One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." I love just sitting and thinking about this verse. Often when I am fearful or worried about something, this is the first verse that comes to my mind.
How often do we actually do what this verse says though? The first two words are clear: be still. In my opinion, those words are easier said than done, especially in our high-paced, technology-filled culture. I know that I have very few moments when I am still. It seems that I am constantly busy with homework and studying, and if I'm not doing that, I'm usually with my friends, and if I'm not with my friends, then usually I am doing the most mind-numbing activities like watching TV shows or aimlessly surfing the Internet. In college, the closest I get to being still is right before I go to bed when I read my Bible.
I do have to say that deer season does provide me with an excellent opportunity to be still. When you are out sitting in the woods, waiting for a deer, you are trying to be as quiet as possible. Deer are very flighty animals, and even the smallest sound can send them running. For me, this is the perfect opportunity to talk to God and just spend time alone with Him with no distractions. Yes, the woods aren't always quiet - there's birds chirping, squirrels running around and leaves rustling. But all in all, being alone in the forest is so peaceful. It's probably the only time I am ever really still.
Stillness is rare and precious. We learn so many things when we stop and reflect. When we actually force ourselves to put aside all distractions and focus wholly on God, we learn so much about Him and His character. Like the verse says, we know that He is God. We understand it. We truly get it. It's such a powerful realization, too. He will be exalted in the nations. He will be exalted in the earth. It has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him.
Another one of my favorite passages dealing with stillness is 1 Kings 19:9-12. This is when the Lord God appears to the prophet Elijah in the cave. Basically at this moment, Elijah is scared. He is telling God how Israelites have broken their covenant with God and they are killing the prophets and breaking down God's altars. Elijah says, "I am the only one left, and they are now trying to kill me too." I can almost hear the desperation and fear in his voice.
Then the Lord speaks. "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." If I were Elijah, I wouldn't know what to expect. But Elijah obeys. First there is a great and powerful wind. This wind is so powerful that the mountains shake and the rocks shatter. But God is not in the wind. Next comes a great earthquake. We have all seen how powerful earthquakes can be. It must have been terrifying for Elijah to witness. But we are told that God is not in the earthquake either. After the earthquake, comes a fire. Just this past summer, the western half of the United States dealt with terrible wildfires. Fire is dangerous and intense. However, God is not in this fire.
Then it comes. A soft whisper. The King James version calls it "a still small voice." You see, God is more powerful than the wind, the earthquake and the fire. However, He chose not to pass by Elijah in any of those. Instead, He spoke to Elijah softly, in a still small voice. In a gentle whisper. It was with this voice that the Lord Almighty reassured Elijah and calmed his fears.
I think too often we beg God for help, we pour out our fears to Him and ask Him to calm us, but then we miss hearing His still small voice. We get too caught up in the world around us that we miss Him. Oh sure, He could come roaring in like the powerful wind and reassure us and tell us that everything is fine. But He doesn't always do that. Sometimes He waits in the background, waiting for us to go find Him.
How many times have we tried to talk to someone who was distracted? Either they are listening to music or watching TV or reading a book. They give us maybe half of their attention or less. In fact, most of the time, they don't even catch what we are saying, and they often ask us to repeat ourselves. This is exactly how we treat God. We sing the worship songs, we listen to worship music, we listen to the pastor's sermon on Sunday... all of these are good things, and we can definitely grow closer to God through them, but I feel like there needs to be more. There needs to be that time when it's just you and God, alone in a silent environment, when you refuse to let your mind wander and you focus all of our attention on the Creator, your Father.
After all, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:6 to go to a quiet room when we pray. We don't need to be out in front of people. We don't even need to pray out loud. "But when you pray, go into our room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Quietness, stillness.
The beautiful thing about being alone with God is understand that He desperately wants to have a one-to-one correspondence with you. Just you and Him! The Creator of the universe wants to have alone time with only you. That's a crazy, wonderful thought! God, who knows everything about you and who passionately loves and adores you, wants you to meet with Him in a quiet place.
In God's perfect stillness, we find God's perfect will.
"The sound of 'gentle stillness' after all the thunder and wind have passed will be the ultimate Word from God." ~ Jim Elliot
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Matthew 25:40
What is poverty? I struggle to find one correct answer to this question. Poverty is different for everyone. In America, you can live in poverty and still own a house and have food on the table. In parts of Africa, to live in poverty often means you go days without food, you sleep on the ground, you can't afford an education.
I have been blessed. I live in the United States, which in itself provides many great opportunities. I have food on the table for every meal (and also food for in between meals). I drink clean water every day. I'm receiving an education from a great college. I have a house to go home to, I have enough clothes to get me through a couple weeks without wearing the same thing twice, I have a vehicle that gets me from place to place, I am healthy and happy. But sometimes I ask myself why?
