God's comfort was completely evident today through my friend. Yesterday she deeply mourned her brother. She clearly experienced that great pain of sorrow. Today he was buried. Today, she stood with the strength of the Almighty. If there was ever a doubt in the minds of those attending the services, that God is real and relevant to our lives, they should doubt no longer. She stood in front of her friends and family and told them (without a tear in her eye) of God's grace and mercy and comfort and love. What an amazing witness! It's moments like this that encourage all believers! This I will cherish!
I will not post a blog until next Monday, MARCH 1ST! Can you believe it will be March already?! Yes, spring is in the air.
I will continue to read in 1 Samuel and Romans.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generation, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
February 19
What a difference a nice quiet house makes. My son is sleeping a little late this morning, and I am able to concentrate in prayer and reading the Bible. Yesterday was not so productive. As I was trying to pray, all I could hear was video games and boy noises. Most of the time things like that don’t distract me, yesterday was not one of those times. I think the reason is because I am just starting the fast and focusing more in prayer. Spiritual growth is funny like that. When we are determined to give more energy and focus to our relationship with the Lord, it seems like more things get in the way. This is especially true when fasting. All of the sudden you are hungry when normally you would not be thinking about eating. When you are praying, all these extra thoughts surface causing you to think about something totally different than what you want to pray about. The answer? Perseverance. Pushing through, because God is so much more necessary and important than anything else. You just have to have Him more in your life.
This morning’s devotional went something like this:
“Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long”. Psalm 25:4. I never get tired of my favorite verse. I could say it in prayer a thousand times and it will still give special meaning.
Show. Teach. Guide. In your -Ways. Path. Truth. There is a dependence of us as students and children of God to be taught and guided through God’s ways, paths and truth. Along with that is a certain independence to do our homework, study and act in obedience.
“For you are God my Savior”. He is our Savior. Not because we deserved it, ONLY because he loves us so much Jesus would rather die than live without us. Our Savior. This alone is why we can worship Him.
“Whenever God gives us His inspiration, suddenly taking the initiative becomes a moral issue – a matter of obedience. Then we must act to be obedient and not continue to lie down doing nothing. If we will arise and shine, drudgery will be divinely transformed”. Oswald Chamber, February 19.
Living life with purpose and meaning is my focus to get me to the next level in life. Taking this inspiration from God and doing something with it – this is my focus and goal. Not meant to be glorious or easy, but good hard work still.
I closed in prayer on behalf of my friends and loved ones who are hurting right now – in so many different ways. I also prayed for my daughter’s future.
There is a blessing waiting for you today. Seek after God to find it. It’ll be just what you need.
This morning’s devotional went something like this:
“Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long”. Psalm 25:4. I never get tired of my favorite verse. I could say it in prayer a thousand times and it will still give special meaning.
Show. Teach. Guide. In your -Ways. Path. Truth. There is a dependence of us as students and children of God to be taught and guided through God’s ways, paths and truth. Along with that is a certain independence to do our homework, study and act in obedience.
“For you are God my Savior”. He is our Savior. Not because we deserved it, ONLY because he loves us so much Jesus would rather die than live without us. Our Savior. This alone is why we can worship Him.
“Whenever God gives us His inspiration, suddenly taking the initiative becomes a moral issue – a matter of obedience. Then we must act to be obedient and not continue to lie down doing nothing. If we will arise and shine, drudgery will be divinely transformed”. Oswald Chamber, February 19.
Living life with purpose and meaning is my focus to get me to the next level in life. Taking this inspiration from God and doing something with it – this is my focus and goal. Not meant to be glorious or easy, but good hard work still.
I closed in prayer on behalf of my friends and loved ones who are hurting right now – in so many different ways. I also prayed for my daughter’s future.
There is a blessing waiting for you today. Seek after God to find it. It’ll be just what you need.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 17
The Season of Lent begins today. This is the 40 day period before Easter Sunday. Traditionally, it is celebrated by fasting. A few years ago, the fast I did what is known as the Daniel Fast. Basically I fasted meat and all processed foods and sweets and wine. What a powerful and life changing experience I had! Fasting is more about spending time with God than it is about what you are giving up. Fasting is taking away everyday normal pleasures so that we can focus more on prayer and reading the Bible. This year, I am fasting the following: TV (I will not watch TV) and sweets/goodies. I am also committing to limit time on the computer and praying three times a day. I will focus on deepening my prayer life and expressing my purpose that God has placed in my heart. My hope is that over the next few weeks I can communicate how I came to understand and follow my purpose in life.
