This morning God totally worked out a concern I had with who would be my roommate next semester. I was praying about it this morning during prayer group and then I finished praying and the whole group got silent.. and I heard this girl who I know named Christine saying really loudly that she didn't have a roommate. And so I look up from prayer and look at my friend praying next to me smile and then continue praying. At the end of the prayer, I felt like I should go talk to her about being room mates and through the day we decided that we would enjoy rooming together. I'm really excited because I know she really loves God, and orphans, and is doing nursing just like me so I think we already have alot in common. And I feel like the whole thing was totally meant to be--
Something I've been learning lately is that sometimes God works out things better than we could have ever dreamed or imagined...
But sometimes He doesn't work things out the way we would like.
Sometimes God heals people when we pray to Him and other times a beloved member of our family may die.
Sometimes God intervenes and helps us to overcome situations leading to great glory for His name and joy in our hearts and other times God asks us to endure difficult and even unfair situations.
Somewhere around the world right now there's a child who is crying because of hunger and for some reason God allows them to suffer and die.
Meanwhile, I'm here living a rich (you are rich too- you have a computer) life here in America and God is blessing my life.
And sometimes I wonder WHY..
Why does God intervene for some and not for others?
Some may call God unloving but I know with all my heart that this is not the reason. That is a horrible lie of the Devil and only because of him and sin does suffering exis. God has done everything in His power to prove to us His love and one day we will see with new light why things have occurred the way they have...
I don't think we will ever fully understand the ways of God. But we must trust Him because we know His character and that His ways are justice and His love is neverfailing.
**I think it's an illusion in the Christian faith that God will work things out according to the way we want. Like when we truly follow God and surrender to Him, we are gonna find that perfect boyfriend or girlfriend and our prayers are going to overcome our illnesses or we aren't going to struggle anymore with sins. We think that when we go into the mission field, God will automatically protect us and that if we tithe, God will make us rich. I think these are faulty beliefs and we have no right to think we deserve these things. Sometimes God doesn't desire for us to have these things of the world.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Classified
Every day we're all classified.
And in turn we classify the people around us
Writing labels in front of their faces.. Reputations to their names
From small situations we often draw big conclusions.
"LIKE" "DISLIKE" "ATHLETE" "SMART" "CHRISTIAN" "JERK" "RUDE" "SELFISH" "COOL" "Conservate" "Liberal" "Pretty" "Ugly" "Unpopular" "Popular"
And from these conclusions we decide if we would like to get to know a person and if we trust or respect them.
As a Christian, names have a special significance to us because we bear representation of the Holy one: Jesus Christ. When He mercifully writes his signature of blood, over our lives we began to live as a testimony of His love.
Unfortunately though, Satan works hard to destroy that mark, to confuse us with the rest of the world, and erase God's name and write his own name on our hearts and minds replacing service with selfishness.
One of my good friends is an atheist and she constantly shares with me that she doesn't see Jesus in the "Christians" around her. She doesn't find love. She doesn't find joy. She doesn't see peace. In fact she recently told me she believes she could be a more "spiritual" leader than the rest of them.
I think this is terribly sad and unfortunate but probably one of the biggest reasons people turn from their faith or decide not to pursue Christianity (because they see hypocrisy in the church).
Thus as Christians, the way people see us is important because they look at us and often decide if they want to get to know the God we serve based on the way we act.
The third tenth commandment asks us not to take the Lord's name in vain. This goes beyond simply not swearing or saying OMG to realizing that we are witnesses for Christ and people are watching us. This is a high responsibility to bear the name of Jesus- not something that we deserve to bear- nor can ever demonstrate on our own but only by the grace of God.
I know for me, I have misrepresented Jesus many times. In fact,we have all hurt His name. And we may have hindered relationships that could be heavenly and risked lives for the kingdom. Yet because of God's mercy, I have also led many friends and campers to accept Christ into their life and to receive peace in times of need. Only by Christ's mercy may people see the light of life and love that has transformed our hearts.