Don't get me wrong. I am so incredibly thankful for all of this. It is only because of God that I enjoy these things. But when I think about it, I just don't understand why I live this blessed life when there are hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people who suffering every day from diseases and starvation. There are children who run around naked because they have no clothes or shoes. There are teenagers who are nothing but skin and bones because they have no food. There are mothers and fathers who lay awake at night because they don't know how they are going to feed their children the next day. Why do I have a surplus of food and clothing when they people have nothing?
It's not fair. I have done nothing to deserve what I have. I am no different from them. They are human, and I am human. They are intensely loved by God, and I am intensely loved by God. It just doesn't seem fair that they are dying of a disease when the medication in America can be bought for less than $10. It isn't right that they go long periods of time without a balanced meal, and here I am, throwing away perfectly good food in the cafeteria because either it didn't taste good or I've already stuffed myself too full and I can't finish it.
This bothers me so much. Sometimes I think about it so hard that it makes my head hurt. It simply isn't fair. The worst part is that so many Americans have no idea what is actually going on in other countries. We see commercials on TV about these children who run around in the dumps looking for food, and we say, "That's so sad! I wish I could help." Then we turn the channel as we take a sip of our soda or eat a little more of our popcorn.
I've seen poverty firsthand. I went to Peru this past summer, and I saw children playing in the mud with no shoes or pants on. I saw families living in shacks. I saw little boys and girls with bloated stomachs from parasites. My eyes were definitely opened to a different side of the world. Yet sometimes I forget these things that I saw. I complain about the food in college and how there is never anything I want to eat. I take for granted the fact that I even have food in the first place.
In some ways, I think Christians in America are failing these people. We hear stories from missionaries about their hardships, we donate money to their cause, and we are content to just sit in our pews on Sundays and listen. If we were to be approached by someone about an opportunity to serve in a third-world country, many of us would give excuses like we are too busy, we don't have time, we have families that we can't leave, etc. The list could go on and on.
I'm not saying that giving to missionaries isn't an effective way to help. That's not the point at all. Our missionaries are incredible people who are giving of themselves to serve the Lord and others. They need our support and prayers by all means. I'm just saying that we shouldn't be content to just stop there. We need to be willing to go to these places ourselves. We need to be willing to step out of our comfort zones and see the world through God's eyes. And most of all, when we do travel to other parts of the world, we need to remember that these people deserve our respect and our love. We cannot strip others of their dignity. They are hard-working people who love their families - this is no different from most of us.
Lastly, we need to remember to be continually thankful to God for each of the blessings He has given to us. I mean really be thankful. All of this could be stripped from us in an instant. It is only by God's grace and mercy that America is living in wealth - this could all change. If we were all suddenly plunged into extreme poverty, wouldn't we want the help of others from around the world? Wouldn't we look to our fellow humans to support us in our troubling times?
If nothing else, at least think about these things. You don't have to feel bad when you eat a bag of potato chips or a donut or whatever. I do those things all the time. Maybe, however, when do you allow yourself to indulge, say a prayer to God, asking Him how you might be able to help others. It may be something small - helping a local food bank, volunteering at a homeless shelter. Baby steps. You don't have to completely jump in right at the get-go. Start by putting your toe in the water. Quit standing on the sidelines and do something.
I have been blessed. I live in the United States, which in itself provides many great opportunities. I have food on the table for every meal (and also food for in between meals). I drink clean water every day. I'm receiving an education from a great college. I have a house to go home to, I have enough clothes to get me through a couple weeks without wearing the same thing twice, I have a vehicle that gets me from place to place, I am healthy and happy. But sometimes I ask myself why?
Don't get me wrong. I am so incredibly thankful for all of this. It is only because of God that I enjoy these things. But when I think about it, I just don't understand why I live this blessed life when there are hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people who suffering every day from diseases and starvation. There are children who run around naked because they have no clothes or shoes. There are teenagers who are nothing but skin and bones because they have no food. There are mothers and fathers who lay awake at night because they don't know how they are going to feed their children the next day. Why do I have a surplus of food and clothing when they people have nothing?
It's not fair. I have done nothing to deserve what I have. I am no different from them. They are human, and I am human. They are intensely loved by God, and I am intensely loved by God. It just doesn't seem fair that they are dying of a disease when the medication in America can be bought for less than $10. It isn't right that they go long periods of time without a balanced meal, and here I am, throwing away perfectly good food in the cafeteria because either it didn't taste good or I've already stuffed myself too full and I can't finish it.
