So, I never like to admit it when I'm in a spiritual funk. That being said, I've been in one for a while. Talking to a friend recently, I finally admitted this out loud and asked for prayer about it. This weekend I got to visit my home church in Webberville, hear some things from the pastor I really needed, catch up with some old friends, and talk with them about all this as well. It was a long but very necessary weekend.
I have been exposed to a lot of spiritual influences since being in Idaho this fall, and not all of them healthy. The different philosophies and ideas about God I've had floating around my thoughts led to a spiritual darkness and laziness. "What is truth? Should I approach God this way or this way? How close to God are other religions? How close are any of us?" These are the sort of questions which I've been thinking about. They are important ones to wrestle with, no doubt, but I was being led to answers which were not spiritually beneficial for me. I was swaying with every new wind of doctrine. This morning God reminded me I can approach him with confidence through Christ. Though I am a man of unclean lips, I should not step back from God in guilt, but step forward in hope with each realisation of my unholiness to accept the burning coal and be purified.
Although I have had dark times in my life, God always brings me back and reminds me of His goodness. Thanks be to Him.
I would appreciate your prayers in this. Thank you.
Peace.
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Your kingdom come
"Your kingdom come."
Not my kingdom: His. Jesus did not tell us to pray, "God make my plans happen so I can glorify You through them." Nope. He told us to pray for the coming of His Father's kingdom. God's kingdom is already at hand and is here to some extent, but Jesus hasn't come back yet, so we are still to pray for His arrival.
"Your kingdom come."
We also should pray for God's kingdom to continue manifesting here on earth before Jesus comes back. What is true about God's kingdom? There is no sickness, no pain, no oppression, no condemnation, no hatred...the list goes on. Although the fullness of these things won't be experienced until God's kingdom takes over everything and the world is made new, God loves breaking in and revealing bits and pieces of it to the world. Pray for this. Ask God for healing, for justice, for unity, for peace.
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.'"
Come, Lord Jesus.
Peace.
Not my kingdom: His. Jesus did not tell us to pray, "God make my plans happen so I can glorify You through them." Nope. He told us to pray for the coming of His Father's kingdom. God's kingdom is already at hand and is here to some extent, but Jesus hasn't come back yet, so we are still to pray for His arrival.
"Your kingdom come."
We also should pray for God's kingdom to continue manifesting here on earth before Jesus comes back. What is true about God's kingdom? There is no sickness, no pain, no oppression, no condemnation, no hatred...the list goes on. Although the fullness of these things won't be experienced until God's kingdom takes over everything and the world is made new, God loves breaking in and revealing bits and pieces of it to the world. Pray for this. Ask God for healing, for justice, for unity, for peace.
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.'"
Come, Lord Jesus.
Peace.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Hallowed be Your Name
"Hallowed be Your name."
Hallowed, according to Merriam-Webster:
Sacred, consecrated, holy, revered.
To me, "hallowed" has always been more of a picture and a feeling: a place of silence, pure shining light, a sense of awe, a feeling of deep power and reverence, great power, something to be respected and feared, set apart, not to be touched, tread on, or even spoken of by the unworthy, rest, peace, incomparable beauty, something priceless, one-of-a-kind, a sense of huge greatness and grandeur. All at the same time.
Think of God's name in this way, for that is just a taste of what it truly is.
"Hallowed be Your name."
God's name alone is hallowed. His name alone is worthy of praise.
"Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Paul, Philippians 2
Wow. The first two phrases of Jesus' prayer are both repeated here in different words. God's name is above every other name, and His name alone has power.\
"Hallowed be Your name."
Taken from About.com:
Peace.
Hallowed, according to Merriam-Webster:
Sacred, consecrated, holy, revered.
To me, "hallowed" has always been more of a picture and a feeling: a place of silence, pure shining light, a sense of awe, a feeling of deep power and reverence, great power, something to be respected and feared, set apart, not to be touched, tread on, or even spoken of by the unworthy, rest, peace, incomparable beauty, something priceless, one-of-a-kind, a sense of huge greatness and grandeur. All at the same time.
Think of God's name in this way, for that is just a taste of what it truly is.
"Hallowed be Your name."
God's name alone is hallowed. His name alone is worthy of praise.
"Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Paul, Philippians 2
Wow. The first two phrases of Jesus' prayer are both repeated here in different words. God's name is above every other name, and His name alone has power.\
"Hallowed be Your name."
