a little scary, too because of all the unknowns.
- There are no guarantees in life unless you're committed to God, then you have the greatest guarantee you could ever hope for.
- If you've accepted Jesus as your Savior, you have His promise to take care of you.
- Even if you face tough times, and you definitely will because ups and downs are part of living, you can rest assured that His peaceful presence will carry you.
- When you leave your future in God's hands and rely on Him to lead you, you'll learn the respect of others and enjoy the freedom of being in the center of God's will.
- But above all, you'll please the Lord of your life who offers you a future beyond your dreams.
*What are constant, reliable things in your life?
- You know that almost anything in life could change in an instant.
- Is there anything in life that can't be lost?
- In Psalm 73 Asaph said, "God, You're always right. I'm a fool for doubting You. When I feel alone it's not true, You're always with me. When I feel lost, You guide me! I'm weak and sinful, but You make my strong and pure. You're all that's worth living for."
So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
-Britt Nicole (Lost Get Found)
*Sometimes we let our fears keep us from doing God's will.
- We usually can't understand how God's going to work everything out but His ways are not our ways. If we trust in Him, we can follow Him with confidence.
*God always wants people to admit they've messed up and ask Him for forgiveness
- No matter how bad they've been, He promises to take them back and continue to be their personal, loving, and grace giving God.
*It's important that we really work on developing deep, meaningful relationships with the people who are our brothers and sisters in Christ
- When it comes to the family of God, every person who's a part of it is there because he or she was bought with Jesus' blood.
- God loved us so much that He paid for each of our sins and welcomed us into His arms.
- "You have heard that it was said, 'Love you neighbor and hate your enemies.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you."
*When you imagine your future, what do you feel?
- The future seems thrilling because of all the unknowns. And it seems a little scary, too because of all the unknowns.
- There are no guarantees in life unless you're committed to God, then you have the greatest guarantee you could ever hope for.
- If you've accepted Jesus as your Savior, you have His promise to take care of you.
- Even if you face tough times, and you definitely will because ups and downs are part of living, you can rest assured that His peaceful presence will carry you.
- When you leave your future in God's hands and rely on Him to lead you, you'll learn the respect of others and enjoy the freedom of being in the center of God's will.
- But above all, you'll please the Lord of your life who offers you a future beyond your dreams.
*What are constant, reliable things in your life?
- You know that almost anything in life could change in an instant.
- Is there anything in life that can't be lost?
- In Psalm 73 Asaph said, "God, You're always right. I'm a fool for doubting You. When I feel alone it's not true, You're always with me. When I feel lost, You guide me! I'm weak and sinful, but You make my strong and pure. You're all that's worth living for."
So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
-Britt Nicole (Lost Get Found)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)