This bothers me so much. Sometimes I think about it so hard that it makes my head hurt. It simply isn't fair. The worst part is that so many Americans have no idea what is actually going on in other countries. We see commercials on TV about these children who run around in the dumps looking for food, and we say, "That's so sad! I wish I could help." Then we turn the channel as we take a sip of our soda or eat a little more of our popcorn.
I've seen poverty firsthand. I went to Peru this past summer, and I saw children playing in the mud with no shoes or pants on. I saw families living in shacks. I saw little boys and girls with bloated stomachs from parasites. My eyes were definitely opened to a different side of the world. Yet sometimes I forget these things that I saw. I complain about the food in college and how there is never anything I want to eat. I take for granted the fact that I even have food in the first place.
In some ways, I think Christians in America are failing these people. We hear stories from missionaries about their hardships, we donate money to their cause, and we are content to just sit in our pews on Sundays and listen. If we were to be approached by someone about an opportunity to serve in a third-world country, many of us would give excuses like we are too busy, we don't have time, we have families that we can't leave, etc. The list could go on and on.
I'm not saying that giving to missionaries isn't an effective way to help. That's not the point at all. Our missionaries are incredible people who are giving of themselves to serve the Lord and others. They need our support and prayers by all means. I'm just saying that we shouldn't be content to just stop there. We need to be willing to go to these places ourselves. We need to be willing to step out of our comfort zones and see the world through God's eyes. And most of all, when we do travel to other parts of the world, we need to remember that these people deserve our respect and our love. We cannot strip others of their dignity. They are hard-working people who love their families - this is no different from most of us.
Lastly, we need to remember to be continually thankful to God for each of the blessings He has given to us. I mean really be thankful. All of this could be stripped from us in an instant. It is only by God's grace and mercy that America is living in wealth - this could all change. If we were all suddenly plunged into extreme poverty, wouldn't we want the help of others from around the world? Wouldn't we look to our fellow humans to support us in our troubling times?
If nothing else, at least think about these things. You don't have to feel bad when you eat a bag of potato chips or a donut or whatever. I do those things all the time. Maybe, however, when do you allow yourself to indulge, say a prayer to God, asking Him how you might be able to help others. It may be something small - helping a local food bank, volunteering at a homeless shelter. Baby steps. You don't have to completely jump in right at the get-go. Start by putting your toe in the water. Quit standing on the sidelines and do something.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Worry and fear vs. trust in God
When it comes to my daily struggles, worrying is definitely number one. It doesn't matter how small and insignificant something is, I always find a way to worry about it. This worrying leads to stress, and we all know the effects stress can have on you. I know that I've already written about worry, but it is such a reoccurring problem for me. I know that I am not the only one who struggles with this.
Let's just face it: worrying is rooted in fear. Without fear, there is no need to worry. I fear getting a bad grade on a test, so I worry about how that test is going to go. I fear someday getting cancer, so I worry about how my lifestyle may affect my health. I fear someone close to me dying, so I worry when I get a phone call late at night. These are just examples of how fear leads to worry and anxiety.
Being in college, the source of much of my stress and anxiety comes from grades. I am a perfectionist, so getting a bad grade on a test greatly affects my mood and my emotions. I once got a 43 on a hard math test in college, and all I could do was return to my room, weeping uncontrollable, and call my mom telling her that I wasn't cut out to be a math major anymore. Believe it or not, though, I almost squeaked out an A in that class. My overreaction was for nothing.
Yes, I understand that worrying can lead to more motivation. If I am really worried about something, I might try everything I can to prevent my fears from coming to life. When it comes to grades and tests, worrying can cause you to study more. However, we shouldn't just study hard because we are afraid of getting a bad grade. We should study hard because we want to do our very best and achieve the highest grade that we as individuals are capable of.
I already established that worrying stems from fear. But fear comes from not trusting in God. Think about it. There is nothing to fear when you have full trust in Him! When you understand that He has our lives completely mapped out and that nothing we do will disrupt His plan, we have no reason to fear. Yet we still do! Why is fear such a problem for us? I have to be honest, I still don't have an answer to that question. I know that fear (and I'm not talking about the fear of God here... that is different) is stupid and irrational, so why do I still allow it to control my life?
The bottom line is that instead of letting fear control us, we should instead resolve to do our absolute best in everything. If we put forth our best effort, God is not going to leave in the dark. He will get us through. When it comes to grades, we may not get an A in that hard class, but if we try our best, we will not go unrewarded. God knows that we are not perfect. We just need to accept this fact for ourselves. Not all of us are going to be super smart in academics or excellent musicians or physically gifted. Just because we may not be good at math or science doesn't mean that we should accept that we are going to get a D in the class. We should strive to do the best job that we can!
