Too often I find myself looking at life from a "me-focused" perspective:
"What should I do?"
"What can I do?"
"What should I not have done?"
This tends to make me frustrated and worried, because it's a law-based perspective. I'm constantly putting myself down from not living up to my own expectations.
Obviously, living with this perspective is not the way to be content and joyful in life. Rather, I need to keep my focus on Christ:
What has he done for me?
What is he doing in my life right now?
What has he promised for my future?
In terms of my eternal state ("What has God promised for my future?"), that's something for which I fully rely on God, not on myself. I have been made of a child of God by his grace and saved through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ, which is a gift of God. My eternal salvation is not in question, and it is secure in Christ.
It's the day-to-day life that's a struggle, not my hope for the future. Satan tries to tear me (all of us) down: "You're such a terrible person. You never get anything right. God is so disappointed in you."
To counter this, we get to live in the knowledge that we are forgiven. God gladly and willingly forgives all our mistakes--even the ones we might think are unforgivable--and helps us turn away from our sins, repent, and turn back to him.
When I feel like I'm a "terrible person" or a "bad Christian," I remind myself that God sometimes works in and through me despite me! The Holy Spirit, living within us, enables us to live a life that's obedient to God and that reflects his love to those around us.
The ability to live a "good Christian life" is not something we find within ourselves. It's something God gives us freely, as a father gives good gifts to his children.
We cannot trust our feelings in this. Whether I "feel" like I'm a terrible person or not, that doesn't change what God has done for me. Our forgiveness is not based on our feelings. Neither is our salvation. We are saved and forgiven because of God's great love for us, shown in Christ's death and resurrection.
This is what I want to be the focus of my life!
Not me. Not my actions.
God--and his great love for me.
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
"Aha" moments in Scripture reading
My husband and I use Portals of Prayer for our daily devotions each morning. Each devotion has a Scripture passage, a short message, and a prayer--it's been a great way for us to get into the habit of being in the Word every day. (If you're looking for an easy reminder to be in the Word daily, I also recommend subscribing to Lutheran Hour Ministries' devotions, delivered via email.)
The other day the passage was from Luke 12, verses 13-21: The parable of the "Rich Fool." Summed up, this is a story Jesus told about a young man who had earned a lot of money, had a big crop, and a lot of wealth stored up, so he decided to take life easy and enjoy what he had. The story continues, however, "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Right after this story is the "Do Not Worry" passage. Verse 22 read, "Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore...'"
One thing my mom taught me about Bible reading is that when you come across a "Therefore," see what it's "there for" (haha). In other words, look at the context--what came before the "therefore"?
In my personal Bible reading lately I've been working through some Old Testament books, including Nehemiah and Ecclesiastes. There is value in reading a short passage and doing deep study on it, but I've also discovered the benefit of reading large sections of Scripture at once--several chapters or a whole small book in one sitting (I got through Esther in two days). It's much easier to see the "big picture" when you look at a book as a whole, instead of individual verses. I've often read the "Do Not Worry" passage, especially in Matthew, because it's a reminder I need regularly. But I haven't often looked at it in Luke, and I definitely haven't looked at it much in its context.
Here's what I see these passages saying:
Don't put stock in physical possessions or in the amount of money you have saved up. You might be able to enjoy it now, but what's going to happen when you die? All that will be worthless. (See Ecclesiastes for more on this.)
Physical possessions aren't what you should be spending all your time and thought on. You shouldn't be worrying about those things--food and clothes. They're temporal things, and besides, God knows you need them. Look at how he takes care of animals! They're never without food, protection, and shelter. If God takes care of animals that way, you can trust that he'll provide for your needs, too.
No, it's the unbelievers who spend their lives worrying about their physical needs and stocking up possessions, because they don't have any purpose beyond this life. But you know that eternity in heaven is waiting for you--so spend your life focusing on that. Seek spiritual treasures, those things that you can't lose, and God will provide physical blessings to you as well.
He has given you the ultimate gifts--salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. Don't worry about anything else.
What I find awesome is that this whole section-- twenty-one verses--is all connected and flows together logically. (Duh. It was written by God.) I really hope I'm not the first one to take so long to notice this.
Reading this whole passage together was so encouraging for me. What "aha" moments have you had in your Scripture reading lately?
Linking today with Upward Not Inward, Deep Roots at Home, Raising Homemakers, Exceptionalistic, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
How I was saved, and how you were, too!
This post was inspired by this salvation story on natashametzler.com. Reading Natasha's post and responding to it got me thinking about my own salvation story!
The story of my salvation doesn't start with me. It starts with God. God, who created heaven and earth and everything in them. God, who from the beginning of the world had a plan to conquer sin and death (Genesis 3:15). God, who sent His Son to earth to become a human baby, who would grow into a sinless human man, who would die for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16).
Image Credit: bela_kiefer via www.freedigitalphotos.net
My salvation starts with the incredible love of God. It's because God loves us--all people--so much that He has a plan for all of us to spend eternity with Him.
He gives us faith. We become His children. We believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, and the fact that Jesus' death paid the price for all the wrong we ever do. We live a brief life on earth, obeying God and loving Him according to His Word and in response for the gifts He constantly gives us (in addition to the gift of faith in Him! Wow!). Then, when our sinful, earthly bodies die, our sinless souls are united with God in heaven, and spend eternity joyfully with Him in paradise.
This is what God did for me. He made me his child just four weeks after I was born into this world. In my baptism, the Holy Spirit came into my heart by the power of God's Word, and gave me faith. It wasn't necessary for me to understand what that meant, because my saving isn't about me. It's not anything I do. God saves us, God makes us His children. It's kind of like how we become our parents' children. We don't have any choice to become their children. And they don't love us because of anything we do. They love us simply because they are our parents. God loves us because He is our Father.
So I became God's child through the miracle of baptism. As I grew, my parents taught me, using God's Word, how much God loves me, and what Jesus did for me. And I knew for sure that I was God's child. I knew that whenever I died, I would be in heaven with Jesus. I knew that I was sinful, and did bad things, but I also knew that God forgave those sins when I asked Him to, just as my parents told me they forgave me when I disobeyed them.
Now that I'm an adult, I'm still constantly learning what it means to be God's child. How does that play out in my everyday life? God reminds me daily to trust Him in everything. He has to keep teaching me how to accept His forgiveness, because I struggle with remembering that. Satan is constantly working to try to pull me away from God, but I know that because the Holy Spirit lives in my heart, Satan can't hurt me. Jesus has already defeated him and his power, and I have nothing to fear.
So my salvation story doesn't end with me, either. It ends with the ultimate gift from God--eternal life in heaven. It will end when my sinful body dies, and my eternal, holy, sinless soul is taken to heaven by Jesus, where I will live with Him forever. There no one will be sad or in pain. There will be no death, no grief, no discomfort. There will be joy, peace, love, and light, and it will be more wonderful than we can ever imagine, until we actually get there.
God wants everyone to be in heaven with Him. He has created you just like He did me, and He loves you, too, more than you will ever understand. I hope you know my Jesus, too, and know that He is your Lord and Savior--and how much He loves you. You can spend eternity in heaven, too, because Jesus paid the price for your sins as well as mine. Try saying this to God, your Father--you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain:
"Dear God, I know you love me. I know you sent your Son, Jesus, to pay the price for my sins. I acknowledge Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for giving me faith in you and in what Jesus has done for me. Now, as your child, I give my whole life to you."
Linking up today: A Holy Experience, Upward Not Inward, Deep Roots at Home, Raising Homemakers, We are THAT Family
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Saved by Grace. This is what matters.
My friends, it's a blessed but weary morning. Most days I'm ready to jump out of bed and start my Bible reading, make breakfast, write a post if I haven't already.
Today I'd love to go back to bed, but this house needs my attention, and so do you. And you and I both need a reminder of the big picture--what life is all about, what the most important thing is. (And I'll tell you what, it's not the fact that I have a lot of picking up to do around here.)
It's this:
Ephesians:
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. [Emphases added] [Source]
This is what matters. We can't expect perfection from ourselves, because we're not perfect. We needed saving--which means at one point, we were lost. Specifically, dead (see v. 1). But in our baptisms, God made us one with Christ--one in his death, and one in his resurrection, so both Jesus' sacrifice and righteousness count for us, too. God made us alive with Christ. He has given us the promise of eternal life with Jesus, and because of his grace has given us faith (again, through our baptism and in the Word) which saves us.