Sometimes we will be misclassified by the world and sometimes even other Christian's may label us wrongly. Ultimately we must remember that we are striving to please God not man.
Classifications are shallow. Names can be changed.
But the forgiveness of Christ is everlasting.
May we stop judging others before we get to know them.
May we stop choosing our friend group and who we will reach out too and may we start loving the people around us.
In God's classification system, we are all sinners and we are all his beloved children who He wants to save because of His grace.
And in turn we classify the people around us
Writing labels in front of their faces.. Reputations to their names
From small situations we often draw big conclusions.
"LIKE" "DISLIKE" "ATHLETE" "SMART" "CHRISTIAN" "JERK" "RUDE" "SELFISH" "COOL" "Conservate" "Liberal" "Pretty" "Ugly" "Unpopular" "Popular"
And from these conclusions we decide if we would like to get to know a person and if we trust or respect them.
As a Christian, names have a special significance to us because we bear representation of the Holy one: Jesus Christ. When He mercifully writes his signature of blood, over our lives we began to live as a testimony of His love.
Unfortunately though, Satan works hard to destroy that mark, to confuse us with the rest of the world, and erase God's name and write his own name on our hearts and minds replacing service with selfishness.
One of my good friends is an atheist and she constantly shares with me that she doesn't see Jesus in the "Christians" around her. She doesn't find love. She doesn't find joy. She doesn't see peace. In fact she recently told me she believes she could be a more "spiritual" leader than the rest of them.
I think this is terribly sad and unfortunate but probably one of the biggest reasons people turn from their faith or decide not to pursue Christianity (because they see hypocrisy in the church).
Thus as Christians, the way people see us is important because they look at us and often decide if they want to get to know the God we serve based on the way we act.
The third tenth commandment asks us not to take the Lord's name in vain. This goes beyond simply not swearing or saying OMG to realizing that we are witnesses for Christ and people are watching us. This is a high responsibility to bear the name of Jesus- not something that we deserve to bear- nor can ever demonstrate on our own but only by the grace of God.
I know for me, I have misrepresented Jesus many times. In fact,we have all hurt His name. And we may have hindered relationships that could be heavenly and risked lives for the kingdom. Yet because of God's mercy, I have also led many friends and campers to accept Christ into their life and to receive peace in times of need. Only by Christ's mercy may people see the light of life and love that has transformed our hearts.
Sometimes we will be misclassified by the world and sometimes even other Christian's may label us wrongly. Ultimately we must remember that we are striving to please God not man.
Classifications are shallow. Names can be changed.
But the forgiveness of Christ is everlasting.
May we stop judging others before we get to know them.
May we stop choosing our friend group and who we will reach out too and may we start loving the people around us.
In God's classification system, we are all sinners and we are all his beloved children who He wants to save because of His grace.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Redeemed
Have you ever read Redeeming Love by Francine Riveras or the book of Hosea in the Bible? Does it make sense to you or does it astonish you, frustrate you, sadden you, anger you? If you've never read these books I do highly recommend them for perspective.
Hosea is asked by God to marry a harlot- someone he knew would become unfaithful. Imagine God asking you to marry someone when you know they won't love you as much as you will love them. In fact, they will hate you, they will leave you, they will betray you and you will be left alone, only to shamefully run after them even though you were right in the beginning.
Hosea married Gomer and loved her and bore children with her.
Yet Gomer left and was deceitful breaking the covenant marriage despite the love they had shared and the sacrifices Hosea had made for her.
Gomer became a poor, shamed woman.
Yet Hosea instead of harvesting bitterness, searched day and night for Gomer, his beloved lost, and would secretly help provide food and clothing for her protecting her in any way he could.
Hosea never stopped loving her even though Gomer never came back and ultimately was sold into slavery.