I know that I haven't written an entry in a long time, and my thoughts may seem very scattered. I just got to thinking about this this week (I have a hard upper level math test on Friday). Instead of really studying for the test, I've just been worrying about it and anticipating a bad grade. That is stupid! I need to just buckle down, study the material, and go in with a positive attitude. God takes care of His own, so we have nothing to fear!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Giving of our best
Each of us has talents. Regardless of whether someone can do something better than you, there is something that you can do better than them. There are times when I will be listening to a song and think, "Wow, I wish I could sing like her." Or sometimes when I am watching a professional soccer game, I find myself sometimes envious of the girls with the talent to play at that level. I find myself wishing that I had been a better player.
However, we must keep in mind that God has given each of us specific talents in order to carry out a certain purpose. Obviously God's purpose in my life was not to be a great singer or a professional athlete, despite how cool I think that would be. I may not have the ability to be great in those areas, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy them. I was able to play soccer in high school and enjoy the competitiveness of the sport. I also have the ability to sing (though sometimes not very well), and I am able to enjoy that as well.
Yes, all of us have talents, but so often, we don't give of the best of our talents to God. He gives us these gifts, and we squander them and use them for our purposes. For example, there are many great singers in the world who use their voices to sing songs full of obscenities and vulgarity. This is not giving glory to God. They are using their God-given talents to bring fame, money and attention to themselves.
Some of my favorite verses on this topic are Colossians 3:23-24. I'm sure they are familiar to many of you: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. It is the LORD Christ you are serving."
What I love about these verses is that they don't specifically say to give the best of only your talents. No, the first part of verse 23 says, whatever you do. Anything. Even if you aren't necessarily good at it, do it with all of your heart and put forth your best effort. To men, it may seem foolish, but God is so pleased when we try our hardest for His glory, even if it involves something we really stink at.
I remember when I first started playing the violin. The violin is one of those instruments that can be very, very beautiful in the hands of the right person, OR it can be a horrible, screeching, crackly sounding instrument. And unfortunately, when you are first starting out, you don't sound like Itzhak Perlman (look him up if you don't know of him... he's amazing!). Well as soon as people from my church found out that I was learning the violin, they wanted me to incorporate it into some special music. I balked and complained and whined so badly to my mom because I thought that it sounded horrible! And to this day, I still think I sound horrible. But what my mom always reminded me was that I was to be playing for the Lord and not for men. It didn't matter what the congregation thought. God is pleased when we use our abilities to glorify Him.
The sad thing about America today is that so many people are not doing their best. There are so many bright minds in this country that are too busy playing video games, going out and partying, doing drugs. There is so much talent among young people that is basically getting washed down the drain. They just don't care.
The problem is that they don't believe in God, so they feel no conviction to do their best. They feel that their lives are their own, so why should they work hard? As Christians, we know differently. We have been bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are not our own. We were once slaves until Christ bought us with His precious blood. Now we are free of bondage, but we are still the property of Christ.
If we do our very best and give the praise to God, He will reward us. We may not see that reward in this life, but God is not going to leave us hanging. He doesn't expect us all to be great teachers and speakers, singers and musicians. He just asks that we take whatever He has given us and try our hardest. After all, if you read through the Bible, you will find that the men and women that God used the most were not the strongest or wisest - often they were quite the opposite - yet God used them in mighty ways to further His purpose.
Remember that God often uses "foolish" people over wise people to do His will (1 Corinthians 1:27). If you allow Him to work in your life, and if you pledge to Him to give of your very best, God will use you in ways you never even imagined. Sometimes He will use you even if you don't want to be used. However, it's always easier and less painful if you are open and receptive to His working in your life.
Keep this all in mind the next time you are asked to do something that you don't think you can do. Give it your best shot and give it all to God. More often than not, it turns out much better than you expected.
However, we must keep in mind that God has given each of us specific talents in order to carry out a certain purpose. Obviously God's purpose in my life was not to be a great singer or a professional athlete, despite how cool I think that would be. I may not have the ability to be great in those areas, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy them. I was able to play soccer in high school and enjoy the competitiveness of the sport. I also have the ability to sing (though sometimes not very well), and I am able to enjoy that as well.
Yes, all of us have talents, but so often, we don't give of the best of our talents to God. He gives us these gifts, and we squander them and use them for our purposes. For example, there are many great singers in the world who use their voices to sing songs full of obscenities and vulgarity. This is not giving glory to God. They are using their God-given talents to bring fame, money and attention to themselves.
Some of my favorite verses on this topic are Colossians 3:23-24. I'm sure they are familiar to many of you: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. It is the LORD Christ you are serving."
