God is our refuge

In this life, there will be pain, struggles, etc. I believe and trust in God as my refuge in everything.

A refuge is "a shelter or protection from danger or distress." Based on this definition, God is my shelter from danger/distress. I never have to face anything alone. In anything (and everything) I can turn to Him.  And when I take refuge in God, I will be satisfied. He will spread His protection over me. (Psalm 5:11).

When fear overwhelms me, I can take comfort knowing God will keep me safe.  There will be affliction and suffering in this life. I know God is stronger than all of life. I never have to be afraid of the road ahead. He goes before me.

That brings me comfort. I never have to live in fear. Fear distracts me from the life God wants for me. I don't have to fear because God is stronger. He is our refuge.  

lukewarm

I can hide it from everyone. I can put on a good face. I can say and do the right thing. However, is that really what God calls me to? Recently I read Crazy Love (Francis Chan) and there is a chapter "Profile of the Lukewarm."

I never classified myself as being a "lukewarm Christian." Reading that chapter convicted me. I am a lukewarm Christian. I lost my passion for God.

Romans 12:11 states, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Zeal means passion and the opposite is apathy. Now I know I'm not apathetic. 

I want to be moved out of lukewarm Christianity. I either want to be on fire for God or completely cut off. I know that sounds drastic but isn't that what God calls me to? To be completely on fire for Him? I used to equate being on fire for God emotion driven but maybe it's not.

I don't know where this is going or where God is leading me. All I know is that tonight God revealed to me that I'm lukewarm and I want to do something about it. Life is too short not to be passionate for God.

spiritual gifts

The following is an inventory of spiritual gifts:

1. Administration (1 Corinthians 12:28)
2. Discernment (I Corinthians 12:10)
3. Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11-13)
4. Exhortation/encouragement (Romans 12:8)
5. Faith (I Corinthians 12:9)
6. Giving (Romans 12:8)
7. Helping/hospitality (I Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:13)
8. Knowledge (I Corinthians 12:8)
9. Leadership (Romans 12:6)
10. Mercy (Romans 12:8)
11. Pastoring/shepherding (Ephesians 4:11-13)
12. Prophecy (I Corinthians 12:10, 28)
13. Serving (Romans 12:7)
14. Healing/miracles/tongues (I Corinthians 12:9-10, 28)
15. Teaching (I Corinthians 12:28)
16.  Wisdom (I Corinthians 12:8)

(This list is adopted from the book Wake Up, Generation by Paige Omartian p. 82)
Out of the preceding list, I believe my "gifts" include serving, discernment, exhortation/encouragement, and faith. I challenge you to prayerfully ask God what areas He has blessed you in spiritual gifts.

gods.

A "god" is defined as:

1.     a spirit or being that has great power, strength, knowledge, etc. that can affect nature and    the lives of people.
2.        One controlling a particular aspect or part of reality
3.        a person or thing of supreme value (Merriam-Webster.com)

Based on these definitions, a god can be something that has great power, affecting nature and lives of people, controlling their reality, and someone or something of supreme value.

We all worship something.

Money. Sex. Possessions. Et cetera.

All these things can begin to control us. Then they start to own us, if we can't give what we own away.

I want to serve God, not  my job, education, etc. that are fleeting. They are great on this side of life: before eternity. I want my life to count and point to God not myself. The gods of this life can be knocked down by focusing on what really matters. What matters to me is that I live with God at the center of my life, not gods I erected in place of him.

To close, I want to share this video:

set apart from the inside out

I am created by God to live transformed from the inside out. I am renewed by what I think about. If I want to change my life, I need to change my thinking.

Shifting my thinking onto the things God cares about will change the way I act.

Prayer begins to change me from the inside out. I experience intimacy with God. I slow down and really process what my thoughts circle around. I ask myself, "Is what I'm thinking about glorifying to God?"

If my thoughts don't match what I believe, that leads to confession and repentance. I am transformed from the inside out.

Conforming to the world is not what God desires from me. I am created to live transformed. 

Transformation begins to fuel me into deeper intimacy with God.

Newcastle, AUSTRALIA!!!!

Sometimes life is crazy. I applied for YWAM DTS in Newcastle, Australia and I have been accepted into the school!

 

Yay me!

 

A part of me is beyond excited to have this kind of opportunity to serve God and His people. Yet another part of me is skeptical thinking, "Okay. This cannot be real. I'm living in a dream."

