"Beauty, according to the Christian worldview, is established by God himself, and is inseparable from truth and goodness. Attractiveness is the mere delight of the eyes. In a sinful world, our eyes delight in many wrong things, and many of the most beautiful realities are, to the mere eyes, unattractive."- Albert Mohler
I recently did a study through Proverbs 31:10-31 and learned a great deal about myself…something disgusting.
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”- Proverbs 31:30
Have you ever thought through this verse? Yes, we as women quote it often to ourselves and know that to men this whole passage is what should be sought after in a wife, but have we really used this passage as a mirror for ourselves? Does it really reflect what is in our hearts?
Not in mine.
What great conviction came when I read a “GirlTalk” blog on beauty and they asked these questions: (I urge you to answer these as well, not just in thought actually write it down as if you were truly having to answer these questions)
"Why do you try to make yourself look more beautiful and attractive? What do you hope to gain?”
and
"How has it worked out for you? Has the pursuit of physical beauty helped you achieve all you hoped it would? Explain.”
As I began to answer, heaviness came upon me and I became absolutely disgusted with myself, I was not living out this verse but actually holding beauty as an idol. Here’s what was answered:
"Why do you try to make yourself look more beautiful and attractive? What do you hope to gain?”
Most of the time I try to make my self more attractive and achieve beauty, not because this is most glorifying to God, but rather because of a standard that has been set. Before I was saved I modeled, which is a field that focuses so much on outward appearance you almost begin to lose who you truly are as a person...your looks define you. Putting on make-up and nice clothing becomes almost a putting on of yourself (the opposite of things such as "clothing yourself in humility"). This past life has embedded itself so deep into my mind that it has become so difficult to overcome since salvation, spiritual beauty has not yet come to reign over physical beauty in my heart and it is truly a daily struggle. I had someone say to me the other day "What would life be like the day Ashley doesn't receive a complement?" This hit me so hard...because honestly I would see myself as less beautiful and ultimately of lesser worth, this is why I strive for physical beauty...value.
and
"How has it worked out for you? Has the pursuit of physical beauty helped you achieve all you hoped it would? Explain.”
Physical beauty has not helped me achieve much except in a worldly sense, in the past I used it for many evil things, even getting a stranger to pay for my meal and when I find myself now a days trying to gain from physical beauty I am disgusted. From the world's eyes I had gain and achieved great things but in my heart and in the eye's of God all I gain is conviction of my sin. It's easy to flash a smile and bat your eye lashes; but it is beyond difficult to sit reverently at the Lord's feet allowing His view of beauty to become yours.
“Specifically, God's will includes salvation (1 Tim. 2:4); self-sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2); Spirit filling (Eph. 5:18); submission (1Pet. 2:13-15); suffering (1 Pet. 3:17); satisfaction (1 Thess. 5:18); and sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3).”- John MacArthur
When God graciously exposes our sin to us we become humbled, falling at his feet. God’s view of beauty is us following His will, it is not aligned with the world’s view of beauty.
I challenge you to perform a “heart check” in this area, even if you do not see it as being a struggle for you, because I didn’t think it was for me either…
“But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."- 1 Samuel 16:7
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Redeeming the Time
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”- Ephesians 5: 15-16
What I’ve come to realize about myself is that I love books…okay, I love buying books with the idea of reading them. Recently this problem has been getting better, I stay out of the bookstore and have organized all my unread books into categories to read on a monthly basis. But, as time went on and school started up again I thought to myself “I barely have time for personal prayer and bible reading time, let alone books!” Oh boy, was I wrong…
I had gotten a book awhile ago recommended by my pastor’s wife, Shopping for Time written by C.J. Mahaney’s wife and three daughters. I figured since I enjoy C.J.’s writings and sermons his wife and daughters are probably just as good. But to no surprise it sat on the shelf for months. That is until I spoke with a woman about how “busy” I was and feeling as if I had no time for anything, she mentioned the “5 am club.” Is it just me or does that sound like self mutilation? I barely sleep as it is, let alone wake up at some dreaded time! She said just to read the book and that I’d understand, so I did and here is what I gained from it…
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.”- Haggai 1: 2-5
How often we are like these men who claim to have no time for the work of the Lord, claiming we are just too busy for bible study and prayer and when life “settles down” we will start it up again. What foolishness this is to put off what God has commanded us to do, Charles Spurgeon was right in saying:
“If you have not the time, God gave it to you, and you must have misspent it. Nobody has more than twenty-four hours in a day, and you have no less.”
