"The Thread"

I always get excited when I run across a cool video...

just like last week, I figured I'd share this video with you too!

 

A few months ago, I talked about the class I was taking called "Perspectives".

One of the things we talked about how there is a "thread" throughout the Bible...

a reoccurring theme...a story that includes us.

This video basically explains that same idea just in a unique way.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Don't forget to pray for the unreached people group of the day!

 

Reading plan for the week:

Monday: 1 Chronicles 15-17

Tuesday: 1 Chronicles 18-21

Wednesday: 1 Chronicles 22-24

Thursday: 1 Chronicles 25-27

Friday: 1 Chronicles 28 - 2 Chronicles 1

Saturday: 2 Chronicles 2-5

 

imperfect people hangout

What is church to you?

Is it a building?

Is it a group of people?

Is it a place where you can lift your hands in praise and worship to God?

Is it a place that makes you feel like an outcast?

Is it a place where you find fellowship with other people who share your same beliefs?

Is it a place where you feel judged for who you are?

Is it a place where you feel welcomed?

 

I think we can all agree that we have defined church on our own terms based on our experiences.

Unfortunately, if we have had bad experiences in church, then most likely we see the church in a bad light. If that's the case, going to church may not seem appealing.

However, if you've had good experiences in church, then it is safe to say, you are probably willing to go to church, if you aren't already.

 

For those of you who see church as a judgmental place where you feel as small as grasshopper, let me just say, I've felt that way, too.

 

Instead of getting angry with the church, vow to never go back, and turn away from your faith, remember that no one is perfect...even church people.

A church building doesn't consist of people who never sin, but is simply made up of imperfect, believers who want to follow Christ with the accountability from others.

 

No one should be turned away from the church for any reason.

The church should be a welcoming place where people can come together to encourage, motivate, and learn from each other.

It should be a safe place where flaws are welcomed, gifts are used, relationships are made, and all glory is given to God.

 

Maybe you feel out of place at your church or maybe you've given up on church...perhaps you can try again by keeping in mind, that even church leaders can mess up. Maybe you can visit a new church. Either way, don't give up on faith because of imperfect people.

 

God hasn't given up on you so don't give up on Him. He wants you to grow in His grace. Finding a church where you feel welcomed, encouraged to use your gifts, and challenged to grow deeper in God's word is an important part of strengthening your journey with Christ so that you will be used by Him for His glory.

 

Bible Reading Plan

Today: Judges 19-21

Tuesday: Ruth

Wednesday: 1 Samuel 1-3

Thursday: 1 Samuel 4-8

Friday: 1 Samuel 9-12

Saturday: 1 Samuel 13-14

 

Don't forget to pray for the unreached people group of the day!

In the construction business

I just finished the book of Exodus in the year long reading plan. Years ago if you would ask me if I like to read the Old Testament, I would probably say, "Eh, I prefer reading the New Testament." That sounds terrible, I know. Now that I've been taking the Perspectives class, my mind has changed about the Old Testament. I used to feel that I just couldn't relate to the Old Testament stories like burnt offerings and being in a lion's den. I may have built a bonfire, but I haven't made a burnt offering and I definitely have not spent time in a lion's den. Just saying. 

So I'm not saying that I thought these stories were irrelevant, but it was just hard for me to relate. Now I realize that each and every story in the Old Testament I can relate to in some manner. God wanted these stories in the Bible not for us to just enjoy, but to learn from.

So as I was reading the book of Exodus, I realized the most of the book are instructions. I mean it is the book where we find the Ten Commandments, but other than that, we read other instructions as well. Some of the instructions relating to slaves, sabbath and more. I found something uniquely fascinating when I was reading, starting in chapter 25. This is the chapter where God begins to instruct Moses on the construction of the tabernacle and ark of the covenant. Exodus 25:8-9 says," Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it."

I hate to say this, but it's the truth...years ago when I was reading this, I was really bored. Most likely, I read a few verses and skimmed over the rest...probably very quickly. Since I started taking this class, however, I knew that there is a reason that this passage is in the Bible. So this time, I actually read it. I didn't skim it, however, it was a little tempting. 

As I was reading chapters 25-40, I felt as if I was in the construction business. In fact, I felt like I should have a drafting table, ruler, and pad. In these chapters, God is telling Moses exact measurements and materials. He wasn't suggesting to Moses, saying, "I think what would be best if you were to use gold, but if you don't that's fine" and He wasn't saying, "The ark should be somewhere around 4 feet." No, God knew how He wanted His tabernacle and ark to be constructed. He wasn't giving Moses any options, but commanding. I mean, I don't blame God for being specific and detailed. It is His dwelling place. It should be the way He wanted. 

