Four whole days away from Christmas, and I got home at 11pm PST last night. It's crazy how fast this year has flown by! I've heard all my life that as time goes on it just gets faster and faster. I never really experienced the truth of time traveling from one year to another until now.
I have made myself insanely busy this past year. That busyness definitely added to the accelerated speed of time.
I honestly have not had an actual break since graduating high school which was over a year an a half ago. Every time I have come home from college, I've been determined to work my butt off to earn more money so I could live fatter at school and go on random shopping outbursts. This break; however, I have decided that is is absolutely NECESSARY that I take a break and just enjoy myself, my family, and more importantly my gracious God who has gotten me through so many stresses in the past year.
Running the race of life is very hard and treacherous. And if you don't agree, apparently we aren't running the same race or you might just be lucky and got the easier course.
When I read Paul's note to Timothy I feel as if Paul is giving us a pep talk to a team right before the rival football game.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
We KNOW what our reward will be, we KNOW the race is hard, but we also KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt who wins. Jesus Wins.
It amazes me how God has chosen to use such incapable people all throughout humanity.
"Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was abused, Moses had a stuttering problem, Gideon was afraid, Samson had long hair and was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, David had an afair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Isaiah preached naked, Jonah ran from God, Naomi was a widow, Job went bankrupt, Peter denied Christ, the Disciples fell asleep while praying, Martha worried about everything, the Samaritan woman was divorced, Zaccheus was too small, Timothy had an ulcer, and LAZARUS WAS DEAD."
Now thinking about that honestly, if God used a dead man, how much easier can he use me or you. I feel so blessed to know that there is a God who cares about me each and every second of the day or night. He does not need to rest, he does not take bathroom breaks, he simply is there for every one of his children. God does not promise this race or this journey will be easy - but he does promise to be there to help us every step of the way.
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Enjoy your break, or at least enjoy Christmas - remembering the true reason for the season - and learn to rest in His presence even in the midst of busyness and stress. He is faithful to provide rest when we need it and he will always help us through our toughest situations in His way and in His timing.
"For nothing is impossible with God!" (Luke 1:37)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Muy Complicado (if that's even how you spell it)
Complicated.
I think this is one word that describes life in general, constantly.
There is always something going on in life that seems to be complicated, whether complication is found in a relationship, a friendship, a class at school, religious practices, or any other thing that frustrates you... There's always something we as humans don't understand and think about and try to figure out or fix.
What God has really been showing me lately is that He never changes. He is constant. And although I could classify his mysterious ways in the same category as complicated, His nature is much more than that. There is always something new to learn about God and about His love for us but I think that is just the beginning of a beautiful journey that we take as believers in Christ. It is so easy to get wrapped up in what is going on in the world around me and forget the never changing Lord I serve. Although I face a million different circumstances in my life, I serve a God who will always be there when I need Him or ask for His help. He is and always should be my only true safe harbor.
As Moses said to Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is the very nature of God which is never changing and faithful.
It affirms this constant character in Psalm 145:13 when David says, "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made."
Relationships will fail. Families will fail. People will fail. Religion will fail. Knowledge will fail. We will even fail ourselves. But there is one person who will never fail us, He will never turn His back on us, God. Our Lord has redeemed us and has delivered us. Why would he pay such a huge price, sending His only son to die for us, if he was just going to leave?
"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.
This really bothered Him and He questioned the Lord about it. "Lord you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
I think this is one word that describes life in general, constantly.
There is always something going on in life that seems to be complicated, whether complication is found in a relationship, a friendship, a class at school, religious practices, or any other thing that frustrates you... There's always something we as humans don't understand and think about and try to figure out or fix.
What God has really been showing me lately is that He never changes. He is constant. And although I could classify his mysterious ways in the same category as complicated, His nature is much more than that. There is always something new to learn about God and about His love for us but I think that is just the beginning of a beautiful journey that we take as believers in Christ. It is so easy to get wrapped up in what is going on in the world around me and forget the never changing Lord I serve. Although I face a million different circumstances in my life, I serve a God who will always be there when I need Him or ask for His help. He is and always should be my only true safe harbor.
As Moses said to Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is the very nature of God which is never changing and faithful.
It affirms this constant character in Psalm 145:13 when David says, "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made."
Relationships will fail. Families will fail. People will fail. Religion will fail. Knowledge will fail. We will even fail ourselves. But there is one person who will never fail us, He will never turn His back on us, God. Our Lord has redeemed us and has delivered us. Why would he pay such a huge price, sending His only son to die for us, if he was just going to leave?