So, let us redeem the time, for we ourselves are redeemed!
How can you redeem the time? Think first of what “time wasters” we can take out of our day; such as TV, Facebook, books that are not geared to edifying your knowledge of God…? Then, take them off your mental list of things to do, plan ahead and finish your priorities before these activities!
Secondly, how can you add more time to your day? By arising earlier! This psalmist had it right when he declared “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” (Psalm 5:3) Remember the “5 am club” I mentioned earlier? Well, this past month I have joined what the “6:30 am club.” Waking up at 6:30 to begin my day had led to a series of amazing mornings! First I wake up, text my accountability partner, pray for the strength to be awake, drag myself to the kitchen for some coffee, then it’s straight to over an of hour of bible study and prayer time. As an extra bonus I get to see my parents before they leave for work. So, by the time I am finished with all these things is about the time I would have normally been waking up! I encourage you to start this as well, you can modify it to your schedule like most of the women I know doing this did, but just start by waking up earlier the amount of time you spend for quite times.
Thirdly, kill procrastination. This by far can be our biggest struggle when dealing with redeeming our time, but Alexander MacLaren makes an excellent statement about this:
“No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.”
By putting off those daunting tasks placed in front of you it becomes the same as the people putting off the building of the Lord’s house because we are told that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) Replace procrastination with diligence. (See Proverbs 12:24)
“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.”- Jeremiah 10:23
Your plans are not your own. Please keep this in mind as it is of the most upmost importance to surrender your plans to God’s will. He directs our path and prepares us to walk in it. We usually see these plans as “interruptions,” when in fact they are blessings! In the Mahaney girl’s book we get a nice insight to how their dad (C.J.) views his to-do list in sight of God’s:
“Only God get his to-do list done each day. We are not God. We are finite creatures with serious limitations.”
I began this blog with Ephesians 5:15-16 and would like to end with the verse following afterwards; “therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (v.17)
What is the will of the Lord? You may not know ahead of time that His will for you on a certain day is to not clean the house but to minister to a brother or sister in need or end up with a family emergency; but we can know that the will of the Lord is perfect and will be done over ours! Submitting ourselves to God’s will down to the smallest of tasks is the beginning of redeeming time because only from God do we receive the ability to carry out each and everyday. So, let’s give it back to Him.
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”- Psalm 118:24
What I’ve come to realize about myself is that I love books…okay, I love buying books with the idea of reading them. Recently this problem has been getting better, I stay out of the bookstore and have organized all my unread books into categories to read on a monthly basis. But, as time went on and school started up again I thought to myself “I barely have time for personal prayer and bible reading time, let alone books!” Oh boy, was I wrong…
I had gotten a book awhile ago recommended by my pastor’s wife, Shopping for Time written by C.J. Mahaney’s wife and three daughters. I figured since I enjoy C.J.’s writings and sermons his wife and daughters are probably just as good. But to no surprise it sat on the shelf for months. That is until I spoke with a woman about how “busy” I was and feeling as if I had no time for anything, she mentioned the “5 am club.” Is it just me or does that sound like self mutilation? I barely sleep as it is, let alone wake up at some dreaded time! She said just to read the book and that I’d understand, so I did and here is what I gained from it…
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.”- Haggai 1: 2-5
How often we are like these men who claim to have no time for the work of the Lord, claiming we are just too busy for bible study and prayer and when life “settles down” we will start it up again. What foolishness this is to put off what God has commanded us to do, Charles Spurgeon was right in saying:
“If you have not the time, God gave it to you, and you must have misspent it. Nobody has more than twenty-four hours in a day, and you have no less.”
So, let us redeem the time, for we ourselves are redeemed!
How can you redeem the time? Think first of what “time wasters” we can take out of our day; such as TV, Facebook, books that are not geared to edifying your knowledge of God…? Then, take them off your mental list of things to do, plan ahead and finish your priorities before these activities!