Gomer did not deserve Hosea's love and mercy. Neither do we deserve Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Mercy and grace are gifts that we never deserve. Though they are free to the receiver they are expensive to the giver. Love is never free. It is a risk and a sacrifice of the utmost value: the most precious parts of the heart. Proverbs 4:23 says we must guard our hearts for everything else we do will flow from it.
God is the only giver of a perfect love. God asks us to be His brides and to share a deep love together. We are all prostitues, whores, sinful selfish wretches yet God continues to love us day by day. He asks us to accept His love so that His love may transform our lives.
Hosea is asked by God to marry a harlot- someone he knew would become unfaithful. Imagine God asking you to marry someone when you know they won't love you as much as you will love them. In fact, they will hate you, they will leave you, they will betray you and you will be left alone, only to shamefully run after them even though you were right in the beginning.
Hosea married Gomer and loved her and bore children with her.
Yet Gomer left and was deceitful breaking the covenant marriage despite the love they had shared and the sacrifices Hosea had made for her.
Gomer became a poor, shamed woman.
Yet Hosea instead of harvesting bitterness, searched day and night for Gomer, his beloved lost, and would secretly help provide food and clothing for her protecting her in any way he could.
Hosea never stopped loving her even though Gomer never came back and ultimately was sold into slavery.
Gomer did not deserve Hosea's love and mercy. Neither do we deserve Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Mercy and grace are gifts that we never deserve. Though they are free to the receiver they are expensive to the giver. Love is never free. It is a risk and a sacrifice of the utmost value: the most precious parts of the heart. Proverbs 4:23 says we must guard our hearts for everything else we do will flow from it.
God is the only giver of a perfect love. God asks us to be His brides and to share a deep love together. We are all prostitues, whores, sinful selfish wretches yet God continues to love us day by day. He asks us to accept His love so that His love may transform our lives.
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—
By grace we have been saved. And may this grace fill our hearts with peace and may we learn to extend mercy to our brothers and sisters who have hurt us the most.. as a response to God's uncomprehending sacrifice for us. Father, create in me a clean heart and help me accept the love you want to lavish upon me that your love may transform my life.
By grace we have been saved. And may this grace fill our hearts with peace and may we learn to extend mercy to our brothers and sisters who have hurt us the most.. as a response to God's uncomprehending sacrifice for us. Father, create in me a clean heart and help me accept the love you want to lavish upon me that your love may transform my life.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Grace abound
I dare not lift them up to the Holy One
I've been hiding afraid I let you down..
Inside I doubt
that you could love me
But in your eyes there's only grace abound"
Mercy- this song really speaks to my heart
No matter how we fall, how deep we fall, or where we fall
God's arms are reaching out to us and He's whispering
Can I hold you?
Satan wants us to feel afraid, ashamed, unworthy
He wants us to feel weak and overcome by sin
But Jesus calls on us to have faith
"You need not feel like a new creation in order to step out in faith and believe Christ has made you a new creature"- GYCSE
Perfection is the process of growing towards God. May we not look back or fall weary,.. but may we trust God's hands to grip us and carry us through....
This year for me I have felt so far away from God. Coming back from the mission field- I had been feeling God's presence so alive- and when I returned back to the states I felt like I was drowning. I know God never failed me but at times it felt like I didn't know who He was or if we had a relationship anymore. This semester God has brought new friends in my life that have helped carry me through points of spiritual weakness and inspire me to have real faith again. Praying with them in the mornings, studying the Bible with them, and starting to give Bible studies again has been such a blessing. This last weekend I got the opportunity to go to GYC-SE and actually share my mission story their too. I felt like God was specifically speaking to me. Our relationship with Christ isn't based on feelings. He will never run out of grace for us. His love is so amazing!
Friday, April 3, 2015
CROSS- does it change your life?
I've heard the crucifixion story countless times. I've seen the movies, the plays and the pageants, sometimes even helping play the roels. Sometimes it seems we have replayed the movie so many times that when we hear it we are simply going through the motions in our head.