Taken from About.com:
- Advocate - 1 John 2:1
- Almighty - Revelation 1:8
- Alpha - Revelation 1:8
- Amen - Revelation 3:14
- Angel of the Lord - Genesis 16:7
- Anointed One - Psalm 2:2
- Apostle - Hebrews 3:1
- Author and Perfecter of our Faith - Hebrews 12:2
- Beginning - Revelation 21:6
- Bishop of Souls - 1 Peter 2:25
- Branch - Zechariah 3:8
- Bread of Life - John 6:35,48
- Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15
- Carpenter - Mark 6:3
- Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4
- The Christ - Matthew 1:16
- Comforter - Jeremiah 8:18
- Consolation of Israel - Luke 2:25
- Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20
- Dayspring - Luke 1:78
- Day Star - 2 Peter 1:19
- Deliverer - Romans 11:26
- Desire of Nations - Haggai 2:7
- Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23
- End - Revelation 21:6
- Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6
- Faithful and True Witness - Revelation 3:14
- First Fruits - 1 Corinthians 15:23
- Foundation - Isaiah 28:16
- Fountain - Zechariah 13:1
- Friend of Sinners - Matthew 11:19
- Gate for the Sheep - John 10:7
- Gift of God - 2 Corinthians 9:15
- God - John 1:1
- Glory of God - Isaiah 60:1
- Good Shepherd - John 10:11
- Governor - Matthew 2:6
- Great Shepherd - Hebrews 13:20
- Guide - Psalm 48:14
- Head of the Church - Colossians 1:18
- High Priest - Hebrews 3:1
- Holy One of Israel - Isaiah 41:14
- Horn of Salvation - Luke 1:69
- I Am - Exodus 3:14
- Jehovah - Psalm 83:18
- Jesus - Matthew 1:21
- King of Israel - Matthew 27:42
- King of Kings - 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16
- Lamb of God - John 1:29
- Last Adam - 1 Corinthians 15:45
- Life - John 11:25
- Light of the World - John 8:12; John 9:5
- Lion of the Tribe of Judah - Revelation 5:5
- Lord of Lords - 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16
- Master - Matthew 23:8
- Mediator - 1 Timothy 2:5
- Messiah - John 1:41
- Mighty God - Isaiah 9:6
- Morning Star - Revelation 22:16
- Nazarene - Matthew 2:23
- Omega - Revelation 1:8
- Passover Lamb - 1 Corinthians 5:7
- Physician - Matthew 9:12
- Potentate - 1 Timothy 6:15
- Priest - Hebrews 4:15
- Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9:6
- Prophet - Acts 3:22
- Propitiation - I John 2:2
- Purifier - Malachi 3:3
- Rabbi - John 1:49
- Ransom - 1 Timothy 2:6
- Redeemer - Isaiah 41:14
- Refiner - Malachi 3:2
- Refuge - Isaiah 25:4
- Resurrection - John 11:25
- Righteousness - Jeremiah 23:6
- Rock - Deuteronomy 32:4
- Root of David - Revelation 22:16
- Rose of Sharon - Song of Solomon 2:1
- Ruler of God's Creation - Revelation 3:14
- Sacrifice - Ephesians 5:2
- Savior - 2 Samuel 22:47; Luke 1:47
- Second Adam - 1 Corinthians 15:47
- Seed of Abraham - Galatians 3:16
- Seed of David - 2 Timothy 2:8
- Seed of the Woman - Genesis 3:15
- Servant - Isaiah 42:1
- Shepherd - 1 Peter 2:25
- Shiloh - Genesis 49:10
- Son of David - Matthew 15:22
- Son of God - Luke 1:35
- Son of Man - Matthew 18:11
- Son of Mary - Mark 6:3
- Son of the Most High - Luke 1:32
- Stone - Isaiah 28:16
- Sun of Righteousness - Malachi 4:2
- Teacher - Matthew 26:18
- Truth - John 14:6
- Way - John 14:6
- Wonderful Counselor - Isaiah 9:6
- Word - John 1:1
- Vine - John 15:1
Peace.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Our Father in heaven
So, I am working through a sort of assignment which was given to me (really, an excellent study project).
Go through each phrase of our Lord's prayer in Matthew chapter six, and ask God to help you understand what each part means and why He put it there. Jesus didn't waste words, after all, so everything in this prayer which He taught His disciples must have great significance.
"Our Father in heaven."
God really is our Father. He is the perfect fulfillment of what a father should be. He loves His children perfectly. He cares for His children perfectly, giving them exactly what He knows they need, and not necessarily what they think they need. He disciplines His children, but out of a perfect love for them. He protects His children. He gives perfect guidance, counsel, and comfort to His children. We can take our requests to Him with confidence because of His love for us.
"Our Father in heaven."
However, we can't physically see Him. We are not able to walk up to Him and give Him a big hug. In certain ways, we are temporarily separated from Him while we are on earth, even thought His Spirit dwells in us. He is perfectly holy, unlike an earthly father. He is greater and more powerful than all. He orchestrates His will from a heavenly, eternal perspective, with His glory in mind. His plans are far beyond ours. He demands holiness from His people, not because He is a tyrant, but because anything unholy would vanish in His presence.
He demands holiness and obedience because He is our Father Who loves us, and He wants us to be with Him.
Peace.
Go through each phrase of our Lord's prayer in Matthew chapter six, and ask God to help you understand what each part means and why He put it there. Jesus didn't waste words, after all, so everything in this prayer which He taught His disciples must have great significance.
"Our Father in heaven."
God really is our Father. He is the perfect fulfillment of what a father should be. He loves His children perfectly. He cares for His children perfectly, giving them exactly what He knows they need, and not necessarily what they think they need. He disciplines His children, but out of a perfect love for them. He protects His children. He gives perfect guidance, counsel, and comfort to His children. We can take our requests to Him with confidence because of His love for us.
"Our Father in heaven."
However, we can't physically see Him. We are not able to walk up to Him and give Him a big hug. In certain ways, we are temporarily separated from Him while we are on earth, even thought His Spirit dwells in us. He is perfectly holy, unlike an earthly father. He is greater and more powerful than all. He orchestrates His will from a heavenly, eternal perspective, with His glory in mind. His plans are far beyond ours. He demands holiness from His people, not because He is a tyrant, but because anything unholy would vanish in His presence.
He demands holiness and obedience because He is our Father Who loves us, and He wants us to be with Him.
Peace.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Spring to summer, fatherless to Fathered
So, this post will have a little more thought put into it than my last couple, which have mostly been blurted ideas or vague descriptions of what I've seen God doing lately. Yay for clarity!
First, let it be known that I'm probably not going to Colorado in May/June, like I was talking about. After some thoughts, prayers, and remembering other things God has said to me since I got back from my original trip out there, I've decided it would be better to wait until God presents the right moment instead of forcing His hand. It would also be really nice to have enough extra money to make sure my van is in top condition for making the journey and staying alive once I'm out there, haha.