Can I add a note here? Perhaps you don't believe the truth of these things. You might have heard about them, but not made them a part of your life. If you don't know who Jesus is, or if you've heard of him but don't believe in him as your Lord and Savior, please, email me (jaimie dot ramsey at cune dot org) and we'll talk. This message is for you, too, because Jesus also died for and loves YOU!
Our salvation is not contingent upon anything we do or don't do. That would make even salvation from sin into a law. But it's not.
Our salvation is entirely about Jesus, and what HE has done for us.
We are children of God and the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, enabling us to live obedient lives to God. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf, God no longer looks at us and sees sinners. He looks at us and sees Jesus. He knows we're sinful, but he also knows Jesus has already paid the price for that sin. He has already forgiven us for everything we have done or will ever do that is against his will for us. There is no more price to be paid, no more punishment to be taken. Oh, we experience the temporal consequences of bad decisions. Sometimes those consequences are acutely painful. But they don't affect our eternal state--our soul has been ransomed by Jesus Christ, and nothing in this world can touch it.
Ah...yes. This is what's important. God doesn't love me more if my house is clean. He doesn't look at my homemaking skills or my good grades and say, "Well done, Jaimie, you've just made your salvation more sure." That would be ridiculous. God doesn't depend on us for our own salvation. He just asks that we don't throw away the faith in his Son that he's graciously given us. And I'm not about to do that.
Today, you and I can rest in the knowledge that God loves us, no matter what our house looks like, no matter how we do in our job or our studies or whatever vocation we're in. Remember that you are saved by grace through faith, and this is NOT of your own doing. It's a gift from God.
Linking today with Upward not Inward, Exceptionalistic, Deep Roots at Home, Raising Homemakers
Today I'd love to go back to bed, but this house needs my attention, and so do you. And you and I both need a reminder of the big picture--what life is all about, what the most important thing is. (And I'll tell you what, it's not the fact that I have a lot of picking up to do around here.)
It's this:
Ephesians:
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. [Emphases added] [Source]
This is what matters. We can't expect perfection from ourselves, because we're not perfect. We needed saving--which means at one point, we were lost. Specifically, dead (see v. 1). But in our baptisms, God made us one with Christ--one in his death, and one in his resurrection, so both Jesus' sacrifice and righteousness count for us, too. God made us alive with Christ. He has given us the promise of eternal life with Jesus, and because of his grace has given us faith (again, through our baptism and in the Word) which saves us.
Can I add a note here? Perhaps you don't believe the truth of these things. You might have heard about them, but not made them a part of your life. If you don't know who Jesus is, or if you've heard of him but don't believe in him as your Lord and Savior, please, email me (jaimie dot ramsey at cune dot org) and we'll talk. This message is for you, too, because Jesus also died for and loves YOU!
Our salvation is not contingent upon anything we do or don't do. That would make even salvation from sin into a law. But it's not.
Our salvation is entirely about Jesus, and what HE has done for us.
We are children of God and the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, enabling us to live obedient lives to God. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf, God no longer looks at us and sees sinners. He looks at us and sees Jesus. He knows we're sinful, but he also knows Jesus has already paid the price for that sin. He has already forgiven us for everything we have done or will ever do that is against his will for us. There is no more price to be paid, no more punishment to be taken. Oh, we experience the temporal consequences of bad decisions. Sometimes those consequences are acutely painful. But they don't affect our eternal state--our soul has been ransomed by Jesus Christ, and nothing in this world can touch it.
Ah...yes. This is what's important. God doesn't love me more if my house is clean. He doesn't look at my homemaking skills or my good grades and say, "Well done, Jaimie, you've just made your salvation more sure." That would be ridiculous. God doesn't depend on us for our own salvation. He just asks that we don't throw away the faith in his Son that he's graciously given us. And I'm not about to do that.
Today, you and I can rest in the knowledge that God loves us, no matter what our house looks like, no matter how we do in our job or our studies or whatever vocation we're in. Remember that you are saved by grace through faith, and this is NOT of your own doing. It's a gift from God.
Linking today with Upward not Inward, Exceptionalistic, Deep Roots at Home, Raising Homemakers
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Abraham: Living by Faith
This week for my Bible study I've been reading in Genesis, chapters 12-22. These are the ones about Abraham and Sarah. I haven't really pondered their journey recently, and reading this story anew brought things to light that I hadn't thought about before.
First, Abram and Sarai (their original names) traveled with Abram's father and family from Ur to Haran-- quite a long way. Then when Abram was seventy-five and his wife was sixty-five, God called them to leave their family behind and move again, this time all the way to Canaan. (Click on this link to see a map of their journey.)
God made a promise to Abram before they left Haran:
2 "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:2-3
Shortly after their arrival in Canaan they traveled to Egypt to escape a famine (Gen. 12:10-20). Pharaoh tried to make Sarai part of his harem because Abram lied and said she was his sister (see 20:12). Pharaoh found out and was not happy, but gave them riches and servants anyway and sent them on their way.
They went back to Canaan where Abram parted ways with his nephew Lot, who had been traveling with them. Lot got into trouble with local kings and Abram had to rescue him (Gen. 13-14). Abram and Lot were successful, and once again God blessed them through their enemies. God renewed his covenant with Abram, promising him the land in which he lived would belong to his descendants, of which there would be more than there were stars in the sky (Gen 15).
However, Abram and Sarai were getting old, and Sarai doubted that she would be able to have a child. So she gave her servant Hagar to Abram to conceive a child, which Hagar did, bearing Ishmael. Unfortunately, as soon as Hagar became pregnant, Sarai was jealous of her and treated her poorly (Gen 16).
Not long after that, God and three angels appeared to Abraham (whose name God had changed) in the form of human men. They told Abraham that in a year's time, his wife would bear a son. God had already informed Abraham of this (17:15-22), but this time it was in Sarah's hearing (18:1-15). Her response was the same as Abraham's when he heard: She laughed.
Later, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, where Lot and his family were living. Only Lot and his two daughters escaped, and they did not live God-pleasing lives (Gen. 19).
Another king, this time Abimelech king of Gerar, tried to make Sarah part of his harem and God spared him punishment (Gen 20).
Finally, Abraham and Sarah's son Isaac was born, fulfilling God's prophecy (Gen. 21). Then when Isaac was in his teens, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. Abraham was about to do it when God stopped him and provided a ram for the sacrifice instead, rewarding Abraham for his faith and obedience (22:1-19).
Isaac, of course, was the father of Jacob, who had twelve sons, who became the twelve tribes of Israel. From Abraham the entire Jewish line was descended, and through his son Ishmael the Arabian tribes descended (Muslims trace their heritage back to Abraham as well as Jews and Christians). But Abraham and Sarah couldn't see how God's promises would be fulfilled, hundreds and thousands of years into the future. They both struggled to trust. They lied, doubted, tried to do things their own way, and laughed at God's words.
Despite all of this, Abraham was praised by the writer of Hebrews as a man of faith (Hebrews 11:8-12). This passage says that Abraham trusted God "by faith," and that even Sarah "considered [God] faithful who had made the promise." And that was after Sarah had laughed at God's prediction of her conception!
In 1 Peter 3 we read that the holy women of the past used to make themselves beautiful with "the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4).
I think too often we read the Genesis passage in light of the Hebrews one. Abraham was a man of faith, so those things he did in Genesis weren't as bad as they really seem. Well, they really were bad! Abraham was a sinner, just like you and me. But when we look at the Hebrews passage in light of the Genesis one, we see God's grace. We see that God counted Abraham and Sarah righteous, and faithful, not by anything they had done, but because of God's grace and mercy--because of Jesus and what he did for them.
The same is true for us. We are sinners, yes, but because of Jesus, God looks at us with love and grace. He does not look at the sinful things we have done or count them against us, because Jesus has paid the price for those sins. God looks at us as perfect and holy, because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross in our place. He died for us and for all people who have ever lived (including Abraham and Sarah) so that we don't have to die eternally, but can look forward to eternity in heaven with Jesus.
Therefore, like Abraham, we may live by faith--by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Can you relate at all with the struggles of Abraham? How do you see God's grace working in your life?
Linking today with Upward Not Inward, Exceptionalistic
First, Abram and Sarai (their original names) traveled with Abram's father and family from Ur to Haran-- quite a long way. Then when Abram was seventy-five and his wife was sixty-five, God called them to leave their family behind and move again, this time all the way to Canaan. (Click on this link to see a map of their journey.)