Not only did I feel like I was in the construction business while reading this, but I kinda felt envious of Moses. God is telling Moses exactly what He wanted Him to do. Are there ever times when you just want God to tell you what to do? There are a lot of times when I wish God would give me instruction like He did for Moses and the construction of the tabernacle. Instructions like that would make my life so much easier. I wake up in the morning and God says to me, "Chelsea, you will go to the grocery store at 11:17 and then you will volunteer at 2:15 and at 5:00 you will make a 5 course meal." Ha, okay, maybe not those kind of instructions, but more important decisions. 

So what if God really did give me specific and exact instructions for my life? I realized that God doesn't want to take my free will away. He wants me to seek Him and to trust Him with my life because I want to. Yes, He has instructed me to love Him with my whole heart, love my neighbors, love my enemies,  be a witness and make disciples. Aside from those instructions along with others, He wants me to be able to make my own choices. 

He is a loving God, not a forceful God. 

God wanted His dwelling place to be just right. He needed a construction manager that would carry out His plans to a T. So why Moses? I think because He knew he would obey. 

I know I've talked about obedience before, but I don't think I can talk about it enough. Moses listened and carried out the instructions with an obedient heart. I love how through chapters 25-31 it's only God speaking. Moses isn't interrupting and making suggestions or excuses. I picture him on top of the mountain sitting down (this was a long meeting), listening very carefully and taking lots of notes. I mean, if I was Moses that's what I would be doing. 

Although I don't believe God wants me to get in the construction business anytime soon, I think He wanted me to learn a few things. First, God has a plan and cherishes relationship with His people. The tabernacle was being built as a dwelling place for Him to meet with His people. Secondly, when God instructs us to do something, we should obey. We shouldn't make excuses or offer up our own suggestions, we should simply obey. 

The best part of these chapters is the ending. Exodus 39:43 says, "And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them." But that's not it...just wait. Exodus 40:38 says, "For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel." God's glory dwelled in the tabernacle. So this tells me that when we obey God, His glory is sure to follow. When we trust and obey Him, it brings glory to His name and that's what it's all about. Bringing glory to God. 

On the surface it looked like I was reading a construction manual, but it was really so much more. A reminder that God wants to use us for His glory. He doesn't have to use us...He can do it all on His own, but He chooses to us so we should choose to obey Him. 

Our reading plan for this week and next week is....

Today - Leviticus 1-4

Tomorrow - chapters 5-7

Friday - chapters 8-10

Saturday - chapters 11-13

Monday - chapters 14-15

Tuesday - chapters 16-18

Wednesday - chapters 19-21

Thursday - chapters 22-23

Friday - chapters 24-25

Saturday - chapters 26-27

Am I understanding this right?

Are there times when you read the Bible and you don't understand what it's saying? Or maybe you read the Bible and soak it in like a sponge and understand everything completely?

I'm going to be honest and say I definitely can relate to the first scenario.

The Bible uses a lot of words that we  hardly ever use. Also, the culture can be hard to understand because we definitely don't really live the way people did in biblical times. We have our iPhones and microwaves and they had nothing like it. So I think it goes without saying that the Bible isn't the easiest book to understand. However, since this is the most important book on the planet, we should strive our best to understand it as much as possible.

We can't expect to sit down and read a passage in the Bible once and know exactly what it means. It's not that simple. We must take the time to really study God's word so that we can find the truth in it. A lot of times we like to take the things we read at face value, but with the Bible we must be able to read in between the lines in order to find the truth. 

I think God made it this way not by accident, but on purpose so that we would be motivated to draw closer to Him. To sacrifice our time to read His word with an open heart can make our faith and understanding of who God is grow tremendously. Are you motivated to really delve into God's word to find His truth?

If you are, there are a few tips that will really help you understand the Bible instead of just simply reading it. Lately, it's been on my heart to share these tips because I realize that so many people miss out on God's truth due to the fact that they aren't sure where to begin in studying His word.