Soon after I got back to Michigan, I had plenty of people (including people with no invested interest in keeping me around) telling me, "Wow, it sounds like God is definitely going to get you out there! Now, just don't rush His timing!" He's clearly given me confirmation after confirmation that He is going to bring me there...so why should I try to push the timing along myself? God's timing is perfect, and mine is not, so I will trust Him and see what He has in store. My personality leans really heavily toward running away to adventure...so I have to watch out for that in myself. The summer camp I was looking at seemed really awesome, but it never really seemed like it was an opportunity from God, even though I tried really hard to convince myself of it, haha.
All that being said, I'm still praying for August as the date to leave, but I've also given it to God so I don't idolize that time or freak out at Him if it doesn't happen. Who knows? He may have a much better time planned.
I mentioned previously that God has been teaching me lately how He is my Father. After doing a short study on the instances of God being referred to as Father in Scripture, one thing that stood out in connection with those references was God as Teacher. I never had a dad growing up to teach me how to be a Godly man, so seeing this connection has been really helpful. In Matthew chapter twenty-three, Jesus tells us not to call anyone Rabbi, Father, or Teacher, other than Himself/God, because He alone is truly all of those to us. Whoa. God is the One Who can teach us best. He alone is free from error, always truthful, and always looking out for our best interests. Who is a better choice to teach children how to live and grow than their only true Father? No one. God wants us all to grow up together as images of Him on earth. Jesus, our co-heir in the inheritance of the Father, and in a way our big Brother, came first as the perfect example of how to live in our Father's will and thus bring glory to Him.
God gives good gifts to His children (the best, in fact), and what's better is that He always knows exactly what we need most. Even though it may not seem like what we need (especially if it's more like His discipline), our Father only gives good and perfect gifts, and all of them work for the good of His children and for His glory. Wow, what an awesome family we're a part of!
Our Father wants us to rest in His loving arms as His children, knowing we are safe and secure from everything. He runs out to meet us where we are, throwing His robe around us, placing rings on our fingers, and preparing a feast for us with Him at His table. Wow, does He love us! The Creator of the universe, the Great Physician, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of peace, Lord of lords, the great I AM...He wants us to be His children, and He loves us. Whoa. If God wants to be our Father, and is the ultimate, perfect fulfillment of what it means to be a father...I still don't get it, haha, but man, that's crazy.
Peace.
First, let it be known that I'm probably not going to Colorado in May/June, like I was talking about. After some thoughts, prayers, and remembering other things God has said to me since I got back from my original trip out there, I've decided it would be better to wait until God presents the right moment instead of forcing His hand. It would also be really nice to have enough extra money to make sure my van is in top condition for making the journey and staying alive once I'm out there, haha.
Soon after I got back to Michigan, I had plenty of people (including people with no invested interest in keeping me around) telling me, "Wow, it sounds like God is definitely going to get you out there! Now, just don't rush His timing!" He's clearly given me confirmation after confirmation that He is going to bring me there...so why should I try to push the timing along myself? God's timing is perfect, and mine is not, so I will trust Him and see what He has in store. My personality leans really heavily toward running away to adventure...so I have to watch out for that in myself. The summer camp I was looking at seemed really awesome, but it never really seemed like it was an opportunity from God, even though I tried really hard to convince myself of it, haha.
All that being said, I'm still praying for August as the date to leave, but I've also given it to God so I don't idolize that time or freak out at Him if it doesn't happen. Who knows? He may have a much better time planned.
I mentioned previously that God has been teaching me lately how He is my Father. After doing a short study on the instances of God being referred to as Father in Scripture, one thing that stood out in connection with those references was God as Teacher. I never had a dad growing up to teach me how to be a Godly man, so seeing this connection has been really helpful. In Matthew chapter twenty-three, Jesus tells us not to call anyone Rabbi, Father, or Teacher, other than Himself/God, because He alone is truly all of those to us. Whoa. God is the One Who can teach us best. He alone is free from error, always truthful, and always looking out for our best interests. Who is a better choice to teach children how to live and grow than their only true Father? No one. God wants us all to grow up together as images of Him on earth. Jesus, our co-heir in the inheritance of the Father, and in a way our big Brother, came first as the perfect example of how to live in our Father's will and thus bring glory to Him.
God gives good gifts to His children (the best, in fact), and what's better is that He always knows exactly what we need most. Even though it may not seem like what we need (especially if it's more like His discipline), our Father only gives good and perfect gifts, and all of them work for the good of His children and for His glory. Wow, what an awesome family we're a part of!
Our Father wants us to rest in His loving arms as His children, knowing we are safe and secure from everything. He runs out to meet us where we are, throwing His robe around us, placing rings on our fingers, and preparing a feast for us with Him at His table. Wow, does He love us! The Creator of the universe, the Great Physician, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of peace, Lord of lords, the great I AM...He wants us to be His children, and He loves us. Whoa. If God wants to be our Father, and is the ultimate, perfect fulfillment of what it means to be a father...I still don't get it, haha, but man, that's crazy.
Peace.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Christians are Treasure Hunters
So, picture yourself on a small boat on the Mediterranean. You're a free diver searching for priceless artifacts on the seafloor below. A fleet of these treasure hunters is spread out over the water as far as you can see. As you bring up ancient pieces made of gold, silver, and precious gems, you show them to those around you so everyone can see the beauty you've discovered. All around, the rest of the fleet is doing the same: awestruck by what others are bringing up, they dive down to gather their own treasures.