God made a promise to Abram before they left Haran:
2 "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:2-3
Shortly after their arrival in Canaan they traveled to Egypt to escape a famine (Gen. 12:10-20). Pharaoh tried to make Sarai part of his harem because Abram lied and said she was his sister (see 20:12). Pharaoh found out and was not happy, but gave them riches and servants anyway and sent them on their way.
They went back to Canaan where Abram parted ways with his nephew Lot, who had been traveling with them. Lot got into trouble with local kings and Abram had to rescue him (Gen. 13-14). Abram and Lot were successful, and once again God blessed them through their enemies. God renewed his covenant with Abram, promising him the land in which he lived would belong to his descendants, of which there would be more than there were stars in the sky (Gen 15).
However, Abram and Sarai were getting old, and Sarai doubted that she would be able to have a child. So she gave her servant Hagar to Abram to conceive a child, which Hagar did, bearing Ishmael. Unfortunately, as soon as Hagar became pregnant, Sarai was jealous of her and treated her poorly (Gen 16).
Not long after that, God and three angels appeared to Abraham (whose name God had changed) in the form of human men. They told Abraham that in a year's time, his wife would bear a son. God had already informed Abraham of this (17:15-22), but this time it was in Sarah's hearing (18:1-15). Her response was the same as Abraham's when he heard: She laughed.
Later, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, where Lot and his family were living. Only Lot and his two daughters escaped, and they did not live God-pleasing lives (Gen. 19).
Another king, this time Abimelech king of Gerar, tried to make Sarah part of his harem and God spared him punishment (Gen 20).
Finally, Abraham and Sarah's son Isaac was born, fulfilling God's prophecy (Gen. 21). Then when Isaac was in his teens, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. Abraham was about to do it when God stopped him and provided a ram for the sacrifice instead, rewarding Abraham for his faith and obedience (22:1-19).
Isaac, of course, was the father of Jacob, who had twelve sons, who became the twelve tribes of Israel. From Abraham the entire Jewish line was descended, and through his son Ishmael the Arabian tribes descended (Muslims trace their heritage back to Abraham as well as Jews and Christians). But Abraham and Sarah couldn't see how God's promises would be fulfilled, hundreds and thousands of years into the future. They both struggled to trust. They lied, doubted, tried to do things their own way, and laughed at God's words.
Despite all of this, Abraham was praised by the writer of Hebrews as a man of faith (Hebrews 11:8-12). This passage says that Abraham trusted God "by faith," and that even Sarah "considered [God] faithful who had made the promise." And that was after Sarah had laughed at God's prediction of her conception!
In 1 Peter 3 we read that the holy women of the past used to make themselves beautiful with "the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4).
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. (3:5-6)Abraham trusted and obeyed God, and Sarah trusted and obeyed her husband. No, they did not do it perfectly. They sinned. They doubted sometimes. But what does the writer of Hebrews tell us? They had faith.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)The faith in God that Abraham and Sarah had did not make them perfect. It did not make them impervious to fear and doubt. But that faith was not something that they had by their own doing. God blessed them with faith to trust in him. He blessed them even when they faltered. And God does the same with us.
I think too often we read the Genesis passage in light of the Hebrews one. Abraham was a man of faith, so those things he did in Genesis weren't as bad as they really seem. Well, they really were bad! Abraham was a sinner, just like you and me. But when we look at the Hebrews passage in light of the Genesis one, we see God's grace. We see that God counted Abraham and Sarah righteous, and faithful, not by anything they had done, but because of God's grace and mercy--because of Jesus and what he did for them.
The same is true for us. We are sinners, yes, but because of Jesus, God looks at us with love and grace. He does not look at the sinful things we have done or count them against us, because Jesus has paid the price for those sins. God looks at us as perfect and holy, because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross in our place. He died for us and for all people who have ever lived (including Abraham and Sarah) so that we don't have to die eternally, but can look forward to eternity in heaven with Jesus.
Therefore, like Abraham, we may live by faith--by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Can you relate at all with the struggles of Abraham? How do you see God's grace working in your life?
Linking today with Upward Not Inward, Exceptionalistic
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
My Purpose for Writing and for Life
I was inspired today to reevaluate my purpose and goals for this blog, and for my writing in general. Why am I writing? About what am I writing? For whom am I writing?
Bottom line, I'm writing to honor and glorify God. I am writing so that you can know my Jesus--the Son of God who is Lord of all.
And within that, I'm writing to encourage, build up, and inspire you--those for whom I write.
I want to write about a lot of things: homemaking, marriage, cooking, life. But I want the good news of Jesus Christ to be the common thread that runs through all of that. God is all-pervading in my life; he's the reason I am alive and he gives me purpose for life. I want my blog to reflect that.
I'm writing for you, and I'm writing for Jesus.
Maybe that sounds kind of corny. But in this little space on the internet, I have a voice, and I can use that voice to serve him: to praise him for who he is and what he has done, and to talk about the good news of his life, death, and resurrection.
I want to share a lot of things with you. I'm thankful for each of my readers, and yes, I hope my readership will grow. But I want that mostly so that I can tell all of you who read these words of mine, that Jesus loves you.
I want you to know that: Jesus loves you. So much. So much that he, the Son of God, came to earth as a human, lived, and died, and rose again, for you. He did this so you can have a relationship with him, have faith in him as your Lord and Savior, and spend eternity in heaven with him.
As a sinful person, I won't always accomplish what I set out to do on this blog. I might focus more on myself than my God. When that happens, I ask that you graciously look past my faults to the perfect God who, by his grace, I do my best to serve.
He has done everything for me, and he has done everything for you. Please rest in the knowledge today that the Creator and King of the universe--loves--you.
Linking with: The Fontenot Four, black tag diaries, There's Just One Mommy, Loved and Lovely
Bottom line, I'm writing to honor and glorify God. I am writing so that you can know my Jesus--the Son of God who is Lord of all.
And within that, I'm writing to encourage, build up, and inspire you--those for whom I write.
I want to write about a lot of things: homemaking, marriage, cooking, life. But I want the good news of Jesus Christ to be the common thread that runs through all of that. God is all-pervading in my life; he's the reason I am alive and he gives me purpose for life. I want my blog to reflect that.
I'm writing for you, and I'm writing for Jesus.
Maybe that sounds kind of corny. But in this little space on the internet, I have a voice, and I can use that voice to serve him: to praise him for who he is and what he has done, and to talk about the good news of his life, death, and resurrection.
I want to share a lot of things with you. I'm thankful for each of my readers, and yes, I hope my readership will grow. But I want that mostly so that I can tell all of you who read these words of mine, that Jesus loves you.
I want you to know that: Jesus loves you. So much. So much that he, the Son of God, came to earth as a human, lived, and died, and rose again, for you. He did this so you can have a relationship with him, have faith in him as your Lord and Savior, and spend eternity in heaven with him.
As a sinful person, I won't always accomplish what I set out to do on this blog. I might focus more on myself than my God. When that happens, I ask that you graciously look past my faults to the perfect God who, by his grace, I do my best to serve.
He has done everything for me, and he has done everything for you. Please rest in the knowledge today that the Creator and King of the universe--loves--you.
Linking with: The Fontenot Four, black tag diaries, There's Just One Mommy, Loved and Lovely
Monday, January 14, 2013
Marriage: A Challenge and a Blessing
If you are married, you know that marriage isn't always a walk in the park. It's hard work! When two sinful (saved by grace, but still sinful) people merge their lives, there will be difficulties, no matter how compatible a couple is.
At the root of many marital difficulties is communication, or the lack thereof--communication about money, sex, in-laws, jobs, children, etc, etc. Learning to communicate fully with one's spouse is a lifelong process, one for which I definitely do not have all the answers. What I do know is that it is essential for each spouse to seek to understand the way their partner communicates, because, of course, men and women communicate in quite different ways. When each spouse is willing to look at things with the other person's perspective, communication will be easier.
In my experience and in talking with married friends, I've noticed that as married couples, many of us are great at communicating with other people, but not necessarily with each other! But then,
we don’t live with other people, and therein lies the greatest difficulty and the greatest blessing in marriage.