1. Remove ALL distractions...this includes TV, music (unless music helps you concentrate), etc. If you have kids, maybe spend time in the Word while they are sleeping or at a friend's.
2. Have a special time/spot when/where you read your Bible with a notepad and pencil. Mine is in the morning right when I get up, on the couch (so I don't fall asleep AND with the TV turned off) with a cup of coffee. Yum.
3. Before you read your Bible, begin with an open heart. Say a prayer asking God to reveal His truth to you. Ask for motivation and excitement to learn more. 
4. Now you can start! Decide on what you are going to read whether it be just a passage, chapter or full book. Don't get carried away though- you may want to start small so you can spend more time understanding completely what you read. 
5. Find out the audience and author of the book. For instance, the apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to the church of Corinth. You can even try to find out the purpose of the book.  This gives you an idea of what these people may be facing and how they can relate to you. This is so important!!
6. Now the fun part - read! Don't rush. Take your time. Read at least 3 times, but the more the better ;) If you are only reading a passage or chapter, make sure you take the chance to read the chapter before and after. This gives you an idea of what the author is talking about and keeps you from "cherry picking". You can pick a verse out and read it without any context clues and it will look a whole lot different that if you read it in context. The Bible isn't just verses put together randomly, each verse works together in an order that is important.
7. When you come to a word you don't understand, look it up in a dictionary or concordance or better yet, look it up in the Hebrew or Greek language. These were the languages that the Bible was first written in. This is huge because words have different meanings than we think. For example, in a lot of places in the Bible the word "sick" refers to "sin" or "love" can be translated to a brotherly love or romantic love. Check out www.blueletterbible.org for the Hebrew & Greek meanings - it's awesome!!!
8. Use cross references. Some study Bibles give you other verses that may give you more information about what you are reading. Also, don't be afraid to use different translations. I use NASB, NIV, and the Message
9. Use the internet or other books to find commentaries and cultural facts (think - who, what, when, where, how, why), but be careful not to believe what the author believes. Keep it in mind and form your own beliefs based on your own studies. Also, always keep in mind the Bible as a whole. Figure out if something is literal or figurative. 
10. Write down any questions you may have for your mentor or pastor. Feel free to make notes in your Bible. Highlight, underline, write...whatever you prefer! Also, write down what you feel like God is teaching you through His word. End your time with prayer, asking God for you to live out His word and continue to learn more about Him.

These are just some tips that help me. Study His word, don't just read. We can get in a lot of trouble when we read the Bible without any attention to author, purpose, culture and etc. Don't miss out on the truth! 

If you are reading along in the year-long-reading-plan, here is the schedule for the week:

Yesterday - Rev 20-22

Today - Gen 1-3

Wednesday - Gen 4-7

Thursday - Gen 8-11

Friday - Gen 12-15

Saturday - Gen 16-18

Don't forget our verse...

Matthew 5:16 - "Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." 

Do you have any Bible study methods you like to use? 

End Times

 

So today was the first day of the 10 week series about the End Times at church.

It was mainly a foundation of what we will be learning in the following next 9 weeks. I'm excited about the series since we are studying the book of Revelation in the year long reading plan. Many people debate on whether or not, the book of Revelation is literal or figurative. Another common debate is when exactly is Jesus coming back? Not only does the book of Revelation tell us about the end times, but many other books in the Old testament like the book of Daniel and in the New Testament such as 1 John.  

I figured I'd share a few points with you...

 

• Because my hope is in Christ, I can be confident in the future instead of fearful.

If we listen to the media, it can be pretty easy to become fearful of what is to come, but we need to remember that God says He will never leave us. We also need to remember that He knows what is best.

• We don't need Mayan calendars, all we need to know is in God's Word.
 
• We may be right about the facts of the end times, but we may be wrong about the timeline. It's in God's timing, not ours. So we are wasting our time worrying about the future.

1 John 2:28 says, " Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming."

 

Don't worry about the future, be confident about the future!

 

Don't forget our memory verse!

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bunch of randomness

Hey everyone!

Sorry I haven't been as consistent as I was last month. With Christmas around the corner and my 2 new, lovely medicines that are causing me some pain, I've been either busy or resting. Anyway, I wanted to stop by for a little bit and let you in on some of the stuff I've been up to...

 

painting DIY 3D wall art...

and more painting...

 

creating...

 (This little guy is a SUPER simple DIY Rudolph made out of a piece of wood, lightbulb, paint, glitter and branches. Maybe this is silly, but it was a fun little project.)

and decorating!

 

Also, I've been nominated for the Liebster award again! My new blogger friend, Cat, over at This Little Life of Mine nominated me. She is such a sweet woman of God with a moving testimony. I ran across her blog a couple weeks ago and told her about Alisa and Jaime's story. She even blogged about their story-so sweet! Please go check out her blog...you won't regret it! Thank you so much Cat! I nominated some blogs for this award a couple months ago and if I would have known you then, I would have nominated you in a heartbeat!