Caution: If you are interested in fasting and would like to know more about it, please let me know. I will give you more information.
On the way to the couch where I read and pray, my eye caught one of my favorite devotionals, “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. Today being the 17th of February, I turn to that page. Realizing that the subject, ‘taking initiative’ really started yesterday, I began with that instead. And once again, I am amazed at how relevant this subject is for the focus of this fasting period. I am sharing an excerpt from the devotional with you because it is just so eye-opening. Really, it is about FAITH and taking the initiative when God places a dream in your heart.
“Not all initiative, the willingness to take the first step, is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, “Get up and get going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard – just do what needs to be done!” That is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, “Get up and get going,” suddenly we find that the initiative is inspired. God does not give us overcoming life – He gives us life as we overcome”.
Day One of the fast started off a little bumpy. I eventually got myself together and spent time in prayer. Really, I should have been prepared last night to begin my fast first thing this morning by going to bed a lot earlier last night. I am looking forward to spending more quality time in prayer as the days continue.
“Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.”
My hope rests in God alone – not in my ability to do anything, and not in anyone else’s ability to help me or show me or teach me. You can never fail with that perspective.
Caution: If you are interested in fasting and would like to know more about it, please let me know. I will give you more information.
On the way to the couch where I read and pray, my eye caught one of my favorite devotionals, “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. Today being the 17th of February, I turn to that page. Realizing that the subject, ‘taking initiative’ really started yesterday, I began with that instead. And once again, I am amazed at how relevant this subject is for the focus of this fasting period. I am sharing an excerpt from the devotional with you because it is just so eye-opening. Really, it is about FAITH and taking the initiative when God places a dream in your heart.
“Not all initiative, the willingness to take the first step, is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, “Get up and get going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard – just do what needs to be done!” That is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, “Get up and get going,” suddenly we find that the initiative is inspired. God does not give us overcoming life – He gives us life as we overcome”.
Day One of the fast started off a little bumpy. I eventually got myself together and spent time in prayer. Really, I should have been prepared last night to begin my fast first thing this morning by going to bed a lot earlier last night. I am looking forward to spending more quality time in prayer as the days continue.
“Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.”
My hope rests in God alone – not in my ability to do anything, and not in anyone else’s ability to help me or show me or teach me. You can never fail with that perspective.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
February 11
Motivation is super low today.
And then this song starts playing in my head:
You are my hiding place…You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance whenever I am afraid. I will trust in You. I will trust in You. Let the weak say I am strong, in the strength of the Lord. I will trust in You!
Over and over again I sang that song to the Lord. My cry to Him this morning, “Help me. I will trust in You”!
Reading in 1 Samuel is very nice because it is an escape into another world. This section of the Bible is like reading a novel. So the reading today: 1 Samuel chapter 12.