I
think God often give us the spouse he has because that person has something to teach
us, or because something about them helps us realize our own weaknesses and strengths. That's definitely true for Joshua and me. Marriage, I have learned, is one of the most effective ways God teaches us to be more like Jesus. It requires us to be selfless, to give of ourselves for the good of the other person, to love someone even when they're driving us crazy. It requires us to have tough love, and to keep the other person accountable to God's will and direction for their lives. Making a lifetime commitment to another person, and sticking with that commitment, is one of the hardest things anyone could ever do--but it will be one of the greatest blessings they will ever experience.
One unfortunate thing that I have discovered in life, in relationships with my parents, siblings, and husbands, is that it is easiest to hurt and disagree with the people I
love the most (partly because I'm with them so much, and know them better than I know anyone else). This
isn't a pleasant fact, but because we live in a sinful world, it's true.
I also
know that God's love and forgiveness make up for the deficiencies in our own
ability to love and forgive. Therefore, no matter what struggles we have, we have the strength of Christ to work through them and the love and the
forgiveness from the Father to heal after the struggles are worked out. This is the only way my marriage works, and it is the backbone of all the relationships I have: God's love and his forgiveness.
Marriage is by no means easy. We have to fight against our sinful natures every day, but by God's grace he enables us to become more like him, and love our spouse the way God loves both of us. Even when we do fail, God gives us a second chance (and a third, and a fourth...). He constantly forgives us when we repent, and helps us try again. And I, for one, am glad I have an entire lifetime with my husband to work on getting this marriage-thing right!
Marriage is by no means easy. We have to fight against our sinful natures every day, but by God's grace he enables us to become more like him, and love our spouse the way God loves both of us. Even when we do fail, God gives us a second chance (and a third, and a fourth...). He constantly forgives us when we repent, and helps us try again. And I, for one, am glad I have an entire lifetime with my husband to work on getting this marriage-thing right!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Born to die...and live
I find myself smiling every time I'm able to say "Merry Christmas" to someone in a store, or at work. It's a reminder of what this holy day we're soon to celebrate is all about. Signs and decorations proclaiming "Jesus is the reason for the season!" are great--and I agree with them--but do we ever stop to think about why Jesus came to earth?
God became flesh, taking the form of a human baby, so he could live as one of us...and die.
Jesus was born to die.
That was the goal of his life: to give it up in order to save ours. To draw all people to himself. To conquer sin, death, and the devil once and for all.
That baby lying in a manger, born in a humble stable, coming into the world naked and bawling? Just about thirty-three years later, he would be humbled in another way--nailed, naked, to a rough wooden cross, hung high for all those around to see. He would give up himself willingly--and Satan would think he had won.
But then, three days later, he would rise again. His body would be whole and perfect. And those who loved him proclaimed the news joyfully--He is risen! Just as the angels had proclaimed to the shepherds--He is born!
Humbled, in order to be glorified.
Born, to die...and then live.
God made man, so that man could live eternally with God.
Emmanuel...God with us.
That, my friends, is the reason for this holy season. That is what Christmas is all about.
God became flesh, taking the form of a human baby, so he could live as one of us...and die.
Jesus was born to die.
That was the goal of his life: to give it up in order to save ours. To draw all people to himself. To conquer sin, death, and the devil once and for all.
That baby lying in a manger, born in a humble stable, coming into the world naked and bawling? Just about thirty-three years later, he would be humbled in another way--nailed, naked, to a rough wooden cross, hung high for all those around to see. He would give up himself willingly--and Satan would think he had won.
But then, three days later, he would rise again. His body would be whole and perfect. And those who loved him proclaimed the news joyfully--He is risen! Just as the angels had proclaimed to the shepherds--He is born!
Humbled, in order to be glorified.
Born, to die...and then live.
God made man, so that man could live eternally with God.
Emmanuel...God with us.
That, my friends, is the reason for this holy season. That is what Christmas is all about.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
living in Advent
Some days I forget it's Advent.
Not just the days leading up till Christmas...but we're living in Advent all the time, people! We're waiting, preparing (that's what "Advent" means), for the second coming of Jesus Christ, whose first coming to earth we'll celebrate in just twelve days.
We're waiting for the Son of God to come back--God, who became human, one of us--in order to live, die, and rise again--for us.
This Son of God, who loves us so very much, is coming back for us.
Even as we anticipate the joy of Christmas, we see so much sadness in the world. War, hunger, poverty, homelessness, disease, crime, anger, hate... all the signs that sin saturates this planet. It might be easy to forget about some of those things for a while, when we're in our warm homes, brightened by colored Christmas lights, eating lots of special food and treats, spending our over-abundance of money on gifts (many of which aren't really necessary), and wishing each other the peace and joy of the season.
Don't get me wrong, those are all good things and I enjoy them so much! But we like to forget all those bad things that are happening, that don't affect our lives. But those things are part of our world, too. They're caused by our own sinfulness. But Christ came to this sinful world anyway...isn't that amazing?
It's important to remember that these things won't last. All those horrible, sad, depressing things? They're temporary. Our houses, our possessions, our jobs, our wealth (or lack thereof) aren't permanent.
The peace and joy that our Savior brings, though--that will last.
Soon the reign of sin in the world will end. It may not be in our lifetime, but it will not last forever.
I'm fairly certain it won't end on December 21st. God is returning, but not when we expect Him to. We can't foretell when that Day will come--not even the Son knows that, but only the Father.
But it is coming! The Savior who has come into the world, will come back--to take me, and all believers, to live in paradise with him, for eternity.
It'll be like a never-ending Christmas celebration: surrounded by our loved ones, in the light of His presence, praising God and basking in His love. Forever.
Are you ready?
Not just the days leading up till Christmas...but we're living in Advent all the time, people! We're waiting, preparing (that's what "Advent" means), for the second coming of Jesus Christ, whose first coming to earth we'll celebrate in just twelve days.
We're waiting for the Son of God to come back--God, who became human, one of us--in order to live, die, and rise again--for us.
This Son of God, who loves us so very much, is coming back for us.
Even as we anticipate the joy of Christmas, we see so much sadness in the world. War, hunger, poverty, homelessness, disease, crime, anger, hate... all the signs that sin saturates this planet. It might be easy to forget about some of those things for a while, when we're in our warm homes, brightened by colored Christmas lights, eating lots of special food and treats, spending our over-abundance of money on gifts (many of which aren't really necessary), and wishing each other the peace and joy of the season.
Don't get me wrong, those are all good things and I enjoy them so much! But we like to forget all those bad things that are happening, that don't affect our lives. But those things are part of our world, too. They're caused by our own sinfulness. But Christ came to this sinful world anyway...isn't that amazing?
It's important to remember that these things won't last. All those horrible, sad, depressing things? They're temporary. Our houses, our possessions, our jobs, our wealth (or lack thereof) aren't permanent.
The peace and joy that our Savior brings, though--that will last.
Soon the reign of sin in the world will end. It may not be in our lifetime, but it will not last forever.
I'm fairly certain it won't end on December 21st. God is returning, but not when we expect Him to. We can't foretell when that Day will come--not even the Son knows that, but only the Father.
But it is coming! The Savior who has come into the world, will come back--to take me, and all believers, to live in paradise with him, for eternity.
It'll be like a never-ending Christmas celebration: surrounded by our loved ones, in the light of His presence, praising God and basking in His love. Forever.
Are you ready?
Sunday, September 2, 2012
the reason for friendship. And my Best Friend.
I realized yesterday why God gives us friends.
It's so that he can love us through other people. Friends are one of God's means of blessing us.
And, he gives us friends so that he can bless them through us. It's a two-way street.
I mean, even Jesus surrounded himself with just twelve men--his closest friends--and even had three very best friends out of those twelve (Peter, James and John). If God himself needed friends while he lived on this earth, then we certainly do.
It's so important to have someone in your life who you can trust completely. Who can trust you. Someone who will love you for exactly who you are, but still let you know when you're being an idiot. Someone who helps you to grow, and become the person God is shaping you to be.
It's even more of a blessing when you have several someones like that. I'm more thankful than words can express to say that I do. Besides just my husband, who is my very best friend, there is more than one other person who I consider a true friend.
Not all of them are people I talk to all the time. Some of them I haven't seen in months, or even in over a year. But when we do get together, we pick up right where we left off.
Some of them are so much like me it's scary. Some of them are very different from me. But they are all in my life for good reason--even if God's the only one who knows what those reasons are.
I have to be careful to remember, though, that these human relationships aren't the most important relationship in my life. There is Someone who wants to be my Best Friend, even better than my husband. He wants me to come to talk to him about everything. He knows me exactly as I am, all my best and worst qualities, and he loves me anyway.