"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.
This really bothered Him and He questioned the Lord about it. "Lord you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Be encouraged and renewed knowing that we serve a faithful and unchanging God who loves us. With his love we can accomplish anything in His will for us to do.
Commit the complicated situations in your life to Him and you will see far better results than you could have ever imagined.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Living Actively
Our family used to come to newport beach every summer and stay at a beach house with my grandparents and cousins until about 3 years ago. This is my immediate family's first trip back and Newport hasn't changed much. There are lots of drunk people and loud music playing all around the pier.
It's amazing to me how easy it is to fall into the temptations of this world and to want to live a life of partying. Sin always looks very enticing and it is arrogant of anyone to say he or she is above temptation. Paul said in his letter to the Roman church, "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing." (Romans 7:18-19) In this passage Paul is not making an excuse for his sin but rather stating a fact about our existence on earth.
It is easy to sin.
And in addition to that, it is not easy to follow God's commandments and live a holy life.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
Last night I got to listen to a group of people sharing the good news of Christ at the pier in the midst of all the partying going on just steps away from them. I could honestly feel the spiritual warfare for many of those people's attention. It is crazy to remember how real and active the forces of evil are in this world and how desperate Satan is to pull people away from the Lord's promises.
Share the good news that we have in Christ with those around you despite the circumstance. There is always room for Christ in your conversations. Be encouraged and know that you are never alone in the situation and that God is cheering you on!
It is so good to be challenged to share the gospel but also to live sacrificially. As a Christian, people watch the way you live so live actively!
"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
egotistical living
Last night in campus church, an amazing point was brought up by David McKinney, which brought me unexpected conviction. It's not that I haven't been convicted often lately but it was abrupt. There was nothing going wrong in my life, nothing I seemingly needed to be working on, just going through life and allowing God to slowly mold me and shape me into the woman he wants me to continue becoming.
David turned around at one point in the message and looked at the crowd, representing the crowd in Luke 14:25 and asked us, "Why are you following me?" This question was representing what Jesus was asking each person in that situation while they were walking on his journey, but for some reason this question struck me in a way that stung, abruptly and it was entirely unanticipated.
While examining myself I’ve realized, the times are not often when I sit down and praising God just because He is God. I thank Him constantly for MY salvation, MY health, MY family, MY school, MY this, MY that… I even go to the extent of thanking Him for being Him, because I get benefit out of that. YES, God is majestic and I reap the benefits of His majesty due to the gift of salvation He has so GRACIOUSLY bestowed upon me, BUT that is entirely beside the point.
My quiet times, or priority times, with the Lord should not be based on ME, and how He can change ME and mold ME into who he wants ME to be at all, they should actually be entirely focused on HIM and allowing myself to be completely surrendered to HIM in all circumstances. Making myself nothing and HIM everything.
It always seems that when I’m in the midst of a tough situation I have the most AMAZING quiet times! It just so happens that when I talk my head off to God Almighty and he’s there to listen and whisper a few encouraging words my way, I continue along my little path feeling renewed and refreshed. But that is exactly the problem! My SAVIOR is NOT a chat room where I can just pour out my problems and get a solution… he desires so much more of me. There has been so much lost in this generation of “Jesus is my homeboy” and “God is my best friend” YES, Jesus is my best friend who I can confide anything in (mostly because he already knows everything, but that’s beside the point…) He is first and foremost my Savior and my Lord, the King of my life. He needs to be first in my life! Above myself, above my desires, my family, my friends… Life is so self-centered and I’m tired of living in that manner. It is time to listen to the conviction of my heart and live for the only One who matters most, the Lord of the Universe, and the Master of my soul.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
continual victory
Reading the story of David's defeating of Goliath in 1 Samuel always amazes me.
I am in awe of the confidence David has in his Heavenly Father and how blatantly he acts because of this divine poise. David's confidence in the Lord's power is so clearly and powerfully stated when he is speaking against Goliath in saying, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied... All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:45,47
This story reminds me so clearly that physical matters are irrelevant to God and are never too big for Him to handle. How amazing would it be if I could stand up against any trial I have in life and already have complete confidence that it will be conquered!? So often I forget how much of a warrior my Lord really is and how I am called to be a warrior as well. Everyday there is a fight in front of me, everyday Satan is trying his hardest to make me fall, but the great thing is, God always wins! He is victorious, and as a Christian I know that!!!