Since I just nominated a couple months ago, I'm going to wait a few more months to nominate again so that I can nominate new bloggers :)

These are the questions Cat asked me, so here's your chance to get to know me a little bit better :) I hope it's somewhat interesting! Haha.

 

1. Why did you start blogging? I started blogging because I felt that God put it on my heart to share with others what He has taught me. Honestly, I had always hated the idea of "blogging" before and was totally against doing it...God has a funny sense of humor haha.
2. Favorite Movie? Gah that is SO hard...how bout I list 3? A Walk to Remember, Remember the Titans & Accepted - this should tell you that I like Nicholas Sparks books/movies, football and comedies. What can I say- I'm a girl of variety!
3. Favorite holiday tradition? I guess it would be decorating the tree and listening to Christmas music. What's even better is when the tree is all finished and we can sit back, drink some hot chocolate and enjoy our masterpiece.
4. Who is your role model? I know this may be a Sunday School answer, but I would have to say Jesus. I have many people I look up to, but even though they are wonderful, they aren't perfect and the only perfect person is Jesus. He sets the example of how we should live.
5. Movies or a book? I think it just depends on my mood because I like both. Right now-I would say movies.
6. Do you have a favorite scripture? Just like my favorite movies, I have a tie of 3 or 5 or even 25 favorite bible verses. I'll just go with 3 right now- Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 4:1-6
7. Where is your favorite place for vacation? Here's another tie..(I guess I just can't make a decision haha) Vegas & Destin, Florida-Vegas just has so many things to see & I like the weather. Destin is just gorgeous-nothing like crystal clear water and white sand!
8. Are you ready for Christmas? Oh I'm ready for Christmas! I'm always ready for Christmas, but the real question is, am I prepared? No way. I have so much to do and so little time. I knew I should have gotten started earlier.
9. Do you have any pet peeves? Hmm...tapping!! It could be nails tapping on a table or a foot tapping on the ground, whatever- it drives me nuts haha.

Now that I've filled you in, I figured I'd share some encouraging words. It comes from the Bible, so rest assured that these words are 100% true.

 

 

Mmm...I love that. God is with me (& you!) He is mighty to save (mighty-oh yeah!). He takes great delight in me/you (woa!). He quiets me/you with His love (He sure does!). He rejoices over us with singing (wow-I feel special!).

 

Rest in these truths & may they bring you peace.

 

Today's scripture for read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan was 1 Corinthians 12-14.

If you would like a copy of the plan, check it out here or send me an email!

 

 

 

 

 

Clear & to the point

Today I was reading Romans 11-13 for the Bible reading plan I've been following and I really enjoyed chapter 12. You wanna know why? It is so clear and to the point. It's basically a list of do's and don'ts. For instance, verses 10-11 says, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." I can go through this chapter and check off the ones I do and circle the ones I need to work on. Not all scripture, however, is this clear and to the point. Other places in the Bible require you to read it multiple times and maybe even push you to ask your pastor about what it truly means.  I think God did this on purpose. 

The past few months I've been focusing on this type of scripture. I've wanted to figure out why this one chapter says this and why the other chapter says that. I've had a lot of questions and I've studied different translations and even the Hebrew and Greek origins, hoping I would figure out what God is saying. These questions have really instilled a hunger to read and learn more of God's word...which is great! On the other hand, I realized that I came to the point where it wasn't a healthy hunger, but it was more of an obsessive search to know all the answers.

Thankfully, God reminded me that I'm not training to be Him and to know all the answers. I don't need to know all the answers. Yes, the Bible is truth, but I realized that maybe I'm not supposed to completely understand this topic at this point in my life and maybe I never will. I was reminded that this is where faith comes in. Maybe I don't know every answer to every theological question, but that's okay because I have faith in God. Questions are great because they can create a healthy hunger in us, but there comes a point where we have to say, "Okay, God, I don't really need to know all the answers. All I really need to know is that you sent your son, Jesus, to die for my sins and that my purpose of living is to serve and praise You." 

Do you struggle with this? 

So I'm thankful for the scripture that is clear and to the point, but I'm also thankful for the scripture that forces me to practice my faith in God.

Today's scripture was Romans 11-13 and tomorrow's scripture is Romans 14-16.

Please don't forget to pray for Alisa, Jaime, and baby London! If you don't know their story, check it out here. 

Disappointment

So last night I was catching up on the book, Mended by Angie Smith. There was definitely a reason why I pushed "pause" on this book and pressed "play" last night. It was perfect timing for me. God is good.

 

Something in the chapter stood out to me...Isaiah 49:23. When I read this, I was like, "woa, hold up, wait a minute!" I know I've read it before, because I've studied Isaiah, but it was like lightbulbs had turned on. So I'm sure you're wondering what Isaiah 49:23 says...

"Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed." The last part really got my attention..."those who hope in me will not be disappointed."

 

I think why this verse flashed red lights at me because just a few days ago I was disappointed in someone. Unfortunately, this disappointment really affected my attitude. Not proud of it, but it's true. So when I read this, God used his Holy Spirit to convict me. I realized that I was disappointed because I had put my hope in a person and not God. If I would have looked at this situation in a different light, I would have not been affected in that way. That got me thinking of all the times that I've been disappointed...well, not every single time (because my memory isn't great & I would be thinking for a longgg time). I'm pretty sure that my times of disappointment have stemmed from me not putting my hope in the right person. When a person disappoints me, I shouldn't be surprised because we are humans and we mess up, instead I should put my hope in God. 

 

People can disappoint, but God doesn't. There may be times when I don't understand what God is doing in my life, but that doesn't mean He disappoints me. He has a reason for everything.

 My hope is in Him and no one else.

 

Check out this song...it's one of my favorites!

Cornerstone by Hillsong

 

Also, here is the reading plan I've been following (just in case I miss a day to remind you):

 

 

 

 

Day 26 In Him we find...

I always loved True/False questions on tests in school, because I knew I had a 50/50 chance of getting it right even if I had no clue. Multiple choice questions drove me crazy because it left me only a 25% chance. I mean, who doesn't want to be right? No matter what type of test question, however, there was always a chance of me being wrong.

 

When it comes to the Bible, there is nothing false about it. There is no doubting or questioning whether it is right or wrong. You can't pick one part out of it and say "that's false" and then flip a few pages and say, "that's true". The whole book is true because it is the word of God. Even if human hands physically wrote the words on the pages, it is still the inspired word of God. From the first page to the last page, each page is full of truth.  Everything God has said...everything God has done...is truth. He is truth.

 

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God.
 

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:17 - For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

In Him we find truth.

 

Speaking of truth...if you or anyone you know has ever questioned how the Earth was created, check out this website here to learn about NASA scientifically proving the Genesis account. Check out this video below too.

Today's scripture for read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan is Acts 16-17.

 

Day 24 In Him we find...

Has anyone ever said to you, "Just be bold!" I know a few people who have told me that...several times.  Maybe you don't like attention or you're afraid to stand out. Maybe you doubt your abilities. Maybe you're afraid of the outcome. Maybe you don't have a problem with being bold most of the time, but maybe when it comes to your faith, you tend to blend in with the crowd. 

I know there are times, when it's comfortable for me to blend in with the crowd. There are times when I don't speak up about my beliefs when I should. Trust me, I'm not proud of this. I know it's something I need to work on, because I'm reminded by God's Word that as followers of Christ, we should be bold. We should be bold in our actions and in our words, just like Daniel, Moses, Paul and many others in the Bible.

In order to be heard in a world full of sin, we must speak boldly. We can't be shy when we speak about what God has done in our lives. God is bold, so He deserves to be spoken about boldly. Now, I'm not saying go scream down someone's throat, but be bold and strong with what God has given you. Acts 14:3 says, "Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord..."  Everyone deserves to hear the good news of Christ so we need to make sure they hear it! 

You may think that you aren't good with your words or you don't know what to say, but let me remind you, that God will make sure that you are equipped. He can use you no matter what. He can make you bold. Psalm 138:3 says, "On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul." If you struggle with being bold, go to God and ask Him to make you bold. Get ready because He will definitely give you opportunities to be bold! No doubt about it. 

In Him we find boldness.

Proverbs 28:1 - The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Day 12 In Him we find...

Yesterday, we talked about how God convicts us of doing wrong. So not only does He wave His red, caution flag, He also gives us a chance to turn around. In the Bible, this is called repentance. In Greek, the word for repentance is "metanoia" and it means to change direction or change of mind. It's not just realizing, "Man, I messed up", it's "Man, I messed up. I'm not doing that again. I'm gonna start over. I'm done with that."

 

The Bible talks about repentance many, many times. Repentance is one of the most important themes in the Bible. We already know that we are sinful creatures, but as Christ followers, we should always strive to live holy lives, set apart from sin. Of course, we are gonna mess up, but that's where the beauty of it comes in. God gives us a chance, a do over, a restart. Instead of saying "Oops, my bad, well I guess I'll keep doing it", we should run to God saying, "I did it again, Lord. I'm sorry! I want to start over. I don't want to go back to that. Help me. I need you. " This isn't a one time deal either, because we are sinful we have to continually repent and turn around back to God. Thankfully, God doesn't turn His back on us and say, "Sorry, you messed up. I can't do anything for you." He says, "I'm so glad you realized that you were headed toward trouble and obeyed by coming to me. Take my hand and I'll lead you."