His name is Jesus.
And if he isn't your Best Friend, too, I know he wants to be. You can just ask him to come into your life. He'll come. He loves you more than you can imagine. He's better than any human friend--because he's God. He made you. He saved you from all the evil in the world, and in your own life, and in yourself. He died so that you could be forgiven of every bad thing you've ever done or will do. He rose again so that he could, someday, bring you to live with him in heaven forever.
This friend gave his life so that he could spend eternity with you.
That's a real friend.
It's so that he can love us through other people. Friends are one of God's means of blessing us.
And, he gives us friends so that he can bless them through us. It's a two-way street.
I mean, even Jesus surrounded himself with just twelve men--his closest friends--and even had three very best friends out of those twelve (Peter, James and John). If God himself needed friends while he lived on this earth, then we certainly do.
It's so important to have someone in your life who you can trust completely. Who can trust you. Someone who will love you for exactly who you are, but still let you know when you're being an idiot. Someone who helps you to grow, and become the person God is shaping you to be.
It's even more of a blessing when you have several someones like that. I'm more thankful than words can express to say that I do. Besides just my husband, who is my very best friend, there is more than one other person who I consider a true friend.
Not all of them are people I talk to all the time. Some of them I haven't seen in months, or even in over a year. But when we do get together, we pick up right where we left off.
Some of them are so much like me it's scary. Some of them are very different from me. But they are all in my life for good reason--even if God's the only one who knows what those reasons are.
I have to be careful to remember, though, that these human relationships aren't the most important relationship in my life. There is Someone who wants to be my Best Friend, even better than my husband. He wants me to come to talk to him about everything. He knows me exactly as I am, all my best and worst qualities, and he loves me anyway.
His name is Jesus.
And if he isn't your Best Friend, too, I know he wants to be. You can just ask him to come into your life. He'll come. He loves you more than you can imagine. He's better than any human friend--because he's God. He made you. He saved you from all the evil in the world, and in your own life, and in yourself. He died so that you could be forgiven of every bad thing you've ever done or will do. He rose again so that he could, someday, bring you to live with him in heaven forever.
This friend gave his life so that he could spend eternity with you.
That's a real friend.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The Privilege of Being His Witness
Joshua and I read in Matthew for our devotions this morning. Part of the passage was the Great Commission in Matthew 28:
Being Christ's witnesses doesn't necessarily mean going to Africa or China or Russia to be a missionary.
It means sharing our faith in our daily lives, everywhere we go.
No believer has an excuse for NOT being a witness.
And no believer has to despair that they don't have the time, money or resources to become a missionary to a foreign country.
We are witnesses in the places and vocations in which God has placed us.
For me, that means I am a witness at home (yes, to my husband, even though he is a believer!), at school, at work, in my little town, and to my friends, acquaintances and others who read what I put on the internet every day.
(Have you ever thought of that? Your Facebook posts, tweets, and blog posts are all part of your Christian witness! How are you sharing the love of Christ through your online presence?)
These passages in Matthew and Acts are always a wake-up call for me. It's a conviction: I need to be aware of how I'm witnessing Christ, and be intentional about it! And it's also an encouragement: I have been given the incredible privilege of representing the God of the universe, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to every person I see each day.
How incredible is that?
My encouragement, to myself and to you, today is this:
Look for ways God has given you to witness him.
Be intentional at least once today about speaking the Gospel and the name of Jesus to someone you normally wouldn't.
Remember--God will give you the words to say, because His Holy Spirit is in your heart.
Linking up with these lovely ladies:
The Houtz House Party; New Life Steward; A Wise Woman Builds Her Home; Deep Roots at Home; Women Living Well
"Then Jesus came to [the disciples] and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
Matthew 28:18-20The account of Jesus' ascension in Acts 1 adds some more insight:
"[Jesus] said to [the disciples]: 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power then the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"
Acts 1:7-8We are called to be Christ's witnesses, making disciples "of all nations." For some Christians, that means going to faraway countries to preach the Gospel. For others, that means witnessing for Jesus in our neighborhoods, workplaces and towns. Jesus told the disciples they would be witnesses in Jerusalem--the city they were in at the time--and in Judea--the country where they were.
Being Christ's witnesses doesn't necessarily mean going to Africa or China or Russia to be a missionary.
It means sharing our faith in our daily lives, everywhere we go.
No believer has an excuse for NOT being a witness.
And no believer has to despair that they don't have the time, money or resources to become a missionary to a foreign country.
We are witnesses in the places and vocations in which God has placed us.
For me, that means I am a witness at home (yes, to my husband, even though he is a believer!), at school, at work, in my little town, and to my friends, acquaintances and others who read what I put on the internet every day.
(Have you ever thought of that? Your Facebook posts, tweets, and blog posts are all part of your Christian witness! How are you sharing the love of Christ through your online presence?)
These passages in Matthew and Acts are always a wake-up call for me. It's a conviction: I need to be aware of how I'm witnessing Christ, and be intentional about it! And it's also an encouragement: I have been given the incredible privilege of representing the God of the universe, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to every person I see each day.
How incredible is that?
My encouragement, to myself and to you, today is this:
Look for ways God has given you to witness him.
Be intentional at least once today about speaking the Gospel and the name of Jesus to someone you normally wouldn't.
Remember--God will give you the words to say, because His Holy Spirit is in your heart.
Linking up with these lovely ladies:
The Houtz House Party; New Life Steward; A Wise Woman Builds Her Home; Deep Roots at Home; Women Living Well
Monday, July 16, 2012
Trusting God's Promises
This is what I have been hearing from God the last few days:
I have chosen you; I have called you; you are Mine. (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4-6)
I know you're not perfect. I've forgiven all your sins; just tell Me about them, and then we'll forget it. (1 John 1:8-10)
No, you're not a failure. I still want you to help carry out My purposes. (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 3:9)
I have a plan for you. It's okay that you don't know all about it yet. I do, and that's what matters. (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 33:10-11)
I know your life is hard sometimes, and you don't always understand why things happen the way they do. I do understand, and most importantly, I have control of everything. Nothing happens without my permission. (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7)
Trust me. In everything. I'm bigger than all your problems, and I will take care of you. (1 Peter 5:6-7; Romans 8:35-39)
These promises of God are true for you, too.
Read those passages from His words to you. Yes, God wrote the Scriptures with you in mind--and me, and everyone else who has ever lived.
Just trust in his promises. Read these words of God, spoken through Paul to the Thessalonian believers:
I have chosen you; I have called you; you are Mine. (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4-6)
I know you're not perfect. I've forgiven all your sins; just tell Me about them, and then we'll forget it. (1 John 1:8-10)
No, you're not a failure. I still want you to help carry out My purposes. (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 3:9)
I have a plan for you. It's okay that you don't know all about it yet. I do, and that's what matters. (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 33:10-11)
I know your life is hard sometimes, and you don't always understand why things happen the way they do. I do understand, and most importantly, I have control of everything. Nothing happens without my permission. (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7)
Trust me. In everything. I'm bigger than all your problems, and I will take care of you. (1 Peter 5:6-7; Romans 8:35-39)
These promises of God are true for you, too.
Read those passages from His words to you. Yes, God wrote the Scriptures with you in mind--and me, and everyone else who has ever lived.
Just trust in his promises. Read these words of God, spoken through Paul to the Thessalonian believers:
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." -1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Simple Faith
I recently read a book by Janette Oke called A Bride for Donnigan. I won't give a full synopsis--it was just the end that really moved me yesterday. (However, I would recommend this and all her books!)
By the end of the book, two parents are trying to raise their six young children as well as they can. Neither parent was raised in a Christian family, but they believe there is a God, and that they should teach their children about Him. Slowly, through much study of the Bible, they come to understand what God has done throughout history. But there is something missing. The husband and wife are both still burdened with anger and unforgiveness as a result of their past. Finally, while talking with their children about Jesus, their little girl realized what they needed to do. "I want to tell God sorry," she sobbed. Her parents had not yet understood what it meant to pray--that they could just tell God anything--but their small daughter spoke simply to God, telling Him she was sorry for the bad things she had done, and asking Him to forgive her. When she finished, she looked up at them with a smile full of joy and peace, knowing she was forgiven.
Her parents wanted that. So, not long afterward, they each told God that they were sorry for what they had done wrong, asked Him to forgive them, and asked Him to help them live their lives in obedience to Him.