Secondly, how can you add more time to your day? By arising earlier! This psalmist had it right when he declared “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” (Psalm 5:3) Remember the “5 am club” I mentioned earlier? Well, this past month I have joined what the “6:30 am club.” Waking up at 6:30 to begin my day had led to a series of amazing mornings! First I wake up, text my accountability partner, pray for the strength to be awake, drag myself to the kitchen for some coffee, then it’s straight to over an of hour of bible study and prayer time. As an extra bonus I get to see my parents before they leave for work. So, by the time I am finished with all these things is about the time I would have normally been waking up! I encourage you to start this as well, you can modify it to your schedule like most of the women I know doing this did, but just start by waking up earlier the amount of time you spend for quite times.
Thirdly, kill procrastination. This by far can be our biggest struggle when dealing with redeeming our time, but Alexander MacLaren makes an excellent statement about this:
“No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.”
By putting off those daunting tasks placed in front of you it becomes the same as the people putting off the building of the Lord’s house because we are told that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) Replace procrastination with diligence. (See Proverbs 12:24)
“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.”- Jeremiah 10:23
Your plans are not your own. Please keep this in mind as it is of the most upmost importance to surrender your plans to God’s will. He directs our path and prepares us to walk in it. We usually see these plans as “interruptions,” when in fact they are blessings! In the Mahaney girl’s book we get a nice insight to how their dad (C.J.) views his to-do list in sight of God’s:
“Only God get his to-do list done each day. We are not God. We are finite creatures with serious limitations.”
I began this blog with Ephesians 5:15-16 and would like to end with the verse following afterwards; “therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (v.17)
What is the will of the Lord? You may not know ahead of time that His will for you on a certain day is to not clean the house but to minister to a brother or sister in need or end up with a family emergency; but we can know that the will of the Lord is perfect and will be done over ours! Submitting ourselves to God’s will down to the smallest of tasks is the beginning of redeeming time because only from God do we receive the ability to carry out each and everyday. So, let’s give it back to Him.
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”- Psalm 118:24
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Sheep who Cried Wolf
“More fierce than the evening wolves…” Habakkuk 1:8
The evening wolves have gone all day without food, they become more and more fierce as night moves on. Upon finding a small flock of sheep, he stalks, attacks, and kills one of the sheep; filling him-self on her precious flesh. This sheep was alone and weak, separated form the rest of the flock easy to be targeted by the wolf. What if this sheep had cried “wolf.”?
Who or what is this wolf amongst the flock? Perhaps your first thought was trials or tribulations…
We are promised in our Christian walk that trials and tribulations will come our way: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…” 1 Peter 4:12. But how do we respond to these trials?
A few months ago I found myself in the middle of a trial. I was broken, confused and actually very scared of what could happen. I cried to God for this trial to be taken away, I didn’t want to go through it and felt as if a wolf were destroying me limb from limb. I wanted this trial to be over and desired comfort. How wrong was my thinking! One morning I found myself confronted and rebuked by God through a quote from Charles Spurgeon which reads:
“O that we thus walked more in the footsteps of our Lord, cheerfully enduring trial for His sake, promptly and willingly putting away the thought of self and comfort when it would interfere with our finishing the work which He has given us to do. Great grace is needed, but great grace is provided.”
This trial, at once shed of it’s costume of wolf became a blessing, a time of growth and entrusting myself completely in the arm of my Shepherd. Knowing that “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
So often we cry and plead for God to take away these trials, crying “wolf” to our perfect Shepherd. We think and see these trials as evening wolves coming out of nowhere to destroy us. Marked by thoughts such as “How could this happen to me?” Reconsider asking yourself this by pondering the last part of 1 Peter 4:12, “…as though something strange were happening to you.”
Christian, may you stand firm in trials and tribulation. Though the ways crash over head, remind yourself that your Shepherd is there to lead you through and it is for His glory and your benefit, seek to see grace in these roaring sea billows.
So, what are the real wolves?...
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Temptation, which leads to sin, which gives birth to death. Sin has the power to destroy us, like the ravenous evening wolf. We see this exact warning in 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
We can often let ourselves think we are strong enough for temptation. This like a sheep meeting a wolf eye to eye and saying “bring it on.” Foolishness! This sheep is dead meat by tempting temptation, he needs to cry out for his Shepherd to save him from the wolf, and guide him to a safer path.
