In the past semester I’ve had the amazing privilege of getting to know some wonderful people who LOVE the Lord, and genuinely seek Him in all that they do. This blessing has been one of those gifts from the Father that makes me want to fall on my knees forever in absolute wonder at His perfection in all things. However, this gift is new to me because for so long I’ve lived my life believing the dangerous lie that “I can live for Jesus alone”.
Ridiculous! We have been made for relationships, to love each other as Christ loves us. & Christ’s love is no watered down, easy love. No, it is perfection. A love that is beautifully freeing and intricate. This is how we are to love one another. To live as if I can be wholeheartedly pursuing the Creator of my soul separate from others who praise His name is impossible, I am merely a fallen human being saved by awe-inspiring grace.
I believe God created our inherent desire for relationship that we may, together, overcome the lies, attacks, and fear that Satan constantly throws at us. For a cord of three strands is not easily broken, likewise when friends come together as Servants of the Lord great things happen! Jesus name is proclaimed, people see His grace, and new sons and daughters of the King become zealous to share the Good News.
What an AMAZING, Powerful, Loving, Jealous King!
As my beautiful friend Paige would say “Satan better watch out!” because when God sends people out, two by two, things happen and The Kingdom is spread.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Importance of Every Hour
The Importance of Every Hour
The more God is teaching me about his greatness my passion grows to share the gospel message with E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E I meet; whether it be the gas station clerk, three American guy’s studying in the Union, or an international student. The more I’ve been stretched to manage every hour with great importance, not trying to waste a single second because “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mt 24:36).
While it is imperative that sharing Christ and uplifting believers should be my primary passion, I began and am still struggling with trying to discover how to maintain other responsibilities (studies, work, family obligations) that I enjoy and require time. As an American, and more specifically an Iowan, a good work ethic is something that is coveted. Strong grades and long work hours are both widely seen to be greater than the Kingdom. In my contemplation of this issue God brought me to Ecclesiastes, a book of the Bible written by the Holy Spirit through the very wise King Solomon. “Meaningless! Meaningless! Says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is Meaningless!” Meaningless is used 35 times throughout Ecclesiastes. Woah, Solomon the most wise king who built up business and homes, had harems and anything else he wanted has come to the realization that literally e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g apart from God, and not for God is meaningless. This is a man who had it all - just like Brian Welch (KoRn), Andre Agassi, etc who discovered that at the end all of the fame and fortune just led to complete misery and despair.
Does this give me a reason to drop out of school and/or fail all of my classes? No, of course not it simply means that every class I go into should know the importance of Christ and the message of salvation. It means that I shouldn’t be studying alone, but with others to share Christ with them. It means that my life will look drastically different and go from worrying about every grade to considering how I am reflecting my King through all of my actions (including how I do on tests). “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:” (Ec 3:1) and because “I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.” (Ec: 3:14). Therefore, in writing this I have come to the conclusion that God gives us an enormous blessing by COMMANDING us to Go Unto All The World (Mt 28:19)and thus I should strive to do so in every circumstance and situation, preaching the gospel every place my feet land.
The more God is teaching me about his greatness my passion grows to share the gospel message with E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E I meet; whether it be the gas station clerk, three American guy’s studying in the Union, or an international student. The more I’ve been stretched to manage every hour with great importance, not trying to waste a single second because “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mt 24:36).
While it is imperative that sharing Christ and uplifting believers should be my primary passion, I began and am still struggling with trying to discover how to maintain other responsibilities (studies, work, family obligations) that I enjoy and require time. As an American, and more specifically an Iowan, a good work ethic is something that is coveted. Strong grades and long work hours are both widely seen to be greater than the Kingdom. In my contemplation of this issue God brought me to Ecclesiastes, a book of the Bible written by the Holy Spirit through the very wise King Solomon. “Meaningless! Meaningless! Says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is Meaningless!” Meaningless is used 35 times throughout Ecclesiastes. Woah, Solomon the most wise king who built up business and homes, had harems and anything else he wanted has come to the realization that literally e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g apart from God, and not for God is meaningless. This is a man who had it all - just like Brian Welch (KoRn), Andre Agassi, etc who discovered that at the end all of the fame and fortune just led to complete misery and despair.
Does this give me a reason to drop out of school and/or fail all of my classes? No, of course not it simply means that every class I go into should know the importance of Christ and the message of salvation. It means that I shouldn’t be studying alone, but with others to share Christ with them. It means that my life will look drastically different and go from worrying about every grade to considering how I am reflecting my King through all of my actions (including how I do on tests). “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:” (Ec 3:1) and because “I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.” (Ec: 3:14). Therefore, in writing this I have come to the conclusion that God gives us an enormous blessing by COMMANDING us to Go Unto All The World (Mt 28:19)and thus I should strive to do so in every circumstance and situation, preaching the gospel every place my feet land.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Faithfulness of the King!