What I love about these verses is that they don't specifically say to give the best of only your talents. No, the first part of verse 23 says, whatever you do. Anything. Even if you aren't necessarily good at it, do it with all of your heart and put forth your best effort. To men, it may seem foolish, but God is so pleased when we try our hardest for His glory, even if it involves something we really stink at.
I remember when I first started playing the violin. The violin is one of those instruments that can be very, very beautiful in the hands of the right person, OR it can be a horrible, screeching, crackly sounding instrument. And unfortunately, when you are first starting out, you don't sound like Itzhak Perlman (look him up if you don't know of him... he's amazing!). Well as soon as people from my church found out that I was learning the violin, they wanted me to incorporate it into some special music. I balked and complained and whined so badly to my mom because I thought that it sounded horrible! And to this day, I still think I sound horrible. But what my mom always reminded me was that I was to be playing for the Lord and not for men. It didn't matter what the congregation thought. God is pleased when we use our abilities to glorify Him.
The sad thing about America today is that so many people are not doing their best. There are so many bright minds in this country that are too busy playing video games, going out and partying, doing drugs. There is so much talent among young people that is basically getting washed down the drain. They just don't care.
The problem is that they don't believe in God, so they feel no conviction to do their best. They feel that their lives are their own, so why should they work hard? As Christians, we know differently. We have been bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are not our own. We were once slaves until Christ bought us with His precious blood. Now we are free of bondage, but we are still the property of Christ.
If we do our very best and give the praise to God, He will reward us. We may not see that reward in this life, but God is not going to leave us hanging. He doesn't expect us all to be great teachers and speakers, singers and musicians. He just asks that we take whatever He has given us and try our hardest. After all, if you read through the Bible, you will find that the men and women that God used the most were not the strongest or wisest - often they were quite the opposite - yet God used them in mighty ways to further His purpose.
Remember that God often uses "foolish" people over wise people to do His will (1 Corinthians 1:27). If you allow Him to work in your life, and if you pledge to Him to give of your very best, God will use you in ways you never even imagined. Sometimes He will use you even if you don't want to be used. However, it's always easier and less painful if you are open and receptive to His working in your life.
Keep this all in mind the next time you are asked to do something that you don't think you can do. Give it your best shot and give it all to God. More often than not, it turns out much better than you expected.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Goodness
Psalm 118:1 - "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."
I am a big fan of C.S. Lewis. In my opinion, this man was incredibly smart and godly. I am especially a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, but then again, who isn't? I love the portrayal of Aslan in these books. One of my favorite lines in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe comes in eighth chapter entitled "What Happened After Dinner." The Beavers and the Pevensie children are sitting in the Beavers' dam eating supper and discussing Aslan, the Great Lion.
Not too many things in society are good anymore. It seems like the world is overflowing with evil sometimes. More than once I have watched the news and gotten depressed about what is happening, not only in the United States, but all around the world. It's hard to see goodness in all of the evil. It's hard to see any light in this darkness.
But there is Light! We must remember that this earth is not our final home. This evil presence will not endure forever; it cannot endure forever. Soon, and very soon, Christ will return for His Church and He will re-make the earth to be as it was intended - pure and holy. And everything will be good again - just as it was in the Beginning when God pronounced it good.
Psalm 31:19 - "How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You."
Our God is not safe. He is powerful and holy and worthy to be feared and adored. But we cannot forget His goodness. We cannot go around preaching hell and destruction to those who are lost without showing them that the Maker of everything is good and loving and takes a personal interest in their lives. So often people back away from Christianity because through Christians (yes, through me) they see a judgmental and hypocritical God. Yes, God does judge, but His judgments are unlike ours. They are worthy and perfect.
We must remember that unbelievers are looking at us. We must strive to be good just as our God is good. We must show them a goodness and a love unlike anything they have seen before. Maybe then we could get the Gospel message across. Maybe then people would start listening instead of immediately writing us off.
This week, I challenge us all to look for ways to do good. Write someone an encouraging note or Bible verse. Give someone a hug. Have a meal with a close friend. Help someone in need. Think of others as better than yourselves. Reflect the goodness of God to those around you. We all need to be reminded that, in this world of evil and chaos, the Light reigns supreme.
I think you will be surprised at just how good it feels inside when you do something nice for someone else. Who knows? Maybe it will change your life.
I am a big fan of C.S. Lewis. In my opinion, this man was incredibly smart and godly. I am especially a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, but then again, who isn't? I love the portrayal of Aslan in these books. One of my favorite lines in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe comes in eighth chapter entitled "What Happened After Dinner." The Beavers and the Pevensie children are sitting in the Beavers' dam eating supper and discussing Aslan, the Great Lion.