We must stop. Daily we must contemplate the cross- not just a story that happened in the past- but as an event that gives us freedom and victory each and everyday. We must stop simply replaying the story, but we must arise boldly and boast in our testimonies how the cross has changed our life. When we live out our stories of how Christ's redemptive power transformed our life, we glorify God and help others to realize Jesus' death is real and He is alive.
What does the cross really mean? What does it mean for you? Has it really changed your life? Or is it just another story lying in a dusty book on the shelf? Does it change you? Does it define you? Or did it just happen?
I challenge you to take 10 minutes and think about the cross and what it means for you.
For me, the cross means that I can be spiritual director at summer camp. It means that despite my enormous flaws, shortages, and insecurities Christ still desires to use me in beautiful ways. The cross means that I can have the hope of being a missionary someday- that I can tell others that Jesus loves them- that I can smile and dance. Without the cross, I would be depressed, hurting, and alone but because of the cross I have second chances, hope, and freedom. The cross means that every day I have a reason to live because I have the hope of living with Jesus in heaven. The cross means that I am healed.
What does the cross mean for you? What does it mean for you today? And what hope does the cross offer you? I challenge you to share your story and encourage someone else to realize the power of the cross.
We must stop. Daily we must contemplate the cross- not just a story that happened in the past- but as an event that gives us freedom and victory each and everyday. We must stop simply replaying the story, but we must arise boldly and boast in our testimonies how the cross has changed our life. When we live out our stories of how Christ's redemptive power transformed our life, we glorify God and help others to realize Jesus' death is real and He is alive.
What does the cross really mean? What does it mean for you? Has it really changed your life? Or is it just another story lying in a dusty book on the shelf? Does it change you? Does it define you? Or did it just happen?
I challenge you to take 10 minutes and think about the cross and what it means for you.
For me, the cross means that I can be spiritual director at summer camp. It means that despite my enormous flaws, shortages, and insecurities Christ still desires to use me in beautiful ways. The cross means that I can have the hope of being a missionary someday- that I can tell others that Jesus loves them- that I can smile and dance. Without the cross, I would be depressed, hurting, and alone but because of the cross I have second chances, hope, and freedom. The cross means that every day I have a reason to live because I have the hope of living with Jesus in heaven. The cross means that I am healed.
What does the cross mean for you? What does it mean for you today? And what hope does the cross offer you? I challenge you to share your story and encourage someone else to realize the power of the cross.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Body, mind, and spirit- unbalanced
Body, Mind, and spirit- Each are beautifully intertwined in creating a child of God at heart.
Your body: You may very well know exactly how your health is doing and how you feel about it. Most likely you are on one extreme or the other: you are constantly loving your body or you are constantly criticizing your body. You probably know that you need to work out more, eat healthier, and the check list continues... or maybe you are a gym rat and know exactly what size and weight you, as well as your waist measurements and resting heart rate. We take care of our body by developing patterns of healthy nutrition, exercise, and sleep and when our bodies are messed up we quickly see and feel the results. We are irritable, in pain, angry, disorganized, slacking in class, gaining weight.. the list could continue. We can visibly see the effects of our body and measure how we are doing. Without good health, it may be difficult to maintain focus in school, develop good relationships, and even sustain a close walk with the Lord. A few ways Satan tries to attack our body is with sugar, disease, laziness, eating disorders, low self-esteem, gluttony.
Your mind: Your mind has to do with self- talk, emotions, feelings, facts, and processing experiences. How do you handle stress? How often are you depressed vs being joyful? How do you view yourself and other people? Do you smile or laugh during a day? Are you content with your life? How do you do in school or in challenging situations? Satan often tries to attack our minds by using the "little lie tactic". He teaches us small lies that we believe as young children and begin to base our lives upon. Lies like "I'm not good enough. I'm not pretty enough. I won't ever be able too. I can't do that. I'm not skilled in that area.." The result is depression, anxiety, unfriendliness, judgement, egoism, shame, despair, suicidal thoughts...