Friends, I plead with you to know view yourself as stronger than your sin, because you are not, God is. He is your great and merciful Shepherd who provides you with all strength necessary to overcome the world and not become conformed to it. Seek out your Shepherd before the wolves come.
Establish it in your heart to not “cry wolf” when none is there to destroy you, but stand firm in trusting God who knows the wolves before they come and is ready to protect you at all cost.
The evening wolves have gone all day without food, they become more and more fierce as night moves on. Upon finding a small flock of sheep, he stalks, attacks, and kills one of the sheep; filling him-self on her precious flesh. This sheep was alone and weak, separated form the rest of the flock easy to be targeted by the wolf. What if this sheep had cried “wolf.”?
Who or what is this wolf amongst the flock? Perhaps your first thought was trials or tribulations…
We are promised in our Christian walk that trials and tribulations will come our way: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…” 1 Peter 4:12. But how do we respond to these trials?
A few months ago I found myself in the middle of a trial. I was broken, confused and actually very scared of what could happen. I cried to God for this trial to be taken away, I didn’t want to go through it and felt as if a wolf were destroying me limb from limb. I wanted this trial to be over and desired comfort. How wrong was my thinking! One morning I found myself confronted and rebuked by God through a quote from Charles Spurgeon which reads:
“O that we thus walked more in the footsteps of our Lord, cheerfully enduring trial for His sake, promptly and willingly putting away the thought of self and comfort when it would interfere with our finishing the work which He has given us to do. Great grace is needed, but great grace is provided.”
This trial, at once shed of it’s costume of wolf became a blessing, a time of growth and entrusting myself completely in the arm of my Shepherd. Knowing that “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
So often we cry and plead for God to take away these trials, crying “wolf” to our perfect Shepherd. We think and see these trials as evening wolves coming out of nowhere to destroy us. Marked by thoughts such as “How could this happen to me?” Reconsider asking yourself this by pondering the last part of 1 Peter 4:12, “…as though something strange were happening to you.”
Christian, may you stand firm in trials and tribulation. Though the ways crash over head, remind yourself that your Shepherd is there to lead you through and it is for His glory and your benefit, seek to see grace in these roaring sea billows.
So, what are the real wolves?...
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Temptation, which leads to sin, which gives birth to death. Sin has the power to destroy us, like the ravenous evening wolf. We see this exact warning in 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
We can often let ourselves think we are strong enough for temptation. This like a sheep meeting a wolf eye to eye and saying “bring it on.” Foolishness! This sheep is dead meat by tempting temptation, he needs to cry out for his Shepherd to save him from the wolf, and guide him to a safer path.
Friends, I plead with you to know view yourself as stronger than your sin, because you are not, God is. He is your great and merciful Shepherd who provides you with all strength necessary to overcome the world and not become conformed to it. Seek out your Shepherd before the wolves come.
Establish it in your heart to not “cry wolf” when none is there to destroy you, but stand firm in trusting God who knows the wolves before they come and is ready to protect you at all cost.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
What Do We Know of Holy?
“My self perception is as accurate as a carnival mirror. If I am going to see myself clearly, I need to hold the mirror of God’s word in front of me.”- David Trip
Hi everyone! So, I thought I start off today to let you know how I’ve been. I have been growing like crazy, so spiritual these days. I’m getting pretty holy if you know what I mean; reading, praying, studying, and going to church. Oh, and sin…what sin? I’ve been battling more than a solider in the heat of battle and defeating every time! Pretty soon pastors from all over will be getting material from this blog right here…
“This is the one whom I will look; he who is humble and contrite in spirit.” Isaiah 66:2
Okay, really glad you are still reading after that. You may have been thinking, ”Wow, this girl is making me sick! Who does she think she is???” But think about it, how often do we actually elevate ourselves (maybe not to that extent) by thinking that we are content in our sanctification? This is pride my friends! Our worst enemy looking for every way to pull us away from God, some have called it “the root of all sin.”