 

But it is real.

 

I pray God would give me the faith to believe this is where He desires me to go. I may never have this opportunity again and I'm going to run with it!

Some of the work I'll be doing with YWAM DTS is helping with Youth Street an outreach ministry for youth which is where my passion is. I love working with youth.

DTS goes beyond a missions trip. 12 weeks of DTS is filled with lecture, then the remainder of the time is outreach to another country. Before I further pursue this (sending in my registration fee, getting a passport, etc.) I must examine where my heart is and where my motivation lies as to why I want to go on this trip.

I have applied for numerous missions trips/ministries before through different missions organizations (Youth for Christ, Youthworks, Spring Hill camps, Reach Your City, etc.) and it just didn't work out. :-(

I'm praying YWAM Newcastle DTS is my opportunity to put my faith in action and serve a broken world.

a missional heart

God placed a desire for missions work last summer.  I hesitated and questioned God, "Why me? You can send someone else." But the more I went before God in prayer, the more missions dictated my thoughts. I had a burden for Ireland on my heart then and now it's starting to resurface.

 

Since January I have been working and doing what I think is "practical" in my eyes. Now I'm beginning to think, "there has to be more to life than this: working part time."

 

I'm also beginning to become convicted. No matter how hard or uncomfortable it may be, I must live the life God has for me. I only have one chance to live completely surrendered to Him. I won't get another try.

 

This is it.

 

So now I am looking into possible missions trips/opportunities. One really sticks out to me above the others I have looked into. There is an organization, Youth with a Mission (YWAM) that offers Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) all over the world. I'm prayerfully considering applying to the DTS in Denver, CO and Newcastle, Australia. I think it would be amazing to go to Australia! :-)

 

I have a missional heart, for God is missional. (Matthew 28:18-20). I don't know what will happen regarding YWAM or DTS but I remain open to the possibility. We'll see what happens in the next few months!

desperate

There are foundational things I can't live without: water, air, shelter. I also can't live without the Holy Spirit. I need to become desperate for God, but what exactly does that mean? I also think how many of us are actually desperate for God and His Spirit?

 

I was convicted last night because I am living in a way that everything is in my control. I want to control everything.

 

I'm a control freak; because if I don't control my life, who will?

 

Sure I'm a Christian but an "in name only" Christian. I live as though God doesn't exist. I don't sin intentionally but my heart and mind are far from Him.

In the core of my soul, I know God desires far more from me.

 

I need to become desperate for His Spirit. (Acts 1:8 and 2) For the Spirit in me initiates all growth and leads me into communion with God.

 

 

forgiveness

God forgave me. So in turn I must forgive others. I believe forgiveness is the way of love.

Over the course of my life, people have hurt and caused me pain. But after a period of time, I let go of the anger, and choose to forgive.

Because if I don't, bitterness will grow and then I will become hostile. So I choose a better way.

But when I forgive others who I have wronged me, does it remove the hurt?

I have no easy answers to that question. I know God is stronger than any pain, hurt, etc. that I may face in this life.

Forgiveness is a part of the healing process.

why God allows us to feel pain

I've had my share of pain. In the midst of struggles and/or pain, I ask the question, "Where are you God?" It's hard to see Him in the middle of storms. But still I know He is there.

 

In those times, He reminds me of these verses:

 

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

 

When I confess my brokenness and weakness to God I know He is there. Not only is God close to the brokenhearted, He heals and covers wounds. (see Psalm 147:3)

 

Wounds can be caused by physical, emotional, or even spiritual pain. I've wrestled with the question, "Why does God use pain to draw me closer to Him?"

 

I think God uses pain to draw me closer to Him because if I never felt pain, I wouldn't feel compassion either. The pain in my life causes me to cling to the Creator of everyone and everything. He longs to comfort me. I just have to come, broken.

called + healed

I've been away from Indiana Wesleyan University for almost a year. This last year has been hard. I've worked through some issues I wanted to ignore, Through facing them, I've grown and matured. I'm not the same person as I was last year. The conditions of my heart and mind have been transformed and renewed.

 

To help me face each day, I look to Psalm 30:2, "I called to you for help and you healed me." This is a great encouragement to me. Whenever I face something (situation, emotion, struggle, temptation, etc) that I can't handle on my own, all I need to do is call on God for help and He will heal me.