So it is with the Word of God. Each passage is its own Mediterranean: full of priceless truths from God which need to be sought after if you actually want them for yourself. God has so much goodness and so many revelations buried within Scripture. He doesn't want us to just float above such depth, coasting over passages so we can say we've read them, yet not diving in and exploring them. God wants us to take time with His Word, delving down and searching it for truth...for Him. There is so much God wants to share with each one of us, things which those around us might not find themselves. He doesn't give these to us only for our own benefit, they are also for those around us to see so they might glorify God.
God has put so much in His Word...keep searching.
Peace.
So it is with the Word of God. Each passage is its own Mediterranean: full of priceless truths from God which need to be sought after if you actually want them for yourself. God has so much goodness and so many revelations buried within Scripture. He doesn't want us to just float above such depth, coasting over passages so we can say we've read them, yet not diving in and exploring them. God wants us to take time with His Word, delving down and searching it for truth...for Him. There is so much God wants to share with each one of us, things which those around us might not find themselves. He doesn't give these to us only for our own benefit, they are also for those around us to see so they might glorify God.
God has put so much in His Word...keep searching.
Peace.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Good health
So, some of you may remember when I gave up Taco Bell in an effort to try to eat healthier (or maybe even when I stopped eating at Denny's because I got food poisoning there during finals week...). Last weekend my good friend Jacob was visiting Spring Arbor from Tennessee, and all of the old metal-heads got together for one more big "Taco Bell Metal Run." Lots of metal blasting in my van, and a bunch of dudes eating Taco Bell in the back (without any seating, of course). We went to Taco Bell and Denny's, and I ended up eating at both places. I felt it was a necessary evil for the sake of camaraderie.
Later when I explained this a couple times to other friends, I was asked why I decided to ditch Taco Bell at all, and told by several people that they didn't really care about how bad it is. I copped a sort of, "I'm better and healthier than you," attitude at them, which I'm only now realising.
Earlier this week I started listening to sermons by Andrew Wommack, the head of Charis Bible College in Colorado Springs (the college I visited because it's where almost all my new friends in Colorado attend school). I decided to do this because there's nowhere else I know of to get really solid charismatic teachings around here in Lansing without going to a different church...and I don't feel like dealing with even more church drama than I already have. Right now I'm in the middle of one titled "The Importance of the Word." As one of his points, Andrew brings up the fact that many Americans now worship good health and tout dieting and exercise as the way to acquire it. He then points out that Scripture states plenty of other ways that our bodies are kept healthy.
Some examples he used:
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Prov. 17:22
"Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." Ex. 20:12
Plus plenty of verses (especially in Psalms and Proverbs) about how the fear of the Lord, wisdom, and obeying the Lord bring long life and health. I've actually been running more since getting back from Colorado, and when I heard Andrew Wommack make his points on this topic, I realised that I was filling myself with pride over not eating at certain places and exercising more. He did say (and I agree with him) that diet and exercise are definitely part of good health...but if you look at people who honor their parents and have cheerful hearts (even among those who don't really exercise and don't eat well), they're the ones generally living longer.
I realise now that my focus lately has not been only on becoming healthier, because I still haven't been eating well. My focus with exercise has become about looking good. The verses about good health and long life in the Bible are not placed there in order for use to find some solution for better health...they point to health as an aftereffect of following God. This should be our primary focus. Becoming healthy to glorify God is great, but I think Jesus' words in Matthew chapter six are useful here:
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
If we are seeking God with our whole heart, good health is something we don't need to worry about at all. God knows what we need and will take care of it for us. All we need to worry about is loving and obeying Him.
I like that.
Peace.
Later when I explained this a couple times to other friends, I was asked why I decided to ditch Taco Bell at all, and told by several people that they didn't really care about how bad it is. I copped a sort of, "I'm better and healthier than you," attitude at them, which I'm only now realising.
Earlier this week I started listening to sermons by Andrew Wommack, the head of Charis Bible College in Colorado Springs (the college I visited because it's where almost all my new friends in Colorado attend school). I decided to do this because there's nowhere else I know of to get really solid charismatic teachings around here in Lansing without going to a different church...and I don't feel like dealing with even more church drama than I already have. Right now I'm in the middle of one titled "The Importance of the Word." As one of his points, Andrew brings up the fact that many Americans now worship good health and tout dieting and exercise as the way to acquire it. He then points out that Scripture states plenty of other ways that our bodies are kept healthy.
Some examples he used:
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Prov. 17:22
"Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." Ex. 20:12
Plus plenty of verses (especially in Psalms and Proverbs) about how the fear of the Lord, wisdom, and obeying the Lord bring long life and health. I've actually been running more since getting back from Colorado, and when I heard Andrew Wommack make his points on this topic, I realised that I was filling myself with pride over not eating at certain places and exercising more. He did say (and I agree with him) that diet and exercise are definitely part of good health...but if you look at people who honor their parents and have cheerful hearts (even among those who don't really exercise and don't eat well), they're the ones generally living longer.
I realise now that my focus lately has not been only on becoming healthier, because I still haven't been eating well. My focus with exercise has become about looking good. The verses about good health and long life in the Bible are not placed there in order for use to find some solution for better health...they point to health as an aftereffect of following God. This should be our primary focus. Becoming healthy to glorify God is great, but I think Jesus' words in Matthew chapter six are useful here:
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
If we are seeking God with our whole heart, good health is something we don't need to worry about at all. God knows what we need and will take care of it for us. All we need to worry about is loving and obeying Him.
I like that.
Peace.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Westward 2012, debrief
So, this trip to Colorado has officially changed my life. It would take an extremely long post to explain everything and I've already talked about some of it, so I'll briefly go through a few more things God showed me.
