My soul finds rest in God alone...
This has been a phrase that has been hard for me to swallow of late. It has not been that I do not believe that. I do with all my heart. But getting my soul to rest in the perfect peace that my Father offers has been difficult.
What I have realized is that I am struggling in the area of "getting". Whether I acknowledge it or not, the peace is there and there is nothing to be gotten...
This is something that the Lord has had to reiterate in my life on multiple occasions. How to go from "getting" to "letting" has been quite the process.
It is amazing how many barriers we throw up and processes that we think we need to go through to get this peace. Prayer is another example of an area where I feel I have created this massive process and it has become exhausting.
The peace is there. Let the Lord surround you with it. "Letting" is not an easy thing to do but there is so much freedom in doing so.
As for prayer...
The Lord is still teaching me how to do that. He knows my needs. He has assured me that He is going to take care of me just as he has taken care of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.
So all that is left is to speak my heart. And praise the God who saved our soul and granted us that perfect peace.
Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
True Joy
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers..."
What are the next words to this statement? When you have all the riches of the world? When you find the most beautiful man or women on the planet? When you get promoted? When all you debt is paid off?
I think that it is interesting that when we think of joy we automatically think happiness. James redefines the true definition of joy in the beginning of his book. By his statement he is saying that joy is counter cultural. It does not come from anything the world offers. The lasting joy that he speaks of comes from Christ doing work inside of us. This is the joy that is everlasting.
"...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
What are the joys in your life that you need to redefine?
God we ask for the eyes of James so we may see the good work that you are completing in us.
What are the next words to this statement? When you have all the riches of the world? When you find the most beautiful man or women on the planet? When you get promoted? When all you debt is paid off?
I think that it is interesting that when we think of joy we automatically think happiness. James redefines the true definition of joy in the beginning of his book. By his statement he is saying that joy is counter cultural. It does not come from anything the world offers. The lasting joy that he speaks of comes from Christ doing work inside of us. This is the joy that is everlasting.
"...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
What are the joys in your life that you need to redefine?
God we ask for the eyes of James so we may see the good work that you are completing in us.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Imagine...
You are in a cave. There is war all around you. People are constantly trying to kill you. Death could be just around the corner. Your city is being turned upside down with wickedness. Your heart is overwhelmed with sorrow. Everything seems like it is falling a part...
"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice."
This was David's song. He was being battered night and day and yet he remembered who was watching over him.
That is what it means when are hearts are sealed in the name of Jesus Christ. There is power in his name that protects us from all evil. We are sealed.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
He will NEVER let us fall, we are SEALED, He will SUSTAIN.
You are in a cave. There is war all around you. People are constantly trying to kill you. Death could be just around the corner. Your city is being turned upside down with wickedness. Your heart is overwhelmed with sorrow. Everything seems like it is falling a part...
"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice."
This was David's song. He was being battered night and day and yet he remembered who was watching over him.
That is what it means when are hearts are sealed in the name of Jesus Christ. There is power in his name that protects us from all evil. We are sealed.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
He will NEVER let us fall, we are SEALED, He will SUSTAIN.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
He will not RELENT unitl HE has it all
What does this mean?
It means that He is going to pursue us with passion.
It means that He will not take no for an answer.
Once Jesus is in our lives there is no seperating Him from any part of our lives. The greatest distances mean nothing to him. Neither angels nor demons will stand in His way. It may mean that our hearts are tied up in knots for someone or something. He will push when we don't want to go anywhere. But He knows...
He sees what he is creating. He knows that we will draw nearer to him.
So why wouldn't He push?
Praise Him for these times when we cannot see because we know that eternal life lies in what is unseen.
Jesus watch over us when we feel as though darkness is around us. Let us remember that we are sons and daughters of the light and that light resides inside of us. Clad us in that armor that defends us from the enemies fire.
It means that He is going to pursue us with passion.
It means that He will not take no for an answer.
Once Jesus is in our lives there is no seperating Him from any part of our lives. The greatest distances mean nothing to him. Neither angels nor demons will stand in His way. It may mean that our hearts are tied up in knots for someone or something. He will push when we don't want to go anywhere. But He knows...
He sees what he is creating. He knows that we will draw nearer to him.
So why wouldn't He push?
Praise Him for these times when we cannot see because we know that eternal life lies in what is unseen.
Jesus watch over us when we feel as though darkness is around us. Let us remember that we are sons and daughters of the light and that light resides inside of us. Clad us in that armor that defends us from the enemies fire.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Reminder of where we come from
You stood before creation
You hold the earth in your hands
You saw our unformed bodies before we ever entered this world
You know the path we will take
You will provide
You have sacrificed everything
It is you who judge men
It is you who pour out your grace onto our lives
You bring men freedom from darkness
It is you who shine in the dark places
It is your hope that sustains life
Your right hand that holds nations
Your love overwhelms
It is by your peace that we are able to live
You first served when we were undeserving
You called us saints
You made us righteous
You keep your covenants when we can barely keep our word
You are our firm foundation
You are our rock
YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US
There is a pattern in these statements. None of these things have to do with our doing. It is only by God's insurmountable love that we are able to even exsist.