I just finished reading C.J. Mahaney’s book “Humility: True Greatness” and conviction is what I got out of it, praise God! I could tell you all the great practical things C.J. gives to fight pride, but I highly recommend you pick it up instead.
What’s been stirring in my heart lately is how often God’s people think they are “okay” in where they are at spiritually…I sure was! I’ve only been saved for almost 3 years and I was content with my relationship and knowledge of God and His word, which is sickening. I need to have a passion, zeal, and desire for growth, for His word, for knowing Him. Let’s look at how David describes his longing for God:
Psalm 63:1
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
Psalm 43:1-2
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
Psalm 84:2
“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
We should have this desire to see God in Heaven, but for now we need to have the desire to see Him now as well, through loving and exulting Him and growing in our sanctification daily. We can go to God now, how? Prayer and reading His word!
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall”1 Corinthians 10:12
Let us see ourselves for how we truly are, not exulting our present works as if they are great, but humbling ourselves knowing we can do nothing apart from God. Who ever thinks he is standing firm in the truth will be tested and from this warning he could fall and be humbled by God.
In light of all this being on my mind lately, a song has been on repeat that truly helps me remember this truth and I can speak the lyrics as if they were my own words (and totally inspired this blog), so I wanted to share it with you :)
“What Do I Know of Holy”
Addison Road
I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
When we begin to look at how big God really is, we will realize that being “holy as I am holy” requires much more training of us and from grace.
Hi everyone! So, I thought I start off today to let you know how I’ve been. I have been growing like crazy, so spiritual these days. I’m getting pretty holy if you know what I mean; reading, praying, studying, and going to church. Oh, and sin…what sin? I’ve been battling more than a solider in the heat of battle and defeating every time! Pretty soon pastors from all over will be getting material from this blog right here…
“This is the one whom I will look; he who is humble and contrite in spirit.” Isaiah 66:2
Okay, really glad you are still reading after that. You may have been thinking, ”Wow, this girl is making me sick! Who does she think she is???” But think about it, how often do we actually elevate ourselves (maybe not to that extent) by thinking that we are content in our sanctification? This is pride my friends! Our worst enemy looking for every way to pull us away from God, some have called it “the root of all sin.”
I just finished reading C.J. Mahaney’s book “Humility: True Greatness” and conviction is what I got out of it, praise God! I could tell you all the great practical things C.J. gives to fight pride, but I highly recommend you pick it up instead.
What’s been stirring in my heart lately is how often God’s people think they are “okay” in where they are at spiritually…I sure was! I’ve only been saved for almost 3 years and I was content with my relationship and knowledge of God and His word, which is sickening. I need to have a passion, zeal, and desire for growth, for His word, for knowing Him. Let’s look at how David describes his longing for God:
Psalm 63:1
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
Psalm 43:1-2
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
Psalm 84:2
“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
We should have this desire to see God in Heaven, but for now we need to have the desire to see Him now as well, through loving and exulting Him and growing in our sanctification daily. We can go to God now, how? Prayer and reading His word!
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall”1 Corinthians 10:12
Let us see ourselves for how we truly are, not exulting our present works as if they are great, but humbling ourselves knowing we can do nothing apart from God. Who ever thinks he is standing firm in the truth will be tested and from this warning he could fall and be humbled by God.
In light of all this being on my mind lately, a song has been on repeat that truly helps me remember this truth and I can speak the lyrics as if they were my own words (and totally inspired this blog), so I wanted to share it with you :)
“What Do I Know of Holy”
Addison Road
I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
When we begin to look at how big God really is, we will realize that being “holy as I am holy” requires much more training of us and from grace.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Greatest Thing
“The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” - Toulouse-Lautrec: The Moulin Rouge
Love.
Ever notice how much we long for love? And yet do we turn to find that love in people…or Christ?
Christ proved His everlasting perfect love for us when He died on the cross, replacing our punishment to gain His glory. How could we doubt that? A while ago I wrote a blog on God’s love for us but what about our love for Christ?