Your spirit: How is your relationship with God? How connected are you to the Father? How are the Fruits of the Spirit manifested in your life? Are you spiritually strong or spiritually struggling. Do people see Jesus in you? Do you spend time in daily prayer and scripture reading or do you struggle with the desire to read your Bible? Satan attacks our spirit by making us feel lonely, unloved by others and God, by distracting us and making us too busy to spend time with Christ, and by putting temptations and sin in front of our faces in order to make us struggle.
"One step at a time my child"... If you have just read through this article judging yourself and feeling like you are letting God down in one or more of these areas in your life, I encourage you to stop for a moment and let God tell you.
"I love you with an everlasting love. Nothing you do or fail to do can ever make me love you more or less."- God
Now that we hear God's voice, I think God wants to teach us something important about our body, mind, and spirit. Our spirit comes first. Our mind comes second and finally a healthy body will follow. This is a sinful world, and we will struggle and we will all fail in some way or another if we strive to do this life on our own. But when we give God the reigns to our life in it's entirety (our lonely or selfish spirits, our doubtful and self-conscious minds, our eating disorders, fatness, or disease.)
This won't be easy. This is in contrast to our natural desires. We want to fix our own bodies. We look at the mirrors and hire personal trainers, we binge and starve ourselves, we go to doctors for cosmetic surgeries, and worst of all we cry and plead for healing from devastating diseases on our bodies. Yet the more we strive without Christ at the center, the more selfish, un-Christ-like, discouraged, and ultimately Satanic we will become.
I'm speaking to you from personal experience. I've struggled with an eating disorder and depression and I've tried to fix it by counseling or by diet or exercise. But these things (which are not bad in of them selves) can not replace our need for Jesus. Jesus wants to fill our hearts and as His love overflows I believe His wisdom and healing will flow out of our hearts and into our minds and bodies.
If you are spiritually struggling, you are not alone. I am too. I have been fighting with God and trying to fix my life's problems with other things. Yet I encourage you to not give up on Christ and to know that you are not alone. We are all going to have weaknesses in one thing or another but if we stop looking at Christ, Satan will make us feel like our weaknesses have overcame us. They haven't. Christ is stronger. Christ wants your spirit, your mind, and your body to serve Him forever, May God bless =)
Your body: You may very well know exactly how your health is doing and how you feel about it. Most likely you are on one extreme or the other: you are constantly loving your body or you are constantly criticizing your body. You probably know that you need to work out more, eat healthier, and the check list continues... or maybe you are a gym rat and know exactly what size and weight you, as well as your waist measurements and resting heart rate. We take care of our body by developing patterns of healthy nutrition, exercise, and sleep and when our bodies are messed up we quickly see and feel the results. We are irritable, in pain, angry, disorganized, slacking in class, gaining weight.. the list could continue. We can visibly see the effects of our body and measure how we are doing. Without good health, it may be difficult to maintain focus in school, develop good relationships, and even sustain a close walk with the Lord. A few ways Satan tries to attack our body is with sugar, disease, laziness, eating disorders, low self-esteem, gluttony.
Your mind: Your mind has to do with self- talk, emotions, feelings, facts, and processing experiences. How do you handle stress? How often are you depressed vs being joyful? How do you view yourself and other people? Do you smile or laugh during a day? Are you content with your life? How do you do in school or in challenging situations? Satan often tries to attack our minds by using the "little lie tactic". He teaches us small lies that we believe as young children and begin to base our lives upon. Lies like "I'm not good enough. I'm not pretty enough. I won't ever be able too. I can't do that. I'm not skilled in that area.." The result is depression, anxiety, unfriendliness, judgement, egoism, shame, despair, suicidal thoughts...