Now I know for a fact that God wants me in Colorado, and is going to get me there. All week long, Godly people were approaching me and telling me God has something big in store for me out there. On the last day, one of the teachers at Charis Bible College (someone who I had only just met and did not know my story at all) prayed over me and said, "This week God has given you many divine appointments," and, "God is opening doors for you which no man can shut." Wow...and this at the end of a week full of both of those happening nearly every day.
During the week, God not only encouraged me, but also convicted me. Since last winter I have been getting into drinking despite knowing my bad family history with alcohol. Earlier this summer God let me know it wasn't a good idea and that I shouldn't take part in something that has hurt my family so much already...but I ended up ignoring this after a while. This week God brought back the same point He already made and said it with such force that I've been totally freed from it; not that I was being controlled by it, but rather freed from following that path at all. My roommate Justin's jaw dropped last night when I came home and dumped half a bottle of Jager down the drain. Both of my roommates are excited about it and are very supportive of God doing this in my life, which is great. Today I told my mom about all this so that I wouldn't have to keep it from her anymore. Needless to say, she's also really happy about it, haha.
On the bus coming home, I opened my Bible to the book of II Corinthians. I was looking specifically for the passage about Godly grief in chapter seven, but God took me elsewhere. After I didn't find what I was looking for in those words, I glanced over verse four of chapter seven:
"I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy."
This is Paul talking to the church in Corinth, but when I read it again, God spoke to me:
"Casey, I am acting with great boldness toward you, and I have great pride in you."
I was immediately comforted and started crying (to myself, of course...don't want to embarrass myself on the bus). Those words kept me going the entire trip home, even though I could hardly handle them.
God has definitely renewed me this week. I love what He's doing in me. I have a new desire to search His Word and a newfound trust in the power of the Holy Spirit in me.
Last night when I was thinking about these things, a verse popped into my head which I had heard many times, but which I now think I had gotten all wrong up until now.
"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 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." I Corinthians 10:12-13
I used to think this was saying, "You can fight through every temptation. God gives you some way out in each situation; you just have to buckle down, hand on, and push through it." No. This is all about letting God take control. It doesn't say "a" way of escape, it says "the" way of escape. That way of escape is the Holy Spirit in you. Defeating temptation is not a matter of trying to use God's strength and just getting over it; it's allowing the Holy Spirit to take control and letting the temptation die as you look to Jesus' sacrifice and the freedom God has given you through it.
That seems to be all for now. I'm really excited to see when God will open the door fully so I can take one of the biggest steps of my entire life.
Peace.
Now I know for a fact that God wants me in Colorado, and is going to get me there. All week long, Godly people were approaching me and telling me God has something big in store for me out there. On the last day, one of the teachers at Charis Bible College (someone who I had only just met and did not know my story at all) prayed over me and said, "This week God has given you many divine appointments," and, "God is opening doors for you which no man can shut." Wow...and this at the end of a week full of both of those happening nearly every day.
During the week, God not only encouraged me, but also convicted me. Since last winter I have been getting into drinking despite knowing my bad family history with alcohol. Earlier this summer God let me know it wasn't a good idea and that I shouldn't take part in something that has hurt my family so much already...but I ended up ignoring this after a while. This week God brought back the same point He already made and said it with such force that I've been totally freed from it; not that I was being controlled by it, but rather freed from following that path at all. My roommate Justin's jaw dropped last night when I came home and dumped half a bottle of Jager down the drain. Both of my roommates are excited about it and are very supportive of God doing this in my life, which is great. Today I told my mom about all this so that I wouldn't have to keep it from her anymore. Needless to say, she's also really happy about it, haha.
On the bus coming home, I opened my Bible to the book of II Corinthians. I was looking specifically for the passage about Godly grief in chapter seven, but God took me elsewhere. After I didn't find what I was looking for in those words, I glanced over verse four of chapter seven:
"I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy."
This is Paul talking to the church in Corinth, but when I read it again, God spoke to me:
"Casey, I am acting with great boldness toward you, and I have great pride in you."
I was immediately comforted and started crying (to myself, of course...don't want to embarrass myself on the bus). Those words kept me going the entire trip home, even though I could hardly handle them.
God has definitely renewed me this week. I love what He's doing in me. I have a new desire to search His Word and a newfound trust in the power of the Holy Spirit in me.
Last night when I was thinking about these things, a verse popped into my head which I had heard many times, but which I now think I had gotten all wrong up until now.
"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 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." I Corinthians 10:12-13
I used to think this was saying, "You can fight through every temptation. God gives you some way out in each situation; you just have to buckle down, hand on, and push through it." No. This is all about letting God take control. It doesn't say "a" way of escape, it says "the" way of escape. That way of escape is the Holy Spirit in you. Defeating temptation is not a matter of trying to use God's strength and just getting over it; it's allowing the Holy Spirit to take control and letting the temptation die as you look to Jesus' sacrifice and the freedom God has given you through it.
That seems to be all for now. I'm really excited to see when God will open the door fully so I can take one of the biggest steps of my entire life.
Peace.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Westward 2012, Garden of the Gods
So, I've hardly been in Colorado Springs for three days, and my mind has been blown. So many things have happened since arriving here two nights ago. I'm having a hard time finding words, really. I love this place, and I love the people I've met here.