Samuel, the one that Hannah had prayed so hard for, is now an old man. The leaders of Israel have demanded a king be appointed to rule for them like the other nations. Can’t you just hear their whining, “I want to have what they have. We should be just like them”. Meanwhile, God is shaking His head saying, “Why, when you have Me”? So you know already that this is going to turn out bad. Saul is appointed king. In this chapter of the book Samuel, the Prophet, is telling them like it is. There are a few points that he makes in the speech that really caught my attention. Samuel had integrity. His sons became corrupt, prophets before him were corrupt. In other words, yes, even back then, these ‘men of God’ accepted bribes from people and did all sorts of wrong things. And Samuel says in verse 4 – have I cheated anyone? Can anyone say I did them wrong? Samuel kept his integrity as a leader. And therefore, God blessed him. Is there a leader we can find today that has that same integrity? There are some, but just like back then, very few. How about you? Can you say to everyone you know, ‘There is nothing you can hold against me’? Next point. Samuel is telling all Israel about how they turned their back on God time and time again without cause. They forgot God’s power. He delivered them and blessed them countless times. But they always wanted what they thought was the next best thing. Guess what…there is no next best thing. Everything out there is empty. Worthless. Meaningless. Israel is living proof of that. Moving on to verse 14, “If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God – good”. In other words, it still does not matter that Israel wants a king to rule over, the point still remains – to love God and follow after all he says. Whether they have a king or not, God must still be there hope. I generally don’t like to get into politics, but this point relates to many people’s feelings with President Obama. They put all their hope and trust in a man instead of God. It does not matter if that man is going to do God’s will or not, this man or King Saul is not to be our hope. Final point, and this one gets personal. Verse 20, “…yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless”. This really made me sit up and pay attention. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is one of my favorite verses. And here it is again. You see, sometimes at night I go on the internet to play puzzle games. I like them because it’s sort of an escape for me. I like to use my mind to think about something other than whatever happened that day. Can you relate? But what I found by doing that is all I felt afterward was more tired, and frustrated because I could not beat the game. It really wasn’t that fun. And truth be told there were things that I needed to do but wasn’t because I was playing this game. One night, I realized what I was teaching my children, what statement I was making without saying a word, by doing this. I can relax and unwind with God’s word instead of a mindless video game. I can read God’s word and be so much more refreshed if that’s what I choose instead. Lessons learned.
Thank you Samuel for all your hard work and struggles.
Idols come in many forms and they are pretty stupid.
And then this song starts playing in my head:
You are my hiding place…You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance whenever I am afraid. I will trust in You. I will trust in You. Let the weak say I am strong, in the strength of the Lord. I will trust in You!
Over and over again I sang that song to the Lord. My cry to Him this morning, “Help me. I will trust in You”!
Reading in 1 Samuel is very nice because it is an escape into another world. This section of the Bible is like reading a novel. So the reading today: 1 Samuel chapter 12.
Samuel, the one that Hannah had prayed so hard for, is now an old man. The leaders of Israel have demanded a king be appointed to rule for them like the other nations. Can’t you just hear their whining, “I want to have what they have. We should be just like them”. Meanwhile, God is shaking His head saying, “Why, when you have Me”? So you know already that this is going to turn out bad. Saul is appointed king. In this chapter of the book Samuel, the Prophet, is telling them like it is. There are a few points that he makes in the speech that really caught my attention. Samuel had integrity. His sons became corrupt, prophets before him were corrupt. In other words, yes, even back then, these ‘men of God’ accepted bribes from people and did all sorts of wrong things. And Samuel says in verse 4 – have I cheated anyone? Can anyone say I did them wrong? Samuel kept his integrity as a leader. And therefore, God blessed him. Is there a leader we can find today that has that same integrity? There are some, but just like back then, very few. How about you? Can you say to everyone you know, ‘There is nothing you can hold against me’? Next point. Samuel is telling all Israel about how they turned their back on God time and time again without cause. They forgot God’s power. He delivered them and blessed them countless times. But they always wanted what they thought was the next best thing. Guess what…there is no next best thing. Everything out there is empty. Worthless. Meaningless. Israel is living proof of that. Moving on to verse 14, “If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God – good”. In other words, it still does not matter that Israel wants a king to rule over, the point still remains – to love God and follow after all he says. Whether they have a king or not, God must still be there hope. I generally don’t like to get into politics, but this point relates to many people’s feelings with President Obama. They put all their hope and trust in a man instead of God. It does not matter if that man is going to do God’s will or not, this man or King Saul is not to be our hope. Final point, and this one gets personal. Verse 20, “…yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless”. This really made me sit up and pay attention. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is one of my favorite verses. And here it is again. You see, sometimes at night I go on the internet to play puzzle games. I like them because it’s sort of an escape for me. I like to use my mind to think about something other than whatever happened that day. Can you relate? But what I found by doing that is all I felt afterward was more tired, and frustrated because I could not beat the game. It really wasn’t that fun. And truth be told there were things that I needed to do but wasn’t because I was playing this game. One night, I realized what I was teaching my children, what statement I was making without saying a word, by doing this. I can relax and unwind with God’s word instead of a mindless video game. I can read God’s word and be so much more refreshed if that’s what I choose instead. Lessons learned.
Thank you Samuel for all your hard work and struggles.