It was that simple. They, too, felt the peace and joy that their little daughter had.
Now, I know this is a fictional story. But Janette Oke is right. The apostle John wrote in his first epistle,
I've been a Christian all my life. I was baptized when I was less than a month old, and I've had saving faith in Jesus Christ ever since. I am thankful for this, but sometimes I make my faith more complicated than it needs to be. Sometimes I'm fooled into thinking I actually have to do something to earn God's forgiveness...that I have to live a perfect life in order to please Him.
Well, I would have to live a perfect life to please God...if Jesus hadn't already done it for me.
There's nothing more I have to do. Jesus has paid the price for my sins, taken them away on the cross, and provided the means necessary for my eternal forgiveness and salvation.
I don't have to try to impress God. All He wants me to do is "tell Him sorry."
Thanks be to God for His immeasurable grace!!
Yesterday, as I closed this book, I was in tears. I realized that I had been trying too hard. I don't need a big, complicated faith. Jesus encouraged His followers to have faith like a child--and that's what I need, too: a complete, unassuming faith that expects nothing of myself. God doesn't expect me to be perfect. He knows I can't be, and that I can't do anything good on my own. He is the One who gives me the willpower, strength and ability to please and serve Him.
So I asked Him for that. I asked Him if this blog is really what He wants me to do--if it's pleasing and glorifying to Him. I asked Him to help me be the best wife I can be to Joshua. I asked God to help me honor, glorify, serve and praise Him in everything I do.
Then, last night, a friend messaged me on Facebook. She said that my blog was a blessing to her, and even asked for help in coming up with an idea for a devotion.
A comment on yesterday's post suggested that I write devotions for women.
My husband reiterated once again that I am a great wife to him.
Now, it's not often that God answers my prayers quite this clearly. Sometimes I'm not sure what His answer is. Sometimes it's "No" or "I have something better for you." But yesterday, the answer clearly was "Yes." I am so very thankful to have been encouraged in this way.
By the end of the book, two parents are trying to raise their six young children as well as they can. Neither parent was raised in a Christian family, but they believe there is a God, and that they should teach their children about Him. Slowly, through much study of the Bible, they come to understand what God has done throughout history. But there is something missing. The husband and wife are both still burdened with anger and unforgiveness as a result of their past. Finally, while talking with their children about Jesus, their little girl realized what they needed to do. "I want to tell God sorry," she sobbed. Her parents had not yet understood what it meant to pray--that they could just tell God anything--but their small daughter spoke simply to God, telling Him she was sorry for the bad things she had done, and asking Him to forgive her. When she finished, she looked up at them with a smile full of joy and peace, knowing she was forgiven.
Her parents wanted that. So, not long afterward, they each told God that they were sorry for what they had done wrong, asked Him to forgive them, and asked Him to help them live their lives in obedience to Him.
It was that simple. They, too, felt the peace and joy that their little daughter had.
Now, I know this is a fictional story. But Janette Oke is right. The apostle John wrote in his first epistle,
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8-9).It's that simple. When we confess our sinfulness, God forgives us and purifies us from the sin within us.
I've been a Christian all my life. I was baptized when I was less than a month old, and I've had saving faith in Jesus Christ ever since. I am thankful for this, but sometimes I make my faith more complicated than it needs to be. Sometimes I'm fooled into thinking I actually have to do something to earn God's forgiveness...that I have to live a perfect life in order to please Him.
Well, I would have to live a perfect life to please God...if Jesus hadn't already done it for me.
There's nothing more I have to do. Jesus has paid the price for my sins, taken them away on the cross, and provided the means necessary for my eternal forgiveness and salvation.
I don't have to try to impress God. All He wants me to do is "tell Him sorry."
Thanks be to God for His immeasurable grace!!
Yesterday, as I closed this book, I was in tears. I realized that I had been trying too hard. I don't need a big, complicated faith. Jesus encouraged His followers to have faith like a child--and that's what I need, too: a complete, unassuming faith that expects nothing of myself. God doesn't expect me to be perfect. He knows I can't be, and that I can't do anything good on my own. He is the One who gives me the willpower, strength and ability to please and serve Him.
So I asked Him for that. I asked Him if this blog is really what He wants me to do--if it's pleasing and glorifying to Him. I asked Him to help me be the best wife I can be to Joshua. I asked God to help me honor, glorify, serve and praise Him in everything I do.
Then, last night, a friend messaged me on Facebook. She said that my blog was a blessing to her, and even asked for help in coming up with an idea for a devotion.
A comment on yesterday's post suggested that I write devotions for women.
My husband reiterated once again that I am a great wife to him.
Now, it's not often that God answers my prayers quite this clearly. Sometimes I'm not sure what His answer is. Sometimes it's "No" or "I have something better for you." But yesterday, the answer clearly was "Yes." I am so very thankful to have been encouraged in this way.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness."
When we pray, "God, please forgive me," that is a prayer He always answers with "Yes."
God keeps His promises.
Whenever we confess, He will forgive and cleanse us.
And it really is as simple as that--as simple as a child's faith.
Friday, June 22, 2012
on my words and THE Word
I'm one of those people who struggles with speaking before I think.
When I was younger, I would sometimes get in trouble for saying something rude, out of turn, or disrespectful. My parents' wise "punishment" was to have me copy down verses from the Proverbs about the difference between a wise person who holds his tongue and a foolish person who does not.
Now most of those verses are underlined in my Bible, because I still need the reminder!
Lately I've been struggling with complaining and arguing, mostly to/with my husband. I stubbornly insist on my own way, even when it's a little thing that doesn't matter.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Do everything without complaining or arguing" (Philippians 2:14).
Well, there it is. Don't complain, don't argue, period.
What I often forget about that verse, and what I think is often left out of it, is the context. Here is the whole passage:
Of course Paul doesn't mean here that we can be completely blameless and without fault...that's not possible for us sinful humans. But we can ask God to give us a complete and faultless devotion to doing his will. This is something he desires for us to have, so it is a prayer he will answer!
The biggest part of this verse to me is the purpose for living a life free of complaining and arguing. We are to shine like stars in the universe, in the darkness of this "crooked and depraved" world, holding out the Word of Life--the Gospel. Our lives, as children of God, should so shine in the darkness that unbelievers can see God's Word being enacted in our lives.
The apostle Matthew wrote,
As his child, my biggest goal for my life is to praise and glorify God, and to shine his light in a dark world!
Sometimes that's an overwhelming thought. It sounds like way too much for me to do on my own.
Well, that's because it is. I'm not supposed to do it on my own.
I may be a lamp on a stand, but the Holy Spirit is the fire inside me that shines HIS light everywhere I go. As part of the body of Christ, I'm the light of the world, but that light doesn't come from me. It comes from God's Word--the Word of light, and the Word of life.
John wrote concerning Jesus,
When I was younger, I would sometimes get in trouble for saying something rude, out of turn, or disrespectful. My parents' wise "punishment" was to have me copy down verses from the Proverbs about the difference between a wise person who holds his tongue and a foolish person who does not.
Now most of those verses are underlined in my Bible, because I still need the reminder!
Lately I've been struggling with complaining and arguing, mostly to/with my husband. I stubbornly insist on my own way, even when it's a little thing that doesn't matter.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Do everything without complaining or arguing" (Philippians 2:14).
Well, there it is. Don't complain, don't argue, period.
What I often forget about that verse, and what I think is often left out of it, is the context. Here is the whole passage:
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." -Philippians 2:14-16Wow. That adds a lot more meaning to the verse!
Of course Paul doesn't mean here that we can be completely blameless and without fault...that's not possible for us sinful humans. But we can ask God to give us a complete and faultless devotion to doing his will. This is something he desires for us to have, so it is a prayer he will answer!
The biggest part of this verse to me is the purpose for living a life free of complaining and arguing. We are to shine like stars in the universe, in the darkness of this "crooked and depraved" world, holding out the Word of Life--the Gospel. Our lives, as children of God, should so shine in the darkness that unbelievers can see God's Word being enacted in our lives.
The apostle Matthew wrote,
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:14-16I don't watch what I say to avoid having to copy down Bible verses over and over. I do it, or try to do it, because it is obedient to God and a life that is obedient to God is a life that praises him.
As his child, my biggest goal for my life is to praise and glorify God, and to shine his light in a dark world!
Sometimes that's an overwhelming thought. It sounds like way too much for me to do on my own.
Well, that's because it is. I'm not supposed to do it on my own.