This morning I hiked to a place called Garden of the Gods, then met one of my new friends, Andrew, in the afternoon to go bouldering in the park. Here are some pictures:
Besides being in a beautiful area, God has also been doing some serious work on me since I've been here, so thanks for your prayers. Yesterday I'm pretty sure I became Pentecostal. Much of the Christian community here is very charismatic and put full stock in the spiritual gifts. I've been wondering about those sort of things for some time now, but have had almost no chance to find out more in Lansing. Most of the people I've met here are students at Charis Bible College, which I think is a Pentecostal school. They talk about spiritual gifts and receiving the Holy Spirit like it's totally normal for Christians...so I thought this was a great opportunity to finally take a step of faith in that direction. I know I've received the Holy Spirit now (preparing myself for the flak from people back home for saying that...), and I've learned a lot more about the spiritual gifts even in this short time.
Also, I've noticed a vast difference in the Christian community here. People's speech is obviously dominated by Christ, and it doesn't feel awkward to bring up God in almost any conversation. Sadly, this is different from what I've experienced elsewhere. I just met more new friends today in a purely divine appointment, and we were all encouraged by each other so much it was ridiculous.
All of this makes me a little concerned about going back home. As far as what I've learned here, I know it's Scriptural because I've seen it before arriving in Colorado...I just needed to see it confirmed. The problem is that I won't really be able to learn more back home in my Christian community. I'll have to start listening to online sermons from the head guy at the college here, Andrew Wommack. I'm pretty concerned about what some people will say if they hear about me joining up with the Pentecostals since it's so different from Baptist practice, but I know God has my back. My faith has been seriously strengthened since coming here, and I know God won't let me be ashamed because of it.
I need to do a lot of praying and seeking God's will, but I'm almost certain that I'm going to move here soon, whatever "soon" means. Turns out the Andrew I went bouldering with today has almost the same passions and vision for ministry as I do. So much has been confirmed to me already on this trip...I can't wait to see what the rest of it brings.
Peace.
This morning I hiked to a place called Garden of the Gods, then met one of my new friends, Andrew, in the afternoon to go bouldering in the park. Here are some pictures:
Besides being in a beautiful area, God has also been doing some serious work on me since I've been here, so thanks for your prayers. Yesterday I'm pretty sure I became Pentecostal. Much of the Christian community here is very charismatic and put full stock in the spiritual gifts. I've been wondering about those sort of things for some time now, but have had almost no chance to find out more in Lansing. Most of the people I've met here are students at Charis Bible College, which I think is a Pentecostal school. They talk about spiritual gifts and receiving the Holy Spirit like it's totally normal for Christians...so I thought this was a great opportunity to finally take a step of faith in that direction. I know I've received the Holy Spirit now (preparing myself for the flak from people back home for saying that...), and I've learned a lot more about the spiritual gifts even in this short time.
Also, I've noticed a vast difference in the Christian community here. People's speech is obviously dominated by Christ, and it doesn't feel awkward to bring up God in almost any conversation. Sadly, this is different from what I've experienced elsewhere. I just met more new friends today in a purely divine appointment, and we were all encouraged by each other so much it was ridiculous.
All of this makes me a little concerned about going back home. As far as what I've learned here, I know it's Scriptural because I've seen it before arriving in Colorado...I just needed to see it confirmed. The problem is that I won't really be able to learn more back home in my Christian community. I'll have to start listening to online sermons from the head guy at the college here, Andrew Wommack. I'm pretty concerned about what some people will say if they hear about me joining up with the Pentecostals since it's so different from Baptist practice, but I know God has my back. My faith has been seriously strengthened since coming here, and I know God won't let me be ashamed because of it.
I need to do a lot of praying and seeking God's will, but I'm almost certain that I'm going to move here soon, whatever "soon" means. Turns out the Andrew I went bouldering with today has almost the same passions and vision for ministry as I do. So much has been confirmed to me already on this trip...I can't wait to see what the rest of it brings.
Peace.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Some camp stuff
So, I just got back from a second week at Bambi Lake camp. This time it was a bunch of 4th-6th graders, and I wasn't actually a group leader: I was just the worship leader. I still got a lot of time to hang out with the kids, though, and it was another sweet group. Lots of games of mafia, silly waiting-in-line camp games...this one reminded me a lot of how camp goes at Center Lake, which is probably why I liked it so much. All of my free time may have also had something to do with it, haha.
For most of the week, I was pretty free every day until about 3:00pm. On a couple of days, I went for walks on the camp trails...and went hiking off-camp. I found an ORV trail and a gravel road, both of which I followed for quite a while on different days. I thought I found bear tracks on the road, but after looking up some animal tracks, I don't think they were...but they were pretty big. Also found a red-bellied snake, one of two species in northern Michigan which don't get very big and are generally really easy to handle (the other is the brown snake). A raven, my favorite bird, was around one of the days, and it looked like a turkey had been following my tracks for a while when I returned.
This turned out to be another week where I got to know some people from the Southern Baptist Convention and Bambi Lake better, which is good. Now I've already been asked to help lead worship for a college-age retreat around New Year. I suppose getting in the convention's good graces is a plus. Even some local church leaders now are apparently watching me a little closer...in a good way, that is.
With some of these things going around in my head, I can't help but also think of a Scripture passage I just read recently:
"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" ~Jesus, John chapter 5
Sounds like Jesus is saying you can't really believe if you're seeking honour from men instead of God. If I'm trying to look good and get my name out there, then somewhere along the way I've lost the point of what I'm doing. I won't be worshiping God, and I won't be leading others in worship. Tough thoughts.
Peace.
For most of the week, I was pretty free every day until about 3:00pm. On a couple of days, I went for walks on the camp trails...and went hiking off-camp. I found an ORV trail and a gravel road, both of which I followed for quite a while on different days. I thought I found bear tracks on the road, but after looking up some animal tracks, I don't think they were...but they were pretty big. Also found a red-bellied snake, one of two species in northern Michigan which don't get very big and are generally really easy to handle (the other is the brown snake). A raven, my favorite bird, was around one of the days, and it looked like a turkey had been following my tracks for a while when I returned.