Idols come in many forms and they are pretty stupid.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
February 10
John 10: 10 (NIV) I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10: 10 (NKJV) I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
What does abundant mean? Definition of abundance = More than sufficient; over and above; above the ordinary measure; exceeding abundantly; over above beyond; more than enough; beyond measure.
So we ask the question: What is abundant in your life? Do you have an abundance of peace or negativity? Think about what your life is full of. If your life is full of satisfaction, then you probably do not need to read this. But if your life is full of uncertainty, confusion, old baggage of emotions, then you are probably looking for a change. In the world today, we have this idea that we can make ourselves happy. On our own there are things we can do to be fulfilled. Don’t get me wrong, those things are valid and important. But when they are built on selfish desires all we are doing is filling ourselves up with more that does not have the basis of meaning and purpose. The Book of Ecclesiastes explains this in chapters 5&6. The foundation of our fulfillment or abundance, needs to be Jesus Christ. There is no getting around that fact. Jesus is the life. “I am the way the truth and life. No one comes to the Father, except through me”. John 14:6 He is the source of life. He is the way of life. He is the truth of life. He is the abundance of life. So, I challenge you to really sit down and reflect on what exactly is abundant in your life. Chances are there are things in your life that are really good. Chances are there are things in your life that you need to do without. The consequences of choosing abundant life are moving away from being fulfilled with empty things and living the richness of abundance Jesus talks about in the Book of John. If you are ready to get rid of those things that weigh you down, then be warned this means that letting go of some things will be difficult. However, it’s good work. It’s healthy work to finally address these issues with Jesus by your side. After all, that’s what He is waiting and wanting to do.
Jesus came to this earth, lived a perfect life, was accused of all kinds of wrong he didn’t commit, was beaten, bled, was humiliated, hung up on a cross to die, was separated from His Father, died, was buried, and finally rose again for a greater purpose than His glory! Imagine that! He did all that for this reason: so that you and I can have an abundant life. Not a regular every day no purpose life. Not a life that’s filled with same old stuff. Not a life of let me just get through the day. He did not live perfectly and suffer greatly and be exalted because He wanted to. He did all that for us to have everlasting abundant life. That everlasting abundant life starts now. Our eternity begins when we accept Him into our hearts. The abundant life He wants for us is for the here and now and it is very possible for us to live a life of purpose, and blessings and abundance. Let’s put away the mundane. Let’s walk away from the ordinary life and even the negative life. Let’s walk into the abundance that He came to this earth to make sure we got. This one sentence from Jesus has a lot of implications for our lives today. Are you ready to choose abundance? Are you ready to bring your life to the next level? Are you ready to allow Jesus’ promises be fulfilled in your life?
Be blessed.
John 10: 10 (NKJV) I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
What does abundant mean? Definition of abundance = More than sufficient; over and above; above the ordinary measure; exceeding abundantly; over above beyond; more than enough; beyond measure.
So we ask the question: What is abundant in your life? Do you have an abundance of peace or negativity? Think about what your life is full of. If your life is full of satisfaction, then you probably do not need to read this. But if your life is full of uncertainty, confusion, old baggage of emotions, then you are probably looking for a change. In the world today, we have this idea that we can make ourselves happy. On our own there are things we can do to be fulfilled. Don’t get me wrong, those things are valid and important. But when they are built on selfish desires all we are doing is filling ourselves up with more that does not have the basis of meaning and purpose. The Book of Ecclesiastes explains this in chapters 5&6. The foundation of our fulfillment or abundance, needs to be Jesus Christ. There is no getting around that fact. Jesus is the life. “I am the way the truth and life. No one comes to the Father, except through me”. John 14:6 He is the source of life. He is the way of life. He is the truth of life. He is the abundance of life. So, I challenge you to really sit down and reflect on what exactly is abundant in your life. Chances are there are things in your life that are really good. Chances are there are things in your life that you need to do without. The consequences of choosing abundant life are moving away from being fulfilled with empty things and living the richness of abundance Jesus talks about in the Book of John. If you are ready to get rid of those things that weigh you down, then be warned this means that letting go of some things will be difficult. However, it’s good work. It’s healthy work to finally address these issues with Jesus by your side. After all, that’s what He is waiting and wanting to do.