"Ooh!" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."I love that last line. Of course Aslan isn't safe, but he is good. Our God is not safe, but He is infinitely and wonderfully good. He is always just and always caring and always kind.
Not too many things in society are good anymore. It seems like the world is overflowing with evil sometimes. More than once I have watched the news and gotten depressed about what is happening, not only in the United States, but all around the world. It's hard to see goodness in all of the evil. It's hard to see any light in this darkness.
But there is Light! We must remember that this earth is not our final home. This evil presence will not endure forever; it cannot endure forever. Soon, and very soon, Christ will return for His Church and He will re-make the earth to be as it was intended - pure and holy. And everything will be good again - just as it was in the Beginning when God pronounced it good.
Psalm 31:19 - "How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You."
Our God is not safe. He is powerful and holy and worthy to be feared and adored. But we cannot forget His goodness. We cannot go around preaching hell and destruction to those who are lost without showing them that the Maker of everything is good and loving and takes a personal interest in their lives. So often people back away from Christianity because through Christians (yes, through me) they see a judgmental and hypocritical God. Yes, God does judge, but His judgments are unlike ours. They are worthy and perfect.
We must remember that unbelievers are looking at us. We must strive to be good just as our God is good. We must show them a goodness and a love unlike anything they have seen before. Maybe then we could get the Gospel message across. Maybe then people would start listening instead of immediately writing us off.
This week, I challenge us all to look for ways to do good. Write someone an encouraging note or Bible verse. Give someone a hug. Have a meal with a close friend. Help someone in need. Think of others as better than yourselves. Reflect the goodness of God to those around you. We all need to be reminded that, in this world of evil and chaos, the Light reigns supreme.
I think you will be surprised at just how good it feels inside when you do something nice for someone else. Who knows? Maybe it will change your life.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Do Not Worry
If there is one thing that I struggle with the most on a daily basis, it would be worrying. Anyone who knows anything about me can attest to this fact. I struggle with anxiety daily and for many different reasons.
The funny thing about this problem, though, is that I fully understand that God has everything under control. I know that He has a perfect plan and that nothing I do will change His will for my life. Yet I still worry... about everything. I worry about grades and tests. I worry about something happening to my family or friends. I worry about what other people think of me (this one is especially stupid).
I have a friend who is also struggling with anxiety. She asked me if I thought that worrying is a sin. My answer to her was yes, but at the time, I wasn't quite sure WHY I thought that. The bottom line is that Jesus told us not to do it, so if we do it and disobey Him, we are sinning.
Look up Matthew 6:25-34. A wise friend of mine referenced these verses to me. I love these verses, yet they are always very convicting for me. Jesus gives us several reasons why worrying is pointless and stupid. He shows that us He takes care of the birds. He makes sure they are fed. He then says in the second half of verse 26 and in verse 27, "Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
God counts your life as far more precious than that of the birds. So if He takes care of them, why wouldn't He take care of you? Why do we go on worrying about things that are of no importance when the God of the universe has our futures already laid out? Our worrying is NOT going to help accomplish anything. Just as the verse says, we are not going to be able to add any time to our lives by worrying.
I'm coming to the realization that in the end, my grades don't matter. Yes, it is important to always do our best for the glory of God, but there is a difference between that and putting that object or thing ahead of God. The minute we make an idol out of our grades, or schoolwork, or boyfriend, or girlfriend, or whatever, then we have a problem. God should be the ONLY one that we worship.
When we get to Heaven, no one is going to remember that test we failed in college or the time that someone said something bad about our appearance. We will forget all about what others thought of us. It's going to be immaterial and petty. So if these things don't matter in eternity, why do we let them matter now?
Worrying is a choice. We make a conscious effort to worry every time it happens. Perhaps it is not that easy for you to just stop worrying, though. I know that for me worry has become such a burden to me that it feels as if I can never get rid of it. WRONG. There is no burden that Jesus cannot take away. He went to the cross bearing every burden and sin that we have, and He took care of them all. With His help, there is NOTHING that we cannot overcome. This includes worry.
Maybe worrying isn't something that you necessarily struggle with. But I can guarantee that there is, without a doubt, something that is heavy on your heart. All of us have sins that consume us and separate us from close communication with the Father. Examine your heart and pick out those specific sins. Then take them to the Throne of Grace and lay them at the feet of Jesus. He knows that we cannot do this alone. He is perfectly aware that we are humans and we are weak. He will never turn us away when we need His help.
Don't let these sins, whatever they may be, control your life. Give them over to Jesus, and start living your life with His purpose in mind. It is such a freeing feeling.