So whenever we mess up, He's NOT condemning us. He wants to redeem us.

 

I think one of the many lies that the world tells us about religion is that Christianity is all about rules and if you mess up, you'll be condemned, but that's not the case with Christ. He convicts us of doing wrong, but then He offers repentance. Once again, just like He doesn't have to convict us, He doesn't have to offer us repentance, because we certainly don't deserve it. In fact, He doesn't just offer us repentance, He pleads for us to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB) says, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." He wants us to come running back to Him, because if we don't, we will only get farther and father away from Him. He wants us to be near to Him. He wants to help us. He doesn't want us to get in trouble. He loves us.

He wants us to repent.

In Him we find repentance.

 

Do you need to repent today?

 

Today's scripture for read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan is John 7-8.

Have a great Monday!

Day 10 In Him we find...

So it's been another rough day. Lots of couch time, gingerale, and popsicles (only good part of being sick, unlimited popsicles with no guilt), but more importantly,

I made it here to tell you another thing we find in Him!

 

 

 

One of the expectations of my Lyme Disease treatment is to rest. It's so important.

Rest helps our bodies to heal. Our bodies need rest. Our minds need rest. We all need to rest physically, mentally, and spiritually. No matter how many naps we take or how many hours we sleep, we will not find true rest until we rest in God's promises. This could mean reading the Bible, listening to worship music, praying, or all of the above. Soaking in His promises for us will give us rest and restoration that is needed to keep us going so that we are able to fulfill His call on our lives.

 

Another way we find rest in God is by giving up all our worries to Him. He can handle it, that's for sure. You'll be surprised how at rest you will feel when you give it up to the One who cares for you. Matthew 11:28-29 says, “…Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In Him we find rest.

 

Today's scripture for read-your-Bible-in-a-year-plan is John 5-6.

Hope to see you tomorrow for day 11 & don't forget to rest in Him!

So much to talk about...choices, choices, choices!

I have so much I want to write about it! Don't worry though, I'll try and limit myself. I don't want to bore you with a novel, but sheesh, there's so much to write about!

So I've been reading a lot the past 2 days (because I haven't felt like doing anything else). These are the 3 things I've read: my Bible, "His Princess: Love Letters from Your King," and "Sincerely, Jesus". Man, God has given me some good stuff to read, let me tell you. "Sincerely, Jesus" is by Edward Goble (I got it free on my Nook!) and it is about the letters that Jesus wrote to the seven churches listed in the book of Revelation. Although the letters were addressed to these seven groups, Goble explains how Jesus is talking to us, too. It's a short read, filled with historical information and tons of Jesus' promises for us that relates to our daily lives. I'm so glad I found it and look forward to reading it again. "His Princess: Love Letters from Your King" is by Sheri Rose Shepherd and is a devotional book that is in the form of letters from God. It is beautifully written for any age. So many times I finish reading a chapter/devotion in tears. Lastly, today's reading for the year long reading plan was chapters 7-8 in the book of Matthew. Out of these 3 books, God has filled my head with so much to write about! I decided to write about the reoccuring theme of the 3 books...choosing the right path.

I don't know about you, but I'm not real good at making decisions. I don't know if it's because I doubt my discernment or I just don't like making decisions. I've realized though lately that as long as I'm focusing on God, His will for me, and obeying Him; I can't go wrong. Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes through the father except me" (John 14:6).

Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." So you may be wondering, "What's all this gate talk about? I haven't went through a gate."   Well, if we look at John 14:6 again, we know that Jesus is life, therefore, to go through the "narrow gate", all we have to do is believe and follow him. The wide gate is what the rest of the world goes through. If you want life, you want Jesus.  Simple as that. But you may be thinking, well I'm living and I don't need Jesus. The truth is, when we don't have Jesus we don't experience what true life is and we definitely don't get to experience eternal life.  Basically, if you want destruction (which I don't see why), go through the wide gate. Do what everyone else is doing. I know it may be the easy thing to do, but is it really worth it? If you want life (sounds so much better than destruction), go through the narrow gate - Jesus.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." When we are walking on the narrow way, following Jesus, we are able to figure out what God's will is for us. Decision making becomes less complicated. It will still be hard at times, since we are competing with the world and our fleshly desires so we must choose Jesus' path everyday. Like I've talked about before, it becomes easier when we use our faith in the reward God has promised us. Goble says in "Sincerely, Jesus", "Sometimes the footing is tricky because there is an enemy lurking in the shadows who will do anything to get you off the path." Satan wants us to do the things that everyone else is doing, so he is going to work his butt off to tempt us, but keep in mind when we follow Jesus' path, we recieve life. All Satan can offer us is destruction, but Jesus offers us eternal life. That should be a pretty easy decision right there...who are you going to choose? Do you want destruction or life?