Jesus came to this earth, lived a perfect life, was accused of all kinds of wrong he didn’t commit, was beaten, bled, was humiliated, hung up on a cross to die, was separated from His Father, died, was buried, and finally rose again for a greater purpose than His glory! Imagine that! He did all that for this reason: so that you and I can have an abundant life. Not a regular every day no purpose life. Not a life that’s filled with same old stuff. Not a life of let me just get through the day. He did not live perfectly and suffer greatly and be exalted because He wanted to. He did all that for us to have everlasting abundant life. That everlasting abundant life starts now. Our eternity begins when we accept Him into our hearts. The abundant life He wants for us is for the here and now and it is very possible for us to live a life of purpose, and blessings and abundance. Let’s put away the mundane. Let’s walk away from the ordinary life and even the negative life. Let’s walk into the abundance that He came to this earth to make sure we got. This one sentence from Jesus has a lot of implications for our lives today. Are you ready to choose abundance? Are you ready to bring your life to the next level? Are you ready to allow Jesus’ promises be fulfilled in your life?
Be blessed.
Friday, February 5, 2010
February 5
Life Transformed
Luke 5: 12, 13 (NIV)
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Leprosy was a detestable disease. In this passage, he was covered with it which made him unclean. In those days, if a person was considered unclean they could not be a part of regular society. Just like him, I too felt unclean. I felt completely dirty and ashamed because of my past and what I lived through. I can identify with the desperate way in which this man fell with his face to the ground before the Lord. He knew that Jesus was able to heal him. He was so humbled by His presence and at the same time so desperate to be healed. The other unspoken beauty of this passage is that Jesus did not have to touch the man. Many other times in the Gospels there are accounts of Jesus simply speaking the words of healing. But in this passage with this man covered in the most disgusting disease of the time, Jesus reaches down and touches the man to heal him. How intimate and loving of Jesus. You will experience God’s healing touch on your sin and pain.
One particular day while doing my devotional, I felt particularly ashamed of my past. I was ashamed of what was done to me and things that I did. I got down on the floor, with my face in the carpet, and begged Jesus to touch me and heal me. Like the man with leprosy, Jesus lovingly and gently, touched my hurt and pain like no one else could. However, unlike this man, my healing was a process as opposed to immediate. That process was a necessary journey that I had to take with Jesus. It would not have been as meaningful if it was immediate. However, I can say that my healing was real and I have the scars to prove it.
Please have patience. We are here in this life on a journey. Our life here is a process. We are not meant to be instantly perfect. God is teaching us, shaping us, molding us into HIS ideal of what He created us to be. Does a sailor get in his boat and desire to instantly be at his destination? No, there is joy and beauty in the journey. It’s a process. We are not to be finished products while we are here on earth.
Luke 5: 12, 13 (NIV)
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Leprosy was a detestable disease. In this passage, he was covered with it which made him unclean. In those days, if a person was considered unclean they could not be a part of regular society. Just like him, I too felt unclean. I felt completely dirty and ashamed because of my past and what I lived through. I can identify with the desperate way in which this man fell with his face to the ground before the Lord. He knew that Jesus was able to heal him. He was so humbled by His presence and at the same time so desperate to be healed. The other unspoken beauty of this passage is that Jesus did not have to touch the man. Many other times in the Gospels there are accounts of Jesus simply speaking the words of healing. But in this passage with this man covered in the most disgusting disease of the time, Jesus reaches down and touches the man to heal him. How intimate and loving of Jesus. You will experience God’s healing touch on your sin and pain.
One particular day while doing my devotional, I felt particularly ashamed of my past. I was ashamed of what was done to me and things that I did. I got down on the floor, with my face in the carpet, and begged Jesus to touch me and heal me. Like the man with leprosy, Jesus lovingly and gently, touched my hurt and pain like no one else could. However, unlike this man, my healing was a process as opposed to immediate. That process was a necessary journey that I had to take with Jesus. It would not have been as meaningful if it was immediate. However, I can say that my healing was real and I have the scars to prove it.