 

As I reflect on my time off from school, I've seen healing that only God could do. I'm consciously aware of the choices I'm making and how they have the potential to tear me down or build me up. I'm also intentional about the relationships I have: are they healthy? Are they glorifying to God? If not, I need to cut them off.

 

I'm continually on the path toward healing. Only God knows when I'll truly be healed. And I'll be a stronger person in Him.

one thing

One thing have I asked of the LORD

   that will I seek after:

     that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

   all the days of my life

   to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

  and to inquire in his temple. -Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

 

Life changes. One thing will always remain: my desire in my heart to seek God and His beauty. I have heard the saying "beauty is only skin deep." Society puts emphasis on what clothes we wear, how we look on the outside. I hate to confess this but sometimes I judge someone based upon what they're wearing instead of their personality.

 

I want God to change the way I see beauty: the way I am attracted to Him because His love is beautiful. The beauty of God never fades. That's what I want in life: to see His beauty radiated through me.

 

The last part of the verse says, "...to inquire in his temple." "Inquire" refers to cognitive thinking. It's not "empty knowledge." Following after God is not something that I can just breeze through. I must think about what I'm reading in His word.

 

Everything changes. God remains the same. That's the one thing I know. It's a sure foundation.

Fall Summit 2013

I had the privilege of returning to IWU for Summit. I have always loved Summit. What started out as a source of a "spiritual high" is now a source of encouragement.

 

Wherever I'm at in my walk with God, the speaker says exactly what I need to hear. This leads to conviction and to evaluate where I need to go in Him. Last night he talked about meaningful relationships and  how we are meant to live in community with others. He also gave an illustration of marbles and grapes. "Marbles" symbolize the people who tend to scatter and isolate themselves when they've been hurt, betrayed, etc. in their relationships. "Grapes"  symbolize the people who tend to develop deeper connections with others amidst difficulty, pain, hard times.

 

Today he spoke on sexual purity. Sex is God's idea. What begins in the mind, the body will eventually follow. I was convicted by that because I know what I think about needs to be daily surrendered to the things of God, not worldly things.

Miley Cyrus & her VMAs performance

Since I have read some comments about Miley Cyrus and her performance on the VMAs, I thought I would share my opinion.

 

Miley Cyrus is a young entertainer. It was an MTV awards show. What do you expect from MTV? Instead of complaining about something that is distasteful/trashy/inappropriate, look for something that will instill values you want to see/live by.

 

I think we view celebrities sometimes as "role models" instead of what they actually are: entertainers. They are in the entertainment industry. The key word being "entertainment." They are being paid for a service which is to bring us entertainment.

 

Media outlets (TV/radio/magazines, etc.) can sometimes paint an unrealistic/untruthful portrait of what celebrities are ACTUALLY like. We don't know them personally. Media tells us what to think about them. I don't look to celebrities as "role models." Rather, I look to family and friends for positive influences and being "role models."

 

On that note, Miley Cyrus was performing as an entertainer. That's all it was meant to be: entertainment.

be still

"Wait for the LORD,

       be strong and take heart

         and wait for the LORD." -Psalm 27:14

 

 

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him..." -Psalm 37:7

 

"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10

 

According to these passages, I am commanded to be still and wait for God. How hard this is! I'm always in a rush but these words force me to examine my life and where I am in my relationship with Him.

 

Do I wait for Him? Am I still in His presence?

 

Or do I rush through my "quiet time" like one more item on my to do list?

 

God demands more of me. He wants all of me.

 

And He can't have it all if I am constantly rushing through my days thinking about what is "practical" rather than what is satisfying to my soul-the part of me that will live forever.

 

Also, I have experienced intimacy with God in the stillness, not in the busyness of my life. As Psalm 37:7 states, I am to be still before Him and wait patiently. It's in the quietness that I hear God speak to me.

spiritual nourishment

Just like I can't survive without food and water, I can't survive without the living word of God. So many days I go without even pausing to feed my soul with His word. I keep on living but I'm dying on the inside.

 

I recognize I'm desperate for His spirit to flood the deepest parts of me. I won't let myself take a step toward Him. My fear is paralyzing.

 

I fear change, intimacy, conviction.

 

To get past all this fear, I know I need the spiritual nourishment that only come from the word of God.