I may be a lamp on a stand, but the Holy Spirit is the fire inside me that shines HIS light everywhere I go. As part of the body of Christ, I'm the light of the world, but that light doesn't come from me. It comes from God's Word--the Word of light, and the Word of life.
John wrote concerning Jesus,
"Through him [Jesus] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men." -John 1:3-4
Thursday, May 24, 2012
don't worry, be {thankful}
One of the biggest ways the devil tries to trip me up in life is by getting me to worry. If you read my ramblings here much at all you probably know that.
The biggest thing I have to worry about most of the time is money. How can we make more? Can we start setting money aside for a new car? How can I afford to get my husband something for our anniversary next week? And on and on.
I KNOW several things:
1) God always provides.
2) God knows what I need.
3) God will not let us be destitute.
4) In comparison to millions of people, we have a lot.
5) We have never gone hungry, never gone without electricity, never been without a home, clothes, or anything important.
6) God specifically says in his Word, "Do not worry" (Matthew 6:25).
I know all that. I know how blessed we are. But sometimes it's really hard to not worry...after all, I'm a sinful person.
The other night I was worrying, again, about money (as usual). We were already in bed, and I started freaking out a little. My wonderful (amazing, wise, loving, caring, sweet) husband reassured me in so many ways. He reminded me how God has always provided in the past. He came up with ideas of ways to stretch the money we do have (we're still taking a little anniversary getaway!!!). He sang me a little song, the lyrics of which are Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." I know those words were told to the Israelites, but I know they apply to me as well.
It meant so much to me that my husband did this, especially because when I worry (particularly when it's out loud), it hurts him, too--it communicates that I don't trust God or my husband to take care of me. Worrying is my way of trying to be in control...but as a child of God and a wife I am not supposed to be in control! I am supposed to submit to and trust both God and my husband to care for me.
That doesn't mean I sit back and don't do anything to help. Just this week I worked a seven-hour workday between my cleaning and my library jobs. I keep busy at home. I do my best to save us money. And God blessed us this week with lots of food from our dear friends who are moving away.
So I guess what I'm saying in all this rambling is...I'm working on it. The whole not-worrying-just-trusting thing. And being thankful. Because that's what it comes down to: when I'm thankful, I'm not worrying; I'm remembering all that God has done for me. And it is so much!
{things I'm thankful for this week}
-rain. finally. for all the farmers around here who need it so much.
-an amazing, although whirlwind, weekend with my family for my brother's graduation.
-a surprise visit from my best high school friend while we were at my parents'!! it was AWESOME!!
-waking up to a clean house every day. finally getting the hang of this thing.
-a newly stocked fridge, freezer and pantry from our friends' fridge, freezer and pantry!
-amazing friends. Ruth and Joseph. Love them so much...going to miss them so much (but they'll be back!)
-coffee and doughnuts today, with hubby and then R&J before they left
-quiet mornings at home
-forty followers! amazing! thanks all!!
-300+ posts...can't believe how far I've come with this blogging thing
-my incredible, hardworking, sweet, sexy, loving husband
-God's constant love, forgiveness and grace
linking up with all these lovely blogs today!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Grace of Good Friday
The greatest grace of Good Friday, I think, is not simply that Jesus died to take away our sins. He died so that we wouldn't have to.
I realized this yesterday, at the Good Friday service led by my future father-in-law. (Church is really a family thing when we're with my future in-laws!)
He read Isaiah 53 as part of the sermon. "He was pierced for our transgressions..." instead of us. "He was bruised for our iniquities..." instead of us. "The punishment that brought us peace was upon him..." instead of us.
In a real time and place in history, Christ hung on a cross and bore every sin of every person who ever lived. He endured the wrath of God his Father, experiencing hell so that we wouldn't have to. He felt what it was like to be completely separated from God. He felt the pain, the guilt, the shame of every sin ever committed.
And he did it out of love for mankind, because he wanted us to be able to spend eternity with him. He wants me to live in heaven with him forever! And he made it possible for that to happen.
He even, in his death, took away the sins I haven't committed yet. When I do sin, I'm forgiven the second I repent. My debt has already been paid. My guilt is gone. Because of Christ's sacrifice.
Not only did he sacrifice himself, the perfect Lamb of God, the sacrifice for all sin, in his Deity he conquered sin and death completely and was not bound by it. The power of Satan is no power against the might of God. Christ did not stay dead; he rose and lives and reigns in heaven, for all eternity.
This is love. This is forgiveness. This is grace. This is Gospel: Jesus.
I realized this yesterday, at the Good Friday service led by my future father-in-law. (Church is really a family thing when we're with my future in-laws!)
He read Isaiah 53 as part of the sermon. "He was pierced for our transgressions..." instead of us. "He was bruised for our iniquities..." instead of us. "The punishment that brought us peace was upon him..." instead of us.
In a real time and place in history, Christ hung on a cross and bore every sin of every person who ever lived. He endured the wrath of God his Father, experiencing hell so that we wouldn't have to. He felt what it was like to be completely separated from God. He felt the pain, the guilt, the shame of every sin ever committed.
And he did it out of love for mankind, because he wanted us to be able to spend eternity with him. He wants me to live in heaven with him forever! And he made it possible for that to happen.
He even, in his death, took away the sins I haven't committed yet. When I do sin, I'm forgiven the second I repent. My debt has already been paid. My guilt is gone. Because of Christ's sacrifice.
Not only did he sacrifice himself, the perfect Lamb of God, the sacrifice for all sin, in his Deity he conquered sin and death completely and was not bound by it. The power of Satan is no power against the might of God. Christ did not stay dead; he rose and lives and reigns in heaven, for all eternity.
This is love. This is forgiveness. This is grace. This is Gospel: Jesus.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Pondering the letter of Jude
This is one little Epistle that I think often gets overlooked. I was reading the introductory material because I don't know much about the letter. Apparently it was disputed as to whether or not it was really God-inspired for two reasons: Jude echoes much of what Peter wrote in 2 Peter 2, and twice he quotes Apocryphal literature, which Lutherans don't believe was God-inspired (I can't say for other denominations). Anyway, it was finally accepted into the Biblical canon and does have a lot of good to say. Most of the 25-verse book warns about false teachers and compares them with evil people from Old Testament times. But toward the end Jude encourages his readers,
"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them, to others show mercy, mixed with fear" (20-23).
It is God who will build us up and keep us and have mercy on us as we look forward to when Christ comes again. The last sentence describes what we should be doing until then: be merciful to those who doubt (have been influenced by false teachers, those who would try to sway them from their faith); snatch others from the fire (rescue them from being destroyed by Satan, who would try to take away their faith); to others show mercy, mixed with fear (be kind and merciful to those who are not of the faith, but be wary around them in order to not be influenced by them).
Finally, in concluding the book, Jude turns his focus completely to God, who after all is still in control despite the work of Satan and false teachers and those who preach lies. Jude writes,
"To him who is able
to keep you from falling
and to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and with great joy--
to the only God our Savior
be glory, majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
before all ages, now and forevermore!
Amen."
(I divided up the lines myself; this feels like it could be a psalm so I made it look like one. Didn't change the text at all!)
God keeps us from falling, from stumbling in our faith. God will present us, without fault and with great joy, before his own glorious presence! This verse is such a comfort to me. It's all Gospel; it takes the work and the burden completely off us and puts it all on God. It's not about what we do! It's about HIM, and him alone! Not only will God keep us strong in our faith in him until the last day, but he will prepare us to stand before him, without fault. I take that to be a reference to how he has taken all of our sins away and no longer counts them against us. When we stand before his judgment seat on that last day, he will look at us and see not our sinful selves but the perfect righteousness of his Son who died to wash away our sin.
To that great God be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!
Amen.
"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them, to others show mercy, mixed with fear" (20-23).
It is God who will build us up and keep us and have mercy on us as we look forward to when Christ comes again. The last sentence describes what we should be doing until then: be merciful to those who doubt (have been influenced by false teachers, those who would try to sway them from their faith); snatch others from the fire (rescue them from being destroyed by Satan, who would try to take away their faith); to others show mercy, mixed with fear (be kind and merciful to those who are not of the faith, but be wary around them in order to not be influenced by them).
Finally, in concluding the book, Jude turns his focus completely to God, who after all is still in control despite the work of Satan and false teachers and those who preach lies. Jude writes,
"To him who is able
to keep you from falling
and to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and with great joy--
to the only God our Savior
be glory, majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
before all ages, now and forevermore!