God, being the perfect father that He is has given me the most amazing gift in this life. He allowed me to cultivate the seed’s he has sown and experience a new sister getting brought into The Kingdom! GOD IS SO GOOD! & I am so weak.
It was an atypical Tuesday night. I went to night class desperately begging for it to end at 8:00 p.m. because I really wanted to attend Navigators (a christian group on campus), the subject was homosexuality that night and it was an issue I have been contemplating and seeking insight about. It was a great session, approximately half of it was UNIFI and the other half was Navigators – many tough questions were asked and the speaker did an excellent job of speaking the truth. My heart broke during the session however, as I realized just how hard many of those presents hearts were.
Afterwards, my friend Katie, who has been an amazing blessing from God – she’s really pushed me to act out on my faith and has been a major factor in keeping me accountable – came up to me and we started talking. After a short discussion, we walked out about to leave. Unbeknownst to me Katie and a friend had planned to stop in the union on the way back to Campbell to talk with people about Jesus and their spiritual path.
Katie’s friend was having another spiritual conversation however, and so on the way back we went to the union instead. God meet us there – faithful as always – and did His wonderful work. Before we entered we prayed that He would lead us to softened hearts and willing ears.
God is faithful. First, we went and talked with three girls who we found out had just gotten back from Gods Mountain, after encouraging them in their faith and leaving them with “One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven” by Mark Cahill (a HUGE factor in why we were even there) we left them to their discussion.
Then, God led us to a sweet sophamore woman who is in a spinercise class with Katie. She was willing to share her questions and thoughts on life after death, heaven and hell, etc. God took complete control, I mean absolute control and it was EPIC (as God always is). After a long discussion, and learning more about just who she is, where she came from, and sharing my Grace story I asked Katie if she wanted to accept Christ into her heart to know in all finality what we are living for, and what comes after this life ends. She did!
I was shocked, Katie was shocked and we were both extremely ecstatic – WE HAVE A NEW SISTER, AND GOD LET US BE USED TO DO IT! This show’s just how weak I am, knowing God’s power I still didn’t expect Him to be faithful and use me.
Needless to say, I am overwhelmed at the blessing God gives when we go out and obey His commandments, and just how overwhelmingly good the faithfulness of the King can be!
It was an atypical Tuesday night. I went to night class desperately begging for it to end at 8:00 p.m. because I really wanted to attend Navigators (a christian group on campus), the subject was homosexuality that night and it was an issue I have been contemplating and seeking insight about. It was a great session, approximately half of it was UNIFI and the other half was Navigators – many tough questions were asked and the speaker did an excellent job of speaking the truth. My heart broke during the session however, as I realized just how hard many of those presents hearts were.
Afterwards, my friend Katie, who has been an amazing blessing from God – she’s really pushed me to act out on my faith and has been a major factor in keeping me accountable – came up to me and we started talking. After a short discussion, we walked out about to leave. Unbeknownst to me Katie and a friend had planned to stop in the union on the way back to Campbell to talk with people about Jesus and their spiritual path.
Katie’s friend was having another spiritual conversation however, and so on the way back we went to the union instead. God meet us there – faithful as always – and did His wonderful work. Before we entered we prayed that He would lead us to softened hearts and willing ears.
God is faithful. First, we went and talked with three girls who we found out had just gotten back from Gods Mountain, after encouraging them in their faith and leaving them with “One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven” by Mark Cahill (a HUGE factor in why we were even there) we left them to their discussion.
Then, God led us to a sweet sophamore woman who is in a spinercise class with Katie. She was willing to share her questions and thoughts on life after death, heaven and hell, etc. God took complete control, I mean absolute control and it was EPIC (as God always is). After a long discussion, and learning more about just who she is, where she came from, and sharing my Grace story I asked Katie if she wanted to accept Christ into her heart to know in all finality what we are living for, and what comes after this life ends. She did!
I was shocked, Katie was shocked and we were both extremely ecstatic – WE HAVE A NEW SISTER, AND GOD LET US BE USED TO DO IT! This show’s just how weak I am, knowing God’s power I still didn’t expect Him to be faithful and use me.
Needless to say, I am overwhelmed at the blessing God gives when we go out and obey His commandments, and just how overwhelmingly good the faithfulness of the King can be!
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