You hold the earth in your hands
You saw our unformed bodies before we ever entered this world
You know the path we will take
You will provide
You have sacrificed everything
It is you who judge men
It is you who pour out your grace onto our lives
You bring men freedom from darkness
It is you who shine in the dark places
It is your hope that sustains life
Your right hand that holds nations
Your love overwhelms
It is by your peace that we are able to live
You first served when we were undeserving
You called us saints
You made us righteous
You keep your covenants when we can barely keep our word
You are our firm foundation
You are our rock
YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US
There is a pattern in these statements. None of these things have to do with our doing. It is only by God's insurmountable love that we are able to even exsist.
Monday, March 23, 2009
UnReAl!
If you are not a big fan of the Old Testament become one!
I am reading these stories for the first time in a long time and it is unreal. I know that I have struggled with the Old Testament at times in concern to its relevance in my own life but it is relevant...
I want to share some of my insight because I was blown away.
Exodus 13:17 through chapter 14. Read it.
The gist of it is about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and freedom from the oppressive Egyptian rulers (paraphrased).
First insight-God guided His people. He did this through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to give them light. Just as His spirit is in us now so was He in front ans behind them at that very moment. God was guiding a unruly nation that bit and kicked at every turn. The God who created this earth was loving His people who did not always believe; He loved a people and choose to guide a people that did not deserve to be freed...And He guided with a passion! He killed so that His people would not be destroyed (harsh but good). He guarded them with jealously.
Do you know a God like this? Do you know that He will be your light at night and your guidance during the day? Do you know that He loves you to a point that you could not possibly live if you felt its full power? Do you know that He is guarding you this very moment?
Moses believed...
Ex 14:13-"...Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today..."
Can you say this right now about what God is doing in your life? Are you telling people around to stand firm and wait for deliverance from whatever struggles they are facing?
The Book is full of instances of God's faithfulness and if that's not enough for you, He is faithful to each and everyone of us in our own lives day after day even though we are an unruly people.
And He still loves us! UNREAL!
Pray
I am reading these stories for the first time in a long time and it is unreal. I know that I have struggled with the Old Testament at times in concern to its relevance in my own life but it is relevant...
I want to share some of my insight because I was blown away.
Exodus 13:17 through chapter 14. Read it.
The gist of it is about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and freedom from the oppressive Egyptian rulers (paraphrased).
First insight-God guided His people. He did this through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to give them light. Just as His spirit is in us now so was He in front ans behind them at that very moment. God was guiding a unruly nation that bit and kicked at every turn. The God who created this earth was loving His people who did not always believe; He loved a people and choose to guide a people that did not deserve to be freed...And He guided with a passion! He killed so that His people would not be destroyed (harsh but good). He guarded them with jealously.
Do you know a God like this? Do you know that He will be your light at night and your guidance during the day? Do you know that He loves you to a point that you could not possibly live if you felt its full power? Do you know that He is guarding you this very moment?
Moses believed...
Ex 14:13-"...Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today..."
Can you say this right now about what God is doing in your life? Are you telling people around to stand firm and wait for deliverance from whatever struggles they are facing?
The Book is full of instances of God's faithfulness and if that's not enough for you, He is faithful to each and everyone of us in our own lives day after day even though we are an unruly people.
And He still loves us! UNREAL!
Pray
Monday, February 16, 2009
surprise
It never ceases to amaze me when the unexpected hits. There will be all the peace in the world and then the Twin Towers fall down or a bomb explodes somewhere or someone is killed. Those days always seem to start out normal. Never do we wake up and think, "man this is going to be a tough day because 'x' is going to happen."
These days are not fun by any means. They test the deep down stuff that people are made of.
Ed Mangham is a missionary to the Middle East. He said that maybe peace is not what we need to pray for. God is moving in a mighty way and bringing alot of muslim's to Christ in times of chaos.
God sometimes uses the unexpected when people are utterly laid bare. He brings people into our lives and allows us to be apart of difficult situations so that we may be a light and hope for those who cannot yet see in the dark.
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.
People may not know the truth. Can you imagine not having the peace of knowing that God is in control of every situation?
God sometimes uses the terrible to create the eternal.
Be on your toes. You never know when God is going to put a broken heart on your door step.
These days are not fun by any means. They test the deep down stuff that people are made of.
Ed Mangham is a missionary to the Middle East. He said that maybe peace is not what we need to pray for. God is moving in a mighty way and bringing alot of muslim's to Christ in times of chaos.
God sometimes uses the unexpected when people are utterly laid bare. He brings people into our lives and allows us to be apart of difficult situations so that we may be a light and hope for those who cannot yet see in the dark.
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.
People may not know the truth. Can you imagine not having the peace of knowing that God is in control of every situation?
God sometimes uses the terrible to create the eternal.
Be on your toes. You never know when God is going to put a broken heart on your door step.
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