Let Jesus be your way...your truth...and your life. When our faith is in Him, choosing which path to take becomes simple.  Proverbs 4:26-27 says, "Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil."  Goble says, "When we repent and place Jesus in the central place of honor and love in our heart, He will be our strength and energy for life. (p. 51)" When we start to slip off the narrow path (and it will happen, but don't freak out!), all we have to do is  refocus our eyes on the "way" (Jesus). Choose the narrow gate. Choose the narrow path. Choose life. Choose Jesus. It's worth it.

 

Today is the day that we choose a new bible verse to memorize, mine is Romans 12:2. Let me know what verse you are memorizing by leaving me a comment!

Also, are you joining the read-your-bible-in-a-year plan? Please let me know if you are! Today is Matthew, chapters 7 & 8.

Beautifully BE-ATITUDINAL

A friend invited me join her in reading the whole Bible in a year so of course, I said yes!! I've always wanted to read the whole Bible and I've tried multiple times but never seemed to follow through :/ So I figure this is a great opportunity since I have someone holding me accountable. Our reading started yesterday and so far we have read Matthew chapters 1-6. It's crazy how you can read something so many times and still notice things you never realized before...that's how God works ;)

Anyway, I love chapter 5, aka the Beatitudes and part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. You might be wondering what the heck are "Beatitudes"? Beatitudes are defined as supreme blessedness or the blessings that Jesus listed in his Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is so clear & to the point...I love it! If you've never read the Beatitudes before here they are...and if you have, read em again, who knows something different may stand out to you this time!

Matthew 5:1-12

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Let me ask you this, do the underlined phrases explain you and the way you act? Since these phrases are known as blessings, do you think the world would define them as blessings? Probably not...the world tells us, "Don't be meek, merciful, hungry for righteousness, poor in spirit, peacemakers...that's not cool!" As believers, we aren't supposed to go with world's flow, but to go against it so we can show Jesus' love for others.

 

So let's try to be beautifully beatitudinal!

If you would like to read the Bible in a year with me, feel free to tag along! You will be blessed, I'm sure!

To catch up with me, read chapters 1-6 in the book of Matthew.

Also, if you would like the reading plan for the year, I can email it to you. Just let me know by commenting on this post!

 

 

My trip into the woods...

Do you like to go venturing into the woods? Whenever you go hiking, do you take anything with you? Walking stick? Water bottle? Boots? Bring a flashlight, if it's dark?  In my experience, I have found that when you go venturing into the woods you must be prepared for opposition.

 

For instance, one day when I was about 10, I  ventured into the woods (actually, my backyard, but it might as well be the woods, since we have land in the country) and stepped on a nail. It wouldn't have been so bad if I wasn't wearing sandals which allowed the nail to go all the way through the sole and into my foot. Not a good feeling. I then realized that I must be prepared and wear more appropriate shoes when I go on my little "adventures". You think that sounds silly? Just wait. Another time, right after we moved to the country, I decided to go "roam" my backyard (aka the woods) and pretend I was in an "enchanted forest" (I was eight and imaginative haha ). As I was searching the "enchanted forest", I decided to hang from this tree like a swing. Little did I know, the tree was dead. Next thing I knew, I was laid out on the ground with my head on a stump, a tree on my face (lovely image, huh?), and blood on my fingers. Yes, I faced opposition with a dead tree. If I was prepared for my "enchanted forest" adventure, I would have learned what a dead tree looked like...but obviously, I didn't. Now, I know.  Those two stories aren't the only interesting experiences I have up my sleeve, but it's obvious I have definitely faced opposition in the outdoors. All silliness aside, my main point is that we must be prepared to face opposition in many aspects of our lives.

 

If you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I'm sure you've faced a ton of opposition. Today I heard an awesome sermon about facing opposition as believers. Of course, as believers, we are extremely blessed with the gift of salvation and that is the best gift anyone can recieve. However, the Bible tells us many times that followers of Christ should expect opposition. Jesus said, "No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20)..... "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Mark 13:13).... "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first" (John 15:18). Jesus has made it clear that even though we may follow Him, it doesn't mean we won't face opposition.