So why do we go around acting like this is a mysterious battle in which we could potentially loose at any point? Where is our confidence?! Where is our courage!? Because I know MY GOD, and he is bigger than any situation you, or I am in, and he will conquer it, he is victorious, and he is always with us.
"For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." -Deuteronomy 20:4
In God's timing he will fight our battles and carry us onto victory... we are running this race of life, already knowing that in the end we will win, so run faster! jump higher, strive always to be better! Why? Because we are running and fighting for a God who is bigger, greater, more magnificent that we could ever imagine. He should be glorified in the way we fight this war against this dark world.
As Christians, we need to stand up in unity, today and everyday and proclaim that our God is victorious! He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and he has won this battle!
I am in awe of the confidence David has in his Heavenly Father and how blatantly he acts because of this divine poise. David's confidence in the Lord's power is so clearly and powerfully stated when he is speaking against Goliath in saying, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied... All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:45,47
This story reminds me so clearly that physical matters are irrelevant to God and are never too big for Him to handle. How amazing would it be if I could stand up against any trial I have in life and already have complete confidence that it will be conquered!? So often I forget how much of a warrior my Lord really is and how I am called to be a warrior as well. Everyday there is a fight in front of me, everyday Satan is trying his hardest to make me fall, but the great thing is, God always wins! He is victorious, and as a Christian I know that!!!
So why do we go around acting like this is a mysterious battle in which we could potentially loose at any point? Where is our confidence?! Where is our courage!? Because I know MY GOD, and he is bigger than any situation you, or I am in, and he will conquer it, he is victorious, and he is always with us.
"For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." -Deuteronomy 20:4
In God's timing he will fight our battles and carry us onto victory... we are running this race of life, already knowing that in the end we will win, so run faster! jump higher, strive always to be better! Why? Because we are running and fighting for a God who is bigger, greater, more magnificent that we could ever imagine. He should be glorified in the way we fight this war against this dark world.
As Christians, we need to stand up in unity, today and everyday and proclaim that our God is victorious! He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and he has won this battle!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Notes from my Father
"My Princess, I will heal your heart,
Don't get discourages, My beloved; pain is a part of life. But I promise you that I will turn every tear you've cried into joy, and I will use your deep pain for a divine purpose. Don't try to hide your hurts from Me. I know everything about you. You are Mine, My beloved! I'm the only one who can handle your heart and restore you to health and wholeness again. I, too, have felt great pain, rejection, anger. But we can go through every trial together. Hand in hand I will lead you back to My place of peace and joy after the storm. The sun will shine on you again, and your heart will be healed. I promise you, My Princess, that when you go through deep waters of great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned.
Love,
Your Kind and your Healer"
"My Princess, Take courage in me,
You need never be afraid to stand up and do what is right, My child. I will always go ahead of you and prepare the way. I rescued Daniel from the mouth of the lions and delivered David from the hands of his enemies. Can you trust that I am strong enough to handle any situation? I truly want what is best for you. Take courage and walk in My strength, not your own. Face every situation head-on - armed with the sword of the Spirit, the belt of truth, the armor of righteousness, and the shield of faith. You never need to turn your back and run - I will empower you and protect you. Just stand firm and pray, and watch your courage become contagious.
Love,
Your King and your Captain of courage"
- His Princess - Love Letters from Your King
By: Sheri Rose Shepherd
Don't get discourages, My beloved; pain is a part of life. But I promise you that I will turn every tear you've cried into joy, and I will use your deep pain for a divine purpose. Don't try to hide your hurts from Me. I know everything about you. You are Mine, My beloved! I'm the only one who can handle your heart and restore you to health and wholeness again. I, too, have felt great pain, rejection, anger. But we can go through every trial together. Hand in hand I will lead you back to My place of peace and joy after the storm. The sun will shine on you again, and your heart will be healed. I promise you, My Princess, that when you go through deep waters of great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned.
Love,
Your Kind and your Healer"
"My Princess, Take courage in me,
You need never be afraid to stand up and do what is right, My child. I will always go ahead of you and prepare the way. I rescued Daniel from the mouth of the lions and delivered David from the hands of his enemies. Can you trust that I am strong enough to handle any situation? I truly want what is best for you. Take courage and walk in My strength, not your own. Face every situation head-on - armed with the sword of the Spirit, the belt of truth, the armor of righteousness, and the shield of faith. You never need to turn your back and run - I will empower you and protect you. Just stand firm and pray, and watch your courage become contagious.
Love,
Your King and your Captain of courage"
- His Princess - Love Letters from Your King
By: Sheri Rose Shepherd
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