The funny thing about this problem, though, is that I fully understand that God has everything under control. I know that He has a perfect plan and that nothing I do will change His will for my life. Yet I still worry... about everything. I worry about grades and tests. I worry about something happening to my family or friends. I worry about what other people think of me (this one is especially stupid).
I have a friend who is also struggling with anxiety. She asked me if I thought that worrying is a sin. My answer to her was yes, but at the time, I wasn't quite sure WHY I thought that. The bottom line is that Jesus told us not to do it, so if we do it and disobey Him, we are sinning.
Look up Matthew 6:25-34. A wise friend of mine referenced these verses to me. I love these verses, yet they are always very convicting for me. Jesus gives us several reasons why worrying is pointless and stupid. He shows that us He takes care of the birds. He makes sure they are fed. He then says in the second half of verse 26 and in verse 27, "Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
God counts your life as far more precious than that of the birds. So if He takes care of them, why wouldn't He take care of you? Why do we go on worrying about things that are of no importance when the God of the universe has our futures already laid out? Our worrying is NOT going to help accomplish anything. Just as the verse says, we are not going to be able to add any time to our lives by worrying.
I'm coming to the realization that in the end, my grades don't matter. Yes, it is important to always do our best for the glory of God, but there is a difference between that and putting that object or thing ahead of God. The minute we make an idol out of our grades, or schoolwork, or boyfriend, or girlfriend, or whatever, then we have a problem. God should be the ONLY one that we worship.
When we get to Heaven, no one is going to remember that test we failed in college or the time that someone said something bad about our appearance. We will forget all about what others thought of us. It's going to be immaterial and petty. So if these things don't matter in eternity, why do we let them matter now?
Worrying is a choice. We make a conscious effort to worry every time it happens. Perhaps it is not that easy for you to just stop worrying, though. I know that for me worry has become such a burden to me that it feels as if I can never get rid of it. WRONG. There is no burden that Jesus cannot take away. He went to the cross bearing every burden and sin that we have, and He took care of them all. With His help, there is NOTHING that we cannot overcome. This includes worry.
Maybe worrying isn't something that you necessarily struggle with. But I can guarantee that there is, without a doubt, something that is heavy on your heart. All of us have sins that consume us and separate us from close communication with the Father. Examine your heart and pick out those specific sins. Then take them to the Throne of Grace and lay them at the feet of Jesus. He knows that we cannot do this alone. He is perfectly aware that we are humans and we are weak. He will never turn us away when we need His help.
Don't let these sins, whatever they may be, control your life. Give them over to Jesus, and start living your life with His purpose in mind. It is such a freeing feeling.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Faith like a mustard seed
I love Hebrews 11. This chapter of the Bible has been dubbed the "Faith Chapter" for very obvious reasons. This chapter chronicles various men and women in the Old Testament and some in the New Testament who lived by faith. Some of the people mentioned are Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, etc. However, my favorite part of this chapter comes toward the end.
Hebrews 11:32-38 (NIV):
"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground."
I know that passage is pretty long, but it is so powerful. I love the part of verse 38 that says, "the world was not worthy of them." These men and women - martyrs for Christ - understood the awesome power of faith. They were persecuted and killed, but they never renounced Christ. They had such a deep relationship with God that nothing, not pain or fear, could shake their faith in Him. Wow, wow, wow. I can't wait to have conversations with these people in Heaven someday. I can't wait to hear their stories. I can't wait to worship our Lord and Savior side-by-side with them.
I would encourage all of your to read Foxe's Book of Martyrs. I am currently reading this book, and it is incredible. It gives in detail the lives of various martyrs throughout church history. They come from different time periods, but they all have one thing in common: they counted their very lives to be less than their faith in Jesus. They suffered excruciating tortures and deaths for the sake of the Almighty.
We rarely see faith like this anymore in America. We have it so easy in this country. Currently, we are able to worship freely and publicly. Yes, some people are trying to take these rights away, but the fact of the matter is that we can still have public church services on Sundays without fear of being arrested or killed.
This is not the case in many countries today. Just read some of the Voice of the Martyrs magazines. People around the world are being persecuted and killed for their Christianity. Some watch their families die right before their eyes. Some suffer incredible pain and torment, both physically and emotionally. But they will not renounce Christ. They have the kind of faith that can move mountains. They have the very faith that is lacking in America.
Jesus says in Luke 17:6 (NIV): "He replied, 'If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it will obey you.'"
It doesn't take a lot of faith to do great things. Jesus showed His disciples that even faith as small as a mustard seed (which is TINY) can perform miracles. Yet how many of us lack even that much faith? Sometimes I feel as if I do.