 

I not only need spiritual nourishment, but I must also ask God for receptivity: to respond to what He is trying to say to me in His word. I put into practice when God reveals what I must do. That leads beyond spiritual nourishment to spiritual action.

a life of believing God

I know I believe in God but do I truly, in the core of who I am, believe God?

I want my life to go beyond the surface of believing in God to believing God.

There is a distinct difference. Beth Moore explains in her devotional Believing God four (4) qualities (or motivations) of a life of believing God:

(1) Incomparable power

               Ephesians 1:19

                          "and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as       the  mighty strength."

                      Since I belong to God, His power lives in me and is executed when I believe that same power is always in me. I live in that power God gives to me.

(2) The pleasure of God

                Hebrews 11:6 (a)

                            "And without faith it is impossible to please God..."

                  Faith is essential for my journey as a follower of Christ. It is impossible for me to live a life of believing God without the existence of faith.

(3) Reward

                 Hebrews 11:6 (b)

                            "...because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Seeking God follows faith. When I come before God in any form: prayer, meditation, solitude, journaling, I must believe He exists. Reward follows when I seek Him relentlessly. But do I? On a daily basis, do I make my number one priority to come before His presence, to seek His guidance, provision, direction, or anything else I might need that given day?

I know how I would answer that previous question and I can't honestly say that seeking God is my number one priority. I get caught up with my job and I have different priorities any given day. and if I don't feel like seeking Him or His heart, I won't. Simple. I need to be honest with myself before God can initiate any change.  God acts according to my level of faith which leads into the last motivation.

(4) God will often act according to our faith

                 Matthew 9:29

                         "Then he touched their eyes and said, 'according to your faith let it be done to you."

 

                 My level of faith influences how God will work in my life, others I am in contact with, and also my future.

 

At any time I can ask God to increase my faith.

In a more simplistic sense, faith is a quality of the fruit of the Spirit (Romans 10:17), and faith comes through hearing the Word of God (Luke 17:1-6)

 

Believing God verses believing in God will be credited to me as righteousness. My goal is to live a life of believing God.

recommended reading

Reading is one of my favorite things to do.

I have compiled a list of some of my favorite books:

Nonfiction:
*Crazy Love
*Forgotten God (both by Francis Chan)
*Boundaries
*Not a Fan
*Radical
*The Ragamuffin Gospel
*The Air I Breathe
*Jesus Calling (devotional)
*Rachel's Tears

Fiction:
*The Help
*Nineteen Minutes
*Safe Haven
*The Time Traveler's Wife
*The Book Thief
*To Kill a Mockingbird
*My Sister's Keeper

Most of the previous titles can be purchased through www.amazon.com

Happy reading! :-)

i am free

I know true freedom comes only from God. Here are a few things I am free to do in faith:

 

*I am free to be compassionate.

*I am free to enjoy.

*I am free to be renewed.

 

*I am free to write.

*I am free to surrender.

 

*I am free to be passionate.

*I am free to be on fire for God.

*I am free to commune with Him.

 

*I am free to be called.

 

Compassion, enjoyment, renewal have their source in God.

He (God) gives me the words to write and the strength to surrender when I hold on just a little too tight.

Passion fuels intimacy I have with Him, then I am in communion with the one my heart loves.

content in God

Psalm 119:81-
"My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
But I have put my hope in your word."

Psalm 130:5
"I wait for the Lord,
And in his word I put my hope."

The author is proclaiming his soul cries out for God to be His salvation. His hope is in the word of God.

Real living comes from saturating my time in the word of God,  developing a deep respect for Him.

Also, I feel real living is being content in any circumstance whether it is positive or negative, discouraging, happy, etc. with a knowledge God is completely sovereign. Additionally, I believe real living is being content in God.

I ask myself daily, "how can I be 'content' in God?" I can be content in Him by realizing I'll fully understand why He works in the ways and methods by placing my trust in Him even when it doesn't make sense to me.

I also find it easier to write I need to trust Him. than to actually put that same thought into practice. However, if I consistently pray, "Help me, God, to trust You.", it will become a reality in my life.

When I begin to trust in Him despite what I see (or can't see), that is a start to becoming content in God and where He's placed me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

pursuing holiness

Through holiness I see God. I must also follow after holiness which is the whole point of my life. Because without holiness, I cannot see God.