“Love shows the true character of a man, according to the object which he loves more than anything else: for as is the love, so is the man. According to his love, so might you confidently designate the man. If he is a lover of honour, he is an ambitious man; a lover of pleasure, a sensual man; and if he chiefly love the world, he is a covetous man. If a man loves righteousness, he is a religious man; if the things above, a heavenly-minded man; and if he love Christ with a pre-eminent love, he is a sincere man”- Thomas Doolitle
I recently attended as conference called Resolved, where there was amazing fellowship, theologically rich worship and pure doctrinal teaching all about Christ! (Basically that was my ad for it) Before that week I knew what it meant to love Christ and to be loved by Him, but I learned what it means to truly be in love with my Savior, my God.
I’ve been reading Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening” daily devotionals and the first day we were there I was reading on how our relationship with Christ is like climbing a mountain, at first your at the bottom, you don’t see much the mountain has to offer but as you climb higher you are revealed much more as to what surrounds you, until you reach the summit where the full glory of what the mountain offers is revealed! Spurgeon definitely has more finesse at explaining this but what a true wonder it is that just as we gain more awe and appreciation for the sight of the Mountain View, we grow in our knowledge of Christ we learn about what “surrounds” us being hidden within Christ. (“Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:2-3)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” Matthew 7:21-23
During one of the sessions it clicked, many say they love Christ, but am I in love with Christ? We can fall in love with people here in a marriage relationship, but the body of Christ is his chosen bride! We should, no; we must be deeply in love with Him! Giving Him our all and desiring all from Him. How could we not love Him this way!
Honestly, I had been trying to satisfy this in temporary places, my love had been for people or things and Christ was just another thing I said I loved. I wasn’t giving Him my all in all or trusting and abiding fully in Him alone, my heart may be hidden in Him but it was filled with idols. Learning about my High Priest, Savior, God, Redeemer, Creator, Sustainer, Lord (it goes on and on) made me fall in love with Him! He is jealous for this love and rightly deserves it, so I am resolved to give Him my whole life in love. Crushing those idols and running towards the goal of my Savior and First Love; with undying adoration and knowing him here and dwelling with Him there.
Love.
Ever notice how much we long for love? And yet do we turn to find that love in people…or Christ?
Christ proved His everlasting perfect love for us when He died on the cross, replacing our punishment to gain His glory. How could we doubt that? A while ago I wrote a blog on God’s love for us but what about our love for Christ?
“Love shows the true character of a man, according to the object which he loves more than anything else: for as is the love, so is the man. According to his love, so might you confidently designate the man. If he is a lover of honour, he is an ambitious man; a lover of pleasure, a sensual man; and if he chiefly love the world, he is a covetous man. If a man loves righteousness, he is a religious man; if the things above, a heavenly-minded man; and if he love Christ with a pre-eminent love, he is a sincere man”- Thomas Doolitle
I recently attended as conference called Resolved, where there was amazing fellowship, theologically rich worship and pure doctrinal teaching all about Christ! (Basically that was my ad for it) Before that week I knew what it meant to love Christ and to be loved by Him, but I learned what it means to truly be in love with my Savior, my God.
I’ve been reading Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening” daily devotionals and the first day we were there I was reading on how our relationship with Christ is like climbing a mountain, at first your at the bottom, you don’t see much the mountain has to offer but as you climb higher you are revealed much more as to what surrounds you, until you reach the summit where the full glory of what the mountain offers is revealed! Spurgeon definitely has more finesse at explaining this but what a true wonder it is that just as we gain more awe and appreciation for the sight of the Mountain View, we grow in our knowledge of Christ we learn about what “surrounds” us being hidden within Christ. (“Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:2-3)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” Matthew 7:21-23
During one of the sessions it clicked, many say they love Christ, but am I in love with Christ? We can fall in love with people here in a marriage relationship, but the body of Christ is his chosen bride! We should, no; we must be deeply in love with Him! Giving Him our all and desiring all from Him. How could we not love Him this way!
Honestly, I had been trying to satisfy this in temporary places, my love had been for people or things and Christ was just another thing I said I loved. I wasn’t giving Him my all in all or trusting and abiding fully in Him alone, my heart may be hidden in Him but it was filled with idols. Learning about my High Priest, Savior, God, Redeemer, Creator, Sustainer, Lord (it goes on and on) made me fall in love with Him! He is jealous for this love and rightly deserves it, so I am resolved to give Him my whole life in love. Crushing those idols and running towards the goal of my Savior and First Love; with undying adoration and knowing him here and dwelling with Him there.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Bold as a lion
It's fathers day! God has blessed me so much with not just one dad but two!!! Love you both so much!!!! As a daughter my dad has always wanted to give me the world and provides for my earthly needs when I ask.....he's there for me.