Your spirit: How is your relationship with God? How connected are you to the Father? How are the Fruits of the Spirit manifested in your life? Are you spiritually strong or spiritually struggling. Do people see Jesus in you? Do you spend time in daily prayer and scripture reading or do you struggle with the desire to read your Bible? Satan attacks our spirit by making us feel lonely, unloved by others and God, by distracting us and making us too busy to spend time with Christ, and by putting temptations and sin in front of our faces in order to make us struggle.
"One step at a time my child"... If you have just read through this article judging yourself and feeling like you are letting God down in one or more of these areas in your life, I encourage you to stop for a moment and let God tell you.
"I love you with an everlasting love. Nothing you do or fail to do can ever make me love you more or less."- God
Now that we hear God's voice, I think God wants to teach us something important about our body, mind, and spirit. Our spirit comes first. Our mind comes second and finally a healthy body will follow. This is a sinful world, and we will struggle and we will all fail in some way or another if we strive to do this life on our own. But when we give God the reigns to our life in it's entirety (our lonely or selfish spirits, our doubtful and self-conscious minds, our eating disorders, fatness, or disease.)
This won't be easy. This is in contrast to our natural desires. We want to fix our own bodies. We look at the mirrors and hire personal trainers, we binge and starve ourselves, we go to doctors for cosmetic surgeries, and worst of all we cry and plead for healing from devastating diseases on our bodies. Yet the more we strive without Christ at the center, the more selfish, un-Christ-like, discouraged, and ultimately Satanic we will become.
I'm speaking to you from personal experience. I've struggled with an eating disorder and depression and I've tried to fix it by counseling or by diet or exercise. But these things (which are not bad in of them selves) can not replace our need for Jesus. Jesus wants to fill our hearts and as His love overflows I believe His wisdom and healing will flow out of our hearts and into our minds and bodies.
If you are spiritually struggling, you are not alone. I am too. I have been fighting with God and trying to fix my life's problems with other things. Yet I encourage you to not give up on Christ and to know that you are not alone. We are all going to have weaknesses in one thing or another but if we stop looking at Christ, Satan will make us feel like our weaknesses have overcame us. They haven't. Christ is stronger. Christ wants your spirit, your mind, and your body to serve Him forever, May God bless =)
nursing
I have happy news for you guys.
I have gotten accepted to the nursing program for next fall and winter =) This will be the beginning of another huge journey with me and God. Nursing is something so special for me.
It's something I NEVER would have imagined myself doing. Something I never wanted to do and never thought I could do. But ever since Peru, when God helped me overcome some of my medical fears (little by little) (I am still a (big) little afraid). He showed me the gift of compassion and my love for helping people, especially little children.
I am excited to start the nursing program and I am hopeful that soon and I can learn to help terminally ill children or serve in an orphanage in another country taking care of the children's medical needs.. OR maybe not- who knows what God has planned for me.
But guys let me tell you.. when you truly surrender everything to God.
He is going to do CRAZY things in your life.
All the time I find myself questioning Who am I? Who am I now? Because I find myself acting like less and less of me and more and more like the character of Christ..
It's a slow process but God's grace is more than enough to cover you.
And His story that He's writing will be beautifully perfect for your heart.
I have gotten accepted to the nursing program for next fall and winter =) This will be the beginning of another huge journey with me and God. Nursing is something so special for me.
It's something I NEVER would have imagined myself doing. Something I never wanted to do and never thought I could do. But ever since Peru, when God helped me overcome some of my medical fears (little by little) (I am still a (big) little afraid). He showed me the gift of compassion and my love for helping people, especially little children.
I am excited to start the nursing program and I am hopeful that soon and I can learn to help terminally ill children or serve in an orphanage in another country taking care of the children's medical needs.. OR maybe not- who knows what God has planned for me.
But guys let me tell you.. when you truly surrender everything to God.
He is going to do CRAZY things in your life.
All the time I find myself questioning Who am I? Who am I now? Because I find myself acting like less and less of me and more and more like the character of Christ..
It's a slow process but God's grace is more than enough to cover you.
And His story that He's writing will be beautifully perfect for your heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)