Holiness is a facet of the character of God. (Isaiah 6:3) I want to be holy as He is holy.

Here are some prayers for holiness:

* "father, may I thirst for holiness more than I desire anything else on earth."

* father, make me holy in every aspect of my conduct, do in me what You must to do through me what You will." (www.presenationministries.com)

The essence of holiness means to be set apart from the world: its passions and desires. holiness is an outward illustration of sanctification. As I seek to be holy, that will lead to humility.

aliens + strangers

I live in the world but I am not OF the world. I am a stranger, an alien among this world. I don't belong here. As a Christian, I am called to live in a way that points  to God.

The moment I professed Jesus as my Savior, God could have chosen to take me home to be with Him eternally. He desired another way: for me to live here, to be a testimony for Him in this life here on earth.

As I move, walk, talk, behave, I need to remember everything is meant to illustrate that I belong to God.

I am an alien and a stranger. When I feel I don't "fit in" or belong, I need to rejoice in that fact because that means I am living in the way God desires me to live.

the road to repentance

I will give an account to God (Romans 14:12)

What I do in my life may not have physical consequences. However, everything I do, say, and how I act God sees. On the day I give an account to God, I must give an explanation of my actions.

 When I live in a way that brings God grief, I must have godly sorrow which leads to repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

 

Having a Godly sorrow means realizing the true wicked and evil nature of my sin. Since I have a realistic view of my sin, as God looks at it; I have a need to confess my sin (leading to repentance). And when I confess my sin to God, I don't need to regret not repenting. The road to repentance leads me into a closer and deeper relationship with God. In contrast, "worldly" sorrow is just a view of sin that instead of truly seeing sin in the way God does, I am focused solely on consequences.

 

I must carefully discern the difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow because only one leads to a truly changed life.

           

a God fearing life

Galatians 5:24 states, "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passion and desires."

 

The main idea of this verse is people who have Jesus in their hearts are no longer slaves to sin. Their old ways have died.

 

In the following chapter, Galatians 6:8 says, "the one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

This verse is essentially saying that if Christians lived to please anything (or everything) except God, the path would lead toward destruction.

 

Living to please the Spirit instead of earthly desires will reap eternal life. A God honoring (God fearing) life is not always easy but is ALL worth it in the end.

 

focusing my attention

Colossians 3:1 states, “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” My old self died with Christ. Therefore, I need to focus my attention on things that have eternal value. I can focus my attention several ways. First, I can pray. This leads to thanksgiving and intimacy with God. Second, keeping a prayer journal forces me to slow down and evaluate where I am in my relationship with Him. Next, spending time studying His word focuses my attention. Finally, while I study His word, writing down what I feel God is teaching me leads to attention of eternal value.  

Focusing my attention on God leads to a feeling of encouragement which leads me to press on in knowing Him.

intentional growth

One thing I learned while being a student at IWU was to be intentional about growth.

Becoming intimate with God is always my responsibility and I need to acknowledge that every day. I make choices that affect the relationship I have with God. I either draw near to Him or I push Him away without recognizing that I am even doing it.

That needs to change.

Every moment that I spend reading His word and meditating on what it says, I am building a habit of being intentional about growth.

Discipline is not easy to develop rather it takes time and effort. I want and desire my relationship with God to be deep and intimate which doesn't happen magically.

I must be intentional about devotions, journaling, and praying. With time, I build up an intimate relationship with God that affects my whole life. And this question dominates my life: when does God not want to be intimate with me?

In the core of who I am there is a cry for intimacy with Him that far outweighs everything else. And when I am intentional about spending time with Him, that brings glory to Him which satisfies my soul.

10 valid needs of people: security + support

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.- Romans 12:16, 18

Harmony is crucial as we live, move, and survive with one another. Pride leads to destruction in relationships. God commands us to live with those who are in lower position than us. Also conceit needs to be far from us.

Peace, harmony, and humility in our relationships leads to security in relationships.

Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2

Burdens weigh us down and keep us growth and maturity. As members of one household (God's) we are commanded to let go of what brings us down and keeps us from intimacy with God. And when we help carry what loads others down, we are offering support to one another.

10 valid needs of people: respect

"Show proper respect to everyone: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." -1 Peter 2:17

I am to show proper respect to all.

But what does respect look like?

I believe respect for others looks like showing care to their views, struggles, issues that they feel strongly about.