Earlier today I was pondering on our Heavenly Father, and how he has adopted us as sons and daughters by killing His own son! He has loved us far beyond measure and we as children can and should abide in Him for he has given us everything! Today at church we heard a sermon on Romans 8:31-34, Pastor Mike talked about how as christians our hearts should not be fearful, anxious, or worried, all these things are contrary to a heart of a christian because even "when we walk through the valley of death, we can fear no evil." He is for us and no one or thing can take us down, how amazing is that! I loved the example of David and Goliath, David knew his father in heaven was with him and the armies and that was the greatest weapon at all. He approached Goliath with boldness and righteous anger and his faith in God defeated a very fearful opponent!
Today was so convicting, I often struggle with worrying and anxiousness and try to pass it off as "not to big of a sin." But I shouldn't worry, the things I do worry about are usually idols in my heart! When God is on the throne of my heart, He is all I fear, so praise God that through His Spirit living in me I can conquer this sin and be bold and courageous as a lion!
Earlier today I was pondering on our Heavenly Father, and how he has adopted us as sons and daughters by killing His own son! He has loved us far beyond measure and we as children can and should abide in Him for he has given us everything! Today at church we heard a sermon on Romans 8:31-34, Pastor Mike talked about how as christians our hearts should not be fearful, anxious, or worried, all these things are contrary to a heart of a christian because even "when we walk through the valley of death, we can fear no evil." He is for us and no one or thing can take us down, how amazing is that! I loved the example of David and Goliath, David knew his father in heaven was with him and the armies and that was the greatest weapon at all. He approached Goliath with boldness and righteous anger and his faith in God defeated a very fearful opponent!
Today was so convicting, I often struggle with worrying and anxiousness and try to pass it off as "not to big of a sin." But I shouldn't worry, the things I do worry about are usually idols in my heart! When God is on the throne of my heart, He is all I fear, so praise God that through His Spirit living in me I can conquer this sin and be bold and courageous as a lion!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friendships Part 2
So, it has been brought to light that my last blog is angering some people. I do not change my thought on the subject but have done an even deeper study on it, hoping to clarify myself and allow God’s word to do it for me. Thank you to those who gave words of encouragement.
I would like to first clarify “friends.” Here are two different friendships and definitions:
1. Close Friends–This to me means people you spend a great deal of time with (outside of a job or other forced time). You spend time by choice. This means you call each other often, email often, spend time together often, go out to eat, see movies, etc. These are people you trust, people you care very deeply about and usually have a lot in common with them. You have a serious and deep relationship with these friends. Close friends, these are the ones we should have the most common with and what better than the strongest common bond of all, Christ.
2. Acquaintance Friends–These are people you merely come across in you daily life. Perhaps it is a co-worker; perhaps it is a friend of a friend, perhaps a neighbor, someone online, etc. These are people who you like or want to stay on great terms with, but don’t really have enough in common with them, or for some other reason, simply never really spend any time with them. You tend to only see them or talk to them on rare or isolated occasions (unless you work together), and that is the extent of your relationship. These are usually shallower in terms of emotions and bonds, but still a loving type of friendships in the spirit. Acquaintance friends, those we know and show a love toward, sharing the gospel of truth with them.
Should we elevate ourselves as higher then them? Absolutely not, that is not what I am saying, I mean look at Psalms 14 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-29! I want us to look more closely and examine our human relationships.
Leading up to my last blog I had a lot of thought, study, and conversations about the Body of Christ; i.e. the church. How there seems to be a wall or division between many members, we do not put as much time into our relationship with those from our home church as they did when Paul spoke in Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Who should we lean on, trust, encourage, be the closest with here on earth concerning earthly relationships?
Hebrews 10:26-28 26 “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?”
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.
Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
Psalm 119:115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Mark 9:44-46 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell
These, and a number of other passages, with out a doubt show us that those you regularly hang out with will affect you. Some will say, "Well, what about Jesus? He's our example and he spent a lot of time with unsaved people." This is completely true. I do not deny that truth but, lets look at the whole picture, dig a little deeper. Jesus knew the truth what he believed, was unwavering in His belief, and did not just hang around the unsaved for friendship. He continually taught the unsaved, by His example and by His words (i.e. Mark 2:13). And still, Jesus had a close group of friends who were believers (the disciples) whom he spent more time with than anyone else. (Not to mention that He regularly took time out to be alone with God, out most important relationship, see Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12)
Another point I was addressing in my last blog was how these people are influencing us? If you go to where the unsaved go, and do the things the unsaved do, and laugh at the jokes the unsaved say, etc., etc., what witness do you have? And who is influencing who? What "new life in Christ" can you offer when you live in the old? Do we sin when we are around them? Jesus was a friend of sinners because he took the message of the gospels to them -- and lived out that message, being different (separate) from them, even while he was with them (see Matthew 11:19-24) This is where the enemies topic stems from, if you reread the part in the last blog about what Psalm 119 goes on to say about people who set traps for, dig pitfalls…why do we constantly allow ourselves to be influenced by the world, instead of influencing it?
I am all for missions trips, preaching the gospel to those around us and serving everyone in love.
I would like to first clarify “friends.” Here are two different friendships and definitions:
1. Close Friends–This to me means people you spend a great deal of time with (outside of a job or other forced time). You spend time by choice. This means you call each other often, email often, spend time together often, go out to eat, see movies, etc. These are people you trust, people you care very deeply about and usually have a lot in common with them. You have a serious and deep relationship with these friends. Close friends, these are the ones we should have the most common with and what better than the strongest common bond of all, Christ.
2. Acquaintance Friends–These are people you merely come across in you daily life. Perhaps it is a co-worker; perhaps it is a friend of a friend, perhaps a neighbor, someone online, etc. These are people who you like or want to stay on great terms with, but don’t really have enough in common with them, or for some other reason, simply never really spend any time with them. You tend to only see them or talk to them on rare or isolated occasions (unless you work together), and that is the extent of your relationship. These are usually shallower in terms of emotions and bonds, but still a loving type of friendships in the spirit. Acquaintance friends, those we know and show a love toward, sharing the gospel of truth with them.
Should we elevate ourselves as higher then them? Absolutely not, that is not what I am saying, I mean look at Psalms 14 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-29! I want us to look more closely and examine our human relationships.
Leading up to my last blog I had a lot of thought, study, and conversations about the Body of Christ; i.e. the church. How there seems to be a wall or division between many members, we do not put as much time into our relationship with those from our home church as they did when Paul spoke in Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Who should we lean on, trust, encourage, be the closest with here on earth concerning earthly relationships?
Hebrews 10:26-28 26 “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?”
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.
Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
Psalm 119:115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Mark 9:44-46 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell
These, and a number of other passages, with out a doubt show us that those you regularly hang out with will affect you. Some will say, "Well, what about Jesus? He's our example and he spent a lot of time with unsaved people." This is completely true. I do not deny that truth but, lets look at the whole picture, dig a little deeper. Jesus knew the truth what he believed, was unwavering in His belief, and did not just hang around the unsaved for friendship. He continually taught the unsaved, by His example and by His words (i.e. Mark 2:13). And still, Jesus had a close group of friends who were believers (the disciples) whom he spent more time with than anyone else. (Not to mention that He regularly took time out to be alone with God, out most important relationship, see Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12)
Another point I was addressing in my last blog was how these people are influencing us? If you go to where the unsaved go, and do the things the unsaved do, and laugh at the jokes the unsaved say, etc., etc., what witness do you have? And who is influencing who? What "new life in Christ" can you offer when you live in the old? Do we sin when we are around them? Jesus was a friend of sinners because he took the message of the gospels to them -- and lived out that message, being different (separate) from them, even while he was with them (see Matthew 11:19-24) This is where the enemies topic stems from, if you reread the part in the last blog about what Psalm 119 goes on to say about people who set traps for, dig pitfalls…why do we constantly allow ourselves to be influenced by the world, instead of influencing it?
I am all for missions trips, preaching the gospel to those around us and serving everyone in love.
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