We need to realize that faith is incredibly powerful because our God is incredibly powerful. If we have faith in Him, we can do anything with His help. We can move mountains. But many of us will never get to that point. We tell ourselves that where we are right presently is good enough. "I don't need any more faith. I've got enough to get my through each day." My friends, this is not enough!
I want to have the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham. I want the faith of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua and Rahab. I want to have the faith of the early church who suffered immensely for the sake of the Gospel. I want to show others just how great and mighty Jesus Christ is by having a faith that is mighty. I want to have such a faith that if I am called to be a martyr for the sake of Christ that I will lay down my life for Him without even blinking.
I want the kind of faith that draws in unbelievers. I want people to look at me and see Jesus. I want to gush the love, mercy and grace of the Heavenly Father. I want more than anything in the world for those around me to see Christ for who He is and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. I want to get to Heaven and see my family, my friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.
I want to have faith like a mustard seed because even that amount of faith is more powerful than anything we know. I want American Christians to wake up and see that our God is immense and strong and powerful and ferocious and great and loving and zealous and kind! I want a revival to sweep across our nation. I want myself and my fellow Christians to tear down the strongholds of Satan and see lives healed and changed forever. When Jesus returns to take His beloved home, I want to stand proudly, knowing that I did everything I could to further His Gospel on this earth.
As John writes in the second to last verse of the Bible, Revelation 22:20 (NIV):
"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.
AMEN. COME, LORD JESUS.'"
Hebrews 11:32-38 (NIV):
"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground."
I know that passage is pretty long, but it is so powerful. I love the part of verse 38 that says, "the world was not worthy of them." These men and women - martyrs for Christ - understood the awesome power of faith. They were persecuted and killed, but they never renounced Christ. They had such a deep relationship with God that nothing, not pain or fear, could shake their faith in Him. Wow, wow, wow. I can't wait to have conversations with these people in Heaven someday. I can't wait to hear their stories. I can't wait to worship our Lord and Savior side-by-side with them.
I would encourage all of your to read Foxe's Book of Martyrs. I am currently reading this book, and it is incredible. It gives in detail the lives of various martyrs throughout church history. They come from different time periods, but they all have one thing in common: they counted their very lives to be less than their faith in Jesus. They suffered excruciating tortures and deaths for the sake of the Almighty.
We rarely see faith like this anymore in America. We have it so easy in this country. Currently, we are able to worship freely and publicly. Yes, some people are trying to take these rights away, but the fact of the matter is that we can still have public church services on Sundays without fear of being arrested or killed.
This is not the case in many countries today. Just read some of the Voice of the Martyrs magazines. People around the world are being persecuted and killed for their Christianity. Some watch their families die right before their eyes. Some suffer incredible pain and torment, both physically and emotionally. But they will not renounce Christ. They have the kind of faith that can move mountains. They have the very faith that is lacking in America.
Jesus says in Luke 17:6 (NIV): "He replied, 'If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it will obey you.'"
It doesn't take a lot of faith to do great things. Jesus showed His disciples that even faith as small as a mustard seed (which is TINY) can perform miracles. Yet how many of us lack even that much faith? Sometimes I feel as if I do.
We need to realize that faith is incredibly powerful because our God is incredibly powerful. If we have faith in Him, we can do anything with His help. We can move mountains. But many of us will never get to that point. We tell ourselves that where we are right presently is good enough. "I don't need any more faith. I've got enough to get my through each day." My friends, this is not enough!
I want to have the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham. I want the faith of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua and Rahab. I want to have the faith of the early church who suffered immensely for the sake of the Gospel. I want to show others just how great and mighty Jesus Christ is by having a faith that is mighty. I want to have such a faith that if I am called to be a martyr for the sake of Christ that I will lay down my life for Him without even blinking.
I want the kind of faith that draws in unbelievers. I want people to look at me and see Jesus. I want to gush the love, mercy and grace of the Heavenly Father. I want more than anything in the world for those around me to see Christ for who He is and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. I want to get to Heaven and see my family, my friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.
I want to have faith like a mustard seed because even that amount of faith is more powerful than anything we know. I want American Christians to wake up and see that our God is immense and strong and powerful and ferocious and great and loving and zealous and kind! I want a revival to sweep across our nation. I want myself and my fellow Christians to tear down the strongholds of Satan and see lives healed and changed forever. When Jesus returns to take His beloved home, I want to stand proudly, knowing that I did everything I could to further His Gospel on this earth.
As John writes in the second to last verse of the Bible, Revelation 22:20 (NIV):
"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.
AMEN. COME, LORD JESUS.'"
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