This turned out to be another week where I got to know some people from the Southern Baptist Convention and Bambi Lake better, which is good. Now I've already been asked to help lead worship for a college-age retreat around New Year. I suppose getting in the convention's good graces is a plus. Even some local church leaders now are apparently watching me a little closer...in a good way, that is.
With some of these things going around in my head, I can't help but also think of a Scripture passage I just read recently:
"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" ~Jesus, John chapter 5
Sounds like Jesus is saying you can't really believe if you're seeking honour from men instead of God. If I'm trying to look good and get my name out there, then somewhere along the way I've lost the point of what I'm doing. I won't be worshiping God, and I won't be leading others in worship. Tough thoughts.
Peace.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Over-spiritualising
So, I was just listening to Francis Chan this morning. Dangerous, I know. He mentioned how a certain passage of Scripture has always bothered him:
"He (Jesus) said also to the man who had invited him, 'When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.' " Luke 14
Well...shoot. I can see why that would bother Francis, because now it's bothering me. Jesus straight up told this guy who invited him into his home for dinner, "Hey, when you throw a party, you shouldn't actually invite your friends or family...you should go get the people from the homeless shelter, the people living on the street, and the people who can't do anything for themselves and don't have any help. Bring those people for the very purpose of not getting anything in return from them. Then you'll have a reward in heaven."
That should be pretty hard to hear, even for people who can't throw full-on banquets. However, I've heard plenty of Jesus' hard words get molded into spiritual metaphors in order to make them more "do-able." Just recently, for example, I heard a sermon on Mark 7:31-37 and 8:22-26. These passages are two separate times when Jesus healed blind men. Sure, if you read those passages (which you should do before going on) you could probably see how there are some spiritual applications. It's just amusing to me how often I hear sermons on passages like this which totally ignore the fact that Jesus (or His disciples at times) physically healed people. It's easier for us to put a hyper-spiritual spin on things rather than deal with certain other issues like, "Well, Jesus said to do this, but I don't see any Christians doing it," or, "Why doesn't God actually heal people anymore?" (FYI, He does...a better question might be, 'Why don't we see it around here?')
I realised the other day that I've been doing things wrong for a while. I've been slowly boxing in God, trying to make Him a part of my life instead of making myself a part of His life. It hurts, but I love those moments when I realise how much I've been missing out on, how much I can learn from God's Word, how totally He can guide my life if I let Him. When those moments arrive, I can run back to His arms, knowing He still loves me and wants to use me in His plan.
"He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Peace.
"He (Jesus) said also to the man who had invited him, 'When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.' " Luke 14
Well...shoot. I can see why that would bother Francis, because now it's bothering me. Jesus straight up told this guy who invited him into his home for dinner, "Hey, when you throw a party, you shouldn't actually invite your friends or family...you should go get the people from the homeless shelter, the people living on the street, and the people who can't do anything for themselves and don't have any help. Bring those people for the very purpose of not getting anything in return from them. Then you'll have a reward in heaven."
That should be pretty hard to hear, even for people who can't throw full-on banquets. However, I've heard plenty of Jesus' hard words get molded into spiritual metaphors in order to make them more "do-able." Just recently, for example, I heard a sermon on Mark 7:31-37 and 8:22-26. These passages are two separate times when Jesus healed blind men. Sure, if you read those passages (which you should do before going on) you could probably see how there are some spiritual applications. It's just amusing to me how often I hear sermons on passages like this which totally ignore the fact that Jesus (or His disciples at times) physically healed people. It's easier for us to put a hyper-spiritual spin on things rather than deal with certain other issues like, "Well, Jesus said to do this, but I don't see any Christians doing it," or, "Why doesn't God actually heal people anymore?" (FYI, He does...a better question might be, 'Why don't we see it around here?')
I realised the other day that I've been doing things wrong for a while. I've been slowly boxing in God, trying to make Him a part of my life instead of making myself a part of His life. It hurts, but I love those moments when I realise how much I've been missing out on, how much I can learn from God's Word, how totally He can guide my life if I let Him. When those moments arrive, I can run back to His arms, knowing He still loves me and wants to use me in His plan.
"He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Peace.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Psalm 37:22
"...for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by the LORD shall be cut off."
Connecting to the previous verse, believers in Christ should also be generous with their possessions because they know these things will not last into eternity. True followers of God have an inheritance with Christ in heaven. We should not act like those whose ultimate end is to be cut off from God. Our hearts have been freed from sin so we may draw close to God...why would we choose to do otherwise? Once we do this, seeking God with our whole heart, it will be evident, and God can be glorified through us.
Peace.
Connecting to the previous verse, believers in Christ should also be generous with their possessions because they know these things will not last into eternity. True followers of God have an inheritance with Christ in heaven. We should not act like those whose ultimate end is to be cut off from God. Our hearts have been freed from sin so we may draw close to God...why would we choose to do otherwise? Once we do this, seeking God with our whole heart, it will be evident, and God can be glorified through us.
Peace.
Psalm 37:21
"The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives..."
Unfortunately, these two principles may not necessarily differentiate between those who utterly reject God and those who claim to follow Him. Those who are made righteous by believing in Jesus are called to be generous, and should freely give of the resources God has entrusted to them...however, this doesn't always happen. Let us draw near to God so He can change our hearts. When this happens, our habits will change as well, and others will be able to see clearly what God has done in our lives. All of this is for His glory.
Peace.