 

We face opposition because we live in a sinful world. Sin is all around us. Satan is at work. He wants to keep everyone away from Christ and the eternal life that He so freely gives.  Satan tries to work through oppositions of sickness, death, financial, divorce, fear, rejection, guilt, broken relationships, failure and more.   In John 10:10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

 

This may sound discouraging and not like something you want to be a part of, but wait, before you click off of this blog, please keep reading! There is good news! God doesn't want the opposition to take us out. He is here to help us. He can prepare us for the opposition that is to come, but most importantly, He can help us overcome the opposition that we face.

 

The first way God prepares us to face the opposition is by faith. Pastor Nathan said, "Faith equips us to stand in the face of opposition and to do it well." Today's scripture was Hebrews 11:23-31 and it explains many instances when people faced opposition but overcame it with faith. Verses 26-27 say, " He (Moses) regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. " Although Moses knew he was going to get in big trouble by the world, he knew he was going to get a gold star from God, because he acted in faith. He looked "ahead to his reward" and "persevered because he saw him who is invisible"....aka he had FAITH! Moses gained strength to get through the persecution of the world because of his faith in God's will.

 

The second way God helps us get through the opposition is by a wonderful reminder. Pastor Nathan explained..."He reminds you that even though you feel like you're losing...faith says, "you win." Hebrews 11:40 says, " since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." For all the opposition we face, it is worth it! 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 1 Peter 4:13 says, "Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 2:20 says, "If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God."

 

So if you are facing opposition right now, hold onto your faith. Grasp it. Embrace it. Realize that it will not last forever. If you aren't facing opposition right now, get prepared (just like you get prepared to go hiking)! Read God's Word. Have an accountability partner. Serve. Grow stronger in your faith because that is what is going to get you through it.

 

 Thankfully, because of God's grace and mercy, He sent his perfect son, Jesus Christ, to be crucified for our sins...for anyone who would believe in Him. What's even better is that Jesus was resurrected from the dead to prove that death has no power over our lives. Then when Jesus comes back to take His followers to His heavenly, eternal kingdom, we will no longer face opposition.

The opposition is worth it.

Hold on and look forward to the reward of eternal life that Jesus Christ has given us.

 

Hold your horses!

I have a problem. Maybe you have the same problem. Patience. Ugh. Isn't that just a lovely word? I know I've talked about this before, but it's just been on my mind all day today so I figured I should probably share. Obviously, I haven't conquered the problem of patience just yet, but I'm still working on it. So I'm going to guess that there is a big chance that many of you struggle with this problem of patience. You want to know why I guess this?

You get a text and have to respond immediately. You start a task at work and you have to finish it asap. You go to the doctor and you get agitated when they don't call you in at the time of your appointment. You go to McDonald's and you expect to have your food right when you get to the pick up window but the new guy is making your burger so it's taking longer than usual . You are in traffic and want to scream with frustration (maybe you do) because you want to get home immediately. 

I could list more examples of when we do not have patience. Part of it I think is our fault, but I think society also plays a part. Our society is not the waiting type, it's the NOW type. "I want it and I want it NOW!" I don't know about you but I've definitely said that phrase and thought it multiple times. Now that I think about it, I realize how childish it is to be so demanding. There are going to be times when you don't get what you want or you don't get it when you want it. That's just how life is. 

Today I was reading my Bible and it dawned on me that God truly is a God of patience. That might scary to think about, since we aren't patient often. However, it should be a comforting thought. God grows us through patience. Think about Noah and the flood. He had to wait after a year until he could get out of the ark (Can you imagine?!). Abraham also had to be patient. God promised that he would be a father of many nations, but Sarah couldn't get pregnant at the time. Because of Abraham's faithfulness and patience, he waited until he was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old to have his son, Isaac. Hebrews 6:15 says, "And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." Job also was an example of how God blesses people through patience. The book of Job isn't the most joyful book in the Bible (that's my opinion of course) because it tells the story of how God let the devil take everything away from Job, but because Job knew that God had a plan for him, he waited patiently.  In fact, God rewarded him. Job 42:10 says, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before."

See, it's clear that patience is important.

 It may not be fun during the waiting period, but in the end it can grow us. 

God is patient with us, so we should be patient with Him. 

He waited for us to open our eyes to His truth, so lets wait for His plan to play out. 

When you start getting impatient, remember that it's in God's time, not yours. He blesses those who wait for His will.

Hebrews 6:12- We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Galations 6:9- Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

This is the song that came to mind when I was writing this...check it out!