Amen."
(I divided up the lines myself; this feels like it could be a psalm so I made it look like one. Didn't change the text at all!)
God keeps us from falling, from stumbling in our faith. God will present us, without fault and with great joy, before his own glorious presence! This verse is such a comfort to me. It's all Gospel; it takes the work and the burden completely off us and puts it all on God. It's not about what we do! It's about HIM, and him alone! Not only will God keep us strong in our faith in him until the last day, but he will prepare us to stand before him, without fault. I take that to be a reference to how he has taken all of our sins away and no longer counts them against us. When we stand before his judgment seat on that last day, he will look at us and see not our sinful selves but the perfect righteousness of his Son who died to wash away our sin.
To that great God be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!
Amen.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Christ has Triumphed!!
In two days it will be Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. I've been reading the book of Colossians the last few days, and a passage in chapter two struck me today. It's also appropriate for almost-Lent:
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (2:13-16)
For Israelites, being circumcised was the sign of their relationship and covenant with God. It meant they were chosen by him and one of his own. For Christians today, Baptism is a parallel sign of the same thing. The passage is talking about how when we were dead--in our sins, and therefore not in a relationship with God--he gave us life, in Christ. We were in debt to God because of our sins, that's what the "written code" is talking about. All those regulations are the laws of God. They're not bad, because they are necessary, but their purpose is to show us our sin and what we do wrong. What Jesus did with his death was take that Law and fulfill it completely, because we as imperfect humans can't. He took away the condemning Law from us, taking away our task of fulfilling it, and completed it himself.
What I love is the mental picture this passage gives, of Jesus nailing the Law to the cross, saying, "I'm going to take care of this so no one else has to." Those "powers and authorities" are Satan and his evil angels. Jesus took away all the power they have over us, and (in modern terms) he owned them. That is to say, he humiliated them, took away their power, and conquered them entirely. He has TRIUMPHED over sin! And death! And Satan himself! One of my favorite Easter hymns begins, "Jesus lives, the victory is won!"
What that means is that sin, death, and Satan no longer have any power over those who belong to Jesus, including ME! I sometimes forget that. Sometimes I wallow in my guilt and shame.
But Jesus took it all away. Yes, I sin daily. But you know what? I am already forgiven!!!! Jesus has ALREADY paid the entire price for my sin!! It no longer counts against me. The second I say, "Jesus, I'm sorry, please forgive my sin," he replies, "My child, it's already been forgiven."
I am a saved, loved, and forgiven child of GOD!!! May I dwell in the knowledge of that every day of my life. Even as we begin Lent, a time of pondering what Christ suffered for our sakes, we need not wallow in our sin, guilt, and despair. That makes the Good News of what Jesus did all about us, turning it into Law. It's not about us. It's about Him. What he's done. And what he's done is forgive us, destroy our sins and our debt, and give us new life and salvation.
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (2:13-16)
For Israelites, being circumcised was the sign of their relationship and covenant with God. It meant they were chosen by him and one of his own. For Christians today, Baptism is a parallel sign of the same thing. The passage is talking about how when we were dead--in our sins, and therefore not in a relationship with God--he gave us life, in Christ. We were in debt to God because of our sins, that's what the "written code" is talking about. All those regulations are the laws of God. They're not bad, because they are necessary, but their purpose is to show us our sin and what we do wrong. What Jesus did with his death was take that Law and fulfill it completely, because we as imperfect humans can't. He took away the condemning Law from us, taking away our task of fulfilling it, and completed it himself.
What I love is the mental picture this passage gives, of Jesus nailing the Law to the cross, saying, "I'm going to take care of this so no one else has to." Those "powers and authorities" are Satan and his evil angels. Jesus took away all the power they have over us, and (in modern terms) he owned them. That is to say, he humiliated them, took away their power, and conquered them entirely. He has TRIUMPHED over sin! And death! And Satan himself! One of my favorite Easter hymns begins, "Jesus lives, the victory is won!"
What that means is that sin, death, and Satan no longer have any power over those who belong to Jesus, including ME! I sometimes forget that. Sometimes I wallow in my guilt and shame.
But Jesus took it all away. Yes, I sin daily. But you know what? I am already forgiven!!!! Jesus has ALREADY paid the entire price for my sin!! It no longer counts against me. The second I say, "Jesus, I'm sorry, please forgive my sin," he replies, "My child, it's already been forgiven."
I am a saved, loved, and forgiven child of GOD!!! May I dwell in the knowledge of that every day of my life. Even as we begin Lent, a time of pondering what Christ suffered for our sakes, we need not wallow in our sin, guilt, and despair. That makes the Good News of what Jesus did all about us, turning it into Law. It's not about us. It's about Him. What he's done. And what he's done is forgive us, destroy our sins and our debt, and give us new life and salvation.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
How do I tell The Story? (Luke 2, Matthew 1)
Yesterday morning in chapel we heard the Christmas Story from Luke and Matthew. (Mark doesn't have a story of the birth of Jesus at all, and John's story of the Nativity is this: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)
The speaker asked us, how do we tell the story? What does it really mean to us, that a baby was born in a manger to a virgin?
John 3:16 would be a concise way of telling the story. But here's how I'll tell it:
God created the world. It was good, until sin entered it. People chose death instead of life. But because God still loved men and women, he created a plan. It was a great, perfect, complex plan, that would involve every person who would ever live. God would use the people he had created as part of his plan to save those people.
One of those people was a Jewish girl named Mary, who lived about four thousand years after God created the world. God sent one of his angels, Gabriel, to this girl. She was a virgin, and she was engaged to a man named Joseph. God had decided that Mary would be the mother of his Son. Because he is all-powerful, he was able to create a baby inside of her, even though she was still a virgin. Gabriel explained this to Mary, who was obedient to God.
God chose a very humble, simple place for his Son to be born. He chose a stable, full of animals, smelly but warm. Mary gave birth in this stable, one cold night, because there was nowhere else for her and Joseph to go. Instead of the Son of God being born in a nice house, he was born where animals lived, and slept in their feeding trough. Instead of being greeted by wealthy, important people, the first people to visit the baby God-man were humble shepherds, who heard the song of angels announce the birth of God's Son. Later, this baby was visited by men who studied the sky, had seen a special star, and had followed it for many miles until they found where the child was. These men were not Jewish, but they knew that this little boy, Jesus, was special. They gave him gifts signifying who he would become and what he would do.
The boy Jesus grew up, without sin, obedient to his earthly parents and his heavenly Father. When he was grown, he completed the task that God had sent him to earth to do. He saved the world into which he had been born.
This is how I tell the story- the greatest story ever told, the greatest story that is the greatest truth in existence. Today, I want to live this story.
The speaker asked us, how do we tell the story? What does it really mean to us, that a baby was born in a manger to a virgin?
John 3:16 would be a concise way of telling the story. But here's how I'll tell it:
God created the world. It was good, until sin entered it. People chose death instead of life. But because God still loved men and women, he created a plan. It was a great, perfect, complex plan, that would involve every person who would ever live. God would use the people he had created as part of his plan to save those people.
One of those people was a Jewish girl named Mary, who lived about four thousand years after God created the world. God sent one of his angels, Gabriel, to this girl. She was a virgin, and she was engaged to a man named Joseph. God had decided that Mary would be the mother of his Son. Because he is all-powerful, he was able to create a baby inside of her, even though she was still a virgin. Gabriel explained this to Mary, who was obedient to God.
God chose a very humble, simple place for his Son to be born. He chose a stable, full of animals, smelly but warm. Mary gave birth in this stable, one cold night, because there was nowhere else for her and Joseph to go. Instead of the Son of God being born in a nice house, he was born where animals lived, and slept in their feeding trough. Instead of being greeted by wealthy, important people, the first people to visit the baby God-man were humble shepherds, who heard the song of angels announce the birth of God's Son. Later, this baby was visited by men who studied the sky, had seen a special star, and had followed it for many miles until they found where the child was. These men were not Jewish, but they knew that this little boy, Jesus, was special. They gave him gifts signifying who he would become and what he would do.
The boy Jesus grew up, without sin, obedient to his earthly parents and his heavenly Father. When he was grown, he completed the task that God had sent him to earth to do. He saved the world into which he had been born.
This is how I tell the story- the greatest story ever told, the greatest story that is the greatest truth in existence. Today, I want to live this story.
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