Unfortunately, these two principles may not necessarily differentiate between those who utterly reject God and those who claim to follow Him. Those who are made righteous by believing in Jesus are called to be generous, and should freely give of the resources God has entrusted to them...however, this doesn't always happen. Let us draw near to God so He can change our hearts. When this happens, our habits will change as well, and others will be able to see clearly what God has done in our lives. All of this is for His glory.
Peace.
Psalm 37:20
"But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish - like smoke they vanish away."
Those who do prosper because of their own evil may seem for a while like they can't be stopped...but this will only last for a season. Such people place their trust and treasure in earthly things. Those who know Jesus Christ have a different hope, however, one which surpasses the earthly and enters into the eternal. An eternal hope can't be blown away like smoke in the wind. We follow God in this life, facing hate and discomfort, because we know after this life is over we will be with Him forever, worshiping Him in the light of eternity.
Peace.
Those who do prosper because of their own evil may seem for a while like they can't be stopped...but this will only last for a season. Such people place their trust and treasure in earthly things. Those who know Jesus Christ have a different hope, however, one which surpasses the earthly and enters into the eternal. An eternal hope can't be blown away like smoke in the wind. We follow God in this life, facing hate and discomfort, because we know after this life is over we will be with Him forever, worshiping Him in the light of eternity.
Peace.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Psalm 37:19
"They are not to be put to shame in evil times, in the days of famine they have abundance."
In their times of spiritual darkness, God is still looking out for His children. Our hope in Christ will never fail because He is true to His Word. Even if everything else in life falls away, we still have abundance in God's Spirit. Thank You, Jesus.
Peace.
In their times of spiritual darkness, God is still looking out for His children. Our hope in Christ will never fail because He is true to His Word. Even if everything else in life falls away, we still have abundance in God's Spirit. Thank You, Jesus.
Peace.
Psalm 37:18
"The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever."
Sometimes it's hard to remember that we are blameless in Christ. Reading a passage like this, one may be tempted to start thinking selfishly, "Well, I'm not blameless...I guess I'm not good enough," or even (unconsciously), "I need to make myself blameless so I can feel better about reading things like this in Scripture." When Scripture refers to "the blameless," it is usually referring to those who have been justified in God's sight. This applies to all who are in Christ, whether you feel like it on any given day or not, and it has nothing to do with how "good" you think you have been lately. The focus here, although we are the ones being called "blameless", is actually not on us; it's on Christ and His sacrifice.
Peace.
Sometimes it's hard to remember that we are blameless in Christ. Reading a passage like this, one may be tempted to start thinking selfishly, "Well, I'm not blameless...I guess I'm not good enough," or even (unconsciously), "I need to make myself blameless so I can feel better about reading things like this in Scripture." When Scripture refers to "the blameless," it is usually referring to those who have been justified in God's sight. This applies to all who are in Christ, whether you feel like it on any given day or not, and it has nothing to do with how "good" you think you have been lately. The focus here, although we are the ones being called "blameless", is actually not on us; it's on Christ and His sacrifice.
Peace.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Psalm 37:16
"Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked."
Throughout Scripture, God tells us that it is those who are downtrodden for His name who will ultimately receive the highest reward. It may seem little on earth, but if we resort to the methods of those who reject God (thus rejecting Him ourselves), then we will join in their eternal punishment. Be content, then, with suffering for the sake of Christ. The hope we have in Him is worth the wait.
Peace.
Throughout Scripture, God tells us that it is those who are downtrodden for His name who will ultimately receive the highest reward. It may seem little on earth, but if we resort to the methods of those who reject God (thus rejecting Him ourselves), then we will join in their eternal punishment. Be content, then, with suffering for the sake of Christ. The hope we have in Him is worth the wait.
Peace.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Psalm 37:15
"...their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken."
The ultimate end of those who reject God. The consequences listed here reflect a physical, earthly punishment. Sin always does have an effect in the here and now, whether or not it is blatantly obvious. It erodes our relationships, both with God and with other people on earth, and makes us more susceptible to the traps of the devil. More reasons to avoid envying the wicked, and to trust God.
Peace.
The ultimate end of those who reject God. The consequences listed here reflect a physical, earthly punishment. Sin always does have an effect in the here and now, whether or not it is blatantly obvious. It erodes our relationships, both with God and with other people on earth, and makes us more susceptible to the traps of the devil. More reasons to avoid envying the wicked, and to trust God.
Peace.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Psalm 37:14
"The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright..."
More examples showing why we should not envy such people. Jesus said we would always have the poor with us; this is in part because there will always be evil people trying to make themselves more rich by exploiting the needy. Not only this, but they also are trying to destroy those who walk in truth...probably because they prefer their own deeds to stay in darkness. Fortunately, God has something else planned in the long run.
Peace.
More examples showing why we should not envy such people. Jesus said we would always have the poor with us; this is in part because there will always be evil people trying to make themselves more rich by exploiting the needy. Not only this, but they also are trying to destroy those who walk in truth...probably because they prefer their own deeds to stay in darkness. Fortunately, God has something else planned in the long run.
Peace.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Psalm 37:13
"...but the LORD laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming."
The resolution to the previous verse. Although evildoers and Satan are always out to take advantage of others, God's plan is sovereign. He has their punishment waiting in the wings, and all their best-laid plans are ultimately futile. If we trust in the LORD, there is no reason to fear the wicked, as our hope lies in Christ, eternal life.
Peace.
The resolution to the previous verse. Although evildoers and Satan are always out to take advantage of others, God's plan is sovereign. He has their punishment waiting in the wings, and all their best-laid plans are ultimately futile. If we trust in the LORD, there is no reason to fear the wicked, as our hope lies in Christ, eternal life.
Peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