Please have patience. We are here in this life on a journey. Our life here is a process. We are not meant to be instantly perfect. God is teaching us, shaping us, molding us into HIS ideal of what He created us to be. Does a sailor get in his boat and desire to instantly be at his destination? No, there is joy and beauty in the journey. It’s a process. We are not to be finished products while we are here on earth.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4
I woke up completely empty. I gave out what God had poured into me yesterday. Desperate to be refilled and renewed, I cried out in prayer, “Lord, I need You. I am desperate for You”. Then came to my memory all of my personal struggles, frustrations, and sins. I confessed my sins and complained to God about my frustrations. He listened. Continuing, I prayed, “Lord, prepare my mind and my heart to receive Your Word, my daily bread. Bless it so that it will nourish my soul. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen”.
Reading today: Romans 7: 1-6
In order to understand life, we must understand death. The passage before this refers to a death to sin. This passage examines another death – to law. When Jesus was quizzed about the greatest commandment His reply was not any of the 10 commandments listed. His reply was on the foundation of all commandments (law) – to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. So in this passage, Paul explains that as Christians, that is, those who have accepted God’s gift through Jesus, we are no longer bound to following the law BECAUSE “we serve in the new way of the Spirit”, (verse 6). Which means because we have the Holy Spirit and Jesus, the burden of the law has been met. Does this mean that the commandments are irrelevant? Think of it this way, we love through Jesus so much that all the commandments are met. We love God with everything we have, therefore there is no room for sin, such as: checking out other people’s wives or husbands, having jealousy for someone else’s blessing, gossiping, lying, watching pornography. And nothing is more important than God, like: money, TV shows, working overtime, shopping. The mindset is more of being so consumed with God, there is no room for selfishness and temptations. Through walking away from sin – death, we are choosing – life, more abundantly.
On a more personal note, here's part of my story:
I remember the day I decided to give my life to Christ – for Him to do with my life whatever He pleases. I remember being scared, curious, anxious and ready. The life I was living was a result of a lifetime of hurt and pain and bad decisions. I was ready to live my life in a different light. Mostly, I was ready to not live my life the way I had been for so long. I was desperate for something better. I knew that I needed God.
That was one milestone of many. Years later, I realized that I needed a deeper relationship with Jesus. I couldn’t understand why I had such a Hope and Joy inside, and at the same time felt like something was missing. I prayed, I read the Bible, I went to Bible study, I volunteered in my church, but there was still a weight and a sadness that slowed me down. Then Jesus, in a gentle and persistent way, revealed that I needed to let Him all the way into my heart. He revealed the very obvious but very comfortable baggage that I had been dragging around everywhere I went, into every relationship I had, and through which I would feel every emotion. God gave me a new life, but I could not enjoy it completely. I needed to let him in and with my new Best Friend empty my bags one at a time. This was a very painfully reminding yet necessary process. I could have lived a regular life, keeping my familiar baggage hanging on me, but then again, that is not what Jesus died for. He bled, was humiliated, beaten and abandoned so that I could live an abundant life, a life of freedom and joy and fulfillment. He wants you to live the best life possible, a life free of pain, guilt, and anxiety but full of smiles, peace and purpose.
Reading today: Romans 7: 1-6
In order to understand life, we must understand death. The passage before this refers to a death to sin. This passage examines another death – to law. When Jesus was quizzed about the greatest commandment His reply was not any of the 10 commandments listed. His reply was on the foundation of all commandments (law) – to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. So in this passage, Paul explains that as Christians, that is, those who have accepted God’s gift through Jesus, we are no longer bound to following the law BECAUSE “we serve in the new way of the Spirit”, (verse 6). Which means because we have the Holy Spirit and Jesus, the burden of the law has been met. Does this mean that the commandments are irrelevant? Think of it this way, we love through Jesus so much that all the commandments are met. We love God with everything we have, therefore there is no room for sin, such as: checking out other people’s wives or husbands, having jealousy for someone else’s blessing, gossiping, lying, watching pornography. And nothing is more important than God, like: money, TV shows, working overtime, shopping. The mindset is more of being so consumed with God, there is no room for selfishness and temptations. Through walking away from sin – death, we are choosing – life, more abundantly.
On a more personal note, here's part of my story:
I remember the day I decided to give my life to Christ – for Him to do with my life whatever He pleases. I remember being scared, curious, anxious and ready. The life I was living was a result of a lifetime of hurt and pain and bad decisions. I was ready to live my life in a different light. Mostly, I was ready to not live my life the way I had been for so long. I was desperate for something better. I knew that I needed God.