The second part of the above verse says "love the brotherhood of believers." This is a reference to loving everyone in the community of the church. We are all one in Him. Fearing God means holding a deep respect for Him in all we do.

10 valid needs of people: encouragement

I love to be encouraged.

And as followers of Jesus, that is one of the things we are called to do to one another: seek out opportunities to be an encouragement. Seek out ways to lift others up.

I want to be the source of good.

God is good in all His ways. And I want to reflect that goodness in every area of my life: at work, at church, etc.

10 valid needs of people: comfort

God is a god of comfort. He comforts us in our suffering, pain, sorrow, etc. Because He comforts us, we are equipped to bring comfort to those around us who live in desolation.

Psalm 119:50 states, My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Wow! What an amazing verse. The promise of God preserves our lives when we are faced with suffering.

Additionally, Psalm 119:76 says, May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

The unfailing love of God is our comfort.

Because of the comfort God brings to us, we in turn can seek to comfort others.

10 valid needs of people: attention

people need attention. period. when you show an interest in their likes, etc. , you are showing them the love of God.

when i see everyone as an individual instead of generalizing them as the same, i am taking a step toward giving them attention.

attention involves being a good listener, helping a friend out, etc. When one shows attention, that is a sign of unity among the family of believers.

10 valid needs of people: approval

As Christians, living in community is essential for grrowth. A part of community are relationships and their importance.

relationships can be damaged because of betrayal, lack of ability to keep confidances, etc. As I live in community, I must learn to approve others in what they say or do. people are responsible for their own decisions and actions. who am i to place judgment on them? the one thing i can do is show them the love of God by praying for them and asking God to give them wisdom to find the way back to Him and to evaluate why they believe what they do.

i strive to see everyone as an individual with their own set of morals, ethics, and values. I can't force anyone to believe what I do. all i can is seek to see them as a child of God who is human and is going to make mistakes. that is a part of our fallen nature.

10 valid needs of people: appreciation

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." (Romans 12:10)

This verse speaks of community. As a Christian, I am created and wired for community: to laugh, cry, rejoice, with others. Without community, I am missing something critical to growth. An aspect of living in community is appreciating everyone for their diversity: what they offer and what I can learn from them. I learned to treasure differences not cast them off as if their opinions/views/attitudes don't matter: I'm right and they're wrong.

I believe self centeredness and pride destroy community faster than anything else.  In contrast, humility builds up community.

I want to appreciate others and what they contribute to the body of believers. I also want to honor their efforts.

Appreciation for others is needed in the church today.

10 valid needs of people: affection

As a follower of Jesus, I am called to cling to what is good and avoid what is evil. (Romans 12:9, 21)

Clinging to the good and avoidance of evil relates to showing affection to people how?

I look for the good in everyone; that shines through. I don't always know what others are going through; I seek to understand and put myself in their situation: what made them choose to say/do/act in that certain way. That is a step in a direction of showing affection.

I also belive hospitality and affection are related. Being hospitable and affectionate toward others is welcoming them in as children of God (whether believers or not). I love because God first loved me. When I show affection toward all people, I am reflecting His love.

10 valid needs of people: acceptance

Romans 15:7 states, "Therefore accept one another just as Christ Jesus accepted you."

What does it look like to accept people? I want to accept people for who they are, not what they are. This is a daily challenge. Sometimes I silently judge people based on appearance, education, etc. Then God speaks to me, "Why are you judging them? I made them in my image." I hear Him clearly then I realize who am I to judge others.

I'm not perfect and judging others prematurely isn't accepting them or showing God's love.

I want to accept people just as God accepts me right where I am, and not where I should be or what I could become.

10 valid needs of people

There are 10 valid needs of people such as:

1) acceptance: dignify others by accepting them (romans 15:7)

2) Affection: expressing care and closeness saying "I love you" (Luke 5:13)

3) Appreciation: expressing thanks for the efforts of others (Romans 12:10)

4) Approval: affirming the importance of a relationship (Mark 1:11)

5) Attention: showing genuine interest in another's interests (1 Corinthians 12:25)

6) Comfort: ease the hurting with words, feelings and touch (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

7) Encouragement: stimulating others to love and goodness (Hebrews 10:24)

8) Respect: treating another as having importance and dignity (1 Peter 2:17)

9) Security: harmony in relationships (Romans 12:16, 18)

10) Support: helping to carry another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)

 

 

 

 

anything

I confess I will do anything for God. As long as it's what I want to do.