That was one milestone of many. Years later, I realized that I needed a deeper relationship with Jesus. I couldn’t understand why I had such a Hope and Joy inside, and at the same time felt like something was missing. I prayed, I read the Bible, I went to Bible study, I volunteered in my church, but there was still a weight and a sadness that slowed me down. Then Jesus, in a gentle and persistent way, revealed that I needed to let Him all the way into my heart. He revealed the very obvious but very comfortable baggage that I had been dragging around everywhere I went, into every relationship I had, and through which I would feel every emotion. God gave me a new life, but I could not enjoy it completely. I needed to let him in and with my new Best Friend empty my bags one at a time. This was a very painfully reminding yet necessary process. I could have lived a regular life, keeping my familiar baggage hanging on me, but then again, that is not what Jesus died for. He bled, was humiliated, beaten and abandoned so that I could live an abundant life, a life of freedom and joy and fulfillment. He wants you to live the best life possible, a life free of pain, guilt, and anxiety but full of smiles, peace and purpose.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February 2
Writer’s block. I’ve been thinking more about “living life on purpose” – the theme for this blog. Somehow, I just can’t get the words together. I want to share my testimony of how God gave me more clarity of my path in life. Maybe I’m thinking too much on what it should be that it’s overwhelming me. Writing about finding purpose in life is so important to me for many reasons. First, it’s the age – old question. Second, with everything that is within me, I know God is the Author of that purpose and it is tailor made for each one of us. My passion is helping people discover the best, most abundant life God has in store for them!
The devotionals this week have been – okay. Monday, I was still really distracted. Some days it’ll be like that. Maintenance. I guess days like that are practicing the new habit of searching Scripture and praying. Something like securing the foundation that has been laid. Some days are going to be fabulous – knock your socks off – revelations and others are going to be simple and sweet.
I didn’t start with a song. Maybe that’s where things went wrong. I prayed, asking God for forgiveness and clarity on the Scripture for that day. I prayed for an open heart and mind.
Reading: 1 Samuel 6 – The Ark Returned to Israel
The interesting section of this Scripture – verses 10 – 12. The Philistines are returning the Ark because God is cursing them for having it. The priests decided to send it back using two cows that have never been hitched to a cart before, alone. Why you ask? (Why we ask, haha). They were testing if the curses were from God. If the cows go straight on the road without being led by humans, then it was the God of Israel that brought this destruction. However, if the cows stray, then they know it was just a coincidence. Guess what happened. That’s right. The “never been hitched to a plow” – cows followed the path. Never turning from it to the right or to the left. That fascinates me because that is what God calls us to do. Stay on the path. He says, “Do not turn from it to the right or to the left”. Jesus said, “I am the WAY”. Another connection that can be made is to Psalm 32: 8, 9 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you”.
Enough said. Let that marinate.
Thanks for reading. Love you all!
The devotionals this week have been – okay. Monday, I was still really distracted. Some days it’ll be like that. Maintenance. I guess days like that are practicing the new habit of searching Scripture and praying. Something like securing the foundation that has been laid. Some days are going to be fabulous – knock your socks off – revelations and others are going to be simple and sweet.
I didn’t start with a song. Maybe that’s where things went wrong. I prayed, asking God for forgiveness and clarity on the Scripture for that day. I prayed for an open heart and mind.
Reading: 1 Samuel 6 – The Ark Returned to Israel
The interesting section of this Scripture – verses 10 – 12. The Philistines are returning the Ark because God is cursing them for having it. The priests decided to send it back using two cows that have never been hitched to a cart before, alone. Why you ask? (Why we ask, haha). They were testing if the curses were from God. If the cows go straight on the road without being led by humans, then it was the God of Israel that brought this destruction. However, if the cows stray, then they know it was just a coincidence. Guess what happened. That’s right. The “never been hitched to a plow” – cows followed the path. Never turning from it to the right or to the left. That fascinates me because that is what God calls us to do. Stay on the path. He says, “Do not turn from it to the right or to the left”. Jesus said, “I am the WAY”. Another connection that can be made is to Psalm 32: 8, 9 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you”.
Enough said. Let that marinate.
Thanks for reading. Love you all!
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