There are strings attached. I'm not letting Him move freely and with abandonment. I like being comfortable. safe.

Is God real? Or is he plastic? just something to decorate my life?

I want the hollowness out of my faith: out of everything I believe. I don't want Him to just "decorate" my life: just something I do that looks or feels good. I want to reach the point where I can pray, "God. I want you to move in any way You see. I want you to do anything. and I will do anything you ask."

created in His image

Then God said, "let us make man in our image, in our likeness and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. -Genesis 1:26-27

As this passage says, I am created in the image of God and in His likeness. Everything I do, everything I speak is a reflection of my creator. I am the creation, not the creator. An image reflects something else other than itself. This is what it means to be made in God's image. I reflect Him through my life.

Daily I need to surrender: I am created in His image.

god is able

God is able

He will not fail

This is comforting to me. The God who runs the universe loves me and will never fail me. I just keep going: straight into His heart. The more He reveals to me, the more He wakes my desire to know Him deeply.

without all the struggles and temptations, I am free to live in Him: to live to know Him intimately. I have a freedom to just ask Him for more. I'm never satisfied.

I want to live every day with a knowledge God is able.

He is able.

Nothing is impossible with Him.

inside the heart of God

I want to live outside of myself and live inside the heart of God.

For that to become a reality in me, I must daily die to my own desires, wants, and anything that is from my carnal state.

I pray I would live humbly and walk with my God. (Micah 6:8) That includes having His spirit of wisdom leading me on- every moment. every day.

this involves leaning on Him in everything, leaving nothing outside his control.

That is living inside the heart of God.

holy jealousy

"He is jealous for me

love like a hurricane..."

God is jealous for His people. There is an overwhelming desire in me to learn everything I can about God: His character. One life is not enough to truly know Him. The more I know, the more He comes to me, the more I am drawn to Him with a holy love.

I can't ignore it. He is jealous for me. That's why I want to live only for Him.

He deserves my unrelenting devotion. The question remains will I give up everything to follow Him, whose name is jealous? (Exodus 34:14)

the object of Christianity

David Platt writes in the book, Radical, "the message of biblical Christianity is 'God loves me so that I might make him-his ways, his salvation, his glory, and his greatness- known among all nations.' Now God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around him. We are not the end of the gospel, God is."

John 3:16 says "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes will not perish but have eternal life." The object of Christianity is God incarnated in human form so I may spread His fame across the globe.

It's not about me.

So often I make it about me: what I want to do, where I want to live and where I'll end up.

That's making Christianity about me. The object is me.

I'm starting to see that is not what my beliefs are to be rooted in. Beliefs are to be rooted and founded on Him and His truth, not what is convenient for me.

That isn't saving the world.

The object of Christianity is Jesus and I want to keep it there.

weakness lets god in

i'm not one to be vulnerable before God. but i've reached a place where all my strength is drained and all I can is look up at God and all He is.

the weaknesses of this life let God in. i'm just beginning to learn this. just when I feel discouraged in faith, god shows up. i'm aware of my weakness and that lets god in.

god is beginning something in me and I invite Him into all of me. I don't know where I'm going but I'm ready to follow Him wherever He is leading me.

and I am to boast in the things that show my weakness. (2 Corinthians 11:30) I am lead to the question why is God glorified through weakness? they (weaknesses) force me to depend on God, not myself.

Weaknesses of this life let god in.

judgment has no place

I've experienced judgment among Christians more than I have among non Christians. That hurts me more than anything.

Until I'm perfect- like God- then I can start judging others. I'm not there- so judgment has no place in my life. I need to worry about my own life first- before I go around condemning people for what they do.

My opinion is that judgment has no place among the church- the community of believers.

Matthew 7:1 says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." This verse is saying if I judge others, I will also be judged. Why do I judge others? To make me feel superior? Whatever the reason, I am called to love others with the love of God in me. Judgment divides what is meant to be unified. I experienced judgment from those who were close to me and I felt demeaned. Then I thought about how non Christians must feel when they're judged by "Christians".

I can't judge others because I'm flawed just like the rest of the world. Judgment has no place in my life because I'm created to love others with the love of God in me.

never give up

When times are rough, my God makes a way. When I can't see the road ahead, God sees where I need to go: what direction I should go.

When I feel like giving up on myself, God is speaking into my life, saying "don't give up. I have a way for you that far exceeds the way you have for yourself."

I treasure His voice because when there is no hope left in my own humanity, God becomes my hope I cling to desperately.

Perseverance is what I am called to as a follower of Jesus. God never gives up on me so why would I ever give up and think that I'm too far gone to be rescued and changed, transformed into more of His image?

I never give up.

When times are hard, when you feel there is no way out of what brings you down, remember God made a way. Never give up.

lighting the way

Good and upright is the LORD,
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. -Psalm 25:8

As this verse states, the Lord is good and upright. Digging deeper, what does it mean to be upright? To be upright means to be moral, true and honest. And because of the nature of God, He leads sinners in His ways.

Then I ask myself what are the ways of God? I must seek Him to find them. My prayer is He would reveal His ways so I may walk in His light.

cross symbolism

The cross is central to Christianity: to what I believe. According to Kyle Idleman (author of Not a Fan), there are several symbols the cross represents:
-victory
-grace
-freedom
-healing
-hope
-beauty (p 171)

Through Jesus' sacrifice I am free from sin's power. There is also healing found in the cross. For all who believe, the cross provides beauty out of ashes. Also, when sin takes me captive, I have hope  there is healing found in the cross. I just look outside of myself and onto Him, for He will heal every wound.

Additionally, "an instrument of torture and death is the image that represents followers of Jesus (159)."

From that the cross symbolizes humilation, suffering, (Luke 6:22, 2 Timothy 3:12, Philippians 1:29)  and death. I die to my own desires, pursuits, and plans. When I decide to follow Jesus, that is the end of me. (adapted from Not a Fan p. 161)

I also know following Jesus is a daily surrender. I ask myself how can I follow after Jesus today? And I trust He will lead my steps.

Not a Fan.

I'm reading through Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman which speaks of moving beyond being a fan of Jesus to becoming a committed follower.

Some passages that stood out to me are
"We are saved by God's grace when we believe in Jesus and put our faith in him, but biblical belief is more than something we confess with our mouths; it's something we confess with our lives...a belief is more than what we say (104)."

Salvation comes through the grace of God through faith. Believing is more than just talking all the time. Followers show through their lives that they belong to Jesus.

Following Jesus also requires movement and a complete and total commitment.

Not a Fan is challenging me to evaluate where I truly stand in my relationship with Jesus.

If interested in reading this book, you can purchase a discounted copy at www.christianbook.com

5 Main Reasons...

There are five (5) main reasons it's important that Christians attend church:

(1) The church is a place to belong

             -The moment a person becomes a follower of Jesus, God's spirit makes him or her a member of God's family, and also a member of the worldwide fellowship, the "universal church."

               Some passages that illustrate why the church is a place to belong:

                          Romans 12:5- true unity of the church is spiritually based

                          I Corinthians 12:12- spiritual gifts are diverse and meant to build up the church

                          2 Corinthians 5:17- Through Christ, they are redeemed and restored, and made into a new creation

(2) The church is a place to serve

              -When someone becomes part of this spiritual body called the church, they are given special  gifts and important tasks

               -Christians need to be involved in local churches so they can discover their functions and practice their gifts

              -In a world of selfcenteredness, Christ's example and command to serve others still applies

                           Some passages on service within the church:

                                               Romans 12:6

                                                I Corinthians 14:26

(3) The church is a place to be served

                  -As Christians serve within the church, they will find God meeting many of their needs through others

                             Passages that illustrate the importance of serving others within the church:

                                               I Corinthians 12:14, James 5:13-15

(4) The church is a place to grow

                     -The spiritual food includes worship, instruction, and counsel. We can only receive these when we are actively involved in a local church. Also growth will occur.

                                 passages illustrating why growth is relevant to local churches:

                                              Acts 20:7

                                               Colossians 3:16

                                               Hebrews 10:25

And finally,

(5) The church is a place to obey

               -The Christian faith is personal, but not private. For a Christian, the local church is a place to practice both a new and growing faith and a mature and wise faith.

               An illustration of how people in a local church should fit together is seen in Ephesians 2:19-22.

               The church family is also referenced to as an extended family.

A final thought: the church is where the Spirit dwells.